My winter babies :)

The kids had a night this week where they got to sleep by the Christmas Tree!

Penny with SARAH BEAR :)

A letter from SANTA!

Dallin wrote a letter to Santa Claus at the beginning of this month and guess what we found in our mailbox today?

A letter from SANTA! I had no idea we would actually get a letter back! What a nice surprise!

Blessed is the Season. . .

Which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of Love

Pre-School

Today we made mouse ornaments that go along with the story book 'Santa Mouse'

The letter for Pre-School was 'M' for Mouse. We ate lots of M&M's while we played the game 'Don't eat Pete' and made cookies after we read the story 'If you give a mouse a cookie'

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; (The ornaments were made with walNUT shells and chestnuts)

And the kids loved watching the train ;)

Merry Christmas!

A year to remember 2002

When we set up our Christmas tree it is always a time to reminisce and remember when Rolo and I were married. It's almost been 6 years ago in six more days. A lot of our decorations were used at our reception at my brothers house. They decorated there tree for us and gave us the decorations, the star and the silver and white/pearl balls. I love the memories associated with all the ornaments.

And we always hang some MISTLETOE!! Dallin's favorite song is "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year. . . Oh, ho the mistletoe, hung where you can see, somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me" ;)



Christmas is a season to remember and express love!

A fun family game

I found this game 'Cut the Candy Bar' at Tip Junkie. We are adding this game to our family traditions. Look at the game info HERE! The object of the game is to eat as much of a candy bar as you can before someone rolls a double with dice. The rules :) you must have an unwrapped candy bar and try and open it with two hot pads on your hands and then you use a fork and knife and cut small portions of the candy bar and eat until someone else rolls a double :) Sounds like a lot of fun!

Tip Junkie also posted the fun game of Don't eat Pete! A great game for toddlers!

AND she has a neat CHRISTMAS M&M POEM you can print out and give as a simple neighbor gift!

Christmas M & M’s

As you hold these candies in your hand
and turn them, you will see
The 'M' becomes a 'W',
An 'E', and then a '3'.

They tell the Christmas Story
I'm sure it's one you know.
It took place in a stable
A long, long time ago.

The 'E' is for the East,
Where the star shone so bright.
The 'M' is for the Manger,
where the Baby Jesus slept at night.

The '3' is for the Wise Men,
Bearing gifts, with which they came.
'W' is for Worship,
Hallelujah! Praise His Name!

So as you eat these candies
Or share them with a friend,
Remember the meaning of Christmas:
It's a love that never ends.

Merry Christmas!

Imaginations

Have you ever watched the video THE SNOWMAN? It is a delightful short film with no words and only music. It's a great family film for the holidays and the kids have loved watching it. They have been dressing up like the Snowman and using there imaginations to pretend they're a snowman that comes to life and flies to the North Pole to visit Santa!


O' the magic and wonders of Christmas! We hope we will get snow one of these days so we can make our own Snowman!!!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

What Do You Remember?

Tell your children about it,
Let your children tell their children,
And their children another generation.
Joel 1:3

Memories- they're the very heart of Christmas!

How many of your most powerful memories are connected with the Christmas season?

We remember our childhood Christmas traditions,
We remember the smells,
We remember the anticipation of Santa coming to town,
We remember dreaming of white Christmas's
We remember the real reason for the season,
The birth of our Savior!

These cherished memories are what we want to tell our children and create new and the very best memories for there childhood.

I have felt a bit overwhelmed with this responsibility but I have been doing my best this season to pause for some quiet teaching moments and teach my children the true purpose of this season. Not just in words but hopefully with gestures of love. I pray that they will always have memories worth remembering!


Wishing you a Holiday you'll always remember :)

Dallin's Birthday Party

Dallin had a fantastic day yesterday from the moment he woke up until bedtime and he did not want the day to end! I asked him what his favorite part about his birthday was and he said "it was all his favortist :)" I loved watching him all day and loved every moment of seeing how happy he was. It makes a Moms heart perfectly content to have a happy child!

He had an ALL BOY POKEMON Birthday party. (except for his little sis :) He helped with a lot of the preparation for his party which made it fun for him! He picked his activities, he decorated, cleaned and put together gift bags, he wanted to choose six of his toys to wrap for his friends and that was fine with me, I let him go to his toy room and gather some toys to give away, he is always so thoughtful!

Dallin is a lucky boy to have some great friends

Seven little Monkeys climbing in our tree ;) The boys had a blast playing in the backyard, it was a beautiful sunny day!

Penny gave Dallin the Pikachu on his cake :)

Dallin picked out Pikachu pictures for his friends to color

It surprised me how much they all enjoyed coloring, they had a good time looking at Dallin's pokemon character book and coloring there own pictures.

We also made Origami Pikachu's :) It was fun watching all the boys play together and have a GREAT time!

Dallin is turning 5 tomorrow!

This is my little boy five years ago! I can't believe it!! He is only two weeks old in this picture, I made him and his Daddy matching Pajamas for Christmas Eve :)

My handsome little man with lots and lots of hair from the day he was born!

He also had many WILD hair days :)

Dallin's 1 st Birthday picture!

Dallin at 3 yrs

and tomorrow I will post more pictures of his 5th birthday. I have been so sentimental the past couple weeks thinking about my little boy turning the BIG 5. He is having an all boy Pokemon party. He has had fun making his own invitations, bags for his treats, and today we will make the Pokemon cake. He really wants Pikachu on his cake, so wish me luck! I am hopefully just doing a simple version of a pokemon cake but I get these ideas in my head and I never know how his cakes will actually turn out. It's always an adventure!

I must be craving some Vitamin E

First on the my baking list for this holiday season is Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds. You can get the recipe here at ALLRECIPES I can't wait to make these and smell the cinnamon roasting in the oven.

I didn't have the chance to make a pecan pie for Thanksgiving so Caramel Pecan Puff Tartlets sound delicious :)

By the way I went to my O.B doctor yesterday and I think it is cruel to weigh pregnant women during the Holidays ;) And just so you know in 25 days we find out if this baby is a boy or a girl :)

Anyhoo, back to my list - Mini Chip Snow ball Cookies, you can find that recipe HERE




And look at these fancy cupcakes, I don't know if I will be that festive with my baking! But, they do look adorable!

I have not tried any of these recipes before but they all sound so good and I always like trying out new Holiday recipes.

Happy baking to you all this Christmas Season :) The kitchen is a great place to create wonderful memories!

There is beauty all around when there's LOVE at home!

Family Vacation to Utah

We have been gone for the last nine days visiting family! We had a great time! And we are happy to be back home ;)

Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase!

It means no worries for the rest of your days!

It's our problem-free philosophy

Hakuna Matata!

17 weeks - Baby update :)

My little baby inside is starting to get strong! It's an active little guy. I sure hope it's a boy, because from the day I started getting sick I have predicted that it's a HE. With Dallin and this baby I can't eat red meat, eggs, cheese etc. and it is just miserable to eat during that first trimester. I have been over that for about a month now, thank goodness. This pregnancy is following in the same path of having a boy. So, I will be really shocked if they tell me it's a girl :)

My due date is Cinco de Mayo! I am really excited to have a May baby! The past two have both been winter babies. And hopefully the baby will come in May and not the end of April because my eight pound babies come two weeks early! If I went past my due date I would have ten pound babies! Yikes! Who knows? Every pregnancy is different :)

It's beginning to look a lot like. . .

CHRISTMAS at our house! I can't believe I am already starting to listen to Christmas music, we have our Christmas tree up and ready to be decorated. Christmas never last long enough so we decided to start early this year :) We have been doing a little at a time and the kids have loved it! They get so excited with every box we open. We did a lot of shopping yesterday, my list of things to do and make has been written down, projects are being finished and it feels great! It's a wonderful time of the year :)

Here is a new favorite poem of mine - Better than Gold

Better than grandeur, better than gold, Than rank and titles a thousandfold, Is a healthy body and mind at ease, And simple pleasures that always please. A heart that can feel for another's woe, And share his joys with a genial glow; With sympathies large enough to enfold All men as brothers, is better than Gold.

Better than gold is a conscience clear, Though toiling for bread in an humble sphere, Doubly blessed with content and health, Untired by the lusts and cares of wealth, Lowly living and lofty thought Adorn and ennoble a poor man's cot; For mind and morals in nature's plan Are the genuine tests of an earnest man.

Better than gold is a peaceful home Where all the fireside characters come, The shrine of love, the heaven of life, Hallowed by mother, or sister or wife. However humble the home may be, Or tried with sorrow by heaven's decree, The blessings that never were brought or sold, And center there are better than gold.

Abram J Ryan

Pile on the Fall fun!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

The Ultimate Gift

I have been thinking of gift ideas a lot lately and the Christmas season is getting closer! I have mentioned this before but the Movie 'The Ultimate Gift' is a great story! If you haven't seen it, it's a great holiday movie and it helps you remember what the true gifts in life are!!!

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This poor gingerbread boy couldn't run very fast from Dallin! Dallin loves the story about the Gingerbread Boy and he loves eating them even more! Mmm Mmm Good!

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
a pinch of ground cloves
6 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
4 Tbsp. Honey
1/2 c. butter

1. Grease the baking sheet. Preheat oven @ 375
Melt the butter, sugar, and honey together over low heat.

2. Beat the egg. Sift the flour, spices, and baking soda together, then stir in the butter mixture and the beaten egg.

3. Mix everything together, then knead it into a ball of dough. Put the dough into a plastic bag and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured table. Flour the cutter, then cut out dough shapes and place them on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes - until firm - Put cookies on a wire rack to cool - Have fun & Enjoy!

This morning I actually woke up at 4:45 am to go see the Morning Mob (Running Group) It was great to see everyone and I really miss running. I took a new gal with me this morning that called me on Saturday and said that she wanted to start running. She did awesome and ran 5 miles and O' I maybe walked two :) At least I am trying to stay in shape ;) It felt great to wake up early and enjoy some fresh air. The past few months I have just not felt well to go running and I have been way to tired! But, it has all been for a good cause!

A big surprise for my Mom's 60th birthday!!

On Halloween day all of my siblings and I flew to Washington state! We disguised ourselves in spooky ghost costumes and arrived at my parents house just in time for TRICK or treating! My mother was not quite sure what to say to five adult ghosts standing on her front porch. She was expecting my oldest sister and her family for the weekend and she had no idea all five of her kids were going to show up instead! We rang the door bell and she was hesitant as she opened the door and all we said was 'Trick or Treat' She looked at us puzzled, she didn't even notice our 'Guess Who' signs and she said "just a moment" as she went to go get some candy. She called for my dad and then all of us friendly ghosts decided to invite ourselves in, which spooked her even more. She said "Did I invite you in?" :) :) Then the instant laughter gave our disguises away!!
When my Mom realized who we were she started laughing and was completely tricked with our surprise visit! It was a lot of fun planning this trip and trying to be sneaky. We had a good time traveling together to my parents house and planning our strategy to try and enter my parents gated community. Mission successfully accomplished!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday at a nice resturaunt

This was our view out the restaurant window. It was overcast but it sure was green and beautiful in Washington!

We enjoyed all our meals together! That is an understatement. My family has a laughing gene that when we get together we find the littlest things to be HILARIOUS. So, we were easily entertained. My oldest two sisters made us our favorite family cookies. Peanut butter corn flake cookies Mmm Mmm Good!

The big 6 0! My Mom still looks young and beautiful ;)

It was once again another short and sweet visit. But, we sure had a great time together and created some wonderful memories. 2008 Halloween will be a day talked about for many years to come!