Sometimes...

Sometimes when you're listening to Christmas music on the radio do you have to stop and yell, "But Neil, you're Jewish!" just to remind him, because obviously he forgot?

Because I do. Although I find it a little harder to yell the same sentiment at Barbara...

Just because

I am organizing pictures. I'll post more soon, I promise. I just wanted to share this one of Lottie and Brad from our trip to the zoo in November.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

So, who wouldn't want to win this? Well, except maybe sister... she's not so crafty.

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? An immersion blender, a Cricut, fabric, a new computer (oh wait, we just got that...), world peace? Although, my husband has already finished shopping for me, and I've only told him one of those things. I didn't give him my list until he'd already got my big present.

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? My mom gave me a nativity made of wood. Nothing fancy, but I love it.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? I tried scarves and they turned out great, now my husband wants me to crochet some gloves. I don't know that I really want to tackle it, but it would be interesting.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? I don't remember many, (although I remember every year my dad coming down the stairs after turning the lights on the tree and saying Santa didn't come - so predictable) but I remember the year we got the Nintendo DS. We put that thing back in the box for weeks every time we were done playing with it - only to have to get it out again when we wanted to play. Once Everett got sick of that and left it out, I threw the worst tantrum I remember. I screamed "No, No, No! Put it where it goes!" over and over. I was even on the ground kicking and punching. Seriously, I had issues.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year? They're not quite old enough to make lists. But Lottie's getting a play kitchen and Kelsey is getting a musical learning table.

6. What is your favorite holiday food? Nuts & Bolts (my mom's version of Chex Mix), or the fudge... maybe caramels? I love all of the tastes and smells of holiday food.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? I made a clutch for one of my girls night girls (Kristyn, if you're reading this, I need to get you your gift - act surprised). I haven't done too much crafting for gifts this year.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie? A Charlie Brown Christmas, or It's a Wonderful Life.

9. Favorite holiday song? I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

10. Favorite holiday pastime? I love decorating the tree. And I love Christmas Eve. My family's tradition is to have breakfast for dinner, read the Christmas story from the Bible, and each open one present. I love the traditions. Brad's family has a giant hoagie sandwich on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas they open one gift at a time so everyone can see what each other received. I am glad that we both have such strong traditions that we can merge together to pass on to our children, and that we have started our own traditions.

An Open Letter

To All Patrons of the Theatre,

Don’t arrive late. It’s just rude. I know that sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control Sometimes there are accidents or bad weather. Maybe you should plan a little extra time for travel to account for the unexpected.

If you do arrive late, shut your mouth as the usher shows you to your seats. Don’t continue to discuss the unexpected event that made you late, hoping that those around you will overhear your conversation and assume that you are not really late, since it wasn’t your fault. That just makes those around you dislike you even more.

And speaking of late, don’t wait so long to order your tickets that you won’t be able to sit with your entire party, and then yell across rows of people to the rest of your friends. It’s just rude. As you wait for the show to start, get up and go talk to whomever you want to, but don’t make everyone listen to your life story. Especially when you have a voice like yours (yeah lady behind me the other night, you know who you are)! And extra especially if you realize right before curtain that you left your cell phone in the bathroom. Nobody needs to know that it was in your hand, and you don’t know where you put it. The mental images that conjures are just wrong. Then, as the lights are dimming and the gentleman is telling everyone to turn off their cell phones and enjoy the show, when your cell phone rings (loudly) don’t pick it up and have a conversation telling that person that you thought you lost it and your daughter is off looking for it in the bathroom! Just turn it off and wait until intermission to apologize to your daughter for making her miss curtain while searching a bathroom. Especially if your daughter is sitting several rows of people away from you.

When you bring children to the theatre, please be mindful of what they are doing. The person in front of you does not keep turning around to look at your child because he’s so good looking. It’s probably because your child is doing something annoying – like kicking the seat in front of him. So when the patron in front of your child politely asks them to stop kicking the seat, don’t look at her like she is rude for talking. And when the musical (or other event) is over, don’t stop the kind beautiful woman who was annoyed by your child and say “I’m sorry he was kicking your seat. He just doesn’t understand that he’s not at the movies.” Because I’ve got news for you – That’s not okay at the movies either!!!

And speaking of when the musical is over – it’s not over until the house lights come up. This is not a football game where your team is up 54-6 with 40 seconds left. It’s not over until the performers are done with their bows. Don’t start walking out at the end of the finale to beat traffic. Be respectful of all the time these performers put in to give you a few hours of entertainment. Because I’ve got news for you – it may be dark where you’re standing, but the actors can still see you. And it hurts a little that you don’t care enough to stand for a few extra seconds and clap for their talents and efforts.

Sincerely,

A Patron of the Arts (who has at least a little class)

Boutique

It's time for our annual holiday boutique. For the last several years my sister and cousin and I have had a holiday boutique. While my cousin is unable to be there this year, and Steph no longer sells Pampered Chef (she will be hosting a catalog party for the boutique), we have been able to add Kate's photography, Mom and Barry (the brother, not the father)'s yummy baked goods - think delicious caramels...- and a friend's cute little girl fun stuff!

I'm really excited about it this year. In years past, I've been set up to sell Mary Kay at the boutique. While I will still have that available, this year I will be selling my new handbags and accessories. I've just started making bags, wallets, and accessories to sell online. It's my new business - The Busy Bean. Visit my new website to see what I'm making! www.thebusybean.com. Okay, right now there's really only one post there with the first bag I designed and made, but I'm working on finishing a few other styles and getting those pictures up as well. I've also finished a necklace and bracelet - with more to come.

While these will all be available at the boutique, I'll soon open up an etsy shop to sell them as well. The goal is for me to do this and teach piano, and be able to stay home with our girls. Being home for six weeks when Kelsey was born really made me realize how important that is. While it's great that they are always with family while I'm at work, I think it's still important for me to be with them more. And if I'm home, then Brad will get to spend more time with us all as well.

So, wish me luck, and tell all your friends about me - because all women need more handbags, right? And who wouldn't want a unique bag, instead of the same old store-bought, mass-produced bags everyone else carries? Come see the debut on December 5th!

Gone, Baby, Gone...

The mullet's gone. Yes, my child had a mullet. It wasn't intentional, just the way her hair was growing. And it was so long in the back I just couldn't bring myself to cut it! Until today.

And yes, she was cute before, but now she looks even better.

On another note, I meant to post this a week ago, but time just gets away from me. On General Conference Sunday, my family gathered at the Aunts' house to watch conference and do some humanitarian projects. We made games for the Humanitarian Center and blankets for Primary Children's Hospital. While we were there, Lottie finally let go. She's been walking with assistance for so long, but wouldn't really go more than a step or two on her own. Then that all changed...

Kelsey McKinley

I guess a week and a half is too long, and I should have put up some pictures of Kelsey long ago, but I just spend too much time cuddling her to get on the computer.

Kelsey was born last Wednesday (missed Aunt Della's birthday by 17 minutes... so sad for Aunt Della) at 12:16 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 21 inches long. For being 1 1/2 pounds more than Lottie, her delivery sure was a lot easier.

They induced me on Tuesday at about 4:30, I got an epidural when the contractions got uncomfortable, and at 9:30 I was still only at 4.5 cm. Yeah, I'd been almost that far along for three weeks on my own! But from there it went pretty quickly, I was ready to start pushing at midnight. My doctor got there at 12:10 a.m. and told me to start pushing. I was expecting this to be a long process, since I pushed with Lottie for about two hours. So, he said "Give me a big push" and tried, but started coughing. Gave him another good push, then he said "Okay, now another big push for the shoulders" and I was in shock! It couldn't be that easy, right? Instead of pushing I ended up coughing again. One more push and it was over, so I pretty much coughed Kelsey right out.

Now, my sister-in-law Kate is pretty much awesome. She's our family photographer, and we're lucky to have her. Visit her blog here - Kate Johnson Photography - remember that if you ever need great pictures taken. I was going to have her take pictures next week, but then I found out on Friday that she was going to be out of town for two weeks. So, Saturday morning I sent her a text and by that afternoon we were taking Kelsey's pictures! I love the way they turned out! Here are just a few...


With the teddy bear Grandma Glo and Grandpa gave her



Here's a cute one of Lottie that Katie snapped while I took a break with Kelsey. I can never get Lottie to smile in pictures for me, but Katie has a way of catching her at just the right moments to really catch her personality.


And finally here's me with my two girls. Brad was at Priesthood Conference while we did this, so he didn't get any pictures with her, but we'll catch that later.


Kelsey is so sweet. She doesn't look at all like Lottie, yet. I have a feeling they'll look more alike as time goes on. Kelsey does have my darker hair, and doesn't have Brad's eyes and eyebrows like Lottie does. I may be biased, but I think they're both adorable.