Am I dreaming???

Wow…look what we woke up to!

It actually started snowing a little before dinner, but usually it never amounts to much. And I know this is not much, but hey we’ll take what we can get. Yesterday was kind of a crazy day for me, but then again what day isn’t. I had to fill a few custom orders and then get Maddie for her debut at the nutcracker followed by The Nativity out at Tuachan. This was the first year that we didn't get rained on, snowed on yes, but no rain. Once again the youth did a fantastic job and I was one proud leader.

Speaking of the Nutcracker it has been one crazy week. They have rehearsed pretty much every night and since I signed up to be a volunteer (which is a whole story in itself) I’ve been there as well. Since I was at Tuachan I was unable to see Maddie, but we have our tickets for tonight’s show and I can’t wait!!!

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

Okay so here we go….the story. Monday Jayna came home wanting her hair cut “super short” (her words) just like Grandma J’s. She’s wanted that for some time and I have always been able to talk her out of it. Well this time was different. She would not take no for an answer. I told her that even if we could Auntie Sallie was shopping in Vegas for the day and so it would have it wait. She replied, “We could cut it ourselves” and I said, “no way, only Auntie Sallie cuts our hair”.

Well in the meantime I call Sallie to tell her the story and see when we could get her hair cut. When I got off the phone I went downstairs to tell Jayna the news only to find hair on the office floor and flowing into to kid’s bathroom. There I find her with a pair of scissors cutting away. Of course I lost it a little and she started crying. When we both settled a bit we sat down to discuss what happened and why. The first words out of her mouth….I’m not crying cuz you caught me, I’m crying cuz I didn’t get to finish. Typical Jayna.

And now for the result…basically she gave herself all kinds of layers and bangs.

Check out how happy she is with her cutting job.

It took a few days for Sallie to be able to cut it but here is the final result.

She kept shutting her eyes for every pic so I told her to open them as wide as possible for the next one. And this is what she gave me ;) I just love this picture.

Jayna is over the moon and strutting all over the house saying she looks just like Kit Kittredge. Which is a big deal for her since Kit is her favorite American Girl doll. I must say she is pretty cute!

Hair Nightmare

Ever wish that you were dreaming when you're looking at your 4 year old daughter with a self induced mullet. Please don't pinch me, let me keep dreaming...oh wait I'm awake. Drats!!! Pics to follow :(

African Christmas 2009

The school did an awesome job with the Christmas play this year. All the kids did such a fantastic job, especially my two. This was Bryce’s first year and he wasn’t even nervous (which is a vast improvement in his social skills). Devin and I were completely in awe of him. What a dramatic change from a couple of years ago i.e. all the problems from the house fire. I must say I was in tears most of the time and was so thankful for my waterproof mascara ;) Jayna was the funniest thing ever. She has the entire play memorized songs and dances. She stood the entire time reciting the entire thing. You would have thought she was at a Disney concert. Let’s just say she got plenty of attention from the surrounding families. Which I’m pretty sure, was her goal!

Bryce as an awesome warrior...

And once again as a Sheppard’s caroler. This was the most amazing part for me. To watch him sing in front of a huge audience, WOW!

Maddie did just as great! She had a singing part again and was so happy about that! She has the most angelic voice, love it!

I've missed you old friend...

For my birthday this year Devin purchased my favorite picture of the Logan Temple. I was so excited to get it and even more excited to make the frame for it. If you’ve been to my house you’ll have noticed some bear walls. I just haven’t been able to find frames I like, so my solution….make them! It has been a long time since I pulled out my wood working tools and especially my miter saw. I know it sounds corny, but I love my power tools! And I really love the smell of freshly cut wood ;) I have long list of tools that I want and someday I may get them all, but for know I make due (with a little help from Dad). So Monday I purchased the wood and got it all cut (easy part) now I'm off to my Dad's for a little help in the construction. He has a fully stocked wood shop which makes any project smoother. Here's a sneak peek....

And speaking of old friends; Jana thanks so much for including me in your holiday plans. I had an absolute blast spending the day with you! Let’s not wait that long again, eh?

Open

My Etsy site is open for business ;) I don't have all the colors up yet, but I'm working on it. I pretty much make every color imaginable. It's been fun working the boutique circuit. I've met a bunch of interesting and fun people! I'm signed up to do one more this weekend and then I think (hope) to do just custom orders after that. Boutiques’ are just too long and unpredictable. Here's one of my recent ones that just happened to be used in my fave photographers photo shoot last week. Plus it helps to know the family, luv them!

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2009 was spent uneventful (except for one smoking oven) which was fine with us. Horses were not allowed for any part of the festivities no one wanted a repeat of last year. All of us headed up to Enterprise including my Aunt Bev and Uncle Ron. Sallie was hosting Micah’s family at her home, and Jill was up in Logan so they weren’t along for the ride. It was quiet and peaceful and so relaxing. My Dad had a fire going constantly and it was fun to sit by the fire and crochet (man I sound like an old lady).

Great day...full of food, movies, football, and fun!

Thanksgiving Feast

Dayspring Montessori's annual Thanksgiving Feast was again, fantastic! The kids work so hard all week to put on a great event. Monday I went in and helped Maddie's class sort through the food in order to prepare for the many soups they would make. Tuesday was Bryce's class. They were making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It was such a snap...one small can pumpkin, one spice cake mix, stir then bake. Last year they made quick breads and it was such a mess! The kids had a blast and I had fun helping.

This year Jayna was in the ECC so they weren't invited which was fine with her. They were playing outside while we were eating so it was fun to chat through the fence. It was actually kinda hilarious...they looked like a bunch of caged animals ;)

Freshly Fallen Leaves

One of the many joys of our house is the great big mulberry trees in the backyard. They were fantastic this summer, allowing us reprieve from the hot sun. Well now that it is fall they have been a constant source of fun for all of us. We woke up one morning to a rain storm of leaves. It seriously looked as if it was raining leaves.The most amazing part was they never really turned color, it's like they just decided it was time to shed and then did so in a matter of days.

Day one....Bryce standing out in the falling leaves.

I made him stand still for the picture and it was all he could handle. The most ironic thing I thought for sure I would get some falling leaves in the pic, no such luck.

Day five...Maddie relaxing on her bed of leaves

The kids begged me to leave one giant pile so they could still play in them for a couple more days. They were so cute about it I just had to do it. My cousin Jayse helping us bag the rest of the leaves, 21 bags later we were finally done, talk about sore arms!

After all the work we had have a bit of fun! Now the leaves have all but dropped and we can look forward to winter ;)