My Word for 2009

My word for 2009 is delight.
My focus for the year is to delight in the small things that make up the big things in my life. Last year my word was PLAY. I tried to focus on spending more time just playing with my kids. Some of our activities included going to the zoo, dinosaur museum, snowball fights in the front yard, playing checkers, library trips, and movies. I wanted to continue this focus, but tweak it just a little. I want to find more joy in my life and not just in enjoying my kids. Enjoying new business adventures, trying new things, family activities, and really delighting in scripture study.




Last week while Nathan was home we planned our year of activities. Sometimes we get stuck doing the same things. This year we are going to try some new things. On Saturday we took the kids to see "BOLT" in 3D. We had a great time. What a cute movie and the 3D was so cool! The kids have been enjoying the glasses. Small price for so much entertainment!


Morgan was so funny to watch. She kept grabbing for the things on the screen. In one scene a torpedo was shot and Morgan turned around to see where it went.

Camden lost his first tooth. It happened a few weeks ago, but I just recently took a picture.

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Two days old!

3 years old!

My baby girl turned 3 years old today. I guess I shouldnt call her baby anymore. She is getting big too fast! 10 things that define Morgan at age 3:

1. She loves to give hugs. She hugs everyone!

2. She loves to try new foods. She recently discovered Avacados!

3. She loves to play barbies

4. She loves to play on the computer

5. Her favorite color is of course PINK

6. She loves to pretend with Riley

7. She loves to take baths

8. She loves barbie princess movies

9. Her favorite drink is chocolate milk

10. She always goes to bed with at least one baby

We spent her special day first at church and then at home with a party. We had Grandma Hicks and Grammy and Granddad Harper come over for dinner, cake and presents. Morgan was excited to blow out the candles and open all gifts.

Daddy made her cake. He made the citrus cake again for Morgan because she really liked it. He put mandarin oranges and pomegranate seeds on the top. YUMMY!


So many fun gifts most of which were princess things. Thanks Grandma, Grammy and Granddad!

Catching Up!

A little too much xbox and wedding pictures has kept mefrom posting to my blog since before Christmas. We had a great Christmas this year. I think it gets better each year as the kids get older and are more excited for Christmas morning. I didnt get the best pictures because my flash needed recharged batteries and I caught most of our Christmas morning on video.


My cute Riley. All he wanted for Christmas was a Spiderman costume. When I asked him to give me a list he said, "I just want one present I dont need anything else." Well Santa was good to him and among his gifts was a Clone Wars tent that he has been sleeping in with his brother.

Camden was the last one to wake up Christmas morning. Our kids didnt come into our room until 8am--Can you believe it?! I remember laying awake all night waiting for an acceptable hour to wake everyone up to open gifts. Most of the time it was still dark outside.







Christmas morning was so fun with Morgan. She is at a fun age. I loved watching her get so excited over her gifts.

After gifts and breakfast we usually go and visit my family and Nathan's family. This year we had a huge snow storm so we didnt get out of the house until after 2pm. We almost didnt go because it was not only snowing but the wind was blowing really hard. However, my mom was making Christmas dinner and we didnt want to miss out so we braved the weather. It was nice seeing family and having a good time together.

Simply Citrus Cream Cake

I have to share yet another recipe. My sweet husband made this cake for me for my birthday. It is soo yummy!

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow or white cake mix
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1-1/3 cups BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream, divided
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 can (11 oz.) mandarin orange segments, drained
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans; set aside. Place cake mix, dry pudding mix, 1 cup of the sour cream, eggs, oil, water and orange peel in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 min.; scrape bowl. Beat on medium speed an additional 2 min. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely.
BEAT remaining 1/3 cup sour cream and powdered sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Set aside.
PLACE 1 of the cake layers on serving plate; spread with half of the whipped topping mixture. Top with half of the orange segments. Repeat cake and topping layers. Garnish with remaining orange segments. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Things that make Christmas Christmas

For most everyone there are certain things that are important when celebrating the holidays and its just not Christmas time without them. The things that make Christmas special for me are definately not glamorous and they do not cost a lot but without them Christmas is just not Christmas.

1. Music. For me it is Bing Crosby's "Merry Christmas". It is an album that has been played in my home since I can remember. Memories of Christmas morning and opening presents to "Bing" makes me smile. What would Christmas be without the Andrews Sisters singing about the "big fat man with the long white beard" coming to town.

2. Christmas lights. I love christmas lights. When I was little my dad would put a strand around the outside of my window so they would light up my room at night.




3. snow. This is a more recent thing because growing up in California I never experienced a snowy Christmas. The most we ever got was rain. I hate driving in snow, but when I have no where to go I love the snow.

4. Its a wonderful life. This has to be the ultimate Christmas movie. I am not a lover of old movies, but I have to say this is one I treasure. It has such a great message--I make my kids watch it with me every year. Yes, and every year it makes me cry all over again.

5. Christmas cards. I love to make Christmas cards. There is nothing better to put me in the Christmas mood. I try to make each card just a little bit different and special for the person I am sending it to.

6. Family. I am sure this is important to most people and definately a must for me. There is nothing better than to spend Christmas day with the ones you love!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tradition

One of the things I like to do at Christmas time is make frosted Christmas cookies. My mom did it every year when we were little so I have kept the tradition. Every year I try a new recipe and every year I am disappointed with the results. This year however, I found the perfect recipe.

It is super easy and the dough is so easy to work with--I didnt even have to chill it before rolling it out. The cookies turn out really yummy too.

Butter Cookies

1 cup butter (not margarine), softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

* My kids decorated these cookies. Needless to say they love sprinkles!

I have been tagged!

Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Answer the six "8" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. The Office
2. LOST
3. Medium
4. Desperate Housewives
5. The house flip show on TLC
6. all the shows on the Food Network
7. Deal or no Deal
8. American Idol

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. went to Walmart and Smiths
2. Had lunch with Nancy
3. picked up Camden from school
4. cleaned my house
5. made dinner
6. worked on homework with Camden
7. made and wrapped ornaments for ward christmas party
8. worked on pictures

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. SATURDAY (ward christmas party is on Friday)
2. Getting all the holiday stuff done
3. Receiving Christmas cards!
4. Christmas Day
5. Morgan turning 3
6. Taking lots of pictures
7. Riley starting Kindergarten
8. Date nights with Nathan

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Olive Garden
2. Mi Ranchito
3. Bajio
4. PF Changs
5. Black Angus
6. Enjoy
7. Cheesecake factory
8. In-n-out

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. Good health for my family and friends
2. A date night with my hubby
3. Please let the the christmas party go well
4. a piano
5. new kitchen table
6. spending time with friends
7. going away for the weekend WITHOUT kids
8. my kids to be happy

I tag Michelle, Tami, and Jerlyn!