Staying Busy!

This month has been just flying by! I really wanted to keep up on my posting but haven't had as much time as I thought. First off I wanted to remind everyone that today and tomorrow are the last days for you to get your donations to me for the homeless shelter. We are still in need of items to donate. All items can be new or used, so go through those coat closets and clean them out! Remember every little thing counts. We will be taking these items to the shelter on Friday.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES!

Every year my parents buy all the kids Gingerbread Houses. We like to try and decorate them for family home evening, but my kids were to excited to wait so we decided to decorate them on Thanksgiving. Darrin really helped them a lot more this year, And I know he enjoyed every minute of it! Each house had it's own personality! Abby wanted hers to look exactly like the picture, so I was glad that Darrin was the one helping her! When the kids were done they had tons of candy left so we let them eat it, yummy!

Houses in order from left to right

Kaiden~Madi~Abby

FAMILY HOME EVENING!

For family home evening a couple of weeks ago, the kids got to go and choose their ornaments. We went to Hallmark, they looked around forever. There are so many ornaments now that have lights or sing or play music and that kept them busy for a while. Madi decided on a really cute ornament with Mickey and Pluto in a little red car with a tree strapped to the roof and a wreath on the front. The minute Abby laid her eyes on her ornament she stopped ant nothing to get it. I wasn't to excited about spending $32.00 on 1 ornament , but we gave in, after all it was Mickey's House! It has mickey and Pluto standing out in front of his house looking at it all decorated with lights and snow and Santa and his reindeer on top. It plugs into the tree and lights up. It also has a little button that you push that plays music while the lights do a little light show. It is super cute. When we got it home and put it on the tree the kids all said "look it's Ed Kampers house!" Too funny!Kaiden looked and looked and just couldn't find an ornament that he really liked. I had bought a Captain Hook ornament that I thought was really cute, but he said it was stupid because it didn't do anything. I told him he could have it as his ornament until we find him one he really liked. He wasn't to happy about it but agreed when Darrin told him he would try and find him a BYU ornament!When we were done ornament shopping we went home and had some ice cream and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Darrin's parents took us and all the adults out to dinner for our Birthdays on Saturday night. We wanted to go to Ruby River but they were all booked up, so we decided to go to Chili's because they would accept our reservation for 12 people. There was sooo much food. My favorite thing is always their chips and salsa! I could eat it everyday. Oh by the way did I mention my Birthday is on Christmas, hint, hint! The food was yummy and it was so fun to get together without all of the kids to talk. We look forward to it every year! Thanks so much Ruth and Stu, it was fun!

Another tradition we have is every year we go out to Spanish Fork to see the festival of the lights. If you have never been before I would recommend it. It is so much better than Thanksgiving point and is only $5 a car! So Monday night the kids got in their jammies and we took them to get ice cream cones , and then we headed out to the lights. It was perfect it wasn't to busy and there was snow on the ground! Each year we always try and pick out the new stuff they get, it's always fun!

Tuesday night my parents took us out for dinner to celebrate our Birthdays, We went to The Spaghetti Factory, because everyone seems to like that place, especially my picky kids. My brother and his family came, my parents, and us. After dinner we went back to my parents house for some homemade german chocolate cake and presents. They gave us some new phones! Now when you call I might actually answer the phone. It came with 4 different colored phones the kids all claimed 1 of their own so that only leaves me with 1, we'll see how that goes. I also got a new griddle, and a picture I have been wanting FOREVER called "A Light Unto the Gentiles" by Greg Olsen. I really want the huge canvas {like the one in the Salt Lake Temple} or the one hanging in my favorite aunt Marianne's house {did I mention my Birthday is on Christmas?} but it is way out of my price range. But I'm so happy to at least have a smaller version for now, and I cant wait to get it framed! Thanks sooooo much mom and dad. Dinner was awesome and the presents were nice to!Christmas is coming soo fast, it always does when your old like me! I'm enjoying the season and doing fun things with my family! For the most part we are done shopping and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to see my kids on Christmas morning. To me that is the best Christmas/Birthday present a mom could have! I spoil them rotten cause I love them and that's what makes me happy! Darrin and I both were spoiled growing up, so were both on the same paige when it comes to spoiling the kids, it's fun!! I hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas! Take time to enjoy your family and friends, and don't forget to give to think of the others around us that might be in need! Even the smallest act of kindness can help!

The Best Neighbor Gift Ever!

My cute little friend Amy gave me the cutest neighbor gift ever! I love it and it is displayed as we speak! And for those of you who don't know who the best neighbor ever is?............... Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure!

Thanks Amy!

Neighbor Gifts!

Dear friends and neighbors…

This year, more than ever, we are aware of the struggles of those around us. In lieu of our traditional “neighbor gifts” we have decided to donate to a family homeless shelter, The Road Home. If you would like to participate, we are collecting the following desperately needed necessities: coats, gloves, hats, or anything to keep warm, also socks and underware; however any contribution is welcome and appreciated, ie. canned goods, cash donations, blankets, new toys, etc. All items can be new or used except socks, underware, and toys. We will be collecting these items until Thursday December 18th, and delivering the items to the shelter on Friday the 19th. If you would like to donate, feel free to drop them off at our home or we are happy to pick them up as well. Even the smallest donation can help us remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!
Love The Haun Family

Catching Up!

Wow, It has been forever since I last blogged! I wanted to start way back with Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving we went to my parents house first. We had the best Thanksgiving dinner with my mom and dad, My brother and his family, our family, and my grandma Olsen. It was a much smaller group this time, but we really enjoyed it! The food was wonderful! After dinner we went to Payson for pie at Darrin's parents house. We did lots of talking and eating! We also sat down and planned out our attack for Black Friday shopping!

The next morning I woke up at about 3:15. I got ready real quick and went and picked up Sarah and my mom. We went to Wal-mart first. I got everything I went there for! After Wal-mart we headed over to Target. Tammy was already standing in line, it was a good thing too because they really cracked down on security this year and wouldn't let you even sneak up to the front like I have in past years! It was all really crazy and a lot of fun! My car was jammed packed! Whoo Hoo! I didn't shop as long as I usually do this year, because I knew Darrin wanted to go and look for a TV. I took Sarah home and then met Darrin at my mom's house. She watched the kids for us while we went back out and shopped! It was a long day! We did end up getting a new TV for Christmas! it is sooo nice. I still like my old one that broke, and it was sad wheeling it out to the truck. Of course we or should I say Darrin couldn't wait until Christmas to set it up! It looks a little weird not having a stand to put it on, we just set it on our coffee table until we get a new built in to put it on! Maybe that will be my, I mean our Christmas present next year!

Darrin's work party was on Thursday night. We went to the Golden Corral, not my favorite but the salad was good. They always do fun little games and drawings. Darrin won us a backpack {Disneyland here we come!} And I actually won one of the big items this year!!! I was really wanting the GPS, but I won 2 tickets to the Jazz game! We will be on the 14th row! I can't wait! It was a fun night!

Friday I finally went and saw Twilight! I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm much more of a visual person anyways, so I just went and saw the movie. I didn't have any expectations, so I really liked it! Darrin and I also did some shopping after the movie! I'm so excited because we are almost done! That night was our ward party. Abby had been looking forward to seeing Santa all week, and was counting down the days. When we got there we had dinner and the kids did some crafts. It was finally time to see Santa! Madi of course was wayyy to cool to go and see Santa, Kaiden wanted nothing to do with him to, and Abby had a total meltdown. I really wanted to get a picture, even if she was crying. So the mean mom I am Drug her kicking and screaming to see him. I also convinced the other kids to come and take a picture to try and get Abby in there. It wasn't easy but we finally got a picture!

When we got home Abby said she was afraid of Santa because he had on glasses and she wasn't used to him wearing glasses? She also told me that she told him a secret. We didn't believe her because she was so terrified, but when I opened up my email to look at the pictures, I saw this......

I'm still wondering what she told him?

Saturday Darrin took Kaiden to work with him, so me and Madi headed to the mall! We meet Tammy, Brittany, and Brooke. We got lots of shopping done for Madi, so I'm 1 step closer to being done! Christmas is coming so fast! I can hardly wait. Hopefully I wont stay this busy, so I will have more time to blog. Enjoy your week!