Can't ever have too much Christmas?!!!!!

What do you get when you put 10 adults and 14 kids together in a house full of presents and food? The Buchert family Christmas!!  We finally got around to having Christmas with Brock's family on Friday. Deb and his dad host it at their house.  It went off without a hitch. The menu for the evening was French Dip sandwiches. Oh my were they good! Recipe included below. Brock got a gift card and scratch off tickets and a cd. I got a scratch off(won $20) and a swiffer sweeper(used it already). The girls got many toys and smiles to go with them. :) Many blessings to everyone and their families as we head into the New Year 2012!

                                                         Finally got her pillow pet!! 

                                                          Briella did too!!!!

                                               Got her favorite dvd, Land of the Lost.

                                                             $50 from grandma/pa


French Dip Sandwiches:

2-3 lb roast
french onion soup 1 can
beef broth 1 can
season to taste
sub rolls from walmart
cooked onions, peppers and mushrooms
sliced mozz. cheese

Put roast in crockpot. Pour soup and broth over roast. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. When done take meat out and shred. Use remaining broth in crockpot to dip sandwiches in. Cut sub roll and layer meat with cheese, peppers, mushrooms. Eat and enjoy!!

Merry Christmas and wishes for a Happy New Year!!

The Buchert family could not feel any more blessed. We are so thankful for so many things in our life in 2011. We feel so blessed by the good Lord, to have allowed us to grow closer as a family and to be able to provide for our family. We pray for many more blessings in 2012! Merry Christmas to those we love and may you be blessed in 2012!

                                                   Brezlyn was the first to open...

                                              That's the kind of reaction we like......

                                                  Doesn't get any better than this......

                                                          Too cute to not post......

                                                     Even the Grinch was happy....

                                                    A lovely gift from one of my girls....

You better watch out,you better not cry,better not pout, im telling you why.....

Briella had the opportunity to open one of her gifts from Grandma Dollie since she had her concert. We couldn't bear to leave the other two out of opening a gift as well. Although, I have to admit Brezlyn was very good about not whining to open a gift since Briella already did. Makenzie on the other hand.......:) So we decided to let them open one gift from Grandma Dollie(Brock's mom for those of you who didn't know) since they too have a church christmas concert this Sunday. First, Brezlyn tore through hers and didn't want to take the dress off all night. Makenzie decided she wanted to model her dress so here you go......

Christmas concert and more....

Briella had her first Kindergarten christmas concert on Dec. 15th. We were a little worried due to the stage fright she had last year. We were hopeful although since she had sang in church the week prior, but the crowd was a lot smaller. So to get her even more excited about singing we decided to let her open a gift from her Grandma Dollie. It was unwrapped as quickly as it was wrapped. She loved it! Of course it was her favorite color purple so she was so pleased. She stood up and twirled around and danced with the dress. Needless to say the concert was a success, I swear I even heard her singing sometimes, if not, I sure could see her mouth singing those words.

More Holiday Baking....

So I suppose I'm just in the holiday spirit this year or else I just can't wait to eat christmas goodies. I decided to finish most of my holiday baking that I had on hand with a new addition that I've never made before. Pecan Rolo Pretzels!! OMG, these are so good and so easy to make. If you are interested in the recipe I will put it on here. Get your fat pants ready people!!

1 bag of Rolos unwrapped
1 bag of mini pretzels(you use about 2/3)
Small canister of pecans

Place wax paper on cookie sheet and spread out pretzels so they lay flat not overlapping eachother. Put rolos on each one in center. Bake at 300 for 4 minutes. Press pecan in center of rolo and let sit and cool before freezing or putting in container.

(See the little head peeking thru here, that's Brezlyn checking out the goodies! )

Christmas pictures preview.....

I'm a litte slow this year getting christmas cards done. It was a blessing though or the timing was just right when it was decided to finally get the pictures. I had originally booked an appt for an updated family photo at Walmart portrait studios. I had mentioned this to a good friend of mine, Heidi, while we were working out. Heidi use to run a photography business. She still does some on the side and offered to take our pictures and give us a cd for pretty cheap! So I jumped on that and we finally got them done this last Sunday and she has the cd ready for me Monday. I ordered greeting cards and something special that should hopefully arrive in time for Christmas. So here's a sneak peek of some impromptu pictures, hope you enjoy!

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Today was the annual Santa Claus days in Russell. I unfortunately was unable to be there with Briella and Brezlyn as Makenzie had her first bball tourney in Dell Rapids and Brock had to work. My sister in law Maria, brought them with her kids. Her youngest, Olivia, is Brezlyn's age. They had such a blast. Briella and Brezlyn both purchased gift for grandparents,parents and sisters with some money we gave them. The community donates little trinkets and knick knacks for gifts and also their is a drawing for door prizes. The community dontates toys for the door prizes. Briella got some littlest pet shop dogs and Brezlyn got a craft coloring box. It's become a tradition that we take them there as they also get to see Santa and this year Mrs. Claus. If they question the authenticity we usually get away with saying it's one of Santa's helpers since he's so busy this time of year and they are ok with that. I'm not looking forward to the day when all my girls don't believe(Santa) anymore as it is such a wonderful moment to see them still so innocent and have so much belief in others. Brezlyn didn't want to sit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus so she stood. Briella had no problems and told them exactly what she wanted for christmas. Wish Brock and I both could have been there, but pleased it all worked out for everyone!

Daddy's little dreamer....

One of daddy's little girls dreaming the night away....so sweet.

Away in a manger....

Every year in Russell, our church, Grace Life, puts in a live nativity. This year it was held on Dec. 3 & 4th. We were blessed with lovely weather and a good crowd. The first evening Makenzie and Brock portrayed Mary and Joseph. Makenzie volunteered for both nights and Brock and I took different nights so Briella and Brezlyn could come and see the animals. There was a camel, a yak, sheep, and a donkey. In addition to the animals and actors, there were goodies and cider inside along with a neat display of community members nativity sets. It was interesting to see all the different kinds of nativities. The second evening I was involved as a caroler. It was my first year volunteering for such a part and I was excited because I like to sing, especially christmas music, but at the same time a little worried since I had developed a cold over the week that affected my voice. Well with a few squeaks here and there I was able to pull it off with the help of some more carolers too!~ It was such a nice experience being able to be a part of such a memorable moment. I also got a nice surprise when my mom and Gary showed up Sunday night to watch. I feel so blessed when they're able to make it to be a part of the memories that we make as a family. Thanks so much for coming guys!!

Star light, Star bright....

We put up the christmas tree this year right after thanksgiving. The girls were so excited as was I. We hung up the ornaments and the stockings. Soon after we had the tree up and lit, we noticed that we were missing something. The star! Brock informed me that last year we didnt have a star and I just coudn't believe that we would have left something so important off the tree. So I quickly ran out the next day and purchased a new star. Brezlyn was the lucky one this year who got to put the star on the tree.(She also was the one who weighed the least!) Another tradition we do with our girls is taking them out to the stores and we let them pick out one new ornament for the tree. This year the girls found theirs at Kmart. Pretty soon our tree will be full of ornaments and you wont be able to see any of the bare spots! :)

                                                    Briella's 2011 Cinderella ornament

                                                     Makenzie's 2011 Snowflake ornament

Brezlyn's 2011 Tinkerbell ornament