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Funny

My mother got me this really, fancy shiny, shimmery shirt for Christmas, to wear to an upcoming formal family party. It’s sort of a “baby doll” style shirt, which typically doesn’t look good on me, and in fact, can actually make me look pregnant when I am not. So, I had this conversation with Ryun:

Me: Do I look pregnant in this shirt?

Ryun: No, but you look like if Barry Manilow were singing, you’d be pulled up on stage.

Me: And that would be a bad thing, why?

Happy New Year

I wasn’t sure if I would get a chance to say it before it is officially upon us, so early is better than not at all.

I don’t do resolutions…I have a hard time sticking to them, to be honest. I can tell you though, what I am hoping this year will bring.

There are a lot of things I want, of course. Not material things (although there are a few of those too), but just things.

The one thing though, that I am hoping this year will be is a year of self-examination. A year, to re-evaluate, where I am, where I want to be, and what exactly it is I want out this thing called life. It’s been a long time coming, and what better time than now?

On The Agenda For The Long(ish) Weekend

Last night: family game night. Disney DVD Scene It, in which the team of Ryun and Emily kicked Katherine’s and my butt. What was I thinking suggesting that those two be on the same team? You’d think I’d know better by now. Sheesh.

Tonight: Patriots fans rule this roost. Guess what we’ll be doing?

Tomorrow: Undecorating. We usually do this right after the new year, but, quite inconveniently, the holiday falls in the middle of the week. Next week is too late and this weekend seems too early, but, we had to pick one.

Monday: Ryun will be working during the day. The kids and I will be enjoying another day of school vacation. This is most definitely the best vacation as far as school vacations go…new toys for Christmas have yet to loose their appeal, making entertaining the kids one heck of a lot easier.

Monday night: Where else would we be but, the Utley’s New Year’s Eve Bash?

Tuesday: The New Year’s Day tradition: Adam and Jean’s house for some fantastic Italian dining, and wonderful company to boot.

Wednesday: back to “real life.”

Survey

Do you believe in the “natural treatment” of mood disorders, ADHD, and things of that nature? How well do you think things like herbs, fish oils and other “natural remedies” work?

I am not sure why exactly, but sometimes, these types of treatments seem more appealing to me than the standard, “take this manufactured drug” and all will be well again.

What do you think?

Christmas: Present Review

The big hits were…

Nintendo Wii from Mimi and Papa for Emily and Katherine (and apparently Ryun who maybe has played it equal to the amount of time the girls have.

This very cool toy for Julia. I set it up today for her and she LOVES it.

And for Ryun and I? A weekend away here, courtesy of my parents, to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We will actually be leaving on our anniversary (May 24th) which actually falls on Memorial Day weekend, just like it did the year we were married. I am beside myself with excitement over this, as you might imagine. We have been there once before, with Ryun’s grandparents, back when Emily and Katherine were little, and I LOVED it.

The rest:

Emily: fashion sketch book, Bingo game, digital camera, bracelet, Be Bratz doll, Hairspray DVD, moon sand, journal, clothes, Streak and Style Hair, tooth tunes, and a book.

Katherine: Checkers game, digital camera, Be Bratz doll,bracelet, Ratatouille DVD, snowperson, moon sand, journal, clothes, Gelastic, beading set, Cranium Zoo game, tooth tunes

Julia: Aqua Doodle Color, Planet DVD, Eric Carle’s ABC book, Wooden puzzle, letter sorting puzzle, clothes, Leap Frog Dominoes, tea party set.

Emily and Katherine also got as “share” toys: High School Musical Dance Mat, Home Alone DVD, ET DVD, Rampage Wii, Chicken Little Wii, Playground Wii, Bowling Wii, Puppy Wii, Carnival Wii. Disney Scene It DVD Game, and the High School Musical 2 DVD.

So they barely got anything this Christmas, poor kids (LOL). These of course, weren’t all from Ryun and I.

Christmas: In Pictures

Obviously, Emily was very excited to get this gift. It’s a “Be Bratz” doll, that you can activate online and build a room, take care of her etc. Basically, it’s the same idea as Webkinz.

Here’s Julia looking very determined. She was trying hard to get the wrapper off of her chocolate Santa.

Julia loved her snowperson (Thanks Deb!)

Ditto for Katherine.

ANother one of Katherine’s favorite gitfts was this journal. She loved the shiny cover and fluffy pen.

Here’s Julia hanging with Dad in the rocking chair.

The last three “posed” pictures were taken just before we started opening presents.

We had a very nice day, the details of which I would love to share, but, I am too tired! Back tomorrow with more!

Sugar Cookies: The Julia Edition

Early this afternoon, I decided to roll out the dough, and start the infamous “sugar cookie making extravaganza.” Julia quickly took notice (the older two kids were out in the snow) and insisted that not only was I using playdough and not cookie dough, but, that she must help me immediately. I gave her some of the dough, a little flour, and a couple of the smaller cookie cutters I wasn’t using. She pulled a chair up to the counter and started to play. She decided not long after to strip down to her underwear, apparently perturbed by the fact that her outfit was getting “messy.”

Anyway, of course, I took some pictures, of both Julia and the cookies, in various stages of being done.

Here is the counter, all prepped and ready for some dough.

Julia, hard at work.

Obviously, she was having a great time.

…in the oven…

…cooling on the racks…

…and finally, frosted and ready to consume.
Yum.

Chirstmas Meme

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Gift bags, except for the cost. I am probably the world’s worst wrapper though so gift bags rock.

2. Real or artificial tree?
We’ve done both. Artificial has been the way to go for us for a while though…less clean up and less work (vacuuming the needles and watering).

3. When do you put up the tree?
Either Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after. This year, it was the weekend after.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Whatever weekend surrounds the New Year holiday.

5. Do you like egg nog?
LOVE it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Oh, hell. I don’t know. Most of ‘em were pretty good. Ditto, Deb.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Is there *truly* such a thing? Right on Deb. No such thing as a bad gift…it truly is the thought behind the gift that counts in my book.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail mail.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?
A Christmas Story.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Around Thanksgiving.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Food? I am really not picky.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Colored.

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?
Merry Christmas Darling.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Ryun would say home for sure…me? I am happy wherever the extended family is.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Hell, yeah.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Morning.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
F’ing people who don’t know how to drive in a mall parking lot. (Why yes, I did go to the mall today, why do you ask?)

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?
Not unless “random stuff” is a theme.

21. What do you leave for Santa?
cookies and milk. Usually home made sugar cookies.

22. Least favorite holiday song?
Love em all.

23. Favorite ornament?
any homemade ones…especially those made by my kids.

24. Family tradition?
Mom and Dad’s for Christmas dinner.

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?
I seem to recall a midnight mass at some point.

Taken from Deb.

May I Present To You…

…Julia’s first “homemade” contribution to the Christmas Tree:

And also, this adorable wall hanging, made by painting her foot and having her “stamp” the wood.

I may as well tell you, since you all know I am a sap already, a tear (or two) came to my eyes when I opened her bag and found these.