Fun Movie Night

We watched a fun movie that other night as a family. Chris gave me "If a Man Answers". It is an oldie movie with Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin. It was a darling movie. The jist of the movie is this: Rich socialite, Sandra Dee meets and marries photographer Bobby Darin and attempts to "train" him to be the perfect husband using a dog training book.

Some things I noticed...

1) Sandra Dee's outfits were to die for! I loved each and every one of her them and there were a lot of outfits. I think living in the 50's would have been fabulous, if not for the fashion alone!

2) All the men watching the movie agreed with the "dog training lessons" discussed and used in the movie. So, ladies... treating your husbands like a pet might have some validity.

3) I don't watch many old movies, but I have to say Sandra Dee is adorable. I can see why she was the american sweetheart of her time.

So, if you are looking for a movie to watch that is a oldie but goodie.... check out If a Man Answers!

Our Christmas Begins...

The girls and I are off to Colorado for the holidays. For me, today is like Christmas day... I have been waiting so long to go home. It will be great to have the whole family together and to celebrate in our own home after 3 years of celebrating Christmas other places.

We are hoping to have a white Christmas (We know we will have the coldness for it). Hannah is at the age where Christmas is getting more and more exciting. And tons of little kids everywhere, what more could you want.

So, in case I don't blog before Christmas, I hope all of you have a great Christmas day! As my daughter is yelling around the house right now "It is Christmas day!" I am off to open pretend gifts under the tree.

Merriest Place Report

Our trip to Disneyland was full of holiday cheer with about half of the U.S. continent. First off, it was a lot more crowded than we thought it was going to be. Friday was just a disaster. It was so busy that gave people the choice to go behind the buildings of main street instead of dealing with the craziness of main street... very undisney-like if you ask me.

But besides that, again we had several "magic moments". Here is a recap:

1) We had lunch with the princesses. We were able to chat with Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. It was pleasant and pretty good food, but we came to the conclusion that we enjoyed Breakfast with Minnie much more.

2) We were in Adventureland just hanging out, trying to figure out our plan of attack for the next few hours when Hannah starts yelling "Jasmine! Jasmine!" and running away from us. I had no idea was she was doing or yelling out, but lo and behold there was Jasmine walking through the VERY busy streets of Adventureland all by herself.

Now for of those who know, when the characters are out walking, it is usually with a mission so as to not be stopped constantly by "fans". But she stopped for Hannah to give her a hug (she didn't have much choice Hannah was yelling at her and basically attacked her with a hug). But then Jasmine told Hannah she could walk with her. So, hand and hand, Hannah and Jasmine walked together down the crowded streets of Disneyland. Everyone was watching this "magic moment" and Hannah was oblivious as she talked Jasmine's ear off and then when we had to part ways, she kissed Hannah and gave her another big hug.

3) We were chatting with a "cast member" about her pins and after about 20 mins, we told her we had to be off to go stand in the 50 min line for the Haunted Mansion. She said it is really that long? YEP! She looked at her schedule and said "here, follow me". So, we followed her to the front of the line and walked right up to the entrance and right into the ride. It was amazing. We didn't have to wait a minute. Now that is what I call a "magic moment"!

4) Hannah had the best time with Goofy. He was so much fun. He looked at her postcard and was so excited to see himself and Hannah together he started jumping up and down. So, that got Hannah jumping up and down. Then he asked Hannah her name. She told him and he started to act like he was a rock star singing.... Uncle Brian said "yep, just like Hannah Montana" and Goofy went nuts again! So, Hannah started laughing and jumping up and down more. They danced together and he gave her tons of hugs and kisses. It was really so much fun... goofy is the best!

Keep it Simple

I had to put together some gifts for my young women and being in the mental state I am in (not having the desire to do much)... I came up with these simple bags. I share them only because if you need a quick packaging idea... this is simple and easy and I thought they turned out cute.

I got the bags at Target in the gift wrapping section. Clothes pins and the tags I got here.

I filled them up with candy and lip gloss/chapstick from the Dollar Spot at Target. They are fun flavors like Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Nerds, etc. So, they smell and taste great. I thought they would be fun and old school, so who wouldn't like them.

There you go... Christmas gifts made super easy!

I could Win, You could WIN.

Hi everyone.

I was just told that I am a finalist in winning a giveaway. Basically it is because of my blog. But in order to win, I have to have people go to The Crafty Homemaker.
and vote for my blog by leaving a comment saying you like my blog!.

But the good news is that every comment you leave you get 1 entry into a giveaway for a basket from her too.

*THE PRIZE is a basket that she makes full of cooking, crafting, and crafted items.

So, if you are up for it and don't mind taking a little time, I would really appreciate your vote. Thanks... this message approved and paid for by me!

Time to Confess

Many of you know this by now and a number of you have probably guessed it by now, but for the others of you that don't know, I feel I have to confess why my blog has been so neglected the past few months.

I am pregnant! We are excited and thrilled to add on to our little family. But as you can guess, my first trimester is full of morning sickness, exhaustion and a lack of desire to do anything. I am starting to feel better and little by little getting my productivity back.

But because of the timing, this year's holiday's will be lacking in a few things. I want all my family and friends to know that I didn't forget you, but that I am not sending out Christmas cards this year and making little gifts for friends and neighbors. I promise to be better next year.

And as for the blog, after the new year...I promise to be better and have more to share! But until then; expect only "blotchy" entries.

Oh, and here is the Christmas card I was going to send out... Merry Christmas!

Ready for some Holiday Cheer...

Disney-style. We are off tonight to visit the merriest place on earth. We renewed our annual passes and had to his Disneyland at least once this holiday season. For those that don't know, it is like a completely different park during the holidays.

We can't wait to see It's a Small World (it is finally open again), to Toy Story Mania again, eat lunch with the princesses and of course pin trading :-)

Hope you all have a great weekend.

So cute

Okay, kids are so cute. Hannah loves to pray. and at night when she says her personal prayers it goes a little something like this.

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please protect me from the pretend monsters and pretend swipers and from my imaginations." This has been her prayer for weeks. I told her there are no such things as monsters and she says "no mommy, they are pretend."

At least she can find comfort in praying monsters and swipers away :-)

Catch-up Time

A lot has happened in the past few weeks, so here is an entry to catch up on the doings and goings of our little family.

1) I had a birthday and the girls made me a cake to celebrate. I love this picture. Not because of me (with no make-up on by the way), but my girls and I (not many pictures of just us, since I am usually behind the lens). It captures pure happiness from all of us.

2) The Sunday after my birthday, Hannah decided to fall off her stool and cut open her head. I was hugging her and rubbing her head and thought to myself "man, she is sweaty" and then I looked at my hand and it wasn't sweat. Thank heavens I knew that the head bleeds a lot, because there was a whole lotta of blood. So, off to the urgent care and an hour later she came home with a staple in her head. And a little trauma to Hannah.

3) We went to Salt Lake City for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was great to be with family. Some highlights of the trip:

* picking out a tree and decorating it with nana and papa and the family. Hannah loved seeing the ornaments with her dad on them as a child.

* Hannah picking leaves anytime we went outside and then bringing them in the house and decorating the christmas tree with them.

* For Thanksgiving dinner my kids eating only the rolls.

* decorating gingerbread houses as a family. Hannah had a blast and Ella loved eating the chimney (hence no chimney on our house).

* Celebrating an aunt and uncles birthday and best part of all playing with the cousins!

BFF Photo Shoot

I had the great pleasure of photographing one of Hannah's best friends. It was for her 5 year old birthday and what a little princess. She was sooo cute dressed in pink and was great to work with. Oh, what fun! thanks for letting me take your picture Ren!