JAKE'S JAZZY JINGLE BELLS

If you didn't know already, bow ties are the all the rage!

It's Mr. Jazzy Jingles, himself and his roadies.

Santa Claus made a special appearance at the end of the night's performance.

(Okay...so heads up...you can't really see Jake in this clip, but he's really there. Unfortunately, he was standing in the way of Mr. Tanner's arm and out of the spotlight, but rest assured I saw him walk up there so I'm pretty sure he is playing!)

IAN'S 1st GRADE XMAS PROGRAM

Along with a few songs, Ian and his classmates put on mini skits showcasing holiday events that happen in Spain and Mexico, such as Las Posadas, the 3 Wisemen, the ringing in of the New Years while eating 12 lucky grapes (this is the skit Ian was a part of), and Christmas Eve.

Ian was also one of the kids who opened up the night's performance by translating the Spanish introduction for the audience. We had to take out the word "first" from his part because he's lost both his front top 2 teeth and "f's" aren't the easiest for him to say just now.

MAGGIE'S KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

For the evening's performance, the Kindergarteners sang a variety of Christmas songs from around the world (Love the "burrito" song...and it's about a donkey not a Taco Bell delicacy!) and danced the Sevillana - a dance from Spain that Maggie's teacher taught all the kids.

THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL.....

What a Saturday it was! Hard to top a book signing with Stephenie Meyer, right?

You know, it was a long day just to get Mrs. Meyer to scribble a "S" and "M" with a black Sharpie, but who could blame her? I would probably revert to an archaic form of my signature when you had 1,000 people (mostly women, with a few men thrown in for good measure) waiting for you to sign not one, but multiple copies of her books. But well-worth it for us. And, hey, I got to spend some QT with not only my mom and sister, but other vampire/werewolf (go, Jacob, go!)/alien freaks as well.

There were some significant moments thrown into the 5 or so hours we spent in Highland High's auditorium waiting for "Group 23" to be called. That meant it was finally our turn to head up to the table.

First, the shirts my mom designed and had made for us three to wear, were a big hit! I thought it so appropriate to place the "eyes" strategically over the bust line. The eyes on my shirt really "popped". JoJo's, on the other hand, were having a flat day. But we got stopped quite a bit for people to look at them (the shirts, not the...um...you know, those thingies) and even take pics.

Then, a photographer from Deseret News stopped to talk to us about what was going on. We caught his "eye" (hah! hah!) because the three of us were wearing the same shirt and we happened to be reading all at the same time (well, what else can you do while waiting?). It was funny...he showed us the email he received from his boss which instructed him to spend 5 minutes or so taking some shots of a few fans who "may" come to Mrs. M's book signing. He did not expect what he found. He was amazed by the crowd. And though he took some pics of us, they didn't make it into Sunday's paper. However, he was kind enough to send us a pic (look above).

Lastly, and most importantly....Stephenie knew who my mom was! How exciting! Though with this recognition, poor JoJo got overlooked. She got stuck in a sandwich and Mrs. M wasn't having any of her! It started with me, who happened to be the first to greet Mrs. M. She commented on my shirt and I told her my mom designed it; she might know her as "Fatty Lumpkin". And she did know her! It was right at this moment for JoJo to have her turn, but it lasted less than a millisecond. It was ALL about my mom. (At least, Mrs. M signed JoJo's books and spelled her name correctly too, but that was about all the acknowledgement she received.). Mrs. M briefly chatted with my mom. As the brief exchange came to an end, my mom gave Stephenie a shirt. This little encounter was quickly followed up by a reporter from Entertainment Weekly magazine who pulled my mom aside to interview. Pretty sweet!

So, all in all, a good day. A very good day.

HAPPY BDAY JULIE!

In honor of my friend and terrific neighbor, I want to wish Julie a wonderful 40th brithday today!


It was quite the event trying to discreetly coordinate a surprise party for her. Thanks to her two sisters, it is what it was meant to be...a TOTAL SURPRISE! It was a warm and fun evening eating take-out from Cafe Rio; gorging ourselves on cookies dipped generously in a dip made with chocolate chips/cream cheese/brown sugar/and other sweet flavors; little eclairs; chips and salsa; funny stories (thanks Jerri for the Classic Skating reinactment); cake and icecream ("older than dirt"); and presents (though nothing could top your copy of the the host. well, maybe the Jazz shirt could)!


So, here's to you, Julie, for forging ahead of us young ones, continuing to pave the way and joinin' the ranks of the...well, you know whom I'm talking about.

A TALE OF TWO TREES

As most of you are aware, a couple of years ago, Brian had some Christmas tree rage. Let me explain: Every year, for the past 9 years, we had our annual argument-fake tree vs. real tree. And every year I won the argument-REAL TREES RULE!!! Well, up until two years ago, when the 10-foot real tree I was wrapping with lights came crashing down on the kids, all h-e-double-tooth-picks broke loose! That was the final straw or pine needle that broke Brian's back!!!! It was all the excuse Brian needed to take that real tree and shove it out the back door, lights and all. The following day, he had brought home a fake tree from Lowes.

So, I got to admit, the fake tree wasn't all that bad and last year, when we had a tree-argument-free year, I kind of like it. But this year, as we discussed with the kids what they wanted to do during this holiday season, they all put on their puppy dogs eyes and whimpered to their dad that they missed going up into the mountains to cut down a real tree. I know Brian has already posted about the tree cutting this year, so I won't continue with that part of the story.

Now we have the real tree, which is outside on our porch and the fake tree fully decorated in our living room. Because I'm a Christmas tree decoration Nazi, I bought some bright-colored ornaments from Target for the kids to decorate the outside tree. Yeah, I know a bit weird to have a cut real tree sitting outside, but heck, what else can you do?!?

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

Continuing on with Saturday...after the girls and I got home from "The Nutcracker", most of the neighborhood was already out playing in the most significant snowfall we've received this season.

If your kids are anything like mine, they sure love the idea of getting all bundled up and rolling around in the white stuff, but it never lasts long. That is why I have a 30-minute minimum. (Again, I have to get my "money's worth".) It takes me 10 times as long to get them dressed as it takes them to realize "IT'S COLD!!!"

SING YOUR HEART OUT!

Last night we attended, along with Gram Mad and Beckett, and Gram Kim and Gramps Vance, Olivia's final Christmas concert of the season. Olivia is part of our school's choir. She's been in it for a couple of years. Jake was also a member until he became too mature to sing with the common folk. He also throws out that I put too much on his plate and he needs a break to be a kid at least once a week. Anyway, my favorite song they performed was "Happy, Happy Hanukkah". (No, we aren't Jewish, if you're wondering, but Hanukkah songs are always so catchy. Check out Barenaked Ladies' "Barenaked for the Holidays". It has some Jewish classics and a family favorite). Unfortunately, I can't show you any video of my favorite song because of the damn lady sitting in front of me. She kept throwing her elbow into my view. I tried to bypass her interfering appendage but in the end...was very unsuccessful.

Learning the Ways of Rock

Jake was jamming on Guitar Hero III in front of a bunch of his friends.

This is my first video post of my kids and I want to dedicate it to my sister Sara.