We're Home!

Just a quick message to say that we made it home safely from our Hawaiian adventure. We had a great time on the Big Island with my side of our family. We'll share more about it later after we catch up on our much needed zzzzz's. After a "red eye" flight late last night and not getting to our home until this afternoon, we're greatly lacking. PTL that all of our flights went well and the Little Miss was a terrific traveler!

The True Meaning of Christmas

We have been blessed with an unseasonably early "White Christmas" this year. We love the snow so it's been a refreshing change from the typical rainy weather we get during the winter. The most exciting event this month however is not the snow or visiting the lovely Storybook Land or even a fun family vacation (though we sure are looking forward to that). It's not about the holiday dresses or the Christmas tree (or lack thereof) and is certainly not about a heavier-than-average stranger dressed up in a white beard and red velvet tights. Most importantly this month, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Little Miss loved this nativity scene craft project that she got from her Aunt Tonya and Savannah. She often asks to hold it by saying "Baby Jesus!!!" (though once in awhile she gets confused and asks for "Noah". We're still working to get her biblical facts straightened out). When you ask her "What is Christmas about?" she replies excitedly "Jesus!!!". That's our girl.

Merry Christmas from the West Coast Wagners!

Evolution of the Christmas Dress(es)

There are many things I love about having a girl, one of which is getting to dress our Little Miss up in a special Christmas dress. Of course the real reason we celebrate this holiday has nothing to do with clothing, however it sure is fun to find a dress (or "dresses" as it may be). It's amazing to think how much our girl has changed over the years when we look back on her fancy attire:

Yes, I realize that she has more dresses than the number of Christmases she's been alive for, thus far. We were blessed with three beautiful dresses from two of my aunts and our friend Mel last year. That made it extra fun!

This year our girl will have a special "sun" dress for the holiday itself. Considering it's been really cold here lately, we'll save that one for later. For now, here's our Little Miss in her pre-Christmas 2008 dress (I sure like quality second-hand store finds).

Doesn't she look like a porcelain doll in this picture? I'm biased but I think she's simply adorable.

Date Night

Mr. Wagner and I joined the Booths on a double-date this weekend. My hubby and Janelle both work at the same company so we all got gussied up and attended the big event together. As you can see, my manly man sure cleans up well!

(P.S. A big Thank You! goes out to Janelle's parents, Wally and Carolyn, for watching the kiddos!)

O' Christmas Tree

Not to brag but I must say, the West Coast Wagners have a Christmas tree that gives the Rockefeller Center tree a run for it's money.

Their tree may be over 75 years old, but our tree will last for that and much longer! Their tree may be grandiose and well lit but our tree is unique in it's own way (aside from the mere fact that there are thousands of others that were mass produced at the same time). At 72 feet tall, you would have to have binoculars to clearly see details at the top of the Rockefeller tree. At 1.5 feet, the star on top of our tree is easily visible. Our tree even sits gently upon a bookshelf, I bet their tree couldn't do that!

Yessiree, I think our tree is the clear winner in this contest. Don't be too jealous, dear Readers. Next year, we plan to lower our lofty standards and will just get a REAL tree (ha, ha).

(For those of you wondering why we have a plastic potted plant as our tree this year, let's just say that the only live tree we could have for the holiday would be a Palm tree).

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all had a terrific day of Thanks with your families. We are extremely thankful for our family...extended families...adopted extended families...and friends!

Happy Thanksgiving from the West Coast Wagners!

Cake Decorating 101

The cake decorating class that Joani talked Mel and I into taking is officially coming to an end (that's worth a hallelujah!!!). Aside from the fact that it's been a blast spending time with these two wonderful women, I am looking forward to the conclusion of this creative (or lack thereof) endeavor.

I have learned a thing or two about myself as a result of this challenge. First, it WAS a challenge (for me!). I've always wanted to learn to decorate cakes but I now know that my talents lie better along the lines of baking (and eating) the cakes. Both Mel and I decided we should leave the decorating to Joani.

Second, this class reiterated my ability to rebel. Our instructor, while a very nice lady, must be lacking taste buds on her tongue. She gave us a recipe for her frosting and encouraged us to use it for the class each week. Who knew that decorator's frosting is mostly made of Crisco? Bleck! I of course refused to follow suit and made several different versions of buttercream (Italian Meringue, French and Cream Cheese). While my frostings tasted yummy, real butter is harder to work with than the tasteless hydrogenated oil.

Here are a few pictures from the class:



Yes, I know Sunflowers don't actually "smile". We were practicing our writing skills. And the spiderweb cake? Not my pick, it was a Halloween themed cake. Since I don't like spiders I had to visualize "Charlotte" to make it through. The snowman cake is my favorite. It was the very last cake so I finally caved and used the Crisco frosting. Lesson learned is that I should have listened to the instructor. Even if the cakes tasted horrible, they would have looked nicer and I would have saved myself a lot of calories!

If any of you need a cake decorated in the near future, just let me know. I'll be happy to call Safeway, Costco or the nearest bakery for you.