ONCE A YEAR

Why is it that I only see these friends once a year for our family dinner?!





Love them all so much!

SHOP ONLINE

I recently went to a bridal shower and what is the best thing about going to one of these parties? Watching the bride-to-be open kitchen gadget gifts, playing paper games printed off the web, or eating the mini eclairs? None of those (even though I do love mini eclairs).

It's listening to the 70 year old grandmas talk dirty and give presents full of sexy lingerie and chocolate body fondue. Maybe it's because they have been married for 50 years and have rights to give advice or just because the younger kids are embarrassed to go to the store and purchase these items, but these ladies just crack me up!

Quick solution: shop online and loosen up a bit. I'm not saying you have to sit around and talk dirty...just don't freak out when your house slippers pressie gets placed under a candy bra or something. Here's a place where you can do just that:



**PS don't open any of these links at work, in front of your parents, or on your iphone at church to avoid some potentially awkward situations**

CHRISTMAS VISIT

In December 2006, I was able to go with a wonderful bunch of college-aged people with the group Kaiizen to the El Sauzal Orphanage in Mexico. I had gone several times before just for weekend trips to play with the children living there and work on various service projects. This trip was special though. It was our Christmas visit. Many of us worked to fundraise money, went shopping for items we gathered from the children's wish lists, and wrapped the gifts. There were even a few brave guys who dressed as Santa and his elves.

After playing/working all day, it was time for Santa to bring presents! Volunteers stood in two lines facing each other and held hands to create a tunnel and after each gift was handed to the child whose name was on the tag, they went through the tunnel.

I am sure each child loved the present he/she received, however, I am more certain the look on their faces as they individually went through and received attention was priceless. The tunnel of love soon became a tradition in visits to come.

This experience helped me realize that because I have been given much, I too must give. I learned Christmas isn't just about singing carols, seeing lights, putting up decorations, making cookies, attending parties, and getting presents. Rather it is a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and generosity.

"The Grinch saw the good in Christmas when he learned to look past its worldly trappings. If we do the same, we can, with the Grinch, proclaim: “Maybe Christmas . . . doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!” (DIETER F. UCHTDORF, "Seeing Christmas through New Eyes," 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional)

Since that Christmas visit, I have learned to be a little more kind, a little more generous, and lot more grateful for the little things I have and the opportunity to share with others.

MAN, WE'RE PRETTY

My family just doesn't get together to take family portraits. I don't know why. The last time we were all together was in 2007 on a cruise for my parent's 100th wedding anniversary. Other than that...I think I took one with my brothers and parents when I was about..... 4 years old.

Being the best child my parent's were lucky enough to raise, I decided it would be a good Christmas present to get a shot of everyone together and put it on canvas for them (shh don't ruin the Christmas surprise).

This is what we came up with:

the whole gang

the original Watson clan

the Watson clan kids

grandkids

individual brother families

and baby Lola

Man, we're pretty.

Thanks to Torsten, Rudy, and Taylor for snapping the shots.

MR. PLOW

I want one of these when I grow up...


No, not the riding tractor, but a neighbor with one who will plow my yard.
Thank you so much, Mr. Plow...I was getting tired from shoveling.

HOLIDAY THINGS

These are a few of my favorite holiday things this year:

Santa knows...but it's always nice to put in a good word.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a kindergarten karate program.

Her name is Lola and she's a...shopper.

Habitat for candy-manity.

TIS THE SEASON

...for really long lines at the post office.
God bless everyone (especially the really old lady I stepped up to help because people were getting angry at her for holding up the line at the self post-it machine)!

FLOWER DELIVERY MAN

I heard a knock on the door and when I answered it I saw a man holding a vase of flowers.
'I don't think I deserve flowers today, but what a special surprise for me!' was my thought.
The guy asked if I knew (insert neighbor girl's name) and if he could possibly leave her flowers at my house with a note at hers to come pick them up. Cruel cruel joke, Mr. flower delivery man.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Some nieces and nephews slept over so we decided to decorate the Christmas tree at my parent's house that was sitting so bare in the front room. Still in our pajamas, itunes set to holiday music, two boxes of ornaments, and it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.