Christmas Home Show

Last night my mom and I went to the Christmas Home Show that is sponsored every year by the Utah County Symphony Guild. There are some ladies in my ward that belong to that and so we hear about this home show every year. Last year we went and it has become a fun tradition.

Last year the home show featured huge homes in Orem. This year it featured old historic homes in the downtown Provo area. We REALLY enjoyed it last night. My mom grew up on 2nd south in Provo - just down from the Maeser School. Last night was a walk down memory lane for her. It was great fun!


We started the tour at the Hines Mansion - which is now a bed and breakfast. It has been beautifully restored and has neat rooms you can stay in.


This is the Paxman house. My mom knows the Paxman family and went to school with their daughter. She remembers going to this house in her teenage years and hanging out.


This home has different owners now but it used to belong to Gayla Clark and my mom spent many days playing in this house with her daughter.


Another cute home and my mom knew the owners.


This is something neat. As you walk along Center Street and side streets of downtown Provo - you see these metal rings in the cement along the curb. They were used for people to tie their horses to when they would stop in front of someone's home to visit. I love that there are still great pieces of history like this preserved for us to see.

More Visiting Santa Pictures

I've been a bad blogger lately. I've been busy but there hasn't been much to blog. Here are some more pictures for you from when we saw Santa at the mall!

Santa!

It's another tradition of ours to visit Santa every year. We have many with the youngest in tears. We even have a few with Dave and I in the picture because someone was too scared. Emmie has been afraid of Santa every year. She hasn't cried for a few years but Maddie has to hold her. She's getting a little big for that.

Maddie wonders how long she will have to be in the pictures. I told her until Emmie is 18! Just kidding but it's a fun tradition.

Thanksgiving Day Pictures

Every year we go to the Marriott for Thanksgiving Dinner. It's fun, delicious, and stress free. We usually have between 22 to 16 people (and growing) so it nice because we all fit at the same table. After dinner, we always go to a movie. This year we saw the "Bee Movie" and we thought it was cute!


Mom and Dad
Maddie and Logan
Half of the crew!
Me and Dave
Emmie and Logan
Me, Mom, and Brittany
Dave and Talbie Bronson eating Pumpkin Pie (notice he has 2 and he had 2 more!)

Black Friday

Well... We did it! Brittany and go crazy every year on "Black Friday" and hit the after Thanksgiving sales pretty hard! It's a fun tradition. This year we started even earlier by leaving the house at 3:30 to be a Kohl's by 4:00 am. CRAZY! We brought our camera's but we didn't have time for pictures. We got some great deals though!

Decorating the Tree

Our family tradition is getting our Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving. We don't decorate for Thanksgiving so this makes life a lot less stressful to have the house already decorated. This way we can enjoy the day after Thanksgiving - SHOPPING!!

I decorated the house on Tuesday, and then last night we put up the tree and decorated it. It's a pretty pathetic little tree, but we love it. Every year I say I'm going to get a new tree but I really don't have any room of it. This tree is small and filled to the brim with decorations from my and Dave's childhood - and the kids yearly ornaments. It's a hodge podge of things on the tree. We even went to Walmart yesterday and picked out our ornaments for this year.


Dave putting the angel on top

Maddie pretending to climb the tree??

Our family room

Million Dollar Smile!

Maddie got her braces off yesterday! The title of this blog really fits - it feels like it was a "Million Dollar Smile." Maddie has been at an orthodontist since 2nd grade (so have Talbie and Bronson). She had braces on in the 4th grade and then had them off in the 6th grade until all her teeth came in. She got them back on again in 7th or 8th grade - and off yesterday!

I'm thankful for orthodontist these days. My kids inherited my small mouth and they don't have room for all their teeth. When I was young, they had to pull 4 of my adult teeth before I got braces because there wasn't room for all of them. Maddie had an appliance put in that was cemented to the roof of her mouth in the 4th grade. We would crank it every night and it widened her jaw and mouth. I felt like it was some mid-evil torture device when we were doing it.

Talbie just finished with a top retainer that basically did the same thing - only it wasn't so drastic. With Bronson - he's been quite a few times already and they aren't sure yet if any of those techniques will work for him because he has a REALLY small mouth. Right now he only has 4 adult teeth on the top and they are taking up all the room!

It's a good feeling to have one done with the orthodontist. 1 down - 3 to go!

Brushing her teeth!


Getting the off!

Tagged - Again

I've done this "tagged" thing before but I liked this one my friend, Andrea sent me. It's a little different than all the rest, so here goes...

1. How long have you been a mother?
Almost 16 years. It's not getting any easier!

2. How many kids call you mommy?
4 except Emmie is the only one that says "mommy" anymore. It's sad. I remember the day that Maddie first called me "mom" - I hated it - mommy is so much cuter!

3. When you were pregnant, did you know what you were having?
Yes - I'm note one of those people who likes surprises. I had to know!

4. How old were you when you became a mom?
I was married right after I turned 22 and Maddie came when I was 23.

5. How long were you in labor?
Maddie - 2 days and she came 2 days late. I was induced with the last 3 because Talbie was almost 9 pounds and I threatened the doctor on the last 2.

6. What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
I don't know. Everyday is filled with so many challenges but it's those moments when all is right with the world that you thank Heavenly Father for blessing your life with kids. I can't imagine my life without them. My favorite saying I saw lately, "Grant me patience to deal with my blessings."

7. What's your least favorite things?
Watching them get hurt or sad.

8. Do you want more kids?
I've had 6 pregnancies and spent 10 years getting my kids here. I happy with the results and I'll be ready for more when the grandchildren start coming.

9. Have you ever taken your kids on a trip?
Of course - but it's getting more fun now that they are all getting older.

10. How many times have you been peed on?
More times than I can count. I've only been thrown up on once and that's a blessing!

11. How many times have you been thrown up on?
I just answered that - funny. Baby spit up doesn't count, right?

12. Are your kids named after someone?
Yes...

Madeline Corine - Corine is my middle name and I loved the name Madeline
Talbie Marie - Maddie gave Talbie her name (many of you have heard that story and I just told it in RS Sunday so many of you are sick of it) and Marie is my Grandma's name.
Bronson David - Maddie picked Bronson's name too and David is my husband's name.
Emmaline Daphne - Daphne was my great grandma's name and Emmaline is a character from the beloved "Anne of Green Gables" movies that I adore!

13. When was the last time you had a sitter and what did you do?
I lucky because I have 2 1/2 built in babysitters right now. (Bronson isn't quite ready to leave for more than 15 minutes at a time and I think Emmie will be babysitting him before too long). When Maddie turned 8, she became our full time babysitter because she HATED to be babysat - unless it was one of the grandma's. Maddie's too social now so we have to ground her to get her to babysit :). Talbie is a top notch babysitter!

14. When your kids get in trouble, who is the bad guy?
Me for sure. When I'm gone and they ask Dave if they can do something, they say, "Did mom say it was OK?" He'll tell them, "Hey, if I said it's OK - it's OK". Then I come home and they are all in trouble - even Dave!

15. What's the longest you've been away from your kids?
4 days but Dave and I are going on a cruise in February for 8 days.

16. Are your toe nails painted?
Are you kidding? If they ever do get painted, they stay painted until they are grown out! Just kidding but who has time to paint their toe nails?

17. Last movie you saw in the theater?
I have seen 3 lately. Dan, in Real Life - Very good. Fred Claus - Not so good. Mr. Magoriums Wonder Imporium - also not so good. Even the kids had a hard time in that one.

18. One thing you will not give up, even though you're a mom?
It's amazing what you give up being a mom. I buy my jeans at Walmart so Maddie can buy $200 jeans (I DON'T buy those jeans for her - but my dad does). I think when you're a young mother, you give up alot but now as my girls get older, they are so fun to do things with that we do just about everything.

19. One thing you do give up now that you're a mom?
I guess a lot of things but honestly, I'd rather give my kids something than myself.

20. Favorite cartoon?
Pixar movies.

21. Favorite snack?
Diet Coke and anything sweet.

22. When the kids are napping, you are?
My kids don't nap but my youngest is in kindergarten so when they're in school, I run around like a crazy person.

23. Where are your kids now?
Emmie just got home from school and she's playing upstairs with Logan (Brittany's son) and the rest are still in school.

24. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes?
It used to be Motherhood but now there are so many other options.

25. If I could do it over - I'd do this differently?
I do a lot of things differently now that I've had a little more experience. I don't stress so much about keeping everything spotless. And I think I would have re thought the whole "scrapbook" thing because now - after spending so many years caught up on them - I'm 3 years behind and I don't think there's hope!

I'm tagging...

I don't want to put too much pressure on anyone because I've been tagged a lot and haven't done most of them. ANY of you who would like to do this - I'd love to read your answers.

Kellie

Pizza Night

On Friday nights we usually order pizza but we broke from tradition on Friday night. We decided to make our own pizzas and it turned out pretty well. Everyone in my family is pretty picky (except Dave) so they were able to put their own toppings on their pizzas and everyone was happy.

Great Product Find

I saw this product at the store the other day and I bought it to try. I have stainless steel appliances that we bought a couple of years ago and I love them. I don't love how hard they are to clean. They get fingerprints or hard water spots on them and I never could get them to look like they did when I first got them.

This Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Cleaner works like a charm! You just put one of the cleaning pads on the holder and rub it up and down your appliances. There is no scrubbing involved and they turn out shiny and beautiful! It's very exciting and you must try it if you've been trying to clean stainless steel!

"Boys Like Girls" and "Jerrytown" Concert

We had a GREAT time last night at my brother, Dustin's concert. It was at the McKay Dee Event Center in Ogden and the place was packed! "Boys Like Girls" (of "Great Escape" fame) said it was the biggest crowd they had performed for. It was one of Dustin's bigger concerts too except he played at the Olympics in Salt Lake and has also opened for Collective Soul when they came to town.

I'm posting a few pictures of last night. I have video that I took (but poor quality) and I'm going to post it on YouTube (after I get permission from Dust) and I will post some here for you to view.

Way to go Dustin and thanks for the tickets!!




Brittany and I before we left for the concert in our new "Jerrytown" t-shirts!


Dustin with Maddie and Maddie before the show started


Dustin with his "ancient" older sister. I felt like such a grandma at this concert but the nice boy in front of me informed me that "you're never too old to go to a concert!"


Brittany rockin out!

The Pioneer Woman

Many of you may already know of her - but I have been addicted to this blog for quite some time. There are two blogs..."The Pioneer Woman" and "The Pioneer Woman Cooks." This lady is amazing. She's a city girl who fell in love, married a rancher and 11 years ago moved to the most beautiful place on earth. She is a photographer, amazing cook, and great writer. She has written their "love story" and posts sections once a week. You must check it out. The links are to the side of my blog. I love her cooking blog. She is making some of the most delicious Thanksgiving recipes right now. I have made a lot of her things and I LOVE THEM. Anyway - check it out and let me know what you think.

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and it has 2 significances. First, to honor all our Veterans and those that have served in the military. So, I am posting a picture that I found recently of my dad when he was in the Army in 1967 or 1968. I love you dad!

Also - today marks the 17th anniversary of Dave and I's first date. We were set up on a blind date by a friend of my little brother, Cody. Matt Heaps set us up (who is also Dave's sister's husband's brother - figure that one out!)

For our first date we went to Brick Oven Pizza with Matt Heaps and my friend, Jill Ortiz (Murdock). After dinner we went to the Scera park and laid blankets out and watched a movie on a T.V. and VCR they had brought with them.

I had been set up on about a million blind dates before Dave and - after waiting for a missionary who had come home and I didn't like anymore - I was planning on going on a mission. I had my papers ready to fill out but I met Dave that night and 1 month later we were engaged! I love you, Dave!

Holiday Treat

One of our favorite treats to make during the holiday season is "Sweet Chex Mix." It's delicious! We made some tonight. Here's the recipe...

Sweet Chex Mix

3 cubes of butter
2 cups light corn syrup
2 cups sugar

Big bowl (about 3 boxes full) Chex Mix

Here's how you do it...


Empty Chex mix into a giant bowl



Add butter, corn syrup, and sugar into a pan


Heat mixture over a medium-high heat and stir continually. When it starts to boil, set the timer for one minute and continue stirring.


Pour over the Chex Mix and stir until well mixed. Eat immediately and store the rest in ziploc bags to stay fresh!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. We set up a blog for him that you can check out at by clicking HERE.
We love you dad and hope you have a great day!

This is me and my dad when I was about 2 or 3. We were visiting my Great Grandma and Grandpa's house and I was deathly afraid of their dog. I think I still have a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) memory of this day!





This is my dad saying hello to Morgan Freeman in New York City (at the wax museum)



Dustin, Brittany, me, my mom, and dad at Serendipity in New York in May.

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!"

Many of you may have noticed the poll to the side of this blog. I want you to vote on your favorite Christmas movie of all time. I voted for "It's a Wonderful Life" but I was second guessing myself because "A Christmas Story" is really an all time favorite of mine as well.

Many of you know Dave's history and how - while working with the Sheriff's Department - he shot his eye out (from a ricochet bullet while shooting at a metal target). He has a prosthetic eye in his right eye. During his years at the Sheriff's Department he had many duties from Patrolmen to Detective, etc. His favorite job, I think was working undercover. He did that for 5 years. While you're undercover, you try to disguise many things about yourself - your appearance, your residence, and even your name. He was known, all those years as "Ralphie" and when he runs into some of his old buddies from the Department, they still call him that. Hence - the love for the movie, "A Christmas Story". And trust me - after hearing some of the the nicknames other guys had - he was thankful for "Ralphie."

P.S. My mom even has a leg lamp in the middle of her front room window and it's been there for years!

Weekend Date

For Dave and I's date night on Friday, we went and saw "Dan in Real Life" and I loved it. It was a great show - you'll laugh - you'll cry. You'll also thank your lucky stars you don't have a teenage daughter. If you do have a teenage daughter - see it anyway!



The girls in this movie reminded me of my girls - exactly! The oldest girl is Talbie, middle and teenager - Maddie, and the youngest is Emmie. It was freaking the resemblance in their personalities!

Dustin's Concert

Hey all,

For those of you that don't know my talented brother - I'm going to brag about him. Dustin has been playing the piano (and every other instrument) by ear since he was age 3. Dustin is 10 years younger than me and I remember when he was 3, he sat down at the piano and played the theme to "M.A.S.H" completely by ear - without a single mistake. I had been taking piano lessons for about 5 years at the time and I remember that I couldn't even plunk it out without a million mistakes.

Dustin has recored 3 CD's where he has written and sang all the lyrics, and played just about every instrument. He has had music on local movies such as "Single's Ward", "R.M.", "Church Ball", and many others. He's had music on commercials, TV shows such as "Extreme Makeover, Wedding Edition", and was beat out by Rob Thomas for the theme song to "Meet the Robinson's". He's done a zillion other things too.

Anyway, Dustin is opening for the band "Boys Like Girls" in a week or so at the Dee Event Center in Ogden. Maddie is excited because he gave her 4 tickets yesterday. She's not so excited because 2 of those have to be for me and Brittany!

Way to go Dust - we're so proud of you!! You can check him out at www.jerrytown.com.
or at www.dustinonline.blogspot.com

Flu Shots

Today has been a busy day already. We got up at 9:00 and got flu shots. First, we took the kids to their pediatrician and got theirs, then Dave and I headed to our Dr. and got them. We made a day of it with Brittany and Jared's family then went to breakfast afterwards.

I was surprised that Emmie was so scared because she is a novice at going to the doctor and having shots, but this really freaked her out, for some reason. Maddie ALWAYS freaks when it comes to shots so that was no surprise!

Brittany - a little nervous!