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!

Let's Party!

In Kobe's own words "It was the best party ever" (which I realize isn't that big of a compliment since he is only 12 years old!)  Anyway, just wanted to post a few of the pics from the Kobester's birthday bash.

First of all, I should point out that it is hard to plan a party around Christmas time.  Kobe did make it easy on me when he said that he wanted his party to be at Jump On It.  I figured anything that involved physical activity (and no planning or preparation on my party) sounded like a great idea to me.  

Kobe (and a dozen or so of his closest friends) got to spend a few hours jumping to their hearts content.  I even put my cooking skills to work and whipped up a multi-colored layered cake--hence the reason why Kobe is posing by the weird looking blue and red dessert (the recipe called for green and red but I try very hard to make everything birthday-ish--no Christmas things allowed :)

Anyway, I still can't believe that my little boy is all growed up.  I'm not sure where the time has gone.  But hopefully you can check back with me 12 years from now to see what amazing things my lil' baby will be up to then.

Happy Birthday Kobe!  You are definitely my favorite son!!

For Your Eyes Only

So for the past month or so Tehani has been sporting these around town. Eyeglasses, spectacles, bifocals...call it what you will. I just call it weird that someone would wear these things when you don't have to.

Yes folks, these are strictly fashion glasses (or unfashionable--you be the judge) No vision correction needed here! And just in case you're wondering, it's harder than you think to find fake eyeglasses (hence the reason why the Hani Bani is wearing promo glasses that say "PBS Teacher Line" on the side:) Maybe we can start charging PBS for all the "free advertising" while my daughter starts her new fashion trend?

Now we're cookin!

Just another day at the office! Now before you all start thinking that I have the coolest job ever (even though I do) I should clarify that I spend most days (OK, every day :) sitting in front of a computer. But today, I got to spend a few hours honing my domestic diva skills for a new television show were doing (I'll let you take a guess at what it is about)

Before my mom gets all excited and thinks that I'm going to the be star of my own TV show, I was just the guest (which means HE was teaching ME how to cook!) We made focaccia in case you 're wondering. And it was delicious--even if I do say so myself. (Though I am not sure how anything could taste bad when you drench it in that much olive oil :) I should also point out that this was the "pilot episode," which means the rest of you won't get to see my fabulous cooking skills on your television screens.

Anyway, it was fun to help with the show. Who knows, I may actually even try baking with yeast on my own now (I've had a yeast phobia for years :) But now that I am done baking dough, I can get back to my REAL job--which is raising the dough!