Some snow and some thoughts....

I set a goal this year to be done preparing for Christmas by tomorrow, December 1st. It's not going to happen BUT, I am pretty close. There are currently only 47 items left on my to-do list. The problem is, I keep adding to the list instead of crossing things off. Thankfully I have an almost-2-year-old as my helper. I will happily loan him out if anyone needs help getting further behind.

I really, really love the snow---but not the wet pile of snow clothes resembling a colorful Christmas tree in my entryway that comes with it. I am thankful this year that Garrett can outfit himself in snow clothes, and I am really not thankful that it is so challenging putting snow clothes on Sam.Especially gloves/mittens. There has got to be an easier way!

I really love Christmas time, but I am also really glad when it is over. I am NOT a Scrooge, but there are lots of expectations, lots to do, lots of making sure all the kids get somewhat even amounts of gifts without spoiling  them, lots of debits from my checking account, lots of calories being consumed, lots and lots of details to remember, and lots of effort trying to not be materialistic, to keep things simple and focus on the true meaning of the season. Still, I get caught up in the excitement of it all and LOVE LOVE LOVE giving gifts to the people I love. I LOVE the music, the Christmas feeling, and I LOVE having children who are so excited about every aspect of it.

What's  putting a smile on my face as of late:

shopping with my beautiful friends on Black Friday at 4am!

all 4 children playing chess together INSIDE our game closet

reading a new crock-pot recipe book I got at Costco

making Christmas projects

impromptu FHE's that turn out remarkably well

Christmas music every where I go

responsible children who are learning and growing and amazing me

people---I just love people and want to be BFFs with everyone I meet or already know

watching episodes of 24 with R. It's our new Lost.

What's causing my brow to furrow as of late:

making Christmas projects

not having enough time to get everything done

reading amazing blogs and wondering why I can't be amazing too

not fitting exercise into my schedule

 my continually messy house

  dinner that has to be made EVERY day (it's a little much, don't you think?)

children who are challenging in new and exciting (?) ways

Oh well---maybe I'll just go stand on my head in the corner!

Thanksgiving 2010

Lucky 13

13 years ago today I was lucky enough to marry this guy. I was scouring my picture files this morning looking for a great pic of R and I together and basically there aren't many to choose from! I like this pic because it's happily uncharacteristic of my serious, work-a-holic husband whom I simply adore. Hard to believe it's been 13 years! Happy Anniversary Rich! It's been a wild yet wonderful ride, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I feel so lucky and honored to be your wife, and I love being married to you!

Birthday Weekend

FRIDAY

Friday afternoon we celebrated Cassidys' 9th birthday with 9 friends and 2 hours of giggles, crafts, and treats. I think Cassidy and I had more fun planning the party than actually having it, but it went off without a hitch and everyone seemed to have a great time. The highlights, please.....

We made these adorable cake stands for each girl and then let them decorate their own giant cupcakes. This picture doesn't really do them justice but they are really really cute.

The girls each made beaded headbands (I will be picking up beads off my kitchen floor for many months to come--at least the ones that Sam doesn't stick up his nose first).

And we made these adorable wire and button rings. These were a big hit and they just might be the start of a brand new fashion trend.

I know it doesn't look like those amazing tablescapes out there in blogland, but Cass had so much fun planning the details and setting up for this party. The girls each decoupaged their first initial and also they each got a party bag with their initial on it:

Happy Birthday Cass!

SATURDAY

Saturday we celebrated by letting Cassidy choose the restaurant for dinner: Panda Express. Over rice, chow mein, and orange chicken, we contemplated our fortunes:

YOU ARE EAGER TO SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR POSSESSIONS (Cassidy)

FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF YOUR HEART (Kelly)

PEOPLE ENJOY HAVING YOU AROUND (Garrett)

IF YOUR DESIRES ARE NOT EXTRAVAGANT THEY WILL BE GRANTED (Rich)

YOU WILL OVERCOME DIFFICULT TIMES (Ben)

We had some good laughs over these and their timely message to their recipients! The take home message?

CASSIDY--SHARE YOUR NEW BIRTHDAY STUFF WITH YOUR SIBLINGS!

KELLY--YES, YOU SHOULD GET UP AT 3AM ON FRIDAY TO GO SHOPPING

GARRETT--PEOPLE DO LOVE TO BE AROUND YOU PROVIDED YOU ARE WEAPONLESS!

RICH--GO FOR THE 60 INCH NOT THE 65 INCH AND MAYBE YOU WILL GET YOUR NEW TV

BEN--YOUR 6 YEAR OLD BROTHER WILL NOT ALWAYS BE THIS ANNOYING!

SUNDAY

 Sunday was time for the family birthday party at Grandma's house. There was yummy cake and lots of presents:

Whew! What a fabulous bday weekend celebrating a fabulous girl!

Happy 9th

Happy Birthday to our FAVORITE daughter.

We love you more than we can say!

Thanks for being the beautiful, WONDERFUL person that you are.

What my children think of family photos....

Tricks and Treats

Hermione and Darth Vader battled it out over custody of the world's cutest giraffe. Thankfully we had a referee on hand to keep things somewhat fair. 

And then there was the pumpkin carving. We take it quite seriously at our house. (I come from a long line of pumpkin carvers). Cass is the only one who will help me gut them, but everyone helps carve them. This was Garrett's first year to cut with a knife. No,we did not have to go to the ER. But we did have some mighty fine pumpkins if I do say so myself:

The pump"king" is a beloved tradition at our house. Good thing our last name is not Neuenschwander.

Despite a rainy/windy start, we still managed to knock all the doors in the neighborhood and come home with enough treats to let our dentist take his family to Hawaii again this year. Yum!