Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a safe and joyous holiday!

Gingerbread Houses

My SIL's brought over a bunch of candy and graham crackers so the kids could decorate houses. This is becoming an annual tradition and the kids love decorating...especially since they can eat candy while they do it. :)




Savvy chillin' out on the floor.


Don't you just love the blur that is Josh?

Michael Bublé - Hollywood (OFFICIAL Video)

I love...

~Savannah's kisses.

~Brianna's Southern accent when she says, "It's Paula Deen,ya'll!"

~The Food Network and HGTV.

~Seeing my kids' faces when my mom gave them piggy banks and paint to color their little piggies.

~Brayden's tight hugs and hearing him say "I love you,mommy".

~Camdy's nighttime prayers.

~Lindor Truffles.

~Talking with Adam until I fall asleep...although lately he gets 5 minutes of dazzling conversation.

~My mom's "Christmas" dip.

~Martina McBride's Christmas CD.

~"Eclipse" on DVD.

~Reading magazines filled with Christmas craft ideas.

*YAWN*

--Disclaimer: This is a whiny vent-y post. Feel free to skip it.--

Yeah, I know that it's been 2 weeks since I last posted.

Yeah,I know that my blog is a snooze lately.

That crazy little thing called life has been busy lately. Even when it's not,I can't seem to make myself to do anything.

My house is a mess. There is an explosion of clothes and toys everywhere. We had to clean out the storage unit so there are boxes all over the family room.

All of our Christmas decor is still buried in a storage unit. Even if I get it out soon,I don't want to put it up. This year,you can call me Ebenezer.

A lot of things seem to be hitting me all at once....and motivation? I don't haz it. AT ALL.

We are apartment hunting. Unsuccessfully,I might add. 2 different managers have turned us down because we have "too many kids" for a 3-bedroom place. Since we can't afford a 4 bedroom place (unless I sell one of my organs) we just have to keep looking and hope that someone will take pity upon us and our situation. Unfortunately most places want us to sign a lease as well,but since we are waiting for assisted housing,we don't want to do that. It just sucks all around.

Adam's stressed,I'm stressed and the kids are feeling it. Josh doesn't speak to me lately unless it's to whine or complain about something. The little boys are acting up and pushing my buttons.

I'm sick again,I keep getting sinus infections every month. The boys are sick so I guess I should take out the sanitizer and clorox wipes and start scrubbing. However..(see motivation comment above)

I hope that this is just one of those days and that it won't turn into one of those weeks.

Remember...

...when I used to post comments on blogs?

Yeah,those were good times.

Things haven't slowed down much. It seems like it's one thing after another around here.

Everyone has these super cute blog posts and while I can't always comment,I do read most of them.

Just wanted to say that I love you all and I hope to get out of this blogging funk soon.

B-U-S-Y!

It's been crazy around here lately and it's only going to get more insane with the holidays coming up. 6 more weeks until Christmas!

The kids had half days during parent-teacher conferences so we had errands and appointments almost every day.

I finished Christmas shopping for my kids. Now I have to buy for everyone else.

Two days after Josh's dental check-up,Brady lost a crown so back to the dentist we went.

Savvy's 4 month check-up is in 10 days.

We are moving sometime within the next few months. We don't know where yet,but that makes it more exciting,right?

Day 30

~~Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.~~



~I married my love and best friend.

~I was able to give birth to 5 beautiful children.

~Both of my parents beat cancer and are healthy now.

It took a little longer than 30 days but I finally finished the blog challenge!! Yay for me! I'm glad I did it,it was fun to make all of the interesting posts. :)

Day 29

~~Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.~~

Eating?

Honestly I don't think that there is anything that answers that question. There are many things that I love to do but I still like to take a break once in awhile. I love reading,watching my shows and playing on the internet but sometimes it just doesn't interest me. That is usually when my house gets clean. ;)

Day 28

~~Day 28 – Your favorite movie.~~



Yet another question to which I have multiple answers. If I absolutely have to pick just one movie,it would be "While You Were Sleeping". It came out a week before Adam and I got married. He went with me and his sisters,(back when it was easier to talk him into seeing "chick flicks"). I <3 Sandra Bullock in this movie. My SIL's and I still talk in quotes from this movie. It's just an all around fun show! :)

Day 27

~~Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?~~

Last year -


This year -


How I've changed -

~I'm a year older..but probably not wiser.

~I weigh 25 lbs less. (but not for long if I don't lay off the Halloween candy)

~I'm a mother of 5 kids instead of 4.

Halloween activities!

The kids and I made cookies this year. I bought a bucket of Halloween cookie cutters,frosting,decorating gel and sprinkles. Josh narrated the whole time,pretending he was hosting a cooking show. ( I think I've been watching the Food Network too much lately)
Although being a chef is one of the jobs he wants to have when he grows up,so I guess it's good practice.







Someone REALLY didn't want us to make cookies. Thankfully she calmed down between the baking phase and the decorating phase.













On Friday there was a costume parade at the kids' school,followed by class parties. The weather was just perfect! Brady was very sad that we had to leave and couldn't stay for the par-tays.

My beautiful pink fairy!

The old school vampire...no sparkling and wind chimes here!

Savvy was happy most of the time. This was right before the crying started.

My sweet little guys..Camden was happy and totally cheesin'! But Brady? Not so much.

My SIL invited us to her ward's trunk or treat on Saturday night. It was pouring rain and COLD! The kids got a few treats and then we went back to the warm and toasty house. Luckily the kids had a fun night and didn't complain about the lack of trick or treating.

Batman,Pink Fairy,Vampire and Iron Man...the drenched versions.

Josh and Brianna pose while Brady and Camdy stare.

My adorable little pumpkinhead!

On Saturday,Adam carved the kids' pumpkins. My dad grew all of these in his yard. In order from left to right...Savvy's, Camdy's, Brady's, Brianna's and Joshie's. I can't even lift Joshie's pumpkin,it's huge!

It was a fun week and I hope the rest of you had a great holiday too!

P.S. - Don't pay attention to my messy house. KTHXBYE.

Day 26

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.



Beautiful Hawaii! Adam and I went there in 2007 and we were by ourselves for a whole week! We had so much fun,we would love to go there again one day.

Darling babies!

My SIL, Jenn, took this pic of my niece Isabella and my sweet Savvy. They are the same size but Isabella is 6 weeks old..Savvy is 3 months old. I have such a petite little girly. :)



As you can see,she was thrilled to have her picture taken.

Halloween pics of my kids coming soon!!

Day 25

~~Day 25 – What’s in your purse?~~

wallet
brush
gum
snack bar
iPod
sunglasses
various medicines
tums
lip gloss
band-aids

Right now I use a diaper bag most of the time and just put my wallet inside it. I love purses though. Here is my new one which I bought on sale for less than $15! It is dark purple..it makes me happy. :)

Day 24

~~Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.~~



The Salt Lake Temple..this is where Adam and I were sealed for eternity. I don't go as often as I should,but just thinking about the temple gives me a feeling of peace and reminds me of what is important in life.

Day 23

~~Day 23 – 15 facts about you.~~

~I'm the baby in my family. There are 15 years between me and the next oldest sibling so while I have young kids,my sibs are all grandparents now.

~I was a dancer when I was younger. I performed in competitions and marched in parades. I really wish I had stayed in dancing.

~I know a lot about pop culture and entertainment. Family and friends often call me for an answer to their movie questions.

~I had 4 miscarriages before Josh was born.

~I love to scrapbook but with 5 kids,I've become more of a collector then a scrapper.

~After I've deep cleaned a room,I go back to admire it often since I know it won't last for long.

~I used to collect TV guides.

~I love looking through other people's photo albums and watching wedding videos.

~I read a lot of books and articles about being organized but I've yet to accomplish the organizing.

~I'm a list junkie. I make many do to-do lists and I always have a notebook in my bag.

~I'm obsessed with purple. I have purple shirts,purses,earrings and shoes. Even my bedspread and bedroom curtains are purple. I like darker shades like plum and aubergine.

~I'm a huge chocaholic. I have treats hidden all around in my house.

~I'm a big bookworm. I love reading to the point where I get lost in a book.

~I'm a magazine addict. I love to read Entertainment Weekly, Parents, Family Circle, All You, Woman's Day, Redbook, and People. Once in awhile I'll read Glamour and Cosmo.

~I love to sing. I'm not very good at it but I've always enjoyed it.

Day 22

~~Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.~~

Although I have been hurt,I'm not going to make it public knowledge. However I know something that I will make public.

Dear Government,

STOP SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY AND QUIT PAYING YOURSELVES SALARIES THAT YOU DON'T DESERVE!!!

From,
An angry American

Day 21

~~Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.~~

Obviously I have a few things...

PURPLE - Best.color.ever!


Blue skies and sunshine - Always cheers me up!


Scrapbooking - I haven't had the time to do this for awhile. One day I'll catch up..


Playing on the internets - No explanation necessary.

Day 20

~~Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.~~

Stace is my nickname and place rhymes with Stace. This will probably surprise you,but it didn't take much to come up with the name.

Really,it's true.

Day 19

~~Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.~~



This picture was taken 12 years ago. I was 21 years old and skinny. I may never be 21 again,but I *will* be skinny!

Stop laughing,I'm serious.

:p

Days 16, 17 and 18

~~Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.~~

I've had many crushes over the years. Johnny Depp,Kirk Cameron,Christian Bale,Gerard Butler and Hugh Jackman. My current crush is Jensen Ackles.



~~Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.~~
This is the closest I can get to a family pic right now.



~~Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.~~
If it's a salty craving - Chili-cheese or bacon-cheese fries
If it's a sweet craving - C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E! Especially brownies!

This is a picture of my favorite brownies. I even included a link to the recipe..because I want to share the chocolate love.
PB and chocolate heaven.

Day 15

~~Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without~~

There are a lot of things..

~Kids - I hear it's frowned upon if you leave them alone so they can burn down the house.

~Keys - Doy! I can't drive without them...unless I am riding with someone else.

~Diaper bag and wallet - For obvious reasons.

~Cell Phone and iPod - Double doy!

Day 14

~~Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.~~

Once again,I can't list just one.

Hawaii Five-0 - This is a great remake. Fast-paced and fun!


NCIS - This is probably my favorite. Great characters,fast moving plots and lots of humor. I have to finish last season and then I will be ready to catch up on this season.



Glee - This was one of my favorites last year so it saddens me to say that I'm disappointed with this season. I'm just not feeling it and most of the songs have been "meh".


Raising Hope - This is a really funny show! Even though every time I see Martha Plimpton,I think of the line,"I feel like I'm babysitting,except I'm not getting paid."


Community - Another great cast. They all play off of each other really well. Troy and Abed rule!


Supernatural - I was disappointed with the season premiere but the other episodes have been much better.


Blue Bloods - Yay for the return of Tom Selleck!! And Donnie Wahlberg is awesome on this show! (and I'm not just saying that because I loved NKOTB)