Christmas is over…

I love Christmas and the month leading up to it.

I love spending time with family and friends.

I love all the decorations.

I love the music.

I love the Christmas movies on Hallmark & Lifetime channels.

I love all the treats.

I love hot cocoa with marshmallow crème and cinnamon and nutmeg.

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards.

I love all the lights on houses and the Mesa Temple.

I love when we find the “perfect” gift for each kid.

I love the big family dinner on Christmas Eve at our house.

I love the looks on the kids’ faces when they unwrap their gifts.

I love seeing the kids happily play with their new toys.

I loved the beautiful musical program at church on Christmas Day.

I love all sharing and giving.

I don’t love all the cleanup.

Christmas is OVER and now I want everything cleaned up. Who wants to come do it for me? Although, as much as I want someone else to do it, I’m a little OCD about how things are done, so ultimately, it’s up to me. UGH!! How soon do YOU put all the decorations away?

Also, I’ve completely derailed my diet and workout. I found 101 Healthy Things You Can Start TODAY! (<--click to see them)

I only skimmed thru the list but I’m pretty sure I need to do ALL of them! Starting TODAY!

What are you going to start doing in 2012? I also starting thinking about MY WORD for the new year. Have you?

ONE more day…

until CHRISTMAS!!!

Are you ready?

Are you having any parties/celebrations tonight?

Every year on Christmas Eve my husband’s family comes to our house to celebrate with a big pot luck dinner, plus treats and sometimes a gift exchange.

I did some baking yesterday with the kids and brought some goodies to neighbors and my Mom in the hospital. {oh she went back into the hospital Monday morning. She already received some plasma & vitamin K to thicken her blood, then had her left lung drained of fluid this time. She may have fluid in her right lung again that they will drain today and start chemotherapy because her breast cancer has spread to her lungs & throat.} My Mom is such a trooper and is MY HERO!

I still have a little more baking to do, plus clean up & start cooking the ham, meatballs, creamy corn, wassail, make a cheese spread & slice the cheese for the crackers.

I haven’t even begun to wrap presents. I guess it’s a good thing there aren’t very many this year.

I hope you & your family has a wonderful CHRISTMAS!!!

Don’t forget that you can TRACK SANTA. We’ve done this the last 2 years and the kids love it! Go HERE and select your language, then you can see him throughout his journey! It’s really cool. We just leave that site open and the kids come back and see the updates. Sometimes they race to see who can tell me which country he’s in now and where he’s going next. hahaha

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I'm still here...

Holy Hanna! I haven't posted on my poor little bloggy in for-evah!

Ok, this is gonna be kinda long - BUT it's our summer in a photo-nutshell.

June 2, 2009 - My oldest {Nathaniel} turned 11

June 24 - 28th we went to Ben's family reunion in Utah.

June 26, 2009 went to Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House
The temple was BEAUTIFUL!!!
June 27, 2009 HUGE Family Reunion at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo, UT
Ben's Family with all his siblings (minus 1) plus his parents & nieces/nephews

June 27, 2009 my beautiful daughter, Felicia, had her 10th birthday!
July 4, 2009 we celebrated Independence Day with a few fireworks of our own (in our backyard)!

July 23, 2009 these dorks guys left for Comic-Con in San Diego, CA

July 26, 2009 They came home.
Ben got all of us tons of FUN free swag!

Are these not the CUTEST little Batmen & Catwomen?

I told Ben he really shouldn't bother coming home unless he found some New Moon swag.

No I wasn't that mean, but he DID hook me up!

Awesome trading cards, plus see that Carlisle Ring? Everyone was waiting in line for raffles to win one of those. Someone thought his costume was COOL so he gave one to Ben! Woohooo! Way to go hubby!

He also scored these posters for me!

The big posters look just like the smaller ones, but the back looks faded & backwards almost like you're looking thru the poster! Pretty awesome!!! Thanks again babe!

Ok, so we wanted to wear the COOL masks too!

Do we look HOT or what? LOL

These two actually played together a LOT this summer!

August 5, 2009 This little guy got a haircut!

This is the BEFORE.

Are you diggin' on his sweet locks?

Well, don't get too used to them, cuz now they're gone!

There's my adorable Anson!

August 6, 2009 My munchkins got some new Webkinz

Thanks MOM for finding these amazing deals @ Costco!

August 7, 2009 I had foot surgery. OUCH!

And got to wear this cute shoe for the last 3 weeks.

Well, it's better than the one I wore 3 years ago when I had my bunionectomy.

I can finally squeeze into a sandal, so at least my shoes match now.

August 9, 2009 the Boys being silly after church

The Girls striking a pose after changing out of church dresses.

Yep, they planned on their matching outfits! heee heee

August 10, 2009 Ben left for Oregon (for work)

And my sister, Christy, had her birthday!

August 12, 2009 FIRST day of school

Nathaniel - 5th grade, Ashley - 2nd grade, Anson - Kindergarten, Felicia - 5th grade
Yep, my sweet fun baby is in all day school now! I have totally mixed emotions about that. I'm happy for him because he loves it & was so excited to start school. On the other hand, I miss my little buddy hanging out with me all day!

After 1st day of school treats!

Sonic Slushees

While Felicia was playing on the computer after school.....

I found Ashley like this...

She curled up on a jacket on the floor & passed out. LOL

I found Nathaniel sawin' some zzzzz's on the couch

Anson was watching tv, but quickly gave in to his heavy eyelids. haha

They had a wonderful 1st day of school, but apparently it totally wore them out!

August 16, 2009 10pm - Nathaniel got stung by a Bark Scorpion!

OUCH!!! Poor guy! He thought he needed to go to the ER or he would DIE! He knows those suckers are very poisonous! I talked to Ben on the phone {yep he was still out of town}, looked it up online and also called Poison Control. All I had to do was wash the area with soap & water, dry it off, apply a cool compress, and give him some Tylenol. As long as he didn't have an allergic reaction (like hives or trouble breathing), then he would be OK. Poison Control did warn me that this type of scoprion releases neurotoxins and within 6hrs he would probably have some numbness and/or tingling anywhere on his body. It could take 24hrs up to 2weeks for it to go away. He had some tingling the next day and came home from school early, but was fine later that evening. Thank goodness!!!!

That night ALL the kids slept in my bed with me.

I had our pest control company back at our house and respraying for scoprions inside & out!

August 18, 2009 Ahhh yes, that's water under our Hot Water Heater.

Well, it was 15 years old, so time for a new one!
Another thing to take care of while Ben was out of town.

Luckily, my Dad's friend came over right away to replace it!

August 22, 2009 we Celebrated Anson's 5th birthday!

{even tho his actual bday is August 23rd}

Ben came home for the weekend to celebrate Anson's bday!

But then he had to leave again early Monday morning :(

August 28-29th Nathaniel had his FIRST Boy Scout Campout! He was ecstatic! He loved that all the boys got to help plan the menu - he LOVES food! He came home covered in dirt, but had a BLAST!!!

See - my foot is healing quite nicely!

I took this pic this morning. I know my feet are covered in scars. But the newest one is on my left foot in the middle. My foot still hurts a lot periodically and I can't walk very fast.

Ok, sorry to end this LONG post with a pic of my foot (I know feet are gross) but at least my toenails look cute, right? LOL

Oh I had Parent Information Evening (PIE night) last night with Anson & Ashley's teachers. Their teachers seem nice & fun. Plus the kids love them! Looks like the year is off to a good start!

Today is picture day for the kids. We were late, but NOT because I was busy fixing their hair (I got that done on time) but Anson was stuck on the potty - crying in pain. Poor guy. He finally did his business and we were on our way! Felicia was the only one on time because I had to take her to school early for a student council meeting.

Tomorrow is PIE night for Nathaniel & Felicia's classes. I'll be busy trying to touch base with both teachers since usually Ben & I divide & conquer. But he is still out of town. In fact, he's on his way to Seattle today for PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) with his friend Trey. They will be helping EA promote the sequel to Army of Two xbox game {they will be dressed in total Army of Two gear}!

Ok, I'm out!

Santa, Deck the Halls & FREEBIE

We had our Ward Christmas Party a couple weeks ago and the kids got to see SANTA! They LOVE him and enjoyed talking to him & getting their candy canes!

Here's a few of the pictures from that evening.

{Credits HERE}

You can click on it to see it larger.

I created this layout for the DSO Template Challenge using my newest kit.

YAY! I finally finished my Christmas kit that I've been working on for the past couple weeks. Just in time to scrap all the wonderful Christmas photos you'll be taking!

Deck the Halls

It's full of the traditional reds & greens plus a few gold accents.
Lots of fun elements including sparkly ornaments, beautiful presents & a glowing lit Christmas tree!
Best of all, you can SAVE 30% OFF now!

I also saved a few items to give you a SAMPLE!

Hope you like it!

* sorry link expired *

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

School Parties

Nathaniel, Felicia & Ashley are so EXCITED about their class parties today! They're all having pizza parties and Ashley's class is making gingerbread houses. She said she dreamt about gingerbread houses ALL night! LOL They were also singing the 12 Days of Christmas all morning! I kept hearing...

5 Goooooollllldennnnn RINGS

...and a PARTRIDGE in a Pear TREEEEEEE!!!!

They were cracking me up! And ONLY in ARIZONA could they dress like THAT the week before Christmas! HAHAHAHAHA

But this is what Anson was doing when we got home from taking the kids to school....

He was COLD and ran into my room and hovered over the little room heater.

Ok gotta go get dressed. My Mom is taking Anson for a little while, so I can wrap presents before the kids get home from school. They are having a half-day today! So I only have a couple hours to get as much done as possible! Wish me luck!

Oh and Thanks Mom for helping out! I REALLY appreciate it!!!

Have a great day & weekend!!

Are you ready for Christmas?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN {plus a SALE}

This week has been FUN & BUSY! We had our ward Chili Cookoff on Saturday at the park. My parents came with us and ate lots of chili & tons of treats! IT was so FUN!! TONS of food - chili, cornbread, rolls, homemade rootbeer & treats {you name it & it was there in abundance}!!! There was also a fishing pond, face painting, bean bag toss, rope walk and COTTON CANDY! I think Ashley was living at the cotton candy stand! hahaha We all had a great time & practically needed to be rolled out of there! The kids kept bringing me desserts, candy & cotton candy! How was I supposed to say "No" to their *sweet* offerings?! I couldn't!

Ashley's pretty face paintings

Felicia's face painting
Anson enjoying the homemade rootbeer

My Mom & Dad

Ashley eating her hundredth cotton candy

Nathaniel getting his share before they run out

Ashley trying the rope walk just before they take it down

Ben couldn't make it to the ward party because it was over by the time he got home from work. Later that evening, he went to another Halloween party with a friend. They went to a guy's house that built an amazing haunted house in his backyard. He also won an award for BEST COSTUME! YAY!!! Congrats!

Felicia ended up losing her voice Saturday night and was sick Sunday & Monday. She was feeling much better & went back to school on Tuesday. Now we're all {except for Ben} dealing with major congestion. YUCK!!! I'm loading everyone up with their allergy pills & decongestants! The worst is first thing in the morning {even I don't have much of a voice} and right before bed. Hope this is over soon!

Monday, Ben & I helped my Mom set up for a big luncheon she was having with her Temple co-workers for a lady who is *retiring* {if you can call it that} from the Temple. She has worked there Tuesdays-Saturdays for 30 years! Her body is weakening & she isn't physically able to be there as much anymore. WHAT AN ANGEL!!! My Mom says it turned out wonderful & there were lots of ladies there to celebrate with her!

My MIL invited us to her ward's chili cookoff & trunk-or-treat on Wednesday evening. The kids were so excited because it was the FIRST time they got to wear their costumes! They all looked SO CUTE!!! Most of the time, they get side-tracked and don't eat much when there's so many kids to play with plus the anticipation of CANDY! So I made them all promise they would EAT dinner or they could NOT get candy! LOL I know I'm a mean mom! haha But it worked! We all had a great time & I ran into a friend from high school {she's in my MIL ward}! Such a small world!

WOOHOOO!!!! One of my fave holidays is finally HERE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Ben took today & tomorrow off because this is his absolute FAVORITE holiday! YAY! So, we get to go to the kids' school to watch the Halloween parade! Nathaniel & Felicia are too old now to be in the parade, but they get to watch Ashley! She's so excited to wear her costume to school! All the kids are SO ADORABLE! And Ben wears his Spider-Man costume & he LOVES seeing the kids' faces light up when they see him! They are too funny! Last year, one kid walked by & told his friend, "SEE! I told you Spider-Man was REAL!" Awwwww that just makes his day!

I LOVE handing out candy & seeing all the CUTE kids in costumes!!! Ben is usually the one to walk around with the kids most of the evening to trick-or-treat! Do you usually stay home & hand out candy or go out with the munchkins?

Speaking of TREATS - - Don't forget to stop by the DSO BLOG today for a Special Halloween *Treat*

And Saturday is Digital Scrapbooking Day! FUN FUN FUN

There are going to be celebrations all over the internet & blogging world!

I'm joining in the party & having a HUGE SALE!!!

If you are still reading...give yourself a big pat on the back! tee hee

Oh and check back this weekend because I may have some goodies for y'all!!!

Have a GREAT HALLOWEEN!!! Stay SAFE!!

Halloween Party 2008

Holy WOW!!! Last night's party was AWESOME!!! Thanks Cami & Molly for such a wonderful evening! When you first walked into their house, you got to go thru their amazing Haunted *house* and then out to the party! The food was so delicious & all the decorations were fabulous! This is like THE party of the year!!

We took lots of pictures & I hope no one gets offended or upset because I'm posting them! Everyone had GREAT costumes! It was fun seeing so many different *characters*!

This year Ben & I decided to go a little gory/bloody. Ben was a serial killer & I was his victim! {No particular horror movie}
Isn't his mask CREEPY?! We used LOTS of fake blood! It was FUN getting our costumes all dirty {I mean ready}!

Here's my disgusting slashed throat! I was really nervous that it would look dumb & totally fake. But I think it turned out pretty cool {I mean gross}!

My sweet Ben went & took pictures of everyone at their tables! Thanks dear! Oh and I don't remember everyone's names and I think I didn't meet everyone either. So, I'm sorry if I don't remember your names.

I loved the Popeye & Olive Oyl

You'll notice that there were a few Sarah Palins & McCains - but they all looked great!

Sarah & Shane - you guys looked awesome {still love that wig Sarah}

Jill & Brad - you guys crack me up! Fabulous ice skating costumes {hope those skates weren't too heavy carrying them around all evening} & love that curly hair Brad!! LOL

Lance & Julie - love your supposed *true forms* Nerd & Witch HAHAHAHA Super FUN partying w/ y'all!

Layne & DiaperDiva - you guys are CUTE! Love the '80s costume too!

I met Paige & Brooke last night - well, I guess I met Brooke at the Breaking Dawn midnight book release but had forgotten. Sorry. So many new faces & names! I'll have to get their blogs from Julie, so I can pop over & say hi to them!

Jason & Christy - you guys are hilarious! Love the crazy costumes!!

Tim & Molly - Our great neighbors! Thanks for the invite!!! LOVE those costumes!!!

Dave & Tangie - aaaargh! Them are our mateys! {ok so I'm not good at pirate talk}

Our gracious hosts!! Tyler & Cami and Molly & Tim! THANK YOU so much for inviting us to your SUPER FANTASTIC party!!! I don't know how this pic got so blurry. But you can still see their cuteness!! LOVE those chicky costumes gals! Those argyle socks still have me chuckling!

Ok here you can see them a little better! TOO CUTE!!! And they made them themselves! LOVE IT!

There was also a costume contest. and SHOCKER...we WON for SCARIEST COSTUMES!!! We've never won a costume contest before! So, all that sticky blood & rubber latex was worth it! WOOHOOO!!!! THANKS to all who voted for us!! We got this cute bowl full of goodies!

Here's all the winners! Ok, I can't remember, which couple won Funniest Costumes or Most Creative Costumes because they're both funny & creative. The couple on the left dressed up as our hosts Cami & Tyler, then the couple in the middle dressed as Juno & Bleeker! They were hilarious!!!

I don't know how Lindsey, Ashley & Kristy slipped past my camera, but I didn't get a picture of them! :(

Anyway, it was FUN seeing lots of the couples we met last year for the first time! I guess it's our annual visit aside from reading all their blogs! Thank goodness for blogging or I wouldn't get to stay in touch! hahaha

Oh and here's a little *shout-out* to my one & only blog stalker that I met last night - Johnny {Kristy's brother}! I had no idea that he read my blog! Kristy introduced me but he said "Oh yah, I know you from your blog!" hahaha He's funny! It was great to meet you Johnny! LOVED your monk costume!