Lets Party New Year's "Day" - Day - Day!

I just wanted to let you all know that Brent and I plan on buying the "Wingers" Bucket again this year. I called to check what their biggest bucket was and its a 40 piece. So, after talking to Lauren we think we will get 2 (maybe). However, the wings are about $1 a piece. So I thought I'de ask if anyone would be interested in making a 'tiny' contribution. Either way, they'll still be there. And no, you don't have to slap a dollar on the table for every 'one' you eat - I know you were worried about that Doug! But if we wanted to add mint ice cream again like last year, I suggest we buy that ahead of time (so its cheaper!) along with the caramel and whip cream! Ooh this party's sounding better and better. Please let us know what your thoughts are. Again, Lauren said we'll start around 2, but you can come sooner or later if you want. (And bring snacks!) Can't wait to see you there!

Treat

I made some of these cookies tonight for a few neighbors.

Aren't they just so cute?!

They are super easy and fun (though when you multiply anything by 120, it can be a little tedious).

Anyway, I just thought as I finished my first cookie sheet that they all seemed to have their own distinct expression and character. I couldn't help but feel akin to my cookies as they were all staring up at me.

You can find the recipe here:

http://www.recipezaar.com/Santa-Cookies-103175

It's so fun to find cute holiday treats! I think kids would have a lot of fun decorating them, too. I didn't experiment 'cause I was in a bit of a time crunch. Maybe next year. =)

Playing The "Santa Card"

Twas a few weeks before Christmas,

when throughout every day,

I told all the kids "now you better behave!

Santa's coming to town and bringing you gifts,

You better be good, or you're gonna get jipped!"

Mom giggled inside, in spite of herself.

This works just as good as "The Elf on a Shelf".

If you've not heard of that book, it works just the same.

If the kids misbehave, then they are to blame.

For Santa is watching, if you act like a louse,

Someone will tell him, the elf, or the house mouse!

It works like a charm, for you see, I have tried it!

My kids straighten right up, no, I cannot deny it!

And all through the city, and all through the town,

I hear other mothers do not knock it down!

Its a sweet little secret us moms like to use,

It keeps us from stressing, and blowing a fuse!

And children are happy most of the day.

They are dreaming of new toys

and games they can play.

When that jolly ol' fellow comes bestowing his gifts,

And all through the house, each child's spirit he lifts.

The tool has been used, the deed has been done,

Now what will moms do the next month that's this fun!

Silent monks sing Halleluia

Christmas Memories

Kai has had a cough lately, and yesterday morning I heard him coughing down the hall. He woke up earlier than normal, so I went looking for him to see if he was ok. But I couldn't find him. I could hear him cough, and finally I had to say "Kai, where are you!" And he answered "Right here under the tree". I thought it was so cute.

I figured I knew why he was under the tree, but I still had to ask. He simply answered, "just because I wanted to". Well, duh! We had just got the tree the night before and had put the lights and decorations on it. So it was all lit up and decorated and waiting to be enjoyed.

I guess its a kid thing to crawl in the tiniest corner of something and find security, comfort, and enjoyment from it. What I thought was cute was remembering how many nights I loved to just sit in the livingroom and stare at the Christmas tree when we lived in our home on Greenwich. Something was just calming and peaceful about being mesmerized by the lights. I guess thats the effect of the holiday season. Hope you are all enjoying your holiday season while remembering some Christmas' from the past. I don't want to forget to give a shout out to Dallin and my sweetie, Brent - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I must be the most obnoxious person I know! So what am I doing today you ask? Shopping for everyone else! And I am seeing a movie with Erika and Bre. But first my in-laws, Ann and Brent are treating me to lunch at the new In-N-Out! (That habit will have to end soon - my vegetarian tummy is NOT going to be happy with me!)

My sweet husband was the first to wish me a 'Happy Birthday'! (Obviously, since we live together!) But mom called me this morning and forgot and I had to call her back and reprimand her! Hello! Later today our family is going to pick out our Christmas tree and take a hay ride for fun 'family time'. Will there be Birthday cake in the middle of all this, hmmm, I dunno! -Maybe for the little kids. (But I'm gonna have to be on a diet after lunch and movie popcorn!)

A Christmas Carol

O.K. I know this Disney movie came out on Nov. 6, but we decided to wait to take the kids until closer to Christmas and so we saw it yesterday. This is just a warning to those of you who may not have seen it yet, especially those of you with younger children. It was a creepy movie. Really creepy. If you want a lengthy explanation of why, please call Merri or Jack, they both have had to discuss it at length. If you find a Christmas movie worth watching, please let me know. Also, we saw Hale Center Theater's "A Christmas Carol" last year and it was great. My kids still remember it fondly. So that might be a better choice if you want to see it!

We're Scheduled

Just wanted to let everyone know that I booked the Outland Pines cabin in Island Park http://www.islandparkidaho.com/OutlandPhotos/OutlandPines.html for July 26-31. Check in time is 4:00 pm and check out is 11:00 am. We can take care of the finer details later. If anyone wants a copy of the terms of agreement I can forward the email to you. (It talks about things like taking out the trash and bringing up your own soap and shampoo. Might be worth reading).

Now... go enjoy your Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Speaking of In-N-Out

I read another librarian's blog, and she was talking about In-N-Out today, and I was amazed at the story she had to tell:




This is where I have to tell a story that is not mine. From the looks of things, everybody in the store was trying to be courteous about the seating thing. There was maybe a tiny bit of circling and hovering as people tried to stake out tables, and people who were eating left quickly when they were finished. So it seemed like everyone was being taken care of. When I told my sister about this, she shared with me the awesome experience that just happened to my friend (and blog designer) Jeri. Jeri and her crew went to In-N-Out, got their food, waited for a table to be cleaned, and then made their way over there. Just before they sat down, a woman behind them threw her purse over their heads so that it landed on the table, then shoved her way past them and sat down, all the while refusing to make eye contact. So Jeri, her small children, and her pregnant sister-in-law just sort of stood there, stunned.

At this point a nearby group of men, who had seen the whole thing, started laughing at that crazy beast and invited Jeri and her family to come over, where they made some room for them to sit. Because they were nice. And not crazy insane people like some other purse-throwers I could mention. Seriously, people. It's a table. At which you are going to eat a burger. Seriously. Do you really want those kind of karma points over a burger? Technically you should never behave like that at all, ever, but it just seems especially stupid over something so small.

Not so bad...

Doug talked to the Dr.'s assistant today and it seems like they are planning on proceeding cautiously. (Yeah.) We were afraid they'd be off doing surgeries again, but he said since Doug's visual scope last week looked so good, and the x-rays they did just in August looked so good, that they are just going to have him do an extra couple of treatments (so 4 total) and then wait until the Spring and do the whole round of checks again. That's probably a best-case scenario for now. Thanks for all your supportive comments and calls!

Test Results

Doug had a checkup with his Dr. last week, and they called today with the results from his cytology (urinalysis). And they said it showed malignant cells. Blahhhhh. So, we haven't talked to the Dr. And we don't know what this will mean. But, instead of having 2 treatments this month, they might do a full course, like six. And then that will probably be followed up with a biopsy--which probably means at least three months off of work. And there might be talk about removing his bladder, which would mean about a year off of work. So that's the news..... We won't really know much, though, until we see the Dr. on the 16th.

Oh Happy Day!

Look whats in MY neighborhood! I drove past this a week ago and didn't even know they were building one! I was having lunch with Ann then and she said it was going to open this week.

This Tuesday I was doing Erika's hair when Ann texted me and said she was eating at In-N-Out! And she didn't even invite me! Hello! So today I decided to take Keala after preschool. (Real quality 'together time' - yeah right!)

We didn't realize the line to order inside was going out the door! We had to stand in 30 degree cold wind! Keala yelled "this line is stupid!" She was so mad at me! Everyone laughed. That was until a 45 year old lady got in line behind us and yelled "C'mon everybody, cozy up! Its cold out here!" And then people were REALLY laughing. (And I thought Keala was obnoxious!) (Funny how loud mouths make us all instant friends cuz we all starting talking to each other then!)

Waiting in line to order didn't take long, but waiting for our food REALLY did take long! Keala was much more patient once we were inside from the cold. I thought I would be nice and invite Ann, so I ordered for her and we waited for her to come. She got here before our food did!

Fun and Yum! When I told Brent a week ago how excited I was to eat here, he said, "Too bad you are a Celiac whose Lactose Intolerant, and a Practicing Vegetarian! At least you'll be able to eat the lettuce!" Forget that! I ate the whole stinkin' thing, with grilled onions AND cheese! Mmmmm! Delicious! ("Wish you were Here!")

All the workers came up and cooed at the hat on Keala's doll. One of the workers recognized Ann from last week and said "Welcome Back!" We all started laughing. She was so embarrassed. (That woman makes friends with perfect strangers all the time. She always has!) That place was so packed full of people. As we left, the tables were finally empty and it dawned on me that I gone during the lunch hour! Hello! But it hadn't occurred to me because I just picked Keala up from preschool and went straight over. Oh well. (I just got off the phone from Brent before I finished this and he just yelled at me: "Now we'll see whose gonna die from not eating like 'The China Study" says you should!") - He just ate a vegetarian sub from Sub Way! Bwah Ha Ha Ha!

Can You Come?

For Dallin's birthday he wants to go play laser tag at Lazer Assault in Provo. I scheduled a time for him on December 16th at 7:00 pm. He's inviting several friends but he's really hoping some of his Uncles can come too. Will any of you interested in coming just let me know so we know who to plan on?

And, I think I would like to have another New Year's Day party at my house. Just really casual. You can come in your pj's and bring yummy munchy stuff to share. Last year it was kind of like a big "snacking" party. We'll have games and movies and anything else you want to do. I'm thinking sometime around 2:00 pm. Let me know if you plan on coming. :)