daily december: 30

We ended our week of partying and game playing with another get together with Keri's family. Colin is still sleeping on my couch and Mom and Dad are leaving tomorrow morning. I put my new tablecloth from my Mom and the table and it looked awesome. You can see the corner of it here.
Dave was particularly happy with this round of games because he won all but one. I'm sad everyone is leaving and my house will go back to being quiet (and clean, haha). We've had such a wonderful week. We feel so blessed.

daily december: 29

In general, I would consider myself a non-shopper. I really detest clothes shopping because I hate trying things on. I also don't like to spend money on clothes that probably won't fit for very long. My wardrobe is rather pathetic as a result. On the other hand, take me shopping for home decor and I am all over that! Today, Mom, Keri and I went out in search of the after Christmas sales at Tai Pan, The Basket Loft, Wood We Ever, and IKEA. I bought several things at Tai Pan (love that store!). When we got to Wood We Ever, I spotted the pictures I absolutely had to have for my kitchen. Of course as with most perfect things, the price was insane. Definitely not on sale. My mom, who knows I don't get excited about many things like that, told me I better just get them or I'd always wish I had. It didn't take all that much convincing. My dad risked life and limb to get them hung up over the stairs and I am thrilled! They look wonderful and make such a difference in the kitchen. Dave, bless his heart, only gasped ever so slightly at the cost but is happy for me. This is a picture of them but believe me they look ever so much more fantabulous in real life.

daily december: 28

I have a new favorite game called San Juan. It is not too long or complicated. It is a card game which I am discovering I rather prefer. We have played several times over the last few days and I really enjoy it. I'm totally willing to play which is really saying something.

Keri and family came back down to my house tonight since Mom, Dad and Colin are still here. Dave, Colin and Evan are planning to stay up all night to play Starcraft. Vacation is so fun.

daily december: 27

Nathan has a fascination with scissors and cutting things other than paper. I have taken all the scissors and hidden them. Nathan, smart boy that he is, remembered another pair in the hair cutting kit in my bathroom. He climbed on a stool and then into the cabinet and managed to pull it down. He then proceeded to give himself a hair cut.

If that weren't bad enough, he gave his little neighbor friend a haircut too! AGH!!!! How does he do this? I seriously checked on him not five minutes before this. Thankfully, my neighbor laughed when I brought her daughter home but I still feel terrible. At least she didn't end up with a total boy haircut like Emma did at that age. And thankfully, hair does grow.

daily december: 26

Tonight, we hosted 39 people from my extended family. We had lots of different kinds of yummy soup, rolls and my Aunt Laurie's awesome chocolates. What a party! There were games being played in three rooms, video games on one TV, a movie on another and Emma even managed to keep Sawyer downstairs happily playing in the playroom. I am so glad that Dave and I can host get-togethers like this. I am even more glad that my family actually wants to have them and seems to genuinely enjoy being together.

daily december: 25

Dave "sacrificed" and got up before any of the kids to make sure no one got any sneak peeks. Emma was the first up and they played Warcraft together. When Sawyer woke up around 8:30, Emma got to go and wake up everybody else. We were so glad that Mom, Dad and Colin were here with us this morning. We are not ready to do this on our own yet. I have dispensed with the tradition of eating a banana before opening presents but we still line up by age and go in all together.
Santa doesn't wrap his presents and for some reason he also does not know how to spell. Emmmmah, Sleighde, Naythun, and Saayur all were thrilled to see what he brought. Emma got a new nightstand and CD player (I didn't get a picture of her with it though), Slade a pirate ship, Nathan a scooter, and Sawyer a Little People car thing.
It is very important to me that opening presents is not a free for all. Dave, just like my dad always did, hands out the presents so that there were only one or two being opened at a time. There also must be lots of hugs given to the giver.
I decided to put the camera down and just enjoy the festivities so I didn't take very many pictures. Here are a few.
After we opened presents, we had Scotch eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast (sausage wrapped around a hard boiled egg, baked and then served with white sauce). Dave's family always had a big breakfast and that is the one tradition that Dave really cares about continuing. In my family, on the other hand, Mom did not want to do any cooking on Christmas so she just set out lots of goodies and we got to eat whatever we wanted. It is a tradition I whole heartedly continue. At one point, Slade asked Dave if he could have another piece of candy. Dave said, "Of course. It's Christmas." Slade with wide eyes then said, "You mean I can have anything I want?" and then squealed in delight at Dave's confirmation of that. Isn't Christmas great?

Mom, Dad and Colin headed up to Keri's for the afternoon. All of Dave's family then came over to party. I didn't want to cook so everyone brought an appetizer and treat to share. We played board games and Wii games, ate food, lazed around and had a great time. And I didn't take one single picture!

The day was really wonderful. We felt blessed to be surrounded by family. I think the Savior would be happy that His birth was celebrated in such a way. At least I hope so. I am so grateful that He came. That Mary, who being so young and far from home must have been terrified, was there in Bethlehem with Joseph, to bring love embodied into the world. I am even more grateful for the man that baby became, my Savior and Redeemer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

daily december: 24

I took pictures for a friend this morning and was so sad to discover that the lens that I took about half of the pictures with is totally broken! I even had tested it before I went. Not a great session for me.

I came home to join in on the Christmas Eve prep. Emma helped my mom make rolls.
I also got a great pie tutorial from Mom. Mostly, I really enjoyed the fact that I wasn't stressed about anything.

We celebrated tonight with my parents, my brother Colin, Dave's parents and his sister Katie's family. We enjoyed good food, a Memory Game, hearing my dad's rendition of The Littlest Angel, and watching the short and sweet Nativity movie from the Church.
The Daniels and Katie left about 8:00 and we finished up with a letter to Santa and new PJs.
Dave and I opened a present from Emma because I hadn't thought to get something for Dave and me. My mom had taken her to Ross where she very carefully selected a shirt for both of us. Mom was impressed with how thoughtful she was about it and how well she knew our likes and dislikes. She was so totally excited to give them to us.
My parents got sweatshirts with our family picture on it. Nathan and Slade climbed up on Grandpa's lap and took turns pointing out all the aunts, uncles and cousins.
We got the kids to bed at a rather decent time which was a good thing since there was lots to be done. It was really nice to have Grandpa and Colin there to help with putting things together. Mom made my life easier by working in the kitchen, cleaning up and making cheeseball for tomorrow. Sawyer woke up from all the racket and got to join in the fun for a while.

daily december: 23

My sister, Keri invited us up to her house tonight to see her wonderful Christmas decorations. Santas, mermaids with Santa hats, villages, garland, trees and lots of lights (thanks to Michael).
We all enjoyed the evening. We rushed out of there so that we could beat my mom and dad to my house, only to find out later that they decided to stop at Keri's first. When they did make it over we stayed up way too late talking, laughing and rehashing our forever long Sacrament meeting program (it lasted for an hour and a half this morning!). We Slades do love to critique. Even until 2:30 in the morning.

daily december: 22

Saturday morning at our house usually involves blitzing the house. We work together and move through the house counter clockwise. We pick up, dust, and vacuum and then I usually do a quick scrub of the bathrooms. At the most, it all takes an hour and that is if the house is really a disaster.

We then all finished putting the neighbor goody plates together.
Dave took the older kids to deliver the plates and then they went sledding. He was sure they would only last for fifteen minutes but it was a bit longer than that. My grand plan was to get lots of work done while they were gone and Sawyer napped. Instead, Sawyer took a really short nap and Dave came home before I got much of anything done. So it goes.

We were able to take the kids swimming in the afternoon. The water was wonderfully warm and I think all had a good time, including me, which is saying a lot! We hurried home to watch our Cougars play and in true BYU fashion just squeak by with the win. Go Cougars!

daily december: 21

The Christmas shopping is done! Including the grocery shopping for the three get-togethers we are hosting. Hurray!

Dave took the day off work so we took the kids shopping for each other first thing this morning. "First thing" isn't exactly early at our house. Lately the kids haven't been waking up until 9. We're going to have to work on that after the holidays. We headed over to Target. Dave took Slade and Sawyer and I got Nathan and Emma. We picked our presents out quickly and I headed up to the registers only to realize that Dave had my purse. Let me tell you, it is not easy to find someone in the middle of the Christmas rush at Target. Eventually, I did find him back in the Toys dealing with a frustrating Slade and a tired Sawyer. Sadly, Dave's shopping experience was not filled with peace and joy, the spirit of giving, or anything resembling fun. Repeat my mantra, Dave--they won't be little forever, they won't be little forever, they won't be little forever.

Dave took the kids home and I headed down to the DMV in Provo to renew our vehicle registrations. Only two months late. The Friday before Christmas was a great time to go. No lines. I spent the next two hours getting all the rest of the shopping done at The Organization Place, Funfinity, back to Target and finally the grocery store. I'm out of places to stash gifts so I put them all in the seldom used hall bathroom.

We planned to be cool parents and take the kids swimming tonight. In fact we were all in swim suits, ready to go, when Dave decided to call one more time to check that it was open. Nope. AGH!!! How do you explain such a turn of events to little ones? Such disappointment. Anyhow, we will probably go tomorrow. Instead, we watched Christmas movies, ate popcorn and the kids are now sleeping by the tree.


3 more days....

daily december: 20

Dave is home from Boise to stay! I made it through ten weeks. BARELY!

My wonderful sister in law, Katie, offered to take the kids tonight so Dave and I could go on a date. We we went out to dinner and then made a mad dash over to Walmart for a few Christmas items. It is so much easier to mad dash without kids. I am also happy to report that Sawyer did not cry the whole time at Katie's. I'm sure it helped that Emma was there but perhaps there is improvement with his separation issues on the horizon.

The holidays are here. My husband is home. Happy, happy day.

daily december: 19

I spent much of the day baking treats for neighbor gift plates. Peppermint bark, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies and fudge. I'm also spent much of the day thinking there must be an easier way! Dave tells me that we should give them something non-treat so I can avoid the baking altogether. I don't like that idea because I want to receive treats so I feel I must give treats. One of our neighbors brought over homemade caramels, chocolates and toffee! So delicious, I was very sad I had to share. Next year, I think I may have to simplify though. I think my mom made a whole slew of pumpkin rolls one year. That could be fun. Any ideas? Or maybe next year I will only make the peppermint bark because it is super simple. But knowing me, I won't be satisfied with simple.

PEPPERMINT BARK

1 pkg. candy canes, unwrapped and crushed
4 cups white chocolate (something with cocoa butter in it)
1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 bag milk chocolate chips

Spread milk chocolate chips on cookie sheet. Place in warm oven to melt (2-5 minutes). Spread with spatula to smooth. Place in freezer to set for about 10 minutes. Melt white chocolate in double boiler on stovetop (I just use a stainless steel bowl set over a pan over simmering water). Stir until smooth. Add peppermint extract. Spread over milk chocolate layer. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.

daily december: 18

Remember the Holdman's? They are finalists in the KFC Festive Fanatics competition. How cool is that? Voting goes until the 20th.


ETA: I have been having trouble connecting to the internet so this post was totally delayed in getting posted. The competition is now over and THEY WON!!!!

daily december: 17

I embraced imperfection today which is a very hard thing for me to do. Instead of making my lab redo the Christmas cards they messed up, I decided to just use them anyway. Instead of reprinting half of our Christmas newsletters on which there was a typo, I stuck them in the envelope and sent them on their merry way. So imperfect though they may be, our Christmas cards are in the mail! Hugs from our house to yours...

Also, I must say that I am not receiving nearly as many cards as I should be from all you friends and family! Come on, people, I need some happiness in my mailbox!

daily december: 16

After meetings, church, tithing settlement, and more meetings, Dave headed off to Boise again and I was ready to just sit and do nothing. So we did. We watched these Christmas movies, ate popcorn and beef jerkey, and snuggled on the couch.
It thrills me that these movies from way back when still appeal to my children. It was totally awesome to hear their deep belly laughs during Home Alone. When these were both over and they should totally have been in bed, we watched part of last year's Christmas Around the World which was on KBYU. My kids still totally don't get how the TV works and so I get requests like this, "Mom, put on the Irish dance" or "Skip this part".

I'm a little panicked that there are so few days left before Christmas. Most things are done but not all. Yikes!

daily december: 15

One of the best Christmas traditions of my childhood was making graham cracker houses. I was never good at it. My houses always fell apart so I never did anything particularly fancy. I always loved the process though and I have wonderful memories of doing it with family and friends. The tradition continues....

Tonight, Colin, Amy and Katie's family all joined us for the merry mess-making. Colin, not one to do something simple (even after last week's creation), made St. Basil's Cathedral. Impressive! It only took him five hours.

daily december: 14

Tonight, I was lucky enough to be invited to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert with the King's Singers. It was nigh to impossible to get tickets but my friends had one extra so I tagged along. Last year was the first year I had ever been to the Christmas Concert. It was wonderful. Sadly, I wasn't quite as thrilled by the performance this year (even though I love the King's Singers). They did do beautiful arrangements of The First Noel and O Holy Night. The whole concert overall just didn't move me but I am still so glad I got to go. Thanks Brooke and Matt!

Here is my favorite (non-Christmas) song by the King's Singers. Ignore the cheesy slideshow with it and just enjoy the music.

daily december: 13

I caved. I gave in and ordered TV. We haven't had any TV reception (not even local channels) since we moved here almost a year and a half ago. It isn't like we haven't watched things on the TV. We love Netflix and the kids have watched plenty of movies that way. Plus, we have watched lots of things on the computer either with Netflix or with the network shows online.

I'm not sure why I changed my mind about getting it. Maybe it is the upcoming BYU Bowl game on the 22nd. Or the fact that I feel bad every time my dad comes to visit and can't relax in his usual way in front of the TV. Or the fact that it is so ironic that we have had to listen to General Conference on the radio even though we live in Utah. Whatever the reason, I reactivated our DirectTV account and it was installed yesterday.

Emma and Slade think it is very cool. Nathan does not understand how the TV works however. He keeps asking me to fast forward. The funniest thing was hearing their comments about commercials when it interrupted the movie they were watching. Yes, I hate commercials too!

daily december: 12

Today when Dave called about 2:00, he sounded surprised (and thrilled) that I was in a good mood. How sad is that? I guess I better work on the attitude some more. No one likes a complainer!

I was in a good mood because I was managing to entertain my kids without the TV! Hurray for me. We went outside for a little while.
Then they were able to go sledding with our neighbor this afternoon for about an hour. I opted to stay home with Sawyer. Emma walked in the door and said, "That was awesome!" I thought it was awesome that I had a fairly quiet house for an hour too.

Afterwards, they wanted to watch a movie and I nearly said yes BUT instead I remembered this great cookie idea from Pioneer Woman. We made painted sugar cookies. I used my favorite secret sugar cookie recipe and then the kids painted them with egg yolk paint.

I later tried to add the glaze outline but that didn't work all that well.

We also made some regular sugar cookies with sprinkles.


YUMMY!