Ward Christmas Who-Bilation

Saturday was our Ward Christmas Party. I thought it turned out very nicely and we got quite a bit of positive feedback from everyone. The theme was "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and so we had some Who's and a Grinch (all thanks to the Alms family, who spent many hours making costumes and dressing up) as well as decorations that all fit the Whoville theme. It was quite fun and it looked great. I didn't get any fantastic pictures before the party started and once it started it was a little too dark to get good pictures. City center tree (it was like 15 feet or so with the star on top!)Whoville city scape in the background, and gifts on the table. I think Anna wrapped around 100 boxes for this activity!
Here is our little Who family:
Talmage (whose hair doesn't work on a good day)
Sadie (couldn't get a good picture of her darling hair since she didn't feel very good)
And Avri who looked fantastic, if I do say so myself.
Kendall and I even sported new hairdo's. Don't mind me, still in glasses without make-up. (Maybe by New Year's!)
The dinner was wonderful, (ham, roasted garlic new potatoes, bacon green beans, salad and rolls) and the young men and women were servers. They made everything run so smoothly. The program turned out very well. I was in charge of the program this year and decided to make a slideshow around the story of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." We had someone read the story beforehand and we put pictures to the captions from pictures of ward members throughout the year. We changed the story a bit so that it was Christ-centered, and added a little music and voila! The Primary kids sang a song in the middle and the entire congregation sang Joy to the World at the end. It tooks countless hours to put together and I got quite a bit of help, but I think it was all worth it in the end.

The kids were terrified of the Grinch, which I didn't expect, but could understand. His costume was fantastic! Look out Jim Carey!
Santa also made a great appearance, however I didn't get any pictures since I was in the kitchen and running around. But the two oldest enjoyed sitting on his lap. Sadie however who have NONE of it. She is still my most weary of strangers. But I'm not sad about that. Keeps her safer. :)

We have such a great activities committee and the activities are always so much fun. I really enjoy the calling, as stressful as it can be. Now we are trying to get the house put back together and get ready for Christmas. I just LOVE this time of year. So many good memories. Merry Christmas to you all!

Happy Birthday Talmer!

Talmage Grant Powell
December 8th, 2006
7 lbs 3 oz 18 1/2 inches

My little boy is 3 years old today! Talmage is a very fun little boy and we are so happy to have him as a part of our family. He was my smallest baby and my easiest delivery. He was born at 7 lbs 3 oz, he came out hungry and he never stopped eating, for the next 3 years.

Talmage had reflux which was a big pain, but it never caused him any weight loss, as you can see. He was a good baby. He has always been the chicken in the family. Even as a little baby he would startle if you touched him, even if he knew you were there. But he has a good arm on him. By 6 months he could throw a ball a couple of feet away with good aim.




Talmage is also our little engineer. He always has to figure out how things work. One day, around his 2nd birthday, I took him to get his pictures taken and they told him to sit on the red dot on the floor. He had to figure out where the light came from before he could sit on it. Once that was done, pictures went just fine. When he was born Avri called him "Talmer" and it has stuck with him. Now he calls himself "Talmer Grant" using his middle name as well. He has a great smile and gives some wonderful hugs as well as good "Zerberts" or raspberries. He is OBSESSED with the color orange. I've never seen a child so obsessed with something. He loves it. He also is into anything "boy" -- tools, trucks, sports, Bob the Builder, digging, guns and shooting... he's a true boy, through and through.

Talmage's first birthday! He still wasn't walking, but that kid could army crawl faster than anything I've ever seen!

Talmage's second birthday, living in Illinois. This kid really doesn't change much, just gets a little taller and thins down a little more. But he keeps his same look.

Birthday party tonight: He got some great balls, a bunch of clothes, a slinky, a big heavy shovel and a "wheel-bear-low" as he calls it. It is even ORANGE! He couldn't get enough of it.

The face of a kid who has been enjoying birthday cake, Bob the Builder, of course. "Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!"

Happy Birthday Talmage. We love you and we are so happy that you are a part of our family!

All Things Thrifty

A friend of mine gave me the link to this site and I LOVE it! I love being crafty and making my own things in cheap ways that look good. My biggest problem is coming up with ideas. Well this site solves that problem! It has so many great ideas of thrifty ways to decorate your home. I just love it. Check it out here!!