A Great Read!

I received this book from my parents for Christmas.  I am a fan of Glenn Beck.  I like his views on most things.  I think he speaks directly and bluntly.  I was excited to see that I had received this book as a gift.  I started reading it two days ago and finished it today.  It is such an amazing story.  Very well written.  It will touch your heart and build your testimony. It's a great story about the power of the Atonement and Repentance.  I would highly suggest this book to everyone to read.  It really is fantastic! 

Party foods!

These little yummies are what I'm taking to a party tonight.  They are so good!  Cheese Nips with peanut butter in the middle, dipped in chocolate!!  I put full instructions HERE.  I also plan on taking fudge and maybe something healthy like apple slices and a dip.  We'll see just how much energy I have today.  Are you doing anything fun tonight?  I hope everyone has a very safe and HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Christmas 2008

On Christmas Eve, we took Olivia down to see the lights at Temple Square.  

She loved everything about it, but especially loved being able to see the statue of Christ 

through the big window. She kept asking to see Jesus again and again.

On our way home from Temple Square, we got a phone call telling us that

Santa wanted to drop by and see Olivia early.  This is her face when she heard

his jingle bells and a big "HO HO" outside our door.

Santa came in and gave us an early present.  Olivia was really cute with

him.  I think she was surprised to see Santa in her own home. 

It was a GREAT surprise!

This is one of Olivia's favorite gifts.  Some special people really took care to make sure

Olivia had a fantastic Christmas.  She has spent hours using this kitchen set to 'make' cookies, 

ice cream, cocoa, pizza and whatever else she can dream up.  It's been a joy watching her.

This is a part of a little baking set that her daddy got for her.  Which goes perfectly with the kitchen set above.  We've tasted lots of good food she's invented!  We really had a fantastic Christmas.  We've truly felt the Spirit of Christmas and the love of family and friends through very special experiences this year.  It is definitely a Christmas we won't forget.  So Thank you to those of you who helped make it so special!  We love you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I pray that your day will be filled with fun, good eats, great memories,

family and LOTS OF LOVE.

Most of all, I pray that we all remember the 

real reason for this special day, and may our

hearts be turned to our Saviour.

Christmas Parties

We were able to spend Saturday with some of my family celebrating my 

twin nieces' birthdays and also caught an extended family Christmas party.

  Here's some pictures from the fun events.

This is Olivia watching her cousins, Amanie and Harlie, opening their birthday

presents.  I couldn't tell who was more excited... the twins or Olivia! 

Olivia and Harlie cuddling with Grandma on the couch.  

This is a favorite past time for the grandkids.

Me and my pregnant self trying to make room 

for the baby and ALL the food I just ate!

Olivia got a dress up set at our Christmas party.  But, she didn't want to put them on herself... 

Nope, she dressed up Daddy!  Brad was a great sport and even wore 

the accessories for about a half hour or so. I think he looks smashing!

Reading Time

I found Olivia like this today.  She had some of her books out, her baby doll sitting on her lap, both of them with nothing on, cuddled under a blanket, and Olivia 'reading' books to the baby. She was pointing out all of her favorite parts of the story to her baby.  It was so cute.  She completely ignored my while I was taking pictures... until I took too many and she looked at me and rolled her eyes.  I just had to laugh out loud.  I'm glad our example of reading is paying off!

Christmas Fun

I'm so excited for Christmas this year.  And even though it seems like it's coming faster than I'm going to be ready for it, I can't wait to see Olivia's face as she opens her presents.  There's something magical about having kids around for Christmas!  This year as we have started getting ready with the decorations and the different parties, Olivia has really started to realize that there is a meaning to this holiday.  She LOVES to see all the different baby Jesus statues in the nativities.  She loves to carry him around with her and give him loves.  She will even make Mary and Joseph kiss when they stand by each other.  She LOVES our Christmas tree.  She has to be the one to turn on the lights each morning, and we are often greeted with, "I turn on the 'Ho Ho' Lights!"  (Yes, all Christmas lights are referred to as 'Ho Ho' lights.)  This is Olivia posing by our tree this year.  She stopped her dancing to "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" just long enough for me to snap this picture.

We went to a Christmas party last night with a bunch of Brad's friends.  We really had a good time.  But the highlight of the party was definitely Santa!  Olivia has always been scared of Santa in the past, but definitely not this year.  I guess watching the Christmas Classics all year has paid off!  As soon as she saw Santa, she squealed and started following him every where he went.  She was the first one to sit on his lap.  She got a little shy once she was there, but at least she didn't leave his lap crying like she has in the past.  In fact, she kept going back to stand by him while the other kids at the party took their turns.  Santa was really nice and gave her a toy Jeep.  She was so excited because now she has a "Jeepie" just like Daddy!  As we left, she kept telling Brad and me, "I so excited!  I see Santa!  I got a Jeepie!"  She definitely makes us smile!

Playing in the Snow!

It snowed while visiting my parents this week, and Olivia was SOOO excited.  She has been literally praying for snow since October.  So, when she saw white on the ground, she just had to go out and play.  She loved being able to make fresh new footprints through the backyard.  She'd run all around, then come over to me and tell me her shoes were dirty (covered with snow), so she'd stomp them off and go do it all again.  She had a blast!

She kept looking around for more snow and asking where "Frosty Snowman" was.  It was cute watching her try to figure out how to use her hands with mittens on.  It's the first time she's ever worn them, and I think they were starting to frustrate her.  She finally just took them off and went bare handed.  

Working with Papa

Olivia and I spent some time this week at my parent's house while Brad was in Denver for work.  Olivia LOVES to spend time with Grandma and Papa, and she asks to go everyday. While we were there this week, she got to help Papa mow the lawn.  Go figure!  December 4, and we're still able to mow lawns!  The really ironic thing is that it had SNOWED the same morning!  Only in Utah!

Intense Concentration!

"Look at me Mom!  I'm helping Papa!"

I LOVE this picture!  She was all smiles after (and during) they got finished!

Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt

Our little pirate with her treasure!

Brad carrying the mighty pirate through the 'treacherous' parts.

The mighty pirates on the treasure hunt. 

Notice Olivia is practicing her "Argh!"

After the big feast on Thanksgiving Day, my sister-in-law and brother put together a 'treasure hunt' for all the kids.  They all got to wear eye patches and pirate hats.  Bruce had made a map of my parent's yard and had different places the kids had to go to in order to continue on to the next site.  I thought it was a fantastic idea.  It really kept all the kids busy and they found a great 'treasure' at the end of the hunt.  Lots of little pirate toys that kept them all entertained for hours.  Infact, Olivia is still playing with her treasure and saying, "I a pirate, mama!  Argh!"  It's really funny.  So, Thanks to Bruce and Tara for putting a fun afternoon activity together for all the grandkids!

Christmas Countdown

So, our Thanksgiving was FANTASTIC!  (I took my pregnant brain along with me, and forgot to take my camera...  So, I'm waiting somewhat PATIENTLY for pictures from my sister to be emailed to me to blog about those fun times...)  But, I thought I'd show you that even I, Carrie, can be somewhat domesticated and creative.  My little sister put everything together for all the sisters and mom to make a Christmas Counter while the boys were off four wheeling on Saturday.  It was really fun, and easier than I thought it'd be.  My dad made the bases for these, and we put everything together.  I was amazed at how differently everyone's turned out. (Sorry I don't have pictures of them all.  Trust me, they are all cute!) This is mine.  Simple, I know. But, I think it fits my style.  After playing with my sister's cricut, it ALMOST made me want to start scrapbooking just so I could buy one.  Notice, I said ALMOST.  But, we had a great time. Thanks Sara for putting it all together!

UPDATE!

Here's all but one of the other counters.

I told you they were cute!

My Mom's Counter

Jill's Counter

Tara's Counter

Jenn's Counter

Sara's Counter