Otis Family Christmas Dinner

Sunday Night we had the whole Otis clan (plus Seth and Melinda) for Christmas dinner. It was great family fun. I love doing dinner at my house. I love getting the house and table all decked out. I love cooking and baking for a crowd. I know most people dread it but I love it! So thanks for indulging me and driving "all the way up here" so I could do this dinner!



There are 10 grand kids now and they range from 9 to 1 in age, so it was a little crazy but my kids love their cousins! Cliff always has us do a Christmas program and then gives us some family goals to work on. It's hard to keep all the kids quiet for that long but it's worth it. Cliff always has some profound (and funny)things to share with us. We shared our favorite stories about Jesus and "sang"(if you've heard the Otis's sing, you know what I mean!) Christmas song classics, like Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer! Great fun! Great memories!

Christmas Time is Here!

This month has been a crazy one--to say the least! First of all THE SNOW! We are definitely having a white Christmas and it keeps snowing....


We had a cookie party with my sister, Hilary, and my brother, Seth and his wife, Melinda. We baked about 20 dozen cookies. The kids called it Santa's cookie factory. We all had a great time decorating and listening to Christmas music! Great traditions!




Because this month was so busy, I procrastinated getting our family pictures taken. My friend, Jennilynn, saved the day with some great family portraits! Thanks, Jennilynn!


Last week was busy! First was our ward's Enrichment Christmas Social on Tuesday. It was very stressful getting it all put together. I completely neglected my kids and anything Christmas for two full weeks--thank goodness I had Heidi to keep me sane and all the help from all my "Enrichment Specialists"! Thank you guys! We had a pretty good turn out and I'm just glad it's over! 'Nuf said! Moving On!

On Wednesday we had the girls' dance recital. They danced to "Frosty the Snowman" and got to see Santa. I'm so proud of them that they actually danced and didn't get too shy in front of all the parents! It was so fun to see them shine!



Friday was the girls' Kindergarten program. They sang a lot of songs and there was a video of them reciting "Twas the night before Christmas". Both Emma and Sophia got to be bell ringers for "Jingle Bells". It was really cute. They really got into it!

Friday Night was Michael's company party and Saturday was our 11th wedding anniversary. So we combined the two and got a free dinner for our anniversary! It's hard to believe we've been married that long--makes me feel old! It's hard to have our anniversary this month but we've made a tradition of Christmas shopping for each other together and it gives us a great excuse to spend time together during this crazy month. I love you, Michael! You are the best thing in my life!



As busy as this month was, I was able to get up most of my Christmas decorations. There are still a few bins that were never unpacked and there are MANY projects that went by the way side (putz houses for my glitter village). But overall, I like the way it all turned out!

My trees! I did 3 this year. The big one is the Homemade Tree. It's filled with all the ornaments made by Grandma Sophie, Grandma Huber, and Grandma Trish. We even have ornaments Michael made growing up. Many of the ornaments are that vintage style I'm addicted to! It's a very special tree! Then I have my tree. Red, silver and black.Very modern. Then I have my Santa tree with all Santa ornaments (most of which Trish collected over the years). I add to it every year! I have a problem--I know! But I love decorating for Christmas!

I love and hate this time of year! I love the magic of Christmas. But I hate not having time to enjoy it. I love creating sweet memories for my kids and love making new traditions with my family. I love the opportunity to think of my Savior more and remember what an important thing it was that He was born and lived and died for us to live with Him again. Merry Christmas!

Rock Stars!

So I'm rather obsessed with Rock Band 2... Enough to make characters for the entire family! Amanda and I are at the top. Emma, Sophia, & Ian are below. Amanda picked out her own apparel by the way.

So here's what we'd look like in an alternate reality or dimension, where we'd all be successful and sensible rock stars. ...err, yeah right.

Don't you just love technology? Now anybody can live in a virtual world.

My sweet girl!

So I had quite the day on Friday! The kids have not been eating anything I put in front of them. And I've had it! So I threatened to not make them any more food if they don't eat. I made lunch reminding them of the consequences if they don't eat it and went to take a shower(yes, it was noon when I finally showered!) I came back to check on them and they have not touched there food. So I told them they would not be having any dinner! After much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, the girls and I headed off to the store. They couldn't stop complaining about how hungry they were and how they would die if they didn't get any food and they were too weak to walk from the lack of food....on and on and on! And I held my ground! I explained to them that there are consequences for their actions and it was not my fault they were hungry, that they were the ones making a wrong choice not to listen and obey their Mom, would Heavenly Father be happy that they did not choose the right....on and on and on!

So I'm trying to get my shopping done in the mist of the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, picking out shampoo, and Emma runs to the end of the aisle and plops down. I figure she is mad and pouting at her mean, awful mother. An elderly woman sees her there by herself and asks if she lost. I say no I'm her mother and she is just pouting over there. Emma stands up and says "I'm not pouting! I'm praying!" I said "WHAT?" and the lady walks away from us. I bend down as Emma tells me she was praying to Heaven Father to repent for what she had done so that she could eat dinner tonight! Right in the middle of WalMart, my sweet girl, Emma, is exercising her faith in the atonement. I was speechless. What a lesson she has taught me! Do I take the time to repent when I need to? Do I have the faith of a little child? I love Emma! She has such an overactive conscious. She hates the thought of anyone being upset at her and I guess the thought of Heavenly Father not being happy with her was too much to handle!

Needless to say, they had dinner that night. And we talked about what it meant to repent and how important it was to listen and obey Mom and Dad. And they ate their entire meal, all gone!

Smart @&$

Amanda says I never post anything. Well, here you go!

Are You Ready To Rock?

Emma and Sophia had their 6th birthday party last night. They had a ROCK STAR party. They chose the theme because they love to play rock band and they wanted to dance at their party. We had fun planning this one! They really got into it!

The Invitation

The Decorations

The Stage

Rock Star Cupcakes

Emma posing with her guitar. She picked out this outfit herself. We colored her hair with purple and blue stripes and she got to wear stick on earrings and a skull necklace.



Sophia is ready to rock! She opted for a short sleeve star shirt and had her hair in a pony tail (typical Sophia). So we colored her hair purple with blue polka dots. She also wore earrings and the skull necklace and added her rock star ring.

Here's Ian posing with the birthday girls! He's wearing his "rock band" shirt he picked out himself. He was so excited to be included in the party.


We had 14 kids all together. It was pretty CRAZY but isn't that what being a rock star is all about? Everyone had a blast decorating their guitars! These kids are very creative. They all turned out great! They even got to take the guitars and microphones home.


Everyone got their hair colored and the girls got sticker earrings. Then they all took turns singing a rock version of twinkle, twinkle little star "on stage" while everyone in the audience cheered them on. Even Grandma Trish got into in on the rock star action!


Overall, I think the party was a success! We have such great kids in our neighborhood and I am so thankful they have so many wonderful (and well behaved) friends! Happy Birthday Emma and Sophia! My little rock stars!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by several people with several different tags--and I've ignored all of them! But the guilt got to me so I'm finally doing this post.
8 things

Favorite TV shows
1. The Office
2. Dexter
3. Pushing Daisies
4. Divine Design with Candace Olsen
5. Front Line
6. Life
7. Law and Order
8. The News

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Showered before 10 am woohoo!
2. Grocery shoppping (with the kids)
3. Clothes shopping for the kids (with the kids)
4. Laundry
5. Made dinner
6. Went to Enrichment recipe exchange
7. Ate way too many yummy appetizers!
8. Talked to my sister on the phone

8 Things I look forward to
1. Sleep
2. The girls' Rock Star birthday party
3. Midway on November 21st
4. Thanksgiving at my house!
5. Setting up Christmas
6. Our 11th Anniversary (December 20th)
7. Remodeling our bathrooms in January
8. 1/20/09

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. P.F.Chang's (pan fried noodles, The Great Wall of Chocolate cake)
2. Yanni's Greek Express (chicken soulvaki)
3. The Art City Trolley (Salads, all of them)
4. The Metropolitan (The best steak I've ever had)
5. Macaroni Grill (Pasta Milano)
6. Carabba's (Chicken Marsala)
7. Einstein's Brothers (love bagel sandwiches)
8. Bajio (lime chicken taco)

8 Things on my wishlist
1. A new sewing machine, so I can quilt!
2. New bathrooms (tile, double sink vanities, beadboard)
3. For my kids to actually eat the dinner I make them
4. A day without pain or headaches
5. An actual craft ROOM!
6. To be "caught up" on scrapbooking
7. To read more
8. To have a regular date night with my husband

So there you have it! And I'm not tagging anyone, so arrest me for breaking the Tag rules!

Fall in Utah OR Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Fall in Utah

The kids were so excited to wake up to snow yesterday morning! They begged me to go out and play. I hesitated. Not because I didn't want them to have fun in the snow, but because I HATE putting on their snow clothes. It's exhausting! The snow pants, the boots, especially the toddler mittens! You know the ones with the thumb hole that they can never find! How do you explain to a 3 year old "Hold out your thumb! Put the rest of your fingers here, Hold out you thumb!"? So after 25 tries (I'm not exaggerating), they were dressed! Once we got out there, I have to admit, it was fun. The sun was shining, the snow was glistening, and the kids had a great time!

First things, First! Snow Angels!

Eating Snow!

The Aftermath

Halloween=Fun

We had a wonderful Halloween! Michael took the day off, we slept in, had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then the fun began. We all got dressed in our costumes and headed to school for the girls Kindergarten parade. So fun to see all the little kids dressed up! Then I helped with the class party while Michael and Ian went home to play Rock Band (Michael's birthday present). Then we went to the Training Table for lunch, so Michael could have his favorite Blue Bacon Burger! We came home to relax, play a couple more hours of Rock Band and get ready for the main event--trick of treating!

Emma as LUKE SKYWALKER



Sophia as PRINCESS LEIA




Ian as DARTH VADER

Mom The Witch

Dad The Grim Reaper


Emma and Sophia came up with these costume ideas all on their own! They begged me to make them costumes so the could be Luke and Leia. They convinced me when they said Luke and Leia were twins in the movie! So it began. Then Ian, who wanted to be Batman, decided he needed to be a Stars Wars something too, so we found this Darth Vader mask. I think they looked pretty great!
We had a good turn out for trick or treaters, thanks to the warm weather! I got to stay home and do my favorite thing--pass out the candy. I was good and didn't scare any kids, well not too bad! Michael took the kids around. They had a great time going around the neighborhood and got way too much candy! Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!

Monster Mash

You Are A Vampire

You have a real thirst for bliss, and you consider yourself a true hedonist. And you're not afraid to walk alone in life, if it means getting what you truly crave. You truly enjoy entrancing people. Not to mention the ensuing pleasures of the flesh. Your tastes have been called decadent and bizarre. You usually give in to your temptations, no matter how primal Your greatest power: Your flawless ability to seduce and charm Your greatest weakness: Human flesh You play well with: Werewolves

What Kind of Monster Are You?

HALLOWEEN FINALLY!

The craft retreat is over and I have finally put up Halloween. I know, this is the latest I've ever waited to put it all up and it's not all done yet but I couldn't wait to share pictures!

Our Grave Yard

Front Door

Front Porch

My Favorite: Our New Witch

Entryway Display

Entryway

I love my vaulted ceilings!

Mantel Display

A lot of people have asked me why I love Halloween--I'm not sure why it's my favorite holiday. Maybe it started in my "deep, dark and spooky phase", as my brother called it. Maybe it's because I hate being scared and this is just my way of dealing with my fears...who knows! But I love dressing up, pretending to be someone else, being creative! Halloween night is magical for me. I love the crisp night air and all the kids running the streets, laughing and screaming. If I can add something to that magic, I'm all for it! So enjoy this time of year-be someone you've always wanted to be and have FUN for Halloween!

For Aunt Lisa:


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 t vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 t pumpkin pie spice
2 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Beat in egg, then stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda,salt and spice in another bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.