Cookies and a Movie

I'll continue to post some "catch-up" items along the way...but wanted to get one "Christmas memory-making" posted.

The cookie press we used was once my Grandma Christensen's. I've never used it before last night. So, it made it extra special to "make a memory" with something of hers.

Making Holiday Memories

This is the first year that we'll be "staying home" for Christmas instead of "going home" (to Utah). I've been kind of worried about how we'll make this season it's own kind of memorable for all of us. I often think especially about making a great Christmas morning moment--knowing Greg and I will be the sole creators of the "magic".

The idea that has helped me just get excited is to gear this year toward a "season of memories" instead of just a "morning of memories". It's my hope that in days to come I'll post a "Memory Made a Day". (I know this is optimistic, but it's worth a good try.) This way when we look back on this year's holiday, I hope we remember not only Christmas morning but a whole season of fun and family traditions in progress.

Check back and we'll see how we do! Would love to hear any ideas on simple crafts, recipes, activities that can help us fill the days ahead!

A Date with my Little Man

Nathan's favorite thing in the world is glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. So, over the Thanksgiving weekend we decided that getting to go there on a "date" would be a great way to give his life a little "perk". Hours before it was time to leave, Nathan came down dressed for the occasion. White shirt, khaki pants, white socks...he was determined to glow everywhere!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We were so lucky/blessed this year to get to spend Thanksgiving with our dear friends in the ward here...Nate and Deborah...and their three boys. Wish I'd taken more pictures...I can't figure out why I didn't! (Maybe doing to much eating and talking!)

We are just so thankful for friends that feel like family-away-from-family...especially on the holidays!

Radio City Music--Christmas Spectacular!

The weekend between Greg's birthday and Thanksgiving, Greg and I had the chance to go to "Radio City Music--Christmas Spectacular"! I first saw this show several years ago when my family went to New York around Christmastime. I can remember that of the shows we saw (including "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway) that this was our favorite one. A great mixture of singing, dancing, and special effects. When I saw that an "arena version" was coming to the area, I just knew we had to go. So, for Greg's late birthday and our early anniversary we went and had a great night! Filled with a flying Santa, performance of parts of the Nutcracker, the Rockets, fireworks, snow falling on the stage, and our favorite part...the live nativity including real camels! It was great to start off the season making a memory with Greg!

A Much Needed Update

These last few weeks have been some of the busiest I can remember. Just in the last week alone, we've had Grandma and Grandpa Franson visit, our baby's ultrasound, and I've had my "One Night in Bethlehem" event. (The ward's Christmas activity I've been in charge of--a two night open house for the community--hundreds came!) The next posts will give you a brief re-cap of recent days...before we start in on Christmas season memories in the making!

Waking Up to Snow!

Is there a better moment than getting to wake up to the first snow of the season?!! Nathan has been sure that it means we better get out and make a snowman. (I'm a little afraid there's going to be some serious disappointment when we try to make anything with this amount of snow.) Thank goodness there was preschool to give us a reason to make tracks in the snow all the way to the car this morning.

Please note a cute little brother with dangling mittens and sleeper jammies tucked into shoes.

Halloween at Last...

I'm not sure how many times I've thought in the last few weeks..."I don't know if I can take seeing another blog post of someone else's kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes! Enough is enough!" Part of me had vowed I would not be another blog filled with what child wore what costume to what party this year. But somehow, I can't get myself to move on to the next happy moments of life without properly documenting our costume moments. So, please forgive me while I post these next scrapbook pages for posterity's sake.



I'm not sure how many times I've thought in the last few weeks..."I don't know if I can take seeing another blog post of someone else's kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes!" Part of me had vowed I would not be another blog filled with what child wore what costume to what party this year. But somehow, I can't get myself to move on to the next happy moments of life without properly documenting our costume moments. So, please forgive me while I post these next scrapbook pages for posterity's sake.

Another Update

This has been quite a week or two for Greg especially. Not only has he just turned 30...he's just been called to be Elder's Quorum president in the ward. Just wanted to post a few pictures of the men/families Greg will be working with. We've told our families a little about them and want them to be able to picture faces with names.

Happy Birthday Greg!

Greg had his birthday off of work for Veteran’s Day. It meant the whole day could feel like a celebration. He was woken up to two boys singing...a decorated house...and a big breakfast! We got to do some birthday shopping/returning...and then later in the day had a chance to go to the temple for Stake Temple Day. We finished off the night watching Kung Fu Panda and eating Dutch Apple Pie.