Julie Got Artsy Fartsy!

For my Team Open House on Dec. 17th, I was looking for easy and cheap recipes to make for treats. Imagine that - Pampered Chef has just the thing I was looking for! Christmas Stocking Cake is a no-bake recipe using cinnamon graham crackers, a white chocolate pudding filling, whipped topping frosting and decorator's icing. Garnish with a few whipped topping stars from "the gun" and sprinkle candy like it's spilling out the top of the stocking. I'm not artsy fartsy very often and I, 99.9% of the time, never prepare recipes that look like the Test Kitchen so when those moments happen - I always take a picture. :-)

Christmas Angels - 12/06

Somebody was very generous to our family this year. We had secret elves visit us late that Saturday night and share with us these goodies. Eric answered the door and when he told me what it was, I hastily told him to yell "thank you" into the cold night air in hopes that our elves were still nearby.

I just sat on the couch and bawled. It's so different being on the receiving end and I was having a hard time accepting it. I didn't feel we were hurting bad enough to receive such service. I was reminded by a very special friend that I know what it feels like to give like this and that I couldn't deny or take away the opportunity for somebody else to feel those same feelings.

I was scared to count the money in the Christmas Jar. I was scared to know the total and know how much somebody really sacrificed for us. Tonight, Jan. 24th, we counted all those coins and the surprise $50 bill hiding in the middle of all of them. Somebody sacrificed a lot for us!! If you know who did this for us, PLEASE tell them thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whomever did this knows our family because they chose gifts perfect for my kids. You forever blessed me and my family with your generosity. I'll never forget this Christmas! THANK YOU!

Holly Jolly Christmas - 12/06

Jellybean dancing at Macy's Grocery Store with Leapin' Lizards Dance Studio

Don't Bring An Elephant to Dinner - 12/06

Sweet Pea dancing at the Festival of Trees with Leapin' Lizards Dance Studio

Oh, The Days of Flexibility!

Yes, you're seeing that correctly. Rascal's back paw is clear up by his head. Weirdo. (Click on the picture to make it bigger so that you can really see it.)

Lights at Temple Square - 12/01

Jellybean, Sweet Pea and Loch Monster w/ Cousin BabyCakes

A gorgeous shot of the Salt Lake Temple

Surprise! Guess which child is unhappy about having yet another picture taken?

We tuckered BabyCakes out. Being nice and toasty warm, all bundled up in the stroller was the perfect setting for a little nap.

They even try to make the construction sites more festive. Not really working. I'm still walking on wood sidewalks and I can still see cranes, orange cones and blaring work spotlights.

Enjoying their ride home on Trax.

Trimming the Tree - 12/1

We're still teaching her that ornaments should be hung facing outwards so that people can see them. :-)

Trying to find that perfect spot!

Pretty soon, he'll be able to hang the star on the top for me.

How Much Is Too Much?

We had my brothers and their families over for the BYU/Utah game on 11/22 since I've got the basement that children can be banned to and kept away from the adults. (No, really - that's why we do it at my house - to keep the noise and drama away from us.) Chris' youngest child, who's 2, absolutely adores Rascal. She follows him all over the house when she's over here. Rascal was whining for treats and I thought I'd let my niece have the honors. Well, she abused the privilege and gave Rascal the rest of the bag. She was so proud of herself, though, for helping to take care of Rascal.

Darn That Facebook!!

I found Facebook at the end of October and that pretty much has ruled my life since. So I'm getting back on the blogging horse and will work to be better about keeping you up-to-date on my wacky life. Sorry for the massive updating that will be going on over the next several days. You can really just ignore all of it and start following my life once I'm caught up. I felt that since this is kind of a little journal for me, I needed to catch up and post about the old news. :-)