Santa Claus is comin' to town!

Each night when we get home from school and work we go to our advent calender and Nathan gets to eat a piece of chocolate. It has been a great way for him to see that there are still a few days until Christmas. For us it has been a break from hearing "is it tomorrow yet" which means is it Christmas.

We have had a nice time preparing for the holidays, but I wish it would snow. Some of the things we plan on doing for the holidays:
1. drive around and look at lights

2. go sledding

3. go ice skating (that one may hurt)

4. watch the old fashioned kids Christmas movies

5. get hot cocoa and deliver goodies to the neighbors

6. sing Christmas songs as much as we can

7. go shopping

8. eat lots of good food

I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and has a lovely Christmas!

Thankful!!

Just like others I grew up singing "Count Your Many Blessings", and I really thought I was a thankful person. How hard is it really? I'm thankful for my husband and family, our health, our home and food, but lately I have started to really see all the many blessings I really have. I have been able to see that even in the hardest times there were huge blessings. So for all the many wonderful things I have I am thankful, and for the blessings that I haven't yet realized I am very thankful!!

Have you ever seen so much candy?

We had a great weekend, and Nathan made a huge haul. I think all 4 of us kids growing up had not even got this much candy. It is crazy. We had 3 parties a trunk or treat, a school party, and a family party at Heather and Trevor's. It was a lot of fun. We got together and had yummy chili and lots of treats, then we went on a marathon trick or treat night. You can see the spoils of our labor.

For the first 2 parties Nathan was the black spider man, and on Halloween he was a crocodile. This is the last year I can make him be something cute, I think next year it will be all boy stuff, so I had to make him wear the crocodile. It was fun.

Idaho Falls

10 great Republican and Democratic communities
Republican: Idaho Falls, Idaho

This college town located along the Snake River is overlooked by the Teton mountain range and only a two-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park. A reasonable cost of living, property-tax reductions for retirees and tax-free Social Security benefits in Idaho make this waterfall-laden town affordable, even on a fixed income.

My sister e-mailed this to me, it is from U.S. News about the 10 great Republican and democratic communities...I wonder what we are! :)
When I saw this picture it made me remember why I love Idaho and yes, even the winters. I remember playing outside as if it wasn't cold at all. I remember gathering in the gym at school and learning Christmas songs and making all kinds of Christmas and winter art projects. It was the best time of the year. And now I get grumpy trying to drive in it and paying outrageous utility bills (even though I freeze my poor family out-I am the heat patrol) and having to dress Nathan in layers and layers and layers...
So...I have made a vow with myself to enjoy everything about this weather. I will be thankful that I have a utility bill because it means that I have heat and modern conveniences. I will bundle up with Nathan and play out in the yard until we have (well, I will spare you the nice things that happen in the cold). I will not yell when I am in the car with my wheels spinning. I will focus more on the meaning of Christmas than the gifts. I will try to make this a winter like I used to enjoy, so that Nathan can enjoy an old fashioned Christmas season.
I am excited now, I hope everyone else gets in the Christmas spirit!!!