Santa 2010

Christmas 2010-For Addison

When we went and cut down our Christmas tree, we also cut one for Addison's grave.

KarLee and I went and got decorations for it. Pink, Purple, Lime Green and blue.... some silver beads and tinsel and a beautiful purple star for the top.

We all decorated and then took it out to the cemetery.

We miss her very much. All wish she was here with us, and know she is in spirit....

Its been a hard season for us all, but together we are making it.

Merry Christmas Addi.

We love you.

Love, mom and dad and your brother & sis

Happy Birthday Larry!!

BLACKFOOT — Today marks Bingham County Deputy Larry Christian's 60th birthday, his last day of work in the Bingham County Jail and almost the beginning of his retirement. Christian is the first person who started his career working in the Bingham County Jail and retired from that same facility."I love my job," Christian said. "It's a good fit for me."Christian started in law enforcement after someone stole a pair of boots from his store, the Hirsch Value Center, located by White Eagle."I ran after him, dragged him by his feet out of the bar and took off the boots," Christian said.The policeman who responded asked if I had dragged the guy out of the bar and suggested I should consider going into law enforcement.Christian's store was "a lot like Beall's," Hirsch Value Center, became Falk's ID before the company went belly up. Christian had the store 13 years.His sojourn into law enforcement started as part of the city reserve where he worked for six-and-one-half years."I started working in the jail in August 1987, after the new courthouse was completed," he said.Christian has served under four sheriffs— Leroy Nelson, John Cowley, Doyle Holm and Dave Johnson—and been in four different positions. He has worked in the jail for 23 years 4 months.Christian has worked with the Short Stop program since it started here In 1994. Short Stop is for first-time juvenile offenders from ages 11 to 18."I mentor them so they will grow up and become adults that don't get into trouble," Christian said.Classes meet for three hours on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month."Mine's the uncomfortable [class]," Christian said. "I explain what they can expect if they go to jail."I use the experiences I've had," he said. "I don't lie to them.""I make their parents uncomfortable but I tell them, 'your kids picked this situation.'"Eight to 14 kids are in the Short Stop program each month.Short Stop is a franchised program started in Orange County, Calif., in 1981. Bannock, Bingham and Bonneville counties purchased the program. Bannock and Bingham are still using the program.Christian has known successes through the program. One young man is attending ISU, wanting to work with the Forest Service. Another works in Washington state in computers/graphics art for Disney."It's been a nice run working for the sheriff's program," Christian said.Christian has worked as a sergeant twice, both up and down on his way to being a lieutenant. He was the jail administrator for a number of years and has worked the past five or six years as a transport officer.Last week, he brought a prisoner from Georgia; two weeks ago, he was in Las Vegas transporting a prisoner to Bingham County."I say I'm on work release," Christian said. "I work and, at the end of the day, they release me."You need to learn to be able to walk away from work," he said. "Don't bring problems home."It's like wearing a coat in the jail; at night, take the coat off."You develop a warped sense of humor to keep you going," Christian said."It's a great job," he said. "There's no lack of employment; no lay-offs and you really have to screw up to get canned."Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Scott Andrew said, "Larry is always reliable in terms of getting our people here; he has worked really well transporting people who are mentally ill."It does make a difference how people are transported," Andrew said. "Larry lends a calming effect to people who are in less than ideal circumstances. I'll miss his reliability, his calm demeanor and his working with kids in Short Stop.""He's done an excellent job," said Sheriff Johnson. "He has a lot of knowledge and experience; he will be hard to replace."He's been a good employee," Johnson said. "He's going to be missed.""I love my job; it's going to be hard [to retire] but it's time," said Christian.

In Blackfoot, Christian is perhaps better known as Santa Claus.

He has been portraying the jolly fellow for 47 or 48 years."I've been through five or six Santa outfits," Christian said. He has appeared as Santa at family parties, churches, in the jail and juvenile detention. He's also traveled to other locations to be Santa.

He is active in the Masons and for the past 10 years, he has been part of the Blackfoot Community Players. He was also an associate guardian for Job's Daughters for a number of years.

Christian and his wife, Clyde, have a son and daughter and five grandchildren.

Glitter Clothespins Gift Tags

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/12/glitter-clothespin-gift-tags.html

I am almost finished with mine, well the (red ones)!! I am going to use mine as Christmas Card Holders!! I am attaching magnets stripes to one side! Then will display them on the fridge!!! Excited.

Frosty the Cheese Ball

Ingredients
16 ounces cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 raisins for eyes, mouth, and buttons
1 piece of carrot for the nose
4 crackers for the hat (we used Ritz and Dare water crackers)
1 thyme sprig for the hat (optional)
Strips of carrot for the scarf
2 broken pretzels for the arms
1 (1/2-inch) piece of a canned baby corn for the pipe
Toothpick for the pipe

Instructions
In a large bowl, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Stir in the garlic salt and the onion powder, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
Make the snowman by rolling two thirds of the cheese into a ball for his body and the other third into a ball for his head. Stack the balls, then add the facial features, clothing, arms, and pipe as shown. Serve with crackers or mini bagels.

FOUND HERE:

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/frosty-the-cheese-ball-800502/

Marshmallow treats

http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/marshmallow-snowman-treats.html

So here's what you'll need:

As pictured: Fudge icing, large marshmallows, Karo syrup (light colored), Rolos, mini Oreos, some black and orange confetti sprinkles (I have some left over from Halloween), and white sparkling sugar. You'll need some wood skewers and a clean paintbrush, and I also added a few things at the end of the project -- toothpicks and mini marshmallows.

Step 1: Take your large marshmallow and with a clean paintbrush, brush some Karo syrup all around the side of the marshmallow

Step 2: Now roll your marshmallow in the white sparkling sugar and set aside. Repeat these 2 steps for all of your marshmallows -- you'll need 3 marshmallows per snowman.

Step 3: Now it's time to add on the cutie pie face. Using your paint brush, dot the back of your confetti sprinkles with a touch of Karo syrup and then apply to your sugared marshmallow.

Step 4: Next, skewer 3 marshmallows together on your wood skewer to make a snowman.

Step 5: Now for the hat. Pry apart your mini Oreo cookie and use the side without the creme attached. With a butter knife, apply a small amount of fudge icing to your Oreo, unwrap a Rolo candy and press it onto your iced cookie.

Step 6: Making the arms. Now take a toothpick and press it through the side of your middle marshmallow on your snowman. Add 2 mini marshmallows at the ends of your toothpick for hands.
And that's all! Quick, cute snowman treats! Great for a fun after school project or even a class holiday party. With little ones, you could even have the pieces of the snowman made first and then let them put them together and add the hat and arms.

http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/marshmallow-snowman-treats.html

SUBWAY ART

http://bloominghomestead.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-printables.html

http://printable.tipjunkie.com/christmas-printable-4-christmas-subway-art/


Both this blogs have Subway Art

http://craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com/2010/12/free-christmas-subway-art-printable.html

http://adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com/2010/09/family-values-subway-art-printable.html

http://paisleyphotographyshots.blogspot.com/2010/10/wants-to-thank-endless-crafting-for.html

another link is

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/blog/marne/free-subway-art-printables

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-subway-art-banner.html

http://robynlonghurst.typepad.com/finding_balance/2010/12/12-days-of-christmas.html
(My very (crafty)sister in law, Robyn.)

Love this idea. The 12 Days of Christmas
There are people that need a cheering up or to know that they are appreciated, especially during the holiday time.

So maybe if we could all find time to think about that person (s) that could really use being "shown" they are love!! And do this for them! It is a wonderful thing to do as a family!!
And a great thing to teach our youth!!

So many different things you could do, maybe food for a family, household items, decor or music. Just about anything would work........ Now find the time and lets all see if we could do this and make someone(s) feeling LOVED this Christmas!! THAT'S WHAT IS ALL ABOUT, right!!
Angie