Grandma Stanford would be proud

My Grandma Stanford loves purses. One memory that I have is going with her to a boutique when I was about 6 or 7 and seeing her splurge on a purse. It was about forty or fifty dollars. She told me to be sure not to tell my mom. I'm not sure why she thought my mom would care, but she was wanted to be certain that I didn't say anything. As soon as I got home, what do you think I did? Ran and told my mom that Grandma had bought a new purse and made sure I told her just how much it cost. I still haven't lived that down.

It wouldn't matter if you went through my Grandma's purse the day that incident happened or today, the contents would be the same. A tube of Carmex, a nail file, a little pad of paper with a pencil, her wallet, some cash and some Kleenex. I'm sure there were some other things, but those things are what stand out in my memory. I also remember that it was always very organized.

Well, the other day I was searching the house for Jared's old cell phone. While I was rummaging through the toy box, I came across Addie's purse and noticed that it was rather heavy. I peeked inside and had to laugh. It was as if she was a woman and knew exactly what she would need to get through the day.

• A pad of paper
• Chapstick
• Lip Gloss in a tube
• A pencil and two pens
• $50.63 in cash
• Tire Gauge
• Sunglasses
• Hairbrush
  
• Camera
• Drivers License
• Library Card
• DSW Reward Card
• IPod (in a case)
• Car Keys
• A little makeup bag

Grandma Stanford would be proud

My Grandma Stanford loves purses. One memory that I have is going with her to a boutique when I was about 6 or 7 and seeing her splurge on a purse. It was about forty or fifty dollars. She told me to be sure not to tell my mom. I'm not sure why she thought my mom would care, but she was wanted to be certain that I didn't say anything. As soon as I got home, what do you think I did? Ran and told my mom that Grandma had bought a new purse and made sure I told her just how much it cost. I still haven't lived that down.

It wouldn't matter if you went through my Grandma's purse the day that incident happened or today, the contents would be the same. A tube of Carmex, a nail file, a little pad of paper with a pencil, her wallet, some cash and some Kleenex. I'm sure there were some other things, but those things are what stand out in my memory. I also remember that it was always very organized.

Well, the other day I was searching the house for Jared's old cell phone. While I was rummaging through the toy box, I came across Addie's purse and noticed that it was rather heavy. I peeked inside and had to laugh. It was as if she was a woman and knew exactly what she would need to get through the day.

• A pad of paper
• Chapstick
• Lip Gloss in a tube
• A pencil and two pens
• $50.63 in cash
• Tire Gauge
• Sunglasses
• Hairbrush
  
• Camera
• Drivers License
• Library Card
• DSW Reward Card
• IPod (in a case)
• Car Keys
• A little makeup bag

Christmas Morning

This was the ninth Christmas that Jared and I have shared together and for eight of those we have been away from home. After much discussion we agreed to stay home this year and have Christmas morning the real way, in our own home, with our own tree. I can actually say that this was the best Christmas we have ever had!

I was feeling sick after I got home from the snow so I didn't get to put together the awesome dinner that I had planned on, but I realized it didn't even matter. There was too much excitement. After dinner, we gathered around to talk about why we get presents and what Christmas is really about. Then using little pictures I had colored I told the girls the story of Christ's birth. Addie asked if she could have the pictures and slept with them under her pillow that night. We made sure to put cookies and milk out for Santa and then it was off to bed.

When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, our living room looked like this:

Growing up we always had one big present that wasn't wrapped. We kept up the tradition for Addie and Kimber. Of course, it wasn't hard to convince Jared of that when I told him he would have to be the one to wrap the bike. (Check out that Barbie house! Jared did a great job and totally made it better than I had asked for. It was their favorite present.)I have to admit that I was so excited for Addie and Kimber that I could hardly sleep! I kept waking up hoping it was late enough to get up. When we finally figured out that they were not going to get up early without us, we went into their room and woke them up. It was so exciting to see them get so excited that Santa had actually come to their house. It was a first for them.

Sadly, I was too into everything to take very many pictures, but here are two. The girls loved everything and I am pretty sure that Santa brought them both everything on their lists and then some. But, when you are 4 and 2 your list is pretty short. Kimber had asked specifically for a pink bike, which she got and Addie had asked for a Barbie house and Barbie furniture. Santa bought that last April, so I'm glad she thought of it.

After we got everything opened up, we packed up and headed to the Valley for more. I didn't get any pictures down there, but it was all wonderful. Although we had lots of fun, for once my we were all excited to get home to our presents. That was until on our drive home the temperature dipped to 8 degrees. Then I was ready to turn the truck around and head back to the warmth!

Christmas Morning

This was the ninth Christmas that Jared and I have shared together and for eight of those we have been away from home. After much discussion we agreed to stay home this year and have Christmas morning the real way, in our own home, with our own tree. I can actually say that this was the best Christmas we have ever had!

I was feeling sick after I got home from the snow so I didn't get to put together the awesome dinner that I had planned on, but I realized it didn't even matter. There was too much excitement. After dinner, we gathered around to talk about why we get presents and what Christmas is really about. Then using little pictures I had colored I told the girls the story of Christ's birth. Addie asked if she could have the pictures and slept with them under her pillow that night. We made sure to put cookies and milk out for Santa and then it was off to bed.

When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, our living room looked like this:

Growing up we always had one big present that wasn't wrapped. We kept up the tradition for Addie and Kimber. Of course, it wasn't hard to convince Jared of that when I told him he would have to be the one to wrap the bike. (Check out that Barbie house! Jared did a great job and totally made it better than I had asked for. It was their favorite present.)I have to admit that I was so excited for Addie and Kimber that I could hardly sleep! I kept waking up hoping it was late enough to get up. When we finally figured out that they were not going to get up early without us, we went into their room and woke them up. It was so exciting to see them get so excited that Santa had actually come to their house. It was a first for them.

Sadly, I was too into everything to take very many pictures, but here are two. The girls loved everything and I am pretty sure that Santa brought them both everything on their lists and then some. But, when you are 4 and 2 your list is pretty short. Kimber had asked specifically for a pink bike, which she got and Addie had asked for a Barbie house and Barbie furniture. Santa bought that last April, so I'm glad she thought of it.

After we got everything opened up, we packed up and headed to the Valley for more. I didn't get any pictures down there, but it was all wonderful. Although we had lots of fun, for once my we were all excited to get home to our presents. That was until on our drive home the temperature dipped to 8 degrees. Then I was ready to turn the truck around and head back to the warmth!

Snow Day

On Christmas Eve I drove to Heber to meet Heather and Doug for a day in the snow. Our original plan was to meet at Woods Canyon Lake, about an hour from my house, but because of the amount of snow, we weren't able to get in. They ended up driving 2 1/2 hours to meet me. Jared wasn't able to be with us because he had to finish working on one of the girls' Christmas presents, but we still had lots of fun.

Addie was so excited to get all dressed in her new snow clothes and boots. I can't say the same about Kimber. She finally decided that getting dressed was better than spending the afternoon sitting in the truck alone.

The girls didn't waste any time getting into the snow. They ran up the hill to slide down, they took turns on the sled, made snowballs and so much more. They didn't care how cold it was!

And now, a few pictures from the day-

I love these little buns!

Not sure if Kimber is doing a newscast or taking her string cheese very seriously.

The highlight of the whole trip was when Doug tied the sled to the back of the truck and let each of them take a turn. It made it all worth it just to see them be so excited.

Doug was such a good sport to spend the day with us girls. He even took Kimber on her very own sled ride. Can't believe I am sharing this most hideous picture. Heather, please forgive me.

Snow Day

On Christmas Eve I drove to Heber to meet Heather and Doug for a day in the snow. Our original plan was to meet at Woods Canyon Lake, about an hour from my house, but because of the amount of snow, we weren't able to get in. They ended up driving 2 1/2 hours to meet me. Jared wasn't able to be with us because he had to finish working on one of the girls' Christmas presents, but we still had lots of fun.

Addie was so excited to get all dressed in her new snow clothes and boots. I can't say the same about Kimber. She finally decided that getting dressed was better than spending the afternoon sitting in the truck alone.

The girls didn't waste any time getting into the snow. They ran up the hill to slide down, they took turns on the sled, made snowballs and so much more. They didn't care how cold it was!

And now, a few pictures from the day-

I love these little buns!

Not sure if Kimber is doing a newscast or taking her string cheese very seriously.

The highlight of the whole trip was when Doug tied the sled to the back of the truck and let each of them take a turn. It made it all worth it just to see them be so excited.

Doug was such a good sport to spend the day with us girls. He even took Kimber on her very own sled ride. Can't believe I am sharing this most hideous picture. Heather, please forgive me.

Christmas Morning

Jared and I have shared 8 Christmases together and for 7 of those we haven't been at home. We usually open our presents before Christmas, take them to the Valley with us or like last year, opened them January 4th. But this year we finally spent Christmas morning at home. It was the first time that my girls have ever woke up to find presents under their own tree!

Jared and I spent Wednesday night getting everything wrapped

Here lies our Christmas tree

For no apparent reason our tree will no long stand. Today it took a spill while no one was even near it. After holding it up for almost 45 minutes while Jared worked on it, we finally got it to stand. I'm not sure what he did but I do know it involved shims. That lasted about 10 minutes.As I type this Jared is outside "coming up with an idea."

Update: Jared just walked in the house with a bunch of tools. The first thing he said to me was "I know this is probably going to kill you." The next thing I see is this:"It's like a truck. When it breaks down on you, you just never trust it again."

Pretty sure that tree isn't going anywhere.

Here lies our Christmas tree

For no apparent reason our tree will no long stand. Today it took a spill while no one was even near it. After holding it up for almost 45 minutes while Jared worked on it, we finally got it to stand. I'm not sure what he did but I do know it involved shims. That lasted about 10 minutes.As I type this Jared is outside "coming up with an idea."

Update: Jared just walked in the house with a bunch of tools. The first thing he said to me was "I know this is probably going to kill you." The next thing I see is this:"It's like a truck. When it breaks down on you, you just never trust it again."

Pretty sure that tree isn't going anywhere.

Christmas Traditions

I am normally a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. Mostly because I hate the cold and Christmas means cold. But, this year I finished all of my shopping before Thanksgiving so that I could sit back and enjoy without feeling the pressure of getting any shopping done. What a difference it makes! I told my sister in law the other day that Christmas is a whole lot more fun when you don't have to spend it in a crowd at Wal-Mart! So instead of focusing on shopping I have turned my focus to traditions. Some of them we've had for a while and some of them are new this year.

One new tradition that we have is painting Village Houses. Jared's Mom always had a village she displayed during Christmastime and since our marriage we have had had our own that seems to grow a little bigger each year. It's made up a some store bought pieces but mostly hand painted ones. This year we decided that our girls should start contributing so for Family Home Evening one night we busted out the paint and brushes and let them pick their own houses to paint. I couldn't believe that they stayed focused for an hour and half painting away.

Of course we kept up tradition by getting a real tree. Jared and Addie ventured out last Saturday to find the perfect tree. They came home with a bushy pinon. It's what I grew up with so although more bush-like than tree-like, it's Christmas to me!

Although Sunday was frigid and miserable, Jared let into his girl's pleas to put the tree up. I bundled up and went out to get the ornaments while Jared went to get the tree and attach the stand. The girl's excitement made it all worth it. They were screeching with glee when they saw it. They were so happy to put on the ornaments and get it all finished.

Of course we hung our Grandma Hatch stockings. Jared went around taking pictures while the girls and I decorated the tree. He always gets away with not decorating it.

Another new tradition that we have started is hanging our Grandma Hatch ornaments. Last Christmas, Marlene wrote a letter to her family and we each received a copy. For Family Home Evening the other night we read the letter and then we each hung our ornament on the tree. She gave each person a hand-carved ornament of the Nativity to go with the letter.What would Christmas be without a few classic movies?

And today Addie and I worked on wrapping presents. We only wrapped a few of the ones we have to give to others but she was a great help! I didn't get any pictures of her in action, but check out her work. (With lots of help from mom!) She proudly picked out the wrapping paper specifically for each person.

We also kept up tradition by making our own bows. My mother in law got me started when Jared and I first got married. It takes extra effort, but the girls had a good time doing it. (I just realized I don't even have a picture of our bows. I'll add some later!)

And there you have it! The post that I thought was never going to happen! If you'll notice I started working on this on Dec. 10th. It only took me a week. I promise not to take this long ever again!

Christmas Traditions

I am normally a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. Mostly because I hate the cold and Christmas means cold. But, this year I finished all of my shopping before Thanksgiving so that I could sit back and enjoy without feeling the pressure of getting any shopping done. What a difference it makes! I told my sister in law the other day that Christmas is a whole lot more fun when you don't have to spend it in a crowd at Wal-Mart! So instead of focusing on shopping I have turned my focus to traditions. Some of them we've had for a while and some of them are new this year.

One new tradition that we have is painting Village Houses. Jared's Mom always had a village she displayed during Christmastime and since our marriage we have had had our own that seems to grow a little bigger each year. It's made up a some store bought pieces but mostly hand painted ones. This year we decided that our girls should start contributing so for Family Home Evening one night we busted out the paint and brushes and let them pick their own houses to paint. I couldn't believe that they stayed focused for an hour and half painting away.

Of course we kept up tradition by getting a real tree. Jared and Addie ventured out last Saturday to find the perfect tree. They came home with a bushy pinon. It's what I grew up with so although more bush-like than tree-like, it's Christmas to me!

Although Sunday was frigid and miserable, Jared let into his girl's pleas to put the tree up. I bundled up and went out to get the ornaments while Jared went to get the tree and attach the stand. The girl's excitement made it all worth it. They were screeching with glee when they saw it. They were so happy to put on the ornaments and get it all finished.

Of course we hung our Grandma Hatch stockings. Jared went around taking pictures while the girls and I decorated the tree. He always gets away with not decorating it.

Another new tradition that we have started is hanging our Grandma Hatch ornaments. Last Christmas, Marlene wrote a letter to her family and we each received a copy. For Family Home Evening the other night we read the letter and then we each hung our ornament on the tree. She gave each person a hand-carved ornament of the Nativity to go with the letter.What would Christmas be without a few classic movies?

And today Addie and I worked on wrapping presents. We only wrapped a few of the ones we have to give to others but she was a great help! I didn't get any pictures of her in action, but check out her work. (With lots of help from mom!) She proudly picked out the wrapping paper specifically for each person.

We also kept up tradition by making our own bows. My mother in law got me started when Jared and I first got married. It takes extra effort, but the girls had a good time doing it. (I just realized I don't even have a picture of our bows. I'll add some later!)

And there you have it! The post that I thought was never going to happen! If you'll notice I started working on this on Dec. 10th. It only took me a week. I promise not to take this long ever again!