Christmas Decorations

Getting ready for Santa.



Our tiny tree, set atop a table so Bryson can't reach it. Yet he's a tall boy, so now it has a baby gate around it. He's desperate for those candy canes! Why did I have to make it a candy/peppermint theme this year? It just enables his addiction.



Bryson's at the age where I can fill his stocking early and he doesn't even notice. I can also buy his presents while he's with me. Half the time he's already played with them while sitting in the cart. I'm going to miss that when he's older. When you have to get a babysitter just to go Christmas shopping.



This Nativity is awesome. It's huge! We had to put it on top of the t.v. to keep Bryson from playing with it. I need to get him the Fisher Price nativity.



I can't wait until Bryson's old enough to understand the Christmas stories I've been trying to read him. The ones with morals and values and that tell the true meaning of Christmas. Right now it's all very secular and he doesn't get it...but he will!

Tagged

I've been tagged, thanks Amber.

8 Things...

8 Favorite Books:
Twilight Series
Scriptures
I believe that's 8, so I'll stop there

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
Gave Bryson breakfast in the stroller and went for a walk in the am.
Stopped at our park for him to play.
Went to lunch with Hubby.
Made a Christmas present while Bryson napped.
Played with Bryson in the loft after nap.
Reheated left overs for dinner.
Got Bryson ready for bed.
Watched The Office with hubby.

8 Things I'm looking Forward to:
More children.
Christmas.
Seeing relatives.
Making a blog book at the end of the year.
Getting Christmas cards with pictures in them.
Getting in shape.
My boys going on a mission.
All my children being married in the temple.

8 Things on my wish list:
Oh gosh...let's see...
Getting my hair styled and trimmed every 2 months (yeah right!).
Pedicure.
Massage.
Diamonds.
Stilettos.
Shopping spree.
Window treatments for house.
Live in chef and maid.

8 Things I love about Winter:
Hot chocolate.
Bundling up (hiding those extra pounds).
Decorating the house.
Soup for lunch.
Birthdays.
Our Anniversary.
Tahoe.
Cuddling with family.


I'm tagging:
Anna
Maryanne
Lyndsay
Mimi
Cathy
Brianne
Jaime
Kim
Melissa

Christmas Tree Hunting

Bryson's now officially addicted to candy canes.



This is "the one". Wrap it up, let's go!



What a grinchy ham.



His first introduction to Santa Clause. He had the candy canes so he couldn't be that bad.

Birthday/Christmas Fun

We celebrated dads birthday a few days ago. We had dinner and then walked main street Placerville enjoying the Christmas festivities. Bryson had his first candy cane and the kids all enjoyed the balloon animals.

We got dad a cover for his RZR.



Cameron, really enjoying the brownies.



Brett and his massive sundae. Stick your pinkie out honey!



The family (you can see me in the mirror).



Bryson and his first Candy Cane.



The Placerville Christmas Tree.



Jayden with Father Christmas. He was the only kid brave enough to take a picture. What a trooper!

Happy Birthday Dad!

You're 66 today. Karson is now half your age at 33. What a wonderful, inspiring father you are. Always quick to help others, always having a funny story to tell, always friends with everyone. You are so full of love and support. We are greatful everyday to have you for our dad. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and get everything you ever wanted (if you haven't already:)) Love you always, Garian.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. I've gotta tell you, I was a little stressed because we had just returned home from Pismo the night before. Fortunately my planning ahead payed off and everything went off without a hitch. I was encouraged to do the turkey in a brown in bag, but I was determined to do it the way you always see it done in movies. So I found a recipe for a glazed turkey (honey, corn syrup, rubbed sage, basil, rosemary...) and went to work. I enjoyed pulling it out of the oven and basting it throughout it's cooking time, it felt very traditional. It turned out lovely. The glaze took on a dark molasses color, but the turkey never burned. It also didn't dry out. A success I would say. The hardest part was timing all the other dishes. We had a vegetable medley, stuffing, cornbread biscuits, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, sweet potatoes (thanks Patrice), apple peanut butter crumb pie, pumpkin pie (thanks mom), orange jello salad (again..Patrice) and Martinelli's cider.

The proud cook.




Brett's first time carving the turkey, great job honey!



We turned our living room into a dining room. Our dining table is so massive with all the leaves in, it needs lots of space. I like the change, we'll keep it like this for a while.



The buffet, what a spread. There were 8 people to feed and I wanted to make sure we had enough food. Thanks mom and Patrice for all your help and for cleaning up. I couldn't have done it without your support!



I have a lot to be grateful for this year. I have a wonderful family and lots of friends who inspire and motivate me. I've picked up new talents and have enjoyed learning new things. I have a wonderful, smart, handsome, fun husband and a perfect, cute, happy little boy. I get to be a stay at home mom and take care of the household. I am a member of a wonderful church that challenges and pushes me to be a contributing member of society and help those in need. I have so much to look forward to this upcoming year and I am very excited to see what awaits me around the corner.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Pismo

On our way to Pismo, we stopped to get gas and on the pump next to us was a Cal Fire Fire Engine. We got to talk to the firefighters for a while, they were going home to Mendocino after fighting the fires down south. I showed Bryson a real Fire Truck up close and he even got to sit in the cab. He got a sticker and everything. It was very fun and overwhelming for a 16 month old.




Pismo was fun. We had good weather the first few days. We didn't go riding as much as we have in the past, but we thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and sitting around. Bryson played great in the sand and always wanted to be in the Rhino.

We had a mini Christmas tree in the camp, very cute. Thanks Jeff!



Grandma Patrice, Tiffany and Lexi taking all the kids down to the beach to look for shells. What a car full!



A Pismo sunset. Our family was able to get some great Christmas Card photos in front of this sunset.



Like father like son.



The ocean is so fun.