Santa Visit...

We made our annual visit to see Santa (at Bass Pro Shop) just before the kids got out of school. They have a great set up at the Christmas Wonderland but it is always a packed house. We made a note to go earlier in the month next year!

Cannon was beyond excited to see Santa. In his high pitch squeal, he screamed with excitement as we got closer in line. Finally we were up. Bennett went running up to give Santa a hug and Hunter and Hallie followed (clearly more mature).

Cannon all the sudden had a freak out moment. The red carpet leading up to Santa must have been a little too much and he froze and started to cry. He cried and backed away until he realized the man in the red suit was handing out candy. With a little coaxing we got him on Santa's lap and we even got a smile!

Of course a visit to Santa isn't complete without a ride on the carousel and checking out all the fun that the store has to offer. We come once a year and the kids think it's the greatest playground ever!

Preschool Christmas Program...

With Hunter's 2 years in preschool and now Bennett's two years in preschool - I've attended this preschool Christmas program four years straight. And although I know all the songs they're going to sing and even the props they're going to use, I'm still entertained year after year.


Bennett is our animated kid and yet he stood on the very last row, trying hard not to leave his name sticker. He had very little animation song after song, which is odd for him. But in between songs - well that's a different story. He was making faces, doing silly dances and making the kids next to him laugh. He knows how to have a good time.


After the program, Cannon found his place next to Bennett in line waiting for their turn with Santa. From afar, Cannon was excited as can be. The shorter the line became and the closer to Santa he got, the more scared he became. By the time it was his turn, Cannon was in tears. Those tears were quickly wiped away when he realized that he would get candy if he sat on his lap.



A candy cane will make just about any kid smile. This is a special Santa because it just so happens to be the exact Santa that Cannon met when he was just a few weeks old. And even though I don't have a kid in preschool next year I might still have to go to the program just to see our favorite Santa.

Christmas craft week...

I'm wishing this time of year I could make more time for some holiday crafting - instead I'm working on a front yard makeover so all crafting is put on hold! So here's a round-up of some ideas from my Christmas craft week last year that I enjoyed pulling out and decorating with this year:

Reclaimed Christmas Star

Christmas Forest

Repurposed Christmas Lights

Paper Straw Christmas Craft

Holiday Pillows Made From Napkins

Temple lights...

We're slowly checking Christmas activities off the list - Temple Christmas lights. This isn't something we get to every year but we managed to squeeze it in just before the temperature dropped. The weather was coolish and we went early enough we beat the crowds. It really is a fantastic display of lights - it's beautiful. But more than anything I love the nativity scenes they have with the story playing through speakers. Each scene depicts part of the story until the final scene we're all so familiar with - a baby Jesus, two loving parents and animals surrounding them. I think I could walk the loop with scenes over and over and never tire of hearing the story.




We also went into the visitors center where the kids marveled at the statue of Christ. We saw dozens of unique nativities from around the world and each kid shared which one was their favorite. All of us chose different nativities that spoke to us or sparked our interest. And yet every nativity depicted the same exact story.

I love this season!

Christmas craft...wood burning...

I purchased a wood burning tool a while ago (nothing fancy, just found it on Amazon) and now I'm burning everything. (And I only came close to burning myself once!) This little Christmas craft took less than 20 minutes from start to finish - and 3 of those minutes were waiting for the burning tool to heat up. And before you claim that your handwriting isn't good or you can't draw - these little snowflakes consist of straight lines. You can even draw the design on with pencil first if you're really that unsure of yourself!

I found some birch wood cuts at Joanns; they vary anywhere from 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" circles. I used the burning tool with a simple small round tip and drew intersecting lines until they looked like snowflakes. Once the snowflakes were burned, I drilled a hole in them and tied them with jute. We used them as napkin rings for a dinner we had at the church recently and after that they made great ornaments for the tree. You could use them on gifts, make a garland out of them or even tie them around a glass jar. And all you have to do is burn straight lines. Easy peasy!



No wood is safe at our house now!

A Savior is born...

It's hard to believe the month is half way over! You know what I love about this season - amongst all the fun traditions we do as a family and all the excitement that comes with it - I have been able to find quiet moments (usually at night when the kids are in bed) to reflect and ponder the birth of my Savior. Sometimes it's been through music or Christmas books and other times it's been in the quiet of the night with the just the Christmas tree lighting the room. Its hard to describe the overwhelming gratitude I have for my Savior - but perhaps the best description would be peace and hope. Which is exactly what I want to fill my heart with this season.

Here are a couple videos our family has enjoyed to remember the reason for the season.

Peppermint Oreo Dessert...

One of our family's favorite treat is "Frozen Oreo Delight" (That may or may not be a family assigned name to the dessert!). But the minute peppermint ice cream hits the grocery freezer our family’s favorite dessert gets a holiday makeover. This takes just a few minutes to throw together and it will have everyone begging for more!

Here’s what you need:

Candy Cane Joe Joes
Peppermint Ice Cream (Blue Bell is my absolute favorite)
1 stick of butter
Cool Whip
Candy Canes

Crush or blend a box of Candy Cane Joe-Joes in a food processor or blender. (You can substitute regular Oreos if you don’t have a Trader Joes close). Typically we make Oreo Delight in a 9×13 glass pan, but part of the holiday makeover is making it a little more fancy by creating layers in a springform pan. Divide the crushed cookies into two bowls. Melt 1/4 butter and mix with one bowl of Oreos. Press Oreos into a greased springform pan.


Put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes until firm. Soften 1/2 of the container of peppermint ice cream. You can leave it at room temperature to soften or you can be impatient like myself and pop it in the microwave for just a bit, stir, microwave, stir. Spread over the Oreo mixture and freeze until firm.

Create another Oreo layer with the second bowl of crushed Oreos and 1/4 cup of butter. Freeze. Use the second half of the peppermint ice-cream and press into the pan. Freeze for 2-3 hours.

Once your ready to serve, run a warm wash cloth along the outside of the pan and release the spring. Top with softened cool whip, drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Now just try and contain yourself from licking every plate as you hand them to your guests!

Happy wall 2014...

Its time to say goodbye to our favorite Christmas decoration this year: Christmas cards! (although the life-size santa is still sitting in the living room mostly due to my lack of caring and I'm used to him sitting on the chair!)

I know in today's digital age many have decided cards are not worth the money. Printing, postage...time. I get it. But that doesn't change the fact that I look forward to these cards in my mailbox every single day. I love them on my wall. Thank you to those that sent to us.

Christmas Break...

Christmas break went a little different than planned thanks to our unexpected guest: The flu. Luckily we were healthy pre-christmas so we could do some fun things and then after Christmas it went down hill which meant a lot of downtime for the kids to relax and play with their Christmas presents.

Bennett and his cousin watching the train go round and round.

We lucked out when we showed up to the Science museum and there was nobody there and it happened to be snow week. It was Bennett's first time seeing snow. It was Hunter's first time remembering snow and Hallie pretended like she remembered what the white stuff was and then took her flip flops off and walked in the snow and complained that her feet were hurting. Arizona problems...




My sister came to visit on her way to moving to North Carolina. Little did she know she would be taking care of us; grabbing groceries, cleaning, picking up prescriptions. Luckily I felt good the first two days she was here which was New Years eve and New Years Day when we went out to breakfast for my birthday.

Our little guys are just 6 months apart.

Hunter nearly locked himself in his room after Christmas and went to town building his lego sets.


Orange season is here and we are enjoying them. Luckily the kids enjoy them outside where the sticky mess stays.

Hallie read 6 books over the break. This was her favorite spot.

By the end we were all worn out. I came into the room one morning and found this.

This never happens. Ever. Our break was just that good.

Temple Lights...

The Mesa LDS temple has the best Christmas light display. It's been a couple years since we've braved the crowds to go see them. But with great weather and even better company and the promise of hot chocolate (on such a chilly, 60 degree night) it was great. Notice the cousin in Utah is wearing short sleeves, while those of us acclimated to the weather are sporting jackets.


This piece was a new addition since I had been last and it was my favorite. It sat in a pool of water. With the reflection of the statue as well as the lights in the water it was beautiful.




Notice the cousin from Utah is wearing short sleeves, while those of us acclimated to the weather are sporting jackets.




We went the Monday before Christmas and it set a great tone for the days leading up to Christmas. Hopefully it doesn't take us a couple years to brave the crowds again!