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!