A December to Remember

We're closing in on Christmas and with it the Wolfertz family is headed out West; first to Colorado, then on to Utah. How are we getting there? Driving...a small cab truck with our two dogs. Why? So the very talented Mrs. Merrit Wolfertz can have herself a long-cherished piano.

This will be a busy travel week for Matt. He leaves tomorrow night for New Hampshire. His newborn nephew Joseph is battling a serious case of the flu and our fearless doctor wants to be certain his immune system is in full force. He gets back in Wednesday night at midnight.

The next morning we are off to Nashville for a pre-Christmas family dinner and sleepover. Friday morning the long journey begins. Be on the lookout for photos of our adventure.

Speaking of photos, here are a few from this past week.

Buddy and Moe are anxiously awaiting the more than 20 hours of quality time in a confined truck cab.

Buddy has been getting himself in shape for the long journey with ladder climbing...

...or he really just wanted that empty bottle to chew on.

He has also been practicing his sitting pose to prepare himself mentally for the arduous 1,500 miles ahead. He has worked hard on his deep breathing and relaxation techniques (he calls Tai Chi-huahua).

In an effort to show her commitment to the long drive for the sake of a piano, Merrit has seized many opportunities to showcase her piano skills, including this picture from a baptism last night.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days (original from 1998)

Some Noggin' for your Noggin

Around the Wolfertz house this time of year, all healthy activities succumb to the not-so-healthy influence of Eggnog (we call it Noggin').

This delectable drink coupled with Merrit's insatiable appetite for Pinterest produced a recipe that we simply could not refuse:

Chocolate Eggnog Swirl Pie
(click pic for recipe)

Whether you enjoy Noggin' or not you have to at least appreciate how delicious it looks. Matt repeatedly requested, begged, pleaded, and whimpered for us to make it.

Last night, Matt finally locked himself inside the kitchen and did not emerge until it was finished. Drum roll, please!

(cue trombone "wah, wah, wah, waaaaaah")

click for sound

Said Matt of his creation: "Though I have many talents and a profound appreciation for delicious food, I must concede that I lack the culinary art of swirling."

Often times we are presented with idealistic pictures of the gospel, or health, or marriage, or noggin' pie, etc.. In comparison our results tend to look like a less-than-appetizing mishmash. We rationalize with "if only's". Truth is the Savior can take our feeble attempts and, with a dash of mercy, a pinch of grace, and heaping amount of love and patience, help us create the most decadent delicacy.

Now that's Noggin' for your Noggin.

The Call of the Wild...and the Bishop

The call of the wild came early Sunday morning when Oscar (a large black lab puppy) (...and Buddy and Moe's best friend) came over, jumped up on our window sill, and let us know it was time to get up for church.

The call of the Bishop came at church when Matt was asked to be the 12-18 year old Sunday S-COOL teacher. Matt bore his testimony remarking that a calling received is a reflection of where you are in your spiritual maturity and this would be perfect for him. He also reflected that Merrit is a Relief Society teacher...hmm. And for those of you still teaching in Primary...there's hope.

After church, Buddy and Moe needed Sunday afternoon family time...at the lake.

Back at the house Merrit pulled some greens from the garden and made us a batch of highly recommended and positively reviewed kale and mustard green chips...neither of which received favorable marks from either of us. Buddy decided he would rather eat wild pears from our tree prunings. Moe did what he does best...posed.