Along the path...

Aunt Ella was in town this weekend for Chase's farewell. He leaves for Ireland on Wednesday. Here Aunt Ella sits by Renee and holds EL at Michelle and Brad's. Uncle Jim came, but caught a bug and stayed in bed. What a way to spend vacation. Sick in bed!

Sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house! AL, IC, AJ, and RD are finally asleep after many stories and good night songs. Don't they look like angels?

Tuesday - December 23rd. Andrea 's husband Mike has Norwegian ancestry and the coolest Christmas tradition! On the 23rd of December, Norwegians gather together to decorate their Christmas trees and have an open-faced sandwich making contest. Mike and Andrea's tree was already decorated, but we did have a sandwich making contest, complete with prizes. The rules: make a sandwich and you have to eat it. If you do not eat something on your sandwich you are disqualified. At first, I must admit I was stumped. What do you do with bread, cheese, sliced sandwich meat, pickles, sliced avocado, sliced cucumbers, sliced eggs, smoked salmon, sardines, condiments, etc.? How do you make them into edible art? Karyn is a fairly picky eater and was the most nervous about making something cool that she would also eat. Once we had started it was a great deal of fun. Everyone made awesome sandwiches. Mike took pictures so we could vote on which sandwich we wanted for each of three categories: Sil...

Christmas came. Fast. Presents are all wrapped and unwrapped in a jiffy. Thanks everyone! Here is part of our Christmas program. Mary, great with child. This part was not in the script. AJ came up with it on her own. Joseph leading the donkey through Bethlehem. Mary on the donkey during the journey. Shepherd and angel? Little Christmas gifts beneath the tree. (AM and EL) AL as a rock star, after Christmas! IC as Fancy Nancy. Merry Christmas to all and to all a great night!

Candy recipe links galore! Just click on the name of the CANDY and bam the recipe appears! 'Tis the season... (Thanks Aunt Sandra and Karen W.) 2 Minute Microwave Fudge 5 Minute Fudge 7 Layer Bars Aaron's Buttery Cashew Brittle Almond Bark Amanda's Peppermint Creams Ann's Cream Nut Candy Bavarian Inn Peanut Bars Beth's Delicious Fudge Brownie Fudge Dessert Buckeyes Buckeyes Butter Toffee Candied Yams Candy Bar Brownies Candy Cane Brittle Candy Cane Fudge Caramel Krispie Treats Caramels Carmel Corn Carol's Christmas Treats Chocolate Almond Bars Chocolate Balls Chocolate Billionaires Chocolate Chow Mein Candy Chocolate Covered Cherr ies Chocolate Covered Nuts Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls Chocolate Covered Pretzels Chocolate Covered Pretzels Chocolate Covered Pretzels Chocolate Nut Caramels Chocolate Popcorn Chocolate Silk Bon Bons Chocolate Truffels Christmas Candied Walnuts Christmas Crackle Candy Christmas Mice Chunky Mallow Candy Cinnamon Hard Candy Ci...

Karen W. sent me an email explaining how it works. Choose a thank you card here , and Xerox will print and send it to a soldier currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who receives it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING would it be if everyone sent at least one card?!? It is FREE and takes only seconds to select a card and message. This is a simple way for us to show the soldiers we support them and are grateful for their service.

Thanks Karen W.!

My friend Jolena posted a fun little something on her blog that I thought I would try. A: Dead sexy N: Can kick your butt D: funny and sweet R: good bf/gf E: Freakin Beautiful eyes A: Dead sexy What's in your name? A: Dead sexy B: Loves people C: Really easy to fall in love with D: funny and sweet E: Freakin Beautiful eyes F: People wild and crazy adore you G: Never let people tell you what to do H: best smile I: Loves to laugh J: makes people laugh K: Really silly L: easy to fall in love with M: makes dating fun N: Can kick your butt O: Has one of the best personalities ever P: Popular with all types of people Q: A hypocrite R: good bf/gf S: Lives life for fun T: loved by everybody U: gets blamed for everything V: Not judgmental W: Very broad minded X: Never let people tell you what to do Y: (I'm not sure what happened to Y. Maybe it means you are a mystery?) Z: Lives life for _____ (The end of Z's phrase disappeared too!)

Michael - Hope you have the best birthday ever. What a present... surgery? Hope all goes well and that you are breathing through your nose again in no time flat! Happy Birthday to a very patient Brother-in-Law! Did I mention I might be in the neighborhood again this weekend...? lol :) (Don't worry - I'll find a great picture later)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I love the idea of t r a v e l i n g to far and different spots of the globe. Even places like Montana or Maine - because I've never been there before. There is a draw of mystery in the adventure and the great unknown . Smarter Travel emailed some last minute travel deals to me this afternoon. Anyone up for Seattle ($138) or Guadalajara, Mexico ($450)? You can search for deals by your departure city or sign up for their email and watch for whatever the wind blows. Fodors sent an email with top travel tips for families including ideas for Staying in the States, Big Cities, Camping, and Visiting Relatives. The tips offer to make a vacation more than a "staycation". Sigh. Anyone have relatives in Paris ?

YEAH! AJ turned three today! She went swimming and to the Bean Museum and had lots of fun! Thanks for the sleepover invite. Rain check?

Happy, happy Birthday nAtHaN , dear. Happy days will come to you all year . If I had one wish THEN it would BE, a hAppY , HaPpY birthday to you from me! Hope it's a great one!

I found this darling banner at emmie cakes . Usually I prefer making things myself if that's an option. Sometimes they turn our way, and others... well, we'll just say they turn out. Pre-made banners are $5 per circle/shape/square and $2.50 if you do the work yourself. I love the idea of a kit for a first time attempt. For St Patty's Day and another holiday, I could springboard to create my own. Now, I've just gotta block out some time.

Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold. How much have you done? 1. Started your own blog (Up to three now...) 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band (Wii Rock Band counts, right?) 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower (Last time was Daphne's birthday) 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland (Twice! and Disneyworld Once!) 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a Praying Mantis 10. Sang a solo (only in the shower, baby!) 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (my Band*its are an art, right?) 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning (GROAN!) 17. Been to the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre 20. Slept on an train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon (No, but I went to St George to cheer for...

Reading this blog entry made me laugh, until I thought about it further. How often does what I am reading, or would like to read, categorize me to an outside viewer? How often does what someone else is reading (or not reading) categorize them for me? Am I reading-prejudiced? Are they the window to the soul?

Here is a blog I found with ideas of what to read, when I'm stumped and can't seem to find a good book, any recommendations, etc.

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Jungle Jim's Playland in Midvale to celebrate RD and AJ's third birthdays. RD turned three last week and AJ will turn three this week. I think that the kids (and adults) had a lot of fun. E. wouldn't ride the Jeep Safari without her mom. Go, Janette! Erika braved the way-fast elephant ride with Zack. More of the elephant ride. The spaceship ride was a hit! The kids could pull down on a lever to make their ship go up and push up to go down. Mini-tilt-a-whirl anticipation Giant swings RD's dirt cake. Isn't Bekah clever? AJ's Barbie cake. Renee--what a Suh-weet cake! Nathan, Dad, RD, and AL. Mom and EL Party on!

Choose your own adventure: Walking , Cycling , Kayaking and Activity , Winter Walking and Cycling Tours , Guided Walking Tours , Winter Cross Country Skiing , and Most Requested . The new 2009 Headwater’s Europe Walking and Cycling Holidays brochure is available . Doesn't this sound fun? How it all Works

Lisa sent me a video (that kept giving me errors when I tried to post it). It's a good reminder. Follow this link to see it. (Courtesy of BYU's Fine Arts and Communications Program) May you and yours have joy this Christmas and hereafter!

RD! Happy birthday to a sweet boy! Let's make soup again together really soon. (But, can we leave out the ice cream cone next time?) Love you!

I love this bouquet. Thanks for sharing, Sarah !

Don't you just love visitors? I found this new blog today from following a visitor's post. It has adorable stamping and card ideas. Yesterday I received a darling homemade Christmas card in the mail from Wendy . Thank you! (If you haven't checked out her blog and paper creations, you are missing out!) People Got Talent! Now I just need more time to copy....

Read original article from Bankrate.com While many of us look at reducing holiday budgets or purchasing gifts that are more practical and affordable than those of previous years, Jennifer Melnick Carota, author of The Gift Therapist blog and the book "Shop Smart Give More" thinks that the current economic situation will not adversely affect the giving season. Carota states, "People will become more creative and frugal with their giving dollars." In that spirit, here are 12 ways to use your ingenuity and know-how to boot the bad-economy Grinch out of your holidays and spread some serious holiday cheer. 1. Movies 2. Energy 3. Coffee 4. Food 5. Spa 6. Financial peace of mind 7. A 'new' car 8. Wealth builders 9. Home staging 10. Organize 11. Health 12. A 'new' wardrobe May I also add inexpensive homemade footware ?

Ever loathe the weekly (or daily) grocery trips? Ever get to the grocery store and wonder what happened to your list? Wish you could automatically generate one rather than having to plan one out? Want a monthly calendar to help you plan meals? Need new meal ideas to add to your staples? Nicole blogged about this website and its dinner planning hints and tips. You can create your own online recipe database and share recipes. I think this sounds like a fabulous (and free ) idea! Watch the interview with KSL's Studio 5 or visit the website SimplifySupper.com . Sign me up, Scotty!

Mom and I went to see Twilight this afternoon. I'm still a little queasy from all the quick camera movements and sitting so near the screen. Overall, I liked the flick. I don't know if it would have made as good of an impression if I didn't already know the storyline. Half of my enjoyment came from the expectation of what was coming next. Part came from the "crowd" participation. It was almost like being a part of a melodrama with the cheers and boos and screams from the audience. I'm not totally sold on Edward or Bella. I pictured both characters very differently from the movie depiction. That said, I'm already planning to see it again. Not so close this time, please. Any takers?

I've been fighting it. Thanksgiving hasn't come yet! But, seeing this wreath puts me in the mood for Christmas. Thanks, Grandin Road !

Debbie S. shared this clip with me. Thought it was HILARIOUS and had to share.

12 Tips for Giving on a Tight Budget Find frugal -- but not cheap -- gifts ( read the full article ) 1. Keep an eye on sales 2. Surf for savings 3. Get to know store policies 4. Give a theme gift 5. Buy in bulk 6. Make the thought count 7. Get the family to go frugal 8. Handle 'hot toys' with care 9. Save on your spouse 10. Shop late 11. Give of yourself 12. Think ahead

Another find, courtesy of Andrea ! Her pen saved the day on our Park City adventure . My pen now saves me time and again. I was a skeptic, but am now a believer. I love that pen!

Andrea shared her pack of gum last night. Pomegranate. Delightful! Thanks, Andrea! (Disclaimer: I don't remember the pack looking like this or being a mixed flavor, but it was the only pomegranate Trident image I could find.)

Has anyone out there heard about Quantum Touch? A friend mentioned it and I wondered if anyone else had heard of it...

Homemade Play Dough Ingredients: 3 c. flour 3 c. boiling water 1 1/2 c. salt 6 tsp cream of tartar 3 TBSP oil food coloring Directions: 1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil. 2. Add boiling water and mix well. You can knead dough on floured surface until no longer sticky (do not add too much flour or dough will dry out). 3. store in air tight container or ziploc bags.

I decided to take the quiz that Angie and her friend Michelle took. I suppose I was in a quizzical mood. And the winner is... Olympia, Washington The Evergreen CapitalSet on a magnificent peninsula in the South Puget Sound, this spot was originally called "black bear place" before being renamed after nearby mountains… Population: 222,000 Average Home Price: $225,000 Precipitation: 51" Snow: 10" 2nd Place was... Tacoma, Washington Port City of the CascadesThis city's name comes from the Native American name for Mt. Rainier, "Tacobet," meaning Mother of the Waters... Population: 193,600 Average Home Price: $207,000 Precipitation: 39" Snow: 16" 5th Place was... Provo-Orem, Utah Living and Learning at their BestThese twin cities in central Utah are home to some of the world's top collections of dinosaur bones… Population: 189,500 Average Home Price: $205,000 Precipitation: 12" Snow: 30" Find your spot here .

(Warning: this post is not for the faint of heart or easily embarrassed.... It may also be a post with a limited time engagement.) Crystal sent me an email about a nifty homemade Christmas slipper craft idea for those on a tight gift budget. It made me laugh and I wanted to share. These bedroom slippers are soft and hygienic, equipped with potentially non-slip grip strips on the soles, fresh (optional built in deodorant feature), convenient (no more bending over to mop up spills), completely disposable, biodegradable, and environmentally safe. They come in three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags. Materials (per pair): Four maxi pads Decorations (optional) Instructions: Lay two maxi pads out flat (for the foot part). Wrap a second one around each flat pad to form the toe area/top. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom foot part. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers, buttons, ribbons, etc.