Thanksgiving Point Holiday Lights

We had our first Christmas outing as a family on Tuesday. Thanksgiving Point's Holiday Lights opened and it was free for members. So we thought we'd check it out. We'd been several years ago and hadn't been that impressed. But we were very happily surprised. We really liked it.

There were so many fun lights, including a reindeer training jump with parachuting deer, toy soldiers shooting pop guns, flipping gingerbread men, ice skaters, and of course Santa waving goodbye!

We liked it so much we went through twice! Of course the lovely price (free!) may have added to our pleasure. The path even ends with a Christ centered lane with words to the song "This is the Season" accompanied by beautiful paintings (from the book of the same name) and a life size nativity.

It was a great start to December. Bring on the holidays!

Hee Haw's Pumpkin Patch

Do you go to a pumpkin patch in the fall? We like to go to a local farm turned destination pumpkin patch. I like it because it still feels like an old farm, a little dirty, a few old junky pieces of machinery around (a perfect "Mater") and lots of stuff just thrown around.

We rode the animal train.



We rode the trick-or-treat hay ride.

We picked a few sweet pumpkins for our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. (Check out last year's here.)
We played on the grain sack slide.

And a few of us tried the corn maze, well, we all started, and a few of us (the ones prone to fits of tears, which may or may not include me) went back to the van to eat our spoils.

A Much Needed Date

Matt and I have resumed our almost-weekly dates. We just get to take a sweet baby with us now. We've been to Thanksgiving Point several times lately. I wanted to share this pretty picture we took on September 17. We were surprised how beautiful it still was.

We also went again the weekend before Halloween and it was gorgeous in fall colors. The trees were bright, the grasses spectacular and everything was perfect!

Summer In Her Mommy's Dress

All of my girls have worn this sweet, blue dress when they were newborns. I also wore it when I was just a tiny baby. All my girls look so alike, I need to find their pictures and show you. When I get some time...

A Summer Blessing

We blessed Summer in our church on October 10th. We had a lot of our family in town, and we were so grateful to have them (and missed the ones that couldn't make it).




Summer wore the dress I was blessed in, and my mother was blessed in made by my great-grandmother. She wore a hand-crocheted jacket and booties belonging to my paternal grandma and a sweet flower clip make by my sister. All heirlooms to treasure always.

We had a delicious lunch with contributions by everyone (thank you!). I even managed a little decoration, these buntings I sewed up quickly on the Saturday before. Now they live in Summer's nursery.

Cascade Springs

One beautiful mountains just a hop, skip and a jump away, we always have to go for a few beautiful fall drives. This year we made it clear to Cascade Springs. I think we got there a week or two early though.



Which is not to say it wasn't beautiful, or that we didn't have fun, or that it wasn't an adventure.

The kids insisted on bringing their hiking backpacks.

They had fun; so did we.



We ended with a little adventure, wherein Daddy saved the day!

Starting school

My kids are all liking school this year. This was their first day. Dawn is in 5th grade, Rachel in 4th (don't you like how they wanted to match their first day:) and Scott is in 3rd. He has a teacher who plays guitar and sings and moves a lot. Scott loves him! His favorite song so far? I am My Own Grandpa (if you haven't heard it, google it. It's great!)

Andrew also started preschool, though I don't have a picture of him. He is loving it also, learning his letters, and making new friends. We've been on two sweet field trips, one to the fire station where we got to go here...


(The full 200 feet up!)

And one to the pumpkin patch where he and Charity both picked out a sweet pumpkin.

Charity is even going to a (structured) play group once a week.

So, we are busy learning. I know because each night we around the dinner table we've been telling what we learned. This can be enlightening, interesting or funny. I've been learning about 7 wonderful people and how much I love them! And how not to cry each night when I didn't get to the laundry AGAIN! Ahhh!

Girls, and Boys and Baby, Oh my!

Life with six kids has been, how shall I say this,

kicking my trash!

I have barely been able to survive (along with keeping the other 7 people in my family alive) let alone write about how I was surviving it.


(How's that for keeping it real?)

But today, while my kind friend and neighbor took my two preschoolers to the park and my baby is napping, I decided to take a few minutes to look back at what I've missed telling you all about.

Since it is a lot, I will space them out over several days, so check back!

So here goes...

Suggested Retail Price

Don't you love that phrase. I've kind of become accostomed to not ever paying it. Most big retailers have frequent (enough) discounts that you can usually get a brake. I almost never buy food at that high price. One item I actually do expect to pay full price is books, especially local market ones (read Mormon). But toys, no.

So guess how I felt when I sent my sweet husband to Shopko for a buy one get one half off deal on Legos and he found a not-so-sweet deal. The Lego set we were looking for was marked at 150% of suggested retail price as listed online! So the 50% off deal was ridiculous! 150% higher than suggested retail price is like robbery! Crazy. Well, that purchase is OFF.

Winner goes to the lowest (convenient) bid, which right now is online. Beware of Shopko you toy buyers. I'm sure not all items are this bad, but you never know!

P.S. Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

A Spot of Sun

I have wanted a bird bath for years. I finally found this old one that was perfect. I have waited all year for birds to come and enjoy it. I check every morning. Finally towards the end of the summer we caught them in action. They like to land in the flowers (cosmos) and eat the seeds. They make me happy!

Sunday

A few Sundays ago I snapped these pictures of my sweet kids. Andrew was looking especially dapper in his new jacket, don't you think?



This was the day of our Primary Program. It was wonderful and so sweet. I love Primary songs!

Moving clip art around a word document

Okay, most of you probably know this, but I didn't and I'm going to share. Occasionally I have a clip art image that won't move where I want it to in Microsoft Word.

This is how to figure it out. Right click on the image so that the black squares appear. Then right click and select the "Format picture" option. Select the "Layout" tab. Select "Square" and then "other". You should then be able to move your pictures where ever you want (and make your Activity Days fliers!).

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta?

It was announced today. This year's guest artist for the Christmas Concert is going to be David Archuleta. Really? I think that is totally funny. My girls think it is totally awesome.

What do you think?

You can be entered into the drawing for free tickets here starting October 9. Good luck!

Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

I saw this recipe on Living Locurto. I just knew you'd all want to make it, so please do. And then bring me some!



Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients

•4 beef tenderloin steaks, cut 3/4 inch thick (approx. 4 oz. each)
•1/2 tsp. coarse grind black pepper
•1 package (5 oz.) mixed baby salad greens
•1 medium red or green pear, cored, cut into 16 wedges
•1/4 cup dried cranberries
•salt
•1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
•1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)
Honey Mustard Dressing

•1/2 cup prepared honey mustard
•2-3 Tbsp. water
•1-1/2 tsp. olive oil
•1 tsp. white wine vinegar
•1/4 tsp. coarse grind black pepper
•1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions

Season steaks with 1/2 tsp. pepper. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook 7 to 9 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.

Meanwhile, whisk Honey Mustard Dressing ingredients in small bowl until well blended. Set aside. Divide greens evenly among 4 plates. Top evenly with pear wedges and dried cranberries.

Carve steaks into thin slices; season with salt as desired. Divide steak slices evenly over salads. Top each salad evenly with dressing, pecans and goat cheese, if desired.

Baby Shower Wreath

I saw this darling wreath on kojo designs. I thought it was so cute.

But then I started wondering, is it polite to request all guests bring gift cards? What do you think? I generally think that it should always be up to the guest to determine what to bring.

The berry themed party was darling. See it at kojo designs.

Fabulous play kitchen

Can you believe that this kitchen was once this:

Awesome huh! Found here.

Just last night I told Matt that when we are old (ish) and retired or at least have older kids, we should make things together (woodish things). He agreed, so we are all set.

Laundry Day Quilt

I want to make this quilt with all my heart.

Problem #1 I have no time.
Problem #2 I have many other projects to do
And oh yeah, problem #3, I don't know how to quilt! Dang, I just might have to learn for this one.

Quilt design by Pine Mountain Designs, seen at Pine Needles at Gardner Village.

MaLM - Organize

Make a List Monday -- What to Organize
There are MANY things that I would like to organize, starting with my life, ha ha!

Let's see.

1. My life
2. my bedroom
3. my closet
4. my laundry room
5. my paperwork
6. my pantry
7. my garage
8. my storage room
9. my scrap/craft/exercise room

Okay, I could keep on going. . .

But let me just say that no matter how organized my pantry is, it will never look like this.

And it's a shame, too, because it is beautiful! But for one thing, I would never stencil all that on the walls. For another thing, my pantry shelves are all REALLY deep, so it won't ever look this good.

But if you want to see more of this beauty, check it out at House of Smith's.

Lake House Anyone?

Would anyone else like a beautiful lake house with beautiful cedar siding? If you could choose, where would you put your house? By a mountain, by a lake or ocean, in the desert or on the plains, or does it not matter as long as you are in the big city (or near it)? Just wondering.

Blue

What a pretty kitchen, don't you think? I'd paint my ceiling blue if I had a flat, un-vaulted one, and also if I hadn't already painted it once and realized what a total pain it was! I also love the few glass front cabinets, just the right amount I think.

I also love this living room. The blue is perfect. I don't have this formal of a space in my house though. Maybe someday. I love the curtains, fireplace, french doors and the symmetry.

MaLM - Labor Day

Make a List Monday - How to celebrate Labor day with a newborn

1. Take a pass on the early morning hike with family in favor of sleeping in until 9:45!
2. Eat homemade crepes with vanilla yogurt and warm, fresh peaches from your own tree.
3. Run to the mall to take advantage of a few Labor Day sales.
4. Play games with your sweet kids, bonus if you win ;)
5. Plant a few flowers to brighten your new(-ish) flower bed.
6. Have a delicious grilled chicken with all the trimmings dinner followed by a homemade blackberry shake.
7. Play Horse (it has been a while and my basketball was a little rusty), and Catch Phrase (one of our favorite, easy and fun family games) and chat until bedtime.
8. Be grateful for so much happiness and so many blessings.

Lunch time

During my many baby feeding times, I sit on my couch and play on my computer. I have found a few new interesting blogs. Like this one, Another Lunch.


It is all about packing cute, fun lunches for your kids in a quick, efficient and healthy way! And don't miss this cute post with these free printable notes!


I really wish I wasn't a lazy mom, then I'd make my kids healthy, cute lunches for school every day. Instead they eat school lunches, Friday pizza, chocolate milk and all! Maybe someday I'll change.

A Spot of Sun

Early this morning, as the very earliest light started to creep in the window of our nursery, I rocked our little Summer. She had just eaten a little, and I put her up on my shoulder to burp. She quickly let her eyelids drop shut and fell asleep. Despite the strict feeding regiment we are on (due to some nursing problems), I just let her sleep.

How could I wake her? She was making that sweet, soft, I'm-full-and-content baby sigh with each tender breath. I love that sigh. It's one of my favorite things about newborns.

So instead of undressing her, changing her diaper, or doing the vigorous foot rub to wake her, I let her sleep on my shoulder. In fact, I took her to bed with me and felt my heart grow a little larger. Because it does, with each child I give away part of my heart that forever lives in that baby. And somehow with all those missing parts of my heart walking around the earth, inexplicably, my own has grown. Warmer, softer, and so much larger.

Sarah Richardson's Cottage

I've heard a lot about Sarah Richardson, a designer from Canada, with several t.v. design shows, around the Internet these days. I pretty much love everything in her portfolio on her website, Sarah Richardson Design. I thought I'd share some pretty pictures of a cottage she designed.

I love the pastel colors, of course.

I love the beach house look.

All I'd need are a bunch of cosy rugs to make it work here in snow land. (It's coming. . .)


Watch for more soon.

A Front Yard Creek

My yard plans change frequently with new ideas and pictures I find. It's a good thing my plans get put into place so slowly, then when I change, it only happens in my mind and on paper.

My latest plan includes a stream in my front yard! Okay, that might only happen in 15 years when I have a little more time, but I'm filing it away as awesome.

Check out this one in LA seen here on Studio G.


Wouldn't it be great to sit on your porch and listen to the stream gurgle, or watch while your grand kids splash around in it (see I really mean like 20 years from now!).