starting the festivities

1. I AM NOT IN THE MOOD...I live in *almost* Canada...and there is no snow!? I am officially a believer in global warming. Haha, ok, not really...but seriously, this momma is wantin' some snow!

2. Check out my baby...

3. I am so excited for people to open the gifts we picked out for them this year. Actually, my parents just came back from their Christmas present vacation, which was a night at the Ellery House Bed and Breakfast in Duluth, MN. They said it was amazing, and I am so glad; they deserved some time away!

4. My family rocks. I have the greatest husband, the sweetest son, and the cutest (screamy-est) daughter and its awesome!

5. As tradition would have it, our family starts out our Christmas celebration by opening one gift on Christmas Eve evening and it is always pajamas. Always. Super cute, cozy, often funny jammies. And we wear them. We all go put them on immediately and stay in them until we each individually decide that we are motivated enough to change our clothes, usually not until after two in the afternoon on Christmas or so. The other Christmas Eve thing we do is hide an almond in the Cream of Wheat. Cream of Wheat is always our C.E. meal. Whoever has the almond in their bowl gets the privilege and responsibility of passing out the remaining gifts on Christmas morning.

6. I would love it if you all share one of your favorite family traditions around the Christmas holiday!

"as the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts"

(Title quote from Mumford & Sons)

We spent a few weeks at my inlaws house while they had to be out of town. They own a fishing resort on Rush Lake. We had a sweet time there and got some great pictures on one of the chillier days where we could bundle up in cute winter stuff!



This girl is so stinkin cute!



Daddy and baby!

Our big boy, Hunter!

So, yesterday, we returned to Moorhead and got unpacked. Then we invited some guests over for dinner! My brother, Christian, my friend, Courtney, and our friends, the Irvis' and the Dion's! It was so great to see everyone and their kiddos! Adalia and Hunter had a blast with all the extra kiddos running around!

I can't wait for Thanksgiving! We are going down to visit my sister and her family down in Minneapolis! For those of you already planning a menu, here is my favorite turkey rub recipe!

The Most Delicious Turkey Rub EVER
1tbsp garlic powder
2tsp seasoned salt
1tsp poultry seasoning
1tsp paprika
1tsp salt
1/2tsp pepper
1/4tsp cayenne pepper
1/4tsp basil

Mix dry ingredients. Make some sage butter, rub butter under skin of turkey and all over around the outside. Then, generously apply the dry rub under the skin and all over the outside.

snow flakes and shopping

Daddy and Me, December 2010

Today, I did some early Christmas shopping.

In trying to be reasonable, I bought our eight month old ONE thing. That is right! If you want to congratulate me on my restraint, feel free! I bought her a stuffed llama. She is going to be the coolest kid ever.

I bought my neice and my sister this beautiful horse music box. Since my parents started a non-profit youth ranch, all of us kids, and all our kids, have been totally into all things horse! I also bought my younger neice a cute plush horse set that you can find here. We got our son a couple of Thomas the Train puzzles, a wooden train whistle, and a cool science project.


I believe strongly that Christmas is not about gifts. Although, it is quite fun to enjoy a season of giving while celebrating the REAL reason for the season which is...of course...my main man and Savior and Creator and King, Jesus Christ.


((On a totally unrelated note, to you readers who also blog...THANK YOU! I have been so encouraged by the words of wisdom and the words of funny-ness that you all share. What a cool and random community we have here in Blogland. So, keep on keepin' on.))

Today, post-Christmas shopping, I went to run some errands and  it started to snow! What a beautiful sight! I was seriously rejuvinated by those big, beautiful flakes. I hope we get enough that I can celebrate my birthday (November 23rd) with some snow on the ground. I will use any reason to wear a great sweater, and there are few better excuses than snow!