Nuttin' for Christmas

We were listening to the song "I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas.....'cuz I ain't been nuttin' but bad" this afternoon. Zack was disgusted by it. He said they spoke horrible English and he wanted to turn it off. "Ain't" specifically upset him. It was quite funny. I am glad he knows what is proper and improper English!

The Elfis are here

No, that is not a typo. Nicole was in the school play and she was an "Elfis" dancer. It was a Christmas Hoedown-themed musical and "Elfis" was a play on "Elvis". There were characters named Mary, Chapin, Carpenter, Billy, Ray, Cyrus, Dwight, Yokum...need I say more?

Aside from the silly names, Nicole did a fabulous job. This was her 2nd time participating with the school chorus in a play. Last spring, she was the backstage manager. She really enjoyed that, but loved being able to be on stage this time. She was one cute elf!

Can you see that smile on her face? She was smiling the whole time she sang her song and danced.

Chocolate Madness

Some of you think it is chocolate goodness. You are mistaken. It is chocolate madness and it started on Sunday. We started with the chocolate caramels. Today, I spent about 5 1/2+ hours making orange and raspberry chocolates. They are not hard, but incredibly time consuming.

I start with this:

This is part of a 5 pound bag. I usually end up using around 15-20 pounds of chocolate.

I melt them down in my fondue pot (a great Christmas present from my parents one year. Thanks mom and dad :) The chocolate melts and looks like this:

Finally, I paint the chocolate on the molds, freeze them, fill them, top them off with chocolate, freeze them again, pop them out, and start all over again and again and again and again and again.... Now I ask you, does that sound like chocolate goodness or madness?

This is what the finished product looks like:

These are the orange filled ones, Keith's favorite.

Ok, this does look like chocolate goodness.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Cookies

Again, thanks to and idea in Family Fun Magazine, we made these cute Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer cookies. This is the extent of my Christmas cookie making and it was easy peasy. The cookie making was even more fun because our 3 year old neighbor and his baby sister came to play. He reminds us of Zack at that age. The kids made one that actually looked like Max from the Grinch and Gromit from Wallace and Gromit.

(Sadly, they are not in the photo so use your imagination.)

Priceless

2 tickets

2 kids

1 game

Nicole and I are having a great time, wish you were here. GO FLASH!

Keith Fleming

Too much fun

I forgot to mention the fun I was able to have this long weekend. Shopping early on Friday was a pleasant surprise since I have not gone out in years. I can't remember the last time I tried it. I was surprised at how much fun I had. I brought my zune and listened to music while I stood in line for 30 minutes at Kohl's. The other stores had quick lines. I was gone and back before anyone at home was awake. I was even able to get a nap later that morning.

Darin and Celeste came down with their kids to play for the day. Celeste and I were able to sneak away to see Twilight with my other friends Becky and Roxanne. It was fun to get out with the girls to see a girly movie. I had very low expectations for the movie, so it was not too bad.

Saturday evening, I was able to go play with Roxanne, Becky and Kim at a crop (for those who don't know what that is, we went to a scrapbook store and scrap booked together). Yay! It was too much fun and I did not accomplish a lot; but it is always great to spend time with those girls!

Today, we were able to attend our good friends' baby blessing. It made a relaxing Sunday to be in another ward. I even got a nice Sunday nap. I have enjoyed sleeping later, staying up later and playing more. Christmas can't come soon enough!

A Family of Fluffers

I LOVE this time of year. Usually, I am a purist and wait until after Thanksgiving to set up Christmas. I couldn't wait this year. My Christmas village has been up for 2 weeks now. Our tree was set up on Monday. Everyone helped to "fluff" the artificial tree branches back to life.

I even got up early on Black Friday to brave the crowds, alone, for some good deals. I was victorious in all 3 stores I visited. There was only 1 item that was gone when I got there. I am amazed because I got to the designated area in the store only a few minutes after it opened. Good thing it was an item I was debating about and not a must have.

We have a tradition of wrapping the doors to Nicole and Zack's bedrooms. I don't know when that started, but they look forward to it every year. They love it. This year, they were at the store with me and were able to choose their wrapping paper. Now, the deorating is done.

Can you guess who chose greeen and who chose red for their doors? :)

Thanksgiving is over :(

I am sad that Thanksgiving is over and normal life resumes in the morning. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the Carters. Our feast began with yummy appetizers. We started with fresh salsa with extra lime made by Darin. Next cane artichoke dip with sourdough bread made by Russell. The final appetizer was stuffed mushroom caps made by Debbie. Then, the dinner began. We had 2 turkeys--1 deep fried with Cajun spices, 1 cooked the old fashioned way--both were yummy! We also had ham since Keith S doesn't like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans a la Robyn, rolls, gravy and I think that is all. Who could ask for more? It was very yummy.

After dinner, Keith got his typical Thanksgiving nap.

Keith S. and Bret tried to help Chelsea fix her "check engine" light. They inadvertently set off her car alarm which she did not even know she had. The alarm not only went off, but it shut everything down. She would not be able to start the car. They were able to figure it out and fix both the light and alarm problem. Let's just say, she no longer has an alarm.

We had a great Thanksgiving and hope you all did too. We are so thankful for all and all that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We have a tradition in our family. We make turkey cookies. This year, we saw a new turkey cookie idea in Family Fun magazine. It was easy and involved Oreos, Whoppers, candy corn and a little frosting. We delivered a few plates to neighbors and saved some for us. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

The Holy War is over, hallelujah!

Thankfully, the BYU vs U of U rivalry game is over. Maybe I have mellowed with age, but I am not a die hard "better dead than red" person anymore. I like the U to win their games. I am happy that they have an undefeated season. I think that is cool that they will go to a BCS bowl game.

However, when they play BYU, I always cheer for the BYU. I cheer for the Y throughout the season, too. I don't think you have to hate the U to be a BYU fan or vice versa. I get very disappointed with the hatred some of the fans show towards the fans of the opposing teams. Why can't you be a fan and respect the opposing fan's right to be a fan, too? It really gets ugly sometimes and that contention is what I don't like. You know, love your neighbor and all that---it does not say to love your neighbor unless he is a Ute fan. There is a fine line between being passionate for your team and being mean.

Now, I will step off my soap box :)

Sadly, the game did not live up to the hype. I was expecting an exciting, close game because that is what we usually see. Oh well, there is always next year...

the champions

Keith and the kids participated in a jujitsu kata contest. They each did the freestyle portion of the contest. Basically, you have other participants come at you to "attack" and you have to defend. Zack and Nicole were able to take turns attacking each other. Zack got 1st place in his group with Nicole right behind him in 2nd. Keith got 3rd in his division. The Flemings took 1, 2, and 3. :)

A's all around

For Halloween, the kids got treats. Keith and I got their report cards. Both kids got straight A's. We are so very proud of both of them. Zack worked very hard so he could be on the honor roll. Way to go kids!

It was a treat

We started off the day with ghost pancakes. Yum. Nicole was a vampire this year. She had fun playing the part. Keith dressed up as black eyed peas for the ward party. Nicole's school had the annual parade and parties. Junior High doesn't do that--kind of a bummer for Zack. For dinner, we had our traditional meal, soup in pumpkin bowls. Although, soup in warm weather is just weird to me. Then it was time for the fun.

Aaaaahh..trick or treating. It is fun for the kids, not always fun for the parents. This year was truly a TREAT. For starters, we had 70 degree weather. A balmy Halloween-no bundling up in jackets and no snow. Then, this year, Zack did not trick or treat. He is 13 which seems old enough to stop. Plus, he did not want to. He was thrilled to hand out the candy. I was thrilled to let him. To make it even better, Nicole went trick or treating with her friend and they are old enough to go unaccompanied. That meant I got to sit and relax in the house. It was definitely a treat this year.

Zack was the treat fairy in more ways than one. There were 2 houses he had to visit. One of our neighbors hands out full sized candy bars. Another neighbor told Zack she would give him extra candy if he came to her house. He put on some wings and off he went to those houses.

Keith decided it would be funny to pass out old computer equipment to kids of people we knew well--people who would know it was a joke. We gave them candy and a mouse. After all, Charlie Brown got a rock. Cables are better than a rock, right?

My kind of fall

In Utah this year, we are having 65-70 degree weather this fall and sunny skies. I love it! This is truly my kind of fall. My rose bush is so confused it is still blooming!

Here is what I love about fall in no specific order:

1. The fall colors

2. Leaves on the ground that I still love to crunch beneath my feet

3. Football

4. Chill in the air at bedtime so I can snuggle up under my big quilts.

5. Sweatshirts

6. Soup and chili (although it is not quite cold enough for that yet)

7. The holiday season-Halloween, my birthday :), Thanksgiving...mmmm pumpkin pie!

Extreme Pumpkin Carving

We did our annual pumpkin carving last night. Keith decided to try a new technique while waiting his turn for the carving knife. Yes, that is a dremmel tool you see. Extreme pumpkin carving at its best. Apparently, people use dremmels, but I don't think Keith had the right attachment. He ended up waiting for the knife.

The pumpkins turned out great. Keith did the Pirate, Zack did the scary cat, and Nicole did the skeleton hands.
I toasted the seeds while they carved. Mmmm...toasted pumpkin seeds!

Tag! I'm It!

I was tagged by my friend, Sarah. Here are the answers:

I am: happy
I know: that I am so very blessed
I want: My kids to grow up and be happy, responsible, kind, loving, considerate, faithful people
I have: to pee :)
I dislike: mushrooms
I miss: our families that live way too far away—why won’t they move to Utah?
I feel: stressed about finances at the moment
I hear: a fat cat going crazy playing in the front room-thump, whump, skid…
I smell: pumpkin seeds we baked last night
I crave: peace in my home and in my life
I cry: when my kids are hurting
I search: for good deals and sales
I wonder: what my life will be like in 5 years
I regret: anyone who I have ever offended
I love: sunshine, water and sand
I care: deeply about those whom I love
I worry: about being a good mom and wife
I remember: when life was easier
I believe: that my family can be together forever
I dance: to fun music when I am in a good mood-usually in the kitchen
I don't: want to lose control of my mind or body as I age
I argue: about stupid things
I write: on my blog, in my journal
I win: when everyone is happy and gets along
I lose: when I lose control and get upset
I wish: I could travel the world more Italy again, Hawaii, Germany, London, Switzerland…
I listen: to my friends
I can usually be found: in my house--kitchen or my dungeon
I am scared: of the unknown
I need: to to eat lunch
I forget: things if I don’t write them down
I am happy: when my family has time to spend together

Zack is not Everybody

Yes, I have a teenager. Last week I heard the dreaded words "everybody is going". The situation was this: the junior high school has a school dance every month. Zack has expressed interest in attending. Well, he really wanted to go this month. On the way home one night he said he wanted to go to the dance. I told him don't count on it since he is not 14, but his dad and I would talk. His argument was "everybody is going." I asked him, "Who is everybody?" He was able to tell me 2 girls from jujitsu and 1 other friend. When I asked about his very best friends, they were not going. I said I did not think he would go since we have been directed to go to dances at age 14. I wanted to follow that counsel. He was not happy with me at first but after a bit he got over it.

Scrapbooking vs. Extreme Snowboarding

The girls (Julie) went scrapbooking... while the boys went to see an extreme snowboarding event. It was fun and the music was loud. I am guessing the girls did not have near as much fun :)

Keith Fleming

Apple sauce day today

Today we were taking apples from our tree and making apple sauce. MMMMMMM!

Keith Fleming

It's Official

Sorry, no picture for this one. But, it is official... Julie is going back to school this January. I think in the long run it will be a good thing for her and our family. I just hope the kids and I will survive! We are all very proud and happy for her. And we thought it was crazy busy now!! I just hope at the end of it all we do not have to call her Master Julie. :)

Going Digital

I like to scrap book. I have decided to give digital scrapbooking a try. I am very lucky to have a few friends who are willing to guide me through step by step, cheer me on, and offer constructive criticism so I can improve. I thought I would post a couple of my early layouts. Keep in mind, I am a beginner. :)

My cute nephew at the beach this summer.

First day of school last fall.

Nicole at Grandpa Kip and Grandma Jane's Florida beach.