13

1. wow. last day of 2009. this year went by fast!

2. Ben is heading to his first youth dance tonight- the new years eve dance. I hope he has fun. and asks girls to dance. I think we need to have a little chat before the dance. give him some pointers. from a girls point of view.

3. I guess 14 is too old for matchy matchy christmas eve pajamas. I think maybe the bulldogs on the pants had something to do with it. but a mom has to try, you know?

I thought maybe, when the other kids all put theirs on and said they were so comfy, that he might just go for it, but no.

4. we are heading out to party hardy like its 2009!

5. but not until Christmas is put away. and the house is cleaned up.

6. oh wait- we might never get to the party!

7. Cory went on a cleaning spree after Christmas and cleaned up our room.

he cleaned it up good.

so far it has stayed clean.

now we just need to branch out to the rest of the house!

8. I did clean up the girls room really clean yesterday.

today it is a bit messy, but nothing that can't be tidied up in 2 minutes.

now, if only we can keep those two rooms clean, we might have a chance with the rest of the house!

9. so- want to know my resolutions for 2010? well, I am going to share a few-

I really want to buy less stuff.

and get rid of more stuff.

and use more of the stuff I already have.

reduce, reuse, and recycle the stuff!

that is the big one!

10. of course, on every ones list- lose some weight. haha. but seriously.

that treadmill is going to be worn out this year, baby! or my shoes. whichever goes first.

11. I want to have more fun. be more fun. do fun stuff. fun.

12. I want my kids to be nicer to each other.

oh wait, I think that is just a far off dream. I am hoping when they are adults they will all get along nicely. maybe.

13. alright, I best get off the computer, put Christmas away, pack up for the weekend, and clean like it's the end of the year.

oh wait, it is!

happy new year!

delicious and mysterious

so, you may be wondering what we did for our neighbors and friends for Christmas this year.

well- wonder no longer!

we printed off a bunch of our christmas mustache pictures,

I bought a mustache sucker mold online somewhere,

made up a bunch of these delicious things-

(here are a few of my kids demonstrating what to do- before quickly devouring them!)

mysterious, no?

so, anyways, we bagged up the 'staches, punched a hole in the corner of the picture, and attached it with a bit of twirly ribbon!

so fun!

and funny.

Merry, or hairy. you decide!

Do you have room?

Last week we had a Relief Society social.

it was a wine and cheese night-

non- alcoholic wine, and cheese cake, of course!

there were more women there than I have seen at a RS event in a long, long time,

which is wonderful!

anyways,

we listened to a song- sorry, I should have found out info to share, but I didn't.

it was beautiful.

about finding room in our lives for the Savior,

or do we just move on in living our lives, and not let Him in.

made me think.

and want to make more room for Him.

we got a sweet smelling ornament to take home- with a little note attached-

Do you have room for the Savior?

something to think about.

especially important right now. are presents and food the most important thing about Christmas? I have to say- that has been most of my focus lately.

need to change that a bit.

to the real meaning of Christmas.

Christ.

sweet Sunday

the last Sunday before Christmas.

a beautiful Sacrament meeting.

the girls wore their christmas outfits.

this year, I went the easy route.

made them some twirly skirts,

and some matching ruffle t-shirts.

easy peasy, and still cute.

I chose to not use Christmassy fabric- so it would be wearable all year, but it would have been fun to have a Christmas one.

there is always next year, right?

here is Maggie modelling her ensemble.

Sadie went to a friends house after church and was unavailable for the photo shoot.

what's that in Maggie's hand, you ask?

why- it is a huge sucker she got from primary.

need a cute, closer look?

here-
my first thought when I saw that all the kids had gotten one of these sugary delights was cute photo prop-

but Jed's was opened, and chomped on so fast this is what I got-
(oops, Maggies shirt needs a little trim. there is a stray thread there. just ignore that , and focus on the sugar!)

so Sadie was gone, Jed was chomping, so that left Maggie with a full sucker, and a cute picture.

it was a sweet Sunday, indeed.

13

1. well only one more day of school- boo,

but only one more day of seminary- yay!

2. and only 8 more days until Christmas.

how did this happen?

I am not ready!

3. I think what is really holding me back from feeling ready is wrapping up the stocking gifts. such a piddly job. I have been putting it off. but, I am watching a friend's child this afternoon for her, and she is watching Maggie tomorrow afternoon for me, so I think I will buckle down, and get those things wrapped up, so I can feel ready for Christmas to be here!

4. our kids draw names for who they can get gifts for,

and this year I am encouraging them all to make gifts for each other-

mostly because I had ideas of things I wanted to make, but I really didn't need to give them more gifts, and they are all pretty easy things that they could do, or do with a bit of help!

and it was mostly stuff I have already =no $ spent, which is always a good thing in my book!

5. I have always wanted to try freezer paper stenciling, so a bunch of the kids are doing t-shirts for each other!- this is one that Maggie did for Sadie. okay, I did it, Maggie painted a tiny bit,

but isn't it fun?

6. Jed is making some picture block puzzles for Maggie- I think she will love them!7. Jack is making some fun shirts for Jed, and I still have to find out what Ben wants to do for Jack, but I have a fun idea for a shirt. should be good!

8. I had to get some groceries yesterday, so I started a list, and then Jack added on a couple of things (he's not my best speller)

and then someone- I know who, added on the last item.
sadly they didn't have any of those at the grocery store.

he really wants a synthesizer. funny boy.

9. it finally warmed up here- I think we are at around -10, with a high of 0 today.

it feels so nice. really.

10. I am putting off doing a bunch of Christmas baking, because I know that I will do too much Christmas eating.

so delish. no control. it's a problem.

11. alright, must get on with my day, try to stay off the computer, and actually get things done.

12. Ben has actually requested that I knit him a hat, so I am working on that- trying to make a cool one! - we shall see if he even wears it.

13. and I knit one mitten for maggie a bit ago, need to get the second one done. so much to do!

fun

I bought two of these fun big ornaments at Ikea a couple of weeks ago, and hung them up outside our front door.

so cute!

I might have to go back and get some of the striped ones!

Sunday

On Sunday Sadie was baptized.

it was a very nice day.
I made her a dress out of my wedding dress.

it turned out well, but I should have made a size smaller!

A whole bunch of family came out,

and we are so grateful.

on Sunday Edmonton was the coldest city in all of Canada,

and let me tell you, it was cold!

I wish I would have taken a picture of the cupcakes- I made rainbow ones,

and they took a long time to make, and I am not sure that I would ever do that again,

so I am sad that I didn't take a picture!

What a good day, and a good girl!

Love you Sadie!

13

1. sometimes my teenage boy is quite the moody one, and has quite an attitude.

I hear girls are worse.

and I am very afraid for the future.

2. big Christmas shopping trip planned for tonight.

using up the PC banking points!

I love it! stuff for nothing. perfect!

3. counting down the days-
( this picture was taken a couple of days ago- we really are on the right day!)

it was so fun to see this exact countdown thing (the right word is escaping me) hanging on the wall in a house in a movie. I believe it was 4 Christmases, but don't quote me on that! - if you watch that movie keep an eye out for this advent! (there, I remembered the word!)

4. I found a few blogs that I am quite enjoying- thought I would share-

ashley ann . cute stuff. cute girl! I love her house!

5. supablogga. super cute!

6. focus jennie so fun. and cute. of course, you knew I would say that, right?

(I added all three of these to my links on my side bar. just so you know!)

7. what? everyone doesn't have strawberry shortcake girls on their trees?

It is the favorite play place for little girls and their dolls, and littlest pet shops- what with those little magnets in their feet, they stick to the wire branches quite nicely! ( I think they pretend they are camping in the woods. so fun!)

8. snowy and cold. that is what it is around here lately. right now it is only about -14, and that is feeling not so bad right about now. sadly.

it is supposed to go back down to -30 by Sunday.

brrr.

9. speaking of Sunday, a certain newly 8 year old girl I know is being baptized!
10. and her dress is done! yay! and the food has been decided on. yay!

11. Getting my Christmas cards ready to mail out. Karalee, if you are reading this- I am not sure if I have your current address- I tried to email you, but it didn't work! let me know!

(it is really just a picture, and I will post it on my blog soon, so you can all see it!)

12. Maggie is wearing some fuzzy polar fleece pajamas, the kind with the feet attached, and she doesn't want to take them off and get dressed, because they are so warm.

I don't blame her one bit!

13. alright, time to get off the computer and do some cleaning.

yuck. a necessary evil. that is usually avoided, but sadly can only be avoided for so long.

push

well, 2 parties, two birthdays, 2 cakes, and a batch of cupcakes,

all within 4 days.

a ton of snow,

a party at the pool.

stuck in the snow in the pool parking lot- not once but twice.

(good thing I had a van full of strong 12 year olds (and a 13 year old))

they got me out no problem.

(except one of those times when 2 other people came and pushed as well!)

such fun.

okay,

now if I can just figure out what to serve for lunch at Sadie's baptism next week, finish her dress, and figure out a program,

then I can think about Christmas.

any ideas of easy lunches for large groups?

please share!

thirteen silly things

1. wow, I just realized it's thursday! this week is flying by. Actually I knew it was thursday, it just hit me that it is thursday, and I haven't blogged yet!

2. we had a birthday party here for Sadie yesterday.

I remembered that I don't really like birthday parties.

I think I am partied out.

3. it is Sadie's 8th birthday, and Jack's 12th birthday tomorrow.

they are my twins born 4 years apart. crazy stuff.

4. so, what do I do when they both want something different for dinner?

(it is tradition to have whatever the birthday person wants for supper on their birthday)

5. except Ben never gets what he wants. always a big turkey dinner.

(his birthday is on Christmas day)- but usually on boxing day he gets whatever he wants.

6. I need a nap really bad.

I am always tired. always. and usually in bed by 9:00.

darn seminary!

7. I am so glad it is Friday tomorrow because that means game day in seminary, then that means Saturday the next day, and I can sleep in. hurray!

8. another sewing night at my sister's house planned for tonight.

those should be some well dressed dolls around here!

9. so, I think every year I plan on being all ready for Christmas by the end of November, and then December comes around and I am not ready. it is no exception this year. not ready at all.

okay, I am ready a little bit, but still lots more to do.

10. but really, if I was all ready for Christmas, what would I do in December? sit and read by the fire, and drink hot chocolate all day long?

oh, that sounds really nice actually. okay, next year, ready by the end of November!

11. who am I kidding? like I don't always have a few dozen projects on the go no matter what time of the year it is! or new hats I want to knit, or new dresses I want to sew, or scrapbooking I really need to get back to or.....

12. Maggie and I, and my sister hit the Bulk Barn that just opened up in Edmonton today.

I got some fun snowflake sprinkles. and when I was down south I hit the one in Lethbridge and got some holly and berry sprinkles! now I need to make some sugar cookie dough and get decorating! so fun!

13. alright, I am going to finish up some stuff in the kitchen and see if I can catch a small nap before supper time!- one can always hope!

and I quote-

the sun will come out. tomorrow.

the sky is grey.

I got a negative feedback on etsy

(that is so not my fault- the person never paid. like I am going to send them something when they haven't paid. and I did try to contact them. several times.)

I am tired.

and grumpy.

I pulled out my Christmas decorations and my nativity snow globe that I loved is broken.

and now maggie is pulling out all sorts of stuff.

like Christmas threw up in my living room.

and have a house that needs cleaned.

and no gumption to do it.

but-

the weekend was so fun.

I spent it with my mother-in-law, and my sisters-in-law.

we saw new moon.

(let me just say that I always did like Jacob. and still do. yowsa.)

I get to see my aunt this afternoon.

then I think I will have a nap.

and then I think things will feel better.

it's not so bad.

I think I will have some spinach dip for lunch.

that sounds really good to me.

stuff

1. we no longer have internet connection on our pc, so I am on the mac, where I know nothing about pictures and stuff, so my posts will be pictureless for a while-

until I figure out the apple,

or we get wireless onto the pc.

2. more sewing planned for tonight. Need to get those dolls some cute outfits!

3. girl's weekend coming up.

so excited.

4. New Moon! I am going. can't wait!

5. I am bringing along some scrapbooking stuff.

(on the weekend-but not to new moon- in case that is what you thought I might mean!)

it has been way, way too long since I have even looked at pictures and paper at the same time.

6. looking at blogs today I am really sad that it isn't thanksgiving up here. yummy turkey and pumpkin pie. I think if I was going to be home this weekend I would cook up a turkey just because. Happy Thanksgiving to you Americans!

(and find some great deals at the stores tomorrow!- one of these years I am going to hit black friday!)

7. I guess I will keep the turkey in my freezer until Christmas.

8. which is now less than a month away.

9. does that freak anyone else out like me? lots to do! stuff to make, and buy, and cook, and decorate!

10. I am so excited to put up our tree!

I bought a new-er one at a garage sale over the summer- it is a pre lit one! I can't wait to take it out of the box and set it up and see what it is like!

and then, if it is not so great, we will pull out our old one, and the lights. fun. not.

11. whoever invented pre lit trees was a genius. seriously. what a great idea. I am amazed at people and the things they come up with.

12. I got a hair cut. and it is cute. maybe I can figure out how to put a picture up sometime soon!

13. had parent teacher interviews for all the kids this past week.

good reports for all four.

makes a mother proud.

(it is so nice to hear that your kids are good from other people. so nice.)

the vortex

do you ever think that if you could just stay off the computer, how much stuff you could get done?

I do.

but here I am.

on the computer.

finding more ideas, and craft things,

and gifts to make.

instead of finishing the ones I have started, and doing the ones I have bought stuff for.

silly me.

silly computer.

sucks me in.

like a vortex.

must get out.

and get stuff done.

help!

the girls

in the mail a while ago, we got a little catalogue.
not rare, at this time of year.
flyers, and catalogues everywhere.
but this particular one caught Sadie's eye.
it was the Maplelea girl catalogue

beautiful dolls, yes. nice clothes- no doubt.
but that price tag- yikes.
for a doll?
sorry - but I won't spend more for an outfit for a doll than I do for myself.
so, I was thinking maybe ebay.
maybe an american girls doll. we aren't too picky around here!
but all the ones I saw, and bid on went too high.
and once you add shipping- way too much. so sorry sweet sadie.
but then,
my sister.
who is a deal finder.
found these- Springfield dolls
at Micheals.
for about 1/4 of the price. - and yes, I know not all the same quality, but they are dolls- and will get tossed around, and I don't want to be freaking out every time I see them holding them by their $100 hair! know what I mean?
and of course we use the 40 or 50% off coupons whenever we shop there!
(because this poor little doll comes without clothes!)
so, I decided this year both girls will get a doll.
they can play together that way
(that is the plan, anyways)
so, every time I hit Micheals now, I use the coupon for some fun accessories for these girls-
so far I have a pair of glasses and some crocs.
and my sister and I have spent a couple of nights sewing outfits for these poor naked dolls.
now I need to find a fun case to keep the clothes in.

and that is my story of dolls,
and thriftyness,
and what they are getting for Christmas.

13

1. last night at dinner, we were talking about what the boys did at scouts the night before.
Jack said he learned about hypothermia, and hyperthermia. I asked what hyperthermia was, and Jack said it's when you are too hot, and you need medical help, and then Ben pipes in- then call me a doctor!
so funny.

2.Maggie asked me to make some playdough for her today, so I was making it,
and she was asking if I was doing it, then walked past me and saw that I was, and said- good mom.
silly girl.

3. in seminary there is a family that is consistently late. quite late actually.
so today when they came in, I said- you guys need to turn your clocks ahead 20 minutes,
and one kid said- that was rude-
and I was kind of confused about how that was rude- but just said- okay, your alarms need to be set earlier.

4. then I was sitting here at home and thought about what I should have said.
something about how coming in 20 minutes late to my class is rude.

5. why do I always think of these things so late?
darn it!

6. Maggie keeps asking me how many days there are until Christmas. Maybe we should have an advent that counts down from November instead of just December.

7. only 36 days left. just so you know. if your kid asks you!

8. what?! 36! that is not very many. and I have to think of a few birthdays between now and then.
yikes!

9. Sadie wants to have a Hannah Montana party. but she has a few friends that are boys that we are going to invite. is that okay? will boys be annoyed? I am thinking we will play freeze dancing- to Hannah songs, of course, and I bought some guitar shaped papers that they will decorate and stuff. I do have a bunch of Hannah Montana stuff I picked up at the dollar store, and liquidation world, that I hope the boys will be okay with! I can think of one boy who will probably put up a stink, but the other 2 will be fine with it- I think. hmm.

10. another sewing night planned for tonight at my sisters house! can't wait! (I think the girls will love it!)

11. I spent the afternoon crafting and chatting with a sweet friend who I am "helping" make a dress for her adorable little girl. really I am just her moral support. but she was doing so great, and her dress is going to be so super cute!

12. and now we are off to another volley ball game. luckily it is local.

13. I made some cookies, but they taste a bit off. darn it. I hate that. a whole load of sugar and chocolate chips wasted. well, the kids say they taste fine. so I guess that is a good thing. for me. and my hips.

saturday

this past saturday was sister saturday at our church.
the same as the old super saturdays,
but now under a different name.
(I have no idea why, but whatever!)
a day of crafting, and a delicious lunch- I am all over it!

so, I was asked to do a little display about neighbor/teacher/friend gifts.
fun!
so, this is what I did-

(I really wish I had more stuff on the table- but who knew that the grocery store I shop at had no sprite, and no jolly ranchers? not me!
and I was tired of shopping by then, so this is what it was!)

and this is the page that was handed out, with some fun ideas. all courtesy of the internet.
oh, sweet internet. how I love thee.


it was kind of fun to find a bunch of ideas-

(Ben saw my list and said they are all so cheesy. yes, they are cheesy, but they are fun!)

I personally am going with the jolly rancher idea this year. feel free to copy! after all, I got the idea from somewhere out in cyber world! so fun. (as long as I can find some! just not at my grocery store!)

today

1. we hit the library earlier this week, I found a book that I thought might interest Jed- (he doesn't really like to read)- but he read that book most of the day, and into the next.

2. but I am pretty sure he hasn't picked it up since then. silly boy. he told me he knows how it ends.

3. I vacuumed the floor in my craft room yesterday. wow. what a difference. just doing that made it seem so much cleaner in there. - there were a lot of thread bits and yarn bits all over that floor.

4. but it still needs a lot more cleaning/organizing. I am hoping to finish up some projects that are taking up space in there-- that will make it seem way cleaner!

5. especially if I can get the ones on my table done that have been sitting there for a while. It will be nice to be able to use that table to cut on, or work on. someday. hopefully soon!

6. I have big plans for the girls for Christmas. which involve a bunch of sewing. I am heading to my sister's house tonight to get started! I am so excited.

7. I really hope the girls love them! (I will share more later.)

8. I am happy there is no snow- because no snow makes for good roads, but I kind of wish there was some snow- makes it seem a bit more like winter, you know?

9. does anyone else feel this way? or am I just crazy.

10. anyone else getting Christmas on the brain? My sisters were getting a package ready to send to our parents for Christmas, so I had to work on getting stuff ready for them. kind of nice to have it done. I will show you what I did later- after I know my mom has seen it- because I know she reads this! (hi mom!)

11. I bought a Christmas tree at a garage sale this summer- a pre lit one, so I am kind of itching to put it up, and see how it looks- I think it has some pine cones on it, and some fake snow stuff, so I am not too sure how it will all be- but if nothing else, we can put it down in the basement! it was only $5.

12. but- must wait a couple more weeks. decorations can go up December 1st! ( I think I was anxious one year and put them up a bit earlier, but by the time Christmas came, I was already tired of them.

13. alright- I should go hop in the shower. the cable guy is supposed to be stopping by to pick up something this morning, and I should probably be somewhat presentable. maybe.

so far-

- one quilt top that has been almost done for a long time is now done!
- only a couple of extra jobs given out yesterday.
- none so far today.
- a knitted that (for a friends grandbaby) that has been in progress for a while now is now done!
- hoping to start (and finish) christmas skirts for the girls today.

not a bad week so far.
thank goodness!