Winter Fun

We had a lovely white Christmas. I woke up to Gabby and snow pelting my window. It snowed most of Christmas day and the next day. Gabby received a snow suit for Christmas so we headed out to play. I started on a snowman, but Gabby got cold and insisted we go inside. I didn't argue with her in the least.

Gabby showed me how to make a snow angel. I made one myself while Gabby threw snow on me.

The Olympic Oval is just down the road from me so we went ice skating. I think it's been 10 years since I last went. I'm pretty good with the exception of stopping, but that's what the walls are there for. Gabby was really excited to try it out. It was completely exhausting trying to hold her up and get her going. We lasted an hour and I think we'll try it again sometime soon.

The snow really piles up in the yards after the shoveling and plowing! I have the best neighbor who shovels my driveway and walk along with his. I was able to get to it before him only once. I think he shoveled it 4 or 5 times in the course of 2 days.

Me showing off my beautiful necklace that Pam and Micha gave me for Christmas. It matches my amethyst ring perfectly! I was so surprised by it. Thanks Pam and Micha!

Gabby was a great sport about trying to skate. She'd fall and fall and get back up.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Gabby was a good girl and Santa brought lots of presents. Gabby wouldn't ever tell me what she wanted other than a red ball. She would always say that Santa knew. Gabby seemed to like all her gifts so I guess Santa did know.

Gabby has been asking for a saxophone all year. I have no idea why she's had her heart set on a saxophone, but she was thrilled to get it. She said it's her favorite gift.

Play food for her new kitchen

Gabby has memorized Green Eggs and Ham. They must read it to her at school since we don't have it at home. We play Green Eggs and Ham so I decided to make some this morning with the leftover ham from yesterday. My mom used to make green eggs and ham for us. Gabby wouldn't eat them here or there, she wouldn't eat them anywhere. She did try the ham on its own and liked that. Hurray, another food Gabby will eat!

Gabby woke up at 6:30am. I beat her down the stairs so I could video her reaction. Gabby sleeps naked and I didn't force her night gown on her yet. Check out that hair! That is what I have to deal with every morning. I have no idea what she does at night to get it that tangled.




Gabby's "big" gift was a Princess Kitchen. She's such a little chef I figured she should have her own kitchen.

Gabby made a cheesecake this morning with lemon, potatoes, and strawberry.

Christmas Eve 2008

Gabby and I spent Christmas Eve with the Nevers in Provo. Shawn and Lynn had #5, Carter Thomas, on Friday so I brought the Christmas Eve meal. We had a great time together, playing, eating, and enjoying a new baby.

They did a Nativity puppet show

Gabby showing off her new Dora bag from the Nevers

Playing Operation


At the end of the evening, we dressed the kids up and had them re-enact the Nativity. It turned out pretty cute. I have been trying to explain to Gabby that we celebrate Christmas for Jesus' birthday. Gabby got really excited about the thought of going to a birthday party for Jesus and was disappointed he wouldn't be there. I think the message mostly got through though. Merry Christmas!

Holiday Baking

I love making holiday treats for my friends and neighbors every year. I hope they love getting them. I think they're pretty tasty. Gabby and I spent the day making Jell-O cookies, Oreo truffles, and fudge. Gabby was really only interested in making the cookies. I was on my own for the others. She's a good helper in the kitchen. The Jell-O cookies are ok, I mostly make them since they can be red and green and look pretty. Gabby is still on her naked kick at home. She was so excited to make the cookies.

Here are the recipes for Oreo Truffles and Jello cookies for those of you who may be interested. I just use the recipe with marshmallows, evaporated milk, and chocolate chips for the fudge. Both of these are from Kraft magazine.

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg Oreos, divided

1 pdg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 pkg (8 oz each0 Semi-sweet baking chocolate melted

Crush 9 of the cookies and set aside. Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine brumbs, place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese and mix until well blended. Roll into 1 inch balls, makes about 42.

Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Refrigerate until firm.

I used another gift I got for myself, a new food processor, to crush the Oreos. I haven't ever had one and I'm loving it! In years past, I crushed the Oreos in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. I prefer the former method much better!

Jell-O Cookies

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks), softened

1 cup sugar

2 pkg (4 serving size each) Jell-O, divided

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400. Mix flour and baking powder; set aside. Beat butter in large blowl with mixer on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar and 1 pkg of dry gelatin, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended after each addition.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place cookes 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with bottom of clean glass. Sprinkle lightly with remaining gelatin.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Early Gifts

We draw names for Christmas in my family. David drew Gabby this year. Jen had made David and Maggie Christmas blankets. Gabby was over there a few times while Jen worked on them. She was a little offended that Jen wasn't making her one. I offered to make Gabby a blanket, but she refused and insisted that Jenny would make her a blanket. Jen came through! Jen watched Gabby for me Thursday and Friday night (I'm a busy girl!) and showed Gabby the pieces Thursday. Gabby couldn't have been more excited for it. She made us leave for Jen's over an hour early Friday night so she could go get her Red Lady Bug Blanket. She loves it so much! Thanks David (and Jenny of course!).

And here's my gift to myself! I've been sleeping on a cheap twin bed all year. I haven't been sleeping well and Gabby gets in bed with me a couple of nights a week so I felt it was time for an upgrade. I bought it on Monday and it was delivered the same day. Gabby was actually very upset when I began taking apart the old crappy bed. She's not so into change these days. I can't really blame her though, it has been a tumultuous year. I bought the bedding at Linen's N Things on Thursday (thanks going out of business clearance sale!). I'm hoping to get a headboard and dressers sometime next year, but this is definitely a step up! I love all the extra room and not having springs in my back. Oh, and I found fleece sheets at Target. I highly recommend sleeping wrapped in fleece!

Here Comes Santa Claus....and a Fairy

I had another day off to take today. I dropped Gabby off at school late and got some more shopping done. I'm almost done. I bought my gift for me, a new bed. It was delivered today and I love it. I picked Gabby up from school and we went over to the mall to meet Santa. Of course, he was out to lunch when we got there and we had to wait a while. Gabby was too excited to meet him. She told him she wanted a red ball. She already has several red balls, but I guess she'll be getting another one!

Gabby was a little put out that Santa didn't have his hat or coat on, but she was happy he was comfortable in the end. This was actually the first time I've taken Gabby to see Santa. Kind of sad, huh? But since it was solely up to me, off to Santa we went! I thought that I took video of Gabby telling Santa what she wanted, but apparently I didn't.

The mall has a carousel that Gabby chose to ride over having an ice cream cone. See, I don't totally spoil her, she has to make choices. Gabby rode the reindeer and named her Polly.

So this is Gabby's rejected Halloween costume that has become my tea party outfit. I'm even wearing the wings. I'll admit it, I kind of like dressing up as a fairy. I get into character and prance and dance around to Gabby's amusement. Gabby hosts wonderful tea parties. She comes as Cinderella. Although she does need to work on her graciousness as she forces me to eat things I don't like or want. I enjoy the tete-a-tetes with Gabby, though. We have some thought-provoking conversations.

Gabby and I riding the carousel.

"O, Christmas Tree," The Tutorial

The shopping center down the road had some reindeer on display and pictures with the Grinch. Apparently they normally have Santa but I guess he couldn't make it this year so the Grinch it was. We opted not to take a picture with the Grinch, he looked a bit creepy. The reindeer were cool though. Gabby loved them.

I sunk to a new low today. Gabby dressed herself this morning for our ward's Christmas brunch. She chose the t-shirt in the video's below. I tried and tried to convince her to change and she wouldn't. She just loves t-shirts. So after the brunch, I told Gabby that reindeer didn't like white shirts, only blue ones. She had that t-shirt off quick as anything. I know that it was wrong of me to use the reindeer that way, but I was desperate!

Gabby taught me her version of "O, Christmas Tree" this morning. She is a strict little teacher and requires much from her student. I never did get it right, but it's fun listening to her teach. Yes, that's tinsel on the tree. Gabby kept insisting we needed it. I don't know where she heard about tinsel, but it's a mess. She had fun throwing it on the tree and now "it's perfect!"

Paper Cuts and Pie

This is my index finger and that is a paper cut. I KNOW! Only I would find a way to gash my finger on paper. It happened at work on Wednesday. It actually drew a lot of blood and hampered using a mouse for a while. It's better now, but a cut on the right index finger is the worst place. Everything you touch stings it. Especially lemons as I got a craving for lemon meringue pie tonight.

Can I just give an ode to making lemon meringue pie? It's my favorite pie. Pie making is my thing. I normally get rave reviews for my pies, especially on the ones I don't even like myself like apple and pumpkin. But back to lemon. To make a wonderful lemon meringue pie, one must be a vigilant stirrer. I stir and stir a pale yellow soup eagerly waiting for it to thicken. It's 15-20 minutes of constant stirring and wondering if it will thicken or not. I go through the recipe making sure I added each ingredient correctly. All the sudden, it turns from a pale yellow soup to a sunshine yellow, thick, perfect pie filling. It's the same with the meringue. The egg whites are beat and beaten until they become a fluffy white sugary goodness. I know I'm showing more of my nerdiness, but I think that's one of the coolest things about cooking, the remarkable transformations into beautiful and delicious creations. I just love the tartness of the lemon with the sweetness of meringue, what a perfect combination! Now for some delicious pie!

I couldn't wait for it to finish cooling so it hadn't completely set, but still tasted divine.

I Love Long Weekends!

It's been absolutely wonderful having a couple of days off work. One of the many things I love about Thanksgiving. Gabby was with her dad and I was with Jen and David and his family. It was a good day of feasting and resting. On Friday, Gabby and I went down to Provo to hang out with the Nevers. We made gingerbread cookies. When I told Gabby what we would be doing, she asked, "Will the Gingerbread Man talk and play with me?" I love the way a 4 year old thinks!

Gabby enjoyed the frosting more than anything. More of that went into her mouth than on the cookies!

Gabby, Ellie, Daniel, and Dallin having a parade. They played so well together.

So there isn't a lot of space in my place for a Christmas Tree. Really the only place is on my coffee table. Gabby was insisting that we buy a "great, big tree" and that she knew "a perfect place" for it. Luckily, she decided that a 4 ft tall tree was plenty big and the coffee table was the perfect place. Gabby and I had the best time shopping for the Christmas tree and decorations. Gabby picked out the ornaments, a new stocking, a nutcracker, and a wreath for the door.

And even the star. She had to put that on first.

Gabby preferred hanging the ornaments in one general area. I was only allowed to hang the gold ones and Gabby was in charge of the red (her favorite color). I've since redistributed the ornaments.

So Thankful

I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons. There is so much that I'm thankful for and I wanted to post a very incomplete list in celebration.


I'm thankful for....


....my life and that I'm living. There was a very dark period of unhappiness in my life where merely living and my very existence felt like the heaviest of burdens and I appreciate the simple joy of living each and every day.


....Gabby and the things she teaches me daily about her, me, and love.


....The Book of Mormon and for the understanding I've gained from it of Christ and His power of deliverance and the power of the pleasing word of God to heal my wounded soul.

....teaching (though I feel I do much more learning) about Joseph Smith and his teachings each month. I'm so thankful for him and his courageous life and work.

.....that I'm so close to my sisters


.....that my parents love and accept me and are so sad I can't make it home for the holidays


.....a job that I mostly enjoy, that I do well, and that pays the bills and allows me to live comfortably

.....blogs and facebook for allowing me to reconnect and stay connected to so many friends

.....temples and that there are so many so close to me and the precious knowledge and understanding the work within them affords me

.....life filled with more laughter than tears

.....that I stopped biting my nails yet again and I now have only 21,457 more flaws to work on

.....hair dye

.....tweezers that allow me to tame my wild brows

.....good books and how I can completely escape into a story

.....,music of all genres and my mp3 player

......how often I'm the recipient of random acts of kindness from the most unexpected sources

.....that Gabby and I were both born in Arkansas

.....for the word y'all

.....for my darling nephews and nieces

.....for the good health of my entire family

.....the guidance God grants me in things both big and small

....make-up and that I love wearing it

.....magnificent thunderstorms

....chocolate

.....that I see the sunrise and sunset almost every day

.....my digital camera

....technology and how much ease it adds to life

....the world's wonderous variety and that I've seen so much of it

.....that I feel like this list is endless

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Ponies and Blair Witch III

Rusty Robinson, a family friend from Arkansas, was married in Logan on Saturday. Jen and I were so excited to go to the wedding and see all the Robinsons. They moved to Boise a while back and it'd been a long time since we'd seen them. Ranie (Rusty's sister) and I graduated from high school together and she's still one of my best friends

4 Southern Belles

Ranie, me, Jenny, Ashlee (another Arkansan and one of Jen's best friends)

The bride and groom: Rusty and Gerianne

This is more than just beautiful scenery. The reception was held at the American Heritage Center. As Jen and I were driving in, we saw signs for it and just saw a couple of barns. We laughed and said how funny it would be if the reception were in a barn. I mentioned it to Ranie, assuming there was a lodge or hall, but no, it was in the barn. Jen and I arrived at the parking lot and saw a group boarding a covered wagon. We missed the wagon, it was cold, and we decided to walk to the barn. You can just make out the wagon in the distance in the picture . We were carrying the microwave we were giving as a gift so it was an arduous walk in our high-heeled boots. We made it to the barn and the inside was very nice. It was decorated beautifully and the food was delicious. It was a lovely setting for the reception.

We enjoyed catching up with the Robinsons and they enjoyed me making a fool of myself. BYU played at Utah at 4pm. The reception began at 3:30 so I was recording the game on my dvr and looking forward to watching it later that evening. Well, someone went up to the microphone and begins, "For those of you interested in the BYU/Utah game here's a...." I had clamped my hands over my ears and shouted, "No! No! No! I don't want to know, I don't want to know!" I even shut my eyes so I wouldn't see anyone's reactions. I feel a tap on my shoulder and Rusty is standing there laughing telling me that I was awesome. I think the rest of the Robinsons thought the same but I can't say the same for any others there. I would be the ONLY one at that wedding that cared. Of course, the game was a total let down. Stupid interceptions...

Gracie, Gabby, and Tommy.

Ranie and her 2 kids stayed at my place Saturday night. It was so great catching up and seeing her cute children. We walked to church Sunday morning. Along the way, we discovered that Gabby and Tommy (age 3) share a common quirk. A couple of months ago, I was dropping Gabby off at school and one of her teachers asked Gabby if she'd brought her pony. I was confused and asked if she was supposed to bring a toy pony. The teacher said, "No, I'm asking about her pretend pony, Polly. She rides Polly all day all over the school. Haven't you met Polly?" This was the first I'd ever heard of Polly the Pony. I was telling Jen about it and she told me that Gabby is always riding Polly at her house, too. I've never been able to meet Polly until Tommy came along with his pretend pony, Kindergarten. Gabby and Tommy rode Polly and Kindergarten most the way to church.

Aren't they cute? Gabby loved having friends over to play all day and was very sad when they went home.

When Jenny and I left the reception, the wagon wasn't there to take us back to our cars. It was pitch black out and we couldn't see a darn thing. We did a little Blair Witch video in the event we didn't make it back to my car. You can't see anything on the video but it may be worth listening to. I stopped recording just before a small animal dashed by Jen's feet and her yelling about that. I wish I'd caught that on tape.

A Day at the Museum

I have a few days I have to take off before the end of the year or I lose them. Life is rough when you have to take time off and play. We hadn't been to the Discovery Museum yet so decided to hit that with Jen, David, and Maggie. They used 'museum' loosely when labeling the place. It was fun, but really just an indoor playground. The kids were entertained so it can be called whatever for all I care.

The shopping station.

That's Gabby being a cow. There were little costumes to play dress up. Gabby really got into her character.

Gabby and David going for a spin in a Jeep.

Making a comic strip with stamps.

The water station. There were balls to send down the tunnels.

The playhouse. Gabby had a lovely tea party.

The building area.

It was really nice to have a week day off and do some of the stuff we used to do before I worked full time. We went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch which was quite the experience. There are several around the valley, but a new opened by my house a couple of weeks ago. It was such a zoo for a Monday afternoon. People camped out for the opening because the first 100 customers were getting free food. I wish I could make this stuff up! Camping out for free Chick-Fil-A on a very cold night? I like it ok and all, but one more thing about Utah I don't get. Just another thing for me and Jen to laugh about together.

I finally went back to the library and got a card for the one by my house. Gabby was more excited to go to the library than anything else. We used to go about once a week. I've been buying books lately which has been such a fun luxury for me. I love the library, but it's such an indulgence for me to buy a book I'm excited about when it first comes out rather than waiting forever for it to be available at the library or bumming it off someone. Nerd alert, I know! I've built up my library quite a bit so now you can bum books off me (see my goodreads page)! I think I'll try to find a better balance between buying books and getting them at the library.

Disney On Ice

Jen, David, Gabby, and I went to Disney on Ice today. I went when I was 9 or 10 so it was fun to do it again as a mom this time. We didn't decide to go until yesterday. Gabby had been talking non-stop about it since I told her what we were doing. She's been begging to go to Disneyland, so this was easy alternative for the time being.

Gabby was really into the show. This was her face through the first Act.

It really was a good show. I enjoyed it as much as Gabby did I think. They had a little bit of everything in it. Gabby was frightened of Monstro from Pinocchio but otherwise loved it.

Me and Queen Minnie. Gabby was very offended if we didn't call her Queen Minnie after I got her the crown.

Of course, the one princess Gabby kept asking about was missing, Sleepy Beauty. Gabby decided Belle is her favorite. I told Gabby how beautiful they were and she said, "Mommy, princesses are beautiful, but princes are handsome, not beautiful!" I tell you, kids just pick up on everything.

Gabby and her Cinderella spinner. I embarrassed by how much that stupid thing cost. Oh well, it was a fun day!

How to say no to crack? I'd really like to know if anyone has successfully battled it. I don't know what it is about Gabby's body, but since she was about 1, she's always had a crack problem. It doesn't matter what I do or what kind of pants I put on her, that crack finds a way to peek through. It's funny when those who aren't familiar with Gabby's crack disorder first spend time with her. Futile attempts to pull up her pants and underwear are made every few minutes. Usually the crack wins out within an hour. I gave up fighting the crack a long time ago. It doesn't bother Gabby at this point and maybe she'll eventually grow out of it.

Snow and Make-Believe

It snowed quite a bit the other day. I think it was Thursday...anyway, the morning it snowed, Gabby told me we would have to build a snowman that day. I hoped that she would abandon that plan by the time we got home. No such luck. As you can see, I have mad snowman-building skills. Mr. Snowman only lasted a day and Gabby is all too eager for the next snow so that we can build another snowman. Can't wait for that! You know me, love the snow!

Mr. Snowman did have an actual carrot for a nose. Gabby insisted on that.

Those mad skills of mine on display!

Gabby really enjoys throwing snowballs at me. She was preparing to do that just before I took this shot. She hasn't quite figured out how to make snowballs so I make them for her. I then stand there and let her pelt me with them. Yes, I really love my little girl!

Gabby and I had a busy afternoon today. We played dress up for a while. I'm still Tinkerbell and Gabby has moved on to being Sleeping Beauty. We had a tea party in character. Gabby then became Naked Chef and made a fine meal for me and 3 of her stuffed animals. It was so fun listening to her ask each animal what they wanted and then answering in a different voice for them. She called me "Kid" and ordered me around the kitchen for everything she couldn't reach. I wish I'd gotten some of that on video, but I was too busy being sous-chef.

What To Think?

I've made no secret of my political views and who I wanted to win this election. I was honestly surprised by the results. The reporting and images literally brought tears to my eyes. And they had nothing to do with joy and jubilation. Honestly, I just didn't get that part of it, the euphoria and adulation over such a man as Barack Hussein Obama. I've been pondering over the matter all day trying to figure out the best way to verbalize how I feel. I've read and listened to a lot of other people's reactions so here is mine.


As I was driving home, I realized that life has imitated art once again. I feel like I am that kid in the story of The Emperor's New Clothes (Here is a link to the story: http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Emperors-New-Clothes.htm ). I honestly believed that the majority of Americans would see that Obama wasn't wearing anything like what we've been told. Obama has described himself as a blank slate on which people project what they want him to be. I whole-heartedly believe this is what happened and why he won. There is no human way for Obama to be and do everything that he has promised. The majority of Americans are so caught up with what we've been told to see, few have actually looked for themselves to see that the promised magnificence isn't actually there. What I've seen when I looked was chilling. As I watched and listened to events unfold yesterday, I just kept wanting to shout, but he's not wearing anything at all! But it has been determined that anyone who would say that is stupid, intolerant, and possibly racist. I actually have said it to some Obama supporters and the only reply I get, "It's a change!" That it is!

I can't decide if Obama is more the Emperor, the Swindlers, or a combination of both. I doubt he is aware that he's actually naked. I get the impression that he's as enamored with the illusion as everyone else who's been promoting it. I think Obama and Liberals in general are so much like the Swindlers in the story. They demand more and more money promising that the cloth they weave will be best ever seen. Instead, money and resources are squandered while producing nothing and in most cases, creating a bigger mess. The Liberal philosophy demands more and more money for government programs, that money and government will fix it all. It certainly sounds good, but what do we see with our eyes when we look at the welfare system, the education system, government medicine (think veteran hospitals!), etc? Americans have been swindled over and over again.

I concede that I could be completely wrong about Obama. I'm open to the possibility that I can't see the magnificence of Obama because I'm stupid. May he prove me wrong and live up the greatness already attributed to him for doing nothing! May all of my fears about him be unfounded! I would love for the oceans to begin receding, for peace to occur thoughout the world as simply through diplomacy, for America to become beloved by her enemies, for every American be as prosperous as they desire, to be no longer using oil in 10 years....the list goes on. To accomplish one of those things would be remarkable, to accomplish all that he's promised would be miraculous! Obama has everything in his favor to accomplish all that he's promised, a fawning media and a majority in Congress. Who will be blamed if he doesn't deliver on his promises? Will a majority of Americans be able to acknowledge they were duped and make amends or persist in the illusion? I'm honestly interested to see how events unfold under an Obama presidency. Dare I ask, what's the worst that can happen in 4 years?

A Squawk and a Waddle

About a week ago, I took Gabby to a Halloween store to pick out a costume. She had been going back and forth between being Cinderella or a monster. We get to the store and they didn't really have that much in the way of kid costumes. I was just telling Gabby we would go to a different store when her eyes fell on the penguin costume. "Wow, Mommy, look a penguin costume! It's PERFECT," says Gabby. I was doubtful and asked her over and over again if she was sure that was what she wanted to be. Gabby put on the costume as soon as we got home. She didn't seem to like it and took it off right away. So I was hopeful she would want to wear the darling tutu I'd made her come Halloween. Halloween morning came and Gabby couldn't have been more excited to be a penguin!

She wore her costume to school.

Gabby just has a sense as to what will make her stand out! She wore the costume the entire day without any complaint. Her teachers were actually a bit surprised that she did show up as a penguin. They kind of thought she was making it up.

Me and my Penguin. Yes, I'm completely dull and didn't dress up.

David the Football Player and Gabby the Penguin. What a pair!

David and Jenny's costumes speak for themselves! I made pumpkin soup for dinner, what else would you have on Halloween? We had a lot of fun trick or treating. Gabby's costume drew a lot of comments. It still cracks me up! Of all the things to choose to be, a penguin. Man, I love my little girl!




I didn't get it on video, but at most doors, Gabby would knock and say, "Trick or treat, give me something good to eat! I want candy!" So in addition to not being afraid to stand out, she's not afraid to tell you what she wants either! I think it was more entertaining when we went back home and started handing out candy to trick or treaters. Gabby was really into that. She'd offer comments and compliments and was much more generous with the candy than I was. She's a little disappointed that no one is knocking at our door today. She was really in her element.

Gabby knew what it took to be a penguin.