A Crazy Little Thing Called Loved

So two of my most favorite people are celebrating an anniversary today. 42 years and counting. That's a long, Long, LONG time to be married :)  And I'm pretty sure these little lovebirds are still as crazy as ever!

I think it was sometime during high school when I first realized that their relationship was a bit, how should I say this nicely...dysfunctional:

• I had never (not even once) seen or heard my parents fight.
• All of my friends had parents that were divorced.  Mine were still happily married.
• In fact, one of my Dad's favorite things to do was to be "totally gross" by kissing my mom in front of us. (When we were older, I even remember hearing the words "Slip me the tongue honey!" on more than one occasion!)
• Anniversaries?  My Dad remembered every single one of them.  My mom always got roses.  And she has every card my dad gave her.

Crazy, huh?  I mean, it's like I was forced to grow up in a Leave it to Beaver episode.  Well, I just want to tell Ward and June, errr... I mean Ray and Jackie that they have been the best examples of love. Crazy Love. True Love.  (That and I am only slightly scarred from being subjected to watching my parents make out in our kitchen--its almost enough to gag me with a spoon!)

Santa's Secret

Ever wonder what Santa does when he's not delivering presents?

That's right folks. He runs (along with a few hundred of his Santa friends!) Back in the beginning of December (before good 'ole Saint Nick got too busy with the holiday festivities) I ran in the Provo Santa Run. This was my first year doing this run and considering how much fun we had, I don't think it will be the last. 

I did not force my kids to run this time around.  But I did "volunteer" them to volunteer :) "Santa's Helpers" get to pass out cookies and milk to the runners and help along the route. Kobe and Tehani had fun directing the runners on the course (and since the kids were under age, Norm had to come too--He was the offical volunteer watcher :)

We even got this cute pic with the Grinch. I was tempted to send this out as our family Christmas card this year (ya know, and pretend that the hub is dressed up as the man in green) Anyway, Norm must have been worried that too many people would really think that was him--I got a thumbs down veto from him (What a grinch!)

Light it up

I think I may have made a terrible mistake.  It sounded like a good idea at the time.  I mean, it is Christmas time after all.  Which means you have to go see the Christmas lights, right?

On Christmas Eve we went and drove through the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork.  I've heard about it for years but this was the first year we bothered to go.  The kids loved it.

Then the other night we made it up to Salt Lake to see the lights on Temple Square (after a quick dinner at the Nauvoo Cafe :)

The kids want lights.
Lots and lots of lights.  

On our house.

They must have our house confused with someone elses (that would be someone that has the time--and desire--to put up strings and strings of lights in the freezing cold :)

I'm going to have to think things through a little better before I go planning any more family outings...

Anyway, here's hoping your Christmas was merry and bright
(just not too bright :)

Jimi Marley

We finally got to the mall to exchange a few Christmas presents (much to Kobe's chagrin, he received a total of FIVE sweaters under the tree :)

Kobe, being the twelve year old boy that he is, was hoping to exchange all of his gifted clothing items for t-shirts.  I told him he could only get ONE tshirt. And this is the one he picked out.

When we were in the car driving home for the store, I mentioned to Kobe that I didn't know he was a Jimi Hendrix fan...
Kobe: Jimi who?
Me: The guy on your shirt...
Kobe: Mom, its a Bob Marley shirt.
Me: No its not...
Kobe: Yes it is.
I actually had to have him take out the shirt and read the lettering before he would admit that I was right. Jimi. Bob. They're both the same, right?

Sharp dressed man

Just in case you need more proof proving that my lil' boy is all growed up...

Yes, that is the Koberoo in a suit--or monkey suit, as Kobe likes to call it!  Thanks again to Grandma (and Grandpa :) for getting Kobe the new threads for his birthday.

So tell the ladies to watch out--Kobe is dressed to impress (or atleast to pass the sacrament on Sunday:)

Because as ZZ Top says...cause every girls crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!