Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas Week in Arizona

This year I was able to get back to Yuma for 9 days during the Christmas holiday. I had a blast, tons of people to see, things to do, and of course food to eat.

This year I stayed at Sabra's house and enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't realize how much I missed everyone!

While I was there I got to see Kelly and her family, the twins are getting so big. I took the kids to lights and ice cream, a tradition of ours. I helped mom bring Christmas to another family. Went to a few movies (Tron and Tangled), shopped, wrapped gifts, and ate so much food.

Christmas Day was great. I love opening gifts with the Lemmons and seeing the kids excitement as they open their presents. Then I went to Bard to open gifts with the parents and grandma, stopped by grandpa's house for a bit, then enjoyed a Mexican Christmas dinner at Sabra's (we even skyped Zac and Adriana in for part of it).

Below are the pictures I took while there, Sabra has a ton more that I need to get from her. Don't forget Sissy!







Thursday, December 16, 2010

Stowaway

Walter and I were in my room setting out the last of the clothes I needed for my trip. I had no idea where Chuy was until I went out in the living room to close up my luggage. It looks like I may have acquired a stowaway for my trip.

Chuy gets very sad when he sees the big luggage come out.


Snow Days

Today we got the first real snow for the season. Maryland traffic is insane so I left work early to beat the traffic. There were still crazies all over the road. I wish the snow would have held off a day until I left but oh well. I made it home safely and hope that I can get to the airport tomorrow morning safe and on time as well.

Walter is too cute when he gets in from a walk outside, snow all over his beard (kinda melted by the time I got the camera out).

Here is a picture of our backyard and the golf course.






PS Did I mention I am so glad to be going home for 10 days to get out of this weather! But I will miss my boys terribly :(

BIG Kid Bed

Since I lived in two attics while going to grad school I was unable to have real furniture (had to be built in room) or TALL furniture (slanted ceilings). Well I have been living in a normal apartment for 6 months now and I finally decided I needed a bed that was more than a foot off the ground.

So a few weeks ago I went out and bought myself a FABULOUS (but very practical) Christmas present. I got a King size Tempurpedic bed and I ABSOLUTELY love love love it!

Of course I had to get new bedding...that was the best part.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Masquerade 2010

We had our work holiday party at the Hilton in Baltimore and I had a blast! The theme was masquerade and I was super excited. The party was an excuse to go a little crazy at Macy's and I went down a dress size...another reason a new dress (and shoes) were in order.

I went with Zack and we met up with Tracey and her fiance Jeff. It was so much! The food was fabulous. I ate too much. I even got everyone out on the dance floor for at least one song!

After the party we went to a friend of Zack's for another holiday party. We were a little over dressed but who cares when you love what you are wearing!

Here are some pictures from the evening...


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Elves and Reindeer

We attempted a picture with Santa this year but after a few times of trying to get close to the Petco Santa we decided to just come home and have a photo shoot ourselves. We also decided to get a tree and decorate it, nothing fancy. I need to wrap their gifts so there are some presents under the tree!

Chuy was good and posed, Walter was shy and upset...here are my boys!





Sunday, November 21, 2010

Christmas Already?!?!



I walked into Target yesterday and it was decorated top to bottom with Christmas. I love Christmas but I mean it's Thanksgiving this week and I still don't have my plans 100% figured out for that...how can I begin to deal with Christmas?!?!

In RS we talked about the Christmas dinner and I will be helping decorate a table (which I am excited to do). Then I got a text from my cousin Jennifer asking for a Christmas craft (also excited to figure out). Also, Jace called last night asking me what my favorite Christmas movies was. So...

I suppose I will start to think about/plan for the Christmas holidays even though it is November 21st.

But now where I need some help. I don't think I have a favorite Christmas movie. I mean I have seen many but can't think of one I absolutely love. I also haven't seen a lot of the classics either (YIKES). Hmmm...suggestions anyone?!?!

So far I think I like The Holiday, Elf, Love Actually, and Prancer. Are those good enough to call favorites?? Anyone got suggestions for must see Christmas movies??

Oh and if you have an awesome Christmas craft that I have to do let me know.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Irish Festival

Celaschi came into town and the boys and I were super excited. She came bearing gifts for all of us! The boys got treats, balls, and I got brownies (yummy). Friday night we met Shawn at Looney's Irish Pub and had the biggest bowl of seafood. We split it and still could not finish. Celaschi was also able to listen to a good band while we ate...she loves live bands.

Saturday Kerri, Celaschi, and I drove to the Irish Festival at the Fair Grounds and had a blast. Wallace met up with us later and enjoyed it as well. We had tons of food, bought some things, and enjoyed some great music. It was good to get in touch with my Irish roots.

After the Irish festival Celaschi and I ordered pizza, talked, and watch movies/tv all night. It was great to have a girls night in. Shawn came for a while a hung out as well.

The boys got a little sick from the threats but overall it was a great weekend and we are glad Celaschi came to visit.





Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween in the Burgh

The boys and I packed up the car and headed up to Pittsburgh for the holiday weekend. It had been 2.5 months since we had last been there so a trip was in order.

Friday night I just wanted to dance! So we went to Whim and had a blast. No costumes though...I wanted just a regular night out.

Saturday I got my hair done; it's shaped, short, and red. I feel like me again. The rest of the afternoon we laid around, ordered Thai, and watched t.v. Then we started getting ready for Kennedy's Halloween party. We had surprise costumes this year. Kirsten and I decided to go as sister wives from the compound on Big Love. Everyone loved our costumes. I will admit they are a little creepy; but it was the look we were going for so no complaints!

There were many great costumes at the party. My favorites were of course the Tetris pieces. You can't go wrong! Also, Chris was the Grim Reaper and he carried around a sickle with a cardboard computer with the blue screen of death displayed. By the end of the night I realized how nerdy we really are. There were many other great costumes as well. Oh and Kirsten's stuffed monkey Hank was The Coon from South Park, ridiculous!

Sunday I went to church at my old ward, I love going back to visit. After church Kirsten showed me how to prepare fresh pumpkin for cookies and pies. It was a long weekend but we had fun! The boys were so tired from playing with their cousin all weekend. Walter slept the entire ride home, Chuy for most of it.





Tick-Tock

Since I can remember my mother has always had clocks around the house, everywhere. An old one with a pendulum and we would get to wind it with the key (we would also get yelled at for playing with it). The little ones in every room, even the bathroom. But most of all the big ones above the fireplace. As time went on the clocks would get bigger and bigger. So of course while she was here for the week she noticed one thing that my house lacked...clocks! I do not own a single clock. But why would I? The iHome, cable box, microwave, oven, and my cell phone all tell time.

It didn't matter my mother was going to make sure I had a clock in every room of the house before she left. AND she almost succeeded (minus the bathrooms). I got two normal little clocks for the kitchen and my office. Can I mention the kitchen already had two clocks but she insisted I needed one with a seconds hand (crazy). The third clock she got me I had to pick out and order off line is on the wall between my dinning room and living room. I love it! It can go anywhere and match anything because it is simply simple. It is 30 inches in diameter, sometimes I think the 50 inch one would have worked but I was nervous it would have been too much for my little apartment.

Here is my perfect clock! I can't wait till I can live somewhere and paint the walls. Then I can have my little red wall with my perfect clock (hopefully above my fireplace).

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo



I couldn't even tell you how long ago I bought this book, well over a year I would say. I had picked it up numerous times to read it but just didn't get very far. I don't know if it was the story, the writing, or the translation, or what. Nonetheless, I always kept it around and pretended I would get to it one day. Well in May I pulled it off the shelf and started leaving it by the bed, in July I watched the movie (and liked it), so this past month or so I was determined (Kathy said I would like it). I FINALLY finished it this past Saturday. I loved it! The book has a better ending in my opinion and definitely has me wanting to know more about where Blomkvist and Salander's relationship will go. I am hesitant to pick up the next book (and the one after that) since it took me so long to get through this one. BUT I think its worth a shot. I will probably watch the movie first though (streaming on Netflix already) to get me jump started.

The Trip in Detail

It has been a little over a week since mom and Buddy left. I have been a little lonely but at least my house in back in order! I often forget what it is like to live with other people.

While my mother was here I had to work but that did not stop us from having fun in the evenings and on the weekend. The first weekend she was here we decided to go up to a farm where we were able to pick pumpkins and apples. We picked too many but I am glad because it kept my mother busy during the day while I was at work. She made many apples pies and tons of applesauce. She showed me how to make both and can the applesauce! SIDE NOTE: This past weekend I took the pumpkins to Pittsburgh and Kirsten showed me how to cook them and get the ready for pies and cookies; I will soon have FRESH pumpkin treats.

We also bulked up my non-existent 72-hour kits as well as my year supply. I have 3 72-hour kits...one for Jace, one for me, and one for the boys! I also had so much food that I decided to put it in the office closet. I have it all organized but of course haven't gotten around to posting a picture. I will one day. My mother says its definitely not a year supply of food but to me (in a small apartment) it looks like it is! SIDE NOTE: Maverick was tired of shopping at Wal-Mart by the end of the week.

We let everyone pick a restaurant to eat out at during the week. My mother picked a steak house (she loves eating meat that is still bleeding), I picked a burger place, and Maverick wanted Medieval Times because I told them there was fighting during dinner. He loved it! He hardly ate because he was intently watching the knights. He was too cute. I love that kid!! SIDE NOTE: My friend Tracey from work and her son Ivan came over for dinner one night and brought Maverick a shield and sword; he held it all through dinner but sadly the TSA people took it from him at airport security, he was not a happy camper.

We also went to the temple's visitor center, church bookstore, the national zoo, and Baltimore harbor for our last hooray before they flew out. I was so worn out and tired after that day as well as the week. I forget how much I don't do living alone. But I was so excited to have them that I made myself keep up!

Mom and buddy even cleaned their bathroom before they left. The best house guests ever! They are welcomed back any time. Thank you mom for making the trip happen and making it fun. I love you!


I mentioned my mother took more photos than necessary while she was here. I only took one! (minus the ones on my phone) It was of this cute little pygmy falcon at the zoo. I hate birds generally (they scare me) but this one looked adorable.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Mom and Maverick's Visit

Buddy and mom flew in a week ago and since then we have been having fun nonstop. After going through 1400 photos (yes 1400...mom takes a lot) I uploaded enough to show you what we did while they were here. I will do an actual write up on the trip another night...I am extremely tired tonight (chasing a 5 year old and a senior citizen around has me beat).
























Thank you mom for a great week, I love you!