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10 years ago
December has thrown blogging out the window. It's been kind of nice actually, but I don't want to forget the details of the season.
We had our ward Christmas party, including a visit from the big S.C. Lily was scared of his jolly old self from clear across the room, so we didn't even attempt a picture with her. Is it only my kids (the older ones included) that always get shy in front of Santa? They never look him in the face and Ty always looks like he's being tortured. Their voices are barely audible when they answer him in one word only responses. It's a shock Santa is ever able to get their gifts right... proof that Christmas magic lives on.
Lily preferred to be left alone in her little chair. Isn't she pathetic...pathetically cute??
Maggie had the opportunity to participate in a small, but incredibly talented children's choir that sang with our stake choir and orchestra at this year's Christmas concert. That's right - our stake has its own orchestra. They are amazing! Children have never been asked to be a part of the concert before. The choir is unbelievable! They practice once a week year round along with the orchestra, performing a few times a year. We were so excited that Maggie was asked to participate. It was a lot of hard work, but so rewarding. She did great and we were so proud of her. I don't have a single picture to show for it all. Grrr. Just know that she was cute. Very cute.
The hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is always one of our favorite parts about Christmas. It seems like fewer and fewer families are buying fresh trees, but for us that's how it will forever be. Yes, the needles are a mess. Yes, it's always tricky getting the tree to stand (and remain) straight. But there is absolutely nothing that can duplicate the scent of the real thing. LOVE it. I love that when visitors walk through our front door they are drawn to the fragrant, real tree. And of course everyone wants to run their fingers through the needles, sending a few more to the floor. That's ok though. It's all part of the experience.
And now for a little gem of a memory from my past: When I was a kid we always bought fresh trees. I'm not sure if Christmas tree stands weren't invented yet or what. Actually I'm quite sure they were around - I think my dad just figured he could get our tree to stand straight without the help of some plastic thing with screws...3 very very convenient screws. It always took what seemed like at least 2 hours just to get the tree standing. We didn't use a generic tree stand from Wal-mart. Oh no. We used real man supplies...a bucket and some bricks. Sounds scary, right? It was. A few of us were assigned the job of holding the tree as straight and still as possible inside of the bucket, while a few more kids were spread out on every side of the tree yelling, "It's leaning to the left!" "Oh no! now it's leaning to the right!" It's falling into the window!" And my dad would be on the floor under the tree grumbling, and shoving bricks down into the bucket very strategically so as to hold the tree straight. It was very tedious work. Someone always got in trouble for not holding the tree perfectly still. And overall it wasn't a very merry time. But by the time the decorating began we all forgot how mad we were about the dang tree. Mom, Dad, we go fresh because of you, but we ARE the owners of a regular old tree stand. It's been a great source of family harmony. And I've since learned that the entire process of purchasing, setting up, AND decorating the tree can be completed in approximately 90 minutes rather that 9 hours.
Merry Christmas to all of you! Hope you are enjoying every minute of this blessed time of year
with your family and friends.
I realize that changing seasons is a natural behavior for lovely mother nature. I realize that most of the U.S. was enjoying this 2 months ago. I realize that I am such a kid at heart when it comes to big crunchy leaves covering our lawn.
Now YOU have to realize that this is Vegas. Fall rarely leaves such an incredible mark here in the land of heat stroke and relentless UV rays. There are so many stinkin' palm trees and cacti that we miss out on the huge amounts of colorful leaves. Truly a sad, sad thing.
BUT...
Lucky for us, something magical has happened. And our front yard just so happens to have the 2 BEST leaf changing trees on the block.
The kids had a day off today for parent/teacher conferences and they spent most of it doing this...
How can you possibly not smile at this fun??
In true cheap frugal decorator fashion I have a fast and easy Christmas craft to share. I tested this one out at the church ladies' white elephant gift exchange over the weekend. I figured if no one else liked it, who cares! It's a white elephant. It's ok if it's ugly (but yes, deep down I would have shed a few tears if it got laughed at). Thankfully no one laughed, and it was even pretty highly sought after. SO. Here's what I did:
A little cutting, a little painting, a little gluing, and wabaamm.
The whole thing took 20 minutes... maybe.
Total cost: A BIG FAT $0.00
A 100% scrap made project. cha-ching. The cute little trunk is from my very own backyard bush, the paper is from my scrapbox, and even the frame was dug out of the scariest back corner of my closet.
I love that it's so simple. I love glittery gorgeous sparkly things just as much as the next girl, but sometimes simple is classy in its own way.
Today I'm linking up at:
Today I'm linking up at:
Let us reflect on this picture for just a moment. Claire captured this lovely moment in time, I think because she's been trying to figure out why I've been wearing a flannel blanket as a permanent accessory for 3 days. I'm cold. So cold. Currently, the thermostat reads 71 degrees in the house. It's not cold. Why am I shivering with 30% control of my half numb fingers? There's only one explanation, well two maybe - old people get cold easily. I had my 32nd birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I don't think I've been warm since. Seems like sound proof to me. And maybe I've lived in scorchin' Vegas too long.
Here's the other thing. I've actually considered what it might be like to be the proud owner of a Snuggie. Old. Maybe in a nice navy blue, or a chocolate brown. Those colors would work much better with my complexion than the cherry red. The red is really not becoming. The problem with the blanket draped over my shoulders is I have very limited movement without risking it slipping off my back. A Snuggie could be so much more maneuverable and mom friendly. I mean I'm not saying that they're fashionable or anything. I wouldn't consider wearing one to the grocery store or probably not even to answer the front door. But for all those hours spent at home with just the kids...I might actually consider it. And don't worry, I'd ditch it before Reas walked in the door each evening. I'm pretty sure a Snuggie wouldn't be healthy for our love life.
I guess you could say that if someone handed me a Snuggie and said, "This is for you," I'd secretly be happy. And then I'd become the next closet Snuggie wearer.
Come on, admit it. You've at least thought about it.
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