HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL

A few things I am thankful for:

• naptime. Nuff said.
• autumn. colorful mountainsides, sweatshirts, and good holidays.
• root beer. Served best with chips and salsa.
• pizza. Again, need I say more?
• Project Runway.
• The return of Lost in January. Fina-frickin-lly
• Preschool. Three full hours people.
• Utes beating BYU.
• Edward. Just kidding.
• Thing 1. Makes me laugh daily.
• Thing 2. So sweet and so silly.
• Hubs. Hands down my favorite person ever.

Hope you all have a good one!

I THINK MY 9 YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR SAID IT BEST. . .

"BYU STINKS LIKE POO."


Amen, sister. Amen.

GREAT GAME UTES!

FINAL SCORE = 24 BYU - 48 UTAH

frick yeah.

TWILIGHT ON THE BIG SCREEN

Okay, where to begin?

First off, Friday morning I woke up to an onslaught of negative publicity on the web. Some from friends, and some from national sources stating their opinions about Twilight and how it just didn't meet the mark. They thought it lacked substance and didn't tell the story well.

So I have to admit, Saturday around noon, when my girlfriends and I were on our way to the movie, we were less than thrilled. I mean, we were glad we were going, but we'd all heard such bad things, that we weren't that excited.

Then we watched the movie for ourselves.

And I just have one question. Why all the haters?

I thought Twilight was great. Not fantastic, but pretty darn close. The only reasoning I can come up with as to why people haven't enjoyed the movie, is that they so enjoyed the book, and had such high expectations that they really weren't going to be satisfied either way.

I have to admit, when I first saw who they cast as Edward, I was a little disappointed, because I imagined him to be much, much more handsome. But, just like in the book, the more I watched Edward and got to know his character the more attractive and enticing as a character he became. I really liked Bella and it bothered me a bit that she didn't really act/feel like she was as into Edward as he was into her, and then I remembered that it was just like that in the book. So, I thought the acting (at least with the two main characters) was spot on.

My only frustration in watching was that I wish they had had time to develop the characters more. I remember feeling almost smitten with Edward as I read the book, and I just didn't get that feeling from the movie at all. It's as if they just didn't have time. There was too much plot they had to fit in. It's just hard, in my opinion, to squeeze 500 pages worth of writing into a two hour movie. But I did however, enjoy the music, and the visual backdrop that Washington provided for the movie.

One of the movie's biggest critique with some was it's lack of dialogue. To which I say: so much more, at times, especially in movies, can be said in a look, a moment and a situation. I don't really rely on dialogue when I watch movies, so much as the feeling I get from the characters. The chemistry portrayed onscreen between the actors can say a thousand words. I also really think the people who made the movie, knew that it would be a challenge to get that much writing (500pages) into a movie, so they relied on the movie-goer having already read the book. Which isn't the case in most movies that are based on books. I was concerned about this because one of my friends who came with us hadn't yet read the books (I know, right?), and even she loved the movie. So, in the end, that didn't end up being a problem either.


I don't know. Maybe I'm too easily entertained. I mean I don't think it's going to win any academy awards any time soon, but, let's be honest people, it wasn't THAT bad. All the negative press is a little much. I mean, it wasn't my favorite movie ever, but I think they did a wonderful job turning Twilight into a film. I am glad I went. I had a great time with the girls, and the movie satisfied. So, go see it already. And don't let the Twilight haters scare you.

TUESDAY'S TIP preschool printables

This weeks tip is for all the mommies out there. Or aunts. Grandmas. Grandpas. Pretty much for anyone who knows a kid.

Looking for something to do with your kids/nieces/nephews/cousins while the turkey's a cookin' next Thursday? Then, search no further.

A few weeks ago, in search for some fun coloring pages that were holiday themed for Thing 2's joyschool, I came across this great website called Preschool Printables. From there I clicked on the Preschool coloring book page. Where I found about a gazillion printable pictures like the ones below.

What's so great about that you say? Well, let me tell you. I have found that this little site has become completely invaluable. First off, I love that it is free. Cause I really hate paying money for coloring books. (Or for anything for that matter.) It just seems like such a waste of money. And I love that they have about 25-30 pictures for each holiday. They have every holiday from Christmas to Groundhog day. Secondly, I can't tell you how many times I've quickly pulled up this little website just minutes before church is starting, printed off about 10 pages while I'm getting the kids shoes and coats on. By the time they are ready, I grab the papers and off we go. The kids love coloring them, and best of all, it keeps them quiet. And since it isn't an old coloring book they've sifted through a million times, it actually keeps them entertained. And it takes up alot less space in the old church bag. Wahoo for that.

I also love that they have printables for all sorts of other things. Like seasons, shapes, animals and bugs. They also have a whole section of birthday pages. My kids love to have print out cards, and they can color it and give it to whomevers birthday it is. Grandmas especially go for this sort of thing. They also have the alphabet, which you could color yourself and laminate and make into flash cards or just stick them on the playroom/bedroom walls or on the outside of their bedroom doors with their names. We also just recently printed out some fall leaves, colored them, laminated them (everything is better laminated. Especially with my $30 scotch laminator I got at Costco. Score!), and decorated our fridge. I'm sure you could do this with snowflakes in the winter, birds in the spring, and flowers in the summer.

After searching the site I've also found areas where you can find felt board story printouts, blank calendars, and certificates (for that just potty trained child for instance). The website isn't the best layed out website ever. Nor, is it very easy to navigate, but if you just click on the options to the left of the page you can't go wrong.

Happy Coloring!

FRIENDS

• Aimee

THE VEGAN CHRONICLES part 4

Well yesterday I happened to be out and about running errands with a few minutes to spare before I had to pick up Thing 1 from preschool when I passed a DSW. Also known as Designer Shoe Warehouse. Now, the great part about this, was at that very moment I remembered that I had a completely untouched, unused, and fabulous gift card to DSW that my mom had gotten me back in October for my birthday. How could I have forgotten about such a magnificent thing?

I have no idea.

So, I meandered around the ENORMOUS store, and happened upon these little bad boys. They are made by a company named J-41, or Jeep brand shoes. They looked pretty cute, so I decided to give them a go. And the minute I stepped in I was sold. They felt like I was walking on clouds. Well, actually, I've never walked on a cloud, so I can't really say, but maybe a better analogy would be to say it was like walking on marshmallows. Hmmm. I've never done that either, so, crap. Let me just tell you that they were cushy, soft, and the best part? They have these fantastic, really cushy, really high inserts. Which is something that is hard to find in a shoe. Trust me, I have super-high arches, and most of the time I just feel like I'm walking without any support at all. That's why my shoe wardrobe consists mostly of keens, crocs and uggs (and a wicked awesome selection of high heels. But these only come out for church or dates, so they don't really count. High Heels and my kids? Yeah right.). Now, I can add J-41's to that super comfy shoe list as well.

Oh, and they are vegan. No leather whatsoever. And that feels good.

Only problem is, I might have to go back for the brown ones too.


So, if you happen to be in the market for some cute comfy flats, my vote is the J-41's.

I'M SO EXCITED. AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT. AND YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW. . . .

Yeah. I'm pretty stoked.
The family pictures are up over at the old family blog. I think they turned out better than I could have ever imagined. But, then again, they are of me and my family, so I might just be a bit biased.
Head on over there if you like. But be prepared. We are a pretty good looking bunch.
Joke, people. Joke.

BEYONCE, JT AND PAUL RUDD ROCK SNL

Just got around to watching my recorded SNL from last weekend, and this was by far the funniest skit. I had a hard time finding in online. Even on NBC. So, this was the best I could do. It is reversed for some reason, and at the end there is some dude promoting his website. Sorry about that. But the rest? Tooo funny! We're the dancers~!

DUDES. . . .

I so totally filled my car up today for $1.85 a gallon. Thank You Costco.

THIS SHOULD AT LEAST BE GOOD FOR A LAUGH. . .

Okay, so a few weeks back, I randomly needed a clock for my living room. Since my darling children had ruined my last one. So I went to T.J. Maxx knowing I was sure to find a deal, and I so did. In the clearance section I found the cutest white clock for $3. Score!

Well, I get home and I realized quickly why it was on clearance. It needed a specialized battery. Or so I thought. I tried the AAA (too small), and AA (too big) and neither one fit. On the back of the clock it said it needed a 1.5 volt battery. That's all. No indication of AAA or AA. Just 1.5 volt battery needed. Now, I know I'm not super-duper smart but since I have to buy special sized batteries for Thing 1's hearing aids I do know that batteries come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and volts (hence the 9 volt battery). And so, since I'm not really all that educated about batteries I actually went to the grocery store looking for a 1.5 volt battery. Yes. I. did. Well, after looking for a good 15 minutes and not being able to find anything between a double A and a triple A, I decided to just go to Radio Shack, since the guys there seem to know everything about anything even the least bit technical or electrical (which apparently batteries are.)

So, yes people I actually went into Radio Shack and asked them for a 1.5 volt battery! Seriously. It was all the guy could do to keep a straight face. I could tell I had just asked him a very stupid question cause he was really trying not to laugh. He says, "All triple A, double A, C, and D batteries are 1.5 volt." Hmmm. Now feeling quite stupid I said, "well I tried the double A and it didn't fit." He says, "What do you mean it didn't fit?" And then I said quite matter-of-factly, "It was slightly too large." Then he says, "Did you put it in the right way?" [Yes, I was seriously having this conversation.] Um, well I. . .that got me. I mean I know I'm not retarded, but hmmmm, now that you think about it. . . I quickly said, "Thanks for your help." And left.


And yes, I'm sure he then busted up into a fit of giggles. While I got into my car in a fit of embarrassment.


Got home, went to put the battery in, and yep, once again it doesn't fit. So, just for kicks I turned the battery around, and whaddaya know? IT FIT! Oh. My. Heck. Am I really that stupid?


Yes indeedy.


Then I started laughing. Cause really, it's funny if you think about it. I went to two different stores in search of a 1.5 volt battery and pretty much told a sales guy what an idiot I was. Awesome. I totally rule.


Then, Hubs came home and I told him the whole story. And he laughed. Hard. I am seriously so slick.


Well, at least I got a good laugh out of it. And, lets be honest, I'm sure the sales guy told at least his 10 closest friends. So, really, if you think about it, I made alot of people laugh. And that's good. Right? Cause I know I'm smarter than that. Aren't I?

JUST CAN'T WAIT. . .

For this wedding! Love this photo, and the couple.

Being engaged is such a magical time of life, wouldn't you say? Filled with eager anticipation of the melding of two lives. Nothing but total and complete optimism about the days ahead. Time spent planning and cultivating the party that will untimately celebrate the sacred union of two and become the springboard for their life together. Magical? Indeed.

PROPOSITION EIGHT TAKE TWO

Okay, sorry for the multiple posts today, but I feel as though this needs to be discussed.

Now, for the record, I was against proposition 8 as much as the next person, but all of these LDS temple protests have got to stop. They are happening all over the country, and it's just wrong. I mean, I get it. People are mad. Raging mad, about the fact that they can't be treated equally.

And I realize that Mormon voters gave their time and money to ensure that this proposition passed, and so it's very easy to take it out on the Mormons. But really, if you are an American and believe in a democratic society, like I do, then you must understand that the majority (if only 51%) of California voters voted this way. Not just Mormons. ALL California voters. LDS were included - but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos. ALL Californians.

I also believe in the ability to protest. But on a church's sacred grounds? Spewing hatred? It just doesn't make sense. Exhibit hate, because of what is in their opinion is a hateful proposition? I just don't get it.

Here is an article I found about the protests going on at the San Diego Temple.

San Diego Times Article


I don't know. Am I wrong about this?

TO ALL THOSE WHO'VE SERVED OUR COUNTRY

Happy Veterans Day Grandpa, Uncle Tom, Watson, and all those others who've proudly served so we could live in a free country. Thankyou!

MY PLAYLIST TODAY. IT'S ON REPEAT.

Because I have a self-diagnosed unhealthy fixation with the eighties. And because girls really do just want to have fun.



This song (Glitter In The Air) is so beautiful. I love the lyrics. And I love Pink's new album. Perfection.

And thanks to Aimee I now have an addiction to this little ditty. So catchy, yet so lovely. Plus, I think it should be my blog's theme song. "While You Were Sleeping. . . your mother blogged."

WRASL'N WILL GET YOU NOWHERE

Thanks to all my awesome readers, and your wonderful photographer recommendations, I will eventually have a beautiful (hopefully) family Christmas card to send out to all of you. Unfortunately it will be arriving in the mail a week later than originally planned.

Why, you ask? Because of this.

Do you see that shiner?

I. Was. Going. To. Kill. Him.

After calling almost every single photographer that was recommended, and finding out that apparently this is THE month to have family photos happen, I was uber-lucky to find one fabulous photographer able to squeeze me in last Friday. Hoo-ray! I ran all over town for two days, grabbing all the necessities and overnighting a few items to be sure we looked respectable enough, when in the end, it didn't even matter. Two days chock full of stress, and then Hubs decides to go and ruin our entire Christmas the day before the pictures. Ha. okay, that is maybe a little over-dramatic, but that is exactly how I felt. I called the photographer and she just laughed. And laughed. Apparently, this sort of thing happens quite regularly. And it is almost ALWAYS due to some sort of craziness involving the husband. Coincidence? I think not. Perhaps it's a conspiracy of all the husbands out there to make their wives hope they just cancel family pictures. Luckily though, his plan did not work, because she was able to change a few things around and fit us in this week. And barring we have no more black eyes, our Christmas can now go on as planned. Hopefully.

One, thing is for certain though. There will be no wrestling, and NO FUN until after our family pictures. Is that too much to ask? Bah Humbug.

YOUR DAILY GIGGLE

My aunt sent this to me the other day, and it made me laugh. Hope you are all having a great Monday!

I JUST MIGHT HAVE FROSTBITE. . .

But the Utes Won!!!!

After suggesting multiple other people who would surely enjoy a good football game in the freezing cold, I decided to please Hubs and attend blackout night with him. And boy am I glad I did. What a game!

I know I'm a bit late, but we are still riding the sweet high of the Utes victory this week. Go Utes!

*Thanks to Amy Earl Boyack for the sweet video!

TUESDAY'S TIP hanging your handbags

So, living in "The Rim" definitely has it's perks. Closet space, isn't one of them. And for a girl, who just might, have an obsession buying handbags, that is never a good thing.


So, because there was literally no other place to put my handbags I had been just putting them on the shelf above the hall coat closet. But this wasn't really working out so well. I had so many that they were all piled on top of one another, slumped over and losing their shapes. Plus, I could never find the one I wanted when I wanted it.


But one day while I was drying my hair (when it seems I get my best inspiration) I had a stroke of genius. I decided I would go to Home Depot and buy a closet rod and hang it at the very top of my coat closet (as high as I could) and then hang my handbags. Brilliant, right?!

I even installed my handbag closet rod myself! Power tools are awesome. After I unleashed my inner Tim-the-tool-man-Taylor I retrieved some kid hangers (which you can get from all-a-dollar by the way) from my kid's closets and hung the bags up.

Now, I can easily see every handbag, and they aren't getting scrunched up and ruined. It has been my most brilliant move ever. Er, at least this week!