IKEA Spree

We fit a set of bowls, plates, cups, 6 cinnamon rolls, 1 almond cake, 3 recycling bins, 3 closet organizers and 1 full size loft bed in our little 'ole Nissan.

It was a fiasco for sure, but we were so excited about getting it to fit that we didn't mind being so cramped. Well....Bub kinda minded.

Darin spent (is spending) the evening putting together the furniture, while I sorted through the kids toys to organize everything.

The kids "nursery" is going to have tons of room for playing, even when/if we are blessed with another baby (not that we are announcing anything now or anytime in the near future). Can you believe we will have 3 kids in one room?? We are nuts, but it's fun being nuts.

Music and the Spoken Word

The Priesthood in our ward canceled all their morning meetings (Darin usually has a meeting on Sunday mornings) so that I, along with other members of our Relief Society, could attend a live taping of the longest continuously running broadcast program.

Music and the Spoken Word

Although very beautiful, this picture is not from today's broadcast. Today looked like a village in Switzerland with all these sparkling snow capped little houses . The choir and orchestra gave me heart palpitations, as usual, and they also had a wonderful bell choir. I am now officially in the mood for Christmas!

I know I have mentioned it before, but Christmas music fills my soul with JOY.

Snowbiz!

She did it!

Her first recital

I can't thank my parents and Sarah enough for driving all the way up here. Miriam has had the day of her life, and the anticipation of going home with them tonight (4 day sleep over!) is the icing on the cake. Wait...maybe the new fancy dance bag from Aunt Julia, or the ballerina music box and tiara from Aunt Sarah & crew would be the icing on the cake. Well, whatever, this day has been a big ole' cake with icing for "the divine Miss M".

Still Snowin'

The snow this year has been light and fluffy so far. I bet the skiers are in heaven. It makes me long to go skiing again. As long as it was on a clear day, not too cold, no wind, fresh powder and a promise of hot chocolate at the end. I am kind of a pansy these days, actually, I always was one I just admit it more readily now.

This is not a new idea, but I started compiling our yearly Christmas cards into one album. It will be pulled out every year along with the family album all of Darin's family contributes to as our gift exchange (idea from Stacy Julian).

I am still deciding on whether or not to add a picture with Santa, or a Christmas Eve/morning picture from the same year, or simply the card.

Some of our cards are kind of big, maybe I will stick with simple pimple.

I found the Red Envelope album at Downeast Outfitters for $5. Love that place, I need to take my sister-in-laws there when they visit Utah (remind me L C & S)

Blizzard Weather

It's a blizzard outside. It's suppose to last all day. Blah.
I love the snow. Love Love Love it, but it's a nuisance when we have things to do people to see!

We did get one item checked off our TO DO list.

He was so good. Petrified and stoic, but he didn't squirm or make a peep!

SPT- Comfort

Then.....

and now.


It's our ninth anniversary today. I awoke to have this conversation with the love of my life.

Me: "What day is it? It's Wednesday.....OH! it's our anniversary! Happy Anniversary."
Darin: "Nine years of wedded bliss, with ne'er a cross word between us."

Then we laugh like crazy.

Then Miriam came in and Darin said: "Did you know that nine years ago Mommy and Daddy were married in the temple for ever? That means you will be our daughter forever and ever"

Me: "Yep, we were married and then Heavenly Father sent you to us, as a special gift so we can be a family forever. Stuck together like crazy glue"

Miriam laughing: "Like crazy glue! That is what you said in the parking lot when it was crowded! 'stick to me like crazy glue'".

If that is not COMFORT I don't know what is.

We are going to celebrate next week, when Miriam will be visiting her grandparents (THANK YOU MOM & DAD and Sarah and Julia).

SPT

On the Fifthteenth of December

Miriam made treats for her friends. The same ones we made last year as per her request.

We used up all the left overs. Not the prettiest treats (I ran out of patience), but I am sure someone would enjoy them!

Tonight is Darin's work party. I am excited because Darin and I hardly ever do anything by ourselves. Darin's work isn't the type of place where we could just drop by and see him, so the kids and I have never been in his office, and I have only met his boss once. This will be a good opportunity to put names with faces.

I didn't take pictures of the outfit I am wearing tonight as Cristin requested (we were on the phone when I was clothes hunting), but I did find a cashmere cardigan at DI for $5.00..not too shabby. I also found these black velveteen pants for Bub that make him look like a little old man...kind of shabby but still cute.

A Letter To Santa

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is to not look like a little girl when we go play in the snow.
Some man told my mom that her "cute little girls" looked like they were enjoying the snow. Oh the humiliation!

Luvies,
lil'B

On the Thirteenth Day of December

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Bub didn't cry, that seems amazing to me since this is the first year Miriam would go anywhere near Santa.

Miriam asked him for an American Girl Doll. At first she wanted Samantha, then she wanted Kirsten, and today she said "any one in the whole magazine, I'll let you pick", which is good because I know for a fact Santa didn't get either Samantha or Kirsten.

The whole American Doll thing in general was a hurdle for us. We both thought spending $90 + on a doll for a four year old was excessive. Darin and I try to keep gifts low key on Christmas (we do the three gift thing, a learning gift, a fun gift, and a spiritual gift). That way, the gifts from cousins and Grandparents are more exciting, creating more natural occurring gratitude rather than the parental prodded gratitude. But, as my sister-in-law Cristin pointed out, Miriam has no idea the doll is $90 she just loves it and believes that if she is good Santa will bring it! I bought a AG knock off but, the more Miriam poured over the AG magazine (they send like one a week!) the more I knew in my heart she would know the difference. I understand her desire, I have wanted an AG doll since the first year they came out. I remember asking my Grandma Young if I could take her magazine home with me, and I looked at it over and over. I was old enough to know what $90 meant, and I was also too old to play with dolls so I just didn't dare ask for one. When Darin got tired of me losing ebay bid wars and pouring over the classifies he told me to just get it. I didn't realize how bad I wanted to get one until that moment so, I took back the knock off and ordered one. I am SO EXCITED to get "our" American Girl Doll...I can't wait to do her hair.

What does Bub want?

World Peace....and candy.

The Tenth and Eleventh Days of December

Wednesday was our ward outdoor nativity. This is when we bring the gifts purchased from our angel tree to lay beside Mary Joseph and Baby Jesus. There are no pictures of this event because:
1. The Young Men and Young Women were in charge (I serve in Young Womens).
2. I had to pick up 170 glazed donuts with M and B.
3. M and B had to go early with me to the cold outdoor event so keeping them warm and happy was a challenge.
4. B refuses to keep his gloves on....FOR THE LOVE!
So, this event wasn't a spiritual highlight for me, but the fires were cozy and we didn't run out of hot chocolate or glazed donuts.

Today was another Christmas Tea Party.

Tonight was M's first dance performance. It was actually a pre-performance at a rest home, the real deal is next weekend. Miriam was excited to buy new "jazzy tan" tights that she says look like "Norwegian skin color" (again, a reference to Laura Ingles and her Norwegian neighbors on Plum Creek) and get her first ever offical costume. Oh the ecstasy! Perform she did too...exaggerated moves, big eyes, yelling out the little part they sing. Although she didn't hit all the moves, you could tell where she was going with it. Aunt Julia would be so proud. We are.

On the Eighth Day of December

We took the kids to This Is The Place Heritage Park for their Candlelight Christmas. This was a good year for us to visit since Miriam and I have been into all things Laura Ingles Wilder. We took a "train" from the beginning of the park to the top of main street. Most of the quaint old shops and homes had old time Christmas crafts and activities for kids Miriam's age.

The puppet show that Bub had a love/hate relationship with. He was excited/terrified by the puppets, laughing and then crying in turn.

Making snowflakes.

Putting together a wooden train.

The wise men who were warming themselves by a campfire, walked us to a live nativity in a stable full of animals where Mary and Joseph were quietly holding baby Jesus.
We then caught the train to where Father Christmas and his live reindeer stay. It was a fun night, cold of course, but we were sufficiently bundled and happy.

On the Seventh day of December

We had family home evening on GIFTS. We read Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck, which I bawled through, and then talked about the gift of Jesus Christ as well as the gifts from the Wise Men.

Then we made a REAL gingerbread house using Aunt Vanessa's molds. It smells divine. Miriam has added to her masterpiece everyday since, and is getting quite creative.

Bub tested all our candy choices, and licked the beaters. I hope that mortar/icing doesn't harden in his stomach.

She Photographs Tuesdays - JOY

My Joy = Christmas Music

I am a Thanksgiving purist, so I don't allow Christmas music till December.
Then it's COZY and FM 100 in the car, The Messiah and The Nutcracker for Sundays, Fiona's Christmas 2006 & 2007 mixes or our other collections for every other waking moment.

I love to go caroling, even though sometimes I feel silly and shy about it.

On Christmas Eve, nothing makes me feel the spirit of Christmas like reading the Nativity and singing the corresponding Christmas Hymns.

When I was away from home for 18 months, my family sent me a Christmas package that included a tape of them reading and singing the Christmas story. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard: my mom singing her strong soprano, Julia in a clear alto, Mark and Dad singing the Tenor and Baritone parts, and Sarah playing the piano, as she always does since none of the rest of us play. Erik was away at college, but he can sing as well. I don't write well enough to express what that meant to me. All I can say is that I cry when I think about it, and I cried that Christmas Eve...tears of pure JOY.

SPT

Fifth and Sixth Days of December

We made our annual trip to the Festival of the Trees

We drove Darin into work that day which made us 1 hr and 15 min early for the event. Luckily Johanna's Restaurant is right by the festival so we had a yummy breakfast.

I ate a scone the size of my head with a huge scoop of honey butter, it was probably equal to two days worth of my total caloric intake. It makes me sick to think about that, but BOY HOWDY was it gooooood.

This tree is "me". I love this color combo.

Had to show this tree. There were a few Twilight themes but this was the best in my opinion. Loved the gift idea!

The COOLEST TREE I have ever seen. It is a marble run. If I could have my dream tree this would be it.

Miriam's favorite. She is asking Santa for an American Doll for Christmas.

I don't love this tree, but have to admire the craftsmanship!

How sweet is this ribbon tree??

This is how Bub was entertained while Miriam spent her time in the craft corner. Bub's favorite tree was full of sports equipment since he loves to throw anything he can get his hands on. He wouldn't cooperate for a picture.

This is a chocolate dipped potato chip...again BOY HOWDY good. What? You afraid of a little heart attack?

On the sixth day of December my sisters and I had a long overdue SISTERS DAY OUT to celebrate a milestone birthday for Sarah.

Oh I love these girls, they are hilarious, and unfortunately so stinkin' busy we hardly ever get to have a day to ourselves. Lots of giggling I tell ya what.

On the Fourth day of December

We were suppose to go to Zoo Lights.
Sadly, Bub got sick all over himself, and the car seat. So even though he was chipper, and pleasant for the rest of the day, we didn't think we should risk it.

Does this remind anyone else of New England but me?

Maybe it was just popular in Foxboro, Mass Christmas 1997, but this sight takes me back to 18 months spent in Massachusetts. I saw a lot of doors during that time (a LOT of doors) and this was a common sight. I was enchanted, as I am with all things New England.
Darin, who lived back east for a long time doesn't remember ever seeing such a thing. I bet our neighbors are thinking the same thing, but like I said, I am enchanted with it.

Thanks for the tip Kristi!!

Neighbor gifts...check
Teacher gifts....check
Friend gifts....check
(sorry friends if this ruins the surprise)

On the Third day of December

The Young Women made gingerbread houses.

Miriam and I spent the afternoon trying different icings. The one that worked best is Pampered Chef's royal icing (which is the one that needs to be beat for 5 min per batch). Thanks for the molds and icing recipe Vanessa, as you can see, I decided NOT to bake 8 ginger bread houses....we went with graham crackers. We are going to use the molds though, to make our own ginger bread house.

After finishing all the icing and packing it in ziplock bags, I looked around the kitchen at the HUGE powdered sugar disaster, and thought about all the doctors I needed to call to sort out our flex savings stuff, about the Christmas cards I needed to order, about the decorating and wrapping I needed to do and then became completely overwhelmed. I thought that if the girls didn't enjoy this activity I just might cry.

My sweet girls LOVED the activity, they couldn't have been more appreciative. It makes the powdered sugar mess well worth it!

Royal Icing
1 egg white
1/8 tsp cream of tarter
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

beat together for 5 min.

First Two Days of December and SPT- LOVE

On the first day of December we decorated the tree.

I LOVE having a Christmas tree up with all the twinkly lights.
I LOVE having my freshly-cut-tree smelling candle melting underneath it.
I LOVE having ornaments that mean something, or remind me of past Christmases.
I LOVE the Festival of the Trees, which I am going to this Friday!

Funny story about our tree, we bought the sad little thing years ago for $4 after Christmas at K-MART. I keep thinking we should upgrade, but I am kind of attached to it's shape, and the way it's branches are so obviously fake...there is something truthful about being obviously fake. Anyway, ever since Miriam was born we have put it up on our end table to keep her away from it. I like it up there safe from not only our kids, but friends kids, and neighbor kids. It keeps those awkward "your kid just broke the Christmas ornament I received when I was born" moments at bay. One night we had some visitors (home teachers) and one man who exuded self confidence said something to the effect off "oh, good trick, put the little tree up high so people will THINK you have a nice big tree. Ours is huge, to the ceiling". I think of that story every Christmas, it reminds me you can't assume others motives.

SPT info here.

On the second day of December.

We had a Christmas tea party.

Thanks for the tea set Grandma C! Even though they are "for decoration only" they worked perfectly as toys.