Some of my favorite things....

So if you are like me, and hate to buy anything without a recommendation from someone who's really used it, I'm putting my stamp of approval on these products (for those people that are STILL on your list that you just can't think of what to buy for them).

Quesadilla Maker

We use this at least everyother day. Yes, I know you can just make a quesadilla in the microwave. But this makes SUCH yummy quesadilla's--I swear, if we aren't whipping it out for
lunch, it's being used for the afterschool snack--sometimes with cinnamon & sugar. And if you do get this, then fresh tortilla's are a MUST! Mmmmm. Easily found at Costco and Smith's (by the cheese). Which leads me to...

Smith's MarketplaceOh Smith's Marketplace--your logo should be bigger on my blog, because of the relationship we have. I know, I know, it's not a product, but this place has my number. It's 3 blocks from my house, I grab my groceries (yes, I realize it's a rip off sometimes, but convenience has to count for something at this season of my life!), digital photo printing, random household needs, clothes, toys, "Earn and Learn" program for the kids elementary school, discounted gas, and the best thing of all?!? A kids playland so I can shop without the tantrums in the middle of the aisle!

When I read that our school was the #11 top earner in the nation, I embarassingly felt a solemn sense of pride that I had indeed contributed significantly to that $7,000 + amount earned for our school. Yes, I am a nerd. But come on folks--it was for a good cause!

OxiClean

My friend recently also endorsed this one, and boy is it worth endorsing! Totally has gotten the formula out of Bree's clothes, along with just boosting the look of our laundry. But can I tell you the biggest miracle of all? Permanent marker off of my desk. Where was the mother when the Sharpie was being used as the tool of choice for Tink's artwork, you may be asking yourself? That is beside the point. Just use it. You won't be sorry.

Babysteal's

Every day, a new deal with great prices for boutique-y baby stuff. And a bonus, if you live near it, you can forgo the shipping and pick it up when you're out and about running errands.

Crazy 8

What Old Navy is to Gap, Crazy 8 is to Gymboree. Nice to have an alternative and they are having great deals right now (and even $5 Express shipping for the next 2 days). Cute, affordable kids clothes. You can even throw in 3 free gift boxes, and who can't use those right now?

Software Time

This program has won lots of parenting awards. It limits the amount of time each person in the family can be on the computer. Each person has their own login and password and then the preset time constraints (even hours that it can be used can be set up) start ticking. There's also options for "tokens", which can be used as a reward system if you want to give your kids 15 minutes more of time for good deeds, etc. What a great idea! If you're interested, there's even a 14 day trial to test it out.

I'd like to say that this is only for the kids, but I've discovered that I sometimes use the computer as a quick "escape" more often than I should, so this may be just as much for me as it is my kids. (See...look at that...only 24 minutes left of computer time today! I'd better wrap this post up...)

And finally... This has changed my life

Have you seen my driveway? I have to add it into my mileage when I go running, it's so stinking long! It used to take me 45 minutes to shovel snow. But since this was so generously given to Casey for his birthday, the job is done in 10 minutes flat. But I do wonder...is this the equivalent of Casey giving me a blender for my birthday?

Kinda fun...

My baby bro, on his flight over to Germany to begin the mish. Ran into Jazz-man Mehmet Okur. Does Russ look star-struck or what?!? Wonder if he got the guts up to share the gospel.....

Miss his cute mug, but can't wait to talk to him in a week and a half.

39 Kids, 14 moms and frosting up to your eyeballs=

Our First Annual Cookie Decorating Party! And party we did!

We had kids frosting and sprinkling sugar like crazy, along with tieing a quilt for Primary Children's Medical Center and then just playing with each other in the basement at the peak of their sugar highs. Good times, good times. Look at these darling little faces and their masterpiece creations....

The rest of the photoshoot

Here's a few more of the kids that Keli caught...

Ahem...just loving this photo shoot. Any guesses as to who was the first one crying?

Warming up to the idea...

That's a little bit better!

The Slumber

My awesome sis, Lindsay, invited Ash down for a weekend at BYU. She had the TIME OF HER LIFE! Seriously. Is she spoiled with the best aunts in the world or what?!? I just stole what Linds said off her blog, so I could document it for Ash. Thanks again, Doodles (and her awesome roommates)!!

A couple weeks ago I had the best weekend in Provo ever! My niece
Ash came down and we had such a fun slumber party!

First we went to J-Dogs with the family and had a tour of my little apartment. It was
funny because I had drawn on our huge whiteboard "Welcome to BYU Ash!" And Ty-guy saw it and just started erasing....we asked why he was doing that and he just
said "It just doesn't have to be there" haha. He was a tiny bit jealous, poor guy.

While we waited for my roommates to all get home Ash and I made a trip to the
Creamery and got about $15 worth of snacks! Don't worry, we shared and there was
a lot of leftovers! We played a few games like Jenga and brought out the 10
piece game set but didn't play much of that... We played computer games instead.
hehe Gotta keep up with the times. Oh! Also uncle Robbie came over and we went to the Creamery again and got a little ice-cream. Gotta love the Creamery. :) Then
Rachele came by for a little bit. It was fun to be with them! Holy smokes we danced the whole night away! We put 4 of our matresses in the kitchen and had music on and just started jumpin and dancin!It was so much fun! And boy was it hot in there...haha Here we are dancingn to Bet On It from High School Musical 2 :) Good times with that one. All for 1! (from High School Musical 2 once again)We also danced to a lot of David Archuleta. Lots of Ash's favorite songs :) Here is our bed set up :) After coolin down for a little we settled down and watched Enchanted before falling asleep. This beautiful girl is really one of my best friends! I was so glad she got to come
down! My roommates all loved her too! What's not to love right?

Thanks again Ash! :)

Christmas Card

made with shabby miss jenn designs "tree trimmin' party" kit

For those whose addresses were wiped out on our computer

when we got a virus, Merry Christmas! If I've got your address,

it should be in the mail in the next few days!

***My friend, Keli, is turning her hobby of photography into a part-time job.

She's wonderful to work with! If you're interested in checking her out:

http://www.kelibphotography.blogspot.com/

Randomness...

Casey's actual birthday with his family over for some treats and ice cream.

A special thanks to Cody for encouraging the rousing singing of Happy Birthday and candle blowing. Can you believe Casey didn't want us to do it?

Grandma 'nae & Grandpa LaRon. Two of the choicest people on this earth...

Speaking of choice, Aunt Carolynn & Uncle Paul. Wouldn't be in the loop and feel so loved if it weren't for them. This is a supportive, fun family I've joined. I always SO look forward to being with the Welch family.

Charlene, Robyn & Sean. Hope you aren't blinded by their awesomeness...

We lucked out by having Chevy & Justin on leave from Iraq for a couple of weeks. I know this picture is fuzzy, but I had to document that they were here, in the flesh. We miss them terribly and are so proud of their service for us and our country. Can't wait till their tour is totally finished in February.

Dear Kristen, soaking in the inside scoop of just how things are shaping up in Iraq. This is Chevy's third tour, and they were explaining how different (& thankfully improved) things are becoming.

Can't forget these two cuties. Bree and Trish--best cousins!

In other news, Ty & Casey had an afternoon alone to enjoy none other than football and junk food. All I can say is W O W. You know what happens to people who eat to much junk?

No explanations needed....

Love me some pics of the kids whipping the house into shape. I told them I'd post their pictures on the blog and talk about what hard-workers they are. Of course, they always smile when their sweeping the entire first floor....

And always wear their sunday best while scouring the tub! We can live in a fantasyland now and then, can't we. Please don't burst my bubble...Child labor laws, hah! We crack the whip around here! Or maybe at least expect the kids to pitch in with the house. Whatevs.The first big snow fall this year.

Tink, our cute little snowbunny

The crew that braved the cold

And finally, Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat... The tree was put up, and man I had a grander vision when I clustered these ornaments together! I guess you need three times the amount I had, but here is the tree, in all her glory.

It's been up for a couple of days, and miracle upon miracle, the ornaments haven't been moved! Funny thing is, I was counting on it happening, so I didn't take the time to space them out, since my idea didn't quite become reality.

So, I'm giving away a Christmas goodie prize for anyone that can guess, closest to the hour, how long until the first little hand decides to take on re-decorating the tree in her own way! Good luck!