December 31

Happy New Year!

December 30

Waiting in line to enter Disneyland.

Ready to go in to Pirates of the Caribbean. Yes, the guy behind us was a dork. He never stopped talking through the whole ride.

The beautiful tree at California Adventure park.

A Photo of our California Screamin' ride. Everyone loved it but me, as you can see by our faces. Becca and Nick were in heaven. Rod kept saying I love it, I love it. I was just holding on for dear life and hoped I would not barf when I got off. I just don't do loops well.

December 29

When we arrived in CA, we went straight to the beach. This was a "dog" beach in Huntington Beach, and there were tons of dogs frolicking in the waves. We enjoyed watching the dogs. The sun was setting, making long shadows and golden light.


Becca enjoyed her camera and took some really great pictures.

I loved this scene. The sun went down just seconds after I snapped this oil rig.

December 28

This is what Nick and Becca looked like as we drove to CA.

December 27

Rod made a rain barrell. He watched utube videos to learn how. He was very excited about this project. He plans to water our tomato plants with rain water collected.

December 26

Got a spiffy new mail box

Mary Did You Know

December 23

Wisemen still seek Him - one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

December 22

Adding to our storage.

December 21

Silent night...

December 20

Bye, kids. Have fun!

December 19

Tonight we went to a Christmas party where they played the "white elephant" game. I had Rod stop by Home Depot and pick up a $5.00 toilet seat. As I was seaching for a picture of a toilet seat on the internet for this post, I found one that was over $1000 (the bottom one). I mean really, people - who wants to sit on a $1000+ toilet seat!!!

Anyway, the point of the story: our white elephant gift idea was a HUGE hit at the party. I enclosed this poem that I wrote with instructions to read it after the gift was opened. The poor guy that ended up opening the gift and reading the poem kept saying "I don't know if I can do this!" and he was just laughing so hard! People were all asking for a copy of it. I did not admit that I was the author, but just smiled and laughed with everyone else. It was so fun to see people get such a good laugh! Here is the poem:



The Week Before Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the room,
There were goodies and candies and food to consume.

I drank and I ate ‘til I thought I would pop.
Then I ate and drank more and I just couldn’t stop!

So I went to my bed to try sleeping a bit,
But my stomach was hurting; it just would not quit.

It growled and churned and then it did rumble.
I rolled out of bed, to the hall I did stumble.

I ran like the wind - to the bathroom I flew.
I switched on the light - it was then that I knew;

I’d eaten too much. I knew I would barf.
It was all my own fault – too much food I did scarf.

It happened so fast that I could barely think.
Should I try for the john, or just use the sink?

I did not know which of my ends to use first.
So I sat with a trash can expecting the worst.

It wasn’t much fun. I hate being sick,
Especially the week we’re expecting St. Nick!

I learned my lesson and have slowed down the eating.
So I leave you now with my own little greeting:

If you don’t learn from my story and too much you do eat,
At least you’ll have comfort with your new toilet seat.

December 18

We had Christmas Dinner tonight before Nick and Becca leave on Saturday. Allen and Ashley came over,too. Ash made this amazing chocolate dessert. We read the Christmas story in Luke 2 and opened all our presents. It's not about the date - it's about what is in Luke 2 and about families, that's for sure!

December 17

Packing up missionary boxes for KC and Jordan. We love our Elders and hope they have a Merry Christmas. It is hard for them to be away from their families!

December 16

Studying for finals with a treat from Starbucks.

December 15

Damn!

December 14

Tonight I played my Christmas music. I felt really good. I haven't played for a long time!

December 13

Special K Candy, a special Christmas treat!

December 12

Centennial High School won the state championship football game tonight! Go Coyotes! Becca has enjoyed going to Centennial. This is the third year in a row they have won state for Football.

December 11

M-m-m-m-m! I love this stuff. I like it mixed with ginger ale or sprite. It is also good mixed with milk. How do you like yours? Sometimes I get brave and drink it straight, but it is just so rich!

December 10

Can you believe how much trash we produce?? Sometimes it just makes me sick. I feel like the trash is eternally full, but I promise, we do empty it, and often!! We even recycle...

December 9

Got to go to Becca's chorus concert tonight. Can't believe she is in high school and doing this stuff! What happened to my little Doobee?

December 8

My niece, Heidi, had this on her blog. I liked it, so I took the quiz. this is my result:

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

December 7

Hot Chocolate!

December 6

We had our ward Christmas breakfast this morning. I got to see Santa Clause! I have always LOVED Santa!

December 5

I love seeing the flag fly over our school. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

December 4

December Birthday Visits for Relief Society. We made 23 Snowman soup mugs. We delivered 11 tonight and will do the rest next week. It is fun to make the birthday visits!

December 3

I am missing this little girl today. We went to the park Monday afternoon before she had to go back to Utah. It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun playing.

December 2

I have always loved this nativity scene.

December 1

Thanks for helping decorate the Christmas tree, Ava! It was so much fun to have you here. I was very sad to drop you and your mom off at the airport tonight!

November 30

Remember the toe accident yesterday? This is what my toe looked like when I went to bed last night. It was throbbing and I was glad to get off my feet. I really think I broke it...

Well, it was worse this morning. I painted my toe nails anticipating wearing some strappy sandals rather than shoes cause there is no way I can wear shoes. They just hurt too bad. Well, when I put on the strappy sandals, they hurt, too. I had to end up wear a stinky old pair of sandals with no heels and walk (limp) very carefully. I had to speak in church today, and it hurt to have any kind of shoe on, even the sandal. So I explained to the bishop what I had done to myself and asked if it was alright if I gave my talk barefoot because the shoes just hurt too much. No one sitting out there even knew, but I did give my talk barefoot! I just wonder what I am going to do tomorrow about work and shoes... I may have to wear stinky old sandals and not walk around too much!

Pretty, huh?

November 29

Time to get out the Christmas Decorations. I love putting up the tree right after Thanksgiving and getting out all the decorations. These are the little snowmen I call my "Joy Boys." This year I put them up above the doorway to the family room. I was standing on a chair, and was placing Mr. J. in his spot. He slipped off and fell, landing right on my baby toe. Let me tell you, that hurt so bad!!! I was doing a war dance for sure. I went about the rest of the day in a lot of pain. Had shopping to do, and lights to hang. You know how it is. You just go and do anyway.

November 28 - Black Friday

Julie wanted to try roller blading. Becca offered support.

She was a little nervous...Nick is showing her how to skateboard.

This is what I got to listen to as I was going to bed:

We had a really great day. Did go shopping - never again on Black Friday! It was a good night to go to the movies, though. Becca, Julie & Ava went to 4 Christmases. Nick, Rod and I went to the 007 movie. I fell asleep... wish I would have gone with the girls. Oh, well.

November 27

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This is how you put stuffing in the turkey...


Look mom... no hands!

November 26

I know I already posted for today, but it was an eventful day, and each event bears remembering: Allen dropped in - Ava was fascinated with is uniform and equipment. He spent some time and explained the handcuffs to her. She was so interested in all detention officer stuff. She asked him if he worked for a policeman.

Becca and her friends were hanging out. They are such cute girls!

Becca and McKaela traded clothes. For some reason they thought this was something of note. I am glad Becca has good friends. I think I will call them "the Three Stooges."

I picked up Julie and Ava from the airport tonight. After Becca's friends went home, Julie paid her to rub her feet. Oh, brother!