Christmas Morning

We all woke up around 8am or so and headed straight downstairs. The boys found their stockings and were thrilled with the contents. Cute Preston found the extra cookies Santa left and gnawed on those while opening gifts. 

We then made breakfast; french toast with homemade syrup, scrambled eggs and sausage with orange juice. After the boys devoured their meal, we all cleaned up and headed over to the tree to open presents.

 These lucky boys all receive NEW bikes!! (Fingers crossed Gavin doesn't abandon one on the side of the road! Again)

We pull out one gift at at time so every one can watch them open the gift. Here's cute Preston, with his cookies still, opening one of his gifts.

 He was so delicate and slow opening the gifts, that the other brothers had to help out to get things moving!

For one of Will's gifts we had to venture outside. It was hidden behind the snow mound in the front yard. A Skateboard rail that he will use for his skis and snowboard to practice sliding and doing tricks in the back yard.

 Brigham has been asking for a remote control car since December 26th, last year! Thank goodness we found a good sturdy one, and thank goodness he loves it!!

Last minute (December 23rd) Tyler informed me he really, really, really wanted a mini basketball hoop for his bedroom door. THANKS to my cousin who was shopping at Costco and called me to see if I needed anything. Yes, yes I do. 

This was a fun gift to open! It's a huge Denver Bronco's pillow for Tyler wrapped in 12 plastic bags, tied really tight. It took him forever to open it. It was fun to tease him that the bags were the gifts! 

 We were all done opening gifts when we realized Preston still had 3 gifts still to open. He was so thrilled with that little orange toy (his first gift) he didn't care about the others. I helped him open them, and he still had no interest. Funny kid!

Matching Nerf Guns!!! Their first gift was a small package of extra nerf bullets that we had them open together. They both were like, "OK, thanks..." It was funny that they had no clue that the guns were yet to come! (Notice Preston with his cookies still!!!) 

Will was thrilled to receive a new GoPro, something he wanted but didn't ask for. It brought tears to his eyes. It's so cute to see him get so sentimental about stuff. 

 Here is Nathan with his loot.

Gavin and Tyler with their treasures.

 Jackson and Brig's with their gifts. 

I have no idea why there are no pictures of Scott nor I opening our gifts. Scott received a watch, church shoes, some Apple electronic stuff, ties, socks, DVD's, Garth Brooks CD's, and cologne. I was lucky to receive a Hobo wallet, iPad mini, Michael Kors perfume, a bacon press, air pop popper, and some jewelry. 

After opening gifts and playing with them, we all got dressed and headed out to the movies. We watched Disney's Frozen. Such a cute movie. I even got a little teary eyed during the song, "Let It Go". So simple, but profound. Yes, I need to let the little things go! 

After the movies, we came home to put the little ones to bed and the rest of us went skiing. It was a perfect ski day. Blue skies. So beautiful. After skiing we headed to our cousin's house to visit with all of them for a while. It's so wonderful living within 5 miles of 30 family members. It's been such a blessing moving to Salt Lake City to be near such wonderful people. 

It was then time to head home to make our traditional Christmas dinner: Prime Rib Roast with roasted carrots and mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese cups, homemade rolls (with homemade strawberry jam) and, of course, Sparkling Cider to toast with. 

That night we headed with several family members to the movies again! We watched Anchorman 2. So funny. Perfect way to end a perfect day.

I hope everyone had their own perfect Christmas day! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Randomness....

There are a bunch of little things I wanted to share with all of you, but I didn't want to make then their own post. So here is a compilation of lots of little random things, thoughts, and pictures....Enjoy!!

Randomness #1 I celebrated my 11th anniversary to my sweet honey, Scott. We met 13 1/2 years ago in the MTC where he went off to serve in Ohio and me in Washington state. I have loved being married to him, most of the time! :) He really is the most wonderful man, and we are perfect for each other. I LOVE YOU SCOTT!! Here I am with 2 dozen pink roses!

Randomness #2 We hardly ever go out to fast food to eat. Mainly because I'd rather cook and two I don't have any extra cash to waste on nasty food. The other night I was out and about and it was getting late and the boys were getting antsy. I decided to go though the drive thru of Wendy's with my 6 boys in the car with me. After I received the food, I looked in the bag and grabbed a fry. (You now those thick salty ones...yum!) Then, I handed Jackson one who was my co-pilot at the time. Then I noticed the chicken nuggets were missing! Oh man! So I went back inside to inform them. They took my bag (that remember I had outside in my car and was eating out of!) and took it to the window and handed it to the next car in line! WOW! Literally my mouth hing open. Oh, man if the management knew they would be in SO much trouble! The lady finished making mine and handed me the bag. Wild!

Randomness #3 Driving around the other night I saw this. This is the best description of Arizona in a picture. Beautiful sunsets with a cactus!

Randomness #4 Here is what I saw a few nights ago...Seriously? Do you have enough pillows? If an adult attempted this we'd have a sore neck for a few days! Cute belly though! Randomness #5 I was out of baby diapers in the diaper bag while I was out the other night and of course Nathan filled his diaper. So he got to be a big boy for a few hours! When I got home I totally forgot what I did and Scott was changing his diaper and getting him ready for bed. He starts busting up laughing...and then I quickly remembered what I had done. That is some serious protection, all the way up to his nipples!

Randomness #6 I have to share with you all 3 new FAVORITE sites. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these!

http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/ Melissa runs this site and updates several times a day! She keeps you up to date on coupons, free and almost free things, great deals at grocery stores, restaurants and more! Love, love, love it!!

http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com Stacie runs this blog and updates a few times a week with easy, cute and cheap craft ideas that usually she makes or she finds from other readers. Cute, cute, cute!!

http://creativehomemakers.blogspot.com/ Angela and Heater do this blog, my newest find. Very crafty stuff, but also decorating and organizational ideas. (I am in the middle of the whole binder thing. Organizing my recipes, summer activities, and FHE lessons. All 3 different posts.)Check it out, LOVE IT!

Randomness#7 Scott and I saw Blindside the other night. It was good. A nice solid movie. But the whole time I'm watching it I was wishing I was more like Leigh Ann Tuohy. She is elegant, but tough. A no-nonsense gal and gets the job done. If you get a chance to see this movie, you should!

Well, my friends, that's all I can think of for now! I hope you have a great day!

Reviews

Here are a couple movie reviews and some yummy recipes I've made and tried.


Julie & Julia.....**** (4 stars!) It was cute, even Scott liked it. I was rooting for Julie and her goal of mastering the recipes from the cook book and I was chuckling at Julia and what an adorable personality she had. What a great little romantic comedy!

My Sister's Keeper.... *** (3 stars!) Of course it was sad, but it's more than that. It's about families, and the true meaning to love someone. It was really good, and the entire time I'm watching I'm praying my children don't ever have to experience that...ever!

I made this delicious Black Forest Cake (first time!)


(I had to take pictures for my good friend Stephen, the cake lover!)


Black Forest Cake
1 Package of chocolate cake mix
1/2 C. water
1 Egg
1 Package cream cheese
2 T. sugar
1 Carton frozen whipped topping
1 Can cherry pie filling

In a small mixing bowl, beat the chocolate cake mix, water and egg on medium speed for 3-4 minutes. Pour into a greased 9inch pan. Bake at 350 for 23-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack. In small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy; fold in the whipped topping. Spread the cherry pie filling over cake; top with cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.


Alfredo Pasta with Chicken (or shrimp)
1 Cube Butter
1/2 C. Cream
1/2 C. Water
3 Cloves garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
3T. lemon juice
1/4 C. Parsley (finely chopped)

Boil water to make pasta. Cook chicken or shrimp in saucepan with a little butter, chopped garlic, salt and peper and chopped parsley. When pasta and chicken are done make sauce. In saucepan melt butter with cream add water salt and pepper lemon juice and parsley. Keep heat low and never boil. Pour over pasta and mix in Parmesan cheese. Plate and enjoy!

Movie Review

It seems lately we've been seeing a lot of movies - good ones. I wanted to share my reviews with you!

SPOIL ALERT!!! I may say a few things about the movie that may spoil it for you!!! Read on, if you dare! :)




Marley & Me - Two thumbs up! It was charming, cute, heart-warming and very very sad. I grew up with a golden retriever. I also kept looking at my new little pup and wishing he'd never grow old like the energetic Marley from the movie.

Hotel For Dogs - Two thumbs up! Scott and I took the kids to the cheap theater on Good Friday and saw this little gem. All the boys enjoyed the many breeds of dogs and all the funny things the dogs could do. They giggled the whole time while chomping down popcorn.

Quantum Solace - Two thumbs up! I usually don't like those action packed, too long fight scenes, or too long car chases. They just seem totally unbelievable. I had also heard this movie was going to be pretty bad. But, I was shockingly surprised that I enjoyed it.

Slumdog Millionaire - One and a half thumbs up. Another movie I thought was going to be terrible. I was so upset when it won so many awards at the Oscars. Now, I know why. And I am glad to see that it won movie of the year. This movie is NOT a buy or a movie you'll want to see over and over again. But the message is strong and honest.

Bedtime Stories - Two thumbs up with a handful of gumballs. (That'll make sense only if you've seen the movie!) My boys say it first and they kept quoting it or telling me about some of the parts that stood out to them. So finally we all sat down with bowls of popcorn and watched it. It was very cute. Some of Adam Sandler movies are funny and others are kinda out there for me. This was a fun upbeat family movie.

Changling - One thumb up. Very deep and heart wrenching story. But way too sad for me. I don't like to watch shows where something bad happens to children, especially boys. I thought maybe he'd run away or something. Nope. Worse. The acting was pretty good. Just sad.

Seven Pounds -One and a half thumbs up. Great story line of giving, sacrifice and service. But also you knew from the beginning where it was heading and it ended wonderfully sad. Wonderful fore some. Sad for others. I was surprised while watching it because I heard poor reviews. I thought it was pretty dang good. But, don't forget those tissues!

I think that's all! Any movies YOU have seen that I need to see?