The Christmas Party

I thought I would post a quick look at the Christmas party that took over my life for a week. I decided to do a Night in Bethlehem theme. So we turned down the lights and put up twinkle lights to set the mood.

Our menu tried to be authentic. I found this lemon dill chicken recipe that was delicious and turned out really good, although it did require me borrowing 18 crock pots from the ward. I also ordered pita flat bread from the local greek place and it was a pretty yummy dinner if I do say so. The only problem was that we had loads, I mean a ton, of food left over at the end. Last year our the Christmas party was the first activity we went to in this ward and it was huge! So I planned big and turned out to have more than plenty. We were sending boxes of chicken and cucumber salad home with people.

I made sheep to get us into the shepherding mindset.

We set up some tables and borrowed nativities as centerpieces.

But, we actually wanted people to sit on the floor.



The choir performed as angels telling us of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. Afterward we passed out candy canes to everyone.

Overall, it was not perfect but I think everyone had an enjoyable time. I am pretty proud that I pulled this party off. It wasn't until after I had made my plans that I found out this ward has a staunch tradition of the same party every year so I really (unknowingly) mixed it up. I am so thankful to Scott who was a huge help, and the two other girls that were on my unofficial committee (even though I know they don't read this!)

Here is the recipe in case you want to have it for your own Shepherd's Dinner which is a tradition that we are starting (or borrowing from Scott's family)

Lemon Dill Chicken:
1 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp dill
1 tsp lemon pepper
squeezes of lemon
4 chicken breasts

Mix all ingredients (except chicken) in crock pot. Place chicken on top. Cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Shred chicken and serve.

The Girl has Got Style

Olive is very into playing dress ups right now. She just loves putting on all her dress up clothes on (at once) these days. This includes all accessories as well. Her favorite thing to be is a princess.


She has her hook in one hand and in her other hand she has a wand. I guess that makes her a Pirate Princess. She kept saying "Arggh! Ahoy! Bobbity Boo!"






Here she is a ballerina princess and likes to spin and spin around like a ballerina. Notice that she is wearing 2 vests, 5 necklaces, and usually has 10 bracelets on also.

I was so excited when I had a great idea for a Christmas present for Olive. I went to Walmart (which is saying a lot because I hate shopping there with a passion) the day after Halloween and picked up tons of toddler costumes at half price. I got fairy wings, Dorothy, Little Red Ridding Hood, and Wonder Woman, anyway tons of good stuff. I probably got like 10 costumes for her. I even picked up some boy costumes like a ninja and police officer to have somethings when the boys come play. I mean when they are only 5 dollars each so I figured why not?.

So I came home and showed Scott and we were both very excited for Olive to get this cool Christmas present. That was over a month ago. Now the story gets sad. I thought we had put the costumes in our laundry room but when we went to find them, they were not there. Neither Scott or I have a memory of putting them away. We don't know what happened to them. This awesome gift is lost forever. We are guessing it got accidentally thrown out somehow. I am devastated. It seriously put me in a funk for like 3 days. I still haven't fully recovered.

But what can we do? We have searched high and low, everywhere in our house, the garage, our cars, seriously everywhere and they haven't turned up. So we are going to have to figure out a plan b. I'm sure Olive won't care, she will just like having pretty dresses to put on.

Fall Art

Olive and I have been doing some art projects. I always like seeing what other people do with their kids to keep them entertained. So I decided to post our fall art. I realize that this might be lame and boring to everyone except me. But it's my blog and I think I will like someday looking at what we made this year.

First, my favorite was a mommy and baby turkey. I love Olive's little hands on it.

We also gathered fall leaves which Olive loved gluing them onto the paper. She also painted a turkey and some leaves.

She loves painting with her water colors. I am kinda lame and haven't braved the finger paints yet. Here she is holding up two of her finest pieces.

And then she explained her artistic vision to us.


It seems funny to be posting about fall art because I feel so full swing into Christmas. Yet, it's only December 3rd! I think that I have some serious Christmas spirit on the mind because I am in charge of our ward Christmas party and it is tomorrow. I am feeling very intimidated. It is overwhelming to plan a party that big and I have absolutely no experience. I mean, just the logistics of how much food to feed a whole ward is daunting but then trying to actually make it all and have it taste good is really stressing me out. But, thankfully the party is tomorrow. And in 24 hours if it is a major bomb, then it will already be over. I can't wait for Sunday.

I don't mean to sound lame and like a super griper. I do think I have planned a fun party and I am hoping my program will be inspiring but I will settle for pleasant. I just feel like this party is all I have been thinking about. I haven't had the mental power to do any of our typical activities this week. I have had a hard time sleeping because I feel like there are so many things to forget. Basically I am ready to think about something else. And finally, tomorrow, I will be able to. After we cook and decorate all day.

I Loved Thanksgiving

We had a really fun Thanksgiving. I can't believe it was almost a week ago!

Scott started out the day with a 10K run for the Utah Food Bank. It was 6 degrees when he was running so he was quite bundled up. Olive and I were going to go cheer him on but it was just too cold!

Here he is with his sister, who also ran, and the turkey. I think that is such an awesome way to start your Thanksgiving and I was so proud of him!

Then it was off to Provo for some yummy food. I have to say my yams turned out great, they are my favorite thing at Thanksgiving dinner besides homemade pumpkin pie (I don't like store bought for some reason). We have a tradition of getting Thanksgiving sweaters to wear on the day. It is always nice to have something new to wear. I think that we all looked pretty cute. We also have the tradition to say what we are thankful for before dinner. Olive was thankful for Kitty and shoes. So classic.

They day before Olive and I made our pilgrim hats and she was our little Indian. I think they turned out cut (even though you can't really see Scott's) but we didn't take them to dinner.

Olive had a blast playing with her cousins. The highlight of her day was going to see Tangled in the afternoon. She was totally mesmerized by that movie. She sat so still the entire movie and when the credits started rolling she said "No!! My show! More show!"

It was one of the more low key Thanksgivings that we have had at the in-laws but it was still such an awesome day. We love being around family and that Olive has so many cousins so close. And, they seriously love her.
It was a busy weekend altogether. I actually went Black Friday shopping this year, although we didn't start at the crack of dawn. It was pretty fun and exciting to go for the first time. Then on Saturday we went to my parent's house to watch the BYU v UofU game which was very exciting. Olive loved all the cheering and was right in the middle of the action. I taught her a cheer awhile ago that she kept saying at the game and it was cracking me up because it goes "Ra ra ra ra ra GOOOOO AGGIES!". She was shouting that all game. I am glad she knows who to support!

I am always so excited for Thanksgiving but I think it is because it is the kick off to Christmas and I LOVE Christmas.

Snow Day!

We got a ton of snow yesterday so we decided to bundle up and go play. Olive was very excited. I think initially the excitement came from getting to put on her snow boots.

The great thing about Scott's job is that he is very flexible and can come play for awhile on a snow day. That is awesome for me because I don't really love playing in the snow.

First he taught Olive how to make a snow ball. She thought it was hilarious.

Then they worked on a snowman but it didn't work out very well.

Next they tried out the sled. Olive fell off the first time and wasn't anxious to try it again.

Finally we headed to the back yard to make some snow angels.

Can you see them? Olive officially loved the snow day and cried a lot when it was time to come inside.

I Have So Much To Be Thankful For!

I almost can't believe that Thanksgiving is here already. As I think about my life I tend to get overwhelmed with gratitude. I have been so blessed. I have so so much to be thankful for.

I have a wonderful, devoted, hard working, compassionate husband who picks up all my slack and takes care of everything. I would be lost without him. I appreciate his patience and mellow temper. I don't think I have ever heard him raise his voice and that means a lot to me. He is the calm to my storms of stress.

I have a sweet, adorable, loving, charming, charismatic, daughter who loves me. She melts me. I love watching her learn and grow. She makes me laugh so much. I love singing with her. I am extremely blessed to spend my days with such a fun girl.

I love where I live, it's been a blessing to have family close. I love my house. I'm thankful for the friends we have. So many of you that read this blog are people I deeply care about, and I am thankful for you. The list goes on and on.

But really, the thing I am most grateful for is, to know that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know that he loves me and gives me all of these wonderful blessings. My life is devoted to helping my children know those same things.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Olive met Ariel. Now They are Together Forever.

Olive has discovered The Little Mermaid and she is in LOVE with it. She talks about it all the time. She asks to watch it about 20 times a day. While reading her Disney princess book she likes to look at the Ariel and Eric pages the best. She is seriously obsessed.

Olive will watch most shows but after about 15 minutes gets distracted and wants to do something else, which I thought was pretty normal. While watching the Little Mermaid she will sit in one spot and watch the entire movie . It's kinda amazing to me. I mean, look at that concentration! She is not messing around. Also Olive will watch it over and over again. The awesome part about that is this movie now works as a great incentive and motivator because she doesn't want to loose a chance to watch it. Olive is a very obedient little girl, but if you mention the Little Mermaid she will immediately do what you want.

My favorite part of it all is that this was also my favorite movie as a child. It brings back so many memories as I hear to songs. We spent hours pretending to be Ariel. Who hasn't acted out the rock scene while swimming? I am loving that she likes to watch the movies that I treasured when I was little. It has been so fun to share these things with her. Have I mentioned that I love having a 2 year old? Sounds crazy but it is so fun to have her get excited about things I love, like the Little Mermaid!