Christmas Day

I know I am a little behind in posting for Christmas, but better late than never. We had a really laid back, quiet, nice Christmas Day. The kids slept until 9:00, we ate breakfast and then opened presents. Both Erick & Jordan got what they wanted (big surprise). Then we spent the day at home. It was nice to have the day to ourselves. I have learned a lot the last few weeks and I think next year will be better. Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

On the 2nd and 1st days till Christmas

Things are really coming together. I am finding peace with all of the changes that are happening. I am finding new things to appreciate about the holidays. It's funny how making myself aware of how I was feeling and putting it down for everyone has changed my perspective. I am so lucky to have happy, healthy children. With each year that passes, there is always something new to appreciate about them.

On the 3rd day till Christmas

It is such a good feeling when things come together. I am seeing things in a different perspective. Jordan & I watched the Santa Clause last night for our spirit boosting activity. Tonight we will watch the second movie & tomorrow the third. This was her idea, I am so grateful for my kids. I don't know what I'd do without them.

On the 4th day till Christmas

So I think I have come quite far in the last 8 days in improving my Christmas spirit. Just in time for some doughhead to swipe it. We got home from church today and found our doe missing from the front yard. Honestly I cannot believe that someone would take somebody else's Christmas decorations from their front yard in broad daylight. But I guess they needed it more than we did. To keep the Christmas spirit going, Jordan & I delivered a bunch of gifts. I am still disappointed but I'm not letting them get me down!

On the 5th day till Christmas

Today was pretty low key. Just some last minute shopping, which reminds me of why Christmas is interesting. It is a time for giving and kindness for your fellow man, but some people are just down right rude. It just amazes me how self absorbed we can get in our quest to have the perfect Christmas or find the perfect gift. (Don't worry no matter how un-Christmasy I feel, I would never be rude to someone because of it). Anyhow, I am officially finished with the shopping. The wrapping is almost complete. I even thought of what to make for Christmas Dinner. Things are coming together pretty well.

On the 6th day till Christmas

On this the 6th day till Christmas, I can honestly say I am getting in the spirit. The Christmas music didn't even bother me at all today. I am definately not singing along, but it isn't annoying me either. For my spirit boosting activity I wrapped presents tonight. It was the natural thing to do, plus it will keep Erick & Jordan from snooping to see what they are getting. And just for fun, I didn't put nametags on any of the gifts. I am really excited about some of the gifts that we got, and I almost can't wait till Christmas morning.

On the 7th day till Christmas

This is the best one yet!!! On this the 7th day till Christmas, Richard & I ventured out in a lovely snow storm to Provo to start and finish (well almost finish) our Christmas shopping. This morning we started out without a single solitary gift and we ended the day having something for everyone. At 5:30 a.m. I was having severe anxiety, I had put off shopping until it was completely reckless (leaving exactly 1 week until Christmas) and today was the only day we could go. So we ventured out driving 40 mph sometimes and made it to Provo. The pro's of this plan being: Less people in the stores, when you are on a tight schedule you spend less time being indecisive, this is your last chance- so get it done. The con's ARE YOU CRAZY??? Driving to Provo in a snow storm, not buying one gift until the week before Christmas, just how much money did you spend? Nevertheless, Richard & I had a great day and I am one step closer to having Christmas Spirit :). Also I found that KBER 101 plays some pretty cool Christmas songs. Imagine Silent Night with electric guitars, bass and some major drums.

On the 8th day till Christmas

My Christmas boosting activity for today was attending The Nutcracker with Jordan. Her friend Erica was in it and it was a really cute production. Erica did a great job, she is such a pretty dancer. (Also another thing to note, I listened to Christmas music all day long and didn't even snap.)

On the 9th day till Christmas

Not much to report for yesterday. We attended the Christmas Band Concert that Jordan participated in. It was really good. Jordan plays in the percussion section, which is drums. She started out playing the clarinet (because we had one from Erick and she said that was what she wanted, but she quickly changed her mind). Her band teacher Ms. Pouslon says she has great rhythm. I'm not quite sure where she got that from. Nevertheless she loves it and her dad set up his drum set for her to practice on. Hey I just thought of something Jordan could be one of the 12 drummers drumming or the 9 ladies dancing, I really do have my very own little Christmas Spirit at my house :o)

On the 10th day till Christmas

On this 10th day till Christmas I'm really on a roll. I came home from work and made Rowdy a Christmas sock. Now I'm sure a lot of you probably think I have lost my ever loving mind. But those that are dog lovers understand. Plus Sadie has her own sock and so should Rowdy. I also got my Christmas cards that I made last year out and got labels printed for them. But the biggest development is that I even managed to listen to Christmas music all afternoon without committing some type of hanous act. I guess there is something to be said about the power of positive thinking.
I have pictures to go with this post & the last, but once again I am having issues running my camera or computer. I'll add them as soon as I get it figured out.

On the 11th day till Christmas

So yesterday to get me in the Christmas spirit I did a few things. First I made English Toffee. I love English Toffee and if you have ever made it you know that it takes a while to make. It requires patience, which is not one of my strong points, but I toughed it out and while my toffee was slowly getting to 280 degrees, I made a Christmas list. It is all typed up and organized so when we go to Provo later this week I can tackle it efficiently and get my shopping done (nothing like waiting till the last possible minute). With each thing I do, I can tell I am getting less and less grinchy :o).

Christmas Party

Our ward Christmas party was last Tuesday. Richard had to work and my friend Misty's husband was out of town so we decided to go together. First cause we were alone and secondly because Jordan loves her girls and they love Jordan too. Then Tuesday morning Jordan's dance teacher called and asked if she could babysit. Her little girl is the same age as Misty's so I said yes, but let us take her with to our party. It was so much fun. The little girls were so cute and Jordan is so cute with all of them. We are so lucky to have such good friends.

Katlyn didn't really care to sit on Santa's lap, but she was happy to talk to him from my lap though.

Ainsley was so stinkin cute. She cut her ham up all by herself. She was so proud and we were so proud of her. Jordan is sure that she would like to trade Erick in for Addison. She is such a sweet little girl. We just love her.

Temple Square

Sometimes when you have 2 cameras it can be easy to forget that you took pictures with the one you don't use as often. Last weekend we took the Young Men & Young Women to Temple Square. We went to the new Joseph Smith movie, then one group, including Jordan went ice skating at the Gallivan Center. The other group, that included Richard,Erick & I went to the Gateway shopping. I felt bad we didn't get to see Jordan skate. We did get to see the aftermath of the ice skates though check out the picture below. That is her leg. Then we walked through the lights and then finished up with dinner at Cafe Rio. It was a really fun experience. We are lucky that both Richard & I get to serve with the youth. Things to remember next time we go ice skating. Hat, gloves, scarf, and LONG SOCKS!!!!!

On the 12th day till Christmas

Ok so here it goes. On the 12th day till Christmas to get me in the spirit... I made Symphony Fudge. I got this recipe a few years back and I think it is the best fudge ever. It is so creamy and yummy and best of all it is way easy to make and I'll share the recipe just to show I'm not selfish :o)

Symphony Fudge

4 c. sugar

1 pint heavy whipping cream

2 large (8 oz.) Symphony Bars

2 sticks of Butter

In a large pot mix the sugar and cream. Stir well and bring to a boil. When the mixture comes to a boil, add the butter. Do not touch the sides or bottom of the pan while stirring in the butter ( I found that just keeping the spoon on top of the butter accomplishes this well). Boil to the softball stage-230 degrees. Remove from heat and add the Symphony Bars and beat with an electric mixer. Pour into a buttered pan and chill for 5-6 hours. Store in the fridge.

Christmas Picture

So all my Grandma wants for Christmas is a picture of her daugter & her family. That is not so much to ask right? Well, if we had know about this a month ago we could have just paid the Wrestling Team $15 and gotten one taken. That would have been easy other than convincing Luke & Richard it was a good idea considering we just had family pictures in September with our dad. As luck would have it I am the family appointed amature photographer so we were going to go and find a nice place outside to get a picture. Yeah right, the "storm of the century" is on our doorstep today. Wind and Cold are not good ingredients for a picture, so plan B. Plan B is to try & get a picture at my mom's house. She has a good south window for the natural light, however not enough room to set up the camera and get us all in the shot. So plan C, wouldn't Grandma just love a picture of you and the grandkids? Luke & Richard love this idea, so it's set and I think it turned out pretty cute. (Don't worry in the spring we'll hire a professional and do it right for Grandma)

Christmas Spirit

Ok, so it's coming slowly but surely (my Christmas Spirit that is). Considering there are only 12 days till Christmas left, I had better get a move on it. So I'm not such a Scrooge as to not put up a tree. I did that. I decorated the house. We have lights outside. So what is the problem? The problem is that ever since Jordan enlightened us as to the finer points of Christmas (that is all I am going to say) I have had a hard time. I long for the days when my kids were young and innocent, not grown up and full of experience. I just have to face the facts, my kids have grown up so fast and I'm not sure where the time has gone. So I'm relying on my own spirit instead of theirs. Wish me luck, I'm going to try and pack in enough Christmas Spirit the next 12 days for all of us and I'll post an update everyday on my progress.

I think I'm becoming the Grinch

Ok. So Brenna Tagged me a few weeks ago and since I am having a hard time getting in the Christmas Spirit, I thought it would be good therapy. Plus I am becoming a blogging failure. I do want you to know I did try to upload pictures Sunday with no success. I'll try later this week. Slowly I'm trying to shed my Grinchy Attitude.Any suggestions would be appreciated :)

Christmas Tag
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly Wrapping Paper, but a gift bag works in a jiffy
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, A real one would kill me.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? When I get around to it
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Barbie Dream House and Pink Corvette
7. Hardest person to buy for? In-laws.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Erick & Jordan, they are not shy about letting us know exactly what they want.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, Several. My Willow Tree is my Favorite
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? You can e-mail cards???
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I've been lucky so far.
12. Favorite/Worst Christmas Movie? Favorite: A Christmas Story. Worst: Don't have one
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I get in the mood (this year not yet)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but I have a lot of them in the closet.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Symphony Fudge & English Toffee
16. Lights on the tree? Absolutely, I love lights
17. Favorite Christmas song? Don't ask
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I'm not sure. I can't find either.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Both. We go to my mom's , have dinner usually pizza, and open gifts from my side of the family. Then we start over Christmas Morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Forgetting what Christmas is all about.
23. Favorite ornament? My Gingerbread men I made.
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? What ever sounds good that year
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my family to be happy
26. Tag 5 friends. Any one that needs to get into the spirit