Santa Surprise

Like Christmas Eve doesn't wind up my kids enough...we had an extra special treat when we had a surprise visitor ring our door bell! Thank you Santa for making our night!!

Piano Players Playing Proudly

Oh no...I discovered that Sis's camera takes video clips...you will be wishing that I didn't figure that out. Now the big dilemma of pics or clips will run through my head constantly!! I have been using Sis's camera a LOT lately because my nice Cannon SLR has broken and I just can't justify that $250 that it will cost to repair it...so if anyone has connections in the camera repair world feel free to let me know!

Tonight was our Christmas Piano Recital. A bunch of the kids in our neighborhood take from one of the cute, strike that, beautiful teenage girls in the neighborhood (I was hoping that this point would make Jake a little more excited about taking piano lessons - but NO - not even a beautiful girl can outweigh the bad attitude of my hopeless 12 year old...as will be apparent at the end of his clip!) I took little clips of each of the kids playing their recital pieces. I didn't realize I could take the video clips until after Keebler had already played his piece, so his is actually a reenactment that is why people are talking during the start. I feel really bad because he makes a small mistake in what I recorded, but you'll just have to trust me that he played it without any mistakes during the actual performance.

Enjoy!! (they are all short I promise)


Jolly Old St. Nicholas


Up On the Housetop


Pat A Pan

Just a Little Side Note...
Sis was just reading my blog checking out some of my latest posts and read the one titled "Before and After". Oh how I wish I would have had a camera handy to capture her expression when she saw my "Before" picture...it was priceless!! We both had a good laugh and I am glad she doesn't really remember me like that (even if it was just 6 short months ago). I guess all my hard work of making sure I wasn't in many photos really paid off!! That should be incentive right there to try and keep the weight off, right? Apparently, my kids will only remember me how I am today!!

Christmas Lights

This year we tried something new...we went to Thanksgiving Point to see their Christmas Lights. We went with my side of the family (with a few of my nieces bringing dates there were 25 of us in total), so we rented the trolley that took us all together to see the lights. It was fun to all be together to sing Christmas Carols as we viewed the lights. Afterward, we had hot chocolate and donuts by the big water tower and even got to see the "reindeer". All in all a very good time. We were all pleasantly surprised to see that the trolley was a heated bus...we had all envisioned an outdoor ride and we were afraid we'd all freeze to death! Nothing like a good heater to warm up a party!!

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

This morning was Jair's Preschool Christmas Program which included a wonderful musical performance from 30+ preschoolers! What fun!! Their grand finale song was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" in which Santa came "Ho Ho Ho"-ing through the door and surprised them all!! Santa let each of them sit on his lap, gave them a candy cane, and then each student got to have a wrapped book from their teacher. After Jair's turn was done he started to cry, I asked him what was wrong. He told me he didn't want a book because he didn't know how to read! It was totally funny to me but unfortunately it ruined the rest of the morning for Jair! Of course, he was going to have a bad day from the start...when I was helping to get him ready he asked, "Is it church day?". I said, "No, why?". He asked again, "Why do I have to wear one of those?" pointing to the shirt I was holding. Apparently I must let Jair dress too casually all the time because I didn't realize button shirts were only for Sundays - my bad!!

Ring Christmas Bells

Landon and I and our 2 oldest children (the other 2 are not old enough to attend such events yet) were able to go this morning to Music and the Spoken Word followed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert "Ring Christmas Bells". It was so Fab-U-Lous!!!! I thought I was doing a good job at getting into the Christmas Spirit (and the recent snow really helps), but after going to this wonderful concert this morning there is no doubt that Christmas Cheer is racing through my blood!! I am so grateful to our Savior and to celebrate His birth makes this my favorite time of year hands down! Heck, I just love a good party and Christmas is like one big party for an entire month!!

I think my favorite part of Christmas is the Christmas Music!!! I am so grateful that we have all been blessed with different talents. And sometimes I feel because I haven't been blessed with a particular talent it makes me more grateful for those that have been blessed with it....and that is how I feel about EVERY thing musical!! I am sincerely blessed when others share their musical talents with me! I'm not just talking about those that can sing...it would definitely include those who play musical instruments; those that compose such beautiful lyrics and songs; those that can dance so gracefully to the rhythm of the beat; and those that can conduct and choreograph it all!!

Thank you Paul and Sherry for giving us the tickets that you were unable to use. I am so sorry that you were not able to go but grateful that you would think of us!

Christmas Tag

I saw this tag on Natalie's blog and thought I would participate since she invited anyone to do it. I just thought it was a great idea!! Thanks for passing it along Natalie :D


Our Christmas Tree...
We bought a new tree last year and therefore all new tree decorations to go with it. I love our new tree...if it were up to me we would not even decorate it...I think it is pretty enough to stand on it's own! It has pine cones and twigs all over it and it is one of those great kinds that already have the lights strung so you just build it in sections!! (Terrific invention in my opinion.) The kids just love to help put the ornaments on the tree, so of course we decorate it!! We are still in search of the perfect topper...hopefully we will find one soon!



Favorite Christmas Decoration...
Well that is easy...because it is what is "new" this year. I was wanting something great for our coffee table and went out hunting at some of my favorite shops...I finally found the perfect thing...unfortuanetly it was $170!! And even if we were swimming in money I would never pay $170 for a center piece...so I decided to make one myself!! I am happy to report I got the same great look at a fraction of the cost!



Finally my favorite Ornament...
That is a toss up...the ornament would be the Snowman in Santa hat...just love him!! But I also love the garland on our tree. So I took a picture with both in it. The garland has rustic jingle bells and miniature yarn balls...gotta love that!!

I invite any one else that would like to share some of their favorite Christmas Decorations to do so! I know I for one would love to see them!! Merry Christmas!

Joining the Metal Mouth Ranks!!

The right of passage for teenagehood has imposed itself on Jake! On Tuesday, December 9th Jake got braces, and of course, I was there to photo document the entire process!! We NOT only got the family discount (since Sis is a client too) BUT we got the holiday discount as well!! So just a tip out there December is a good month to get braces on your child...of course, I told Jake that this would be the most expensive Christmas present he ever gets from me!!! I am happy to report he can almost eat solid foods again!!


The torture!!


Sis and Jake with our Orthodontist

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

But since we probably won't get one here is a list of things I like to do to help me get into the Christmas Spirit!!

* Drink LOTS of hot chocolate (don't forget to stir it with a candy cane stick)

* Listen to a wide variety of Christmas music and hit "Repeat All" (and NEVER before Thanksgiving Day)

* Sit in the peacefulness of the night(after children are in bed) and enjoy the Christmas decorations all lit up (with, of course, above said music playing softly)

* Wrap ALL Christmas presents before Christmas Eve
I use to wrap everything on Christmas Eve to help keep the kids from peeking (we have had severe cases of present peeking in the past) but that was NO fun and way to much work for me on Christmas Eve. I came up with the perfect solution a few years ago...each member of my family get an assigned wrapping paper and I wrap all their gifts in that paper. Then on Christmas morning I announce which wrapping paper is theirs! It has stopped the peeking and now all they do is wondering which paper is theirs and take pride if they have guessed everyone's paper correctly.

* Assign the traditional "Christmas Letter" writing to my husband - that was one huge task taken off of me and Landon does such a fabulous job that it really was the best for everyone involved!

* Visit Ogden's Christmas Village (it is not near as crowded as Temple Square)

* Use the phrase "Merry Christmas" as much as possible...I would never be offended if someone came up to me and said for example, "Happy Hanukkah"...so I am going out on a limb that someone else would not be offended if I expressed holiday sentiments in this fashion! I have to have faith in people that we can be tolerant of others religious beliefs or I would be in a world of hurt!!


Christmas Eve Traditions:

* Open one present (but shhhhhhhhh it's new jammies and my kids don't know)

* Reenact Luke 2 (right down to the robes and headdresses along with a baby doll that we keep around just for his big debut each Christmas Eve because no one around here plays with dolls!)

* Read a Christmas bedtime story (from a new book bought each year and of course, we will probably reread some of our favorites too)

* Set out Cookies & Milk (Chocolate is Santa's truly favorite kind of milk and only gets it from the children that love him best) and of course, we use our special Santa plate and mug - only the best for Santa!

* Pour oats and leave in a tin on the front lawn...ya know the reindeer need nourishment too!

Before & After

I have been meaning to post for a while but just can't seem to find the time...if I am ever going to really use this blog for true "journaling" and "family history" kinds of reasons than I MUST get better about posting! (Oh I feel a New Years resolution coming on....)

Many of you have been watching me over the past several months and can see that I am half the woman I use to be - LITERALLY (well at least a third of what I use to be)!!!! Back in May I joined a Biggest Loser contest hosted by my very caring and oh so wonderful friend and neighbor, Ann. I almost did not join the contest because just the thought of having to let others know my actual weight was almost unbearable! But when push came to shove I realized two things...first, it's not like I could hide the fact that I was fat! It was kind of obvious!! And second, I really wasn't joining the contest for any one else but me!! So I swallowed my pride and joined in the fun...determined that I would have to be successful OR would have to hide my fat butt in shame forever!!

The contest was from May 17th to August 9th and I felt I was very successful. I lost 40 pounds and was more determined than ever to continue to lose more! I was very sad to find out that Ann was taking a hiatus from hosting the contest, but being so very determined to continue losing...I decided to host my own. That second Biggest Loser contest ran from August 30th to November 22nd (I'm no fool...I wanted it over to enjoy the Holidays!!) And again, I feel I was very successful. This second contest I lost 20 more pounds. I am only 10 pounds away from reaching the original goal I set for myself back in May. But now that I am here so close and doing so well I have decided to tack on another 15 pounds to that goal. I am now hoping to lose a 25 pounds more. That would bring my grand total to 85 pounds...so wish me luck!! If I can do it I know I will be VERY satisfied!! Hence another New Years resolution (okay I know I am really a big dork...this year is not even over and I am already looking on what to improve about next!!!)

Let's just hope that is part of the new me! You see almost 5 years ago I was in that same bad shape and managed to lose 60 pounds. But as hard as it was I was always just focused on losing the weight. I never once thought about the future and how to keep it off. Unfortunately, I gained it all back plus 10 more! And as many of you know out there...it is a lot of hard work to get weight off....I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN!! So now it is all about thinking ahead and knowing what I need to do even before I have to do it!! Maybe that kind of thinking can rub off on some other aspects in my life :)

Needless to say when I am over weight I do NOT like to have my picture taken...so I really had to dig to find a "Before" picture to use! Here I am just 60 pounds ago. I am still a little amazed that some people haven't noticed that I have lost weight...but again I don't really care...I didn't want to lose weight for any one else but me!! BEFORE:





Here is what I looked like at the end of the First Biggest Loser. Sorry, I am really hardly in any pictures...so ones of just me are even harder to find! MIDDLE:





I got smart and with the second Biggest Loser contest I actually took pictures of everyone at the weigh-in! AFTER:



I just want everyone to know how thankful I am to Ann for inviting me to join her contest. I will be forever in your debt! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Ann! But that doesn't even come close to thanking you...honestly there are NO words that can truly express my deep gratitude!! It is funny because one of the contestants in the contest I hosted gave me a big hug at the final weigh-in and told me that she was grateful to me. And of course, I told her how grateful I was to Ann. I told her maybe this is a "pay it forward" kind of thing...since Ann was so kind in helping me and now that I have helped others...maybe they too can in turn help someone else!!

I have decided to host another contest in January. The first weigh-in will be January 10th and the contest will run another 12 weeks. Let me know if you are interested in joining in the fun...or if someone you know might be interested as well!