It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last night we planned a fun night and invited Grandma Sonia over for Sunday dinner and Christmas decorating. We didn't get much done but it was fun enjoying each other's company we sang Christmas carols and had a good time. The kids enjoyed cuddling with Grandma more then putting up the tree. But in the end, the tree got up.
Brayden got to put the top of the tree on, he was so proud of himself. This morning Mike woke up and made us all breakfast and he put the kids breakfast on the "special" plate and Brayden said "Oh yeah, I'm special cause I put the top of the tree on huh?" I didn't know it would mean so much to him.

Afterwards Kade and Kaylee wanted to be lifted up just like Brayden had.
Kaylee had to do a full on cheerleader pose though....
After getting all my Christmas stuff out and listening to Christmas music it's made me start thinking about some of my favorite Christmas things. Here are a few....

Favorite Christmas CD: Josh Groban NOEL SO, SO, SO Good If you like Christmas music

Favorite Christmas Movie: Polar Express. My Grandma used to read the book to us every year. So I have great memories of that story. I was so excited when they came out with the movie. It's now my kids favorite too!

Favorite Christmas Activity: Looking at Christmas Lights, Going to Winder Dairy and getting scones, and decorating Gingerbread houses

Favorite Christmas Smell: Hobble Creek Cinnamon Vanilla Candle & Bath & Body Plug Ins in Pumpkin

Favorite Christmas Appetizer:

Cheese Ball

8 oz cream cheese

flat can crushed pineapple (drain)

mix with a hand mixer

Green Pepper 2 Tbsp Grated

1/2 tsp accent

sliced almonds-crushed

Mix together

Lay nuts on Seran wrap put cream cheese ball on nuts and roll up in wrap. make sure the nuts are covering the outer edge of the cream cheese. Chill and then serve with crackers.

We have had this at every Christmas party I can ever remember. Yummy.

Favorite Christmas Dessert: Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Cake

1yellow cake mix *reserve 1 cup cake mix to be used later*

To the rest of the cake mix add:

1 egg

1/2 butter or margarine softened

Mix and press in the bottom of 9x13 pan and set aside.

Mix together

1 can pumpkin (29 oz size)

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 tsp salt

2 tsp pumpkin spice

(or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves)

Pour mixture over cake mixture in cake pan

Combine :

1 cup reserved cake mix

1 tsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp butter or margarine

Crumble over pumpkin mixture

Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes

Hope you enjoy some of my favorites!

Gratitude

I keep changing the blog, I know, I know. I needed a change with it, I thought it was so depressing. I thought if I did something with fun colors and added an upbeat song it would help my spirits. But after changing it to the blue background I hated it. I'm not sure how I feel about the green either, so stayed to see what else I change. I wish I knew exactly how this whole blog thing worked and I could sit down and make it exactly how I wanted. But since I'm a newby at this I'm gonna stick with the basic.

I haven't posted for a couple days, and I'm sorry, I was being a little negative. I know life happens and it doesn't always happen the way we want it to. And you know what, I'm ok with that. I think I was just a little sleep deprived, and getting a little grouchy, and what a better place to complain to...my computer. I just need to remember their are a lot of people reading it. Maybe a journal would be a more appropriate place:) But since my last post things are looking up for us. We have gotten rid of the stomach flu. I had the chance to go out for some much needed girl time. We had a good Thanksgiving. Mike has had the last couple of days off and it's given us the opportunity to get some stuff done around the house. We spent the day cleaning and organizing so we can get ready to put up Christmas decorations. I didn't wake up and shop all the crazy sales today, but we did go out later and buy a few Christmas presents and it just got me so excited for the Christmas season! I love seeing all the Christmas decorations and hearing the Christmas music. We started shopping early this year so we can try and enjoy the holidays a little bit more this year. I'm so glad we decided to that. Now we can sit back and enjoy each other and our family. I truly am so blessed.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. (Source:Melody Beattie)

Bring On The Rain.....

So they say, "when it rains it pours." Well I say, "Bring it on!" We spent the evening in the emergency room with Kade last night. (Sorry if the pictures are too graphic.) A vase fell off a shelf and hit him on the back of the head and split open the back of his head. So I quickly found a babysitter for the kids, and my stepdad went with me over to the emergency room because Mike wasn't home from work yet. Needless to say, Kade was a real trooper, after a little medicine, and a few hands holding him down he did really good. Afterwards they gave him a bunch of stickers and he decided to decorate his face with them. He wouldn't let me take them off until it was time to go to bed. Do you think he will sleep tonight?....probably not.

So TOTALLY cool

I'm posting this a couple days late cause our house has been attacked by the stomach flu. If anybody has any secret home remedies for cleaning up throw up out of carpet, Getting your child to sleep through the night, Making the smell go away, Or any secrets for sanity please post:) Once it hit Mike and I, My sanity flew out the window. But here are some fun pics from us at Highschool Musical On Ice. We took Brayden and Kaylee on Friday night and they had a ball. They danced and sang they whole time! The moment they pulled Troy's shirt off and Kaylee started screaming I knew I was in trouble, since she is only 4! I heard her say many times throughout the night, "Oh, I wish I was Gabriella!" It was fun seeing them so excited.



These are the snowcones Mike bought them. When he got back from buying them I asked how much he spent, he just said...."Don't ask. I feel like I just got taken advantaged of." I think we spent more on the snowcones then on the actual tickets...oh well. They will always have a memory of High school musical.

Memories

Friends are the threads that hold our lives together

I cannot believe the love and support we have receive this past week. It is a good reminder to me of all the friends and family we have in our lives, that love and care for us. We are so blessed. We had people send us cards and flowers. We had many phone calls from caring people offering their help. My parents have taken my kids for many, many hours.And we had meals brought in. It's been a hard week, but I can definitely say we have ate well. And if you know me, you know food ALWAYS makes my life easier!
My Grandma and Grandpa recently moved down South but they sent this figurine of a father and son for Mike. And they surprised us both and were here for the funeral. I was so excited to see them.
Brandi gave me this cute bucket that says "Gallon of Girlfriends Wisdom" It had a poem in it that I really liked it said:

"This is my wish for you:

comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

sunsets to warm your heart,

hugs when spirits sag,

beauty for your eyes to see,

friendship to brighten your being,

faith so that you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

courage to know your way,

patience to accept the truth,

love to compete your life."

-anonymous

I again am just so overwhelmed with all the service that has been given to our family this past week. But let me tell you a story that topped it all for me. I'm not sharing it cause I want you to feel bad for me. But because I am truly grateful. We had spent Wednesday evening at the viewing and my mom so graciously came to the viewing and then took my kids. We finally got home, Brayden was having a hard time with his asthma but we got that under control, and we got the kids in bed around 9:30. We were exhausted from the night, but had a lot on our minds so we couldn't sleep. Finally around midnight we started trying to get to sleep. A half hour later Brayden woke up having an asthma attack, and when I went in to help him his room REEKED of throw up. Kade had thrown up, and then fallen asleep in it. We help Brayden and got him calmed down. So now we are cleaning up throw up and bathing kids at 1:00 in the morning. Side note: Kaylee is now awake too:) We finally get them all calmed down. I took Kade out on the couch so Mike could try and get some rest. And I spent the rest of the night catching throw up in a bowl and wondering what on earth I was going to do with Kade during the funeral in the upcoming hours. I couldn't take him to the church and have in puke all over in the chapel. I had had many people offer to watch my kids but vomit and getting their children sick was never in the equation. So at 6:30 am Kade finally fell asleep and 15 min later my alarm went off. Yes your right, I got ZERO sleep that night. I hopped in the shower and began thinking of the ward list and any women that A) were at home B) had no children at home that we would infect and C) wouldn't mind cleaning up my child's vomit. And then I got on the phone and began calling people. This is so NOT my personality, I hate calling people, and I hate asking people to help me. But I was SO desperate! I called people that I normally don't even associate with. I called people that I haven't even talked to before. I desperately begged them "Can I bring my vomiting child over to your house?" I had 3 women willing to drop all their plans, rearrange their schedules, and take care of my child that was throwing up! My mom then took the rest of the day off of work to go pick up Kade after the funeral, and take care of him the rest of the day. This will forever be a lesson to me. How willing am I to help someone in need? Even if it's somebody I don't know so well. How often do I check my caller ID when someone calls and mumble "Oh what do they want today?" and then not answer the phone. I am so grateful that these sisters were there and answered their phone when I called and were willing to serve me that day. Thank you to everybody that has been their for us.

All Because Two People Fell In Love....

What a roller coaster this week has been. I think I have experienced about every emotion possible this week. But today I will focus on love and gratitude. Today Mike and I are celebrating 7 happy years of marriage. It's so fun to look back and see how far we have come since we've gotten married. We had a lot against us when we decided to get married and a lot of people didn't think we would make it. It's amazing where love and commitment will take you.
I am grateful for a husband who is devoted to me and my family. I am grateful that he was raised by such a wonderful man, who taught him respect and how to treat a lady. I am grateful that when I married into the Davis family they accepted me into their family as another daughter. And over the last couple days, I have been able to share some very special memories with them that I will forever cherish. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had this week to sit back and ponder all the blessings I have in my life and all the "little" reasons I have to rejoice each and every day. I feel very fortunate to have Mike as my "rock" since I am such a stumbling mess all the time. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. I love you babe!

In Remembrance

William (Bill) Frank Davis
1947-2007

The end has finally come after his short battle with cancer. Thanks to all who have been there for our family. Bill was a great example to me in the way he lived his life. He was a quiet giant, a hard worker, easy to please, eager to lend a hand and enjoyed the simple things in life. Even as his illness progressed, he kept a positive attitude and upbeat spirit and left us an example to follow as we face our personal adversities. Even in the end he was thinking of others, he wanted to make sure he didn't go on Mike's birthday...and he made sure of that. He went out of this world as he wanted to. Bill you are always in our hearts and will be sorely missed. You are now in a better place where you can continue to lead our family from above. I'm sure your already running free playing soccer.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, November 14th, from 6-8PM at the Broomhead Funeral Home, 12590 S. 2200 W., Riverton and one hour prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 15th, from 11-Noon at the LDS Chapel on 10227 S. 4000 W. Burial: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley, Riverton.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I just want to wish a quick Happy Birthday to my sweetheart. I hope we can make today a good day for him, he deserves it. The last couple days have been really rough for him and I'm sure the next couple will be even worse. But if we can make today good, then my mission will be accomplished. Mike is the best husband one could ask for. Mike and I have so much fun together. He definately is my best friend! We look forward to our tv nights when we get to cuddle on the couch with our treats and watch our shows. We giggle and laugh, he definately knows how to lighten my mood. He knows how to keep me going when I get down, wether it's bringing me Cafe Rio in the middle of the day, or booking a massage for me, or just stopping on his way home from work and buying me flowers and a Dr Pepper. He always has my best interest in mind. He is my best supporter, and the best father to my kids. He is always so happy, upbeat and friendly to everybody. Mike is always giving me hugs and kisses and complimenting me. He is definately an example to me everyday, and a constant reminder of the spouse I need to be. I love you honey, and I hope this day ends up being a happy one.

Fun Game to Play With Your Kids

If your like me I am always looking for things to do with my kids. I found this cute game to play with your kids on http://www.tipjunkie.blogspot.com/ she has lots of fun things to look at. I bet ya have lots of Halloween candy you could play with too....