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.

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..

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!!

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.

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!!

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..

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!!

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/10/26/20081026sisters1026a1.html

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

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/11/20/20081120mr-stephanie1120.html