Tradition #6 - Temple Square

Tradition #6 - Visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

We took our trip to see the lights at Temple Square. We had learned our lesson well and came properly attired--double layers for all and snow pants for Andrew. It wasn't windy or too cold, and we had a great time. One lesson we learned is fairly obvious. Do the most important things first. We started out with the nativity narration (good choice) and then thought we'd save the Christus statue and viewing of "The Nativity" for later when we needed to warm up (bad choice). By the end the kids were tired and a little cranky. We still did it all, we just ended up frustrated and upset a little. It is amazing how very quickly I have pushed that part out of my memory though.

Here we are on my favorite corner, the pink walk that used to be a lovely pink but now is a slightly-less lovely gold and orange. Still nice, but not wonderfully pink and happy.

Splashing in the reflecting pond, completely against Mom's better judgement.

Pretty temple lights.

Merry Christmas!

Your style

Take this quiz on HGTV.com to see what your style is. I am classy meaning that styles that suit me are traditional, transitional and arts and crafts. Does that include French Country? Because I generally love that style.


But beware, you have to know your drinks to be completely accurate, so I might be sunk, but definitely not drunk!

Resurrecting furniture

I really love the idea of re-finishing furniture. I have never really done it and am scared to try. I have several pieces that need refinishing badly. This might just inspire me.

Before



I found these chairs on Design Sponge.

After



Cute, no?

Awesome light show

There is a house near us that has quite the holiday light display. My friend at Color Me Red posted a video of it. I thought I'd share. Thanks Lindsay. Enjoy!

Tradition #1 - Putting up the tree

Tradition #1 Put up a live Christmas tree from Idaho (preferably a shot down one, but that is a story for another day).
Matt puts on the very technical lights, wrapping each branch with its own loving glow.

Andrew will supervise for now.

First the balls (red and silver) go on.

Matt puts on the topper. We have no real traditions for the top of our tree. For the first couple of years we used a silver an gold shiny ball made of wiry star tinsel stuff. Then we used a star fish for several years. This is our first year to use the sparkly snowflake.

Scott helps.

Someone has to decorate the top.

Dawn gets a little tired.

Still going strong.

Keep at it.

Rachel begins to poop out.

Clean up begins.

TA DA!

We're kind of in love with our intravolometer; can you tell?

MaLM (Make a list Monday) - Christmas traditions

Christmas traditions that MUST happen every December to be a completely happy and fulfilled elf.

1. Put up a live Christmas tree from Idaho
2. Lots of lights
3. Lots of decorations
4. Eggnog and spiced cider
5. Christmas music almost nonstop
6. Freezing cold trip to Temple Square to see the lights
7. Too many sweets including (but certainly not limited to) frosted sugar cookies, 7 layer bars, snickerdoodles, peanut butter bars, cream cheese bars, snowball cookies, and peppermint ice cream.
8. Spend a little time in overcrowded, holiday-crazed stores.
9. Be thankful that you can do most of your shopping during the un-crowded, non-crazed hours during the daytime.
10. Listen to Matt sing in the Messiah
11. Crazily try to get everything done.
12. Give Christmas tree tours to any poor soul who asks about our tree and ornaments
13. Attend several Christmas parties, at least a church one and a work one.
14. Go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert! Yea! We got tickets for Saturday night. But let me tell you, out of the 15 people I know entered the lottery, only three got tickets and two of these were just for the Sunday morning broadcast that isn't even the concert. Those are bad odds I'm telling you. So an angel from above must want me to be a happy elf this Christmas instead of an angry South Pole elf.
15. Watch Christmas specials, especially Mr. Kruger's Christmas, Charlie Brown and the Grinch (NOT Jim Carey)
16. Read Christmas books at night by the tree
17. Watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
18. Act out the nativity on Christmas Eve night.
19. Make lots of lists, gift lists for every person, lists of which people to make lists for, lists of people to send cards to, lists of things to do, things to buy, and deadlines to make, food to cook and most importantly bake.

This is my list. I may have forgotten a thing or two, but I'll add them on as I remember. Over the next month I'm going to try and expound on the things I've listed and share some fairly kooky stories with you. Just wait.

So what are your traditions?

How Thanksgiving unfolds at my Mom's

All you need is a tripod and a trusty introvolometer on your camera to take a nice sequence of pictures of your Thanksgiving feast. Okay, it helps to have a good cooking mother, funny relatives (aka sister), a big table, lots of food, extra food and a great family!

Feast your eyes on this:
Before we expand our waists, we expand the table.

Then Mom brings in the plates.

I add the glasses

and silverware.

The cheese and olives appear, don't worry, the pickles are coming soon. This is an absolute set-in-stone tradition ala Grandma Jane.

Matt brings in the ice.

Salads and stuffing start arriving.

Chelse finally makes an appearance in the preparations. She is dressed in a lovely vintage Thanksgiving skirt ala Aunt Shauna.

And here is Aunt Shauna herself with the rolls.

Everyone is sitting down and the camera decides to click during our blessing. But just check out Chelse! She has her eyes open and is flirting with little Boden! What a heathen.

Dish it up folks!

I'm still dishing. Everyone else is eating.

Finally sitting.

And enjoying it.

Most everyone is done and gone now. But I'm still sitting and avoiding dishes. What a naughty girl.

And the clean up begins.


Note to self - next year put camera up higher so we can see someone besides me and Michael's back.