Our Christmas Tree

Last Saturday we went to the mountains and cut down a Christmas tree.  Tony did a great job of finding a pretty full and uniform tree.  It looked small as he was carrying it down the road, but in our house it looks almost perfect (except it can't support a star-I'll post photos later). 

It was a fun adventure, but no money was really saved.  We ended up spending almost more on lights (we got the LEDs to conserve energy) and a tree stand, than we would have on a artificial tree.  Oh well, now we can say we did have a real tree.  The weird thing is it doesn't really smell.  Guess I need to get some pine tree air freshener!  

Sawyer and I waiting for Tony to come back with a tree.

The Reason for This Season

Despite our best efforts, our pocketbook seems to be constricted and I keep feeling bad that I can’t buy the gifts I would like to give to family and friends.
I found this quote and I thought it was a wonderful gift I could share without having to purchase it or wrap it.
I hope we can all remember the reason we celebrate this joyous time of year. Take time to be thankful for our Savior and to act upon these 22 suggestions!

This Christmas,
1. Mend a quarrel.
2. Seek out a forgotten friend.
3. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
4. Write a letter.
5. Give a soft answer.
6. Encourage youth.
7. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
8. Keep a promise.
9. Forgo a grudge.
10. Forgive an enemy.
11. Apologize.
12. Try to understand.
13. Examine your demands on others.
14. Think first of someone else.
15. Be kind.
16. Be gentle.
17. Laugh a little more.
18. Express your gratitude.
19. Welcome a stranger.
20. Gladden the heart of a child.
21. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
22. Speak your love and then speak it again.
-Howard W. Hunter

Merry Christmas!

Love, Lindsey

Thanksgiving

(Cute photos of S.J.  He sat in his recliner and watched the parade.)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Since we got married we alternate Turkey day and Christmas between our families.  This year was our TD with Tony's dad.  We spent the morning watching the Macy's parade at our house, while I cooked pumpkin pies (For the first time!  I had never made just plain pumpkin pie before.  It is really hard to get in the oven without spilling.), pumpkin banana bread, green bean casserole, coconut pecan yams, and thawing our turkey.  We decided to make our own TD dinner so we could have leftovers.  In the evening Tony made his famous Chizmole dip to take to Jim & Traci's and we were off.  We spent the evening eating delicious food Traci had prepared and visiting with Tony's dad and brother and Traci's kids.  Sawyer loved being the center of attention and showing everyone his cars.

Friday I cooked our Turkey (first time for that too), made mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing (Stove Top for time sake).  Tony went Black Friday browsing (he never really buys much) and came home with dvd's (surprise, surprise).  We ate a scrupmtious meal (and are still eating it to this day!) and then watched Valkyrie.  It was a pretty quiet Thanksgiving and I was very thankful for it.

I'm 27

It took me a few weeks to think this over, but hen I think of birthdays, I think of waking up to a "Happy Birthday" song and a day full of special things.  My 27th birthday didn't start out that way.  Maybe I was just being childish! Even though I am getting older I still think your birthday should be special.  My husband was in a hurry to go to work and I was bummed that he hadn't remembered to make it "special" in my mind.  He said "Happy Birthday" and was out the door.
(As I write this, I feel a little selfish, because I am sure many people have much worse birthdays.)

Others would probably have been happy to have a day to do with what they pleased, but I felt, confused I guess.  I did go to a brunch at a friend's home (from church) in the morning.  She made yummy chicken salad sandwiches and a delicious avocado and pomegranate dip (it was so festive).  Later in the afternoon, Sawyer and I took Tera (she got me great hairspray and a cute nail polish-thank you) with us to Baskin Robins for a free scoop of cherry chocolate ice cream.  On your birthday, Hollywood Video gives you a free rental, so I rented The Secret Life of Bees.  In the evening, family and friends called to share birthday wishes and Tony brought home a card from him and one from Sawyer with a hot stone massage certificate (Thanks and yay!).  There was church dinner and activity that I wanted to go to, but I thought Tony would be sad, so we went and had a delicious dinner at Sizzler instead.

I guess it didn't feel like a birthday because I didn't really unwrap anything, blow out candles, eat cake, or have balloons.  There were many great things in my day and I looked past them all because I was missing these 4 things.

Mom's must know that these things are important, because Friday night my mom came up to visit and she brought homemade carrot cupcakes with candles, a ballloon, and fun gifts (they were in bags, but I loved them just as well). Thanks mom!

My little brother and aunt came with my mom so we could attend the annual craft fair on Saturday (I LOVE the craft fair).  Tony doesn't understand why this is so important, but it is a tradition that makes it feel like my birthday has come and the holidays are on the way.  He had to go to SLC to take the CPA exam again (cross your fingers that he passed).

Anyhow, I hope this doesn't sound like I am a selfish brat.  I know I am loved and the kind wishes and gifts I recieved were so wonderful.  I am grateful for so many things, I just realized how important the little things can be to make a day special.

ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas