It's been a F U N Week!!

We took the boys to Fairytale Town.  It is almost the same as when I took my kids there many years ago.  The boys loved it.  We didn't make it to the zoo or Funderland, but had a full day of fun at William Land Park!

Lincoln (Lion) = Coleman (Tin Man) - Grammy (Dororthy) - Jack (Scarcrow)

The boys having fun in the leaves!

The boys on the Pirate Ship

Lincoln hanging out in the tree.  He loves to climb!

The cheese stands alone!  I have pictures of my kids on this same hunk of concrete cheese!

Jack taking a break and getting a drink out of the hippo.  I told you Lincoln likes to climb on things.

Had a 'couples massage'  It was wonderful!  I will definitely do that again!!

Saw two kids movies - Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked and The Muppet Movie

Christmas time

Two Handsome Boys!

Aunt Shauna loves her boys and they love her!!

Megan & Justin enjoying a piece of cake

My pretty girls!!

Christmas Eve

Justin-Megan-Shauna-Jackson enjoying a dinner of  NY steak-twice baked potatoes-
broccoli-asparagus-rolls-Lingonberry cider

Meg-Jackson-Lincoln

My boys giving Grammy a kiss after they opened their Disney WII game

My little baker doing her magic making Christmas sugar cookies

Our pretty Christmas table complete with "Brown paper packages tied up with strings"

Coleman, Lincoln & Jack ready for dinner

Jack with the Spider Man Sweatshirt Shauna got him

Lincoln playing his new harmonica with Justin & Coleman

Lincoln

Coleman opening his Mario shirt

Jack excited about his 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' books!


It was a GREAT Christmas Eve spent with family and sharing lots of love.  I really missed Erin, Jordan, Kristine and Owen though! 

Merry Christmas

“This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.” -Howard W. Hunter

Mom's 94th Birthday!

Wow!  My Mom turned 94 on 12/17!  She really did not remember it was her birthday or how old she is but I know she enjoyed having everyone over to share her day!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Amy Eleanor Hedlind!!!

Russ - Mom - Stella

Russ - Mom - Me - Cousin Marcia

Russ, Mom and me

The Countdown Begins...

Ten Days to go... I can't believe it is almost here.  I still have some shopping and wrapping and baking to do so I am getting a little stressed, but I feel like for the first time in many, many years, I am truly enjoying the season and taking time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  I have been listening to Christmas music since the day after Thanksgiving and I never get tired of it.  I love this time of year!!!

How cute is this!  Little Owen sitting on Santa's lap. 
Next year he might not be so thrilled, but this year he doesn't seem to mind. 

Christmas Brunch with friends

Today was my second annual Christmas Brunch.  I love having friends and family over especially during the holidays.  My good friends that I have known for 20+ years, Bonnie, Pam, Patrice and Sheri all came over and we enjoyed a brunch with monkey bread (Bonnie), breakfast casserole (Pam), gingerbread muffins (Sheri), orange juice (Patrice) and yogurt parfaits (me).  Everything was delicious and the conversation and friendship shared was extra special.  I have great friends and we have been through many things together and we always manage to help one another and to share in one another's joys and sorrows.  We exchanged gifts and had a great time just sharing about our kids and grandkids and all the things that are going on in our lives.  Between the five of us we have 19 kids, and 25 grandkids!  We don't get together as often as we would like but when we do it seems like we pick right up where we last left off! 

I love setting a festive table with all the trimmings

L to R - Patrice, Bonnie, me, Pam

Exchanging Gifts

Sheri and Patrice

L to R - Patrice, Sheri, Bonnie, Pam

Countdown to Christmas!

I have been busy all weekend decorating for Christmas.  I really love the holidays and all the decorations, but boy am I exhausted!  I don't remember it being this much work.  I guess my body is just getting older and can't handle it.  My back and legs are killing me from going up and down the stairs.  It is all worth it though because it looks so beautiful and I am loving just sitting here listening to Christmas music and enjoying the fruits of my labor.  Now... if I just had the energy to wrap some gifts.  That is really my favorite thing to do, but that will have to wait for another day. 

This is my first grown up tree since my kids were born. I love having a grown up tree!

Here are a few projects I have been working on.  Gifts for my friends.  In between decorating I was working on these.  I did 5 of each and they are all almost done!

Thanksgiving Fun

Megan and me Thanksgiving morning

Pretty Thanksgiving table (too bad we didn't get a picture of everyone sitting around the table!)

Lincoln working on his Thanksgiving beads

Grammy and Owen

The Red Iguana Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Coleman (Ralphie) at Temple Square

Megan and Justin posing in front of the temple

Me, Megan, Coleman and Lincoln at Temple Square

Jordan & Kristine posing in front of temple

Patrick family in front of temple

More of Patrick family at Temple Square

Jordan & Kristine at Temple Square

Grammy and all her cute grandsons



Coleman on his 3rd Birthday!

Jordan and Owen

Owen and Daddy posing in front of the undecorated Christmas tree

Owen