18th...

We love what each of our children "bring" with them when they come into our lives,

we love that they are just born with it...

we especially love what Caitlyn

"brings"

to our family and have loved it now for 18 years straight!

thanks

and

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!!!

we love you....

.

planning ahead which takes me back to memory lane...

With the holidays upon us, I've been thinking...... (I know, right!)

Christmas falls on Sunday this year,

remember last time it fell on Sunday, about 7 years ago....

I do,

I remember it well, it was one of my favorite Christmas'

because,

we called Santa that year and asked if He could come on Saturday

instead of Christmas Sunday,

and of course,

he was happy to do so cuz that would mean one less chimney he had to shimmy down

and he appreciated all the time he saved that night...

and,

we were happy cuz we woke up Saturday morning

and opened all our gifts and played and played all day long,

and then....

when we woke up on Sunday Christmas Morning,

we ate a delicious breakfast

got ready for church

and we were able to feel the spirit all day and enjoy what Christmas is really all about!

so,

yep,

you guessed it,

we are doing it again this year too,

(along with something else we've never tried before).

and we're excited.

I've already made the call into Santa and he's all on board,

he even asked if we could tell our family and friends cuz it makes it so much easier on him,

and then....

Santa will be able to enjoy his Christmas Sunday too!

i like my tree, i do, i do....

I was just about ready to "pat myself on the back"....

cuz i was liking my decorated tree this year,

(as opposed to other years)

and then,

boom........ 6 balls down!!!

but,

remember our "family word wall" in our old house,

well, I didn't have a wall to do with it again,

so,

I took the black words and spray-painted them white,

and put them up on my tree, it gives it a nice little "pop".

we bought some new ribbon at Tai Pan Trading Co. and decided to go with new colors of

red, lime green and white,

everything else was from last year,

with just a few simple changes.....

and wahla.......

i like my tree,

i do, i really do!

As promised......

Our first Halloween in Utah!

according to Spencer and Lynzie,

4lbs of candy in a pillowcase

was a total success!