Happy Birthday Jaime!

Last year, Marianne and I took Jaime to breakfast for her birthday. This was significant because Jaime's birthday is on Christmas Eve and she had never spent time with friends on her actual birthDAY.

This year, she invited lots of friends to celebrate. We went to "Goldy's Breakfast Bistro" downtown Boise. It was a quaint little place, so we filled it up with about 15 women.

We talked, we ate, we laughed..... and had an ornament exchange. It was a fun, early-morning celebration. Jaime is hoping to make it an annual thing.

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend Jaime!

Homemade Gifts

We had so much fun 2 years ago making the gifts for our family gift exchange, we decided to do it again this year.

Treyson drew Abree's name. He told me he wanted to make a new blanket for her since her special baby blanket (made by Grandma Smullin) was getting raggedy and would have to be put in the "keepsakes" box soon. (Or "keep safes" as they would call it.)

I thought it was such a sweet idea, I totally hopped on board last minute and helped him whip up a quilt for her.

I showed him how to tie and within a few practice tries, he got it! I was so proud of him.

Rylee drew Jason name. She made him a customized Rubik's Cube he could take to work and put on his desk. It was all about the BSU Broncos an the Utah Jazz... of course.

I had Taylee's name. I made her a ruffle scarf. I bought 2 scarves from the Dollar Tree and cut of one of them to make the ruffles. Then sewed them on. It turned out cute. (Finished scarf not pictured.)

Taylee had Grandpa Waite's name. She made him a book, "Top 20 Things That Happened in Our Family in 2010". It was cute to see some of the things that made the list; Jackson lost his first tooth, Taylee started piano lessons, Sterling was born, we had the Ison Christmas FHE (funny to give to Gpa Waite), etc.

Grandpa Waite had Treyson's name. Grandpa made Treyson a "walking stick". It was cool. He smoothed it, carved his initials in it and even sacrificed a piece of his own shoelace for the handle.

Abree had Rylee's name. She and I made these flower clips for Rylee. So cute!

Jason had my name. He knows what I like.... acts of service! I received a gift certificate that entitled me to: A Garage Overhaul.

Including: Pressure washed floors, organizing and relocating items, a haul to D.I., arranging food storage items, re-organization of tools and a bike rack!

Are you jealous?

I know it may not be YOUR ideal gift, but it is MINE. :)

Homemade gifts take thought, time and effort, but it is SO worth it. I hope to continue doing this year after year.

12 Days of Service

Inspired by Sister Tanner's parenting class and the Christmas season, our family decided to do "12 Days of Service" in the month of December.

We had big plans, but with me going out of town for a week and many community services already FULL, we had to get creative and make the best of it.

We'd love to do this again next year. Maybe make it a tradition. We hope to be better prepared and get to serve dinner on Christmas Eve at the homeless shelter.

The day I was returning from Post Falls was our first official "service day". Since I was on an airplane coming home, Jason and the kids volunteered at the Boise Rescue Mission warehouse without me. Abree got to help by making place mats, to be used at the Boise Rescue Mission Christmas dinner.

Treyson also made some place mats along with helping to sort food.Jason and Taylee sorted food, restocked the shelves and moved/organized pallets.

Rylee was at Cantus, practicing for her upcoming concert.

Everyone who volunteered, got to sign a bed sheet. The kids told me there were several sheets hung all around the warehouse. They loved leaving their "mark" and being a part of the sheet signing. I wish I could have been there. It sounded like they had an awesome experience and came home happy and excited to tell me everything.

Over the next 11 days, we did some type of service, as a family, each night. We did things ranging from baking cookies for neighbors, to picking up trash in parking lots. One of our favorite activities was our family's first annual "Christmas Service Scavenger Hunt".

I called it a scavenger hunt to get the kids excited about it. :)

We first found out what the Boise Rescue Mission needed most in donated items. Then I sent out an event invitation on FaceBook asking for friends and family to help with those type of donations. Those who wanted to participate, were asked to leave the items on their doorsteps and we would come pick them up, Monday evening.

I wanted to thank those who so graciously participated, so came up with this cute popcorn snowman to leave on front door handle, when picking up.

On the back it said, "Thanks for letting us POP by! Merry Christmas!

Love, The Smullin Family."

The kids drew the snowmen faces and body onto halves of white paper.

Then Jason and I tied jute for a handle, wrapped and taped the snowman around the popcorn package and finally tied a fleece scarf around the neck.

Monday, for FHE, we drove around gathering the donated items for our "scavenger hunt".

Everyone had a task to do and popped out at each stop. Abree was in charge of getting the popcorn snowmen on to the front door handle. I drove and opened the back hatch of the van. Jason and the older kids ran to the door and loaded the items into the back of the van. Initially there was some disharmony, but we quickly got into the spirit of things and pretty soon were having lots of fun.

We collected a variety of things including; laundry detergent and cleaning products, baby wipes and diapers, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant and toothpaste. Plus some fresh fruit, veggies and frozen meat.

The Rescue Mission was THRILLED to have the ground beef and roasts. They said they receive turkeys here and there, but rarely beef. They also mentioned that with serving 3,000 meals a day, the meat would go to good use.

We hope to make this a yearly tradition. We had lots of fun and it felt good to be serving our friends, family and neighbors in the community.

Service is where it's at... the reason for the season.

Piano Recital

Taylee started taking piano lessons at the beginning of the school year. We got creative and arranged for her to swap babysitting (and a few carwashes) for lessons, with a lady in our ward.

In December, they had a short, but sweet recital at an assisted living center.

Taylee played 2 piano duets with her teacher; "We Three Kings" and "Petite Minuet".

It's not easy for Taylee, but I think it will be worth it.

Keep it up Taylee.

Cantus Christmas Concert

Nothing like a Christmas concert, to get you into the Spirit of Christmas.Cantus Youth Choirs performed their very first concert, in December. They sang at the Cathedral of the Rockies, downtown Boise.

The cathedral was festively decorated, the choir looked sharp and the kids sounded great.... a very nice evening.

Nice job Rylee!

The Polar Express

I volunteer in Abree's class once a week. On my volunteer day, before Winter Break, it was pajama day in Kindergarten.

Abree suggested that I wear my pjs to school too, but I didn't take her up on it.

I should have.... Mrs. Matthews did!

Before recess, Mrs. Matthews read "The Polar Express" to the class.

When the kids got back from recess, the room had been set up as "The Polar Express".

They were excited!

I got to be the ticket passer-outer.

Then they got their ticket punched by Miss Ashley (high school student that comes and helps for school credit).

Next, they boarded the Polar Express and were given hot chocolate to drink.

Abree is LOVING her hot chocolate!

Choo, choo.... all aboard the Polar Express!