New Year’s Eve

This year for New Year’s Eve we invited ourselves over to the Peterson’s Fun Party. Well, we did get invited but we sorta asked when they were doing, so felt like I invited myself. Either way, thanks for inviting us so we weren’t so lame. We had a blast. This picture makes me laugh because we were laughing so hard when they took it. We felt like movie stars or something - we had people taking our picture from every angle. We had so much fun. We really know how to party!!

Jeffrey popped open his grape juice from years past. Like 2005 and 2007. Both good years. Apparently the juice was still really good and not even a hint of fermentation ;)

Not to self: really start wearing a little bit more makeup ;)

New Shoes ~ Cheater Too :)

Okay so these last few posts are so so lame, I know and it makes me feel even worse that I cheated. But I had to cheat to finish out the year.  I’m admitting it - I didn’t take a single picture after Christmas. I just ran out of steam. So I had to cheat and add some stuff that I got for Christmas to finish the year off. Sorry all, hoping to continue this blog for next year.  (Even though today is actually Jan 15 and I don’t know if I have enough pictures for this year so far either - aaaahhhh bleh!)

I have loved looking back through this blog and maybe no one else even cares - but I do.  It brings back happy memories and helps me remember little things that happened through out the year. I’ve loved it and want to continue on, so I might have to cheat to catch up.

It has brought me a great deal of happiness and I hope it will this next year too.

New Hat

Here’s a little funny fact about me. I <3 hats!! Love them. Lately, I’m starting some sort of a collection.  I got one for Christmas too. They’re just fun. 

I’ve not worn them much before for two reasons. First reason, I have a huge head. Serious. I really do. When it says one size fits all, they mean everyone but Cindy :)  Second reason, is my ears. I hate my ears. A long, long time ago my sister called me dumbo ears and it just sunk in too much. I was (still sorta am) such a worry wart. I couldn’t get over the worry that I had big ears and people would make fun of me.

Fast forward about 15 years in the future and look at me now LoL ;)

New Pans

I got new pans for Christmas this year and I'm loving them :) Thanks hon.

Was a little nervous about the stainless steel I have to say. Cause I’m really lazy when it comes to washing out a pan. After taking all the time to make dinner I hate having to take all the time to clean up too - it often sits until the next morning. Why do I do that?!!!

Regardless, so far so good. They’ve been super easy to clean up - even when I’ve waited and easier still when I don’t.

Don’t Fit in My Pants ~ Wahoo!!

Okay so I went to put on my new pants and go back to work today and lookee-lookee. I don’t fit in them anymore. You’d think that might make me sad and it does a little bit because they’re new and I can’t wear them. But I’m excited cause that means I’ve lost weight.

Am I bragging - you bet ya I am!!  Feels good!!  I can’t believe I didn’t post about it before. Started this sugar detox on November 13. Which basically means no sweets, no cookies, no cakes, no treats. No sweets. I’ve tried this before and didn’t make it past the first two weeks before I “fell off the wagon” so to speak. But this time I did it. Even through Thanksgiving - no pie. At first I didn’t realize or see that it was helping. I lost three pounds for that first month. But then, I decided to continue on. I did have a few pieces of candy and goodies for Christmas but since then I’ve been back to no sweets or treats.

Three things I’ve noticed, I feel better. I really do. I have been able to fast (two whole complete meals) I’ve only been able to do that like once before. Serious. And the best thing of all, I’m losing weight.

Okay I’m done bragging now, but just so proud of myself.

Cool Crepe Maker

Berneen and her family came over for dinner tonight. For dessert she brought over her crepe maker. It was fascinating to me. This little cooking machine is so cool. You turn it upside down and swirl it in the batter then flip it right side up and let it cook. You peel up the edges and wah~lah crepes!

Yes, I had two they were delicious!! Thanks Berneen - that was so fun!

Christmas 2011

It’s hard to pick just one picture from today but this seemed to be the favorite one. There was one with Josh really enjoying his lava lamp (thank goodness for simple pleasures). There was one with Zac surprised that Santa got him Sky Rim too. But I couldn't resist this one where Hayden is realizing that he's a spoiled boy - must have been good this year. I love that excited face moment. You can tell that Josh is excited to get it open.  Wish I had a picture with all three of them together, but in the hustle and bustle, I guess I never made them stand together. Didn't have a single one.

I'm always nervous it's not going to be special enough and I'm always pleasantly surprise how thankful and excited they are. Thank goodness, Christmas is finally here and it was happy.

Ice Skating

Today we went ice skating. Well, some of us did and some of us didn’t. Funny how something that’s supposed to be so fun can end up being a lot of work. ;) The kids gave it a good try but overall I think they had fun. I even tried it and forgot how hard it really is. I love to watch other people though. It was a beautiful day to do it too.  This has become a new tradition. We've done it twice in a row now. See how long this one lasts. For now, I love it - makes me smile. :D

Christmas Cinnamon Rolls

Helped Jeffrey make all these cinnamon rolls today. Got his hands in the picture - wouldn't let me take his picture. Usually this event would be entitled Cooking with Jeff ~ Cable Style.  But this time it could have been on PBS. It was actually fun. Reminded me of Christmas cooking with my family. Made this year feel more Christmasy. (Apparently that's not really a word - it's underlining it in red ~ LoL)

We made 5 batches for some lucky ones in the family. Let's see there was pistachio cranberry, cinnamon pecan and cranberry pecan. Really truly, Jeff's cinnamon rolls are the BEST!! (member Ratatouille - seriously)

Silent Night ~ Smiley Night

Had to upload a video today instead of just a picture. Tonight I took Zac to see Abby (cute friend girl of his) sing at her Christmas concert. It was fun for me. I’m such a choir nerd at heart still and I had fun watching her choir group sing. When we came home Zac had his guitar out and to my surprise was practicing Silent Night.  I l<3ved it! He made me smile from ear to ear! Couldn't wipe that smile off my face. Couldn’t let it slip by - had to record him.  <3 it :)

Sleepy Baby

Okay, iPhone picture alert!!  Sorry they just don't turn out as good, but I just couldn't resist. Look at this cute little kitty.

Okay, have I ever told you that I love, Love, LOVE the feeling of a baby falling asleep in my arms?  Well I do, that's one of the things I miss the most about little ones. Miss that so much sometimes. Well tonight when I was playing sudoku on the couch downstairs, Simba proceeded to jump up on me, climb as high as he could and curl up right there on my shoulder and fall asleep.

It was so unexpected and so cute. I loved it! It made me smile and knew this was the happy moment today. (I know, I know - I'm becoming a cat lady) I love it :)

Hoar Frost . . . Happy Frost

I think they should call this Happy Frost not Hoar Frost.  I think Hoar Frost sounds so not magical. But I think hoar frost IS Absolutely Magical.  When I saw it this morning as we went to church to meet with the Bishop, it brightened my morning. I am fascinated by this phenomenon. It turns a cold sorta dead world into a beautiful sparkling place. :D

Gingerbread Houses

We made our gingerbread houses today. I love this family tradition. It's so fun to see what designs the kids come up with. Note to self:  Next year make two extra houses. One for me and Berneen. We had just as much fun helping with the designs as the kids did.

Another funny little thing about this year that you can't see in the picture and I want to remember is that each one of them pried the roof back and threw candy inside for later. That just cracked me right up. I think it started with Annie (Annie!! you make me smile :) so smart - really so smart!!)

Surprise Gift

Okay. . .so you probably know by now, but have I told you lately that I love big rings?!!  I do...and today Jenn brought me this!!

So sweet of her to get me a fun big ring! She knows I love purple and she knows I love big rings. She did so great. It warmed my heart and made me feel so happy.

So nice Jenn, thanks so much for this special surprise gift. Love you.

Whoooo Whooo

Tonight on my way out to the car I heard a whooo ~ whooo!  Almost like someone was hiding in the parking lot making that noise. For a few seconds, I gripped my keys a little tighter and re positioned them in my hand. I looked around prepared for someone to jump out at me.

But. . . . . .then. . . . . . . I heard it again!  This time I could tell it was up high. If you look really close at this grainy picture, you will see it. Right at the top of the church.

Okay, maybe you can't but it's an owl!!  I real live owl. I was like a little kid - I thought that was the coolest thing. You should've seen me trying to take this picture with my phone. It was pretty humorous. This made me smile :D I LOVE LOVE LOVE OWLS - so cool!!