Challenge #23 - Scarf

This is what happens when your down for weeks at a time. You start projects you'll never finish! Finished this one but not the one I started for myself!

Challenge #22 - Tradition

I love Christmas time for this reason!! So many fun traditions are shared between both families. White envelope gift, fudge and Gma Hunts candy, games, food, sledding, West Yellowstone, stress, ... and of course a good puzzle! It is a memory I will always have of my Grandma G. Christmas isn't Christmas without a puzzle (the more pieces the better) with a few missing pieces!!

Doesn't it just look cool! Can't wait!

Challenge #21 - Peace

Peace is the Aggie's winning their bowl game (you know I had to post something about it!). However, it's not so peaceful when Coach A bids farewell to the team. It's been a sad week around here. Good Luck to him though. He is a good man. Maybe we'll have to cheer a little for Wisconsin ... maybe.

Matt, I, Mad, Kael, and G & G Leak made the trip to Boise to watch the game. We had a really good time and hope to get to do it again. I was glad to celebrate with Matt's family. They deserved the win as much, probably more, than the team! They have sat through a lot of cold, windy, wet games the past 30 years. I can't say as though I'm that tough!

Challenge #20 - Tree Topper

A star, a star shining in the night ...
Finally my ceiling is high enough to put a star on top of the tree! YAY!

Challenge #19 - Candy Cane

Yumm!!

Challenge #18 - Stockings

And the stockings were hung . . .

Challenge #17 - Presents

I never put many out before the big day because I can't handle telling the kids "no" fifty-five thousand times!! So here is a pic of under grandma's tree. Things around here are getting exciting!!

Challenge #16 - Outside Christmas Lights

Love, Love, Love outside lights!!

Challenge # 15 - Favorite Holiday Song

Usually it would be Tonight Is Christmas from the Alabama Christmas album but at Kaels recorder concert the other day we sang Do You Hear What I Hear. It struck a tender cord so I will have to go with that song this year. Really though, the list is endless: What Child Is This, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, . . .

Challenge #14 - Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches!! Not really, not mine. I absolutely stink at decorating my Christmas tree but I LOVE having my tree up!!

Challenge #13- Family

Love 'em!!

It's ...

Challenge # 12 - A Beautiful Sight

Boys getting along ... 'Nuf said!!

Going green

Challenge #11 - Green

You can only post your Christmas tree on here so many times so I opted to go another route. Nothing gets my creative hope up like seeing one of these green bags. Usually a bag of this stature and color means only one thing - FABRIC! YES!

It's a Wrap

Challenge #10 - Wrapping Paper

I don't want to give it away so here's a peek :)

Reading Rainbow

Challenge #9 - Something your reading

Here is what is on my nightstand. It is pretty slow reading. Usually if I start a book I have to read until I'm done. It hasn't been the case with this one. Maybe over the holidays I can finish it.

That gives me an idea! Maybe I will do a January photo challenge ... And title it "Projects I need to Finish"!

Happy birthday!

First of all- shout out to the birthday boy! We love you Kase!! He was so excited for birthday #5. We celebrated with lunch at big j's and a party. It's always fun to get together! He got more farm stuff, a Mater alarm clock, and his favorite .... His Giants hat! He is now officially part of the club (grandpa G has given each of the kids a giants hat this year and given them a secret password so they could be part of the club. It makes each of them feel all grown up!).

Challenge #8 - Ornament

Now, back to the challenge. I received this ornament a few years back. I still don't know who gave it to me.
I. Love. It.
I love the simplicity of it but more importantly I love what it represents. Just a quiet reminder on the tree that although we celebrate Christs birth, we should never forget the sacrifice!!

It's a challenge . . .

Challenge #7 - Bright

Day 7 and all creativity has escaped me. Looking on the BRIGHT side though. The good old Christmas tree and its BRIGHT sparkling lights are my pick for the day!

Happy Birthday Aunt Court!!

Ship-Shop-Shape

Challenge #6 - Shopping

Shopping ... Hmmmm. Won't be doing much of that today ... But if I were, I'd be at wal-mart playing bingo.

Not really ... Today my shopping consisted of the pharmacy and drugs. Doesn't get more exciting than that" folks! (And they arent even good ones so if you are fighting off the urge to rob me for my drugs, you will be sorely disappointed!!)

To warm

Challenge #5 - Today's Temperature

Way to warm for snow. I think it said 45 degrees a little while ago. Anyhow, this is what it looks like outside . . . and check out the water accumulation on my sunroof. Kase says it reminds him of a giraffe!

Almond Joy

Challenge #4 - Joyous

When I think of joy, I break out in song . . . and then I think of smiles, laughter, chocolate, suprises (good ones of course), a beautiful view, good music, french fries, ect . . .

What brings me the most joy? I have to say my family, my Savior, and the Gospel. I am defined by them. I am most happy when I am serving them. I need them.

Re[a]d-y

Challenge #3 - Red

We all know RED is my favorite color. So my last visit to Target (enter one of their many commercials!) produced a fun purchase . . . can you guess what it is???
Wait for it, wait for it . . .


a rug. Ya. Simple as that but it makes me smile :) and it keeps the mud and dirt off my carpet :)

"Can't see the line can you Russ?!!"

Challenge #2 - favorite Christmas movie

Hands down "Christmas Vacation". Chevy Chase is classic. I think every family has some sort of holiday drama (your in denial if you don't) and of course, we all have that one relative . . . hehehe!

We went and got a tree this year. The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up for a day full of memories. It didn't disappoint. Between parenting, chores, and church responsibilities, we left around noon. By three o'clock we had talked our way out of a speeding ticket (which changed our destination altogether), had a picnic lunch, Stockton fell off the ranger, found the perfect tree (2 feet off the road and 100 yards from the truck!), talked to random stranger about trees and our "Utah Sate Aggies", and were headed back home!! Our own little Griswold Christmas memory :)

Countdown to Christmas

This is my feeble attempt to journal our family happenings for December 2012.

Challenge #1 - your view today.

Well... It just so happens that my view has not changed for two days. I am on self induced "bed rest" for a back problem that doesn't enjoy my lifestyle. It is a trial we will get through. Just glad I have a nice stove, soft chair, and cute quilt to cuddle with!! I am happy. I have awesome friends and family. Five healthy, understanding kids. One loving, caring husband. And at any given point, an episode of Duck Dynasty to keep the humor going :)