Christmas Past and Present

Here is a look at the Risser Christmas past...


2000

2001

2004

2007

and Christmas present...

Happy Birthday Jesus!

A Tasty Thanksgiving Tradition

Making marshmallow pilgrim hats has become one of our Thanksgiving traditions. We made them about 6 years ago and have made them ever since. We usually give some of them away as teacher and bus driver gifts.

The recipe came from Family Fun magazine/website. You need the following items:


First you melt the chocolate. We like to keep it warm in a fondue pot. Then you dip the marshmallows in the chocolate.

Slide the chocolate covered marshmallow carefully onto a fudge striped cookie that has been turned upside down. Let the chocolate harden.

Make a small batch of yellow frosting and make a little square shape on the hat to look like a buckle.

Lick the chocolate out of the bowl.

All done! Quick, easy and always impressive.

Give thanks for all your blessings!!

Who left the light on?

We have had an extra beautiful year for fall leaves. Very colorful and on the trees for longer than usual. Rain and wind usually clear them away pretty quickly, but not this year.

This past week, several different times as I have walked past Grace and Joy's bedroom, I have seen a glow in their room and thought,"Who left the light on!?" I step in to turn it off and this is what I've seen...


The brightest orange leaves ever, casting their light into the room!

Sorry to all of you who don't get to experience fall. You'll have to come visit next year.

posted by mom

Fall is my favorite

Fall is my favorite time of year. Here in the Northwest it means beautiful leaves.

Pumpkins everywhere.

Strange looking gourds.

Delicious sweet corn on the cob.

And...all things apples.

The girls were able to squeeze our own apple cider on this cider press at a neighborhood harvest party this weekend.

Mmmm. Tastes exactly like you are drinking a yummy sweet/tart apple.

We also made a big batch of applesauce in the crockpot.

Happy Fall to you all!

Off to Ecola!

After a quick turn of events - application submitted September 28 - accepted October 4 - classes started October 12 - he's off to Ecola Bible School in beautiful Cannon Beach Oregon.

Last night home with the sisters.

Arriving at Ecola (3 hour 20 minute drive)

Top Bunk

This is a view from the beach taken back toward the town. Ecola is a l minute (or less) walk behind those buildings.

Taken from the same spot on the sand, this is to the north, Ecola State Park.

Looking south are more huge rocks, the largest in the distance, Haystack Rock.

This is a little further down the beach looking back. It is so beautiful with the ocean, sand and then the fir covered hills behind the town.

But...maybe the biggest change for him will be moving from the Volcano evacuation route where we now live, to the Tsunami evacuation route!

posted by mom

First Day of School!

Third Grade

Seventh Grade (Jr. High!!)




College!

posted by Mom

Pool Fun!!!!!!!

On our California trip we also spent time with our
other cousins at their pool. We loved snorkling on
the surface of the water!

I loved swimming with everyone.

Jumping into the pool was exciting too.

Afterwards we went to relax in the hottub.

The next day, we played a speedy game of nerts.

Our trip ended with lots of fun!!!!!!!

Posted by J

Cousin Craft Camp

I've been in California for the past week to visit family.

We had Cousin Craft Camp for the four days we
stayed at our cousins house.

On the first day, we made notebooks out of cardboard
boxes. Very cute!!

The next day, we had a sewing day. I made two blankets.

On another day we went on the trampoline
with water balloons to get cool.




We had some fun cousin time hanging out at the beach.


Gathered around the snacks. Yum!!


We had soooo much fun making bookmarks.


After that, we traced and cut paper to make outfits.

On our last day at Cousin Craft Camp we all went to the mall.
We had ice cream and went to the stores of our choice.

Posted by J