Jolly Vox Box -Influenster

 I joined Influenster and was given a box a goodies to test and review. Brenna and Devon were eager to help. My box contained candy, make up, tissues, and my favorite surprise of all.

First up was Skinny Cow Candy which received a definite A+ from all three of us. Brenna couldn't even wait until she finished her first one before she was grabbing another. We tried the peanut butter caramel kind. I will most likely be buying more of these soon!

Next we got Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer. I have to say, I don't wear make up often, but I like to once in a while when I dress up. I've tried lip lacquer before and wasn't really impressed, so I wasn't too excited about this. I almost decided to just give it to Devon, but I figured I'd a least try it. I love it. It isn't clumpy at all. It stayed put all through dinner out (Rod's work party). Unfortunately Devon also loves it, so now we get to fight over it until I get a chance to buy another one.

 Then we tried the NYC New York Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow, this I was excited about since this was something I would have bought myself. It didn't disappoint either. I've worn this a couple of times now. One of the main reasons I don't wear make up all the time is that I hate the feel of it. I honestly didn't even remember I had this shadow on. It is so smooth and silky that I don't even feel it on.

Brenna came back to help test the Puffs mini pack. I love having purse sized tissues on hand because, you know, I have seven kids and I hate wearing snot. Brenna is the one with the drippy nose right now, so she was my best tester. Normally I don't like lotion tissues because we have been known to break out from them. So far, so good with these. They don't stink of perfume like some of the ones we've tried, so hopefully that's a good sign. I can't use them on Owen though with the ketogenic diet carb restrictions since I can't be sure the lotion is alright.

Then we got to my absolute favorite product of all. Seriously, how did I not know that these existed? Purse sized Duck tape Ducklings Mini Rolls.
These are so cute and useful too. Duck has long been the only brand of Duck tape we will buy around here since it holds the best while still ripping off the roll easily. I was afraid that the little ones would be thinner and less sticky than the full sized rolls, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I've joked before about putting Duck tape over my kids mouths, but Brenna did this all to herself while Devon and I were playing with the make up. I think she likes it too. She was pretty upset when we got to the bottom of the box. I think she'd like more stuff to try out!

Owen's Doll {Christmas Update}

I Finished!! I got all of my original projects done in time for Christmas. I have a few late requests to work on, but they weren't in my original plans, so I count myself done!

Now, I just need to wrap everything and I can relax until Christmas.Wrap is actually a bit of a misnomer. Several years ago (about 12  I think), I read about how much wrapping paper ends up in the trash after Christmas. I've always been Eco-conscious, so it really bothered me. We don't get a lot of presents for each child, but times 7 (or 9) it still adds up. So, I started buying Christmas fabric on sale and made reusable wrapping bags.  We've actually branched out since then and now have bags for every season. Wrapping entails finding a bag about the right size, putting the present in and either pulling the drawstring closed or tying the bag shut. The first bags I made had actual casings with drawstrings threaded through, but the strings kept getting pulled out, so now I just sew a string into the seam and wrap it around the top and tie.  Santa still uses wrapping paper, but with the kids each getting one Santa present and a few stocking stuffers that doesn't make a lot of trash. Santa has a system for our family. Each of us has a stocking with our name embroidered on it. Santa (actually the elves) wraps each person's present in a different paper. We each go to our stocking and find what paper we have by what is wrapped in our stockings. Then, we just have to find our paper under the tree, saving the elves from labeling everything. I heard through the North Pole hotline that Santa hasn't had to use new paper for our family in at least three years.

Most of the baby dolls get diapers, but Owen's needed undies.

The next two days, I'm just planning on relaxing and enjoying my family!

Christmas Party!

We had four generations of my family together yesterday for a Christmas Party.

My mom has a Christmas tradition of making pajamas for all of the Grandkids each year. These PJ's get worn until they are in shreds. I've had to sneak too small ones out of the kid's drawers while they were sleeping because they refuse to give them up.

 Owen was a little disappointed that he didn't get his Santa present, but wanted to wear his pajamas as soon as we got home.

 Devon took these pictures as proof that it was Aunt Tammy who knocked the ornament off the tree, not any of the kids.

 Morgan was pretty excited about this movie. She also got a jewelry box and jewelry from Grandma Sallie for her birthday present.

 We managed to get a few pictures of the boys, but not any of them smiling. They all are going through an "I hate having my picture taken" phase.

 The little kids were more than happy to pick up the slack though.

My Dad has this little reindeer toy that plays "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer". Owen was absolutely fascinated by it. He kept playing it over and over and dragging my Mom in to listen to it. He thought it was the funniest thing.

Brenna was all about the food. She tried one of everything. Literally one of everything. I think she took one bite out of EVERYTHING. Not one piece of banana bread, one bite out of each piece. She also learned how to make friends with the dog, who normally has a healthy fear of her. I caught her taking a bite of cheese and then giving the rest of the piece to the dog. Which still wasn't as bad as the time I caught her giving the dog a bite and then taking another bite herself.

Have I mentioned how much I love my family? My parents have been divorced since I was 12, yet my Mom and Dad and Stepdad can all get together at a party and celebrate. That seems to be pretty rare among divorced families. My sister and I  and our children really appreciate it. It was also nice to have my Grandma there, she happens to be the only living Grandparent in both mine and Rod's families. I really want my kids to know her.
 My Dad's surgery is scheduled for 6:00 AM, so it was really nice to have this day with him while he was feeling well enough to enjoy it.
Then there is my sister who works retail and is a little busy this time of year. Unfortunately, she's coming down with a sore throat, but it was still nice to spend some time with her ( she missed Thanksgiving since stores don't close for that anymore). I was so glad we found a day that worked for everyone to get together!