Christmas Joy

Christmas has come and gone, the tree has been put away and all the decorations are gone. The house feels so empty. Life is back to normal. Everyone is back to work and schedules. Here are a few things I got this year. This year for Christmas as a family(brossette) we decided to do family gifts instead of drawing names. Like every year it was going to be a "small Christmas" which usually ends up being wall to wall stacked feet in the air gifts. I think we did a better job of sticking to the theme of a small Christmas. I would say it was a medium Christmas. I also learned and can drive better on snow and ice. Instead of a traditional dinner we all had the theme "My favorite thing." Christmas Eve I stayed with Kelly's family (its more fun waking up to see what Santa brought when there's little kids around). Christmas Eve we read Luke 2 and then watched the animated BOM/ Bible stories DVD episode. It went pretty well considering it was Christmas Eve, kids were hyped on sugar and Santa coming. The boys range from 9-1yr. As we were getting ready for family prayer Josh(4) jumped on Jared's back(kneeling over the couch) and knelled. As Jared walked him through the prayer, Jared would as a question like what are we thankful for and then Josh would say, thankful for this and that. Jared then asked why do we celebrate/thankful for Christmas for and Josh said Santa. Christmas Day everyone came over to Kelly's and we exchanged gifts. Manda and Alex had picked me and so here are a few gifts.

Gary Coleman Magnets

Pyrex containers w/ my name etched in them
My parents gave us cash along with a few little gift (its just easier and we get what we really want). So I went and bought this skirt.

Cindy got me this calendar. I know Manda thinks hes a man whore, but its at my place not hers.

Mom made party mix, dressing, and a cheese ball.

This is what I am MOST proud of, these 2 pairs of shoes! I know what you are saying, dude you don't need anymore shoes, but did I get a deal. Originally they were 22.99 and 24.99. I paid total including tax $10.62 What a deal, What a deal. That is $40.45 saved or 79 1/2 % off. Whose the bargain shopper now?!?

Why are all the good ones dead?

This past Wednesday Kelly, the boys, and I went to the bookstore, where I got Cindy some books for her class. While we were there I came across and Abraham Lincoln book, an early Christmas gift to myself. I just had to have it, and luckily it was on SALE. There were bargains to be had but nothing like usual trips with Kelly. There was no WOW look at my saving or anything, which is ok, but I felt like I hadn't done my best for Kelly. But back to my book, I have yet to do more than flip through the book looking at pics due to Christmas Shopping, Finals, Concerts, and Brewvies with Manda and Alex. I really enjoy going with them and the enthusiasm I feel in the 5 checkup- are you coming calls and text. This next week I plan on diving in and reading it cover to cover. Diane and I have a game we play with varied rules but one is who is hotter? it could be someone famous or just regular. The hardest and yet to be decided is Abraham Lincoln and Gregory Peck. Here are a few quotes from our 16th President.
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.

I will prepare and some day my chance will come.

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.

Lately

Cindy and I were home one night last week and I was having a hard time relaxing. Its just hard from running in circles one minute to having to lay perfectly still the next second. So we jump in the car and went to Festival of Lights. Here I discovered being a photographer is not in my list of talents. Sunday we decorated gingerbread houses. Manda and Alex won and received the amazing wreath trophy. Last night Diane and I were invited to a Christmas concert in SLC. It was in a Catholic church. This was my maybe 3rd time going in to a church that wasn't a LDS church. I had only been in my Uncle Randy's church and my Grandparents churches. I had never been in a church that was so colorful and decorated. As you looked toward the front of the chapel there was a great mural of the Savior on the cross suffering. This took me by surprise. It was huge and very depressing. It made me thankful for bright white lack of decoration, we are here to learn churches. I know we need to remember the atonement and all that the Savior did for us, including the suffering, but I didn't feel all that happy anymore. Instead of seeing the Savior with open hands welcoming us back into the fold I saw a 'look at what I am suffering because of you' feeling. I was distracted the whole night looking at all the decoration and designs. The concert was great, they sang more songs that I didn't know but it was great. After we left we headed down the street behind the Church and as we went over the hill we saw the spires of the SLC temple. What a beautiful sight. Here are some pics from the events.

The Winners


Gracie trying to work off that extra energy from all the candy.

I couldn't stop laughing

Rants and Raves

Last night I had nothing going on so I went to the Festival of Trees (see previous post for link). At first I thought what loser goes to a family/ Christmas festival by themselves. I was a little scared and hoped I didn't see anyone I knew. But I went, and I was okay. I was able to go at my own pace, take pictures when I wanted and not have to worry about staying together. Not that those things are bad but I was on a time limit. It was also opening night, so I was expect a little bit more than a few people, but I think it was bring everyone you know night. Not to be negative but I think etiquette needs to be taught in school because people sure aren't learning it at home!! here are a few basic guidelines:
1. if you are a group(2 or more) walking and someone(1) is walking towards you it is polite to let them have the inside instead of making the 1 person swing out around your group
2. if someone is taking a picture and you see this happening do not walk in front of them and then turn and with a goofy look on your face say 'oops' and laugh.
3. if you are in a group(3 or more) and need to stop (see old friends) and are catching up move to the back wall out of the way do not stand in the middle of the isle or in front of the displays.
4. if you notice someone is behind you and you are just lolly gaging let them pass you.
5. just because you are the coolest thing at your high/middle school does not make it okay for you to be rude.

The trees were amazing. It smelled like Christmas. It was WONDERFUL.

When I finished looking at over 800+ trees in just over an hour, I raced back home to get ready to go to tithing settlement. The Bishop had made it easy on us and instead of having us drive up to campus he asked one of the ward members if we could meet in their basement. As I was checking in and waiting for my turn I over heard a conversation that made me worry for the future. The self imposed popular group (too cool for you people), who were over the checking in process, were talking about why one of them was dressed up, he simply replied, it's tithing settlement and I am doing my calling. The other two then asked each other and somehow it turned into the girl asking the other guy why he wasn't dating. She mentioned why not date someone in the ward, and his reply was, "well there aren't any girls that are pretty enough for me to date in the ward." I bit my lip and then was told it was my turn. Oh I wanted to, I don't know but I wanted to do something. There are plenty of pretty girls in the ward, and he wasn't all that hot to trot anyhow. Where does he get the idea that he deserves the prettiest thing out there? Great if he does find her but give that 10-15 years, a few kids, sleepless nights, being spit up on, shes going to lose that luster and shes not going to look like that 20 something year old you married, then what? you snatched her up because she was beautiful, but does she have a brain, can she cook, can she be a mother, does she do household chores, can she keep up with your 'superior intellect'??? Or is she just a trophy?? I guess whatever floats your boat! But with the way girls put all the pressure on their physical appearance now whats it going to be like when my nieces are in college? Will they ever be good enough? Will it matter that they are the funniest, craziest, fun-loving girls out there? Does having a brain, being domestic, willingness to work hard, selflessness(caring more about your kids and their happiness over your looks) matter? Who teaches these guys that they are better and only deserve the prettiest, most beautiful girls??? Yes, I understand attractiveness is important, but doesn't a person become more attractive once you get to know them? I am not saying I am better than anyone, because I look at the outward appearance but I know there should be more than that, and why would you want to be with someone who has an ego like that, who cares more about what they look like than spending time with you??

On a lighter note here are a few pics from the Festival! for more pics (98 total) check here.

Simple joys

Yesterday Kelly and the boys stopped by my office and brought me 'pink' cookies (they didn't have just plain pink ones at the store) and a Prince Phillip tablecloth and plate (which I don't know if I will ever use them for the fear of them getting dirty) and a Diet Mt. Dew (not sure if there was a hidden 'diet' message there or not, haha). After the boys left the other people who were in the office mentioned how well mannered, and polite the boys were. After work I had a few minutes to spare before class so I made my at least once a week visit to see Libby and the girls(its usually 2 or 3 times a week). They sang Happy Birthday and we enjoyed cookies and an exciting game of Dora Memory. When I got home from class Cindy brought down a bag labeled 'Restoration Hardware.' I almost lost it. I forgot to take a picture, because I wouldn't let go of it; but she got me the butteriest soft pink throw blanket. this is the web pic of it




Also today starts the FESTIVAL OF TREES. Trees are donated and decorated and then placed wall to wall in an expo center for people to bid and buy. They are left there for the week for others to come and look (steal ideas, haha) and the money raised from the selling of the trees and ticket sales from the public all go to Primary Children's Hospital. Which we want to support since 1. its the right thing to do and, 2. because it helps find cures for things like TTTS. Here are a few of my favorites from last year, when we went for my special day and brought Miles and James and Kelly was 8 months pregnant. still SORRY about that!!



This is my kitchen table and Christmas Tree. It looks a lot better in person.

Thanksgiving weekend / Black Friday/ Special Day

This thanksgiving after being invited to several different Thanksgivings (either I am the only single person people know or I am REALLY popular) I decided on my sister Manda's wicked sick Thanksgiving Extravaganza. After leaving work, on Wednesday, I headed up to Woods Cross. I could tell it was going to be great because I didn't hit any traffic or slowing on the interstate which is a Miracle because it was the night before a holiday, and it was 5 o'clock traffic. That night we went and saw 'Breakfast Club' at Brewvies in Salt Lake. This place was pretty awesome. The movie was FREE and the had pool tables and you could order food that was worth what you paid and really good. They also had drinking games which proved to be worth it when at the end of the movie the DVD began to skip and all the drunken people were ready to riot. good times. Thanksgiving morning we watched the Parade while Alex started on the turkey, it was AMAZING. When the parade was over nothing was allowed accept Football. As the turkey drew near to being done Manda and I started on our parts. It was not the traditional thanksgiving meal. Manda made chili! Alex and I stayed closer to the usual, we had mashed potato's, carrots, and green bean casserole. Funny story.... Last year I went with Libby and her family over to the Lewis' and I was in charge of the green bean casserole. As I was making it I thought to myself I can make harder things than just this. When we got to the Lewis' Rich's mom asked why there was so little and I told her I thought the same thing. I had forgotten to add the milk. So back to a few days ago. I had gone to the store to get all the stuff and carefully read the recipe, so I could redeem myself. I ran in the store trying not to push people for being slow and in my way. As I went down the soup isle (you need cream of mushroom) I saw it and grabbed it. Fast-forward to Manda's Tksgving Day, I pull everything out of the bag and notice I bought cream of CHICKEN !!!! I made it anyhow but forgot to drain the green beans. It cooked for over an hour and was still watery. Even though I love the stuff I think I'll give up and let someone else make it next year. That night Manda went to bed at 8pm. I never could fall asleep, I think it was all the Mt Dew and excitement. Check Manda's blog for events of that day. Then Saturday we celebrated my Special Day. We celebrated early because I have class Tuesday night and Manda has class Wednesday night and its too close to finals to skip. We went to Cheesecake Factory and between the 4 of us forgot the camera so I have included a few pics taken from my phone. After CF we went to Pottery Barn. Manda and Kelly also bought some knock off crocs that we were forced to wear. Libby LOVED them. Theirs were just pink and mine had white stars. We did get a few complements. Overall it was a great special day/ Thanksgiving Day weekend.

This picture has a funny story. Amanda and Alex found a box of sheep ornaments at DI last year and so this year after dinner Manda pulled out the tree and put it together. After she went to bed that night and Alex and I were watching TV, the light bulb in my head turned on. I asked Alex if he had a lion. He said the tiger was the closest thing he had. So if you haven't guessed it yet....its Lambert the Sheepish Lion. LtheSL is an old Disney movie that can be found on the Fox and the Hound DVD. It has a great catchy tune. Here's the video if you want to watch it. Its only about 7-8 minutes long.

The amazing shoes Kelly and Manda got us.

This is cheesecake from dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.