Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas Part II

On Christmas Eve we arrived home at about 11:00 p.m. I wrapped the rest of the presents for Jason's side of the family and then I made the Christmas breakfast that has to refrigerate overnight. Jason and I didn't get to bed until around 1:00. Jason said not to set the alarm. We will just wake up whenever we wake up. He figured we'd wake up around 9:00 or 9:30 so it was pretty funny when he woke me up at 6:45 saying he couldn't sleep. When I asked why he said it was because of his present under the tree. What a cutie. So this brings us to
Christmas Morning

The Christmas tree never looks so beautiful as it does on Christmas morning.

Here is our Christmas breakfast. It doesn't look that great in the photograph but it is so good. It's a sausage, egg, and cheese casserole. Growing up my Mom made this for us every Christmas. I've made it for Jason the last four years.


Here is Jason with his Christmas present. I stood in line in Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving to get this for him. It is an XBOX 360 and Guitar Hero III combo. Jason wanted an XBOX so bad. Because of the shape of the box (it was longer because of the Guitar Hero) he had no idea that I got that for him. He was so excited. Yay!

Here is Jason's XBOX and my my present from Jason, the complete seasons of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Yay!

Then we went to Jason's mom's house to open presents and spend time with the other side of our family. This is my nephew Vincent (16 months). Isn't he just adorable? I love that kid.

Monday, December 29, 2008

The Conversation

Jason and I couldn't make it to my parents house in Missouri before Christmas so we were going to come up yesterday. Jason got the virus going around and couldn't come but urged me to go on ahead up here. So after a little protesting that we could wait another day to see if he felt better I went ahead and drove the 4 hours to my parents house. I sure love coming here. My sister Karen, her husband Mike, my sister Amy, her husband Mike, and their son Zach were already here. This is the conversation I had with Zach (who is 7) last night. I'll try to get the wording as accurate as I can remember because it was funny.
Z: Where's your kid?
J: Where's my kid?
Z: Yeah, you know, in your belly.
J: I don't have a baby in my belly. That's Karen who has a baby in her belly.
Here Zach kind of look flustered and so I went in the dining room to ask Amy why he was asking about a baby in my belly. She said she didn't know. He probably only thought it was fair. So I went back in to Zach and said..............
J: Zach, I don't have a baby in my tummy yet because my kids are still in heaven with Heavenly Father. They haven't come down yet.
Z: Why not?
J: Well, you know how Heavenly Father knows what's best for us?
Z: Yeah
J: Well, He will send my kids when it is the right time.
Z: How does He get the babies in your tummy?
J: uh.....AMY....... :) well He puts them in there when it's the right time.
Z: Does Tessa have any toys?
J: YES! Do you want to go get them?
I wish I could remember exactly how the wording of this conversation went. It really was pretty good but this was pretty close anyway. I have just been thinking this was so funny that it turned into a how do babies get into your tummy talk and seeing as he is only 7 I wasn't about to start that conversation. Luckily his mind changes rapidly at this age but look out Mike and Amy. The questions may start soon. :) This morning though while I was laying in bed thinking about this conversation it struck me that he really asked me about my kid because he was thinking of how it is only fair that I should have a baby too and didn't make any sense to him and I just think that is so sweet of him. What a little sweetie.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Part I

Christmas Part I
The Saturday before Christmas I went to my sister Karen's house. I told her that I had to be back home for church in the morning to teach my Young Women's class because I really shouldn't miss it. So I left her house at 6:30 a.m. so I could go to my ward. I always bring my nephews Seth-11 and Vincent- 16 months to church with me. We made it up until about 15 minutes before church was over and then Vincent threw up all over me. How very lovely. I'm sure my Beehives (12 and 13 year olds) appreciated the scene. The point is Tuesday I got sick. Lovely. The next day (24th) I felt better but not great. That brings us to Christmas Eve. My family was meeting at my sister Amy's house in the afternoon. I left work early thinking I wouldn't be able to make it but after taking a nap Jason and I decided that I was probably okay to go. So we went to my family's Christmas. I love getting together with my family especially at Christmas. Here are a few pictures from that night.
Here is Tessa on the way to Amy and Mike's house. The heater in the car is broken which makes for some cold car rides. Tessa was so cold she was shaking so we put the blanket on her. She just looks so cute.
Here is my cute Mommy. When we were younger we would color pictures and wrap them up to give to her as presents so this year while we were at Karen's all the girls colored pictures and gave them to her for Christmas. Ah, memories.
Tessa was a little overwhelmed with everyone being there. She's not used to being around so many people. She loves it.There's nothing in the world she loves more than people, but at the same time she doesn't know what to do. She kept looking at us with a freaked out look. While we opened presents she came and sat on Jason's lap for comfort. Too cute.
Jason drew Aaron's name. He leaves for his mission in Fresno, CA in February so we wanted to get him something he could use on his mission but he already has most things so we found this. I think it is hilarious.
There were so many cute things that happened. I have a few videos I took that night on my camera that I can't figure out how to put on here. My neice Sierra- 8 got her bike for Christmas. She was so excited. It was so cute. My nephew Zach-7 got his two little stuffed kitties from us. He's a boy's boy all the way except when it comes to his kitties. He loves them and it's so hard to resist getting them for him when he rubs them on his face which is what he did when he opened them up. It was adorable.Karen and I played Elf bowling on the computer. It's a different version then we used to play but it was still fun. I just love spending time with my family.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas


MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Reflections

Here is another amazing video about the life of Christ that I think is more than appropriate for this time of year (anytime really). A friend of mine I met as a missionary in Riverton, Wyoming sent this to me today. It was on display at the Mesa, AZ temple visitors center in conjunction with the Easter Pagent but it applies for Christmas too. It is very touching. During the scenes leading up to Christ's death I kept feeling compelled to reach out to the screen (I didn't by the way) but I think that's a good sign. :) I'm so grateful for my Savior and all He's done for each one of us.
I was having trouble watching getting it to load at first. I suggest you let it download fully before pushing play. There is also a link you can click on that will take you to the webpage of the man who took the pictures. There are videos that show how he took the pictures and his feelings. That's worth watching too.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Mary Did You Know

Have you ever heard the song "Mary Did You Know"? I had never heard it until last year and I totally fell in love with it. There is a really strong spirit to this song. It really makes you think about Mary and how she must have felt to bear the Son of God and how blessed she was to be His mother. It also really helps you think about all the many miracles Christ performed and how blessed we are because of Him. If you haven't heard this song click on the link and listen to it. I just love it. I don't know why they chose the picture they did so I'll give you a better one to look at while you listen to the song.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Who has a birthday today?

Happy Birthday Karen!
Today is my sister Karen's 27th birthday. In honor of this day I am going to make a list of 27 memories we share that make me laugh. We may be the only ones who think this is funny but that's all that matters right? Here we go.
1. This picture. It cracks me up.
2. If you can't take it.....don't dish it.
3. "What? Where are you?"
4. Making videos with Mike, David, and Roselie.
5. Heather in high school thinking we were the same person.
6. "THE GRINCH THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS IS ON". Watching the Grinch
while you opened your presents. By the way I am watching The Grinch as I type
this in honor of the day.
7. W.A.N.S.I.
8. "Why did you do that?" "How did you do that?"
9. Vicks lady at choir
10. "People with heart conditions should not be in the room." Choir again.
11. The message you left on my answering machine to tell me when you were going
to call while we were missionaries and how it made me cry.
12. Talking to you at that Christmas and how it made me cry.
13. Old family videos ("I already did that one." "No look there and there and there and
there." "I don't want to do that right now." "HHHHUHH. There." "Okay." Man, I
was bossy.
14. Playing barbies. (Crimped haired barbie, cheerleader toilets)
15. Playing paper dolls. "I can't stop smiling."
16. "My baby does not go gee."
17. Trying to get Tepka to invite us to their swimming pool.
18. Cooking shows.
19. Our shows we loved. (Full House, Saved by the Bell)
20. You using the product Nads to wax your legs and what you yelled. :)
21. Going to Nauvoo together with Tianna. (we should go again someday.)
22. Halloween 2004 and the pictures to prove the mania.
23. Wrestling and how I ALWAYS lose.
24. Our own videos. (Begis and Bethy B, the cat with utters)
25. The Baby-sitters Club and you hiding candy canes in our room to be like Claudia.
26. The year in Salem right near Christmas when Mom and Dad were out of town and
it was just you, me, and Aaron for a few days. (I think we went to Julie's play that
day). Do you remember that? I don't know why but I always remember that
weekend.
27. The big ice storm and David trying to get the car unstuck. :)
I love you Karen. Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Recipes

Well I've tempted you all with these pictures and as Timpani says, I might as well post the recipes if I am going to tempt you so here you go.
Chocolate covered Oreos
These are so easy to make. All I do is buy a package of Oreos and then melt a couple packages of chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate) then dip the Oreos in the chocolate. Then I usually crush candy canes and put them on top. This time I put some Andes baking chips on some of them. They do take a long time to set up though but they are well worth the wait. I wish I had used the new candy cane Oreos in place of regular because I think that
would taste super!
Cream cheese cookies
These are pretty easy too. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine 2.5 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix 1 cup butter, 3 ounces cream cheese, and 1 cup of sugar. Then beat in 1 tablespoon of milk and then gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Plop spoonfuls down onto non greased cookie sheet. Put a chocolate chip in the center and bake for 12 minutes-NO LONGER even if you don't think they are cooked. They won't turn brown unless they are over cooked.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas cookies

Saturday I was supposed to go to my sister Karen's house so we could do Christmasy things together and have fun BUT I had to go back to work that night to close and none of the other key holders could or would close for me. What's up with that?? So, I couldn't go. I decided to make a few Christmas cookies instead. It's not quite the same making them by myself but it's better than nothing. Here are the two kinds of cookies I made.
These are chocolate covered oreos. So good!
These are cream cheese cookies. I got the recipe from my friend Ashley a few weeks ago. She posted about them and I thought they sounded so good that I had to ask her for the recipe. They are so yummy.
After I was finished making the cookies (or while they were baking...I'm not sure which) I went into the bathroom to wash my hands and this is what I saw in the mirror.

I totally cracked up when I saw the flour on my face. I didn't know that really happened. I sure look tired in this picture and there is a good reason for that....I was tired. :)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The California Raisins

Today after church I stopped by my mother-in-law's house to get her copy of Miracle on 34th Street and Terry (Jason's step-dad) handed me a VCR tape that said X-MAS movies. It was a tape that Jason had as a kid that has various Christmas cartoons taped off of t.v. on it. When I got back in the car and showed Jason the tape he said, "Oh yeah." He then told me a few things that were on there. Then he said, "I know it has the California Grapefruits on it.....or whatever they are called." Totally cracked me up. I laughed so hard. What a cutie.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

In my spare time

When I was a kid we used to always get those big Christmas coloring books and we would color them during the Christmas season. I LOVED them so much and they are the memories I hold so dear. (Yes, I know that coloring in a coloring book may not sound like the world's best memories but it is. I loved getting those coloring books. I bought one for my Beehives to color while we waited for the Christmas candy to set up that we made at our last activity. So what else could I do the next day but color? So I did. Here's my masterpiece. I needed Karen with me. It would have been more fun because she would have appreciated the memory. I think Aaron would have too. It seems like it is getting really hard to find the fat Christmas coloring books anymore. I went to Wal-mart to get this one and they only had thin one's and they just aren't the same. This one was the closest that I could find to the one's we had as a kid. Still it wasn't that lovely fat Christmas coloring book. I went to the Dollar tree today and they actually had two different kinds of the fat coloring books. I wanted to buy them so bad. I don't need them though. I'm not really going to color all the pictures. I had the thought of buying them to put in the Christmas box so that when we have kids we can pull them out every year and let them color (who knows if they'll still have them in the stores by then). But, I talked myself out of buying them even though they were only a dollar. It will be years before I will be able to use them. So I didn't buy them........but I might end up going back. We'll see. :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

A few of my favorite things

I keep getting wonderful ideas for Christmas posts from my friend's blogs. This is another one of those great posts. These are some of my favorite things about Christmas.
The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Snow! It creates a lot of problems but what's a Christmas without a fresh blanket of snow? It just makes everything fresh, beautiful, and perfect.
Christmas music. I love to listen to Christmas music in the car, at work, at home and I love singing Christmas hymns at church.
Christmas lights. I love to see houses lit up with Christmas lights. I love the Christmas lights on the Christmas tree and how they sparkle and reflect off of the ornaments. It's just so beautiful.
Christmas movies. I just absolutely love to watch Christmas movies. I could watch them all day long. I need my family to come have a Christmas movie marathon with me. Come on over.Family. I LOVE to spend time with family (both sides) at the holidays...at all times really. I am so grateful for all of them and there is nothing like spending time with them to share memories of when we were young and and to make new memories.
Children. I love to see the joy the season brings to little children. It brings a magic to Christmas that I just love. I think back to when I was young and what Christmas was like and it was just such a magical time. Growing older that magic fades, but when you spend time with children you can gain some of it back in a new special way. I can't wait until I can share the magic of Christmas with my own children. *DISCLAIMER: This picture was taken by my sister Amy. This is her son Zach, 7. Isn't he cute? I swiped it off of her blog. Amy, I didn't figure you would mind because it does in fact show off how cute your boy is. :)*


There are so many other things I love about Christmas (including Christmas trees but I think we've had enough posts about that) but I think you get the point....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Ornaments

Well we had our first tree disaster. The other day I was sitting in the recliner talking to my sister Karen on the phone and all of a sudden the tree fell over and scared me to death....well almost death. There was a slight scream involved. Luckily nothing broke. The water drenched the floor though and my pretty tree decorations got all messed up. It was easily fixed though. The problem is that to make the tree stand straight the trunk is crooked in the tree stand. This is what we have done to correct the problem (at least it's worked well so far). It may look stupid but it works and nobody looks under there anyway right? Except for you right now of course. :)

Here is a picture of our tree now that it is decorated. The first is with the flash and the second is without the flash because trees just look better all lit up at night.


Here are some of our ornaments on our tree. These are my favorites. I do have a metal St. Louis temple ornament that I love but I couldn't get a picture of it.


We received this first one for our wedding from a family friend. It is our wedding announcement picture and on the other side is a picture of the St. Louis Temple which we were married in. The second ornament my sister Amy gave me last year at Christmas. It has pictures of us on our wedding day over 3 years ago.


I hope these aren't too dark. These two ornaments I made when I was on my mission. We went to a members house in Powell Wyoming and she helped us make these. They turned out so cute.


I don't really remember where I got these ornaments but I like them. They are just fun and totally cute.


This first ornament I made in the second grade. I even remember doing it. I love the memory it holds. The second ornament is a set of three frog glass ball ornaments. It was hard to get a good picture but I love the way the glass reflects the lights from the tree.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

O Christmas Tree

It's finally Christmas time. I sure love it. For the last 3 years Jason and I have used this artificial tree. My sister Laura gave us her extra one when I moved out and got married. We have been really grateful for it.

This year I finally talked Jason into letting us get a real tree. I grew up with real trees and Jason grew up with artificial trees. There is nothing like real trees. Everytime I walk into the house the smell of the tree fills me with joy. It smells like Christmas. This is our tree after we first brought it home.
This picture cracks me up. Jason put together the artificial one so we put it next to the real one to get a picture of the difference. Have I mentioned that I love real trees? :) We put the artificial one in the kitchen.
I took this picture after we got the lights on the tree. I like the way the lights reflect on the window.
I'm sure I will post more about my lovely Christmas tree. The batteries in my camera are dead so I can't get any pictures of the finished creation. Actually it's not even finished. I'm off to decorate the tree.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgivings (a.k.a. a really long post)

The weekend before Thanksgiving my side of the family came down to our house for Thanksgiving. It was a ton of fun although it wasn't nearly long enough. My little Kayleen came down too. I used to babysit her starting when she was just a few months old. I haven't seen her in a few years so it was so fun for her to be here. She's 11 now and the sweetest little girl you'll ever meet. I wish I had gotten a picture of her. I can't believe I didn't. I have been really bad at taking pictures lately. Here are a few.


This is my niece Sierra who is 8 sitting with Tessa. Poor little Tessa was so tired. She didn't get her required 20 hours of sleep you know. :)

Here are two of my sisters, Karen and Amy. They made the cutest Thanksgiving garland and placecards.

This is my oldest brother Michael the vampire. I think this picture is funny. (Those are candy corn by the way)


This picture is my favorite. It makes me laugh so hard. Amy took this one and it made me laugh outloud when she called him "Babylegs Beasley". It looks like his legs are mine and that my legs are his and they look like little bitty legs. I love it so much. Too funny.

Then yesterday we had Thanksgiving with Jason's side of the family. I didn't get any pictures of course. It did make me laugh so hard when my nephew Ashton who is 4 was looking out the window at the backyard pool and was concerned about the leaves on the cover of the pool so he got a "wand" and started doing magic. He was saying Abra Kadabra, Bibity Bobity Boo, get the leaves out of the pool, Bibity Bobity Boo, Abra Kadabra, Hocus Pocus. It cracked me up especially with the cute little way 4 year olds speak.


This is the only picture I could find of him. This was taken a year ago. He was winking in this picture.

Then today my sister-in-law Serena and I went to Wal-mart really early to get a couple of deals. I got something for Jason that he will love. I'm so excited for him to open it on Christmas and then I bought a new camera to replace our poor camera with a broken screen. Now maybe I will take more pictures. We always have Christmas the day after Thanksgiving with Jason's Dad and his wife, his sisters and their families, and his aunt and uncle and their three girls. Jason and I got an Ipod from his Dad. Now we just have to figure out how to put songs on it. Then we played a bunch of games. Here are a few pictures from today.

This is Serena's husband Kyle and their son Ethan, 2, at our house right before we left.

Here is Ethan and Jason's cousin Jenna, 7.

This is a picture of Jason's dad Roger, Dave, Vincent-15 months, Kyle, me, Ethan-2, Liz, Jason's step-mom Christine, Serena, Jason, Ashton-4, Seth-11.

Here is Jason, Jason's Uncle Mark, and his cousins Bethany and Corinne.

All in all it's been a fun and eventful few days. We sure love our family.