It's Christmas Time

It's that time of year again; parties, food, friends, family, more food. I love the spirit of the season and the happiness it brings to my children. But I have to say that it is a bit stressful for me. Trying to find that perfect gift, trying to not spend a ton of money on stuff we don't really need, and hoping everyone will like what I slaved over picking out. But now that all the shopping is done and all of the packages sent I can relax and just enjoy.

On Saturday we got to go see the Tabernacle Choir in their Christmas program. It was beautiful. There is nothing like a trip to Temple Square to feel the Christmas Spirit. And as a bonus we ran into Michael McLean and chatted for a moment.

Our ward Christmas party was this week also and I think Lyndie entertained the whole ward when she screamed hysterically when Santa came bursting into the room and she couldn't find me. I figured that ruined any chance of her sitting on his lap. But a friend of mine tricked her and we did the 1,2,3 take a picture quick routine. The problem is that Lyndie holds a grudge and may never sit on Santa's lap again. But it does make for a great picture, screaming and all.

This was just after the big bearded man crashed the party.

I was the proud owner of a lamb and two angels.

Grace always loves a good party.

Why do we like to do this to our children?

My Favorite Holiday

I absolutely love Halloween! I have always liked to dress up for Halloween (although this was the first year I have dressed up since I've been married thanks to a persistent friend). Even though things get crazy busy on Halloween I just love being out with the rest of the town enjoying a walk or drive around the neighborhood. We have been wanting to go trick or treating to G&G E's neighborhood for a long time. This was the year! It was a nice change of pace. Elk Ridge trick-or-treating is a great workout (all those hills). Me and my sister-in-law Kristen took 10 kids ages 2-12 (Our husbands were busy hunting). The kids were done and worn out by 8:00pm. I don't think we have ever quit that early, but it was kind of nice. Not too much candy (not a big fan of wrappers all over).

Grace the Vampire's Wife, Olivia "ANNIE", and

Molly the 80's Cheerleader. Her Pom Poms

were each the size of a large beach ball.

Olivia's Kindergarten Halloween Party

My shirt and shoes were my friends D.I. find.

Oh the things you can find at the D.I. I had about

ten minutes to come up with the rest of my costume.

My skirt is one of Tony's t-shirts cinched at the

bottom. And thank goodness I hung onto my old

Disneyland ears. I'm only creative in a crunch.

Yes all ten kids are crammed in front of that door.

We had been trying for weeks to get Lyndie to try

on her lady bug costume with no luck. So just before

leaving to Trick-or-Treat, I forced it on her while she

kicked and screamed. As soon as I let her down and

she saw herself in the mirror she totally struck a pose.

I guess our theme for the night was RED.

Not on purpose. I didn't notice the theme

until we were done trick-or-treating.

Fall is Fabulous

Every fall as gardening starts to wind down and the weather cools, we leave the valley and venture to the mountains for fire wood. This is an activity I never did as a child. We didn't have a wood burning stove because my dad had not so fun childhood memories of having to haul wood and ashes. I am with him with the ashes but I LOVE going to cut wood. The mountains this time of year are so majestic. It is so peaceful (aside from the crazy loud chain saw). I love how slow paced life seems in the mountains. Sometimes I think I would have liked to be a pioneer; slow pace of life and hard work. I think we have so many unnecessary distractions these days. Until the last five years or so I was such a city girl wanna be. I always wanted to live close to shopping and my neighbors. But now living rural again I have come to appreciate the quiet, no traffic, "everybody knows your name" kind of life. It is great for my kids too!

How cute is that!

Tony loves his chainsaw! He cut

enough wood this day to fill our

truck and long bed trailer.

With all of her sisters in school, Lyndie gets to

join us. She has the best time puttering finding

bugs, spiders, sticks, rocks, etc.

(Who says we need a son?)

Buurrrrrr! It's cold outside.

Olivia didn't have school today so I decided to take her to the park and snap some pictures. It was maybe not such a great idea. She had on short sleeves and it was only 42 degrees outside. She was a REALLY good sport right up until I asked her to lay down on a cold concrete bridge. WARNING: The following picture is not for the weak of stomach. But I just had to catch the moment. So funny!!

Dolls Anyone?

Now that it is getting close to Christmas I just have to give a plug for the cutest doll company. If you have girls you have to take a look. They are so cute!! There are even dolls for little boys. They are so life like and have great texture and weight. The distributor is out of Spanish Fork. So check it out and get some of your Christmas shopping done early. I promise your girls will love them! http://sugarnspicebabydolls.blogspot.com/

What do you do with all that Zucchini?

I found the greatest recipe ever for all of that abundant zucchini that you either grow in your garden or that magically appears on your front porch each fall. I made this recipe and shared it with many people and everyone was fooled. It is an apple crisp type recipe but instead of apples you use zucchini. Tony's cop buddies horked it down and then when Tony told them it was zucchini they asked what apple product I added to it (maybe apple juice or apple sauce). Try it. I guarantee everyone will like it and will have no idea that it is made of zucchini unless you tell them.

Zucchini "Apple" Crisp

8 cups of zucchini, core and slice in apple-like chunks

3/4 cup lemon juice

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 cups flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine

Place zucchini and lemon juice in large sauce pan. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until tender, about 15 min. Add 1 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.

To prepare crust:

Combine flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and margarine. Pat 3/4's of the mixture into 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.

Pour zucchini mix over baked crust. It will be runny. Top with remaining crust mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes more.

Recipe from www.lanierbb.com/recipes

My First Tag

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you, Rachael
2. Post the rules on your website.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.

Here are my 6 random things:

1. I LOVE Jazzercise!! And if you think it is for old ladies you haven't been. It's hot, it's happenin, and you get in shape while having fun and making friends. I love being active, it makes me feel alive. Now if only I liked to run.

2. Some day I would like to build my own house with my own two hands. It is so satisfying to accomplish a diy project and look at it thinking "Wow I did that." Tiling and drywall are my favorites. It is all especially fun when I work along side my hubby. We did our roof together this spring and it was a blast. Good times.

3. I used to really dislike winter. But now that I have 2 acres to weed, I really look forward to the cold taking care of the weeds for a few months while I keep warm next to my wood burning stove.

4. Music moves me. I love to sing. I love to dance. My spirit is lifted by music. It brings joy into our home.

5. I really love a good sale or clearance rack. The better the deal on an item the more I like that item. It isn't as easy to find deals now that I live rural so now I have moved to the internet to shop. Free shipping is the best. It's just sad how much I look forward to a new week of sales at the grocery store.

6. My daughter Molly informed me the other day that I am a machine with a broken on/off switch; I never take a break. This is good and bad. I hope to teach my children a good work ethic and that you can do anything with hard work. But I really have to work at not neglecting my children when I am cleaning, weeding, gardening, organizing, or doing any other of my wifely, motherly duties.

I tag Leanne and Lyndsay

Two Already?

Why is it that as you get older time doesn't last as long as it used to? I am in complete shock that my baby is two. I wish there were a pill to slow down their growing older. At this rate I will be sending them all off to college next year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNDIE!!

Back to School

Excitement Is In The Air

Molly- age 11

Grace- age 9

Olivia- age 5

Olivia and Grace had to get all of their crazies out before school.

The day started with the good old school bus.

*BIG Middle Schooler*

Olivia was way excited to be at school.

Mom and Dad were thinking, "Already?"

Olivia was thinking, "Finally!"