Last Minute, Thrown Together Photoshoot

Not sure why these six kids can't all look at the camera and smile decent is beyond me. It's not like we don't constantly have a camera in their faces all the time. Seriously, we only got ONE semi-decent photo of all of them together out of 50 or so pics. But we needed a pic for a photo calendar Keesha was working on for my mom. Even though it was difficult it was worth it. I guess we need to do this more often. Here are a few snaps of the adventure...

The Grandkids

My kiddos

Breck's Little Ones

Keesha's Clan

The girlies

Just the boys

Banana Bread

Made some of this today. The house is smelling good.

And I like to take pictures only because someday I have plans to make a recipe book with photos.
So I'll share the recipe.

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

3 mashed bananas

2 eggs

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups flour

1/4 nuts (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar together, add eggs and bananas and dry ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Fill about 2/3 full. Makes three small loaves. Enjoy!

Our Christmas

We had the most fabulous, wonderful Christmas! I didn't get my kiddos until noon on Christmas day and we started our festivities at my mom and dads opening presents and being together. Then around 4:00 in the afternoon we made it back home to see what Santa had brough the kids. It was so nice to have everything last longer and not have it over with in a matter of minutes. Plus, what parent doesn't enjoy a little torture for the kids. Payback right??

Conner's Santa Stash

Courtney's Loot
The kids waiting in the laundry room to see if Santa came...

A new camera for Conner...

and a Case International Combine!! How did Santa know???

Can you tell she was excited? She was so much fun!!

Hannah Montana guitar game, "It's the best of both worlds."

Later Christmas day we made Courtney's name out of Bendaroos and...

took a trip to outer space in "Moon Shoes".

Clay got some Steeler spirit!

And I got a sewing machine! Not to sew, but to scrapbook! I'm going to give it a try anyway.

This was the final project I did for Christmas. My sister Keesha came up with the idea of spray painting our old school desks we had as kids and then I cut the girls names out of vinyl. They turned out really nice! Thanks for another great idea Keesha!

Ahhhh, Santa even came and saw Pepper! She was a pretty good puppy this year. She didn't eat any 4-wheelers or lawn mower bags, thank goodness.

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve at my Mom and Dad's this year! The traditional Chili and hot rolls for dinner and we opened our pj's and books as well. My mom made the three girls matching pj's that turned out so cute. She was still sewing while we ate dinner! They all looked so cute as triplets! I guess technically my sisters and I were triplets as well, we all got matching jammies too! We should have changed and took a photo!! LOL :)

Things I Love About Christmas

-New pj's and books on Christmas Eve
-Shopping early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving
-Decorating the tree
-Clark, putting the lights in the yard and on the house
-Hot chocolate and apple cinnamon toast on Christmas morning
-Wrapping presents
-Last minute shopping
-Neighbor gifts
-Teaching my children about the true meaning of Christmas and not to be selfish
-Shopping in Layton/Riverdale with my mom, sisters and aunt
-Work Christmas parties
-Being creative, making homemade gifts
-The smell of pine
-Stocking stuffers
-Diet Coke (I had to throw that in there!)
-Anticipation
-Courtney's Chrismas list
-Shoveling snow
-Making everyone unwrap presents one at a time
-National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
-Chili and hot rolls on Christmas Eve
-Cow ornaments
-The Christmas radio station
-Seeing family and friends
-Taking pictures
-Family traditions
-Receiving Chrismas cards in the mail
-Leaving the Christmas lights on all night on Christmas Eve
-Snuggling
-When my vacuum explodes two days before Christmas :(
-Putting the gifts away
-Taking down the tree and decorations
-My cute neighbors homemade caramel popcorn
-Cleaning out closets
-The kids having a break from school
-Telling the kids that if they aren't good, Santa can come back and take everything back just as easy as he brought it
-Knowing my Bear Lake getaway is getting closer
-Making Candy Cane cupcakes
-The kids asking where Santa is on Christmas Eve

The Endless Christmas Projects...

I made 8 more sets of these...

And four of these for neighbor gifts...

And 16 of these ornaments with everyones names on them...

And two of these!!

I still have one more big project to complete and some wrapping and then delivering. Oh and some shopping for dad. I will be so glad once everything is done! What a crazy, busy but wonderful time of the year!!

Oh Christmas Tree... MOO!!

Another year of the cow tree, I never get sick of pulling out all of my cow ornaments to put on the tree. It makes me unique!! Right??? I added three new cows this year. So much fun to collect! Can I just say that pre-lit trees are definately the way to go! One of my smartest purchases from last year. Anyway, here is the tree! Mooey Christmas to you! :0)

My tree skirt that my mom made for me several years ago. It just goes with the theme perfectly! Where else would I find a black tree skirt??