LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN

Britton has been asking for this Hedbanz game forever. On Christmas eve, as I was coming downstairs after putting Ashlynn to bed, this was the scene. I BURST OUT laughing:) It is kind of a silly/dumb game, but funny. The Hedbanz on everyone's heads are definitely good for a laugh.

This Christmas I did an AWFUL job taking pictures. Christmas morning I was just too involved with kids that the camera wasn't thought about. We did manage to snap a quick one as we were running (literally) out the door to church.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is when we do the Nativity. We have this program written with the scriptures from Luke, with songs in between. The kids' choices of costumes this year cracked me up. The baby Jesus could use some work. Ashlynn felt her new LaLaLoopsy was a perfect choice however.

I especially LOVED when the ANGEL appeared to the shepherds & they were sore afraid.

One day, when Ashlynn came across the Bass Pro Shop add, this tent was in it. From that day on, she has been so happy that Santa was going to bring her THAT tent. I thought it was kind of a weird idea. Santa, however, listened to the child. Wise choice. SHE LOVES IT!!!! She wants to sleep in it every night & plays in it constantly.

This is the most amazing Christmas break. It has been near 50 degree temps almost everyday. It was warm enough the other day that Alyssa took Ashlynn to the park to play. The boys play football outside everyday. The boys are praying for snow. (Santa brought them snowboards. So snow would be useful). I however will take this weather any day. I am LOVING IT:)

PROJECT MONTH

Pretzel Making
This project is NOT so fun with a 3 year old--UNLESS, of course, you ask the 3 year old:) I guess in the grand scheme of things, that's what matters most anyways. I quickly realized that I was in WAY OVER my head with Ashlynn & SPRINKLES. I quickly put away the chocolate, sprinkles, & pretzels. I let Ashlynn dip a few pretzels and I then put it all away. Ashlynn was happy & I will be happy when I get to make them while she is sound in her bed:)

SUGAR COOKIES

Why I LOVE PICTURES!!!!

(They make us forget the stressful strain of the moment and remember the fairy tale:)
Luckily my mind works the same way LOL
SO on this day I truly complained. I was so bugged about cleaning the kitchen when I was cleaning it. (AJ did help, but her clean is a little different from mine :) I was bugged that we used 3 batches of ingredients to get 1 batch of cookies. I was irritated that my plans were put on hold for the evening because I had to help with this project that wasn't even mine. Yes, I sound like an AWFUL person. Then I look at these pictures a week later. By then, I have forgotten the stuff I wrote above and write what the pictures make me remember--I was not bugged at all...
I LOVE how this month is so full of baking & crafting. The other day, Alyssa's pregnant English teacher was craving sugar cookies. Being the gem she is, Alyssa decided to come home & make her those cookies. I had spent the day shining the kitchen and the real estate appraiser was coming, so I told her NO:( The next day she asked, can I make them today? I reluctantly said YES. You see, I have made sugar cookies many times. I know the MESS they make. I didn't want my kitchen messy so soon after I deep cleaned it.

After 2 batches of MESSED UP cookies, I decided I had better find out why her cookies were NOT turning out. I am still not sure. Perhaps it was some unseen force or freak of nature or bad karma- wanting to TOTALLY destroy my clean kitchen. I entered my now messy kitchen, looked at these 2 girls' happy faces, listened to the Christmas music in the background & HAPPILY helped put together a batch that worked. I also taught Alyssa a few tips on sugar cookie making. Then I just took in the moment.

I know these pictures probably all look the same to everyone except ME. I, however, love how involved each one is. I love the care Alyssa is putting into something she is doing for a pregnant teacher who is craving cookies. I Love the joy of the moment that is in Ashlynn's eyes.

The kitchen cleaned up quick enough-Truthfully the mess was so worth the captured moments (;
I love that Alyssa wanted to do cookies so I can check that off my Christmas to-do list early this month:) I Love the special feeling that feels the air with the magic of Christmas!

TARGET
I have found this adorable Mac-n-Cheese only at Target--So worth a trip to the store, don't ya think?

Watchamacallit JARS

I LOVE this website. I had decided to do these jars just for fun. However, I could never find a convenient time to do them. I decided to make them a project for the younger kids to do while the older kids were gone. They LOVED it (the jars, not the kids being gone). I thought they did a pretty darn good job.


These are the finished products.
Peppermint krispies


That same day we became BORED yet again. So when the home teachers called to say they were coming the following day, we decided to make them a treat. I thought this

recipe looked pretty tasty. It's also a really easy, fun recipie to have the kids help with. (FYI... we kept getting bored due to the fact we were home without a car. J.D. was hunting. the other car was in the shop & it was freezing outside. We r not usually bored so often. It turned out to b a great day)

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE

Every night before Ashlynn will go to sleep she Must here the "Temple song." Every Monday night she begs to sing the "Temple song." Around when Ashlynn turned 3 my sister Trisha was getting married in the Idaho Falls Temple. My sister Jana made Ashlynn an adorable little dress for her birthday she was so EXCITED to wear it & has called it her "Temple dress" since that day. Ashlynn LOVED waiting with TONS of family & friends for Trisha to come out of the Temple. She has had a LOVE for the Temple ever since that day. The other day when my visiting teacher brought her home from playing she mentioned how Ashlynn & Alexa were packing up & pretending to go to the Temple. I thought that was ADORABLE.
Ashlynn is always telling us how she just wants to go to the Temple so when I found this cute craft on this website I wanted to make it for her for Christmas. I think she will LOVE it. Thanks to my Awesome husband I was able to get the wood cut out & the picture on straight. I LOVE how willing he is to help me with all crazy projects I come up with:)

HOLIDAY FUN

The other night for Family Home Evening, I thought it would be fun to make the Nativity paper dolls I found on this website. The first 10 minutes were SUPER fun. The kids were smiling the atmosphere was happy. We were in what you would call a "LEAVE IT TO BEAVER" moment. A MOMENT is about all it lasted. So as kids are starting to get on each others nerves I'm thinking "LORI FIX THIS". Keep the moment. It was NOT to be:( I sent J.D. to the store to get treats. By the time he returns, 1/2 the kids have left and the other 1/2 are complaining they hate to color. I colored on a face as all the children laughed and ask where I received my skills :) Daxon fixed most the faces.He draws faces very well. Daxon also colored the manger & I must say he took great care in making sure it was JUST RIGHT. We called all the kiddos back to the kitchen to finish up the project & glue on all the final touches. It was fun but I think we will leave it for a more crafty family next time:)
Alyssa's favorite time of the evening
Alyssa-Mom what are you doing?
Mom-Coloring Christmas lights
Alyssa-Mom The Nativity did not have Christmas lights:)

O CHRISTMAS TREE
SO we went to get a tree the other night. The kids are SO very excited. we get to the store & I don't really love any of the trees. I suggest we wait & go cut one down the next day. They are on a MISSION & want one TONIGHT!!!! SO we go to Lowes it is so dark we can't see them very well. This adventure that is suppose to be exciting & fun. Due to me wanting a tree that looks a certain way is turning out NOT SO FUN;(
REALITY CHECK
Riley from the back of the car says, "YA know when I have kids I am going to make this fun... I am going to let my kids pick out WHATEVER tree they want & decorate it however they want." We went back to the first store they picked out the TALLEST tree they could find )that was the only criteria) :) and they were HAPPY as could be & we were on our way. Daxon did most the lights & the kids all loved just throwing ornaments wherever they wanted & Riley was right==it was the funnest we have ever had decorating a tree!

Sunday Entertainment
Sunday Ashlynn was so bored, as were the boys, so I decided to do the what I call "POOR MAN" gingerbread houses. It was great & no one seemed to care that it was whatever I could find in the cupboard & NOT candy. Ashlynn thought she was in HEAVEN. She actually made 2 of them. it kept her entertained for at least an hour & a half. I loved it because I didn't feel bad trowing it away the next day & I kinda don't love having the ones with candy lying around my house all season long cluttering up the place. I guess you could say it was a win win.

Love this BOOK

Checked this out at the library. If you haven't read it & want to laugh you should get it. It is ADORABLE & so funny yet thoughtful at the same time. LOVED IT!