Congratulations Megan and Cameron!!!!!!!

What a beautiful (very cold 20 something degrees) day it was today! Megan and Cameron were (finally) married in the Bountiful temple. After dating for nearly 7 years (yes, SEVEN), this day has been a long time coming and we are so happy for them both. We love Cameron and we are thrilled that he is finally an official part of the family! YAY!!! We love you both!

Christmas Cuties

A quick photo of the kids before church today. Sarah and Jenna loved the their dresses from Sidney and Gabrielle (thank you!).

ETA...I am totally chuckling. I just noticed Sarah added her necklace and hot pink ornament to the tree...that is so Sarah! lol

One of the best things about the holidays

is definitely the Christmas cards. Really it is, don't you think? I stalk the mailman each day waiting to see what cards will come. I anticipate photos and family updates; waiting to see who has a new edition, whose moved, whose kids have change the most. It's kind of like a yearly roll call to make sure all my family and friends are safe sound!

Home for the holidays...

I love looking at all the things friends and family do to adorn their homes for the holidays. It's so fun to see their creativity and personalities come through in the way they decorate. I've enjoyed being inspired and filled with the holiday spirit as I've gotten peeks into the homes of friends and family. Here are a few photos from around our home. Certainly nothing spectacular, but just right for our family to feel the holiday spirit.

Seriously delicious

With all the get-togethers over the holidays, you're always in need of a yummy recipe. This is the BEST, no really, it is. I can say that because it's not my recipe (got it off tv a couple years ago). This is perfect as an appetizer or to just leave on the counter for snacking when you have company over. When I found the recipe, I believe it was called cranberry salsa, but it doesn't look like salsa and I didn't like it with tortilla chips (like they served it). I aptly renamed it, "Christmas Caviar." Well, because it looks like caviar and you can only make this during the holidays. (fresh cranberries are only available this time of year) I really hope that someone out there gives this a try and lets me know what they think....you will not be disappointed! Serving it w/ cream cheese and crackers is best, but it really makes a great cranberry sauce for turkey, too. I've included a photo...sorry, not the best picture, but it will give you the idea. Enjoy!

Christmas Caviar

12oz pkg fresh cranberries
¾ c sugar
1 med jalapeno, remove seeds
1 green onion
2T fresh cilantro (I always add more)
1tsp dried cilantro
1/4tsp cumin

Blend all ingredients in a food processor. Chill overnight (this is a must…the sugar must sweeten it). Best served with crackers and cream cheese. Also good with tortilla chips, beef, pork, turkey or chicken.

Someone lost their first tooth!

Congratulations Sarah! She has now been visited by the tooth fairy. I am playing catch up a bit...she actually lost her tooth on 12/3. In the picture, it's hard to tell that she even lost a tooth. The new tooth is stealing her opportunity for an empty grin. For the record, she was more brave than her older brothers when it came to pulling it out. (sorry I called you out boys!) She let mom yank it right out with hardly a flinch!

Early Christmas

Grammy and Papa are heading to California next week for Christmas, so we got to celebrate with them tonight! Each year, the kids look forward to decorating a gingerbread house with grammy. This year was no different...it turned out just as creative and messy as always. Such a fun tradition! Grammy and Papa also came bearing gifts tonight. Webkins, books, jerseys, a doll, a bike and Pixel Chix were among the gifts. (and a Costco membership for Chad and I....looks like I'm in trouble!). Thank you so much Grammy and Papa...we had a wonderful time with you tonight. We love you and appreciate all you do for us.

The "gig" is up....Part 2

So, I mentioned I was feeling a little sentimental about Josh's newly attainted knowledge. Well, there's more. The other night he lost another tooth. Just before bed he asked me if he should put it under his pillow. Surprised, I looked at him in disbelief and said, "are you serious?" He said, "well, I don't know...what do you mean?" I chuckled and handed him a dollar. A few minutes later he came back into the room. I could tell he had been crying. I felt so bad. I feel like I've slammed the door on his childhood. Josh is a super smart kid, but apparently more innocent and tender than I thought. I told him it was okay to be sad and that the fun wouldn't stop. We just hugged and cried together in the kitchen. It really was a special moment...you just don't get to hold and hug your kids like you did when they were younger, you know what I mean? I think he felt a little better when I asked him to stay up with me (Chad is out of town as usual) and watch tv and eat chips and salsa. Man, I love that kid.

Baby, it's cold outside,

but that doesn't stop the kids from wanting to play in the snow!

So, the "gig" is up...

I'm talking about Josh and the current holiday season. Yep, we figured since he was now in YM's he should be fully informed. I think he was really just hanging on to please us anyway. We talked about informing him and I was kinda looking forward to it...you know, letting him be a little helper and all. So, yesterday was the day. Dad and Josh had some special time together. When Chad told me they'd had the talk, I didn't quite expect the feelings I had. I almost started to cry. Don't get me wrong, it was time and he basically knew anyway. But, somehow, it really made me sad. Like the end-of-childhood kind of sad. I guess with all the growing up he's been doing since he turned 12, I've been rather sentimental.

Christmas Recital

Josh and Andrew had their Christmas recital on Saturday. They both did a wonderful job. Andrew played "Spirits Everywhere" and "Joy to the World." Josh played "Chip of the ol'Bach" and "Ukranian Bell Carol." It has been really fun to see them progress...I love hearing them work on the dynamics of their music. Great job, boys!

1st Class Scout

Congratulations to Josh for earning his 1st and 2nd class ranking in scouts. He recieved his awards last night. Thank heavens we have some great scout leaders in our ward because I am clueless and Chad and I aren't exactly the outdoorsy type. He even earned his first merit badge last night, too...man, before you know it we'll be working on his Eagle project!

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas!!!

Finally!! It's absolutely beautiful outside! I

couldn't think of a better way to begin December!

Putting away the drill after 36 years!

I can hardly believe it's already time for my dad to retire. It has been very interesting to reflect on how he must be feeling upon retiring after 36yrs of dentistry. Last night we celebrated all his years of work. The party could not have turned out better (a big thanks to Dan and JaNel who made it happen as well as everyone else who pitched in). It really was a wonderful night. I could tell my dad was really pleased and really appreciated all the love and gratitude that was expressed to him. The room looked great: beautiful flowers (Heidi!), great sign (Shawn!), great pictures (JaNel had some pics of my dad blown up...so cool!), great food....everything looked so nice. JaNel even ordered a "denture" cake (so funny!) and these great little cookies that had my dad's logo on them. It was fun to see my dad's siblings together (we missed having Gary there) and seeing so many other friends, family and patients. Josh read a poem (thanksHeather) and the g'kids each shared what they were looking forward to doing with Papa w/ his extra time. Ryan gave a hilarious roast...loved it! What a great night indeed!