HAPY BIRTHDAY ADIE! Our "little" one is now 4 years old! Times flies, indeed. She is just as big, and actually weighs more, than her older sister! She had a beautiful birthday, full of presents, cake, and family and friends to help her celebrate! Her favorite presents were her "ballerina clothes" (she started taking tap and ballet last Monday) and her new booster seat for the van. Now she has a seat just like Pili - and she feels like such a big girl. Every day now she asks me questions like, "Mommy, do 4 year olds clean up their rooms?" An enthusiastic yes brings a big smile to her face as she goes upstairs to straighten up her room. God has indeed blessed us with this little one, and we thank Him daily!

This was the Christmas for making things! My mom makes the BEST fresh, from scratch, coconut cakes. While they were here visiting this Christmas, I asked her to teach me how to make it! (It's my favorite cake, but it's a once-a-year kind of cake!) It took us all morning to get it done (and more than a little help from my hubby, who suffered a few grater-bites trying to grate the fresh coconut!) but it sure was pretty when we were finished! It looked like a giant snowball!! I have to tell you - I think it tasted pretty good, too! I'm going to consider the recipe private property! I'll hand it down to my girls through teaching, and it'll be a treasured family recipe! Thanks, Mom, for helping me with this! I had a great time doing this with you.... and I love you!

This was a three day event - making candles for presents! The wax came in 10 lb slabs, and then you melt it, add fragrance (we made cinnamon), color, and pour! We used small Mason jars for the containers. I had a great time doing this, and actually was quite proud of the result. The smell is wonderful, the color a deep Christmas red, and they burn nicely! I would never describe myself as "crafty" or creative, but I would do this again!

Just a little late!

Merry Christmas from the Meckes family (David isn't here, but he wishes you the same!)