Now that the nail polish is mostly gone from my bathroom and I can laugh about it now, we are on to happier, more merry things! I will get some pictures up later (a little trickier when not at my house but I will get it worked out) but for now, we had a wonderful, safe trip flying to Portland. I swear, I am sure we caused the plane to drag with the 8 bags we checked plus a ridiculous amount of carry-ons - it was Santa's sleigh that's for sure! We had the best of intentions of doing a lot of online shopping to ship straight here...didn't happen! But we are so happy to have been able to come to Oregon for Christmas for the first time since 2002. It is cold and wet. We love it. This is going to be so fun to spend Christmas and the week with Aunt Shelly, Uncle Joe, and Grandma Nadene.
Merry Christmas and may Santa bring you everything your heart desires! Because, well, that is the most important thing...!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
There are no words...
...I have officially had my "Merry Christmas" breakdown.
Hot Pink Nail Polish all over my bathroom tile, 2 bath mats, a couple of items left on the floor, and my carpet. I am failing to find any humor in this at all.
UPDATE: OK, there might be words. I am grateful for my friend. My friend (who was released 6 weeks ago as my counselor in primary and I adore her) stopped by with a plate of Christmas goodies and a small gift for me. I of course was in tears and told her what happened and this woman, who lost her dad last week and has had two sons pass away (one as an adult, on as a 5 year old child) totally understood that at this moment in time, this was a huge disaster for me. Her husband tried to tell me it was not worth crying about and we will look back on this and laugh. She said "yes it is worth crying about - right now, it is!" She and her husband went off to the hardware store to buy some industrial strength acetone for me. She said she could smell the nail polish remover - and my bathroom is the farthest room in the house from the front door.
Since my day started with my keys locked in my car and I tried to make lemonade out of lemons, this has really been a fine way to wind up the day. Maybe I can look back and laugh...some day.
Additional Update: Steve got home at about the same time the acetone arrived. He spent over an hour with a mask on (potent stuff) scrubbing the bathroom tile with a toothbrush-sized wire brush. I had already spent a half an hour in tears with regular nail polish remover and it wasn't totally getting it. I love you Steve!!! It is gone!
Hot Pink Nail Polish all over my bathroom tile, 2 bath mats, a couple of items left on the floor, and my carpet. I am failing to find any humor in this at all.UPDATE: OK, there might be words. I am grateful for my friend. My friend (who was released 6 weeks ago as my counselor in primary and I adore her) stopped by with a plate of Christmas goodies and a small gift for me. I of course was in tears and told her what happened and this woman, who lost her dad last week and has had two sons pass away (one as an adult, on as a 5 year old child) totally understood that at this moment in time, this was a huge disaster for me. Her husband tried to tell me it was not worth crying about and we will look back on this and laugh. She said "yes it is worth crying about - right now, it is!" She and her husband went off to the hardware store to buy some industrial strength acetone for me. She said she could smell the nail polish remover - and my bathroom is the farthest room in the house from the front door.
Since my day started with my keys locked in my car and I tried to make lemonade out of lemons, this has really been a fine way to wind up the day. Maybe I can look back and laugh...some day.
Additional Update: Steve got home at about the same time the acetone arrived. He spent over an hour with a mask on (potent stuff) scrubbing the bathroom tile with a toothbrush-sized wire brush. I had already spent a half an hour in tears with regular nail polish remover and it wasn't totally getting it. I love you Steve!!! It is gone!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Our Visit to the Temple Lights Display
Us Arizonans love a chance to get dressed up for the "Cold". Make fun of us all you want but it is easy for your body to be so confused when your day goes like this: (From Lindsay's perspective:) Get dropped off at school when it is 36 degrees and wait outside playing and then in line for her class. Start the day with a hat, gloves, and a coat. Gradually drop layers thru the day's recess times to just a cardigan sweater to no outerwear at all. Come home after school to ride bikes with friends and change into play clothes appropriate for the temperature of about 70 degrees: shorts and a t-shirt. Get ready to go to the Temple Lights and mommy keeps saying to dress warm and bring jackets, hats, gloves, etc. Get steps away from the car, having thought she didn't need the cold weather stuff, only to ask us to open the van again so she can get them! Thru the night, the temperature dropped from 57 to 48 so it was getting colder and colder. Yup, our bodies are jacked up and confused by our winter weather. Caroline, well, she just does what Caroline wants. Her layers were on and off several times. 
Every year we go to the Mesa LDS Temple to see the beautiful Christmas lights, concerts, and nativity display. We went on Tuesday night and watched a dance concert of a lyrical dance company dancing the nativity story - it was beautiful and the girls were entranced, especially Caroline. Lindsay was ready to bug out and see the lights and Caroline wanted to keep watching.
We always go into the Temple visitor center to hear the presentation with the Christus statue, a beautifully recorded narration of scriptures about Jesus Christ. The kids always enjoy this, no matter how many times we have seen it. Then we went to watch the brief movie "Luke 2" - a short film (under 10 minutes) set in the time period on the birth of the Savior.
The nativity "creche" is beautiful and actually spans several parts of the grounds, from Isaiah writing what became his Old Testament Prophecies of Christ's birth to the shepherds seeing the star to the manger with its lifelike depiction of Mary, Joseph and the animals. This is always the last thing we look at as it really helps us to feel the true spirit of the season.
Every year we go to the Mesa LDS Temple to see the beautiful Christmas lights, concerts, and nativity display. We went on Tuesday night and watched a dance concert of a lyrical dance company dancing the nativity story - it was beautiful and the girls were entranced, especially Caroline. Lindsay was ready to bug out and see the lights and Caroline wanted to keep watching.
We always go into the Temple visitor center to hear the presentation with the Christus statue, a beautifully recorded narration of scriptures about Jesus Christ. The kids always enjoy this, no matter how many times we have seen it. Then we went to watch the brief movie "Luke 2" - a short film (under 10 minutes) set in the time period on the birth of the Savior.
The nativity "creche" is beautiful and actually spans several parts of the grounds, from Isaiah writing what became his Old Testament Prophecies of Christ's birth to the shepherds seeing the star to the manger with its lifelike depiction of Mary, Joseph and the animals. This is always the last thing we look at as it really helps us to feel the true spirit of the season.
Caroline is 4!!!!!
Picture this...Caroline comes running into the kitchen Sunday afternoon hollering "I am going to go look in the mirror to see how BIG I am now!!!" 
Our Little Girl is growing up! Caroline's 4th Birthday was on the 16th. She got to start the day by choosing her breakfast the night before. I suggested several things...French toast, pancakes, waffles...she chose powdered sugar donut holes. Go figure! She got to open one gift in the morning, a pair of bunny slippers.
Tis' the season to be obsessed with Tinkerbell! She wanted Tinkerbell everything, same goes for her Christmas wish list. She loves the Disney Fairies play set and pop-up book from Dad and Debbie and LOVES the Tinkerbell velour jogsuit from the Ashton's (Molly's family.) and has worn daily (and nightly) since Sunday night. Literally. She let me wash it one night! We had the family over for a birthday dinner party - Caroline chose the main dish - Orange Chicken, Spring Rolls, Rice, and Stir Fry veggies. Mommy and Daddy weren't planning on getting a whole lot gift wise because the swing set this summer was for both girls birthdays. But....
...when the kids were all riding bikes outside in the neighborhood 2 Saturdays ago, their friend Dillon crashed his bike into the princess tricycle Caroline was riding and broke it beyond repair. So, she was surprised with (note her covering her eyes as it was wheeled in) a training wheels bike. I think she was beyond thrilled. The bike had blue on it; that is all that mattered. It didn't need to be a Princess or Dora or whatever...we knew as long as it had blue, it was a winner! (And it was the least expensive!!)
Thank you Dollar Store and Wal-Mart! I had noticed at our 99Cent Only store that they had a huge selection of Disney stationary items so when it came time to put together the treat bags for the Tinkerbell Party, I knew right where to go! I HATE "loot bags" full of plastic junk so I usually try to do something they use during the party or something useful at home, like art supplies. This time I got Tinkerbell colored pencils, pen, pencil sharpener and for fun, some Tink tattoos and a candy necklace. And all she wanted was the Tinkerbell rings on cupcakes for her cake. For $4.88 from the Wal-Mart bakery, I got a dozen in the colors she wanted. She got to invite 6 friends to her party and I surprised her and her sister by picking up Lindsay from school to be the party helper. You can't see in the bottom picture because it cut off in the collage, but cousins Hayden and Brynley came too. Hayden was so funny - He saw the cupcakes and said "Oh, isn't there a PINK one?" Cracked us up.
I think most of the kids at the party were more pulled together than Caroline. She started the day with her hair done cute in a CLEAN Tinkerbell Jogsuit. But, of course, she ripped out her hair clip and changed from sneakers to flip flops the second she had a chance. That's our Caroline!
Our Little Girl is growing up! Caroline's 4th Birthday was on the 16th. She got to start the day by choosing her breakfast the night before. I suggested several things...French toast, pancakes, waffles...she chose powdered sugar donut holes. Go figure! She got to open one gift in the morning, a pair of bunny slippers.
Tis' the season to be obsessed with Tinkerbell! She wanted Tinkerbell everything, same goes for her Christmas wish list. She loves the Disney Fairies play set and pop-up book from Dad and Debbie and LOVES the Tinkerbell velour jogsuit from the Ashton's (Molly's family.) and has worn daily (and nightly) since Sunday night. Literally. She let me wash it one night! We had the family over for a birthday dinner party - Caroline chose the main dish - Orange Chicken, Spring Rolls, Rice, and Stir Fry veggies. Mommy and Daddy weren't planning on getting a whole lot gift wise because the swing set this summer was for both girls birthdays. But....
...when the kids were all riding bikes outside in the neighborhood 2 Saturdays ago, their friend Dillon crashed his bike into the princess tricycle Caroline was riding and broke it beyond repair. So, she was surprised with (note her covering her eyes as it was wheeled in) a training wheels bike. I think she was beyond thrilled. The bike had blue on it; that is all that mattered. It didn't need to be a Princess or Dora or whatever...we knew as long as it had blue, it was a winner! (And it was the least expensive!!)
Thank you Dollar Store and Wal-Mart! I had noticed at our 99Cent Only store that they had a huge selection of Disney stationary items so when it came time to put together the treat bags for the Tinkerbell Party, I knew right where to go! I HATE "loot bags" full of plastic junk so I usually try to do something they use during the party or something useful at home, like art supplies. This time I got Tinkerbell colored pencils, pen, pencil sharpener and for fun, some Tink tattoos and a candy necklace. And all she wanted was the Tinkerbell rings on cupcakes for her cake. For $4.88 from the Wal-Mart bakery, I got a dozen in the colors she wanted. She got to invite 6 friends to her party and I surprised her and her sister by picking up Lindsay from school to be the party helper. You can't see in the bottom picture because it cut off in the collage, but cousins Hayden and Brynley came too. Hayden was so funny - He saw the cupcakes and said "Oh, isn't there a PINK one?" Cracked us up.I think most of the kids at the party were more pulled together than Caroline. She started the day with her hair done cute in a CLEAN Tinkerbell Jogsuit. But, of course, she ripped out her hair clip and changed from sneakers to flip flops the second she had a chance. That's our Caroline!
Apollo Group Holiday Party
Steve's Company, The Apollo Group (the corporate parent of The University of Phoenix) has and annual swanky Holiday Party at a large Scottsdale Resort - about 2500 people attend. This year's theme was a Las Vegas/Casino night complete with Elvis, the Rat Pack, Magicians, etc. The food was as always delicious (highlights included Roast Chicken with a Truffle Sauce, Lobster, and a Dessert Buffet). We were all given chips to play the casino games but sat that part out - we really have no clue! We ended up sitting and chatting with an older couple who's daughter lives in our neighborhood and her kids go to the same school. It was a fine conversation until she said the word "goiter" - then I knew we were in for the long haul! Steve and I have made it a tradition to stay the night for a little R&R. When we checked in they were sold out of King Rooms but, with a little sweet talk we were upgraded to a Corporate Suite. After a delicious breakfast buffet saturday morning, we sat outside and soaked up some sun, reading a little, then dragged ourselves off to finish some Christmas shopping. One of these days we want to bring the girls to one of the amazing resorts - we kept seeing things they would enjoy - the station to write letters to Santa, the Gingerbread Castle and village, the ducks and quail wandering the gardens, and of course the pools. We think we will do it off season and get a great locals rate - a fun way to have a vacation at home!
The party is always nice and fun, but, a bonus would be nice too! hehehe...
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Christmas Past: 2005 - Polar Express
I was just looking for some other pictures when I came across these and thought it would be fun to post, in the spirit of "Things that would have made it to the blog had there been a blog when the event occurred. " These type of posts may randomly pop up from time to time.
For our Christmas Gift in 2005, my dad took all three families to the Polar Express in Williams AZ and we stayed overnight in the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It was so much fun! The kids all got their Christmas Jammies early and got to get all bundled up for the cold. (Always a fun novelty for us.) Though we did not have snow (just missed it) it was still a fun adventure to ride to the "North Pole" with all the Polar Express trimmings - hot cocoa, cookies, finely appointed servers in the train cars, and Santa handing out a jingle bell to every child. One of the highlights was on the way back to the train depot, the servers led the train car in "The 12 Days of Christmas". My dad, the dramatic tenor that he is, was chosen at random to have the "5 Golden Rings" as a solo. He did a fantastic job and the whole train really got in on it. The servers said he was the best "5 Golden Rings" they had ever heard.
For our Christmas Gift in 2005, my dad took all three families to the Polar Express in Williams AZ and we stayed overnight in the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It was so much fun! The kids all got their Christmas Jammies early and got to get all bundled up for the cold. (Always a fun novelty for us.) Though we did not have snow (just missed it) it was still a fun adventure to ride to the "North Pole" with all the Polar Express trimmings - hot cocoa, cookies, finely appointed servers in the train cars, and Santa handing out a jingle bell to every child. One of the highlights was on the way back to the train depot, the servers led the train car in "The 12 Days of Christmas". My dad, the dramatic tenor that he is, was chosen at random to have the "5 Golden Rings" as a solo. He did a fantastic job and the whole train really got in on it. The servers said he was the best "5 Golden Rings" they had ever heard.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Photoshoot last week
Can I just say how thrilled I am with these pictures? My neighbor Yvonne took over 300 pictures last thursday for us. Here are about 15 or so of them - we got some great ones of Caroline - she has had a difficult time smiling for pictures until we figured out that she needed to show us her Tinkerbell smile! There are some beautiful neighborhoods near us...we just borrowed them! my little girls are growing up...
(If you don't want the whole music thing covering the pictures, click the "X" and it will shrink it. The music was just such a nice fit so I added it!)
(If you don't want the whole music thing covering the pictures, click the "X" and it will shrink it. The music was just such a nice fit so I added it!)
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