A Success

Instead of neighbor gifts this year we did something different. We taped an invite to every neighbors door asking them to use the money they would spend on neighbor gifts and donate it to a good cause. We asked for canned food, gift cards and new toys. We then invited everyone to a large park in the neighborhood where we provided the hot chocolate, and they each brought an appetizer or a treat and their donations and visited with each other. It was a huge success. Why not? Do we really need 30 plates of delicious treats staring us down each morning as we do the dishes? Challenging us to take just one bite and skip breakfast. I don't. I don't want to think up something more creative than last year with a rhyming poem that ends up sounding ridiculous. I was determined to take my $2.00 per family and help someone who really needs it. Everyone, it seems, is struggling around here. Our neighborhood is full of contractors, Realtors, mortgage guys etc, all feeling the effects of a slowed economy. We had a great turn out and a very generous bunch at that. The best part of the evening was spending a couple hours getting to know our friends and neighbors better. I know we are not the first neighborhood to put something like this together, but I think it was a great way to feel the true spirit of the Season.

Tiny People = Tiny Trees

Letting the kids decorate their own little Christmas tress is one our favorite traditions. I let them do it before before all I get out all the other decorations. They use their imaginations, their stuff, and the $5.00 I give them each year to decorate. This year Jackson did a repeat of last years Colt's tree. It has his prized football cards, his pennants, little blue ornaments we painted the Colt's logo on, and tiny horseshoes cut out of card stock. his jersey is the skirt and his hat is the star. He's a creative little guy. He added blue candy canes.

Courtney did a colorful candy tree. Hot pink, blue, and lime green. She has color coordinating glass balls, ribbon, candy canes, paper chains, and candy necklaces,


Bowen and Cooper wanted a Star Wars tree, so we put stars, tiny glow sticks (light sabers), the Star Wars Logo, and all their Star Wars guys. It is cool!

On The Fourth Day of Christmas

My grandparents gave to me....Christmas ornaments. "The worlds smallest snowglobes" as named by my children.

On The Third Day Of Christmas.....

My grandparents gave to me.... christmas dishes. The kids were particularly excited about these, and enjoyed a festive breakfast on them.

On The Second Day Of Christmas....

My grandparents gave to me... A little cradle. Today my kids unwrapped a darling book called "The Last Straw" with a tiny cradle, a box of straw and a little baby Jesus. The idea is that each time you do an act of service you get to put a piece of hay on the cradle until it is full and ready for the baby Jesus. We already have two small pieces of hay in the cradle. What a great way to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

On The First Day of Christmas.....

My grandparents gave to me an advent calender and yummy candy. Every year my mom and dad do the Twelve Days of Christmas for my kids. They are giddy every morning as we sit by the glowing Christmas tree. Who gets to open it? Who gets to read the poem attached? We have to have a system or there will be tears. I think it is such a fun tradition and I wanted to share the excitement of it with everyone. On The first day of Christmas they gave them Christmas candy, the advent candle pictured below (totally from my childhood), and a cute elf advent softie that has a pocket for each day. You move a tiny wooden candy cane to the day's pocket. Cute. Stay tuned for more Twelve Days of Christmas excitement!

Halloween 2008

I need to post about Halloween. I just keep hoping my camera will turn up with all the pictures on it. It hasn't. So I will record the events with what photos I have pieced together, and I will add more as I collect them from friends.

The festivities kicked off early in the week with the ward Trunk-R-Treat. Carter dressed as a giant pinata and I had on a giant sombrero and held a pinata stick. It was a hit! Not easy to maneuver in though. The kids got so much candy, we made them give most of it to us and we handed it out on Halloween. Cruel, I know.

Early on Halloween morning Courtney and I got up and decorated the kitchen with cobwebs, lights, and spooky music. The boys thought it was great, and as a result got very few of their chores done. Later that morning I helped in Bowen's class, for my center we made slime. The kids were thrilled. This grosser the better when your seven.

I then made a quick trip to Cooper's preschool class for a little singing program, he was dressed as the Dark Night and was adorable singing his heart out in his mask. Then it was back to the school for the costume parade. Jackson was a football player (just an excuse for everyone to see him in his cool Desert Hills uniform) and Bowen was Obi Wan. After the parade it was home to start on the doughnuts. I made 400 this year! They turned out great, but you just can't picture it unless you see the pictures. We did it in the garage this year, so we could socialize and see everyone. Everyone from the neighborhood stopped in and many brought their bowls of candy and sat and hung out. It was a blast.

Courtney was a Rubik's cube this year and chose not to go trick-or-treating, so she had a bunch of friends over for pumpkin shaped pizzas (compliments of Papa John's) and bone sticks (bread sticks). I think they had a good time.


I really like Halloween, I don't know why, it is always so crazy and busy. I think that I like it because I get to be a kid again, and maybe because it signals the beginning of the holidays. I love being a mom and experiencing the world through my kids eyes.

A New Blogger

Courtney has her own blog. You should check it out, she is getting some good reviews at school for her wonderful writing. An added bonus-she is funny. Click here to read.

14

That's how many years I have been married today. That is a lot, especially considering that I was only eighteen when I got married. So, I have been married almost as long as I have been single. Wow! Here's the special day we have planned. Carter will go to work, putting out Veteran's Day flags on his way out. I will get up, workout, get the kids up and off to school. Laundry. Go to a school function. Go to the DMV and get a new license (see below. Make dinner, get Court to Young Women's, Jack to scouts, Carter to Young Men's, help Bowie with his homework and get he and Coop to bed. Get older kids to bed and then hopefully kiss my husband before I go to bed. Just like yesterday, but busier. If you want to know how much I love Carter and how glad I am that he chose me as his wife just look below at his birthday post. Here's hoping for a cruise on year fifteen!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Today is Carter's 36th birthday. Happy birthday Cart! I don't want to go all sentimental and mushy on you, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention a couple things about my mate. Carter takes good care of our family, he works hard, and hardly ever takes any time for himself. I also admire how hard he serves in his callings. He never misses a meeting or and activity, and makes darn sure we are at the temple often. My mom says Carter knows how to anticipate people's needs. He does. He brings a blanket before I am cold, a glass of water before I am thirsty, a treat for fun, and a hot bath before I ask. He has always treated me with great respect, and is a great example to his sons. One of the best qualities about Carter is he is willing to change, and try to make himself better. He is always looking inward at what he can improve on, and sincerely making an effort to do better. He is humble and submissive to the Spirit. I could take a page out of his book. Carter, thank you for making our lives fuller. better and more meaningful. One homemade pumpkin pie coming right up. Happy Birthday!