Christmas Traditions

My family is big on Christmas tradition and don't like to mix it up much - ask any brother-in-law. Christmas Eve is the 'big night' when we all get together and have a turkey or ham dinner and invite a family over. Now that our family has gotten so big, we don't have other families over as often. Then we all gather around the tree and read a christmas story and the kids open one present.

Growning up, on Christmas morning we were not allowed to go downstairs and open presents until we were all gathered on the stairs and mom would take a picture of us...which typically consisted of mom and dad arguing about something for 10 minutes before the picture was taken. (I apologize to all involved about this picture, but keep in mind, it's not as bad as the other gems I could have chosen...also, I look the worst, check out my mullet). This year, it was just me and Nicole. Notice Nicole's devil horns - maybe she was confused and thought it was Satan's birthday.
This is the first year that Noelle has not been here for Christmas. Needless to say, it was a little rough on both of us. She opened a few presents before they left for American Falls. Here's Josie helping Noelle.
Then on Christmas day, we don't really do much. We play with our new 'toys', which in my case, was an iPod Touch (which conviently had a defect so I couldn't do anything with it anyway, I went to exchange it at Costco, and of course, they were out of all of their iPods) then in the evening everyone comes over and we open the presents under the tree. Most years some of us go to a movie. Sinny(mom) and I went to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button...or in Sinny's case, The Curious 'Life' of Benjamin Button. I really liked it.

The Dangly

Ok, so nothing has really been going on lately. I was sick all November with a chest cold and was finally feeling better, but now suddenly I've got a head cold. I feel like maybe my immune isn't working, maybe I have AIDS or something. Anyway, I was thinking, what should I get Nicole for Christmas. Nicole has many interests: Movies, pop verisons of Disney songs, the cats, and 'danglies' (just like how it sounds. It's truely an art form and Nicole is a pro, refer to an earlier post of Nicole dangling in live action). It all started with Scroungy. At one point, mom had hung him over the back porch light to dry and in the process, burned off a limb. He eventually went MIA.

There have been many over the years: Simba, Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, Pinky...and most recently - Bluey. Call me crazy, but maybe it's time for Bluey to retire.

Birthday

We won't mention my age, but I had a birthday this week. All my sisters, except for Steph (because she lives in beautiful Pocatello) took me to the Jim Brickman Christmas concert on Tuesday night. We went Olive Garden before the show, which is always yummy. Originally, Kirk was going to go but ended up scheduling a work trip at the same time...so poor Ross had to tag along as the only guy. And then at the concert, Josie kept crying so Noelle had to sit on the side, and then Laura ran to the restroom right before the concert started and got back right after the lights went down and they wouldn't let her back to her seat until intermission. So it was just me, Ross and Danielle for half the concert. At one point, Ross looked at Danielle and I with an almost painful look on his face asking where Laura was. I know he just wanted to be at home watching a game. Sorry Ross. Anyway, it was a fun night. Thanks guys!

Then yesterday, Candice came to my office with my favorite homemade oreo cookies and a homemade present. So that's why she was taking pictures in my car with all my pairs of glasses. Thanks Candice! It's on my wall, Biotch.

Ca-raaaazy

This is long, so, prepare yourself...This weekend was JAM PACKED. Candice and I have been planning on going to SLC to see Coldplay for a while now, and it just so happened that Twilight came out on the same weekend. We were going to stay at Steph's house in Pokey so I purchased tickets for Twilight on Oct. 31st for the Friday night showing in Pocatello for the three of us, along with Marlee and her friend Sheridan. All day Thursday I kept thinking I really wanna go to the midnight showing. So when Candice called, she said her sister wanted to go to the midnight showing too. Then mom caught wind, and had to come along. Steph was so bugged that I was going, she couldn't resist, and ended up going with Marlee and Sheridan in Pokey. I've never gone to a midnight showing before, and yowza, it was an experience.

Then Candice and I went to Pocatello on Friday and we all went to Twilight on Friday night, and it was insane again. I really liked the movie, I thought for the budget they had, they did a really good job. There were scenes that I felt were crucial to the story, that were scapped, but otherwise, I loved it. When Robert Pattinson was cast, I was not thrilled, but he'd kinda grown on me over the last year...and as Candice said about his version of Edward, "I would totally make out with him".

Then yesterday, Candice and I went down to the Coldplay concert in SLC with Kirk and Danielle. Candice was a little bored on drive down and look pictures of herself wearing each of my 8 pairs of sunglasses, this was slightly disturbing:

Saturday morning Candice informed me that my hair was going to be curled. I usually straighten it so she and Marlee had to curl it for me. I kinda liked it. Now I just need to learn how to curl it myself.

The concert was awesome! They're really good live, Chris Martin's a funny dude. Candice made her own Coldplay jacket from scratch and wore it to the show. After the concert, we were walking around the venue and people kept staring at her thinking Chris Martin had given her the jacket, it was hilarious. Some people came up and asked if he gave it to her or where they could find one. A couple girls even put it on to take pictures in it.

Then, I discovered No Doubt are planning a tour for 2009. HOLY CRAP!

Thanks Candice for coming and Steph for letting us stay at your house, yet again.

*Cough*

I've had a gross chest cold for a week and a half now. My voice has sounded horrible for 6 days and counting. Last Thursday Dr. Buhrley told me I wasn't allowed to assist, so I had Noelle come in and help. All I wanted to do was nothing over the weekend, but no, I had to go to Pokey for Lincoln's blessing. He's cute so I forgive him.

I sounded kinda like Sophia Bush - Brooke from One Tree Hill. So Russ, being the OTH fan that he is, had me say a string of OTH phrases: "I'm B. Davis", "P. Sawyer", "Tree Hill Ravens", "Clothes Over Bros", "I want a Mexican old lady baby", "my mom had me beaten up at my own store".

In case you don't know what Sophia Bush sounds like, here's an example:

Playlist

I'm sure many of you pause or mute my playlist when you check my blog, I often do that when I visit other blogs. But if you don't, don't be surprised if you hear Chirstmas music, you're not being punk'd.

For me, this is not early. When I was a kid, I would start listening to Christmas music in October. Of course, back then, we had one CD player and that was in the family room. So I'd have to curl up on the couch and listen to it on a Saturday afternoon when no one was watching TV. Now, I can Ipod it up and no one's the wiser.

One of my favorites is this hearbreaking ballad. Don't lie, we all love it. We can't help it. Apparently, Christmas brings out the gay in all of us (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I Got Mail

Initially, I was excited because I got a card in the mail - then I opened it, and was even more excited...

Inside:

...I love you too, Candice.

Blood & Teagalicous

Yesterday was Teagan's 6th Birthday. With Steph's family living in Pocatello, I had to call him to wish him a Happy Birthday. I got him on the phone with promises of a Walmart trip next time I see him. Then I jokingly asked if he wanted me to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him over the phone. To my horror, he said 'yes'. This is not like Teagan, so I asked again, thinking maybe I was mistaken - apparently not.

Then today I went to the local Red Cross and gave blood. If you've ever given blood, you know about all those questions they ask before you donate. Some of them are pretty ridiculous, but my favorite question is - Have you ever been given money or goods in exchange for sex? Better question - Who hasn't?

This picture is for Noelle's benefit. Does it give you the weebs Noelle?

I Said, We!

Not much has been going on. Work, home, practice 'The Office' theme on the piano, work, home. Yesterday though, Noelle, Josie and I were bored so we went to the mall and spotted 'Future Old Man Dwight'.

Later we went to Carino's(which I call "Johnny's", I refuse to conform) to meet Candice for dinner. On the way there it started snowing. Really? In October? Bug. But whatever, Johnny's was good. But if you go there, be advised, don't be duped into getting their $2 mini dessert, it was literally the size of a quarter.

Then Candice and I went to see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I loved it, which is no surprise, but even Candice liked it.

And this is for Candice: "I said, WE!" 10 points to anyone who can guess where that line is from.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY Steph and Danielle! I thought about being mean and posting a sweet gem from your junior high years, but I found this one of 'Kiya and Chase' and thought it would be nicer of me to post it instead.

TP and Wasps

I was in Pokey this last weekend while my office was in San Diego. Steph needed help, what do you do? There was a lot of driving kids around and trying to keep them occupied while Laura took pictures of Lincoln.

Late Saturday night I was downstairs watching The Office and the doorbell rang. I opened the door and there was a BUTTLOAD of toilet paper everywhere. I was bugged. I called Marlee and told here to come home. She did and brought some friends to help clean it up. She knew who did it and she called to tell them to come over and help clean it up. They were being rude so I grabbed the phone and yelled at them. I may have over-reacted but I was bugged. Anyway, they cleaned it up.

Then yesterday just before I left, I was helping Laura pack her car and I heard a buzz in my ear and a sharp pain followed by my ear burning. Now my ear is all red and swollen(that's what she said) but no really, it is. Here is the culprit. He left his stinger, hope he died.

Oh Joy

First of all, Steph had Lincoln last week, I'm in Pocatello helping her out. I don't know how much I'm really helping, but I'm here. He's a cute little guy, he looks a lot like Teagan, I call him Teagan Version 2.0.

Now comes the good news. I got this little gem in the mail yesterday.


BUG. I've been summoned before but I was only on standby, I never actually had to go in. Noelle, mom, and dad have all had to go in to be prospective jurors but weren't picked. Danielle on the other hand, was selected and had to serve 3 weeks - on a boring trial, which ended up settling. She tried to use the excuse that she was selling a house or something, needless to say...that didn't work. If I have to go to the courthouse, I think the key will be to keep my mouth shut and pray they don't pick me.

Josie's First Costco Trip

Today was a big day for Josie. She tagged along with Noelle and I for her first of many trips to Costco. If you know my family, you know we love the Costco. You can see how ecstatic she is.


We got there around 3:30 - prime sample time. They had bacon and egg english muffins, bowtie pasta with chicken, 7 layer dip and chips, johnsonville brats, chicken tenders, and super yummy pumpkin and carmel pecan bread. They had some kind of potato chips too, but they were gross - Noelle tried to pawn them off on Josie.

Another Fall - Another season

The weather is getting cooler (sorta) and the smell of fall is in the air (not really). What does this all mean? Well it means that it's the start of another TV season. Come on, as if I'm the only one excited here (in fact, I know I'm not). Finally a full season of our fave shows after we all got gipped after least year's writer's strike. There are so many good shows to choose from, and here in lies my dilemma. What to watch, what to DVR, and what to download.

Noelle Birthed Josie

Other then Noelle birthing her baby(that's for Natalie), not much has been going on. I was able to get off work about the time Josie was born so I could get to the hospital 10 minutes later. But now the poor kid has jaundice, and has been dubbed "Jaundice Josie" by her own father. Nice Russ, she's gonna have a complex at 5 days old. So I'm sure everyone has seen the pictures on Laura's blog, but, here's one of my faves.

Stanley, yet again.

Well last weekend I went up to Stanley to hang out with my cousins on my mom's side, who I hadn't seen in a while. On Friday, I went fishing with Ho(Joe). He cracks me up, he's like, the male version of Noelle, but weirder. Then we played NERTS until 2AM. Saturday I went fishing with Ho and his wife Ellen. We went up the Yankee Fork of the Salmon. Ho's second cast he caught a 15 in. Bull Trout, which are illegal to keep, so we threw it back. The next cast he had a salmon on, which like, never happens. But sadly, it ripped the line. Ho was upset -

We had tons of bites but we just couldn't land many fish. It was frusterating.

I came back home on Saturday night, in case Noelle had her baby. Josie is still in Noelle's belly. Bug. I push on her stomach but she won't budge. Well hopefully this weekend.

Oh, LARP

Ok so, a week and a half ago we went to the big Pond family reunion in Stanley. It was really cool seeing all the cousins after so many years. What I found interesting was that I thought everyone was camping, yet, maybe only 1/3 of us actually camped. Interesting. And somehow, I ended up in my tent with 5 kids, with certain kids refusing to sleep next to others. Also interesting.

I don't have any pics, so, if you want to see some, go to Laura's Blog.

Now on with the LARPing. I went to my parents ward picnic tonight with Russ and Noelle. There were maybe 70+ people that showed up. Shortly after we arrived, another small group of 7 or 8 people arrived. Three of which proceeded to put on armor...uh, yeah, that's right, you heard me. armor. And this is when I learned about LARPing - Live Action Role Playing. Yes, they are actually sword fighting. Luckily, I had my phone with me - Yowza.

Lagoon, Fishing and Breaking Freaking Dawn

Last weekend after Steph's kids spent the week in Boise, I took them back home to Pokafello, then down to Lagoon. Laura and Ross, and Kirk and Danielle were there aswell, with their families. Steph's kids had never been to Lagoon, which is shocking since they live only an hour and a half away, and they liked it better than Disneyland. Anyway, it was HOT but fun - we were there for 11 hours. The kids loved Colossus and I forced them to go on Wicked which goes straight up, then 180 degrees straight down. Even Faith, Teagan and Bo went on it. Here are Chase, Mase and Cole in front of Colossus(now called Fire Dragon - and yes, these are the same pics Laura had on her page).

The kid version of 'Blast Off'.

This last Friday I was about ready to leave to go to the Middle Fork of the Salmon and Stanley to go fishing for the day and Russ decided he was so bored that he wanted to tag along. He lost 4 flies within the first 1/2 hr of fishing. But anyway, it was a really nice day and the fishing was alright. I did catch this snake though. Russ wouldn't get near it.
We went to Stanley and fished on Valley Creek. We found this dead 'fish' on the side of the creek...it looks like some prehistoric saltwater fish, what the hell is it? If anyone know, please tell me.
Russ was bugged that the fishing suddenly started to suck.

And I just have to mention this...I went to Costco on Saturday an hour after they opened, and more then 1/2 the books were gone. I'm about 300 pages in, and so far it's probably my favorite.