Happy Halloween!

We had a fun day and hope you all did, too!

Holiday Traditions

I love, love, LOVE Christmas. I probably get as excited as just about any kid out there. I don't think that early October is too early to listen to Christmas music or watch my favorite holiday movies. In fact, my kids have been watching Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas for the last two weeks. Drives Keith nuts! He is perfectly happy to wait until Thanksgiving is over to start celebrating. Not me! One of my favorite things about this time of year is the special family traditions. And I am always looking for new, fun things to do with my family. So, I want to hear about YOUR favorite holiday tradition. The one that inspires me the most might just win a little something. Please share and later I will post about our family traditions and some new ones we are starting this year.

Fun Give-A-Way

Check out Gina's give a way on her blog!

10 Weeks to a Merry Christmas

I finally got Week 3 posted on my other blog. Sorry it was so late! Also, don't forget that this is the last week to sign up for the My Favorite Holiday/Winter Things Swap for Charity.

Wooden Spool Dolls

I saw these cute little dolls made out of wooden spools on this blog. I made a couple and then I wanted to make some for Jaxson. I made the Incredible's, but the masks make them look angry. I do plan on making some more and I found a super-cute pattern for a soft, carry-along doll house to go with them!

Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles are my favorite cookies. Last week I had to make some for Activity Days so I made a double batch so I could put some in the freezer. This is a very yummy recipe from the Lion House Pantry Cookbook.

Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup sugar
1-1/4 t. cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2-1/2 T. water
6 cups flour
2 t. cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

In medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and set aside. In large mixing bowl, combine butter and 2-1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and water; beat until fluffy. Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until well blended. Shape dough by rounded tablespoonfuls; roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 5 dozen 3-inch cookies.

To freeze the dough I just shape and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture, put them in a cake pan, put waxed paper on top and add more rows, flash freeze, and place in labeled freezer bags. That way you can enjoy a pan of fresh baked cookies anytime!

And the Winner is.......

Sarahanne! You win the pocket Christmas planner. E-mail me with your contact info and I will get it in the mail. jenni@hughes.myrf.net

Fall Pictures

We took the kids out to my parents' house and then down by the river in Firth today to take some fall photos. Here are a few of my favorites.

Scentsy Raffle for Charity

My sister-in-law, Crystal, has donated a holiday Scentsy warmer and three yummy smelling bars to raffle off with all proceeds going to the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation. The warmer features a very festive Santa and would make a great addition to any holiday home decor! The bars include: Cranberry Spice, Sticky Cinnamon Bun, and Enchanted Mist. So very good! The raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Just click the donate button, enter in the amount, leave a comment on this post, and then send me an e-mail with your name, e-mail, and the number of raffle tickets you want. The drawing will be on November 20 so the lucky winner can enjoy their new warmer and scents through the holidays! For more information on pediatric cardiomyopathy or on this wonderful not-for-profit foundation visit www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org

Don't forget the other raffle and swap with ALL proceeds going to the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation. Scroll down to view and join the fun!

jenni@hughes.myrf.net

We Miss You Already!

We were lucky to be able to spend some time with Keith's family this week. We even enjoyed lunch at the Snake Bite. Robert and Haley are headed over seas for a new job opportunity. We will all miss them, but we wish them the very best of luck with their new adventure! We love you Robert and Haley!

Eastview Ward FHE packets

Here are the packets that we will be putting together for November. The themes are: Gratitude, Family Traditions, Thanksgiving, and Slow to Anger. Each packet includes a file folder, song, scripture, lesson, activity, and treat idea. We always have lots of fun putting them together. Hope you will join us! Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30. Call or e-mail me to sign up if you aren't already on the monthly list. jenni@hughes.myrf.net

Just Kidding

Jen tagged me, too. This one is 6 random things about me.

1. I have a crazy hair phobia. Mostly cuz every other time I eat out there is a hair in my food. Nothing is more disgusting than that.

2. I am not a early riser. Hate getting up before 8:00 in the morning. Makes me grumpy.

3. I can pick things up with my toes.

4. My favorite flavor of ice cream is bubble gum.

5. When I eat a slice of bread I wad it up first. Jaxson also does that only he calls it "making dough."

6. I love Froot Loops.

I have been "tagged" a few times, so here goes.

First, from Gina, I was supposed to go to my pictures and find the fourth picture in the fourth folder. It is from 2005. Wouldn't you know we would be boating.

The next tag, from Nicole, is this:

4 things I love about my husband: he is a GREAT father, he is gentle, he is a hard worker, and he always loves me, even when I am a jerk.

4 movies I could watch over and over: Grease, White Christmas, Nacho Libre, and Chicago. What can I say. I love musicals.

4 TV shows I watch: We actually don't have TV, but I heard Dancing with the Stars is good!

4 places I've been: Cancun, Las Vegas, California, and Canada.

4 places I'd like to go: Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Japan, and New York.

4 things I look forward to in the next year: another baby (wishful thinking), a vacation just for me and Keith (again with the wishful thinking), warmer weather, and winning the lottery.

And last, but not least, this one from Janeal.

8 things I am passionate about: my family, the gospel, raising awareness for pediatric cardiomyopathy, being a mom, organizing, spending time with friends, Keith, and Shutterfly scrapbooking.

8 words or phrases I say way too often: good crap, No!, whatever, Go sit in time out, maybe later, hell's bells ( pretty sure I got that one from my grandma. made me giggle every time.) 7 and 8 might be cuss words, and for the sake of keeping my blog family-friendly, I will just leave it at that!

8 things I want to do before I die: have another kid or two, go to New York, write a book, learn to surf, learn to ballroom dance, go to Hawaii, see my children grow to be happy and healthy adults, and grow to enjoy cooking.

There. I think that covers them all!

My New Blog

I decided that it was time I had a blog for my personal stuff, and a blog for my creative stuff. From now on, the 10 Weeks to a Merry Christmas will be posted here. I will leave this week's drawing on this blog to keep confusion to a minimum! Don't forget to check out my charity swap and raffle. Just scroll down to join the fun!