All systems ready for go

Clothes- check

Journal- check

Baby clothes- check

Camera and video recorder- check

Scriptures and other reading material- check

toiletries- check

I'm packed and ready to go. Less than 2 weeks till baby-time and since my last two children were early this one might be as well. We'll see, babies come when they come. It would be nice not to have it while Zach is gone next week, but I don't have much control over that. He'll be gone Wednesday through Saturday at a conference in Seattle having his job interviews for next year. His mom will be here with me though, just in case. 

Crafty Christmas part II

Christmas tree pine cones I helped the boys make for Zach

A cute ornament Gabe made at school from his hand print

I love you GABE

A preschool ornament from my sweet David

Zach's initials- Zachary McLeod Hutchins

You know how some projects look easier than they are? Well this was one of those. Between the buying, painting, cutting, rolling, and gluing this craft took a lot longer than I expected, but at least they turned out ok. The letters will go in his office at school as book ends or something to put over his door. The "H" is made entirely from the play Hamlet but that particular play was too short so I had to use another one to finish the other two letters.

The first of many stockings to come. (BYU colors) I'm in the process of making them for our entire family plus any who might enter our family in the coming years. Mac used this one at Christmas this year since I dismantled his old stocking to use as a pattern

Bow ties part 2- Zach picked out the three fabrics in front with his nephew Tanner and I already had the two red ones from a different project. One of Zach's students told him that bow ties were coming back into style. Who knew?  A different female student asked me to teach her how to make them too. My pleasure. 

Maternity Pictures

These pictures were taken courtesy of Zach (photo shoot directed by me) on Christmas morning after church. Didn't he do a good job? I wanted to get a few nice shots before I pop. (I'm 8 1/2 mo. pregnant, but the last two were early.)

I've been feeling very much like Mary this Christmas season

Not the baby for long

Next up- New born pictures!

Happy Birthday Joy

Born on December 26th- That's why they called her Joy. And she is.

37 years young

Cheesecake factory Cheesecake- that's what I call a CAKE! Yummmm

This man right here did a stellar job on the gifts this year. On Christmas Joy got a new wedding ring AND a kitchen aid and today he surprised her with a photo album he made from their trip to Europe. All great gifts. Way to go Ben. 

Happy Birthday JOY

Christmas Pictures

Christmas Cereal- a traditional treat

Our day started with a sugar buzz to help us get us off to church. Sacrament meeting only lasted 50 minutes instead of the regular 70 and then the next two hours of church were cancelled, which many people didn't mind. (I sort of felt like we were slighting the Lord on His special day but I didn't have much control over it.) After that we spent a nice morning at home opening gifts and playing together as a family. 

Some professorial Christmas corduroys 

Taking a peak on Christmas morning before the actual opening has begun 

Dinosaur train toy from grandma

Lego set from grandpa- "Wow, this is my best gift"

Later on we went over to Ben and Joy's to enjoy a lovely ham dinner with all the fixings and some good cousin time. A very Merry Christmas indeed. David's question to me today- "Mom, when is the next Christmas?"

Teaching the boys Dominion- our new favorite game

Della and will (Ben and Joy's neighbor who now lives in an assisted living center)

Christmas Gift

When I was tucking my boys in bed David told me: "Mommy, you're my best Christmas present." I thought this was very sweet. It was the best present he could have given me.

Need a last minute Gift?

Getting a little bored on your Christmas break? Don't know what to do with the extra guests in your house? Need a last minute gift for the hard-to-shop for? Go pick up this game- Dominion. We are loving this gift that Tanner and Naomi got Zach before they left for Christmas break. Tanner didn't even get to play a round before he left but Zach and I have probably played six or seven times in the week that we have had it. I'm sure we will get a chance when he comes back. It only takes about 30-60 minutes to play and is a strategy card game where you try to increase your Dominion. Lots of fun. As Naomi likes to say, "Ready to be Dominionated?"

My Word for next year

The word is :

Grateful 

Instead of a long list, or even short list, of goals for the New Year I've decided to pick a word to describe myself.  I'll post it around my house, read about it in the scriptures, say it to myself when I'm frustrated etc. I figure I can't complain or judge if I'm busy being grateful. I can't get angry if I'm grateful for the person I intend to be upset with and I'll be an overall more cheerful person while I am pondering my blessings instead of those things which I do not have. I considered a lot of different adjectives including meek, mild, temperate, faithful, forgiving, prayerful, thoughtful, organized, productive and charitable but I think for this year the word is Grateful. It doesn't have to be an adjective if you choose to do this yourself. It could be a word like JOY. Anything to that would help you come unto Christ and have life more abundantly. Perhaps there is a different word that stands out to you. I'm grateful you read this post and good luck.

What I'm grateful for

Shoes that I don't have to bend over to tie. 'Tis a blessing this holiday season. For the next three weeks, the less bending the better!

Bunny-sitting

It's kind of like grand parenting. You spoil the child for a little while, have fun, then get to give it back when you are tired of it. 

For the past 10 days or so we have been watching a small bunny, temporarily named "Jill, for their cousin Megan. She doesn't know it but this is her special surprise on Christmas. So SHHHHHHHHHHHH... its a secret (I'm 99% sure she doesn't check this blog)

The boys have thoroughly enjoyed having a pet around the house but understand that we can't get one ourselves because we are in the apartment.I'll have to come up with another excuse when we move into a house.

Christmas Quote

"How many observe Christ's birthday!

How few, His precepts

Oh, tis easier to keep his holidays than

Commandments"

--Benjamin Franklin

I borrowed this from a wise man who borrowed it from another wise man. (Thanks Rich)

Fa la La la la

For the past month or so David's class has let the ABC's take a break while they learned some Christmas tunes for their holiday program. He is such a timid little guy that we made him promise before we drove to his school that he was actually going to participate this time. David did his duty though and sat on the stage with his class and sang his little heart out. We even arrived 5 minutes early but unfortunately all the other camcorder parents got there 10 minutes early so we were cast to the back row to enjoy our 3 year old's performance. I did get a few snap shots though before squatting in the front became a non-option for my rolly-polly body. 

I think its clear who the cutest angel was