Christmas Parties

I am sure everyone can relate that Christmas is the time for parties and we have had our fair share this year. First we went to our annual Stake Christmas Dance that they have for the adults. Ben LOVES this activity and is always excited to go and dance. I on the other hand don't mind the slow dancing but for those of you privileged enough to see Ben dance you can understand what I mean when I say I get a little red in the face. I am AMAZED how a musician with such rhythm when he plays his bassoon has no "rhythm" on the dance floor. Oh well...he enjoys himself and we all get a good laugh. Right, honey?

Us with our good friends Ben and Sommer.

He is just so cute, I couldn't resist.

Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas!

Next we headed off to Ben's work party. It is always fun to get together with his fellow Band mates. They are wonderful people and we are going to miss them when we leave for El Paso.

Ben with the woodwind quintet. The only man. Poor guy. It gets ruff for him sometimes but he loves the ladies he works with.

I couldn't resist including this picture of little Emily. I am amazed at how far she can pull that mouth.

Deb, Liz, Me, Holly

Santa decided he wanted to sit on Mrs. Claus lap and let her know what he wanted for Christmas. Lucky me.

We hope you are all enjoying your holiday season. We sure are.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Birthday Bash!

Birthday Boy, Ben!

So for Ben's Birthday we had a little Bash at our house to celebrate and kick off the start of the Christmas Season.

The Army provided us with a Turkey dinner for Thanksgiving so we have begun a tradition of having that dinner on Ben's Birthday. Above is the picture of the turkey I made. I was amazed. We couldn't even carve it. It was so tender the meat just fell off the bone. We couldn't even get it out of the pan in one piece. I must admit I am pretty proud. It might not look good but it tasted WONDERFUL!

What is a party without friends? Marley, Catherine and myself.

Chris and her husband Catherine. Thanks for bringing the yummy cookies.

Marley and her husband Carlos. Thanks for the yummy sweet potato casserole and all the help in the kitchen. You were a dish angel.

Ben's getting so old...we couldn't put on all the candles (fire hazard) but he did a pretty good job with the ones he had.

Thanks to everyone who celebrated Ben's birthday with us. We had a great time. Plus you know us Lawyers. Any reason for a party.

Arrangement of Silent Night & slide show by Benjamin Lawyer

Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

President David O. McKay declared: "true happiness comes only by making others happy-the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

"It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring "peace on earth, "because it means-good will toward all men."

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the "spirit of Christmas," we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the "Spirit of Christ." ("The Best Christmas Ever"Ensign December 2008)

Ben and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and it is our prayer that we may all catch the real meaning of the "spirit of Christmas" and make it the "Spirit of Christ"

A special thanks to my wonderful husband and his talents so that we could share such beautiful music with a beautiful message.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Just a few things about my favorite hubby ever!

Ben has one of the GREATEST smiles I have ever seen.
His laugh is contagious.
He LOVES politics and can talk your ear off.
His favorite candy is Whoppers. Although he loves his ice cream too.
He is wonderful but stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. Way more than me. Hard to believe I know.
He loves to wear his slippers. They are one of his favorite things to put on.
He loves folded over potato chips. We fight over them.
He is an amazing gardener. He keeps our yard looking beautiful.
Ben notices the beauty in all things. This is one of my favorite things about him. He has taught me to step back and enjoy all that God has given to us rather than rush by.
Ben has no guile.
You all already know this but he is an AMAZING musician. He blows me away continually with his talents. I am so grateful for them and his ability to share them.
Ben is a great cook and yes that makes me spoiled.
Ben is a jack of all trades. I am amazed at how many jobs he has held before he joined the Army. I am still finding out about them and we have been married for over 3 years.
Ben loves to watch his favorite shows. Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Heros. Oh and don't tell him I told you but he also watches Dr Phil.
Ben is kind, funny, loving and he is my very best friend. I love you so much and I hope you have had a wonderful birthday.

Also, a quick shout out to my in-laws. Thank you for having and raising such an amazing man for me to share my life with. He surely brings me joy.

It's beginning to feel like Christmas!

Sunday was such a WONDERFUL day in the Lawyer house. Ben happily let me play Christmas music (he has been protesting the month of November) and we made Christmas cookies for some friends to help get us in the Christmas Spirit. It was a success! We had a great time! I always love cooking in the kitchen with my honey.

Do you see the flour all over his face? He was working hard or was it hardly working? I'm not sure. You be the judge.

See how good I am at putting the cookies in the oven. That is the safest thing for me to do. If you didn't already know....I am a great cook but not the best baker. Especially cookies. That would be Ben's thing. So he made and cut the cookies and I put them in the oven.

That Ben..... with behavior like this he might make Santa's naughty list.

Ummm. Look at that yummy frosting. It was pretty good even if I have to say so myself.

The finished product. Aren't they pretty. Although, don't you hate how when you use food coloring the Red ALWAYS looks pink? Anyone know how to fix that?

Ben and I celebrating our first Christmas cookies of the season. When were were through we took some to our friends. The Crowe Family. It is Lenae's birthday today. Happy Birthday Lenae!

We also visited the Washburn Family. We went at the perfect time. They were singing Christmas carols and of course we had to join in. Silver Bells never sounded better. The Washburn Family can sing.

It is so fun to have good friends to make cookies for. Who knows....maybe you'll be next.