Snow Fun For Garrison's Birthday...

Sledding was Garrison's birthday request.  So we packed up and headed to Wing Mountain Play Area in Flagstaff.  We sledded for over 4 hours before calling it a day.  The kids didn't want to leave but it was incredibly cold and we were starting to get hungry.  Garrison claimed it was the best birthday yet!  I'm so glad he had such a great day!

Happy 7th Birthday Garrison...

Of all the cakes to request... Star Wars.  We all know I don't like Star Wars but anything for my boy buddy!  Chewbacca wasn't very hard to make and according to the kids... he was very tasty!  Happy 7th Birthday to our sweet Garrison!

Merry Christmas 2015...

You'll notice we don't all match... that's because Joann's messed up my fabric order.  Luckily, we all fit into older year's pjs to make our annual Christmas Eve photo in front of the Christmas Tree complete!

Uncle Jarrod spent the night while Papa and Grandma made a surprise morning appearance (they were supposed to be in Tennessee with Denise and her family but came home early due to bad weather).  Our morning began at around 7:30am when little voices were excited Santa had come.  Board games, Video games, clothes, puzzles, books, kindles, Frozen toys, legos, hot wheels, and other random presents were among some of the favored.  It was a memorable Christmas morning, especially when Uncle Jarrod opened his body pillow which he hugged way too many times!  We enjoyed an early dinner which consisted of a smoked Ham, smoked pork shoulder, prime rib, along with all the side fixings to make a filling meal complete!

Ava The Wiseman And Garrison The Donkey...

Christmas Eve Mass... we didn't make it to the children's mass last year so I had no clue what to expect.  I knew Ava and Liliana would be singing in the choir but was unsure about the Children's pageant.  Ava's RE teacher convinced Garrison and Ava to have a part in it and surprise they were a wiseman and donkey!  Ava had to costume change half way through mass and Garrison just had a small part in the beginning.  It was so sweet watching them put their hearts into such a special performance before Christmas Eve Mass began.  The girls sang beautifully and mass went great despite Marc having to be at work leaving me with all the kids 1 adult short!

DIY Gift Done In Time...

A friend posted she wanted a tree shelf.  I decided to make her something similar.  This isn't a shelf but could easily be converted if she wanted.  This particular friend has been a wonderful friend so I'm hoping this homemade gift not only makes her smile but reminds her of how much I cherish our friendship!

Cookie Decorating...

Giving Back...

A couple local friends were involved with a group named the Yavapai County Angels.  Wanting to give back to the community, I joined the group.  They posted about their Christmas group and that you could adopt a local Veteran.  Normally, we adopt a family or at least join in with a group to adopt a family.  I wasn't even sure where to find a family in need up here so this opportunity with the Yavapai Angels was perfect!  We adopted a veteran who wanted very basic items (socks, underwear, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and a CD player with country music cds).  The kids really got into shopping for him somewhat understanding how deserving this veteran was of any items we bought for him given his sacrafices for our freedoms.  I saw a post asking for help with wrapping all the donated items.  Not knowing how many veterans and families this group was able to help this season, I signed up.  I offered help picking up toys for tots items from the drop off location and then meeting up with the group at a local church where we would organize and wrap everything.  When I showed up to the drop off location I was in shock, it was overwhelming to see the quantity of items that were donated by the community.  Then I entered the church where even more donations were gathered... oh my gosh!  It was so amazing.  I was incredibly humbled that day as the lists of wants and needs were read out loud while volunteers paired items to be wrapped.  Homeless veterans were included on this list.  HOMELESS!  I felt happiness while knowing I was helping such a great group of volunteers but anger as I realized these people should NOT be in need!  They fought for our freedoms!  Why are they homeless.  Why is our system so broken that those deserving of far more than they have... live with nothing.  Asking for heaters and extra layers of clothing to stay warm?!  I'm so thankful for the kind hearts of so many willing to help.  I'm so very happy the local paper was able to highlight in a news article what this fabulous group is doing in our community.  Hopefully, more helping hands will show up to the next charity event.  I didn't sign up to get recognized, told I did a good job, or have anyone even know this is what I did with my spare time days before Christmas but the newspaper ran the article with MY picture in it.  Neighbors and friends called and texted asking about this group.  I'm hoping to recruit some of them the next time this group needs help!  So for this article and my picture in the paper...comes more good!