I Finally Did It!!!

So, for the longest time I've been trying to figure out how to make hair bows. I found a site where I bought some way cute ones, but at the same time that costs lots of $$$.

After doing a bit of googling on the web I came across this site.

I made 2 Christmas themed bows for Shaylyn and was mostly pleased with the results. There were some instructions that were confusing, so I had to improvise - but it all worked out and I probably saved a good $5 or so! Yeah Me!

What Happens Next...

Just Had to Share

So, while going through some old pics on the computer trying to find a certain pic, I ran across this picture taken some 22 odd years ago....

Classic, isn't it? This memory is all the more fun when I remember that it was our maternal grandparents who took us to see Santa and not our parents. I don't remember where my brothers were, but here is my older sister & I.

What Happens Next...

Simple Pleasures

So, this actually took place on December 19th, but I didn't want to interrupt the "Days of Christmas" flow.

My little sister & nephew were here so I could help her with her Christmas present to her mother-in-law.

This was a day where the snow was really coming down. We were taking a lunch break and while I was preparing lunch my sister raised the blinds to let the boys watch the snow.

Our 3 little boys (8 months, 2 years & 4 years) were enthralled by the falling snow and were easily entertained for 10 minutes or so...

What Happens Next...

Final Day, Day 15 - December 25, 2008

Day 15 (December 25):

"He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a WHISTLE, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, 'Happy Christmas to all and to all a GOOD-NIGHT.'"

The Gifts: New Sheets and what we are calling "Snugglies."

What Happens Next...

Day 14 - December 24, 2008

Day 14 (December 24):


"He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a JERK, and laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose."

The Gift: Beef Jerky Sticks

What Happens Next...

Day 13 - December 23, 2008

Day 13 (December 23):

"He was chubby and PLUMP, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; a wink of his eye and a TWIST of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread."

The Gift: Marshmallow Candy Poles

What Happens Next...

Day 12 - December 22, 2008

Day 12 (December 22):

"His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his NOSE like a cherry! His drowl little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe held tight in his TEETH and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly."

The Gifts - Rudolph "Noses" and Toothbrushes

What Happens Next...

Day 11 - December 21, 2008

Day 11 (December 21):

"He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; a bundle of TOYS he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his PACK."

The Gifts: A Pack of Miscellaneous Toys

What Happens Next...

Day 10 - December 20, 2008

Day 10 (December 20):

"And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound."

The Gifts: A Santa Ornament and a candy stick inside a light up plastic light bulb

What Happens Next...

Day 9 - December 19, 2008

Day 9 (December 19th):

"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too."

The Gift: Candy Canes (Yes, they are in the same clothes - I forgot to get the pictures of the whistles the night before, so I took pictures the same night)

What Happens Next...

Day 8 - December 18, 2008

Day 8 (December 18):

"With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St.Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and whistled and shouted, and called them by name:

'Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! On Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!'"

The Gift: Whistles

What Happens Next...

Day 7 - December 17, 2008

Day 7 (December 17):

"When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer."

The Gift: Reindeer Antlers (No, I didn't get a pair - I just tried Lex's on for size.)

What Happens Next...

Day 6 - December 16

Day 6 (December 16):

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below."

The Gift: Glow in the dark bracelets & a snowflake sucker

What Happens Next...

Day 5 - December 15, 2008

Day 5 (December 15):

"Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash."

The Gift: A Nightlight

What Happens Next...

Day 4 - December 14, 2008

Day 4 (December 14):

"And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."

The Gifts: Hand Clapper things and a Slinky

What Happens Next...

Day 3 - December 13, 2008

Day 3 (December 13):

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Sugar Plums danced in their heads;"

The Gifts: Homemade Pillow Cases and Dots!

What Happens Next...

Day 2 - December 12, 2008

Day 2 (December 12):

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;"

The Gifts: Each kid got a new pair of socks. Nate got Christmas themed socks, even.

What Happens Next...

Day 1 - December 11, 2008

For Christmas this year, my mom decided instead of giving the kids a few big presents, she would do a 12 days of Christmas type thing.

She took the story "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" and broke it up into different days, with different little gifts to go with each day. She also included a key word/words as to what the gift will be. It ends up that there are 15 days in all, but the kids are having a BLAST!

So here we go:

Day 1 (December 11):

"'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

The gift: A Gingerbread House

What Happens Next...

Family Party

This year, in my family, we decided that instead of drawing names we would just have a big Christmas Party.

Each "family" was supposed to come up with a game that everyone could play and we would be going to dinner.

We started out playing "Family Feud" that my parents mom planned out. We had lots of fun and it ended up that most "spouses" were on opposing teams which made it all the more fun. (Sorry the pictures are all of backsides. I was sitting behind people, but wanted the pictures anyway.)

After "Family Feud" we played our my game which was "Wheel of Fortune - Christmas Themed." I just chose totally random Christmas ideas that came to my head and went to work. We didn't even do half of all the puzzles I planned out, but it was all good.

After "Wheel of Fortune" we headed to Sizzler for dinner. It was yummy. I convinced Eric to let me get the salad/fruit bar added onto my meal of Malibu Chicken and probably went over board on that as I could only eat one piece of my chicken. Then of course we all loaded up on ice cream - hey, it was "free" with our meals...

After our yummy dinner we headed back to my parents house to finish up the rest of the games.

My older sister did a "Potato Sack" race with HUGE stockings. The team I was on lost - partly cause we had 2 kids in our group and Eric refused to participate. We all won a pair of socks at the end, however.

My brother in Wyoming came up with his own game following the rules of the White Elephant game. He had Christmas songs play that we would pass the gifts until the song ended and the end of the song we opened the gift and whoever ended up opening an actual gift was "out." He spent so much time/energy figuring out how to wrap the items and how many layers each should have. At the end of it all we all ended up with an ornament for the tree.

We then did my little sister's game. It was a survey type game to see who was the "Cheermeister" and who was the "Scrooge." My Wyoming brother ended up being the "cheermeister" (which surprised no one) and my little brother ended up being the "Scrooge" even though Eric was trying to convince everyone that HE was the "Scrooge."

After the fun night we decided we decided we should head home. It was already 11:00 and snowing like crazy. My older sister left before us and said she passed a 6 car wreck and told my parents that if they "let" us go home, we should avoid that intersection.

We did head home and as soon as we got close to our place the snow was non-existent. Sometimes I am glad we live where we do.

What Happens Next...

Family Pictures...

I've decided a few things about family pictures:

1: There is never a picture where everyone looks good
2: I hate my portrait smile
3: Apparently as I get older I am starting to resemble my mom...that wasn't always the case...
4: Kids will cooperate (for the most part) for money
5: Tanis seems "lost" at times when pictures are being taken
6: Shaylyn is very stubborn - it's her way or the highway
7: Lex is more like his dad than I thought
8: Working with a tired baby is difficult

Want examples?

First I will include the extended family pics we took with Eric's family on Thanksgiving.

Next will be the "best" of the pictures Eric's mom took this past Sunday for her Christmas cards and for my benefit...

Eric's Mom's Side of the Family - Those who live in Utah, anyway

The ONE shot I was even somewhat pleased with...And to think that this was the first one taken...

The proof that Lex is like his Dad....(Look at Eric and Lex's faces)

He was messing around and making me laugh, so I don't have the best "smile."

The magic of "cropping" - Eric was actually holding onto Nate's waist...

All My Boys...

Me and My Baby Girl

A Little "Lost"????

Stubborn Little Thing...

I have no idea what he is doing...

These are the pictures showing that I am starting to look like my Mom...I know it doesn't help those of you who have never seen my Mom, but oh well.

What Happens Next...