3 lively girls & hairspray

It arrived...the big slumber party at my house. The slumber party has been in the works for quite sometime. On Monday, my niece called and said that this Friday was the day for the BIG SLUMBER PARTY at my house. The slumber party always consists of me and my niece-K-Bugs. But, this time another person was added--my 7 month old niece, Miss B. So, all the arrangements were made and planned out and now the big day has arrived!!!

K-Bugs had most of the night planned. First, we had dinner at the Panda Express--our most favorite place to eat when we are spending time together. Orange Chicken and Fried Rice for her and Orange Chicken, Kung-Pu Chicken and Chow Mien for me. I don't think that we ever waiver on what to order--it is always the same. Next, we dropped by the mall, then the grocery store and then, it was home to cuddle up and watch "Hairspray." I Had never watched this movie, but K-Bugs said that it is one of her favorites. OK, I must admit, I really liked this movie too. Miss B only made it through the opening credits before it was off to slumber land for her.


Anyway, while eating Orange Sherbet ice cream and watching the movie, K-Bugs and I had a great time laughing. There were so many funny parts. I can not believe that John Travolta pulled it off being a woman. It was great!!!


Then, it was off to slumber. But, "slumbering" was not what I would have called the night. Making sure that everyone was tucked in and warm through out the night was an adventure, especially when you are dealing with a 7-month old and an 11-year old. But, it was a lot of fun. I do look forward to the next time that we have a slumber party!!

Christmas Traditions

Can you believe that it is only 15 more days until CHRISTMAS!!! I was talking on the phone today to a friend and was exclaiming how excited I am for Christmas!!! I just have the holidays. One thing that I love about the holidays is decorating, shopping, cooking, spending time with my family & friends, decorating, shopping, cooking, spending time with my family....and it just keeps on going on and on!!!

I visited a friend's blog the other day and she was sharing her favorite Christmas tradition. So, I started thinking of all our family Christmas traditions. Such traditions seem to connect the dots between families. I find myself incorporating those fun traditions in my own life. Isn't it great?!

Anyway, one of my favorite traditions is that every Christmas Eve, Mom, Dad and I put on our new Christmas pajamas. We then make hot chocolate. I snuggle in between Mom and Dad on the couch and we read the new Christmas release book from Deseret Book or Seagull book. (Oh, the book is read by my Dad). Amongst these books are A Christmas Dress for Ellen and Christmas Oranges. I can't wait to find out what book we get to read, this year. So, if you are in the neighborhood around 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve and you have nothing else to do....drop in for hot chocolate and a story. I know that you will enjoy it as much as me!!!

I still love doing this even though I am not a little girl anymore. It is my alone time with Mom and Dad and it is FANTASTIC!!! Thanks Mom and Dad for this fabulous tradition!! I look forward to each year.

I would love to hear what your favorite traditions are. Please share them with me!!

the little monkey

Tonight, I had the blessed opportunity of spending time with my little niece. She has the cutest smile and sweetest giggle. But, the funniest thing about her is she squishes her face up and makes this little monkey noise. I was singing, "Once there was a snowman" to her and she would squish her little face up and make the monkey sound and then she would giggle. It was hilarious. I am not sure who was having more fun--Miss B or me. We were having tons of fun until we had...two episodes of throwing up and two sets of clothes changing and a bout of screaming (the little monkey was the one screaming!!).

But, then I remembered my mom telling me that she sings to Miss B when she is upset. So, I started singing, "I am a child of God" and the screaming stopped. WOW!!! That was too cool. She just snuggled up and fell asleep (for about 15 minutes) but it was amazing to realize the power of music.

When she woke up, we snuggled together on the couch and watched a Christmas movie. She was not about to go to sleep, but it was fun cuddling with her. Like I have said before, she is the sweetest thing ever!!! I know that I was ready to turn in for the night when Miss B left. WOW!! I have a friend that is expecting her 9th...Gerb, how do you do it?!

it's better to be safe than sorry

It seems like everyday is an excitement for me. I guess, if you look for fun things to happen they happen...okay, when I wake up every morning THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!!! It is usually quite entertaining. One of the girls at work, Julie, told me that when I get married, my husband is going to have a lot of fun. Okay, I am not sure if that was suppose to be a compliment meaning that I am a hoot to be around or is it that there is so much adventure in my life--he is going to be laughing his head off every second of the day. I bet the answer is the latter.

Well, I had only been home 10 minutes--time enough to find that the washer was not being used, sort my laundry on my bathroom floor and then put a load of laundry in the washer when all of a sudden, I hear this horrific alarm. I sprint to the furnace room--my carbon monoxide/explosive gas alarm is blinking "GAS". I hit the reset button. The alarm will not stop!!! The horrific alarm is still going off. I grab it and run to the kitchen (why I did this--I am not all sure). I read that if the alarm is going off call 911!! So, I disconnect the battery--I could not hear at all. I dialed 911.

"911. What type of emergency do you have?"

"UM. I am not sure if it is an emergency. My carbon monoxide/explosive gas alarm is blinking GAS."

"Are you feeling faint?"

"UM. No."

"What is your phone number?"

I give her my name, phone number and my address.

"Are you having chest pains?"

"UM. No." (other than...I am completely scared too death at this point!)

"Is there anyone else in the house?"

"No."

"You need to exit the house immediately." I, literally, run outside-into the rain!!!

"Are you feeling faint?"

"No."

"Are you having problems breathing?"

"No, I am just scared too death."

"You are okay. Are you breathing okay?" Then, she tells me that when the explosive gas affects you, it hits you pretty fast. So, she kept asking how I was doing and all that kind of stuff.

The fire engine drives up...and the 911 dispatcher waits until the firemen are with me. (What a kind person--ok, ok, I know that is her job--but I thought that she was nice.)

They bring the detectors and they did not find anything wrong. They searched the whole house and there was not any explosive gas. Then for the next 10 minutes, they talked to me and made sure that I understood that it is better to be safe than sorry. They said if the alarm goes off again...do not hesitate to call. They had already responded to several of the same calls today. They said that these detectors have saved 4 families that live in Provo and that I have one of the best detectors. They said that they would have rather came tonight, then to find me dead in the morning. I think that they are correct on that one. I am glad I did not die tonight.

As we were leaving the house, Jen and Sariah showed up. They saw the fire engine and came to make sure all was okay. What great friends and neighbors. Jen noted that one of the fire men was very nice looking. I think that I was too nervous and FREAKED out to really notice.

So, my advice to all of my friends--

it is better to be safe than sorry!!

sink vs. hair

Being single has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that when something needs a fix-it, you have to fix it. In all actuality, I have incredible parents. They are always there. When I need something fixed--it is Dad that I call. I know that he gets extremely tired of taking care of his daughter, but he does it!

Well, for the past few weeks, I have been fighting with my bathroom sink. It takes FOREVER to drain. I have tried Liquid Plumber, Draino, bleach, and any other Chinese solution that people have told me to try. THE SINK WILL NOT DRAIN!!! Okay, I know that I have a lot of hair. I know that it is everywhere. One thing, I know is that it loves the drains-whether it is the bathtub drain or the sink drain--it LOVES the drain. I am not sure if it goes there for refuge, but it ends up there all the time. When I go to my parents home to stay, Dad always comments on the amount of hair I leave behind. I swear, I check every drain when I am through--just so Dad can not make that comment. BUT, I seem to never find every strand.

So, I knew the problem with my bathroom sink--HAIR!!! Okay, so, tonight--while brushing my teeth, I became irate!! The sink was not draining!!!! I thought to call my Dad, but he was still at work. SO!!! I took matters into my own hands and disassembled the entire drain system from under my sink. I was amazed at my "handyman" skills.

I am not sure if I was going throw-up or pass out. Other than the sight was horrendous (I think that I could have made a wig out of how much hair was stuck in the pipes), but the smell was absolutely GAGGING!!!

But, I sucked up the "sissiness" in me and got to work. It took me about 45 minutes to get all the hair out of the drain. It was disgusting and yucky!!! Oh, how tonight, I wished that I had a husband to take care of this disgusting task!!! BUT, I was able to accomplish this UGLY, DISGUSTING, SMELLING, HORRENDOUS,... (and the list goes on and on)...TASK!!! I would say that I am pretty proud of myself.

Then, when I put everything back together...

THE SINK DRAINS!!!

New Moon

I FINISHED IT!!!! Between my HUGE list of things to do... I FINISHED IT!!! Now, I need to get ahold of the next book.

Okay....like I said before...I am addicted. This book is very descriptive--which I love--I am girl that LOVES details. I want to know everything and why and how and what.... So, Gerb, I went back and read your questions. I, too, want to know "if Bella is truly, irrevocably in love with Edward, why is she so disgusted with the idea of being married to him?" I am not married, but I am a tad bit concerned. Because if I was immensely in love with someone, I would want to marry that person. So, Gerb, I do agree with you. "WHAT IS HER PROBLEM??" Bella, go for it!!!

So, I need to get a hold of Eclipse and find out what happens with Bella? Does she become a vampire? Does she marry Edward? What happens with Jacob? What happens with Edward? Do they all become friends in the end? I have mixed feelings of who I like better--Edward or Jacob. Edward is definitely a fine guy, but I see potential with Jacob. OUCH!!! I just don't want anyone to get hurt. I like it when everyone gets along and is friends. Does that happen??? I know, I need to be realistic. Can you be realistic when it comes to reading these books?

Festival of Trees

Each year, my Mom and I visit the Festival of Trees and each year, my niece's dance team performs at the Festival. This year, we awoke to SNOW!!! Yes, we have snow!!! Finally--the snow has arrived. But, I do not like to drive in the snow. You never know what the people around you are going to do and sometimes, you never know what your car might do. On the way to the Festival, there were only a few cars off the side of the freeway--going the wrong way. But, we made it safe and sound.

So, to the festival to watch K-Bug...

She is an amazing dancer and very talented!

Then, off to the trees....

This one was decorate by a family that we know. It is dedicated to their little 4 year old boy that passed away. He loved ducks and this was a fabulous tree full of ducks! What a wonderful tribute to him.

I found this tree. It was dedicated to all of the police officers in Utah. Since, I have a friend that is a police officer....this one is for you!!

These 3 trees were decorated by Chris--our quilt instructor. Her and her sisters decorated these trees and dedicated them to their father, sister and brother. WOW!!!

These were fabulous!!!

Of course there were lots and lots of beautiful trees. The stories behind these trees brought lots of tears, but what a wonderful and peaceful feeling.

I found this saying on one of the trees....

"What we love to do...we find time to do!"

We arrived home safely...driving 10 miles an hour on the free way was definitely not fun--but for the most part of the day...It was all in all fabulous!!! A great way to start the Christmas season!!!