a belated video

Jenna loves soccer. But more than soccer, she loves mugging for the camera. That is why this video is so funny. This was the only goal she made all season. She would rather we all just get less serious about the goal making part.

Happy birthday! Brielle is 10!

This post is dedicated to my amazing little Brielle. She came into the world with a perfect, full head of dark hair, perfect ruby red lips, and those big blue eyes (with a darker blue ring circling 'round the iris). I could only stop and stare at her beauty as that toddler would ask endless questions. She couldn't make the 'L' sound. One evening she fell in the tub, but her front tooth cushioned the blow. The tooth died. We watched as that little tooth went black and then crumbled away over the next 3 years. Brielle loves pandas and the game 'Four Square' at school. She is an easy friend to make, and has a quick laugh. Her sisters love her and depend on her to get the family out the door on time (not an easy task).

A Christmas tag!

Here's a Christmas list to make up for all the tags I've missed.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Tree-- Real or Artificial? Prefer real...but we have a fake one. *sigh* I can't even remember how much a pretty, 9' tree was at Home Depot, but it scared James and me silly.
3. When do you put the Christmas tree up? Around the first part of December. I applaud those who get to work on it right after Thanksgiving. I'm sure any home I've lived in never got a tree up in November.
4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever. And those who know me---you know I'm not kidding. Whats the rush? Its pretty to look at.........lol.
5. Like eggnog? I love the fattening stuff. I prefer to call my "milked-down' version an Eggnog Latte.
6. Do you have a nativity scene? Many...and I'm always on the lookout for nativity scenes that kids can play with. Remember the old church-distributed cardboard stand-up nativity? I wish I had one of those.
7. Hardest person to buy for? James. He either wants tshirts and ties OR really expensive stuff that I'm too uneducated to understand how top-of-the-line it needs to be. He'll settle for ties and tshirts.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My sweet 6 year old, Jenna! Her last birthday she asked for a ragdoll and a stick pony. Is she from 1955?
9. Worst Christmas gift? I remember one lousy gift to my newlywed hubby. His birthday is Christmas Day. We were pretty much penniless, I mistakenly forgot to wrap one of my few gifts to him in BIRTHDAY wrap. His family was in the room...we celebrated Christmas earlier...it was now time for birthday...I quickly grabbed a part of one gift and changed it to BIRTHDAY wrapping. Turns out I thought new socks were a nice idea.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I love that people are more generous than me and actually send cards in the mail.
11. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life. It throws everything into perspective for me.
12. Favorite Christmas song? Anything Donny Osmond or ANY Osmond sings. My family even had an 8-track of their Christmas album.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I pretty much procrastinate shopping so I can hang out with the crowds of other procrastinators. ...And long lines at checkout.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup!
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Wassail (the hot drink) is my favorite ANYTHING at Christmastime. But is it a food?
16. Clear or colored tree lights? White...twinkling. We are envious of the Wilson's pre-lighted tree. I'll take that baby with any colored lights as long as it saves our marriage while putting up the tree!
17. Travel during Christmas or stay home? Travel, travel, travel. Oh wait. I'm married. I rarely get to travel. It would seem that James has a job that keeps him grounded.
18. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yes---and out of order from the song even!
19. Angel or Star on tree top? It varies.
20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We only open the 'Pajama Elf' gifts on Christmas Eve so we look totally cute despite our bedheads and sleepy faces.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Having to pick out the presents within my budget. Why can't I buy everything? I'll give it away!
22. Best Christmas present? Way too hard to remember. But hands down is my favorite memory--my baby Brielle was born at 1:00 Christmas Eve (day). The hospital was extremely quiet those days, and I had no desire for anything else but to hold my new 'gift'!
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? Baking Christmas cookies and making candies together. My own tradition is the Gingerbread Boys that my mom made so beautifully. I insist that each Boy be as beautiful as Mom's. James' tradition is Christmas morning breakfast. It has to begin and end before the opening of presents. Oh--and it has to be lavish.

I'm a Great Aunt...who knew?

What better news to share than the birth of my nephew's gorgeous baby? Congrats Kurt and Kelli! They will be wonderful parents.


<--Gorgeous Kelli (why did I never look that cute as a prego mom?)









Felicity Kaye Radmall---such a poser! (The knuckle in the dimple of the chin---who writes that script?)




Kurt and Kelli and baby Felicity. What a stunning name!






Kurt (middle) and his siblings Christie and Aaron 10/87

I sang in a choir!

Although this isn't the most amazing news to any of you, I must admit it is the best feeling to be included in a Christmas choir of 91 singers. The conductor is top-rate and he also directs the Southern California Mormon Choir. Need I mention how intense he is? The concert was performed in two locations this evening. I am a little sad to see it end. I will post the link as soon as it is up on the website. In the meantime you can hear one of my favorite songs, Angels We Have Heard on High from a past Christmas concert with a smaller group.

I confess, I'm not a strong singer...nor do I hit the right notes as often as I should. I think that is why I just love being in a choir with a brilliant conductor. It is possible to bring out a pretty sound--if even for one evening!

Oh...and you can tell I'm never going pro with my singing career because I'm the one who is crying during the songs. The sweet spirit just tugs at my heart.