Merry Christmas!!!!

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Where have I been

I am sorry. I have been so negligent of my blog lately! The world of Facebook/ Holiday-ness has taken over. But I vow to keep up with things from now on. So I will let you know what you missed! Olivia's Fourth Birthday at Chuck -e- Cheese, Thanksgiving (which was wonderful and glorious!)

and Twilight in the Theatre's a few or more times....

This was my friend Kara and I going for the millioneth time.... YAY!!!

So, that's what's been happening in my life this past month!

JAZZ GAME

Lance and I received free tickets from his boss to the Jazz game last night. We usually get them a couple times a year but these were great tickets! And seeing Korver up close made me a wee bit giddy.....

Sorry for the nose shot up above.
We sat directly behind the opposing team, Phoenix Suns, and heard all their comments, plans and complaints( cuz we kicked their tails!) Shaq fell down......

Kyle!

And again....

Warming up after halftime

It was a lot of fun. We haven't had too much fun lately, Lance and I, so we really deserved a night out by ourselves. hee hee hee

Maximus?

Second day in Rome we went to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum! Way cool.

Besides telling us great facts about how and why the Colosseum was used, we got an account of how the movie 'Gladiator' did NOT depict the way it really was. Shocking, I know. And the letters S.P.Q.R. are everywhere!!!! On the sidewalks, street signs, buildings. It basically stands for, the Senate and People of Rome.

Inside the colosseum

Next we went to the Roman Forum. It was the center of all Political goings-on during the time. Not a lot left of it. I have a secret wish to be transported back into that time and observe how it all worked.

This is an old temple built for an emperor and his queen.

Lance and I walking around the Forum.

ROMA!

Sunlight inside St. Paul's Basilica

I don't even know where to begin. We visited so many places, The Colloseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, The Pantheon, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum! I haven't even posted about Halloween yet! I will start with some photos from St. Paul's Basilica.

It was Sunday, November 9th during Mass. I had a very strong feeling of the Spirit there. Mass was being conducted, but they allow tourists in to most sections. You can hear the organ playing, and the choir of priests singing. It was beautiful. But it was what happened to me while we were standing there that will be with forever.

A testimony that I belong to the true church, and that the man standing next to me (Lance), looking like a typical tourist, actually holds the keys to the priesthood, overwhelmed me. Of course, I already knew the church was true, but we need to always be worthy and willing to build upon our testimonies, especially now. Needless to say, I had to put my sunglasses back on inside the Basilica because of my tears.

Mosaic on the outside entrance

Look at those gorgeous marble columns

St. Paul's sarcophagus is said to be here

Lance and I at the St. Regis Grand Hotel Farewell dinner

Sisters....Sisters....

There were never such devoted sisters.... okay, that's from White Christmas in case you didn't know. I am a HUGE fan of that holiday classic. But I'm rambling. This post is about my one and only (favorite! But still the only sibling, really) sibling on the planet...my SIS! We don't LOOK anything alike, (I know, bless her heart) but we talk the same and have the same mannerisms so that's as good as it gets.

And I KNOW she appreciates the photo of her mouth full o' food from California Pizza Kitchen!
"YA mon". Jamaican Jerk!

She and her hubby came down a couple weekends ago and took us out to dinner and, as always, we have tons o' fun. Her 3 kids stay home with my crew and they all love each other to death, so it works out. We always have fun eating, playing scattergories, eating, getting ill, and making new memories. Not to mention discussing the good ole days of our childhood. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

Please note the Diet soda addiction runs rampant here, too.....

This is Lance and I that night, having some fun with my sis and her man. We don't have that many pics of us lately, so here ya go!
Yay for family and to making new memories over UEA! Idaho... here we come!
(We'll probably have a toast to that with some Diet Pepsi....)

Did you know this?

I have been tagged! Thank you, Jessica! As you may know, I don't usually do these, but this one was short and quick so I decided to take it on!!!

10 years ago I was:
1. Living in an apartment.
2. Totally into ER.
3. The mother of a 3 1/2 yr old.
4. Taking fertility drugs.
5. Much too skinny.

5 things on today’s to do list:
1. Wash the bedding!
2. Take Savannah to tumbling class.
3. Clean
4. Watch the new Twilight trailer a zillion more times!
5. Promise myself NOT to watch any news about the election or the economy!

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Chips and Salsa
2. Snickers bar
3. Chocolate Chip cookies
4. Salt and Vinegar Chips
5. Cheese

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Take all of my family and friends on a vacation around the world.
2. Teeth bleached, maybe new teeth all together!
3. Start a business
4. Hire someone to clean my bathrooms!!
5. Go to Disneyland!

5 places I have lived:
1. Spotsylvania, Virginia
2. Victor, Montana
3. Catamarca, Argentina
4. Fredericksburg, Virginia
5. Rexburg, Idaho

5 jobs I have had:
1. Bookeeper
2. Secretary of Housing Dept. Ricks College
3. Retail
4. Substitute teacher
5. Domestic Engineer

Ah....Edward we've missed you

At 9 pm tonight...the new trailer!!! Hey, I gotta find something to take my mind off the economy!

TWO WORDS

BOO-YAHHHHH!!!!

Skins beat the cowboys(YUCK!)!!!! Skins beat the cowboys!!!!
This is a rivalry that has been in my blood since birth. I have always loved my team in bad times or in good, and now...they beat the nasty cowboys on their own turf!!! WOOO-HOOOO!!

All together now..."Hail to the Redskins!!! Hail victory......."

Sick of it yet?

I know I have posted a bazillion times about our trip, but I thought you might want to hear this story!!

At Goofy's Kitchen dinner, a bunch of characters come around to your table and sign autographs, take photos, etc. We had our fair share of creatures....Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Alice, Chip and Dale, Brer Fox ....


Savannah eyed Fairy Godmother in another section of the restaurant. We were close to leaving, and there was no way she was going to get to us in time. And, if you don't know Savannah, then let me tell you that you would have thought we had just sentenced her to death. She was devastated. Bawling. So as we passed the front desk to leave, the amazing 'cast members/employees' noticed her puffy, red face and whispered to me to stay put for a second.

And just like that....

Bibbidee-bobbidee-boo.

"Were you crying for me, my dear?"

If you look close, you can see how Savvy is instantly content. That is one of my favorite pictures from the whole trip. Fairy Godmother stayed and talked with her for a while and Savannah had her life complete.


Lance and I have discussed what the pull is while you're there at Disneyland. What is it that makes you so happy? The escape from reality? What makes you so willing to throw your money around? The ever present soundtrack? I suppose it's different for everyone, but I think it has something to do with 'when your heart is in your dreams...no request is too extreme...' They believe it there, those wonderful Disney folks.

Those Childhood Moments

Surf City, U.S.A.
Huntington Beach, California

What on Earth is going on????!!!!

You can't see it clearly, but that is Madelyn out there in the lovely waters of Newport Beach, California!!! Can you guess what it is she is doing? Surfing, searching for clams? Leave your best guess in the comments!

Also, this same wonderful daughter of mine can be seen here. MUCH better photos I think!!!

Yay for Vacations!!!!

Just a few more photos of our awesome trip!!!!!!

I love me some Dumbo!!!

Can't get enough of Jedi Gabriel.

Please excuse the risque princess. It is just her culture to dress this way. (?) Too bad Lance was on the Indiana Jones ride with the older kids and missed Jasmine....shoot.

Savannah got called on stage during this show!!!

This was us on Tom Sawyer's island, wondering where the _____ Jack Sparrow is, and wishing these lame ole pirates would just stop singing.

Lance and Gabe (front row) and Madelyn and Savannah (second row) on California Screamin! Definitley one of the best rides.

Sea World post tomorrow!!!!!

When you wish upon a starrrrr......

Are you singing the tune in your head yet? If not, then.... get to it!! This post is bound to force some much needed happiness upon you! Brought to you by the "Happiest Place on Earth!"



We had the best week ever last week as we spent our time (and most of our money) in California! This is a huge deal for us, since we haven't been on a real family vacation for 8 years. EIGHT. So we went all out and had a blast! 3 days park hopping at Disney, one day at Sea World, and a beach day...ahhhhhh. we splurged for a Goofy's kitchen dinner at Disneyland Hotel Monday night, and met just about every character....

Please note that in most pictures, Lulu is in princess attire...

Gabe got to live his dream ( okay...maybe it's my dream too... maybe) and was trained to be a Jedi and got to fight Lord Vader himself. Savannah was selected as well, but for Gabe it was just a bigger deal. This short video clip explains the coolness....

We didn't meet a Disney Princess until late in our second day... and then we came upon... Cinderella. Please note the utter joy on Lulu's face.

And please note that all of our kids (3 year old included) LOVED the Tower of Terror and rode it 3 times.

Lance and I thoroughly enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean (HELLO Jack Sparrow!!!), Madelyn loved everything so much, she couldn't choose a favorite. California Screamin' was Gabe's fav ride and Savannah loved Space mountain. As for Lu? She will tell you that her favorite was the "one where you go up and down, up and down." Yep, Tower or Terror..that's my girl. I'll post more adventures of our past week in the next few days!!! Lots of laundry to do!!!!

Now hear this!

I have been in dire need of a hair trim.

Bangs especially.

I need color, too.

But I have been nervous because my regular gal quit her styling job recently! The HORROR!! So, I found a new stylist just last week!! Yay!! I didn't do color, just bangs and such, but I feel so much better. It's nothing new, so no one get excited. But I feel good, and the price was FABU!!!!

A BIG thank you to the newest Salon in the Kaysville area!!!! KE Salon!!! Here is the link... she's pretty busy but a BLAST to talk to!!!!

**KE Salon**

And so it begins....

Tonight is the beginning of the official 'Fall' feeling for me? Why, you ask? Because one of my shows is starting....duh! After a summer of The Office reruns and enough Olympic coverage to make me a bona-fide judge, tonight...after we put the kiddies to sleep and slap on the TiVo, we get to start the 4th season of.....



Yay! I don't know why I love my 'shows'. I feel like an old lady. But when you have bedtimes and early mornings, the best way to escape with a date night is to watch some good T.V! (Chips and salsa, anyone?) And....only a few more weeks until the rest of my guilty pleasures return to primetime.

Could you please at least LOOK like you're happy?

This is my attempt at a photo shoot with my kids. I have many photographer friends, and I concede to their skills. This is not my calling/talent in life, and actually, I'm okay with it! But, my kids are dang cute, and they (begrudgingly) posed for me!

What to do...what to do...

JUMP FOR JOY!?!

Yes, that was the scene on Monday, when my pals and I walked out of the school without our children. With only one at home, it's almost like I don't have any at all. The house stays REALLY clean and it's pretty darn quiet. But Olivia gets bored and tries to escape outside every second of the day, so that keeps me on my toes.(See above picture for visual)

Madelyn is already hard at work in the homework department....
my wonderful 8th grader!

Savannah has never been more excited to start school. She was absolutely thrilled with her 4th grade teacher this year! (Mrs. Herbst)

And my handsome little Gabe is a second grader and has really started to take off in his love for learning. He just started reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and does quite well.

So, it is back to the schedule of routine bedtimes, homework and practices. And as much as I love the leisure time of summer sleeping in, and casual days, I always look forward to back-to-school! Maybe it's because Autumn is my favorite time of year. Or maybe it's because it's clean and quiet. Yeah...it's probably that.