I ♥ sweater hats

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ABC

Doug and I decided it would be a good idea to purchase some reading books for Gabriella for Christmas. She can sound out all the letters of the alphabet and is really interested in writing words. After some research and talking with friends, I decided on the "I see Sam" series. This series came out in the late 70's and has been used in schools for the last 30 years. At first, I was disappointed when the books arrived because they are not the best quality (basically cardstock and computer paper) and I wanted them to last. However, the success we have had with reading over the last few weeks more than makes up for it. Gabriella finished the first series of 25 books and can now read about 30-40 words. It hasn't even been a month! I am going to order volume 2 this week. This is totally a mom thing to brag about, but it is so rewarding to see your baby doing big girl things like reading books!

Enjoying our White Christmas

We had so much fun sledding with the Cannons in all our snow!





Gabby's got good aim! She hit me right in the mouth with a snowball on my way down. It was the grassiest snow I have ever tasted.


Two eskimo cousins


Happy Birthday Uncle Scott!


Mary dragging Joseph to another inn at the preschool nativity.


Hyrum playing little Joseph


One of our favorite Christmas traditions - sleeping under the Christmas tree! A memorable tradition from my childhood, that my kids now get to look forward to. We usually do this once before Christmas Eve and once after Christmas before we have to take down the tree.


Christmas Morn!

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Doug was really surprised to get an air compressor. And I was ecstatic to have surprised him - for once!




Hyrum's (and Dad's) new toy!



Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper with lots of fancy ribbon. But I haven't wrapped much yet this year.
2. Real tree or Artificial? All Natural baby! I love the way it makes my house smell. And going to get the tree is such an adventure for the family (review previous post)
3. When do you put up the tree? First week of December.
4. When do you take the tree down? The day after New Years day.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? Oh yes! I have been making a recipe I got as a gift from a friend for three years now and love it! Mmmm...Thanks Jackson Family.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I had an American Girl doll, Kirsten, that I bought with my own money for my birthday (February). Everything was so expensive (for a 3rd grader) I never bought anything else that year. My mom bought a pattern set they used to sell and made me a set of clothes and painted a cute little trunk to store them all in. I adored those clothes.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Dad, although Doug found something hysterical for him this year!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself...just kidding. I love to buy stuff for the kids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a small one my mom got me from Germany. And a ceramic statue of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus that Doug's mom gave us. I love them both.


10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but we'll see this year!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Fabric. Don't ask.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Definitely "It's a wonderful Life." We watch it every year, and a few years ago got to spend a night downtown and see the play. It was really great!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October. Otherwise, I go overboard.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? If I had, I would definitely TELL!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? snowball cookies and orange cream cheese chocolate chippers. But I have a new favorite maple bar cookie from my sis! MMMMMM
Here are some pictures from our baking day!




16. Lights on the tree? White. I would love them to blink, but can never figure that out.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Away in a Manger. It has always been my dad's favorite, and I can't sing it without crying
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yep
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open two presents on Christmas Eve. The grandkids all draw names and exchange their gifts. Then we always get our kids pjs. That's a tradition passed down from my family. All the rest on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crankies! Especially at the post office.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I am pretty eclectic. I don't have a favorite. But I have some special things from my grandmas that I really love.
I love the hummell my Grandma gave to me when I was pregnant with Gabriella

This is a lladro Christmas bell that came from my Grandmother. She collected them, each has a different winter or Christmas scene and each granddaughter received one when she passed last year.



24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Ham and potatoes and pie
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A CPA.

Hunting for a Christmas tree

This is the 3rd year we have driven up to longview to hunt for a Christmas tree. I love driving up together and listening to Christmas music as a family the whole way there.


This is the one!


Helping Dad cut it down



My dad and brothers joke that Hyrum doesn't talk to people, especially men. So this was totally unexpected for him to talk to Santa. And you saw it here...he actually hugged him!


Gabriella wants a "singing blue bird to sing her to sleep at night." ?????????



A visit to the barn to feed the animals...look close those are Santa's reindeer behind the fence!


Decorating our perfect Christmas tree! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

What I'm thankful for everyday...