just in case. . .

. . .you were wondering--we ARE alive. just living it up with lots of fun activities and endless playdates with cousins and uncles "cookie" and "tent" {Colby & Trent}. i have lots of fun posts to share as soon as i get all my pictures in order. hopefully this sunday. i'm off for a sleepover with the densley clan and a full day of sledding tomorrow.

oh, and if you didn't get a christmas card from us this year--don't feel bad. i didn't send any. i'm aiming to get some valentine love out in 2009 instead. ha ha ha.

christmas surprise

the best Christmas present EVER!

i don't know how i kept it a secret for all this time, but i did and i am happy it wasn't spoiled. i can't even explain how good it feels to be able to make my mom's Christmas wish come true.

S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E!

a little background: Chris and i were planning and excited to spend our first Christmas in the east with our little girl, in our little home, with good friends we consider family. with Chris's grandparents serving a mission in Washington, D.C. we were planning to spend some time with them over the holidays as well. back in October Chris applied for a job in Utah and when they called to see if he'd be willing to fly out for an interview on Dec 15th and work for a week...we saw an opportunity we couldn't pass up. I owe a lot to my sister, Jenn. She played interference and diverted all gifts to her basement and not the post office. a big Thank You to the entire Densley family for not spilling the beans. as you can see...my mom had no idea. for all she knew we where driving to D.C. for a little R&R with the grandparents and that is why we our cell phones were unavailable.

ahhhhh!

with this week almost over and the official 12 Day's of Christmas about to commence around these parts, i am busier than ever. needless to say, I NEED CAFFEINE to maintain my sanity and stamina. okay, not really, but i have snuck a few here and there. {it's all about survival here} i just wanted to note that i AM trying, but it's H.A.R.D!! and just for a good laugh in the coming years i need to document what i like to call "signs of a mother in distress" or just a day in my life.


first, you stay up into the wee hours of the morning finishing projects, laundry, and other miscellaneous tasks. just when your head hits the pillow, your alarm clock goes off. in this case that alarm clock is a two year old SCREAMING child who is positively terrified of some unseen "monster" that is currently following you throughout the house. finally you both are able to drift off to sleep on the couch with tv on. huh? what? it's 9AM and i have a meeting in 30 minutes. hurry, hurry. get in the shower. print the agenda. etc.

second, your meeting ends...FIVE hours later. you go to run errands and realize you never put pants on your child. what? this has never happened to you? believe you me, this time i forgot! going pant less around our house is a normal thing--for savanna, but today there were no tantrums about wearing the pants because this mom forgot to put them on. {i'm still talking about Savanna here :)}

for the grand finale of the evening, when you run to the grocery store at 10PM in the rain storm and arrive only to stomp in a puddle and remember you still have on your house slippers.

seriously people. i need caffeine just so my brain functions properly. before you ask, YES, i finished getting what i needed at the store--soggy slippers and all.

ending of an era

*sniff, sniff*

it shouldn't be a big deal and maybe it makes me seem a bit dramatic, but i am going to miss my daily dose of Diet Coke. yup! i am giving it up. currently sitting on my table is a caffeine-free version, but it's just not the same. i have always struggled with admitting that i had an addiction, not just a preference, for Diet Coke. i had myself convinced that it wasn't as bad as some people made it out to be. that is until i picked up this:

the December issue of the Ensign

needless to say, i didn't even finish the glass i had poured before venturing to my mailbox. don't get me wrong, i did supply myself with a much needed "fix" by way of the gas station so i wouldn't harm my child in a moment of stress. i have since taken my happy pill and am praying that i will be able to overcome the temptation the next time i am face to face with my daughter's evil twin. LOL!

New York, New York!

In an attempt to reclaim our pride at supplying our guests with 5 star accommodations, we planned an impromptu trip into the BIG apple. While getting there and finding affordable parking was an experience in itself {GPS is NOT all it's cracked up to be} the overall trip was well worth the stress.


First on our tour de New York was the LDS Temple. we actually had Gma convinced that Lincoln Center was the Temple until tried to take a picture. We then headed {by subway} to Times Square. I don't know why, but I absolutely LOVE Manhattan! It's not the people or the mucky streets that lure me in, but the shopping! I am grateful that I've never taken a "girls only" trip into the city because heaven knows I have a serious addiction. I held back this time and only walked away with a souvenir shirt {and one for Savanna}. I could pass up the opportunity knowing that our time here may be coming to a close.

Next on the tour: Rockefeller Center and the un-lit tree. LOL! It was chaos down there! Seems that we were blessed with perfect timing and arrived right as they were cleaning the ice and had shut down the rink. Ugh! I love NY but hate the crowds--go figure! Luckily by this time Savanna was out for the remainder of the trip. We then walked from Rockefeller Center back to the parking garage in Lincoln Center.

is it just me, or is she "striking a pose?"

it's not NY without a little street dancing

the BIG 3-0!

My sweetie's birthday is on the 28th. This year he shared it with Black Friday. Me, being the greatest wife ever, woke up bright & early in order to get the coveted XBOX 360 on sale for a the big birthday surprise. I had asked him casually about the sale price and if it was a good buy, but i guess with all our unexpected expenses he didn't think I'd really buy it for him. {did i mention it came in a bundle pack with MY favorite game: Guitar Hero?? it was a win-win} Then it was dunkin' doughnuts for breakfast and ice cream cake after dinner. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

it's 4am. . .

where are you??

me. . .

1. Wal*Mart

2. Kohl's

3. Target

Done. Done. Done.

giving thanks

so i forgot to take pictures of the actual feast. but i did get pictures of what i am most thankful for this year. . .

running water in my kitchen and a NEW faucet!

{not too mention the two handy-men who fixed the blasted thing}

now that the actual cooking/menu planning is over and the food consumed i can be honest and say--in the 5 plus years we've been on our own for Thanksgiving, I've never made the turkey!! we were blessed to have Chris's grandparents come up from DC and visit...or perform various manual labor tasks. either way, we are happy they came! Gma Wilson cleaned, stuffed, and basted the turkey {& made the stuffing, or dressing, from scratch--hello!} i just baked the green bean casserole and complained about the "guts" being in my kitchen. i steered clear of the gravy because i knew the contents, but devoured the mashed potatoes and banana cream pie. we invited the missionaries over and savanna was in 7th heaven. I'm not sure who had more fun playing, them or her. it was low-key and delicious. just the way i like it.

{TWILIGHT}

don't worry ladies--i cropped off our bums!

To be honest I think I would have enjoyed just about anything we did this evening because it was just us girls. I believe there ended up being about 15-16 people in our group. Before I was leaving Chris asked how many people I was going with, then replied, "really? It's that big of a deal?" Ummm. . .YEAH! I had a lot of fun and the added sound effects from the crowd of teen girls {i.e. screaming} just added to the whole experience. I don't want to say too much, because I know there are still so many who haven't seen it. So I won't say much as far as what it's about. All in all, I was entertained. If you like shows on the WB, you will love this. That's probably the best thing I can compare it to. I was not happy with who played "Edward" when I first heard about the casting and still wasn't happy at the beginning of the movie. However, he DID grow on me about halfway through. Some of the "supernatural" qualities of the vampires that seem so awesome and almost "natural" in the book are a little "hokey" when you actually see them on the screen. But other than that, I think the movie was very well done. There are actually quite a few familiar faces and they all did a great job. But more so than anything, it was just a blast to be there with such a fun group....in our matchies! LOL!

i got the fever. . .

Twilight Fever!!

in ONE hour i will be dragging my hubby and savanna out the door for pizza and friendly bonding time. it is then that i will gather the girls {and our team edward gear} and giggle all the way to the theater like 12 year old girls. there is nothing quite like a girls night! there is sure to be fun, laughter, and snacks--lots of snacks :)

full report ASAP

until then, take a peek at the custom shirts i threw together--i know! i'm awesome!! {not too mention a bit too excited for this movie}

word of the day

according to Savanna:

NO!

is the Word of the Day.

Heaven help ME!!

now accepting orders for christmas

it's a work in progress, but my blog is OPEN for business. i still need to tweak a few things here and there. not to mention get all my photo's and ideas posted. seeing as how i'm already shopping for Christmas, i thought maybe some of you may be too. if you have any questions please feel free to ask. thanks to everyone who has helped me with advertising {or allowing me to use your house as my "studio"} feel free to post my link in your sidebar *wink, wink*

*of course the web address would help: timelessexpressionsvinyl.blogspot.com, or you can just click on the TE banner.

FYI

i just thought i should let everyone know that the little discs/name tags for the FHE board i made apparently serve TWO purposes:

1. you can choose to use it for it's intended purpose. . .

OR

2. they can compliment any outfit just like mommies ning-nings--bwahhahaha!

{she loops the chain over her ears--so inventive}

TV alert!!

if you are NOT watching Oprah--turn it on!

Great and CHEAP simple ideas to organize your home.

Peter Walsh just helpd a lady clean out a messy kitchen cabinet AND organize it in, get this, 7 minutes! Holy crap! that's how long it takes to go pee! {okay, not really, but seriously astonishing}

this just in: go to OPRAH.COM within 48 hrs. and sign up for a FREE snapfish book (8 1/2 x 11) and that's not all. . .more secrets to come. I'm so giddy you'd think I was the one whose house they were cleaning on the show. LOL!

busy little bee

i canNOT believe i am still awake. let alone blogging. BUT i had to give myself a pat on the back for all that i accomplished today and what better way to do so than brag about it to all of you! really and truly i wanted to record this so when asked what i do in a day i can refer my inquiring hubby, friend, or stranger to this here post.


6am -- rise-n-shine it's "SAVANNA time!" {this means that she watches tv and continually wake me from my restless slumber on the couch}

8:30am -- i finally give-up and head to the fridge from some much needed DC

9am -- try to call the doctor to no avail. i know i have an ear infection. seriously, how old am i? i'll try again tomorrow. change tv channel for Savanna. it seems Hanny Manny is not fitting the bill today. thank goodness Backyardigans is on Nickelodeon :)

9:30am -- ummm. i can't remember much else besides A LOT of phone calls, a trip to target, a solo trip to joann's/michael's and of course completing all of THIS off my "to do" list:


*fold 3 loads of laundry

*load dishwasher

*swiffer main level

*make a milk run. . .no milk=no nap!

*clean-out car {well, at least the garbage and trunk}

*locate numerous mis-placed items

*visit Patti {okay, so she's really the owner of our local gas station, but Savanna LOVES her and i can always use a 79 cent coke. it's a win/win situation}

*prep a bunch of Christmas items for website listing

*edit website, design more lettering, order supplies. it's almost ready to be viewed by public eyes. . .this week! i promise!

*wrap Christmas gifts to be shipped to Utah--i know! i'm amazed too.

*paint all of these:



in order to make a bunch of these:
(e-mail me if you want to order one too. the business blog is coming SOON!)

*broke out the sewing machine to do a few little holiday decorating only to realise it's in need of a tune-up. that's on my list for tomorrow.

*danced to Barney, Dora, and Yo, Gabba Gabba! {ummm. . .NOT by myself}

*semi-help with the yard clean-up. meaning i used the leaf blower while Chris did the actual manual labor :)

i'm sure there's more to add, but you get the idea. i'm a busy girl, but a happy one!

i *heart* sunday

before you roll your eyes, let me explain. . .

Sunday's have not always been a "good day" for me. there are times when it seems they are the hardest days. getting there on time, with everything, and a smile are few and far between...but it's after i get to church that i *heart* Sundays.
i think maybe a little bit of savanna's two-year old enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. she LOVES church!! walking into the chapel is like her own runway show. she waves, smiles, and sometimes giggles at those we pass. i think today i finally able to see the church experience through the eyes of a child. . .my child. of course it helped that it was the primary program.
I LOVE THE Primary Program!! there is a special spirit that the children bring to the meeting and the message is simple, yet to the point. i was really struggling to not let my "ugly" cry out {luckily savanna helped}. there were moments i feared her yelling to "me fends" she could see on the stand, but instead she smiled and helped me understand what was happening--"here dey come...all done...amen...dey singin'...where'd aye go? thanks for the help Saaaaavannnnaaaaa!
i just couldn't get enough of her today. she HAD to sit next to the aisle, she sat quietly and waited for the Sacrament or "Jesus bread/water" as she likes to call it. When it was time to sing she'd hold her mini-hymn book and bellow along with the rest of us. i found out today that she is very focused on the chorister. watching his every move and even mirroring him at times. LOL! she was sooo excited to go to nursery that we practically ran there. hallelujah!! when i asked her this afternoon what she did in nursery she said "bayed dackson." it's just a hunch, but i'm guessing they did more than just play with Jackson.
Relief Society today was just what i needed. i learned so much, not just from the lesson, but from the sisters comments. the spirit felt different. new. kind of refreshing. i'm worried that in all my giddiness i talked too much. then blubbered and rambled while conducting. it was one of those Sunday's when the lesson was just for ME! i actually think i am going to re-read it. i am lovin' the little boost i received today.

FINALLY!

after waiting, and waiting, and more waiting...this little bedding set went on SALE and is currently on it's way to MY doorstep. now i just need to paint the room; hang the shelves and pictures; paint her furniture white. then, my masterpiece will be complete! tweet, tweet!

lookin' good!

hamin' it up

my daughter is A HAM! meaning that she's weird, goofy, and cracks me up.

say cheese.

i said "Look At ME!" and she DID!

today was absolutely gorgeous outside. it was a perfect fall day AND we took advantage and met our friends at the park. on the way there we passed a car she recognized and exclaimed, "Emma, WOO HOO!" Ummm. . .that's not Emma's car and where did she learn woo hoo?? she has become quite the observant one lately. at the park Savanna made a b-line for the swings. i noticed today that she's a loud swinger {if there is such a thing}. she squeals, giggles, and laughs the WHOLE time. she likes for me to "dodadog" or push her underdog style. i had to laugh because in most of the pictures i took today, she was not smiling, but frozen in terror. crazy girl!

the new phrase of the moment is "watch" or "watch this!" so, if you're ever curious as to what i'm doing at any given time on any given day. . .i'm watching!

i want candy

The Loot

much to my surprise {and joy} Savanna is not really interested in eating her candy. she finds more enjoyment in offering it to ME. she's also very good at tasting ALL of it. one lick on the lollipop. one bite out of the candy bar. usually it's sorted and stacked or placed in a line. this is what she did with the pumpkins from our "autumn mix" bowl of candy.

happy halloween

savanna has had a fun filled day beginning with cupcakes for breakfast. then it was off to a playgroup party {sorry, no pictures! this mom forgot the camera} the BIG finale was pizza for dinner and trick or treating with friends. savanna was a die hard by the second house. she ran to keep up with the big kids and started chanting "tick or teet" from the sidewalk. we kept asking her if she was tired or if she wanted to go back to the house. her immediate reply was "no way" and off she'd go with her "bucket" for "canny". i'm not sure who had more fun, her or us. it was fun to see her enjoy the holiday and hear her say please and thank you. i planned well with the costume and she only took off the hat because it would fall off if she ran. we hoofed it up and down the hills and stayed out for an HOUR! she's a trooper and ubber-excited to devour her hard earned "canny". i'm already excited for next year!

the crew: ethan; kaylee; savanna; caleb; jackson; baby brookie

goodie mail

thanks nana "d" for the halloween goodness & "peepurl pants" outfit. i love it all! *i consumed ALL of the candy within seconds of my mom leaving me unattended...it was delicious!

this one cracks me up. she's saying "cheese" for daddy.

trick-or-treat

saturday was our wards trunk-or-treat, but due to bad weather we were forced indoors for the festivities. savanna refuses to say "trick or treat" but instead just holds out her bucket and gives a quiet "peez!" sure enough, she came home with a bit of candy. luckily her friends are all about the festivities and so savanna wants to get in on the action. she won beads on the cake walk, lined up to take a swing at the pinata, and posed for pictures. chris and i dressed up with a group of friends as survivor castaways. too bad we didn't hold a tribal council, i'm curious as to who would've gone home.

*i must give a shout out to kim for the greatest costume EVER! she made that werewolf costume. . .and happened to capture chris's dancing debut. check it out here.

Boston 101

1. prime parking & enough quarters for meter. . .check

2. take a stroll through the "shopping district". . .check

3. do the happy jig as you pass BAC knowing

you will never set foot inside again. . .check {twice}

4. teach daughter 3 important words - Go Red Sox!. . .check

5. walk through mall and fantasize about taking home a little blue box. . .almost

6. return to car with time to get back and view hubby's favorite TV show. . .check

like mother like daughter. . .Newbury Street always brings a smile.

with Tiffany's being closed, i found joy in watching chris keep savanna from

submerging herself in the mall's water features.

we couldn't leave without capturing the famous CITCO sign

{and a classic savanna face--zoom in, it's worth it!}