Change of plans...

This year we were planning on hanging out at home Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and then heading up to grandpa & grandma's in the afternoon. We've never really been home Christmas morning since we've had kids...it's just what comes with living far away! So, that was our plan until yesterday's CRAZY snowstorm up north, with another one scheduled for Christmas Eve night. So...do we head out tomorrow morning (earlier than planned) or do we take the risk of not going at all. Yup...you guessed it, we're heading out early!

My original plan for Christmas Eve (since I didn't want to be home feeling sad) was that we would make gingerbread houses. I guess the right word would be 'assemble' gingerbread houses since I bought the kit from Costco (totally worth the money by the way, these things were AWESOME)! So we decided to pull them out tonight and have ourselves some good ol' Christmas fun! We turned on the Mo Tab Christmas DVD and ate candy until our bellies ached!

Kallie's quote of the night: 'This is really the Christmas Spirit mom...can you feel it?!'

Sydney's quote of the night: (referring to her dollar store glasses) 'These got frosting on them, I guess they'll have to be licked!'

Look at the determination on that little face! This frosting was thick stuff...but that's a good thing because that candy wasn't going anywhere!

I was 'attempting' to have an artistic moment and get a cool picture of the colorful candy...when this hand swooped in at the last minute to steal some of the loot!

Attempt #2...by the way (for any who care) these pictures were all taken at 2500 ISO! WOW! Isn't technology amazing...I love NOT using my flash!

Syd's final masterpiece...

Kallie's creation!

Merry Christmas to you all! And PLEASE, PLEASE forgive me for being the loser who didn't send out Christmas Cards this year! Next year...I pinky promise!

Dear Grandma..

Dear Grandma,

We know you really want some vertical pictures of us for the wall in your living room, and the other day my mom tried to take some of us. Unfortunately, it was really cold and we were being uncooperative. We didn't really want to get our pictures taken even though our mom had bribed us with a lollipop from Pizza Factory. For some reason, we thought it would be best if we made faces and smiled the cheesiest (big teeth) smiles we could muster. By the end we were whining and complaining and begging to go into the visitor center of the temple to warm up. My mom was pretty frustrated with us. So, dear grandma, if you don't like any of these pictures, it is not our mom's fault...we take full responsibility. We could always try again in the spring! If there are any pictures you like (which we hope so we don't have to endure another painful photo session with our mother) just let us know and we will tell our mom which ones you want. We are really sorry grandma, and we are just hoping that Santa doesn't leave a lump of coal in our stockings because we were being sorta naughty.

Love you lots and lots...Kallie & Sydney

My kinda snow day...

St. George has my kind of snow days...no school because of 4" of snow! Mostly melted by the afternoon with 30 degree temps. We had a GREAT day...thanks for lunch Lindsey!

These girlies were outside playing (in their jammies) at 8:00 am.

Perfect, perfect little storm to get us in the Christmas spirit!

Out for a drive...

We had to run a quick errand tonight, and while we were out we decided to drive past the temple. I know I've said it before, but this temple (in my opinion) is the most beautiful temple. The lights & nativity were fun to go see, but let's just say....it's NO temple square.

What you can't really see in the temple pictures is that this is falling from the sky...

My girlies are WAY over the top excited! Should we take bets on whether school is canceled tomorrow???

We headed home because everyone's hands were freezing & the girls went straight to the tub to warm up. Then to top off this lovely (I really mean that) night of snow, we had to have a cup of whipped cream...I mean hot chocolate before bed.

We all got the BIGGEST laugh out of this one...Kallie begging, "P L E A S E can I have more whipped cream?!?"

Wish granted!

We all know that in the WR Valley they don't cancel school even if there's 2 feet of fresh powder...I'm anxious to know when they call it quits around here. I'll let you know!

It had to happen...

We all knew it had to happen, but I for one was enjoying my EXTREMELY low utilities bills. Yup, last night I had to do it. I turned on the heater...bummer!

I was planning on going to Vegas tonight for the open house...but snow in St. George, snow in Las Vegas (gasp). Tell me it isn't true!

How Lucky Are We!

How lucky are we that Dan had a GREAT week at the office! He has patients scheduled every day next week, has a big open house at the office on Monday & has meeting with 6 doctors/dentists next week. We feel VERY happy that his name is getting out there and the phone calls are starting to come it. I have a feeling that we are being BLESSED because of the prayers, concern & love of many of you out there. THANK YOU!!!

How lucky are we that while buying drinks & poinsettias for the open house...we ran into this jolly old fellow! Lucky for us we were there Friday night when Costco was nice and quiet and we were able to get not only a candy cane but a photo too (yes I always keep a camera in my purse)! My girlies were thrilled beyond thrilled...yay Costco...yay SANTA!!!

We all know that sometimes luck...really isn't luck at all. It is something much bigger...

Sydney Lou Who...

We've been reading the Grinch AT LEAST once a day around here...we've even watched the cartoon once or twice. So it wasn't too much of a surprise when Syd told me today (and yesterday) that she wanted her hair like Cindy Lou Who. She even got mad at me when I took it out to put her in the bath...

Cindy Lou Who

Sydney Lou Who

I'd say they look JUST alike...don't ya think? If she's Cindy Lou Who does that make me...the Grinch!?!

Check...

Don't you love it when you FINALLY check something off your list that has been on there forever. Last night I had had it...our little toy room HAD to be cleaned and re-organized! I've been trying to decide the best way to go about it and the best way to plan ahead for certain treasures that Santa might be bringing (wink, wink). I decided it would be WAY better to get on top of this BEFORE the Christmas treasures come in.

Kallie went in and checked it out after school and fainted right to the ground :) I know it doesn't look THAT amazing, but those of you who have actually been to my house, or have had children that have attempted to play in this room, you can probably appreciate the joy I felt at checking this de-junking project off my list. Why didn't I take before pictures so you could get the full effect???

Here it is...new and improved! I was laughing because before bed, my girls were planning what they were going to play tomorrow after school. It is so much more fun to be in a happy space that actually functions!

I know this closet still could use a little help but it is about 1000% better than what it was. It was crowded, messy and hard to get things in and out. Because of that, I think the girls sort of gave up playing with those toys. Yes those are garbage cans...but they are fresh & clean and brand new. Sometimes I find that they work better than rubbermaids because they are tall and skinny. Looks like I need to weed a few more things out, they're still over flowing a little. That will have to happen tomorrow while the girlies are at school...can't do that when they're around :) And seriously, if you are receiving inspiration (mom) on how to make this closet function even better (without spending any more $) please pass your brilliance onto me!

Now get up and get something checked off your list that's been bugging you for a while...trust me you will feel much joy and happiness if you do!

In the Spirit...

I loved listening to the Christmas Devotional tonight (in between yelling at my kids to be quiet- yikes). The decor, the music, the Spirit, the power of their words. This is what it's all about folks...it's about Christ, it's about family, it's about love, and it's about giving.

We're feeling it around here, even with all of our Christmas stuff packed away in Grandma's shed, we've managed to get in the Spirit of the Season.

Tonight we read: Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Kallie's letter to Santa (see transcript below) safely tucked away in her stocking.

Little tiny 4' tree from Big Lots and ornaments all from the dollar store...I must admit I was impressed by their selection :)

Kallie's letter reads: Dear Santa, What I want for x-mis is a laptop (don't panic...not a real one). I did not just be good. I was awesome. I did not fight with my sister well only a little. I do jobs for my mom. I give gifts to my dad. And I do stuff for my family like take care of dog and do the dishes. Love: Kallie

She's made the NICE list FOR SURE!

Home At Last!

Guess who was welcomed home today with open arms...our Sequoia! Yay! I didn't realize how much I missed the ol' girl until I picked her up and headed down the road. And even though my girls were sad to take back the Jeep Commander rental car, I wasn't sad to say goodbye. No offense to Jeep owners, but I am a fan of this Toyota. The body shop even gave me a free car wash (inside & out). And no...I'm NOT parking next to my neighbor's other car because recently they've received threats on that car. Yup- I'm the one who now parks FAR away while my designated parking spot sits empty! Do you blame me???

Look how shiny and new it looks...you can even see my reflection!

And I would feel really ungrateful if I didn't take a minute to thank this girl (if she ever sees this) for helping out a friend in need. I've never really felt like a NEEDY person before, but lately I HAVE been. Can you take me here...can you drop me off here...will you bbsit the pooch...can Sydney come over while I help at school. Let me tell you friends like this are one in a million!

Giving Thanks...

count.your.many.blessings.name.them.one.by.one.and.you'll.be.surprised.at.what.the.Lord.has.done.

We got invited by the hostess-with-the-mostest to come to their warm sunny house for Thanksgiving. It was a great time had by all and very worth a long scary drive in the pouring rain to get there. Thanks Jensen family for a very fun (and yummy) Thanksgiving vacation.

Highlights:
*arriving safely
*free hotel stay vouchers
*many, many games of Blockus and Uno Attack
*food.food.food
*date night Friday (has anyone seen Fireproof?)
*Thursday morning 'Turkey Trot' I did it in 23 mins...yay me!
*the return of 'Kick the Can'...that takes me back to late nights at grandma's house.
*babies everywhere :)
*seeing Diane's house that has received much TLC from them the last few months, it's fun to finally see a place that you've heard so much about.
*Jensen photo shoot...check out my photo blog if you want to see 'um
*visiting with Greg & Elaine who came from California.
*very berry pie from Croshaws
*Greg running into Diane's sliding glass door...full speed ahead (I almost puked from laughter-really).
*Mark wondering why the baby felt wet, "did you get into the pool water" he asked...then he said, "OH CRAP" (it was literally, poor-poor Mark).
*swing set assembly in 3 hours flat- that's a record!
*great company...and did I mention delicious food


Does Uno attack ever really end? It just goes on, and on, and on...

Diane was offered a proposal of marriage because of some rolls she made for a neighbor...polygamy would have some advantages right?!? Doesn't Diane look like she belongs on Food Network!

Just another day in Paradise...Thanksgiving dinner pool side!

can't get over these lovely dishes...

kids table safely on the other side of the pool fence. The kids did a play for us after dinner complete with a hunter, turkeys running around, gun shots, turkeys dying everywhere...but then an encore performance with the turkeys turning on the hunter and chasing him down. Violent...yet funny!

cute, cute babies...how do your mother and father keep up with you???

Spencer (happy birthday you big crazy 9 year old).

Kallie & Syd FINALLY got to take their ear rings out. I let Kallie wear a pair of mine just to celebrate...doesn't she look like a teenager (scary thought).

Samuel...lovin' one of his mama's rolls

My cousins...Taylor & Isaac

And yes...Dan did his fair share of dishes. Love ya babe!

I'm thankful for (many things, but here's a few) *our townhouse*each other*Dan's education*our health*my kids teachers at school*our freedom*my testimony*my parents*my sisters*friends*extended family*staying at home with my kids*life*...any way, the list could go on forever, but I'm tired and ready for bed. I'm thankful for YOU!!!