Christmas Morning

This year we decided to get a family gift. I actually talked Scott into getting a Wii. He has been against getting a game system for the family since he thought that our kids would just get addicted. Which they probably still will! My big push was that at least with a Wii the kids would be up and moving around. Plus our kids just go off to friends houses and play their Wii. Now friends can come here as well and play Wii. We just need to set rules and limits!
Anyways...I love watching the kids open their presents. There wasn't a lot to open since we got them the Wii, but they still had fun. Caleb got his cowboy hat from Santa, which he was so excited. Emma got two Hannah Montana barbies from Santa, which she was a little disappointed since she asked him for a DS. When she saw Caleb's hat she thought Santa definitely brought the DS. I just explained that Santa knew that we were getting a Wii for them and didn't want to overload the electronics. Santa is so smart! All the kids loved their quilts. They have dragged them everywhere they go around the house. Joshua can't stop thanking me for his quilt. It actually feels really nice to see the quilts getting used. The kids each got pajamas as well. They get a pair every year and that's usually the gift they open on Christmas eve so when they wake up on Christmas morning they have on their new jammies. They've totally caught on and were asking on Christmas eve when they were going to open their pajamas. I hadn't wrapped presents yet so I just went in and got them. They were still surprised and happy. Caleb's of course were cowboy jammies. We saved the Wii for the last present and let them all open it together. They were really surprised and so excited. I was excited for this present since the kids would never have guess that they would get a Wii. But then a couple days before Christmas, Joshua went in where I was hiding the presents and saw the Guitar Hero that I got. He got all excited and told everyone else that we bought a Wii. Quick thinking dad told them that we were just keeping that here for some friends and we were hiding it from them because they would spoil the surprise. I was pretty sad that they almost ruined the surprise!
We had Grandma, Grandpa and Natalie over for dinner. It was so yummy! After dinner Scott and Joshua opened their gift from Grandpa. He brought them a 22 and a pellet gun. Now mom is not too thrilled about the boys having guns and not very thrilled that grandpa didn't talk to us about it first. But the guns were Great-Grandpa's and that makes it a little more special. They are locked away from little hands so I feel safe. Afterwards Scott and dad watched the Laker game and everyone else watched Kung Fu Panda. Then we got together to play Wii. We all bowled. It was so much fun. Even dad gets a great laugh out of it. I think he'll have as much fun as the kids. My arm is actually sore from playing Christmas night and then yesterday. All in all it was a great day!

Finally Finished

Scott's blanket.


Emma's quilt.

These were the last two blankets that I needed to make for Christmas. I made Scott's on Christmas eve morning and finished the binding for Emma's quilt Christmas eve after I finished Scott's. Talk about waiting 'til the last second. I was actually stressed about quilting Emma's quilt. I haven't done anything but straight lines. The boys' quilts have stars in the borders, but hey they are still straight lines. Emma's quilt is cutesy with big blocks so I wanted something quilted that was cute. I finally just did it. I quilted big flowers in the blocks and the sashing and borders are quilted with wavy lines. It turned out pretty cute and Emma loves her quilt. That's what matters most.

Since we bought a family gift this year Scott and I decided that we would just spend about $20 on each other on something meaningful. I decided to make Scott a blanket. I would've made him a quilt if I wasn't going crazy making everyone else one. Plus that would've been more than $20, not that he's not worth it! :) So, my friend had made a rag quilt but had done long strips instead of cutting a bunch of squares. I thought it looked really nice, so I decided that's what I would make Scott. I think it turned out pretty good except for the one mistake I made. The rows are supposed to be alternating and I messed up on one. If I don't point it out to Scott he will never know! I was so rushed that day (and sick) I just couldn't pick it out and re-do it. Oh, well...it's done!

More Snow

Joshua messing around while Scott shovels.



Scott shoveling his half of the driveway.


Joshua's turn to shovel.


Good Buddies


Caleb thinks it's a good idea to play in the snow in his pajamas.


Much better!


Emma in only her jammies too. What are they thinking?!?!


Much better!

We got more snow this week-end. It snowed like crazy on Saturday. I wish it had snowed more. There is just enough to go out and play. The kids have a blast in the snow. This time Emma and Caleb didn't even bother to get all dressed warm to play. They looked like two nuts out there in their pajamas. Of course I made them go in and get something warmer on! Scott and Joshua are in charge of shoveling the driveway. One is more willing than the other. And of course we only have one shovel so they have to take turns which I think makes it worse. You might notice an extra fuzzy dog in the picture with Caleb. That's not Mia. We had to go and save this puppy from a family that had adopted her from us. This is one of Mia's puppies. She was going to be taken to the pound. Appartently she 'malled' the two year old of the family. Since we've had her, she has been nothing but perfect! She's a great little dog. In my opinion she must have been tormented by that little girl, who, by the way, doesn't have a mark on her. It is very tempting to keep her, but we have found her a new family who will be getting her right before Christmas to give to their kids for a present. I think Mia will be glad to have her gone. They get along and have fun playing, but I don't think Mia likes sharing us with another dog. Anywho...I hope we get more snow!

Visit with Santa

We had our Ward Christmas party last Saturday and of course Santa came to visit with the kids. Emma and Caleb were the only two that wanted to sit on Santa's lap. I tried to get Scott and Josh to go in but they wouldn't. That would be so 'uncool'. Whatever! So Santa asked Caleb what he wanted for Christmas and he said a cowboy hat. Perfect! Emma asked for a DS. Not so perfect. Oh, well. One out of two isn't so bad. I think everyone will be happy with what Santa brings this year!

Fun Gifts

Every year I stress trying to come up with a fun , cute teacher gift for my kids teachers. This year I was at Sams Club with a friend and we saw a huge lot of hot chocolate mixes in different flavors. Then we saw these cute bags in the dollar spot at Target. Gotta love Target! The snow flakes are embroidered on...so cute! Anyway...so I got a mug, put one of each flavor of hot chocolate in the mug and added candy canes and hershey kisses. It was quick and easy. The teachers were thrilled!

Snow Fun

Our first real snow of the year. It started snowing on Saturday, but that didn't really do anything but leave some ice on the roads for Sunday. Now today it has started to snow again. There are nice big flakes coming down. I love the snow and hope we get lots. Of course I don't have to drive in it so I can say that. Of course the kids have to get all their snow gear on and play the second they see a snow flake coming out of the sky. It's kinda cute, but at the same time, it takes longer to put all the stuff on than it does for them to play out there. Emma and Caleb have already come back inside because "it's too cold". What can you do?!?! Mia loves to be outside with the kids, but obviously is too cold and is hiding in her dog house. Smart girl...even smarter if she would come to the door and ask to come back in. Duh! I guess I should go find Joshua. When Emma and Caleb came in they said that they were playing hide & go seek. I should probably tell Josh that no one is looking for him.

Decorating the Tree

We finally put up the Christmas tree Monday night. I usually have all the decorations up the week-end after Thanksgiving. Things have just been crazy and time's going by too fast. The kids had lots of fun putting the decorations on the tree. They are getting to the point where they can just do it themselves. I just kinda supervised and moved some of Caleb's around since he tends to put five ornaments on one branch. I still like decorating the tree so of course I need to help. It's fun to watch the kids decorating. I think they did a pretty good job. Then Wednesday I finally got all the other decorations up. So now we look a little more festive. I love Christmas time! The hard part is trying to instill in the kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

Last Game

Last Saturday was the last basketball game. We are soooo excited to finally have this season over! The team only won one game out of seven. Losing of course is not all that bad. It's when you lose like 40-4 and 50-5 and stuff like that. We got slaughtered most games. This last game we were hoping to win, but we didn't. Oh well! They did play good this last game. And I think Scott has had fun, which is the most important part. I'm just thankful for full weeks not interrupted by practices! Now Joshua wants to play basketball during the winter season. I just don't know if that'll happen. By the way, Scott's team is maroon. He was excited to throw free throws, which he made.

Twilight

I finally went to see Twilight last night...and I loved it! I was really worried about going to see this movie because I loved the books. I was worried that the movie just wouldn't cut it. I think they did a pretty good job and most of the characters fit my imagination. Can't wait to see what they come up with with the next ones. There will be more right?!?!?! Book two would be interesting to see how they do that one!

Making a Gingerbread House - Unsuccessfully!

This is the gift that we were given by Natalie, Scott's sister, from our family gift exchange. What a fun idea! Here we are starting the gingerbread house with high hopes that it would look great.


Dad helping Caleb.


Scott and Emma underway decorating their side.


Joshua having fun with his side, but frustrated because everything keeps falling off.


Us together after the house crumbled down. Oh well...maybe we'll have to learn better for next time.


This is our poor finished product. It kept falling apart so we gave up. The kids dove in and started devouring the 'house'. We had fun doing it together though. So sad I know! :@(


This is Scott eating his side of the house.


Joshua not minding the fun ending early so he could just eat it.


Emma eating her side.


Caleb just wanted the candy.

Thanksgiving Fun

We started the day by playing a game of Monopoly with Grandma. It was a fun game, but of course Scott won. It's sooooo competitive with him, it drives me nuts! We went over to Scott's dads house for Thanksgiving after we played and I baked what I needed to make. It took a while for the turkey to bake, so we waited a while for dinner. Everything was so good. There was lots of family there...it was fun to see everyone. Of course the kids had a blast playing with their cousins. After dinner we did our gift exchange. The kids exchanged names with each other and the adults exchanged families and then made the gift. Then the kids got a handmade gift from Grandpa and Grammy. Scott and Joshua got Indian yoyos and Caleb got a big set of blocks. Emma got an apron. So cute! Our family got a homemade gingerbread house kit. What a great idea! Now we can have fun together making it! It was such a fun day! We were beat when we got home.

Then today I went back over to Grandpa & Grammy's house to spend more time with family. The guys went paintballing. Scott and Joshua actually got to go. They were so excited that their uncles would take them along. (Scott had to go into work for a little while). He did end up going for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I just wish I could've been there to take pictures. they had a blast! The girls stayed home to make a fun craft that Jodell got for all of us. I should post a picture, it's really nice. We ended up staying until about eight or so. We brought a few cousins home with us for a sleepover. The fun just doesn't stop! It has been a great couple of days!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Of course this day always brings up 'what are you thankful for?'. Then I always ponder on the things that I am thankful for. Then I think, shouldn't I do this all the time not just on Thanksgiving? Now I'm not saying that I never think about the things that I am grateful for, because I do! So I thought I would post some of the things that I am especially thankful for. First and foremost I am thankful for my family. I am blessed with a loving husband and four great (most of the time) kids. I have a wonderful extended family. My mom is one of my best friends and I love that she cares about us greatly. I have great in-laws! Some we get to see often. Sadly we don't get to see Scott's mom often enough though...wish we were closer! I grew up with one brother. Now I have three brother-in-laws and eight sister-in-laws...and then their families. I'm grateful that six out of those families are here and we get to spend Thanksgiving together. It'll be crazy, but we'll be together. Just wish everyone could be here. I am grateful for wonderful friends. Some are far away and I miss them a bunch! I am grateful that we have a roof over our heads and are provided for. I am grateful for my hobbies that help keep me sane! I am extremely grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love knowing that I am a daughter of God and that He loves me and is looking out for me. So these are just some of the things that I am grateful for. I'm sure I could keep going, but then I might be here all night and I am looking forward to that turkey dinner! So what are you grateful for?

New Hobby

I learned how to embroider one night during an Enrichment. I've always wanted to learn and was excited when they taught it. I got this pattern a while back and have made it once before and framed it. This time I tried making it into a pillow. I have a few small pillows that are embroidered and figured that I could do that! I love embroidering...it's kinda relaxing. And making it into a pillow was fun. I think it turned out pretty well for my first try. We are having a family gift exchange tomorrow and we were supposed to make our gift. I hope they like it.

More Quilts

This is the same quilt that I made earlier, just a little different. The quilts that I have been making are out of fat quarters so I cut Scott's and Joshua's quilt out at the same time. This quilt has a darker border. I think I like this one better. I'm just excited that I have three out of the four quilts done for Christmas. I hope they like them. The pattern for this is Crows Fence Lap Quilt.

I took a break from the kids Christmas quilts and decided to make this quilt. I previously made a quilt out of this fabric, but it's still a UFO (un-finished object). I love the colors. Of course the picture doesn't do it justice! This one was really easy but for some reason I had a hard time when I put the blocks together. The top was always smaller than the bottom. It got a little tiring! But it all worked out and it only took a week to complete. This pattern is called Lincoln Logs Lap Quilt.