Reverse Christmas

I can't figure out how to switch the order of the pictures on this computer so this is what you get. Reverse Christmas, if you will. It was fun to be with my family, especially because this is probably the last Christmas we'll all be together for a few years since Cory is leaving on his mission and before he gets back Alex will leave, plus Sam has a wife whose family he will have to go visit from now on.

Christmas with our family is never a dull moment! We have a tradition of acting out the nativity on Christmas Eve and of course the costumes turned out to be well, interesting. Tara and I went with an Asian theme for the shepherds this year.

the wise men at their finest--those are chocolate pretzels in their mouth and I still don't know why they did that.

Joseph, although it looks more like an Ewok to me.

The Shepherds' up-close shot

We also have a program where Mom insists we all do a musical number . . . Alex is the good part of this picture!

It's also getting to be a tradition to take the ugliest pictures we can at the most random times. Alex doesn't believe me but I DID pose for this one!

I don't think she was posing.

Feliz Navidad .. . ha ha

My awesome gingerbread house--It caved in 3 times so I finally cut my losses and turned it into a sno shack.

Me, Jodee, and Andrea making our little gingerbread houses.

the beautiful house before one of the cave-ins. It was a sad day in gingerbread land.

And those are my Christmas pics for now! Stand by for Sam's wedding. It's on the 30th here in Idaho Falls so we are busy getting ready for the luncheon and open house. Then we all (with the exception of Collin, sadly,) fly to Memphis for a ring ceremony and reception. Happy New Year!

Christmasy Things I Love!

Collin shoveling our walks for the first time in our house!! ta da!

My family always had a tradition of going out on Christmas Eve afternoon to visit some old family friends that (us kids anyway) never saw besides on Christmas Eve once a year. We'd always take treats and the friends would ooh and ahh over how much older we were . . then we'd sit around in their living rooms trying not to get into trouble while our parents talked with them for what seemed like ages. I guess they may still do that but I don't know. Anyway, one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to take little treats around to our friends and neighbors. This is our 4th Christmas married so the 4th time I've given it a try!

I was a busy elf over the weekend! This is like, half the batch! mmm they're good though!
The finished product . . .
Can't go wrong with some pumpkin-chocolate chip bread either. This was the other thing we gave out.

We went around our culdesac and introduced ourselves to the 3 houses we haven't met, as well as giving stuff to the neighbors we already have met! It was fun. We also went and visited some good friends from our old ward and some new friends we have made! It is fun to see everyone's Christmas decorations and even though we don't stay more than a couple of minutes it's just great to say hi and give Christmas wishes to the people we care about!

I LOVE wrapping presents! It is like, #1 Christmas pastime with me. Ever since I can remember I have loved fitting the wrapping paper just right and finding the perfect bow that matches. Collin thinks I'm crazy but I always buy wrapping paper that matches so our presents under our tree are color-coordinated . . . and I do the same thing with ones we give away! Here are some of this year's masterpieces . . . don't laugh at my lack of skill!

Home made on this one I might add!

hee hee . . this one's a re-gift . . . one of my piano students gave me coffee so it is going right back out to the aerobics instructor I know drinks it every day! She'll never know . . . shhh! ;)

One too Many

I took on one too many things this holiday season! "Things" as in accompanying jobs. I was so excited to get some paid jobs to accompany great Christmas music that I forgot how much time I would actually have to put into it, I think. Don't get me wrong, it was a great experience (mostly) but next year I will not be doing this again! The main thing was that I went to Centennial for a 3-hour block every other day starting mid-November. That was a big time-eater. Then add on 2 other full Christmas Choir Concerts (besides Centennial's) that I had to learn music for (About 10-15 songs each concert), that was a LOT! I was still in my own piano lessons on top of that, so really I was feeling this constant burden to be practicing more. The musician in me just can't bring myself to be unprepared at a concert, even if it is a dowdy little jr. high concert (which none of them turned out to be anyway). And because I took on so much I turned out to be more unprepared than I liked at pretty much all of them. That's what I get for spreading myself so thin! It all came to a head last night at the Lowell Scott choir concert--I had to keep myself from bursting into tears on the stage! It wasn't all because of the music or anything, it was a big combination of like never having enough time in the day and pretty much constantly feeling like a chicken with my head cut off and like I was doing a half-bottom job at everything I was doing, and finally feeling the effects when I got on stage and realized I'd never played through about 3 of the songs with the choir! Ever! Not to mention some problems with piano students spilling wax on my stove and parents coming late and kids being unprepared and traffic being bad . . . well you all know what I mean.

Oh well, it was a good learning experience. And I have to believe that my sightreading definitely improved! And as of 5:30 today I am finally officially DONE with all my responsibilities! I'm free! I can make the treats and projects I started 3 weeks ago! I can watch TV and check my blog more than once a week! I can even waste time on facebook if I want! ooh!

YAY!

Longest Update Ever!

Well my friends, it has finally happened. I have enough time to sit down and update my blog! Warning . . . tons of pictures ahead!

This post actually starts back in November . . . we had family in town a couple of weekends which was fun. the 2nd weekend Mom, Jodee, and Andrea all came over for one of Jodee's swim meets, and Tara also flew up to hang out for the weekend. We had a blast!

We watched movies, went out to breakfast (and dinner!), watched some swimming, went shopping, and of course had a memorable trip to Zurcher's . . . .

And took some fUgLY pictures!!




Moving on to Thanksgiving. . . .
We went to Utah for Thanksgiving-- and of course due to wrestling it was about a 48-hour trip. But the weather was fine so it wasn't bad driving so much. Collin's mom does the most amazing dinners every time we're all together, and of course Thanksgiving was no exception! Look who carved the turkey!We didn't actually ride horses with Morgan (Collin's brother) and Lana's family--but Collin ended up helping get the horses taken care of and well, I just thought this looked funny so I took a picture! What a city slicker!!We made an infamous trip to Cabela's . . . or as Collin's mom calls it, "the museum."

Now, finally on to December . . . .
We put up Christmas lights! I was so excited at first, but well we had no clue what we were doing. In my family growing up, we just sent my dad or brothers out to do it and never gave it a second thought until we got to enjoy the beauty! Well Collin didn't see it that way and insisted I help . . . woop de doo, I held the end of the string of lights while he DANGEROUSLY climbed on the roof and stapled them all on! (yes, we will be using a better method next year for sure) There are actually a couple more wreaths on the garage with lights on them, but this is basically the finished product! We're too cheap to buy enough to cover the whole tree on the left, in case you're wondering.

Then for FHE a couple weeks ago we decorated our tree. It is the same Charlie Brown fake tree we've had the whole time we've been married. But we didn't put it up last year so it was really fun to have room again this year!

And then there was our trip to IF last weekend. It started out crazy because although I flew out of Boise to IF Friday night (Collin came the next day after wrestle-offs), my flight got delayed 2 hours and didn't leave until 11:15 so it was a long late night at the airport. I finished a book though! That picture above is Collin's cake--ice cream cake of course. We had it as a "surprise" for him when he finally got to IF Saturday night.

We also "surprised" my mom with a few different things. My dad got her out of the house and we decorated like crazy and put up a fun banner that I posted already. (Nifty Nifty Amy's 50") When she got back we all ate pizza and played games, which was fun.

One other surprise that was difficult was her stinking cake. She likes this random combination--angel food cake with coconut-pecan frosting. And of course who got assigned to make it secretly in Boise and then bring it over? Your's truly! I have never made angel food cake before and let me tell you it is not like your usual cakes, which I learned in the process. The whole time I was dying to call my mom to ask if I was doing it right but of course I couldn't. And let's just say my dad's instructions were a little less than accurate or helpful! :) So a shrunken cake and a car-cake accident (by Collin) later, this is what we had. (see above) Surprisingly, it actually tasted good! Not my best work though, I must say. And no I don't know what that tumor-looking thing is sticking out of my cheek.

During that trip we took a few more funny pictures . . . it's getting to be a habit . . .
This one is beyond funny in my opinion, and I'm sorry Mom, I know you won't appreciate me posting it on here. :) (But I know Tara will!)

I also made Christmas cards. I actually did this back in like, the beginning of November, and it's a good thing. I would never have gotten it done if I had waited. Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's something else fun--my gifts for my piano students. I pride myself in spending $1 or less per student but still getting them cute things. Since my recital was so early this year I also had to get this stuff done early, so while Collin and I watched Fred Clause a couple weeks ago I had a mug-stuffing/wrapping/tying marathon.
This was the finished product--inside is a little pack of marshmallows that says "Snowmen Come Unassembled," a couple Christmasy-dubble bubble (gum)s, and a little snowman candy cane. I was quite proud of them and all I can say is thank you Oriental Trading, Baby!

I made 36!! (32 students)

Wow, we are almost caught up to the present. A couple nights ago we made gingerbread houses with Cam and Chaly, which was fun. It was a week night and we were all a little tired I think, so we didn't exactly bounce off the walls from sugar consumption, but we made some beautiful masterpieces!

So, now I feel much better about my poor blog. I guess I might as well bring you up to date on everything else going on right now--Collin has had an AWESOME beginning of the season--as of tonight the Pats are undefeated! They have wrestled 5 different teams so far. Much, much much better beginning of the season than last year, some of you know what I'm talking about. :) So he is busy with that and will be heading to Reno next weekend.

I have also been like, beyond busy with the schools I am playing for. I've been accompanying at Centennial for 2 classes (3 hours total) every other day since the middle of November. I am also playing for 2 other schools for their holiday concerts which are all next week. It's really fun though, and I get payed really well. Of course I've got all 32 piano students and my studio Christmas recital was Tuesday. (thanks again for helping, Chaly!) It was the BEST I've heard almost all those kids play. So it was good for everyone. I'm hosting a baby shower tomorrow and still trying to get Christmas presents together. . . so that is the dl on us. Happy Holidays, and hopefully you'll hear from me again soon!

30 Things

My wonderful hubby turned the big 3-0 yesterday! Here are 30 things I love about him:

1. His beautiful blue eyes. I always wondered if I'd get sick of them but they look better to me all the time!

2. How he honors his priesthood and is always worth to give someone a blessing or take on a calling or responsibility

3. When he cooks dinner! Even though it is usually mac and cheese or tuna helper. He is so thoughtful to make something when I get home at 8:00 after a long day of teaching, even though he is so tired himself.

4. His freakin' huge muscles! :)

5. How responsible he is. I know people can count on him.

6. How he will always do something I ask him to, no matter how stupid it is or how lazy I am just being about it. ("honey, can you get me a cup of water?") He jumps up without question and doesn't even complain.

7. How he takes out the trash and recycling every Sunday. I really hate doing that.

8. His sense of humor. This should be at the top of the list because it's one of my favorites. It's one of the things that brought us together in the first place. Nothing can beat laughing my head off with him, which happens quite often.

9. How patient he is with me when I am being a total and utter brat (which happens more than I like to admit)

10. That he will cry if we're watching a sad movie. I'm glad to know there are feelings under that big manly exterior! :)

11. How tidy he is! I never understand when wives are complaining about their husbands leaving their underwear and towel on the floor . . . I really think he cleans up after me more than the other way around! (or at least it's equal, really.)

12. How hard he works at his job. He really puts a lot into it. I'm talking about the teaching part.

13. How hard he works at his other job--the coaching part. It almost brings me to tears to see how much he cares about those kids on his team. Sometimes I want to call up the parents and say "did you know my husband stayed up all night worrying about your son?" it's true so many times.

14. How much he knows about the gospel. I ask him the stupidest questions but he is always patient in explaining things to me. And I know he'll know whatever I'm asking.

15. What a great missionary he was. I know he treated his mission like everything else--he put everything into it.

16. How he trieds to help me out when I've gotten myself in way over my head (which seems to happen over and over)

17. When he plays the guitar and sings--who's heart wouldn't melt?

18. How he knows every random song that comes on the radio--and we're talking weird stuff here. I am constantly asking "how on earth do you know THIS song?"

19. That he's older than me. There's something comforting about knowing he's been around longer than I have.

20. His smile--this should also be at the top because, Wow is he HOT!

21. That he likes to read. It is so cute to see him curled up on our bed at night totally into a book

22. How he twitches when he is falling asleep --he says he's "wrestling" but I just think it's cute.

23. How warm he always is. I'm always cold and there is nothing better than snuggling up to him to warm up.

24. How patient he is with me when over and over again I STINK at doing the budget and spend too much money

25. How hard he works at his masteres classes. He is doing really good and even though I always give him a hard time about procrastinating so bad he still works really hard.

26. How nice he is to my family. I'm so lucky to be able to have fun with him AND my family at the same time--he has really embraced being part of the family and it has always been so much fun having him at family things, not ever weird. Even my giant crazy extended family.

27. How he always is sure to kiss me and tell me he loves me when he leaves and also when he gets home

28. How he will listen to me babble on about basically nothing and still acts interested

29. What a tough "manly man" he is--no lotion or bodywash for him!

30. What a good example he is to me with reading scriptures and prayers-- even when I really just want to go to sleep he keeps me going.

I LOVE YOU HONEY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

presents #1 at my parents'

cake #1 at my parents'

The final b-day shindig, I called up a bunch of friends and had them meet us at Chili's--he was surprised! It was a fun night.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!!

Thank you for always being such a wonderful example to me and everyone else in the family. I know I already wrote most of this in our little book for you but I wanted to tell you one more time!
Thanks for putting up with all our ridiculous antics and even joining in sometimes! And thanks for having such a great sense of humor about things and being willing to have fun with us.

Even though I always despised how organized you are, I'm actually somewhat glad now! :) You have always shown me that no matter what is going on, you can still get everything done if you really prioritize and sometimes you can even have fun doing it! :) You made raising 7 kids seem like a piece of cake!

Thanks for always uplifting us with your testimony. I'm so thankful you joined the church during college and don't know where we would be if you hadn't! Thanks for sharing your love of the gospel and your wonderful testimony with us so often. Even though we all joke about you reading us touching stories and crying all the way through them, it actually has a really special place in my heart.

Thanks also for your love of athleticism--although it may not have rubbed off on me so much, at least you're a great example of keeping active, which I do try to do! :) It is really fun to see you so into everything at pretty much any athletic event we go to, and I know Collin really appreciates your interest in wrestling even though it has been as new to you as it was to me a few years ago!

I hope you have a great, day and I am thinking of you! I love you!

Happy Birthday!