Santa Claus

So, I was feeling pretty good about myself this morning. After last year's debacle with the Santa picture I figured we would amend this year. Quick note on last year:

Nine months pregnant.

Waits until Dec 23 to visit Santa.

Line is 3+ hours long.

Walk by talk about Santa and wave.

I know, I'm an awesome mother.

This year:

New camera.

Two children=more fun.

A child who gets the Santa thing.

We're early.

Of, course we get to the mall bright and early at 11am. The line appears great with only about 6 other families ahead of us. Awesome Santa, I mean he looks the part. Unfortunately, you can't see his sweet striped socks in this picture, but trust me, he is the picture of a jolly old man with a belly full of jelly. I've never like the whole fake beard thing either. At this point I'm feeling pretty good about the Santa thing.

After 30 minutes of standing in line we come to a sign that read, "We respectfully ask that you refrain from using your own camera to take picture with Santa." Then to the side I see the price list. (My eyes bulge out here.) Twenty dollars for 2 pictures! Apparently, Santa's elves didn't get the memo we're in a recession. At this point I'm seriously debating on whether or not to stay in the line. I really couldn't in good faith pay that for a picture that would cost me a whopping 20 cents at Costco.

After a what the.... call to my mother and a you're going to want the someday statement from her we stay in line. Another hour later we are placing children on Santa's lap. HOORAY! Joey begins to whimper, Katie gets nervous that Joey is whimpering and camera elf is going nuts with the ELMO rattle. Seriously, why did it have to be an ELMO rattle. So we have Joey frantically looking from Santa to ELMO rattle to mommy doing a dance to get Joey to not cry and maybe smile. Three clicks later, Joey is rescued and we're on our way to the checkout. Pictures are up, Joey looks like a deer in headlights and Katie is doing her fake smile. PERFECT. I swipe my card for 21.32 and we're on our way.

Merry Christmas!

PS. Please excuse my sarcasm, I'm still a little disgruntled about the whole experience.

Thankful..

Whoa! Were did the week go. I'm a little slow with my "thankful"list. Here are a few things on my mind this year.

*A prophet of God who I trust implicitly and am thankful for the guidance he gives me. The gospel of Jesus Christ really is a heaven sent tool in raising children and functioning in day to day rat race.

*Happy healthy family and family members who love me and support me.

*A husband who works so hard for our family and almost never complains about lack of sleep, crying children, needy wife and no time to do some of things he loves. He really is an awesome husband and a serious trooper with this whole resident gig. I've decided it takes a special breed to pull it off the way he does. He's one special catch and I'm greatful I caught him!

*Children who really make me feel like taking care of them is the most important thing in the world. I love their sense of humor, their father's stunning eyes and those beautiful toothy grins. Truly, nothing better.

*A warm dry roof over our heads, food on our table and jobs.

*An education.

*For a body that functions just the way I want it too--most if the time.

I feel very blessed this year. Perhaps more than any other.

Hair Overhaul

Ok people, I am in need. In need of a serious hair overhaul. This pregnancy killed it. I'm finally regrowing the clumps that have fallen out around my temples. I have random spots all over my head that are regrowing and sticking out all over the place. Roots. Roots. Roots. Not to mention the whole texture has totally changed. I need help!

I haven't had a good hair experience since my awesome friend Jenni moved to Portland four years ago. I am terrified to go and pay up the wazoo for something terrible again.

The last lady I went to was actually on the phone when she took me back to her station, left me there, went to mix color, came back still on the phone and just started in. I didn't even want the same color. And, I was way too nice I totally should have stopped her and made her get off the phone before she did my hair. So, partly my fault, but seriously unprofessional in my opinion.

I would love to find that stay at home mom who does hair for a cheaper amount than the outrageous salon prices. I swear, every time I go its an additional 10-15 dollars. I love when you can tell them kind of what you're thinking and they take it and run with it and make it even better than you thought. Or, they tell you you are up in the night and they have a better idea.

If anyone out there knows of anyone in the Salt Lake Valley give or take a few miles please share.

*By reasonable price I mean 60-80 dollars for a cut and partial highlight. Remember we are still poor.

Slaughter

Unfortunately, I have to face a swarm of "U" fans tomorrow. Need I say more?

On a happier note, my husband will be home from Memphis tomorrow!

Greenwood Family

We lucked out and got a great day for these pictures. This is my cute sister and her family. Isn't their litte boy the cutest thing. As we were finishing up, all the wonderful protestors were lining up and talking with TV reporters. I was hoping to see if we made into the background of any of thier interviews, but I sort of forgot to check once we got home!

Body Worlds 3

We went to this on Saturday! We were a little worried because it was a last minute decision and we couldn't get a babysitter. So, yes, we took our kids. Is Katie scarred for life? No. She thought it was "cool." She even told everyone at preschool about going to see the "hips" with mom and dad. I was worried we might get a few questions about the male/female parts. She really only recognized the girl parts and wondered why they looked so strange. I told her it was because these people had died, but there bodies were preserved for us see how they work. She thought for a minute and said, "Oh, so there up with Hevaenly Father now." And then, she walked off.

I highly reccommend seeing this before it leaves in a few weeks. Don't go on Saturday though. We waited in line for over an hour and then it took at least an hour to walk through. We skipped some of the stuff because Todd and I have seen plenty in our anatomy lab years. The full body's were AMAZING! It's funny because they all looked so young without their skin, but as you looked closer you could see joint replacements in a few.

My favorite was the embryo beginnings of life. The actually had a baby for each week from 4-9 weeks. I had no idea that a 9 week baby looked so much like a full term baby only bigger. It's hard to believe there are people out there who say that isn't a life yet.

Anyway, it was very cool. Our bodies are amazing things. I feel very blessed to have one that works so well for me.

Who would have thought??

I really wish we had a video camera that would upload to our computer. Words really can't do this post justice. AHHHH, I'll give it a shot though.

We have an elmo doll/robot that sings YMCA and does various arm and leg movements. It's one of those toys you can only stand to have out for a short period of time before adults start to loose it. You parents catch my drift! Anyway, while reorganizing the playroom I found Elmo and thought Joey would love it. So, I plop it down in front of him, squeeze the hand so it will start singing and sit back to watch the fun. Joey froze right where he was sitting, looked at me, looked at Elmo and started to scream as he frantically crawled into my lap!! I was stunned and in hysterics at the same time. I guess Elmo rubbed him the wrong way. So, we move away from Elmo and continue to play.

The day continues on and after his nap time the three of us are playing in the family room. All of a sudden Joey is acting funny again. I can tell he wants to go get a toy that is near the playroom door, but he won't go. So, I kind of nudge him towards the playroom. He immediately starts to whine, crawls back into my lap and turns to look at the playroom. He continues to look at the playroom and then back at me a few times. By this time I am totally perplexed. Then as I look toward the playroom it dawns on me. There in the middle of the playroom floor is Elmo. He is about 5 feet beyond the toy Joey wants. So, I go to the playroom and move Elmo just out of curiosity. As soon as Elmo is out of sight, Joey is on the move to his toys again.

Who would have thought Elmo could be so terrifying???