I Can't Help It

I promise not to do this every time I shop, but I just can't help it this time. I had to fill a prescription for Kennadi at Smith's so I decided to pick up a few things while I waited. Without going into the boring details of how I did it, I just want to say that I got all the stuff in this picture--$40 worth (though I never wouldn't have paid retail) for um...NOTHING. I mean, less than NOTHING! Seriously, I got $6.17 back from the cashier and that even includes the prescription!!! The cashier was dumbfounded and laughing as she handed me my cash!

We Made Christmas!

In 17 years we've been married, I can honestly say this was the best Christmas ever! We decided to make eachothers' Christmas presents this year. Though my fabulous idea initially met with murmuring, everyone stepped up to the plate and really put their hearts into gift giving this year.

The day Kami and I spent working on her gifts was one I will never forget. Several times Kami said, "This is the best day of my life!" It was truly special to see how proud she was of her creations and how thrilled she was to make them. She made a scrapbook for me (I didn't help with this one), pillowcases with iron-on pictures for Kacey and Kennadi, and shirts with iron-on pictures for Jordan and Jason.

Kennadi started the earliest on her gifts by knitting hats (and one scarf) for everyone. She surprised herself with her newfound skill and loves to knit now.

Jordan worked hard on a craft kit for Kami, cookie-in-a-jar kit for the ever-baking Kennadi, fudge for Jason (he also gave Jason some much needed wiper blades that weren't quite as home-made), bath salts for me, and an extremely time-consuming rag quilt for Kacey. I was so proud of the effort that went into that quilt. Not only did Jordan take the time to lay out the squares in a fun pattern in Kacey's team colors, he learned how to sew!

Kacey made fuzzy flip flops for the girls and painted a "Magic is Life" painting for Jordan. She gave Jase and me a picture of herself and wrote a story. It was the story of her life to now. It was so clever and so funny. We laughed and cried and Jason read. I will take a story like that for every Christmas over any other gift from her!!!

Jason wrote down his favorite memory of each of us and put it in a picture frame along with a favorite picture.

I gave Jason a framed picture of us that my friend took (I know, I didn't actually make this, but I intended to do something cool with the framing and it didn't quite turn out as cool as I thought.) I made a necklace for Kacey, a charm bracelet for Kami, an apron for the ever-baking Kennadi, and a magician's cape for Jordan. I was actually giddy when it came my turn to distribute my gifts, knowing the time and love I'd put into them.

I remember well the years when my mom would hole herself up in her sewing room for weeks on end working on Christmas. She always worked so hard to make beautiful quilts and jammies and dresses and dolls. I finally understand that more love went into those Christmases than even time and skill.

I don't know which was the greater blessing--the time spent making gifts or the gifts made with so much love that I received. All I know is this is a Christmas I can never forget!!!

Happy Birthday Kennadi!

It's hard to believe that Kennadi turned 11! The Christmas stocking we brought her home in is still as good as new, but so much has happened since then! This is one of my favorite pictures of her that I just had to post.

Kennadi, you are such a great part of our family. You were born on the most peaceful of Sunday mornings. Peaceful wouldn't be the word I would choose to describe how it's been since, BUT I wouldn't change a thing. You have so much spunk and determination packed into that tight little muscly body of yours! You walked across the room for chocolate kisses long before you turned one, and now you flip across the room, walk on your hands, and rarely sit still. I love to watch you do gymnastics and can hardly believe a child with such skill and beautiful ability belongs to me.

You are quite possibly to most forgetful child I know and most certainly the messiest! It's a darn good thing you have such a charming way of making me forget those less than perfect qualities. Even when you were little and about to get spanked, you cleverly yelled, "Wait! I need a love!" You make me laugh almost daily with your witty remarks and your hilarious dance moves. Life would be so boring without you!

Thank you for being you and sharing you with me. I love you! Happy Birthday, Bubby!

Snow in Vegas!

We heard a "winter avisory" on the radio this morning and braced ourselves for the usual Vegas storm of cold rain. What a fun surprise when REAL snow fell! The girls talked all morning about playing in the snow as I sipped my hot chocolate and explained that the snow wouldn't "stick" because, after all, we're not in Utah anymore. Not the least bit discouraged, Kami and Kennadi dragged out the dusty winter box from the garage and proceeded to dress themselves as if they were planning a ski trip.

Here I am on my third cup of hot cocoa and, sure enough, the girls are enjoying every flake of snow that is indeed sticking. I braved the cold long enough to take a few pictures so as to share this winter miracle with you!

Little Miss Livvy

My sister, Nenn (aka Jen), had her fifth baby on November 13. My other sister and I had our tickets purchased and everything in place to be there for the blessed event...which was supposed to happen the following week! As soon as we received the call that Nenn's water broke, Kennadi, Kami and I packed up our stuff and hit the road. Sweet Livvy didn't wait for us to get there, but we hardly noticed the 5 1/2 hour car ride because we were so excited to meet her! I remember thinking for much of the car ride that a sweet little angel was at that very moment saying her "see you laters" to friends and loved ones in heaven. The photographer that took this picture is so talented! You can see more of Livvy on her blog: http://onthetreetopphoto.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-miss-livvy-12-days-newborn.html.

Girls Night Out with The Jonas Brothers

We surprised Kennadi with an early birthday present last Saturday--tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert. I underestimated the power of thousands of screaming girls and neglected to bring earplugs. Despite the three hour fest (which included two opening bands), the ringing in my ears that finally quit sometime yesterday afternoon, and the hour spent trying to escape the parking garage afterward, we had a great time! REALLY! We passed on the $35 t-shirts and $6 cotton candy because it was more fun using our binoculars (which we fortunately had the forsight to bring since they would have been another $10 to rent...) to scan the MGM Garden Arena for several of Kennadi's friends.

My favorite song was "Love Bug"--go download it!

A Good Read

As part of homeschool, we read the scriptures together every morning. It is one of Jovie's (our cocker spaniel) favorite times of the day. Like clockwork, Jovie races up to wherever Kennadi has perched and snuggles in as close as she can and settles in for a good read...

WISDOM...

...teeth. Kacey went in to have her wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. After nearly two hours of pulling, tugging, sweating and swearing the Dr. finally got ONE tooth out. Kacey was awake the entire time! The Dr. said it was the hardest one he had ever tried to get out. Needless to say, after the workout, the Dr. rescheduled for another time to get the other three out--with anesthesia.