Christmas Tag

I have been tagged by my friend Christa to do this Christmas post.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I am a little odd because I actually LOVE wrapping gifts. I think it is fun to be creative with different papers and ribbons.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Real trees smell great! But, I like cheap and low maintenence. So- we have a fake tree that cost us like 25 bucks at Target a couple of years ago and it also came with a wreath!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Thanksgiving weekend. I love Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Years Day.

5. Do you like egg nog?
I haven't given it much of a chance, but no, I think it is gross.

6. Favorite gift received as a child.
This one is hard. We always had really nice Christmas' growing up. I remember one year I got a stereo I really wanted. I was probably 8? We have had some good ones as adults, too :).

7. Hardest person to buy for.
Boyd (my dad- for those that don't know, we tend to call him by his first name. We are kind of disrespectful that way :))

8. Easiest person to buy for.
My kids. It is so nice that they are young and happy with anything. I hope that they will always be that way. ( I know- wishful thinking).

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. It is all white and has a stable that plays music. I love it. I earned each piece of it as a child in Primary.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
I hope I don't offend anyone here, but I am against the e-mail cards. I hope people always mail their cards. Just recycle them if you are concerned about the enviornment. I love getting Christmas cards and seeing what people are up to.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received.
Luckily I can't think of one. I am glad I can't because I think I would just sound like an ungrateful brat.

12. Favorite Christmas movie.
The Christmas Story is a classic. But, I am going to have to go with Christmas Vacation on this one. I love that movie.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I have been known to start before Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Probably- I did it with a few wedding gifts.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas.
I love to eat my Grandma Calder's sugar cookies. She isn't alive anymore so now I have to make them. They really are a labor of love. I have a new appreciation for all the cooking she did for us.

16. Lights on the tree.
Yes. No lights outside this year though.

17. Favorite Christmas song.
I know I am going to get laughed at for this one. But really I don't care. I am who I am. (I really am laughing while writing this. I can't believe I am announcing this) Confession: I LOVE George Michael. I do. I love the Christmas song "Last Christmas". I also LOVE The Carpenters. They remind me of my Grandpa Black. I enjoy their Christmas music, too.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We go to our parents houses and stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Prancer, Donner, Blixen, Cupid, Rudolph. Are any of those even reindeer names? Will someone who knows please comment and tell me the names? Now it is going to bug me!

20. Angel on the tree top or star?
Neither. We have a little Santa in an airplane that flies around the tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We open gifts Christmas Eve at Trent's mom's and my fam's Christmas morning. My kids open their Santa gifts Christmas morning. This year I want to start a new pair of pajamas traditon. So - they will get those Christmas Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year.
The snow. I HATE it. I know hate is a strong word, but that is the only appropriate word to describe it.

23. What theme or color are you using?
None. That seems a little over the top.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Chicken Cordon Bleu.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Nothing in particular. Just for my kids (and Trent and I) not to get sick for the Holidays.

If you do this tag, you have to tag as many people as their are days left until Christmas.
I am randomly going to pick 7 people to tag. I tag Becca, Brooke, Kami, Kristal, Kimberly, Sally, and Melinda.

It's a Christmas Miracle!

On Friday night the Chipotle by us was offering free burritos if you brought a toy in to donate. How could we pass up a tasty Chipotle burrito? And did I mention it was free?! Don't worry we didn't take two dollar store toys that were suppose to go in our kids stockings. We wouldn't stoop that low for a burrito. No way.

We walked out of there with two chicken fajita burritos and they gave our kids quesadillas for free. A free meal. A Christmas miracle- especially in this great economy.

Don't worry you didn't completely miss out on this great deal.

"In honor of Family Night, bring your pre-school or elementary-aged child to any Salt Lake City Chipotle on Monday, December 8 from 4:00-7:00 PM and we'll reward them with a FREE TACO, CHEESE or CARNITAS QUESADILLA or CHIPS & GUACAMOLE."

*Don't leave hateful comments- I will go back to the Dollar Store and replace their gifts. :)

Dear Santa...

Connor is really excited for Christmas to come. We have been talking about making Santa some yummy sugar cookies for Christmas. Connor wanted to make Santa a note to put next to the cookies. He told me what he wanted to say and I told him the letters. I was really impressed at his 4 year old abilities to write Santa a letter.

"Santa

Dear old man. Eat your cookies."

I was laughing sooo hard when he said he wanted to write "old man". I'm sure that will get him points with dear old Santa. What a kid.

I am trying to find some fun (and inexpensive) things with my kids for the Holidays. What are some good traditions you have with your families?

Cousins!

Now that I have told you about our bun in the oven- let me tell you of another one on the way. My brother Scott and his wife Kami announced that they will also be having a baby. We are beyond thrilled! They will make such excellent parents and my kids will finally get to have a cousin on my side. For those of you that know my family and are interested- you can click on their blog to see my family's emotional reaction (myself included) upon hearing the news.