Daddy is Back!

Chris is back after having to travel to Vegas for business. Courtney has had a few hard days missing her daddy. Yesterday, she started to cry while playing at Carly's house because she missed him so much. I don't know what we are going to do when he leaves for his hunting trip. Vegas was only 2 days - his hunting trip is 4 days. When Chris talked to her about leaving again for his hunting trip she started to cry. So sad - but sweet.

Christmas Angel - Days 8 & 9

Day 8 - Courtney fell asleep before she got a chance to see what the Christmas Angel had in store for day 8. She did it on day 9 - however here is what the Christmas Angel prepared for day 8. Courtney was asked to get her Book of Mormon and read Alma 7: 9-10. The Christmas Angel said she liked this scripture because it taught a little bit more about our Savior's mother, Mary. This Christmas Angel left Courtney a few activities from the Friend.

Day 9 - Since the Christmas Angel knew that Courtney was doing two days in one, she wanted to keep things easy. She asked Courtney to practice her poem for her school play and left her a fun Christmas Book.

What will the Christmas Angel do next????

Christmas Angel Days 4-7

Day 4 - the Christmas Angel brought Courtney a large Candy Cane filled with Reeses Pieces. The Angel also brought Courtney the story of the Candy Cane and how it was made to be a witness of Christ.

Day 5 - the Christmas Angel brought Courtney some Christmas coloring pages and an activity page. Courtney was very excited the Angel knew Courtney had gone to our ward Christmas Party and had seen Santa.

Day 6 - the Christmas Angel asked Courtney to get her Book of Mormon and read 2 Nephi 19:6. The Christmas Angel said she chose this scripture to help Courtney learn about some of the names Jesus would be known by. The Christmas Angel also brought Courtney a few Candy Canes and asked her if she could remember how it was made to remind us of Jesus.

Day 7 - the Christmas Angel asked Courtney to read Matthew 2:7-11 from the New Testament. This scripture focused on the wise men and how excited they were to find and see baby Jesus. The Christmas Angel brought Courtney some chocolate "Gold" coins to symbolize the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. The Christmas Angel asked Courtney what gift she could give to Jesus and we thought a good one would be to make good choices!

Wow - Look at me Keeping Up With the Blog!

I can't believe this....I am actually keeping a blog going. Richelle, you were right. This is more fun than I thought it would be.

Today was super busy with lots to do - the most important being Family Picture Day. We have used JCPenney for the last few years and have been, suprisingly, very pleased with the results. Typically we are there for a very long time (over an hour) just picking out what pictures we want and how many of each pose we are going to get. Our picture bill is normally pretty expensive and we always end up with pictures we don't use! Just too many choices. However, this year the trend changed. There were only a couple of pictures that we liked. Jenny (the photographer) was very nice and super sweet but I think she was overworked, tired, and maybe a little sick and I started to get a little worried as I began looking through the final pictures that we weren't going to get any shots - but she delivered and we ended up with a couple of good shots and we were out the door quick and easy and without a lot of pain in the checkbook. Thank you Jenny.

The Christmas Angel - Day 3

Day three of the Christmas Angel and we were so excited to see what he brought Courtney tonight. Today was very special. The Angel brought a purple star for Courtney to hang at the top of her Christmas tree. The Angel wanted to make sure Courtney would remember why the star is so important to Christmas and how it lead the way to baby Jesus.

The Christmas Angel asked Courtney to get her Book of Mormon and read Helaman 14:2-5 to learn even more about the star. Daddy helped Courtney read this scripture passage.


Courtney did a great job practing her school Christmas program. The Christmas Angel told Courtney how much all the angels love to hear her practicing her poem. Mommy and Courtney ended the evening playing a round of Nativity Cards. Another very special evening counting down to Christmas.

The Christmas Angel - Day 2

We have a beautiful Nativity Advent Calendar Grandma Cheri bought for Courtney a few years ago. The Christmas Angel makes an appearance beginning December 1st through Christmas Day. Each day, the Christmas Angel places a little note behind the appropriate day's door with instructions for an activity, etc. to do that evening. Day one instructed Courtney to choose and read a Christmas story. Day two held a sweet note to look on her little white Christmas tree for a red stocking which held a Nativity Card game. The Christmas Angel also asked her to practice her Christmas poem for her school Christmas program (which will be Dec 18).

We love the Christmas Angel and can't wait to see what they bring for us tomorrow!

The Christmas Tree

Courtney and I finally got to decorate the tree yesterday. It took a little while to get the decorations down and ready --- and then Stephanie needed some help with her homework --- so poor Courtney had used up all her patience by the time we finally got started on the tree. Once we did she was really ready to go....for about 30 minutes. After that, she lost interest and left me to finish decorating the tree by myself. She did come in every now and then to check on me and comment on my ornament placement for which I am grateful. Always good to have a critical eye when decorating the tree. Chris was very happy that ribbon and beads were left off the tree this year.


Courtney also has a little white Christmas tree that is all her own this year. We finally found a mutually acceptable spot for the tree (Courtney is very picky) and so her and I were finally able to put the decorations on that tree tonight. She is very pleased with both trees and is convinced we have the most beautiful trees in the whole world. I know better - but am happy she thinks they are best!