A Gift For You

I am puzzled at the moment. While making dinner Austin said something about not liking "SMASHED POTATOES" and I had this thought that made my thinker sore for a little while. Why in the world do we call them "MASHED POTATOES" when they really should be called "SMASHED POTATOES". I mean, think of how many times you say "SMASH" and how many times you say "MASH". The only other term that I can think of that has that word in it is "MONSTER MASH". Listen, it's not "The MASHING Pumpkins" or "MOOSH" instead of "SMOOSH" right? So my point if you are still reading this extremely enlightening post is that it should be called "SMASHED POTATOES" because that seems like the correct word.

Then I saw the light.

Right after writing that last paragraph I went to Dictionary.com and looked up the definitions of both words. It seems that even though "SMASH" sounds better and more correct, and even though I typically tend to be right all the time, now is not that time. "SMASH" means "to break to pieces with violence and often with a crashing sound, as by striking, letting fall, or dashing against something; shatter:" while "MASH" means "to reduce to a soft, pulpy mass, as by beating or pressure, esp. in the preparation of food". Apparently I thought WAY too hard about this one... But at least we can now feel comforted that the term "MASHED POTATOES" is accurate. Now when you are eating your turkey dinners on Christmas day, you will have a conversation starter. Don't say I never gave you anything for Christmas.

Catch Up

Ok, I have am like 5 posts behind. So be prepared. This will be a catch up post with lots of info compiled into 1 quadruple whammy. Ready? Hang in there.

So the first week of December, we went to Safford for the Electric Parade, and Wendy's county Christmas Party, where she had to sing a mini-solo from the song "The 12 Days of Christmas." Very humorous if I do say so myself. And the kids got to play with their cousins Kaleb and Payten!

Then the next day we made our favorite thing, Candy Trains with Grandma John. We love to make these!!

We also took Christmas pictures of Grandpa and Grandma John.

It was a really fun trip!!

Then last Saturday, we made our Gingerbread House that Austin has been waiting EVER SO patiently to make. Zoe didn't so much make a gingerbread house, as much as she just ATE the things that go on the house. Needless to say we were a little short on candy to decorate with.

Beautifully finished product. Then Sunday, we did family pictures with the Campbell's. Here is a sample of my photographic skills... Austin holding little cousin Diesel for the first time and loving it. Today, Monday, Austin and I FINALLY made our Christmas Countdown Chain. I know, it is really late, so there were only 14 links, but we did it. Austin is here to offer you step-by-step instructions on how to ACCURATLY complete your Christmas Chains.

1. Cut strips from red and green construction paper. Make sure that you stick your tongue out while doing it, it really helps.

2. Using either stickers or stamps, decorate the outside of the cut strips with something Christmasy like so.

3. Hang somewhere and start counting down the days!!!!

Sneak Peek

Guess what I got to do today???? I got to go and pick which puppy I wanted for Christmas!!! I have to be very careful not to let the kids see my blog for a couple days but, here she is, completely adorable and TINY. She has really big blue eyes right now. She was born on November 17, so she is like 2 weeks right now?? Go ahead and melt. I am having a hard time deciding on the name. It will either be Tink for our love of Disneyland, or Jovi, for our love of, hmm I can't think what that would be. But we might use that name for a future human baby girl, but we might not. So which do I use?? Come on, I want to hear EVERYONE'S pick. If you read this post, you are now obligated to comment!!!!! I can't decide!!!!

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Still On Earth

I hear there are some of you out there wondering if I have fallen off the face of the planet. I can understand your concern, how horrible would that be.... if that happened to me, I know. But don't worry. I am fine. I was safely in hiding in a little town called Joseph City. I love small towns so much that I wisked myself away for a relaxing retreat up North for the week. Complete with rat poop and whiny kids. Rat poop I can handle, whiny kids- not so much! Kristal and her Dad can vouch for that. Rat poop will nicely scoop away and surrender to the Pine Sol soaked rag, while whiny kids persist until you have ripped all your own hair out of your own head. But really, the kids. Something got into them. Austin threw the biggest fit before we left because he couldn't take Kamryn and Jaden's green plastic chair with him. I know, you are completely befuddled right? I was too. Still am. I was a little to harsh towards the end of the week there perhaps. And to think that I was there since Tuesday, and my camera NEVER left its little home in the camera bag?? Not one picture was snapped, not one smile was captured. I think that is the real tragedy here. So I apologize to you for coming back from my secret vacay empty handed. Kristal, thanks for having us over, and for letting us hang out. I hope you are hanging in there while your husband is freaking skiing his tiny little brown butt off in freaking Colorado!!! Not fair. We had fun though!!!!!!

Kodak Moment

Here are the pictures I took where the kids were actually cooperating with me! I think they turned out pretty good! But just look at these faces! When they aren't sticking their tongue out at me and screaming at eachother, I REALLY think that I could actually eat their cute little cheeks like big red apples. I know, a little dramatic, but don't you know me by now? Now, tell me, in case I want to use these for christmas cards, which is your fave??

A.

B.C.

Thanks Reesa, this is Hilarious!!

Say Cheese!

So yesterday I did the unthinkable, and ATTEMPTED to take the kids christmas pictures by myself, while Travis was at work! I got them all ready and looking nice, then the madness began. Here is the evidence that this should never be attempted without 2-3 adults present!! After all this, do you think that I got any good ones? You will have to wait and see.

Thanksgiving at the Dunes

This last weekend for Thanksgiving we went to the Sand Dunes with Travis's family. It was fun. And the kids had a BLAST!!! It was REALLY cold. We played lots of games and cards, and went on rides on the 4-wheelers. The kids became ADDICTED to hot chocolate, and to Grandma!

I don't know if you noticed Zoe crying her head off in the corner here, but don't worry. She was just suffering from Grandma withdrawls.

Be Thankful

Please read these articles. They are funny because they are so TRUE!! It doesn't take that long to read them, just read them!!

Guys, be thankful for women!! -
http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspx?articleid=7492

Girls, be thankful for men!!-
http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspx?articleid=7490

A to Z's Program

Last Friday Austin had a school program. It was so cute. They sing songs, and get awards. Here are some pics. He loves to be on stage!

The Merriest Place On Earth

We got back from Disneyland late Monday night, and it was SOOO fun. It was all decked out in Christmas stuff. Christmas carols on Main street, probably a 100 ft tree, snow fall at night, Santa, it was cool. Here are some pics! Beware, there are a ton...

They had a cool Christmas Parade, with Santa at the end. He looked right at Austin and asked " Have you made your christmas list yet?" Austin just nodded, then was had this look on his face like he is was in utter shock and amazement that Santa talked to him out of all the kids around him. It was so cute.

Oh, and look who we got to see shooting the Christmas special that will be airing on Christmas Day... Hannah Montana, or Miley Cyrus, or over priced and over rated teen sensation who is making way too much money. I asked Austin if he liked Hanna Montana, and he said "No, I don't want her to be my wife." Hmmm.Here are some pics of it Snowing at Disneyland! This was the fun part. Austin LOVED that it snowed, and Zoe got mad because the snow was getting all over her blanket. Oh, it was FREEZING there by the way. I love it in Cali!!

The castle in the day at Christmas time..... And at night. It was really fun. I have so many good pics, but you are probably sick of seeing them by now. Some highlights of the trip for Austin were that he went on the Tower of Terror, and LOVED IT!!!! That is his new favorite ride and went on it 5 times. Zoe loves the Matterhorn. She will now put her hands in the air the whole time and laugh her head off!! It is getting funner every time we go!! We love it there!!!

See ya's

So we are off to Disneyland again. They are putting up their christmas decorations tomorrow, Friday, so of course we have been summoned. We can't resist The Happiest Place on Earth at Christmas time. So, please try not to miss me too much, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do while I am gone. K??

Duh Mom

Austin: "Mom, I wish Cassie's baby could be your baby."
Mom: " Well, why don't I just make my own baby?"
Austin: "Ok, you can make your own baby then."
Mom: " But how do I make my own baby? How do I get it into my tummy?"
Austin: " You just have to go to the doctor and he will just cut your tummy open and put one in there. Then it will grow."

Some More Smores Please

My Grandma's neighbors, Vinny and Bob, are really awesome people. The other day, they gave us a practically brand new fire pit! So of course, we went home and roasted marshmallows and made smores!! Right on our back porch! We are very grateful to them for this. We are having so much fun with it! So everyone come over and we can make some more smores!! It is the perfect time of year for it!