Christmas + Shopping = True Love Forever...?

Shopping and Christmas are two of my very favorite things. So when you put those two together, I am in my element and on cloud nine! I love trying to pick out great gifts for my family and friends while still staying within my budget. One year I got everything done in a matter of hours! I enjoy buying gifts for other people at least as much as I enjoy buying things for myself, so shopping is a win/win situation all around.

Not this year, however. Last week I did most (still not quite finished) of my Christmas shopping in two days, and I just did not enjoy it! It was crowded, I had a headache, and kept feeling anxious and irritated. (Is this how men feel at the mall?) I realized I had not made a plan beforehand. I did not have any gift ideas in mind, and I just wandered around the mall aimlessly, trying to figure it all out on the spot. Ok, it could've been worse - Dave did have Spencer for the afternoon, so that was a huge help - shopping and 3 year olds not not mix. Anyway, when I got home I was exhausted phsyically, mentally, and a little bit emotionally...what trials, I know. I guess I re-learned an important lesson though - planning. Yep, you gotta have some idea of what you'd like to get for people before you head to the store. At least I do.

Thankfully, I did end up with some pretty cool stuff. Stuff that I am excited to see opened up on Christmas morning. That's the other great part about Christmas, the anticipation of loved ones opening gifts you've given, and hoping that it turns out to be something they never knew they always wanted.

So good luck out there fellow shoppers! Nine days left!

Cutie Quotes

Spencer says lots of cute and funny things, and for some reason I just think I'll always remember them. But let's be real here, I won't. So I had better write them down! Here are excerpts from a few cute conversations we had last week...

Me: Are you cute like mommy, or cute like daddy?
Spencer: I'm just cute like Spencer!


Me: Let me fix your chair, it's all skiddlywampus. Can you say skiddlywampus?
Spencer: skiddlywampus. (he said it so well, I was amazed)
(A few moments later...)
Spencer: Look! A skiddlywampus!


Dave: What's your favorite animal?
Spencer: A cow.
Dave: What's your second favorite animal?
Spencer: Hmm...a happy horse.

Thanksgiving...Point

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! Almost all of my side of the family came to Utah (we missed you Mary, Ben, and Sam!), and we had the big turkey dinner at my house. I had never hosted Thankgiving before this, nor had I ever cooked a turkey, so thankfully my mom was there to make sure it all turned out alright...and it did. I got to meet my newest neice, Spencer got to play with some cousins (play, torment...whatever), and we all ate a whole lotta food. We had a fun filled week of activities from seeing Santa at the mall, to Thankgiving Point, to Temple Square, to Madagascar 2 (hilarious movie, by the way). Anyway, it was so much fun, and even though we were very cozy in our little house, it was so great to be together.

The Haycocks...do families get any cuter??

Thanksgiving point farm. 2 and 3 year olds LOVE farm animals! Ahh, to be so easily amused..

Spencey and Gwennie. So Laura and I were hoping they'd get along famously, but it may have been a little less than that. They mostly liked eachother, but I think Spencer enjoyed irritating her more than playing with her. He liked to get in her face and ask silly questions..."Do you like tigers? Do you like taco soup? Do you like dinosaurs???" To which she responded by running away to her dad for protection. Yes, Spencer and Dave have more in common than their looks!

Both Spence and Gwen rode the ponies like 5 times. To say they loved it would be an understatement! Kyle is walking along side Spence in this one, and he said that Spencer just giggled the whole ride!

All the grandkids LOVE their Uncle Kyle and Aunt Alaina - even in jail!

You not cool unless you in jail!

Dinosaur museum + wet sand = new favorite place

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Videos Galore!

Here are A LOT of videos of some of our adventures during Thanksgiving! These are mainly for the enjoyment of some certain grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and of course myself! So all others need not feel obligated to watch all of them, but I doubt you'll be sorry if you do =).

Joy to the World

Wow! I cannot believe Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is less than a month away! This has been a busy, yet fantastic, week! I had almost all of my side of the family here for turkey day...I will post pics and more info about that later...But now I'm excited to enjoy the Christmas season!

I know this is not a novel statement, but I LOVE Christmas. It is my favorite time of year. I love the food, the music, the smells, the decorations, the cards, the snow, the lights, the joy, the warm fuzzies, ooh-the cute festive pajamas for Spencer, the shopping...you know I love the shopping!

So far the first thing I've done this year to get ready for Christmas is decorate my blog. (Is that a weird order of priorities? I'm hoping to actually decorate my house tomorrow.) Anyway, I love the picture I put on top of my blog. It is called "His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful" by Simon Dewey. The first time I saw it was when my sister-in-law, Debbie, gave a print of it to me. She told me that Mary in this paiting reminded her of me...which is probably one of the best compliments I've ever recieved. Anyway, I think it is just beautiful, and I have the print framed in my house and displayed all year. I am hoping this picture will not only remind me to keep a Christ centered Christmas, but also a Christ centered home.

So I hope you have all had a wonderful Thankgiving, and I hope that your Christmas season is full of comfort and joy, and the pure love of Christ. (And lots of yummy food, good music, great sales, and warm fuzzies!)

4th in 4th

I've been tagged by Charlynne! I'm supposed to post the 4th picture from my 4th folder and explain it.

I was pleased to see this cute pic as the 4th in the 4th. This is from back in March or April. Spencer is wearing Dave's shoes and walking around thinking he's pretty cute and funny...and you know what? He sure is!


Do I tag 4 people? Alright I will. I tag Amanda R, Sylvia G, Sarah W, Sheryle C, and Laura H. I know that's 5, but I couldn't forget to tag my own sister! And whoever else wants to post their 4th pic in their 4th folder...please do, I'll be anxious to see them!

Cousins

Waaaay back in September, Spencer and I met up with my sister Mary and her son Sammy at our parents house in California for some fun! And we sure did have fun! Spencer and Sammy hadn't seen eachother since last Christmas, but they got along so well! Their favorite activities to do together were: running, yelling at the top of their lungs (happy yelling), throwing balls, dancing, and calling for uncle Kyle, oh and running - did I mention that? It was so great to see them enjoy eachother so much, and it was so fun to spend time with my sister, and of course my parents and Kyle too! We spent one day at the Sacramento Zoo, where most of the following pics are taken. And you know I couldn't forget to add some videos!

Spencer's weird blank look, saved only for when the camera is out. What a silly.

Sharing. It's a good thing.

I hope they don't hate me for this one later - it is just so darn cute!




Getting their groove on to Hannah Montana

This is a very tiny sample of all the running that took place. Sam has the funniest/cutest run I have EVER seen!

Note to Mary and Ben - now you must move to Utah so we can have this much fun all the time!!