The Torch Has Been Passed

Growing up I had a tendency to make messes...to my credit it was usually an accident. Because of this my Dad started calling me Mess Cat. I am both happy and irritated to pass this name on - to my daughter. Saturday I found her in my bedroom with the door shut (a sure sign that there's trouble). There she was sitting on my floor with my makeup bag full of lipstick. She managed to pick out the contents of three full lipsticks, slather herself and clothes and then wipe the rest on my carpet. Arrrgghhh! Today I went to change my bedsheets and found the foot board of our bed with a lovely blue scribble across the whole thing. I ran into my bathroom to grab a towel when...gasp...the same blue scribbles all over the floor, wall and baseboards. Unfortunately I didn't document said messes but she will now and forever be called Mess Cat!

December Wedding

I love doing wedding flowers. God made such wonderful little creations in these beauties that you almost can't go wrong. The only down side of this wedding was that is was two days after Christmas. The bride-to-be was unsure of exactly what she wanted so when I suggested adding hot pink and dark red into her red, black & white color palette I start to get little nervous that when she actually saw them she wouldn't like it. She loved them which is so satisfying for me!

Bridal Bouquet

Thank You Santa!

7:00 - it's a time that I can deal with. In a few years it will creap to 6:00 and then 5:00 and before you know it I'll be pulling the same trick my dad did. One year, knowing full well we'd be up at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought, he told us we couldn't get up until 7:00, then after we were all in bed he changed all the clocks two hours so he could get some sleep. Good one Dad! Anyhow, we started our Christmas celebration at 7:00. Garrett was so excited and Rylee of course just follows Garrett's lead. We taped them coming into the family room and it's so cute to see them recognize the presents that were before them and they started to squeal and skip around in delight. They each took turns opening a present and I think Santa did a pretty good job this year. They were both happy with their gifts (even though Santa refused to buy Garrett a single dinosaur) and started to play right away. We had Jon's dad and brother over for breakfast and enjoyed visiting with them. Jon's youngest brother who is on his mission was calling at 1:00 so we just hung around the house and relaxed. My parents came over to see the kids and then Shellie came over when Jordan called. We got to talk to him for several hours and I didn't even leave the house until 4:00 - that's a new record for me. It was such a pleasant day and the kids now think that staying in their jammies the whole day is a new way of life. Much fun for all!

Rylee loved her new doll and stroller, blocks, books & clothes - but went right back to her puppy that she fell in love a couple weeks ago that Grandma Sue bought her.

Garrett got a remote control truck, nerf dart gun (a compromise for Jon and I since he wanted to get G a Red Ryder...he's only 4!!!), games, books, and a new church outfit.

For the past year Rylee has refused to let me put ANYTHING in her hair to distinguish that she is in fact a GIRL. In her stocking she found these clippies and now has to wear them ALL.

Garrett sneaking under the counter to scarf down a sugar cookie.

I had to take a picture of these cute chocolate mice that one of neighbors brought to us. Aren't they cute. I loved them! Creative people!

So begins 24 hours of Christmas Bliss!

It seems you put so much effort into Christmas preparations and then...poof...it's over before you have time to sit down and sip a little cider. This year was no different. Christmas Eve we went to my parents house with Alisa and her family, Ty (who flew in from Albequerque), and my mom in-law Shellie. We enjoyed a lovely dinner - except for the cheesy potatoes which I made, I'm so sorry about that I don't know what happened. Then came the traditional Nativity played by Kaisa (Mary), Thomas (Joseph), Garrett (cow) and Rylee (angel). With as few kids to participate and needing to fill "human" roles why would it surprise me that Garrett refused to be a shepherd or Wiseman? At least he didn't insist on being a dinosaur. Alek treated us to some beautiful piano pieces and Malin read Luke 2.

Finally came time for presents and my kids were thrilled. The anticipation of what's been behind Grandma's locked Christmas door would finally be revealed! Garrett was ecstatic with his new scooter


My mom has nicknamed Rylee as "Rylee Sober-sides". She's a rather pleasant child, it's just hard to get her to smile - so why should Christmas be any different? You'd think she was opening a pair of old socks or something.


Before bedtime we let them open one more present - Christmas Pajamas of course. Luckily, we're still at that stage where they are excited with new things to wear and anxious to put them on.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

We had such a fun day! Although this didn't include my children, I went to lunch with some friends from my old ward today and had a great time. A typical 5 minute drive to the restaurant took 15...so the roads were a little treacherous, but it was still worth it. After lunch my mom REALLY REALLY wanted to take the kids sledding at the park (she claims she'll stop sledding when she's 69). Fourty-five minutes of putting on snow gear we were ready to go. Garrett and Rylee were so excited and couldn't get there fast enough! They had a ball going down the big hills, having a snowball fight with the cousins, making snow angels and a snow fort.

Tonight Jon's dad, Gary, took us to the Brick Oven for dinner and it was so tasty! The kids actually behaved this time and we were able to have a good dinner and good conversation. The kids love their Papa and as soon as we got home wanted to be chased all over. Now, after such an adventureous day they are sleeping soundly and I will be too.

December Highlights - so far!

~ Going to lunch at Rumbi's with ward friends.

~ Girls overnighter in Park City.

~ Festival of Trees with Jon, kiddies and Shellie. They even had a USU tree!

~Taking Garrett and Rylee to meet Santa Claus at the North Hampton House. When I was little it was on Mary Pulley's Hill and it seemed like we waited anxiously in our cars for hours. Not so long now that I'm OLD!

~Went to the mall with my mom and kids. Again met Santa and got to sit on his lap. Rylee took a little convincing and still wasn't too sure about the old man with a big white beard.

~ My sister McCall and niece Brynlee come for a short visit. We have fun watching the kids love each other. Mom, Jon, McCall and I enjoy a yummy lunch at Cafe Rio - later that night my sisters, mom and I see Australia which was very good and mom surprises us with matching pj's to wear on Christmas Eve just like when we were little. Thanks Mommy!

~ On a Sunday drive, Jon and I take the kids to see the Holdman's Christmas light display. It's very cool - check out their website at: http://www.holdman.com/ for directions (it's moved since last year). Enjoyed watching Garrett's ear to ear grin and couldn't help remembering these are the best moments of Christmas.

~ Smith Family Christmas Party. 75 attendees. Great fun to visit with my aunts, uncles, cousins and watch the little ones take their turn at the pinata!

~At Talking Time, Garrett gets to meet Mrs. Claus and he gets a present!

~Mom and I bake dozens of spritz cookies and sugar cookies. The Swedish wreath spritz cookie was always a tradition at Grandma Barratt's and I look forward every year to making them with my mom.

~The director of the Utah Regional Ballet, Jackie Colledge, is in our ward and gave us tickets to the Nutcracker! HOORAY. I have always loved the Nutcracker so I was able to take Garrett, Mom, and Kaisa to see this favorite of mine. Garrett was so excited to get dressed up and go on a special date with mom. He sat on the edge of his seat and five minutes into it he leans over and says, "momma, I love this show". He grinned and clapped the whole way through.


~ Going to the temple with my family to do sealings for our family members has become a Christmas season tradition. Dinner afterwards is just icing on the cake.

~ Our neighbors saw Garrett standing on the curb watching them ride their four wheelers and so they brought one over and let Jon take the kids for rides. They had a blast and we nearly had to pry them from the machine. Nice neighbors - but now Jon thinks we need one.

~ Finally went Christmas shopping and got everything! Came home to find our sweet kids snuggled up in Garrett's bed. What a great way to end an evening!

A couple tags...

8's

8 shows I watch

1. ER

2. American Idol

3. news

4. Gilmore Girls (reruns)

5. What Not to Wear

6. Curious George

7. Dora and Diego

8. National Geographic's Really Wild Animals

8 Restaurants I Love

1. Flour Girls and Dough Boys

2. a new fav... Paradise Bakery

3. Cobblestone Pizzeria

4. Brick Oven

5. Cafe Rio

6. Bluebird in Logan (Amen, Amanda)

7. Ruby River

8. Golden Corral (just kidding..that was for you McCall) Okay, seriously, Tepanyaki

Now I'm hungry!

8 Things I've done today

1. Showered

2. swept the floors

3. watched 4 four year olds and 2 one year olds...and survived.

4. made green Christmas tree rice krispies for above children.

5. played Twister with above children

6. made several lunches

7. diffused a few fights

8. poured myself a glass of Dr. Pepper!

8 things I look forward to

1. Bedtime

2. Christmas shopping with hubby

3. Going to the movie with my mom and sisters tomorrow

4. Christmas!

5. Going on a date

6. New Year's Eve party

7. Getting new curtains

8. A real family vacation

8 things on my wish list

1. Slippers

2. A beautiful piece of artwork to put above my bed

3. A hot dinner on the table every night

4. A clean house

5. Good eaters

6. No grumpies during the holidays

7. laundry service for a year or forever

8. a new hair style

8 people I tag

1. anyone who hasn't already done it

4th picture in your 4th file...

In January I took Rylee to Houston to visit my sister McCall and her family. This is a picture of Brynlee (on the left) and Rylee just before heading out for our morning walk. Interestingly enough...McCall and Bryn are visiting us for a couple days right now. These cousins are loving their time together!

Bedtime Talk Part Deux

Prefacing this conversation: yesterday while playing in the treehouse at the mall, Garrett was kicked by a delinquent, where his parents were who knows. Anyhow, the kick has been at the top of all conversations since then.
Laying in bed next to Garrett...
G: That boy kicked me and he was mean.
Me: What can you do next time someone kicks you or is mean?
G: I will bite him.
M: We don't bite, that's not nice either. You should say, "STOP THAT HURTS".
G: I don't want to say that just "NO".
M: Okay, that will be good too.
G: I have an idea!
M: What is it.
G: I will draw them a picture with my markers. That will make them happy. Then I will give them a piece of tape to put it on their wall. They will say "thank you" and I will say "your welcome".

aaaaaahhhhh!!!

Bedtime Talk

Laying next to Garrett in his bed tonight...
G: Momma, you are heavy like a giant.
Dad walks in to say goodnight.
Mom: Do you want dad to lay by you?
G: No, I do not like him very much.
Dad: You don't like me?
G: No, you are just a daddy. You are not a mommy.

At least he redeemed himself a little!

Girls Night and a little more

Usually girls night is a few hours of dinner and chatting which I love and anticipate! This week girls night turned into girls "over"night for me, Amanda and Kris! What a fun 24 hours! Amanda and I headed up to Park City to meet Kris at her time share which was so nice. We went shopping to the outlets - I can't remember the last time I was able to go shopping and not worry about if my kids needed food, a diaper change, or what time I need to get home. It was so relaxing. Then we went to dinner and had some yummy pasta and pizza...and a little caffeine to help us mommies stay awake for the rest of the night. Then back to the Marriott where we sat around the fire (did I mention it was FREEZING!) and opened our Christmas presents to each other. Kris had this great idea to have a "favorite's party". So we each gave each other our favorite personal item and household item. We also brought our favorite treat to share and books to discuss. After getting on our lovely pj bottoms (thanks Kris) and slathering our hands in the yummy lotion (thanks Amanda) we relived the good ol' days and looked at Amanda's college scrapbook. We sure had fun back then - and still do! We watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, painted our toe nails and indulged in goodies. Finally we decided to go to bed. Thursday morning we chatted, got dressed and headed home. Amanda and I stopped at this fun boutique called "Oh Sweet Sadie" in West Jordan. It is three model homes filled to capacity with unique, crafty vendors. I can't tell you how much fun it was to spend time with my dear lifelong friends. There's nothing like girlfriends!!!

Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving...what a great holiday. It drives me bonkers that radio stations start playing music after Halloween and stores stock their shelves with all things red and green before they can pull off all the ghosts and witches. Do they want us to skip over Thanksgiving? I don't get it. Anyway, I love Thanksgiving. I especially love Thanksgiving when my only food assignment is jello salad. :) I know I'm spoiled. We were invited to spend T day with Aunt Susan and Uncle John and their family. They are such wonderful hosts and even had toys for our kids. The company was fabulous and the food wasn't too shabby either. Okay Susan is a gourment cook and went all out preparing for 4 days for the feast of feasts! I even enjoyed her butternut squash soup (I know it falls in the vegetable catergory and thus should be excluded from my normal dietary routine - but it was good what can I say!). My cute little gobblers loved their turkey hats and hung out in the basement with the big kids and daddy so I actually got to visit with the grown ups. Ahhh! Thanks Jacobs family for a wonderfully pleasant afternoon!