Festival of Trees

The Festival of trees was a lot of fun for us. It was 4$ each to get in (which was half of what I had prepared myself for) and worth it. We spent 3 hours walking around and looked at every single tree. The Kiddo rode in the stroller for the first half but he kept wanting to turn around and tell us something so finally I carried him for the second half (he is getting sooo heavy, he weighs 30 pounds now!!). We saw a half a dozen Utah Utes trees (at least) which the Man thought was pretty cool.

We also saw more then a few trees that made us cringe. I took pictures of a few of the trees for you guys to look at. Hmm, I hadn't realized that the ones I took were all white. A white tree properly decorated can be really really pretty. A white tree improperly decorated can be extremely NOT pretty. I think I still prefer a green tree though, it's just looks classic.

Monday morning catchup

Our weekend was very busy. We spent Friday hanging out at the in laws, they have computer trouble sometimes and the Man is the on call fix it guy. Which is extremely ironic considering our computer is really messed up and we haven't got a clue why or how to fix it.

Saturday we went and let the barber school cut the Mans hair. If you'll remember I mentioned last week all the money they made that day went to Primary Childrens. So, in the spirit of giving, we let them attempt to give the Man a high and tight... um yeah we'll probably be using our own clippers to 'adjust' the results later this week. We also had them pretend to trim the Kiddo. He didn't need it, but it was only 5$ a haircut and we wanted to give more then just one haircut worth.

Saturday we also went to the Festival of trees (a post on that, with pictures, later today). All the proceeds from the festival go to primary Childrens as well. I fought myself for awhile before deciding that the money for us all to get in was something I could spend w/out feeling guilty (only 11$ but still). It's been hard for me to get into the holiday spirit this year but the Kiddo is in full swing with Christmas lights and I knew he'd love it (he did).

Sunday my Mother in Law took me (and the Mans sister) to see a movie. The last time I saw a movie in a movie theater was two years ago!! It was really nice. I left the Kiddo with Grandpa and the Man. They had a "boys day" in which they hung out and the Man taught his dad how to burn music onto cd'd. When we got back from our movie they were all in a very good mood! It's always nice when the Man and his dad get to spend a little guys only time together... it was extra nice that they included the Kiddo and they all seemed to really enjoy it.

That was my weekend... now that you're caught up I'll see about posting something more interesting. I took several pictures from the festival of trees, and I've got a very cute picture of the Kiddo... stay tuned.

Thinking outside the box

I stole this from Lisa over at Looking For Lisa... I played it and now feel like an idiot, the curled up in a corner rocking back and forth kind of idiot. Soooo I thought hey, why not share the oportunity to feel this way. Though I'm pretty sure at least a few of you are gonna be way WAY better at this then I am.


Basically you use a pencil to draw shapes and force a little ball to capture a flag. It's physics 101... and um er ahem, hilarity insues when you've got a three year old telling you where to put the shapes.

Magic Pen Game

Positive Thought...

Insomnia IS good for something.

I've had a terrible time sleeping lately, it's been at least two weeks since I've been able to go to sleep any earlier then 2am. And it's not because I'm sleeping in to late... Not only does the Mans alarm wake me up at 3am every day, but then the Kiddo gets up at 730.

Aaanyway, the whole reason for this post is not to whine about my lack of sleep... rather it's to share a fun little fact I learned last night while flipping through the two channels we get (no cable + rabbit ears = very little tv).

Shaving cream, spread on you bathroom mirror, then wiped off (just wipe at it with a paper towel till it's gone, don't use cleaner)... equals a fog free mirror!! The Man doesn't use shaving cream, he uses gel but it worked just the same.

Sooo if you have a little bathroom and the mirror gets all foggy and drives you nuts... give it a try, then my sleepless nights will have been worth while!!

decisions decisions

I've been letting the Kiddo grow his hair out for the past several months. Generally I keep it high and tight, he enjoys having the same haircut as his dad and I like how it looks. I keep seeing really adorable little boys though with longer hair so I thought I'd give it a try.

Yesterday he had a bath and I brushed his hair. Considering how long it's been growing it isn't very long at all and mostly just looks messy. So I've been trying to decide if I shouldn't just cut it... after all, Santa pictures are coming up (next weekend) and I'd like him to look his best for them. Plus I heard yesterday that one of the barber schools here is doing 5$ haircuts this weekend AND donating ALL the proceeds to buy presents for the kids at Childrens Primary Hospital. I know for sure that the Man is going to get his haircut there and am fighting with the decision.

So the question is posed to anybody who feels like giving me their two cents. Should the kiddo go back to high and tight? Or should I keep letting it grow.

The planets align...

I've been having a bit of writers block. Which is silly all things considered. Still, every time I sit down to add a post I get the bla's.

Speaking of ... did any of you happen to catch the planets lining up last night? I'd love to say I was on the ball enough to see it but that would be a lie. I had NO idea it even happened until the guy on the news started talking about it. Which is extremely ironic considering I was outside at sunset. The Kiddo and I had just walked out of the grocery store and I pointed out how beautiful the sky looked, all pink and blue and purple (it was a very pretty sunset). He, as is his habit, found the moon and we talked about how small a sliver it was. But then we went home, inside, and totally missed the big event. Ah well, they say it will happen again next year.

Happy Thanksgiving

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I meant to post something earlier... before we left for the inlaws to spend the day... but I ended up getting distracted and forgot. Needless to say better late then never so Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!

This was one of the better Thanksgivings I've had since leaving AZ and I had a really fairly good day. There was plenty of bird (it was a 26 pounder!!), tons of stuffing, some really good garlic mashed potatoes and of course (as is now the 'norm') I brought the sweet potato casserole. This year I made it a little different, I used fresh sweet potatoes and roasted them, I then broiled them with butter and brown sugar, mashed them with strained apple sauce, and topped them with the usual layer of marshmallows. Yams are the one thing I HAVE to have, it's my little piece of home even when I can't be there. When I'm mashing the yams I always think of my mom, when I'm sprinkling on the 'mallows I smile and think how she always lets me steel some (now it's Chance who gets to steel them).

Hopefully next year I'll be able to go down south for the holiday...

oh and by the by... that picture up top with the kiddo sitting in front of a pie. That was taken AFTER we got home. He wanted to see the pie, then he wanted to taste it. Thinking he just wanted to taste it and then he'd be done I went ahead and set the whole thing in front of him. When he started chowing down I quickly transferred that pumpkin pie piece onto a plate and put away the rest. *sigh* The whole reason we brought home a pumpkin piece was for ME to eat. I can't get to upset though, he didn't eat any pie at the sister in laws place, he was too focused on playing.

Breakfast for dinner

Brigid, over at Home On The Range, (where I am an unabashed lurker; for her recipes as well as her writing) recently (meaning at least a week ago) posted a recipe for a breakfast type casserole.

I finally got around to making it the other night and, as usual with the recipes I take from her, it was yummy. Even the Man liked it and he is NOT a stuffing eater.

We used sausage, broccoli, and a mix of sharp cheddar cheese with jalapenos to give it extra kick. The next go round we'll probably substitute the broccoli with mushrooms and bean sprouts. I'm also thinking that maybe a little beef gravy would go good on top, we'll see though.

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A couple days ago she posted another recipe, this one for Lasagna, (scroll down to her comments section to see the recipe) She makes her meat layer by simmering ground beef and spicy sausage in tomato's and tomato paste for an hour or so and then layers that with a cheese blend (eggs, cottage cheese, and Parmesan) slices of mozzarella and of course lasagna noodles. I gotta say it sounds easy and looks amazing. I'm itching to try it!! Maybe next week....

Fastfood Drive Through

Yet another example of the kiddo's vast imagination. He's playing fastfood drivethrough. That's a gas station toy and hotwheels. Before you say it no we do NOT get fast food to eat all that often, but I suppose it's probably one of his favorite things. To get to munch on chicken nuggets and french fries in the car.