HuMptY DuMptY

Alexa is my most accident prone child (so far) although Tyson has had his fair share in his short 2 years. (so it might be a race between the two of them). Alexa falls a ton and usually pops up and says "I'm okay!" Bruises frequent her legs and at least once a day she does something to need a kiss. When she was little she made me kiss whatever was hurt and sometimes it was things I did not want to kiss (once she bit her tounge and I was not going to kiss that- sorry) I used to kiss my had and tap her bum (and tounge or whatever) if it needed a kiss. She got to the point where she would kiss her own hand and tap whatever place got the ouchie. It was funny. So far the major ones have been 2 black eyes (same eye, two years apart almost to the day! aNd It ruins my plans for family pictures every time!) and she cut her head open. Chelsie (my little feisty one) attacks Alexa often, hence all of the scratches on her face- poor girl, I hope the scares eventually fade.

Ode to Jam

When I went to visit my family in Cali this past Oct. I returned home with a treasure. My mom let me take a container of my Grandma Donetta's homemade raspberry jam. She grows the raspberries in her garden (in Idaho) and makes all kinds of delicious treats; homemade raspberry ice cream, raspberries and cream in a bowl, jelly roll pancakes, and of course the jam. I love all of it but I am rarely there to enjoy all of the goodies. It has been a long long time. I love jam and I especially love her jam. Even as kids we loved it! Once when we were on the looong journey back to Cali, someone knocked our cooler out of the van and a container of jam broke open- we were seriously trying to figure some way to save any bit of the jam and had a moment of silence for the jam that didn't make it, - it was so sad! I remember scraping the bottom of the container to get every last bit. Well as you can see I was VERY excited to get some jam and it was very generous of my mom to share as it was her Birthday present from my Grandma when they had gone to Idaho to visit. Justin had a few peanut butter and Grandma Jam (i think that is the offical name) sandwiches for lunch and when one returned home uneaten I said "J, if you don't eat the sandwiches I will just give you the old jam okay?" He said " oh no mom, I am going to eat it right now- see!?" I know it is a little pathetic... but I love my jam!
Well after many delicious sandwiches, toast and rolls, the jam has seen its last day, and so I leave this Ode to the most delicious and much desired container of Grandma Jam!

MerrY ChristmaS!

I just love Christmas time. I love the transformation of the city, the lights, Christmas trees and Santa. I love Christmas music and movies, cookies, hot chocolate, and sweaters. I would like to be Mrs. Clause when I grow up! I love planning and hunting for the perfect present for my hubbie and kids. It truely is a magical time of year...
Some of my favorite Christmas traditions...
1. Light Hunting (driving around with Christmas music on and looking at all of the lights)
2. Temple Lights (we were sick this year the day we were going to go and we never were able to fit it in- so sad!)
3. Movies (my favorites are Elf, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, The Grinch- the cartoon, and Joy to the World)
4. Christmas Music
5. Decorating the Tree and the house
6. Christmas outfits and Pictures
7. A visit to Santa
8. Sugar cookies and Orange Rolls
9.Reading/acting Christmas Story
10. Visiting with Family
**note to self, Do Not go anywhere Christmas Eve! I ran to get my perscription filled at Walgreens and I got honked at when I turned into the parking lot. I couldn't get out of the parking lot because everyone else was determined to leave first and the other cars were flying through as if the parking lot was a speedlimit "free" zone. Then as I pulled out into the center divide a car came flying around another car honking and flipping him off out the window! What the??!!! I felt like I was in an alternate universe- didn't these people know it was Chirstmas Eve!?!?! Yikes. Well luckily I made it home in one piece! But next year I think I will hide out in the saftey of my own house! Other than that it was a great Christmas! I hope your was too!