Making Caramels and Christmas Crafts

Cutting waxed paper squares without Grandma's rotary cutter and board is a slow process.
Finger Painting with butter.
Grandma says sugar is bad for you, but the calories don't count in caramels.
Corn Syrup? Who's kidding who, that's just more sugar
The secret ingredient is "Eagle Brand".
Mixed ingredients have to be constantly stirred or they'll scortch on the bottom. (Expensive mistake).
Drop in cold water, roll in ball, pop in mouth. That's my kind of testing, better than using a thermometer.
Tastes great, but not quite done. More tests needed (YUMMY!)
More stirring, more testing......finally done!
Only 'moms and grandmas' are allowed to perform this dangerous trick!
Cooled caramels, ready to cut!
Mom says if you want to cook, you have to clean up.
Mom does the cutting, she learned from a pro.
The only thing you need for wrapping caramels is patience and CLEAN HANDS!
The finished product.....only need 2,000 more, hahahahaha
Caramels, YUM! Hailey is an official "taster". The best part of making caramels is always eating them.

Cameron and Bailey loved making these Santas (With Grandma's superior cutting skills) This is Logan's idea of a Christmas craft, trying to see if he can punch holes as fast as the conductor on "Polar Express"

This has been a much better week. I've made about 6 batches of caramels, done some Christmas Crafts with the kids, and got my last minute shopping done. Vanessa had another "University of Learning" project (Flat Vanessa was one of them) and she decided to show her class how to make caramels. Her teacher even gave permission for everyone in the class to "try" one. Usually, homemade things are not allowed. Sarah documented it with the camera and I thought the pictures were so cute, I decided to put them on the blog. I sure hope she gets an "A".

Today, we got the kids occupied and then listened to "The Forgotten Carols". I read the story and we listened to the songs. It was really great and fun for me to something spiritual with my family. It's really fun to have Santa and gifts, but it's nice to be reminded of what we are celebrating. It was a little disorganized, but not too bad, and Logan stuck it out for the whole thing, being in charge of adding the ornaments to the tree when we came to each one.

I feel so much better this week and am so thankful Christmas is so close. LaRay and I actually have Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off (thanks to Julie), so it will be a nice relaxing holiday, I hope. We are planning on spending the day on Christmas eve, eating, opening presents from Grandma, and enjoying each other's company. Christmas day, we have only Sacrament Meeting, so then I will go to each house to see what Santa brought. I'll probably even get a nap if I'm lucky. I hope you all have a great Christmas and we can all remember the Savior and what we are supposed to be celebrating. Love to you all.