Craft Ideas

Girls Night Out

GOOD FOOD, GOOD FRIENDS, UNBELIEVABLE DESSERT and a little CRAFTING. Now that's what I call rejuvenating. We celebrated Jessica's birthday at Mimi's cafe and then came back to my house and ate ourselves sick with dessert. Here's a little secret....forget the fondue chocolate- just get the hot fudge and caramel ice cream toppings and pull out any and everything from the pantry. The biggest hits were brownies dipped in caramel and bananas double dipped in chocolate and caramel. And don't worry, past 10pm it all turns fat free!

In November we made Christmas signs and they were such a big hit we decided to do them for more holidays. They are quick and easy and can be modified for any occasion. Just grab a board from Lowes or Home Depot (they will cut it for you if you want), paint and sand the edges, put a little stain over it and then modge podge your favorite scrapbook paper on top. You can then buy the paper mache letters from a craft store, paint them and hot glue them on and THAT'S IT! (Spray paint cuts your time in half if you can find the color you want). Happy Crafting!

WARNING

WARNING! THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! WARNING!

So finally a date night...just me and the hubby, dinner and a movie, who could ask for more? I was of charge picking the show. A quick glance through the movie titles and I pause on I AM LEGEND. Great picture, Will Smith, and a cut off description stating, "Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was"... I click for more info - I get nothing. So I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of the movie Outbreak -the world is infected with a deadly virus and Will Smith is going to save the day. Sounds great.
Well, I don't want to give all of it away but let's just say 20 minutes into the movie and my head is buried under my coat...it stayed there MOST of the movie. (Did I mention I HATE scary movies?)
Let's just say....freakish crazy people jumping out at me at any time is NOT what I had in mind for a date night. Now, it is my duty as a responsible friend to warn you in advance. If you are into crazy suspenseful scary shows - this one is for you. If not, I hear, P.S. I love you is still playing. Your welcome.

Happy Birthday Hallee

Happy Birthday Hallee! Hallee turned the big 6 on December 29th right in the middle of all the crazy holiday activities. I took the easy way out and just invited a few of her friends to the Classic Skating Bounce Gym. A little pizza and drinks, cupcakes and there you have it. On Saturday we celebrated her birthday with her cousins in Logan.
Hallee is at such a fun stage - she is full of energy and life and is getting a taste of the "real world" through her experiences at school. She is so sweet and cares for everyone around her. It is not uncommon for her to shed a few tears watching a movie or while reading a book. She is a wonderful big sister and my greatest helper. I don't know what I would do without her. Hallee, you are the best and we love you very much!

Editors Note: I feel bad about her birthday being right after Christmas and try really hard for her not to get the shaft because of it but it is REALLY hard. She is overwhelmed with toys, friends parents are overwhelmed with the financial debt they have just incurred, and I think most people are partied out. So what do you do? (This is not a rhetorical question.) Anybody out there do 1/2 birthdays? I am open to any and all suggestions.

JAMI'S NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

1. Warm up the treadmill - I'm back. No diet here - I love food WAY too much. Just a re-commitment to get back on a workout plan.

2. So those of you who haven't received a thank-you or birthday card in the last well, um, EVER that is about to change. I have made a goal to be more thoughtful! Christmas thank-you's will be in the mail soon and my birthday calendar posted in my kitchen. Wish me luck! (Well...don't. Then I would have to send you a thank-you card.)

3. Beg, steal and borrow quality time with the husband. With Troy on the road again, couple time is priceless. I will make it a priority!

4. Listen to my children....REALLY listen. I got busted the other day when Hallee's friend answered my standard "How was school today?" question with a tragic story and in my standard "i'm really not hearing anything you are saying" I replied, "cool!" She looked at me oddly and said, "you think that's cool?" BUSTED! I realize how often I do this to my children but NO MORE. I'm all ears!

5. I should say I am giving up my diet Coke but NOPE - life is way to short for that.

6. Since I am not getting much out of church these days (Caymbree seems to love the halls), I am making a commitment to read the Ensign cover to cover.

7. And last but not least, and actually most important - I want my home to always be a place the Savior will reside. A little more cleanliness, a little less t.v, and a lot of love.

That's all folks. Nothing fancy or noteworthy but hopefully doable. I'll keep you posted.

Party!

I think it is safe to say that I am officially PARTIED OUT! We started our party festivities with a three day getaway to the lodge at Bear Lake with all 46 people in the Larsen gang. We then stayed in Logan for a few days with the other 19 sleep-in house guests. Christmas Eve was spent with 40 members of the Smith clan. Christmas afternoon we took the girls to a movie and then had Tom and Diane over for dinner. On Dec 27th Troy and I took Hallee and three of her friends to Classic Skating Bounce Land to celebrate her birthday. The next morning we got up and drove back to Logan to celebrate Grandpa Smith's birthday with ALL 59 crazies of the family. Saturday (Hallee's actual birthday) was spent with her little cousins at McDonalds and then the Bee Movie. Last night for New Years we braved the world and took our three little girls to Olive Garden and then home to watch a movie. We were all in bed by 10 pm. Can you blame us? It was a fun holiday season but let's just say I am grateful for a blank calendar for the next few weeks.

Christmas Concert pictures

Who knew how much work it would be to get four little girls ready for their big dance concert? My friend Tara and I decided to team up together in hopes of positive peer pressure coming to our aid. I think I got the better end of the deal with Tara's expertise in hair and make-up while I played crowd control. The hardest part was keeping our three year olds from crying (leaving a stream of black mascara down their face), pulling on their costumes (which would result in a tragic tear in their tights) or rubbing their make-up all over their cute little faces. If you look closely, you'll notice I was not so successful with Hope. Clouds of black surround her eyes but all things considered - it's not so bad.

After a two hour tug a war with hair and make up the girls looked beautiful and their moms well...not so much. I think we were dripping with sweat and near exhaustion but we pulled it off. We have however, declared that our youngest girls will NOT be allowed to pursue the dance field. That just might put us over the edge. Bring on the soccer mom!

Christmas Concert

Beautiful, magnificent, and hilarious..... All of which could describe the girls Christmas dance concert. The latter best describes Hope's very first dancing debut at the ripe ole age of 3! Don't get me wrong - she did great. She managed to do every single step in the routine - just in her own order and way. All the while with her train conductor hat down in her eyes and the elastic that was suppose to be under her neck right smack dab across her face. All I can say is enjoy the show...

(You will want to hit the pause button on my music playlist on the left before watching videos)

Hope is the smallest one on the very end.

Hallee practiced like crazy to be ready for her big performance. I love to watch her come alive on stage. My once shy little girl can now get up in front of hundreds of people and dance her little heart out.

Hallee is right in the middle on the second row. After the groups come back on stage she is on the front row, 2nd from the left.

So much to do, so little time

Well, the race is on. Christmas is right around the corner and my list of things-to-do seems to grow each day. How is this possible? I'm not a procrastinator - in fact I take pride in my organized holiday calendar. And yet, it still seems to happen every year. It's those little pain-in-the neck errands to run, the "oops" I forgot a neighbor gift for so and so, the "oh, crud" when am I going to squeeze in my visiting teaching and the most lovely of all... the THREE unexpected root canal appointments that had to be squeezed into my schedule. AND I just got back from the doctor and found out that little Hopers has strep throat. Lovely!
I have so much to post, but too little time. I have pictures of the tree, all our holiday festivities, cute videos of the girls dance concert and oh so much more. But, I guess you will all have to wait in suspense. Right now, my "list" is haunting me as I prepare to leave for Bear Lake tomorrow and not return until 11:30pm Christmas Eve. Enough said.
I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! And just remember when you are up at 2:00am wrapping presents and making those special holiday dishes - you are in good company!

Ode to my mother

I've always known it but I'm not sure I have truly appreciated it...until now. Maybe it has taken me three kids to fully grasp it, or maybe it's that I'm just older and wiser now. I'm talking about how unbelievably AMAZING my mother is. I'm not just saying it in the "mothers-day-card" type of way; I am saying it with complete astonishment ,admiration and disbelief. I am not sure how one person can do so much. I can't understand how one person with SO much to do can still keep a smile on her face. I am amazed at how one person with SO much to do, with a smile on her face STILL gives a 110% to everything and everyone.

Just in the past few months she has taken numerous family photos, created, designed and in some cases even printed Christmas cards for any and everyone who has asked. She has devoted hundreds of hours (literally) creating a printable digital scrapbook of my grandfathers life history. She continues to serve as the Stake Relief Society President truly giving all of her time, talents and energy to those she serves. All this, AND she still works as a nurse in labor and delivery.

Currently, she is preparing her home for the arrival of an extra fifteen sleep-in house guests with another nine or ten pop-ins for the holidays. She has spent every spare second over the last two weeks cooking and freezing meals in preparation of our invasion! And on top of it all, she graciously volunteers to watch my three kids this past weekend so I would not have to stress about a babysitter!

She truly is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. My greatest accomplishment in life would be to turn out even remotely like her. I have so much to learn, so much energy to acquire, and patience to gain before I can even be on the right track.

Thank you Mom for being such a wonderful example! I love you and I know I don't tell you enough just how truly amazing you are.

Let them be little

I've encountered an interesting and unexpected dilemma this Christmas. I find myself struggling with what to get Hallee. As she enters her sixth year of life I notice her teetering between a little girl and a (what do you call 6-10 year olds)? Her wish list this year spans from the Cheetah Girls, Hanna Montana, and HSM all the way down to the Littlest Pet Shop toys. I have to smile at the picture of Troy Bolton hanging on her wall but I can't refrain from thinking about covering it up with a Hello Kitty poster instead. I know it is only a matter of time before an I-pod and cell phone make their way onto her list so this year I made a conscious decision to let her be little for what I hope is not the last time. Bring on the Littlest Pet Shops!

READ "NAUGHTY LIST" POST FIRST

It's now two hours after my last post and the "Naughty List" talk struck once again. Yes, Hope's tears reappeared at Hallee's mention of the dreaded naughty list. Troy and I get quite a kick at the seriousness of their mutual naughty list threats on one another. Finally, the conversation escalated until Hallee yelled in disgust; "FOR THE LOVE OF PETE SAKES! DO WE HAVE TO GO OVER THIS AGAIN!?"

The Naughty List

After watching the movie "ELF" for the 412th time my girls (and particularly) Hope have become obsessed with who and how one finds themselves on Santa's NAUGHTY LIST. Take, for example, a recent conversation between Hope, Hallee, and I.

Hallee: "Hope - you are on the naughty list!"
Hope: "No, I'm not! MOM! Am I on the naughty list?"
Me: (Picking up the play cell phone sitting on the couch) " Hmmmm," I say with great concern. "I better call Santa and find out!" I dial the number and have an interesting conversation with Santa as my three year old watches in horror. I hang up. "Well, he says you better watch out, and not cry because you might end up on the naughty list." I pleasantly hang up the phone confident that I have just bought myself a few days of good behavior.
Hope: (Grabs the phone and dials furiously. Tears start running down her face.) " HELLO, SANTA? I AM GOING TO SPANK YOUR BOTTOM AND PUT YOU IN TIME OUT IF YOU PUT ME ON THE NAUGHTY LIST!" Slams the phone down and starts to sob.

Well....hmmmm....so much for that idea.

Bathing beauty

Gotta love this picture!

Caymbree is adapting quite well to our crazy family and gets quite a kick out of her big sisters. They are just about the only ones who can get her to giggle straight from her toes! She is a great sleeper as long as she is in her bed sleeping through the night and taking three naps during the day. However, get her out of her element and well, let's just say it can get ugly. I'm faced with the daily decision of enjoying the serenity of a three hour nap or trying to run errands with a grumpy baby. Sounds like a no brainer I know but there are ALWAYS things to do, people to see! I can't put her in a category of "high-maintenance" or "angel child" because she is somewhere in between. She has been such a fun addition to our little family and she is very much loved!

High School Friends

Merry Christmas to my beautiful, talented, amazing friends from high school! Twelve years out, 8 husbands, and 23 children later (Yikes, I've never stopped to count the kids), and we still manage to pull off an occasional get-together. Thanks to Mindy whose diligent efforts allowed even the out-of-staters to attend! Life has taken us down different roads and given us different perspectives and yet we can get together wihtout skipping a beat! (We missed you Sarah and our thoughts and prayers with you!)

Surviving the day after Thanksgiving Sales!

Don't ask me why we do it- part insanity, part the thrill of the chase, maybe it's just tradition because Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete without out. I am talking about waking up at 3am, freezing your tootsies off while you wait out with all the other crazies in the world, putting on your boxing gloves and mentally preparing yourself for the mayhem that is just around the corner.
It occurred to me that many of you have not had the joy of participating in this have-to-see-it-to-believe-it event so I thought I would share this years experience down to the nitty gritty details. You see, if you are going to do it, you must do it right and after years of practice we have it down to a science. So, listen and learn...
Thursday Evening
Step 1: Systematically go through each and every ad; circle any items of interest.
Step 2: Repeat Step 1 at least three or four times so that you don't miss anything
Step 3: Prioritize - which items are most important. Where are the best deals? What time does each store open. (A spreadsheet is beneficial!)
Step 4: Divide and Conquer - Make assignments (who gets what)
Step 5: Charge cell phone (This is crucial for tomorrows game plan)
Friday Morning
Step 1: Wake up at 3am
Step 2: Put your game face on - no room for "mr. nice guy" here.
Step 3: Wait in lines
Step 4: GO, GO, GO!
Step 5: Call "team" on cell phone to report, regroup and reassign
Step 6: Celebrate your success by going out to breakfast.

Troy is such a trooper and we always send him after the most desired item. (He claims he thinks it is absurd but don't let him fool you. He is a sucker for a bargain!) This year we started out at Walmart who does things a little differently. Because they are open 24hours they put all of their doorbusters on crates and shrink wrap them. People gather around the crates and at 5am on the dot an associate cuts the wrap and all heck breaks loose. This year we put Troy in charge of getting a Cricket (Scrapbook die-cut machine) because we knew it would be the hot item with over $120 savings. My mom and I were both at different areas of the store to get the other items on our list but we kept the communication lines open through our cell phones. At about 4:45am Troy called to let me know it was probably going to get ugly at his location. And oh, did it ever...
The drama started out with a 40 year old man trying to bully his way into the crowd. After a few elbows to an 60 year old woman she finally turned around and gave him a piece of her mind. Words were exchanged and an associate had to step in to keep things in order. All this happened BEFORE the shrink wrap was ever cut. At 5am Troy remembers the shrink wrap coming off and the next thing he knows he is on the floor on all fours. (He has no idea how he got there). Arms are flying everywhere and he is watching the Crickets disappear before his eyes. He finally grabs one by the handle which of course immediately breaks off. In another desperate attempt he bear hugs one and pulls it safely under his body (remember he is still on all fours). Mission accomplished other than the fact he has 20 people basically hoovering over him. He finally army crawls his way out of the crowd and makes it to safety.
Just wait...the story gets even better.
While he was waiting around the pile he saw one of my cousins waiting on the other side. She had been there quite a few hours and was a shoe-in for one of the machines. Well, you would think anyway. Apparently at the buzzer someone grabbed one right out of her arms and as she reached for the next one, our favorite 40 year old bully doubled her over face down in a cart so he could reach over her to get one. By the time she came up and caught her breath the machines were long gone. However, an associate saw the whole thing go down and finally had enough of the guy. They ended up pressing charges against him and hauling him down to the station for assault. AND, they took his Cricket away and gave it to my cousin.
Now, I know what your thinking. So much for the holiday spirit right? I know, I know, I feel the same way but I just can't stop myself. Besides, we did have a good laugh at the visual of Troy crawling on his hands and knees out of the crowd. And, we've already determined I am pathetic so why not add insane to the list.

Girls Weekend

Last weekend I met up with my mom, sister and sister-in-laws for our ANNUAL GIRLS WEEKEND of shopping, shopping and yes, more shopping. Adree and I declared ourselves completely PATHETIC as we lost sleep in pure anticipation and excitement for the big event. I have been looking forward to it for months - the thought of two days of shopping and eating without whining, tantrums or "I want/need ______" was the antidote to many near mother melt-downs. I'll even go as far as saying that these magical girls-night-out moments are the key to sanity in motherhood. That, and an occasional warm bathtub, soft lighting, and your own choice of music without interruption from the little hoodlums. Like I said, I am pathetic!

High School Musical

Grandma and Grandpa Smith bought tickets for all the grandkids to see Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON ICE which happened to fall on Hope's birthday. (What luck for us!) Hope was elated to go and had a blast singing and dancing to the music. Her only birthday wish however was to get COTTON CANDY. So, being the wonderful parents that we are we forked out the $8.50 for a bag of colored sugar which she devoured during the show.

Happy Birthday Hope!

It's hard to believe our little "Hopers" is three years old. She is SPUNKY and fills our home with LAUGHTER with all of her crazy antics. She is very DETERMINED and can do anything if she puts her mind to it. She is very DETAIL ORIENTATED and pays attention to everything. If she hears a song once - she is usually singing it by the end of the day. She shocked us the other day by announcing that she knows her ABC'S and then proceeded to correctly label each letter of the alphabet WITH it's accompanying sound.

Hope is one that DANCES TO THE BEAT OF HER OWN DRUM and doesn't let anything or anybody get in her way. If everyone else is going left, she goes right. If we say "yes", she says "no." Thank goodness for reverse psychology. It seems like it's easy to get mad at her but it's almost impossible to stay mad. Arguments usually end with Troy or I having to leave the room so that she doesn't see us laughing.
We love our Hope and know that these qualities will be her greatest assets as she goes through life. We just pray for guidance and patience in the meantime! :)

Just for the record

This post is just for the record. On November 13th, at four and a half months old, Caymbree had her first delicious breakfast of rice cereal and da-da-da-dum....SHE LIKES IT! SHE REALLY LIKES IT! I think I have been starving my poor child as I have been trying to hold off as long as possible for purely selfish reasons (It's just one more thing to add to my daily schedule) but I finally caved in. I planned on her spitting it out and pulling some sort of astonished face but on the first bite she took- she paused and then gave us a huge grin. It was as if to say, "So, that's what you've been holding out on me?" Of course, the camera was nowhere to be found so the video catches up around bite three.

Playlist

So I was getting a little tired of hearing the same songs every time I got on my blog so I decided to switch it up a little. Since in my own personal opinion (one that Troy DOES NOT share), it is too early to listen to Christmas music (Now is the time to vote in my poll) I decided to let everyone pick one song that they wanted on our blog. So, here are the results:
Josh Groban - Mom's pick (Just wait till you hear his Christmas album :))
Kenny Chesney - Dad's pick (well, actually he was not home when I did this so I chose it for him)
Gwen Stefani - Hallee's choice
Phantom of the Opera - Hope's choice. Yes, you heard me right. Hope has an obsession with Phantom of the Opera. She watches the movie at least twice a day and has numerous in-depth conversations with her friend Grace about each and every detail in the movie. They even make their own play dates so they can watch it together.

A Sappy Moment

For Good (Wicked Musical)

I'VE HEARD IT SAID

THAT PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES

FOR A REASON

BRINGING SOMETHING WE MUST LEARN

AND WE ARE LED

TO THOSE WHO HELP US MOST TO GROW

IF WE LET THEM

AND WE HELP THEM IN RETURN

WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE

BUT I KNOW I'M WHO I AM TODAY

BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

The other day I was driving in the car with Hallee and one of her best friends listening to the song "For Good" from Wicked. They were singing at the top of their lungs when Trinity stopped and asked what the song was talking about. It was a tender moment as I explained the value of a good friend and watched as they turned to each other, smiled and then giggled. In my post partum state of mind (I know I really can't blame it on that four months later but I have to blame it on something), it stirred up a lot of memories of all the wonderful friendships my children and I have and just how true the words to the song really are.

So this post is dedicated to ALL those people in our lives who make a difference and change us for the better. I wish I had a picture of everyone and I should be thanking each one of you in person but for now, this will have to do. Thanks to all of you who have enriched our lives, who have helped us be better people, and who are always there to lend a helping hand. (I told you it would be a sappy moment :))

Editors note: It was quite a kick to search through all my computer files and try and find pictures to include. As you can see, some of them date back a few years and I realized I don't have pictures of half of you.

Family Pictures

Ah, yes...the wonderful, stressful, exciting, chaotic, I'm-only-crazy-enough-to-attempt-this-once-a-year FAMILY PICTURES. It only took three attempts to get them; the first, canceled due to 40 degree weather, the second, canceled to a raging case of the stomach flu for me, and the third - they were going to happen come heck or high water! Troy just shakes his head at how neurotic I become and I think his direct quote was "I just pray these things turn out so we can all rest at ease again!"

So here is just a sample of the pre-photo shop, 398 pictures my mom took that day.

Note to self: 1) Schedule pictures earlier next year 2) Never put a baby in overall skirt for pictures unless you want "wings" 3) Thank goodness for photo shop! 4) Patience is a virtue and someday you will laugh at the 298 pictures of Hope scowling, yawning, and jumping up and down.

I LOVE FALL! So much to do...so little time!
Pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch...check
Corn Maze...check
Paint pumpkins...check
Carve pumpkins...check
School carnival...check
Family Halloween party...check
Playing in the leaves courtesy of Grandpa...check
See the witches at Gardner village...check
Trick or Treat street at South Towne Expo, Hee Haw Farms, and Thanksgiving Point festivities...Well, there is always next year!

After the fifth time of getting the girls in and out of their costumes I think I am actually relieved it is all over. And let the holidays begin!

I know, I know - I should be posting all the cute Halloween pics and I promise they are coming but right now this video is FAR more fitting of my mood! My friend Jen just sent me the link - thanks for sharing Jen!

Note: You might want to "pause" my soundtrack in order to hear the video song. :)