Pay It Forward 2011

Stole this one from a terribly creative friend:

I promise to send something hand-made to the first five peope who leave a comment here. You must in turn post this on your blog and send somthing YOU make to the first five people who comment on your post. The rules are: the item has to be HANDMADE and must be sent to the five people sometime in 2011. So do it! I can't wait - this could be so fun!

Also send me an e-mail with your address so I can mail it to you! There's nothing better than getting a surprise package in the mail right?! My e-mail is: bazity@q.com.

tHe FuNnIeS

I had to record a couple things the kids did/said last Sunday that I thought were sweet. I did Vanna's hair all curly and adorable and when I finished I said, "Vanna, you look beautiful!" To which she responded, "No, me Pwicess!" Apparantly being beautiful isn' t the same or isn't as good as being a Princess.

That same day was the first day of our new schedule at Church (we go from 9-12 now which I'm thrilled about), as well as a new schedule in Primary. Of course, our Primary kids advanced to a new class and Cash was now in CTR 4 rather than in Sunbeams. He didn't realize the change that had taken place (seeing as his classmates and teacher were still the same) and when we dismissed the kids from Primary and he learned he wasn't a Sunbeam anymore he was heartbroken (he loves the song Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam and I think he thought that he couldn't be a Sunbeam for Jesus anymore). He came up to me with those big alligator tears, sobbing and said, "I not a Sunbeam anymore, I just want to be a Sunbeam." I had to explain that he can still be a Sunbeam inside and that really, we're all still Sunbeams for Jesus even if we aren't in Sunbeam class. And further that because he's getting so grown up he gets to be in a new class for bigger kids, and so on and so on.

In addition to these adorable memories, I have to add another comment Cash made when we went to the movie theater last. Before the movie started, there was a pre-view for the new Pirates of the Caribbean. The movie we were watching and the pre-view where in 3-D and there was this part in the pre-view where a sword came right out and almost touched you. Cash must have been impressed with the effects because at the conclusion of the pre-view he said, "That totally freaked me out!" Which I thought was hilarious coming out of his little 4 yr. old mouth.

These kids are just plain funny and darling, I might add!!!

Wowee!!!

Ty's grandma Melba always uses that term and I adore it. I can easily use it in describing our Christmas this year - wowee - Christmas 2010 was so good to us. It was such a full Christmas season, truly including:

fantastic goodies (divinity being my all time favorite),
entertaining parties,
new traditions,...

Gingerbread House

(a new holiday tradition we full intend on continuing)

Our little acrobat.

Of course as much ended up in the kids' bellies as did on the actual gingerbread house.

Cash was pretty serious about the whole thing.

The end result!

...lovely memories,
good food,
thoughtful gifts,...

Santa's set up.

Cash's loot. The kids were truly spoiled by grandparents. Cash's favorite gift from us was a tie between his very own digital camera and his remote-controlled gorilla. It does roughly 80 tricks and even laughs when he's being tickled. Cash was pretty "tickled" himself when he saw that Christmas morning!

Vanna's loot. Our main gift to Vanna this year was her rocking horse. But believe it or not, out of all that is pictured above, I think her loads of bubble gum, found in her stocking, won the prize of "favorite gift". It was short lived though (and all chewed up, swallowed, what have you) by the end of the day so thankfully she had other gifts that will keep her longer entertained.

BTW: don't mind my hairdo, or should I say, the lack of. We were going sleigh riding and who wants to spend time doin gyour hair only to smash it with a hat.

It was decided I was only going to get one gift (which was spendy and plenty enough) - a new digital camera - and look at all that I ended up with. Ty surprised me with a dehydrator (I'm so excited to make fruit leather), movie, etc. Among other things, I also got a blanket from Ty's parents that is my new favorite to cuddle up with - ooo it is amazingly soft! And my mom made us a beautiful new levi quilt and these adorable aprons. I love them!!!

Although Ty didn't want his picture taken with his loot, I have to include him still and share that he got a much needed update in his wardrobe - for both everyday and work. He also received fun things like a fishing pole, head lamp, books, etc.

...sweet family...

...and heartfelt worship of our dear Savior's birth. You see - an entirely FULL Christmas! Hope yours was as beautiful - and Happy New Year!