What do you give to Grandma's?

This is the toughest thing for me every year at Christmas time. We have amazing grandma's who spoil my children all year long. I've wanted to do something different and from the heart not just pictures every time. It's not that pictures are not a great gift, I am just giving them to them year round.

Anyways, I have some dish towels that my grandma made for me when I was very little. She passed away years ago and when they were cleaning out her house they found these with my name on them. (In the top right hand corner of the pink one) It still tickles me when I see her handwriting. I've never wanted to ruin them so I haven't used them yet. They are still sitting in my cedar chest. I love to look at them and smell them. They still smell like her house.




My sister has become quite the crafty lady. She is constantly quilting, sewing and creating all sorts of beautiful things. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the older look of things. I love vintage items. I love to collect old strollers, pocket watches, clocks, wash boards, pretty much any antique. So I decided to copy one of my sisters projects. She has been making these dish towels. They reminded me of the ones that I have. These are the ones I've made for the grandma's. I was going for a seasonal look, summer, spring, fall and winter. I really hope they like these.

I've got to get to bed if I'm going to make it to church tomorrow. Have a great Sunday!!

Calvin is such a great helper

So Calvin decided to help me get the snow off the driveway. Several of the neighbors had their snow blowers out. He decided to get out the lawnmover(I guess he thought it was a snowblower too). He doesn't know how to start it thank goodness. He wheeled it down the driveway and side walk. When the lawn mower wouldn't work on the driveway and sidewalk, he tried it on the grass. Love him!!

Thanks for the mastercard commercial idea, Ellen. Laughed my tush off.

Lawnmower $300

Snow suit $50

Using the lawnmower as a snow blower, priceless!!

He was so thirsty from helping he needed to eat snow. Yuck!!

I'm just glad that I have the opportunity to be home with my kids. I've always wanted them to feel so safe and secure that all they need to worry about is when or what to play. It's fun to see them just being kids.

Pay it forward

Hi friends! Allison did this challenge and I was a lucky recipient! Here it is. Respond to my post by Friday, Dec. 19 with your complete address. I will choose 3 "lucky" people out of a hat (from the ones who respond). To them I will give a surprise of some sort. No pranks! It'll be a fun surprise. This will help us all get in the "giving" mode. I may send it in the mail or drive it over. After you receive yours, you then, will do the same thing to others. Come on, you can do it! Also, any of you who want to give some fun suggestions on what to give (that won't break the bank), please send them my way! Have fun!

My Sweet Honey

My sweet honey came to my rescue today. He brought me home dinner from my most fav restaurant tonight after a horrible, tear-filled day. It was just what I needed. Not really the food, don't get me wrong it was great, but the fact that even though he couldn't help at home he was able to take the dinner load off tonight. He actually went to three different restaurants to please everyone. So sweet!!

Christmas Tag

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Everyone who reads this is tagged. I'd love to get to know more about you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like to wrap and add ribbons with bows.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Love real especially the smell but artificial is more practical.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? I like it but I don't crave it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Baby dolls
7. Hardest person to buy for? My in laws.
8. Easiest person to buy for? The unborn baby boy. ;) Names??
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, it was my grandma's
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, it's more personal to me.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I've ever been disappointed.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I have always love "White Christmas."
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to look for things all year except I forget that I have them. Then I find them the next March. Oops, sorry it's late. :)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, we play a white elephant game every year and some of the funnest gifts are the rewraps.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream, Curse you Dreyers!!! ;)
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, love white lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I love all the songs. I just love this time of year.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel the Salt Lake Valley. Uggg...I really dread that part.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixon, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blixon but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all. Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer. Sorry, it's the only way I know.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? It depends on what I have.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open PJ's on Christmas Eve. If we get back from part of our Salt Lake Valley travels in time.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commericalism
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love snowmen with white lights and red accents on a green tree.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Round steak with mushroom gravy, real mashed potatoes, rolls, veggies, fruit, jello and desserts galore.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace between Calvin and and I year round.
26. What is your New Years resolution? I have to ponder about this still. I'll let you know after the Ward Christmas party is over.

Baby clothes

There are some pretty darn cute baby clothes out there. I've been looking around a bit because my stuff is six years old and has been passed around the cousins. I have to say that I love blue and brown together. Darling!!!! I couldn't pass up this Calvin Klein multi-pack.
I would love to buy everything new. Obviously I can't but wouldn't it be so fun. I would love to redo a whole nursery with all new furniture, clothes, toys, etc... The reality of it is that it would be too much work and money.

Anyways, I have to say that I am starting to feel good about all of this. I was still pretty leary but I think everything will be just fine. Brian thinks I've been a little too negative but I just don't think I could handle it if anything went wrong. So I will officially say that I am getting very hopeful and excited. I can't wait to have a cute, messy, sweet, silly and absolutely enjoyable little kiddo around again. Atleast until he starts talking back...about 2 years, right? ;)

Here it is Jen...

Ok Jen, here is your pic. I so need to wear make up or get a really good photo shop. Seriously, I finally after six months got my hair cut last night. My question for everyone is "Who do you have do your hair and what do you pay?"

I've had a few horrible experiences over the years from hair dressers. I've had one lady cut the underneath layer by my neck ultra short and not tell me. I found out about it when it grew in. The last one told other people that they didn't want to cut my hair anymore because they were afraid that Calvin would hurt her son. What??? He hadn't hurt him before.

My most favorite lady was Kathy. She used to live a few houses away and she was very expensive but so worth it. She did what was best for me and she pampered me....ahhh. I miss her!!!