It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Years past, we have not decorated the outside of our house with lights. This is mainly because Chris was not home to do it. Well this year is different. We live in a little area called the "berry patch" (all the road names have berry in them). It consists of a circle of houses and my guess is that there are about 40 houses in our "patch". We didnt want to stand out like a sore thumb so we decided to decorate (modestly). Chris purchases the icycle light and clips weeks ago but hadnt gotten around to doing it yet. Yesterday was the day! He and Casey went outside when Emily ran to the grocery store. These lights went up quick and they look so good. I also purchased some little snowman lanterns that are solar powered. I love them! They glow three different colors and add just the right touch to the front path way. The lights might not look like alot to some but it is more than we have ever had. Maybe next year we will add a lawn ornament or two LOL!

Our little Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving finally arrived. I was not looking forward to it this year since we would be away from our friends and family. I have been spoiled for the last 8 years. We would travel to my mother's house when we were stationed in Alabama and before that we went to my Aunt PoPo's for a huge family Thanksgiving. Needless to say, I havent cooked a whole Thanksgiving meal in a LONG TIME!
It was a very quiet and relaxful day here in Utah. I cooked a turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and a salad. We ate early and didnt over stuff ourselves. Casey hated the Turkey as usual. We tried to pass it off as a big chicken but he was too smart for that. Emily told me that the meal was awesome and ate alot. Chris seemed to be content too. We did get to have some of Chris's peanut butter pie. That was the one thing that Casey liked. He actually licked his plate clean.
After dinner Emily and I decided to go shopping at Old Navy and Michaels. Overall it was a nice day with my little family that I will treasure for years to come.

Some crafty goodness

Since I have moved to Utah, I have been crafting quite a bit. Utah is filled with wonderful craft stores and very inspirational women. It is hard for me to choose just one type of craft to do too. I love scrapbooking but I also love quilting, card making, cross stiching, wood working....The list could go on and on. I tell you this state truly inspires my creativity. And being surrounded by such creative people at home and at work doesnt hurt either LOL!
A couple of weeks ago I attended a crafting event here in my neighborhood. It was actually put on by the church here and the neighborhood women were kind enough to invite me because they know I love to craft. You could sign up for different kits and work on them there during the event. I signed up for 3 different classes. Here are photos of two of them. The family yahtzee has to be my favorite. It is a darling way to incorporate your family right into the game. I love this set and I am afraid to use it. Thanks to my friend Brooke for teaching me how to make this.
THe second is a large metal star that I covered with Graphic 45 Christmas paper and Mod Podge. I actually didnt make this there but later at home and it is bigger than the one that they made at the event. I am going to hang it in our upstair living room. I have wooden trees that I am going to cover with the same paper and embellish too. I will post some photos when I get those finished. I hoping to do this either Thanksgiving day or Friday since I have those days off.

Winter Wonderland

I still cant believe that we have snow out here and it is only November. Growing up in Maine, I dont recall getting snow this early. Sure we had snow in April but I just dont remember it in October and early November.
My kids LOVE the white stuff. Emily grew up in Maine and knows what it is like to play in the snow and get cold but Casey, thats a whole different thing. He loves it until he gets cold and that is real fast. He stood outside on Saturday and cried because he was too cold. Emily and I tried to cheer him up by running around and throwing snowballs at each other but that didnt work.
What finally did work was....Shoveling! I think I now have my snow removal crew for the winter. Casey and Emily both wanted to clear the driveway and the sidewalk. I let them have at it and they did a really good job. Lets just see how they feel when we get more than a couple of inches. Casey did have trouble lifting the snow out of the way but he used those muscles of his and dumped it on the lawn. I think he is taking right after his daddy. I know that Chris loves to shovel and mow the lawn so why not his son.
So now I am still looking at snow. It didnt melt from two days ago so that tells you that it is pretty darn cold out here. I hope your weather is nice and warm!

Hey Stranger!

Well it has been quite awhile since I have updated this blog of mine. Facebook has taken over my posts on here but I am going to make a conscious effort to be better at updating here.
Alot has happened since the last time I posted. Both kiddos have now turned a year older. It is hard to believe that I now have a daughter who is double digits! And whoever said it was the terrible twos, does not know Casey Kimball!
Our summer was pretty uneventful and very LONG! My mom, brother and his girlfriend did visit us for a week in July which was a blast. We got to go to alot of neat places and sight see around this beautiful area. We went to the great salt lake, a copper mine, and the Olympic Park in Park City. We love having visitors so if you are in the mood to see some snow head out our way where the door is always open.
School has started up again for both kids too. Emily is now in 5th grade. She is trying to adjust to life out here still and I think she is the one that is having the hardest time. She has found a few friends at school. She has a new job at school too this year. She is a hall monitor with one of her good friends. She loves it!
Casey has started preschool in our neighborhood. He goes three times a week with all the neighbor kids. His best friend and his girlfriend attend with him. He loves it! He has made some new friends too and loves living in Utah. He is the one that adjusted the best. I knew he would do just fine out here.
Chris is doing just fine at work. He spent most of the summer "molding" new chiefs for their initiation in September. He also put in his paperwork to retire. It is hard to believe that it is almost time for us to retire. It seems like we were just in Rhode Island on our first tour. Chris spends alot of time out in the garage make speakers. He is really good at it and we have some rocking speaker in our family room and he has a pair in his office.
I am busy at work. I love my job. I really dont feel like it is a job since I am surrounded by scrapbook supplies all day and people who love to scrapbook. I have made some good friends in co workers and customers. This fall I got to fly back East to attend a scrapbook retreat with my friends. It was so nice! I miss my girlfriends every day. THey "get" me and love my family. I had a blast while I was there and it was like I had never left. I was nervous that it would be different but it wasnt at all.
So that is the quick review of the last few months. I am watching the snow here ......