Me again. . . finally

How to mess up Christmas organization and nearly halt blogging: Get called in December as the Primary president with NO counselors for two weeks and only three teachers for seven classes. Things are getting together, but my Christmas cards are sadly still unaddressed (I gave up the notion of a letter four days ago, but am still getting around to them). At the rate I'm going, I'll likely eat all the caramel I made (which gave me caramel's elbow, by the way) before I get it delivered.

I will post more--with pictures. Soon, hopefully. I know you all are waiting with baited breath. . . .


(Okay, "no counselors" is a dramatic exaggeration--after one week I did get a counselor sustained, and she even helped me the week before when I had no counselors. I can't disrespect her for that week, even though it sounds better to say none for two weeks. As an interesting side note, her name is Sara R., so now I have two Saras who have been my counselors. Must be something about the name.)

Family Photos and Christmas Cards

Two things on which I am behind. Again. Even though this year was supposed to be different. Last year's lateness wasn't for lack of trying. Here we are, all dressed up for our nephew's blessing.
Not terrible, except I'm giving orders and Dan looks like he's on happy pills (he's not, by the way). We can do better.

Nope, now Nate's losing it.

Yep, he's gone.


Now everyone else checks out. See why we opted for this picture last year?

We're planning on trying for this year's photo this Saturday--wish us luck.

New Italian Dish

Our dinner of raviolis sparked a discussion on Italian food (Jacob loved them, so we suggested he might serve a mission in Italy--his heart is set on Mexico, no idea why). We told the boys that raviolis, spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza were all types of Italian food. Gabe, ever ready to find fault in his parents' logic, was quick to point out that Italians didn't eat chicken. Mom and Dad quickly sang out chicken parmigiana, chicken cacciatore . . . then Nate piped in "Don't forget chicken dinosaur-y!" Yep, the dinosaur chicken nuggets from Costco. Our kids are soooo cultured.

Going to the chapel

Driving to church today, Gabe asked me if I had died already. Apparently, his understanding of the resurrection needs a little clarification too. I assured him I intended to stay alive to be the Nana to his kids.
Gabe then informed me his was going to name his little boy Jack. He's a bit upset because he can't decide on a name for his little girl. (I suggested Laurel, to many hoots and giggles?!) Maybe he won't have any little girls either.


Jake decided he would name his little girl Ava (not surprising considering his preschool love interest). His little boy's name? Knucklehead. Of course.

Help! I Need Ideas!

So, I'm noticing that many people I know are finished with their Christmas shopping. Mine is going well, for everyone except my children. I have no ideas for the boys' presents. Seriously, they got bikes last year, and this year I've got nothing! Since there are three boys, we have nearly every Thomas piece ever made and hot wheels galore. Help. I need to make a decision so I can order whatever it is they are getting--this is not something I can be late on! Gabe is 6, Jake is nearly 5, and Nate is 2 1/2. Please give suggestions.

Snow Days Past

Reading blogs of first snows of winter makes me jealous. Today it tried to snow all day, but never did more than light popcorn snow that melted right away. So, since there is no snow in our upcoming forecasts, I'm reminiscing with the last big snow of last winter.

Mom pushing Jacob down the mountain.

Zoom, zoom.

Gabe doesn't need a sled.

Nothing beats a Nevada blue sky!

Racing brothers.

Note the airborne snowball.

In case you're wondering, Nate was in the heated car eating granola bars and singing with Frank Sinatra.

The Return of Nacho Libre

Once upon a time, there were three little boys: Gabe, Jake, and Nate.

One day, their Uncle Steve came to visit. From Texas. And you know what they say about Texas. . . . No? They say that everything is BIGGER in Texas.

When Uncle Steve came to visit, Gabe, Jake, and Nate looked up, and up, and up. You see, Uncle Steve is big, big, big. He stands 6 foot 6 and weighs 246 (give or take a lie or two). He has big, big hands and big, big arms, and big, big legs and big, big, BIG feet. He has blond hair and when his hair is standing straight up he is one half inch taller.

When Uncle Steve came to visit in the morning, he gave Gabe, Jake, and Nate big, big donuts. (Not the teeny tiny bite-sized donuts Mommy always buys.) Gabe, Jake, and Nate ate the big, big donuts until their tummies were full, full, full. And Gabe, Jake, and Nate cried "Thank you Uncle, thank you Uncle!"

When Uncle Steve came to visit during the day, he played video games with Gabe, Jake, and Nate for a long, long, long time. Finally, when Gabe, Jake, and Nate had numb brains, and numb eyes, and numb fingers, Uncle Steve put away the video games. Gabe, Jake, and Nate numbly cried "No Uncle, no Uncle."


When Uncle Steve came to visit in the evening, he wrestled Gabe, Jake, and Nate.
He used his big, big arms and his big, big hands and lifted Gabe high up in the air above his head until Gabe cried "Uncle! Uncle!"


He used his big, big arms and his big, big hands and lifted Jake high up in the air above his head until Jake cried "Uncle! Uncle!"


He used his big, big arms and his big, big hands and lifted Nate high up in the air above his head and then he flipped Nate over and over until Nate cried "Uncle! Uncle!"


He used his big, big legs and his big, big feet, and he pinned Gabe, Jake, and Nate in a scissor leg-lock until Gabe, Jake, and Nate cried "Uncle! Uncle!" and Jake tooted.

When Uncle Steve had to leave to go back to Texas, he gave Gabe, Jake, and Nate big, big hugs and big, big noogies on the tippy top of their heads.

Gabe, Jake, and Nate looked at Uncle Steve with big, big tears in their eyes. And Gabe, Jake, and Nate cried "Uncle, Uncle, please don't go." So Uncle Steve bent down, down, down, and he used his big, big thumb and wiped away their tears. And he said "Remember boys, my love for all y'all is so big, big, big, you can feel it all the time--all the way from Texas."

Smiling big, big smiles and blowing big, big kisses, Gabe, Jake, and Nate said "We'll miss you Uncle! We love you Uncle Steve!"