Snow in Las Vegas?

What? 

Snow in Las Vegas? 

Can it be?

Well yes, that is if you are creative enough to imagine it :)

The Super Heroes wanted to do something festive for Christmas. And we decided that since we usually don't get snow here in Las Vegas (it has happened a time or two though) that we would bring some snow from the North Pole to us here. It actually goes quite well with our palm trees ;)

I wish I was creative enough to come up with these ideas myself but I am not. I love that there are so many creative people out there who are willing to share their talents with us all. We saw the snow idea and printed the labels from  http://www.howdoesshe.com/

So this is how we did it:

Step 1: Gather our materials. Including the Super Heroes.

We used kosher salt, corn starch and glitter. (You cannot eat this snow - yuck!)

Step 2: Mix up the snow.

Super Hero Dallas and Super Hero Dakota.

Super Hero Roy joined the crew.

Step 3: Of course the Super Heroes had to play in the snow for a little bit :)

No one has ever played in the snow without getting into a snowball flight.

Step 4: Put the snow in the container.

We put the snow in a quart size empty paint can.

Step 5: The Super Daddy hammered the lid down.

Step 6: The Super Mommy put tags on it.

The Front Label. It says:

Can of SNOW
Imported Fresh From The North Pole

The Back Label. It says:

INGREDIENTS:
Fresh Grade A snow flurries collected from the North Pole. Christmas magic, tidings of good cheer, and Santa's Special Ingredient that keeps the snow from melting (shhhh, this last ingredient is a Very Big Secret).
Note: This snow may be very special, but it is not edible!

INSTRUCTIONS:
Put your can of snow in the freezer to keep it cold. No peeking - you don't want to let the magic out too soon! When it's time, ask a grown-up (preferably a grown-up who knows Santa) to help you pick a special spot to put your snow, like, on a windowsill, around the base of your Christmas tree, or outdoors. Open the can and enjoy your snow!

The top of the can.

The tied a glittery bow around the Can of Snow and included a paint can opener.

Step 7: The Super Mommy along with her trusty sidekick photo shop made this card to go with it.

It says:

'Twas a couple of nights before Christmas
And all through Las Vegas
Not a snowflake had fallen,
Not even a bit.

The Super Heroes were nestled all snug in their capes
While visions of falling snow
danced in their heads.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But snow in a can. Oh dear!
Up umbrellas! On scarves!
On jackets and gloves!

We sure do hope you have fun!

Step 8: Now on to the delivery.

Oh no... 2 Super Heroes are down for the count. yep it happens to even the strongest of Super Heroes - nap time. Super Dallas and Super Dakota fell asleep in the car on the way to deliver our service.

Super Dakota is so tired!

It is hard work being a Super Hero - just ask Dallas.

No need to fear though Super Roy is here to get the job done.

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope that you remember the real reason for the season!

Happy Birthday Jesus! The Hutchings Heroes LOVE you!

Wishing You A Super Christmas

Love,

The Super Heroes of Service

The Reason for the Season

The Super Heroes will be performing their service for the month of December real soon. In the mean time we wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Happy Birthday Jesus!! We Love You!!!!

Attitude of Gratitude

I absolutely love this time of year. We have left the scorching days of July and August. The pressure of Christmas time is still a few weeks away, and we get to look forward to a day of gratitude and food with our families and friends.

As a society we have set aside the fourth Thursday in November as an official day of thanks. But shouldn't every day be one that is full of thanks? I love how one of the consistent habits of happy or successful people is gratitude. It is not that these individuals do not have struggles. Of course they do. We all do at some point in our lives and on more than one occasion.

It is a wonderful time to be living on earth today. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right. As a family we wanted to make our November service themed around how grateful we are for the many things we have been blessed with.

We sat down as a family and discussed how we can lift ourselves, as well as others, when we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. We then came to the understanding that if everyone in the world lived this way - the world would be a better place to live.

One of my (the mommy of the Super Heroes of Service) favorite hymn's drives this point. It says:

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done...

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

As we reflected upon our lives as a family we uncovered many things we have to be grateful for.

And now onto the service:

Here is the supplies we needed: colored paper, brown paper bags, and peanuts.

We made the brown paper bags into a cute a colorful turkey.

Super Hero Roy wrote on each feather something he was grateful for.

He is thankful for: Jesus, Mom, Dad, Dallas & Dakota :)

Dakota and Dallas opened the brown paper turkey's and added peanuts to the bag. As you can see Roy is eating some peanuts in the background. It is hard work to be a Super Hero and we need to keep our strength up ;)

Here is what the finished product looks like:

The Super Hero mommy made the poem to go with it with the help of her trusty side kick - Photoshop.

In case you can't read it - this is what it says:

We are such Thankful Turkey's this year
That we thought we should spread
Some neighborhood cheer.

It seems we are so busy we can only say hi,
And before we know it the year has gone by.

We feel so blessed that you are our friend,
And hope our friendship will never end!

And now onto delivering the Turkey Treat:

Laughing ;)

Let's get going!

Ringing the doorbell at the first house we went to.

Now onto the next house

Hello :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend."
- Melody Beattie