Story Teller

Eva was graciously reading to Elmo this morning.

He looks mesmerized by the story.  It must be an exciting book.

A Very Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  Eva is not quite ready for the excitement of Christmas Eve, so we haven’t cemented any traditions yet.  Instead, we had the missionaries over for dinner and Myke shared his Quadra-copter with them.  They took turns flying it around the living room and cheering each other on.  We had lasagna for dinner and chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.   By the time the Elders left, it was bedtime for Eva.  We told her all about Santa coming and that there would be presents under the tree in the morning.  She was really excited during the conversation but I’m sure she didn’t understand what we were saying.

I was looking forward to sleeping in on Christmas morning since Eva wouldn’t be anxiously waiting to open presents.  Unfortunately, she started crying at 6:30 because she couldn’t find her binky.  Myke went to her room and tried to tuck her back in but she wasn’t having it.  So we got up early.  I needed a few minutes to fill Myke’s stocking so he was keeping Eva preoccupied.  He said he would read her “A Very Busy Spider” but I was done and ready to open presents before he started to read. We took a video of Eva coming down the stairs and told her that Santa had come.  Myke and I were acting more excited than she was and nudged her toward the pile of presents under the tree.  Eva didn’t care about them, she wanted to read the book Daddy promised.  Myke handed her a gift to open in an attempt to redirect her attention and Eva swatted it from his hands and said, “No!”  We have it on video for a future time.  I finally said, “Fine, Mama will open your presents,” and started to tear a little bit of wrapping paper.  This made Eva angry and she ran over and took the present from me.  Manipulation at its best. 

Santa was very good to Eva.  She received an Elmo doll, some books, a guitar, a stuffed pig that rolls around on the floor and laughs, slippers, Cinderella on DVD, and some Tic Tacs and a couple toys in her stocking.  She ate the entire box of Tic Tacs within a few minutes.  She also received money from my parents for swimming lessons and an ornament, tea set, and movie from Grandma Lisa.  It was a good haul for a little girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the afternoon the missionaries came over to use our computers to Skype with their families.  It was nice having them over when they were so excited about talking to their loved ones.  It made me miss my own family.  We had Christmas dinner at our friend’s house in the evening.  I contributed pot roast and chocolate cream pie.  It was a delicious dinner and excellent company.

And just like that, Christmas was over.  We had an excellent holiday and it was a very pleasant day.  It really was a very Merry Christmas.

Now I’ve got to take down all the decorations.  Sigh.

Business Dinner

Important phone calls can’t wait.

Flashback

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

The time sprints by!

Christmas Card

I had plans to send out beautiful Christmas cards with a charming picture of our family.

When we started to take these charming pictures for this beautiful card, I soon realized my plan was flawed for a few reasons:

1. Michael needs a haircut and looks like he is wearing a gorilla pelt on his head.

2. I look chubby from every angle.

3. Eva refused to cooperate.  It was as though she wasn’t at all interested in my plans for a beautiful Christmas card with a charming picture of our family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas anyway!

Perhaps next year we’ll be more beautiful and charming.

Midnight Snack

Apparently baby Jesus needed a snack.

 

Frankincense and Myrrh. 

Clearly those Wise Men should have brought a tasty treat instead.

Jammin’

A bicycle is freedom.  I remember having a love affair with my bicycle as a child.  In the summertime my bike could take me uptown for candy, to the lake for swimming, and even careening down the side of an overpass.  (This resulted in a terrible wreck but I showed true bravery by even attempting it.  Or maybe it was stupidity.  I wish the owner’s manual would have mentioned that you shouldn’t slam on your front brakes while barreling down the side of a steep slope.  It seems like a pretty important detail to leave out.) 

Anyway,  my favorite memory is riding my bike while jamming to “2 Legit 2 Quit” on my Walkman.  That’s true joy.

I mention this because Eva has discovered the freedom of her trike.  Just like her mama used to do, Eva put on her fancy shoes and headed out for a spin yesterday.

Time to introduce her to Mr. MC Hammer.

I Love Me Some Turkey

We had a delicious Thanksgiving.  We were at my sister’s house in Coeur d’Alene and my parents made the journey to be with us also.  When we were discussing the menu for the feast, my sister had the nerve to propose we have ribs instead of turkey.  I nearly punched her right in the mouth at the suggestion.  Ribs for Thanksgiving?  I enjoy ribs as much as anyone but there are some things that are constants in life, things you don’t waver from, and turkey on Thanksgiving is one of those things. She should have just recommended we eat dog poo because that’s how wrong it sounded to me. 

I threw a big fit about it and we had turkey.  It was divine.

I ended up sitting at the kid’s table (my punishment for insisting on turkey) but it was fine.  Eva made a mess and my nephew acted like a donkey the entire time but I tuned it out with the turkey and my mama’s famous stuffing.  Nothing was going to break my concentration.  Not even a 9-year-old donkey.

My mommy gently caring for the turkey.

Fun at the kid’s table:

      

I did my duty and ate like a starved horse.  Then we spent the day hunched over a puzzle taking breaks periodically to eat pie to see just how distended our stomachs could become.  I did very well on that challenge.

The next day we went down to the lake and wandered around the resort.  It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the atmosphere made it feel like the holidays have arrived.

 

Eva loved it and I loved seeing her excitement.  It’s fun to experience the holiday seasons with a child who is full of awe and amazement. 

And speaking of awe and amazement:

 

The hand that touched John Travolta.  He was at the resort and my nieces were brave enough to approach him and shake hands.  It was especially cool because Britta is completely in love with John Travolta.  We were talking about him over Thanksgiving dinner and joking about meeting him.  It was awesome that it actually happened.

The rest of the trip was spent in the hotel pool.  It was a nice trip.  I had a wonderful time relaxing and eating.  Emphasis on the eating. 

Bring on Christmas!  

I’m a Year Older -- and Wrinklier

I decided to go ahead and turn 35. 

It was a good decision. 

I had a wonderful birthday.  My dear husband took a clue and made my day exceptionally great.  Last year he bonked in a very bad way.  I apparently shamed him enough that he didn’t want to repeat his performance this year.  I don’t remember being hard on him, but if it worked, that’s all that matters.

My mommy was in town so that was extra-excellent.  And Mykey took the day off from work so we could spend the day playing.  I decided I wanted to play at the Oregon Zoo.  We’ve been meaning to take Eva and this seemed like a great opportunity.  The nice thing was that the zoo was very quiet and we were one of only a handful of patrons.  The bad thing was that it was freezing cold outside.  The temperature was right around 40 but it was really humid and it felt like –76.  None of us were properly dressed for our stroll through the tundra.  Thankfully we had enough sense to wear heavy coats, but we were in desperate need of hats and gloves.  I kept asking what kind of idiot goes to the zoo in November.  Clearly age has not blessed me with wisdom.

I was impressed with the zoo and have plans to return once the weather is nicer. Well, we’re going to see the Christmas lights and then I swear…not again until Spring.

A few highlights:

The otters were full of energy and whooshed around in front of the glass for a long time.  Eva loved it and squealed whenever they swam by.

We also saw the vultures.  I didn’t care about seeing the vultures until I saw this sign.  Then it seemed like it would be a shame not to stop by for a peek. 

Here’s Eva being exceptionally brave by touching a disgusting reptile.  I love how suspicious Eva is of the animal handler.  I’m suspicious too.  Handling lizards?  Creepy.

This is the real reason we came to the zoo.  I bought some Skittles for Eva and let her eat 3.  I then poured the rest into my gob.  Hey, it was my quarter.

Gawking at the elephants.  By this point my toes were hypothermic.

After the zoo we stopped for a sandwich.  And a strawberry malt.  It’s never too cold for ice cream.  Then we headed home for presents and cake.  Since we had just eaten a malt, I was prudent and waited for an hour before diving into the cake.  I paced myself.

Mykey bought me a new cookbook, a cookbook stand, and a new cast iron pot.  Obviously he wants me to live in the kitchen.  I’m alright with that.  The kitchen is where we keep the food.

 

 

Myke’s mom sent me chocolate and my parents gave me money.  My mommy also bought me an All-American chocolate cake from Costco.  It weighed about 83 pounds and was delicious.  We ate it for 2 days and still have half of the cake in the freezer.  I am savoring that baby.

Mykey bought a candle that played music and had a sparkler in the middle.  See what I mean about going out of his way to make the day special?

I had so much fun turning 35, I might just have a birthday next year too.