Forget the To-Do Lists

There are lots of loose ends to wrap up before the holidays, literally- all of my wrapping, making treats, caroling, and the traditional to do list.  But for some reason I can hardly get myself to move.  Most of the things on my lists seem so insignificant.  Besides the national tragedy, two dear elderly friends passed away and we have been arranging food and funeral luncheons, a dr. visit evoked all sorts of mixed emotions as my body is preparing to deliver this baby, and most recently a family who we knew from the Spanish branch had their home burn down over the night.  My heart has been heavy.

Thankfully we have a vacant house that the family is going to be moving in to so there is plenty to be done.  Somehow, my helping hands are one of the best ways for me to cope.  I am grateful that I can scrap my holiday to do lists and focus on those things that really matter.

Getting Out

Thank goodness for all sorts of activities to get us out of the house on these colder wintery days.  First up, the kids wanted to walk my "route."  It's a 3 mile route I [used] to walk with some ladies at 5:30 in the morning up a big hill called Pullin' Hill.  We didn't walk the full route, but the kids were troopers up the hill.  And true to form, the wind blew both directions.

 The highlight of a Back to Bethlehem night in Idaho Falls was the bactrian camel.  The kids also enjoyed making tree ornaments, music makers, and purchasing it all with gold nuggets.  Ruby was very reverent in the room depicting the stable with Mary and Joseph.

 The Wilkins bunch invited us swimming while they were up for a basketball game of Derek's.  We also got Reed's Dairy and checked out the Old Fashioned Christmas at the Museum of Idaho.

 More sugar cookie frosting at the preschool playgroup.

 Watching Paunie's Nutcracker.  Dalanie's little friend, Presley, was in it.

Ugly Sweater Party 2012

The attendees:

 Happy hour, mixing up all sorts of Italian sodas.

 Minute to win it games:

 Snowball Toss

 Jingle Bell Rock

 Nutstacker

 Face the Cookie

Jingle Bell Rock, take II - I still get a headache looking at these pictures.

I had about talked myself out of having this party because there never is a 'good night' in December, but  knew it would be too fun to pass up.  It was a bit crazy since we got home from our anniversary trip one hour before guests arrived.  I hadn't done much prep work so I was scrambling a bit when the first few couples came, but soon enjoyed the evening along with everyone else.

12.12.12

Why I never realized that our 10th year anniversary would land on such a memorable date is beyond me.  It wasn't until a few weeks prior that I thought, "wow, that's neat."  And so for many reasons, it was a special day for us to celebrate 10 years of progress.  The progress of our family, our homes/yards, our farm and businesses, and for us as a partnership.

Purchasing our own farm and making irrigation improvement.

 Progress in our farming operation.

 A shift in our custom operation from primarily hay and straw to chopping.

 Each addition to our family.

Our first home that we completely redid on our limited budget without having to get financing.

 The opportunity to by our next door neighbor's home.  Extensive improvements to in the interior and yard.

I made a photo book for Brent, illustrating where we've been over the last 10 years.  It made my heart swell with intense gratitude to look back at the things we have been able to accomplish and how richly we have been blessed.  We have been able to make a life for ourselves that we enjoy and cherish.

I thank my lucky stars that the handsome and charming guy I met at USU has loved and given me more than I ever daydreamed about.  We were young and in love when we married.  Time has aged us both. And time has also brought a greater and deeper appreciation for one another.

Since our anniversary fell in the middle of the week, we stole away that weekend to revisit Logan.  We went to the temple and participated in sealings, ate at the Bluebird, and went to thank the single's ward bishop where we met.  Him and his wife were in Kosovo on a mission, but we were able to visit with some of his kids that were visiting the home.  Good memories.

I had Brent's wedding ring laying out for him.  It was odd to see it on his finger since he hasn't worn it since our honeymoon.

Ruby Dooby Turns 3

Party Prep:

Stuffing envelopes can sure be a frustrating job.

 The invite.

Dropping the invitations off at the post office.  Both girls are fascinated by the post office and how they can deliver letters and packages to friends and family's homes.

It was hard to tell who was most excited for the opening of gifts.  Hudson had selected some fish and a fish bowl.  And Dalanie painstakingly chose a lady bug pillow pet for Ruby.  Like they say, 'tis better to give than to receive.

 The fish in their new home on my kitchen countertops.

 Traditional birthday sprinkles and frosting breakfast.

Ojo appeared on Ruby's birthday.  He had blown up a balloon that read "happy birthday Ruby."  He apparently tumbled from his perch and Ruby brought him to me.  It must have been birthday amnesty because he didn't lose his magic.

Some of Ruby's favorite things at the party were grandparents, cousins, spaghetti dinner, lots of red (guests invited to wear red,) and neapolitan ice cream.

We had raspberry bread pudding for the "cake."  Three candles are a big job to get blown out.

This Ruby Dooby is one character.  She is always using her imagination and carrying on conversations with herself or her toys.  Out of the blue she will tell you "I lub you!"  She is very polite and loves to say please and thank you.  She loves to wear jewelry and try on my shoes.  She has friends wherever she goes, kids her age must like to say her name.  She makes us laugh and is such an important part of our family.