It's already over?

Wow, has Christmas really come & gone already? Crazy! The kids have totally brought the magic back to Christmas. It was so fun to experience it all through their eyes. Owen even started to say "Santa" everytime he saw him, & the girls talked about it non-stop. They were so excited they couldn't stand it! But we did try really hard to talk about the birth of Christ alot. I think Averee got the point, cuz during one family home evening, I asked (for the 100th time) "Why do we celebrate Christmas?". Averee says "I know, I know Mom, it's Jesus' birthday" like DUH mom! Adee keeps saying that she wants to give Jesus kisses-don't they just melt your heart? Well, here are the Christmas details...

Christmas Eve was at the Jones', with our annual visit from Santa. Each grandchild gets to sit on his lap to get their gift from Grandma & Grandpa Jones. The girls were so excited to see him, but Owen-not so much. :0) When he first came in the door Averee asks "How is Mrs. Clause?". That got everyone laughing & he said that she was busy baking cookies. He is the cutest Santa ever! He has been our Santa for several years now & we just love him! The kids had fun playing with all the cousins-even Dannys sister Kim (who lives in Moab) was there with her family. We always have a blast when all the gangs together. Anyway, after Grandma's house, we headed home to open our Christmas jammies & act out the Manger scene. Averee just HAD to be Mary so she could hold baby Jesus, & Adee was the funniest Angel. She is such a ham! Owen wouldn't keep any costumes on, but went back & forth from being a Wiseman & a Shephard. I guess he wanted the best of both worlds! Then we made Santa a plate of cookies & milk, sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn & headed to bed.

Morning didn't come TOO awfully early-Averee had us up around 6:30. The girls were so happy to see that Santa had left them baby dolls & new art stuff, & Owen loved his blocks & fire truck. I was totally spoiled-Danny got me the picture of Christ I wanted for our living room, & the ice cream attachment for my KitchenAid. I have wanted one since I got my KitchenAid last year, but could never find one. I guess Danny thought I had been extra nice this year! :0) Danny got the zero degree sleeping bags he wanted & some new church clothes & shoes. Then my family come over to open presents & eat breakfast. It was great to see them & hang out for awhile. We always keep each other laughing. My parents always spoil us-but we love it! Then of course we had to have the usual Pumpkin Pancakes with Apples Lemon Syrup (our favorite!) Thanks for that recipe Rachelle!

That afternoon the Jones clan got back together for Christmas dinner & it was delicious! We had a great time chatting & just hanging out while all the kids ran around like they were hopped up on goof balls (that was for you Kenny). Thanks Todd & Michelle for letting us all crash the place! :0) Todd & Michelle had made a video of all of us sharing our favorite memories of Grandma & Grandpa Jones & that was great to watch. The kids are hilarious! They say the funniest stuff! One of my nephews, Luke, said "a grandparent is an old parent". How true! It was such a great day spent with family & friends. We are so blessed to be close to soo much of our family, & to be able to spend the holidays with them is awesome! Only 364 days left till next Christmas-I can't wait!

That was close, a little too close!

Last nite we almost had a Christmas catastrophe! But let me start at the beginning...It was our ward temple nite & we were excited to go & get to know our ward better. I was in the bathroom getting ready with Averee watching & keeping me company while I primped. Then she asks if she can go pick out my dress & I say sure why not, she actually has really good taste. Danny usually lets her pick out his tie on sunday. However, I momentarily forgot that her & Adee's Christmas presents were hidden behind some clothes on a shelf right next to where my dresses hang. Next thing I know Averee says "what is that pink box under there?" Well, I panicked, rushed her outta there & said "it is private mommy & daddy stuff". Without missing a beat she says "Why is there a picture of a baby on it?" I really panicked now & all I could come up with is "It's, um, private mommy & daddy stuff that, um, we use....to make babies!" Keep in mind that Danny has been in the closet getting dressed this whole time & thinks it is hilarious! I couldn't even keep a straight face while I said that, so then Averee asks "Why are you guys laughing?". "Just cuz we're embarrassed....now go watch the Grinch with Adee & Owen." That was close, a little too close! We laughed about it all nite. Santa will definitely have to take the gifts out of the box this year! Averee is just getting too smart for her own good! And don't worry-right after we got home from the temple I put the presents in a much better hiding place! My mom even tried to worn me a couple weeks ago that I should find a better spot. Just another example of 'shoulda listened to my mom'. Now I am just waiting for the plethora of 'making babies' questions that Averee is sure to start asking. Poor kid probably thinks babies come out of a box now! Oh well, live & learn!

'Tiny' dancer...

Averee loves dance! Every morning she asks if she gets to go to dance today. During Parent's Day about a month ago, we were able to sit in on her class to take pictures & video. I love this picture...for several reasons. First, I love that she is a head taller than the other girls in the class. Get used to it girl! Second, look at that form! The whole time you could tell how hard she was concentrating on doing the moves just right. She practices all the time at home & she is always correcting Adee on the proper way to do a Sashay (sp?). Such a funny girl! And third, I love that she loves it! She has a perma grin thru the whole class. What a joy to find something that we love to do. Keep it up Averee!

Danny got tagged!

Thanks Tiff for tagging Danny-but since he doesn't ever look at our blog (I don't think he really knows what one is? he he he) I will answer the questions. Here it goes....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both! It mostly depends on the gift & how weird of a shape it is. The weirder the shape the harder to wrap-so then I put it in a bag. Although I do think wrapping looks better & it is more fun to open.

2. Real tree or artificial? I love the smell of a real tree-but not the mess. So, we have a fake tree. But I figured out a trick to get the smell- the little pine scented car airfresheners work great! I just hide one in the middle of the tree & it smells pretty real.

3. When do you put up the tree? It is our family tradition to put it up the weekend of Thanksgiving. The kids had a ball putting all the decor up this year. What good helpers I have!

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after the New Year.

5. Do you like eggnog? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But Danny does...yuck!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The one that sticks out the most is a purple bike (with a banana seat!) that I got around the age of 8. I loved it-it was so pretty & just what I wanted. But my favorite memory of it was seeing my dad ride it down the hill by our house on Christmas morning with his robe flapping in the breeze behind him! Love ya Dad!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have 3. A small kidish one that the kids love to play with. Except we keep losing peices. Even baby Jesus was lost for awhile-but we found him! Thank goodness! The only one missing right now is one of the Wise Men. Poor guy! Then I have the Willow Tree one & I love it. It is so beautiful. My mom even got me the newest peices : the Ox & Goat for Christmas! Last but not least-my mom also got me the new Willow Tree Natvity that is just Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus. It is quiet a bit bigger that the other Willow Tree Nativity. I absolutely love it-it is gorgeous. It took my breath away the first time I saw it & I knew I had to have it. Luckily my mom was with me & she was able to finish some of her Christmas shopping! he he he! She is so good to me...

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law, hands down! He is the type that can & does go buy whatever he wants whenever he wants.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My mother-in-law. She loves books & so a gift certificte to Deseret Book is always just what she wants.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The only thing I can think of is the year that I really, really, really wanted the Barbie Ice Cream Shop-but I got an electric blanket instead.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail! Mine will be going out soon-I am just waiting for the pictures to get here.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? All of them-especially the old school animated ones.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I am thinking about it off & on all year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so...but we did recycle some wedding gifts! Isn't that horrible! I can't believe I just admitted that!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything with peppermint flavor: hot chocolate, candy, desserts.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Anything sung by Josh Groban or Celine. I even like Josh's version of the Little Drummer Boy. Usually I can't stand that song!

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Travel around the holiday, but try to stay home on Christmas Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course Rudolph (I just stole Tiff's answers)

20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Star (Averee wishes it was an angel)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open new pajamas on Christmas Eve & everything else in the morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The lame people who complain about too much 'Christ' in Christmas...go figure!

23. What I love most about Christmas? Everything! I can't name just one thing. The smells, food, lights, magic for the kids, all of it!

Well, now I tag: Christan, Jess, Andrea & Shannon-looks like you better start a blog! he he he!

Close to my Heart December Newsletter

Don't you just love this time of year? I can't wait for Christmas-my kids have brought the magic back to the holiday season for me. It is wonderful to experience the holidays through the eyes of a child. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! And to add some more joy to your holiday-the NEW Spring 2008 catalogs are here! I am so impressed with all the new products & papers-so fun! It really got my creative juices flowing! If you don't already have one-I will be handing them out at club this month...

Here is the scoop for December:

1. Color of the Month (COM): Ponderosa Pine

2. Stamp of the Month (SOM): D1245 In my Heart

3. Kit of the Month (KOM): X7085B Everlasting

4. Heart of Winter Promo: Serendipity

5. Scrapbook Clubs

6. Monthly Contest

7. Opportunity

8. Private Workshops

9. Upcoming Workshops-Birthday Cards

10. Gift Certificates

11. Clearance Items

1. Color of the Month: Ponderosa Pine. For only $15.00 you get 12 sheets of cardstock, an ink pad, the marker, 25 eyelets in a craft jar, & a TruFit Folio. This is a very festive dark green color. Perfect for Christmas layouts or cards. We will be using it on the layouts this month at the clubs, so come check it out! The Color of the Month is a great way to slowly stock up on a variety of colors. Let me know if you would like to place an order for this monthly special.

2. Stamp of the Month: D1245 In my Heart. The broad, strong brush strokes of this set will leave no doubt about the depth of your love. Day in, day out, this set lets others know the bold truth in your heart. Available December 1-31, 2007 only.

You can purchase the SOM for $22.95, or get it discounted depending on your order amount. Spend $25 & get it 25% off, spend $50 & get it 50% off, spend $75 & get it 75% off, or spend $100 & get it FREE! See attachment called December SOM to see this awesome stamp set! Contact me today to place an order for this monthly special.

3. Kit of the Month: X7085B Everlasting. Each month I offer a Kit of the Month for a special discounted price of only $10! The regular price is $12.95. Everlasting is a beautiful & versatile paper packet that is perfect for Christmas & everyday layouts or cards. We are using it for the layouts at scrapbook club this month, so come check it out!

4. Heart of Winter Promo: Serendipity- Close To My Heart’s Heart of Winter campaign features an incredible, specially designed Serendipity paper collection, complete with darling die-cuts in fl oral and accent designs, textured cardstock, B&T Duos™ paper, and a brand new, coordinating D-size stamp set! You will be crafting to your heart’s content, discovering new ways to layer and embellish the floral and accent die-cuts, adding stamping pizzazz to your layouts, and creating the perfect cards and projects. See attachment for more details.

5. Scrapbook Clubs: I have 2 monthly scrapbook clubs. The first group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. The other club is a Mother/Daughter group that meets on the 3rd Friday. We meet from 7-10pm, the "hostess" brings refreshments & then gets the FREE stuff! If you are not part of one of these groups & want to know more-just ask!

-Scrapbook Club: Tuesday-December 11th Hostess: Michelle Wall

-Mother/Daughter Club: Date & Time TBA Hostess: Greenalls

At the start of the nite I have a 2-page layout ready for you to stamp & assemble (this project costs $5.00) I generally try to teach a new tip or technique. The rest of the time is yours to work on whatever you want: layouts, cards, 3-D projects, or whatever! All you have to do is bring pictures & supplies you want to work on & I am there to help give ideas & guidance. Plus, you can use all my stamps & ink pads. I also have individual papers & embellishments there to buy if you wish.

The other advantages are that you will have a set day every month to get some scrapbooking done, get ideas from the other members, have access to my stash of goodies, & just have a fun relaxing night! If you aren't a member but want to know more-please call me. Bring a friend-if they join the club, you get $10 FREE product!

6. Monthly Contest: We have a little contest going at the club that meets on the 2nd tuesday. The members can bring something to club nite like a layout, card, small album, or anything scrappy!Everyone votes on their favorite entry & the winner gets to pick something from the goodie drawer!

7. Opportunity: I attached a flyer with info about the Consultant Kit-it is worth $400, but only costs $150! It is overflowing with products-so FUN! Plus, a flyer called 'Opportunity Knocks' which give details about this awesome money making opportunity. If you or anyone you know is interested I would be happy to give you more information & get you started in this wonderful career-just ask!

8. Private Workshops: I am so excited to start offering Private Workshops! These would be perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, reunions, girls nite out, birthdays, or any excuse to get together with your friends & family! All you do is pick a project you want to do, the date, invite your friends & I do the rest. Obviously, the price would depend on the project you choose. The projects could be anything you can think of, but here are a few ideas:

* Sets of themed cards (thank you, birthday, wedding, etc)

* Recipe Tins

* Gift Albums (baby, wedding, anniversary)

* Event Calendars

* Decorated Paint Cans or Lunch Boxes

* 2-page Scrapbook Layouts

* Family Activity Cans

* Tradition Albums

* Magnet Boards

* Brag Book Albums (brown paper bags or white CD folders)

* Journals

* Checkbook Covers

* Neighbor Christmas Gifts

As a thank you for putting together the Private Workshop, you can choose $25 worth of FREE product from the catalog. Plus, if your guests place orders then you could also get the hostess rewards! This is a win-win for everyone! So, talk to your friends & family to decide what kind of project you want to do. Give me a call & I will get the fun started!

9. Upcoming Workshops: January: Birthday Card Workshop. We can never have too many birthday cards right? Well, this is the perfect workshop to make sure you have plenty of birthday cards for the whole year. I will design one male birthday card & one female birthday card, then you can decide how many of each one you want to do. As always, I will have everything cut out & ready to stamp & assemble. Could it be any easier?! So start looking through your birthday calendars & figure out how many male & female birthday cards you will need to last the whole year. Plus, we will be using NEW paper from the Spring 2008 catalog! More info will be coming soon...

10. Gift Certificates: As always, I have gift certificates available in any dollar amount you need. This is the perfect gift, or stocking stuffer for the scrapbooker on your list. They are redeemable through me at anytime. Out of towners can even place their order over the phone or internet & it will be shipped right to them-so convenient! Any questions-just ask!

11. Clearance Table: Out with the old & in with the new! I have got to get rid of some stuff to make room for all the new stuff I know I will want out of the NEW Spring 2008 Catalog. At both scrapbook clubs I will have a table FULL of clearance items including: new & slightly used stamp sets, paper packets, albums, single sheets of cardstock & pattern paper, gifts, & other misc scrapbook items. Plus, for every item you purchase from the clearance table you will get a drawing ticket. The drawing will be for an adorable 9x9 accordian album kit. The more you buy, the better your chance to win the kit! So look forward to the clearance table full of great deals!

*Last, but not least, make sure you check out the Close to my Heart website. If you go to www.closetomyheart.com you can look at the stamps of the month & some fun projects using them, & also get tons of other fun ideas & learn some new techniques as well. Go check it out today!

Thanks for your time. Enjoy this wonderful time of year! If you have any questions or need anything-please let me know. Take care & see you soon...