It's the most wonderful time of the year!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with friends and family (via webcam). Our Christmas eve was wonderful with tons of good food and fun. We celebrated at the Titus' home, eating fondue and yummy bacon wrapped meats cooked on their raclette. The kids acted out the nativity scene, and Miles felt like the star, playing the part of Samuel the Lamanite. Even singing a solo in front of everyone. Griffin was able to play Joseph, his firt time in this role. He played it very somber and respectfull.

We left the party early, since Mike had to work, and the kids each opened up their PJs. Then they were off to bed so Santa Claus could come. He had to wait a while since they giggled and laughed late into the evening. Miles decided to wake up every hour because he was just too excited.


Elliot's PJ's had Eskimos on them, but she kept calling them customers. So they are now called her "customer pajamas" So darn Cute!

Christmas Morning Part 1

The final Christmas pictures

We all received so many wonderful presents, and all felt very blessed. In such hard economic times, we were truly spoiled. Mike is enjoying his Christmas present still, a new snow blower. And he also got a snuggy, CD organizer, Furniture mover, warm jacket, and Onya bag. My pile is pictured below...scarf, vest, boots, onya bag, pj's, jewelry, and my dishes (seen at Thanksgiving).
Our family received group presents that we opened some on Christmas day and some earlier this month. We loved them all! Thank you to all our family and friends for your gifts, and warm wishes. Now onto a New year...2010.

Christmas Day Part 2

Since this is our family Journal, I was very detailed with the kid's gifts this year. I love looking back at my kids pictures and seeing what I got.

After all the gifts are open I get the "Christmas blues." The Holiday flies by too fast. I tried talking the kids into only opening one present every hour for the whole day...but you can guess how that went over. Mike was the biggest objector. He worked all night and just wanted to go to sleep.

One last post before bed.

We have been reading a different Christmas book each night this week (you gotta love the library). Tuesday night we read, Tony's Bread. A story about Panettonne, a traditional Italian Christmas bread. The author admits his version is not the true story of where the bread came from, but most all the stories are similar.

After reading the story I realized I had seen this bread sold at TJ Maxx for years. I always thought it was so weird, but they do have a good selection of specialty foods, so maybe not that weird. Anyway I picked some up today for all of us to try. The kids were not fans, and Mike said he ate similar bread all through his mission in Argentina. I am only 1/4 Italian, but I loved the bread. Good thing, since it looks like I will be eating the whole thing myself!






I recognized it from the story, because of it's unique shape (like a giant cupcake). In the story, the baker runs out of bread pans, and has to use a flower pot, which ends up being everyones favorite shape.

Funny things from a 2 year old.

I was leaving today and Griffin and Elliot were staying behind with Mike. As I got ready to go, Elliot said in her cute voice, "Mom, can I be good while your gone?" Ha Ha ha.

The other day the kids were getting ready for their Holiday concert. Griffin was looking particularly snazzy in his vest and sports coat. I told him he looked "so handsome." Elliot corrected me with, "No Mom, he is not handsome, he's fantastic!"

Elliot is big enough this year to understand a little bit about Santa's Naught and Nice list. She has appointed herself as helper for Santa by decided who is "naughty" and who is "nice." Our family comes out pretty good half the time, but the poor strangers at Walmart are all naughty. Don't worry, she told them all, "you are on the naughty list." These are the times I wish she didn't speak so clearly.

Waiting for St. Nick...

The kids have been doing a pretty good job about keeping their excitement in check, but Tuesday night Griffin and Miles voted to put all the presents under the tree. I have been keeping them all in my room for obvious reasons. ELLIOT. I could just see her ripping open everyone presents and then telling them what they got. Caleigh was against the whole idea, she thought we should wait till Christmas eve like we've done in the past. But Griffin was insistent that we could, "teach Elliot to stay away from the presents." (his words, not mine). So I conceded. They look great, and Miles thought the tree looked much better. Caleigh said, "the red paper does bring out the garland Mom."

I remember when I grew up my mom would put some presents under the tree (it seemed like a lot) and my brothers would build GI Joe forts between the packages. Alot of "shaking" went on by all of us, and a few presents were seen early through ripped corners. Ah...I love Christmas.


(sorry about this one, but Elliot is really into her "hamburger buns.)"

Christmas Craft

My friend Kata and I have talked about starting a crafting blog (I'm addicted to making things!), but until we get it up and going, I wanted to share a cute craft I have been working on.

I found these cute paper pine cones, I loved how cute and easy they were. I plan on making enough to decorate my tree with next year-I'm getting tired of my snowmen. I have to think of some other thing that might go with them, but until I do it's Pine cone city!




Griffin even got in on the action, his turned out so cute and natural looking. Miles tried to do one, but got bored half way through. Oh well, not everyone has patience for sticking needles into a Styrofoam ball. I still need to add the ribbon and garland to the top, but aren't they cute?

Here's the link to where I got the original idea:

http://scrapmomsmusings.blogspot.com/2009/12/readers-week-tutorial-pinecone-ornament.html

Hanukkah Celebration

Griffin and our neighbor friend Ethan have been learning about Hanukkah in school, so we had a small dinner one night of Latkes and applesauce. Emily (Ethan's Mom) gave a short summary of what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated.

Neither Emily or I could find dreidals anywhere, so we weren't able to play the dreidal game, but I feel good just knowing the kids learned a little bit about another religion and what they believe.





If you don't know what Latkes are, they are described as potatoe pancakes. In my opinion, they are more like hashbrowns. They can be topped with a number of different things, but I think applesauce is most common.

"latkes, latkes, we want more!"

Dear Santa, I want...

Griffin, like all the kids, is getting really excited for Christmas. And as I opened the door 5 different times to accept packages this week(thanks Tracy, Matt and Shannon, Tom and Frankie, and Craig and Gail, oh! and Oberhansli's) so am I.

I love all the Christmas cards and pictures they contain. So Griffin asked me the other day what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas. So after much thought, here is my very short (I don't want to be greedy), but essential list:

1. My fast computer to be even faster.
2. My floors and surfaces to repel dirt and dust, so I can go a day without cleaning them.
3. All my favorite, yummy Holiday food, to become low fat, and veggies become the high calorie no-no food.
4. And lastly, and most seriously, to have all of my family here with me in New England, to go sledding with, on the big hill. And I guess, I should add with this one, money for them all to stay in at the local hotel, because I love them all, but I only have 1 air mattress.

So please Santa, if you still listen to 30 year old mothers who have been mostly good that's what I want for Christmas. Oh, and what ever candy you want to leave behind. Thanks

Busy, Busy, Bee...

With the year almost up, I am scrambling to finish up 2008 blog book. I am using the program from www.blurb.com, there is so much flexibility in the program, and I am such a perfectionist when it comes to these things, so it's taking me a while.

It did get me missing my digi scrapbooking I used to do. I lost all of my files, so I haven't been making scrapbook pages, just Collage pages. But, I spent the entire day (I hurt my foot and couldn't go to church) downloading new programs from a great site: www.shabbyprincess.com I don't know yet if I'll do a blog book for 2009 or just a digi scrapbook.

What program do you use to edit your photo's in? I really love picassa, but it's basic and I'm looking to upgrade. Maybe Adobe Photoshop?

Watch out Men, these Girls are Handy! (get it.. handymen...handygirls.)

Caleigh loves Activity days with the other few 8-11 year old girls in our ward. We have a great new leader, Sister Diana Pervis. She thought of the idea of taking the girls to the Home Depot workshop day. The girls had so much fun, and it was FREE. Cute aprons-Free. Cute craft-Free. Certificate of completion-Free. Pin for apron-Free. Fun- Free! Okay so it was free, I just get excited about fun things that don't break my bank. Oh, and the boys were sooo jealous.

"C" is for Cookie.

This year for our neighbor presents we gave Gingerbread kits. We made the gingerbread Men and Women and gave one per person in the family. Then we included tubes of frosting, and candies to decorate them. Well... we didn't want to miss out on all the fun. The kids had a great time and were bouncing off the walls for hours afterwards.

Decking our Halls

We have been busy with the usual decorating for Christmas. The kids look forward to getting out their own little trees to decorate. (they look forward to it more than the big tree!)

Caleigh has been in decorating overdrive with crafts for her own room. She has hung snowflakes from the ceiling (hung with yarn from her rug since I was too busy to find her string). A wreath on the door, and a cute poster, wishing everyone who enters her room a "beary Christmas." I love her creative side and look forward to do many craft projects with her over the years.

This year I added a new decoration, a spode tea kettle, that we simmer potpourri in all season long. This is something Mike's mom, Frankie has in her home and I have always wanted one. When I walked into Homegoods and found this one, I almost cried. Our house smells just as good as Grandma's house now.





Another addition to our Holiday decor this year, are these super cute pillow cases. These were our Christmas present from our dear friends the Titus'. Emily made each of them, and my kids couldn't put them on their pillows fast enough. What a great, creative idea. We look forward to using these for Christmases to come.

Oh, Christmas tree...

For the second year in a row, we attended our towns tree lighting ceremony. It was the first snow fall of the year and the kids were having fun catching snowflakes in their mouths. They kept it nice and short this year which we were grateful for, since it was so wet and cold. They had a great teen aged girl sing a few songs, then they lit the tree. The kids enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies provided by the town. Their favorite part was, of course, Santa Clause arriving in a Farmington Fire Engine. Miles received 2 candy canes and felt like his chances for a good Christmas were locked in.

Christmas Card Photo shoot

'Tis that time of year when I scrounge around the house for 4 matching outfits, or drop a chunk of change to buy matching outfits all in the name of Christmas card photos. This year luckily I have matching stuff from last year, and thanks to my cute red bench (featured in a previous post) our photo wasn't too much work this year. I love the collage feature on Picassa and then uploaded it into snapfish and ordered prints.
My only regret, last year I bought a box of Christmas cards and it came with 18. That should be enough right? Wrong. Sorry for all of you who didn't get a card this year, next year I'll buy plenty.

Advent fun

Last year we started a tradition of finding the most fun looking advent Calender we can. Last year we did a Lego themed one, and this year we found this fun playmobil one at Target. I love playmobil and was really glad to find this winter wonderland themed calender. The one down side was the calender had to be assembled. Meaning, I had to open the box and put the little compartments together and all the pieces in their place. Once that was done though, the kids have been having lots of fun. We can't wait till Christmas so we'll have all the pieces.