Christmas

I'm at my parents' house and am not sure how to upload my pictures to this computer, so I won't even try.  Besides, I've only taken about 10.  That's not very good seeing how we're starting our second week here in Arizona.  

I've been a little self-absorbed...coughing up my lungs, a nose running like mad, and a throat that I just want to rip out completely.  This is my longest sickness in my entire thirty-year life.  Today is finally better.  I almost sound like myself.  I can swallow and not feel it in my ears, so I think that's good news.

In spite of me feeling sorry for myself, we've had a wonderful time.  My entire family was here.  That would be ten kids, ten spouses, eighteen grandkids, and two parents.  If you were counting, that's forty people in my immediate family.  You can only imagine how family pictures went last week.  I'll be shocked if they find even one picture with everyone looking at the camera.  Christmas Eve was like a scene from Home Alone.  Everyone running around like crazy - sounds like screaming even though no one really is.  It was fun.  We just videotape and smile.  Gavin is still so little that we don't have to worry about him running around.  He found the quietest spot to sleep...in my parents' closet.  

Brian and I were quarantined at the beginning of our stay because of our cooties.  We stayed at my grandpa's house--he passed away last month.  It was fun to have a space to ourselves and to look around his house for all of the old things I remember.  And for anyone who can appreciate Arizona things, we've eaten at Matta's twice, Bahama Bucks, and Pei Wei.  Yum.  I've had a fun time shopping and am actually finding many cute things.  I'm doing my own What Not to Wear with myself and really trying to step it up a bit.  Thanks to my sisters for stepping in and helping me try to be hip and fashionable.  I know that's a hard job when you're dealing with pajama girl here.  However, if you can still get me on the show, I'll pull out some doozy teacher outfits for the two weeks of secret footage (repulsive!) and give you a prize of your very own.  

I've never played Rock Band but that was also a highlight of the trip.  Put the kids to bed and watch the adults go...it was hysterical.  I even busted out a deep-throated version of You Oughta Know.  Brian sang American Woman and worried that my family may judge him on his less-than-stellar guitar performance.  He felt so much pressure!  :)  I need to find someone with pictures of that.  (Family - can you help?)  I just love my fam and am grateful to have a minute to visit and catch up.  Being the only one in Utah, sometimes I feel out of the loop but then remember that other people aren't in the loop either (California, Texas, New York).  But still...

Brian had my dad touch up his Lasik in his left eye and will spend the rest of the time laying low.  I'll just take care of the two sweet boys I made sick, hang out with Gavin and visit with my sisters.  

Hope you have all had a fun holiday.  I feel lucky - I know not everyone gets the long break from work that I do.  Happy New Year's!  Maybe this year I'll stay awake until midnight!  

Little Cougar

The Big 3-0

That's right, I've finally arrived.  I know thirty isn't old, it just sounds...serious.  Last Wednesday was the big day and Brian had a lot of fun with it.  Whether it was me or not, he felt a little pressure to make it memorable for me.  He did a great job, and I'm sure he's glad it's over and went well.  

First I woke up to him making me breakfast.  Always cute since I am ALWAYS up before he is.  Thanks for the pancakes!  Mmmm..blueberry!  

As I got ready to leave for work, I found a wrapped gift on my carseat.  It was the sports bra that I've always wanted (seriously) and it directed me to look in the glovebox after I dropped Gavin off at the babysitter.  Once I dropped him off, the note led me to the place where he proposed (the little shed in the back of our old house) and on the nightstand there was a note from his dad.  I went into my first school and opened my computer to show someone a picture of my little boy and note from my mom fell out.  Too cute.  I opened up my planbook at my next school and, low and behold, another note!  This one from his mom.  Now you can see that I'm catching on.  I met Barbara and Michelle for lunch and they had a gift for me that Brian had given to them earlier - some frames that I had been wanting for Gavin's room.  As I was leaving Bajio, I called Brian to say thank you for everything (so far!) and he asked where I was headed next.  I told him I was going to be late to my next school and he reminded me, as he often does, not to get pulled over.  This is where things didn't go quite as he planned, but cute nonetheless.  He called me a few minutes later to see where I was and made up something else and hung up.  So I started looking around for him or someone because he had been a little too curious to see where I was.  I pulled into the school, still looking around, and found nothing.  I parked the car and then a cop pulled up behind me with his lights on.  Nice.  Illegal, I know, so we won't say anything about how he worked that out.  He gave me another note.  Then the secretaries from work called me and said that my boss needed to see me at the district office.  I, of course, did not believe this one bit.  What next?  I walked in and he had roses and daisies for me and yet another sweet note.  I called Brian to say thanks again.  We talked a lot that day.  He told me when I got home to look in the mailbox.  There was a note from my sister, Lynsey.  All very sweet notes that I will always hang on to.  Also, there was a riddle sending me to the Bit-o-Honey bin at Macey's.  Random!  I was digging through there, calling him in my frustration (he knows how I HATE riddles...just tell me the answer already!)  The note in the bin essentially said, "Good work, you did it!"  That's it???  Darn.  I was pulling out of the Macey's parking lot and there he was knocking on the driver's window.  He simply said hello and then when I asked him if I should do or look anywhere else, he told me to look under a cushion.  That's where the note from my dad was.  

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I would tell my 5th graders to never write this kind of travel long...and then...and then...and then...but, it's a long story.  

We went to Goodwood Barbeque for dinner and it was fun and personal and yummy food and free dessert!  The best kind!  

The last note was Brian's note on my nightstand.  The ending to the perfect day.  He is such a sweetheart.  Seriously.  He is so creative and fun and sneaky and I worry about living up to any fun things he does.  It was more fun than any huge blown-out birthday I've ever had.  I should start planning now for his 30th...I've got a year-and-a-half to think about it!  Any ideas??  

Baby Einstein

How do we feel about parking little babies in front of Baby Einstein?  I mean really, is he getting smarter?  Just being entertained?  Or giving me a break from holding his 20 pounds? Please tell me if I'm going to ruin my kid.  Otherwise, I'm just going to make him comfortable.  

Thanksgiving

Sometimes I am just downright proud of myself.  There's something about making PIE that makes you feel like a great cook.  Mother (my grandma) taught me how to make crust and after years and years, I think I am finally getting it.  I admit I've said some bad words over this crust...not this week though!

This is my mom's filling recipe.  Hershey bars...marshmallows...and heavy whipping cream.  In other words, it's fat free.  
The final product!
We've had a restful weekend cleaning, decorating, shopping, and sitting.  It's been nice to have a moment.  
Gavin tried my pie on Thanksgiving and ended up with this double chin.  
Here we go December!