Cookies, a Birthday, a Donkey & Skittles

Saturday was a busy day. In the morning, I went to Laura & Cathi's annual Cookie Exchange. And I can't find the pictures I took! Someone please send me some pictures. We munched on appetizers (I think I easily ate 50 deep-fried green beans) and then exchanged cookies. I look forward to it every year - and this year was better than ever because they included candy too. The Oreo truffles and carmel/walnut chocolates were my favorite.

Saturday afternoon we celebrated Ben's 9th birthday (which is actually tomorrow). This year we decided to keep it low-key and we only invited family + the Ganems (I think they count as family too) and had it at the park. Jared brought his girl-friend, which was the talk of the party.
Ben blew out the candles on his brownies (no cake, per his request). Opened his cards (he requested $ - he's saving for a Wii).

Then we hit the pinata. The little boys went first:


Finally it was Ben's turn. He broke it, of course (that jackass was a piece of crap) (not Ben, the pinata!)

We then congregated on the field for a mean game of kick-ball. I was too busy chasing Evan to get any photos. That is, until I gave him these:

Desperate times folks, desperate times!

Ben-ified

Last week I spent a lot of time with Ben. On Thursday I went to his "winter concert". They did quite a few Christmas songs and some of the kids played the recorders. It was very cute.

Afterward there were cookies. Lots of cookies. Unbeknownest to me, Ben had 4 cookies! On the way home from school he was wired. At one point Xander talked about punching Ben in the head so that he would be quiet. Ben+sugar=CRAZY. We are still trying to forget.

Friday I spent the whole day with Ben on a fieldtrip. His class went to the Broadway Palms Theater to see "The Nutcracker". I thought I was going to be bored to tears. Boy, was I wrong. It was great! They toned it down and inserted lots of jokes. The kids loved it! And I loved it too. Afterwards we got the casts' autographs. It was no Snow Patrol, but cool notheless :)

Ben & I in front of the theater

Ben & his class inside

Temple Lights

Wednesday night Tiffany and I took all the kiddies to look at the Temple lights. We've decided that being work widows will not stop us from enjoying the Christmas season. Even if it kills us. And even if we go hoarse screaming at our kids. We are going out and we are all having fun! We first stopped off at Circle K for some hot chocolate. I thought it was funny that we were all at the temple with coffee cups. Although not one missionary approached us. Or told us to repent. Shame on them!

Ben gets this crazed look in his eye whenever we give him sugar. It was pretty crowded at the Temple, because it was mutual. Which we forgot. When we saw the line in the Visitors Center to see the nativities from around the world, we left. We'll have to go back - those nativities are my favorite part of going.

This was toward the end of our night. Ben was off pouting, Evan was tired and Max was ready to fight. Do not be fooled by the angelic look on Xander's face.

It was nice to get out of the house and hang out with the Ganems. Notice Ben's flip-flops and shorts. I just don't have the energy to fight with him about his wardrobe anymore. On the way home we saw some awesome Christmas lights in the McQueen & Warner area. Good times.

Yeah, that's right

Holly chatting with the band

A picture of the band with 2 unknowns (clearly not us)

I not only got to go to the concert (Ian got home in time) but WE MET THE BAND!!!!!! In this picture the keyboardist is signing my shirt. Yeah, that's right. I got my shirt signed. I did want to ask them to sign my boobs but I was afraid they wouldn't be able to find them. This picture was taken right after Holly mentioned that we were "cougars". You can see our faces turning red. That Holly is a crack up. In fact, Tiffany and I had to drag her away from the band - she was telling them all about how she is about to turn 40 and she has four kids to which Gary (yeah, that's right - we are on a first-named basis) replied, "You don't look 40" (she really doesn't). And he shook her hand (after she asked). I told her NEVER to wash her hand again. EVER. I don't think she took me seriously.

So here's the thing. I really thought I was kind of over concerts. I thought, "I'm too old." You know? That I'm better with the concerts where you have a seat, can sit down and enjoy the band. Boy was I wrong. It turns out I LOVE crowded rooms permeating with the stench of beer and smoke. Where you can feel the music pulsing through your bones. And you are trapped in the midst of the crowd but you don't care because the band is 10 feet from you singing their guts out. Turns out I LOVE THAT! This concert made my top 3. Easy. And did I mention it was free?

It's who you know...

And how good they are with a camera. Luckily my sister and sister-in-law are AWESOME with a camera.

Anyone have an opinion on which one should be our Christmas card? Since I can't get a babysitter for Snow Patrol, I'll be home all night, checking my blog every ten minutes for your input on my Christmas card. Come on people! Help a sister out here!

Our Weekend

This weekend was jam-packed full. Friday night the boys and I went over to Tiffany's to watch the Drake & Josh Christmas special. Because of daylight savings time, the special wasn't on until 9:00 pm here - which made for a late night for the kids. Consequently, Evan started acting a little weird, doing yoga poses and running aimlessly around the room until he would fall down. Very entertaining for us.

Liam saw me with my camera and struck a pose. Can I just say that I love that kid? He is non-stop entertainment :)


Saturday morning we got up bright and early and drove out to Glendale to hike a mountain to see Santa. Evan stayed home with Ian. There was some major drama with Ben & Xander when we got there, but after we started hiking things calmed down. We made it to the top and then waited in line for about 15 minutes to see Santa. It was worth it. The Santa was the real deal and we even got a free polaroid picture and candy canes for our trouble. When Santa asked Ben what he wanted Ben said, "I don't know." And then Santa replied, "Well, I guess I'll bring you a Barbie then." Ben piped up and exclaimed that he wanted "Video games!" Heaven forbid he should open a Barbie Christmas morning.

On the way down Ben found a big rock to sit on and wanted a picture. We are definitely doing this again next year - it was FREE and FUN. My 2 favorite words!

Later Trina watched the boys so that Ian and I could go to a movie (THANK YOU TRINA!). We were supposed to go to our church Christmas party that night but we were too tired. Xander went with my mom and brought me back 2 plates of food. He knows me so well. Yesterday after church we cooked and ate a big meal and then went over to my mom's for FHE. It was Paul's birthday so we did some celebrating. Afterwards we took the boys to see some awesome Christmas lights. One house was all Spongebob. The boys loved it. In fact, Ian said he heard Evan talking in his sleep last night and heard him mumble, "Spongebob...". :)

P.S. Thank you Tiffany for the homemade canolis - everyone at FHE LOVED them!!!

Wild Things

Always making mischief of one kind...or another.

Ice, Ice Baby

Yesterday was the annual Christmas party at Ganem Jewelers. I knew Ian wouldn't be home in time from work to go, so I strong armed Jill into going with me. I always have so much fun with Jill. We met up with Tiffany, Holly & Jen when we got there and promptly started trying on rings. The one in the above picture is a tanzinite and worth over $20,000.00. It. was. HUGE.

I know this picture is blurry. But I LOVED this ring. It was gorgeous. I tried to steal it but Tiffany tackled me and yanked it off my finger. Just kidding.
This is Jill trying on a $200,000.00 ring. Yeah, we're high rollers. I'm mad I didn't get a better picture of the ring.
And here's Tiffany modeling her ring. Which I'm sure is worth more than my house. Just joking...not really. It's gorgeous. Seriously, if anyone is in the market for jewelry, Ganem Jewelers is the place to go. They have a huge selection. And are more affordable then those over-priced mall jewelry stores. Go and tell them Tiffany sent you - and you will get the deal of a lifetime!


P.S. How cute is Tiffany's sweater?