Christmas Party/Open House

We hosted an open house last night. First one since we lived here!
We invited neighbors,coworkers,friends,bosses and the property manager.We all had fun,the time flew by and I felt bummed I didn't have time to visit with everyone.This year Brian put lights up outside, so we also sat outside on the lanai.I made easy things-carrot cake,blueberry,cranberry,banana bread,and had cheese,crackers,veggies,apple cider,eggnog and coffee. I made Ginger girls and boys for the kids to decorate.I'm hoping open house will become a Christmas tradition.

Nutty Day-Good Day

Today I cleaned most of the day and I took before and after pics...too yucky to show how messy each room was...I also took pictures of my other decorations .These trees on top of the tv cabinet were 40% off, Yeah I love a deal, and the nutcrackers are from Thrift stores,Costco and one really nice one from Germany...(a gift) I share the prices because I love to get and/or hear about good deals from my family and friends!

ginger girls

At the MOPS steering party I made Gingerbread girls and we all had 5 mins to decorate a cookie...here are the "girls"-Erin's Hula girl cookie was voted the favorite.

Cutest happiest Baby boy

Ryan McGinnis 2 months Merry Christmas!!!

Glass Ornaments

I've been buying glass ornaments from the different places where we've lived over the years.This year Macy's had a ton of Hawaii inspired ornaments 1/2 off already! I got a hula girl,woody car, and Santa with a ukulele!





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After School...

Sawyer was playing oh so quietly...heres why...
Thankfully the blue "lipstick" washed right off!

portrait of mom

Sawyer was playing this morning and I heard him say "mom" "mom" heres why...
Lovely arent I?

Batman visits

Sawyers been wearing his costume whenever he gets the chance.I finally got him to stand still for me & lately he's been saying "Ho-Ho!"

"Flowers in the air"

Flowers everywhere! I went to take out the garbage for pick up and saw this little plumeria flower on the driveway. I thought,"Hum,pretty",then I got to looking at the flowers everywhere around the front yard. In the trees,on the bushes,by the front door,side of the house,etc...I know it is freezing in some parts and I know I take for granted all this beauty God put around me.I decided to share it with others.

Rain Day

Yesterday it rained again (alot) and the kids played outside, because its still warm and fun. They used the big leaves from the backyard for umbrellas.

The Consequence Jar

I've been dealing with a lot of arguments and "attitude" from the kids-whether its bedtime,chore time,school time, etc...and because time outs & grounding hasn't made much difference -I came up with the "consequence jar".Inside I put numbers and I made a list of things to do around the house.(unload dishwasher,fold clothes,sweep kitchen,etc...).If theyre fighting or have sassy mouths-I've been telling them "that is unacceptable behavior or talk " and go to the jar and draw out a consequence. Yesterday after drawing three-their attitudes were much better today.Im hoping it helps with all the bickering and complaining.

This little light of mine...

...I'm gonna let it shine. Brought these lights home and placed them in the kitchen window...it reminds me of the sunday school song and being a light in the world no matter what we're doing or where we are.

Saturday Craft time

Saturday was rainy,rainy,rainy...perfect time to work on my crafts! Ill show the finished projects at a later date...but overall a fun day for me!

Christmas outfits X3

I spent Friday morning running around from store to store trying to find Christmas outfits. It took most of the day looking for the correct sizes,colors,and prize point. Eventually The Children's Place had the boys shirts and pants(additional 1/2 off the clearance price!) and The Gap had a few tartan plaid dresses left! I rushed home to get the kids,feed them,take some pics by the tree and then go back for their Christmas program. Of course,not many pics turned out (blurry shots or not all looking at the camera)but I did capture the moment.

"Have you seen the powder man?"

"He lives on Island Lane" Yeah,Sawyer was quiet and when I went in the living room he was walking around sprinkling different objects with baby powder.

Box Frustration!

..Two days ago I went to get a square flat rate box to ship a few items off to Nebraska,but my Post office was out of that size,so I grabbed a few of the flatter Flat rate boxes.This size did not work for the items I was shipping,so I went to a different P.O. and grabbed some of their boxes by their counter(crazy busy in there)When I came home I realized I had grabbed Large flat rate ones....so today after the rain calmed down I went back my PO, and saw they had gotten in square shaped flat rate boxes,however, once again, when I got home I see these are only for APO addresses.!!URGGG!!!! I think I wont be shipping anything until I'm ready once again to brave the parking lot,the rain,the crowds and have absolutely zero children with me.

Winter time in Hawaii

Down pouring,wind,power outages-welcome to the winter season here in Hawaii.Instead of snow days (no school) its Flood warning day. Unfortunately the weathers winning-the potted palm tree -not so much.Lily hates the weather like this-I keep reminding her who controls the weather. And Levi likes the weather,no school days. Sweet Sawyer-doesnt know,doesnt care.

Snow in Hawaii?

NO...no snow.I know its 75-80 degrees here, but I put out the sled I got, when we lived in Montana, because it reminds me of the cold winters there and, my sister who made the wooden mittens for me years ago.. I love red, glitter, chipboard letters... so I had to take a pic of my wreath.

Christmas Hawaiian Style

This is the sign that greets visitors who drive into my neighborhood.."Mele Kalikimaka to you!"

The Christmas Tree Family

I thought I'd post the trees from each room...Cookie cutters & candy canes -kitchen,small white tree-kids bath, homemade ornaments-my room,Pink tree-Lily's,Bright cars & airplanes-Levi & Sawyer's,All glass tree-living room,white snowballs & snowflakes-dining room.Each tree different, yet similar-just like a family!

December Photo Project 6

Levi's calendar-I thought it'd say "schools out!" or "Yeah Christmas!" but no, just two simple faces...smiling. Just like a guy-no words necessary.

Lily's art

Lily thought we needed a few signs for the holidays.She used chalk,red construction paper and curling ribbon, then hung them up. Kind of retro looking to me,simple common supplies with a simple,sweet message.

Sawyer's little placements

I keep finding little things put around the house by Sawyer.Today in the Living room I found R2D2 in the cage instead of the tiger! Its funny I never know what is hiding in the plants,tub,fridge,etc...
(sorry camera doesnt take great close up pics everything is blurry.)

December Photo Project 4

Brian's grandma gave me this vintage, made in Italy nativity set,and I set it up on our bedside table in our room. When I was making the bed yesterday I saw a "new person" had come to worship the baby Jesus...Sawyer must have set him in there. I'm now starting a new tradition-baby Rugrat worships Jesus. Good reminder -baby Jesus was sent for all men!

December Photo Project 3

I forgot to post! I had a busy day getting ready for the MOPS Christmas party..While rushing through Safeway I grabbed some Hersey's Kisses for my glass jars..little did I know they're peppermint with stripes! Something like a little Herseys kiss-so cute and small yet makes me happy.

December Photo Project 2

This is one of the first things I like to put out. Brian got me this set and I love the details..I put it up high on the hutch, because its breakable and the poor angel lost her wings one year thanks to Levi. Super glue to the rescue and eventually I'll put it on the sofa table,when Sawyer's older.

Rain,rain,dont go away...

Please stay another day! ..Its pouring outside! As I'm cleaning up I can hear the rain coming down and I love it! I know tourists who come here are probably extremely disappointed..no sunny skies,or warm tropical breezes,but for this Oregonian -I love it! Makes me want to craft,drink hot tea,read a good book or watch a movie!My driveway is covered in raindrops, and my yard is getting watered for Free!
Love it,feels like home.

December Photo Project

I went on my friend Erin's blog and saw the December photo project,where you take one picture per day for 25 days,that capture Christmas thru your eyes,life,etc...and thought I'd join in.
I have pulled everything out and have it all over the house. When I came in this morning after dropping the kids at school-this is what it looked like on my dining room table! Yuck! But this is reality-boxes,tissue paper,chaos before beauty!If you want to participate go to www.tredways.org and join the fun!

Did you miss it?

...I was thinking about my family and how often, or not, I tell them how much they mean to me and how I appreciate them and wanted to send them some kind words.When I was looking for some bible verses on kindness,I came across November 13Th,World Kindness Day.
Huh? ..I didn't know and I missed it. Bummer! I like the idea of taking time, and stopping,to specifically be kind,and not let the opportunity pass by. Although I'm late,I think there is still time to play catch up, and send out some kind words, or do a kind deed. Go ahead-you can play along too! And in the words of wise Solomon...
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25)

A little glimpse

I've been busy,tired and anxious lately. Trying to get everything in order,decorated,and prepared for Christmas. Stressing about how much time, or not time I'm spending with my kids. Trying to make it a wonderful Christmas for them, and all the other self imposed craziness that goes with that desire. My wonderful,mechanical, 10 yr son put together all my artificial trees, 6 total! My 8 yr old daughter helped me put on ornaments. The tree in her room,the boys room,my room, and the dining room, are up, and lit, and look beautiful at night.I'm always so glad when everything is out, and yet stressed till its done. Hate that. I'm on to the living room tree -which is by far the most time consuming.However,I love unwrapping each ornament and remembering where I got it or from whom,thinking about the person and place. I love Christmas,and the wrapping,
decorating,remembering,giving.The music,sights and smells. And how from a little,tiny innocent baby, we have this huge gift of salvation and freedom in Christ. When all is said and done-I want my family to look back at Christmas's remembering the fun of giving and the beauty of it all and to somehow get a minuscule glimpse of the beauty,the gift,the fun of knowing, and having God Almighty himself.