Christmas Eve

We always enjoy every year going to spend time with my family on Christmas Eve. All of my mom's siblings live in Orem so it is easy to have everyone get together. Since my mom and dad live back east, it is a great time to see all of my family. We had a mexican theme and had lots of yummy food as well as many tasty treats. We also had the famous "Mint Julep" that we have as a tradition. Some of you have had my mint julep. It is really out of this world. Christmas Eve is always my very favorite night as there is always a program about our Savior where the kids ALL dress up in a Navitity (I was THRILLED Logan did it....it took some coaxing for sure). The kids are always so giddy and anxious for the next morning. So fun.

Swedish Tea Ring Making!

Garrett decided to help me make my yearly tradition of swedish tea rings for the holiday season. They are a tradition that I had growing up and I enjoy continuing the tradition through my family! It was so fun to have Garrett learn how to make them himself. I told him that his wife would sure love him when he was older if he could learn to make tea rings now! We had a good time together......They turned out quite beautiful. Way to go Garrett!

My Christmas present!

I always am amazed at the talent my husband has. I have always wanted a fireplace and decided that there was no better time like the present to ask for one before the holidays rolled in. My dear sweet husband took a picture of a fireplace/mantle that I liked and created a masterpiece. I absolutely LOVE it. He is so gifted and I believe my grandpa who was also a carpenter would be very proud of Jeff. He was very maticulate and careful in every single step of the way and wanted nothing but the best. It blew the picture I gave him out of the water and I just love waking up each morning to a warm fire. I love you dear. You amaze me. Thank you.

Tag you are it!

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Really only wrapping paper.

Real Tree or Artificial? Artificial unfortunately. I am allergic to the real thing. But you can always find my head plastered down inside a real tree though at any grocery store inhaling the phenomenal aroma.


When do you put up the tree? Typically the first Monday of the month of December.

When do you take the tree down? Having an artificial tree allows it to stay up until New Year's.

Do you like eggnog? I LOVE egg nog! Many childhood memories there.

Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my personally sewn cabbage patch doll. Totally cool.

Hardest person to buy for? Any of my brothers. They buy what they want.

Easiest person to buy for? Garrett (Anything having to do with animals is a given)


Do you have a nativity scene? YES! I love it so much. I got it 5 years ago or so from Scrooge and Marley's and it is the most beautiful one. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. I had to have it. Every year when I get it out I forget how much I love it.

Mail or e mail Christmas cards? Mailed Christmas cards for sure!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Maybe my vacuum a couple of years ago???? I know that is rude but come on honey, a VACUUM for ME????

Favorite Christmas movie? One Magic Christmas with Mary Steenburgen. FABULOUS! I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT. I think I shall watch it today as a matter of fact.

When do you start shopping for Christmas? The middle of November. I was pretty close to being finished the first week of December.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Um.............

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oh there are many things. I love my homemade hot chocolate, my mom's famous tea ring, and the wonderful sausage casserole on Christmas morning. YUM!

Lights on the tree? Yes can you say pre-lit????

Favorite Christmas song? just one? White Christmas probably.

Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we are staying home. I am so excited!!

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Heck yeh!

Angel on the tree top, or star? A rustic star. It is rather cute but falling as I am looking at it actually.

Open presents Christmas eve or morning? The elves leave pj's on Christmas Eve, but all the others are on Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year? Spoiled rotten kids that don't know how much they truly have been blessed with when so many have far less.....

Most favorite thing about the season? The traditions, music, and thinking about the Savior's birth.

Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Probably this old fashioned Santa. I love Santas.

Favorite food for Christmas dinner? I love a good honey baked ham with homemade rolls. I am pretty much done with Turkey after Thanksgiving. Bye Bye.

What do you want for Christmas this year? I really just want to enjoy being with my family and making more wonderful memories. I also want peace and harmony among my children. That is the greatest gift a mother could receive.

I tag YOU!

Gingerbread house

It is that time again when the boys decorate a gingerbread house. I am amazed at how simple it is today to make a gingerbread house. Now several years ago I was still homemaking my gingerbread and cutting out the pieces for the house, but ever since they have made those kits I just can't go back. I remember growing up worrying that the sides would not hold even though they were made of that black tar. Boy they sure smelled good though.....It is always such a wonderful time to bring in Christmas and enjoy time together!

Hayden's Team wins it all!

Hayden's soccer team went to St. George for the annual Dixie Cup Invitational Tournament. We left right after Thanksgiving and had games first thing Friday morning. Hayden's team came out strong and creamed all the teams they played. It was actually a little discouraging. It would have been more fun to have more competition but a win is a win right? In between games, we hit a brand new pizza/pasta joint called....???? I forgot but it was huge! We showed up with the whole team at 5:00 and weren't seated until 6:30. That wasn't so much fun, but frankly the setting was amazing. I felt like I was in line at Disneyland to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. There was a large boat where all the food was prepared, waterfalls, rocks and crevices to play in. Even ropes to climb. The kids had a BLAST waiting. I am sure glad because I was sure my insides were eating eachother. I was SO hungry. We finally got seated and ordered the mammoth pizza that serves atleast 12. It was called the Crackin and was GIGANTIC. We laughed SO hard when it was brought out. One slice wouldn't even fit on a plate. Funny funny. The pizza wasn't that great, but the environment sure was fun. Hayden's team made it to the championship game and it was played on the Dixie College Football Field. It was awesome to see the boys playing on such a huge field with the lights on! I was so proud of him and how he played his little heart out there as the BEST DEFENDER EVER! It was a great game and the boys were THRILLED to win. We sure enjoy going each year as now it has become a tradition. Hey, I even got up in St. George on the day after Thanksgiving and went shopping by myself at 4:30!!!

It turned out!

Well let's just say that I was asked to make one of three turkey's for the big Hale Thanksgiving dinner this year. I about had a stroke.....I have never made a REAL turkey. I have made many turkey BREASTS in my crock pot, but nothing where I stick it in a deep pan and roast it for many hours. I finally accepted that I could do it and ventured to Food Network for security and answers to all my worries. After much stress and fear, I found the recipe that I thought I could handle and carried it out. It was a huge success! I bought a new roaster pan, a digital meat thermometer, and a 17 pound turkey ($8.00 at Smith's Marketplace....love that place). When I pulled it out I could't believe my eyes! It looked just like I hoped. As Jeff was cutting it, he said, "I don't believe you can get it any better than this!" I was thrilled!!!!! It was tasty and moist which I was most worried about. My aunts thought it was fantastic as well. Here's to many more turkeys. Who was scared?