We hope that you had a Very Merry Christmas
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
10 things...
10 things I'm loving RIGHT now...
1. My new Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD playing while surfing the net.
2. Feeling the warm air from the heater blow on me, warming me up from a FRIGID day at work.
3. The feeling of satisfaction on my homemade Christmas cards. That last little bit of bling made the world of difference.
4. Finding new recipes to try out and feeling confident that they will be keepers.
5. Chap stick for my dry windburned lips.
6. That big hug from my boss. I love that he makes all his employees feel wanted AND needed. Love that man! (and super bummed that there will be no auctions for TWO weeks).
7. The big pile of my childhood classic Christmas movies I picked up today. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both versions), The Muppet's Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Clause is Coming to Town. I can't wait to add them to our Christmas movie collection.
8. Anticipation of NOT having to cook dinner tonight! Yay for the ward Family Christmas Party!!! and hopefully great photo-ops with Santa again.
9. That itch to add to my Christmas book collection. I have two. Yes, you read right. Two books. I need some serious help in this department. Especially since we are a family of readers.
10. Coming home from work and finding that the two olders are playing nicely and the baby is napping. I have no idea what happened while i was at work but I'm take in every second of it.
(thanks Kim for a bit of inspiration)
.........................................................................................................................
On another note... something i noticed today that made me a little sad.
I've been reading all over the place how people aren't excited about the holiday season this year. That times are tough, therefore, putting a downer on all the usually chipper festivities. Yes, I've noticed that times are tougher. We are actually living it right now. We are struggling to live from month to month. But for the life of me, i don't understand why that should make such a HUGE impact on the holiday season. I believe that Christmas is in your heart. We don't need all the fanfare to make Christmas, well... Christmas.
Which brings me to what i noticed today that made me just a little sad. I was walking through Wal-Mart picking up that last little bit of stuff i need to do some baking and noticed that there was NO music playing. What's up with that? Are things so bad that we can't even enjoy a little Holiday music? I immediately came home and dug out all my holiday CD's and started listening to them. I've never noticed how much i missed all the music until there isn't any.
1. My new Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD playing while surfing the net.
2. Feeling the warm air from the heater blow on me, warming me up from a FRIGID day at work.
3. The feeling of satisfaction on my homemade Christmas cards. That last little bit of bling made the world of difference.
4. Finding new recipes to try out and feeling confident that they will be keepers.
5. Chap stick for my dry windburned lips.
6. That big hug from my boss. I love that he makes all his employees feel wanted AND needed. Love that man! (and super bummed that there will be no auctions for TWO weeks).
7. The big pile of my childhood classic Christmas movies I picked up today. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both versions), The Muppet's Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Clause is Coming to Town. I can't wait to add them to our Christmas movie collection.
8. Anticipation of NOT having to cook dinner tonight! Yay for the ward Family Christmas Party!!! and hopefully great photo-ops with Santa again.
9. That itch to add to my Christmas book collection. I have two. Yes, you read right. Two books. I need some serious help in this department. Especially since we are a family of readers.
10. Coming home from work and finding that the two olders are playing nicely and the baby is napping. I have no idea what happened while i was at work but I'm take in every second of it.
(thanks Kim for a bit of inspiration)
.........................................................................................................................
On another note... something i noticed today that made me a little sad.
I've been reading all over the place how people aren't excited about the holiday season this year. That times are tough, therefore, putting a downer on all the usually chipper festivities. Yes, I've noticed that times are tougher. We are actually living it right now. We are struggling to live from month to month. But for the life of me, i don't understand why that should make such a HUGE impact on the holiday season. I believe that Christmas is in your heart. We don't need all the fanfare to make Christmas, well... Christmas.
Which brings me to what i noticed today that made me just a little sad. I was walking through Wal-Mart picking up that last little bit of stuff i need to do some baking and noticed that there was NO music playing. What's up with that? Are things so bad that we can't even enjoy a little Holiday music? I immediately came home and dug out all my holiday CD's and started listening to them. I've never noticed how much i missed all the music until there isn't any.
Monday, December 15, 2008
December Daily - Day 13 - 14
Day 13: the Parade of Lights that only Daylon got to see and the nasty stomach bug Rianne picked up
Day 14:
Cleaning up the basement and fixing up the fake tree down there
Day 14:
Cleaning up the basement and fixing up the fake tree down there
December Daily - Days 10 - 11
I really am keeping up on this, it's just harder to update them all the time.
Day 10: Relaxing eveing reading books
Day 11: Rianne's Birthday
Day 10: Relaxing eveing reading books
Day 11: Rianne's Birthday
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Playing For Change ~ Peace Through Music
For some reason, this reminds me of Christmas
Music is so universally unifying.
i just love grandpa Elliott
Music is so universally unifying.
i just love grandpa Elliott
If you want to see the full Bill Moyers Journal interview,
go here---> Playing For Change
To learn more:
The Playing For Change website.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
7 years ago...
... this little beauty came into our lives.
It's hard to wrap our brains around how fast the time has flown.
She's grown into quite the cute young lady don't you think?
This morning she woke up this:
We snuck into her room late last night and decorated her room while she was sleeping.
She was so excited when she woke up and saw it that she went and woke up her big brother. And as much as he said he hates when she does that, he had the biggest grin on his face too.
Our biggest wish for Rianne is that her birthday doesn't get clumped up with Christmas.
This year i really made it a big deal not to combine anything Christmas with today. Today was her day.
Tomorrow is the big celebration day. Daylon had basketball all evening long so we were unable to do her party today. Tomorrow we are going to throw a birthday party for her at the Fire House.
We were hoping to at least have her birthday dinner today but that was a bust too. As much as it sounded a drag, today wasn't a total bust. Together, we made cupcakes for the party tomorrow, and our little bug learned how to crack her first eggs!
She got a few cute gifts already.
*We got her a charm bracelet kit where she can make her own charm bracelets.
*Her teacher gave her a book for her birthday.
*Jody got her a cute set of penguin pj's, a Tinkerbell book and the cutest little penguin beany baby.
*Her big brother was even thinking of her today, and made her a bracelet out of staples.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUG!
Today she turned seven. 
It's hard to wrap our brains around how fast the time has flown.
She's grown into quite the cute young lady don't you think?
This morning she woke up this:
We snuck into her room late last night and decorated her room while she was sleeping.
She was so excited when she woke up and saw it that she went and woke up her big brother. And as much as he said he hates when she does that, he had the biggest grin on his face too.
Our biggest wish for Rianne is that her birthday doesn't get clumped up with Christmas.
This year i really made it a big deal not to combine anything Christmas with today. Today was her day.
Tomorrow is the big celebration day. Daylon had basketball all evening long so we were unable to do her party today. Tomorrow we are going to throw a birthday party for her at the Fire House.
We were hoping to at least have her birthday dinner today but that was a bust too. As much as it sounded a drag, today wasn't a total bust. Together, we made cupcakes for the party tomorrow, and our little bug learned how to crack her first eggs!
She got a few cute gifts already.
*We got her a charm bracelet kit where she can make her own charm bracelets.
*Her teacher gave her a book for her birthday.
*Jody got her a cute set of penguin pj's, a Tinkerbell book and the cutest little penguin beany baby.
*Her big brother was even thinking of her today, and made her a bracelet out of staples.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUG!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
and he was such a GREAT Santa!
This last weekend we went to Tooele to visit my family. It was the weekend of the Mauch Family Christmas Party (mom's side of the family). It also marked the birthday celebrations for my Dad (on the 15th) and Rianne (on the 11th). Unfortunately not much birthday celebrating happened. It was just too big of a weekend to shove it into one full and 2 partial days (late Friday, all day Saturday, and part Sunday). Rianne did get some pressies from Grandma and Grandpa Mac. There was a homemade cake but no candles, no singing and not even a bite of the cake till we got home. All in all..... the birthday bit was a bust (but Rianne thinks the opposite. She loves that she gets to celebrate her birthday with Grandpa Mac and in Tooele. Daylon doesn't get to do that. And truthfully, I'm so glad she gets to have that experience for herself)
Saturday was a big day. It was the first Christmas party since Grandma Mauch passed away. Spirits were up and not much mourning at all.
Saturday was a big day. It was the first Christmas party since Grandma Mauch passed away. Spirits were up and not much mourning at all.
Highlight? that's easy. Santa Claus!
And he was such a PERFECT Santa!
Sam keeps talking about HoHo and his "hi" (translation: phone)
Rianne was absolutely cute (and bashful)
And Daylon... he loved every bit of it!
More from our trip:
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
December List
Just a simple list of things i want to do and enjoy this Christmas Holiday. BOLD means it's done
1. Watch all our Christmas DVD's
2. Make a gingerbread house
3. Make a garland of popcorn and cranberries
4. A new ornament for each child every year
*this is one i do every year for the kids. Someday they'll have their own little stash of ornaments when they get married and have their own trees
5. Hang mom's crocheted snowflakes downstairs.
*We used to do this every year in the old house but since being in the new house, it's been a bit harder.
6. Make our favorite Christmas cookies
7. Read the Christmas Story with the kids
8. Enjoy hot chocolate with the kids
9. New jammies.
*Even with our Christmas being super small this year, DarRell told me this was one tradition i could not drop.
(they are bought... now just waiting for Christmas Eve!)
10. Eat a pomegranate
11. Watch the light parade
12. Visit Santa
13. Christmas cards
Either homemade or picture cards. Sadly enough, i'm not sure i'm going to get to this one. I always wait till the last minute. Next year... FOR SURE!
14. Try a new christmas recipe
i've got a great cinnamon roll recipe in mind
15. Make paper snowflakes with the kids
1. Watch all our Christmas DVD's
2. Make a gingerbread house
3. Make a garland of popcorn and cranberries
4. A new ornament for each child every year
*this is one i do every year for the kids. Someday they'll have their own little stash of ornaments when they get married and have their own trees
5. Hang mom's crocheted snowflakes downstairs.
*We used to do this every year in the old house but since being in the new house, it's been a bit harder.
6. Make our favorite Christmas cookies
7. Read the Christmas Story with the kids
8. Enjoy hot chocolate with the kids
9. New jammies.
*Even with our Christmas being super small this year, DarRell told me this was one tradition i could not drop.
(they are bought... now just waiting for Christmas Eve!)
10. Eat a pomegranate
11. Watch the light parade
12. Visit Santa
13. Christmas cards
Either homemade or picture cards. Sadly enough, i'm not sure i'm going to get to this one. I always wait till the last minute. Next year... FOR SURE!
14. Try a new christmas recipe
i've got a great cinnamon roll recipe in mind
15. Make paper snowflakes with the kids
December Daily - day 8 & 9
I am up to date now!
Here are the last two pages for my December Daily album
Day 8
Front:
Back:
Day 9:
front:
back:
Here are the last two pages for my December Daily album
Day 8
Front:
Back:
Day 9:
front:
back:
December Daily - Day 5, 6 & 7
I'm almost caught up with my December Daily after being away for the weekend!
here are day 5, 6 & 7:
day 5
front:
back:
Day 6
It was a huge day. We had a Christmas party for my Mom's side of the family, so i added a extra page for saterday.
front:
back:
folder:
Day 7
front:
back:
here are day 5, 6 & 7:
day 5
front:
back:
Day 6
It was a huge day. We had a Christmas party for my Mom's side of the family, so i added a extra page for saterday.
front:
back:
folder:
Day 7
front:
back:
Friday, December 5, 2008
December Daily - day 4
December Daily day 4:
Not much happened yesterday. I mostly got more Christmas stuff out.
Front:
Back:
Not much happened yesterday. I mostly got more Christmas stuff out.
Front:
Back:
Thursday, December 4, 2008
"Google" tag
Yes, i know. I'm pathetic. This is my second tag today. What can I say, it's been a slow day. I got this from Tasha's blog.
Type the following things into Google image search and see what comes up:
First Name: Jolynn
Type the following things into Google image search and see what comes up:
First Name: Jolynn
Middle Name: McDonald (I don't have a middle name so i used my madien name)
Last Name: Payne
Favorite Pastime: scrapbooking or reading
Age: 34
Something on my wishlist: printer
Favorite Movie: It's a toss up. Either Popeye, Pete's Dragon or Mary Poppins
Dream Vacation: Europe
Occupation: SAHM; Livestock Auction Clerk
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Snack: Chocolate
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Food: Chinese
