more photo booth

I'm losing my mind

Isn't he sweet?!?!

yes, we think we are funny

I may regret posting this incriminating video but I just had to do it - we have been laughing so hard that the tears are flowing.  I will spare you the rest of the videos we made this afternoon. This alone is worth the price of the computer.

a very belated thank you!

This year I participated in Pink Christmas. You can read more about it here. The person who gave to me was Mique. She absolutely spoiled me. I do have pictures but as noted in a previous post I have yet to download them. I did not want to write this post without pictures but I feel so bad for not publicly saying thanks to Mique that I am writing now and will post pictures later.

I am sure she spent a great deal of time creating my fabulous gifts. It was obvious that she spent a ton of time thinking about what to do for me and she completed everything with great skill and beauty. She made me an adorable camera strap because she knows that I have started messing with photography. She also created a cute covered binder for me to keep all my party planning notes and ideas in. You'd think she had known me for years because her gifts were so perfect. She also made me a fabric banner that says "celebrate" yet another shout out to my love of parties. She paid so much attention to detail - picking out perfect fabrics and just the right word.

Mique, thank you so much for your kind and generous gift. I love each item you so lovingly created. Thanks for spoiling me!

If anyone is interested in seeing some of the gifts that were exchanged you can check them out here

big kisses for the UPS guy

This was delivered today. I've always told myself and the kids that it's what's in the inside that matters but when it comes to this I'm all about the outside...I can't get over how pretty it is.

new year, new calling

Last Sunday I was released from my calling as Enrichment Leader and put into Primary. I am teaching the Valiant 12 girls. This is the group of girls that are 11 yrs old but will turn 12 this year and start going to Young Women's. I am teaching a great group of girls, one of them being Emily so it should be a really fun year. I enjoyed my time as Enrichment Leader but am excited about this new opportunity to teach in the Primary.

Since we are on the topic of church...I have to speak at Stake Conference this weekend. I'm feeling scared and nervous so hopefully all will go well. My talk is written. I spend time each day going over it so that I will be comfortable once I am standing at the podium. I wish I was like Derek - he doesn't mind speaking, what a great gift.

now derek will have to take me

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Now I know why I have always wanted to visit - it's the city I belong in. If the Internet says it's so, it must be. You better start booking the trip Derek. You think I'll see Daniel Radcliffe? How about those cute princes?

will someone down load my pictures?

I have no desire to spend the time downloading pictures. I realize it doesn't take long but for whatever reason I am just not motivated to do it. So pictures from our trip, Christmas, New Year's etc. still sit sad and lonely in my camera. I will try to convince myself to take care of it this week but I make no promises.

If you are feeling sad at the serious lack of pictures on this blog let me direct your attention to this post Here you will be able to get a glimpse of the wonderful man that I married. It should fulfill your desires to see pictures of the family (at least for the time being) Yes, it's pictures, like the one in the above mentioned post, that make me remember why I married Derek in the first place.

welcome 2008

Wishing everyone a great New Year. We are happy to be starting the new year off healthy - finally! We are looking forward to a great year!

denise baker reporting

(dramatic music plays)

(announcer) "Flu Watch 2007"

(anchorman) "Denise, what can you tell us about the latest flu developments?"

(top paid, gorgeous reporter Denise Baker) "Well, we had a bit of a calm in the flu storm last night. Nathan spent a horrible day throwing up but ended the evening well with a small cup of chicken soup and jello. He managed to get some much needed rest and kept the food down. Everyone here at (dramatic music plays) "Flu Watch 2007" had our fingers crossed and with the rising sun this morning felt good about the worst being over.

But as all our viewers know, Chuck things can take a turn quickly. So, the violence continues. Nathan has again begun to throw up. Professionals have been called but they all respond the same, "It's going around right now, there is nothing we can do for him." All they can offer is this advice, "Watch for dehydration and if you see the signs get him to the ER."

We will continue to monitor this situation here at (dramatic music plays) "Flu Watch 2007" We will let you know of any changes. Chuck, back to you in the newsroom."

#5

Need I say more?!?!?!

and still contiunues

The vomit count here at our household at 4:29 pm...

Nate - 4 and still the reigning champ! If he can't start to keep some stuff in his tummy I think we will need to make a visit to the doctor tomorrow.

and continues

Vomit on aisle 3 - clean up!

The violence continues (and it does sound violent, trust me) 9:41 am, second one of the day.

the vomit report continues

Nate woke up and immediately ran for the bathroom to throw up - stop the insanity!

the vomit report

Here is the latest, because I know you all are dying to know who has been throwing up.

Nate continues to be the master thrower upper. He had his head in the toilet again at 9:42 tonight. He is not keeping anything down - I'm sure the pintos and cheese from Taco Bell didn't help. He swore to us that he was feeling better and he seemed to be doing fine so against our better parental judgement we gave in. It seemed like a good call since there was no way Derek or I could stomach cooking and we are way to stinky and greasy to walk into a grocery store for soup (and yes, we are still in our jammies) Driving through and having some one hand us food sounded good. Tomorrow I am going to have to will myself to the store to get soup, jello, popsicles and ginger ale (after I shower, of course)

The rest of us are dragging along. Emily has started to feel worse tonight - we are keeping our fingers crossed that it turns out to be nothing.

To quote Luke he feels "awesome". I will be shocked if he escapes this.

I mentioned in my last post that Dave's family and Grammy got hit as well, but it gets worse...Jodi and Deanne (Derek's cousins) were here visiting from Utah for Christmas. They had Sunday dinner at Grammy's along with us and Dave's family. Once we all got sick we called Deanne to see how she and her family were doing - all were well. We didn't bother Jodi since she and her family were spending Christmas at Disneyland. Deanne hadn't heard from her so we figured all was well. Wrong!

Jodi's family spent Christmas day at Disneyland by going on one ride and then spent the rest of the day with various family members sick. They even braved the drive home to Utah with people throwing up.

Still not sure why Santa felt compelled to share this with all of us but at least we have a Christmas to remember. Here's to Deanne's family and Luke...stay healthy!

have yourself a sickly little christmas

Not only did Santa bring a Wii for Christmas he seems to have also brought the stomach flu.

Emily started off the festivities Christmas morning around 4am with a trip to the toilet to throw up (I think she was the only kid to make it to the toilet - good thing we have plans to rip out our carpet and get new flooring)

Nate was next and the poor kid had a miserable Christmas - he continued to throw up the whole day. He felt better this morning and tried eating but it didn't go over well - two trips to the bathroom after eating.

Derek and I didn't feel great in the morning but figured it was because we were tired - wrong! He and I ended up staying in bed nearly the whole day, except for the time spent hugging the toilet. My brother and sister-in-law were here and I felt so guilty for abandoning them - we weren't exactly the best hosts. I hope they don't get the gomboo.

Megan was ok for most of the day but by the evening she wasn't feeling 100% I think it was about 1:30 this morning that she began to pay her respects to the toilet gods. It is now 12:20 pm and she is still sleeping.

Lucky little Luke is happy and healthy and we are hoping he continues to be.

Santa also remembered Uncle Dave's family and Grammy Baker - instead of enjoying Christmas dinner together at Grammys we all spent the day in isolation at our homes.

We look wonderful today sporting sleep hair and wearing jammies we have been in since Christmas Eve. We are hoping that there are never more then three of us needing the bathroom at one time - that might be a problem. We are looking forward to enjoying our Christmas presents when we feel better.

Hope you all had a healthy and wonderful Christmas.

bitten part 2

I feel the need to explain myself...I did not not like the Twilight series. (that sentence doesn't seem right so re read it if it didn't make sense the first time) I enjoyed the books - except for parts of New Moon, which I explained in my first Twilight post. I thought it was a fun, easy read type of book that was a good escape, especially while on vacation. I simply didn't love the book as so many others seem to. I think people have gotten the impression that I hated it. That's not the case - it simply did not live up to, in my opinion, the huge amounts of hype I heard before I finally read it.

I am not hating on Edward, Jacob, Bella or any of the other Forks folks. I'm not loving some of the other freaks - Victoria especially creeps me out. But I happen to love Alice and I'd like to think that if I was a vampire I would be her - the girl can throw a party.

So if anyone was planning to not read Twilight and beyond because of my post (although I am pretty sure I don't have that much power to persuade) just read them. So I didn't love them (I liked them) Millions of others love them - maybe you'll fall into that group. Just head my warning... if you haven't read them yet try not to listen to the hype - I really do think talking up something...book, movie, whatever does make people expect a lot and often tends to mess up ones opinion.

So there...I have spoken my peace.

side note...love them or like them, I do want the story to continue so I can find out how it all ends.

snow in california

Derek is out of work early today so we are taking the family and heading to the snow. Fake snow, but hey, it's good enough for us So Cal'ers.

The Disneyland parade during Christmas ends with snow falling all down Main Street and other areas of the park. It really is a site to see with the snow falling and Christmas lights everywhere. There are plenty of videos on You Tube just search for "Disneyland snow" if you're interested in checking it out.

bitten

So I finally jumped on the bandwagon...the bad thing about jumping on said wagon so late is that I was expecting too much.


While on vacation I read Twilight, New Moon and half of Eclipse (I finished the rest of the book when I got home) My thoughts...not as good as all the hype led me to believe but still enjoyable and a good nice easy read - a little brain candy.

New Moon was my least favorite of the series - took far too long to get to the exciting part of the plot and I also thought it was a bit predictable. Jacob Black? Come on, you could tell where that was going well before Stephenie got you there. My other complaint...it all seemed like a bit too much to have happen to one girl - how realistic is that? Dumb question, I know - I mean how realistic are vampires and other monsters but still...

With all that being said I still enjoyed reading the books. I don't read many non gospel type books at the moment so it was fun diversion while on vacation but my first love is still Harry. Edward may be a smokin' hot vampire but he can't compete with the boy who lived. I'm still mourning the fact that there is no more Harry goodness to read. Three cheers that we at least have the movies to look forward to.

Speaking of movies, and Twilight, and Harry...did you see who they picked to play Edward in the Twilight movie? Cedric Diggory?!?!?! Not working for me. Is it working for anyone else?

some 80's christmas spirit

I saw this on Kristi's blog and loved it and wanted to share.

monkeys and spiders and bats, oh my!

Derek and I got home last night from our tropical adventures. We could have done without the wet, cold weather that welcomed us when we got home but it sure was nice to get back to all the hugs and kisses from the kids.

We had a ton of great adventures and yes, we saw a monkey as well as a humongous spider and lots of bats. Once I get pictures downloaded I will fill in the details. Derek had a great diving trip in Cozumel. We had fun snorkeling. We went cave tubing, shell collecting and exploring on islands.

For those that asked...we went to Honduras, Belize, Mexico and the Bahamas. We also spent a little bit of time in Miami.

Updates coming soon.