Car decorations

Now that we have a full size truck- I thought about doing something like this:

But then I stumbled across this:

So the question is: Are you an antler or a wreath person?

Decisions are the worst.

BINGO!

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. There is something about the whole season that makes me all giddy inside. I love the Christmas music, Christmas lights, shopping, baking, all the yummy treats (especially Christmas cookies!) of course the shopping, and spending time with family. I think the biggest reason I love Christmas so much is because of all the wonderful traditions that we have as a family. When Russell and I got married that added even more traditions to the group and now Russell and I get to start some of our own.
My side of the family has a tradition that goes back way before I was even born. It definitely tops the list of my favorites and I look forward to it every year. We used to get together every other year with my dad’s side of the family on Christmas Eve, but now that the family is so big we get together before Christmas instead. We get together and start out with of course- dinner. Gotta eat! My favorite- Aunt Maureen's potato salad and Aunt Ann's macaroni salad. Doesn't get any better than that!

After we eat we clear the tables for some serious game playing- cuz it's BINGO time. Yes, I said Bingo! It is SO much fun. Everyone gets a prize or two that is specifically for them when they win and then there are a bunch of miscellaneous gifts if you keep on winning. We have gone from using old small Bingo cards and beans to cover the numbers, to nifty cards that have little sliders on them. We play a bunch of rounds so everyone can win their prize and then do a blackout at the end. This year was a blast and both Russell and I were on a winning streak! We got some fabulous prizes such as earrings (for me), a drill-thingy (for Russell of course), some windshield wiper fluid and beef jerky. The prizes are nothing fancy but its still fun to win. My Grandma used to buy us things such as tissues and Aqua Net hairspray- oh how the times have changed!

*Two cards each- we are talented! *

*Josh was having a hard time getting Bingo*

*Carter opening his first Bingo gift*

After playing Bingo, Santa comes and visits all the little kids. Everyone gets to sit on Santa's lap for a picture and to tell him what they want for Christmas. A few kids get to sit on Santa's lap and have a few things- good and bad- told about them. This year- it was Jacob's turn. (Carlye's husband) We decided that since he was new to the family- we would welcome him in style! He was so embarrassed and it was so funny. I wish I had a pic of how red his face was. Some of the kids loved Santa- others- not so much.

*As you can see- Carter was not a fan*

*Yeah- Livvy wasn't either*

Grandma was unable to come to the party this year due to her health and the snowy weather earlier in the day. We really missed having her there! This is a tradition that she started years and years ago and still makes sure we carry it on.

*The "girls" (minus Ali)*

*Good lookin guys! (minus Darin)*

Christmas Lights

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is go to Temple Square and see the lights. If you have never been- you are missing out!! My family decided to get together this year and do dinner and then go see the lights. Unfortunately, we picked a very snowy Saturday and not everyone was able to make it. It actually ended up just being Russell and I and then Jill, Jerome and Carter. We met up at the Olive Garden for dinner, and then walked over to Temple Square. It was cold and was snowing a bit, but we all bundled up and Carter did great! The lights were beautiful as always and the best part was Carter’s reaction. The kid LOVES lights! He just kept pointing to all the lights and saying ‘ights, ights!’ It was so cute. After walking around for a bit and taking some pictures we headed back to our car. It amazes me the number of lights they put up every year. I can’t imagine being the one with that job! We walked back along Main Street and Carter was enthralled by the Trax train. Most the way back to the car he kept saying ‘choo choo’. He is such a cutie. We had a great time. It definitely added to the Christmas spirit and excitement.

Birthday Gift

My sweet parents gave me some money for my birthday, and I was so excited because I knew just what I wanted! I have had my eye on this picture for awhile now and then when I saw them at Costco I knew I had to have one (and that I could afford it!) So thanks Mom and Dad- this is my new picture that will be hanging in my family room

Birthday Celebrations

Well it was that time again, time to celebrate the birth of the cutest twins ever! (Ha ha) Jill and I celebrated another fabulous birthday this year- we are getting so old! As I told Jill, we are one year older and prettier too (none of this wiser stuff-makes us seem really old). Being a twin means that I have never had my ‘own’ birthday. As a kid this used to drive me crazy but as I’ve grown up, I really enjoy it. You have two people opening gifts, so twice the fun, and when you sing happy birthday, you never have to just sit and be sang to. (I find it quite awkward- maybe I’m just not used to it) The birthday celebrations started a few days before at mom and dads house where we had our usual Fast Sunday family night and then the extended family came over for cake and ice cream. We were also able to celebrate my Aunt Jan’s birthday too- hers is a week after ours. We had a yummy funfetti cake and got some fun gifts.

On Wednesday we celebrated again- this time it was the real deal. I had to work a half day so when Russell came to pick me up at noon he brought the prettiest flowers and some balloons. He also got me a cute fountain to put on my desk. He is so cute and thoughtful!

We then met up with the family at Sweet Tomatoes for lunch. Not everyone could make it, but we had some yummy food and enjoyed visiting and laughing.

*Russell, Dad & Birthday Girl, Jill*

*Missy, Mom & Birthday Girl, Linsey*

After lunch, Russell and I went home and opened presents! Russell gave me some clothes, a SugarLand CD, some earphones, and my favorite part- an 8 pack of lip smackers! I’m in heaven :)

*collapsable bakeware from my mother-in-law*

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and talking to family on the phone. It really was a great day! I am so thankful to my cute husband and my great family for making it such a wonderful day. Thanks to Jill for sharing her birthday with me- I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Girl's Night Out

Who doesn’t love a good girl’s night out? I know I certainly do! We had a small girl’s night out last week (with just the 3 of us) and it was just what I needed! A night of good food at Goodwoods, shopping (some fantastic deals!), a hot fudge sundae, and tons of laughing. It’s such good therapy and a much needed night out to just relax and have fun. Russell was so great to let me go out for hours and even buy a few things for myself for my upcoming birthday. Thanks to a great sister and a great friend who are so much fun to be with and so great to talk to! Love you both!

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day this year was a fun filled day full of yummy food and great company!! Russell and I got the assignment to bring rolls for dinner and I figured I would try my hand at homemade rolls. I was quite nervous because I have never made homemade rolls before and I didn’t want to screw up- so I bought some Rhodes rolls to have on hand just in case! After MUCH help from Mom and Jill (trust me, I called them a bunch of times!) the rolls turned out pretty dang good! The most important part was that they tasted delicious :) I ended up making two batches so Russell could take some to work for his work dinner and they were a hit. (Russell actually helped with the second batch- he is a natural!) I don’t think they even made it to dinner time!

*note for next time- roll the edges all the way under- or when they bake, they fly open!

We had Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncles this year with my mom’s side of the family. We had several family members missing but we still had a good crowd and it was fun. There was plenty of delicious food and Pennie had her house decorate so cute! After a yummy dinner, we sat around and talked and then decided to try our hand at Mario Cart and tennis on the Wii. The best was when my mom started playing- she was hilarious!

*Lins w/ Olivia *Russell, Missy & Mom relaxing

*Lexi & Mom playing Mario Cart

After dinner we headed home to scan the ads and make our lists of where we needed to hit Friday morning. This is my most favorite part! I was a bit disappointed in the sales this year- nothing too fantastic going on unless you want to buy a flat screen TV. I did manage to find a few things to stand in line for.

*Kirk, Missy & Jill lookin for a deal!

Friday morning we were up at 4am and off to Walmart (which was just the start of the shopping day!) I had started to get sick Thursday night and by Friday pretty much had lost my voice. Russell was a good sport and came and helped save places in line, and overall, we were very successful! We were done shopping by 9 and were able to enjoy a yummy breakfast at Village Inn before heading home for a much needed nap. I neglected to take pictures of our shopping adventures- but it was SO fun! Too bad I spent the rest of the weekend home and sick!