Christmas FAQ's

My sis-in-law emailed this list to me and I thought it was fun--not so much my answers (I already know them), but hopefully those of you who read it will answer the questions and blog it too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping paper--it can make a "good" gift into the "best gift ever". My Mom is awesome at wrapping gifts.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real (cut), we used to get a potted tree so that we could plant it outside in the spring. When in Cedar City a couple weeks ago seeing those trees made me homesick!
3. When do you put up the tree? My kids would tell you just a couple days before Christmas, but I promise we usually get it up by the second week of December.
4. When do you take the tree down? January 1st.
5. Do you like eggnog? NO, Ryan loves the rotten stuff, my kids won't touch it--smart like their Mom.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many, my Mom was the master santa. A baby doll highchair stands out, as well as the many books of lifesavers.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Ryan--if he wants it he already has it.
8. Easiest person to buy for? (Me--I tell you exactly what I want) Regan--again like her Mom.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a beautiful one my Mom gave me for Christmas a few years back, I hope to keep building on it. I also have a wooden block one that my kids love to play with. Alec, Austin and Will just built a tower of wisemen and a star last night. Can you image my surprise when I saw that this morning!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither. I would love to send cards. Maybe next year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The year after my Dad died everything was bad--it is better now!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love all Christmas Movies, even the cheesy ones on the Hallmark channel. Ryan and I watch them and laugh/make fun of them, but I still LOVE them.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Haven't yet, maybe in a few days!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes--a bread slicer. Ryan was mortified!
15. Favorite thing to eat or drink at Christmas? Mom's fudge, sugar cookies, Grandma's cookies, hot chocolate, chocolate mint pie, Ham.
16. Lights on the tree? Clear lights belong on trees, my kids fight for colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little drummer boy by BNL and Sarah
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, we used to spend it every year at my Mom and Dads, but the kids got too old. It is nice to be home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, if I sing them.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel, reminds me of the family I have lost.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning after breakfast.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Doesn't last long enough, and the let down after.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the silver bells that we get from Ryan's parents every year.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Doesn't matter as long as we have lots of family, one year we all packed into my house in the living room, we couldn't even open the front door--one of my best Christmas memories.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Books, slippers, and a good H2O bottle. (See I tell you exactly--if you want to know the books just say the word!)
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Hopefully Jamie, and neighborhood ladies.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Brothers and Ryan
28. Favorite thing about Christmas? FAMILY--my kids are growing up and I am not their favorite person to "hang with", so I hoping for some good quality time with them, and of course my extended family--I miss you all!

Now it's your turn---fill it in send it on

Happy Holidays

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Did ja know it?

Thora Barbara Austin. My Grandmother on my Dad's side. It is her Birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Growing up I heard these words from her a lot: "Did ja know it?" They always followed a sincere compliment, such as: "You did a good job, did ja know it?", or "Your hair is so soft and shiny, did ja know it?", or "You were the best one out there, did ja know it?", or "You are a great cook, did ja know it?" (yay, seriously she would say this to me after I opened her a can of campbells soup). She went to everything I did as a child, teenager, college student, and young mother. The first time I gave a talk without her being present was at her funeral (and technically she was there). I always heard those same words. She spent endless hours at my dance recitals, colorguard competitions, and church programs, talks and advancements. And I could always count on those words.

After she died, many people--her friends and family would come and tell me how much she loved me, how proud she was of me--they would ask if I knew how much I meant to her. And YES I DID. I did know it!

So to celebrate her this year I have made a goal to be more like her. I want my loved ones, family and friends--but especially kids to know that I love them. I am going to tell them more often, I am going to show up to things more often, I might even utter those words.

Thanks Grandma, I know!

BTW, I can't mention her without telling of what a blast she was. Austin Family: remember when she went sledding with us when she was very old (Alec and Regan were alive), and cheated at cards, and teased Gramps, and made us eat hot spicy peppers, I even have a pic of her swinging with Austin.

PLUG/UNPLUG

First the plug:

I told my little bro I would plug his new website: http://www.kcelevation.com/ Check it out.
Enjoy. Preserve. Elevate. Outdoors.
It has some good articles about the Outdoors. He has promised to add "Great Hikes for Little Legs", and "30 Minutes from Salt Lake"--both suggestions from the Turner Household. Plus you get to see Ryan pull a fish hook out of my baby brother's finger as my other brother films it...what were they thinking?? If you listen closely you can hear Ry call k. a pansy--we still laugh about it here.

Now the UnPlug:

At dinner the other night: We were all jockeying for our position at the table (the best place to sit as to see the t.v.), we had our plates full of the food that we had to throw an elbow into a blood relative in order to obtain (not really, but I swear the kids act as if they have not had a bite to eat for days--not minuets, and that if they did not take possession of the food immediately it would disappear) when Ryan asked Regan to say the blessing on the food.
(This is when the UNPLUG comes into play) Will immediately unplugged (took out his pacifier) and said: "ankyou, ankyou, ankyou! Men! (thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! Amen!) Then plugged back up. We all sat there in a bit of shock. The first time our dinner table was quiet. Will had never said the prayer before. I guess he has been listening to all the lessons we have had lately about saying our prayer's of gratitude.

It was awesome.

Warning: Sappy Post

Austin has been begging me to take the picture of Will's bare buns off the blog (he claims child abuse for William). Anyway instead of deleting the photo, we compromised on just publishing a new post:

I was reading a blog recently that had posted SIMPLE PLEASURES. I loved it. It made me become aware of those small, little things that make me so happy (even if this happiness is only seconds long). In today's world these "things" are priceless. I hope that all who read this (both of you) are inspired to think of your own SIMPLE PLEASURES and be awed by them as I am by my own:

1. Folded laundry with nothing in the washing machine or dryer or on the laudry room floor.
2. Hearing an old 80's song on the radio -- and noticing that my kids are singing along too--in the same off tune, off rhythm way that I did (do).
3. The phrase "NO homework tonight, I did it all in class".
4. Nap time.
5. Having a day, then being able to meet friend(s) and pound it out on the treadmill.
6. Having an "Indian Summer" Fall. And all the outdoor fun that comes along with it.
7. Ovaltine. Especially with Costco milk.
8. Reading a good book, recommendations from friends to read these good books.
9. William's learning to talk and the crazy, mixed up way he says things. My favorite right now "aunie (regan) my eesster (sister)?!? Bell my eester!! OR the way he reads Mr. Brown can Moo, can you? OR......
10. Holiday decorations. My neighborhood is full of them right now, the houses, the grocery store, the zoo, it is soo fun. (Halloween right now, but will soon change to Christmas)

Best Friend

She is stinky most of the time--I believe from what she eats.
She leaves her hair on everything--just because she needs to comb more often.
She eats anything--this is a good quality as well as a bad one.
She snores, she is overweight--hey, but who isn't.
She leaves her crap (for lack of a better word) anywhere, she does not know how to pick up after herself.
She annoys (for lack of a better word) the neighbors.

BUT....she is a best friend......................

She shares.
She is a comforter, warm and soft.
She listens without interruption.
She is always available--never is too busy for sharing chats, walks, snacks, or snuggles.
She does not judge--bad words/feeling can be shared without consequence.
She is LOYAL, and very, very protective.
She is a blast--in that fun mischievous way.
She will take the fall if things go bad (from the fun mischievous behavior), never pointing a finger away from her.
Although she can run faster, she always keeps her pace just a step ahead so the chase is sooo fun.
She will play games for hours, long after others tire.

Will loves Bella. Always upon arrival back home he calls for her yelling: "Bella I ome"and then gives her a big hug. He rides her as if she was a horse. He wrestles her. He shares his meals with her, including his drinks. He mostly loves to sit next to her and play, insisting that Bella is playing with him: "Bella play cars, Bella build house", ect.

Will and Bella have been in their share of trouble together too, from getting into the cereal cupboard (cereal everywhere, including their mouths), playing chase in the house and knocking over Mom's stuff, soaking the house with bath water (Will's water), and eating a weeks supply of snacks (human and doggie).

Today when Mom insisted that Will stay awake--way too late in the day for a nap. He found his best friend snuggled up and went to sleep. Bella stayed next to him for about 1 1/2 so Will could get a good nap in. (no pics because Ryan has the camera at the office--arghhh!!)

So Bella, where are you going to be at midnight tonight when the house is quiet, and everyone is asleep except for Will (and his Mom)?!?

Here are a few pictures of their friendship over the past 2 years:


Will is upset in this picture, Bella was the only one interested in trying to comfort him.



Sorry about the bare buns--some of their mischief.

YEaH HOO!!

HHS Mens 1st place!
HHS Women 2nd place!
The kids out did themselves, both getting PRs (this means personal record--not what it stands for if you are in the nursing profession!?)
Alec 17:01, Regan 23:23
Both will move on to STATE next Wednesday (so I guess we will be doing it all over again!)
I'm exhausted just thinking about it!