Toys for Tots

Tonight we for our Christmas Activity we took the girls to the toy store, and had them pick out a toy for the Toys for Tots drive. We were going to drop them off tonight, but we didn't make it there before I turned around and found them sound asleep. We will drop off the gifts in morning.

Snowflakes

The 7th Christmas Activity 

Gingerbread Village

 For the sixth day of December we made gingerbread houses with friends Jeff and Shasta and my sister Angela and brother in law Loyd for our Christmas activity. This is our 3rd year to do houses together, and I can't wait till next year.

 

 working

 and working

 Macy and Jake are cranky about having their picture taken.

 

 This is my first ever pretty gingerbread house. Seriously all my other gingerbread houses I have made have been real bad.

 Angela's house.

Tori's house. I love the snow girl on the side of her house.

 Shasta's

 

Jeff's house was built in about 5 minutes. I think it very impressive considering the amount of time he did it in.

Shoot dang Loyd's house broke.

 Best part of the whole night was getting all the houses together to make our gingerbread village

 

New Baby

 So December 5ths Christmas activity was to go to the zoo, but we visited the newest member of our family instead! It was much better seeing a band new baby than animals. Actually I wanted to go to the zoo too, but at 20 degrees and a slight wind from whaever direction the zoo wasn't so appealing.We will go to the zoo another night, but we just won't be able to get the group-on deal, but whatever.

It was great to see our new nephew, Jamison. Lucky enough we got to see him awake. He is so little and sweet, and looks like a cute old man. The girls loved him. Tori enjoyed holding him, Macy was always concerned if his beanie fell off or if he cried. Those to are so good with babies.

Confessions of a Stuck Princess

This adorable post of Macy comes with a confession of sorts. Please don't judge. I purchased a child's leash some time ago. You know the ones disguised as a stuffed animal backpacks that crazy children wear. Thankfully I haven't had to use it because Macy has relaxed her anti hand holding policy she has with Jake and I. Ugh, that was a stressful time. Walking through parking lots was nuts with that Macy, shes didn't want to be held or have her hand held, but she just wanted to run into the store by herself. Of course I didn't let her do as she pleased. I would either hold her or drag (as nice a I could) as she would kick, scream, and wiggle angrily. I am so happy that was a relatively short phase. However at the time it seemed never ending. Now Macy is much better with only an occasional  out burst.

Anyway to the adorable stuff.

I  was doing a few little chores in the basement when Tori started to yelled for help. I went to go see what the mater was, and I found Macy with the leash on, witch got caught on a lamp in my room. Macy couldn't really move, but didn't seem to mind. She was just relaxing on my bed. I thought it was humorous enough it warranted a pictures and blog post:) so got my camera and Macy started to pose for me. She did a great job acting a little damsel in distress.

Here is the story of the princess and the stuck leash. By the way, I am thinking this up in a English accent.

Oh, I am so sad. As I was climbing upon my mother's bed the dark lamp of the Dark Lamp Lord snared my leash, and I am stuck.What ever shall I do.

 I know what I must do.  I must call for help. Yes I will call for help.

Help me from the trap I am caught upon the dark lamp of the Dark Lamp Lord!

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME NOW!!!

Oh look someone has come to save me. I am the happiest princess in all the the land!

Wing It

My plans for December 4th's Christmas activity fell through, so I had to wing our activity today. Originally I planned to decorate gingerbread men that I ordered from bountiful baskets. Only I didn't order gingerbread men, I  ordered a gingerbread house instead, ugh. Decorating gingerbread houses in already scheduled for later so I didn't want to substitute the house for the men. What did we do today you ask. Well we had friends over for dinner, we started to watch the Christmas devotional, but the four children made that to tricky, so we talked instead. Then I cut out paper men for the kids to decorate. After our friends left my family read scriptures and talked about the true meaning of Christmas. We tried to teach Tori and even Macy that by doing good deeds, not only at Christmas but all year round, is a great way to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ. I hope somehing got into there brain that I wanted them to learn. All the lights, decorations, trees, and Santa business is really getting the way of what is really important, what am I to do?

 These are our cool friends that we invited over. And that I am wearing is my PARTY sweater! It is much even more beautiful and worthy of your appreciation when you get to see it with you eyes. Maybe if you are lucky you may see me in it. Since Stephanie and I took photo together, I  decided it would only right for Jake and Devin to take a pic together. But they didn't to get close. What weirdos.

Provo 6th can Party

  My ward Christmas party was today so I used that for the Christmas party as our December 3rds family activity. The party was enjoyable. There was the Bishop's delish roast beef, musicals, good friends, and Santa.
One of the musicals was by the primary children. Tori isn't in the primary yet, but I had her go up with them to sing. It was so cute to see her up on stage. She didn't know the song, but she tried her hardest to guess the next word in the lyrics. Eventually she started to dance around a little bit.
Another good part of the party was the appearance of Santa. The girls were happy to see him (that was the part) Years previous one of them has always been freaked out by the  fat old man in red.
You want to know what else. I won 2nd place in the center piece battle.  Hahaha, I really can't believe I won anything with my 2 minute center piece, but I did get the idea from better homes and gardens web site. I guess those better homes people do know what they are talking about.

Paper Chain

 December 2s Christmas activity was to make a paper chain to decorate with. Nothing fancy, but I thing that girls enjoyed it.

 

Advent

It  is December, and officially the Christmas season! Let the celebrating begin!

As of last year one of our family's Christmas traditions is to have several advent calenders. We have calenders with candy, ornaments, scriptures, and activities. My favorite of the them all is one that holds an activity for our family to do daily. I came up with a range of activities that are crafty, fun, religious, service oriented, and/or educational. The activities range from outings that will take the entire evening to simple 15 minute project that are perfect for the days for busy days.

Our family's plan for December 1st was for every one to pick out an ornament for the Christmas tree. Jake picked out a car, I got a snow flake, Tori decided to get a pink bell, and Macy was okay with a blue reindeer I picked for her. I wanted Macy to pick her own, but while we were shopping Macy was only grabbing the packs of glass ornaments. I don't care what the ornaments look like that everyone picks out they, but just can't be breakable. Out cheap, little artificial tree gets knocked over at least once every year. Plus, my children see ornament as toys you can hang, not as eye candy.

I can't wait till our Christmas tree is filled with the ornaments that hold  memories of the past Christmases. I know a collection of random ornaments doesn't make for a very fashionable tree, but I really am not interested in having a posh tree. Don't get me wrong, themed trees are beautiful, and I admire them, but I love to have my family involved in the decorating of the tree. Maybe one day when we have more space I will have a family tree, and another for the pure pleasure of having a fancy tree.

Our Christmas activity advent Calender

Here is a pic of us and this years ornaments.

Mom & Dad

As I am writing this final gratitude post I am thinking of many major people, blessings, experiences, and so on that I did not mention in during my blog fest this month. Trying to decide between them and then having to write all about why is daunting, but I can't get the idea out of my head I need to thank my parents, and here I go.

Both of my parents had tough childhoods. They did not grow up in ideal situations at all. They talked little about their times at home, but from what I do know I was giving so much better that what they received.

My father was a very busy man even, and still is till this day, but he always found time for me. He drove me to early morning seminary, coached my softball teams, helped me with my home work, made me breakfast in the morning, and taught me the importance of living and keeping the commandments. A quick story about my father...When I was 10 or so I brought home two black cats named Camilla and Gabby. Of course my parents were not to pleased about this. My mom gave away Camilla, and said thay gabby was going away too. I was so upset that I sang the first verse of You Are my Sunshine into the vents of my house over and over again for everyone to hear. Well my father came to me when I calmed down, and told me that he would fast for me so could keep Gabby. My parents still have that darn cat, and a few of its offspring. HA! That story makes me smile.

My mother and I have never had a great relationship, and to be frank it is harder to write warm and fuzzy memories of my mother. Anyway my mother does have great characteristics they just clashed with mine.  My mom is a great missionary,  loves to have fun,  she taught me how to live frugally, live healthy, and to recycle. A  warm and fuzzy memory of my mother that I do have is from when we went to general conference together. We were sitting next to one another, and the speaker said something to the point that parents want their children to be better than themselves. My mom rubbed my leg lovingly, and look at me with so mcuh love and tenderness. That meant so much to me. I knew she loved me and wanted the best for me.

Together my parents have taught me that working hard in marriage is one of the most important things you can do for your family. They taught me that I can over come, and give my children better than what I had. Even though my parents are not perfect I love them and am thankful they are my parents.

I love you Mom and Dad.