a Christmas to remember

with all the counting down and ramping up, anticipation and decoration, christmas music and christmas movies and christmas presents ... this year's crowning celebration seemed to come and go all too quickly. (i need to figure out how to slow down time - does it seem to anyone else that the older we get the faster time flies?)

traditions are so fun! i decided this year to start a new tradition and join these 2 at Figgy Pudding every year from now on ... we went with them a few years ago and skipped the last few but went again this year and made a night of it ... it was SO fun and i totally want to make it our tradition! can you guess who was behind the camera??

on Dec. 22nd we headed to the westlake center carousel as we have for the past umpteen years - although we decided this year to not have it on the Monday before Christmas - instead we opted for the Saturday before!

this year was markedly different than past christmases because we celebrated 2 christmas mornings. last sunday (dec. 23rd) was Christmas Eve Eve for the rest of the world ... but at granny's house it was just Christmas Eve. my parents, youngest sister and brother were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spent christmas day traveling to my oldest sister's home in Texas to spend the week between Christmas and New Year's with them. So, we followed tradition and donned our new jammies and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and then Luke 2 and visited and ate and then when we decided that the kids needed to get to bed we hurried home because at 7:am we were expected to be back for Christmas Morning! My dad asked Santa if he'd make a special trip one night early - and since he (my dad) is one of the best "Santa's Helpers" he was more than happy to oblige. We woke at 6:30ish (ok ... so we didn't get out of bed until 6:45), decided that we'd get the van ready and then wake the kids. we loaded the gifts and stuff we were taking with us and then got the kids in and made our way to granny's. sure enough, Santa had been there and left some fun stuff for us!

Granny's tree was upside down again - she started doing that last year to accomodate all the myriad of ornaments she has in her collection. she figured that if there were more hanging room at the top of her tree then she wouldn't have to worry about little hands and also there would be more room for presents ... it just works better all around to have the tree upside down!!

after opening presents and eating breakfast - we followed tradition and took naps! it's boring - and i want to have different traditions ... but this one always seems to be the winner!

we loaded our 'granny-christmas' into the van around 4:30 and headed home for showers and change clothes from our jammies that we had been sporting all day! then to grandma Shaw's Annual Christmas Eve party.

Christmas morning came quickly for this gift-wrapping-procrastinator ... i was up until 3:30AM - i almost caught a peek of Santa and i think i heard him mutter something about having to change his route because of one little helper that wasn't in her bed when she was supposed to be!! i promised him that i wouldn't be the last one on the block to hit the sack next Christmas so he took my word for it and filled my stocking quite nicely - not one bit of coal in sight!

after opening our gifts here ... we loaded in the van and headed to grandma shaw's for breakfast and more gift opening.

the favorites this year:

Abi: Fur Berry, White Tiger and Lady and the Tramp Water Baby

Elyssa: Roller Blades, Pooh Bear Water Baby, and Fur Berry

Ammon: Motorcycles being hauled by a pickup, Train track with train and bucking bull in the middle, and Cowboy Boots!!

Easton: his very own Flip Phone, Race cars with track, and Pound and Play Xylophone - balls that you hammer through holes and xylophone all in one!

Andy: Brown coat, Touk, White 'Church' shirts, Belt (unfortunately just useful stuff for dad)

Me: my ZUNE(!!), matching Watch and Bracelet, and 2 purses

at about 10am we witnessed a genuine White Christmas!! it's been a VERY long time since we had one of those ... and it didn't stick around for very long. just long enough to get a few of these pictures! i will forever remember this Christmas because i've truly been 'dreaming of a white Christmas, with every Christmas card i write ..."

[i actually sent out Christmas Cards this year ... well - i printed 100 pictures, wrote in 80+ cards, printed out our letter, cut and folded it to fit in the envelopes, printed labels, stuffed envelopes, applied the address labels and return address labels, and mailed 13 of them so far ... i need to buy more stamps!]

we know that it's not all about what we get for Christmas - that the real reason for this season is the baby Jesus was born. at my parent's house there is a stocking hung for Jesus with a poem inside that helps us remember that we need to give Him a gift - a gift of self each year, everyday. (Abi drew Him a picture)

Wow! Christmas came and went in a whirlwind this year - I'm with Harlan Miller when he said "I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." in fact ... i think this year i'm going to light my pumpkin spice candle and do something related to Christmas around the 25th of each month. i'm also starting to decorate on Nov. 1, 2008 - then hopefully come december i won't feel like "wait! slow down! don't go so fast!"

I hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright!

i was up at 5:30 on the 26th for the after Christmas sales! they were fantastic again this year! i donned my 'after-christmas-sales-shopping-sweater' and headed to Wal-Mart first. i was alone this year, my parnter-in-crime was in Texas ... and so i didn't have anyone there to say "you don't need that!" (clearly my efforts to channel Mindy with my sweater didn't work!) and i spent twice my allotted amount. i shopped for coming birthdays, and next year's Christmas ... i think i did a GREAT job - just spent a little too much. in the long run i saved us a lot of money - it's just a little hard for andy to swallow when i come home with my arms loaded down and my wallet quite empty!

and now we're headed into the New Year ... we're counting down here at home with our kids and some friends! come on over!!

i believe - now and always.

the bell still rings for me. something you may not know about me: i have always believed in santa - and it makes me angry/annoyed/sick to my stomach when people make the assumption that one can 'outgrow' that belief. after the 17th time (this year) watching Polar Express (most recently at 1:30 am this morning) i have recommitted to believing 'just one more year'. my sister, jennalee, reminded me of another story that i love but haven't thought about in a few years.

the story in it's entirety can be found in this book:

but here's an excert:

"Several years ago just before Christmas, my niece, Shelly, took hold of her mother's hand and asked seriously, 'Is it okay if I believe just one more year?'

Since that memorable happening several years ago, our family has established a family tradition. Each year on Christmas Eve, we gather together around the tree. With the lights low and the fire burning in the fireplace, we ask the question once again, the most important question of the year, 'Is it okay if we believe one more year?'--not only believe in the traditions of childhood with Santa Claus, but more importantly in the message of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we are celebrating. Do we believe in his mission, his atonement, his resurrection? Do we believe in his invitation to come and follow him?Of course we are not really committing ourselves for only a year. We are pledged to follow the Savior forever. But we live life a day, a week, a month, a year at a time, and Christmas is a season to focus on the year ahead and reconfirm our discipleship.

Following the discussion and the commitment, someone reads aloud The polar Express by Chris Von Allsburg, a story that tells how those who have faith can always hear the clear sound of a silver bell.

Following the story, we each receive a small new bell on a red satin ribbon to wear around our necks during the holidays. We listen for its clear sound as a testimony and commitment that we truly believe and will strive to live as we believe one more year. While the fire burns low, we then read from the Bible the glorious account of the Christmas story recorded by Luke telling of the birth of the Savior as announced by an angel, 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord' (Luke 2:11), and we believe." Ardeth G. Kapp

Thank you, Jennalee, for reminding me and for helping/joining me in believing year after year!

live and learn

sometimes its hard to take people's word for it. from personal experience, i can tell you that i don't like to be told what to do (or not do as the case may be). but when it involves a bad taste in my mouth (literally or metaphorically) i try to take heed. i can't say the same for my darling little 3 year old son ... who did NOT learn from the example of his big sister. during lunch today he was suddenly gone from the table - i heard him in the bathroom and found bits of wet bath salt on the counter. he too had tried to sneak a savory sip of the super soapy sundae that i brought home ... over a week ago!

some kids never learn [maybe i should have taken the straw out after the first 'would-be thief'] some moms never learn!

this is just one of mine ...

i have a long list of favorite Christmas Stories ... they range from 'Twas the night before Christmas and 'Santa Claus the world's number one toy expert' to Christmas Day in the morning and Luke 2. Somewhere in the middle i always read this one about Wallace Purling.



For years now whenever Christams pageants are talked about in a certain little town in the Midwest, someone is sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. Wally's performance in one annual production of the Nativity Play has slipped into the realm of legend. But the old timers who were in the audience that night never tire of recalling exactly what happened.

Wally was nine that year and in the second grade, though he should have been in the fourth. Most people in the town knew that he had difficulty in keeping up. He was big and clumsy, slow in movement and mind. Still, Wally was liked by the other children in his class, all of whom were smaller than he, though the boys had trouble hiding their irritation when Wally would ask to play ball with them or any game, for that matter, in which winning was important.

Most often they'd find a way to keep him out, but Wally would hang around anyway - not sulking, just hoping. He was always a helpful boy, a willing and smiling one, and the natural protector, paradoxically, of the underdog. Sometimes if the older boys chased the younger ones away, it would always be Wally who'd say, "Can't they stay? They're no bother."

Wally fancied the idea of being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the play's director, Miss Lambard, assigned him to a more important role. After all, she reasoned, the Innkeeper did not have too many lines, and Wally's size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more forceful.

And so it happened that the usual large, partisan audience gathered for the town's yearly extravaganza of crooks and creches, of beards, crowns, halos and a whole stageful of squeaky voices. No one on stage or off was more caught up in the magic of the night than Wallace Purling. They said later that he stood in the wings and watched the performace with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lambard had to make sure he did not wander onstage before his cue.

Then came the time when Joseph appeared, slowly, tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop. Wally the Innkeeper was there, waiting.

"What do you want?" Wally said, swinging the door open with a brusque gesture.

"We seek lodging."

"Seek it elsewhere." Wally looked straight ahead, but spoke vigorously. "The inn is filled."

"Sir we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and we are very weary."

"There is no room in this inn for you." Wally looked properly stern.

"Please good innkeeper, this is my wife Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired."

Now for the first time, the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. With that, there was a long pause, long enough to make the audience a bit tense with embarrassment.

"No! Be gone!" the prompter whipsered from the wings.

"No!" Wally repeated automatically. "Be gone!"

Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary, and Mary laid her head upon her husband's shoulder and the two of them started to move away. The Innkeeper did not return inside the inn, however. Wally stood there in the doorway watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, and his eyes filling unmistakably with tears.

And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all others.

"Don't go Joseph," Wally called out. "Bring Mary back." And Wallace Purling's face grew into a bright smile. "You can have my room."

Some people in town thought that the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were other- many, many others- who considered it the most Christmas of all Christmas pageants that they had ever seen.

What are your favorite Christmas Stories??

more tooth fairy sightings

saturday, dec 8th, elyssa finally got that extremely loose tooth out of her mouth - with her own tongue. she won't let anyone touch them ... the thought of losing teeth is not pleasant to this little girl. even the incentive of money from the tooth fairy isn't enough! she cried when she discovered that they were loose. (i took a picture of the actual event - the blood and recently dislodged tooth - but as i have mentioned before, my camera needs to be decommissioned and summarily executed, leaving behind only the SD card to carry on in a newer, faster, better camera! please help me! and thank you if you already have!) needless to say, we are on the fast track to toothless grins, only cut-up apples, and brace-face!

looks can be deceiving!

this past sunday, when we left the primary appreciation dinner the presidency handed these out to the teachers (both of the men got bags of candy!). if you look real close there's a line on note that says: "of course don't take a sip" - too bad elyssa didn't read the note before wrapping her lips around the straw! in trying to sneak a taste, instead she got a mouthful of bubble bath! YUCK! her face was priceless ... too bad i wasn't on the ball enough to get a picture! i guess i was too busy helping her wash it out and explaining the consequences for not asking before touching things that are not yours.

not again!!

a while back ... the beginning of 2007, andy and i were broken into during a CHURCH meeting! as if that wasn't bad enough the theives wrote a check out of my check book at Fred Meyers and got cash back (only $5 - basically smash 'n grab theives aren't very bright and/or devious) and to make matters worse when the bank stopped payment on the check we got a NSF report and they tried to hit us up for the $25. Idiots!
then last night thieves were running amok in our neighborhood ... just outside my garage door! (see ... if i could park inside my garage ... but that's neither here nor there) i went out to drive abi to school and opened the door to put easton in and noticed the glove box was open. then i got that sinking feeling i get when i realize i have done something dumb. sure enough ... i had left my purse in the van!! it had been dumped and my wallet had been ransacked. what was missing you ask?? my license, a $5 bill, my temple recommend, 2 shades of brown eye shadow, brown mascara and my mint chapstick! they didn't take my debit card ... or the coins ... or my safeway, albertsons, or costco cards. BAH!! i hate that violated feeling - i was noticably shaken, i called 911 - at the adamant request of my 3 oldest kids.
then i called andy. he was unsympathetic and asked me why i left my purse in the car ... thanks for your comfort dear.
my mom called in the midst of talking to the sheriff's office and when i called her back, she too was as comforting as my dear husband. she said, "i just want to know one thing - don't you ever learn?"
"thanks mom. that makes me feel tons better."
"i'm sorry that happened to you, honey."
sometimes i just need someone to say "that's terrible - those dang theives!!" and not remind me of my stupidity!
i'm grateful for my personal safety and the safety of my family - but look out theives ... it's Christmas time and Santa is watching! i'll venture to say that your names are on the Naughty List!!

ya think it's gonna rain?

my grandpa would say,"If it doesn't it's gonna miss a good chance!"

i asked andy to snap some shots of the flooding he encountered on his way home! Dang! we have some real weather mood swings around these parts! andy bought me some rain boots a while back when we went to the pumpkin patch! don't even worry - he thinks i look silly in them - but my feet are nice and dry!

it's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!

don't you just love christmas music!? especially when it's so fitting ... it tells the story of what's happening right now! for example, i read my 'super' friend's blog and she reminded me of one of my FAVORITE songs!! (sorry ang!)

It's a marshmallow world in the winter,

When the snow comes to cover the ground.

It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day,

I wait for it the whole year round!

Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly,

In the arms of the evergreen trees;

And the sun is red like a pumpkin head,

It's shining so your nose won't freeze!

The world is your snowball, see how it grows,

That's how it goes, whenever it snows.

The world is your snowball just for a song,

Get out and roll it along!

It's a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts,

Take a walk with your favorite girl.

It's a sugar date, so what if spring is late,

In winter it's a marshmallow world!

i just love when it snows!

(but it's not here to stay ... even as i type this it's raining!!)

did you know that this would happen??

i threw a blanket in with my laundry ... that i THOUGHT i had washed before.

it appears that machine wash was not an acceptable way to clean it ...

have you EVER seen anything like this happen before!?
what a mess!!
I ended up vacuuming out the washer ... and then the dryer a few times!!

i got time!!

i do it all the time ... i'm constantly over booking myself - i need to be more realistic.

today i had a dr. appt. for easton at 10am [don't even worry - my 15 month old baby is the size of an average 2 year old!!], elyssa's kindergarten starts at 12:30, i wanted to help nicki with her christmas lights and then feed the missionaries (and our neighbor) ribs for dinner.

technically that sounds doable. but not for me, apparently.

i talked andy into taking elyssa so i didn't have to come back up after the dr.'s appt. i headed out the door at 9 to take abi to school then drop elyssa at grandma shaw's/andy's office, arrived 8 minutes late to our 10:00 appt. (no biggy), then to nicki's. she had to pick up carson from school and get the rest of the lights and extension cords for her roof. we had lunch, put the baby boys down for naps and headed outside.

[i feel i need to interject here that yesterday i climbed on her roof to do the 'reachable' portion of the ceremonial christmas lighting ... today was to be the daredevil/rock climber hang from the 'fall arrest' tie off on the roof to attach the 'un-reachable' portion. call me crazy, stupid, extreme - whatever you call it ... i don't think i'll be doing that again real soon. i did NOT fall - didn't even slip, but i psyched myself out and couldn't do it ... and besides, it started to rain on me after i finally got myself all tied in, roped off and ready!! BAH!]

in order to pick up the girls on time i would have needed to leave nicki's at 2:30 - so i asked andy (again) to open up his BIG ol' heart and pick them up. he's the greatest. [did i mention that yesterday, while i was on nicki's roof, he was taking elyssa and ammon to music and movement at the Y and then feeding them and then dropping elyssa off at school and then putting the boys down for naps and then picking the girls up from school ... all so that i could be a friend and pretend to be brave on nicki's roof - something that he didn't want me doing in the first place...]

i left nicki's house at 3:10 ... it's a 45 minute drive to my house. i was planning to feed the missionaries my mom's yummy ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls, then have pudding for dessert. i called my mom, "how long does it take to cook ribs?"

"boil them for an hour, then bake them in the sauce for an hour and a half ... why?"

"so if i start boiling them at 4:15 ... they won't be ready to eat until ... 7:00??"

"right ..."

"i'm supposed to feed the missionaries at 6!!"

"that's not gonna happen i'm afraid."

"k, thanks ... talk to you later!"

i called andy and he talked me into doing it anyway "the missionaries can wait a little bit."

to make an exceedingly LONG story short - i'll give you the highlights (btw: dinner turned out just fine even though it wasn't ready to eat until 6:45.)

first, ribs boil over when you leave the lid on - and it's stinky when the grease gets down under the burner!!

second, don't cram too many potato peels down the dispose-all at one time, MUST CHEW SLOWLY! i fully clogged the drain. (thanks for coming at just the right time, chad!!)

third, kitchen counters work best when their cleared off!

fourth, check the box when making/mixing pudding packages. for instance, instant pudding and cook 'n serve CAN'T be mixed. (missionaries will eat anything though)

fifth and last, people that you invite into your home will ALWAYS eat what you make (even if it's not the greatest meal they've had put before them) and they are the ones that i'm aiming to please!

i got time - what can i do for you!?

i'm on board the good ship 'Gratitude'

Teachers, testimony, time to think, and taste buds
Home, happiness, handsome husband, and hands
Answers to prayer, apple blossoms, and family
Nieces, nephews, and naptime
Kisses, keepsakes, and kindness
Savior, scriptures, songs, and silliness
Granny, grandmas, and grandpas
Inspiration and imagination
Vacation, vacuum, and volume control
Internet, identity, and islands (I’ll see one some day!)
Nature, Noel and North Pole
Giggling, gathering, giving

easton gets a haircut

sunday morning my darling babiest turned into a little boy, haircuts grow them up for some reason i can't explain! he was born with reddish hair -

we were hopeful that it would stick around ...

look at that smile

daddy did most of the buzzing

shower time - wash all that hair off

(he puts his hands like that everytime he showers ... too funny!)

He's so handsome - but not red.

look what i'm up to now!

as you may have noticed, i added a picture and a plea to my sidebar ... please take notice! i am in desperate need of a new camera and the christmas money allocated for mommy is almost spent - i feel it's in my best interest to EARN the money to pay for it!

i thought about asking the 'girls' to get it for me, since the 'boys' already purchased the kirkland signature 'santa, sleigh and reindeer' and the 4 tier buffet server from costco for me! but changed my mind since the one i want is $189 - a little steep for their little wallets.

i have been making signs for myself and for friends for the past few years and really have fun with it ... i have tons of fun fonts and would love to make one for you! right now i have 14 "families are forever" vinyl lettering phrases (like on the picture to the right) to put over a last name. but if you have other ideas of signs you'd like to have made, feel free to send your requests my way. i am willing to mail them - hurry before the Christmas rush!

and thank you for your support!

catching up ...

i've been to the gym 2 days in a row!! i can hear you cheering me on! thank you!
let's see ... where to begin ... i have been religiously reading the many blogs that i frequent and have had a few laughs, good hearty chuckles, many 'tender moments', seen fantastic photography and even teared up. thank you for sharing your lives with me and for waiting for me to finally catch up!
it's NOVEMBER, people! T-minus 41 days until 'the most wonderful day of the year'. i am busily getting things set for mass decorating coming this saturday, when the trees out front will be lit, the eaves will shine with icicle lights, and my front door/porch will be adorned with many a-christmas decor! the elves are fast at work making certain that all the gifts are made to proper specifications and preparing the reindeer and the sleigh! it's busy work but the elves love their work! how do i know you ask?! well, i am one of them! i have been an elf for lo these many years and since i now have children of my own ... i get to work throughout the year - preparing for Santa's sleigh ride.
i know - you all think i'm a little nutty, what with all the talk of elves and santa ... it's not even Thanksgiving yet! ah ... thanksgiving ... i will soon post a "gratitude" blog ... in which i will express my love of that particular holiday. Thanksgiving at the North Pole is DEFCON 2.
right now it's somewhere in the neighborhood of defcon 3 or 4 ... certainly have left 5 in the dust ... right about Halloween!
this IS a most wonderful time of year when the world is suddenly caught up in the spirit of gratitude, giving and loving!
i want to keep up with my chores around the house (and at the North Pole) as well as keep you posted on the goings-on here. i have a myriad of craft projects that i'm working on and will post pictures as they are finished. my plan is to post at least 2 times each week for the rest of the year. wish me luck! and see you soon!

what flower are you?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is my middle name, but my first is friend. I am quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

saggy baggy elephant

in march of 2006 i was lamenting my impending birthday (30th) and the fact that i am no longer the fit, perky, cute 18 year old that i imagine myself being ... i titled it "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"

last night i had a flashback ... i was brushing my teeth in preparation to get in bed. i looked at myself in the mirror and thought 'holy elephant' [because 'cow' just wasn't big enough]. Andy was perched on the throne painting medicine on his foot, he looked up at me and chuckled.

"what?" i asked accusingly.

"nothing."

"what's so funny?" as i adjust my top to cover the 3 miles of saggy cleavage.

"i'm not laughing."

"yes you did, i'm a saggy baggy elephant and you think it's funny."

"you are not an elephant."

we went on with the banter for a few minutes until i finally walked away and laid down. i have an appointment with the personal trainer at the Y on saturday and that will be the first day of the rest of my life. when my birthday rolls around next year i will be at least 20 lbs lighter and on my way to the 'fit and cute' that i remember. as for the 'perky' ... i don't know that i'll ever get back there ... tube socks are a family trait and i feel that i am doomed. but a good bra makes a world of difference.

wish me luck in my endeavor ... and i'll check in with my stats - you can hold me accountable!

and speaking of time ...

the 'fall back' time of year is fantastic (except that kids bodies dictate their sleep and when the clocks get turned back ... they don't sleep in.)

on sunday morning we 'fell back' to standard time and it has me thinking about time - using time wisely, wasting time and how i'm spending time.

i have recently worked up some 'chore charts' for myself and schedules ...

i just joined the YMCA that is literally across the street. (there is free childcare when i am exercising - why has it taken me SO long to join?!) i plan to workout 3-5 days a week. i'm hoping that it will motivate me to get off my fat butt and make it not so fat ;)!

i am working to get my van parked in my garage - it is still full of boxes from the 'moving-not-moving' exercise we had this summer.

i'm trying to get my house back to a 'showable' state ...

it's the time of year when i have 35 projects started and nothing finished ... i would rather not be that way this year! today marks 50 days 'til Christmas and i'm shifting into high gear.

i would really like to be using my time more wisely.

what are your tricks for using your time most wisely?

break out the Christmas MOVIES!!

we watched Polar Express first!

this is my favorite time of the year!!

happy halloween!

i have finally embraced this holiday ... and like my sister, i have become a little preoccupied with decorations. you've already seen my mummy candle holders ... i made another today out of a pickle jar and our carved pumpkins are so cute!

i put these up yesterday and today (half up each day)

and i made a spooky lunch for the 3 that i get to eat with everyday.

we visited both grandparents and then even went around our neighborhood we made a haul ... stomach ache in a bucket! sad thing is ... i can't stay away!!

i've decided that they can have it until Saturday and then it's going to disappear!

we had a Happy Halloween!

and i am thankful that it's almost CHRISTMAS!!

november 1 - time to break out the Christmas movies!!

tagged - My Six

Super Angie tagged me - i like to do these because they make me think and blog about things out of the ordinary. so here's goes!

1. I absolutely love... Christmas! I am one of those crazies that goes out for the After-Christmas-Sales ... clad in my football shoulder pads so that i don't get hurt by all the other over-zealous shoppers! (just kidding) but i do have a count down on my calendar that starts the day after Christmas! in a perfect world i would have been preparing all year long - this year my sister and i even worked up a schedule to do prep work by the 25th of each month ... it worked for a few months here and there ... but you know we're celebrating the mayhem around here!

2. I don't care if... it rains. i have lived in the Seattle area for most of my life and the rain is all part and partial to the whole green-ie gig. we may be wet but there is NO prettier place than Seattle when the sun shines! besides, we know that if you don't do it in the rain ... you just plain don't do it when you live here!

(i changed this one ... there were 2 'i loves')
3. I like to... read. i want to read, i try to read, i wish i had time to read. if i could have a few more hours in the day i would!!

4. I play... cards and board games with my friends 'the party'; 'tackle' with Ammon; counting/math games with Abi; roll the ball with Easton; playdoh with Elyssa; and Bubble Breaker on Andy's phone!

5. I have a horrible habit of... eating. seriously - my eating habits are TERRIBLE and i really need to change them. i need boot camp. don't get me wrong - i'm not 300lbs or anything ... i'm just holding on to about 10 lbs from each pregnancy ... which means, yes, 40 lbs!!

6. I love to... spend time with Andy. even if we are just at home folding laundry or if i'm riding along as his carpool buddy. i love to go away with him too ...

I tag Alicia, Nicki, JennyCook and Jennalee.

family night, jack-o-laterns and ghost candle jars!

a cute story i read a while back: A lady recently being baptized was asked by a co-worker what it was like to be a Christian. She replied, "It's like being a pumpkin: God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off that you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

on that note: for family night we carved our pumpkins!

after the kids went to bed i made these:

it's ripped masking tape and construction paper! easy, quick and cute huh?!