What alternate universe are we living in where gas prices are only $1.15??? Seriously!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Festive festivities
We took our kids to the symphony yesterday. That thought would normally scare me but it was the Lollipops series the symphony has for kids. They played Christmas songs, had a sing-a-long and Santa showed up at the end. The whole thing only lasted an hour so that was a bonus, too. Elle didn't quite make it through the whole thing but the other kids did great. When they started playing songs from the Nutcracker, Paige's eyes got huge and she said, "This is from Barbie and the Nutcracker!" See, Amy ... those movies aren't so bad afterall. :) Haley was amazed at the size of the chandeliers, which we decided were probably bigger than some of the bedrooms in our house. I figure it's a good thing to instill a little culture into my kids in as kid-friendly a way as possible. Maybe they'll grow up liking it afterall.We started out the morning with a cousins' breakfast on the Mayfield/White side. Thanks for hosting, Tres & Marley!
Do you recognize Rich from the D.I. billboards? Apparently he "got his start" there.
Annie, Marley & Emily making us ebelskievers, bacon, eggs & french toast.
How cute is this Christmas outfit from Mikel? She's a talented girl.
The triplets.
New baby Lucy.
That afternoon I went to lunch with Crissy, a high school friend who I lost contact with. We recently "found" each other again through blogs and facebook and have had so much fun reconnecting and catching up. She's as funny and gracious as I remember and I'm grateful to have spent time with her recently. And you can't tell just by looking at her but the woman has recently lost 140 pounds. Seriously! She's an inspiration.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My baby turns 2
Elle's birthday was chock-full of fun and celebration. We started the morning (as we do with all of our family birthdays) with the kids all piling onto our bed while Elle opened her presents. We have several birthdays this time of year at our house so Elle was quite familiar with the concept. She sang Happy Birthday to herself and ripped right through her gifts.
Her cute nursery teacher, Julie, came over to give her some birthday balloons, which she then carted all over the house with her for the next couple of hours.
Then we met a few friends for lunch at McDonald's. The Preslars trekked up to meet us and Luke & Becca came, too. What more could you want when you are 2 than friends at a playland?
That night, we had a small party. The best part? Check out these cakes! I slaved all day .... 
Jack brought Elle more balloons (she's in heaven) and Luke brought her jewels. Train 'em while they're young, right?
Elle lights up a room and makes me smile many times a day. Happy Birthday, baby girl.
Her cute nursery teacher, Julie, came over to give her some birthday balloons, which she then carted all over the house with her for the next couple of hours.
Then we met a few friends for lunch at McDonald's. The Preslars trekked up to meet us and Luke & Becca came, too. What more could you want when you are 2 than friends at a playland?
That night, we had a small party. The best part? Check out these cakes! I slaved all day .... 
Jack brought Elle more balloons (she's in heaven) and Luke brought her jewels. Train 'em while they're young, right?
Elle lights up a room and makes me smile many times a day. Happy Birthday, baby girl.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas activities so far
We've been keeping busy, lapping up the Christmas spirit wherever we can. I seriously love this time of year, and thankfully my excitement for the holiday has rubbed off on my kids. Here's some of our favorite traditions, some of which we've done and some we're hoping still to do:
* Seeing the lights at Temple Square -- check! I don't have any pictures of the actual lights but the evening itself was quite the happening, as my mom would say. We rode the train downtown (an exciting event in itself) and then managed not to lose any of our kids in the crowds. Success!
Elle and her 2 boyfriends, Jack & Luke, all bundled up.
* The Festival of Trees -- check! Our kids love going to see the trees and gingerbread houses. And this year, Paige was part of the entertainment, too. (The child loved being on a real stage.)
* Making gingerbread houses -- check, twice! We made one gingerbread house on Thanksgiving and had our annual gingerbread house party with Preslars the other night. Rachel and I fight the urge every year to decorate the houses ourselves so they'll actually look cute and encourage our kids to play elsewhere. But where's the holiday spirit in that?
* Having hot chocolate by the fire -- check! Aahhh, the simple pleasures.
* The Polar Express on the Heber Creeper -- not this year. It's worth it, if your kids are young enough but not too young. We went a couple of years ago, the kids clad in new fluffy robes and totally believing they were headed for the North Pole. Next year, I'll have 2 non-believers on my hands but I'm sure they'll enjoy the ride anyway.
* Going to see the Christmas Village display at Modern Display -- hopefully this weekend. Our kids ask to go see the villages every year and would happily spend hours looking at every detail if we let them stay that long. Combine it with a trip across the street to Hires Big H and you've got yourself a festive outing.
* Scones and hot chocolate at Winder Dairy with cousins -- never again, apparently. The dads all decided that this activity was not worth the crowd and inconvenience. Lack of seating for a large group added to the non-appeal. Someone teach me how to make my own scones, k?
* Zoo lights -- haven't ever gone, actually. Someone tell me ... Is it really worth the freezing temps?
* Seeing the lights at Temple Square -- check! I don't have any pictures of the actual lights but the evening itself was quite the happening, as my mom would say. We rode the train downtown (an exciting event in itself) and then managed not to lose any of our kids in the crowds. Success!
Elle and her 2 boyfriends, Jack & Luke, all bundled up.* The Festival of Trees -- check! Our kids love going to see the trees and gingerbread houses. And this year, Paige was part of the entertainment, too. (The child loved being on a real stage.)
* Making gingerbread houses -- check, twice! We made one gingerbread house on Thanksgiving and had our annual gingerbread house party with Preslars the other night. Rachel and I fight the urge every year to decorate the houses ourselves so they'll actually look cute and encourage our kids to play elsewhere. But where's the holiday spirit in that?
* Having hot chocolate by the fire -- check! Aahhh, the simple pleasures.
* The Polar Express on the Heber Creeper -- not this year. It's worth it, if your kids are young enough but not too young. We went a couple of years ago, the kids clad in new fluffy robes and totally believing they were headed for the North Pole. Next year, I'll have 2 non-believers on my hands but I'm sure they'll enjoy the ride anyway.* Going to see the Christmas Village display at Modern Display -- hopefully this weekend. Our kids ask to go see the villages every year and would happily spend hours looking at every detail if we let them stay that long. Combine it with a trip across the street to Hires Big H and you've got yourself a festive outing.
* Scones and hot chocolate at Winder Dairy with cousins -- never again, apparently. The dads all decided that this activity was not worth the crowd and inconvenience. Lack of seating for a large group added to the non-appeal. Someone teach me how to make my own scones, k?
* Zoo lights -- haven't ever gone, actually. Someone tell me ... Is it really worth the freezing temps?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thanksgiving
We spent Thanksgiving this year with the Blakes and Grandma Farley. Fairly small gathering but it was fun. Brett started out the festivities with a craft for the kids (yes, Brett organized the whole thing -- he's not your typical guy).
After all of these pictures, you'd think I'd have one of the finished products. They made turkeys with many, many feathers. Before dinner, each person wrote something they were thankful for on each feather and then we went around the table and read them to each other. Afterwards, the kids taped the turkeys to the window. Way to go, Brett!
Dinner was incredible, thanks in part to Si's amazing recipes for stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Seriously great food.
After dinner, the Sharples came over. We played Nertz (I'm guessing a Blake-original game but I don't know ....) where Maddie & Ali kicked Grandma's and my behinds, made gingerbread houses, played the piano, talked and hung out. Having grown up myself without family nearby most of the time, it's so fun to see cousins hang out together and enjoy seeing each other. Here are the almost 2 year olds, Elle & Simon:
...the 4th graders, Emmy & Christian:
...the Sharples, Connor & Emmy:
....the only 2 dads represented that day, Brett & Mike:
....and cute Maddie with 2 of her cousins who adore her.
After all of these pictures, you'd think I'd have one of the finished products. They made turkeys with many, many feathers. Before dinner, each person wrote something they were thankful for on each feather and then we went around the table and read them to each other. Afterwards, the kids taped the turkeys to the window. Way to go, Brett!Dinner was incredible, thanks in part to Si's amazing recipes for stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Seriously great food.
After dinner, the Sharples came over. We played Nertz (I'm guessing a Blake-original game but I don't know ....) where Maddie & Ali kicked Grandma's and my behinds, made gingerbread houses, played the piano, talked and hung out. Having grown up myself without family nearby most of the time, it's so fun to see cousins hang out together and enjoy seeing each other. Here are the almost 2 year olds, Elle & Simon:
...the 4th graders, Emmy & Christian:
...the Sharples, Connor & Emmy:
....the only 2 dads represented that day, Brett & Mike:
....and cute Maddie with 2 of her cousins who adore her.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Interrogation
1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, hands down.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Twilight (I won't admit to how many times I've seen it)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Lost.
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? cold cereal of any variety
6. What is your middle name? Dawn
7. What food do you dislike? Cottage cheese
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? James Taylor Christmas
9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Expedition
10. Favorite sandwich? Philly Cheese Steak from Vito's (a street vendor here)
11. Favorite item of clothing? jeans
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Spain, for Mike
13. Favorite brand of clothing? Eddie Bauer (they have tall skirts & pants)
14. Where would you retire to? Someplace close to our kids
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? We spent my 34th birthday at Disneyland
16. Favorite sport to watch? Synchronized swimming
17. When is your birthday? March 26th
18. Are you a morning person or a night person? Kind of both -- therein lies the problem.
19. What is your shoe size? 10.5
20. Pets? I just killed our only pet.
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? My older sister is pregnant!
22. What did you want to be when you were little? An airline stewardess
23. How are you today? Great.
24. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
25. What is your favorite flower? Gerber daisy
26. What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? 12/25
27. What are you listening to right now? music from my blog
28. What was the last thing you ate? Homemade tomato soup
29. Do you wish on stars? Not really.
30. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Crimson red
31. How is the weather right now? Cold but clear
32. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My mom.
33. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke, no contest
34. Favorite restaurant? Paradise Bakery
35. Your hair color? Dark brown with some red highlights
36. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies
37. Summer or winter? Winter (skiing, Christmas ....)
38. Hugs or kisses? Kisses
39. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
40. Coffee or tea? neither
41. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday (but it had been awhile before that)
42. What is under your bed? dust bunnies
43. What did you do last night? Went to 2 late movies with fellow Twilighters
44. What are you afraid of? Something happening to my kids
45. Salty or sweet? Both. Together.
46. How many keys on your key ring? 4
47. How many years at your current job? 10 years and 40 days. That's when I first became a mother.
48. Favorite day of the week? Friday
49. How many towns have you lived in? 10
50. Do you make friends easily? Yes
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, hands down.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Twilight (I won't admit to how many times I've seen it)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Lost.
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? cold cereal of any variety
6. What is your middle name? Dawn
7. What food do you dislike? Cottage cheese
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? James Taylor Christmas
9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Expedition
10. Favorite sandwich? Philly Cheese Steak from Vito's (a street vendor here)
11. Favorite item of clothing? jeans
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Spain, for Mike
13. Favorite brand of clothing? Eddie Bauer (they have tall skirts & pants)
14. Where would you retire to? Someplace close to our kids
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? We spent my 34th birthday at Disneyland
16. Favorite sport to watch? Synchronized swimming
17. When is your birthday? March 26th
18. Are you a morning person or a night person? Kind of both -- therein lies the problem.
19. What is your shoe size? 10.5
20. Pets? I just killed our only pet.
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? My older sister is pregnant!
22. What did you want to be when you were little? An airline stewardess
23. How are you today? Great.
24. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
25. What is your favorite flower? Gerber daisy
26. What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? 12/25
27. What are you listening to right now? music from my blog
28. What was the last thing you ate? Homemade tomato soup
29. Do you wish on stars? Not really.
30. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Crimson red
31. How is the weather right now? Cold but clear
32. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My mom.
33. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke, no contest
34. Favorite restaurant? Paradise Bakery
35. Your hair color? Dark brown with some red highlights
36. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies
37. Summer or winter? Winter (skiing, Christmas ....)
38. Hugs or kisses? Kisses
39. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
40. Coffee or tea? neither
41. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday (but it had been awhile before that)
42. What is under your bed? dust bunnies
43. What did you do last night? Went to 2 late movies with fellow Twilighters
44. What are you afraid of? Something happening to my kids
45. Salty or sweet? Both. Together.
46. How many keys on your key ring? 4
47. How many years at your current job? 10 years and 40 days. That's when I first became a mother.
48. Favorite day of the week? Friday
49. How many towns have you lived in? 10
50. Do you make friends easily? Yes
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tribute to Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
By Special Guest-blogger Mike
A great man passed away last night.
Elder Joseph Wirthlin died peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City at the age of 91. Elder Wirthlin was an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve in the LDS Church, which is the highest Quorum in our Church.
Misty and I first met Elder Wirthlin while we were attending the University of Utah. I was serving in a bishopric with his son-in-law, Dan McConkie. Elder Wirthlin liked to attend church with his daughter and on a few occasions, when he was not on assignment in other parts of the world, he came by our worship services. On one such time, I was asked to give the closing prayer at the end of the service. When I finished the prayer and started to walk away from the pulpit, Elder Wirthlin stopped me. I waited for what I was sure to be some word of counsel--a nugget of wisdom regarding the eternities. He inspected me closely and appeared to be looking deeply into my soul.
"You look like you are a great football player!" he said breaking into a grin. "I would have loved to follow a big blocking back like you leading the charge."
I know it sounds funny, but part of the kinship I felt with Elder Wirthlin was because I share his great love for the University of Utah, and especially its football team. He was nicknamed "speedy" while playing running back for the Runnin' Utes. His most notable achievement as a football player was a kickoff return for a touchdown against Colorado at Boulder in 1936.
Elder Wirthlin sometimes traveled with the Utah football team on road games, even when he was well into his 80s. 
Former Ute Coach Urban Meyer loved Elder Wirthlin, and invited him to stop by Ute practices to give the team a "pep talk."
Occasionally, well-meaning members of the LDS church have questioned my devotion to the Church, or suggested that I have deep issues because I love the Utah Football team and cheer for it over the team from the Church owned school, BYU. For me, a good response has been: "Well, I suppose I suffer from the same deep issues that plague Elder Wirthlin."
Over the years, Elder Wirthlin has taught thousands of sermons. In my mind, one of his best was called "Sunday Will Come." After describing the agony Christ suffered on the cross late in the day on a Friday, Elder Wirthlin explained that two days later, on Sunday, all was made well through the resurrection.
A great man passed away last night.Elder Joseph Wirthlin died peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City at the age of 91. Elder Wirthlin was an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve in the LDS Church, which is the highest Quorum in our Church.
Misty and I first met Elder Wirthlin while we were attending the University of Utah. I was serving in a bishopric with his son-in-law, Dan McConkie. Elder Wirthlin liked to attend church with his daughter and on a few occasions, when he was not on assignment in other parts of the world, he came by our worship services. On one such time, I was asked to give the closing prayer at the end of the service. When I finished the prayer and started to walk away from the pulpit, Elder Wirthlin stopped me. I waited for what I was sure to be some word of counsel--a nugget of wisdom regarding the eternities. He inspected me closely and appeared to be looking deeply into my soul.
"You look like you are a great football player!" he said breaking into a grin. "I would have loved to follow a big blocking back like you leading the charge."
I know it sounds funny, but part of the kinship I felt with Elder Wirthlin was because I share his great love for the University of Utah, and especially its football team. He was nicknamed "speedy" while playing running back for the Runnin' Utes. His most notable achievement as a football player was a kickoff return for a touchdown against Colorado at Boulder in 1936.
Elder Wirthlin sometimes traveled with the Utah football team on road games, even when he was well into his 80s. Former Ute Coach Urban Meyer loved Elder Wirthlin, and invited him to stop by Ute practices to give the team a "pep talk." Occasionally, well-meaning members of the LDS church have questioned my devotion to the Church, or suggested that I have deep issues because I love the Utah Football team and cheer for it over the team from the Church owned school, BYU. For me, a good response has been: "Well, I suppose I suffer from the same deep issues that plague Elder Wirthlin."Over the years, Elder Wirthlin has taught thousands of sermons. In my mind, one of his best was called "Sunday Will Come." After describing the agony Christ suffered on the cross late in the day on a Friday, Elder Wirthlin explained that two days later, on Sunday, all was made well through the resurrection.
Elder Wirthlin concluded, "Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come."
We're looking forward to Sunday, Elder Wirthlin.
We're looking forward to Sunday, Elder Wirthlin.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Dead fish
It was a sad day at our house last weekend. Our one pet, a beta fish that the kids named Prince Blueberry, finally died. The worst part is that I killed it. Let me explain ...
A fish was as much commitment as I was willing to make for a pet, so the kids relished in the fact that they even had a pet at all. Haley was pretty good about feeding it but I was usually the one who had to scoop the thing out of his smelly water to clean the bowl every so often. Not a job I enjoyed, necessarily. And who wants a smelly fish bowl on your kitchen counter, anyway? I wasn't overly fond of the thing -- can you tell?
On the morning of the "murder," I scooped the fish out with a measuring cup and put him in the sink so I could change its water. Just then, I looked at the clock and realized we needed to be heading out the door for school. So I left the fish in his measuring cup and thought I'd finish the job when I got back. But, of course, I forgot. About 3 hours later, I saw a dark thing lying in the sink and wondered, "What is that?" I picked it up (eeewwwww!) and screamed when I realized what it was. I practically threw him back into the measuring cup and waited to see him float to the top ... but he started swimming again. Seriously! I was so relieved that I wouldn't have to admit my part in his death to my kids. I cleaned the fishbowl, put the fishy back in and thought I had dodged a bullet. That night, however, Prince Blueberry bit the dust. (Instead of floating to the top, he sunk to the bottom. Who knew?)
I broke the news as gently as I could to the kids, but weeping and wailing ensued anyway. Paige was especially upset and sobbed while having the following discussion:
Paige: "But there isn't any water in heaven! He won't be able to swim!"
Me: "Oh honey, there is definitely water in heaven. Prince Blueberry will be able to swim all day long."
Paige: "But there isn't any fish food there!"
Haley: "Beta fish eat other fish, remember? He can eat those for dinner."
Paige: "But then a bigger fish will eat him!!!" (sobbing, sobbing ...)
Haley finally gave up trying to convince Paige that the fish would be fine. And you know what? My kids are still unaware of my part in his death. Does that make me a bad mommy?
A fish was as much commitment as I was willing to make for a pet, so the kids relished in the fact that they even had a pet at all. Haley was pretty good about feeding it but I was usually the one who had to scoop the thing out of his smelly water to clean the bowl every so often. Not a job I enjoyed, necessarily. And who wants a smelly fish bowl on your kitchen counter, anyway? I wasn't overly fond of the thing -- can you tell?
On the morning of the "murder," I scooped the fish out with a measuring cup and put him in the sink so I could change its water. Just then, I looked at the clock and realized we needed to be heading out the door for school. So I left the fish in his measuring cup and thought I'd finish the job when I got back. But, of course, I forgot. About 3 hours later, I saw a dark thing lying in the sink and wondered, "What is that?" I picked it up (eeewwwww!) and screamed when I realized what it was. I practically threw him back into the measuring cup and waited to see him float to the top ... but he started swimming again. Seriously! I was so relieved that I wouldn't have to admit my part in his death to my kids. I cleaned the fishbowl, put the fishy back in and thought I had dodged a bullet. That night, however, Prince Blueberry bit the dust. (Instead of floating to the top, he sunk to the bottom. Who knew?)
I broke the news as gently as I could to the kids, but weeping and wailing ensued anyway. Paige was especially upset and sobbed while having the following discussion:
Paige: "But there isn't any water in heaven! He won't be able to swim!"
Me: "Oh honey, there is definitely water in heaven. Prince Blueberry will be able to swim all day long."
Paige: "But there isn't any fish food there!"
Haley: "Beta fish eat other fish, remember? He can eat those for dinner."
Paige: "But then a bigger fish will eat him!!!" (sobbing, sobbing ...)
Haley finally gave up trying to convince Paige that the fish would be fine. And you know what? My kids are still unaware of my part in his death. Does that make me a bad mommy?
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