New Christmas Traditions!

Last year our dear friend Bethanne got us an amazing gift. It was a gingerbread nativity set So this Christmas we finally got it out. Thanks to Pillsbury's ready made ginger bread dough it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. Afterwords we went caroling and stopped by a local church that was doing a live nativity scene. Sounds like new traditions to me!We also took our Christmas pictures and got the cards out. Also during December we have been busy with Scouting.Here is Kat getting her Daisy Pin. And the whole troop in which I am a co-leader. Can you tell I am two feel taller then everyone??
We had a big surprise one day when it started snowing! We are so mystified with Texas. It is cold one day and hot the next. I don't know how people deal with it. My hall tree has coats and jackets, the shorts and t-shirts are still in drawers. It's annoying! Lilo knows how to deal with it all! Ah to be a dog! We did not place her in there, she burrowed in! Soon my family will start to arrive and then Jason's parents will come in time for Adam's baptism. Didn't these turn out nice?
I think I have done everything I need to do to start the season. Today is Kat's birthday and we are going to the roller rink! I can't believe how big our kids are getting. 6 years ago today Jason was just 24 hours home from India and I went into labor after staying with my parents for 2 months. The time has gone by so quickly and we have been so many places since then! I am sure I will post birthday stuff soon, but until then: Merry Christmas everyone! And a Happy New Year!

December!!

Every day of December feels like it is moving faster and faster! Of course we have two birthdays and Christmas, but this year we also are in America. And that means lots of family and friends and access to malls! So while I feel like I am hurling towards the new year I want to make sure I get on here and keep everyone up to date! Here is the latest!We had friends in the ward invite us for Thanksgiving. The food and company was so good! Thanks to the Humphreys and Oyllers! Adam had his birthday party the Saturday before he turned 8. He is growing up so much! We had a lot of fun playing games, having a disco, watching a DVD of Adams life so far, and hitting a pinata. His cake was a lego cake in the shape of an "A" in case you didn't get that.
This past weekend my mom flew us sisters to see our grandma in Kentucky. We also got to see our cousins the Neals. We had a girlie blast, even if it was only for 48 hours! Don't you love our matching PJs? I am so thankful I come from a fun family. We always know how to have a good time. My favorite was singing with my sisters and mom for Granny. We have a great heritage and it is so fun to see how bits of our ancestors are in us all.

Where did we go??

I know I have been AWOL with my posts but it just means we have been busy! Here are a few highlights! Why do I type in exclamations?!Here is my son finding more mischief. Today's recipe- chocolate kool-aid! Yes that is a Christmas tree in the background. I won't tell you when we put it up!
I went to my first Young Women in Excellence activity since I was a kid. It was very different having a stake in the sucess. It was beautiful and fun. I was proud of the girls and the leaders!
Here is my favorite thing to do: Reading and eating. Don't you love the little doggie? Adam is doing Scouts now and had his first Regatta. He didn't win a race but he got most original for his silver Warrior Dragon boat.

Also I have to include some reviews of two movies I have recently seen:So first: I heart Zac Efron. I used my children as an excuse to go see it the first time, then I went with my girlfriends so I could giggle more and focus on his beautiful face. As for the movie itself, it was pretty good though I liked HSM2's music better. But I loved that it was higher budget and we had more scenes to work with. Sharpay was the worst ever and just a bigger cartoon then the others. I think the guy who plays Ryan is so talented but he needs a stylist! Dude those eyebrows! I miss the carefree days of HSM1 where Gabrielle actually wore jeans and Sharpay had her real nose. In conclusion, I will see anything with Zac Efron in it.

As for Twilight.....sigh... it is so hard to explain. Especially to my husband who just smirked at me and asked if I wanted him to pretend he was Edward. For the record no. I do not lust after Edward, but it was completely enjoyable to watch the book come to life. It's too bad that so much had to be crammed into the two hours. It should really be a miniseries! And it did have a B movie feel. I was expecting a bigger budget on par with Lord of the Rings- but lets hope it makes buckets of money so by the time we need CGI for werewolves and Volturi we are set. But that said, Bella and Edward were cast perfectly and the intensity and the trembling done by the actor who played Edward made the movie! That was the best part- hearing the audience giggle and swoon! I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to all the girls out there but not to any boys. No man should be subjected to that.

Tag!

So my old buddy from Germany (sounds like an army buddy right?) Lindz tagged me on her blog. Usually I roll my eyes at these things but I loved hearing her "voice" as she typed out her answers, so for the love of Lindz I will comply. Here are the rules:
1. post the rules on your blog
2. write six random things about yourself
3. tag six people at the end of your post.

1. When I was a kid (like until I graduated high school) I played in the woods. I loved the creek and being with the trees and I often asked if there would be trees in heaven. But then again I also felt passionately about roller skating in heaven. Now that I am an adult I am confident there will be both.

2. I used to have an irrational fear that if I thought about aliens too much they would know I knew about them and come and take me away.

3. I can drive backwards better then forwards. My dad made me drive backwards around a parking lot until I could do it perfectly.

4. I have a deformed toe that is genetic. When I was little I thought it was crooked because I wore my jelly shoes too long.

5. I like to do the same things everyday and I love to make plans just as much as I hate when plans change. I get annoyed at my husbands compulsiveness just because it doesn't match my own.

6. I have about 9 best friends. It takes approximately 6 months to find and make one. :)

I tag Kacey, Jana, Angie, Candice, Shauna and Megan

The Houston Zoo

My friend J got us passes to the zoo and so we had a great election day seeing the animals. It was the first time that me and my lady friends hung out with our kids all together. We were quite a gang but it worked! We are counting it as our workout for the day!

So Totally 80's!

So I owe all my girls in Germany a big thank you for the inspirtion of all things Girls Night and especially 80's themes! But I think the Houston girls managed to rock it! I was completely astounded at the level of commitment! It was a great night. We played "Girl Talk" a game of truth or dare- and sang Happy Birthday to our dear C-note! I am still recovering from the laughing headache and the hairspray fumes! But it was totally worth it!

The Big Day!

We were so excited for our first American Halloween! And in a big subdivision! Jason got into and dressed as the emperor and so we had quite a quartet going down the road. Me and Lilo had a great time waiting for kids to come by. There weren't too many since we are in the back of the neighborhood but it was still fun.
By about 9 my bother came around and said he knew where my family was so I jumped in the back and we went and picked them up. I can't believe how much candy they got. 6 bowls worth! That should last us until Christmas for sure! I am really glad I got them to eat a decent meal before they went out- Bloody Lungs and Maggots (chicken cachitore and small noodles) Monster Fingers (apple slices) and the rest of the Monster Snot. When they got home I let them pick out a small pile to eat then we watched the Simpson Halloween episodes we had recorded. Smells like tradition to me!

Halloweenies

I finally got around to carving the pumpkins. I'm kind of a snob about it. I like being really creative, but this year the kids wanted to use the patterns that came with the carving kit. I did get them to at least clean the guts out themselves!
Of course Adam wanted the skull, and Kat wanted the cute Goblin. Alex just wanted his name in the side!
For dinner we I made a candlelight dinner. Thanks to Women's Day Magazine who suggested it!
And at school today the kids were supposed to dress up as characters from their favorite books. I think we did pretty well! Introducing Calvin & Hobbes and Laura Ingalls!

A little taste, in case you wish you were there!

New Kids on the Block- The wait was worth it!

Ok I am just too tired to post. My head is ringing my voice is shot and my legs hurt from jumping up and down too much! But here are the highlights:
1. Natasha Beddingfield opened for NKOTB and she signed autograpghs after. I got to meet here and was all like "I lived in Europe and have been a fan for years, thanks for everything!" I was totally starstruck and shaking afterwards. Also I know I sounded stupid.
2. Courtney and I screamed and jumped around like we were 13 and it was magnificent.
3. We rushed the barriers when they were in the crowed and totally got away with it for like 5 minutes. I swear Jonathan saw us and thought we were hot.
4. Jordan took off his shirt and looked amazing. That's all I have to say. No one missed the rat tail.
5. I could've stayed all night.

Where the Blonds are....

So we all knew this day was coming. Adam was starting to complain that his neck was too hot and so we agreed to get his beautiful hair cut. I asked him who's hair he liked and he said Troy from High School Musical. So we went online and found this picture:
So we printed it out and took it to our local quick cuts. I hate that place cause they really boss me around but it is the only place that does it so fast for so cheap! So this is what we started with:Ans here he is now:

Not only is he incredibly handsome but he does look really grown up. She cut it too short but I know it is going to grow out great. She cut it with a razor. Adam was in charge of the whole thing and now puts pomade in his hair! Don't you love his curls?? 2016 watch out! Adam will have a drivers license and license to date!

Girlfriends!

With Jason gone we are having a good time here at Party HQ! Here are some pics of a good ol' fashioned make-up party and glamour shots. Cosmo we are waiting for your call!

It's too late she has already gone feral

Let's start off by saying I am very grateful for Jason's new gig with FEMA. It is such a blessing to us. He is currently in Baton Rouge and will most likely be headed up to Chicago to address the flooding there. So I have been bach-ing it for 5 days and it looks like we will have a brief Jason sighting tomorrow night and then it is so long for 3 weeks! But if the result of the separation is that our debts get paid off we shouldn't complain right? But the short term result is that I am morphing into my natural state. As my audience knows Jason likes to maintain his environment at a certain level and we have come to a treaty over the years. But I have to admit things are starting to slide.... Here is the nest where I now sleep:
And the sexy choice of evening wear (shut up it's vintage!):

And the juice that no one likes but me (yes it's juice)
And last of all my new bedroom companion:
Thank goodness for prime time and amazing girlfriends who are always up for a party! Here's to you J-dog and C-note!