do you hear what I hear?

Like most years, this Christmas was a busy day.  Parents arriving, kids coming and going, Mike working (yuk), cooking, present opening....you name it.  A busy day!

Before the chaos began, Matthew had opened a couple little gifts from the neighbors while half lying down in the cozy living room chair.  Michael, Katie and I went into the kitchen to finish getting dinner ready, when Katie said "do you hear that leaf blower?"  I thought yea, I hear that.  Michael heard it too.  Then I thought again and wondered what kind of crazy do you have to be to blow your leaves on Christmas day?  Michael then throws in his 2cents......."is that Matthew snoring?"

yep......you just gotta love tired teenage boys!

A CHRISTmas gift.....

The Christmas Story

these are a few of my favorite things.......

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."

-Helen Keller

how sweet it is.....

Life is sweet.  Sometimes I forget this. 

The voices (yes,sometimes there are more than one) in my head tell me to do "this"and be "that".  Go, do, clean, shop, wash, fold, wipe, sweep, pick-up, drop-off.....priorities, priorities, priorities.  Where am I on that list?  Why am I on the bottom or not on the list at all?  I let the things I want or like to do go by the wayside, thinking empty laundry baskets, shiny mirrors and clean produce drawers are more important.  Occasionally, not as often as I'd like, I realize that I am important too.  That it is ok to have fun and if I am not on my to do list, then life can be pretty sad. 

This week I did something I've told myself I would do over, and over and over again.  Actually for the last six years, ever since we moved into this house I said I would.  But I didn't.  Lots of excuses were found ..... the kitchen isn't done (this was valid), we need new carpet, I should paint, the house is dirty, the dog needs a bath, everyone is too busy, we need new landscaping.  Seriously, I needed to get over my Martha perfectionism.  It is a disease.....

So this year I did it.  And you know what?  I haven't had so much fun in a very, very long time (dates with the Mr. being excluded, b/c he is a fun date).

Gingerbread House Party 2009

What a fun time, lots of laughs and lots and lots, did I say lots? of SUGAR!  super sweet!

Merry Christmas

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

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Americana Christmas......

The new Americana @ Brand in Glendale, CA

The new Americana @ Brand can't be called a shopping center, it's more of an experience! Absolutely amazing! The planning and design are beautiful. All the shops (and appartments, and condo's) are arranged around a square where the LIVE tree and a gorgeous pond take center stage. There is a grass area and small park for kids to play. The walking paths are more like streets and a trolly is available to take you around the square. All the shops are VERY high end but lots of fun to look in. Lots of goodies to snack on too: crepes, Cheesecake Factory, Pink Berry Frozen Yogurt, etc. There is lovely Christmas music playing in the background with groupd of musicians and carolers strolling around. The pond has a water feature that is constantly shooting and spraying water in the air (think Bellagio Hotel) and every half hour there is a "show" where the water is syncronized to Christmas music. Then, to top it all off, it snows (bubble foam) and seven and eight each night! It was a really fun date night for the two of us to get out for a bite to eat and wander around.

Christmas Nativities

My internet friend Kimberly had the idea to post pictures of all her Nativities on her blog so I stole her great idea! Thanks Kimberly!

This Nativity was given to me by my mom. I

remember it as a child, and had asked for it for years.

There is a wind-up music box that plays silent night.

There is another set of figurines with very European features,

but these are my favorite.

I painted and assembled this Nativity

scene at an Enrichment activity last year.

This Nativity came from a craft show and is

all hand painted with beautiful details.

This Willow Tree Nativity has been an ongoing
gift from my Mom and Husband. I have received a new
piece of the set each year for my birthday in September
so I would have it to enjoy for Christmas. Only one
piece left to complete the set!


This sweet little baby Jesus was made by my
talented friend, Susan Bailey, as a Christmas lesson
handout for the Young Women.

A sweet little ornament I bought this year!

Another ornament from a couple years ago.

A handcrafted Nativity I purchased at a craft show.
I love it so much I copied it and delivered it
as a "twelve days of Christmas" doorbell ditch gift for
a dear friend.

Homemade Nativity, so sweet and simple.

Cute Nativity magnets!

An itty bitty Nativity I display on a shelf

infront of a mirror by the front door.

Another itty bitty Nativty that was delivered

to us as a "twelve days of Christmas" surprise!