We have a lot of boxes....

So we built a wall and made ourselves a "rabbit hole".
The kids took turns crawling through.

Zackary was unsure at first, but soon he was traveling back and forth through the opening as well :)

Sadly, the only member of our family that couldn't fit through the hole was Ty. If we are ever in an Indiana Jone's type of situation we will just have to leave him behind.

Max is all smiles.

I even managed to somehow squeeze through. I should have been a contortionist!

(Never mind that all of the boxes are sporting beer and cigarette labels. Our kind Indian neighbor owns several gas stations and has been bringing us boxes from work! I think we probably have enough.)

December Agenda

The final few days of November and the month of December are going to be a bit crazy.
Here is the game plan:

finish packing
clean
fly to Utah
survive snow
visit BYU and temple square
drive to California
make lots of Christmas treats
rejoice

I will be taking lots of pictures along the way and try to update when I can!

Words

Awake. Joyful. Bliss. Bravery. Cozy. Delight. Devotion. Energize. Loyal. Love. Natural. Peaceful. Pure. Taste. Glow. Truth. Worthy. Zest.

What words would you pick to describe your life or the person you strive to become?

Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
Ty was home! Today is his only day off this week and we were so looking forward to having him :)
This morning I covered the table with special games and coloring pages for the kids.
I made little "pie" name cards. Inside the pies there were candies and little notes.
After some coloring fun we took a nice family walk. The weather today was perfect. We all enjoyed the breeze. It would have been a perfect day for a game of football. Maybe next year we will have a team!

After our walk the little people were tired so we set ourselves up to watch a little bit of the parade. I made some roasted garlic and artichoke dip to eat with chips while we watched.

After the parade watching I was kitchen bound. The dinner was fantastic and afterward there was pie :)
This year I made pumpkin, and an apple cranberry crumble pie. We are all very full, very thankful, and very happy.

We have so much to be thankful for right now! Today was a celebration for our little family. We are happy to have each other and look forward to all of our celebrations that are yet to come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The big day is nearly here!
Today shall be busy. There will be a visit to Santa and one last trip to the store, baking, decorating, and cleaning.
I am thankful for this season of gratitude. I am not always the best at recognizing my blessings, but they are many. I am thankful for my Savior, for my Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost. I could never do this life on my own and I am not expected to. I am thankful for the help and trust that is given to me. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my husband who is always trying. I am thankful for my children and their eagerness to learn and be the best they can be. I am thankful that our cars have lasted as long as they have. It has been a great blessing to be without a car payment while Ty was in school. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn something new every day. I am thankful for righteous leaders and examples. I am thankful for the opportunity to try new things and visit new places.
There are always trials and difficulties that are thrown into the mix, but I try to focus on the blessings and I try to find joy in the little things.

Equestrian Romance

I just learned a little bit about Robert Vavra, a well known equestrian photographer. I think his work captures the romance and magic that all little girls associate with horses.
When I was very young I loved the movie, "Legend". I always wanted to be Lily and run away with the unicorns.

It just takes you to an enchanted fairy land.

Mia would be very happy there. She has just discovered Tinkerbell and I think she may never be the same!

This one makes me think of what a princess might find as she wandered through the woods.
A seriously gorgeous horse!

Just a little magic for your everyday :)

Influencing Lives for Good....

“Bear in mind, dear sisters, that the eternal blessings which are yours through membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are far, far greater than any other blessings you could possibly receive. No greater recognition can come to you in this world than to be known as a woman of God. No greater status can be conferred upon you than being a daughter of God who experiences true sisterhood, wifehood, and motherhood, or other tasks which influence lives for good.”

-Spencer W. Kimball

Baby Goldfish

There are so many varieties of goldfish crackers to choose from. Which do you buy?
It has recently been brought to my attention that the "baby" goldfish crackers are the best deal. The regular sized goldfish crackers weigh in at just over 6 ounces and the baby sized give you over 7 ounces. Just in case you were wondering!

They are also super fun to eat :)

A Happy Day

I was so happy to wake up this morning and realize that it was Saturday!
Oh what a wonderful day is a Saturday :)
I was thrilled that Max could stay home and play. I was even more thrilled that I didn't have to get him ready for school! Mia was happy that Max was home to play with. Zackary was just glad that everyone else was glad too.
I got to go to the gym and read a magazine while doing a little elliptical training. It is so much fun! At home I read scriptures, cleaned bathrooms, made hot cider for Ty (he is sick with a cold, poor guy!), and came up with some super awesome cookies!

Super Fudgey Brownie Cookies

1 box brownie mix
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 stick melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and form into heaping tablespoon sized balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Pie!

What is Thanksgiving, if not a wonderful excuse to eat pie?
Pie is definately the dessert of choice at our house. The possibilities are endless! I am getting very excited about pie. Thanksgiving is less than a week away at this point. The Pioneer Woman has done an awesome post today all about pie! There are some really yummy looking recipes. If you haven't decided on a pie yet, take a look, and if you have, take a a look anyway!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/11/pies-pies-pies/

S'more pie. Happiness :)

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie.

And Pie Cupcakes!

Happy Pie Baking to you!

It's Wednesday! It has been a cold and rain filled week so far. This morning I took the kids to Panera before school for some bagels and hot chocolate. Max and Mia ran to find seats while I ordered. I found them sitting in the big lounge chairs in front of the fireplace. It was perfect! Max and Mia stayed cozy by the fire, ate yummy cinnamon crunch bagels, and sipped warm hot chocolate. I tried to keep Zackary from getting into too much trouble. Max went to school with a cinnamon covered face, but he was happy and excited to tell his friends about his bagel filled breakfast adventure :)
I took Zac and Mia for a little Goodwill shopping. I found some great cords for myself, some jeans for Mia, and pants and shirts for Zackary. He was really the one who needed clothes! We made a quick stop at the grocery store for milk, bread, and apples (necessities!) and finally made it home just in time for Zac to fall asleep. I put him down for a nap and set Mia up with all of her "babies" for some play time. I got on the phone and didn't put it down for 2 hours. I made some lunch for the kids and attempted to make some gooey salted caramel brownies. The results are uncertain at the moment. Now I am listening to some Josh Groban Christmas music while I plan some more activities for Thanksgiving day! I hope everyone is having a great week!
Here is a little Zac attack to liven up your afternoon :)

Snowball Fight!

I was seriously craving some mexican wedding cookies, or russian tea cakes, or whatever you call those little round sugar coated cookies.
I loved them when I was little and now I make them every year around the holidays.
I started searching my cupboards and sadly I was out of nuts, a key ingredient in the cookies. I decided to make them anyway, using what I had on hand, and came up with something great :)

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour

mix-ins : mini chocolate chips and andes peppermint crunch baking pieces.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Cream the butter and the sugar. Add the salt and vanilla. Stir in the flour (you may need to add a bit more to get the right consistency. You want to be able to handle the dough without it sticking to your hands.)
Mix in the mini chips and peppermint pieces.
Roll dough into tablespoon sized balls and bake for about 16 minutes.
When cookies are cool enough to handle but still warm, roll in powdered sugar to coat. Allow to cool completely before handling.

More Gingermen

For $5 The Cupcake Mint will send you some serious happiness in the form of gingerbread man cookie sandwiches.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/36902988/stocking-stuffin-two-happy-gingerbread

(Or you could make them yourself and share the happiness with everyone you know!)

The arrival

This morning we took the kids down to the Galleria mall for Santa's arrival. We had to wait in a line that made me think of "A Christmas Story" movie. It was SO long. But Max and Mia were willing to wait. Mia told Santa that she wanted chocolate for Christmas. She is so easy to please :)
Max told Santa that he wanted superheroes, a helicopter, and candy.

Zackary refused to see Santa.
He was much more intrigued by this display of bouncy balls.

The balls were a big hit with everyone, actually! They were filled with glitter and lit up when bounced. (The long flowy hair behind Max is Mia!)

We did a little more shopping and I found the land of Ugg boots. It was a very happy place and I was sad to leave it ;)
There were lots of Christmas decorations and holiday music playing. I even bought a little See's candy. It was a very merry morning!

News

It has been a busy week.
Ty had 4 interviews in 4 days.
We accepted an offer.
We are moving to

PALM SPRINGS!!!!!(Congrats on the job Ty! I love you!)

Event Planning

2 weeks left before Thanksgiving day!
I am still working on our menu. I have the pies planned and I know that I will be dry brining our turkey, but I haven't decided on all of the side dishes yet. I am working on activities and decorations to make the day special.
(I am loving these oreo turkeys for the kids! Oreos seem to make an appearance at all special events around here!)

This month is flying by! I am thankful to have Ty home safe from his trip and I am thankful for the weekend. We are making a trip to the mall tomorrow for Santa's arrival and then we will have to start listening to Christmas music :)
Hurray for the holidays!

Cozy?

Yes Please!

These scarves look super warm and fun. They come in lots of colors and I want them all :)

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=38340&vid=1&pid=797719&scid=797719062

Kisses

Have returned! It is officially the holiday season :)

Hot Chocolate Hero

I dropped Max off at school this morning and decided to stop by Starbucks on the way home for some hot chocolate. I was still feeling a little tense from yesterday's stress and I knew I could use a treat. I got in line behind an EMT. He looked about my age. We talked a little bit. He tried to make Zackary smile. He told me that he would love to get married and have a family but that he hadn't met the right girl (how is that even possible. I know so many wonderful single girls!) Anyway...He was just a super nice guy. He ordered his drink and then paid for mine. I tried to refuse, but I am not that hard to win over. It was the nicest gesture. I told him that he had totally made my day and he said that he was glad he could do it. It was a wonderful reminder that good people are everywhere in this world and that we are all children of God. We all need to look out for one another.

Did you know....

....that for around $7 you can buy a 40 pound bag of feed corn from your local Tractor Supply Co. and make your very own sensory box?
I put spoons and little bowls into the corn and then added small toys that we could bury and then find.

Seriously hours of fun. A box and some corn and a little imagination :)

Drama Rama

I hate drama and I avoid it at all costs. It makes me sick to my stomach and I can't eat or sleep.
I am not a dramatic person.
When drama happens I run away....literally. Jogging has always been my release.
This morning the storm has passed and I am trying to feel normal again.
I am getting to old for this!
(As for the cupcakes; a friend of mine has a blog titled: Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake....sometimes that's all you can do!)

Nuts.....

Today at the grocery store I found big bags of unshelled nuts. I couldn't think of any use for them and then I came home and saw this great fall wreath idea. I think I need to go back and get a bunch!

Care for some tea?

I love this print. It makes me think of Mia and all of the little parties she throws for her animals and dolls.

Pumpkin Pie

This morning Mia and I made some "pie". We used paper plates and painted them orange. Around the edge we sprinkled brown glitter for the crust. We used cotton balls for whipped cream and black paint to make the slices.

Doesn't it look delicious. Later today we are going to cut out the slices and have a little tea party :)

Busy but blessed

It's the first Saturday in November! It has been a busy week. Ty has been finalizing plans for his trip to California. The trip is strictly business and involves 4 job interviews. Hopefully I will be able to write a more detailed and exciting post about that at the end of next week! I have been sending out graduation announcements and trying to get rid of "stuff" that I just can't stand to move across the country. Max finished his first quarter of kindergarten and made his school's honor roll! I am very pleased with all of his hard work! Mia and Zackary were spoiled with a trip to Chuck E Cheese and we all ate way too much leftover Halloween candy. Ty and I got competitive with our friends over a game of Apples to Apples, and today I am baking goodies for my final Relief Society lesson before we leave the ward! (I know tomorrow is fast Sunday, but I couldn't bear to give my lesson without bringing treats. The sisters will just have to be good and eat them at home after they break their fasts!)
Their is a lot going on and worries and stress, but I am Thankful!

Thankful for:
my 3 little huckleberries
Ty!
hot chocolate
good friends
laughter
prayer
my Savior (I have been reading the New Testament and I am loving learning about Jesus' earthly ministry!)
new tires
and the Gilmore Girls for always making me smile :)

Zack in a box

We have a healthy supply of boxes. I am trying to pack one a day. The kids are using them to make forts and cars. Zackary used one while he watched "Little Einsteins". It was his very own rocket :)

Inside the box he had drinks and snacks. Perfect tv watching supplies. This morning, however, we found Ty's toothbrush inside of it. Zackary declined to offer an explanation.

Candy Christmas

I was browsing the Martha Stewart website for some holiday craft inspiration and I found these two projects that we will be working on this week. My kids will love making peppermint ornaments with red ribbon.

and I am always looking for an excuse to fill our house with more gingerbread men :)

One of mine

This little statue just tugged at my heart and made me think of my Max. Max is an amazing boy. He is wonderful in so many ways. I feel very honored to be helping him along his way. I know that if he continues to choose the right, and to follow his Savior, great things await him in this life.

Pumpkin Bread Packaging

When it comes to gift wrapping I have always been a brown paper type of girl. I am loving this idea for giving homeade pumpkin bread, or any kind of loaf bread as a Thanksgiving or Christmas gift.

More of the little things

Yesterday was a tough day for me.
Today I found this recipe for Salted Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies on the Brown Eyed Baker website.

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/11/04/salted-double-chocolate-peanut-butter-cookies/#more-9190

It is going to be a much better day :)

Pottery Barn

Ty and I took Mia and Zackary to the Green Hills mall today. It was raining and it is one of our favorite rainy day getaways. Ty went straight to the apple store and I took the kids to the Pottery Barn Kids store. It is a place where dreams are made :)

This cottage/bunk bed is beyond perfect for my little Mia! I am thinking that my extremely talented husband should make one just like it.

He should also make one of these.
My boys need something great too.

I had very much fun putting together my dream house. Mia had very much fun playing with the dollhouse that was on display. I had to stop Zac from crashing into all of the expensive furniture with the miniature shopping cart he found, and Ty enjoyed some alone time with technology. It was fun for everyone :)

Every day!

What do you see?

November!

November has arrived!

I love this month. I love the Thanksgiving holiday. What a wonderful time to count our blessings and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Tonight for family home evening we will be talking about having an "attitude of gratitude". We will be making a thankful tree and filling it with the things we are most thankful for. The tree will be on display all month and hopefully we can add to it as the month goes on.

I am making these pumpkin bie bars for our treat. We are pumpkin pie junkies at our house!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/pumpkin-pie-bars/

Some of my thankfuls include:

my family
the gospel
tender mercies
chocolate
little victories
the scriptures
educational resources
my calling
nursery leaders
primary teachers
the prophet (and other church leaders!)
a wonderful husband
seasons
holidays
celebrations
working cars
prayer
and each new day

I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful month! Remember it's all about having an Attitude of Gratitude! Look for the little blessings in every day :)