Aerobie Fun at the Park

Yesterday, after my kids came home from school, I said, "Tomorrow, we are going to the park whether it is to sled (if there was snow) or just play.  But go to the park, we will."

I planned on reading my current book, "The Jungle Books" by Rudyard Kipling while my kid's played but then I remembered my word of the year and decided to join my kids.  

Toothsome #1 and I started playing "Playset Aerobie".  He climbed all around the playset and I tried to hit him while he tried to catch it.  In turn, when he threw it, I had stay in one place, (where the Aerobie landed previously) while he tried to land the Aerobie over my face and into my neck. Below, he is demonstrating the goal.

 Trying to take a picture of us together with my iphone.

 He was getting ready to throw the Aerobie at me when I took this picture. 

 Meanwhile, my other kids climbed up these trees.  If you look closely, you can see them.  

Great Aerobie fun.  Way better than a traditional frisbee.

It almost made me forget how upset I am by the lack of snow this year.

BTW:  Last night, I hosted my book club.  We read, "A Town Like Alice" by Nevil Shute.  Wonderful book and wonderful discussion.  And, the Kneaders, Raspberry Bread pudding with their vanilla sauce was awesome too. 

Word for 2012

For me, in the year 2012, my word will be

JOY

Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.  2 Nephi 2:25

Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift. Albert Einstein

Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing. William Shakespeare

There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathise with the colour, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life's sores the better. Oscar Wilde

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give. Eleanor Roosevelt

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. Helen Keller

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. — Henri Nouwen


Celebration is the conscience decision to live our lives with joy.  In the midst of turmoil, pain and adversity, in bad times and good, joy is the great companion our Heavenly Father intended us to have.  To feel joy, however, requires a decision on our part--a chosen approach to life, a chosen attitude, a constant awareness . . . To live with real joy we must begin with a personal conviction that we have the ability to change our lives in small meaningful ways.  We must feel we can learn better patterns of thinking, feeling, and doing that will allow us to feel better, accomplish more and rise higher. Elaine S. Marshall

Politics: Meet Dan Liljenquist

Many years ago, I did a study abroad with this man. I respected him them and I respect him now. He has my complete support in this upcoming election. Please, watch the video.

A Few Confessions . . .

It is the New Year and I always do make New Year's Resolutions.  I'm not super "intense" with them but I do make them.  But before I list them, I must confess a few things.

First, I married "up".  Daily I think, "How did I get this man to marry me?"  I haven't made a regular dinner in months, 1/2 the time my head is buried in a book, the house is rarely completely clean (there is always one spot that is perfect, in that every day, I tackle one area completely) and I am way too serious for my own good.  We have been married for 14 years this past December.  Thank goodness that cute dental student asked me out 16 years ago.  

After making fun of this Sock Exchange prize, I wear it almost daily.  Honestly, it is so comfortable and the weight of it is just perfect.  I am not ready to wear it in public yet (as I accidently did with my slippers  at Costa Vida last week) but honestly, I love this thing.

In December, I take a break from my normal reading fare and only read Christmas-themed romance novels.  I don't have much time in December to read and light, fluffy, romance novels is about all my brain can take.  Well this year, I discovered Robyn Carr (I read one of her Christmas themed books at the start of the month) and I have been reading the whole "Virgin River" series since.  I think I have about 4 books left (it is a long series--18 books) and I have loved them.  But, there are always about 10 pages that are not just "romance" but go beyond that.  I skip/skim those parts but even then, they are pretty smutty and blush worthy.  And, I am married woman . . .

Anyway, I apologize to all my Good Reads friends for my book choices in December.  I did read "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens too but honestly, I have been trapped in Virgin River.  I'm almost done then I will go back to normal reading.  I am hoping to finish reading all of Dickens' works in 2012.

My goals:

1.  Eat out less, which means cooking dinner more.

2.  Exercise at least three days a week, preferably four.

3.  Read the the whole Book of Mormon this year.  We are also doing this as our one family goal.  As part of my goal, I plan on reading the Book of Mormon every day.

4.  Be on top of my kid's piano practicing, reading and math facts.  

5.  Cleaner house, which means less book time.  (Which I am fine with, I promise.) 

Film Festival

The last Dentist Husband family event at our house was our annual Film Festival.  

(Let me be clear, when we built this house, we had in mind being able to host many Dentist Husband extended family events.  I love hosting his family and my family.  So it is a great pleasure to be able to be the house that everyone comes to.) 

The "movie style" candy.  I went a little overboard this year but most of it was 10 for $10 at our local grocery store.

The popcorn

The furniture moved for theatre seating.

The start of the event.  

Let me point out, Dentist Husband worked a full week and came home to a house full of his family.   He threw on a t-shirt over his scrubs and then started the event.

The "Oscar" made by my father-in-law.  As you can see, it is made of bills and change.  I think it totals about $50.  

After watching all of the movies, my father-in-law and his wife decide the winner.  

Below is the reaction of my sister-in-law and her husband after hearing they had won this year.  They deserved it.  It really was a great film.

I found this on my camera and had to laugh.  I was taking a picture of my husband and the Honey Baked Ham and ibuprofen made it in the picture.  The Honey Baked Ham became a running joke this Christmas because I brought it out whenever people came over.  My brother in law threatened to carve the date in it, so I wouldn't bring it out next year.  And, with all of the late nights we have had with family, the ibuprofen became a staple for me and Dentist Husband.  

And, when you host the "Sock Exchange", sometimes people leave their winnings at your house unnoticed.  This was discovered on our basement toilet seat.  

It was a great holiday season.  Welcome 2012.  

Christmas Eve

This first picture is actually earlier in the month.  This is our annual trip to Thanksgiving Point for my birthday dessert.  I'm now 39.

In Christmas Eve's past, we have gone out to breakfast with all of Dentist Husband's family (continuing a tradition from my family growing up).  But, our numbers have gotten too big, so Dentist Husband's sister offered to host Christmas Eve breakfast at her house.  

Christmas Eve breakfast is usually when we all see each other for the first time during the holiday season.  Since most of Dentist Husband's family lives out of state,  it is a great reunion to see everyone.  This year, we all ate awesome homemade breakfast in my sister-in-law's beautiful home.  Breakfast turned to lunch time and then it was 5 pm.  Dentist Husband and I were having a conflict about what to do about Christmas Eve dinner.  (I wanted our traditional steak and salad while he wanted some Chinese.)  Since we had been gone all day, ended up here.  Best Christmas Eve dinner ever!

 Once home, the kids opened their Christmas PJs.

We watched Luke 2 and then the kids went to bed.  

Santa may or may not have forgotten to buy candy for the Christmas stockings.  Santa may or may not have had to run to Walgreens at 10:00 pm.  The parking lot was packed and the store was super busy.  Thank heavens for Walgreens.

Christmas Day

Santa came 

We have called Toothsome #4 "White Buffalo" since she was born.  Santa brought her, her own white buffalo.

 Toothsome #2 got two kinds of art kits--the real deal and Udraw for the Wii.

 Both boys wanted Hypersonic RC cars and Legos.  

 Toothsome #4 also got these.  All four of my kids LOVE them.  

 After opening presents, we went to church.  (I sang in a trio and Dentist Husband and I both were in the Ward Choir.)

 Then, just before Dentist Husband's family arrived, Toothsome #4 did this.  I was jealous. 

We hosted Dentist Husband's family Christmas day fun/meal.  People started coming around 2:00 pm and stayed until around 9:00 pm.  

Great fun.