The Simple Things

I am not sure I need to say much about my photo for this week...

I love putting up the Christmas tree.  There is something about sitting by the light of the tree that makes me feel so cozy and happy.  I love waking up and turning it on first thing in the morning.  I love the traditions and generosity that the holidays bring.  I love the music, cheesy movies and the food.  I love being with my family and creating new traditions of our own.  Most of all,  I love to celebrate the Birth of our Savior, and to instill in my children the blessings His life has brought. 

I love it all. 

Thanksgiving

Well, my desire to take a lot of photos over Thanksgiving was pretty much a bust - especially since I didn't check my camera battery before going!  Eeesh.  Thank heaven for cell phones!  Here's a little recap of our weekend.

We arrived at Andy's parent's house on Wednesday night - Noah set right to work.  He was busy...as you can tell.

I called him the master of destruction!  He would pull all of Nana's Toys out and scatter them around the floor...then he would take some upstairs and spread them around up there. I think it was just trying to be thorough, but it made for a lot of cleaning up.  He was in heaven though, and is still talking about it.

Our Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, as anticipated!  Stacie did a great job on pretty much everything! I was in charge of green salad, mashed potatoes and gravy and one pie (which I bought frozen).  We had quite the spread, and we all ate our fair share!

Here's the crew- darn good lookin' too!

Little Clare enjoyed some delicious pureed veggies and barley...oh with a side of biscuit (which I think she enjoyed the most).

And what's bound to happen over Thanksgiving weekend?   Why, hibernation of course....or you could also call it a food coma. ha.

Other fun things that happened over the weekend....
-Andy and I went to see Breaking Dawn!  Not sure of how I feel about it yet, but I had to see it and am totally ready for the next movie.  Andy, well - he was a good sport to go!

-Gary, Andy, Natalie and MacKenzie decided to brave the crowds at Walmart on Thanksgiving night at 10pm for the big sales.  Andy used the word Lawlessness to describe the scene.  People started taking items far before they were on sale and were nasty as always.  I DO NOT nor will I ever understand wanting something so bad to where I would a) go out at midnight to get it or b) run over an old lady to get it first.  Madness my friends, pure madness.

-We discovered that little Clare is getting her first two teeth!  Bottom front!

- Three visits to the Frozen Yogurt shop, yes friends - I am a glutton.

- Watching the movie Monte Cristo with Natalie and MacKenzie.  I am not ashamed to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it!

- Did someone say Que Bueno?  I did not partake, but it was definitely a highlight of the weekend.

- And the best part of all...being able to spend the weekend with family.  That's what the holidays are all about.  I love to reflect on the many blessings the Lord has given me.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

The Simple Things

Ahhh, has it really been a week since I blogged?  I get so distracted these days!  I am remaining faithful to doing my simple things post each week though - so at least you can count on that!  This week Andy and I showed our spontaneous side.  I am not a spontaneous person!  I like things planned and organized...I am not anal about it - but if I would choose, that's how I would do things....in an organized fashion.  Well, this week in a spur of the moment decision we decided to sell our Honda.  Yes, we are now a one car family.  In order to eliminate a payment and save our cash money for other things (in our not so distant future) we took it into the dealer and sold it.  Needless to say, I am grateful that we got what we wanted for it AND even more grateful to still have a reliable car!  It's amazing the things you can take for granted.

Another wonderful, splendid and glorious thing that happened this week (or today to be exact)......

A Sunday nap for Andy and I.  Ahhhh.  I love these.  After church, a little bite to eat and both kids fast asleep makes for the perfect nap opportunity.  I just love Sunday's and everything about them.

Hope you've found some simple things to appreciate this week!  Oh and a HAPPY early THANKSGIVING to you!  I hope to have lots of pics to share from our weekend with family! xoxo

The Simple Things

Whoo! It has been an incredibly long week.  I couldn't be happier for the weekend!  It seems that whenever Andy is away, my week extends into months (or so it feels).  I made it through though - and am sure glad we are all in one piece!

Noah and Clare wishing Andy luck on his trip to Boston.  This was probably picture 1 of 100.  They were getting really tired of after a while, but they were good sports!  Two adorable little kids if you ask me! :)

Another simple thing from his week...me being frugal.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to get a good deal and hardly ever purchase anything at full price, but this is probably the most resourceful I've ever been when it's come to my wardrobe.  I wish I had a before picture - but I found a simple tutorial on how to make your baggy jeans into skinny jeans.  I had a pair in mind and gave it a shot!

Aside from the dirty mirror, I am very happy with how they turned out.  Anyone can do this!  You can find the tutorial here.

Lastly, this is the best part of the week...like I mentioned before, Andy has been gone all week.  We sure missed him and I am SO happy he is home...but I think Noah is the happiest.  He sure missed his play time with Daddy!  Mom just can't take his place.

Hope you've all had a wonderful week!

The Simple Things

Ahh, another week gone.  Really?  The closer it gets to Christmas, the more frightened I become.  I LOVE Christmas - but I am very unprepared this year.  Thankfully Amazon is my BFF and I will be sure to make good use of it this year (especially since we will be spending the holiday in Idaho, YEAH for family)!

But before I get too ahead of myself, on to the simple things!   This week it included a trip to Costco and a certain cardboard box...

The kids and I took a modest trip to Costco and I brought this box home with us.  Noah took a liking to it and would sit in it all the time, so I thought I would use my amazing art skills of cutting out construction paper and make it into a car for him.  It's a masterpiece, right?  Anyway, he is obsessed with it.  I am pretty sure he even slept part of the night with the 'car' in his bed.  Then the next morning I was getting him breakfast and I found him like this...

It's amazing how you can buy them a million toys and they still want the cardboard box! Talk about the simple things!   (PS.  See that white spot in the bottom left hand corner of this pic?  yeah that's Clare's back.  She was hunched over eating her toes. For some reason she likes doing that, babies! haha) 

I also had to include this little note.  Yesterday in church we sang the hymn Because I Have Been Given Much.  I couldn't help but think about how grateful I am for all the blessings the Lord has given to me...the words rang true and I wanted to share them on my simple things post.  Being grateful is one of the simplest things there is - and yet I find that when we are grateful for what we have - we are happier!  There is always something to be thankful for, always! 

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live;
I shall divide my gifts from thee
With every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another’s lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,
My roof’s safe shelter overhead,
That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word. 
I shall give love to those in need;
I’ll show that love by word and deed: 
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

-- Grace Nowell Crowell

For the Love of Food

It's been a little while since I have shared some of the recipes I've been trying lately!  Although I have really developed a love for cooking I would still consider myself a novice.    I do love to try new things though, and here are some recipes that we have tried (and have loved) in the Stockhoff Home.

1. Worlds Best Dinner Rolls from Our Best Bites (make them even smaller and they are great for slider sandwiches)! 2. Southwestern Burritos from Creation Corner  3. GUILTLESS Alfredo (a staple in our house) from Our Best Bites  4. Nutella Sandwich Cookies from  Kathleen's Gonna Want Seconds  5. Raspberry Sherbert and 7up Punch from Busy Budgeting Mama (Had this at a gathering recently and really enjoyed it -scroll down a ways to see recipe)

We have been well fed at our house, which is certainly something to be grateful for!  So what are some other things on our menu this week? 

White Pizza with Chicken and Spinach and Jana Salad

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry from Our Best Bites

And a little Corn and Cheese Chowder for one of our rainy Washington days... from the Pioneer Woman

Click below to see a couple more recipes we are going to try! 

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas from The Cook Next Door

Baked Doughnuts from Mels Kitchen Cafe

Pumpkin Pie Coffee Cake from HowSweetEats on Tasty Kitchen

Check out my Pinterest for even more delicious looking recipes. Happy Cooking!