Least Favorite Things

1. Natalie Cole
Nothing against her personally just don't really care for her singing, and it just kind of annoys me when I hear her singing Christmas songs. I like Nat Cole though.

2. Divinity
Hate the taste and texture and hate making it even more. I just get so frustrated. I've attempted it a couple times for the sake of the members in my family who like it, but I fail more than I succeed with it and have just taken to asking the in-laws to make it for Dennis and Jacob.

3. Holiday Shopping
The past couple years I've been a cyber shopper simply becuase I hate the gimics, long lines and gimmie-gimmie attitudes in the stores. I like to stick to my list, buy online if I can and enjoy the season.

Few of My Favorite Things

1. Little Cuties
I don't know why I haven't discovered the sheer pleasure of clementines until this year, but I am totally addicted! I love these tasty little treats. I think we've gone through like 5 bags in the last couple weeks. I just can't get enough. They are so sweet and so easy to peal it's just a win, win!!






2. Hot Chocolate
Can't beat sitting on the couch reading a book sipping a cup of hot cocoa! Chocolate in liquid form is lovely.








3. Cinnamon Pine Cones
I love walking down the isle in the stores and smelling these before I even see them. Cinnamon is a seasonal smell to me. And what's better than combining them with pine cones!








4. White Christmas
I'm a sucker for old Christmas movies. I usually watch a couple of them every year. White Christmas, The Lemon Drop Kid, The Holiday Inn and some version of a Christmas Carol. I just love old movies!





5. Snowflakes
I mean if it's going to be cold outside there might as well be snow. I love soft winter snowfalls. You know the kind. The quiet snow with the big snowflakes that you can follow down to the ground. I love the peace that settles over the house when it's snowing outside.It just mutes out all the noise and hustle and bustle and slows things down enough to just sit and enjoy. I love the excitement a night time snowstorm brings. The kids just get so excited to wake up to a clean white world outside.

It Makes Me Grin

It's probably because it's Christmas time and that warm fuzzy feeling is settling over me but I just can't help think of those little things that make me grin. For instance.. . right now Isaac is playing me Christmas songs on the piano. It makes me grin when I hear him click his tongue to keep time. It makes me grin when Khora eats yogurt and then runs to look at her mustache in the mirror. It makes me grin when I see Jacob sitting on the couch reading a book like he so often does. It makes me grin when the girls are playing in their bedroom and I hear Afton directing Khora to "be the baby puppy and I'll be the princess." It makes me grin when Dennis calls me from work just to check in and see how I'm doing.

(Me grinning!)

Busy Weekend

This weekend Dennis and I found that we had almost two days with just us and Khora. So what did we do? I dragged Dennis around shopping and to see the New Moon movie. (He was so good to sit through all the cat calling and whistling going on around us, crazy girls!! :)

And now, we have almost all our Christmas shopping done!! Whaaaahoo!!! And it's not even Thanksgiving. I'm hoping that it will leave me more space in my brain to focus on other fun activities instead of worrying about getting gifts done.

Nothing New

A couple weeks ago we were ready about an hour early for church, so I got out the old tripod and took a couple pictures of my cute family. I just finished this scrap page. Just loving life and enjoying my family. I'm so grateful for them. They are great!!

We Did It

Last night Isaac was asking what "fun thing" we were going to do, it being Sunday and all. I just slipped out, why don't we put up the Christmas tree. Well, we did it. The Christmas tree is up and even before Thanksgiving. This has never been done before in the history of . . . well our history anyway and I'm trying to think of ways we can Thanksgivingize it. I'm sure we can do some leaves or turkey gratitude chains or something. It is giving me so much joy though. I love it! Maybe I just need it this year.

Jacob's Piano Recital

Tonight was Jacob's first ever piano recital. He didn't look at all nervous but said he was. He's been practicing really hard for it. I think he about had it all memorized but was too nervous to do it with out the music. He did a fabulous job. I managed to take a video of it, but he got up there and started before I was ready so I didn't get his introduction or the very first part and don't mind the shot of the floor when he gets done. That's just me. So here is Jacob playing "The Crystal Cavern".


Well done Jacob! We are so proud of you.