I can be crafty...

Thanks to mom and dad, I got a sewing machine for Christmas. Luckily, it came with an instructional DVD so I could set it up by myself. And it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. My first project was to make curtains for the new baby's room. We have this massive arched window that lets in so much light, even when the blinds are closed and wanted to block it out completely. I picked this light green material that matches the bedding in her crib and lined it with blackout. I sure hope I did it right! Unfortunately, one panel is longer than the other so I still need to fix that. But I have to say, I'm proud of myself for at least COMPLETING a project all by myself - even if it isn't done exactly right. Mom, you'll probably have to fix them when ya get here. =)

So if any of you have any ideas for easy projects for beginners, I'd love to hear them. I need more practice on my machine!

Overdue Christmas Pictures

We had a great Christmas last month. I should have posted these pictures sooner but never got around to it. We spent a week at mom and dad's house and had a great time with all of my sisters and their kids. Julie and Nick had their new little puppy Jack. Holli just got off of her mission so it was great to get see her, too! Unfortunately - we lost our camera in the middle of the week so I didn't get as many pics as I would have liked.

I got to eat Monjuni's and Counter Culture while I was home. Next time, I'm gonna have to remember to grab some Strawn's Strawberry pie! Don't know when I'll get to be with all my sisters again at the same time but I'm grateful for the good time we had together. Love you all!

Ryan Christopher and Annabeth. If he's my cousin's son, does that make them 2nd cousins?? These two were soo cute together. Ryan is such a flirt and liked to give kisses to everyone.

Had to post this pic of mom and her camo that Dad got her. She got her first gun last year and has actually been out hunting with him! I can just see her up there in his deer stand trying to get reception on her iphone!

So glad we got to see our sister Mandy who lives in D.C. Wish we could see her more often. We had a great time with their family.

Me, Holli, and Sara at mom's house Christmas eve. We're so happy that Holli is back from her mission!!

Annabeth playing with her favorate gift. A harmonica that cost a dollar! Why did I bother with the dollhouse??

Grandpa Harry and Grandma Rosie

Christmas morning at Gma and Gpa's house.

Dad and Uncle Kenny. They look more and more alike to me.

We have the best cousins!

Annabeth and her new bicycle from Gma and Gpa.

Cute cousins in their Christmas jammies from Gma.

Grandma Rosie and Annabeth

Annabeth in front of our Christmas tree. She still asks where it is and when Christmas is coming again!

Annabeth played her harmonica while Andrew played guitar

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Not much has been happening around here lately. For Thanksgving, we went to Bud and LaRetta's house in Sunset, LA. It was great to see them. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera....We were also sick the entire week. Thanks to LaRetta for taking such good care of us. I seemed to be the last one to recover, and am still trying to get my voice all the way back. I think pregnancy has weakened my immune system. =(

We are excited for Christmas to come this year. My sister Mandy gets to come home from D.C. and my cousin Holli, gets off her mission this month. I can't wait to see all of my family and have a much needed girls night out. I love getting to be with all my sisters at the same time. They are truly my best friends!!

Here are a few pics of the last week. Annabeth helped me make Christmas cookies, and we went to a Christmas display in Richardson. I love this month and want to fill each weekend with something fun to celebrate the season - especially since this is the first year that Annabeth really "gets" what it's all about. Looking forward to a wonderful month!

Helping mommy roll out Christmas cookies.

Mrs. Grumpy pants

Happy again

Finished product!

Annabeth and Tava posing

Annabeth got to meet Mrs. Clause. I think she liked her better than Santa b/c she had cookies.

Forgot to post this pic of her wearing her Thanksgiving outfit

Random Photos

I made this!....kind of....ok I pretty much cut the fabric. Luckily, Sister Reese helped me finish it and I think it turned out really cute. I think I shall attempt to make her a Christmas one all by myself...ahem...well, I'll probably be calling you mom.

Home Sweet Home in Shreveport

We visited mom and dad last week and here are a few pictures from the weekend.Mom, Dad, and Annabeth saying goodbye after a fun weekend. Annabeth loves her grandma and "Pa paw."

We got to feed this huge giraffe, but Annabeth shyed away after he licked her with his ginormous tongue! Can't say I blame her.

We got to see our cousins, Brooke and Rylan.

Annabeth wasn't scared at all to ride the ferris wheel with Julie and Grandma, but I was terrified the entire time.

Riding the carousel with grandma.

This was at the circus tent. She loved all the circus acts and had a great time.

Halloween 2010

Halloween happens to be one of my favorate holidays. There is something morbidly awesome about being able to celebrate all the things that creep you out. Unfortunately, Annabeth isn't old enough for us to make a truly gruesome costume for her...yet. When we asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween, she answered "Pink!" And so, since I couldn't find a costume for a pink crayon, she went as a fairy/princess. We got to dress up for music makers, Mother's Day out, the ward trunk or treat, and Halloween night. Lots of parties and way too much candy. She got really good at saying "trick or treat."

At the FlowerMound Pumpkin Patch.

Daddy helped us carve our very first Jack-o-Lantern.

Letting Go

The other night, Brent and I watched The Book of Eli. If you haven't seen it, the movie is about a guy who has sworn to preserve the last Bible on earth so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. There has been some kind of apocalyptic event which has destroyed most books, not that it matters since most people can't read anyway. Books are considered a novelty and folks would do anything to get their hands on a Bible and actually be able to read it.

After watching the movie, it got me thinking about my scripture reading - which I haven't been all that great at lately. And I thought- if there were no other distractions, no other books, no TV shows, no movies, no internet - it would be so easy to to read my scriptures.

And then I realized......I'm addicted - to my tv and computer screen. There always seems to be something more interesting to watch on tv or my laptop, something easier and more entertaining than reading. And so I have decided to give up the following things that dominate my precious time:

Private Practice (which isn't even that great of a show, I only started watching it b/c I'm an avid Grey's fan and wanted to keep up with Addison)
Glee (It started innocent enough but has turned into a real sex fest)
Desperate Housewives (See the above comment)
Brothers and Sisters (Again - not even that great of a show, but it has Sally Field in it so can you blame me?)
Reality Telivision is any shape or form (Need I say more)
ET (unfortunately,it's true. I like to stay abreast of celebrity's botched boob jobs and ever changing spouses)
Facebook (Not giving up but limiting time...not ready to give that one up completely just yet)
Random Surfing of the Internet (I am a total news junkie. Limiting computer time to 1 hour a day for email, news, facebook, etc.)

The only show I actually have to see is Grey's, which is not necessarily the cleanest of the above, but hey, I'm a work in progress!

With my newfound time I plan to:

Read my scriptures every day
Finish reading Rough Stone Rolling (Which I started a year ago and never finished)
Keep up with my blog and read other's blogs
Call a sister, mom, or friend
Practice piano

There's a saying that goes "When thinking of your life at the last, it helps you decide what ought to come first." I don't want to look back on my life and see that it has been filled with mindless junk.

And so - here's to new's years resolutions in the middle of October! Cheers!