Kiara's and Katia's Recent Performances

Below is a SmileBox of Kiara's and Katia's recent performances. They participated in a recital with most of Sundy's piano students. Kiara had a fall concert for orchestra. They also did a skit in Anthem's talent show. Only ten acts made it through to the final show and they were one of the ten. They performed a chin puppet skit. It was quite funny. They love to perform and have been blessed with the talents of being good at it. They also just tried out for Anthem's Spring musical, The Jungle Book last week. Kiara will be playing Shanti, and Katia will be Kaa. They are so excited and we will keep you updated on that as it draws closer to opening night. Hope you enjoy their performances in this post.

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Top 10 Christmas Songs with Lyrics

A few weeks back we did a top ten of our favorite Christmas albums but not all of our favorite songs with lyrics are on those albums. So we thought we would dedicate this week's top ten to them. Christmas music has a powerful effect on making people smile and feel happy. We love listening to it year-round because it does. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Believe by Josh Groban

2. Last Christmas by Wham

3. Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M

4. The Christmas Shoes by NewSong
5. Emanuel, God With Us by Amy Grant
6. The Christmas Conga by Cyndi Lauper
7. Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill

8. I’m Gonna E-mail Santa by Billy Gilman
9. The Magic of Christmas Day by Celine Dion
10. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Cher and Rosie

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Today is the first day of December which means Christmas season is in full swing. This weeks top ten is about Christmas movies. We love watching feel good movies during Christmas. Here are a few that we watch every year. There are so many good one's that it was very hard to narrow it down.

1. The Nativity Story - The story of Christ's birth is what Christmas is all about. This movie is absolutely awesome at telling the story. This has been a favorite since it came out a few years ago.

2. A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott - Christmas just isn't Christmas unless you watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol, and this is by far our favorite. George C. Scott gives one of the greatest performances we have ever seen an actor give; he truly becomes Ebenezer Scrooge to the fullest degree possible.
3. The Santa Claus with Tim Allen - If you are looking for a great, feel-good holiday movie that everyone can enjoy, this is your movie. There is a nice mix of comedy, drama, and great holiday fun to turn this into the next holiday classic.
4. Elf with Will Farrell - We loved this movie. It was absolutely delightful and we recommend it to viewers of all ages. If you want a Christmas feel-good movie, this is it.
5. Christmas Claymation - From the Carol of the Bells to the California Raisins doing Rudolph, it is a very creative look at various Christmas songs all done in claymation! And watching Scott enjoy the ice-skating hippos makes us all laugh!
6. It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart - A beautifully crafted film! And James Stewart is superb as George. I've loved to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" for as long as I can remember - and, no matter how many times I've seen it, it always leaves me pondering my own life - wondering what I've contributed to this world & to my loved ones just by the simple fact that I am "here"...
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas – animated - When we find ourselves starting to hate the the crowded stores, combat drivers, and the noise, noise, noise.... We take the time to watch this show. Then we feel we have the strength of ten Grinch's plus two and the true meaning of Christmas comes shining through!
8. The Muppet Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol" has probably been adapted for stage, screen, and TV more than any other story in the history of literature. Many have been really great -- But one of the best is definitely "The Muppet Christmas Carol."
9. White Christmas - This movie is simply wonderful! It's romantic, funny and highly entertaining!
10. Mr. Krueger’s Christmas - We have seen this movie every year for the past 15 years and I still get very emotional when I see it. It helps me and my family remember what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Jimmy Stewart does such a good job in this movie. This movie truly radiates the love of Christ.

Top 10 Things We Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. - Thomas S. Monson

Thanksgiving is fast approaching so our top ten this week is dedicated to the things for which we are thankful. As tough as life can get there are always many things to be grateful for. This time of the year more than any other people tend to think of all the things they are grateful to have in our lives. Here are a few of ours.

1. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ! - need we say more?
2. The Gospel and the Plan of Salvation! - a given!
3. Our Marriage! - 14 years and going strong!!!!
4. Our Family! - ALL of them ROCK!
5. Our Friends! - good friends help us reach our goals and sometimes even become adopted family members!
6. Our Creativity! - We love creating together! It's our favorite pass time!
7. Our Home! - Shelter is important
8. Our Health! - Our goal is to make our health even better....
9. Our Talents! - Talents make life more fun!
10. Our Computers! - What would we do without them? We can't believe that when we were kids computers were a novelty... now they are a necessity. We wouldn't be able to blog without them!

“One single grateful thought towards heaven, is the most perfect prayer.”

–Minna von Barnhelm

Top 10 Favorite Christmas Albums

This weeks top ten involves Christmas music because it is that time of the year to start listening to it if you haven't already. I know we have. Scott knows his sisters and mom have. We decided to do some of our favorite Christmas albums. There are so many awesome ones out there and it seems like there are more and more each year that it becomes hard to listen to them all during the Christmas season, so we wind up listening to them year-round. Here is are list. What are some of yours?

1. Manheim Steamroller - This is the all time perfect Christmas CD! Both of us listened to it as children! Inspirational without words, but extremely gorgeous!
2. A Rosie Christmas - If you like a GREAT mix of singers and styles, "A Rosie Christmas" is the album for you! Although Rosie O'Donnell is not one of our favorite people, her Christmas CD is fantastic! It features other wonderful artists like Donny Osmond, Billy Gillman, Celine Dion, Elton John, Elmo and many others!
3. Amy Grant - Amy Grant's voice is MADE for singing Christmas songs! And you'll want to have a good ole Tennessee Christmas after hearing her! :-)
4. Boney M - Scott got this CD two years ago after hearing one of their songs on the radio. It has quickly become one of the most requested albums in our home! We really love "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and their version of "Feliz Navidad."
5. The Nylons - Love their 70s re-makes and their Christmas album is also a cappella.
6. T.S.O. (Trans Siberian Orchestra) - Another family favorite! We love the CD as much as we love the DVD!
7. Roger Whitaker - Scott and Sundy grew up listening to Roger Whitaker! And we love the story of "Darcy the Dragon"!
8. Andy Williams - It's not Christmas unless you hear the soothing voice of Andy Williams. This was Mom McCallister's favorite while we were growing up!
9. Straight No Chaser - A NEW favorite! Thanks Mom DeGooyer for sharing! We highly recommend it!
10. Garth Brooks - We were surprised that Garth Brooks' voice fit so well with the famous Christmas carols! You go, Garth!

Greek Gods and Godesses

This is a little late, but better late than never.

We absolutely LOVE Halloween at our house! This year for Halloween we dressed up as Greek Gods and Godesses. We chose these costumes because of the book series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." (not to mention, it was a CHEAP costume choice!) Scott was Zeus! His thunderbolt was a huge strike! (Pun intended) Sundy was Hera! (She's married to Zeus - so it was a natural choice....) The girls chose the Godesses they wanted to be. Kiara chose Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty and Love! Katia chose Athena because she is Zeus' favorite child and she wanted an owl to represent being the Goddess of Wisdom. We loved portraying these classic figures. And we were surprised how many people knew about the "Percy Jackson" books already! Can't wait for the movie to come out this February! :-)

We spent Halloween with our good friends, the Haskins! They love Halloween also! Kelly was a really cute and sassy waitress from the 50s. Autumn, who is now 3 years old, was the most adorable Dorthy. And she can quote the movie forward and backwards too! Lori was the Wicked Witch of the West! And she pulled it off frighteningly well... Yes, Sundy's best friend is a WITCH! :-)

Top 10 Sesame Street Characters

This week's top ten has been brought to you by the letters D, K and S... and by the number 4! We are honoring Sesame Street this week, because it debuted on November 10th, 1969. It is hard to believe that it has been on the air for 40 years. We all remember watching Sesame Street growing up - and then showing the famous characters with the famous sketches to our own children!

1. Big Bird - This big yellow bird can roller skate, ice skate, dance, sing, write poetry, draw, and even ride a unicycle. What a talented guy, even if he does still have a teddy bear named Radar.

2. Oscar the Grouch - We all feel grouchy sometimes! And even though Oscar claims he hates being with people, we know that he hates being alone more. We also love Oscar's pet, Slimy, the Worm.
3. Cookie Monster - "Me Want Cookie!" And who doesn't! Cookie Monsters insatiable love of cookies is universal! "We ALL want cookies!" (Especially Scott's homemade chocolate chip cookies!)
4. Bert and Ernie - This dynamic duo is hilarious! Ernie loves his rubber duckie and Bert has his pet pigeon, Bernice.
5. Grover - This cute, furry, little monster is adorable! And who are you gonna call? Super Grover!
6. Kermit the Frog - "Hi-ho, this is Kermit the Frog here, reporting for the Sesame Street News." - You gotta love this green guy, cuz it's not easy bein' green!
7. Mr. Snuffleupagus - Snuffy was so funny when everyone thought he was Big Bird's imaginary friend.
8. Count von Count - Since vampires are all the rage, The Count made our list! He is addicted to numbers like most vampires love blood....

9. Guy Smiley - "America's Favorite Game Show Host"
10. Elmo - Scott and Sundy watched the show pre-Elmo. And Sundy didn't want him to make the list. She can't stand his baby voice and giggle....

Top 10 Things Made With Peanut Butter

This week's top ten is in honor of National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, which is November. Some people love peanut butter and others don't or are allergic. We LOVE it! Here is a list of some of the things we love because they are made with peanut butter. Since this is our 100th post we decided to include a great recipe for peanut butter brownie cupcakes. Hope you enjoy it!

1. Reeces Peanut Butter Cups

2. No-Bake Cookies

3. PB&J

4. Peanut Butter Cookies

5. Peanut Butter Fudge

6. Peanut Butter with Bananas and Miracle Whip - Don’t knock it till you try it! Mom McCallister made it as a special treat for us when we were little!

7. Peanut Butter on Apples

8. Peanut Butter Cheesecake

9. Peanut Butter Ice Cream

10. Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

Makes 18-24 cupcakes (makes 24)

1 (18 1/2 ounce) package chewy fudge brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
24 Miniature peanut butter cups or 1 (12 ounce) bag of peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Line 24 regular muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.

Prepare the brownie mix according to the directions on the package for cake-like brownies. Fill the cups half way with brownie mix. Add one miniature peanut butter cup to each. Add batter on top to cover the peanut butter cup.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the cupcakes are set. When they have cooled a bit, remove them from the muffin tins and let cool completely on a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.