Christmas Highlights

Sweet Pea and his loot. He didn't want to write Santa a letter this year. He just wanted everything to be a surprise.

Bones Brigade and his loot. Who knew that the king size bag of M&M's in his stocking were going to be the most awesome present ever! He held them high above his head and shouted out "Mom look, KING M&M'S!!!!"

Miss Mommy and her loot. That purse she's holding has sadly already seen its day. She brought that thing everywhere (and I mean everywhere) with her until the handles came unattached, then frayed, and then the zipper broke off. I'm sure it was a combination of her sleeping/eating/bathing/zipping/unzipping/going potty/stuffing it to it's fullest capacity that did the trick.

Big Guy and his loot. This kid is boy through and through. He is obsessed with balls, and therefore that's all he got for Christmas.

Christmas at Grandpa Poll's. He bought all the kids hats this year.

Here's the girls in their girly hats.

Here's the boys in their BYU hats. (And Rocky in his snow hat that he just thought was the coolest thing ever!)

And here's a few random pictures of me and my brothers. Aren't they the cutest?!

'Tis The Season....

..to be thankful,

..to play Jr. Jazz,

..to deck the halls,
...to be jolly,

..to make marshmallow snowmen,
...to go to "Ugly Sweater" family Christmas parties,

..to have ward Christmas parties,

..to sit on Santa's lap,

..to visit Christmas village,

..to play the Christmas chimes,

..to go to the Stake Nativity Night,
for Matt to work ridiculous late night hours,
to clean the church,
to sleep under the Christmas tree lights,
for husbands to run marathons,
to watch A Christmas Carol for the first time,
to play hide and go seek in the dark,
to take advantage of free shipping and buy most of my presents on-line,
to play in the snow,
to snack non-stop on the yummy treats neighbors bring,
to see the Layton Park lights in your car (an excellent place to play eye spy),
to re-do my dad's basement,
to go to wrapping parties,
to go to the dentist,
to go to the dentist again,
to tune in your radio and sit in front of the house that has Christmas lights that flash to the music,
to go to Relief Society Christmas parties,
to sing Christmas karaoke,
to have dinner with friends,
to have each of your kids get sick and pass it on to each other,
to have Book Club Christmas parties,
to see Princess and the Frog,
to see Avatar (awesome movie!)
to have the traditional Christmas Eve Mexican dinner,
and last but definitely not least,
to focus on the Savior and all he has done for us.


It's been a wonderful/hectic/fun Christmas Season!

Top 5 Christmas Albums

Here are my tried and true top 5 Christmas Albums that get me in the Christmas spirit. What are yours?

1. Carpenter's- Christmas Portrait
2. Harry Connick Jr.- When My Heart Finds Christmas
3. Mariah Carey- Merry Christmas
4. Elvis- If Everyday Was Like Christmas
5. Amy Grant- Home For Christmas

Creative Power

I loved the intention behind yesterday's yoga class. Hope mentioned that when problems arise or obstacles get in our way there are usually two different kinds of people. There's the "realist" who usually sees the logical way of working it out and if that doesn't work, then it's just not going to work. Then there's the "optimist." This person usually has the "where there's a will, there's a way" type of attitude and they're bound and determined to find a solution. And usually when you have that kind of attitude creativity plays a big roll in how you solve the problem. So Hope asked us to channel the optimist part of ourselves and find creative ways to work around the pain that maybe we're feeling when we're in a certain pose. Sometimes it just has to do with the way we think about it. I was amazed at how well this worked. As I was doing my push ups on the yoga ball and my arms were burning and I didn't think there was any way I could do another one, I used my creative power and concentrated on my glutes. Once I took the focus off my arms and how much they hurt, Booyah!...I was able to bust out 10 more push ups! Where there's a will, there's a way!!

I really like this intention because I've always been an optimist. At times I have been ridiculed because of it and this class was a good reminder that being optimistic is a good thing. For example, I have a ward party coming up and I want to make some sort of fireplace backdrop for Santa to sit in front of. More than one person that I've told has looked at me with a "how in the heck do you think you'll be able to do that" kind of look. Well, I don't know exactly right now, but mark my word, I will have a fireplace backdrop for Santa. I believe that through creative power you can find a solution to just about anything. My mom was this way and I'm grateful that that trait was passed down to me. I look at my life and see all the things that I've accomplished because I creatively figured out a solution. I think half the battle is just trying in the first place. You never know if you'll be able to do something or not unless you try it. So why not go ahead and give it a shot, maybe you'll amaze yourself.

Hair Challenge #2

Well, I did it! Doing my hair from a different decade twice was a lot more of a challenge than I anticipated. I had to take a little two week break because the last thing I wanted to do was my hair while Rocky, then Maya, then Luke, then myself, then Isaac got sick. My favorite decade.... I'd have to say the 70's. I've always like the part down the middle type hairstyles. Plus I love that crimped look. My close second was the 20's or maybe the 40's. I don't know, it's hard to decide. There's probably something that I like from each decade. Thankfully, I live in a time that vintage is popular. I can choose any decade I want!! My least favorite..... definitely the 80's. I attempted the ratted big hair, then took a good look at myself in the mirror and decided I wasn't going to humiliate myself like that. As for my next style challenge...? I'll let ya know when I figure out what I feel like doing.

Team ?

Warning: I'm on a Twilight High right now and the things I'm about to say shall not be held against me in any shape or form. Now there are those that are obsessed with Twilight. I like to think that I fit into the category of those that are just passionate about it. With that being said.....

I don't even know where to start. I'm still so giddy from last night! The much anticipated New Moon premier party was last night at midnight. I had some pretty high expectations going into this, and just let me tell you... I was not disappointed in the least! New Moon is ten times better than Twilight. The new director did an amazing job. I actually liked Kristen Stewart as Bella (hated her in Twilight). The werewolves looked great. The story flowed a lot better. I was in good company (my cousins Angelene and Jenny) who are just as "passionate" about Twilight as I am. And the eye candy was not to disappoint! I just have one dilemma now though.... I'm on the fence about whose team I'm on now.

I've always been an Edward fan since the day I first read the Twilight books. He's handsome, romantic, a gentleman, basically just perfect. Plus I love the whole "meant to be together/can't live without you" thing between him and Bella.

But aye-yi-yi... just take a look at Jacob! I would get so mad at Bella every time he'd get close to her and she'd push him away. What's wrong with her! First of all, as I mentioned before, just look at him! Second of all, he's got such a cute personality. He's funny, he's protective, he's loyal, and he's a good friend. After seeing New Moon I totally fell in love with Jacob. I'm so torn right now between the two of them. :) What's a girl to do?! I guess go see New Moon again so I can figure this thing out!

Pity Party

It's been 3 short, yet long years since my mom has passed away. When trying to think of what to post I couldn't think of anything uplifting. In the past I've posted about my last memories with her, fun memories, and silly things about my mom. But I'm not feeling it today. (Maybe some of my crappy attitude has to do with the fact that I'm sick.) Sometimes it's bearable and I can look on the bright side, but other times it just plain sucks! And here's why...

-I miss having someone that I could be 100% honest to. My mom and I never held back with our thoughts or opinions about each other or anything we were talking about. She'd tell me if I was looking too pale and needed a little blush, and I'd tell her how "interesting" she looked with her sweats and pearls. (It was quite the fashion statement)

-It sucked that when Barry Manilow came live to SLC there was no one to go with.

-Family get-togethers still don't feel right. I'm guessing that void will always be there.

-I miss having a Walmart shopping companion.

-I hate the fact that I'm starting to forget things about her. I'm finding that when I try to talk about her with my kids, I keep telling the same stories over and over.

-Whenever people talk about their moms I get a sick feeling in my stomach. It kills me to hear people talk about doing things with their mom. It especially kills me when people express their gratitude for something their mom has done for them and they just don't know what they'd do without her. I don't think I've ever been so jealous about anything in my life.

-I miss my mom being the planner in our family. I often feel that that title has been placed on my shoulders and I'm not sure I like that. Things will never be as fun as when she was here.

-I hate that she's not here to celebrate in all of life's special events. Baby blessings, baptisms, holidays, birthdays, sporting events, award ceremonies, special achievements, etc. She had a way with making each event and the people involved feel like they were the most important thing in the world.

-I miss my big boost of self esteem every time I talked with her.

-I hate the fact that I didn't appreciate her as much as I should have until she was gone.

-I wish I would have asked her more questions. I find my self wondering a lot. I wonder how she was at my age. I wonder how she handled certain situations. I wonder about her inner most thoughts on different things.

-And last, but not least, I hate the fact that I'm sick right now and she's not here to come help take care of me. She was always so good helping out when someone was sick. She's been known to take your laundry and do them at her house. She's been known to come and take your kids the whole day so you can rest. She's been known to sit by your side with a wet washcloth and wipe your forehead while tickling your arm and humming a lullaby. Man I miss her.

I guess one good thing about today is I have the best husband ever! He surprised me by taking the day off (which is unheard of this time of year at his work) so I could go do what I needed to do. He suggested going to the gym ( haven't been in over a week because of sick kids), visiting my mom's grave, and cashing in on my spa gift certificate that's taken me forever to use. Another good thing about today is the fact that my family and I are going to go to dinner and do some sealings at the temple. It always makes losing my mom so much more manageable when I get to spend time with my family.

Goodbye Terrible Two's, Hello Angelic Three's....

Oh how I wish that were the case here. This picture pretty much sums up how Maya's 3rd birthday went. She was sick all day Sunday and was still recovering by the time Tuesday rolled around.

She's been so excited for months to have a Barbie Birthday. We've been looking at cakes online and she chose her favorite. She's been singing Happy Birthday to herself ever since Isaac's birthday in the summer. She's been pointing out toys on commercials that she wants for her birthday. And then the exciting day came and she didn't want anything to do with birthdays. She'd cry if I said Happy Birthday to her. She'd cry if I asked her if she wanted to open presents. And she cried when I told her I was going to start making her cake. Even through her protests against a birthday cake, I still went ahead with it.
We had a birthday dinner on Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's. This was when she was the most sick, so she didn't want anything to do with any of the festivities.

On her birthday Grandma Merrill, Dad, Rocky, and I took Maya out to lunch at McDonald's. She seemed to be in pretty good spirits here.

All day long she just wanted to color with Mommy's good markers. Since it was her birthday and that seemed to be the only thing that would make her happy, I let her.

I had a huge chat with her right before we sang Happy Birthday. Our conversation went something like this...
Me: We're going to sing Happy Birthday to you now...
Maya: No, No NO NO NO!!!! (Big crocodile tears are starting to come down now).
Me: Maya, this is ridiculous. It's your birthday.
Maya: No it's not. It's Rocky's!
Me: No Maya, it's your birthday. See, Mommy made you a Barbie Birthday Cake like you've wanted for a long time.
Maya: I don't want to Barbie Cake.
Me: Too bad. Now you either let us sing Happy Birthday to you or you're going straight to bed.
Maya: I don't want to bed.
Me: Then let us sing Happy Birthday to you, okay?
Maya: (choking back the tears) Okay.

She was a good sport to start off the song....

She played along by attempting to blow out the candles....

But when those candles wouldn't blow out, she lost it! She'd had enough!!

"Fine then! Rocky you blow them out." He was more than happy to give it a shot.

Once she noticed that I cut into the Barbie Cake and you could actually eat it, the tears magically stopped. All of a sudden her good manners and sweet countenance came out as she politely asked for some cake.

Then once all the attention was off her, she was more than happy that it was her birthday. She all of a sudden wanted to play with her new Barbie's and she wanted to put on her new Cinderella dress up clothes. All I can say is that girl tries my patience. I love her to death and I think she's the cutest thing I've ever laid my eyes on, but man.... she sure does push my patience to the limit. Love you Baby Girl!!!

Halloween Fun!

That's right... Matt and I are Centaurs! After much convincing of how cool it would be, I gave in and agreed to be a Centaur with Matt for Halloween. Where do you find a Centaur costume you may be asking yourself? You don't! You have to make it! Don't ask me how I did it, or when I found the time, but I busted out these two costumes just to make my hubby happy. I guess one good thing came from it... wherever we went we won first prize in the costume contest. Sad thing is we'll never be able to top this costume. Now the real question is, is anybody in the market for a Centaur costume?

Our friend Halloween Party. This is always a lot of fun, even though the girls get their booty kicked every year in pictionary. It's not our fault though, the boys cheat!
(the girls)

(the boys)

We decided to dress up for Book Club this year. We chose a character from one of the books that we've read to dress up as. Top row, from left to right: Bella Swan (Twilight), Sayuri (Memoirs of a Geisha), Minnie (The Help), we still don't know who Alene was dressed up as, Bathsheba (Ladies Auxiliary), and Allie Calhoun (The Notebook). Bottom row, left to right: the pregnant nurse (Drowning Ruth), Griet (Girl With A Pearl Earring), Henderson (Henderson the Lion King), and Hatsumomo (Memoirs of a Geisha). I love my Book Club Gals!

Luke's Halloween Program. Everyone sing together now... "I've got magic! Alacazam-acazoo!"

I made the adults dress up this year for our family Halloween Party. Here's the ones that were kind enough to play along with me. We've got a fairy princess, a cow with his hand on my booty, Centaur girl, punk girl, Centaur Warrior, cancer radiation patient, and Michael Jackson. Ya gotta love my family.

Here's all the cousins. I think we had a double of just about everything. Two devils, two zombies, two spidermans, two brides, two witches, and two red riding hoods. Oh and of course two centaurs.

Grandma Merrill decided to dress up this year. Can anyone guess who she is. She's a spittin' image of her......

She's Edna, from the Incredibles.

And here's my kids. Their costumes were refreshingly easy this year. I don't think they really had a choice since all my time and energy was spent on my costume.

Thriller Zombie (you can't leave out the Thriller part)

Spidey (oh how he wishes he could really climb that wall)

Little Red Riding Hood (isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen?)

Spidey Jr. (he wouldn't leave his hat on for anything, oh well, he's still cute. Just look at his face. I wonder what he's thinking here.)