Update and an idea

One of my mini-goals this year is to update the blog more often than 4 times a year, even if it is once or twice a month, that would be better than my current record.
Over the last few months we have had the pleasure of going to Las Vegas and Utah to spend the holidays with family.
I was so grateful for all the snow we received while in Utah, as I do miss having a white Christmas, as much as I love CA.  We were able to take the children sledding, build a snowman, have a snowball fight with my dad, make snow angels, have a lovely dinner with good friends and visit Temple Square, have a play date at my sisters' homes, read books with Papa and Grandma, and visit hub's family in Moab for a couple days.
We received some really great gifts this year, and some very creative and thoughtful ones. I got a tiny    little vacuum from my in-laws, that is perfect for a home with all hardwood, and my larger one finally gave out a few months ago, so I was pretty thrilled. The boys love to take their turn vacuuming the rugs. My bro- and sister-in-law made me these kitchen towels with hand prints and drawings from the kids embroidered on them, that they had them do while we were together for Thanksgiving. I love them so much! The girls also received handmade dolls from the same sister-in-law that look like they came right out of "Little House on the Prairie", complete with period clothes and bonnet, yarn hair and a family ancestor name embroidered on their stomachs. She also gave us a family tree for each doll to see who each doll was named after in my hub's father's family! Why can't I have ideas like these?
Hubs also surprised me with a quick get-a-way to Anniversary Inn to celebrate our 9th year of marriage.
In other news, we have been keeping busy with school for the girls, teaching Joy school for older son, piano lessons, and fixing up the house. We are anticipating oldest daughter's baptism and birthday party with friends this next month. She wanted to have a fancy "tea party" birthday party, so my mother-in-law is graciously letting me borrow her mother's china, as well as napkins, napkin rings, table cloths, serving dishes and pitchers. She loves to have a pretty table for meals and so is well-stocked with everything I needed. Thank you!!

I had an idea for the blog I think I might try. I always love myself a project, so I thought I would do a post once a week (or every other), called "Project Time" (or something cheesy like that), in order to help me blog more often and to keep interested family members updated, since I am the Lone Ranger in my side of the family, away from Utah.  I will try to do my first later this week. One of my favorite aspects of the blogging world is seeing what other people create, and I really enjoy the good ol' before-and-after posts. Sine we are doing major work on the house, it will be fun to show some of the transformations.

Well, I have rambled long enough, so good-bye.