HELP!!!

We took family pictures last week and there were so many good pictures - thanks to our friend Denise. So many that I am having a hard time deciding which family shot to use for our annual Christmas cards. Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like:

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Twilight

Note to reader: If you have not seen the movie "Twilight" you may not want to read on. I don't include any major information from the movie, but I do talk about it.

Okay - it's been nearly a week since I saw the movie Twilight and I am still not sure what to write! I had a great time with the ladies I went with (there were about 17 of us at the 12:01am and the 12:02am showing) and I especially enjoyed sitting next to my girl Jill, but the movie left much to be desired. The biggest thing for me was that I didn't find the actor who played Edward to match what Edward looked like per the books and Stephanie's descriptions. He didn't make my heart skip a beat! As he was casted and trailers/previews were released, I thought maybe I would grow to like him in that roll, but it didn't change after seeing the film.

I really enjoyed the baseball scene and the one in the dance studio, but I couldn't stand how Jasper acted throughout the film - he was creepy. I found the movie to be choppy and was really disappointed with the meadow scene and her first glimpse at him shimmering in the sunlight. I found some of the lines to be really cheesy (I mean - "spider-monkey" really)! Obviously movies made from amazing books don't always stand in comparison, but I was sure hoping it would be close. I do hope to watch the movie again and see if my feelings change. But for now, I will just reread the series and enjoy the pictures that come to my mind.

If you saw the movie, what were your thoughts?

Turkey

The boys and I had a great time decorating turkey sugar cookies! Now I love turkey, but I really LOVE sugar cookies and who can resist these treats!

He is so cute!

Dallin was so good at putting the sprinkles on.

Do I look tired or what!!!! We had a blast though!

I love....

...POP TARTS! Truly an obsession and my little ones have become converted to the ways of the yummy toaster pastry! Mind you we don't eat JUST poptarts, but it is a treat we enjoy in our house! Yummmmm! Just thought I would share!

Bye Bye....

We've hit another milestone here in the Kanzler house! Our little guy has kicked his pacifier addiction! Horray for you little guy!
Tuesday night he woke up sick to his stomach and then proceeded to vomit all over everything, including my dear husband (I was at a church meeting until 10:45pm - we are in the midst of our Handcart Trek planning). So, my awesome hubby, promptly bathed Little C, laundered and remade the bed with fresh sheets, and gave our little one some water and saltine crackers. During this adventure Ryan felt that it was time to get rid of the "nite-nite", since it was in no condition to be given back to our guy for his soothing pleasure. (We still have the pacifier in a safe hiding place, should we become weak and need to give it back, but I will be throwing it out today).

It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be - I imagined Little C begging, crying, hitting, etc... in efforts to get his special lovey back. Truth be told, over the last 2 days he has only asked for it about 5 times! I think he realizes he doesn't need it! Horray for my not so little guy!

Our Tree of Thanks

Every year we (okay, I) make a Blessing Tree where we attach leaves with things we are thankful for. Today, before church, the boys helped me draw the tree and put leaves up! Things that we are grateful for so far: family, scriptures, toys, Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, health, food, daddy (mommy hasn't hasn't been added yet :-(, temples, prophets, a nice smelling house (that was one of Big D's leaf) and the 10 commandments!

Look at that fabulous smile!

Who could resist that pancake batter face and jammies?

I will keep our tree up until Thanksgiving and we will keep adding things that we are thankful for!

What are you thankful for?

Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento Defends LDS Role in California Ballot

Last update: 9:26 p.m. EST Nov. 7, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The following statement was released today by Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and former Bishop of Salt Lake City, in response to attacks on the Mormon Church for supporting California's Proposition 8, defending the traditional definition of marriage: 

"Catholics stand in solidarity with our Mormon brothers and sisters in support of traditional marriage--the union of one man and one woman--that has been the major building block of Western Civilization for millennia. 

"The ProtectMarriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included--but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos. 

"Bigoted attacks on Mormons for the part they played in our coalition are shameful and ignore the reality that Mormon voters were only a small part of the groundswell that supported Proposition 8. 

"As the former bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, I can attest to the fact that followers of the Mormon faith are a good and generous people with a long history of commitment to family and giving to community causes. 

"I personally decry the bigotry recently exhibited towards the members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints--coming from the opponents of Proposition 8, who ironically, have called those of us supporting traditional marriage intolerant. 

"I call upon the supporters of same-sex marriage to live by their own words--and to refrain from discrimination against religion and to exercise tolerance for those who differ from them. I call upon them to accept the will of the people of California in the passage of Proposition 8." 

SOURCE: Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento 

Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento 
Kevin Eckery, 916-443-2528 
keckery@eckery.com

I am just so sad...

...that people think that Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, are the only people who supported the passing of Proposition 8 here in California. Why is it that we are singled out when it has been well advertised that the Catholics and several other Christian denominations supported this proposition as well?

There are about 700,000 members that live in California and you are telling me that we are the only ones who supported this when there were 5,417,748 people who voted in favor of this Proposition. Might I add that the money donated was from personal accounts of Mormons, Catholics, and members of many other Christian churches. So the riots that are taking place in front of our temples with the accusations that the church is at fault are really silly. Individual members donated money not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Again, why is the hate only targeted at this church?

There was an article in the Sacramento Bee on October 13th that has been generating a lot of comments online. This is an except of one of those comments:

"Thank you mormons, and all others, who took a stand against the politically correct in hopes of defending the traditional meaning of marriage. A great person once said, "By thier fruits...". What do you think would have happened if Prop 8 failed? Would Mormons be rioting and protesting in the streets? Would mormons be mocking patrons of gay bars with hate and mocking? Would the blogs be full of hateful words? No one will ever be for sure, but I suspect the defeat would be more gracefully received." - deepaul wrote on 11/06/2008 08:44:10 PM

This issue has made me realize, even more than ever, that we are in the last days, that the world will get more wicked and we will have to stand ever so strong in our faith, even when it is unpopular! I was sent an email with this video attached. May we all seek to be our very best, to be tolerant of differences of beliefs and opinions, and to seek to do all we can to please our Father in Heaven!

Decorating on a Dime

For those who know me know that I love to decorate on a dime! My husband and I are thrifty decorators. My style is similar to what you would see at Pottery Barn, however I can't even imagine spending that much money on my furniture and accessories (especially with young children underfoot), so I often frequent local thrift stores, antique troves, yard sales, and craigslist. 

Check out my latest find:

Wood bookcase in need of some TLC! $10 at Deseret Industries


Enter a can of dark blue spraypaint - $2.94.

The refinished bookcase!
A side view of the boys "new" bookcase for $12.94 and some tax!

Here are some other items we have found for a real bargain: 

A lovely leather club chair found at a yard sale for $25!

This wood window frame was found on the side of the road with the glass still intact! I simply smashed out the glass, sanded and repainted the wood frame and then my husband had the idea of using it as a picture frame! So for the price of half a can of spray paint ($1.47) we now have a cute picture frame for our front room. (The vinyl on the wall can be found here)

This bed frame was found on Craigslist for $10! I love the way it looks with my IKEA duvet cover and throw blanket.

The blue trunk was from D.I. for $12 and the brown trunk was my husband's Great Grandma's steamer trunk.
This lovely upright grand piano was free - this is the only piece that wasn't worth the bargain. I had a piano tuner out to see about fixing a few broken hammers but when he examined it he found that there was a large crack along the base clef board which was unrepairable. He said it would be cheaper to buy a brand new piano than to get this one in working order.

Bummer - not all good deals are the real thing! However, more often than not, patience and determination will land you a good bargain.