Christmas Utah

Last Friday we went to see "Christmas Utah". This has become a tradition in our family. There is a guy named Marty who creates this fantastic display every year. He decorates his lawn and home then arranges it so that a local radio station plays the songs that synchronize with his light display so that you can tune in and listen in front of their house. The wonderful thing is that it is so close to where we live. :D

A few of the songs are the same every year because they are favorites, but there is always something new to see. If you notice in the picture of the house, "Santa" makes several appearances at the window. I think they have a tv positioned right in front of the window with a video on loop.

Anyway, Jonathan was absolutely fascinated with "Santa's" appearances. He kept on waving wildly at him and asking him to come out. He insisted that he had something that he needed to tell him. So cute!

They have a few videos of the songs posted on their website. To see the videos or to get directions on how to go see it yourself, visit: http://www.christmasutah.com

One Word Tag

Rules: Answer the questions with one word only!

Were is your cell phone? purse
Were is your significant other? home
You're hair color? brown
You're favorite thing? hugs
You're dream last night? none
You're life dream/goal? happiness
The room your in? computer
You're hobby? reading
You're fear? snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hawaii
Where were you last night? home
What your not? short
One of you're wish list items? jacuzzi
Where you grew up? Nebraska
The last thing you did? laundry
What you are wearing: clothes
You're TV? old
You're pet? none
You're computer? faulty
You're mood? relaxed
Missing someone? brothers
Something your NOT wearing? shoes
Favorite store? Target
Your summer? relaxed
Love someone? absolutely
You're fave color? blue
When is the last time you laughed? today
When is the last time you cried? month
Your significant other's hair: missing
You're life in one word: Yicks!

Now it's you're turn!

Kayley Unplugged

Kayley's Christmas Preschool Program was today. This is the second year that she has attended this preschool. It was fun to compare it to the one that she was in last year. Last year she stood board straight and looked out at the audience to see what they were doing. She would sing a few words here or there, but she looked like she could think of several other places she would rather be.

This year she was singing right along and was trying hard to keep up with the "choreography". She even did some of it before anyone else, and you could tell that it reminded the teacher that she had forgotten that part. lol! Such a change! It is amazing what a difference a year can make.

She, of course, is the tallest one in the picture. Surprise, surprise. It doesn't help that she is the oldest either because her birthday is right after the cutoff for kindergarten here. Oh well. She loves her preschool, so that is all that matters.

Music Moves Me

I was just sitting here listening to the music that I chose for my blog today. Kayley came up and decided that she want to listen to music too, so she blasted classical music on her little radio. I had to keep kicking her out of the room so that I could enjoy and sing along to MY songs.

That got my mind going. I found myself pondering why I wanted so badly to listen to the songs that I chose ALONE. I realized that most of the songs have been fairly significant to me at different parts of my life. They move my soul in one way or another.

I also found that I was grateful that my five year old has already developed an affinity for classical music. I love that she loves it. I now need to work on how to get her to listen to it at appropriate times and not at the top of her radio's volume. :D

Two of My Favorite Things

I have a definite sweet tooth. One of my favorite things about the winter is that my favorite fruit shows up in stores every where. Have you tried the clementine Cuties? We love them in our home. Kayley and Jonathan would much rather eat one than have candy. Now that is good incentive to keep them around!

Last night we decided to make one of my favorite things. Apple Crisp a 'la mode!



I didn't think to take a picture of it before we dug in. Sorry about that. Here is the recipe that we used (We double it and put it in a 9x13 casserole dish). Enjoy!

Joan's Apple Crisp
(from Daily Meal Planner by Joan Day Brady)

1/3 cup sifted flour
2/3 cup instant powdered milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, cold
4 cups sliced pared tart apples
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Grease a shallow baking dish that can hold 6 cups. Mix flour, powdered mild, 3 tablespoons sugar, nutmeg, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Add butter and blend with a fork (or pastry cutter) until crumbly. Combine apples with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a baking dish. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the apples. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender.

We ate the apple crisp with natural vanilla Breyer's ice cream. It was amazing!

Gone in Only Three Days

While I was checking my email today, my son was "cleaning out" his little paper advent calendar. His sister caught him. Days 11, 14, and 18 were the only ones that were not yet opened. The chocolate from all the rest had already disappeared into his stomach. How's that for a healthy breakfast.

Oh well, next year I will make sure that the calendar's are well out of the reach of our little people.

Things I'm Thankful for This Pregnancy

This is me at about 6 1/2 months. Thanksgiving put me in the mood to really contemplate the things that I am thankful for. My pregnancy has not been perfect, but there is still a lot of things that have been good about the experience.

Here are a few of them:

1. I have been fairly healthy and according to the ultrasounds our daughter is also very healthy.

2. Our baby is very active. She especially gets excited when she hears her brother and sister playing.

3. My knee has been acting just about as well as can be expected under the circumstances. :D

4. I'm having a lot of fun planning and dreaming about what to do about the "girl's room" and Jonathan's room.

5. It is fun to watch Jonathan and Kayley get excited about our new baby. Jonathan especially seems to love "practicing" being a big brother to every baby that he sees.

6. I live very close to the hospital that I will be delivering at. My doctor's office is just 3 floors up from where I will deliver.

7. I have family nearby that are willing and able to step in to help when I'm feeling not up to the tasks of the day. It is comforting knowing that they are already excited to step in and help when little Emily arrives.

8. My dear friends who are pregnant with me. It has been comforting to be able to discuss how were are doing and to be able to relate to each other.

9. I love seeing Brad get excited about our new little daughter.

10. I love getting Emily's things ready. I'm enjoying washing her clothes and imaging what she will look like in them.