A Very Merry Christmas Indeed!

This Christmas has been a good one. Christmas Eve was spent finishing up shopping, spending time with the girls, and Christmas services with special music at the beginning. It was a very special service with candlelight and the singing of Silent Night around the altar as a church family. Once we got home from church, we ate a little something, and in normal Jaszkowiak tradition, opened presents late. We just couldn't wait anymore! The girls received iPod nanos in red and pink. They squealed in delight when they opened them. They couldn't wait to listen to them. I found a new Fossil purse and Allen was delighted to find a Tony Romo jersey. Christmas was good.



Christmas Day brought family, food, and lots of fun and surprises. It was an American Girl Christmas. Lauren received Ruthie, Kit's best friend from Aunt Kasey and Uncle Jeff. She was stunned when she opened it. Anna has Kit, so they were very excited. Anna found a volleyball outfit and roller skates for Kit under the tree. They spent the afternoon playing and enjoying themselves, as the rest of us did. We had such a pleasant visit! We sat around visiting, eating, and laughing. What a wonderful day!

Three Dogs, Two Turtles, a Fish...

...And a partridge in a pear tree! This past weekend we decided, after a little bit of research and Allen being at a pharmacy with some, we bought turtles. They have been lots of fun to watch and feed. They are red eared sliders, native to Oklahoma. They are finally getting used to their surroundings and have a little bit of a routine. They are frisky in the late afternoon/early evening and at night, right after we turn out their light. They like to swim around and bob up and down to the top then to the bottom. We originally got a smaller tank and realized quickly that they needed more swimming room, so we ended up with a 36 gallon bow-front tank. They have a little basking area and a hiding place underneath it. Turtles are such skiddish creatures. They go hide very quickly. Whoever said turtles are slow didn't see one who was scared!

And their names, you ask? Cuff and Link. Now, who can name what movie that is from? I sure couldn't at first, but my husband could. They are the names of Rocky's turtles! He bought them from Adrian at the pet store, "You know, Cuff and Link!" (imagine Philly accent). Here are the boys:

Soup on a Cold Night

Today we had a cold front come through, with high winds, a little sleet, and blowing snow. We got home from school, and we thought, "What a perfect day for soup!" This is what we made.

Potato Soup (yum!)
5 or 6 potatoes, peeled and cut up
can cream of chicken soup
milk, heavy cream, or half and half (whichever you have on hand)
1 pound velveeta (half the big block), cubed
salt and pepper to taste
cheese, chives, and bacon bits to garnish (optional)

After preparing potatoes, boil them until done. Meanwhile, put the soup, velveeta, and a soup can worth of milk option in a crock pot. Put on low to begin melting. Once the potatoes are done, drain and add to crock pot. Cook until cheese is melted. If soup is too thick, use milk to make desired consistency. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!