HER Operations Christmas Party

Our entire Operations Staff with families.

Howard and I prepared a tradition North American "Turkey Dinner"
which our staff had requested.

For fun we had cookie decorating,
Pictured here are Angelica on the right with her three kids,
Vladamir, Kenard and Rebekah.

Our good friend Suzy, organized all the cookie decorating stuff.
I thought it was very creative, she use a muffin tin to put all the things they
could use to decorate their cookies.  Thanks Suzy and Pinterest! 

Even Pedro, our oldest staff member decorated cookies :)

At the end of the party, everyone piled in the camp truck and headed for home.

December Festivities

We had many celebrations during the month of December.  To kick off the Christmas season we hosted a Christmas cookie baking day with some of the ladies here at Refugio.  This year the Ecuadorian ladies really enjoyed learning how to make "cut-out" cookies.  As with last year we each brought a couple of recipes to share (which means translating), then we made the recipe.  I think the most enjoyable part  for the ladies though, was being able to take the Christmas cookies home to share with their families.  As with tradition, at lunch we stopped and enjoyed Howie's delicious BBQ burgers and fries.  For those of you who know me well, I am not a huge fan of the kitchen, so I tend to float and clean pans as they are used and needed for more recipes.  I also love just listening to all the talking and laughing that goes on as they learn new things and experience "The Joys of Baking"!

Nathaly and I stirring the fudge.

Katy, Nathaly, Diana, Erica, Kari, myself, Anita, Piedad, Angelica and Suzy.

Learning how to make Christmas cut out cookies.

Feliz Navidad!