.before christmas.

I am going to have to do this in a couple of different posts since we spent our Christmas vacation in California!

But before we left we attempted the gingerbread house making.

This is NOT my favorite thing to do. I think I may just be horrible at it so everything just droops and falls apart.

So we end up quitting and eating the dang thing.

Then it was off to Hollister, California. Hollister is in Central California, near Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz.

This was our first time paying for FIVE flights to go somewhere. It’s a killer! But totally worth it.

Now I need to set the scene.

1. Tyler’s parents recently re-bought their home they built right before Tyler was born. They sold it when Tyler graduated High School. So this is Tyler’s childhood home. It has 7 bedrooms so we can all visit at the same time now!

2. There are 5 kids in Tyler’s family. And we all decided to have kids at the same time. So that gives you 11 cousins 7 years and under. Soon to be 12!

So Grandma bought a trampoline.

And a big TV.

The first night we went caroling. I didn’t know people still did this! I think it’s bigger in Cali because you don’t freeze to death while doing it.

.Christmas Eve.

It’s tradition to eat tons of food and visit with the Dabo family.

Our hostess, Tyler’s Cousin Jenna.

Tyler’s Brother John and Cousin Catherine.

Tyler, Cousin Jonelle and Tyler’s Dad.

Tyler and his Grandma, Baba.

Tyler’s Sister, Kim and Olivia.

The whole Dabo side.

The immediate Dabo side.

When we got home it was time for the kids to open their Christmas Eve present, Jammies of course.

We did set out some cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and his Reindeers.

(But Alex ate them)

And the kids were asleep in seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

.Organize Me.

Call me old school, but I could not live my life without one of these. There is so much technology where you can have your calendar on your phone, ipad, email. But this still works best for me!

I got my brand new one yesterday. It hangs on the back of the pantry door (a place I hang out often).

I’ve even taught Tyler to write on it so there will be no “surprise” meetings during the week.

I think the bigger the better and you can get them anywhere for cheap. This one is from Target.

So if you don’t use one, try it. You’ll love it.

.Organize Me.

Our 2010 Christmas card

 

We fly to Hollister, California tomorrow for 10 days.

We are excited to be with Tyler’s {whole} family for Christmas this year.

I’ve been working hard packing and packing. Trying to fit everything into suitcases. It’s mighty tricky. It has taken me a good 3 days to organize and pack everything. (The whole time I just think how I am going to have another child to pack for and another plane ticket to buy. Holy moly.)

Now it’s time to clean house. You always want to come home from vacation to a clean home. Always.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas as I know we will!

yesterday

My Dad passed away 9 years ago yesterday. He was only 39 years old. I was 19. I miss him everyday.

And it just so happened, yesterday, I got hear my new baby’s heartbeat. Such a wonderful sound, especially when it took the Dr. extra long to find it. Doc said it was a little girl heartbeat. Both my boys had little girl heartbeats.

Last Sunday one of the Sacrament speakers spoke about tragedies that happen around Christmas. (It is very common to lose someone around the holidays.) And how we can still learn to enjoy our Christmas’s without that person.

I am not one to dwell on the past. You would hardly know that my heart has a huge scare right across it. I love to think of ALL the things I have instead of the things I don’t. (Except for granite countertops. Can’t a girl get granite! We have the money just not the justification.) Anyways…

I know if I didn’t have 3 little ones, soon to be 4, this holiday would be much harder. But Christmas is for my kids and I completely live through their big wide eyes. I actually love this season and in fact I love yesterday. It gives me time to remember the bad times so I can enjoy these good times.

I truly believe you appreciate the good more when you have lived through the bad. That’s what it’s all about right? I’m so thankful for the little heartbeat I heard yesterday.

.Temple Square.

.Organize Me.

Holiday Neighbor Gifts

We take this very serious in my close-knit neighborhood! We have a small neighborhood and we all know each other so it’s easy to do something nice for everyone for Christmas.

-I heard somewhere that it takes a community to raise a child. I truly believe that and I know my neighborhood looks out for my kid’s well being every day, as I do for them!

Usually I bake something. This year under different circumstances, the thought of baking makes me throw up in my mouth a little. So everyone got the lazy gift! Hot chocolate, straws and marshmallows. I did wrap everything up cute so it would make up for it!

We have been bomb-barded with yummy treats this year and I am sure I have gained an extra 5 because of it!

 

So even if you only know your next door neighbor, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them with something cute or yummy!

*And if you have school-age kids (even preschool), don’t forget the teachers! I always do something a little more special for them.

 

carvers 2010

We have a wonderful Christmas tradition. Going out to eat {somewhere nice} with our friends.

Happy friends. Merry Christmas.

.Organize Me.

How do you fit your calling into your life? It’s tricky. Some callings are more time consuming. I really love the “easy” ones. But as soon as you get one, it’s gone again. The last 2 years I have been our Ward Activities person. Perfect calling for me? Maybe, I do love to throw a good party, but the best part to me is the day after the activity! We had our Ward Christmas dinner tonight. It takes months to prepare, it’s the biggie. We get over 250 people there, it’s amazing. It’s now over, YEAH! Forever really, I was released actually a couple of weeks ago because the church got rid of the calling completely. Weird. Anyways we went out with a bang! It was AWESOME.

I enlisted in some help. And help they did. My friend Heather made ALL 24 centerpieces that each had 10 treats for everyone. It was really the best part! She’s amazing!

         

Another friend Sharon did the coloring books to keep all the kids occupied.

Jocelyn and Kara helped with the throne.

What the heck did I even do?

Here are the kiddos.

Santa came of course. Alex loved him at first but not long enough for the picture.

Seriously so glad it’s over but soooo rewarding! Thanks for all the help!