What to get Dad for Christmas?

Would he like a Quad?

Maybe a boat?









A really BIG boat?







A pink shotgun to take his daughter hunting!









A ghillie suit?








A red head? No, the stuffed fox. (Really-do we need to kill a fox just to sell cloths?)






A remote controlled car!






...because really, he is the hardest to shop for!
Here is our photo blog of a shopping trip gone fun!

more holiday fun count down

We had the jot of seeing family, who came in for little sis Wendy's Nursing Graduation.
it was great to see them all though trying to fit all of them in my little house was a bit tricky. Lucky for me not a one of them complained. I think I was the only one that worried about the details and so maybe that means everyone else was comfortable. Should I chalk it up as a successful family gathering? Hopefully yes. Sadly I did not take any pictures. (Clearly I worried to much about little things) But I'll give you a glimpse of the fun we had.
Looked at Christmas lights at the Temple. Tried to beat Wendy in the Gingerbread building contest. Needed judges with taste since mine was the yummiest! :) Giggled with niece Allie. Hiked in beautiful and warm Arizona. Watched an army of little boys chase each other. Shared a big family dinner at Uncle Sam's house, tax free. Watched little ones laugh while watching Jim Carries "The Grinch" (watching little kids laugh is almost more fun than just laughing alone.) Drank hot cocoa and ate way to much cake (OK Kristyn, I did have 7 pieces!)
And maybe one of the cool things about the whole weekend is that it happened two weeks before Christmas and I still have two more weeks to make merry.

more holiday fun

December 7th: Chris and I worshiped in the Mesa Temple and saw the beautiful lights around the grounds.
December 8th: We went to our Children's school Winter Sing. With 600 children festooned in their holiday best belting out songs they have practiced for weeks, how could you not feel the holiday spirit? The only damper was when I lost my two year old in the crowd afterwards and frantically stood on a table to find him. A friend in the crowd saw my frantic search and my lost boy so all is merry and bright.
December 9th: Heard about, then saw this fantastic video. Showed my family, cried a little with joy and decided to share the good tidings with all of you. Some of my favorite things all on one video. Singing the Praises of the Lord with Handels Messiah and fried Food Court Foods! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Christmas Music

Tonight's Christmas Activity involved these two handsom musicians. Jack on Baritone and Grant on Trumpet make a very musical sound (including 25 other children). The Angel of the evening turned out to be my friend Lisa Hakes. You can see her twins in the first picture. We sat next to them, or should I say on them. Hailey sat on her lap and had her scratching her back by the end, and Ashley started in her arms and then went down the line to Grandparents. With only Mackay to contain, it was a wonderful concert. Christmas Bells are ringing!

Nothing says Christmas like the smell of fresh baked Gingerbread and a roof caving in with candy. I love, LOVE this time of year however simple or crazy we make it. A friend of mine is doing 25 days of Christmas activites. So smart. It's horrible to get to Christmas Eve and wonder where the time went. I wondered if I could do the same with some simple, some well planned activites. Here's what we've done so far.
Dec 1st-Finished putting up Christmas Decorations inside
Dec 2nd Hubby put the lights up outside.
Dec 3rd Annual Gingerbread Party with real gingerbread houses and people.
Dec 4th Church Christmas Party
Dec 5th Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christmas Devotional with sugar cookies with Grandma and Grandpa afterwords. You can watch it here if you missed it.
So far, so good. Yea, I think I can keep this up. I'm just beginning, if you have suggestions, I'd love to read them.

Typical Tuesday

It started with exercise at 6 (OK, 6:18!I pushed the snooze button) . The muffins went in at 6:45am, quick cool down and the kids were up, scriptures read and ready to leave for the bus stop by 7:45. At 8am I was feeding Ashley and then dressing Mackay for preschool, and trying to fit a shower in. With Mackay off to preschool at 8:45am, I moped, smiled at Ashley and got her ready for her visit with Mom and Dad. As she left D came while his foster parents went to a meeting to discuss D's future. Picked up Mackay at 10:45 just before my case worker came for her monthly visit. (We're still on track as foster parents, whew!) 12:13pm re-moped floor after D tracked poop in from back yard. 12:30 Molly B. came. Lunch (Left over spaghetti squash with sauce, new favorite I'd tried with Molly). 1:00pm, Ashley came back from successful visit with Mom and Dad (Keep praying for them). 1:20 Ashley, Molly and Mackay went down for a nap. Make dinner for tonight just to be ready. Chicken Pot Pie(See Proof above. I tried to show the time on the stove but alas) 2:30 D leaves. 2:30 I blog. I need proof that this day was real. I will regroup for 30 minutes and get the kids at 3:08 from the bus. Then Hailey's Ballet at 4:15, Molly leaves at 5. Grant has scouts at 5 and and I will pick Hailey up from Ballet after dropping Grant off. (Pray that Chris will finish Training and be home soon!) Pick up Grant at 6 and take him and Jack to karate. 6-8 Scentsy party for my sister-in-law Tori Robinson. 8:30 baths, stories, prayers and kids will go to bed! 8:33-Look for hidden carb stash and sit down with my husband.
No, this is not normal, but I've been training for marathons for awhile. Hey, everyone needs a hobby right!