Christmas Card 2010

Count Your Blessings Christmas 5x7 folded card

Turn your photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

The Stockings Were Hung By the Chimney With Care...

Yeah.  Here that's about as far as preparations for Christmas have gone.  We I am so far behind!!  We finally got the tree up and I went through all the boxes of decorations...but no lights are hung outside, no ornaments are on the tree, and definitely no presents are wrapped!  Whew...lots of things to do to prepare for Christmas!!

You know me...I'm gonna prioritize.  Of course what I'll do first is what is most important   most fun for me!  First up...Chrismtas cards!

We haven't sent out Christmas cards as family before (it is Nora's first Christmas).  Good thing there are handy (and super easy) websites to use out there.

My favorite?  Shutterfly.com.  ALWAYS easy and lots to choose from!  This year they're doing a promotion with bloggers for a great deal on some Christmas cards for promoting their business...so I figured why not!!  I've used Shuterfly.com for years.  They really are my go-to for pictures printed, but there's so much more that they have to offer!

Look at these cute photo calendars (may need one of those to remember Nora's "firsts" next year).

Or how about all these "gifts"!  What family member isn't dying for a picture of Nora?!?  An ornament, a canvas print, a life-size photo cut-out, they have it ALL!  Maybe that's what her grandpa's need since they don't live close.  =)  Okay, maybe they wouldn't appreciate it too much, but you have to admit that's cool!!

The teacher in me is attracted to the books, of course.  Nora as a star in her own book!?  Sweet!  I had one when I was little and LOVED it.  And it only had my name...no picture.  This would be WAY better!

My experience with Shutterfly.com has always been good!  I've order prints, made a calendar for a family member, and a photo book before.  It's nice to easily upload photos and have so many options of things to "do" with them!

While I could probably spend all of Aaron's paycheck at Shutterfly.com, I have to restrain myself.  Too many bills with too little money.  =)  We ARE getting Christmas cards though.  Have you seen all the choices?!?  If you know me well...choices means ut oh.  I have the hardest time making decisions.  Good thing I have a little time to still obsess until I pick out the perfect one...which I'm SURE they have!  There are lots of hip & trendy ones!  C'mon 805 designs...there's a perfect one for me and all of you!

PS-I lied.  I have one other Christmas decoration up.  I made a cute wreath out of ribbon and trim.  See...

Nora Days...

Here are some random pictures.  

These are my days.  Nora days.  

Wouldn't change it for the world.=)

 She's getting so good at crawling--she's unstoppable!  Although, she enjoys pulling herself up and standing there more.  She even walks along the couch now!!  Yikes!

She is always happy!  =)  (Doesn't that band make her cheeks like even fluffier?!?) 

 She loves to play instead of sleep...until she wears herself out.  Usually it's banging on the baby monitor repeatedly...

She's so sweet.  I could eat her up! 

She's very curious.  Even likes her new kicks! 

Nora LOVES playing with Daddy.  Even if he puts the laundry basket over her head.

Silly girl got twisted up in her hooded towel!

         She still likes wigs!  Good thing we got her some new ones from the Halloween clearance!!

Isn't she the BEST?!?  WE LOVE HER!!  <3

Two Twins!

Aaron's twin nephews, Tyler & Aiden, turned 2 years old on November 13th!  We went to their house to celebrate with all the family.  Here's a few pictures from the party:

They were DYING for the cupcakes throughout dinner!

The most fun was re-lighting the candles and blowing them out!

Over & Over...

Emily and Leah smashing cupcakes in each others' faces!

A good time was had by all!  The boys are getting so big and handsome!  Happy Birthday boys!  We love you!!

The Many First Halloweens

We were BUSY this Halloween!!  Nora "enjoyed" her first halloweens!  Here are some of the things we did:

We went to surprise party for a friend.

We dressed up as April & Travis (& Nora was their dog, Abby) and April & Travis dressed up as us.  Easiest costumes ever! 

Nora (AKA Abby)  Too bad you can't see her cute collar.

She tried on a little boys skunk hat.  So cute!

We went to the ward Halloween party.  We ate.  We talked.  We (Aaron) had a pie eating contest.  We (Nora) slept.

     

Nora on Halloween.  My Mom made her (& her cousin Millie) dresses to wear to church for the holiday.  Too bad I can't get a still picture!

        

We went to Disney World.  Back in January we participated in the "Give a Day, Get a Day" service project through Disney.  We gave the easiest day ever & got free tickets to Disney World.  One of the best decisions ever!  To use them, we (Us, my Mom, Steve, & Xan) took a quick trip to Magic Kingdom for "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" and then spent the next day at Hollywood Studios.  "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" is an extra event.  You have to buy a separate ticket to it, but we got more than our moneys worth.  There are virtually no lines & LOTS of people are dressed up.  It's like watching tv while walking around!  

Driving to FL in Steve's van on Halloween.

Downtown Disney's Lego Store the next morning.  Killing time until we can go into Magic Kingdom.

Nora & I at Magic Kingdom the next night. (Nov.1)

Nora & Daddy riding the tram into the park.

Sleepyhead trying on candy cane ears.

Trying on pink ears.

Trying on princess ears.

Trying on Captain Jack Sparrow ears.

Nora in her new ears.

We had a great time at all of our Halloween celebrations, but Disney was BY FAR the best!  I recommend Magic Kingdom for "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party"!  The rides were all open, it wasn't hot (it was at night), and we all trick or treated!  It was a BLAST!!



PS--I found some more pictures and blogger is being difficult so they're going at the end.  =)

Nora salivating over my turkey leg at Hollywood Studios.

 Aaron & I in front of 1 of the many Halloween decorations at MK.

I know,again. Can't get it off without deleting all of them. Don't we look "nice".  Eww.

The MAGIC of Magic Kingdom:  Nora started waving to people on her own!

Aaron competing in the pie eating contest.  He didn't win!  =(

Nora & Daddy leaving Hollywood Studios (Nov.2)