For the past two years I've sent an email holiday greeting to family and friends. It's cheap and fast but not very personable or fun to get. I know myself, I love getting actual mail, with handwritten letters, photos, and braggings of all my loved one's accomplishments from the past year. Plus, I'm stocking up on all the Christmas cards we do get so I can make some handmade ornaments like my Grandma made when I was a kid. So after reading my friend Brooke's post on her blog about this whole thing, I committed to doing an actual card this year. Thus began my hunt for the best deal on holiday greeting cards.
Well, yesterday I found out from a friend's blog that Shutterfly is doing a free holiday card giveaway for bloggers who post about it. This is awesome and a little frustrating at the same time. The problem? I already made holiday cards the day BEFORE I saw this (from Shutterfly too no less) because I saw a deal I thought might not be beat and was almost up. But I didn't order as many as I would have liked to so this is my chance to get some more.
You lucky people!
That means you just might get an actual greeting from us this year instead of an email wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Here's the card I ended up picking... although I must say it was super hard with all the cute Christmas photo cards and holiday card designs you can choose from. Heck, if I was up to it, I'd plan a holiday party and send out invites using their designs too. Seriously, Shutterfly makes this whole thing a cinch to do. Super easy to upload your pictures, super easy to dump them into any of their projects, and super cute end result! Did I mention I also got a free photo book from Shutterfly recently? It was the easiest book I've made yet, with their new autofill pages.
Now if only Shutterfly could send me all of your addresses!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Turkey Day
I didn't think we were going to make it to Thanksgiving this year with Cole puking two days before the blessed feasting. But we made it. It was a good thing too because Thanksgiving is Jeff's favorite holiday. No Christmas goes up until after we stuff ourselves silly... even Pearl got the idea and told a few people that it wasn't Christmas yet.
It wasn't a big hoopla this year. Just my parents and Kimmy and Nick in the freezing North known as Cache Valley. Seriously, it was -9 at 8 am and that was AFTER it had warmed up! Grandpa Jewkes was able to come over for a little bit before his asthma kicked up and he had to go home before he couldn't breathe. It was nice to see him.
Since my mom told my dad this was all the food he was getting until Christmas (or something like that) I decided to post a few food photos for him. Just in case he gets hungry. Jeff made cranberry sauce and brought some of his homemade grape juice. Kimmy and Nick supplied the delicious homemade rolls. And my mom did the rest... right down to the cheesecake. Yes, cheesecake. We took a vote and decided to skip the pie and have cheesecake instead. Although I think my mom did have some pumpkin pie and today I'm regretting not trying some or at least taking a piece home with me. It's the one time of the year I indulge myself with this special treat.
I don't get why we always have celery with cheese on them.. no one seems to eat them. Tradition I guess.
And my mom made sure to have plenty of her jello salad. Too bad it's just my brother Jesse who loves this stuff. Guess I know what got sent home to their house instead of all the other fixins. 
Somebody feed this kid! Sheesh! He is obviously wasting away and desperate for anything remotely edible. 
Assume the "I ate way too much" position. I think you might see drool if you look really carefully! Or is that just some gravy dripping down Jeff's chin? I didn't hit this same look until after the cheesecake.
Lately I've felt some inner urge to entertain my family with a holiday-themed craft project of some kind. Maybe it's my way of trying to keep us from snacking all day long or to keep Pearl and Ruby entertained because first it was candy corn wreaths for Halloween and now it's Oreo Turkeys and Cookie Pilgrim Hats. This is what they were supposed to look like. And here's our final turkeys. 
My Dad even joined in on the fun. I was kind of surprised... this stuff is usually left to the women. But it did involve food so maybe that cancels out the estrogen. He really showed us up too. Apparently engineers have to perfect even crafting. Check out that look of concentration. And the end result was no less than perfect... but none of us were surprised or expected anything less. And you wonder why I had (emphasis on HAD... that was pre-kids before I lost my mind) serious issues with perfectionism.
I have to admit, my very first turkey wasn't so bad. And he was the only one whose eyes or that goobley, wobbley, red glibbler thingy didn't run down to its feet. 
Pearl had a blast with the frosting tubes. I didn't have the heart to tell her that turkeys looked like giant boobs though. 
Finally, my Turkey Day 2010 post wouldn't be complete without a run down of a list of things we are grateful for from our Blessing Tree. There's plenty more, but when you're trying to keep a three-year-old's attention AND explain what it means to be grateful, this is what you come up with (in no particular order): Pearl, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Cole, our senses, snow, computers, blankets to keep us warm, Santa, David and Vickie, Aggie basketball, warm slippers, movies, house, sleepovers at Aunt Kimmy's house, tea parties, church, turkey dinners, shoes, Cinderella, toys, pink lemonade, football, reading books, to be healthy and strong, KC, good jobs, Jesus, and Daddy.
It wasn't a big hoopla this year. Just my parents and Kimmy and Nick in the freezing North known as Cache Valley. Seriously, it was -9 at 8 am and that was AFTER it had warmed up! Grandpa Jewkes was able to come over for a little bit before his asthma kicked up and he had to go home before he couldn't breathe. It was nice to see him.
Since my mom told my dad this was all the food he was getting until Christmas (or something like that) I decided to post a few food photos for him. Just in case he gets hungry. Jeff made cranberry sauce and brought some of his homemade grape juice. Kimmy and Nick supplied the delicious homemade rolls. And my mom did the rest... right down to the cheesecake. Yes, cheesecake. We took a vote and decided to skip the pie and have cheesecake instead. Although I think my mom did have some pumpkin pie and today I'm regretting not trying some or at least taking a piece home with me. It's the one time of the year I indulge myself with this special treat.
I don't get why we always have celery with cheese on them.. no one seems to eat them. Tradition I guess.
And my mom made sure to have plenty of her jello salad. Too bad it's just my brother Jesse who loves this stuff. Guess I know what got sent home to their house instead of all the other fixins. 
Somebody feed this kid! Sheesh! He is obviously wasting away and desperate for anything remotely edible. 
Assume the "I ate way too much" position. I think you might see drool if you look really carefully! Or is that just some gravy dripping down Jeff's chin? I didn't hit this same look until after the cheesecake.
Lately I've felt some inner urge to entertain my family with a holiday-themed craft project of some kind. Maybe it's my way of trying to keep us from snacking all day long or to keep Pearl and Ruby entertained because first it was candy corn wreaths for Halloween and now it's Oreo Turkeys and Cookie Pilgrim Hats. This is what they were supposed to look like. And here's our final turkeys. 
My Dad even joined in on the fun. I was kind of surprised... this stuff is usually left to the women. But it did involve food so maybe that cancels out the estrogen. He really showed us up too. Apparently engineers have to perfect even crafting. Check out that look of concentration. And the end result was no less than perfect... but none of us were surprised or expected anything less. And you wonder why I had (emphasis on HAD... that was pre-kids before I lost my mind) serious issues with perfectionism.
I have to admit, my very first turkey wasn't so bad. And he was the only one whose eyes or that goobley, wobbley, red glibbler thingy didn't run down to its feet. 
Pearl had a blast with the frosting tubes. I didn't have the heart to tell her that turkeys looked like giant boobs though. 
Finally, my Turkey Day 2010 post wouldn't be complete without a run down of a list of things we are grateful for from our Blessing Tree. There's plenty more, but when you're trying to keep a three-year-old's attention AND explain what it means to be grateful, this is what you come up with (in no particular order): Pearl, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Cole, our senses, snow, computers, blankets to keep us warm, Santa, David and Vickie, Aggie basketball, warm slippers, movies, house, sleepovers at Aunt Kimmy's house, tea parties, church, turkey dinners, shoes, Cinderella, toys, pink lemonade, football, reading books, to be healthy and strong, KC, good jobs, Jesus, and Daddy.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Boys
I'm beginning to realize there might be some big differences between boys and girls.
Pearl would NEVER have gone for this. The real scary thing though (besides me freaking out every time I catch my boys playing this new game) is that Cole actually enjoys it.
Pearl would NEVER have gone for this. The real scary thing though (besides me freaking out every time I catch my boys playing this new game) is that Cole actually enjoys it.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wish List
I know this is totally worldly but I'm hoping it will avoid the emails and phone calls from my mom, mother-in-law, and Santa Claus. The first ever posting of our Christmas Wish List, as best I can remember and think of anyway. We ran to the store tonight and had Pearl take some pictures of what she wanted for Christmas so we could send the pictures to Santa Claus. Ok, so I was really just trying to get her distracted so we could finally leave... Cole was hungry and in no mood for window shopping. It didn't last long but here were the few pictures I found on the camera.
Last year Pearl stopped opening presents because she was so disappointed that she didn't get any toys that this year, Santa better step it up big time and get her something off her list! Hint to the grandmas... Santa will be bringing her some Toy Story figures so ex-na on that idea. Here's some other things she has said she wants:
*Pink cowgirl boots (size 8)
*4 wheeler or a jeep... she can't decide
*Dress up stuff (princesses, doctor, etc)
*Strawberry "cake short" dolls
*Toy Story figures
*Barbies (ughhh... please no!)
*Grocery store, cash register, and shopping cart
*Melissa & Doug cupcakes, ice cream, birthday party cake, or pizza play food
*Art stuff
*Movies (Toy Story 2... Santa is bringing Toy Story 3.... Mulan, Pocahontas, Despicable Me, etc)
*Baby doll stuff
*Games (I thought she might like Cooties, Ants in the Pants, Go Fish)
*Books
As for Cole, he was more interested in eating the ads than looking around for toys. Here's his wish list:
*Warm, fleece footed jammies (size 9 months)
*Onesies... short and long sleeved (we LOVE Carter's brand... size 9 months)
*Toys of any kind
*Bath toys
*Books
Me:
*This candle pillar holder (well a set of two) from Pottery Barn
*Frames so I can finally hang up my family photos!
*Gift certificate to get some new clothes... casual, work, shoes... I seriously need some help in the wardrobe department
*Massage
*Maid service... I am SERIOUS!
*My formally hot life book by Stephanie Dolgoff
*Food processor
*New throw pillows for the couches
I really have no clue what Jeff wants! But here are some ideas:
*USU football helmet... yes, an actual helmet
*New dress/work shirts so he's sytlin' as Pearl says (neck size 16 inches... NOT thick shirts though!)
*Shoes... or more realistically a gift certificate to the Nike store
*Some sort of manly power tool
*Shed next to the garage
*4 wheeler
*Hardwood floors... ok so I think I'm hitting the unrealistic stuff now!
Worldy, huh? Here's hoping we're on the "good list" and this post makes it to the North Pole!
Last year Pearl stopped opening presents because she was so disappointed that she didn't get any toys that this year, Santa better step it up big time and get her something off her list! Hint to the grandmas... Santa will be bringing her some Toy Story figures so ex-na on that idea. Here's some other things she has said she wants:*Pink cowgirl boots (size 8)
*4 wheeler or a jeep... she can't decide
*Dress up stuff (princesses, doctor, etc)
*Strawberry "cake short" dolls
*Toy Story figures
*Barbies (ughhh... please no!)
*Grocery store, cash register, and shopping cart
*Melissa & Doug cupcakes, ice cream, birthday party cake, or pizza play food
*Art stuff
*Movies (Toy Story 2... Santa is bringing Toy Story 3.... Mulan, Pocahontas, Despicable Me, etc)
*Baby doll stuff
*Games (I thought she might like Cooties, Ants in the Pants, Go Fish)
*Books
As for Cole, he was more interested in eating the ads than looking around for toys. Here's his wish list:
*Warm, fleece footed jammies (size 9 months)*Onesies... short and long sleeved (we LOVE Carter's brand... size 9 months)
*Toys of any kind
*Bath toys
*Books
Me:
*This candle pillar holder (well a set of two) from Pottery Barn
*Frames so I can finally hang up my family photos!
*Gift certificate to get some new clothes... casual, work, shoes... I seriously need some help in the wardrobe department
*Massage
*Maid service... I am SERIOUS!
*My formally hot life book by Stephanie Dolgoff
*Food processor
*New throw pillows for the couches
I really have no clue what Jeff wants! But here are some ideas:
*USU football helmet... yes, an actual helmet
*New dress/work shirts so he's sytlin' as Pearl says (neck size 16 inches... NOT thick shirts though!)
*Shoes... or more realistically a gift certificate to the Nike store
*Some sort of manly power tool
*Shed next to the garage
*4 wheeler
*Hardwood floors... ok so I think I'm hitting the unrealistic stuff now!
Worldy, huh? Here's hoping we're on the "good list" and this post makes it to the North Pole!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Compliment?
I'm not sure if it was a compliment or not when Pearl told me today, "Mom, I like your shirt. You look like a pirate." Maybe I should rethink my buying decisions when I find something on 75% clearance.
And speaking of fashion, we had a near fashion disaster today... at least in Pearl's eyes. When I picked her up from school she was wailing about her dress. She told me Ty had spit on her dress and got it all wet. Even after I explained that it would dry, we could change her clothes when we got home, and I'd even blow dry it with the hair dryer, she told me, "No, Mom! It's ruined FOREVER!!!"
Oh the drama.
And speaking of fashion, we had a near fashion disaster today... at least in Pearl's eyes. When I picked her up from school she was wailing about her dress. She told me Ty had spit on her dress and got it all wet. Even after I explained that it would dry, we could change her clothes when we got home, and I'd even blow dry it with the hair dryer, she told me, "No, Mom! It's ruined FOREVER!!!"
Oh the drama.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)