Christmas and we were blessed

This Christmas, my little family, was extra blessed both worldly and spiritually with gifts, good food, friends and family. I don't know how Santa did it...but everyones wants (plus unknown ones) were delivered.

I did not take a lot of pictures (as I am not real happy with my camera)....but the pictures that I do have each contain a story or memory.

Every year since I have been married, my mom has given me a yearly ornament. Here is  the one for 2010

Nathaniel and Trent have been friends since our first or second day in Texas. We have spent almost every Christmas Eve with the Thomas Family

Santa still comes to our teenager and this year delivered a new television

Steve and I after present unwrapping. Steve got dressed on this Christmas morning and Nathan teased him

Underneath the tree was full again after the whole family arrived

Pamela spent the day with the family and was kind enough to snap this photo for us

Merry Christmas and may the memories be remembered forever!

Cookie making day

Today was cookie making day with Axel, Diego, Hunter and Nathan here to taste test. It has become an annual tradition that Hunter and I have (and I like having the nephews involved too).

Hunter took charge and helped the boys make these cookies

the taster

the picture says it all

yuuuummmm

You can't see it here..but this one was covered in flour

The final and tasty outcome

December thus far...

I had such grand hopes and desires for this years Christmas season. This year was supposed to be extra special since it is Nathaniel's official last year of having to live in my nest. With that being said....I hope he continues to come home when not away at school....another worry for another day.

We do not have any real traditions that I have passed on and that he will pass on. I mean, I start listening to Christmas tunes the day after Thanksgiving and torture him for the month. I have a tree up and kindly make him feel guilty if he doesn't help me decorate it. I usually decorate the house...but I don't think my guys really care? And I usually make sugar cookies and other treats to eat and share. We do usually get a new yearly ornament....and well....I can not remember if we picked one up in 2010....{tear tear}

This year, I am not sure what has happened. And the month has flown by more quickly than I would have liked. AND lets not mention how stressed and high strung I am....argh.

Is it that I am now working days and more than I am used to. Or is it that I am so worried about making everything perfect in an attempt to have fond memories for Nathan? Or my worries about the future...lack or funds....or.....

So with this being said....here is some of the things to which has been accomplished this holiday season.

We had our girl party with an amazing turn out

Potty training....and at first it was the adults against the three year old

Pam helped Nathan and I decorate the tree

an actual picture of me even if it is a bad quality

I put on a swim team dinner (sorry turnout) but all those who came are great!

We went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra

Many of the gifts still in store bags begging to be wrapped and placed under the tree

My simply decorated mantel with Larry's (father-in-law) stocking now replaced with a "P" for Pamela

What I haven't done that I always like to do.....go see Christmas lights, bake with a kid or two, have my dinner already fully planned, way more holiday decorating done in the house, shopping finished with  gifts wrapped and many more bad holiday shows watched.

Crafty with Peppermint

I Made This!

For mine and moms annual girl christmas party this year, we had a gift basket/bag exchange. I had decorated my box with peppermints(didn't think to take a picture) and found that I had A LOT left over. One evening I decided that I wanted a new festive,decorative item and came up with this. This project with cheap (already had glass jar and peppermints were $2 at store), easy and very festive.

cute towel apron

I had seen a similar picture of this cute apron posted on my moms wall in her sewing room and knew that I wanted to make one. We did not have a pattern, but fortunately, I have a very talented mother who was able to help me create this project.  I am happy to say that I did about 98 percent of the sewing and crafting involved.

I hope that the recipient of this cheerful gift will enjoy it.

Finally....answers

Nathan decided this past spring which colleges he wanted to attend. We toured each campus and he was able to gain a good feel and the difference between the two. The school year started and he submitted his applications......and the waiting began.

And the asking every other day about the mail and if his letters arrived....and more waiting...

Until today when he received letter from college # 2 containing his letter of acceptance and the scholarship to which they are offering.

Now Nathan....and his parents....hopefully await good news in letter #2....to which we hope will arrive sometime this week.

Fingers crossed.

Friday Pal turns Three

This evening we went to celebrate Axel's third birthday (real day is November 29th). Toy Story and Buzz Light Year was the theme. He was one lucky kiddo and had lots of friends and family to watch him open his presents and blow out his candles. It was fun to watch him this year and to see how he has grown....as the idea has sunk in....and he did not need to be prompted on the present thing.

Awesome daddy decorated his cake again and it turned out pretty neat. Mommy made the tasty treats.

Progress on floor remodel

Today, I finally got Nathan's bathroom floor completely done. The mopping, sink and mirror cleaned and rack behind the toilet back in place. Ready to be fully used.

  

I chose not to remove the baseboard in the bath and laundry rooms....as to not want to add that to the mix as well. I am actually quite pleased with the way it turned out.

Other than needing the room dividers...the floors turned out great. I now started removing old wallies and might consider repainting the laundry room in the near future.

Our next and last round of tiling will be our master bath and closet. I think, other than the kitchen, that this will show the most improvement. We have never done any improvements or real decorating to our bathroom in the ten years that we have lived here. As soon as the tiling is done....I will be on the hunt for paint.

Dad actually laminated our closet last year (it was the first room we did) and it was a good area to learn. However, Steve and I decided that we wanted to have the tile flow all the way into the closet. Tomorrow, Damon and I will clear out the closet and remove the laminate.

Dad will start tiling Monday and hopefully will be finished by the end of the week....And then the flooring remodel in this house will be done!

You'll shoot your EYE out

Nathan got together with some of the young men in our ward last night for some "friendly" male bonding. They came together for a evening of competitive gaming using air soft pellets and guns.....

Lets just say that... Nathan obviously lost.... based on the fact that his eye could have been shot out.....

and yes...he was wearing protective goggles....they shattered.

Happy testosterone unification.

Floor update

I was off this past Friday

 and didn't have my Friday Pal for the day...so dad and I started tiling the house. I was totally wiped out at the end of the day after being dads assistant. But I must say that tiling is much easier than laying laminate.

The dining room became the storage room

 A before shot

Our first line and we are off to a good start

    

 Yes...I really did help dad

 Cutting the tile was pretty easy

And we are done with the laying the initial tile. Thankfully mom and Damon were able to help with the grouting on Saturday.

He's an Eagle Scout

Tonight, Nathaniel had his board of review and earned his Eagle Scout Rank. Hooray!!! This was a long time coming. And the saying is true that behind every eagle scout is a mother. I fully believe this (some boys are naturally motivated)....and....others need a good kick in the rear to finish this. So let this be my little personal hoorah.

Nathaniel actually did his eagle project around this time last year (video game drive for Cooks Children's Hospital).....and then procrastinated on his paperwork. Upon finally getting it wrote up and submitted, his board of review was scheduled last month.

He went. I was super nervous. They called his Scout Master into another room....for along time. I was more nervous. It was then agreed upon that more work was to be done and the review was cancelled.

In the end, Nathaniel submitted a good report and handled the interview nicely. And the board told both of us they liked his creativity and how he handled the process. Now mom gets to help plan the court of honor.

the council and two members from the ward who sat in with Nathan
(please don't look at how shaggy Nathan looks. Hair appt is tomorrow)

Happy mommy

Nathan (with his well known leather jacket) and Andrew (in full uniform)

Tonight, Andrew Colby, who has gone through scouting with Nathan also earned his Eagle Scout. His poor mom wondered if this day would come....as Andrew did his project one year before Nathan....and turns 18 this month.