Decking the Halls

Put this together this afternoon.
Wanted something outdoorsy AND romantic.
Thanks Kendal, for talking me into getting the gold, glittery, twig thingies. I resisted, but you persuaded...so glad!
A bit messy to work with...but, oh-so fun!
And ahhhhh, the feathers!

$9.3 - In billions, the estimated national sales for holiday decorations last year.

$20 - Amount the typical American household spent on seasonal decorations in 2006. (I wanna know, how did they do that?)

269 - In feet, the height of the Guinness Book of World Records' largest Christmas tree.

25% - Percentage of respondents who purchased a live tree last year, according to a poll by the National Christmas Tree Association.

25,000 - Number of lights on Clark Griswold's house in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

While decking, I use my collection of antique/vintage angels. Such cute faces!
What are your fave things to "deck" with?

A Crack on Our STONE!

With my little dude...before the crack. Jordan & Rachel had just departed. You know, towards Utah.
The rest of us...enjoying the oh-so beautiful last day of November.

Duck Feeding

Slippery Sliding

Shoulder Riding


Time for dinner.

Then off to the Klepinger's to play/visit.

While having a blast playing with Carson and his fun toys, Stone took a spill & cracked his lip.

A quick trip around the corner to get a doctor's opinion. Thanks Rob and Reader family! A quick trip to Urgent Care. Back to Rob's. Then off to one of Rob's friends (a plastic surgeon).

After a bit of drama, much relief after both doctors concluded stitches & sedation (due to Stone's wiggly age) would not be necessary!

Family rocks! And our Stone will heal.

After the crack...and before we cleaned up his face and shirt.



Leann and Carson dropped by tonight with some new cars (see on top of the steering wheel) and goodies. Carson has a sympathy injury on his forehead (see the bandage?).
We miss you Jordan and Rachel. The babies are looking everywhere for you :) We can't wait for your baby!

Pathway Home

"Forever on Thanksgiving Day, the heart will find the pathway home." --Wilbur D. Nesbit

I'm so excited. All 3 kids, their 3 spouses, and 3 babies (okay, one in utero, but still!)...making their way "home". The arrivals start today.

These 9, when I count my blessings, are right on top. It's more than love...we really like each other.

I get to smooch on him today.

And her tomorrow. (I love her "Got Milk?" pose)Great news--this little doll and her mommy & daddy are moving to the Valley of the Sun. Lots of smooching ahead!

Just Desserts, Twilight & Scarecrows

Nine...p.m. My house. Just Girls. Just Desserts.
We laughed, posed, and ate.
Current #1 album playing in the background. (Thank you, Lor!)
Movie soundtrack...you know, the movie.
Then, we sang a song...twice!
Once via phone, for Paul. Once for Leann. She made a wish and blew out candles.
(Hey Lee? Did you wish for cuts in the looooooong movie line, by chance? Nice!) Happy Birthday, Leann! I love you!

Ten...p.m. 5 sisters and 5 nieces load into 2 SUVs.
Missed our girls (Kendal, Charee, Rachel, Ashley & Brittany) that live too far away!
Missed our girls (Kennedy, Reagan, Brittain & Eden) that are too young for such happenings!


Skipped the long lines. Straight to our seats. Two hours of pure fun, until...

Twelve...a.m. The lights went down.
I haven't read the books. I had no expectations. We had already had a blast. Related friends. Entertained.

Three...a.m. Dropped off. Home.

Nine...a.m. Sleepy-eyed. Pulled garbage can to curb. Discovered my neighbors scarecrows are now in my yard instead of theirs. Be afraid girls...be very afraid!

***more pics to come --- when I can see through eyes that are not blurred :)

As promised...thanks, Lynds!

Single Sentence Sunday

"It is not doing the thing we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do, that makes life blessed." -GOETHE

Easy, Breezy and Cheesy!

Pesto Pizza

Start to finish: less than 30 fun minutes!

Crust options: I used Jiffy (my first time ever...it was quick, easy, cheap and yummy). Papa Murphy's sells a large crust (uncooked) for $2. Or your fave dough.
Toppings: What's your pleasure? (That's the fun part...what do you feel like?)

Preheat oven (450-ish degrees).
Spread dough on greased plate/pan.

***tip: pour small amount of olive oil on plate/pan and pepper the oil. Use your fingers to spread the peppered oil, and then use your greasy fingers to spread the dough. This way the dough won't stick to your fingers!***

Distribute desired amount of pesto directly on dough. (I used garlic/basil)
Add your choice of meat. (I used sliced Canadian bacon, Kendal used a shredded chicken and alfredo sauce mixture over tomato/basil pesto)
Sprinkle grated cheese. (I used a shredded pizza blend)
Add other chosen toppings. (I used sweet red roasted peppers and sliced red/purple onions)
Apply light sprinkling of olive oil.
Bake 15-18 minutes.

And the smell...like an authentic pizzeria...YUM!

When the kids are here later this month, each couple can CREATE one. A gourmet pizza party. The possibilities are endless. So, start thinking, kiddos!

Fast Sunday, or Slow Sunday?

I love my new ward!

Last week was Stake Conference, so...
today was Fast Sunday.

I think my stomach growled during R.S.
It could have been someone elses. I honestly couldn't tell. I heard it, but didn't feel it, ya know?

My new friends pretended not to hear.
So did I. Just in case it was theirs and not mine.

Another Sunday, when this boy (Tanner) was 4, we were rushing from the parking lot to the chapel, hoping to not be late.

"Mom, is today Fast Sunday or Slow Sunday?"

Hmmmm, good FHE topic for the next night :)

My Day in Court

I was summoned.
Jury Duty.
I know the drill.
Showed up at the appointed time.
Filled out paper work, watched a video.
Assigned a number. Ten.
Filed into a courtroom.
Answered questions out loud.
Learned way too much about 53 strangers.
Number 11, sitting right next to me, has a half-brother serving time for murder. I tried not to flinch. As requested by the court, several others shared about their family members "convictions".
They know a bit about me too. They know that I am related to attorneys.
I'm pretty sure that's why I was thanked and excused (after several hours)...it happens every time!