Going Downtown, The Big "D"

Our playgroup recently took a trip to Downtown Dallas to ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley. It was a beautiful day, a fun way to see Dallas, and it was free!

Frank the Hairdresser

At her young age, Natalie has decided she is capable of doing her own hair. Her parents tend to disagree.

Quote of the Day

"Have you been the answer to someone else's prayer today?"
-Bonnie D. Parkin, BYU Devotional, February 2007

New Beginnings

We finally took the plunge and bought a new computer. Our old one has been on the fritz for quite some time and we couldn't stand it any longer. In the process of trying to transfer everything from one to the other, the old computer wasn't cooperating. I think it knew it's days were coming to an end. Jon stayed up all night Friday trying to fix the problem. He found out the computer kept overheating because the fan that cools the system down stopped working, so after keeping the ceiling fan on high and even using the blow dryer to help cool things off, it worked-nothing was lost in the transfer. I am so happy with the new computer and I don't have to worry if what I am working on will suddenly disappear because of the computer having a heat attack.

A Visitor

Last week my sister Kathryn came to visit for a few days before BYU started. We had a great time together.We went letterboxing, swimming, got pictures taken, and tried two fun restaurants, Freebirds and Sprinkles Cupcakes. We love having visitors come anytime.

Houseguests

The last two weeks we watched our friends hermit crabs while they were on vacation. If you want an easy pet, even easier than fish, this is the pet for you. All we had to do was moisten the sponge and replace the food once a day. Hermit crabs are nocturnal animals, so we rarely saw them move. In fact, several times we thought we killed them, but the food was always gone in the morning. Natalie liked smashing her face against the glass to see if the crabs were moving. It was fun having a pet for a few weeks, but I don't really think we are ready for pets yet.

Reading Pays Off

This summer the Plano Public Library had a summer reading program for adults. For every three books you read, you turned in a form to be entered in a drawing. The library called last night and I won a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. I was really surprised when they called because I didn't really think I would win. So this weekend we are headed for the bookstore to find another great read.

Tuesday Smiles

I was looking for something on YouTube today and came across this video. It gave Natalie and I a little afternoon entertainment. It also reminded me of Jon in college when he and his roommate Kevin would sing this together.

And She's Off

Today was Natalie's first day in nursery and it was very successful. We hardly got in the door before she was wriggling out of my arms ready to dash for the toys. She didn't even give me a second glance when I was walking out the door. Although when I came to pick her up, she ran right for me and gave me a great big kiss. I count that as missing me a little. Hopefully the rest of our Sundays will go as smooth.

Natalie's Zoo

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here's a recent video of Natalie and her animal sounds. It's funny to watch how she interprets different sounds that we try to teach her.

Cookie Time

Fridays are usually a fun day for Natalie and I. We go to storytime at the library then do another activity together. We love Fridays because we are done with all the housework for the week and get to spend time together doing whatever we want. Today we made chocolate swirl cookies. They are delicious as you can tell by Natalie's face. Once she tasted the batter, she kept nodding her head, saying yum and couldn't keep the beaters out of her mouth.

CHOCOLATE SWIRLS From This Week For Dinner

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C packed brown sugar

1/2 C butter, softened

1 pkg. (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 egg- 1 t. vanilla

2 C all purpose flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1 C semisweet chocolate ships, melted and slightly cooled

Heat oven to 350F. In large mixing bowl combine sugars, butter, cream cheese, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat at low speed until soft dough forms. Fold melted chips into dough until lightly marbled. (do not overmix)Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 mins, or until edges are light golden brown. Cool completly before storing.

We Be Jammin'

This week I found a great deal on some peaches and so we decided to try our hand at making peach freezer jam last night. I can't believe how easy it was. I don't know why I haven't done this before. We made a few jars and I think it will be gone by the end of the summer. I am already debating whether I want to buy more supplies and peaches to make even more jam. Jon and I thinking of doing a little experimenting and maybe next time we'll make raspberry peach jam.

Our Budding Pianist

I took this picture this morning while I was at the computer and Natalie was playing the piano. It has recently become an enjoyment of hers to use the picture books as piano music and serenade me while I am on the computer. Maybe she is showing her future career in music at an early age or wanting to get a head start on all the practicing she will do when she starts piano lessons.

*The picture wasn't posed. I asked Natalie to smile and she did this on her own.

Rained Out

This weekend was the City of Allen's 4th of July celebration. I look forward to the good food, fun entertainment and fabulous fireworks every year. Unfortunately because of the rain this year, it was a bust. We got there between rainstorms and the area was almost empty. It looked like only City of Allen employees and a few volunteers were on the park grounds. Usually the park is packed with people with few places to park and the grass covered in blankets waiting for the fireworks. We ate about ten bites of our dinner before those in charge said we had to leave the tent because of lightning. We decided to turn around and go back home. They had cancelled the entertainment and were only planning on the fireworks at 10pm. We have loved all the rain, but were bummed about the party. Hopefully next year the sun will be shining and the blankets back.

Dinner Helps

I just found this really fun website for dinner menus. It's called 'This Week for Dinner'. I looked up some past menus and came up with some good ideas for dinner this week. I thought it would be a great resource for those who struggle to think up what to eat each week like me.

Meeting Eeyore

I thought I would include a short video of Natalie meeting Eeyore. I think he was her favorite character to meet because it was her first.

Our Summer Vacation

We just got back from a fun-filled week with Jon's family at Disney World. We had a great time. We hit all four parks in six days with three kids under the age of 3 and my mother-in-law in a wheelchair (foot surgery). We had no major meltdowns or catastrophes, but it was crazy nonetheless. My favorite park was Animal Kingdom. I loved all the rides and seeing the animals. Natalie thought every animal was a dog and would bark as we saw one.


Natalie did really well with meeting all the Disney characters. She never cried and was more fascinated at pinching their noses than looking at us for a picture. It was funny to watch her reaction and interact with each one. We loved being with family and having Natalie spend time with her cousins, but we are ready for another vacation to get over from this one.

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year. Jon and Natalie made breakfast and I received flowers and this beautiful photo collage. About week before Mother's Day, Jon entered a contest online where you had to submit a gift that was tangible and creative for Mother's Day. It also had to say "Thanks Crunchgear" somewhere on the gift. The winner would receive an Ipod Nano. While I was still in Arizona, Jon made this photo collage for the contest. He didn't win, but I have the most wonderful Mother's Day gift with memories and pictures of two of my favorite people in the world.

Casual Dining

Natalie has never liked sitting in her high chair. She usually stands up, but yesterday we found her sitting like this eating her snack. Maybe she thinks our home is more of a casual dining experience rather than sitting the way we should.

Wedding Weekend

This weekend my sister Julia got married in the Mesa, Arizona temple. I was lucky to come a few days early to help with last minute preparations and then stayed a few days after to enjoy the calmness. Julia looked beautiful and the whole day was wonderful. We had the reception in my parent's backyard and my favorite part was getting to see old friends. Natalie's favorite was getting to play in the backyard all weekend. We are excited to have Burke in our family and wish them all the best on a happy new life together.

Everything's Bigger in Texas

This is what the meteorologists called a "spring storm."

Quote by Natalie

 

"I thought this would taste as good as it smelled."

Free Icecream

Jon called me this morning and said it is free cone day at Ben and Jerry's. I know everyone loves free ice cream, so take yourselves out for some good family fun and get a free ice cream cone courtesy of Ben and Jerry's.

A New Arrival

I was at story time yesterday with Natalie and found a flier with book recommendations for those having another brother or sister coming to their family. No, we're not having a baby soon, but we have several friends who are pregnant and thought I would share.

Fiction
I'm a Big Brother-Joanna Cole
I'm a Big Sister-Joanna Cole
It's All About Me-Nancy Cote
Will There Be a Lap for Me?-Dorothy Corey
Little Brown Bear and the Bundle of Joy-Jane Dyer
Where Did That Baby Come From?-Deb Gliori
Happy Birth Day!-Robie H. Harris
Hi, New Baby!-Robie H. Harris
Peter's Chair-Ezra Jack Keats
Just Like Me-Marjorie Newman
Welcome With Love-Jenni Overend
Back Into Mommy's Tummy-Thierry Robberecht
Now We Have a Baby-Lois Rock
Hello, Baby!-Lizzy Rockwell
On Mother's Lap-Ann Herbert Scott
Benny and the Beautiful Baby Delilah-Jean Van Leeuwen

Non-Fiction
Love That Baby!-Katherine Lasky
A BAby's Coming to Your House-Shelley Moore Thomas
The New Baby at Your House-Joanna Cole
The New Baby-Fred Rogers

Blue Bonnet Beauty

I love Texas because with spring comes the Texas state flower-blue bonnets. We have some friends who have nice pictures of their daughters in the blue bonnets, so this year I was determined to have Natalie get her picture taken in the blue bonnets this year. The best place to get them done is at the Frito-Lay business park. I drove past a few weeks ago noticing they were there, but no place to park and there are signs clearly posted in front of the bluebonnets saying 'No Trespassing'. Then a few days later I drove past and tried to get into visitor parking but didn't know any employees, so I was turned away again. Finally I called my friend Allie, and got some advice on how she did it. She said to park on the side of the road, take your pictures and leave. The worst they can do is ask you to leave. True. So this morning I mustered up my courage, braved parking on the side of the road, became a rebel and walked boldly past the signs. No security stopped me and I got my blue bonnet pictures I envy every spring.

"Egg"-citing Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend started with Jon taking Natalie to an Easter egg hunt. He said that when it came down to it, the parents were more brutal than the kids in competing for Easter eggs. Natalie sniffed out four eggs and picked-up a coupon for a free Happy Meal from Ronald McDonald himself. As you can see by her coat it was quite cold outside. It even snowed.

Later that night, Natalie and I dyed Easter eggs. She was quite "helpful" and wanted to be there for every step of the process. She tasted her first hard-boiled egg after she squished it in her hands and loved the whole thing. We dyed some beautiful eggs of all different colors.

The weekend was not complete without a visit from the Easter Bunny. He came with a new dress for Natalie and lots of treats for everyone. She looked so darling in her new dress and of course loved the candy. Later, we had Easter dinner with some friends and had a great weekend overall as a family.

Under the Big Top

Jon received two tickets to the circus that came to town this week, so I decided to take Natalie for a little outing. She loved it. Her favorite parts were the music and watching the horses run around the ring. She also had cotton candy for the first time and wanted only the first three bites, so I got to enjoy the rest. She sat on the pony for a picture, but wasn't very thrilled about being that close to an animal. We had a fun time together.

The Little Black Dress

My sister is getting married in May and her colors are red and black. So in an effort to look like the cute new mom and not the frumpy married sister, I spent all day looking for the perfect black dress to wear. I found the dress at Talbots and I love it. The most challenging part of the day was not so much finding the dress, but keeping Natalie enthralled with every dressing room, trying to drag her back in as I am only half-dressed and getting after her for trying to peek under everyone else's door. Needless to say, my shopping days are over for a while now that I know what it is like to shop with an ever curious child.

Back from Oblivion

I know it has been almost a month since I have posted anything on my blog. We have been doing regular, everyday things lately. We did have a few exciting times though. Our friends the Rothe's came to visit for the weekend and my mom and sister came to visit for their spring break. All of this meant fun conversation and eating out. With my family, we also did lots of shopping, swimming and going to the park. I love having visitors come.

Jon and I are busy with our church callings, Jon with work and I taking care of Natalie. Natalie's latest antics including being just tall enough to reach inside the bathroom drawers and empty its contents and being mom's "assistant" and "helper" where ever Mom goes. She is getting better and faster with her walking, so I think she will start running soon.

A Different FHE

Last night when I got home from work, we decided to do something different for Family Home Evening. We watched YouTube. We started with watching several people get their mission calls. You get a little emotional as you watch these men and women open their mission call to see where they will serve the Lord. It brings back feelings of when you were there to watch a loved one open his/her call. Some are funny, but many bring a tear of joy. After being spiritual for a little while, we watched some funny BYU videos. There was quite an array from people singing badly to pranks and home teaching videos. We decided to save all the football videos for another night.

100 Things About Me

With inspiration from my friend Rainie, I decided to tell you 100 facts about me. Some you may know and some you may not. It wasn’t as easy as I thought.

1. I grew up in Mesa, AZ.
2. I am the oldest of seven kids. (1 brother, 5 sisters)
3. I am the shortest in my family.
4. I have naturally curly hair.
5. I went to the same elementary school, junior high and high school.
6. I have lived in the same ward since I was three. Our ward split only once.
7. Growing up we had a cat named Fuffly because my sister couldn’t say fluffy.
8. The house I grew up in had a water fountain and a school size chalk board.
9. I have never broken a bone.
10. Jon was my home teacher in college. My roommates were always gone and his companion was semi-inactive, so we ended up together.
11. Jon asked me out on our first date on Valentine’s Day.
12. I met Jon’s parents on our first date.
13. I always wanted to marry someone from Utah, and I did.
14. My birthday is the same as Ronald Reagan’s. Jon said that’s why he married me.
15. On our honeymoon I was on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in Disneyland’s California Adventure. I got a t-shirt for winning 32,000 points. The winning question was about the Star Spangled Banner. I lost on a question about doilies.
16. Jon and I worked for a lamp manufacturer called Design Trends the summer after we were married. We put up lamp displays in Lowe’s Hardware stores in Phoenix, AZ, New Mexico, El Paso, TX and Columbus, OH.
17. I think El Paso, Texas is the ugliest and dirtiest city in the world.
18. I love my family.
19. I have been to 12 different countries.
20. I went white water rafting in Costa Rica.
21. I bungee-jumped in New Zealand.
22. I ate escargot in China.
23. I play five instruments (violin, harp, voice, piano, and organ).
24. I got into the music program at BYU with the organ. I took lessons for only one year in high school.
25. I used to play the harp for wedding receptions. Maybe I’ll pick it up again sometime.
26. I graduated from BYU in Music Education and Elementary Education.
27. I want to learn to play the cello someday.
28. I took music lessons five days a week for an entire summer so I could teach beginning band at the elementary school.
29. I love my church calling (Sunbeam/3 yr olds teacher).
30. My favorite TV shows are: The Office, Grey’s Anatomy and The Amazing Race.
31. My favorite movies are You’ve Got Mail, Pure Luck and What About Bob.
32. I always played right field in softball as a child. I think that means I wasn’t very good.
33. I am the only left-handed person in my family.
34. I married a left-handed person.
35. I hope at least some of our children are left-handed.
36. I have been a blind date.
37. I don’t like mushrooms, shrimp or shellfish.
38. I love doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku.
39. I don’t want to get Alzheimer’s when I get old, so I try to keep my mind active.
40. I enjoy making homemade bread and rolls.
41. I love clipping coupons and going grocery shopping.
42. I wish I liked to exercise.
43. I think exercising, especially running, is boring.
44. I am afraid of the dark.
45. I don’t like being home alone when Jon is out town.
46. I stay up way too late when Jon is gone because I don’t like going to bed when he’s not home.
47. I like scrapbooking.
48. I love reading, but I read for enjoyment-not for symbolism or hidden meanings.
49. I have read almost all the Newberry Award winner books.
50. I have read 84 books in almost four years.
51. I keep a book journal where I write my thoughts and impressions of every book I read.
52. I also keep a journal of every book that sounds interesting to read.
53. I had two miscarriages before I got pregnant with Natalie.
54. I love going to parties.
55. When my sister and I were little, we cleaned all the tools in my dad’s toolbox for a Christmas gift.
56. My most memorable family vacation as a kid was when we drove from Arizona to Nauvoo, Illinois in March.
57. I was in show choir in high school.
58. I ditched class in high school only twice.
59. I was a DARE roll model in high school.
60. I lived with my sister for three years in college.
61. I learned to sew from a family friend.
62. I wish I could sew as well as my mom.
63. I wish I could make pie crusts as well as my mother-in-law.
64. I stayed up all night as a freshman in college so I could watch Princess Diana’s funeral live.
65. I thought green chiles and jalapenos were the same thing when I got married.
66. I was in a moped accident in the Cook Islands.
67. I wet my pants at school when I was little during standardized testing because my teacher said we couldn’t get up for any reason.
68. I was jealous of my sister’s red hair when I was little.
69. I can’t do a cartwheel.
70. I still have a dress I made when I was 14 for a Young Women’s goal.
71. I love the weather.
72. I don’t like chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip icecream.
73. I started wearing glasses when I was in third grade and kids thought I was a new student.
74. I love to wear the color red.
75. I played a pregnant lady in a play in junior high.
76. When I was five, I carved the name of the boy I like into my parents end table. It’s still there to this day.
77. I really don’t like taking naps.
78. I work part-time for Karen Dillard’s College Prep. We help students prepare for the SAT and ACT.
79. In college I worked in the zoology department. I bought crickets and fish for other animals to eat. I also cleaned wader boots after students went to the river. It was gross.
80. I love bird watching.
81. I had my purse stolen at Target in high school.
82. I wore big ugly glasses with brown tinted lenses in junior high.
83. I was on the dean’s list in college for one semester.
84. I like doing puzzles.
85. My younger sister learned to ride a bike before me.
86. I can be very absent-minded sometimes.
87. I love going to the library, not necessarily to get books, but just to look.
88. The first car I bought was a blue Pontiac GrandAm.
89. I played with Barbies until I was 12 years old.
90. I hate getting teddy bears as gifts.
91. I memorized all 100 scripture masteries in high school.
92. I like riding my bike, but am afraid of falling and getting hurt.
93. I love Cheetos.
94. In high school, I stuffed eight friends in a Toyota pickup so we could go out to lunch together.
95. Some of my extended family thinks I was named after my great-grandma Sarah Johns, but I wasn’t. My parents just liked the name.
96. I have taken a tour of the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium.
97. I am very frugal with my spending money.
98. I let my friend give me her first perm when she was in beauty school.
99. I took summer school all through high school so I could take extra music classes during the school year.
100.I was an EFY counselor.

The Big One

Natalie's 1st birthday was on Tuesday. We had a great party. We invited some friends over for dinner and to help us celebrate. Jon surprised me with buying decorations for the party.

Natalie loved eating her birthday cake. She was a little dainty at first, but once she realized Jon and I weren't going to stop her, she thoroughly enjoyed her cake. For the rest of us, I made little heart shaped cakes that we frosted and decorated.

After her first gift was opened, a stroller, the other wrapped gifts were forgotten. Natalie also got a few babydolls to put in her stroller and she hasn't let go of them yet. She was showered with gifts by her grandparents and had a wonderful day.

Bangs and Anticipation

On Friday, I took Natalie to our friend Bonnie for her first bang trim. She didn't squirm and looks so grown up now. I think she looks more like a little girl than a baby.

I am so excited for Natalie's first birthday next week. It's almost like Christmas for me. Maybe because it means peanut butter and jam sandwiches, a bigger car seat, whole milk, and the toddler clothing department. Just 9 more days!

Podcasting

One of my favorites radio programs is now podcast for free in the iTunes store. It's called This American Life. It's on NPR radio and is broadcast every Saturday. The program brings together stories centered around a central theme each week. I usually miss the show because it is broadcast while I'm at work, but now I can listen any time during the week. Hooray for podcasting!

HIghly Recommended

I just finished this really good book. It's about Nicholas Sparks and his adventures with his brother as they take a three week trip around the world. It is also a memoir about their life growing up through triumph and tragedy. It is heartwarming and gives greater insight into who Nicholas Sparks is and some of the stories behind his best novels. I loved the book because it caused me to pause at different times in my day and reflect on my childhood and my experiences. The book is kind of long (368 pages), but is a quick read and captivating from the beginning. Be ready to laugh, cry and be in awe from cover to cover.

"Snow" Day

We have had some crazy weather the past few days. It was freezing cold all weekend. On Monday the roads were iced over from freezing rain and Wednesday we had a little snow with sleet. I took Natalie outside to experience her first snow fall, but it wasn't much to look at or even consider snow. It is supposed to remain pretty cold for the next few days, so we will see what the weekend will bring. This is definitely not like a Utah or Kansas winter snow, but I guess we'll take what we can get.

New Changes

Today I was released as the Primary chorister. It is a little bittersweet for me. I served in the calling for two years and loved it. I am sad to be released, but was ready for a change. I am now the Sunbeam teacher and love the kids already. They are so funny and always eager to share. It is going to be a great year.

Back to Costa Rica...
We arrived Monday night and were up early the next morning to go white water rafting on the Pacuare River. It is one of the top rafting rivers in the world. Jon was the only one who had been rafting before, so we were all in for an adventure. My dad was originally supposed to come with us, but because of some flight problems, my dad took care of Natalie for the day. My mom and Karen were coming that night (they were supposed to watch Natalie). The rafting trip was unforgettable. We had between class 1 and class 4 rapids. We were able to go swimming in the river a few times and the rafting company fed us a gourmet lunch right on the water's edge. One of my favorite parts was watching other rafts go through difficult parts of the river. In the end, it was a lot of fun to spend time with my brothers and sisters and start our trip off with a great adventure.

Christmas Adventures

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was Natalie's first Christmas, so that added a new element of fun for Jon and I. We all receieved some great gifts. One of Natalie's favorite was a picture book I made of different family members. When she saw the tree, that was the first thing she picked up, even bypassing the toys left by Santa.

We spent Christmas morning as a family, then headed off to Costa Rica for a week with my family. It will take a few days, but I will blog some of the highlights of our trip. It was incredible! We had a wonderful time doing a lot of different activities and spending time together. Natalie was such a trooper being taken everywhere and trying lots of new things. I really can't say what was my favorite because everything was great-including all 12 of us in a 12 passenger van loaded with luggage.

Not My Shoes

Last week I was getting ready for a party and decided to wear tennis shoes because they were more comfortable. I had a great time at the cookie exchange. I met a lot of new people and came home with some yummy goodies and recipes. I was one of the first to leave and at the door there was probably ten pairs of shoes. While I gathered all my things, I put my shoes on and thanked the host, then went home. Upon arrival I noticed we had a message on our machine. It went something like this, " Hi Sarah this is Emily. We were wondering if you went home with the wrong pair of shoes. Someone is missing some brown shoes and there is a pair of white Adidas tennis shoes left. Let me know if they are yours, thanks." I looked down at my feet and I wore brown shoes home. I wore someone elses shoes home! I have a pair of brown shoes just like them and thought they were mine when I left the party. Needless to say, I drove back the next day to exchange the brown shoes for my white tennis shoes. Next I know I will be a little more conscious of what I put on my feet when I go places.

Car Games

I love going places in the car with Jon because once in a while he makes up these fun car games for us to play. On Sunday we were on our way to the ward Christmas party and he had me guess the Christmas song he was whistling. We went back and forth whistling songs for each other to guess. The car ride wasn't very long, but the game was fun. I'm not a very good whistler so when it was Jon's turn to guess he would take a long time to hear me whistle air or because I was laughing so much. Jon would sometimes throw in random songs outside of Christmas so I would rack my brain thinking of a song that I didn't know in the first place. Other games we play in the car are 'I Spy' and 'name a random object then tell an experience in your life that involved the object'.

St. Lucia Day

Today is St. Lucia Day. It is a holiday Jon's family always celebrates and a tradition we have continued with our family. St. Lucia Day is celebrated in many Scandanavian countries that marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Jon's dad served his mission in Norway and Jon's grandpa served in Sweden, so it has become a favorite in the Amundson household. Traditionally, the oldest daughter wears a white dress with a wreath of candles on her head. She wakes her family at dawn bringing saffron buns and singing the St. Lucia song. Lucia means light, and she symbolizes bringing new life in winter. As you can see, I don't get up early to bring my family breakfast in bed, but we celebrate in similar ways. In Jon's family, they get an ornament each year. Here's a picture of Natalie with her ornament. I think she liked the box more than the ornament itself. I didn't make saffron buns either this year. Instead, I made scrambled eggs and sausage. It's a much quicker breakfast before Jon goes to work. It is a fun tradition for our family and one I always look forward to celebrating each year.

Next Blog Please

Have you ever clicked on the tab at the top of someone's blog labeled 'next blog'? Sometimes there are some interesting blogs and some not so interesting. Once in a while when I am bored I will click on the next blog to see what I get. I found a really neat one about a wedding photographer from Park City, UT. She does some beautiful work. I've found others from Malaysia with too much anime, Turkey and their elementary school and Argentina with lots of soccer. It's interesting to see a glimpse into someone else's life around the world and what they let the entire world see and read.

Holiday Craving

After Thanksgiving, a craving comes that only comes during the holidays-hot chocolate. I love it! I drink at least a cup everyday. I love how it warms me all over, you can drink it with marshmallows and it tastes so good. It puts me in the Christmas mood. I know I'm crazy sometimes when it is 70 degrees during the day and I still drink hot chocolate, but it's just part of the season. Once Christmas is over, I put the boxes away and they wait until next year when the holidays roll around again. Mmm, I think I'll have a cup right now.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving here in Texas with our friends the Bowmans. There was plenty of dinner and pies to go around. We had only one pie tragedy. As Jon was checking on the apple pie in the oven, it fell over top down onto the oven door. We decided it was apple dump pie instead. the rest of the day was spent watching movies, hanging out and making rockets with Alka-Seltzer and film canisters. It was a lot of fun. I'm already looking forward to next Thanksgiving.

The Left Handers Club

All the in-laws on the Toone side of the family are left handed. We joke that in order to join the family you have to be left handed. There's only two in-laws right now, Jon and James, but we are adding a third left hander in April. My sister Julia got engaged a few weeks ago to Burke. Lucky for Julia, he is left handed, so I think we will keep him around for a while. Congratulations Julia! We are excited for you.