Read Christmas story

Day 9- Read Christmas story

I love this story!

Neighborhood Christmas Gathering

Day 8- Neighborhood Christmas Gathering

A couple of years ago we decided as a neighborhood to start putting the money we spend on neighbor gifts and donating it to a good cause. We have done something different each year and this year we did the Utah Food Bank. We meet at a neighbors house, well there are two neighbors in the area that seem to host it every year since their homes are the biggest in the neighborhood. Everyone brings a treat to share and we just have fun socializing. And I must say, it is nice not to have to worry about neighbor gifts.

Lights @ Temple Square

Day 7- See the lights @ Temple Square

This is probably one of my most favorite things to do at Christmas time, I remember doing just as a little girl. I do remember there being more lights when I was younger, but then the trees were a little smaller and probably easier to decorate. But with less lights, it was still magnificent! The temple is such a beautiful place and the grounds have been done with such great care, everything just looks beautiful.

Collin and Bode. Bode did such a great job, he had so much fun with the other kids and he only ran away from us a few times.

Leslie, Trisha, me. Have I ever mentioned that I have such great and don't let me forget beautiful friends?



A few of the kids...which had a absolute blast. They probably weren't as reverent as they should have been, but they had a great time.

Little Pei Pei. She did okay, she still isn't feeling 100% but she stuck it out quite well.
(Ignore the snot rash she has on the bottom of her nose, her and Bode both).

Bode and Coop

And one last shot of most of the kids.

I hope that my kids will always remember the trips that we have taken to Temple Square and the trips that we will take in the future. I hope that they remember the feeling that they have their at what a sacred and beautiful place it is.

"The Christmas Sweater"

Day 6- "The Christmas Sweater"

For The Richards adult Christmas activity, Collin's parents planned going to see Glen Beck perform "The Christmas Sweater." I must admit that I am not really into talk radio or anything political, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to. Hollly gave us the book to read up on and I actually did read the book and found it pretty good. So I was excited to see how this whole production was going to come about. Kelly, my sister-in-law turns 30 in about a week and 1/2 so we were celebrating that too. First we made our way to....

Which is very delicious and tummy bulging because you eat soooo much. But it wasn't a disappointment this time, we loved it.

We then made our way to the E-center, waited at a dead stop in traffic trying to get to the E-center, finally in fear of being late it was 7:20, the show started at 7:30, Charlie did a U-turn right over the island in the middle of the road and got us there right on time! Way to do it Charlie!
Now for those that have read "The Christmas Sweater, know that it is a pretty good story. It has a great meaning and like I said before I was excited to see how things came about in a performance of it. Basically it was Glen Beck up there telling the story in all different personalities, it was actually very different and VERY dramatic. I had a hard time determining if he was sincere at parts or if it was just acting. But like I said before, it has a great meaning and the music he had really brought the Christmas spirit, and it was just entertaining watching him play the parts.

Well when all was said and done, we had a great time. We could have just gone and sat at Collin's parents house and talked because no matter what, when all of us get together without kids...let me emphasize, WITHOUT kids, we roll some serious guts. Collin has such a great family that is always up for a good time. So, Holly and Charlie thank you for another fabulous Christmas outing, we loved it and love the time we get to spend with you. And Haws thanks for taking the kids, your awesome!

Day 5

Day 5-???

Well today the chain said to go see Santa, well we didn't make it due to sick kids. But, Cooper and Bode were able to go and sleep and Grandma Holly and Grandpa Charlie for a "Snowman Sleepover" with their cousins.

Christmas suckers

Day 4- Make Christmas Suckers

Today our Christmas activity was to make Christmas suckers. Once again this is a tradition we did for years in my family. My mom was kind enough to give me all the molds and sucker materials to make them a few years back. When I pulled them out today, I realized how old they really were and it probably is time to update them.

Cooper and Bode helping get the sucker molds ready. (Bode was trying to imitate Coop, he looks a little silly, or a little scary.)

The suckers starting to form

The finished project...don't they look delish? Well maybe not delish, a big fat chocolate cake looks delish, these look a little cute:)

Australia

Australia

Here is my movie review...the one that you should listen to, not the real critics review.

I loved it, loved it, loved it! It had a great mix of love (the most important), humor (Nicole Kidman was amazing and she constantly was making my laugh), Villains, sadness and etc, etc...

The cast was great, beautiful and fabulous. So if you are thinking of going, do it! I loved it and hopefully you will too:)

The last straw

Day 3- The Last Straw

Christmas is supposed to be a season of love, warm feelings, and happy hearts. But with the children's constant bickering, pretty packages, twinkling lights, and a sweet-smelling tree don't come close to filling the McDonald home with the true spirit of the first Christmas.
Then mother is reminded of an old tradition of building a soft bed for baby Jesus -- one straw at a time. Each time someone secretly does something nice for another family member, they get to add a single straw to the manger. Soon the children's quarreling and negative feelings subside and the homemade crib is overflowing. But for one family member, a required act of kindness becomes more than he can take.

This has been one of my favorite traditions since I can remember. I always loved The Last Straw tradition growing up. And this year it is a little more exciting because Cooper really understands it and was excited for it too. Last year I think it was me doing all of the kind and sneaky, nice things, which is what you do as a mom anyway...right? Alright, maybe most of the time.

Which one will it be??

Day 2- Watch a Christmas movie

Will it be this one...

Or this one...

I vote for Elf, since it is hilarious! I love that show and The Polar Express is good too, if you want to take a nap. Okay, not really, it does get you in the Christmas mood, but it lasts just a little too long. But why do I care what we watch, I will be gone drooling over Hugh Jackman:) Enjoy fam!

Snow?!

I can't believe I am saying this, but come on...bring on the snow already! For some reason it does not feel like Christmas without the snow. This is the one and only month of the year that I want snow, actually, if it is going to be cold it might as well snow.

Flippy the Elf

Day 1- The Elf on the Shelf

This evening we started the festivities with"The Elf on the Shelf." We were given this book last year for Christmas and loved it. The book comes with an elf and has a little story with it. Basically you have this elf and you give him a name, we named ours Flippy. Flippy has a little magic with him and works for Santa, each night he goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa if the kids in the Richards household have been good or bad. Each morning he comes back and is hiding in a new spot. The kids then have to find Flippy's hiding spot each morning, Cooper had a blast doing it last year. The only downside is, the parents have to hide Flippy each night, and things get crazy and you kind of forget (at least this happened last year). So, you have to stay on top of it, or the little game doesn't really work. And we made a rule that you can't go find Flippy until after 7:00 a.m. We don't want kids waking up at the crack of dawn to find Flippy, O'wait...they already do!

The Christmas festivities begin...

It is that time of year, December 1st, when the Richards family Christmas chain is made. We sat down tonight for FHE and figured out all the fun things we wanted to do as a family this holiday season. I can't believe Christmas time is here, this year has gone by way to fast. Hopefully these activitives will help me get in the holiday spirit, it seems to be taking it's old sweet time this year.

Thankful heart...

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Santa needs your help!

Alright, I need your help. Cooper has been asking for a "Smelly, Smelly Lab," I am assuming it is like a scientist thing where you can make things. He saw it on a commercial on TV and I can't figure out where to get it. I have googled it and all. So if you have heard of it or see it on a commercial PLEASE let me know. Thank ya much!

One word...

UNDEFEATED!!

The anticipation is over...

All the anticipation is over, it has come and gone. Did you like it? I did! I thought they did a great job and I thoroughly enjoyed myself:) Ready to go see it again... any takers?

Tag!

1. Where is your cell phone? Maybe in my bathroom...you know giving me some entertainment while I take care of some business:)
2. Where is your significant other? Giving Peiton a bath.
Your Hair Color? Blond and brown.
4. Your Mother? Unselfish
5. Your Father? Amazing
6. Your Dream Last Night? I don't remember
7. Your Dream/Goal? Have all my kids succeed in life and get Bode to talk.
8. Your Favorite Thing? Having downtime with family, dates with Collin, and running on a beautiful morning.
9. The Room your in? Office
10. Your Hobby? Your looking at it.
11. Your Fear? I don't like to think about fear, it scares me too much.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? A family of 8...yeah right!
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What your not? Hungry...I definitely haven't been hungry the last 2 weeks, I can't quit eating.
15. One of your wish-list items..? The Utes' to win.
16. Where you grew up? Sandy
17. The last thing you ate? Golden Grahams. What are you wearing?
Sweat pants and a t-shirt, nothing else fits.
19. Your TV? Dinosaur
20.Your pet? No pets!
21. Your mood? Just in the middle
22. Missing Someone? Summer
23. Your Car..? Fabulous
24. Something your not wearing? Socks
25. Favorite Store? Target
26. Your Summer? Fun and missing it already
27. Love Someone? Yep
28. Favorite Color? Yellow
29. Laughed? Today
30. Cried? Yesterday

Thanks for the tag Kenz...anyone that wants to participate I tag you!

Sweet "60"!

Happy "sweet" 60 Mom!

I love you and admire you so much! Thanks for everything! You are one "sweet" looking 60 year old!

Any similarities??

(Besides the fact that I have a way more cheesy grin) Isn't she a betty?

Bode's Celebration!

I am finally getting around to posting about Bode's birthday. Bode had a great day and we had a great time watching him open every present. If it was toys, cards, or clothes, he loved it. He got so excited to open everything. We had one party at Grandma and Grandpa Richards with the whole clan. He had a blast opening all of his many presents from everyone.

My kids don't really eat cake...I am not sure where they came from, I LOVE store bought birthday cake. So I decided to make a birthday cookie.

Bode and uncle Mat blowing out the candles.


Getting excited to open his presents.

He was so funny, after he was done opening each present, he would go and take it to someone. Cam ended up with all the money...lucky dog!

On his actual birthday he spent the whole day watching movies and just playing. He was in heaven. That night my mom came over and we went out to eat at his favorite place, The Training table, I guess it is his favorite place, he loves playing with the phones.

My mom got him a Woody doll which was a big winner, he wouldn't put the thing down. He still loves it and carries it around.

Bode and Grandma Bubba

Bode we hope you had a great day! We love you bunches!

Bode it's your day!

Wow! I can't believe my little guy is turning 4. As I sat down and started reminiscing through all the photos of Bode it brought back so many memories, memories that seem like they were just yesterday. As I looked at Bode's birth pictures, the tears couldn't help but come to my eye, there was just so many feelings that flashed through my heart. Feelings of happiness, sadness, pain and most of all feelings of thankfulness. I love this little guy so much and I know you have all heard it before, but I am so thankful for the joy he brings to our family and to me. He challenges me everyday and makes me laugh everyday, I wouldn't change it for anything.

This is Bode at the hospital after he was born. He is in his "million dollar" bed...(that is what we called it because it cost so much per day to keep him in it). It was really hard because he couldn't have any visitors, parents and grandparents were the only ones that could go and see him. Once in a while we would get a nurse that would let us open the viewing windows for our family and friends so they could take a little peak at how special and cute this little guy was.
After staying at the hospital for a couple of days, he finally made it home. He required oxygen because his oxygen level wasn't where it needed to be and he also had to have antibiotics dosed IV because he he pneumonia. I hated all those tubes on him and we hated giving the antibiotics to him, it seemed really scary. But Collin did a great job and I stood back and watched.

He grew up so fast, but he stayed so little and I loved that! He was just a baby for so long.


Yumm, yumm, yumm!

We have always had to work with him on keeping his tongue in. For those that know Bode, know that his tongue is sticking out most of the time. He actually is doing so much better. You can tell him "Bode, tongue in" and he will push it in.

I few things I love about Bode:

He has the best smile, a smile that will just melt your heart:)

He does all the actions to any Backyardigans or any movie that he has watched over and over again. It is more of a workout than a relax time when he watches movies. It is hilarious.

He won't talk back to me, or should I say he can't:)

He loves to help clean, usually I have to clean up after he helps but I love that he tries.

He challenges me.

He puts such a strong spirit in our home.

He is adventurous.

I love that he loves me and loves to spend one on one time with me.

Bode, I hope your day is full of fun (watching movies and just doing what he wants).

I love you so much and can't wait for all the many more exciting years that I get to enjoy with you.