I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!

I Love......

Harry Connick Jr. singing Christmas songs

Hot chocolate with whipped cream piled high on top

Scarves and hats

Mornings so cold there's a mist and I can pretend I'm Elizabeth Bennett walking towards Mr. Darcy (tee hee)

Reading a good book under a blanket (with hot cocoa of course)

Christmas lights with the kids all piled in the car (again, hot cocoa a must)

Justin in a sweater and jeans

Sledding at the cinder pits

Baking way too many goodies

Merry Christmas!!!

Gilbert Days 2008

There's something about Gilbert Days that makes me happy. I didn't grow up in Gilbert, nor do I live there now. But knowing I get to go and see this at the front of the parade every year makes me swell with pride......










Yep, that's my dad, and I don't think they come any better than him.



My whole family meets in front of Joe's BBQ and we hoot and holler at anyone that will listen. We dance obnoxiously to all of the bands and mooch candy from all of the floats. If you sit in front of Joes BBQ, you smell hickory, pecan, and probably mesquite wood burning all morning and it's enough to make you drool. The kids are dirty and tired by the end but it's all worth it. Can't wait til next year.

My sisters and nieces and nephews

PS... I somehow erased almost all of the comments. I'm so sorry! I LOVE your comments!!

Cinderella, Humanitarian Day, Halloween, and Stake Conference... OH MY!

I'm playing catch up. I didn't even realize I'd had a crazy month until I downloaded my pictures onto the computer and saw that it's been pretty busy.

We went to the Hale Theatre's Cinderella play a couple of weeks ago. I surprised the girls and didn't tell them what we were doing until we got there. Looking back, I probably should have told them and then used it as a threat when they were misbehaving. Maybe next time.


Here's my review in case you are going.


If you're looking for something cute for the kids, it's ok. The Prince was good, and I liked the Fairy Godmother. They also do a lot of audience participation, which the girls loved.



Victoria and her cousin Paige were totally flirting with the Prince. And yes, that's my Mom dressed up on the stairs. She's all about making the grandkids happy and that definitely did.







We went to Floridemo's afterwards for some Pizza Muffins. My first time for these and I will definitely be going back for more.






Stake Humanitarian Day

We assembled over 500 hygiene kits it under 45 minutes. It was amazing and frightening, since I had no other activities planned except a couple of quilts which were also done in no time flat. Thank you to the people who took time out of their Saturday to serve.

Halloween 2008

All I can say is that I'm glad it's over. I don't really mean that. (well, maybe I do) But, if I had to dress those kids up one more time, I think I would have lost it. ( I mean more than I already did. Sorry Honey.) You've got Trunk or Treat, school parties, (even in Jr High?!) and then trick or treating. All in 2 days and 100 degree weather.

OK, ranting and raving aside, the kids did look cute. Victoria didn't dress up this year. Emma was Sleeping Beauty, Grace was Tinkerbell (she changed her mind at least 5 times) and Cameron was Starkiller from Star Wars the Force Unleashed. (it's a video game) I think 2 people knew what he was, but he loved it. I had to make the whole thing and thought it turned out pretty good, if i do say so myself. We have so much candy left over that I'm going to bottle it and save it for next year. Or I'll use it as my secret stash and eat it all once the kids go to bed.

Starkiller

future lady killer ;)



Stake Conference and new 1pm Church time

WooHoo!! This will be the first time that I'm not dreading 1pm church. No napping kids and Justin will finally be able to be there for the whole time more than once a month! I did enjoy 8am church because getting home at 11am was pretty great. But now we can have mornings like

THIS

Homemade Belgian waffles and hangin out in our jammies until noon. Yep, this will be just fine with me.