Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

a link to NORAD Santa Watcher... where is he now?

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Haines Family
Bryant-Laura-Garrett-Evan-Noah-Eli

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Eleventh Day of Christmas...

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

One day of not having to read this blog!
(I know you are thinking... early Christmas Gift?!)

Go, get, scoot.... do some last minute shopping, baking, or wrapping.

Enjoy your day off, but don't forget to check back tomorrow!

We interrupt the 12 days of Christmas....

I hate to interrupt but there is a computer I want to win. I have already entered in the comments section BUT if I blog about the entry I get a second entry!

The computer is an HP TouchSmart 600. It looks AWESOME and I have decided that I really want one. I even know where, in my house, it will go!

Although it will lessen my odds of winning you can enter the contest too. Just click below!


Totally Together Reviews: HP TouchSmart Computer Review and Give-Away!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Tenth Day of Christmas

On the Tenth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

*Ten Favorite Scriptures
  1. Isaiah 9:6
  2. Jeremiah 1:4-5
  3. Matthew 17:20
  4. John 10:16 (Correlates to 3 Nephi 18:21)
  5. Philippians 4:13
  6. 1 Nephi 20:18
  7. Mosiah 2:17
  8. Alma 32:16
  9. Moroni 7:45-48
  10. Doctrine & Covenants 98:12
If you don't have a copy of the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine & Covenants (standard works for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) you can find the scriptures online here!
(* These are just a few of the many highlighted scriptures!)

recap:
  • 9 Things To Do,
  • 4 New Traditions,
  • The Christmas Spirit,
  • Six Silly Faces,
  • Five Simple Words!
  • Four Christmas Tips,
  • Three French Hens,
  • Two Lame excuses,
  • and a new Video replacing the one requesting some room!

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Ninth Day of Christmas

On the Ninth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

Nine things for your family to do!

  1. Watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” together
  2. Go Ice Skating
  3. Play BananaGrams or Scrabble using only Christmas words
  4. Work on a puzzle together while singing Christmas Carols
  5. Go Caroling
  6. Drive around your neighborhood to look at Christmas lights
  7. Watch "The Nutcracker" together
  8. Read about the birth of Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 2)
  9. Read in the Book of Mormon how the birth of Christ was witnessed in the Americas (3 Nephi 1)

recap:
  • 9 Things To Do,
  • 4 New Traditions,
  • The Christmas Spirit,
  • Six Silly Faces,
  • Five Simple Words!
  • Four Christmas Tips,
  • Three French Hens,
  • Two Lame excuses,
  • and a new Video replacing the one requesting some room!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Eighth Day of Christmas

On the Eighth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

k, this one won't fit within the song but it's a good one (if I do say so myself)

Watch this video and then decide on 4 things (one each night) you can do for others to share the Spirit of Christmas. Try to do something (at least one thing) that is outside of your comfort zone. THEN decide which one(s) you'll do again next year!

Don't forget to tell us what you did in the comments section!

Here are some ideas to get you started...
  • deliver a Christmas Jar,
  • Ding-Dong Ditch some groceries to someone in need,
  • Write down your testimony of Jesus Christ and give it to a friend (if your friend is not a member include a copy of the Book of Mormon or a framed picture of Christ!)
  • Christmas Caroling!
recap:
  • 4 New Traditions
  • The Christmas Spirit,
  • Six Silly Faces,
  • Five Simple Words!
  • Four Christmas Tips,
  • Three French Hens,
  • Two Lame excuses,
  • and a new Video replacing the one requesting some room!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Seventh Day of Christmas

On the Seventh Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

The Christmas Spirit

recap:
  • The Christmas Spirit,
  • Six Silly Faces,
  • Five Simple Words!
  • Four Christmas Tips,
  • Three French Hens,
  • Two Lame excuses,
  • and a new Video replacing the one requesting some room! (it was removed by the user!)

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Sixth Day of Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

Six silly faces
































If anyone out there knows how to make a mosaic with photos (erin?) will you please let me in on the secret. This post looked SO much better in my head!

The Fifth Day of Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Christmas our family gives to you....

5 simple words!

Oops I did it again! (I forgot to post for the day!)

recap? nahhh it really isn't that hard to remember is it?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Fourth Day of Christmas

On the Fourth Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

Four Christmas Tips!

Here are some tips to help keep your holiday Holy.
  1. Remember that Christmas isn't about all the gifts, it is about THE gift. The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
  2. Focus on giving, not getting.
  3. Spend quality time with friends and family.
  4. If you find yourself stressed out... Stop, Look, and Listen.
    Stop what you are doing that is stressing you out.
    Look at what it is you are doing... Are you focused on the Savior?
    Listen... listen to the Holy Ghost and you will feel the Spirit of Christmas.
recap -
  • Four Holiday Tips
  • Three French Hens
  • Two lame excuses
  • and a video requesting some room!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Third Day of Christmas

On the Third Day of Christmas our family gives to you...

Three French Hens!

Did you know that the Three French Hens represent the Three Theological Virtues; Faith, Hope, and Charity? Read 1 Corinthians 13:13, Moroni 7, and this.

  • Three French Hens
  • Two lame excuses
  • and a video requesting some room!

The Second Day of Christmas

What, you actually expected me to blog on each "day of Christmas"? Yeah, me too.

I could try to come up with something clever... but instead will just give you...

Two Lame Excuses..... sick kids and errands.

Let's recap (come on, you have to sing it to get the full effect)

On the second day of Christmas our family gives to you....
  • two lame excuses
  • and a video requesting some room! :)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

The First Day of Christmas

On the First Day of Christmas our family gives to you....

One video "Do You Have Room?"

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Slowing Down

Is it just me or does time seem to speed up between Thanksgiving and Christmas? I don't mean "my watch is fast", fast I am talking about "Warp Speed", fast!

This year I was able to get the advent calendar slips planned and printed before December 1st. (WooHoo) Friday, Dec 4th our task was to decorate for Christmas. We didn't start until yesterday. (Dec. 8th) I think I'll be able to finish this weekend.

As for Christmas shopping... I am almost done. I have one online shopping cart still full, but it should be on it's way on Friday. I also have a few odds and ends to pick up but nothing that can't wait. My hubby and I have said for years that we were going to scale our Christmas budget (and amount of gifts) back considerably. We were never successful. THIS year we told the boys not to expect much... 3 gifts and a stocking. They seemed put out at first, but the more often we talked about it the better their outlook became.

I made a decision earlier this year to focus on needs and not wants. I have told myself "we can't afford it" when I see something shiny and distracting at the store. It didn't seem so at first, but it is really quite freeing. To add to that I made the commitment not to purchase anything but gifts this Christmas. I have passed by candles (I have so many already) and tinsel and though I am sometimes tempted by those darn end caps at the store, I know that I will not make the purchase.

At this time of year it is easy to fall into the "gimme" trap. We have been better this year about shifting our focus to what we can give others. With the Spirit of Christmas (giving, not getting) in our hearts and home we are more likely to focus on the really meaning of Christmas and feel HIS love for us and others.

My point with all of this? Time is still going by quickly, but I am better able to roll with it. :)

Merry Christmas!

Star Wars in Concert

Evan is one happy kid!

We sure love Star Wars so when Star Wars in Concert came to Charlotte we HAD to go.

Halloween

Here are some overdue photos of Halloween.