Some of our favorite things this Christmas.....
The kids spoiled their Mommy!
They were just as excited for me to open their gifts.. as they were to open up their own.
Mary Caroline gave me this beautiful plate... and I picked out the candlesticks for Chad to give to me. hee-hee
I more than LOVE this church that my friend Emma gave me.
It is so charming and beautiful.
I wish they still made churches these days -- as they did in days of old.
My Mom gave me an old copy of "Jane Eyre" -- just as I hoped for.
It even smells like an old book store... and has yellowing pages.
Squuuuuueeeeeee!!!!!
My brother Chris drew my name for Christmas... and gave me this old chair that used to belong to his wife's Great Grandmother.
What a treasure indeed! ~ And he also gifted me with a new Disney pin.
Happiness!!!!
Santa actually remembered to bring a gift to the kitties this year... and they were in Heaven Christmas morning with all of the new toys, and the extra wrapping paper and ribbon laying around.
I LOVE Surprising my Family!!!
My amazingly talented friend Deanne was kind enough to share her talents with me once again and made a denim quilt for each of my children. Chad knew about the gifts... but I was sneaky.. and had one made for him as well.
The blankets have been one of the most favorite gifts this year!!
Tenney was oh so happy that Santa brought her Kanani ( The American Girl of the year ) for Christmas. I love that she still wants to play with dolls.. since she is growing up much too fast for my liking.
She also enjoyed getting Epic Mickey for the Wii... and clothes.
Grandma Wright spoiled Tenney with a whole box of Nancy Drew books.
Tenney's favorite movie is Nancy Drew.. and she can't get enough of the mysteries...
Mary Caroline got her first American Girl doll.. Julie!
She is thrilled to have her own that Tenney isn't in charge of.... and also enjoyed getting a little baby doll set from Grandma Hendrickson and Toy Story wii from Santa.
Christian is swimming in Lego's this Christmas.
Lots and Lots of Lego's.
He also enjoyed getting a mini remote control Helicopter like his Dad... and a new Football.
Chad received 4 new Westerns. He loves old Cowboy movies.
He is in love.
He also enjoyed New Clothes and money from both of our parents.
We hope to get to Disneyland this year... so we are saving!
My Mom gifted Chad with " Sevier Stake Memories " an old book that has many pictures of Chad's Families History.
We asked my Dad to look for this book about 5 years ago.. and he found it.
We love old books filled with our Ancestors! ♥
***************
The greatest surprise of Christmas... came from my Chad.
He was so sneaky... I opened the present in such shock... I couldn't even say anything.
I just sat and cried.
Chad snuck and edited the first 2 years of my blog and printed them out into 2 journals.
This was a huge task.. since I had some old posts that were video -- that needed to be deleted and add pictures in it's place. I have wanted to do this forever... but life just doesn't slow down enough for me to do things like this...
It is amazing!
I still can't believe he pulled this off.
Is there a word better than awesome?
Because that's what it is.
I have been going through the books... and more than ever I feel grateful that I have journal ed my life through blogging for the last 4 years.
Even the silly "tagged" posts that I used to do all of the time tell all about me.
I wish I had books like this on everyone I love... and have loved.
It made me grateful that I have blogged.
It made me realize that I need to blog for me... and tell things as I would like... and not care about what others think of me.
I have been "extra" careful the past 2 years about the way I say things.. and normally before.. I wouldn't have wanted to document what my kids and I received for Christmas... because I worry to much about what others will think... but after this Christmas gift... I now realize that I need to do what I want to... and say what I want to.
The end.
Everyone starts a blog for different reasons.. but my reason is to journal.
My blog has never been about advertising.. or getting "numbers" to my site.
I love that I have made friends while doing it.. and I treasure my friendships.
Each time we have been asked to advertise or add buttons... Chad and I have discussed it.. and decided on the "no."
I like to be and stay --more personal.
******
Today I am Grateful for:
My blog friends that have been with me since I started back in 2008. You have a special place in my heart -- sticking through these years with me... and commenting.... becoming my friends.
Christmas decorations are down. It's a weird year. I wasn't feeling it.
My brother Chris for taking down the Christmas lights yesterday.
Having my children home with me this week. I love my kids with me.
Giving and Receiving
Little Liam's Heart Surgery went well.
Attending the Funeral for Aunt Vivian this morning.
Lots of tears... and a very sacred experience.
13 comments:
I've been printing my blog out every year as well. I try and edit as I go so it's not a mad rush at the end of the year to do it. It seems like a lot of work sometimes, but I love the finished product! It's a journal/scrapbook/photo album/personal history all in one!
I loved every thing you guys got! I am glad you had a good Christmas! I so want to print out my blog now and I want to catch up but some times it is so hard. Do you know who he printed your blog out with? I like how yours looks. I love that little Mary has her own American Girl doll now, too cute!
I too am so happy that Liam's surgery went well! Yay!
Heather:
Chad used SharedBook.
2008 had 289 pages and the 2009 volume had 377 pages.
Because they are so big.. it wouldn't let Chad print the comments. There are a few posts that I really treasure the comments on.. so I may just print them off myself and save them.
Just got home yesterday from Utah. I knew it would go fast. I had to go back and do some "catch up reading" of your other posts.
It WAS GREAT to have you visit me. I am so glad you were able to sneak in some time to drop over.
But THAT IS HOW YOU ROLL....always thinking of others.
All your Christmas gifts are awesome.
I have a DIL who does her blog up in hard back books too, as her Journaling. Very very cool !!
Man oh man I'm so impressed with your honey!! I can't believe he did all that without your knowing, very sneaky, very sneaky indeed, I love it!!
What a wonderful Christmas you had and I'm also glad you blog, heck I wouldn't know ya otherwise!
You are going to love your blog book. I do mine every year.
I think it is wonderful that Chad did this for you. Your blog is really a treasure.
Looks like you scored in the antique department. All of the beautiful things that you got are so gorgeous. Your family knows you well.
Love and hugs.
Chad's gift is the piece de resistance (or however that is spelled in French) - what an AWESOME idea. I blog for journaling as well, and hope to someday get mine printed. What a treat.
And yes....Christmas is over. 'nuff said
I love you!
First: Those blankets are AWESOME!!!! Really, I would sleep under if every night if I were you. I know it has such a special place in your heart....they turned out GREAT.
Second: Those candle sticks are SOO you :) I can't wait to see where you put them.
Third: Old chair = happiness
Fourth: All of my nieces got dolls this year, and my mom even made some doll clothes for them too. I also love that they still play with dolls. I hate to see them growing up so fast.
Fifth: What kitties are you talking about??? I must have missed a post....do you have a new kitten...or kittens???
Sixth: What Disney Pin did you get?? I need to be on the look out for those...I know how much you love them.
Seventh: Chad's gift to you made me cry. I wish I could have been there to see your face when you opened them. I am so thankful you started a blog...and that you talked me into starting a blog.
Thank you Ann :) You are always inspiring me.... I love you. Always stay true to yourself...and we will love you more for it.
Happy NEW YEAR dear friend!!
((HUG))
ps. Thank you for sharing about Liam on your blog. We are so grateful his surgery went well too.
What a LOVELY and thoughtful gift Chad gave you! It seems you had a nice Christmas, I am glad!
Okay, so after reading about your husband making you a book from your blog I went and did the same with mine...I'm so excited to see how it's going to turn out! I ordered it today and it is scheduled to arrive around the 24th.
Love the gifts that your kids and Chad gave you. Looks like a very Happy Christmas!
Those books of your blog are amazing! What a great gift from your husband!
I LOVE the Jane Eyre book. That is my favorite book, and I love old editions of it!
My son got lots of Legos for Christmas too. That and Angry Birds things!
Happy New Year Ann!
How cool is that. Can't wait to see it! I've talked about printing mine but never done anything about it. 2 American Girls...your Santa must love them as much as the girls doo!
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