{Christmas Part 3- Hood River}

On Christmas day we went to Hood River to celebrate with Chad's family. We had a great time (as we always do), and I regret the fact I didn't get hardly any pics because I was too occupied.
Ruby (13), Maisey (7 1/2), and Peyton (9 1/2)Playing dress up.

Uncle Adam and Ryley trying to catch up on sleep.

{"Wii" Kids Christmas Party}

At the last Halloween party the girls didn't get nearly enough dancing time in (it was my filler and I booked everything so well we only had about 10 minutes to use the Wii). So, we decided to have a Wii dance party. All the girls had so much fun dancing off the sugar from the night. Here were to super cute centerpieces Maisey and I made (before they were eaten of course)! We took the big leftover one to church the next morning so the kids could have a seasonal treat when they raided the Bishop's office for Jolly Ranchers. What do kids like best to eat aside from Pizza (which was too traditional)? Pb&J of course. I also made 13 cute green Ramekins of Mac & Cheese but I didn't get a pic. I very well could have since there was tons untouched. What is it with kids and "real" food? My kids would seriously rather have the kind from a box. I even used a new recipe for Maise and I think I got her approval. The other adorable sweeties, well, I told them, "Eat what'cha like, the belly aches on you- :) !" So after cocoa, marshmellow overload, and new mango cider, the girls were a bit full of liquid and less interested in eating. My little sidekick colored these stamps in for the reindeer food. Ornamental party favors (thanks Lisa for making these at craft group so I could copy you)! Craft warehouse still had all the supplies and I'm making lots more next year- and cuter too. I had a limited amount of time to whip 13 of these out!
Cupcakes- And believe it or not, I did not "whip" these out! Thanks Fred Meyer, I was too busy since I decided to make sugar cookies for the party. 130 of them. A new recipe to me and it was a great one. You can find it here. Bake them less for chewy, or longer for frosting durability.
Let the decorating begin!Lots of finger licking...And of course I had to make some too.Their masterpieces. Dancing off some energy. For this night each girl was given a glittery gingerbread man with a number. This was the PERFECT way to randomly select dancing teams.
We had a great night and thank all the mommy's and daddy's who were able to get their kidlets their in spite of other holiday obligations. In the end 10 made for a nice crowd and it was actually relaxing momentarily!

{Saturday}

On Saturday Maisey sang Christmas carols with the Girl Scouts at a nearby retirement home.

Afterwards we walked door to door in the pouring rain to collect food for the homeless.

We didn't have much luck... Only about 30 cans!!! The girls looked so miserable in the rain, but they were true Girls Scouts.

We went to Roses- my favorite bakery!

Chad's monster doughnut. He LOVES doughnuts!

Then we went to look at Christmas lights in the area- West Linn.

Our favorite house. This is only a teeny angle of the house due to the privacy wall.

{Thanks}

I made these hair clips for Maisey's Girl Scout troop for Christmas and to say thanks for all their hard work.Thin Mint Cookie Fabric. They definitely aren't made from the cutest fabric, but the girls will love them, and they are perfect for cookie selling.

WHICH, by the way, is coming! Hold out for us, it will be worth it. Our cookie meeting is next week. I haven't asked Maisey what her goal is yet, but I am expecting at least 200+.

P.S. Kristy, thank you for cutting. I figured you cut 72 cirlces, all while entertaining 3 kids and holding one of them!

{Zoo Lights}

Every year we visit the Zoo for "Zoo Lights." We usually go 2 or 3 times but this was our first trip of the season. It always looks the same, and it's always so pretty. We went at the perfect time! Wednesday night, at 5 PM and it was 59 degrees out (wet, but no rain). When we left at 7PM, it was getting SO crowded. Maisey brought a friend. The girls toasting with their hot chocolate.The train ride.Ryley refuses to pose for pictures (one reason he has been pretty absent from my posts)! In this family picture Maisey seems to be the only one having a good time. Which, is not the case, but I have to get into character to take a good picture (seriously, every picture you probably see of me yields at least four retakes! If it was up to me, I wouldn't take pictures at all but my family wants me in the albums too).
I realized afterwards I didn't take many pictures of the lights, but you will have to check them out for yourselves!

{the trick}

For the last several months (at least 2), I've been looking for a "prayer rock." Just when I thought I was going to have to be inventive, or ghetto as I see it, and paint one myself, I found this token.

It stays next to the bathroom sink since I'm really bad at remembering my own personal morning prayer (although I manage not to forget family prayers). I will admit, I am reminded to pray every time I see it and I'm starting to feel schizophrenic (no offense- because I am good at remembering all the others throughout the day)!

It doesn't say "Pray" rather, "Live Simply." It reminds me of the basics every time I see it.

{sew easy}

I love these fabrics. The bottom one is a gift Maisey is giving to someone with matching earrings.

(I like the inner fabric better on that one and I'm not sure why I didn't put it on the outside).

{Pittock's Northwest Christmas}

It wouldn't be the Christmas season if I didn't get to take my annual stroll around Pittock Mansion. I love to see what the tasteful designers do each year. This year's theme was "A Northwest Christmas." Above: The back and entrance.

I won't bore you with tons of pictures (which you may have seen here or in other posts in previous years) but at least look Multnomah Falls. This year Maisey counted pillow like stars in every room. She (We) came up with 186. At the end of our visit she got a certificate, despite the fact there were 224 hidden stars.
A view of the front which overlooks the city. Obviously, not the original view from 1909 when the grounds were broken. the house was first inhabited in 1914. A side view. This was the first year we've ever toured the groundskeepers home. It's hard to tell, but it was 4 stories. Originally, the chauffeur lived there before the ground keeper and his family joined the family. This home had such an interesting layout, but neat nonetheless.I love traditions- and dates! Wrapping up the date with Baskin Robins.

{whatever}

Yeah, I don't understand it either... Maisey has wanted to sleep on her floor for the past 3 nights. Tomorrow she is going to her first Girl Scout overnight camp and I'm not sure if this will pass once she gets home, but whatever.

It is still difficult to get to sleep in her own room and so I'm not fighting this one.

P.S Chad is watching Super Nanny while I craft (and blog right now), and there is a LDS family on. I saw the proclamation and a "Y" in the background... Chad said, "See honey, other people have sleeping problems with their kids too!" Me: "Duh!"

Ry's toddler bed is in our room right now, but he crawled in next to Maisey and went right to sleep next to her on the floor. Thanks, Ry, I was able to get some crafting done which isn't something I'm doing much of with all the crazy time restraints right now.

{Nutcracker}

On Saturday Maisey and I went to lunch with one of her girlfriends from school and her mom. Afterwards we went to the Nutcracker. It was a wonderful date and I can't wait for the next. I suspect it will be at Pittock Mansion since it's December! One of our favorite places!!!
We trimmed the tree the night before, so this was a great kick off to Christmas!

{Thanksgiving}

On Thursday we went to Independance, Oregon to visit with my biological mother's parents, two of my aunts, their husbands, and two of my cousins. It was a nice relaxing day, and we were excited at the opportunity to see them all together since the last time was 2.5 years ago.

(Julia and Sarah, my cousins, with Maisey)

I failed to take more than 2 pictures, but there wasn't much to document other than the blessings we have throughout the year!

I made a traditional list of the many blessings I have in my life and this is what I'm thankful for:

- My family. My husband, children, and extended family (mine and Chad's). Parents, grandparents, and siblings.

- My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

- The gift of the Atonement.

- Prophets.

- Temples.

- The scriptures.

- Agency. Life.

- The Holy Ghost.

- Prayer.

- The Priesthood.

- Visiting Teaching.

- Missionaries.

- Callings.

- Trials and the lessons that come from them.

- Hymns- All time favorite, "Because I have been given much."
- Motherhood, and fertility.

- Friends, all of them.

- Shelter.

- Electricity and heat.

- Food.

- Clean water.

- Clothing, stylists and seamstresses.

- Cars.

- Education. My undergraduate and graduate.

- Teachers

- Technology, phones, computers and Internet.

- Books (text, scriptures, relationships, and all the rest-although I don't read much else).

- Freedom

- Doctors and specialists.

- Health for all my loved ones.

- Love.

- Encouragement.

- Patience.

- Forgiveness.

- Strength.

- Hope.

- Stores and shopping.

- Music.

- Restaurants.

- Beauty products such as make-up and flat irons.

- Sleep.

- Time.

We hope you had a great holiday too!

{bosom buddy}

This week my bosom buddy moved to Idaho. Despite the fact I've known it was coming for months, it doesn't make it any easier.In anticipation for this day (which was actually yesterday), I have been going solo and crafting a little on my own(without my buddy)- or rather with my mini sidekick Maisey!

Maisey and I found some crafts for her (you know what they say, when you're down, serve), so I helped her jump start the holiday. Chad put up lights, we had egg nog and holiday cookies, and we worked on these little projects.

Half of a garland made from cool holiday candy, and cling wrap.
And, a Christmas tree of mints for her teacher.

I will miss "My Jamie" (I sound like the Church kids), but I know we will always be kindred spirits!(Halloween 2010)

{down time}

A little over a week ago a bad cold hit our house and wiped some of us out. Ry had a terrible cough and an inverted ear, Chad and I had sore throats and sinus, and I went through 5 boxes of "Kleenex" which each contained 130+ in each box, depending on the size (I know, TMI), but it really got me! And Maisey, she escaped it and even got her flu shot!

However, I enjoyed the down time. We didn't leave the house or barely get dressed for two consecutive days, and Ry was literally going crazy and begging to go to the grocery store- or anywhere we would take him.

We read lots of books, spent about 6 hours between 2 days looking for my new cell phone (it must have gone out of the house with my bag of Kleenex because it's the only thing that left the afternoon it went missing)- thus re-organising closets while Ry played in the dryer and laundry basket. Since then, every organizational basket has had it's contents expelled so it can be used as a bus or some other mode of transpiration.

10 days later and we were finally better and able to enjoy the weekend!