Merry Christmas!!!

I was so sad that I wouldn't get to come home and be with yous all for Christmas-it just isn't quite the same....but having the homemade gifts made it extra special and much easier to be here by ourselves. Great idea, Melissa! I hope you all had a wonderful day, and I look forward to seeing pictures and hearing all about everyone's Christmas. I love you all!!

WHEW!

LATE Friday evening I finished up my home-made gifts and got them in Saturday's mail. Look for your packages! What a relief to have them mailed on time...although for what shipping cost, I could've bought a plane ticket and delivered them myself :( Although I was stressed out about what the hecknhell to make DAD and BENNY, I really enjoyed this gift giving/making experience. In discussing with Chris and Emily, we agreed that this cost more money to make our gifts. I don't think the idea of making our own gifts was to save money, but instead to give us a sense of thoughtfulness and service for our givee. I know this was true for me. I really put thought into this and while I was laboring, I did think alot about Benny and Dad and got warm fuzzy feelings for them. I don't know what anyone else thought about the experience, but I've got ideas in the works for next years gift---and I'm not going to procratinate :) I know we drew names in the summer, but time flew by and I felt paniced that I wasn't gonna get it done. So, whether or not we decide to do this again, or bag it...watch out!!! You're gonna get something home-made from me again next year. I love you all!

This is our Christmas letter we sent out with all our Christmas cards. We stopped doing a letter with lots of words and no pictures a couple of years ago. Nobody likes to read lots of words, especially "my children all are famous and the top of their professions, our grandchildren are all going to college at age six, blah, blah, bs, blah." Let's be honest...do you read those kinds of letters from your acquaintances? So anyway, pictures are worth a thousand words. All our friends that care enough about our family already are "in the loop" with the latest news. Those that don't care that much can oogle over the pictures.

We love youse all. And are very proud of you. And are glad you are normal and not famous and fabulous, and even that our grandchildren are not child prodigies (it's hard to really love perfect people). Merry Christmas to everyone. Hugs and kisses from:

Dad

DAMMIT----WHERE IS EVERYBODY????

DO YOU WANT STICKY BUNS?

Several requests have come in for the Christmas breakfast Sticky Buns, so here goes:
Version One (this is the last thing you do before going to bed on Christmas eve)
Rhodes frozen dinner rolls thawed out just enough to allow you to cut them into fourths.
Bundt pan with a couple of tablespoons of melted butter in bottom. Mix a cup of sugar with a tablespoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon mixture on top of butter.
Dip cut up rolls in melted butter and roll in sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Place sugared rolls in bundt pan until it is half full. If any butter remains, drizzle over rolls with a little more sugar/cinnamon mixture on top.
Sit out on ounter with dish towel over the top. In the morning they will be ready to put into the oven (that is, if you have an oven.......sorry, Emily!) Bake until golden brown. Tip pan upside down on deep plate.
Version Two (my favorite)
Rhodes frozen dinner rolls thawed out just enough to allow you to cut them into fourths.
Bundt pan with a couple of table spoons of melted butter in bottom. Sprinkle same aount of brown sugar on top of the butter.
Dip cut up rolls in melted butter and roll in instant butterscotch pudding powder.
Place rolls in bundth pan and for every layer sprinkle more brown sugar on the rolls. Continue until the pan is about half full. You can add chopped pecans or walnuts if you desire. Drizzle remaining butter over the top. Cover with a dish towel. In the morning they will have risen and be ready to put into the oven (again, that is, if you have an oven.) Bake until golden brown, Tip pan upside down on deep plate. ENJOY!

YOU TOO CAN MAKE YOUR OWN YULE LOG

To make your Christmas yule log, you just follow the directions for making a jelly role cake in any cookbook.......I use Betty Crocker.......It will give you the recipe for the cake and tell you how to roll it up when it comes out of the oven. The frosting recipe is as follows:
Cocoa Fluff Frosting
Mix in chilled bowl, and beat until stiff:
2 C. chilled whipping cream
Mis the following together and then fold into the whipped cream:
1/2 C. cocoa
1 C. sifted powdered sugar
dash of salt
Dad always put the finishing touch on the Yule log. He used a big green gum drop to cut out holly leaves to decorate the top.....red hots for the berries or you can cut those out of red gum drops. Don't forget a candle! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment", October 2007 General Conference

Jesus and the Abominable Snow Monster -- Brian's humor

Zack knows a funny word!

We were riding in the car the other day and Zack announces that he knows a funny word. "OH NO, and I cringe inside". "What's the funny word Zack?" "POKA-DOT!" "That is a silly word! (whew!!!!!)" So we are riding along, and he is repeating poka-dot and repeating and repeating it. Then he announces he knows ANOTHER funny word. Not worried this time, I smile in the rear view mirror at him and ask what his other funny word is. "SH*TNUT!!!" Ya, have to admit it really IS a funny word! :)

Jack's new swear word

Mindy had a much deserved "girls night out" last night so I was tending to the chillin's when Jack suddenly told me "Daddy, Hannah is not a b*tch, Mommy is not a b*tch, Jack is not a b*tch." Naturally, my curiosity was peaked, did I hear him correctly? So I asked him to repeat what he'd said, so he did. I did not want to make a big deal of it, but I was sure wondering what Mindy and Jack talk about while I am at work. He certainly did not hear that word escape my lips (seriously, he didn't................really!................I am being serious. I say a lot of other words, but not that............seriously). Anyway, Mindy swears she didn't teach him that word either, so now we're going to have to cut off his toungue. But the dirty word never appeared once today, so maybe it was a fluke. Hmm, now that I think about it.....he never said I wasn't a b*tch.

Hallelujah!!!

Since none of youse are coming "home" for Christmas I thought I'd send a wee bit 'o Christmas to you. So to our deer, deer children I say....Have a really happy holiday!!!

Where is everyone?

Where did everyone go? Are you all mad at me because I turned you into dancing elves (except Emily and Kallen - you beat me to it)?

I am in my final week of Business Law - it has been an enjoyable class, although studying poo and the human response would probably seem enjayable after 10 weeks of statistics hell. Anyway, that's my excuse for not blogging much last week.

Hope to see you on here soon.

bB

HOLD FAST

"Are you and I daily reading, studying, and searching the scriptures in a way that enables us to hold fast to the rod of iron—or are you and I merely clinging? Are you and I pressing forward toward the fountain of living waters—relying upon the word of God? These are important questions for each of us to ponder prayerfully."
--Elder David A. Bednar, "CES Fireside for Young Adults • February 4, 2007", Brigham Young University

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL!

What I want for Christmas

I want some tight pants. You need sizes? Hmmm....just make them for a really tall twelve year old. Oh boy, I can't wait till Christmas Eve!

Cleaning out the freezer

Today was the day that I was finally fed up enough to do something about the freezer in the garage. I'm home sick from school and go to the freezer to find some juice and frozen food falls out on my head. I've been meaning to defrost and clean it for the last two years, but just never got around to it. When I have time in the summer it is too hot and what would I do with all the frozen food to keep it frozen? Last night it snowed and the wind is whistling and blowing around the house this morning. So I donned my coat and gloves, and Pearl and I went to the garage to tackle the freezer. Do you know how many packages of mixed vegetables I had? I don't even use mixed vegetables.! I threw out some pretty disgusting "stuff" that I couldn't identify. Now as it is defrosting, I am making a master list to go on the front of the freezer so I'll know what I put in and take out. I used to do this when I was a young mother and much busier than I am now. So my whole point in telling you this, is DON'T GET LAZY IN YOUR OLD AGE!!!
mom

Christmas Ideas

Hey guys! I need some Christmas ideas for your little ones. I don't know what they need/want and would appreciate some help. I know Melissa said gift cards, but I can shop online and get free shipping on a lot of sites, so I just need some ideas. I mostly don't know what to get for the really younguns like Taylor, Hannah, and Brandon. H E L P! If its clothes or anything, I'll need their sizes.

How to tell if you are Mom's favorite

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!

Hope your day is peaceful. Hope you don't get in a 'tard fight tonight! Hope you have a year where everything goes your way! We love you more than fat kids love birthday cake!!!

Get Funny Pictures at pYzam.com

Hi

Here is my family's blog we started a while back, http://bodmers.blogspot.com/

HELLo

Hi. Happy Holidays.
Love, The Bodmers

Thanksgiving at the original Bodmer's

We had a very uneventful Thanksgiving here alone. We did go out to dinner with 2 coples from our old ward. Not quite as excititing as Melissa's dinner.......thank goodness! We missed being with each of you and want you to know that you are our dearest blessings. Keep being good to each other! Love you!

Thanksgiving Dinner - Sexy People

Thankful IT'S over

We just got home from our Thanksgiving dinner at Rich and Linda's. It was NOT peaceful. We got there and they were both in a tizy. The turkey didn't turn out, it was dry and tough as shoe leather. Rich was yelling because he told Linda to get a ham earlier in the week. She had called me and asked my opinion, I said we didn't need it. I was trying to save her the extra work. But somehow, it comes full circle back to being my fault. LOL! They are so crazy. So Rich stormed off to the store to buy a ham. I got an instant stomach ache and couldn't eat a thing. I love Thanksgiving dinner. It's my favorite meal of the year. So Linda had told us to come at 3:00 and we would eat at 3:30. So Jason being the smarta@# that he is (he loves to get his dad going) started announcing that in 12 minutes it would be 3:30. Every few minutes he gave a time check countdown. Well Rich got PISSED!!! He told Jason to shut up and that he was getting on his f-ing nerves. Jason whispered to me, "we are eating and then we're sooo outta here!" Then Rich spills something and the f-bomb landed again. When BOTH my boys spilled their drinks during dinner, I thought for sure he would flip the table over on top of us. So, I'm thankful it's over and we are home. Let me end by saying how much I love you all and miss you more than ever!!!!

GRATITUDE

"Ours is the responsibility to show our gratitude by the actions of our lives."

--Thomas S. Monson

jmdeckerfamily

Funny Pics at pYzam.com

Thanksgiving plans?

What's everyone doing for Thanksgiving? I'm so sad I can't be with my family for the holidays!! Kallen got laid off last Friday (that's on the things you should know list) so we'll be sticking pretty close to home for the next little while until he gets a new job squared away. We are driving to northern California tonight though after I get off work. We'll spend the holiday with Kallen's family and head home on Sunday. I don't know if I'm ready for the cold weather-we're still in the mid 70's here! Love you all and hope you have a happy thanksgiving. I'm grateful for all of you....especially uncle bob ;)

Way to go Benny!

This is such a good idea! So you have proved to not only be damn sexy, but smart as well :) This will be fun. Like mom said, if we just take a minute and kept up with it every day or so. And yes dad, I do NOT have fond memories of the Bodkin mobile! But it beats the wood paneled station wagon with dried cherry vomit imbedded in the pleather rear facing back seat! (gotta love those temple trips!)

You have my blessings for bloggiing

This is the big GG and I think this is a great idea! Thanks to Ben for getting us started as family bloggers. I hope to see lots of pictures of grandbabies! I hope to hear lots of good experiences you all are having. It really only will take a few minutes each night for everyone to add something. Oh, oh......it's 11 o'clock and I have school tomorrow! Gots to go get my beauty rest. I sure do love all of yous.

P.S.

Can we change the name of the blog? Like to "PP and GG Family" instead of "Familily". You know, looks kinda silly.

Great

Good idea....and Melissa is especially going to enjoy the name "Bodkin". Does that remind you of a red Astro van? Errrrrrrp.

Welcome to the blog!

Bodkin,

I have set this blog up for the Bodkin; this can be a meeting place for all the family. Please continue to blog on your own sites for your friends and what not, I just feel this may be a great way for us to stay connected more often. So jump on in and feel free to add whatever you wish.