Gingerbread Houses

We made our gingerbread houses today. I love this family tradition. It's so fun to see what designs the kids come up with. Note to self:  Next year make two extra houses. One for me and Berneen. We had just as much fun helping with the designs as the kids did.

Another funny little thing about this year that you can't see in the picture and I want to remember is that each one of them pried the roof back and threw candy inside for later. That just cracked me right up. I think it started with Annie (Annie!! you make me smile :) so smart - really so smart!!)

Surprise Gift

Okay. . .so you probably know by now, but have I told you lately that I love big rings?!!  I do...and today Jenn brought me this!!

So sweet of her to get me a fun big ring! She knows I love purple and she knows I love big rings. She did so great. It warmed my heart and made me feel so happy.

So nice Jenn, thanks so much for this special surprise gift. Love you.

Whoooo Whooo

Tonight on my way out to the car I heard a whooo ~ whooo!  Almost like someone was hiding in the parking lot making that noise. For a few seconds, I gripped my keys a little tighter and re positioned them in my hand. I looked around prepared for someone to jump out at me.

But. . . . . .then. . . . . . . I heard it again!  This time I could tell it was up high. If you look really close at this grainy picture, you will see it. Right at the top of the church.

Okay, maybe you can't but it's an owl!!  I real live owl. I was like a little kid - I thought that was the coolest thing. You should've seen me trying to take this picture with my phone. It was pretty humorous. This made me smile :D I LOVE LOVE LOVE OWLS - so cool!!

Girls Lunch

Kristi invited me to be part of her girls lunch today and it made me feel happy. We had a lot of fun talking and laughing and eating and laughing some more. Love these girls - they make working worth it!

Thanks Kristi!!

Work Schedule

Okay this is a lame picture I know - but it's the only one I took. It's not the only thing that made me happy either. But this will do for today.  I was just looking at my schedule for the rest of this month and it made me feel happy :D  I have all short weeks left. Wahoo!! :D

Basket Play

This Silly Kitty keeps getting in the gift baskets. Maybe I should get him a basket to sleep in. AND Yes, I am becoming a cat lady!! This cat brings me many smiles. Yay for simple pleasures :)

Eclipse of the Moon

Jeff had been watching the patterns of the moon lately and noticed that we would have a full eclipse of the moon today.  So, when Hayden's alarm went off this morning even though it shouldn't have (cause it was Saturday) we all woke up and stared at the moon. I thought it was amazing and so, so cool.

This picture honestly doesn't do it justice but it's the best one I got. Keep in mind this is a full moon, you can see how it's almost completely covered at this point. We didn't get to see the whole thing get back out but almost. Those beautiful mountains blocked the rest of our view, but we saw most of it and it was amazing!!

Happy Birthday Annie

Annie's birthday was actually yesterday but we got to celebrate it with her today. Happy Birthday Sweet Annie - you are such a Happy girl :)  I love that about you. You always have a smile to give and your smile always makes me smile. You've been a great friend to Josh and to me. I think you are turning into a beautiful young woman it's so fun to be a part of it.

Joshy Loves the cat too

Josh loves this cat. Something I've seen from Josh over and over again is how cute he is with little kids and babies in particular. Well, this cat seems to fall into that "little" category. He is so cute with this cat. He just loves him. It's amazing how very tolerant he is of us teasing him and it just makes us smile :)  Josh was playing with him like a stuffed animal. Folding his arms, making him dance making funny faces with him and giggling and giggling. The even funnier thing is, Simba fell asleep while he was getting this sort of treatment. LoL too funny.

Nativity in the Glen

Emalee invited us to come to the live nativity in her neighborhood. It's called Nativity in the Glen. They really do a great job with it. I think there is a special spirit there. What a fun tradition. I'm glad we got to go. Thanks Emalee :)

New Advent Blocks

Another early Christmas present from Paula (Gma Quick) for our family. She made us these cute advent calendar blocks. I think people are so clever. Paula is so creative and I love this idea. Mandy gave us a darling sock advent calendar garland that I was planning on filling up but never got around to it and these will work just great for this year. Maybe we'll do both next year. Thank you so much we all love them lots!!

Christmas Purse Party Exchange

So tonight was the purse party for the girls in the office.  It was a fun new idea that they had to instead of exchanging presents with each other we'd have a purse exchange. We were supposed to find a purse for $20 or under. Found out that was quite a challenge. Apparently I am a cheap skate and had no idea how much purses really are. But none the less, I found one and got this one in exchange. It turned out to be a really fun idea that made for a really fun party.  Thanks girls

Whipped Cream in a Can

Josh had a science experiment that he had to get done and so we did it today - of course at the last minute. Josh makes everything fun!! This time the science experiment was SUPER EASY and SILLY.

He decided to see which whipped cream held it's shape the longest. Never imagined it would be the cheapest one - Western Family received that prestigious honor.  Go figure.

Cute Christmas Toes

Cute Little Christmas Toes

Candy Cane Colors

Cute

Still Getting Use to Him

Look at this cute little cat!  Oh, I know you are probably all sick of me talking about our new little addition but I love him so much. He brings such happiness into our home. We named him Simba. He's a silly cat - he chases his tail and seems to chase after imaginary things. He hates, hates, hates, a collar! He loves to eat. He is very social for a cat (as I understand it). If you leave the room - he comes and finds you. He loves to be right up in your face especially if you're laying down. He loves my hair (so scary). He loves to lay on my bed.

He’s so cute and brings so many smiles and lots of happiness to our family. I'm glad he found us and I'm glad for the willingness of friends sharing little inspirations to tug at my heart and make me listen.