Sunday, November 30, 2008

O Christmas Tree


Last night we went to the tree lot, and picked out the perfect Christmas Tree, and now the house and even the car smell of glorious pine. This smell so fits this time of year. It makes you think of Christmas and cozy fires and stockings and ornaments. It is the idealic Christmas smell.

As I was driving around in our pine smelling car last night, I thought of investing in our pine tree, that way I could always smell this wonderful smell. But not sure that pine smell would mingle so well with suntan lotion in the summertime.

That is when I decided that pine trees, gingerbread, candycanes, and hollyberries are smells that are reserved for the Christmas season. They make it special and unique. I will have to savor and enjoy all of these wonderful smells for the next month. Just as I need to enjoy this wonderful holiday season.

25 Christmas to do's in 25 days. Amongst the list are making a gingerbread house, driving to see the Christmas lights, attending the parade of lights in the harbor, baking, baking, and more baking, maing holiday crafts, and so much more. I can't wait till tomorrow, December 1st to start the fun. I love this time of year.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Black Friday


Today was the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. Millions (OK a lot) of people wake up super early,or even camp out the night before to be present when the doors open wide to their favorite retail establishment on the best shopping day of the year.


Our family woke up early, as usual, and laid around the house and watched movies. We had waffles and sausage for breakfast with the fun whip cream from the can, and leisurely put away Thanksgiving decorations. We pulled out the Christmas boxes and played Christmas music loudly through the house while the kids found places for things, and then I moved the delicate ones higher out of reach. We took naps, and around lunchtime decided to get dressed and ventue out.


Our first stop was the garage to grab the newly laundered car seat covers and grab the vacuum to tidy up the van. It was in desperate need of some TLC. After the van was ready for departure we gathered kids and made sure everyone had shoes, and off we went on our journey.


Our first stop was for mommy's Black Friday deals at CVS..

I got a retro popcorn popper, four lipgloss, two headphones, two toothpastes, three gatorades, two energy drinks, and three reeses pieces. It should have cost over $80.00 retail, but I used ecbs's and coupons and spent $8 and received $70 in ecbs for future purchases. YAY ME!!


2nd stop was lunch at Chick-Fil-A num, num, and then a quick run into Target to exchange some Santa plates for snowmen plates (Daniel wanted them all to match, he wasn't to hip that I got two different designs) and they were on sale, so I got the reduced price, and even grabbed some cute cups for the kids. Best part was didn't have to wait in line, since no one was returning anything.


3rd stop was Radio Shack to grab some parts for the boys, and then to Costco to grab a few staples: milk, bread, eggs.


That was it, no big ticket items, no super fantastic deals. We figured if it wasn't on our list that we didn't even need to look. Christmas shopping for the kids was finished the day before Thanksgiving.


So now to finish lots of homemade gifts..


Start baking goodies...


Buy our chirstmas tree and decorate..


and get the lights on the house..


Friday, November 28, 2008

Christmas Druthers

Christmas Druthers


I got this from a few different people, so I thought I'd join in because I love the Christmas season! Play along if you want to!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love to wrap gifts, it is one of my favorite Christmas past times. I love the paper being just right, matching a big beautiful bow. That was always my job growing up, wrapping..

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real!! We always had a fake tree growing up that was perfect. I love imperfect, messy and super fragrant.

3. When do you put up the tree? As quickly after Thanksgiving as I can
4. When do you take the tree down? We try to get it down before New Years.
5. Do you like eggnog? Not a huge fan, but Dave likes it, so I always indulge him with some.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? not sure
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids. They never run out of endless ideas.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a few of them in fact. But I really want the Willow set.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Since the kids we always do one with a picture, I figure this at least updates everyone on how big the kids are getting.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? not sure

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? We have lots at our house...Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, The Grinch, A Christmas Story, and The Polar Express.
13.When do you start shopping for Christmas? As soon as fall hits. My goal is to be done by Thanksgiving, and I am except for one present..
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? hmmmmm..., I don't think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas goodies, cookies, fudge, toffee..
16. Lights on the tree? Lots and lots of white lights!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Too many to just pick one!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like staying home with my own family, we usually go to my parents for Christmas Eve and then visit Dave's parents before or after Christmas.

19.Can you name Santa's reindeer? You betcha....but I'm not going to type them all.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Presents from my parents Christmas Evem, and everything else at our house Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People so grumpy. They completely miss the reason for the season. It's not about shopping people..
23. Favorite theme or color? RED
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Our first after getting married. We got home the day after our honeymoon and opened all our wedding presents, and we're officially Mr & Mrs.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have no idea!! I'm content just being with my family and enjoying this Christmas season and the true reason of it all, the Savior!!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!


Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. May you eat so much that your tummy is full that you must retire to the couch and watch lots of football, and fall asleep content and happy.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Pumpkin Muffins


One of my favorite things about this season is baking. Everything from cookies and bars, to muffins, rolls and delicious desserts. With turkey day only a few days away, I wanted to fill the home with the nummy smells of pumpkin spices. Below is a fantastic recipe for Pumpkin Muffins, and homemade Cream Cheese Frosting. This recipe can also be made in a jelly roll pan, and then you would have fabulous Pumpkin Bars. Either way my kids gobble these up straight from the oven. The recipe made about 30 muffins, and after cooling for a few, we are down to half. Enjoy!!


Pumpkin Muffins

Mix together and beat until fluffy:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup oil
1 15oz. can of pumpkin

Then add in:
2 cup flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp clove
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder

Pour into muffin cups, or jelly roll pan, and bake at 350 for 25 min.


Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat well until really whipped.


Enjoy!!



Friday, November 21, 2008

Our newest addition


We have a new addition to our family, well for the next week or so anyway. Josh was able to bring home the class pet, Natasha. She is a tortoise and will be visiting our family through the next week of Thanksgiving break, and will return back to class the following Monday.

The kids are already excited to feed her, and to just watch every little thing she does. She's also a super healty gal, and only feasts on fruits and vegetables. Maybe I can get the kids to try some new ones..

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I am grateful for amazing people..


I am grateful for amazing people. This is the time of year when we express grattitude for things we have, and sometimes don't have (yet). We show our love for one another and we are humbled by the generosity of strangers.

I have an amazing story to share with you, about amazing people..

For many months I have frequented the blogs of both NIE NIE and C JANE ENJOY IT. I have followed the amazing story of generosity and complete love of a family. It reminds of the truest love, the Savior's love. In the face of tragedy they found love, love they already had for one another, and their story is anything but a tragedy.

You can read the complete story here, written by a reporter that so eloquently gets to the heart of it all. Get your kleenex ready!!


There is a follow-up story that came out today, that updates their progress..




This morning we had a bit if a breakdown. This morning it was over breakfast, and I wasn't the one having it.

Every morning I wake, Dave rousts the kids from bed, and I busily prepare breakfast, and pack lunches. It is my routine. If I was more prepared, I might have the boys pack their own lunches the night before, but again if I was more prepared.

I also don't have the variety of kid that likes cereal. I scored big this summer on over 30 boxes of name brand cereal, even sugary kid ones, for less than 50 cents a box, and I still have over half of it. They like to snack on cereal, but they like mom to make breakfast. Which means eggs, pancakes, and other cooking involved. Waffles and french toast are not options, they are weekend breakfasts, because honestly they take too much time and prep work.

So this morning I asked a simple question, "eggs or pancakes?" Josh replied "Eggs" and as I started preparing the eggs, Daniel mutters "toast". "OK not an option, and I already started on the eggs", I muttered. I think this was taken as some sort of personal attack on Daniel, because I was making Josh's choice instead of his. We were also out of toast. I had used the last few pieces for lunches and we were fresh out. I made eggs and as I was about to give Daniel his I was met with tears. "You're mean" that is what he said. I am mean for making my children breakfast every morning (Can you tell I'm venting a bit too) and for not meeting his requests this morning. He settled for an english muffin, and the tears were gone before he left for school. Maybe he just didn't get enough sleep, or it was just an off morning, or maybe it's something all together different.

Now just to be fair, tomorrow, this will be Josh that I am somehow being unfair to, and not perfectly pleasing with his breakfast choice. Despite all this I enjoy feeding my boys (Dave included) breakfast each morning, and knowing that I started their day off on the right foot. Today was a left foot day for some people, but tomorrow we'll get it right. Now to enjoy a perfectly perfect breakfast for myself, by myself while the little ones still sleep (a rare occasion indeed)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Is it Wednesday already..


Is it Wednesday already? It seems that the weeks are flying by. A little over a week and the house will smell of turkey and we'll be parked on the couch watching football. The kids will be running outside in the bright sunshine, and we'll have assembled snacks and crafts that somewhat resemble turkeys.

I love this season, Thanksgiving prepares us for Christmas. It reminds us of family, friends and food and things we are truly thankful for. We thinking of grattitude and we are humbled by all that we have. Then we have a chance to act on that grattitude and give something special to those that mean the most to us. If money wasn't an object at all, what would you give?? What would make those that are near and dear to your heart the most happiest, and think of you often when they looked at their most special perfect gift ever??

Saturday, November 15, 2008

As of today, I have Christmas presents bought for each of the kids. I am working on homemade presents and of course still need to get lots of little things, but I'm well on my way. My goal is done for the most part by Thanksgiving.

This year we are staying home for Christmas and will do our holiday travel the day after Christmas. I am looking forward to baking, crafts and special Christmas-time activities. I just got the schedule for the Boat Parade of Lights around the Harbor, and Boat Rides & Breakfast with Santa.

I want to do lots of fun special family activities this year. So in preparation I am making my list early. What are some of your family Christmas-time traditions??

To Do To Do


As I woke up this morning, I could hear the house calling to me, "Clean Me, Clean Me". I have let things slide for awhile, and now on the this bright Saturday morning they are clearly visible, and can't hide anymore. I have loads of laundry do, the bathrooms, the kitchen, the front room, and if I have time the car desperately needs to be cleaned out. I am on my own, since Dave is doing some network cut-overs at work, and as long as the kids just play, I "should" be able to get lots done. I am eager though, eager to clean maybe not, but eager to get things back to some sort of order yYES. Wish me luck..

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Day Off

After all the craziness of the last few weeks, I gave myself the day off today.

Yes, I still have orders to do, but they are smaller, and thanks in part to the owner of the website being overwhelmed as well, I don't have any new orders to keep up with. So my list is dwindling.

It was so refreshing to wake up and not think of the million things I "should" be doing. If I got to them great, but their was no "to do" list that I should be checking. I had a quieter morning, and slowly got ready for a friends' birthday lunch. We all met at another friend's house, and gabbed and ate nummy food and snacks while children ran around us playing. We told silly stories about our younger days, "OK we're not that old", and we laughed until we cried. I finished up the rest of the afternoon/evening with the kids doing homework and getting them ready and into bed.

As I reflect on today, I must say I feel lighter, more carefree. I know there are probably a million things that need being done around here, but they don't seem to mind waiting. The weekend is ahead and many things will be accomplished I am sure, but for know I am completely content finishing up the rest of my "day off" doing practically nothing.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

UPDATE


I have emerged from my sign making cave with bleary eyes, a messy home, a mound of dirty laundry and an empty fridge. I do however have an extra $1400 dollars in my pocket, so that should ease my burdens a bit.

The last two weeks have been fun, festive, hectic, and crazy in true Christensen style.

Warning: This is the longest post eva......

Last Saturday - Trunk 'r Treat

The kids donned their Halloween costumes and we headed to the church for the activities. After a parade of costumes the kids got down to business. Caleb was especially wide eyed, after realizing that a simple catch phraze "twick o tweat" would produce such amazing results, and a full bucket of candy. Each car he went to he uttered the same phraze and yet these crazy people kept giving him candy. I must also mention that he was incredibly polite and thanked each person. Wow, we must have taught him something. Daniel and Josh also brought in a big haul, and Natalie was perfectly content with one lollipop.


Last Monday - Pumpkin Patch

A very important part of Halloween is to find the perfect pumpkin. So we made our way to a pumpkin patch near us that not only had a wide selection of big orange pumpkins, but also livestock, games, and a bounce house. Can you get anything more perfect? I splurged and purchased tickets, and the boys were allowed two rides each. All three found their way to the bounce house, and Natalie and I checked out geese, ducks, and piggies in the meantime. Caleb finished up his second choice with a ride on a battery powered John Deere, and Josh and Daniel played different midway games to earn prizes.


Last Wednesday - Pumpkin Carving

After we had six perfect pumpkins (they were anything but perfect) we know had to viciously attack them with sharp objects in order to turn them into the perfect jack o' lanterns. Dave pulled out the dremel tool, and the boys started tracing on the pumpkins. Natalie helped spread the pumpkin guts all over the table, and may have even tried a bit. We ended up with a spiderman pumpkin, a barfing pumpkin, two lopsided pumpkins that now had stems for noses, and even two little ones to round out the bunch.

Last Thursday - Disneyland

We have had the conversation for quite some time on whether to purchase Annual Passports. Dave works really hard, and hardly ever takes time off. We also needed a big splurge that the kids and us could enjoy more than once. I had extra money coming in from sign work, and this was the perfect answer to "What do we get the kids for Christmas, that aren't toys?" , (although it may be hard to remind the kids come Christmas that this is their big gift. Thank goodness for Santa.)


After I finished up parent conferences at the school early Thursday morning for both boys (no school for the kids on Thursday or Friday), we packed up our snacks and drinks and got in the car. After a short 25 minute ride we had arrived at the "Happiest Place on Earth". We entered with our pre-printed tickets and got our pictures taken for our passports. It was official, we can come back again, and again!!

We started at California Adventure, and then made our way over to Disneyland. The lines were short, and the kids rode tons of rides. Thanks to Caleb's height he was able to go on Star Tours, Space Mountain, and Matterhorn, even if his eyes were closed the entire time. Natalie was so cute walking around and grinning from ear to ear at all the sights, sounds and colors. The park was decorated for Halloween, and their were pumpkins everywhere. It was such a fun day.

Last Friday - HALLOWEEN

We had a mellow morning, and slept off our Disneyland late night. Grandma and Grandpa Pescar came up that evening to see the kids in their costumes and help us pass out candy to the few trick o' treaters we had. Daniel was Master Chief from HALO, Josh was the Black Spider-Man (not to be confused with the evil Venom), Caleb was Spider-Man, and Natalie was Pooh Bear dressed as a Honeybee. All three boys have worn this costume although she was the first old enough to walk in it. The kids having been spoiled from the easy Trunk 'r Treat were already "tired" after just a few houses. We made the evening short and quick, and returned to check out our goodies, and enjoy a few treats from Grandma and Grandpa as well.


Monday - The fun begins!!

After putting away the Halloween decorations, and pulling out Thanksgiving it was time for mommy to get to work on her signs. I had an order to complete for a Super Saturday on the 8th for a ward in Corona. I wasn't too stressed, my deadline for shipping was Wednesday via Priority Mail, and if things got too crazy I could always make the hour drive to hand deliver them. Well crazy it got..

Tuesday - Crazy Starts..

By Tuesday afternoon I had most of the signs cut for my order and was planning to start weeding (pulling off the extra vinyl) that evening after the kiddies went to bed. Dave had school and I would have a quiet house. I had shared a few e-mails from another customer who's Super Saturday was on the 15th, wanting to know if order had shipped yet. I thought she was being super prepared wanting them an entire tweek and half before the event. Well Tuesday evening I finally e-mailed her, and in BOLD print JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT YOUR EVENT IS NEXT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH. Unfortunately I received an e-mail that I was incorrect, and their original date was the 15th, but it had changed to the 8th. Somehow that date of the 15th had stuck in my head, and sure enough as I went back through the e-mails it clearly stated that their date was the 8th. The even bigger problem was that she was in Texas, and I hadn't even started. I stopped work on the other order and got busy. I worked till about 1am before heading to bed, and worked feverishly the entire next morning.


Wednesday - Visit with Amy & Doug

About noon I realized that no matter how hard I worked, the order wasn't going out today. We had made plans to meet up with Amy & Doug at Disneyland, (since we now have passes and can do that kind of thing.)

The original plan was to pick up Daniel from school after 2, then pick up Dave from work and meet up with them. This was before my big OOPS. I was hoping to get the order finsihed, but with kids needing my attention throughout the day, it was nearly impossible to cut and weed over 100 signs in less than 8 hours. I threw up my hands and took a much needed break. I would eat the cost of overnight shipping, and enjoy the afternoon at Disneyland with family.


We met up with Amy & Doug and kids in FantasyLand. We leisurely walked around the park and enjoyed rides that we had been on a zillion times before, and ones we had never tried before like "Finding Nemo". It took us back to when we were kids riding the big yellow submarines, that had now been retro fitted with new technology and kid friendly visuals like Nemo & Dory.

Josh and Tom held hands as we strolled through the park, and shared stories and observations of the rides as only little boys and "cool cousins" can do. As the sky darkened and Little Miss fell asleep in the stroller we fit in a few more rides, and then it was time to go. We finished off the evening with a California favorite "In n' Out" and then back home to crash.


Thursday - I Did It!!


After a fun day of play I got back to work, and finished my Texas order by lunchtime. I printed out my FedEx label and dropped it off. DONE. Now I just needed to finish my other order and drive it to Corona. I worked all that evening, and into the next day.

Friday - I'm exhausted..

My original plan was to finish it on Friday, then drive it over after Daniel got home from school, and be back in time to enjoy a date night with my honey. My new catch praze has changed, it's now "There's been a slight change in plans..".

When you're in a rush nothing seems to go according to plan. Caleb was tearing the house apart, Natalie was tired and wanting mommy's undivided attention, and I was grumpy, tired and so ready be done with this all. Tired of fighting it all, I kept taking breaks. I am a mommy first, and that is how it should be.

Caleb finally stopped his tirade on the house and took a nap, and Natalie now content with her over indulgence of attention was happily playing on her own. I had called the babysitter and had postponed our date night to Saturday, and the new plan was that Dave would come home and the entire fam would drive to Corona. The order got done later than planned, and after a call from work that needed Dave's attention we left around 9pm. We dropped off the order, and she was extremely appreciative. She was still up with her family having movie night, so I was grateful that she didn't mind the later hour. We arrived home with four sleeping kids and ready to climb into bed. It was after all 11:30pm.

Saturday - Really, you've got to be kidding..

Saturday morning as Dave got ready to head to class at the extremely early hour of 6:30am, he felt the need to wake me up. My Corona lady had called twice already and it was even 7am yet. As I spoke on the phone and tried to hide my early morning raspy voice she informed me that half the order was missing. That can't be. I ran out to the car, and then looked on the dining room table only to see the missing half she was inquiring about sitting there. Really, you've got to be kidding me. I laughed as I hung up the phone and promised to drive it to her before their craft day started at 10am. Dave thought I was crazy laughing about it. But honestly what more could I do. I coralled the kids into the car, and off we went on another adventure.

The orders have been delivered and or received. I am done, for this week anyway. I look forward to a date tonight with my honey, and the big 'ol steak that I will treat myself to after all this hard work.

We did enjoy two great days and more to come at Disneyland with this money, and it has definitley been an experience. I'll answer the e-mails later, and hopefully there won't be anymore suprises like this next week, but who knows maybe I'll be saying:


"There's been a slight change in plans.."

Monday, November 3, 2008

Trunk or Treat, Trick o' Treating and Halloween..

I have tons of pics to post, and lots of fun details to share.

Last week was a crazy fun week, and this week looks to be even crazier with election calls to make, helping at the polling place, playing with Amy & Doug on their visit to Cali, and finishing a huge $800 order by Thursday.

I promise to post more soon..