Gifting

I started preparing for this year's Christmas gifts that we give away to friends, in the summer. My mom helped me bottle up some sweet marion berry jam and I set them aside so I wouldn't have to hastfully put gifts together for Christmas like I usually do. Well, I'm still hastfully doing it but I guess it would be worse if I had done nothing at all. This year I paired the jam with a mini loaf of cranberry bread. Both are delightfully yummy. I got bored with the usual gift wrap so I wrapped them in some fabric I had in my stash. I thought they turned out nice.

Wish List Items

I've been needing to compile my wish list for the in-laws (for some reason we don't do this on my side of the family) and came across this website while visiting Oh Happy Day. A different vision then fashion and design came to my mind.

The List:

Dell Inspiron 1526 in some awesome color (doesn't have to be yellow)
A stylish bag to put it in (doesn't have to be the bag above but I do like)
Sushi set for two or four and sushi mat
Slippers
New flooring in kitchen and entry (by all means if your feeling generous go right ahead)
A good classic chick book (I've been wanting Jane Eyre but any Jane Austen would do too)

After writing this out I feel like the true spirit of Christmas went right out my door. Darn it.

I'll have to go back and tinker with Winter fashion ensembles. It is fun to layer and see what you can create. Check it out here.



Here is the Wish List

One I'll be Missing

This Christmas Pyramid will be missed when I put it away till next year. It was the first year we had it out since being married. Spencer got this while on his mission for our church and it has been hiding in his parents storage. Nora, has loved to watch the Nativity scene turn around and around endlessly by the candles. Don't you love the oversized candles. It has been a fun center piece to display. Until next year Christmas pyramid.

The Nativity and More

The day after Christmas we celebrated the "Christmas" dinner and Nativity. My mom broke out some awesome costumes and all the kids looked great. We even had the newest grandchild Benjamin play the baby Jesus. He is so tiny you can't even see him in the picture. Nora was a donkey and really played up her part. You can see her playing stubborn on the floor in the second picture. Afterwards, fun Aunt Katie made balloon animals and hats for the kids. We have some amazing talent in our family.

A Great Christmas

We had a great Christmas. Lots of fun suprises. Spencer really out did himself this year with a Vita Mix blender. It has been on my wish list for a few years now. I've already been able to make an avacado shake and a chocolate shake. Yes, I try all sides of the spectrum when it comes to my new blender.

Two other fun gifts that I didn't think anyone could pull off was two Richard Chamberlin movies, this and this. Both movies my family and I grew up with and when I found out that my mom lost track of hers I've been determined to obtain some without any foreign subtitles. As far as I know, both are hard to come by since they no longer are made. So, thanks sweetheart for the hard efforts of getting gifts for me this year.

Santa Came to Grandma's

This past Christmas Eve before we went out caroling Santa made a stop at Grandma's house. I don't think our girls quite get the whole "Santa coming to town" thing. We talked with Nora before Santa came about what she wanted. She said, "princess stickers". Which are any stickers that have the wonderful Disney characters on them. When Santa came he hugged each child and gave them a candy cane. When he was done he quickly left to go to his next stop of the night. Nora, looking confused, turned to me and with sad wonder said, "stickers?" I couldn't help but laugh. Sometimes it hits me hard how simple things are to her. Her worry was gone when I explained to her that Santa was coming to our house that night and wouldn't forget the stickers then. As for Aubrey, she didn't give Santa the time of day. Not one look in his direction as you can tell in the picture. Next year we will make sure to have them each sit on his lap to get the full Santa experience. In the first picture is one of Nora's favorite cousins Eden and in the next is Ava, Eden's sister.

Bye, bye Santa. Till next year. We will miss you.

A' Caroling We Go

As always we had great fun caroling to some neighbors this past Christmas Eve. I love this tradition and thoses who we caroled to do as well. Check out Brad's post to see more pictures. This is a great tradition to have. One that our family will do when we get to be closer to the Osmond family size. Well, maybe not that big.

{photo courtesy Brad}

Frosty Night

We had our neighbors and friends, the Taylor's, over Sunday night for cookie decorating as well as our cousins the other Las Vegas Gunnersons . We had fun decorating sugar and gingerbread cookies and even more fun eating them. The kids loved to help cut the cookies out and have some pretty unique decorating skills. This was a fun activity we'll probably add to the list of holiday traditions.

Magical Forest

On Friday our Family went to one of our favorite places to go to during the Christmas season, Opportunity Village to experience the Magical Forest. I love this place! We have gone every year since being married and I went even when I was single. Every year they seem to out do themselves from the last. They have an array of activities to choose, from train rides to funnel cakes. They even expanded their rides to include the Super Slide and had a magical maze to get lost in. I know they gear this place for children but it is my kind of adult toy land as well. Isn't the old school carousel magically beautiful. Takes you back to another time.They have sponsored decorated trees throughout the Magical Forest so it is fun to meander through and see how companies, families, and organizations decorated the trees. Harley Davidson even joined in the fun this year with their cool bad Santa. If living or visiting during the holidays this is one place to check out. For those who don't know Opportunity Village is a non-profit charity in Las Vegas. Here is their description of themselves:

Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities by providing them with vocational training, employment and social recreation services that make their lives more productive and interesting. Through Opportunity Village’s programs and services, hundreds of people with disabilities are learning vocational skills and being placed in jobs throughout the community.

Fresh Christmas Decor

I have to admit to be one of those people that like the convenience of fake trees and garland yet there is nothing quite like the look, smell, and versatility of going real and fresh. I love these ideas to do around the home or for entertaining. You can't really get that look going fake and why would you want to...other than for convenience. Making any of these displays would be easy and fun to do with kids. To get easy directions on how to go here.

They're Finally Done!

This is what my house looked like for five days. My honey is sweet to put up with my project messes that plague our home from time to time. If I had my own craft room there would be no problem. All I would have to do is shut the door and Wha-la! No mess. So, here are the stockings in all their glory. My inspiration for the stockings came from these. Although, mine were not as adorned with pretties as the stockings online were but I thought the girl's stockings turned out great. I only hope my girls like them when they get older. I love the stocking my mother made for me. She still displays them every year. I made both stockings with my girls in mind even down to the very color of them. They may not find themselves teal and red or green and pink when they get older but in my mind those are the colors that I see them in. Do other mothers see their kids as colors? No, probably just as kids. I am so kookie sometimes.

Nora helped me with disposing the fabric scraps. To her, tons of fun.

All the fun colors of felt used.

Behold, the stockings.

Details made from love.

All Dressed Up

Every year we have attended Spencer's firm Christmas party. This year it will be our second time attending at his current firm's party. Last time it was at the Four Seasons and this year it will be at Bellagio. Last Christmas most everyone dressed up quite a bit. It made for a frustrating few weeks before to try and find a dress that was modest yet stylish to me. This year Shabby Apple made it easy for me. They only carry modest dresses and accesories. Finally! Me as a consumer has been heard. So, I bought this dress to deck me out for the party. Although for me it draws closer to the expensive side I thought I did well with the budget I was given ($150). I only wish it came with the festive red sash below. Next stop, Darleen Meier Jewelry for the perfect earrings to match.

O Christmas Tree

Before the trimming

Nora has been really getting into the whole Christmas thing this year.

I love sitting and looking at our Christmas tree. It gives our home a certain feeling that I'm sure your familiar with. Some of the ornaments tell stories from our past. Others are just there for enjoyment. I think a Christmas tree tells alot about a family. What does your Christmas tree look like?