Happy New Year

We celebrated the New Year at home. Barry bought some yummy appetizers for dinner and we had a fun time watching college football and a movie while Owen played. It's really hard to take Owen to someone else's home. It's just not enjoyable for Barry and I where we have to constantly make sure he isn't in trouble and it's really hard to get him to fall asleep away from home. Maybe next year he'll be old enough. :)

In 2 days, it will be the last year of being in my twenties. I'd come right out with my age but saying "I'm in my twenties" makes me feel better. I feel old and not because I get called ma'am. I look at people younger than me who've have 3 or more kids and think," Man, I'm almost thirty and I'm lucky to have one." Even my mother had her three children before thirty. I just need to focus on my blessings as I've posted about before. I haven't written in my gratitude journal for ages. So that's one of my goals for 2010. I don't really believe in New Year resolutions. I think it's better to set some goals that you can accomplish anytime throughout the year instead of starting on New Years Day and falling off the wagon a couple weeks later. I really hope this year will be better than the last not that this year has been bad.

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas 2009

We have had lots of food and fun this Christmas season. Unfortunately the expansion of my waistline can prove it. Oh well. Time to hit my glider machine. I know once Barry is reads this he'll automatically say, "Yeah right."

First we had my Grandma Olsen's party on the 20th. Then we had a family party with Alicia & Josh and my dad on the 23rd. Christmas Eve we spent with Barry's immediate family. Every one of Barry's siblings were there. With all the little grandkids there you can imagine how crazy but fun it was.

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. We opened presents and then ate French toast. Owen got really spoiled by everyone. He got shirts, pajamas, books, puzzles, a stick horse, a ball, an Elmo video, Woody and Buzz bean bag toys, a Lightning McQueen pillow, a big wooden train, and new things for his wooden Thomas train set. I got spoiled too by Barry with 3 new shirts, a coat, and a new comforter set for our bed. Barry got a new sweater vest for church, a new bed pillow, and a new game for his PS3.

On Saturday, we had a party with my mom's side of the family. All my Grandpa's living children and grandchildren where there except for my cousin Bryce who is serving a mission. It was great! I think the best part of the night had to be when my cousin Clint opened women's Christmas socks in the gift exchange game.

Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Christmas Cookies

Last night was the adult session of Stake conference. Usually just one of us goes so we don't have to hassle with finding a babysitter. Anyway, Owen and I were bored so I got the inkling to make Christmas cookies with him. I had this recipe for Sour Cream cookies that Barry's sister is always saying is so easy. We tried it and she was so right! I've included the recipe at the bottom. Thanks Aunt Amanda!

Owen hates having his pictures taken. I told him to say "cheese" and he got mad. So funny that I caught it on camera.

Owen liked pushing the cookie cutters down for me.

Sour Cream Cookies

by Amanda Dipo

1 cup sugar

1 cup shortening

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

3 cups (or a little more) flour

Mix shortening and sugar.

Add remaining ingredients.

Using floured rolling pin, roll out on floured countertop and use cookie cutters.

Bake 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

When cooled, frost and decorate as desired.

Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree the 1st week of December this year with the hope that unlike last year we could decorate the whole thing. Those hopes were quickly squashed within minutes of decorating the tree. He still won't leave the shatterproof bulbs alone. Last year I'd find them all over the house so 1/3 of our tree isn't decorated with ornaments. We did decide to put bows on the whole thing and he's left those alone as well as the presents. His favorite thing is to push the on/off button for the lights.

Gotta love the look on Owen's face, like he knows he shouldn't be putting his toy tape measure in the tree. Haha.

Here is the finished product.

Favorite Christmas Songs

A friend of mine posted some of her favorite Christmas songs on her blog. I thought it was a fun and neat idea. Here are some favorites of mine.