It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in here

Getting ready to get that tree out

Here we go...

Preparing the top for the star

Stringing on the lights

Finished product

We also decorated a gingerbread house. It was pretty fun. I think this gingerbread kit was my favorite because it came with pre-made frosting. I'll have to keep that in mind for next year.

Matt's side

 All the Christmas decor is up now as well. I definitely did more decorating this year than last. It may or may not look like "Christmas" threw up in our front room. Eh, it's only once a year, might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

M|m: A place with peppermint wind

-Shel Silverstein 

Annual Festival of Trees Visit

Matt and I have been going to the Festival of Trees every year since we were in high school. It is a great way to kick off the Christmas season. I love seeing all the trees, gingerbread houses and other homemade items. It's also nice to know that it benefits those in need just by us attending; which I think some people forget.

*Beware, the next few sentences are ranting*

There was a lady and her kids in front of us waiting to buy tickets and when she found out that each ticket was a dollar more than she expected she had a fit. Of course she still bought them, but I'm pretty certain she made the ticket lady give her a discounted rate because she complained so much. On top of that, one of her younger sons left the line while making some rude comment about them trying to charge extra and take advantage by asking for $5 instead of $4. I thought it was awful that she had made such a big deal about it and then passed that attitude on to her kids. This whole thing is a charity event for the Primary Children's Hospital people! Talk about no Christmas spirit.

Anyway, Matt and I had a good time scanning each aisle and eating our scones. After attending the festival, I now have a few ideas I'd like to try out on my tree this year...bring on the craft store and coupons!

I loved the cute elves people used in their displays this year.
I wonder where they got them. Anyone know?

The best gingerbread house, obviously.

Scones!

Our friend, Mr. marshmellow snowman

Holiday Scarves

A while back when Matt and I had just gotten married and my parents were moving, I noticed bags of yarn my mom was wanting to get rid of. There wasn't anything wrong with the yarn, but my parents were downsizing and my mom was trying to lessen some of the overflowing items from hobbies she has. Instead of giving the yarn away, I told her I'd take the yarn and use it to make scarves to give away for Christmas. So the yarn was packed up and moved to our apartment where it stayed in a closet and I eventually forgot about it. Two Christmases came and went and I didn't even remember. Then a couple months ago I was digging through the closet for something when I realized I still had it all. A little after that, a coworker told me she was going to be making fleece blankets for the Ronald McDonald house in Salt Lake. I thought it would be perfect if I could get some scarves done for her to give them along with the blankets. Unfortunately I didn't get to make as many as I would have liked (it had been years since I crocheted, and I was much slower than expected) but I'm still happy I was able to give them to people who might really enjoy them. Hopefully they're long enough for the people who receive them...I measured them based on how long they were on me, but then realized I'm shorter than most. Oops.

I almost wanted to keep that blue one...

I made 7 scarves in all. This picture just shows a couple more I had finished since I took the first.

Happy Birthday Deeanna <:D

Today is my oldest sister's birthday so I thought she earned a blog post. I don't think she really reads my blog, but oh well. Since she is 13 years older than me, I don't remember much time actually living with her but I still have my share of memories.

Here are some things I know/remember about her. 

- When I was little she let me sit on her bed and hold a stuffed white poodle she had 

- She is a health food nut

- When she lived in Layton I used to spend weekends at her house and I was always so excited to eat her cooking. (She always used lots of veggies which I love)

- I don't remember her ever having long hair, although pictures I have seen have proved she did once. 

- She can be very stubborn (who in the Toy family isn't?)

- She always dresses up for Halloween

- Sometimes I'd ride in the car with her and we'd listen to Beastie Boys "License to Ill" which I still find hard to believe

- She loves her china flats

- She makes an effort to be unique and doesn't have a problem going against the grain

- She hates being cold!