Family Photos

Robert's very wonderful talented brother took some family photos on Christmas Day. We had so much fun. It has been a a year and a half sine our family was last photographed, since then things have changed a bit, so an update was well overdue. Here are just the few he sent me today. I will have lots more to post on Wednesday.

All of us

Courtney, McKenzie, & Carli

Siblings

Our little family

How time flies

I cannot believe 6 years ago today my husband asked me to marry him. It was one of the BEST moments of my life. It was totally unexpected. Here is the story, for those of you who haven't already heard it...

It was Christmas Eve and he wanted to give me my Christmas gift early. He took me to a park down the street from my parents house. We always sat on this one bench and it was here that he first told me he loved me. I opened the car glove box and inside was a wrapped small box. We walked out to "our bench", I opened the box and inside was.... diamond earrings. I was sad. I think I said something like, "Oh, um thanks." No enthusiasm. It was cold, so he suggested we walk back to the car. As we did he said, "Oh wait I forgot something." I turned back to see what the guy who gave me earrings and not a ring had forgotten, and there he was down on one knee with a ring in a box in his hand. I was SHOCKED! I said yes! I think he was relived to finally have it all over with. He designed my custom made ring and it took 4 attempts to get it perfect. Then he had it in his possession for two weeks before he asked me. The poor guy was a nervous wreck by the time it was all over with. Partially because I kept telling him I was going to move to Utah to find myself a husband because he was never going to ask me to marry him. (Yes I did say it and now I think I am an idiot. Thank you.) I am so grateful he asked and I said yes. Happy Anniversary my love!

Update on the puppies

Our puppies are getting so cute! They are 4 weeks old now. I could just sit and play with them all day long! Nothing would get done, but I would be very happy. :) If you know anyone who would like a sweet Yorkie pup let me know. We will be selling Sassy and Feisty. (You have to see them to understand their names.) Here are some pictures...

Top to bottom: Sassy, Feisty, and Maize

Sassy

Maize

Feisty

It is going to be really hard to get rid of them, but one dog is enough for us! Luckily my good friend Elaine is keeping Maize, that is why she has a normal name, so we will get to watch her grow up.

Holiday Eating Guide

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

What's in a face...

Joy to Everyone

A simply beautiful website put together to wish joy to everyone this Christmas. Check it out...

http://www.joytoeveryone.com/

Enjoy! Tell me what you think.

Bored at work....

Saw this on Cortney's Blog and thought it was kinda fun!

Copy the list and highlight the ones (mine are blue) that are true about you!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a Praying Mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21.Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Bought a house

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Talked your way out of a ticket

Twilight Review

I was so excited to go and finally see the movie. There were a lot of things I had pictured very differently. It made me wonder how much Stephanie was involved in the creative development of the movie. Maybe she didn't have a say in it at all. I'm not sure. It was good overall. The actors that played Bella, Esme, Emmett, and Jessica were my favorite! They did a fabulous job. They were just what I had pictured. Edward was more awkward than what I feel was developed in the book. He seemed so sure of himself and savvy. The movie did not do him justice. Now I want to go back and read Twilight again to refresh my memory about all the things I saw in the movie!