Home made gifts

I forgot how fun it is to make home made gifts. The last year I made them for Christmas was probably when I made everyone a "tile picture". It's been a few years,ha ha. I made my girls recipe books this year and I had a blast doing them. I started in September and just worked on them when I could. I did them digitally in Photoshop. What a fun thing to pass down to them..I included my favorites plus ones passed down from

family and friends.

Happy cooking girls!

Where are you...Christmas?

The other day I realized that there are only five days until Christmas eve. So far this holiday season, everything has been put on a list and checked off. Meaning, buy that present..done. Make these goodies..done -with little joy in the process. When this realization came to me..it hit me pretty hard. We have had a few christmas parties...our family party in Logan which I love...but we had not taken the time to do some of our favorite tradtions. We were seriously missing the Christmas spirit. All of us.
Kenna was so slammed with projects and homework...Shawn was and is working L O N G days in this cold weather...Matt and I just busy with day to day things and church callings etc.
Our stockings were in a pile on the shelf..we had them out of the box but never hung them. Our manger and traditions there - undone. Tree decorated...lights up...presents wrapped...we were going thru the motions but it wasn't enough.
In this world..and this life...there are few moments that compare to Christmas magic. The spirit of giving just the right gift that you cannot wait for the receiver to open. Warm lights, wonderful smells, stories of our dear Savior's birth.
I sat our family down Sunday night..turned off all the lights..except the tree..and expressed my concerns. I then read from an amazing book from President Packer that speaks of the spirit of Christmas, Christ's birth, Santa Clause (yes he was mentioned) and finding the joy it all brings. It talks about "believing" and growing older. AND, says it all in the most wonderful way. My dear cousin new my concerns and had traveled in the snow to fax this book to me. (Thanks Lisa!!)
After my teary plea (shocking I know - ha ha) we hung our stockings...made our gingerbread house..wrapped some presents and watched our old santa claus is coming to town movie. Every few days..we repeat this same thing. Turning off all the lights and sit quietly around the tree; place a piece of straw in our manger for a good deed done...thinking of those we can help out this time of year, reading our favorite Christmas stories, watching the "classic" Christmas movies and remembering the babe, in swadling clothes...who is our greatest "gift" of all.
Welcome back Christmas...and the warmth and magic you bring.

Mmmmm..chocolatey goodness

This is one of the most requested recipes of mine so far this holiday season...

so I thought I'd share!! Enjoy everyone!

The Spirit Of Giving

There was a fundraiser at Matt's school last month. He took all his birthday money he had received from family and friends and donated it. It will go to help children in Peru. Matt was beaming when he got home and told me what he had done. Needless to say we were very proud of him.

We then received a call from the PTSA president saying that the Standard Examiner wanted to interview a few students and she remember's Matt said he had given all his birthday money and was it ok if they contacted us. This is the article that came out in the paper today. What a kid!

Holiday hooplah!

So-we haven't even put up our tree yet. I keep thinking tomorrow..then tomorrow comes and I say the next day etc. This happened again today but...look who I got to spend the afternoon with....

My neighbor let me practice my newborn photo skills (which are

non existant btw) on her sweet baby boy.

Thanks Nikki - I cannot even remember when mine were this small!

A picture is worth.....

Twilight Fun

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Take the quiz..

http://twilightersanonymous.com/Quizzes/Find-out-which-female-character-you-are.html

Behind The Scenes

I have always said that the best place to be around a camera is behind it!

That is exactly where I have been the past month. Behind my new Nikon!

I have also been reading photography books, photoshop books and taking a photography class.

Now to find the balance between my adored hobby, scrapbooking, family, husband, church callings and work. Any ideas?? :0) Ugg..I forgot one. House work. :0(

Here are a few of my favorite shots from this month......

What a treat to be able to capture

moments that will last a lifetime and

remind us that there are many things

to be thankful for this holiday season.

What a hoot!!

My first photograph sigi - what do you think!!!

You might have to look realllllly close - LOL

I Love to see the Temple

With Makenna just turning twelve..I had planned an afternoon for the kids and I to do

baptisms for the dead. We were all excited and I was thrilled to share this first time experience with Makenna.

They got out of school just a little early and we arrived at the temple in time for a quick photo (or two).

What a wonderful experience to share my favorite place on earth with them. We went to the cafeteria after for some pie and talked about thier experience.

As we were walking out- both asked when we could come again. We have made it a goal to come each month until the end of the year and hopefully continue into next year.

I am so thankful for a place where you can feel such peace and be close to the spirit. We talked about how lucky we are to have a temple so close that we can spend an afternoon there where many people travel hours or days. I hope we never take that for granted.

29 again.......

Yes..it's true...one more year left in my 30's. Not sure exactly how I feel about it

but..my family made sure I had a great day!

The kids made breakfast - and gave me

this great game and we played as a family.

Guess who won?? ha ha

I also got my new most fabulous toy ever..my new

Nikon camera and lens. I am not a very patient learner

but I played around with it a little today.

Here are some pics...

Matt and Kenna

and my friend Andrea's youngest son

was a great sport for me today!

I love love taking pictures and hopefully

I can use this camera to it's fullest awesome

abilities!!!

Comedy Relief

Check this out - I promise it will be worth your time - too funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f86qKQJg3Z8

Carving Pumpkins

Matt and Kenn ready to carve!

My white furry assistant - :0)

Our cousin Davis

Matt's pumkin

Kenn's pumpkin - funny - what a kid!

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!

Strong Women

Strong Women

May we know strong women -

My best friend in high school just lost her mother after an eight year battle with breast cancer. She cared for her during her illness and her mother was a great example of a strong woman. She fought a brave fight until the end and left a legacy of love for her family.

My friend Brooke just ran her first marathon. Way to go Brooke!!!!

My Mother takes care of my 90 year old grandmother while she, herself, battles scerosis and kidney disease. She is kind and patient and has always been a wonderful example of charity and service.

Five generations ...my Grandma, My Mom, my sister, niece and great neice.

My friend Andrea is a busy mother of three active boys. She has a special needs child and thru the years I have seen her fight for his rights and health care so he can have as many opportunites as other children as possible. She is full of life and is a great example of strength to me.

May we be strong women -

I have many examples in my life of strong women. Lately, I have re-committed myself to read my scriptures and take time for personal prayer daily. I love our family prayer but I feel I need to make time for talking to my Heavenly Father daily. My children are my inspiration for being a better mother. I have a wonderful supportive husband who helps me be the best me. I asked my Mother and sisters to pray specifically for help for Matthew and some recent struggles he was having. I could feel the prayers offered on our behalf and at parent teacher conferences I had five understanding and so willing to help teachers that I have no doubt in my mind that their hearts were softened by the prayers of my family. This is, I tell you, the first conference where I have left this hopeful and had so many offered solutions. Though Matt's struggles cannot be taken away - we have been blessed by the prayer and faith of others.

Kenna, Nana, Mel and Matt

May we raise strong women -

My little Makenna recently turned twelve. She is now in young women's and is beautiful and intelligent. She see's the needs of other's and wants to make it better. She has dreams and goals and is committed in making them come true. Thank you, to all the strong women who are examples to her. She is a wonderful cook and has no fear in trying new recipes. Her latest creation was dessert crepes. I hope I can teach her to know she is a daughter of a Heavenly Father who knows and loves her and she can in return, teacher her daughter's the same thing.

Kristen just went on her first date. She is so talented and has such a strong hold on her beliefs. I am very lucky to have her in my life and call her daughter.

Kenna & Kristen at Bear Lake

Kristen showing off her driver's license

I could have a list a mile long and mention you all...my friends and family. May you continue to bless the lives of others thru your strength and abilities!!!

Q-T

I took my nieces pictures last week and thought I would share how darn cute they turned out.

I tell you it was a work out...I was sooo happy that so many turned out!!

Just Peachy!

When life gives you peaches...??

91 quarts bottled
18 quarts of frozen

15 pints jam

Most important...

Memories

Togetherness

Tradition

Grandma & Gandpa Steiner & Matt

Kenna halps fill the jars

Listening to the "pop" of the

jars as they cool is my FAVORITE

part :0)

Seeing spots!

Finally - we are DONE with Makenna's room and she is so happy

with it and I think her ideas came together soo well!

Libby had to be right there with me as we worked on

Kenn's room!

One down three to go!

This is just the happiest room ever!
We are going to repaint her lamp and a few

frames and hang the curtains (they are just

hanging from the blinds LOL) but we are

pretty much finished. When she called me

to tell me she was home from school she said

"guess where I am".....and she said...IN MY
ROOM!!!!