starry wall

I think by now, you know I love stars.

well, I hit a couple of stores on Boxing day,
and these are the three things I brought home.
I love them.
I hung them up in my craft room.
oh, I never told you?
Cory gave me a whole room for christmas-
well, sort of.
I moved some of my stuff out of my 'closet'
and into a whole big room.
I still have more moving to do.
and cleaning- and then-
let the crafting begin!

ps. that beautiful fruit is from Edible Arrangements.
she didn't make it-
well, she sort of did- she works there-
but we are saving all the picks and stuff so we can make another one some day.
or I am saving them to give to her, so she can make me another one some day.
right, Shelley?

good morning

this is what we had for breakfast on Sunday morning.
so yummy!
thanks Shelley!

The last 2 days in thirteen pictures.

1. Christmas eve- Pajama's. Ben ended up switching with Jack- Jack's pants fit Ben, bens were too small, I don't think Ben's fit Jack though- he is super skinny. and Jed hasn't taken his off since that night. nice.

2. Christmas morning. before the mayhem.3. the stockings were resting all comfy on the couch. 4.after the mayhem.5. here are the people. can you tell who is who? Cory's guy should really be much thinner. too bad mine is in the back. you should see my curves. ooh lala.6. this is my dad. he's not too nerdy, but the shirt was so funny.

love ya, dad.7. Ben's big day was yesterday. 13. a teenager. I can't believe it.

8. my family put those candles on that keep lighting up after you blow them out. it was so funny.

so, so funny.

9. I think his fingers are now permanently attached.

10. my new slippers. should I be worried that one of my sons helped pick them out?

11. When Maggie saw this kitchen she said it was just what she wanted.

I love that!

12. On Christmas eve some of us played a bunch of Wacky Six. I have never seen it up here- but if you are in the states, I would highly reccomend this game. it is so fun. and I won. extra good!

13. love it.

Merry Christmas!

for friends and neighbors-

I like to get creative with our gifts to friends and neighbors.
it is hard coming up with new things-
but thank goodness for the internet.
limitless ideas.
just need to spend hours looking and finding.
see, all that time isn't really wasted.
haha.

so, anyways, this year, I got my idea from Bobbi jo.
a while ago she had posted a recipe for a cheese ball that she made at her church craft day.
sounded delicious, so I made some.
I am not sure what it is really called- so I will call it christmas cheese ball.
1 pkg chocolate chips
1c hard peppermint candies- I used candy canes
2c pecans
blend it all up in your blender or food processer-
then add 1/2 c of the mix to 8 oz of softened cream cheese.
I used 4 blocks of cream cheese, and divided them in half- and I still have tons of mix left.
guess what I am taking to my mom's on Christmas eve!
so, it goes a really long way. and is so good- on graham crackers. yum

I wrapped up the balls in saran wrap, then put them in a christmas bag from the dollar store- you know those clear kind, then punched a hole in the top of a pack of graham crackers, and tied them up with a tag that said- we hope your Christmas is sweet, not cheesy, and we really hope you have a ball.
I meant to take a picture, but they all got delivered last night!

thanks Bobbi jo,
and thank you internet!

What smells good in the kitchen at Christmas?

- is it-
a. gingerbread cookies?

or b. winter bark?

(white chocolate melted, with pretzels and smarties thrown in- cooled, then broken up into bits- so good) no- of course not, it's your nose, silly!

my kids have been reading us a book of holiday jokes.

so silly, indeed.

anyways, on Friday we had some visitors spend the night- cory's brother and 4 of his kids were in the city for an appointment for one of the kids, so they came and slept at our place.

then in the morning they were heading off to West Edmonton Mall to spend some time at Galaxy land, so Cory took 4 of my kids and joined them.

so Maggie and I had another day to ourselves.

we did some baking- pictured above,

and I had the girls room so clean-

although you wouldn't even know I had done a thing in it now.

and I finished washing and wrapping up Ben's birthday quilt.

I think he will like it.

I put 2 layers of batting in the middle, so it is thick and warm- with red flannel on the back.

nice!

so, today- well we had a bit of a sleep-in. yay, but now, must get to work- and get those kids to work.

oh, and in case you were wondering- for today- the tenth day of Christmas, I am going to make grasshopper pie- because they leap- just like the lords a leaping.

works for me!

baby, It's cold outside.

Kayli- the house tutorial is found here.
the roads are slippery- so I am not going out visting teaching-
to a town 20 minutes away-
wimpy me, I know,
so I am going to stay home and bake and craft
and just get stuff done.
so exciting,
I know!

12- or 13 things about Christmas!

1. today I spent the morning at the school helping with crafts. Usually they just put the helpers in one room, and the kids rotate through the crafts- so the way it was, I would never have seen Sadie, but one mom from another room wanted to switch to be with her kid, so I got to go and help Sadie. good times with the white glue!

2.Here is Maggies house. I ended up sewing it up a bit wrong- the elastics and the buttons should be on the opposite sides, but hey, it all works!

3. oh, you want to see inside?

okay, here is a peek.

kind of bare.

oh, and I still haven't sewn on the flower buttons. I just put them where they will be sewn. soon.

4. Christmas concert yesterday.

this was the finale, with the whole school

crazy stuff.

once again they ended with the hallelujah corus.

love it!

5. so, I was reading on a blog, and she had a great idea for the 12 days of Christmas- to do with your family, but of course, by the time I found this it was the end of the first day, so I jumped in on the second day-

6. 2 turtle doves- well, we made turtles. sort of.

you take a pretzel- I love the squarish ones you get at superstore- they hold the toppings well, then you put a rolo on, melt them a bit in the oven-

I didn't quite melt them enough, but all is well-

then you put a pecan on top.

yumm-o!

7. third day of Christmas- well, we had french toast for breakfast, of course!

I did make some french bread for supper, but it was nothing to write about. really.

sad. I need to work on my bread making skills. 8. well, the fourth day was a write off. that was the day I lost. I didn't do anything that day.

Jack even made supper for everyone- he cooked spagetti and heated up the sauce. he did a great job.

not sure what I would have done anyways. gotta get thinking on that for next year!

9. but the fifth day- all was better.

five golden rings-
yep, homemade doughnuts. so delish.

10. well, today, 6th day, (geese a laying) I think I will make some devilled eggs- to go with the leftovers the family is having for supper-

(I am going to a relief society Christmas dinner!)

7th day- (swans a swimming) I am going to check into the public swim times, but tomorrow is a bit crazy, so I am not sure if we can fit that in- but we will have chicken for supper, and call it swan.

is that awful?

yes, I know. maybe we can go swimming on Saturday. I am sure the kids would be okay with that!

8-(maids a milking)- I am thinking yummy milkshakes

9 (ladies dancing) not sure. play music loud and have a big dance session?

could be fun

10- (lords a leaping)- once again not too sure. any great ideas?

11- (pipers piping) ?

12- (drummers drumming)- well drumsticks - the icecream kind, for sure!

wow. I had better get those other days figured out, pronto.

11. and then it will be Christmas.

wow.

12. must get the teacher gifts assembled tonight.

just doing something simple I found on a blog- of course!

I dipped some marshmallows in chocolate, then along with some plain ones in a cute bag, attach some hot chocolate packets, a candy cane and a tag, and that is that!

13. I need to stop reading blogs-

stop getting more ideas of crafts, and decorations,

and recipies!

there's just not enough time in the day!

less reading, more action!

off I go!

lost.

wow.
I lost a day.
yesterday I felt yucky. all day.
sat on the couch bundled up, or lay in my bed-
trying to sleep,
never before have I had so many phone calls in an afternoon,
except yesterday when I was trying to sleep.
Sadie was sick- very sick- all the day before,
then I guess Ben and I caught it.
he was lying around with me all day.
I got nothing done.
absolutely nothing.
and now , I need to work double time to try to make up for it!
This afternoon and this evening is the kids school Christmas concert.
I can't wait!
and I am mostly done Maggies house- I just need to sew on a few flower buttons.
show and tell tomorrow!

10 days

what?
only 10 days left?
I think my list is getting longer, not shorter.
I started the little house for Maggie- I think it will be super cute-
just need to finish the binding on Ben's quilt-
almost done another scarf for a nephew.
I am getting there.

oh, and if I ever am considering it next year,
please remind me how much I don't like doing craft sales.
the one I went to on Saturday had more people with tables there selling stuff, than came in to buy. sad. very sad.
but I did get a lot of work done on the scarf.
so I guess it wasn't a completely wasted day.
okay, I think I will head downstairs, and see if I can make some progress on the little house.
Sadie is home sick today. poor little thing.
and because a post always needs a picture- or at least it helps,
here are the girls decorating the tree-
a fuzzy picture taken a couple of weeks ago. are you ready for Christmas yet?

tagged

I was tagged by my friend Karalee to do the 5 is great Christmas edition tag-
so here we go!

favorite Christmas movies:
Elf
The Christmas Story
The Grinch (cartoon one)
I'll be home for Christmas
Charlie Brown's Christmas

5 Things that happened yesterday:
shopped
bought pizza
had a bubble bath
watched survivor and the office
wrapped presents

5 things to look forward to:
ward Christmas dinner tomorrow
Christmas day
Christmas morning- excited kids
sleeping in when the kids have no school
baking and eating Christmas treats

5 things on my wish list:
well behaved children
a clean house
a double bagged vacuum cleaner (haha)
chocolate
a new treadmill

5 things I love about winter/Christmas:
the lights
hot chocolate
big fluffy snowfalls
sitting by the warm fire
reading kids Christmas books

5 people I tag: Andrea, Shelley, Taryn, Joanne, and Aunt Darlene

the latest

1. I'd like to say my kids are being much better now.
but they aren't.

2. I went out today to finish my Christmas shopping.
I got a few things for Christmas, but more non Christmas related stuff.
I am not done- but I am out of ideas.

3. I am doing a craft sale on Saturday. it is supposed to be -25.
I don't think anyone will come.

4. I am waiting until closer to Christmas to do some baking-
because if I do it now, it will be gone in about 2 days.
not good.

5. I have to go to the school tomorrow to help 2 of my kids make gingerbread houses. this is not my favorite thing.
all the kids (and me too) eat way too much candy.
it takes forever. not so fun

6. but the kids love it.

7. man, I am sounding grinchy today.

8. I think I need a nap.

9. but that won't happen because the kids will be home from school in about 10 minutes.
then the madness begins!

10. wow, my mind is blank. I can't think of any fun, clever things to share with you today.

11. the kids are now coming home- it has taken me that long to think about things to write!

12. so, one of my stops today was to Old Navy- I picked up some black dress pants for Ben- all they had was one husky pair his size- and he isn't really a husky guy. I bought them- we shall see how they fit.

13. and there was some really cute girl sweaters- but the one I wanted in Sadie's size wasn't on the shelf, so I checked a mannequin- and there it was, the sweater in her size- so a worker girl took it off for me- after pulling the poor things arms off. Maggie was amazed. Hope Sadie likes it!

a letter

Dear Santa,

I know this is a busy time of the year for you,

so I know a way to save you a bit of time on Christmas eve.

you might not have to even stop at my house this year.

you see, my kids have been quite rotten lately.

I asked Sadie to do a quick tidy of the livingroom this morning so that I could vacuum. and she never did.

I asked Ben to sweep the dining room floor. I don't think it has been done for a couple of days. and he didn't.

I asked Jack to pick up his pants and sweater that have been in the livingroom for a day or two. and he didn't.

now, I do some cleaning around here, don't get me wrong,

but we do give our kids a few jobs, and expect them to help out.

but I am getting very little help. sadly.

so, unless they start helping out around here, I am not sure that you need to make a stop here.

I do hope things change, because we will be baking up some yummy cookies, and will have a glass of eggnog ready, in case the kids change their ways.

hoping to see you soon,

Kristi

ps. this kind of makes my house sound like a pigsty.

well, I already swept, and tidied, and will be vacuuming shortly.

just so you know.

and I did clean the bathrooms and do laundry yesterday.

I do do some work around here!

the weekend

well, we are done with birthdays-
for a couple of weeks, anyways.
here is the happy birthday boy. then, on Sunday, we had our annual
all the Thomsens come to the Livingstone's house for dinner,
then we attend the First presidency's Christmas Devotional,
then someone special comes to our house.
see the look of fear in her eyes?
that can only mean one thing.yep, Santa came.
see her crying.
that is what she did the whole time he was here.
hid and cried.
good times.
quite hilarious- to the rest of us.
I just think we are so very lucky to have a personal visit from the big guy!

Jack

Jack in his bed
in his bright green room
with his new duvet and cover. He likes it.
now, I think the poor boy needs a bed frame.

birthdays-part 2

yesterday was the big day
the real day
the birthday(s)
but we didn't hit a 7-11,
but I guarantee you we will sometime this year-
while they are still 7 and 11 and I will take a picture.
because I think that is so fun.
anyways,
here are the birthday kids-
sadie is on the left- in the dark shadows, Jack on the right
and Maggie in the middle, of course.
where she always is.
there are 11 candles, and a sparkler shaped like a 7.
fun.
and it was so yummy
and the good news,
we only ate half, so we have the other half for tonight.
and Jack wants another ice cream cake for his party.
um-
okay!

but, before the cake- after school I asked the kids if they wanted to go see the creche.
creche? what is that?
I saie- let's go see!
so we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's church to see the nativities-
I don't know how impressed the kids were, but I loved it!
I took pictures of a few of my favorites-

the top left is a stitched one. I love it. if I could get my hands on that pattern I would so make it.
top right was in the kids room. just fun
bottom left was a puzzle one. so neat!
and the bottom right was a teeny tiny one.
there were so many great ones.
It made me want to start collecting nativities.
there are so many beautiful, and interesting ones out there!

anyways,- Maggie is off at a friends house, and here I am, on the computer.
shame on me.
I must get off! I was actually trying to paint those wooden people, and needed a little inspiration. yikes. I am scared how they will turn out!
she won't really mind how they look, right?
that is what I am trying to convince myself!

woah

thursday thirteen had slipped my mind!
too busy making yummy ice cream cake!
so, since I am totally making my lists and checking them twice-
here is thirteen things from my vast list that need to be done pronto!

1. need to paint the people I bought from here
they are for Maggie for Christmas- enough to be our family.
now I need to make them look like our family.
and I am not a painter. yikes.

2. I am thinking I want to make this for those little people.
I would have loved that when I was little.
I keep forgetting to buy the plastic stuff for them everytime I am at Walmart. maybe Walmart doesn't even have that. I will have to remember to look the next time I am there.

3. I need to get my Christmas picture/cards mailed out.
Karalee- if you read this, I need your address!

4. need to re-knit a hat for my brother-in-law. I had it done,
but apparently it is not sophisticated enough for his taste.
this is what my husband tells me.
anyone know any great, sophisticated, easy men hat patterns?
anyone?

5. need to make one more hat for one nephew. I don't think he will be too picky. I don't think he even keeps hats on his head. should be easy.

6.need to baste together Ben's birthday quilt, and quilt it.

7. need to get wrapping.

8. need to make some reindeer chow. yummy.

9. need to dip some pretzels in white chocolate. also very yummy.

10. need to find what I want for Cory. I have started looking, but apparently I am not looking in the right places. yikes.

11. want to make new stockings. this may or may not happen, depending how much time I have and how much desire I have to make them all. we don't need them, I just am ready for something new.

12. need to get our outside lights hooked up. tonight.

13.totally not Christmas related, but I need to fold a bunch of laundry and get it put away.
good times!

birthdays- part 1

Sadie's party.

the cake was homemade- from scratch.

and sadly- not all that good.

but it looked pretty.

crazy kids- decorating cookies like icing is going out of style.

a crazy hour and a half,

but a pile of great presents, so I guess it was all good.

birthdays -part 2 continues today

I have to take cupcakes over to Sadie's class today

Jack took his with him this morning.

an ice cream cake to be made

pizza to be ordered-

and Cory has promised them a trip to 7 11,

since Sadie is turning 7 and Jack is now 11.

what a clever man.

must take pictures of that!

then part 3 is on Saturday with Jack's party.

such fun.

things I am loving

-loving that when Maggie was eating this sucker- from the Santa Claus parade she told me it looked like a heart.

too cute.

and loving that she let me take a picture!

-loving that our Christmas tree got put up yesterday.

I think we need more decorations though. I am thinking some of those ball ornaments- but not glass ones, I am thinking more plastic- or anything unbreakable-in some fun colors- pink and green and blue. that would be fun.

- loving that it is birthday time this week.

two kids on one day. fun. that means lots of cake and ice cream. yum.

and they both want the same cake on their birthday- ice cream cake.

the best of both worlds.

- loving that I am done Jack's blanket.

one thing checked off of my list!

-loving that my sister was getting some pictures developed at Costo-

(ones that I took)

and they called her because they thought they were professional.

love it!

-loving that I have so many crafts and stuff that need to be made.

I was hoping I would be done them all before December, but then what would I do all this month? I love having little things to do.

and my list is still quite long.

must get busy!