Vacation at the Holiday Inn...

Bryson, Brooke, Krystyn and Gabe took Sophie, Jack and Chase for an overnight vactation at a hotel. Swimming in the pool and lots of quality time with their uncles and aunts and cousin is the funnest thing in the world for the kids.

Go kart racing, round 2....

We went and rode the karts again, this time Gabe, Brooke and Krystyn were in town to participate.  This was a highly anticipated and competitive event.  Wendy handily won first place. Aunt Brooke was most surprising with a second place showing, her skills on the kart far surpassed her skills in a car?  Bryson was rather disappointing, he spun his kart around three times during a twenty lap race.  My times were not impressive but I did beat Gabe...ha, ha.

Good times on the Polar Express...

If you (or your kids) are a fan of the movie Polar Express, the Heber Creeper Polar Express is a must on your holiday list.  We obtained tickets a month ago, they sell out fast.  We were joined by Grammy and Gandpy, Bryson, Brooke and Gabe.  The ride up Provo canyon was a little dicey at times but we arrived on time to jump on the train in Heber.  I would guess the temperature was around 15 degrees (at that point accuracy doesn't really matter).  The train itself must be a least 100 years old, it is decorated to match the movie version and yes, it is heated by a vintage wood stove.  

The ride itself takes you through the Heber Valley to Soldier Hollow and takes about an hour and a half.  Along the way we were visited by Santa and Mrs. Clause and fed cookies and hot chocolate by Santa's elves.  The kids were enchanted by the atmosphere on the train.  I'm convinced that the Polar Express adventure will be the highlight of the Christmas season for our family.

Wendy is so excited to ride the train downtown...

We have established a tradition of going downtown every year around Christmas to check out the lights at Temple square.  Every year I suggest we ride the train downtown and Wendy shoots it down with a different excuse.  This year I prevailed, we rode the train and had a great time.  I secretly think Wendy has a phobia concerning public transportation.  Check out the expression on her face!

Go Kart racing...

Friday night we ventured outside of our comfort zone.  Normally our family Thanksgiving holiday activities include board games and movies.  This year we took a walk on the wild side and did some go kart racing.  These were no ordinary go karts, they were high speed machines designed to slide around a slick track.  Needless to say, riders were required to wear the crash helmet and four point seat belt harness.  I don't know what was more fun, the actual racing or watching everyone try to squeeze into those little helmets and tight racing seats?

Volunteering at Sophie's school...

I took the entire week off of work, it's been good to spice up the routine a little. Today Wendy, Jack and I went to Sophie's school to volunteer. We helped the kids create a turkey out of Nilla wafers, chocolate icing, chocolate covered cherries and chocolate chips. The kids had fun, Sophie told me I embarrassed her and the "turkeys" looked nothing like birds. It was a good day!
(Notice that Wendy does not leave home without her Diet Pepsi)

Jack has an addictive personality...

Jack got a Nintendo DS for his birthday last month. I don't think he has put it down yet. This makes me worry about a few of his apparent personality traits, I truly hope he never picks up a cigarette.

Never a dull moment at Disney on Ice...

The Disney special effects are pretty impressive. Jack is sitting next to me mesmerized.

Recession??? I don't see any sings of one.

Disney on Ice is expensive and they don't miss an opportunity to market the Disney goods. It's no surprise that Sophie inherited her mom's shopping gene. The Energy Solutions arena was packed, apparently $8.oo snow cones and $10.00 popcorn didn't scare anyone away.

78 Things About Me...

Okay, evidently I am a victim of peer pressure. Several of my blogging friends have kept this going, so I thought what a challenge to come up with 78 things about me! NO, Brian did not have any part of this, he wanted me to put in that disclaimer!

1. I am an only child, but have a half brother & half sister from my mom, and a half brother & half sister from my biological dad.
2. I have only met my biological dad twice, once when I was 5 years old and when I was 19 and he was dying.
3. I have never shed any tears from his death.
4. I have a bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times, such as my dad's funeral.
5. Sophie, myself, & my mom all have the same middle name, Marie.
6. I love living in Utah, because of the seasons.
7. I love living on Heartland Cove, because my kids love all of the neighbor kids & I love all of my neighbors!
8. I have a fear of earthquakes & being unable to get to my children.
9. I drink 7-9 Diet Pepsis a day!
10. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
11. I play the lottery every time we go to Colorado, $2 quick pick powerball.
12. If I won the lottery, the first thing I would buy is knee surgery for my dog!
13. The second thing I would do is pay off my house & totally gut it & start over.
14. I have lived in Salt Lake for 7 years and never been to ski resort during the winter.
15. But, we go to the different ski resorts 2 or 3 times in the summer.
16. I love my church calling, because I get to spend time with my husband.
17. I love my husband with such an amazing level of passion & respect, he will never be able to comprehend.
18. Sophie acts like me as an adult, but as a child, Jack acted like me.
19. I failed college 101 economics twice, finally the third time I passed with a D.
20. I switched my major in college 7 times, social work, sociology, business, hotel & restaurant management, elementary education,general ed., finally family studies & human services!
21. I met my husband at a party in college.
22. I told my friend I thought he talked to much.
23. He told me he thought it was cool that I worked at a mexican restaurant.
24. Brian proposed to me in front of that restaurant.
25. It's one of my most cherished memories of our beginning.
26. I have to eat baked goods everyday
27. I also have to eat dark chocolate everyday.
28. I sing Hush Little Baby to my kids almost every night.
29. I am a night owl.
30. I have to take something to sleep.
31. My daughter loves mornings which make it easier for me to get up.
32. I love working out at the gym 4-5 times a week.
33. I love to feel sweaty, i feel like i've accomplished something great.
34. I have to get new running shoes every 6 months, its a quirky thing!
35. My favorite month is October.
36. My favorite holiday is Halloween.
37. I have a crush on Kid Rock!
38. I would love to get a tatoo if i could take it off.
39. I love raunchy reality TV.
40. I miss having a cocktail occasionally.
41. I miss going clubing, with my girlfriends.
42. Even though I miss it, I love my life so much more now than a night out.
43. When Brian & I got married I told him I would never become Mormon or live in Salt Lake City...HaHaHa!
44. I took 5 years of french & if needed to, I couldn't find the bathroom, sad!
45. My favorite all time movie is Urban Cowboy!
46. I make the best chocolate chip cookies, ever.
47. If I had money to blow, I would keep the plastic surgeon busy.
48. I fear my hair is going to fall out.
49. I love to watch my kids sleep.
50. I learned this year " I must accept the things that I cannot change"
51. It gave me a whole new perspective on my life, that I am truly grateful for.
52. I love to laugh aloud when now one is at hame.
53. Even though, I come across as a loud mouth, do it my way or else, I really fear confrontation & am a people pleaser.
54. Since living in Salt Lake we have gone to Cafe Rio on average 2 times per week, that totals out to be 728 chicken salads, pork burritos, tostadas, chips & queso.
55. My first car was a 1973 baby blue Pontiac Grand Prix.
56. I never changed the oil so the engine blew up a year later.
57. I live for warm weather.
58. In the summer time the kids and I live at the pool.
59. Smelling sun tan oil makes me miss my mom.
60. My favorite part of Christmas is a Nativity Scene. I can sit for hours and just look at it.
61. My favorite vacation spot is St. Thomas, USVI
62. I have never been to Hawaii.
63. I have no desire to visit Asia.
64. I have a fear that people won't like me.
65. Our first apartment cost $350 a month to rent and it had aquamarine green & orange shag carpet.
66. Our second home was 100 years old and we were the 3rd owners.
67. Our third home, is where Sophie was born. I was so homesick, I cried for 2 years.
68. Without that experience, I would not have joined the church, i would have not move to Salt Lake City, or gone through the temple with my family.
69. When Brian goes out of town I sleep with a knife under the bed & a golf club next to me, because I have a fear of someone breaking in.
70. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
71. I ate it every night when I was pregnant with Sophie, & so did Brian & he gained 30lbs!
72. My favorite junk food is KFC or Taco Time.
73. I miss my suema so much it hurts.
74. I am constantly trying to get Brian to move back to Kansas, his response when pigs fly, if that was to happen Kansas would be the place.
75. I have an annoying habit of talking through movies!
76. I also have pop corn, no butter, add a box of Milk Duds to the popcorn & a Diet Coke with a shot of lemonade when I am at the movies.
77. I hope one day to be able to travel to Europe with my husband & kids for a summer!
78. I love to make lists!

Five year old's having fun at Fat Cat's

Jack and his crew did some serious bowling at his 5th birthday party.  Jack really likes to hang out with his buddies.  Thanks again to everyone for the awesome gifts and making the trek out to the bowling alley to share Jack's special day with him.

Baby hummingbirds

Baby hummingbirds
Originally uploaded by utahmike07

My nieghbor Mike took this picture, all credit to him. However, this nest is in a tree in our yard. Jack discovered it this summer. As I look outside and see the last of the leaves falling off the trees and the birds long gone, I thought it would be nice to revisit a pleasant summer memory. Thanks again for the awesome picture Mike.

Halloween was good...

Halloween finally came and went. It seems like the build up has been all month long, we've been to a scarecrow festival, a witches festival, a corn maze and a haunted house. The trick or treating almost was anti climatic. The weather cooperated (mid 60's) and the kids had fun. Jack did wear down early and I carried him most of the way. Come to think of it, I've carried Jack every Halloween of his entire life! In case you are wondering, Sophie was a "good witch" and Jack was a "bad cop".

Sophie is participating in a play (Enchanted). I couldn't resist sneaking into her practice and taking a picture, too cute. The performance isn't until later this winter.

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Bungee jumping...

After spending a long weekend away from the kids, Wendy and I decided to do a family activity last night. We waited in line for two hours to let the kids do some euro style bungee jumping. Basically you strap into a harness and get slingshoted 40 feet into the air, if you are good at it you can do flips. I knew Sophie would love it but was a little concerned about Jack. I assume he liked it, as you can see on his photos he was grinning ear to ear. Sophie even attempted a few flips.

Battle of mediocraty...

It's a good thing we got to spend time with friends and family in Boulder this weekend, otherwise the drive out to Colorado would not of been worth it! K-State and CU both have extremely mediocre football teams this year. At least they were evenly matched, although CU prevailed 14 to 13.

The best part of the weekend is surprising Wendy with an unexpected visitor from South Carolina. I have been in cahoots with Wendy's best friend, Susan, for over a month planning a surprise visit to Utah. We pulled it off and I kept the secret. Susan tagged along with us to Boulder where we met up with other friends from Seattle and Denver. It was a fun weekend despite the boring game.

Mile high fun...

I think we may have to rethink our tradition of going to the Kansas State-Colorado football game. I'm convinced we cause them to loose, it happened again yesterday! Wendy and Jessica had fun with the mascot Willie despite the outcome.
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The Vomit Comet

I fly to St. George twice a month on one of these babies. I've been doing these flights for about seven years now. As I was bouncing around on the plane today I figured I've amassed over 500,000 frequent flyer miles the HARD way!
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Project Runway, Sophie style...

Every Sunday night we gather round the tv and watch project runway. Sophie and Jack especially love it. Tonight Sophie surprised us all and came out in a "wedding gown" that she had designed. Jack wants in on the design action as well. After Sophie came up with her outfit, Jack leaned over and asked, "Dad, would it be ok when I grow up if I'm a football player and a designer?"

The "drift and pause technique"...

My grandfather, many, many, years ago taught drivers education. He is really old now (I think 86) and he still drives. The last time I drove with him was a few years back when we went golfing together. The positive news is he is still active and interested in his family. The bad news is his driving skills have not kept up with his golf game. I remember describing to Wendy (relieved after returning from our round of golf) that he didn't seem to bother looking in his mirrors before changing lanes. I described to her that he had this technique where he'd slowly drift over to the desired lane and then pause...if he heard a honk it meant there was a car present and he would correct. Unfortunately sometimes cars are present and before they have a chance to honk, he "bumps" into them. Over the past few years he's had at least a few fender benders...that we know of. We went up to my grandparents to visit today and I couldn't help but notice more "dings" in his two cars than ever before. I hope the "drift and pause" technique is working out better for his old students than it is for him!