Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful and quiet Christmas. We stayed in town this year and spent Christmas Eve and Day enjoying the company of ourselves. While Mike and I admit we are quite boring, the kids are a joy to be around. We watched movies, played games and ate too much. I know as our children get too old too fast, our days of having just them around all day to spend time with are numbered. In less than 3 years Cody will be far away on his mission and Shellie will be 15 going on 21. We certainly do enjoy the time we have with them now and are blessed by their sweet spirits every day!

Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds! What a tear jerker-holy smokes. Went to the movies for "Girls Night Out" tonight with several of my favorite 'girls'. We were missing several of my other favorite "girls'. But it was still fun. Didn't make it to Cafe Rio with them =( just too busy today.
But back to the movie. It was so sad. I can't decide how much I like it. I think I do but who really likes movies that make you bawl like someone you know died? I mean I really cried, mascara running, tissues, the whole works. I know...crazy isn't it? Gees its just a movie!

Snow in Vegas!!

Yes- we are having a snow storm. Unbelievable. While my family has fun playing in it, taking pictures and building a huge snowman-I think to myself..............I really dont like the snow or the cold. Didnt I move from Idaho? Didnt I move to where the sun always shines and the weathers always warm? What the heck is going on today? I came home(which took 1+ hours instead of 20 minutes) and measured 5 inches(and still snowing) on my back fence. Who exactly was "dreaming of a white Christmas"? But I admit, it is nice to sit inside by the gas fireplace(used 1x in the last 3 yrs) with its fake logs and think brrrrr its cold outside and its so nice in here. And it is nice to look outside and see the white winter snow, the soft glow of Christmas lights & some jacka++ in a bathrobe smoking a cigar while empting his crapper into the citys sewer line............wait a minute......I think that's a movie. "The sh++er was full!" You just have to love cousin Eddie. Anyway enough about that great Christmas classic. Back to reality. Hope everyone is staying warm. The kids are taking a snow day tomorrow since the schools are closed due to the weather. I sure wish I had a snow day!

Christmas card photos

So you would not think it would be that hard to take a good Christmas card photo of a small family of four especially when the kids are older. Well, let me just tell you now-its not easy. First, only Shellie was the least bit excited. Second, we have been trying for about 2 weeks to find a spare minute to take one. Third, everyone but Cody needed to look at every picture after we took it to see how it turned out. Fourth, I am a perfectionist and had to move everyone around 10 times; tell Cody & Mike to change spots, sit up straight, not that straight, don't hunch over, move your right hand, no your other right hand, hold it right there, don't move, yada yada yada. Had to fix Shellies hair a few times, didn't like the poses, didn't like my smile, had our eyes closed, didn't like the light, etc. All the while we are using the self timer and doing this at 9pm on a friday in our living room after a very long week and Mike & I working 10 1/2 hours today. To say the least it was a fun family night! Cody went straight to bed afterwards(he had enough family fun). Shellie stayed around to have us snap for a few photos of her in front of the tree. I managed to get in a few with her just for fun. We even grabbed a few of Mike working the camera like a super model. We will be mailing the best we could get out on a card to everyone this week.........I am sure you just can't wait!

Home from Thanksgiving

We are home from our wonderful long 4 day holiday weekend. We had a great Thanksgiving in SLC. Spent the 4 days with Mikes family-eating, visiting, shopping, playing games, eating, playing Wii music, went to 3 movies, eating. Yes I meant to say eating 3 times!! We took the kids to see Bolt 3D and Madagascar. Marcy and I saw Twilight(yes again). I actually enjoyed it more since there were no squeeling teenagers in the theater with us this time.
My family has so much to be thankful for this year. We are very blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful family members. And we have so many more that we were not able to be with during this holiday. Some as far away as NC and GA and others alot closer. We love them and miss them all very much. We pray that we will all get together as a family again soon.

Mike striper fishing 11/22/08

Mike and Josh striper fishing 11/22

Watch as Mike films Josh catching his 14 lb striper!

Twilight Movie Time!!

OK OK OK I will admit it.......I am excited about the movie. Shellie and I and at least 1/2 the sisters in our ward are going to see Twilight at 9:30pm Friday night. I have been trying to be real mature about it. It is just a book. I am an adult. I am not a teenager. I am a grown woman with a real life and family. The characters are not real. Edward isn't real. Vampires are not real. It doesn't matter if I am Team Edward or Team Jacob. It is just a book. These are just a few things I keep telling myself when I get all silly and giggly!!!!!!!

Cody & Mike at YM Overnighter

I know everyone thinks Shellie & I are the only ones in this family so here are pix of Mike and Cody from this weekend.

HELP!

Ok-I just dont get this blogging. Everytime I change my layout(edit my HTML) it deletes all the links to my family and friends. What am I doing wrong? Help!