Cookie Night

We've learned the hard way that cookie night can be vomitous if not balanced with some sort of protein. This year we celebrated cookie night with homemade soups and rolls. Cassi's Shrimp of the Devil was a big hit--and very spicy. Good stuff. Everyone brought soup and rolls to share and then we pigged out on cookies. Here Cassi, Oscar, Kelsee and Burro eat on the floor. Not sure why--except we didn't have extra chairs.

The grandkids and Austin loved playing together, eating soup, munching on cookies and painting ornaments. They each got a present from the advent calendar and spent the evening running through the house and screaming. Next year, Gregor, Ryon and Laya will be joining them on their quest to create unholy noise.

Jason demonstrated that fatherhood has increased his ability to look intimidating--even while eating soup. Even though it was snowy and cold outside, Dad, Virginia and Carol joined us and it was great fun having everyone together.

Meet Chalese

Tom's daughter Chalese came to visit from Arizona. It was a lot of fun meeting her and being around her. The gang got together for hamburgers and after mingling with the family she's probably trying to talk her dad out of being around me.

Laya got hot fudge on her face and spent the evening licking it off her cheeks. She has the tongue of a giraffe.

North Carolina

Thanksgiving in North Carolina is nothing like Thanksgiving in Utah. First, it was warm, sunny and beautiful enough that we could eat outside.

Second, the Santas in North Carolina seem very, very jolly.

Third, mom, Dyion, Heather and Scott are not in Utah. What's up with that?

Fourth, an after-Thanksgiving horseback ride is a must. Here are the three cowpokes Tom, Kelsee and Mick.

Last, I've never gone to the beach during Thanksgiving week. I really think we need a beach in Utah.

We all had a blast in Leland with the kinfolk who showed us a real good time. Tom was introduced to gun-totin' relatives, hush puppies and North Carolina barbecue. Kelsee and Mick's recreation of the first Thanksgiving was heartwarming and historically accurate--right down to the sombrero.

Spooooooky!!

Kelsee had creepy white contacts that she wore to Village Inn. Pretty much freaked out all the senior citizens.

Tom didn't feel like dressing up this year.

The Blue Power Ranger stopped by for some kick-butt candy and brought along his sidekick Monkey Banana-Head.

Man, they're cute!!!

Mick was a purple-headed, glittery-eyed teenager. She and her friends went trick-or-treating and brought home a buttload of loot.

I was The Devil with a Blue Dress On, but because I looked like The Cow with a Blue Dress On, I refuse to post any pictures.

Ashley's kids spent Halloween in Grantsville and haunted their neighborhood, searching for gobs of candy.

Hope your Halloween was full of sugary goodness.

Halloween Meal

Our traditional Halloween Dinner Party was a howling success. Mick's "Bats-on-a-Stick" were a big hit even though we all had the urge to hang upside-down from the rafters after dinner.

The witch finger's were tasty, even if the nails were a little tough.

Mick puts the finishing touches on our brain dish while the magic potion bubbled away, becoming more toxic with each sip.

Happy Halloween Eve!!!!

New House!

Well, I guess technically it isn't "new" since we've been here a month but we love our home in Kearns. (I guess because it's Kearns, it should be called our casa.) Anyway, we're located less than a mile from my work (at the Oval) so I can get up and see my office every single day. Every single day. And since Tom works from home, he gets to live at work. Sucks to be him.

This is the upstairs complete with Direct TV so now Kelsee and Mick are addicted to television even more than they were before. (Someone please save me from the Disney channel.) The girls' bedrooms are downstairs and I'll take a picture of them as soon as they're cleaned up (the rooms, not the girls). Don't look for the pictures anytime soon.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Haven't Updated My Blog

10. I'm depressed because summer is over.
9. The battery in my digital camera died and I'm too slothful to charge it.
8. I've been working for US Speedskating WAY too many weekends.
7. I moved into a new home and I can't do two things at once.
6. Kelsee decided to have an allergic reaction to sulfa and ended up in the hospital.
5. I've been too busy eating Halloween candy.
4. I've been trying to solve the mystery of "What Happened to the Wii Equipment."
3. All my favorite TV shows are back with new episodes.
2. I've been counting the days until Christmas.
And the number one reason I haven't updated my blog:
I'm just too lazy.