The pen is mightier

AJ has started leaving notes for us all over the house. Here are a couple from this weekend:

Stuck to Brett's cup yesterday:

Dear Papa, I love you and you are fun to play with.

Taped onto my shirt this morning:

Dear mom, I don't want to go to church!
(Amen to that!)


Left on the counter yesterday afternoon,

Dear Mom, If you need me I will be in my room. Love AJ

Amen, Sister!!!

If this doesn't make you smile you have never
once met, seen, talked to, or been, a mother!

Good stuff.

My Utopia

u·to·pi·a (yo̵̅o̅ tō′pē ə) n. An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects.

Lokal Flaver

Next time you are up in north Orem, stop by the the
local fruit stant and pick up some fresh vegetales.

My True Religion

For those of you who know me at all you may recall that I am a devout follower of The Colbert Report and The Daily Show. I nearly went crazy during the two weeks they were off the air over the holidays. But they are back and the Colbert Report had this little gem last night.

The 53rd installment of the 434 part series "Better Know a District" - Utah's 3rd - Jason Chaffetz. Stay tuned to the end when Stephen and Jason do the "Mormon leg wrestle." Good stuff:

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Better Know a District - Utah's 3rd - Jason Chaffetz

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

One crazy night

We went to Austin's "First Night" again this year and we had a much different experience than last time. Last year we went early and the kids did a bunch of crafts and flew kites and we had cookies and hot chocolate, then the kids got tired and we headed home before dark...

This year we made it until dark and that is when things got crazy! There was the most psychedelic parade ever, all kinds of crazy light displays, and to top it all off they blew up a huge two story clock that they built just for the occasion. Watch at the very end of the video–there are huge chunks of burning clock falling down, and quarter sized embers raining from the sky. One landed in Brett's hair and caught it on fire!!! No Joke!

It was so crazy and so fun, and certainly a unique experience. Not to be missed. Happy New Year!

2008 Champions!

They did it again! Our high school football team won the Texas state 4A championship. We figured we should probably go this time, it was in Waco. It was a lot of fun and the kids got to rush the field after the game...super cool. The weather was beautiful and it was just a really fun day.

And the most awesome thing happened...We had to wait in this huge line to get tickets. After about 45 minutes in line, we got close enough to see that they were only taking cash and we didn't have enough! So I saw an ATM sign in the stadium and ran over to see if they would let me in to get cash. This nice old lady (who I will remember forever) said the ATM was closed, but she said, "You can just go on in, I'd hate for you to miss the game." I told her I had my whole family with me and she said to gather them up and come see her. She let us in with a wink and a smile. I think I smiled for 2 hours. I didn't know people could still be so nice. So whoever you are, nice old lady – you made our day!

Here are some highlights...

From our Little Angels

Merry Christmas

Christmas Cheer

It is crazy to me how much Jack picks up from his big sister and school. I had no idea he knew any of these songs, but he can sing like 5 Christmas carols perfectly. It is so funny, and pretty cute as well...

Here is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Snow is NOT ice!

Here is a cute clip of Jack first experience with "snow." First of all, I realize this hardly counts as snow and I know my kids are completely unschooled in the whole snow-business, but that is what makes this clip so funny...

Weather roller coaster

One of the things I love about this area of Texas is the wild weather. There is something locals always say, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes." Last week was just as wild as this one will be. We had 70's, snow, near hurricane force winds, and yesterday was muggy and 80. We were all sweatin' in our church clothes!

So it looks like we are in for another mixed bag this week. It is great because we can bundle up Monday and Tuesday, then it's back to tank tops and flip flops for the middle of the week. Often days will start out warm and balmy, and then around midday, the temp will plummet 40 degrees.

It keeps life interesting. I just have to be sure to check the weather every morning so I can dress the kids appropriately! AJ gets really upset when she gets sweaty!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...in TEXAS???

Tuesday was a balmy and gorgeous 78 degrees, then yesterday we woke up to this!!!

Luckily today is back up into the 60s, one day of cold, I can handle. But I start getting awfully testy in heavy clothes!

Such a ham...

AJ is the silliest kid. Brett was looking at our Utah pics last night, and he was laughing at this clip from the airport. First the funny faces, then the "walk like and Egyptian," then running up to the camera. She just doesn't stop. And she is always telling us she is shy and doesn't like to show off.

I beg to differ...

Guess what Jack wants for Christmas now...