a cozy Christmas

This Christmas was a little different than any in the past. This was the first Christmas Jeff and I woke up alone in our own home. It was very quiet and calm... and a little strange! We loved it though, it was so nice to have the time, just the two of us. It was relaxing and fun to be able to give all of our attention to each other. We really missed being with all of the family though, that's for sure! Luckily, we were able to spend Christmas Eve with the Packer's and we also went over to their house Christmas evening.

We were able to hear Elder Trevor's voice all the way from Brasil, that was a huge Christmas gift! He sounds great, happy and healthy! He is such a great missionary! We miss him a lot but we are so grateful for the work he is doing.

Jeff and I were extremely spoiled by all of our family- thanks to each of you, so very much! We love Christmas, it's such a special time of year. I love being able to feel the Christmas spirit, and see people happy and smiling amidst all of the others who are rushing around and being grumpy. (Not to say I haven't been one of those grumpy people from time to time... I've definitely had my Scrooge days!) What a wonderful thing it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to feel His spirit. It's always a reminder to me of the greatness of the good in this World, even if it's sometimes hard to find.

I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and that you were able to feel the joy and spend time with those you love!
(sorry for the lack of pictures... I was so wrapped up in the moments that I didn't even pull my camera out! I know, I can't believe myself either!)

more birthdays!

Yesterday marked the births of two of my favorite girls....

Rachel and Kirra

Rachel is such a great sister-in-law! It's so fun to have another girl in the family of boys and to have someone else who understands the silly movies I like to watch and books I like to read. She teaches elementary school and her kids are so lucky to have her! Rach- I hope you had a fabulous day! We miss you and wish we could be there with all of you to celebrate! Love you!

My little Kirra goose is 3!! I can't believe it! She's grown so fast, it's amazing to me how quick these kids grow! Seriously, if I go more than 2 days without seeing them, it's like they're a new person! Kirra is so stinkin' adorable and so sweet. She knows how to shake her booty like a pro and she cracks me up with all of her silly faces. One of my favorite things is when she brushes my hair, she's so gentle and she cups my face in her hands and moves my head side to side. I love living so close to her and being able to watch her grow and enjoy her fun personality.

Happy Birthday girls, I hope you both had a very special day!

We love you!

Birthday Bash

Happy Happy Birthday to my big little Sis Tiff and to my sweet Grandma Pat! (how cool that they get to share a birthday!)

Grandma,
I hope you have a great day, and stay warm! I am so grateful for all that you do for me and for your kindness to everyone around. I will definitely miss Christmas Eve at your house this year but will be thinking about you and looking forward to January! I love you so much!! Happy Birthday!

Tiffi,
Happy Birthday! I love living by you and being able to share our special days together. You are the greatest big sister anybody could ever ask for! You are so talented and creative. I don't' know how you do it.... run a restaurant, (almost 2 restaurants) have 3 adorable kids, a chocolate fountain, and planning events. You're crazy- but I admire your energy and ability to balance and handle so much on your plate. I love how we can talk about anything and have our secret sister society! It's always fun to be able to understand exactly what you're saying, even when you only say two words! I love you so much and I'm excited to come party with you, and I hope you have a fabulous day!

(I wish I had some pictures to show you how beautiful they both are, but I don't have any pictures on this computer yet... so you'll have to take my word for it!)

Happy Birthday ladies!

back in business

hello world.

it's us again.

it's been a long time.

not a whole lot has changed.

we have a new, working computer. woo hoo!

my family was here for thanksgiving and we had a great time.

{Lots of food, lots of work, lots of love and lots of adventures. We went to Sea World and saw the crazy penguins, scary sharks, Shamu, dolphins and some flying bird ladies. (I had pictures to prove there were flying bird ladies, but they are on my dead computer so you'll just have to believe me.) The girls all went to see "Twilight", verdicts still out on my vote. Love the books, not so sure about the movie. I found myself laughing in all the wrong parts- come on Jasper, really... and Dr. Cullen, was his face suppose to look like a sack of flour just dumped on his head? But, don't judge- like I said, I still love the books.}

and now Christmas is here- holy moly! I can't believe it! I have a big long list of things I'm still working on, I got a late start this year. And of course, I just added to my list by sitting here blogging instead- haha, that's me for ya! So, on that note....

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the Christmas season!

alive

I'm alive.

My computer is not.

So- I have been MIA for a while due to fun family adventures, a broken computer, Christmas projects and a little r&r.

Hope all the holiday cheer is spreading your way... I'm feeling it! Woo Hoo!

I'll catch up as soon as I can, wish us luck with the stinkin computer!

friday's favorite

this week has been CRAZY! Party central is in action and we're getting ready for a big event tomorrow night, wish us luck!

One of my favorite things of all time: when family comes to visit!

and I'm one lucky girl- today mom, dad, and little sis are coming to town! WOO HOO! I can't wait to see them!

birthdays galore

Wow- November's a rockin' birthday month for our family! I wish we were able to be there physically to celebrate with each of you birthday folk, but unfortunately we can't... but our birthday wishes party to the other side of the country for each of you!


Today's my Mommy's birthday!


Woo Hoo! Happy birthday Mommy! Oh, I love you sooo much! I'm so grateful for you and the friendship we share!


I'm glad we can be silly together! We always have so much fun and I love our special bonding time! I love playing games, going to movies, getting pedicures, eating caramel popcorn, running around and shopping like crazy and just sitting and staring at the wall together. (okay, so maybe we don't really do that last one... but we could, and I'd still have fun and love it because I'd be with you!

I love doing crafts, and learning from all of your talent and creativity. You are wise and witty and I will be happy to have half of the greatness you posses.

I love that you were born, and that the four of us can be together and be goofy together because of YOU!

You are BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely beautiful. You are a great nonnie and the little ones are so lucky to have you spoil them rotten with love.

And I'm so lucky to have you spoil me rotten with love too! You are truly one of my bestest friends in the whole universe and I'm such a lucky girl to be able to say that! I miss you so bad and wish I could be there to give you a giant birthday hug and some great big birthday spankin's! I love you past the moon, around the moon, and back x 100,000 bagillion, trillion, million! I hope you have a very special day!



On the 9th we wished a happy birthday to this awesome dad:

Happy Birthday! Thanks for finding time out of your busy schedule to have fun with us and teach me how to play tennis (and for not laughing when I struggle to hit the ball!)

Thanks for visiting us in Florida! We had so much fun and loved being able to spend that time with you! We miss you and wish we could spend more time together, but we are so grateful for each moment that we are able to! And thanks for bringing that goofy guy into this world, well, all 4 of your goofy guys actually.

They are all talented, dedicated, and adventurous... and that is in big part thanks to you and all that you are!

{I had to share this picture... it's too funny not to, and yes, that's me hunched over like a baby. But, hey- come on now, it was scary! You might not believe it because every one else is smiling so nicely... but trust me, it was!}

Thanks for being so fun and so generous! You are always so kind and I love our talks about books, the gospel, and life in general. I'm so lucky to be part of your incredible family. Thanks for taking me in and loving me, I love you!

Hope you had a very happy day!

And then we have Bryan, who celebrated his big day on the 4th.

Bryan- you are awesome... not only for growing up with 3 other guys and surviving the craziness, but for putting up with me as a sister! :) You know you love me! You are such a great brother and I'm a lucky girl to be able to call you one!

I love that you can be goofy with me- and laugh with me, and not at me! (Although, I'm sure you're probably very tempted, I don't blame you...I would!) Thanks for having fun with me!

And thanks so much for marrying this cute girl and adding another sister to the mix! I'm so happy you love her, because so do I and I am so grateful to have her as a friend!!

You are so talented and smart! I love when you guys all jam out on your guitars and when we eat ice cream and breakfast cake and giant pizzas! I wish you weren't so far away- but I'm so glad that we can visit and it was so fun to have you and Rachel come out, thanks for that!

You're a great big bro, and I love ya! And hope you had a fabulous day celebrating you and all the coolness you are!

Happy birthday to all of you, we love you all and we are so grateful for the support and love you give us! We love you!

friday's favorite

I love pizza.

Jeff and I have had fun making our own pizza lately. Well, I guess almost making our own pizza. We buy the dough at the bakery in our grocery store. Then we roll the dough, add our toppings and stick it in the oven! About a month or so ago, I was going to try out a recipe for a whole wheat pizza dough. When we went to the grocery store to buy some toppings, we found the wonderful dough the bakery has... and for $2.95 you can't beat that! They have regular pizza dough and also whole wheat. (last week when I was buying some dough, the guy in the bakery department told me the secret to their whole wheat pizza dough- they just sell the whole wheat bread dough!)

Our favorite toppings (besides the sauce and cheese of course) are pepperoni, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese and green olives. I know, green olives? The first time I was apprehensive to try it... but now, it's hard to make anything different.

These are the faces of two happy pizza eatin' people!

Do you have a favorite pizza recipe?

oh, now cards.

Now that I've been pondering my handmade Christmas gifts... I've been doing some more pondering about my Christmas cards. I wish I new how to use Photoshop so I could design something unique and "me", but I don't... so I could opt for the handmade route like I did last year, or I could let someone else design my cards! There are so many companies out there that design cute cards, once again- so many talented people! Skip To My Lou is having a card giveaway, maybe I could win my Christmas cards along with some Christmas gifts. (Now, maybe I'm just being too hopeful, but it doesn't hurt!)

Do you send out Christmas cards? A letter? A picture? All of the above?! I want to know the details of your Christmas card secrets...

inspiration station

I'm a fan of handmade Christmas gifts. I've done my best to be the maker the past few years, this year I'm feeling a little stumped. I came upon Tip Junkie's "Mom Prenuer Shop-A-Thon" and glanced through a few of the shops... wow! There are some seriously talented people out there! I think it's great to support these women and if I can't make it, I can buy it from them- it's still handmade, just not by my hands!

So, you should stop by Tip Junkie and check out the shop-a-thon. Oh yeah, and they're doing a shop-a-thon giveaway for the next 12 days! Maybe if I'm lucky I'll be able to win a Christmas present!

In the years past I've made a box of cards, a Christmas quilt, photo frames, blankets, vases... I have some ideas bubblin' around in my little head, but I'm still trying to pull them together. What about you, are you a fan of having a handmade Christmas? What gifts have you made?

friday's favorite

I confess... I was a naughty girl. But what's a girl to do when she's sick, alone and in need of a "pick me up"? I turned to one of my tried and true boosters, none other than Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry. Okay so, definitely not the best choice when dealing with a wicked sinus infection- but like I said, I was naughty, I couldn't help myself. (At least I resisted the temptation of eating the entire carton by myself!)

How happy would I be to see this truck pull up to my driveway?! It could live here with me, no problem.

I love ice cream... duh! I LOVE Ben & Jerry's! It's nearly impossible for me to choose a favorite flavor, there are so many incredible options. Last night I opted for "Neapolitan Dynamite"- delicious! My other top choices include "cherry garcia" and "half baked". The "pistachio, pistachio" is a great pick too- especially for a lighter taste. There are so many flavors I've yet to delight my taste buds with, so many options! Check out all of the "original" flavors, what's your favorite?

update

It's November. November 2008. Where in the world does time go?

Halloween's gone. Thanksgiving is in 22 days and Christmas is right around the corner. Wow!

So, what have I been up to lately?

Well I made some sweet treats with these little munchkins:


Actually, that's not really true. I made the dough and put them in the oven, they did the rest all by themselves. I was thoroughly impressed.

Participated in the yearly pumpkin carving with this handsome man:

Here's his awesome pirate pumpkin:

And after about 2 hours of trying to come up with some cute and clever face to carve... My creativity just wasn't flowin right at 12:30am so I ended up with a simple:

Spent some trick or treat fun with the three cutest kids in the world. We went to our branch trunk or treat earlier in the week and on Halloween night went to a friend's for some more candy fun.


This weekend we went on a little camping getaway. It was so much fun to have the Packer family there with us as well. Reef was a trooper for his first ever camping trip and both of the girls were sad when it was time to pack up the tents. The weather was perfect for camping, a little chilly at times but just perfect for a sweatshirt and jeans around the camp fire. And yes, my dog's wearing a sweater. We're not typically the "dog sweater" type of people, (not that there is anything wrong with that. nothing wrong at all) I was just worried Ziggie would be too cold, his fur is a little short right now. Of course Jeff laughed at me, but I couldn't help it- it was only $2.50 at Target.

This camping trip I was finally able to test out my revamped smores idea, and it was delicious! Nothing too fancy- just a reeses peanut butter cup instead of a plan hershey's bar. Oh yummy.

And take a look at this little monster friend we found:

Is that not the largest caterpillar you've ever laid eyes on? Crazy looking bug!

And yes, I'm still sick. Thanks to those of you who shared some of your favorite remedies. I'm always up for trying something new! And always up for testing out the old faithful... so now I will go shut my little peepers for some more quality rest.

friday's favorite

ORIGINS is one of my favorite lines. I use several of their great products... my favorite today is the 'Ginger Float Cream Bubble Bath'. It makes being sick a little easier to handle. (sidenote: if you have any comfort food ideas or want to share your "cure all" secrets, I'd love any help I can get!) Fill up your tub with hot water, grab a scoop of the bubble bath in your hand and put it under the faucet. The scent is soothing, relaxing, and fresh. I love it!

Then when the bath is over, you can top it all off with the 'Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream'. It's so soft and smooth, and smells great!

Check out your nearest Origins store and smell them for yourself. Or, if you think you're ready for something new, you can buy them here.

Also, click here to check out their offer for a FREE mini facial and a FREE product!

spoiled

I feel SO SPOILED! It hasn't been one or two or even three, but FIVE nights in a row I was able to hang out with my hubby! I know, that might sound silly- but we usually get to spend our mornings together so being together 5 nights in a row was a special treat!

(5 nights in a row and no pictures to show... boo! I guess I was so enthralled with the time I wasn't worried about anything else. Which is probably how it should have been anyways...)

We started Friday night at the "International Plaza" for a farewell get together with some of Jeff's work people. We just happened to be right by "The Cheesecake Factory" and how could we resists buying a nice slice of yumminess?! We purchased a slice of "Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple" and thoroughly enjoyed it. (Even Jeff loved it, and he's not a huge cheesecake fan!)

Saturday and Sunday are our normal nights together... Jeff enjoyed a ride on his new bike Saturday and then we hung out at home both nights. And that is one of my all time favorite things!

Monday night I bought some ribs from Sam's Club and made some other things to eat with it and we had a yummy dinner together at home... so great! How much fun we had eating dinner as a little family on a Monday night, we felt spoiled! (and if you've never purchased Sam's Club ribs... the ones that are cooked for you, by the rotisserie chicken... you should try them out. They were pretty tasty, especially because all I had to do was bring them home and eat them!)

And last night was a surprise date night! Once again, another fabulous night together! How lucky are we?!

We drove to one of my new favorite places, "Jason's Deli". If you haven't been there, you should try it out. I'd highly recommend it just for the free soft serve! Yummy yummy in my tummy!

We had a lot of fun and I can't wait for Saturday night when the "night fun" can start again!

friday's favorite

these eyes:

{Oh, how I love them!}

25 years

Dear Mom and Dad,

Happy Anniversary! I'm so happy you two found each other! I am so grateful for your relationship and the examples you are in my life. I love you both so much and hope you have a fabulous day!

I love you.
-Amy K.

friday's favorite

one word: FREE

I think every person loves that word, and if you don't, I don't know why you wouldn't! I thought I'd share some of my favorite free finds with you today...

Help end hunger and donate some free rice.

Not completely free... but I LOVE buy one get one free. If you have a Publix near you- check out some of their deals this weekend. Honey Bunches of Oats, one of my personal favorite cereals... on sale, buy one get one!

Are you looking for someone's trash to become your treasure?! I always love searching Craigslist free section, you never know what goodness you might find!

Something new today that I've been anxiously awaiting... and the best news, it's FREE!

Go here to learn more.

I'd love to know some of your favorite freebies, so come on, share the wealth!

where is fall?

Living in Florida is great, I don't have to deal with snow. But, it's around this time of year I start to miss Utah more than usual. I LOVE seeing the leaves change colors. The mountains take on a whole new look and the temperature is just cool enough to be able to wear your cozy slippers every once in a while.

I have been seeing pictures of the red and orange leaves and the beautiful fall changes happening in Utah and other places that get to experience the four seasons, I was feeling jipped.

But then, I realized that those places might have beautiful autumn leaves, but they don't have these gorgeous flowers right now....




So I put a smile on my face, lifted up my chin and remembered to relish the "fall" I'm experiencing. (Even if it is in our own Florida way.)

my cup overfloweth.

I have been uplifted, edified, inspired, and educated. This weekend was full of goodness and I feasted upon all of it. (Really in two ways... I ate and ate. Breakfast cake, waffles and homemade pizza- yum! but I also spiritually feasted)

General Conference always fills up my cup, and then some. I am so grateful for a living prophet to guide and direct us and for his knowledge and counsel. I was thrilled when they announced 5 new temples to be built, especially for the Rome, Italy temple. Someday, I'll make it out that way and have the chance to visit.

It's hard for me to narrow down a favorite talk because I truly gained something from each talk. President Uchtdorf's talk in the Saturday morning session on hope was wonderful. He said, "No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

After conference ended I was filled with a greater determination to be a better wife, a better sister, a better daughter, a better neighbor, a better visiting teacher, a better friend, a better missionary, a better example. I know that life comes at us fast, sometimes too fast for us to handle. But I also know that it's from these great leaders of the church that I can find the inspiration and patience to learn how to handle those fast pitches.

President Monson spoke so simply of a few things I know I can do better....
"Enjoy the journey, now!"
"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances."
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
"Let us relish life as we live it!"
"Express gratitude, always."

So, among the other aspects of my life in which I hope to improve, I also hope to improve my gratitude and happiness. To find the joy in each day and relish life. And to look inside myself and see the good. Life is a grand journey, and I know that if I can take a day at a time with hope on my side, then I will do just fine!

you can access general conference here

friday's favorite

being auntie amy to these sweeties:

{Mekena, 4years old. genius.}

{Kirra, 2.5 years old. She can make enough faces to have a whole book; sad, funny, happy, excited, scared...I think you get the point! haha}

{Reef, 6 weeks. His dad rocks! (We went to Disney on ice last night, this was inside the forum and the lights were all orange and funky, but I couldn't resist- look at that huge smile!) Love it!}

{tree hugger. haha just kidding. She wanted to try to climb it. She's getting so old and grown up looking. She's a beautiful little lady, not a little baby girl anymore!}

{Adorable! Don't you just want to kiss those little cheeks?}

{So peaceful, so sweet. And his mommy loves him! (and so do I!) and you would too.}

inspiration sandwich.

My sweet little sister, Chrissy, sent me a surprise in the mail while I was recovering from surgery. I was so excited! (finding fun surprises in the mailbox is one of my ultimate favorite things!!) I was completely surprised when I opened the package and there was a book inside, only because Chrissy's not a big fan of reading. So, I opened up the book and flipped through the pages to find places she had highlighted and made notes of her own that reminded her of us or that would help to lift my spirits. She's such a sweetie!
This book is so much fun, I wanted to share it with all of you! It's definitely quirky, and I love that. It's full of good insights, silliness and creativity. I love the whole thing, but I thought I'd pull out just a couple of parts to share with you....

"Feeling rich is born of simple things: good health, comfort, freedom and laughter along with being well loved."

"Write a love letter on a bed sheet with magic markers" (how fun would that be?)

"When I call for an airline ticket, I might ask if there's a special fare for people wearing raincoats or standing on their head at the airport. Then, the ticket agent and I can laugh together and become partners in finding the best ticket price. (I always fly at a great discount.)"

"Impossible means I'm possible! Plant all your impossible gardens, and see what blooms!"

You can see a preview, here. And you can buy it, here. If you don't want to buy this particular book, you should still take a peek at the site because there are other books and lots of fun items. So, head on over and check it out. (If nothing else now you might know what to possibly get me for Christmas! haha) It's definitely worthy of 5 stars in my opinion! Let me know what you think!

{thanks Chrissy for the sweet surprise, you're the greatest. I LOVE it!}

carnival pictures

I just sorted through the pictures I took at the party on Saturday and I'm a little bummed. I didn't get very good shots. The sun was so bright and then you combine that with the shade of the trees and also being a little too busy to truly realize what you're taking a picture of- well, all I can say is these pictures don't nearly do it justice. The event was incredible. Any event Tiff puts together is incredible! She is so creative and detail oriented.... you need to throw the party of the year, you call her. So, even though I'm less than thrilled with most of these pictures I wanted to show you so you could have a small glimpse of the greatness.


This is the adorable centerpiece Tiff created... LOVE IT!
Below are just a couple of the many sweets from the party.... Mini caramel (or chocolate in this case) apples and adorable train sugar cookies. The sugar cookies were their favor with a train cookie cutter.

Baby Reefy was partying too! Here he is with my hot mama! And mom and the girls at the "ring toss" booth.
Here is the "admission ticket" booth. Isn't it so cute?! The birthday boy loves Sponge Bob so there were some Sponge Bob accents throughout the party. A Sponge Bob jumpy house, a visit by Sponge Bob and this incredible Sponge Bob cake.

Two of my all time favorite girls.... I'm sad the picture of Kirra on the pony is blurred- not sure what happened there. She LOVED those rides! Look how adorable Mekena is... love that crazy balloon hat and that face painting is beautiful!

Here's a sample of two of the booths... they were too cute! The refreshments booth had the drinks and the mini apples.



Again, the two cutest girls at the party! Can you see a little more up close how incredible that face painter was? I love the idea of doing a princess by painting a crown on the forehead... brilliant!

So... there's a little touch of the coolest carnival party ever! It was great.... I was only a little sad because I really wanted to eat and eat, but because I was sick all I ate was a little fruit. (And of course apples are fruit, even if they are covered in chocolate!)

What do you think? You want your kid to have the coolest carnival party ever? Call Tiff!