Christmas is coming

I told my kids yesterday that if they would get their rooms cleaned they could help decorate the Christmas tree. They did their job but the day got away from me and we never did the tree. While I got ready for a work party Justin had, Ashley talked me in circles and accused me (in angry tones) of "tricking" the kids because we didn't do the tree.
So today I repented, and put up the lights so we could hang ornaments. All the kids had fun helping, and I tried not to wince when they put the ornaments too close together. The end result is pretty charming. But the best part was when Bubba came down while we were finishing up and said in an excited voice, "Mommy make it Christmas tree!" He went around several times repeating it to everyone. It was so fun. The kids debate over which stocking belongs to whom (I still have temporary substitutes up until my masterpiece is finished) and I feel nostalgic of my own childhood Christmases and try not to feel old.

Favorite Sunday Ever!

What is better than the magical night that you go to bed at 12:00, wake up at 8:00, and get nine hours of sleep? Snuggling with your kids in a king size bed, eating a late breakfast, having stake conference at 1:00 pm so all the girls get their hair done and I get a shower, and still get home in time to relax a while before you have to start dinner. I am a happy girl. It was such a great day.

My Newest Hobby

Look what I did Friday night! Love my latest hobby. It's called the "gourmet club" and there are 14 women in it. We take turns in pairs hosting a gourmet dinner, and Friday night was mine. Here are the pictures and menu that I promised. If you want recipes, you'll have to email me!

Me and my pardner, Anne. She was the best to work with, so easy! She is strong in the areas where I am not, so we make a good pair. Added bonus, she's hilarious!

The invite. These are very formal. You have to practice good etiquette or you are asked to leave the club.

Anne's genius.

So, the menu:

Mango Blueberry Frappe

Butternut Squash Quesadillas with Feta, and Cilantro Lime Dip
Melon Apple Chutney with Ham on Cornbread Rounds

Glazed pear salad

Roasted tomato and roasted yellow pepper soup
with serrano cream.


(no picture, but possible my favorite recipe of the whole night!)
Blood Orange Sorbet


Beef Tenderloin, Roasted Potatoes with Garlic Mustard Herb Vinaigrette and Green Bean Stacks

Pumpkin Gateau with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Orange

The cute girls we hired to help us in the kitchen (and it's a good thing we did!) Amy and Lindsey.

The gourmet ladies. Such fun women, I just love them!


The end of the night. These dinners are such hard work! We planned for months, and we practiced for weeks, and cooked for two days prior to the big night. As we complain and stress about how much we have to do, our husbands wonder why we do it and threaten to start a "golf club." This time around I figured it out. For me, it's the challenge. A chance to sharpen my cooking skills and use my brain, which otherwise get little use. A reason to spend time with friends and laugh. When it's all over and I breathe a sigh of relief that I can put my house back to order, I feel so great about all that I did and learned. And of course there is the great food!

GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!

Yesterday was "Silent Saturday" for our soccer games. This is a once a year deal where the parents and coaches have to keep quiet throughout the entire game. (Brutal) You are only allowed to clap. So with that preface, check out Ashley taking the ball from a girl and sending it home! No idea who the crazy guy is yelling "GOOAALL" during Silent Saturday.

Don't get it

I have been spending lots of time and energy trying to get good at coupon shopping. I'm so irritated with it tonight. I spent hours clipping coupons, matching them up from the Sunday paper and cellfire and shortcuts. I borrowed my SIL's subscription to a grocery game website to print up the shopping list with available coupons, which I gathered all together. I spent almost two hours at the store finding just the right size and quantity of things I needed to double up good sales with good coupons. I did not buy things that were not on sale or not on my list. I even went at night so I could focus and not worry about keeping Nate from opening candy or answering Ashley's million questions.

So why can't I match up to the savings that are reported to me by my clever SIL and the mom's who blog about couponing? Arrgh!

Lets hear it friends, how do you do with your money saving attempts? I need some more tips.

Nate and the Spider

Nate is pretty funny about bugs. He likes them, but is also afraid sometimes. Tonight we got out the Halloween decorations for f.h.e. and there was a big plastic spider in there. I put in on a lamp shade, and then it turned up on the ground where Nate noticed it and started to smash it with a ball.

Then it flipped over and he squatted down beside it and hit the ground nearby trying to get the spider to move. When nothing happened he hit the ground again saying, "come on, dude!" Ah la la la la. Justin and I cracked up.

Then Justin took the spider and pretended to get Nate with it, but Nate jumped back and said, "Hey! Stop it Dad!" Such a funny age. That kid is endless entertainment.

Sorry about my poor cinematography.

Day to day business

Nate fell on the sidewalk and split his poor lip open. It is pretty much completely healed now, one week later but he looked pretty sad last week.

I love these twinkly eyes, the wavy gold hair, and the little mole on her cheek. She lost a tooth Sunday, she came up to me and I pulled it right out with a paper towel. She lost it the first night so then she wrote a cute note to the tooth fairy to put under her pillow but we found the tooth in her bed. She got her dollar this morning.