Deck The Halls!

The unveiling...

Please disregard the Pledge can on top of the TV.

The kids' nativity.

The mini tree.

My nativity.

The pretty mantle.

"Haul Out The Holly..."

We started putting up the Christmas decor today! Hooray! My favorite holiday is just around the corner. I have not taken pictures yet, but I will when I have the finished product. Putting up the decorations this year is a bit more difficult with a 3 1/2 year old and especially with the 19 month old. Whew! She is such a busy little thing, and keeps pulling things out of boxes, bringing it to me and saying, "Here ya go!" Makes me laugh, but I'm afraid she's going to haul out something breakable. Little stink. Matt even put lights on the house today! Powell was really wanting to put lights up after driving through our neighborhood the other night and seeing other people's lights. During the drive he would say, "We really need to put lights on our house, mommy. I wish we had lights." He thinks the lights are, and I quote, "Beautiful."

They had fun playing with their nativity today. I love that I have my nativity (the Willow Tree Nativity), that I am still collecting, which I love! I'm also very glad that they get to have their own nativity (the Little People Nativity), which they, and I love. As I took all of the different pieces out, we talked about what Christmas is really about. I love how it's something tangible that they can see and hopefully start to understand. Isabel kept bringing me the book, Christmas In The Manger, to read to her. She loves making the animal noises and seeing the "baby". I love being able to share with my babies, the wonderful meaning of Christmas, and to enjoy all of the other little things too.

A Wyoming Thanksgiving

Can you believe these are all the pictures I got at Thanksgiving? I sure can't. I guess you forget to take pictures when you're stuffing your face, or having fun with family. We did have a great time in Wyoming with my parents. I have missed my dad's Thanksgiving meal, and it did not disappoint! Matt even got his very own green bean casserole. We never make it in the Dove family since nobody cares for it, but Matt is so loved that they made it just for him. And no "black Friday" shopping here, folks! I love to shop, but detest shopping so darned early in the morning and with soooo many people. The only reason we went to Walmart on black Friday was because we needed a new cable for my mom's new DVD player. We went a bit later in the afternoon, and it wasn't too bad. Powell loved playing in the mini arcade there. He was awesome with the racecar game! He got first place on our last credit, and got a free credit to play another game. I know. I know. I have another "gamer" on my hands. What will I do with these boys?

Thanksgiving

Since I will not be here on Thanksgiving (the fam and I are heading to WY to spend Thanksgiving with my parents), I am writing this post now. This is the first major holiday since even before Matt and I were married, that we've spent there! Just praying that the weather holds up. I will be posting pictures when I get back! :)

I am so very thankful for my wonderful family and friends, a roof over my head, heat in the winter, shoes on my feet, and I really could go on and on. The thing that I am most thankful for though, is a Father in heaven who loves me unconditionally, who has saved me from the mire, who is merciful (and boy do I ever need mercy), who is patient (and boy do I need patience), infallible, unchanging. Thank you, God, for being the one who sustains us.

Music definitely speaks to me, and here is a song I would like to share.

Wonderful, Merciful Savior-Sung by Selah

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!!

I Am In Love...

I would like to thank my dear friend, Rachael, for turning me on to this blog. I don't know if my husband will thank her though. ;) I have quite the list of projects that I am dreaming of accomplishing for our house. There are so many adorable, awesome plans on this site that it's almost overwhelming to choose from! Here are just a few that are on my immediate radar. ;)

Playhouse Loft Bed w/Storage Stairs (This would be for my little Baby Belle)

Storage Sofa (Would go great in the "toy room" for some seating and storage!)

I also love their Farmhouse Bed, Cal King, but we have a bedroom set that does not need replacing any time soon, but I would still love this one day. :)

Also love this with the whole cubby shebang. Would be awesome for the kids' toys! And with a matching bookshelf for all of their books? Perfect. :)

Big dreams I have, but again, thank you, Rachael for turning me on to ana-white.com with Knock-Off Wood!

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Tonight I was feeling like baking. I feel like that often, especially when it comes to dessert-type stuff. If you've never tried the original Whoopie Pie, you really must! I figured I would try this fall-festive Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe. They are pretty delicious.

I did make a few changes to the original recipe, so I will give you the recipe with the changes here:

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:
Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
For cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease or line four baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Drop by heaping measuring teaspoons onto prepared baking sheets. (A total of 72 cookies are needed for the recipe.)
Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For cream cheese filling: Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Spread a heaping teaspoon of filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

2010 Christmas Card

And here is our 2010 Christmas card for your viewing pleasure. I couldn't wait to unveil it, so you, in the blogging world, get a taste of Christmas a bit early. Enjoy!

Thank you to Shutterfly for the opportunity to earn these cards!