life in general

christmas 2012

 

Christmas Eve, items to note:

*We found a great place for Christmas Eve bowling.  Clean, non-smoking, 64 lanes (!), and not too far away.  We learned that they are open 24 hours and if you go between midnight and 6am games are only $1.  Tempting.  ;)

*After bowling we ate lunch at Steak and Shake -- a pretty good substitute for Burgerville I have to say.

*We were able to stay connected with our friends in Oregon, also bowling & eating burgers, through instagram.  I love that they took the traditional group photo in front of the bowling lockers and included us too!  Look closely HERE

*I made an emergency trip to Target (I don't ever shop on Christmas Eve).  I had asked Payton, "so what do you think will be in the one present we open tonight?"  I said this in jest, because the present is always pajamas. His reply, "I really hope it's the one-piece zipper pajamas that cover my whole body.  Oh that would be so warm and cozy!"  Crap.  I went to 2 different Targets and I found one last pair in a size small -- he really needed a size medium, but for $6 clearance it was gonna have to work.  Anyway, I had a back-up pair of pajamas on deck.

*Anna did a peg people nativity project with Grammer Valerie.

For Payton's nativity, he was only interested in painting Joseph.  Poor Joseph, all alone.

*Our Christmas Eve dinner: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, bacon-wrapped green bean bundles, jell-o pretzel salad, martinelli's sparkling apple cider.  I like to make a big Christmas Eve dinner so I don't have to do any cooking on Christmas Day.

*I set 2 Christmas poppers at each place setting. And throughout the meal we opened them and read the jokes & trivia inside.  What kind of pants does a cloud wear?  Thunderwear!

*At dinner we somehow got onto the topic of muscles.  Conner asked, "do you want to see my muscles?"  And in one second flat his shirt was off!  Whoa, boy!

*Other activities:  tracking Santa on Norad, drinking reindeer milk, sprinkling oats + glitter on the front lawn to attract the reindeer, watching Mr. Kreuger's Christmas, opening one present (pajamas), playing with the chimes, setting out cookies for Santa and cheese for Santa Mouse.

 

Christmas Day, items to note:

*The kids came into our room at 6:30am on the dot.

*The "big" gifts from Santa were . . . . . a green Ripstik for Conner . . . . an Art Box for Anna . . . . a Slacker Sack for Payton (to put in his room).

*All 3 kids received a LEGO set and quickly retreated to their rooms after breakfast to assemble them.

*Conner, Payton, and Dennis got airsoft guns.  Scott's empty Pepsi bottles became target practice out on the backyard gazebo.  Note: the guns were a gift from Scott to the boys.  I did not approve this purchase because I do not want pellets all over my yard!  And in the pool!  But, Scott bought some pellets that claim to be bio-degradable.  We'll see.

*I made a scrapbook of Scott's childhood photos (birth to age 8) and gave it to him this Christmas.  I think he was really touched by it.  I used the Project Life Cobalt Kit to put things together which made it so easy!  Also, many kudos go to Valerie because she had written dates/descriptions/names/locations on the back of almost all of his photos.

*I'm super excited about my new iphone case.  Love it!

*After opening gifts we spent the rest of the day relaxing, eating/grazing over treats and leftover turkey, we watched Star Trek Nemesis, the kids played with their toys, I talked to my parents and most of my brothers, and that's about it!

merry christmas 2012

new ornaments this year

After admiring this ornament on 2 separate visits and continually thinking about it at home, I knew I had to have it.  (Sigh)  It's just so delicate and magical.

I discovered that I am a sucker for all things Oregon.  Hello to the Beaver state!

This handsome nutcracker came from Jenn and he fits perfectly into my Christmas tree motif.

The other night the kids and I sat down to make our own ornaments.  I got this idea from eighteen25.  Instead of doing snowman handprints we painted trees.  I think they turned out prettty darn cute!

2.5 x 3.5 mini canvas
paint
yarn or ribbon to hot glue on the back

hello monday {christmas baking}

One thing that has been difficult for me this season is getting into the Christmas spirit.  In the desert you just don't have those seasonal cues to let you know it's Christmas time! (Or Thanksgiving -- that was a weird one too.) And although the temps are starting to drop, it still looks like a desert outside.  We'll see if it gets better overtime.  Although, I was talking to a Portland native at church yesterday.  She has lived here for 17 years and she still has a hard time with it.  {sigh}

So, I'm finding that I have to actively think about Christmas-y things or do Christmas-y things on a regular/daily basis to help infuse that spirit into my season.  Yesterday after church we made treats and assembled boxes for our school crossing guards, neighbors (we'll be caroling tonight), and the kids' Primary teachers.

Hello chocolate.  Payton loooves white chocolate peppermint bark so he was right there helping me the whole time.

Hello crushed candy canes.  Also Payton's handiwork.

Hello sleepy heads.  This has to be one of my all-time favorite scenes.  The two of them napping by the Christmas tree.

I love watching this relationship.  On Saturday we were driving to the store in separate cars.  At a stop light I watched Scott and Anna in my rear view mirror, sitting in the truck behind us.  She was talk-talking away, just loving her alone time with dad.

Hello popcorn machine.  It cracks me up to see the wonder and excitement that this machine brings every time we pull it out.

Hello delicious.  White chocolate popcorn with M&M's and red chocolate swooshes.  I need to make this more often.

Hello triply delicious.  Peppermint Bark.  Ginger Snaps (Anna was so excited to learn that this was Grandma Margaret's recipe -- Anna's middle name is Margaret after my grandmother).  And you just can't go wrong with Rolo Turtles.

Hello little helper.  

Hello Christmas stories.  We're a little behind in our Christmas book countdown so we read two books tonight. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey and The Biggest, Best Snowman .

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Linking up with Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday prompt

a beautiful mess

Two weeks until Christmas.  Two!

I'm "this" close to being done with the Christmas shopping.  So close.  I mailed off our packages today.  And the last of the Christmas cards are going in the mail tonight (there are always a few stragglers).  I feel like I'm finally settling into the Christmas season and it feels good.

I came across some photos I took on decorating day.  Scott and Conner were gone at a Scout campout.  It was a quiet Saturday morning.  I pulled out the Christmas boxes from under the stairs and unloaded everything onto the kitchen table.  I loved having it all layed out there as I wandered from room to room, choosing & gathering as I went, finding a home for each little item.

My beautiful mess . . . . 

Leggings + candy cane striped tee.  Somewhere between Christmas Festive and Where's Waldo?

A few additions to my Christmas decor this year

• Pottery Barn red & white velvet tree skirt - I've been coveting this skirt for yeeaarrss
• "JOY" burlap banner made by my mom
• Wood cutout trees from West Elm
• A  LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar from my mother-in-law

christmas planner

Is it just me or did this month come up way too fast?

Usually I have our Christmas "plan" all figured out and gifts purchased right around Thanksgiving (or sometimes before).  But holy cow, I feel like we are scrambling to get things pulled together this year!  I guess with the move + just busier lives in general, Christmas has a bit of a busier pace this year.

Last night we had a Family Home Evening lesson about what Christmas is.  And we made a list of things we can do to make sure we keep the focus on the real reason for the season.  But still, I feel like I need to get a few more checkmarks on my list so I can settle down and really enjoy the month.

One thing that has saved me so far is this little Christmas planner.

Oh man, it comes with me everywhere.  I consult it throughout the day.  It is my sanity!

I was inspired by the Girls at Eighteen25 and picked up some supplies at Target to make something similar.

In the Calendar section, I use half a page to jot down notes from the day . . . . things we did, stuff the kids said, etc. . . . . so I can remember all those good moments in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

It's a good little helper.

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While we're talking about planning for Christmas, I just wanted to highlight a few past Christmas posts.

Sharing a piece of Christmas 

Love this one.  Write a note to a faraway friend or family member each day in December so they can feel a part of your Christmas celebrations.  I know that we're already a few days into December, but it's never too late to start.  Or, do it for the 12 days of Christmas.  My blog friend, Kim, is using this idea and created the most amazing cards.  You can check it out HERE.  Whoever is the receipient of her cards is going to be very very lucky!

Christmas Fun List 

I love this list because it's a visual reminder of all the fun things we could do during the month.  We don't have expectations of getting through everything on the list, but it's nice to have some ideas on hand if we have a quiet evening or an afternoon without much to do.  Or consult it if you need a Christmas spirit kick in the butt!  :)

Unwrapping 25 Books - We're doing it again this year!

sharing a piece of christmas

I know everyone has taken down the tree, packed up the decorations, and said goodbye to another Christmas season . . . but wait!  I have one more thing I want to share before I forget.

Several months ago we discussed plans for my in-laws to join us for Christmas after the move.  But the move never happened ;) so we've post-poned our Christmas gathering for a year.  In lieu of being together for Christmas I decided that I would share a piece of our Christmas with them each day.

It begins with 25 cards and 25 envelopes

At the end of each day in December I printed a photo, wrote a little note (or recruited one of the kids to write a note) about something that happened that day, and mailed it off.  Simple and, I think, very meaningful.  

I know they looked forward to checking the mailbox each day for a new card.  Maybe even competing to be the first one to find it?  ;)

I also put together this gift of letters for my parents 2 years ago . . . the first year that they were empty-nesters (4 kids married and one on a mission).  I know that Christmas is extra magical when there are small children involved.  By sharing pieces of our Christmas all month long (sitting on santa's lap, christmas piano recitals, cub scout service projects, etc.) I hope that they got a taste of that kind of magic as well.

(I promise there were 25 envelopes to begin with . . . I just took this picture 10 days into the project.)

To do the project . . . . 

• Gather 25 envelopes and 25 note-cards
• Stamp the numbers 1-25 on the note-card AND the outside of the envelope.  This is important because sometimes a few cards might show up in the mail at once (after a weekend) so they need to know which card to open first.

I stamped my numbers with red paint and while it was still wet I sprinkled glitter over the top.  This is definitely an assembly line kind of project.  And it is so helpful to just take an hour and prep the cards ahead of time so they are ready to grab when you need them.  Once my cards were done I placed them in a picture frame stand and set it on my kitchen counter.  It was good to have them sitting out as a visual reminder each day.

I always enjoy this project -- it is something meaningful, thoughtful, and from the heart.  Plus, who doesn't love receiving something in the mail?

I can see myself doing it again in the future.  The same idea would work for a missionary, cousins, long-distance friend, college student, etc . . . . whoever you are missing at Christmastime and might appreciate some extra holiday cheer. 

christmas 2011

A photo slideshow of our Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Music:  Mindy Gledhill and Michael Buble

christmas afternoon with instagram

some of P's new toys // Anna movin' it with Just Dance Kids // mini martinelli's . . . love! //  lifesaver gummi rings  // the table set with care  // my loot

more Just Dance 3 // christmas morning rolls // my christmas gift from Conner // sugar cookies // I love you // candy cane stripes

a special new necklace // christmas sparkle // how the boys spent their afternoon // cuddled on the couch after Mr. Krueger's Christmas & Joy to the World // project life - clementine edition // an ornament for 2011 - a green center for Oregon

Can you tell that I'm having fun with my new toy?  :)  I even sent my very first text message today.  I know, I'm way behind the times.

Merry Christmas!  

(Pictures of christmas morning coming this week.)

 

merry christmas!

Hoping you enjoy a wonderful, happy, blessed, safe, and sweet Christmas.

on the 3rd day of christmas break

day one - clean the house day

day two - drive mom to the brink so she decides to take you swimming to get your energy out day

day three - project day

day four - chillin' day and pick up dad day

and here we are on day five - sugar cookie day.  I need to get started on those.

Just wanted to share a few quick pictures from day three - project day.

Some candy cane reindeer that turned out a little freaky.  That's how my kids roll.

Felt christmas trees.  The stand didn't work out, but we were okay with that.

The boys attended to a few science experiments that involved luminol, copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda . . . you know, all those harmless household chemicals and solvents.

I was the cutter and Anna was the painter . . . 

so that we could create these jingle bell flowers.

And I played with all this . . . 

so I could create this . . . 

Note to self: Clean your windows.  And do not look directly into the sun.  I nearly burned out my retinas trying to get a photo from this angle.

I quite like the pom-poms.  They are attached to the bottom of the blinds so they go up and down as sun protection is needed in the kitchen.  

Okay, now I really need to get to the sugar cookies.  Have a great day!

not wanted: coal

A note before I begin . . . the christmas shopping is done!  We laid everything out last night -- nothing was missing, the spread of gifts looks good, and everyone has an equal amount of presents to open.  All packages have been shipped.  Teachers have been thanked.  Christmas cards mailed.  Christmas break is upon us and there is almost nothing on the calendar for this week.  I am in a very happy place and ready to enjoy the heck out of this week.

The kids wrote their letters to Santa and we mailed them on Thursday.  I love the Santa mailbox that they place outside the fire station.

 

Even if it is dark at 4:45pm when we finally make it there.  Thank goodness for manual mode and a small clue as to how to use it!

I also love the tradition of sitting down to write letters to Santa and seeing what the kids have to say.  I do have to give plenty of encouragement and instruction that this should be a letter.  Say something nice to Santa, tell him how good you've been this year, etc.  It should not be, "Dear Santa, I want . . . " and proceed to list 20 items.  Santa does not like letters like that.  You've got to butter him up.

So here is what the kids came up with this year.  (The stationary was a free download from here and here.)

Anna gets away with a fill-in-the-blank letter because she is in kindergarten.  But, oh my, look at that great handwriting!  Good job Anna B.  :)

Dear Santa, I love Christmas.  I love the bowling, the rolls, and the presents.  Here is what I would like:  

1. any Pokemon DS game  2. Nerf Stampede  3. A battery case that I can plug my DS charger in  4. the remote control camera car.

Not Wanted!  Coal

Thank you Santa and enjoy the cookies

love, Conner

Dear Santa, I love Christmas!  Why should it only be one a year?  I have been very good.  This year I would like:

1. Mario Cart DS  2. Lego Star Wars DS  3. Knex Roller Coaster  4. a little TV  5. a bag of Twizzlers.

Merry Christmas.  Love, Payton

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I think the kids made Santa's nice list so they should expect to see at least one thing from their list under the tree Christmas morning.   Although, there are still 7 more days until Christmas.  They better not blow it!

december update

We are enjoying this month, but I am feeling especially busy this week.  Nothing major that I'm working on, just a million little things that need my attention.  Yesterday, I was feeling a bit like a chicken with it's head cut off -- frantically making lists and darting here and there.  Today, I think I have a better grasp on things and I'm slowly choosing things that I'm just going to let go of.  I feel like if I can make it through Friday I'm home free.  School will be out, shopping done (hopefully), packages mailed (hopefully), and then we can just settle down for a cozy winter break at home.

So until I reach that magical moment when my command station (a.k.a. kitchen island) is free & clear of piles (christmas card remnants, legal pad with lists, post-it notes, and dental insurance info - you don't want to know), the last classroom party has ended, and I'm finally able to sit down on the couch and watch Elf with the kids . . . until that moment, here is a gathering of a few things we have done in december so far.

We watched the Polar Express and then slept under the Christmas Tree.  Yes, even I slept on the couch.

I just love Anna's set-up

The next morning we woke up bright and early to do some Scouting for Food.  The Cub Scouts collect food donations for the food bank each year.  This is our 4th year participating and I believe they collected 380 pounds.

Then, that same day we attended the ward christmas party where the kids sat on Santa's lap, ate an astonishingly large amount of ham, and sang Away in a Manger in the program.  Anna even sang the first verse as a solo.  She was loving all the attention & compliments.

We made lots of cards and treats for our teachers -- school teachers, primary teachers, and a piano teacher.

We also made Christmas cards for our cousins.  Cousins Alert: don't look!  We're dropping these in the mail tomorrow.  Although, I have to apologize to Sam & Heidi in advance.  I hope Payton's well-intended note doesn't set Preston up for disappointment on Christmas morning:  "I hope you have a Merry Christmas!  Maybe you will have a remote control car!"  When you read it for Preston you are more than welcome to make something else up.

There's the classroom parties -- 1 down, 2 to go.  I helped Payton's 3rd grade class make these woven star ornaments.  I think it was a hit!

More Cub Scout service as we went caroling at a nursing home . . .

 Christmas lights in our bedrooms

and gorgeous sunset lights in the sky

My eyes are getting heavy and my head is nodding off so it is time for me to say goodnight.  Looking forward to a wonderful (busy) Friday and a fabulous weekend!

advent: 4 ways

So if you have browsed pinterest anytime in the last month you've probably seen that there are a million totally cute, crafty, creative ideas for Christmas advent all over the place.  So many creative people out there.  

For a very small moment I was tempted to make something equally cute, crafty, and creative to assist our family in our countdown to Christmas.  But then I realized I really didn't want to go to all that work.  And really, would all that work be worth it?  And appreciated?  This blog post about the crafty advent debate solidified my resolve.  We're just going to go with what we already have in place.  

Keep it simple.

So here is how the Brown family counts down to Christmas:

1.  The hang-an-ornament-on-a-tree advent

This was a gift from my mom lots of years ago.  (from Pottery Barn Kids)  Payton seems to have taken ownership of this one.

2.  The magnet Nativity Advent Calendar

This one came from Grammer Valerie lots of years ago.  It goes on our fridge and each day Anna dumps out the bag's contents to find the next number in the countdown.  We start with 1 and work our way towards 24.  Baby Jesus is #24.

3.  Unwrap and read a Christmas book advent

I've seen this idea on the web for several years and have always wanted to do it, so this year we are giving it a shot.  Yes, it is something new but it required zero creative juices and I'm only out a roll of wrapping paper.  The kids LOVE it so far.  And I love sitting by the Christmas tree each night and reading to them.  Definitely brings the spirit of Christmas into our home.  

4.  A Christmas Fun list

Similar to the summer fun list, I like to create a list of possible activities to do each day over the Christmas season.  (Some advent calendars I've seen assign activities to a specific day but I can't be tied down like that!)  We can check them off as we go, and it also provides reminders & inspiration if we need a little holiday lift.

A couple things I forgot to write down:  

• make reindeer milk (thanks Waite family for this!)
• go bowling on Christmas Eve
• watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional - check!
• play the Christmas chimes

But really, there's a host of traditions that are just a normal part of our December so it isn't necessary to write them all down.  This gets us off to a good start.

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21 more days to Christmas!