I have A LOT of Christmas music. I piled a bunch of my albums into one itunes playist a few days ago (so I can listen to them on shuffle all season) and I was almost embarrassed how many I have. (Over 400 songs! Yikes) What can I say? I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!
So anway, a friend asked me which Christmas CD's are the very best the other day? After quite a bit of thought, here are the artists who (in my very humble opinion) have the Top 10 best Christmas Albums. They are exceptional. If you don't have them, get 'em. Ask Santa for them. You'll be listening to them in July . . .just like me. :)
#1. Celine Dion #2. Christina Aguilara #3. Michael Bolton #4. SheDaisy #5. Mariah Carey #6. Brian McKnight #7. Sarah McLachlan #8. Josh Groban #9. Elliot Yamin #10. Whitney Houston
I don't have Michael Buble's. I bet that one's good too. Oh! And of course, Alvin & the Chipmunks have got to be in there somewhere. BOTH of their Christmas CD's. Classics.
So this post is rather random. Haha. And if you'd like a specail treat, check out "Porky Pig's Blue Christmas." You'll find it on my playlist, just scroll........down...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The one about Christmas Music
Monday, December 15, 2008
The one with 3 Cookie-Making Secrets
We had fun last week celebrating the CHRISTMAS season. Kids make this time of year great, don't they? Some of the things I want to remember when I look back on this year are:
1) The funny things Drewbie says. Like last night, as he was watching the cartoon version of the Nativity..(if you've never watched it, there's a part where the soldiers are killing the boy babies)...and so when the soldier sticks his sword in a cradle, Drew gasps and says "I HATE THAT GUY!!!!" with the kind of intensity only he has. And then later, when they call Jesus the "King of the Jews", he says..."Hmm.. Yes, I would like some juice", and heads down to the fridge.
2) The look on Halle's face when the Gingerbread Men ran away! I just hope there are a lot more years of the magic. . . I will miss it when she's all grown up- it hurts to even think of that day. 
3) Decorating our new home for Christmas. So what if it took five days to get the tree up? The extra "helping hands" may have slowed things down, but we did it!
4) Getting all dressed up and going on a rare date with my hot hunny in the middle of the week! I can't wait for this weekend when FINALS will be OVER and we can spend more of that kind of time together. The 3 weeks of the year I look forward to the most will start this Friday, when his last final will be turned in! Can't wait.
6) Delivering a bazillion cookies to friends and neighbors with the kids. The kids looked like two little elves, all bundled up and tramping around in the snow.
Here's 3 secrets I have for 100% of the time perfect cookies. The kind that are beautiful inside and out. :) Even though chances are, if you're reading a blog you've known these secrets for years. . .I'm sharing anyway. I was in the cookie-making-failure shoes for too many years. If these tips help even one fellow lost homemaker, it's worth it. Secret #1) Start mixing your cookies by hand. When I asked my friend Jen (who makes amazing cookies) what her secret was, she said she stopped using an electric mixer. I decided to try it out. . .and I swear by it now. Try it and let me know what you think.
Secret #2) The temperature of the butter has to be right! Leave out your butter a bit before you're baking so it's at room temperature. That way you'll be able to cream the sugars and butter BY HAND. (No cheating by putting it in the microwave! You're cookies will spread out too far in the oven) Then, when you're cookies are on the cookie sheet, let them cool for a while in the fridge. The butter will harden up a bit and you're good to go.
Secret #3) Unless you like your cookies crunchy, don't leave them in as long as the recipe says . . .with "golden brown edges" you're cookies will be hard in a hurry. If you like your cookies the way I do -with luscious-drool-producing softness for days- take them out the second you see any hint of golden. They'll continue to bake before you can get them off the cookie sheet anyway. When I take them out, they're borderline-gooey. But as they set up, they're these tight little bundles of goodness. Mmmmm. Good thing they're gone or I'd be devouring them right now. All this cookie chat is getting me goin. :)
Enjoy! And please feel free to share any success stories, or other tips you might have.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The one with some "Have you ever" fun
Try it out for yourself...just copy and paste the list and bold and/or italicize the things you've done...
1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14.Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a 1/2 Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run. 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone. 78.Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee 100.Made amends with someone who offended you 101. Flew in a small Cessna plane with just you and the pilot 102. Ran out of gas 103. Eaten fried okra 104. Swam in the Caribbean Sea 105. Peed in a swimming pool (sorry, I was little and I remember..sick!) 106. Stayed in a beach house 107. Hosted an exchange student 108. Been a Secret Santa to a family in need 109. Worked on a political campaign 110. Coached a sports team 111. Baked bread from scratch 112. Driven from coast to coast 113. Paid off all of your debt 114. Roast marshmallows over a campfire 115. Cut up a credit card 116. Drove a car through a flood 117. Been on t.v 118. Had braces 119. Been to the top of the twin towers in NY. 120. Played in both the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans
Thanks, Em! This was fun. :) Except it kinda is depressing how boring I am! Somedays are coming. . .
The one with a Christmas survey
This little Holiday survey has been floating around between several family members and friends. I thought it was fun.. . so here goes:
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial...tree sap is a NO.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Kevin
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, one that Kev carved for me. It's my fave Christmas decoration in my house
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? By mail...if I get that far that year
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? An empty gift card
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The one with the storm
This morning I woke up listening to a huge winter storm pounding on the roof and rattling the windows. I laid their for a while just listening, glad to be warmly snuggled in bed.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The one with our Holiday "Jammies"
I just bought our anual matching Christmas Pajamas online at Old Navy and Gap. Each year we open one gift the night Santa arrives. . . their Holiday "Jammies".
Aren't we gonna be cute this Christmas Eve?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The one where we went to Vegas
Last week we went down to Vegas for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was so great to get away for a few days!
Friday we wondered around Vegas: the M&M factory, the lions at MGM Grand, the water show at the Bellagio, tried out "Jack in the Box" fast food (a first for me), had dinner at Outback Steakhouse to see my cousins Matt and Tavish who work there, (Did I mention how MUCH FOOD we ate on this trip? Ugh. Treadmill is reeeally getting used this week) and then played with our kids at the condo before we crashed for the night.
Then the girls went to the movie "Twilight" while the guys watched the kids. Then we all ate at Mandalay Bay's Bayside Buffet. I don't know if I've ever seen Kevin eat THAT much food. He and Damon had plate after plate after plate of food- mostly crab. On the way back Kevin says "Ummm, I don't feel very good." That's what happens, honey!! Ha ha. The food really was delicious though. I'd highly recommend eating there if you're going to Vegas. It's not too expensive and mmmmm....their dessert bar had these little chocolate cups with fruit and ....ok, I've gotta stop and refocus on treadmill-type thoughts.
We also got to take the kids to the Jonas Brothers concert, which Halle absolutely loved. A huge THANKS to my wonderful cousin, Tina for hooking us up with the tickets. Love you!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The one about Drew's little finger
We had just got in an elevator in Vegas and were headed down. I looked around to watch Drew, who is always sooooo cute in an elevator- how he puts out those sweet little hands to steady himself and his eyes get all big and worried- when a
And I totally panicked:
Ora's next to me panicking too. I'm immediately having all sorts of visions...and if you're a mom, you know exactly what they looked like. There are no words I want to even use to describe them.
We are stuck in here. Can the doors open while it's moving? Are the stairs faster or can I stand still long enough to ride the elevator back up? Where would the nearest security guard be? Why do they make these darn elevators so stinkin small?
"Mom, Drew's in the stroller." Halle said.
It was probably only 8 seconds total. He was there. Right in front of me, safely hidden in the stroller. It could have been funny, if it had been some thing other than my son. I had involuntary tears spilling out all over everything. Humiliating myself all through the casino when they wouldn't stop coming. Over reacting like that just comes with the mom-territory, I guess.
Anyway, I'm so grateful right now that my little man is running around the house, making all his usual spills and messes. What would I do without him?
How would I get ready in the morning without him picking out my outfit for me like he does? "Mom-ma, this shirt is beautiful for you!" Then when I try it on, "Mom, that IS beautiful for you, hoo-wa Mom?"
Or how he keeps saying new things like "This is Amazing!" or "This is simply great" or "This is the coolest things of my life I've ever seen before" or "Ya, that could be a good idea, hoo-wa mom?" Which really are (somewhat) normal things to say, but it's just so much better coming from one so small.
And then a few days ago he melted me when he told me:
Kev says he's got me wrapped around his little finger.
And he's right.
. . .
Monday, November 24, 2008
The one from John
I mentioned in the last post how my sisters, friends, family and I are sending my missionary bro packages of homemade ornaments - just for fun. Cuz we miss him. :) We also ordered him a small Christmas tree. He will be getting several packages this week of ornaments from all of us. Don't you love the holidays?
He was scheduled to get the package with the tree on Friday. It must have arrived cuz here is the email that he sent me today. It was so great, I just had to share:
"Now it came to pass that in the 13th month of his mission (being thirteen out of 24), while going about his many labors, behold, a great and tremendous box of exceeding size arrived at his tent. And the great and tremendous box was made after the manner of the cardboard, and the box measured about 4 feet long, 1 foot wide. However the box was not exceedingly heavy, nor was it burdensome to carry.
"However the words of his sister came to him, giving him a warning, and these are the words of his sister: 'Behold, thou shalt not open any box that thou recievest from thy sister, for thy sister sent it, and you will receive it, and thou shalt not open it until the day of thanksgiving, less thou be cursed from further receiving of any box.'
"So when these words came into his mind, he feared greatly lest he be led away into temptation and open the box before the day of thanksgiving come. And such was his fear that he did tremble much and his knees did smote together.
"Nevertheless and notwithstanding, he did not open the box but did await for the day of thanks.
"However when the sun came up the next day, he received another box, however this box, nor the first box, had a name of who the sender was. and this box was wrapped in much wrappings, and taped with much tape, and behold the box was wrapped after the manner of the pagan who give themselves unto much celebration for the occasion of Christmas.
"Therefore, he did receive this box with much gladness, however once again the words of his sister came into his mind, warning him to not open her box until the great day of thanks.
"So he was troubled in his heart, for he did not know which box it was that his sister sent. And once again he feared much lest he open the wrong box. Therefore, and hithertoo and until the day of thanksgiving, he has decided to not open either box. and he doth look forward to the day of thanksgiving with much eagerness.
"For in the day of thanksgiving he shall open both boxes, and receive much gladness, and great will be the rejoicings in the land."
See why I miss him so much?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The one about last week
I've got a little behind on the bloggin'. Here's a quick catch up.
Last week I. . . :
*. . . visited some friends in Eagle Mountain when taking the kid's to Trevan's bday party. It was so strange being there and not driving into the old driveway. Wonderful to see Mandi, Haley, Cristianne, Jen, etc though. I'm missing all of them today.
* . . . went to my childhood friend- Candice Morgan's baby shower! It's so strange seeing my old friends as adults! It's been waaaay to long. Here's Ashlee, Annie, me and Candice...the "adults":
* . . . spent a day getting ready for Young Women in Excellence. (If I haven't mentioned already I'm the second counselor in Young Woman's--the best calling ever.) The girls in our ward are really exceptional. I put together a little tile for each of them:* . . . took the kids to the dinosaur museum! I'm not sure who was more into it; Kevin or the kids?
(above: my hubby and his clone)
* . . . made Christmas ornaments with the kids. We sent my baby-missionary-brother a small Christmas tree for him to decorate next week. My sisters, some friends and I are all making ornaments for him to hang on it. Anyway, here's the one's Halle, Drew and I made. Cute, eh? (Actually they're MUCH better than in these pics. O well.) They'd better be cute after the HUGE mess we made making them!
* . . . Drew randomly just came in the room and shouted
"Church Boys Alive!!!"
Explanation anyone????
0 0
I
*****
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The one that just happened
The one where we're gonna PARTY!
Kevin and I decided months ago that if gas prices ever hit $2.50 we'd have a party. When it reached that marker, we decided to test our luck and keep going...if it ever dipped below $2 we'd reeeeally celebrate.
Well, baby, check this out!
Party town here we come!
go to http://www.utahgasprices.com/ to find stations with these prices.
Does anyone even remember when it was this low? Incredible. Maybe we should test our luck a little further...$1.50 anyone?
:D
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The one with some ideas
This is just a temporary post to show Ora some ideas for her Christmas cards. It's easier than via email. :)
