5 days and counting

Okay, it is almost 4. Although we have been mostly ready for parts of Christmas, there are still the last minute details and major everyday and one-time only things that needed to be done yesterday.

Here are some images I really liked. My mom sent these and a few more to my e-mail--sent to her by her "people." If I really like something my mom or MIL sent me, I pass it on to the other mom. I figure if she likes it, she'll pass it on to her list of e-mail junkies.

I'd love to see this in person. But I'd hate to be out in the cold.

If I don't get the chance to write or see you soon, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Crunch Time

My hubby has a huge test tomorrow, so we've been focusing on that amonst life's many little distractions (plus three of our own genetic making). After that we've got only a little time left to prepare for Christmas. We also have things to prepare for grad school applications. AUGH!

Video of computer girl

I was going to post three pics my hubby took of Punkie grinning while holding this comp, but I thought the video showed more of her personality.

Also congrats to my "nephew" who just got the Melchezdik Priesthood.

Too bad he doesn't know about my blog.

Nice weekend

I was able to tag along to the Kurt Bestor concert this weekend with my PILs. I really do like going to a show now and then. This one featured violin player Jennie Oates Baker. She was awesome too! I did wonder at one point if Bestor was getting a little tired. He did a great job and there was funny repartee with his dad reading 'The Night Before Christmas,' but I still got the feeling he was a little tired (which he'd already done the show earlier that day and the preceding days).
Punkie is still so thrown off on weekends that she doesn't get her naps in then. I hope she doesn't give up on them completely (though many times when I put her down the other kids get noisy or hear her and go get her--just to be big helpers).

Tired of Tunes

Okay, any parent who has kids that like the music produced by Disney talent will probably agree with me: there must be hidden subluminal messages within it that are addictive to children. Then again, it could be the fast beat and repetative words that are enticing. Either way, my hubby and I are tired of "Play Push It to the Limit" (yes, this is on my blog playlist too), or the Cheetah Girls' Barcelona song, or the Jonas Brothers 'Great-great Granddaughter song' (at least that's what we call it). And we don't even have the Disney Channel--or any other channel for that matter :0).
And what's up with my eldest son waking most of the family up at 5 in the morning?!? He's been waking up early all week. I'm wondering if he isn't needing as much sleep. Maybe starting tomorrow we'll let him stay up 30 min longer reading books (he said he'd rather do chores up late--I said that wasn't good for before bedtime. He pointed out that my hubby and I do. I assured him the day would come when he would also be up late trying to get work done).

18 days left

The Christmas countdown is in full swing. We thought we were done with shopping for the kids, but then discovered that sometimes it is hard to shop without them. We bought something for Chief to wear, but are worried that he may not fit it. So we may have to ruin the surprise element to have the right gift on Christmas day. Speaking of Christmas, Red mentioned something about how Satan doesn't like Christmas. We discussed that he probably doesn't because that is when we celebrate the birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ and how he probably wants us to focus only on presents and such. Chief started worrying that he had Satan within his heart because of how he much he likes the presents. I assured him that he doesn't, that he is very good because he often points out to people that it is Jesus's birthday and he has had no problem with our family tradition of the last couple of years. Every Christmas morning, before we go to the tree as a family (that doesn't mean the kids haven't peeked at what is out there), we sit down--in the room the parents stay in--say a prayer, read the scriptural account of Jesus's birth, sing a song and then commence with the festivities. I really have enjoyed this tradition and so far the kids have done really well cooperating.

Okay, now for some pictures of my hubby's cake (I think I promised I'd post this) and of Punkie cooking toddler style:

Here she has poured out pudding powder on the carpet and is sprinkling slivered almonds on top. She is also nicely dusted with the powder.

Over a week later...

So the cake was good--not great, but good. It did have a tendancy to crumble, but not like it was dry. I'm not sure if it's because I used cake flour and the recipe called for all-purpose. I've got pics, but no time to download.
Thanksgiving went well. The turkey almost became dessert because it was taking longer to cook than expected, but we waited somewhat patiently. We had fun the next few days as we crashed at a parent's house. We also were treated to a dinner overlooking the Temple Square lights on Friday. I haven't been there for quite a while. I guess being a couple hours away makes it kinda tough.
We also went Christmas shopping early Friday. Yep, we left the house at 4:30 AM--this is the second time I've done the early morning Black Friday thing and I'm afraid I still don't have a love for shopping. Friday morning was fine, but on Saturday we were still looking for an office chair (Christmas present for my hubby and I), and I was getting a wee bit tired of shopping. By Saturday night we had two chairs. We kept the one we bought online (cheaper than the other and on sale online, not in the store).
So now I'm sitting on our Christmas present :).
Anyway, I went to a PTA luncheon yesterday to listen to what the local legislative reps had to say about what they are doing for education. Translation: they care about education, but obviously there are going to be funding cuts due to the economy.
Now, I've got to clean up the house before it becomes an official state of disaster.