Christmas on Millstream

Oh, what fun we've had!! It all started Christmas Eve with the jammies--all homemade by yours truly, except for mine. The kids' jammies had a sock monkey theme going this year, while Bill's were of course Utah Ute red. And keeping with the theme, Bill gave me some cute red jammies. Sophie's are ginormous, but cute all the same.


Love a good jammie pic by the tree, don't you?


Santa came right in the front door thinking, of course, that we were already in bed. Boy was he surprised when he found that we were still up! So, he talked to each of the kids for a minute then he was on his way, promising to come back when we were all asleep!


We put a little TV in Jake's room so in case they woke up too early the next morning (that is, before 7:30am) they could watch some Christmas movies to pass the time!


This is what Sophie came down to the next morning--a dollhouse that is taller than she is! Jake and Abby also got their wish from Santa--Ihomes for their Nanos!

Christmas day night we moved the diningroom table and all slept by the 14 foot Christmas tree in our entry. Needless to say, Bill and I didn't sleep very well with 2100 lights shining in our face all night, but it was so fun. The kids have been sleeping there every night since!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all the best for the new year!

Feeling a Little Stressed?

So, you all know that I don't normally post pics of myself...don't really like to, but I felt a pic sometimes can say a thousand words (plus, I went out to lunch today and had my hair and make up done, so I was feeling somewhat ok about a pic).

I love Christmas. It's my very most favorite time of the year--even more so since I've had kids. Every year I have grand dreams of getting my shopping, sewing, decorating, etc.....done early so I can enjoy December without stress. And every year my dream of a perfect Christmas begins to unravel at about December 1st. I started out well this year, but then began procrastinating projects that needed to be done, presents that needed to be wrapped and so on. So, while I'm loving Christmas, I'm a little frazzled--exactly what I try to avoid each year!

I've decided there just isn't a perfect Christmas and the less I try to make a perfect Christmas happen the more I, and in turn my family, can enjoy it! I want to focus more on the things I'm thankful for--for the birth of our Savior, for my family and for the wonderful life I have. So, this post is to myself for next year..."Self, don't try to make a perfect Christmas--it doesn't exist! You have a wonderful life & family! Enjoy them! And enjoy the spirit of the season!"

Merry Christmas everyone!

PS Feel free to tell yourself the same thing next year!

What?? Sophie's Three??

So, I'm a little behind. Yes, it's true, Sophie's birthday was November 29th, and yes it's December 14th, but hey, I've been trying to get ready for Christmas after all.

Sophie had a great birthday with not one, but two celebrations. My brother and his family were in town for Thanksgiving so we first celebrated at my mom's the night before her birthday. Sunday was her actual birthday, so we had a little celebration at home, with just the five of us. That means I made not one, but two cakes! (for those of you who know me well, know that baking is NOT my thing, so for me to make 2 cakes in as many days is quite something!)

First try blowing out her candles...

...and a second try...

...and finally got it on the third try! Almost singed her eyebrows, but hey, she got em all!

Sophie is such a joy to have in our family. I love this little girl so much! She has such a sweet disposition and funny little quirks. I can't imagine our family without her. Happy Birthday sweet Sophie and thanks for choosing to come to our family! We love you!

p.s. Notice the ancient highchair Sophie is sitting in. That was not only mine, but my three older siblings' as well!!

It's Finally Done!

So, you remember this pic from my last post. Well, I didn't think the blue on the wall was quite right...which equaled MORE painting. Sigh. Since I'm having Thanksgiving at my house again this year, I thought I should bite the bullet and get the painting done.


Before...


..and after.

I took it around into the kitchen this time. What do you think????

Maybe I Should Give it Another Go...

This statement seems to be my motto lately--I just can't seem to get things "just right". Take this cabinet, for example...


...it started out green and country. I thought I'd spruce it up a bit...


...better, but something isn't quite right. Oh, I'll paint the wall behind it. That will fix everything...


...still better. But, something still isn't quite right. Is it the wall color? Is it the two-toned paint?


Ahhhhh...that's much better. Although, the blue paint still isn't quite right. :)

To be continued.......

More Sunday Pics

So, I've been wanting to get some cute single pics of the kids to hang in my newly redecorated bedroom above the bed. (I know what you're thinking--where are the pics of the bedroom??

Trust me--they're coming!) Anyway, my kids looked so cute this morning and there was some great light in the backyard--not that I really know what constitutes "great light"--but I really got some cute shots! Check out my sidebar.

The one of the three kids below just melts my heart! I love them to death!!

Halloween on Millstream

Halloween at our house this year consisted of everyone going their separate ways due to the U of U football game that night. Since we have season tickets we tried to talk Jake and Abby into going to the football game with us instead of trick-or-treating. We bribed them with a large bag of candy from Costco. It was a no brainer for Jake--candy AND a football game--but Abby wasn't so sure. At the last minute she decided to go trick-or-treating with her best friend, Lily. Sophie went to my mom's house and did a little trick-or-treating herself and then handed out candy to all the kids.


Our pretty witch.

I never thought I'd put lipstick on my boy--or that he'd wear his sister's clothes!

Our pretty little "girl"!

Our sweet little Halloween Fairy!

Abby and her friend Lily were also invited to a Zombie party. Scary, huh?

So, everyone had fun and got to do what they wanted to do. Hope everyone had a fun Halloween!