Friday, December 28, 2012

Holiday Happenings

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it takes two to fix the star on the tree :)

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the elf kept us entertained this year (Ellie)

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Checking out our Christmas village

 

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“Just popping by with a Holiday Hi.  Merry Christmas!” (neighbor gift)

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Notes to Santa.  LOL, Sage wanted to give Santa choices in her letter, but she asked him for a bunny for Christmas, that’s what she really wanted… and Sophie asked for a hamster…  yikes! 

Phew… Santa told them it’s pretty hard to give animals for Christmas, once he tried to give a goldfish, and the water froze.

 

Great Dump Cake recipe M3, thanks for sharing

Awesome gift Paul, thanks for the new Blendtec!

 

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love having Nick home for Christmas, JOY!

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another great part of Christmas are the lovely cards, updates, and pictures from friends

 

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I took down the tree and put the trimmings away yesterday (just getting the house back together), but the Spirit lingers, and I still have a few more Christmas posts to share for the memories

 

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It’s been great celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amongst all the heartache and tragedy we’ve seen recently, there is still much good all around us.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas Piano Recital

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Sophie (left) playing “Away in a Manger” and the girls duet (right) playing “Joy to the World”, see Sage behind Sophie?

we’ve utterly enjoyed their Christmas songs in the home this year, now that they’re playing so well

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Trevor playing “March of the Three Kings” and a duet with his awesome teacher, he’s come a long way in a year

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and Sage was the finale (out of over a dozen students), playing “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “Sonatina”  Beautiful!

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Concert Pianists in the making, keep up the fantastic playing! (I’ll show a video clip soon)

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Then dinner at Olive Garden, kids choice, to end a special evening.

Glad both Grandmas, Uncle Mike, and Josh could join our Christmas recital!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Card 2012

Christmas copy

fun card- Josh, Trevor, Sophie (pink), Sage (blue)

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Trendy chalkboard Card

(we missed Nick, away at college.  So nice to have him home for Christmas though!)

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Nostalgic card

Card designs from tiny prints

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Don’t mind the pumpkins, this one didn’t make the cut so I didn’t mess with them

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas is coming…

the family I mean the Goose is getting fat.

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twirling girls in their lovely dresses. 

 

 

The girls soccer team had a great time at the soccer PJ party (my house).  It got wild at times, but a nice break from the drills and rigorous training they do each week.  We started out with a fun gathering game (questions marked on a soccer ball), then made bracelets in Avalanche colors (like the ones from Girls Camp), ate Pizza and snacks, had a crazy gift exchange, and they unanimously voted on the movie; Elf.  Tons of giggles and a hide and seek game in between, they had a ball.  Ha, do you like the nerd pictures Sophie instigated?  She cracks us up.  Thanks Leslie for hosting the fun party with me!   
 

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Paul's Company Party

Such a beautiful night downtown with my sweetie.  Pampered with a nice banquet and good entertainment; a local boy band playing popular songs from now and the 80’s (they were good, they opened for the Beach Boys recently), and had some funny candid interaction with the group.  A pleasant company party, one of the better ones!  So thankful for the strong company Paul works for and the good people he works with, and they sure appreciate him.  It’s sad to see and hear of all the businesses going under lately, way too many families are struggling, and many people we know that our hearts go out too.  All you can do is keep praying, work hard, and help others around you :)     

 

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Sub for Santa, the girls were happy to help!  They were involved in the shopping, wrapping party, and a heartfelt delivery.

 

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Josh’s fun group for the Christmas sweater dance

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Ice skating and tubing for the day date, then met here for dinner before the dance

 

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I prepared an Italian meal, while Trevor and the girls watched Home Alone upstairs, Paul was on late

                              menu

  • Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo
  • Green Salad & Olive Garden style homemade dressing
  • French cut green beans
  • Garlic Parmesan Baguette (yum!)
  • Cranberry sparkling Christmas drink
  • Andes mint (dessert was planned after the dance, at another house)

They thought I was the best cook ever, didn’t tell them the Lasagna & Chicken Alfredo was freshly prepared at Costco, hey I still cooked it :)

 

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To-die-for garlic parmesan bread

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Homemade Olive Garden salad and dressing

 

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Also, proud of my girls for keeping up on the heavy load at school this month.  Along with the regular monthly book report, poem to present, and big tests in history and math (squished in a short school month already), they also added a 3rd grade project (Native American book report with project).  It was due yesterday, and today the other book report is due, a poem to pass off, and a history exam to ace.   I’m thankful for good schools and teachers, but this is a bit overkill for 8 and 9 year olds, don’t you think?  (3rd grade seems to be the busiest, that was my biggest pet peeve while I taught here).  But the girls kept up on it all by doing homework often times in the car and taking their book everywhere we went, and keeping their projects good but simple.  Good job girls, for making your deadlines and doing well!  We’re all looking forward to a nice Christmas break.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Ho, Ho, Ho

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We haven’t seen Santa at the mall yet, but this cute Santa was at our city’s lighting ceremony.

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Christmas is officially underway.  We’re enjoying our favorite Christmas books, filling the air with Christmas music, and Ellie our Elf is hanging out, observing.

But what sparked the Christmas Spirit was attending the Live Nativity nearby (with live animals, even a camel), a trip to Bethlehem (our Ward Christmas party), and the Christmas Devotional from the First Presidency.  How can you not let your heart turn to Jesus.  Loving this time of year!

A neighbor friend and I were in charge of decorating the lobby to look like an Old Bethlehem market.  I had to really search my home for things to represent Bethlehem.  After some creative accessorizing (seriously, my house looked bare without my large palm, plants, and lanterns)… everyone was pleased (many compliments) and it set the mood for a nice Bethlehem Christmas party (it looked better in person with the lights dimmed and the candles lit up).

 

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Wicked King Herod, and cute Trevor was a shepherd guiding us throughout the evening.

 

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Many people put a lot into this, making it such a special night

 

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“As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas Spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always.”  Thomas S. Monson

Homemade caramel corn as we enjoyed the Christmas Devotional

Now, my hope is to keep that peace throughout this busy month, for a stress free December (is it possible with a large busy family?  so far so good).  Just can’t spread myself too thin, I still have some extra things to get ready for- Activity Days Christmas party to prepare (next Tuesday), girls PJ Soccer party here (this Friday), and Decembers Bulletin Board/craft project for Sophie’s class (this Friday). Josh is applying for colleges (then deferring for his mission) and going to his Christmas dance and Trevor's in the school play and has started ice hockey while the girls are taking an after school ski program with their friends (they’re so excited).  Phew!  

In case I don’t have much time to blog this month, some special things I’m looking forward too…

  • Seeing the Nutcracker with my girls (Saturday)
  • Seeing the lights at Temple Square
  • Getting my Tree up (ya, my bad, planning to do it tomorrow)
  • Watching the kids Christmas Piano recital (tomorrow night)
  • Helping with 2 different Sub for Santa’s
  • Building Gingerbread Houses
  • Ski outing with the family (after Christmas)
  • Cuddling with my sweetie in front of the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa!!  I promise to make this happen.

(don’t mind my lists, helps me stay organized)

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Merry Christmas!