The Simple Life

christmas day...

it was nice for us to stay in "the apartment" so we didn't have any early risers for christmas morning! i made them all shower and get dressed, and kept the suspense up until we walked over to my mom's! the boys got lots of hot wheels cars, jeremy was so excited and content on the first one he opened, he yelled out "team HOT WHEELS!" the boys got legos, and the girls got what they asked for: art journals, crayons (the big box with lots of crayons and a sharpener!) and gulianna really wanted a pack of magnets for her crafts ♥ santa brought gulianna an "owl beanie boo" isabella an "ariel doll" anthony planes movie "airplane, bronco" and jeremy a firetruck! star wars everything from grandma, puzzles, and new clothes too. and i can't forget to add all of their snow clothes and new snow boots, that was a small fortune in itself! they were in an out all day sledding, not minding the cold, but jeremy came in screaming and crying a few times for losing his gloves, and his hands were frozen! and the best present, we went tubing at targhee! i'll have to post those separately.

christmas eve...

we had lunch with cherry in driggs, (i forgot to take pictures!)and then hung out until my mom got off work... the kids took over for a bit! i did some errands, picked up last minute gifts at corner drug, which ended up being what i wanted, thanks sally for carrying unique gifts! then we quickly changed into church clothes at rhonda's house, and visited with cherry until we went to christmas eve mass. the highlight: jeremy yelling " but my poop is coming out now!" if only the cry room wasn't full, ha ha! then both anthony and jeremy fell asleep for the rest of the time. 

isabella forgot to grab her church coat...but still a cute picture.

then we came home and had tamales and attempted to build a gingerbread house! #traditions 

gingerbread houses in the making.

but then they didn't go so well, so anthony just started eating it! 

but he was determined to make his own, since he already made one at school!

it turned out perfect!

an idaho christmas...

where to begin! we left wednesday the 28th, and tried to hit the road before it started snowing. we had good dry roads the whole way, except between our stretch, and then again on malad pass. we made it to idaho falls by 4:30. of course we had a few stops in lehi, had to pick up some of heidi's words! the kids got to open up their gifts from grandma cherrie, between those and coloring books kept them occupied. they really are good travelers, no tv or electronics. just some good music and looking out the window! 

we came home super late, levi had just picked up his paycheck on our way out, so we did our shopping in idaho falls! we met my parents too, my mom had planned on us driving through to see the christmas lights, however the line was so ridiculously long, we skipped it all together. my kids will be waking up to uncle anthony's marine dressed mannequin, sweet dreams! 

last minute getaway...

after being home for thanksgiving...we felt like we needed to get out! thought about st george but then realized it was unrealistic, so we went to salt lake instead! i got orders out, came home from the post office and packed within 40 minutes and we were out! checked into our hotel, went to costco and filled up with gas under $2 a gallon, YES! jeremy and amy met us at the front runner station and we were off to salt lake. it only took a year for us to finally ride. everytime we go up, i forget that they don't run on sunday's. we checked out the new church history museum, went to city creek, with hopes of leaving our kids to shop for a minute ;) ya right! and best of all the lights. it was freezing! but yay for TRADITIONS! i love when cousins can get together, we need them back here! we made it back on the train with all 12 kids and big strollers, be proud, no one was left behind. we tried, ha ha! a few lost gloves and scarves along the way, but got lucky and found them all. a quick stop at hobby lobby, for levi, i stayed in the parking lot, i had 10 min in ross and got lucky and found a coat. we had a late dinner at red robin and went back home. short, but definetly packed in a lot of fun and chaos. they don't call it hustle and bustle for nothing!

 

 

boutique prep+ set up...

pricing and inventory is not my favorite thing to do! i also ran out of labels on my price gun. but when set up is done, the final product is worth it all! 

these two are pretty good helpers. after i took a photo of both of them, isabella says "ok now just a picture of me!" 

another show down. now i can just focus on online sales and the holiday season, thanksgiving is coming up!

Christmas pajamas...

merry christmas eve! we watched the good ol' classic christmas cartoons that i used to watch, (levi too) and then i paused the show for a surprise! the opening of the christmas jammies...jeremy was already asleep but we woke him up, he wasn't too happy at first, but then grandma also had a little toy train wrapped inside so he woke right up! anthony said "this is why i LOVE grandma, she buys me a new train!" it was so funny to hear him say that :)

merry christmas eve!

the boys are finally asleep, now if the girls would stop talking, they are sleeping under the tree tonight.

christmas eve...

preparing for the big day tomorrow! woke up and made one more batch of oatmeal cookie bars for a few more friends that levi said i "had to deliver too!" he working when i made the list. and plus i forgot to set some aside for santa!!

anthony spent most of the day laying under the tree, dreaming of what he might get for presents. here he was looking at a store catalog. 

getting ready to open up some christmas jammies!

i had just put the presents that i bought for the kids under the tree, and jeremy ran for them...this is why i usually wait til early in the morning! AND one minute he's fully dressed and the next minute just his diaper!

special wrapping for my little family, love the colors and this paper! have i mentioned i'm addicted to paper? that of course includes wrapping paper! i added this one to my "collection" this year ♥

3 more merry days...

schools out early, 3 batches of oatmeal cookie bars later (and some banana bread) we are ready to deliver to our wonderful neighbors! wouldn't be complete without a few fights here and there amongst the kids on who's running out, tis the season right!?

temple square trip #ShareTheGift

we took our young women to temple square today! we tried to plan this trip last year, but we couldn't fit it in, so this year was it! we drove up to provo and took the front runner to salt lake, loved it, and reminded me of my past travels in chicago, and london and paris, oh how i want to go back to london sooo bad! ours was super clean and new, and hello wi-fi ♥

i enjoyed walking around the temple grounds and exploring the visitors center with my class and presidency, grateful for their examples to follow Christ. and if you've never been to temple square to see the Christmas lights you MUST go!! 

please remember in this busy holiday season WHY we even CELEBRATE...Jesus Christ IS the GIFT! 

 

#sharethegift #HeIStheGift

visiting santa 2014...

gulianna came prepared with a list ♥ she politely asked for a pink teddy bear, a pink yoga mat and didn't make eye contact with him not once!

isabella... right when i was trying to get everyones hats and gloves and coats on isabella walks up to me all serious and says "mom, i've been bad ALL year, right?" uh huh, sure isa! i told he r there is still time to change and be better. when we got there, she still didn't want to go see santa, she was one of the last ones. i asked her why and she just said, "because i don't want to!" i made her get in line, and right before her turn she says "but mom, that is not even the real santa, that's just a fake santa because i can see the lines from his fake beard!" miss know it all! i wouldn't expect anything different from her :)

anthony was just excited to have a candy cane...

and asked him for a sail boat.

jeremy was smart enough to just go in front of everyone and get a candy cane, i think he ate 10 of them!

we ended the night singing christmas carols with a tractor "sleigh ride" around the town. it had been super windy all day long, and we were blessed that the wind had died down during our ride.

ward christmas party 2014

we had our ward christmas party this evening, and the kids were in the nativity play. gulianna was a shepherd, isabella was one of the wise men and anthony was a camel!

jeremy was a handful while they were on stage, and then at the end of the play, anthony thought it would be funny to steal isabella's crown and then when she got it back she couldn't get it to stay on her head, and when she noticed she got a few laughs from the crowd she started to purposely drop her crown and act like it was flying off of her to get more attention! 

our newest family photos...

i am going to be better! i always regret not taking family photos. i always said i would yet it never happens. so here is are most recent family photo taken on christmas evening!

this is one of my favorite little buildings...i would love to own it someday, it would make the perfect little shop! i love this wall. the colors, the painting, it's perfect! 

now if this was planned i would have swapped the girls so we would have opposite black and white, and i would be holding jeremy, so the stripes would be separated. but...

isabella was pouty the whole time. even while she was getting ready. she didn't want to wear tights and insisted she would be warmer with no tights. then of course we get outside and she pouts because she's freezing and still says it's because she's wearing tights!

anthony is freezing to death and wouldn't stop shivering.

but we got a few photos! and that is what matters right?

we aren't perfect. nor do i expect our photos to portray that. our family is crazy. we are real. and we love our lil rascals!

christmas eve...

gulianna and isabella really wanted to sleep by the tree on christmas eve!

 

and santa came shortly after they had fallen asleep...

photos by the christmas tree...

attempting some more family photos, this time by the tree. 

including the outtakes and blurry shots.

i really need to learn how to use my camera!

merry christmas to all

... and to all a good night!

santa's milk and a few oatmeal cookie bars are set out and ready to go. gulianna's idea of course.

and it would be more magical if my kids would go to bed!

i hope you all have a very merry christmas and to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

veryMERRY chipboard banner

hello friends! just listed my veryMERRY chipboard banner in my etsy shop and i used heidi swapp's darling christmas paper from her believe collection! 

Santa...

every year i always take my kids to see santa at the mall, last year i didn't get a picture, but we still went to see him! this year we didn't see him at the mall, instead we visited with him at thanksgiving point. he was the FotoFly Santa! last year we got our family pictures taken at Fotofly in Draper, i don't even think i ever posted them here. anyway...the girls have been so excited to see santa, we almost missed our appointment, i knew i should have booked the very last appt. possible, because of timing. we went to see the lights at temple square and then rushed back to make it late to see santa. so thankful they still took us, yes i did call to tell them we were late! anthony did NOT want to see santa, he threw a tantrum, i thought for sure he wouldn't be in the photos or if he was he'd be crying! but the photographer was trained well...and was sooo good with kids, these are the best ever! they give you the option of having your husband or whoever dress up in the santa outfit or you can use the "real santa" too. levi thought he was too cool, so we used the real santa. it's a great idea though! so it's almost a suprise to your kids if they figure it out, and i like how they don't include his face, because later when your kids compare their santa photos, wondering why santa looks different or has a different beard every year :) {you can have his face in the photos if you want...} i love fotofly...we always the best experience there!

Merry Christmas...

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I love when Christmas falls on a Sunday!

lights at Temple Square...

after walking through the Up house, we went to see the lights at Temple Square...we then realized we haven't been there since levi proposed to me eleven years ago...that was my first time! i love all the lights!

poor Anthony! all wrapped up tight in a blanket! he could barely see out, but it was cold! i ordered him a coat online, but a couple days too late for when we actually needed it...it's supposed to be here tomorrow.

as we were leaving, isabella spotted "her santa." she said "mom! their's my santa, i have TWO santas!"

 

caroling llamas...

our neighbors have 2 llamas, they gathered friends and went caroling! i think our house was first on the list...i forgot what day they were coming, so i was suprised when i opened up my door to llamas and christmas carols! my girls in their pajamas step outside...after they were done caroling, they asked if they wanted to go inside and get their jackets on and get a picture with the llamas. so they rush back in get some pants on with their hats and coat, gulianna insisted on just a sweater.

gulianna excited, but super shy, she always has a blank face in these type of situations!

she's scared, doesn't know what to think, yet she wants to sit on the llama!

and isa as excited as she can be!

gulianna still showing no excitement!

pictures after church...

captured some photos of my little rascals after church...i could just post the best ones, but all of them are definitely funny to look at!

this skirt finally fits gulianna perfectly! i bought it in 2008, size 12-18 months, she's worn it for three years now. and isa's skirt {that used to be gulianna's} fits her too, i bought it at the di last year? maybe the year before.  

isabella grabbing bro...

anthony playing with my lens cap...

gulianna running in front of the camera...

gulianna freaking out because isa is walking in front of her...

anthony eating my lens cap...

girls checking out their skirts...ha ha!

gulianna starting her posing session...

my favorite one...

starting to decorate...

for Christmas! a little late for me...but been busy with other projects and stuff. that and i had to go get our stuff out of storage.

gulianna helped with the tree for outside by the front door...and then she decorated the tiny tree too :)

next up, our big one...except that it won't all fit inside, it's nine feet and the ceiling is only seven....grrrreat.

Happy Holidays...

 

Done...

 
This was the last of my Christmas decorations for the very top of the tree...

and they are up now!

Being the short person I am, and not wanting to get the ladder out, I simply waited for Levi to finish the top of the tree. He did it this morning.

The lights on the very top of the tree aren't working! I guess that's what happens to pre lit trees.

Anyway, just strung some more lights and we're good to go.

Except for the star. It's not wanting to stay up there...

I wanted to add some big white stars, but Tai Pan didn't have anymore...they had some last month. But of course I waited a year too long. I actually bought some last year, the day after Christmas, but then I returned them...and bought some thing else. Because they were just going to go in storage, until NOW...

Merry Christmas...

Here is my Christmas card that I made very quickly last Saturday...and do you even think that I have sent them off yet, no of course not. That is why it says Happy Holidays, instead of Merry Christmas...hopefully they will at least be in the mail today. 

I hope everyone has a good Christmas tomorrow! We have plans to bake some cookies this afternoon and deliver them to our neighbors, and then head up to my mom's house tomorrow for Christmas! I am super excited for Gulianna to open her presents tomorrow, there is one that I have been wanting to open up and look at myself...but I have been good, and waited...okay I did open the box up before I wrapped it, but the "contents" were wrapped in plastic, and then Levi would have known that I did peek at it!

I am wondering myself when baby Isabella is coming, could be any day or could be in a couple weeks, I just wish I knew for sure. I have to much to do before she comes and not enough time, as always. At least I have my hospital bag some what packed...who even knew you had to bring stuff there...I was lucky enough last time with Gulianna to have my makeup and a change of clothes, Levi had to buy all his stuff and other things we needed, when we were already in Rexburg...so I hope this time I am kinda prepared? Who knows...anyway stay tuned for a little guessing game!

You better not Pout...

I let Gulianna open her first Christmas present for this year, because she is still wearing her Halloween pajamas, and they are getting a little snug...so we handed her the present, and then she does this...

When she was done laying there for a minute, I showed her how to open her present...

She opened it very carefully, ripping one piece at a time! I was afraid that if we let her open one, she would want to open all the others, but she hasn't even touched them!      

Yeah! New Christmas jamaramas! Now lets try and put them on over my shoes!

I haven't even posted Halloween yet...

but before I get any more behind on blogging, Monday night Levi took out all the Christmas decorations...so my living room looks like this...

Gulianna was super excited to see everything that she could get into, Levi started out with putting on Santa hats, so festive! {Not the best picture, I didn't have a steady hand, I was just trying to hurry and catch the moment}

and this is what it started to look like later in the evening...

The first one decorated for the night was my little Raggedy Ann tree, oh how I love Raggedy Ann! Any guesses on how many trees I have??! It is going to be a festival of trees this year...so STAY TUNED!

A visit from Santa!

A couple weeks before Christmas Santa came to our home to see Gulianna!It didn't take Gulianna long to figure out that his beard was fun to play with!and good to eat!wait a minute, your beard isn't attached to you!