A little Christmas

It has become a tradition to have a family dinner on Christmas Eve.  My sister's family and my mom and dad usually come to our house for dinner and then we open up the Christmas Eve Jammies.  Mom and Dad were with their sons this year in Oregon and we missed them but we still had fun!  This dinner is my favorite part of Christmas, which you'll note is the day before Christmas.

Lining up for the food, youngest to oldest . . . . . . hey! What is Trudy doing in the Front of the line!!!! (probably helping!)

I'd heard that hors d'oeuvres were much easier at Christmas time - NOT!  At least they are pretty!

And they mostly tasted good!



McKay joins right in with the cousins . . . . the way they treat each other you'd think they are all brothers and sisters!  Poor McKay
is like an only child in this household.

Gotcha Stevie!

The Bainters

And since our family picture didn't turn out . . . . here's our boy!

Milk Math

I've made the switch . . . . . the switch from "non organic" milk to "organic" but not for the reasons you might expect.

First of all, I've never purchased "organic" products mainly because of principle.  The principle being that my dad, and grandpa, and great grandpa, and probably great great grandpa were all farmers.  I've seen the devastation that one little pest or one little weed can have on an entire crop.  I'm convinced if we didn't have pesticides and herbicides we would all starve!  Food would be in short supply, and much, much more expensive.  I'm willing to ingest a little of this stuff in order to eat. P.E.R.I.O.D!!!  I think a starving, bag of bones, environmentalist may even agree with me.  (probably won't happen in the near future though) 

I know you can't read these dates, but the
difference in expiration dates is amazing!!!

So why did I make this hated switch?  It's cheaper for us.  What?  Cheaper????  A few months ago I found out that because there are so few organic milk producers, and they have further to transport their product, they SUPER pasteurize it, meaning that when you buy it, the expiration date on it can be over a month away . . . . . The organic milk I bought a few days ago, doesn't expire until January 28th!!!  For most of you, expiration dates don't really matter a whole lot, but in our family of three, (two of which don't enjoy milk on anything other than cereal) they matter!  We will probably (bar baking, if I do any baking) not even get through the half gallon of milk I bought by January 28th.  So here is the math:

1 gallon of regular milk - approx $3.00+ with at least half of it thrown out at the expiration date making it necessary to buy  another gallon of regular milk at $3.00+ = $6.00 a month.

1/2 gallon of organic milk - approx $3.40+  (lasts over a month in my household)

Result:  ORGANIC MILK IS CHEAPER!!! 

And that, my friends is milk math!

It's time . . . . .

Fa, la, la, la, la, la, Time for another rant.  I've been being too nice on my blog.  I've gotten soft.  I'm too worried about who is reading and whether or not I'll offend someone . . . . . or hurt someone . . . . or WHATEVER!

Christmas time!  Oh, how I hate this holiday.  Not the whole "Christ" thing.  Christ should be in your life all year, just not on Christmas . . . . . what I don't like is the whole commercialism thing, the unrealistic expectations thing, and all the other stupid things we put ourselves through.

One thing irritating me especially this year, by good intentioned people, that are just trying to carry on a conversation because they are standing in front of you is one of the two questions:  "Are you going to Utah this year?"  and "Are your kids coming home for Christmas this year?"  What the heck?????  Is there some law that states . . . . . "You must bring your kids home every year for Christmas?"  When my answer is "no" to both of the above questions, the look that comes across everyone's face is one of pity, or unbelief.  Again I say "What the heck?"  I'd rather spend our money visiting and being visited during the warmer times of the year, when it is cheaper and we can GO TO THE BEACH!

Christmas to me is like another birthday . . . . . a time of the year that I tolerate because it happens every year whether I like it or not . . . . . one that if I could take a pill and skip it it would be fine with me!  More than fine with me!  In three days I can happily cross it off my calendar and hope for the year to slowly crawl by so that December seems an occurance that will happen in the far far far distant future.  The only thing I like about Christmas is the music and the card giving, and card giving I am told is "old school" and "going out of style."  YIKES!  one of my only pleasures is going out of vogue.  geesh!

What to do  . . . . . What to do?  I'm sure I'm not alone out there. . . . or maybe I'm just a freak of nature :)  LOL!

Nonetheless, I'm trying to have a Merry Christmas and wish the same to you.  Fa, la, la, la, la!

Flashback Friday

Before I "flashback" . . . . . . Yesterday and today have been a snow day for us!  Our county closed down the school  system yesterday before it even snowed.  We've got maybe 3 inches of snow now and are out for another day today.  I slept in and OH! it felt good not to have to get up for seminary this morning!

Journal Jar question . . . . . this is a fun one . . . . . "What was your most embarrassing moment?"

I have a lot of embarrassing moments, but thankfully can't remember most of them! The one that comes to mind is one that not just embarrassed me, but mortified me!

This occurred several years ago.  It was the Christmas season, and Lincoln and I were at a get together at a friend's house with some of his co-workers and friends.  We were mingling, and I lost track of Lincoln.  I wandered around a bit trying to find him and when I did find him I came up behind him, gave him a pat on the butt, and then snuggled up alongside him. 

I knew when I patted that butt that something was amiss!  This butt was much too skinny to be my husband's!!!  I looked up into someone's face that wasn't my husband's face and felt horror!  . . . . . the guy had on the same clothes . . . . khaki pants . . . . .white shirt . . . . but the hair was red . . . . and the face confused . . . . and then all the sudden his expression changed to one of "I gotcha"!  Of any guy in the room to do this to, I'd picked the worse one of the bunch.  There was no way he was going to let this pass without a good razz.  Razz me he did . . . . . for years!

I hadn't even realized, up until that point, that I had the habit of patting my husband's butt.  Now I make sure I know it is HE, before proceeding with my habit!!! 

I remember a similar experience when I was a little girl of grabbing onto my mother's leg and then looking up and finding that the leg was not attached to my mother!!!!  Oh! what embarrassment.

(An apology to my parents . . . . b.u.t.t. was and probably still is not an acceptable word in our household growing up . . . . unless, of course, it was used in the phrase "I'm going to kick your butt" usually said by my father!  lol.  I still can't say it without feeling bad, but typing it is easier!!! ha!)

Catching my breath

This last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  Time has flown and I've kept so busy that some of my normal every-day-stuff I do has been put on hold, including this blog!  The time has been spent doing so many things that I know you all do too at this time of year . . . . . . mine include:

~stamp club
~feeding missionaries
~shopping for my "away" children
~getting their stuff sent
~sending out the Christmas cards (as many as I got made!!) feel lucky if you got one, HA!
~dentist appointments
~more Christmas shopping
~husband being gone :(
~cookie exchange party (I won the "most unusual" cookie award, is this a compliment??? LOL!)
~cooking the cookies to exchange!
~visiting teaching (almost done!)
~helping someone else with their Dr. appointment
~wrapping presents
~baby shower
~accompanying two different soloists
~swim meet
~run to the airport (not a minor event!)
~talking on the phone with BOTH my brothers (a miracle!)
~orchestra practice
~orchestra performance
~dealing with a mold issue at the townhouse - holy cow! when mold decides to grow it doesn't take its sweet time!

Whew!  I think things are slowing down now, I hope things are slowing down now, maybe things are slowing down now :) 

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Flashback Friday (sort-of)!!!

I wanted to add more highlights of Halley and Ryan's visit . . . . . .

On Saturday we planned to go shooting at the shooting range.  We went and purchased ammunition, spinning targets, a clay pigeon launcher and of course, clay pigeons.  We got to the range nice and early, then got kicked out of the range nice and early!  We got all set up and didn't even fire one shot!  Apparently, during hunting season there is a two week break from the range.  There weren't any signs stating this fact, and the gates were wide open!  Over 200 hundred dollars spent and it was a dud!  At least that stuff keeps well . . . . . . . .

Saturday evening brought the BYU vs UTAH game.  Ryan's parents came to watch the game with us, and I think for the first time ever we had more Ute fans than BYU fans in the house.  Needless to say, there was a lot of cheering going on.  The women however, (except for Ryan's mom) were not watching the game.  For the life of me, I can't remember what we DID do . . . . old age is the pits!!! :)

At some point in the weekend we played 15 rounds of Mexican train dominoes . . . . . . . . even I got tired of playing dominoes, though I've had a hankering to get them out again since!

Sunday's highlight for me was singing a duet in church with Halley.  My dream has been to be able to play duets on the piano with her, but our talents don't quite click together in that area.  In the area of singing, Halley is much more talented, but I think we pulled it off.  I can't remember when I've been more nervous and my knees were almost clacking together behind the podium!

Sunday evening was supposed to be the end of H & R's visit.  Their time here was split half and half with Ryan's parents.  Ryan's parents called at the last minute and let us have them for another day!  I cried tears of Joy!  We quickly got out the Christmas decorations and "decked the halls."

Halley and her dad . . . . . .

Halley, McKay and Ryan . . . . . .

Myself and Halley . . . I don't know what was up with our camera. It usually doesn't blur moving images so much!

Monday was a bonus day . . . . . yippee!  Halley and I got some alone time because Monday was a "back to normal" day.  We got to finally have a chance to talk a little and we went and got our hair cut.  We topped off the evening by meeting Ryan's parents in Rockville and ate at a nice restaurant, their treat.  (always a bonus)

Sadly, it all had to come to an end.  I noticed McKay watching their vehicle until we couldn't see it any more.  He's growing up . . . . . . it is the first time he hasn't cried when Halley left . . . . but I know we all felt like crying.  Don't be sad because it is over . . . . . be happy that it happened (or something like that) - Dr. Seuss

Day Trip!

I found out recently that there is a Norman Rockwell exhibit showing here in DC.  Lincoln and I really wanted to go and so we asked my Mom and Dad and Halley and Ryan if they would like to go to it.  They all did and so we all went the day after Thanksgiving. 

This was a very enjoyable exhibit.  Steven Spielberg and George Lucas both collect these paintings and have made them available for the first time ever.  The paintings are much more vivid and alive in person.  If you live in DC and like stuff like this, it is well worth your time to go and they are in a Smithsonian . . . . meaning its a free exhibit!!!

I didn't take very many pictures and so stole this from my mom's blog!!  We are waiting in line to get into the Rockwell section. 

After we went to the exhibit, we ate in Chinatown.  Ryan learned how to speak Chinese on his mission which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.  At lunch it was fun to talk about which paintings were our favorites and why. It was surprising to hear which painting were the favorites.  

We are so blessed to live in this area and try to enjoy it all that we can.

Savoring Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. It is simply a time to eat, relax, and enjoy your family. This year was extra special because our daughter Halley and her husband Ryan were able to come and spend a few days with us. I tried to savor every moment. It has been 2 years since she and he have been here.

Enjoying the bounty. . . .

I made my mom sit down for a minute so she could be in a picture . . . . 

Halley and Ryan . . . . . while she was here we both went and got our hair cut.  She cut off 8 to 10 inches I'd say.  I got a few inches cut off of mine as well!

Lincoln was being silly about having his picture taken again . . . .  so sorry hon, I chose the best one of myself, yet again.

After dinner we played cards . . . . . .

And decorated gingerbread (graham cracker) houses.  This is becoming a tradition . . . . .

McKay was never far from his sister's side.

Getting started . . . .

Laying out a plan . . . . .

In full building mode . . . . .

Zane was especially creative . . . . . do you see his hanging snowman.  I think it was meant to be a "Ute" in anticipation for the Utah vs. BYU game.

Halley's creation.

Ryan's "Ute" house.

Opening up the Christmas season by singing Christmas carols.  More of us got involved, but no pictures of that :(  Stevie sure got into the singing this year!

The gingerbread village . . . . . .