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!

The Big Loss!

So we hauled the Expedition to Rice Eccles Stadium filled with 8 Titan Fans...only to sit through a three hour slaughter!! All I kept saying was I am glad it wasn't a complete shut out; and I was so thankful we had some points on the board!!!! The biggest loss of the evening wasn't to Alta...it was the loss of Jaden!! Talk about a mother's worse nightmare coming to life!! For about 25 minutes this mom was in complete panic mode!! All I am saying is that if a mom can cry that much at just the potential of her child being gone...I can't even imagine the amount of tears when it is the real deal!! I am sooooooooo happy to report that we found Jaden and all was well. He thought Kaylinn and her friends had gone out to the car and he was just following them...no big deal that he wasn't with his mother, right!?!?! Anyway, Thank you to Jann, Jim and Emily for helping to search for him...The very nice Security people putting an all points bulletin out for him...And Landon who was turning around on the freeway to head up to the stadium!! So in total Alta 42, Syracuse 14, Jaden 0, Mom 4 (children that is!)


Showing Our Team Spirit!


We Had To Find Drew!!


I can't imagine why we lost, when we were trying our best to show how tough we are!!


HAD to support #65 - GO ARRON!!


Fun After The Game...And After the Drama!

Many Posts

Many posts today...make sure you read all the latest...yesterday was a busy day so lots to share!!

YW In Excellence

After a 3 year long "battle"...Sis received her YW Recognition Medallion last night!! I am so proud of Sis for earning it. And so happy she did before she was 16!!!!!! I know it would have been that much tougher after 16! Truth be told...yes, we are those kind of parents that say you can't drive if you don't have your YW Medallion or Eagle! I know some really frown upon that kind of thing, but it really worked for us!! Way to go Sis! I sure love you!!


Sis with her BFF - Thanks for the support!!


The Big Moment!!


Proud Parents!!