Twas the night....

Twas a few days before Christmas,
At the Sullenger's house
Many creatures were stirring
Including a mouse (Caught, dead, thanks Brian!)
The stockings were hung,
From the ceiling with care?
To be brought to Nana's
When will we get there?
The Girl's are a giggly all through the week
We even had one who wanted to peek
While Brian has been working,
and I have been subbing,
we are sure we need a long winter's nap!!

Ok, so much for my poem. It needs to end there. But I want to post a picture of the Christmas tree and stockings.

As you can see this post didn't happen timely. Now that we are into 2008 and my poem was written, I thought I better finish this. We survived Christmas. I hate to say that, but that is how it is. Here are some highlights of our Christmas trip: At Nana & Pa's house we learned to pray in Hungarian. Ashley received the "Ultimate Gift" (and some other things) She also planned a very nice Nativity at Nana & Pa's for Christmas Eve. The only funny part was Joseph, someone dropped out and so she had to go to her back up. It is good to have a dad that is willing to do anything!! Emily has lots of new clothes (she was really in need, please stop growing!!). Meagan was just happy to see that Santa found his way to Nana's, her best present: A $.99 jump rope. The girls all loved their new boots and tennis shoes (Thanks G&G Sullenger) and having Girl's Night Out at Nana's. Brian's best gift--Time to read. Liz's Best gift: Family. It is always nice to see and be around our friends and family. This trip there seemed to be less time than normal to see friends. We enjoyed a great get together at the Halpin's with our old neighborhood buddies. We laughed hard, ate well, enjoyed looking at all the pictures of the cruise (again...), and hopefully planning for another time. Thanks Todd & Janette!!

Now that 2008 is here and we are looking forward to a few things:
*Hannah Montana--Las Vegas
*Brazil
*Meagan's Birthday (It is never too early to plan)
*Nana & Pa Leaving on their mission
*Beach Trip (we hope)
*Emily's next band concert

There is probably more to add, but for now this will have to do. Keep reading this blog and find out if "all our wildest dreams come true".

Called to SWERVE!!

Here is a list of things I haven't done: Christmas cards, neighbor gifts, blogged about my Christmas tree, cleaned my house... The list could go on and on. The reason--a new calling in my ward. Be careful what you pray for. I needed to feel needed, and boy is there a lot to do. My new calling--YW Secretary. I have felt so overwhelmed since receiving this calling. I was really quite content and happy in nursery. Little planning, kids that gave me hugs (constantly), reading, playing, not wearing shoes. Now we are trying to get a whole year of YW organized, meet all the girls, figure out who goes with which name, make sure there are activities each Tuesday and lessons each Sunday and that we all can do the rest of the things that we do also. When I am missing Christmas gifts this year, at least I will have something to blame it on. It will be great, to be with Emily in YW and I will work hard to letting her have her space and not being to motherly. I got to go with the Beehives on Tuesday all 18 of them, which was a lot of fun. We have about 50 YW in our ward which will make me work hard, but hopefully will be very rewarding, so far it is.

What a Thankful Weekend

This was the weekend I was looking forward for a long time. My sister Anne and her family, my brothers and their families, and my parents all came for a long Thanksgiving weekend. Brian even took the week off (while I subbed) so he could clean the house, shop, make pies, and shop. It was great to have him home to do the little things. We started things off on Wednesday with the kids staying home and the adults going to dinner. The cousins loved playing together and having fun. Early Thursday morning, after the turkey was in the oven, the boys went golfing and I started the rolls. They were lovely. At crunch time (1 hour to go), the ovens were busy and we were worried about what time we would actually eat, but we pulled it off, thanks to lots of help. Grandma Great brought Mac & Cheese (homemade of course) which was a new addition to the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, veggies, jello, etc. What a feast it was. We ate and ate and then ate some more all 21 of us. YUM. Afterwards, I was even treated to Bubba doing the dishes. He organized the men and took over the kitchen--wow. We then played games and just enjoyed hanging out.

On Friday, we played again. This time it was Savannah's 4th birthday, so cake and ice cream were a must as well as Halloween Bingo. After there was more golf and the girls and kids went to see the lights at the temple. It is not Salt Lake, but where can you see lights and flowers together? Afterwards we came back to our house for hot soup. Even in St. George you need soup in the winter. More games were played and dressing up (we won't tell you who was caught dressing up, will we Paulina).

Saturday morning was busy finding gloves and coats (something we have not seen in a while at our house). We traveled up to Cedar Breaks (a lovely drive) to hunt Christmas trees. We stopped in a large parking area and went up a mountain all 21 of us--even Nana. The first leg of the hike was hard for some, but the kids and boys kept on going. We hadn't spotted a good tree, so they kept on going. The kids were finally tired and we heard them say "we're scared". So we got to them and brought them down the mountain. It felt like 7 Alone (remember that movie?). After hearing some commotion. in the hills and waiting and having hot chocolate, we finally saw movement and a very large tree. Bubba and Trevor had found a tree--now they need a bigger house to put it in. Grandpa & Nana's tree was Charlie Brownish at best. And Dave found a nice one for the Baggetts. Rob came down next with a nice size tree. Where was Brian? Meagan started to go see if she could see him and finally he came with a big tree. I have 10' ceiling, but this is bigger than that. It is a perfect--imperfect Christmas tree, just right. This was a great way to end a perfect weekend.

A funny thing happened on the way to the church

A few weeks ago I answered the phone and one of my neighbors said I was needed at the church or they were going to forfeit. So being the good neighbor, I jumped in the car and hurried down to play volleyball. I can't even tell you if we won or not, we just did not forfeit. The next week, I showed up again, ready to play, the other team forfeited. This also was the last game of the regular season. Well our little team did so well that we went to region play last week. We played 4 games, back to back, against some really good teams. It was about 4 hours of playing, it was fun but I was tired and elated all at the same time when I finally got home. The funny results at the end of that night was that we qualified for region tournament. So tonight 6 housewives (not desperate) will pile into my van and travel to Hurricane for the region tournament. Someone please laugh now!! I will let you know how big my trophy is. (Don't be jealous Napoleon). I had enjoyed being a mom and watching Emily play (or dance, fix her hair, stand there), and wasn't thinking that I needed something else. I am really loving it, but we are not that good, so I must laugh.
UPDATE: We looked really good and one our first set. It was doulbe elimination, but we had 1 1/2 hours to go until our next game. So we went to dinner. We all ate way to much, but really had a nice time. When we went back to our game, all the food just sat there--except for my 2 diet cokes. We played a team that was really into it and had their own cheering section--not fun. So we lost that and went to the loser bracket. We played the team we beat at the beginning, but this time they had been playing all night and were really alive and we were ready for nap. In 3 games we lost. Sad...3rd place. Oh well, maybe next year.

Happy "Dixie" Halloween

I am sitting here, occasionally answering the door to pass out candy, ready to update my blog for the second time in one day. I have just turned on my air conditioner--walking to the door can really make one sweat. This year Halloween has been going on all week long. It started Saturday night with Trunk or Treat at the ward. This in an event we have never experienced. Everyone got really into it. It helped that my kids knew that we should decorate the car, without them it would have been---an undecorated car. Next year we will go for music and lights, maybe. With buckets full, we came home. I was done--there was no reason to go out again. We even found that we had some mice in our house named Meagan and Aubree (cousin), who ate candy all night long, instead of sleeping. Definately no more trick or treating.

The note from school at the beginning of the week announces that there will be a parade (a no-no at Holbrook from the time Emily was in 1st grade) and that the kids can wear their costumes all day at school (AHAHAHAHAH!!) Boy, am I glad I am not teaching now!! But instead I signed up to help in Meagan's class. My assignment craft (AHAHAHAHAHAH!!). Not being the craftiest person, I decide that crafts are dumb and I am going to do something they really want SLIME. After practicing on the neighbor kid (Thanks Cooper), I am ready. The excitement in the air signaled a fun day, but 24 1st graders and slime don't always mix. I am glad that finally I could send it home with them. I am sure their mothers will not speak to me anymore.

Brian and I have reached a pre-empty nester stage. I am sure their are more to come. Emily called her friends and arranged trick or treating with them. Ashley is gone with her friend, so Meagan was left with her choice of people to take her trick or treating--Mom or Dad. No choice for her. I hope they come back soon.

PS--I am glad this holiday is over (I hope).

TIN GRINS ARE IN!!

Here is the new smile. Emily got her braces on yesterday at Dr. Christian's office, complete with pink and green rubber bands. It was easier on her than she anticipated. During the "procedure" she was able to watch TV on the ceiling. When I walked in to check on her, after running some errands, I was sorry I hadn't brought the camera to the doctor's office. She was really quite relaxed with her mouth forces wide open, it was quite a site. She is having trouble chewing saying "it hurts to chew." But she is eating little bites and swallowing her food. I am sure by the weekend she will figure out the eating thing again. She talks a little different and smile a bit different, but she is still Emily and we love her!

Up, Up, and away!!

At Meagan's urging, Brian and the girls finally made it to the airport to "shoot off" with the planes as they were taking off. Since Meagan has starting riding with two wheels she has wanted to go up to the airport to watch the planes and also to ride with them as fast as she could. I think they did a lot more watching, it is one of Brian's favorite things to do (remember his birthday party in 2001, before September 11th). So we took a lunch (ate in the car) and they rode up and down the road by the airport near the fence. We were surprised and pleased with how busy the airport road is. Now if we will only be able to find the box with the helmets in it.

Our Trip to Bountiful

What fun we had with friends and family in Bountiful. The weather was colder than we were expecting, but still we had a great time. On Wednesday, we relaxed and G&G's and then went to see our friends the Seegmillers. In the evening dad took the girls to the rec center to swim and mom with to dinner with her friend Kirsten (which ended way to early). Thursday morning we went and saw our old neighborhood and friends and then met G&G Sully for lunch at the COB (Church Office Building). We even got to go up to the 26th floor, where we met some nice people from Australia. Friday was the day the girls looked forward to, going back to Holbrook. We were warmly greeted and it was so fun to see every one and catch up on things. The girls all had sleepovers, after pizza at Grandma K's. Brian and I even got to hang out with the Martin's after that. Saturday was our work day. Brian replaced a window at Grandma K's and I ran the kids around from one house to another. There are many people we did not even get a chance to see. I am sure we will be back soon and hopefully can see others. We love and miss you all, but in the end it is good to be home again.

In Search of the Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I am in quest of the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Yesterday I found another recipe that claimed to be, and we gave it a try. I know I have done fairly good when Brian will sit down with 3 or 4 and a tall glass of milk to eat them. He will not do this with any cookie. The requirements for good at our house are:

• Chewy (must be soft)
• Crispy (on the outside)
• Taste good (ok, obvious)

My oven is where I am learning still, its the convection part I am having trouble with. I made browning last week that after cooking for time period required were still soft and runny. After doubling the time they were not much better.

We are also debating at our house milk vs. semi-sweet. I am a semi-sweet fan, but others (we won't name names) are milk. I really don't think the cookies taste right with milk chocolate. There will be a poll on this blog so you can vote for your favorite.

Anyway, I have two good cookies, but am willing to try yours, just send them too me. I am looking for ordinary chocolate chip cookies--no fancy stuff. These is a link to the one from RecipeZaar (#101041) that I like and the other is from Paula Deen. Enjoy!

Up and running!!

Here goes. I was inspired by a family friend down here who has a great blog site, and thought (though you didn't ask for it) that it was a great way to keep in touch on our lives (boring as that may be). My goal is to write a couple of times a month with activities that have occurred. We shall see how it goes.
With September coming to a close it is weird to think where the month has gone. I have spent a lot of time subbing at the elementary school. Twice a month I rotate through a number of different classes for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is fun in that I get to see different things in different grades, but my favorite days are spent in one class room. I am not ready to go back to work full time yet, but I love being in school. I am sure I will think twice about it in the spring. I just really want to pick which school to go to. I don't want to teach in Enterprise.
Emily turning 12 was quite an event. Her birthday seemed to drag on forever (she gets that from her dad). She loves going to Young Women's and mutual on Tuesday nights. We gave in and got her "clear" mascara. It made her feel better and made her dad feel old.
Ashley loves school (surprise!!), and has taken Meagan under her wing. With Emily being so busy and "so old" she and Meagan have really become pals. This is great and they play hard together. Ashley even helped Meagan learn to ride her bike without training wheels. (More on this later). She has developed quite the fashion sense and we never know what she will be wearing, or why it takes so long to get dressed. Life is full of surprises when your with Ashley.
This brings me to Meagan, who is happy and full of confidence now that she is riding. However, as she left the house today, wanting to ride to school, she soon discovered that riding on the sidewalk is scary (she prefers the road). Thus, the bike stayed at home and she walked to school. A bit more practicing and she will be there. She has discovered Math and loves to come home and tell us how easy it is. With the cool weather this past week, the girls walked out of the house on our way to school and announced that it "Feels like Bountiful". I think we were all ready for some cooler temperatures.
Brian is staying very busy. Sometimes I have to remind him that it is ok if he doesn't answer his phone. He puts on about 3500 miles a month, and just because he goes somewhere in the morning that doesn't mean he will stay there. He loves being in the stores and working on projects there or solving problems. We love it best when he comes home. We have a very long DADDY DO LIST, and slowing, but surely, it is getting accomplished.
Ok, maybe not the most exciting blog, but it is good for me to write. Come visit!!