The After-Christmas "Party"

Every year, the Saturday after Christmas, my extended family (i.e. grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) gets together for a Christmas party. When there is enough snow we all go sledding at a nearby golf course. There have been several years that we didn't have snow and missed out. This year had enough snow for sledding and we were all excited and geared up to go. However, the freeway was frozen over with ice and snow and when the lead cars of our caravan reached the base of the canyon between Brigham City and Logan, they found that the roads were too slick to drive on. My sister even called 511 for road conditions and the recording told us that 4 wheel drive or snow chains was required. So we all turned around and headed back home over the dangerous freeway. But apparently everyone else made it just fine! We missed out on a great party. Dang!! If you want to see pictures of the sledding fun, then check out my cousin Gayle's blog. We were all so sad that our cars are pooty in the snow...that's right, I said "pooty".

Anyway...my sister, Camille, was one of those that did make it up the canyon and they brought our presents back to us. Here are the photos of our "party". :(
My grandma still makes handmade gifts for all the kids.

Thank you, Grandma!! We are so sorry that we missed out on the party.

Christmas Weekend

Why does the Christmas season have to be so stressful? I tried to start projects well in advance, but I still had too much on my plate. We are still in charge of snow removal for our apartment complex and the week before Christmas it dumped over a foot of total snow. I shouldn't complain, because we are grateful for the extra income, but I was not prepared to spend that much time shoveling snow. I needed to finish my projects for Christmas!! So when Christmas came I was very ready for the relaxation.

Our Christmas morning started at 8:00 am. The boys haven't figured out that you can get up early on Christmas morning and get away with it. :) They were excited about each gift, even socks and underwear. :) I didn't think McKenna would even understand what was going on, but she gave out a squeal every once in a while. It was so fun watching the kids open their presents and sharing in their excitement. We opened presents as quickly as we could, since a major snow storm was supposed to hit that morning and we had planned to travel to my parents' house. The storm ended up arriving later that evening, so all that rushing for nothing. Oh well. We spent the rest of the weekend with my family in Centerville. Everyone was in town except my brother, Scott and his family. It wasn't the same without them.My parents

The days were filled with shopping, opening presents, sledding, eating, and chatting with family while the kids played downstairs. :) It all went by way too fast.

My sister, Stephanie, and her son, Landon.
My sister, Laurel, and her daughter, Madeleine.My sister, Camille, and her daughter, Sarah.
My niece, Katherine.My niece, Lizzie.

My brother, Jeff, planned a game of Jeopardy for my sisters and parents. He came up with trivia questions about memories of our childhood. It was a lot of fun and gave us a good laugh.

Leon (brother-in-law), Taylor, Jayden (nephew), Cameron (nephew), and Dallin (nephew).

The Wii became an addiction in the house. Leon, Dave, and I stayed up late into the night playing Mario Kart. I'm trying to convince Dave that we want one. (I never thought I would say that.)

We want to wish all our friends and family a very Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Tree

I think we are one of the few that still buy a natural tree each year. It seems that the majority of the population have gone to artificial. I can understand the draw to artificial...it's low maintenance. Yes, we have to go out in the cold and purchase it, and yes, we have to cut the trunk, and yes, we do have to water it several times a day, and yes, we have to vacuum the needles...but we still love the smell and look of a real tree.

Dave and I have a little compromise going. I was raised with solid white lights and he was raised with flashing color lights. So we've decided to alternate every other year. This year was color lights, but I still got them to be solid and not blinking. :) Here are a few of my favorite ornaments: (for anyone that really cares.)

This was always a favorite from my childhood. (Shh...don't tell my siblings that I have it...oh wait, they read this blog...dang.)
Um...no explanation needed!

Dave gave me this ornament on our first Christmas together. I actually wanted to buy one for him, but never did, so I was even that more excited when I opened one from him!! It says "Our First Christmas 2000".

My sister, Laurel, brought two sets of these ornaments from Korea. They are Chinese Cloisonne ornaments. Each one is different and I love them all!

And some of you might be wondering why our tree is on top of our end table....here's the reason:

Why We Need A Second Bathroom

First-Annual Family Gingerbread House

This was our first attempt at building a gingerbread house...k, it was from a kit, but still! I can't remember the last time I made one and it is something we will definitely do again...hopefully every year. We all had such a great time and it was something that the whole family could participate in.

Drum roll please...and here's the finished product!

Merry Christmas! From, Our Santa Baby

An Update

A few weeks ago I posted (here) about my poor temple wedding cake topper. I've had several concerned people ask me how my super glue job worked out. So I thought I would post an update. Last week I attempted to fix the poor porcelain keepsake.

Here's the before:


Here's the during: Yes, the whole roof caved in. Apparently there was further structural damage than I realized. I was almost on the last piece and I pushed a little to hard and yep, back at square one and then some. I thought about quitting right then.

But the roof glued on nicely and here's the after:
It's not as good as I wanted it to be. The roof caving in caused the spire to be off. But I guess it "has character" now.

Thanksgiving...Yes, It's Late.

Sorry this post is so late...to anyone that's been waiting for it.

Dave worked a few hours in the early morning and made it home in time for the ward Turkey Bowl. He might be old, but it sounds like he held his own out there. This was the first year in about 4 years that we've been able to spend Thanksgiving at my parents' house. It was a fun day. We each shared what we were thankful for while we ate dinner. Then the kids ran downstairs to play games and the adults sat around looking at the ads for Black Friday. We had a great time talking and laughing. I didn't get to see much of the paper, since I was on McKenna duty. She had way to many things to explore at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Sheesh.

Here's the group. My sister and family, and my brother, Jeff, came as well. I told everyone that this was the "Traci shot" since she wasn't there to take it. She's our "family photographer" and always thinks to take pictures like this. We miss the photos when she's not there!!

Taylor and his cousin, Landon.
Stephanie and I made a great team making the pies. I made the crust and she did the rest. Everyone said they were delicious.

In a few years, Dallin will regret that this picture was ever taken.

Derek was so excited for Thanksgiving this year. When I asked him why, he said "because of all the good food; like turkey and pies". I was impressed he actually loved the pumpkin pie. He's a picky eater, but I've noticed that he's growing out of it lately. It's very exciting to me!! And can I just say that he's so adorable in this picture!

Here's a shout out to the peeps that couldn't make it this year. We love you and missed you!

Days before Thanksgiving there were commercials for Kohl's opening at 4 am on Black Friday. I actually said out loud, in disgust "that is wrong, just wrong. 4 am is way too early". Well, we returned home from dinner around 11:00 pm and Dave and I sat down to look at the paper, since, as previously mentioned, I couldn't at my parents' house. I fell asleep several times while looking, but I was determined to see all the ads before I went to bed, so that I would know if I needed to go shopping. Anyway, I fell asleep on the couch for about thirty minutes and woke up at 3 am. My next ad was Kohl's and there was a sewing machine for a great deal. I was already awake, so I figured that I might as well go. So I got redressed and nudged Dave and told him where I was going. So at 3:40 AM I was standing in line with about 150 other crazy people, even though I was openly against a store opening so early. It was so so cold. I couldn't stop my knees from shaking. People in line started inching closer and closer to the door and the line became more and more compact. I was a little worried about the insanity that would ensue when the doors were opened. However, I was pleasantly surprised when people merely jogged into the building. I did get my sewing machine and a large electric skillet and both were a great price. I felt so much pressure to buy more since everyone else had their arms loaded with treasures. I was surprised how feisty women get when they are after good deals. At one point I had stopped to look at some towels for only $2.49. I was feeling how thick it was and a lady actually took it out of my hand. I was a little stunned. And later at Walmart two women got in a battle over toddler jeans. One lady took all that was left and another lady said "oh, so you're going to take all of them, that's not fair". The lady with the jeans says "I have 8 grandkids" and the other women says "well, I have 7 children". A third lady yelled "Oh, I think she has you beat!" They sounded like the toddlers they were buying the jeans for.

I was out shopping until 8:00 am. I was beat, but all the deals were worth it...right? I've decided that early morning is the best time to shop if you want to go without kids. I knew they were sleeping, so there was no pressure to get home to relieve my husband. I doubt I will make it a habit though.

Okay, so sorry about the long rambling post. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying the Christmas season!!

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

Last week I celebrated my...cough, cough...29th birthday. I know many readers of this blog are 30 or older, so maybe you can relate or tell me I'm wrong, but here's my analogy to turning this age. I look at the 20's like going on a vacation. The first day is new and exciting, full of anticipation of the upcoming adventure and fun. Just like a trip, my 20's would be full of fun new milestones (i.e. college, roommates, marriage, kids). However, like every trip, by the middle of the week the newness wears off and I forget to stop and appreciate how much fun I am having. Then the last day comes and I realize, gasp, that we go home tomorrow and the fun will be over. Inevitably I get depressed and try to cram all that I had not yet accomplished into that last and final day. Well, turning 29 is like realizing that it's the last and final year of the youthful 20's. But there is hope, because a few days after returning home from any vacation, I adjust and it's back to a a happy life as usual. So, I sure hope that I can quickly adjust when that time comes to turn 30 and that it won't seem like my fun ride is over. Cause man, 30 is OLD. He he he. (I had to add that part, because I KNOW that all 30 and older readers are laughing and thinking that 30 is not old.) Truthfully, I am looking forward to the next 10 years of my life. Not the aging body aspect of it, just the stage of life that it brings. I love where I am right now, but could it have been about 5 years ago? :)

My day was as good as they get. Dave brought us breakfast from McDonald's, which by the way, I will never eat another egg McGriddle as long as I live (well this year at least). They are so so yummy and also 32 grams of fat!! Holy! Not THAT yummy! Anyway, Dave put up little birthday signs on our door and was off to work. I then went over to my sister's house to make pie crust for Thanksgiving. She kept telling me that I should do what I want to do on my day. But really, I DO do what I want everyday, so I couldn't think of what I would rather do differently. It was fun talking and baking with her. In the afternoon we returned home and I...uh, I mean, Derek and Taylor made a fabulous lemon cake and Dave returned home from work just in time to take us to Cafe Rio. I wanted a free dessert, but I received an embarrassing serenade of 'Happy Birthday' sung by 10 employees. It would have been worth it if it were followed by free lime pie, but no, that was it. Dang. After dinner, we returned home, ate cake, opened presents, and I then talked on the phone with my brother for a couple hours until late. It was a great day and thanks to everyone that emailed, called, sent presents or just thought of me! That's why I love birthdays so much, even if they do make me older...it's just fun to receive a special notice once a year.

One of my awesome presents...a Willow Tree angel! I LOVE it...thank you guys!

What List Are You On? :)

A little someone is on my bad list.This was the porcelain temple that decorated the top of our wedding cake. The only breakable thing in our house that I valued. It made it through, one day shy of, eight years without one crack or scratch... Through seven moves (two were across the country), through countless light saber battles, through several indoor family football games, through two little boys and now it met its match....McKenna. It was sitting three shelves up on a Korean doilie and she reached just high enough to pull on the doilie and down came the temple with it. I was hoping the cracking sound was a picture frame, but no...my temple!! :( But how could I stay mad at the sweet little girl babbling next to it. Urgg... We'll see how good I am at Super Gluing.

But a big someone is on my good list!!
Dave brought me these beautiful flowers for our anniversary last night. He chose everything. Eight flowers for eight years, the blue vase (which I love), and he asked for a "pretty" ribbon. What a cute husband! The card he chose was very clever, it said "I just wanted to show these flowers how beautiful you are". Cute. He took me out to the Olive Garden which is where we went on our first date. He is so sweet. We came home to a Dairy Queen ice cream cake that I bought for him. It was just a great day.

Family Tooth Count

McKenna: up to 6
Derek: down 1

Sunday was a big day for Derek. He "lost" his first tooth! It had been loose for over a week and he wouldn't let me pull it. It drove me crazy watching it flap when he talked. It brought back memories of my mom begging to pull our teeth. I understand her feelings now. :)

Well, on Sunday Dave gave Derek a choice to either let him clip his toenails or pull out his tooth. You should all know by now how much Derek hates his nails being clipped. Derek said "well, I get money for my tooth, so I pick the tooth". Dave used a napkin to grab it and he said that it came out without pressure.

The tooth fairy left him $.36 that night. What a random tooth fairy! :) She also forgot to take the tooth, but we just explained to Derek that she is new at coming to our house. Derek figured she left it so that he could take it to show and tell. Smart kid. Here's Derek and his new smile.
I almost cried when I took this picture. This is just another sign that Derek really is growing up. I am nervous to see how his permanent teeth will grow in. Derek doesn't have great "teeth genes". Sorry Derek...but nothing that braces can't fix! :)

How much does the tooth fairy leave at your house?

Eight Down...and an Eternity to Go!

(WARNING: This post contains words not suitable for those that object to mushy, lovey stuff. Read at your own risk.)

Happy anniversary, Dave! Eight years later and I am even more in love with you than the day we were married. Thank you for continually working on our marriage and striving to make it stronger. You are a wonderful husband and I still say that you are "perfect for me"! I love you infinity plus one! Here are some pictures of the past 8 years together:

2000 (Dating/Engaged)

2000
2001

2002
2003
2004
2005

2006

2007 2008