Christmas Boots

Last year Chris' mom sent boots that Chris got for Christmas many years ago! We keep them out by our fireplace and they just look cute sitting there. He loved them when he was little. Well, our friends the Statens came over on Christmas and I could hear Chris say I don't think they'll fit but had know idea what he was talking about. A few minutes later in walks cute little Livy while her mom and I were visiting! She had on the boots and was walking like she owned the world! She is such a little cutie! It cracked us up!

Rainbows and Casseroles!!

For breakfast every Christmas we have this casserole and we really like it! Larisa said it was the very best ever this time! (She says that every time!) I thought I would share it with you:

Line pan with 8 partially thawed hash brown patties

Sprinkle with ham or bacon

Sprinkle 1 c cheddar cheese

In a bowl mix

7 eggs

1 cup milk

season with ground pepper

Garlic or whatever seasoning you like!

Pour into pan

Cover with foil

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

Uncover and cook for 15 additional minutes

Enjoy!!

My sister calls this "Party in your Mouth Jello" and I thought I would give it a try! I would make it again, but it takes a long time, and I would make it the day before I need it. The kids really thought it was fun!

Christmas!!

I am not sure who gets the most excited for Christmas - me or the girls!! I think from about 5-7 I woke up every 5 minutes wondering if the girls were up! I told them they need to wait until 6 and I thought for sure that they would be at my door at 6:01! I finally gave up and got up and got dressed and did my hair and started working on the breakfast casserole! Of course they woke up as soon as I went into the kitchen! They were so happy and excited! This is the picture of the girls standing in the hall waiting to see what Santa brought!

They both got these stuffed animals that they can plug their MP3 players into and listen to their music! I remember getting a stuffed raccoon with a radio built into it! It had these 2 dial on the tummy and I think you could even get both AM&FM on it - thankfully technology has come along way!!

Tia excited to get a webkin!

We tried to have Christmas last a little longer this year and opened Santa gifts and took a break while I finished putting the casserole together (ouch! I got a big burn on my arm putting it in!!) We opened a few gifts and the took a break - we did that a few times. Larisa and Tiana worked hard on making each other presents. Larisa searched hi and lo for monkey fabric to make Tia a blanket. Tiana designed a pillow to make for her sister! Larisa also bought Tia a BFF necklace and wrote her a sweet poem.

It was a very fun and relaxing day - so much to be grateful for!

Christmas Eve

The girls were so excited for it to be Christmas Eve Day! Infact, they had to stay up until 12:00 on Tuesday night so they could say Happy Christmas Eve Day! I had the day kind of planned, but all of the snow really changed it! I spent over 2 hours shoveling heavy wet snow - not my idea of holiday happiness!! Tia was a cutie and shoveled for another hour or so and Larisa cleaned up inside! I had fun cooking but decided that Chinese take-out may have to be a new tradition!!! We were blessed to have the Sister Missionaries come and join us for dinner and our Christmas Eve traditions! We had a yummy ham, twice baked potatoes, rolls, green beans and pies! We then sang lots of Christmas songs! We took off the ornaments with the names of Christ and looked up a scripture for each of them and shared them - it was really neat! Then we sang some more songs. We talked about Christmas in the Book of Mormon and sang another song. Then we opened up one present! The girls helped shop for the Sister missionaries and made them really cute cards! The girls were so happy to get footie PJ's! I soon found out that the number one reason they wanted them was so they could slide down the stairs a little faster! The girls slept together on Tiana's floor and talked about how excited they were - such a fun, sweet, warm, spiritual and exciting night!

No Grinch Here

On Tuesday Night (the 23rd) we had a wonderful experience! We went out caroling with another family to 4 sweet ladies from church. We loved it! We felt so blessed to sing and visit with them and I think it will be one of the big highlights of our Christmas! A great reminder of what Christmas is really all about! When the girls came home it was our night to sleep by the tree and protect it from the Grinch! (thanks for that fun tradtion Debbie!) You can all sleep tight - the Grinch never came!

Snowy Sunday!

Late Saturday night we had another snow storm come in, this time it was church that was cancelled! It always feels so strange to have it be Sunday and not go to church. We had invited another family over for dinner and a Christmas program and my girls were so sad to think that it was going to be cancelled too! Our friends braved the roads and we were so excited to have them over. The plan was that I was going to write a program and have the kids preform it for the parents, but I just couldn't get my act together and think of anything to write. So, we handed the kids props and told them to come up with their own skit! It had to be about the nativity, have a song and with several of the children being in cheer - one cheer stunt! They did such a cute job! It was a great night and we feel so blessed to have such great friends!

Singing, "Silent Night"
Little Sheep
This is the stunt - they made the stable!

Mary on the Donkey

Snow Day #2

Friday was supposed to be the last day of school before Christmas vacation, but we had another snow day! This time Tiana was a little more prepared and they had there party at school on Thursday. Tiana's teacher promised that if they had a snow day that he would find away to have a PJ/reading party another day - she didn't bawl this time. The neighbors came over and they all played in the snow! They had a fun time.

Ouch! Now that looks painful Tiana!!!

Friend Family Home Evening

We started the tradition before we moved to have a family night with friends and neighbors to share traditions and have treats! I loved it and wanted to have it be a tradition here! We invited 3 other families, who couldn't come because they all had the stomach flu - thanks for NOT sharing that tradition - but we missed you! There were lots of little children - so fun - I love having my home filled with family and friends and a fun evening!

(Yes ladies, I know I was in the picture too - but it was not the way I want to remembered - Ah the joys of deciding what I want to post!)

Snow Day!!!

I turned on the news this morning and there were 3 school closings - we were one of them!! Yea! I was happy - Larisa was happy- Tiana bawled, it was suppose to a fun busy day at school! A friend asked Larisa if she could babysit and that meant Tiana could play - no more bawling - shouts of joy!! After that the same friend invited us to go sledding! So much fun! It is really cold and I am sure it was a good decision to cancel school!

Cute Friends!

Going Down!

Opps! Turned around!

Crash!!!

I'm okay mom!Me Too!

Just a little snow in your face!

Choir Concert

Larisa had her school show choir Christmas concert! They sounded beautiful!! Larisa sang in a quartet! She didn't even seem shy and she did all of these little hand movements that were so cute!! We are so proud of her!

Cheer Competition

Larisa had her first cheer competition! It was the same day and time as our Enrichment Activity and I was torn about where I should be! I really wanted to be both places. I finally said to myself, "In 2 years will anyone remember if I was at enrichment? Will Larisa remember if I was there in 2 years?" I decided that Larisa would remember and she was cute and hugged me and said thanks so much for coming mom - I love that cute little girl! I feel so blessed by my daughters!!

I was so busy trying to figure out the video that I didn't take any pictures - opps! Larisa is the one in the cheerleader uniform and curly ponytail - does that help?

So many reasons to love Tiana

I just love this little girl!!! I love that she has such a great creative mind. She has had so much fun with her Littlest Pet Shops lately. This is the village that she made. It is fun to watch her play and design each room!

Tia makes me laugh all the time. This was what cracked me up this week and I will probably need to write something each week so I can remember!

Mom: Tiana I need you to do me a favorite! (I often call favors - favorites)

Tia: Ah mom, I'm your favorite - that makes me feel so good! I've never felt so loved!

Mom: No Tiana, I love you, but I need you to do me a favor!

Tia: Oh mom you are making me feel so good. I'm your favorite! You better stop now mom or the water works are going to start!!!

New Christmas Tradition

I started a new tradition this year. We try to have our living room have only nativities and the true meaning of Christmas in it. My tree has stars and nativities on it and I wanted to add a little more. Well, years ago my mom taught a lesson on all of the different names of Christ - I loved it! She wrote (not typed!) all of the different names the Savior is known by, what that name means and a list of scriptures with that name. I think that I really liked it because it really illustrates to me all of the things that the Savior has done for us. So I bought these round balls at the dollar store - $2 total. Then I bought a gold paint pen-on sale at Hobby Lobby and I wrote on them some of my favorite names. Then I attached a bow on to dress it up! Then came a little tag to say why he is called this name and on the back a list of scriptures that you can find the name in! We had the girls each take turns reading them while they put them on the tree. It was fun to hear some of their favorite names and why. I made 20 and could do at least another 20! A few of my favorites are friend, good shepherd, advocate, potter and king! It is also away that I feel like my mom is a part of the holiday - she is just the sweetest! I'll look forward to putting them up next year and think that we will pick one ornament each night and look up the scriptures.

Deck the halls

It seems like it takes me forever to get all of my Christmas decorations up. I haven't figured out if I am just really slow, or if I have too much stuff!! All of the work seems worth it when night time comes and on go the Christmas lights! This year I am calling the lights Christmas magic and make the girls come in and see the magic every time I turn on the lights. I love seeing all of my friends blogs of Christmas decor and thought I'd show you my favorites.

This is the view walking down my hall and seeing 2 different rooms - I love all the lights!

I think this is my favorite! I love the light inside and then the lights outside coming through. I kept the lights on my trees outside on all year - it made it easier at Christmas and lighted the path for Larisa to catch the bus. With all of the snow - there are no lights on the house this year, so I am glad I left them on the trees!

Chris bought me this tree the first year we were married. I still love it and it holds all of out keepsake ornaments! I can't believe that I have put it up for 21 years now! I finally had to replace the lights last year.

Some times it's the little things that make us happy! I love these place mats! I purchased them at the dollar store and they just make me happy!
Come on over and sit by the fire! Last year I put battery operated lights on my garland and there were only 10 lights. This year I put a whole strand of lights and I just love it!
I just love Christmas!

City Wassailing

Chris and Larisa went to YM/YW and Tiana and I decided it would be fun to go to the town wassailing. It was really a lot of fun. We went and saw some ballet at the library and went to a craft fair in the church. The city courtyard was full of people!(I took the picture at the end) I felt like I was in the movie, "Ground Hog Day"! I love our town square and the city I live in! We had a lot of fun! We stopped by a garden center in town and Tiana frosted a sugar cookie. There are so many fun things to do! I love the holidays!

Just Thinking

I wanted to share a positive note with you. I was early to pick up my daughter from a school activity and I decided to look around the school. I noticed a get to know the teacher page by each of the doors. They were interesting and I read about a dozen of them. I was really impressed! They asked for their favorite quote and their favorite book. The most common favorite book was, The Bible. Almost half of the quotes were either a scripture or had some refrence about God -Amazing. I have noticed that in every school choir performance there is a song with mention of God in it. We were singing a Christmas song at home and my daughter said that they sang it in music class - all about the birth of the Savior! I see churches everywhere busy with Christmas programs, choirs, Nativites and countless acts of service. I see children in my daughters school class doing a sub for Santa. I see children asking for less and being more excited about what they are giving. I see moms doing their best to teach the true spirit of Christmas. I see Linus (Charlie Brown), on TV, once again telling us what Christmas is all about. I see people smile, even in a recession, doing their best to put their faith in God. When I turn on the news or read some of the emails I get, you would think that the majority of people want to take God out of the schools and country, but my observasion is the opposite. I love to watch people all around me try to serve the Lord in their various churches. I think I've just decided to turn off the news and watch people. Watching the news can worry me - watching people uplifts me! I am so thankful for the goodness around me!

Missionary Luncheon

Our Ward was asked to provide lunch for the missionary zone conference. We had great support from ward members and the presidency! It all worked out wonderfully and the missionaries seemed to enjoy their meal.

This was my favorite part - I wish you all could have been there! (My camera battery died after I took this picture) After they were done eating they called us into the gym and had us stand in the middle - with the missionaries standing like this all around us. They had our ward missionaries(sisters) introduce us all. It was fun because we had a lot of youth there to help serve. Then they all sang "Called to Serve" to us! It was beautiful and fun to see all of these valiant missionaries sing with all of their hearts - it made me cry! I felt very blessed to be there and honored to be able to be a part of the day!

Small Town!

I was reading in the paper about different towns and their Christmas celebrations. I decided it would be fun to go to a neighboring city and participate in their fun festivities! They were having a parade, tree lighting, hot chocolate, craft fairs and what pulled me in the most - fireworks at 8:00! Chris was thinking it would be a nice night to go to the YMCA, but being a kind husband, he went along with my plans! We started out with the parade, it mentioned something about fire trucks, but I guess I didn't quite understand. It started out with their High School band and then fire truck after firetruck! I was remembering how many times Chris mentioned he had a headache on the way over and started to burst into laughter, as each fire engine seemed to be louder then the last! They did have pretty lights on them!! They even had Santa on one of them! The parade ended with Mr & Mrs Clause in a convertible(yes, try to explain to an 8 year old how Santa can be in 2 places at once!) Yes, that was the parade! I should feel safer knowing how many firetrucks are close by!!

We then decided to go to the tree lighting ceremony, I think I was still laughing! We see this big tree - maybe 50 feet tall and another tree next to it about- maybe 10 feet tall. We waited patiently for Mr & Mrs Clause to come and light the tree! Wait - 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 -then the little tree lit up! We were all staring at the big tree - nope - no lights - more laughter - everyone joins with me this time!

We then walked over to a church and the mood changed. They were having a Jesus store and I had no idea what that was! They gave us a ticket and we walked in - still not knowing what was going on. The chapel was full. We asked and they said they had rooms full of gift -free! They had been collecting items all year long for this special event. We didn't need anything so we decided to go and thanked them for their great service - then they asked if we would like to tour what they were doing. We were so touched as they had a room full of beautiful gift baskets full of new items. Then then walked us to another area and it was like a big garage sale, but you just take what you need. We saw a lot of people getting the help they needed and this time we all smiled and thanked them for the service they were providing. They said this would be the last year that they did it! The world is full of goodness and kind people.

We walked around and looked at different shops until the fireworks - we were wondering if it would be like the tree lighting - maybe sparklers! They had beautiful fireworks! It was a fun evening - laughter and we felt the spirit of giving!

I have always teased Chris about being a Grinch! He worked retail for many years, and that is one way to get an overload of Christmas materialism! I know I may go a little overboard with the holiday, but I love it! Chris has been so wonderful about the holiday! He lets me do my own thing and willingly goes along with it - a huge Christmas gift! He even let me listen to music at a volume that rattles the house while I decorated! I sure feel blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

Christmas Decoration!

When we drove home were excited to see that the closer we got to home - the more snow! This morning we woke up to even more! I opened the front door and this is what I saw! You can't buy Christmas decorations this beautiful! I love it!

This tree is loaded with berries this year! It is so pretty. The birds are loving it and it is fun to watch them. Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?