Happiness Is...

I wanted to do the Imagine Learning gift baskets. I did. I don't know why I thought I could somehow manage to squeeze (and I do me S.Q.U.E.E.Z.E!) it into my already packed holiday schedule. But, when someone asks me to shop for them, on someone else's d.i.m.e, I can't resist! I asked Jessica for help (she is, after all, the maven of gift basket creations) and she carefully guided me in the right direction. I had a blast. Scoured the internet for yummies, tromped through Target looking for the unique and random, and gathered, gathered, g.a.t.h.e.r.e.d. Took me about four three hours to actually create all the baskets (once I had some trial and error on building the first one!) and I think they turned out pretty cool, huh? (And, I can't even lie, I ordered some extras just so I could have some yummies for my own tummy...wouldn't you?) So, here's the breakdown of what was inside (just so I can be on the ready for next year!):

*Funky Chunky candy cane popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered grahams (to d.i.e. for!)

*D.J. A.M.'s Toffee Krispie Treats (soooo yum!)

*Jelly Belly holiday beans mix, holiday mint mix

*Stephen's cocoa

*Reading light (so bright!)

*Mormon Tab Choir C.D. "Ring"

*Santa's little bag of black coal (licorice!)

*Welch's sparkling grape juice

*Bath & Body candle (smells divine!) and hand soap (so festive!)

Play Me A Song, You're The Piano Man...

Connor had his first piano recital debut and passed with flying colors! He loves playing the piano and rarely grumbles about practicing. Natasha, on the other hand, doesn't love the piano so much. (she really hates practicing and begs us to let her quit. but we won't. too bad, girlfriend, you're stuck!) She also did a lovely job on her performance and I think all enjoyed the celebration dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory afterwards.

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland!

First big snowfall of the Christmas season! Fynn couldn't wait to get outside and make a snowman. Her hands were soon freezing so she didn't last terribly long out there in the cold. But she and Portia still managed to get in a few minutes together hanging out in the new snow....brrrr!

I'm Going Off The Rails Of A Crazy Train...

I figure since I spend the better portion of my life sitting in front of my two computers these days, I may as well document it. I don't even know how many really late nighters I've pulled in the last month as I edit photos from shoots. Don't get me wrong, I love this new hobby/profession! But, wow, the post-processing can get intense. And a little mind-numbing. But, I am really loving the images I'm producing these days (little pat on the back). I know I have far to go on this journey, but I'm definitely along for the ride! (at least, most days I feel this way! And, oh yeah, I'm LOVING my zebra jammies--aren't they cool?)

Sugar...Ah, Honey, Honey!

Mom says I was three when I learned to make French Toast by myself. I've been cooking and baking ever since. I have memories of making absolutely horrifying messes in the kitchen as a young girl trying to produce some sweet concoction. I don't know how Mom put up with it! I haven't been as accommodating with my own children, unfortunately. So, when Tasha approached me Sunday and said she wanted to make the cookies ALL BY HERSELF, I had to agree! The results?? She did a beautiful job of making fantastic peanut butter cookies. See? They really can do more than I think they can if I would just let them! (I'll try to remember that next time they request to make dinner by themselves...)

Who's That Girl?

There are few women who truly inspire me in this world. The few that do, however, manage to push past my laziness, guilt, or pride and spark something to life inside my psyche that goads me into action. This lady is one such woman! I first saw Elizabeth Kartchner's face on the cover of CK Magazine (my scrapbooking "bible" that I had subscribed to for years) a couple of years ago. I remember taking note of what a cute girl she was and wondering what was so special about her that the magazine would choose her for their cover. I read on and have been devotedly following her submissions and, eventual column, for the magazine ever since. Imagine my surprise and delight when this past August, I was involved in a photography workshop where Liz and her husband, Collin, were asked to be the models. I was giddy! Turns out my group wasn't assigned to shoot them, but that wasn't going to stop me from making contact with this girl. I marched right over, introduced myself and started snapping pics. I later entered one of them in the workshop photo contest. I have to admit, I felt a little star-struck! She was a lovely girl and really fun to talk to. Collin gave me some great shooting pointers as well. (And, they are Timpview alum and know John--go T-Birds!) We connected on Facebook and I have kept tabs on her through that and her blog (followed by many women!) That's how I found out about the publication of her scrapbooking book and launch party at one of my favorite boutiques--Dear Lizzie. It was so fun to see her again, chat for a few minutes and get my hands on her book! She is an incredible designer, the best of the magazine if you ask me. The ideas and things she is involved in really do inspire me to be more creative, more dedicated to my hobbies and, even, a little better wife and mom (that is, when they aren't making me nuts wondering, 'How does she have time to DO all of this??') I'm a little jealous, really. But that's okay--it's a good motivator to keep trying. So here's to you, Liz, for constantly propelling me forward! (And you're just so gosh darn adorable, how could anyone not love you??)

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

I love the Christmas dance season! (Okay, I love any dance season!) Every year, Natasha dances with her studio at The Festival of Trees to raise money for the children's hospital. I hadn't seen any of the practices, so it was a treat to see the dances performed. Natasha then danced Saturday night in her Christmas recital. The Christmas-themed costumes and choreography were adorable. Natasha is such a great dancer and I love to see her progress with each performance. She is getting really good at cute facial expressions while she dances and her pirouettes and leaps are looking better and better. She was stressed about the "toe roll" in one of her dances, and was ecstatic afterwards that she had done it! We were grateful Grammy Su, Grandpa Bar and Uncle Johnny came to share in the event. We love to watch you dance, our beautiful dancer, and especially love you!

We Are Family! I Got All My Sister With Me!

I find it fitting that this, my 100th blog post, is about Thanksgiving! I am grateful for many things, one of them being technology and the ability I have finally channeled to record the important moments of my life. I believe it is a good exercise to "publicly" declare what one is thankful for, so, in honor of this post, here are 100 things I am also grateful for: an omnipotent, forgiving Heavenly Father who loves me; a husband who continues to believe in our love for each other; beautiful, healthy children who make me laugh and remind me of the purpose of my existence; parents who gave me life; brothers and a sister who support, inspire and are my best friends; grandparents who love unconditionally; a best girlfriend who lets me vent and will talk about any and all with me for hours; a cozy house on a fantastic cul-de-sac; ripe peaches off my backyard tree; the thrill of attending a Broadway show; sequins and "sparkles" of any kind; reality TV shows I can live vicariously through (pretending to be a dancer on Dancing With The Stars, or an incredible fashion designer on Project Runway, or a globe-trotter on The Amazing Race); a functioning washer and dryer; Magleby's chocolate cake; long, blond hair; cars that are paid off; Nordstrom (my "happy place"); Shayne's continued employment; caring and devoted teachers who educate/babysit my children each day; MAC lipgloss; chocolate-chip cookies; memories of my babies stretching; vanilla scent; a new pair of shoes; sharp cheddar; the colors of a peach (I decorated my first house based on one!); the smell of a bbq roaring to life; "Jessie's Girl", my favorite song; Sunday Relief Society in the Highland 5th; red fall leaves blanketing the bottom half of Timpanogos with a fresh coat of snow dusting the peaks; American Fork pool and summer heat; millions of things to buy on Amazon; a green, fuzzy robe; shopping on 34th in NYC; watching my daughters dance; airplanes; cold cereal; my laptop; long,swinging fringe; the color hot pink; a healthy body and (sometimes!) sound mind; Amara glitter toes; frouffy tu-tus; my camera; Nothing Bundt Cake marble bundlets; my singing voice; an education from BYU; living so close to a temple; a black piano; digital scrapbooking; movie theaters; the guidance of the Spirit; Twilight series; spaghetti dinner; my ipod; Colgate Total toothpaste; Target; Dear Lizzy cupcakes; a red Mercedes SLK (I hope to own one someday!); the Book of Mormon; heat at the push of a button; ice-cold milk; office supplies (especially post-it notes and a great blue pen); tissues with lotion built in; the legacy of the pioneers; Bath and Body house scents; Photoshop CS4; Snickers candy bar; a gorgeous handbag; black patent anything; Look Ma, New Hands lotion; my children hugging each other; spring flowers; Joseph Smith and his incredible faith; peanut M&Ms; sassy boots; artificial Christmas trees; spandex in any form; school lunch (I hate making lunch!); my children snuggling with their Dad; naked tan lines; Los Hermanos; false eyelashes; a slice of hot, homemade bread; Christmas music; living in a place with more blue skies than gray skies; the warmth from holding my children's hands; script fonts; my cell phone; black sweaters; flat irons; antibiotics; scones from Rocky Mountain Drive-In; prayer in all forms; patterned hosiery; Johnny P. singing; Nicholas Sparks books; Fields of Gold (Sting), mine and Shayne's "song"--awww; acrylic nails; fuzzy slippers; the feel of my children's skin; a workhorse dishwasher; designer jeans...okay, so that's 105 and I'm still counting! I truly have much to be grateful for.

Another moment of gratitude to add to the list was this actual Thanksgiving dinner. In almost 15 years of marriage, I have never made Thanksgiving dinner! I was somewhat panicked over preparing my first turkey ever. But, on the advice of my trusty mom, I bought an oven bag, followed the directions to a "T", and voila! Look at this lovely masterpiece! I was pretty excited. And, as another first, I have never hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Kathy, Kyle and kids, and John helped us celebrate our first Keckley Thanksgiving and we had a blast. We had wonderful food, four different desserts and fun hanging out together all day. At one point, I looked at Kath and said, "Hey! Who needs Mom to put on Thanksgiving? We did a fantastic job all by ourselves!" (wink, wink--we love you, Mom!) But I have to admit, I'm a pretty proud turkey...

'Cause Mama I'm A Big Girl Now!

"Mommy, I want to buy dis! It's sooo sparkly!"

"Fynn, you can't have that lip gloss, baby! It's just for big girls!"

"But, Mommy, I AM a big girl now!"

And so she is! It's been an eventful few weeks for Lady Fynn--three major milestones all within several days of each other.

Number one great leap: Fynnley is potty-trained!! Whoo-hoo! No more diapers in the Keckley household. I can hardly believe it. I bought her a pack of princess panties (her friend, Portia, had quite the collection and Fynn was dying to have some!) and she insisted I put them on that night. In quick succession, she had two accidents. Never mind--I wasn't ready for this step. A couple weeks went by, and she insisted she could wear them and be a big girl now. And she did! She was fine from there on out! That's what I love, a child who trains themselves (after a few threats, and, okay, a mild freak-out from Mom)!

Number two milestone: Fynn was begging for her "princess bed". She would ask every day when her bed was going to come. After months of looking, I finally found one online to order for her (appropriately named the "Cinderella" bed) and after weeks of anticipation, it arrived. While I was off doing a photo shoot, Dad and sibs helped assemble her new bed. Fynnley was giddy with delight! She was in heaven. And she won't let her brothers even sit on it, "They have dirty feet, Mom!" she declares.

Number three never-thought-I-would-do-this-to-my-little-girl moment: I took Fynn to get her hair chopped off! For three years, I have begged, willed and prayed for it to grow. And, as genes would have it, Fynn just wasn't blessed with the hair of her sister. I have loved putting it in piggy-tails with flowers, but inevitably it would start to sag and look messy. I just couldn't handle her fine little locks any longer. So, I talked her Dad into not killing me for calling my friend, Tara, and asking her to give Fynnley an adorable little bob. I had my doubts as to how it would turn out, but I am thrilled! She is absolutely adorable and the "scragglies" are a thing of the past.

As I sat with Fynnley in bed kissing her goodnight, I paused to contemplate the continuing changes in our lives as my baby grows into a big girl. I cried when Shayne started to take the crib apart...heck, I'm tearing up now as I write about it! For many years caring for several little faces has comprised my day. I thought I'd never get to this point. And, now, I just wish I could remember it all so much better! I have valiantly tried to soak up as many "moments" as I could, but, time marches on, days are busy and full, and we go on. It truly is somewhat surreal. I have loved this little girl from the second the doctor placed her in my arms. I remember thinking she would be such a sweet, peaceful addition to our family. Ha! She is definitely sweet, but full of flash and fire! Fynnley Brooklyn, you have filled my heart with so much joy. I love the little lady you are becoming, but I will surely miss you, my darling baby...(as tears cloud my vision).

Feliz Cumpleanos, That's How They Say It In Spain...

39 years, er...um, 'scuze me..., 29 years and counting! Happy birthday, big guy! Can we cut the pie now?? Yum...let's do this again next year!

Thrilller! Thriller Night!

Loving Halloween on a Saturday! Plenty of time to get the kids dressed and snap a few hundred pics! (Just kidding...kind of!) Poor Fynnley wasn't feeling well, so trick-or-treating was short-lived for her. The rest of the kids tromped around the neighborhood to their little hearts' content! Shayne even managed to keep up with Connor. We were so excited for the sudden nice weather (after a couple of blizzards this week!) It made for a great Halloween! And, I must say, these are some pretty darling lil' spooks!