To: Our Friends and Family

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Baking with Toddlers 101

My vision for baking this weekend (please don't mock my naive wishes):

Notice the completely clean kitchen counter, and how mother and daughter are working together to create some culinary masterpieces.

This is more the reality of it. (Thanks to www.belly-timber.com for the use of photo):

My tiny kitchen was a disaster for about 36 hours and our little Emily was some sort of pseudo-monster. She hardly got any sleep on Saturday (at night or nap) and clearly was not getting my vision for our glorious baking weekend. I am not yet done because I had to call it quits early for both of our sanity. Will finish later. Maybe.

Clean Chompers

Emily visited the dentist with me on my last visit, and got her own mini-checkup. Dr. Rich said her teeth look great! Emily got a brand new tooth brush and a cool sticker.

Christmas for a Cause

Last weekend Ryan and I hired a babysitter, got into our "going-out-clothes" and went out! We were given tickets to Rotary's annual Trees for Charity event. (Thanks Mom and Dad!!!) This unique fundraiser benefits a local Rotary chapter, but is also an avenue for other non-profits to raise money for their cause. Each non-profit decorates a tree and brings it to the event. Those trees, as well as some gorgeous wreaths, are auctioned off. There were two this year that were very dear to us: the Madera Chamber of Commerce's tree was themed as "Harvest of the Valley" with jeweled fruits, bumble bees, and butterflies, and Community Action Partnership of Madera County (my work) did a beautiful "Father Time" tree with old clocks, and lots of ribbon and gold to benefit our Relay for Life Campaign.

Generous hearts...delicious food...beautiful people. What a great way to kick off the holiday season!

DIY

Do-It-Yourself. Because we roll like that...we took our own family portraits this year. I mean, really, how hard could it be to have 9 people sit still and smile at the same time? Well, take a look and judge for yourself.

Some comments...starting at the top left and going clockwise:

• Mom, objecting to having her photo taken (unsuccessfully, apparently)
• Emily, trying to understand why she is in a family photo with Auntie and Uncle. The resemblance to Mom and Dad is close, but not quite. We can't pull a fast one over on her.
• We try to take pictures...really. Emily was obviously determined to be uncooperative.
• Anthony needs to run faster.
• Controlling the child...it takes a village.
• Dad can't figure out why this is so difficult.
• Getting closer!

We did finally get a good one...but you'll have to wait to see it!

Christmas, Madera Style

This past week we headed to downtown Madera to enjoy the Candlelight Holiday Wine & Cocoa Stroll and Tractor Parade. Talk about juxtaposition...the refine-ness of wine against the okie-ness of tractors. That's how Madera does Christmas and we loved it! The Chamber of Commerce hosted a stop on the Stroll, so we hung out there while Mom helped serve patrons.

The parade was only a block away, so we bundled up and headed out. Emily was a little frightened when the fire engines blew their horns, but other than that she loved it (her love of the parade is pictured at left...haha)! Who wouldn't love these elaborately decorated tractors plowing down Main Street?

Tractor photo credited to Wendy Alexander, Madera Tribune

Thankful

Mom and Dad were so gracious to invite us to spend Thanksgiving with them at a cabin near Bass Lake. We were there for 4 days of relaxation and fun. Highlights of the trip:

• Beating the guys at Battle of the Sexes. What what? F-14 Tomcat? Being a tomgirl (and being on Mom's team) pays off.


• Long walk to Ducey's. So what if I had to call for a ride back? I'm pregnant and my leg hurt!


• Turkey Day. I have to be honest. I could do without the food. It's good and all...I mean, I'll eat. But I really love the snacks we have all day long while we play games and watch movies. And what I love more is being with people I love and adore.


• Taking a nap in a comfy chair with my favorite blanket. I know...simple pleasures.

Other random stuff:

• Dad and Mom did dishes all weekend. Don't you miss us living at home? Thanks for being good sports!
• Emily slept in a closet. Cruel and unusual, you think? Psh...she loved it. It was a walk-in closet off the room we stayed in and she thought it was her own santuary. Don't be jealous you didn't think of it.
• The Rock Band infatuation just might be a precursor to the Mindt Family Travelling Band. Ryan on vocals, Jenn on bass, Evan on lead guitar, and Anthony on drums. Dad, Mom, and me are the groupies, I guess. I wish I could share the video...but I've been threatened.
• 'Remember the Titans' never gets old. We watched it...again, and loved it...again.
• Anthony does not fit into a Size Small letterman's jacket. Carrie picked up his jacket and put it on. Anthony took that as an invitation to put her's on. Just for future reference, Anthony: women can put on a men's t-shirt, but that does NOT mean you can wear her's. Double standard? Okay, but it's true.

All this is to say that I am so very thankful for a family that has fun, eats well, and loves to be around eachother. We toasted to the families that we could not be with: North for our Oregon family, South for Ryan's family, and East for the Kansas Mindts. Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday

Yes, I'm crazy. No, I'm not crazy enough to take Emily.

Mom, Jennifer, Carrie (Anthony's girlfriend), and I drove down from Bass Lake to fight the mob. We didn't do much damage (intentionally, as we are cutting back this year), but we did come across some good finds. Best deal of the day: these warm and adorable boots for Emily for $10.
And FYI...she's not completely naked. She was getting ready to go in the hot tub, but wanted to stay warm on her way there.