Check this out!!

Here's my christmas present!! I've been looking at "hall tree benches" since we moved into this house. All the good ones are expensive and all the cheap ones are - cheap. So I've been waiting for the perfect one to magically appear in a used furniture store (which I haven't been frequenting lately). My thoughtful husband had one custom made for me for Christmas. Yea!! It's made out of Juniper, and I love it!! We're gonna add some horseshoe hooks on the top for coats etc. I LOVE new furniture!!

Our Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! We left Christmas Eve day and went to Clint's Dad's in TwinFalls. We enjoyed the reason for the season on Christmas Eve.

We had a birthday party for Jesus which included a cake and reasons to be thankful. I got to go to a 10:00 worship service with Kathy, Dorothy, and the girls - and Cameron (he's such a sport). We sang Christmas hymns and had a story. I love feeling the Christmas Spirit!!

Clint and Joe stayed home with the kids - it would have been a mess to try to take them - they'd have fallen asleep on the way . . . . and you know the rest.

Santa was good to us all - even though he was a bit late for Mom and Dad!!

Joslynn got the pocket knife she wanted - and a camera.

Riley got Legos and a Table.


Layce was so excited for her doll. She really wasn't sure she'd make it.

Reading Christmas stories with Grandma.

We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed meeting Cameron. We're so thankful for all of our family and friends that make our life so blessed. Wishing you all the best year ever for 2010!!

Here are the pictures!!

Here are the pictures from our baking day.

Joslynn's Gingerbread Church

Layce decorating cookies
Riley - doing what he does best = making a mess!

Pre Christmas - goodies!!

We've been busy making cinnamon rolls - my tradition. I give them to all our friends. Joslynn brought home several cookbooks from the Library and thinks we need to try it all! She's made Cream Puffs, a Princess Cake, and gingerbread cookies that have somehow turned into a house. We're still working on that one. Maybe I'll get a picture before it's all over with. I don't know how some of you manage to take pictures of all the fun projects you do with your kids. It's all I can do to maintain composure - much less take pictures in the process! Layce needed a project too, she chose chocolate chip cookies!! Thank you for simpleness! Riley stayed busy with all his new "stuff" there were only a couple breakdowns cuz - "no one will play with me - I need a brother". I keep waiting for this to pass . . .

All in all we had a good day of baking, crafting, and playing. Tomorrow we'll do fudge, maybe divinity, and more cinnamon rolls. (or maybe Wednesday!!)

Riley's 5 - Does school start tomorrow??

Riley had a really great birthday today. He's so glad to be 5, and he's absolutely sure he'll go to school in January. Boy are we in for a break down!! He played all day with his new toys - he loved them all! It was so nice he got some new clothes from Grandma. They came FED EX about 11:00 - he swore he wasn't getting dressed until he got new birthday clothes!! Thanks mom!! Look closely for the lovely knot in the middle of his forehead. He "bounced" off my excercise ball - onto the desk. It's beautiful!!

New toys - first thing - before Dad Left for work

More toys

"pooched" eggs for breakfast - his favorite eggs!

Grandma's FED EX - He loves this puzzle!!

The cake - Chinks - just in case you can't tell

Halloween

Here's our halloween - We go to the neighboring school and trick or treat around the "town". Afterwards they meet at the gym to play games and potluck. I left my camera in the bus during the games.

Joslynn - Geisha Girl

Layce - "Queen" Violet

Riley - Spiderman . . . or . . . .Batman. . .

Batman it is

Counting the stash - -

We'll go to one more house tomorrow - Just because he bought us a whole bag of candy today in town!!

Oh yea

I forgot to post these two pictures. Joslynn wanted to be on the blog. She's wants everyone to know what she's been doing. She sewed this apron last week. It's a pretty simple pattern. We also cut her hair yesterday. She loves having it short. If you can't tell, she took the picture herself.