Black Friday

I don't do Black Friday - I am not a people person and I HATE crowds (hence why we go to Disneyland/world when there is the LEAST amount of crowds) . I am a BIG online shopper - that is where I get ALL my gifts......

Luckily, I have a Husband that doesn't mind going, so I sleep in and send him with a list... and when I wake up - He has gotten all the deals we wanted.

I didn't even know about the existence of Black Friday until I was 17 and working at Sears. Back then, they only opened at 6am (not the 4am it is now) and I got my schedule and wondered why in the HECK I had to be at work at 5:45am!! Why so FREAKING early???

So, I get to work and I had no idea what was in store for me, having never experienced or even known about this "Black Friday" event. Wow! I was unprepared for what came through those doors at 6am! It was by far the BUSIEST I had even been at work - it was NON-STOP people for my 9 hr shift. We barely got time for our breaks and lunches (I can't even remember if we got them). Although, because it was the busiest day, it was also the fastest day ever of work - it just flew bye.

Now I sleep in and let me husband do it.. If he didn't do it, then, oh well - I've had my Christmas shopping done since October anyway :)

No, the day after thanksgiving is ALL about the Christmas decorations for me! I wait all year to get them out... This year we have 2 trees going up - a 9 foot one downstairs and a 5 foot, mainly for the kids, upstairs. We have lights, garlands, inflatable snowmen, village, nativities, nutcrackers, etc. etc. I takes me AT LEAST half the day to get it all put up! In fact, I'd better get off here and get started!

Hope you all had a GREAT Thanksgiving! (we had 2 sick kids, but whatever, it was still good)

The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance: A Memoir

I went and bought this book (well, I made Joseph go to Borders on the way home from work and pick it up for me) after I read some blog posts from the author and thought she sounded pretty funny and refreshing. So I bought it to read on our plane trip...

Well, I read some of it on the plane, but ended up reading most of it when we got home. I really enjoyed this book. You will, however, not enjoy this book if you are an "uptight" Mormon. She is very honest about her life and how it is to be single and Mormon in New York City. She is funny and refreshing - she sounds like someone I could totally hang out with (plus she is about my age).

After reading this book, I never would want to live in NYC and try to live the standards of the church. I think that is the catch 22 for her in this book - she is trying to live as a Mormon, but also wants to have the NYC "worldly" life. She does use some bad language (not much, but there is some), so just a warning before you read it...

There are many parts that made me laugh out loud - my favorite part has to do with her fortune cookie Halloween costume (genius idea) and what happens to it - HILARIOUS! And I wanted to kick her butt when she messed things up with a certain Mormon boyfriend.

So go read the book if you want a laugh and enjoy reading about her adventures of dating and being Mormon in NYC. Don't read the book if you take things too seriously - though, of course, if you are my friend and reading this blog, I doubt that applies to you...

The book is up for anyone the lives near me that wants to borrow it, as long as you don't mind a few pen marks in the back of the book - Seriously I have it home for like a day and it gets marks in it!!! Whatever :P

Intercourse and Hershey

Our last full day in DC area, we went to Lancaster County and Hershey. I LOVE Lancaster.. for many reasons...

They have some of the BEST food!! The Cheese Danish is to DIE for - worth 3000 miles alone! The donuts are out of this world too. There is a place that you can sample tons of jams, relishes, and random items that they can - and they can them right there in the store. So good!

They also have the BEST names towns. Intercourse being my favorite :) It is in between (and I am NOT kidding you) Blue Ball and Paradise (look at a map of Lancaster county if you don't believe me)... They also have Bird in a Hand....

We didn't take many picture there because the Amish don't do pictures and there are "no photo" signs everywhere

Then we went to Hershey Chocolate World. They have a free ride in there that we rode 5 times (it is 8 minutes long, but we were killing time until 5pm and Candycane land opened). We all enjoy the ride and have waaaaay too much fun together on it!

Then we went to Hershey Candy Cane lane... which was AWESOME!!!!! Well worth the only $11 a person to go. They had over 30 rides open and we rode all of them - some of them 4 or 5 times! They had some really fun ones and we all had a BLAST. The kids lasted the whole 5 hrs they were open (5-10pm). The lights were awesome and we just had a wonderful time together. They also saw Santa and his Reindeer... It was great to see my sisters scared of rides my kids thought were so much fun! We might make it a yearly occasion ;)

Saturday morning, we had Christmas Morning! The kids loved it! Presents and yummy food - what's not to like about Christmas in November? Then we just hung out and packed up... I'll blog about our trip home later - that is a post in and of itself!

Some pics from the day - lots more on facebook :)

One of the shirts we got there - this is my brother's favorite thing to give to Newlyweds ;)

Christmas morning!!

With a Hershey's kiss

We had soooo much fun together on the free ride

I couldn't believe this was their high school.. Surprised they don't market this

My sisters and me!!

Utz and art

Yesterday, we took an easier day and went to the Arundel Mills mall (a REALLY big mall here) to hit up the BRAND NEW Lego store opening there (you know that is a must for Joseph). Lego Santa got a little frisky with me (see pic below) Of course we did other shopping there too - hit up the Disney store (my fav) and got Sabrina's Halloween costume for next year - Clearance and 20% extra off and ENTIRE Jasmine outfit (complete with crown and shoes - she chose Jasmine from all the Princesses)

Then we went to Pennsylvania to the Utz chip factory. The kids loved it and it was fun to see the whole process of making the chips. Plus lots of free samples :) Sorry, they did not allow any pictures or video in there :P

Today, we started at the Air and Space Museum. Always a popular one for the kids!! Plus the best one to buy souvenirs since they have a clearance center in the bottom :)

Then we went across the Mall to the National Art Gallery, because Jonathan wanted to see the Original of a print that we have next to my big bathtub. So we took him to see the original painting of that Monet (picture below).... We spend a couple of hours in there looking at all the famous art. We hadn't been in there since Sabrina was 6 months old, so it was nice to go back and the kids did really well in there (which is why we hadn't been in years) and enjoyed it :)

We were going to go to Natural History, but since we took so long in the Art Gallery, everyone was feeling tired, so we skipped it - we've seen everything in there anyways (no new exhibits :P) - we did run by the American History again to see a holiday exhibit they just opened this morning... Then we headed home...

Tomorrow we are off to Lancaster County (one of my FAVORITE places!!!) and going to the Hershey Park Candy Cane Lane- I am so excited!!! I am going to have to exercise my butt off when we get home after all this eating :) (more pics on facebook - per usual)

Santa getting frisky - I SO wish this wasn't blurry!! (my sister took it) Otherwise, I would have this as my profile picture!!

This is the picture Jonathan wanted to see - Ugh, can't remember the name of this Monet at the moment :P

Pollo y Yuca

Today we took the MARC into DC - which was a rather pleasant commute and the kids loved it :)

We arrived at Union Station (which is cool itself) and walked to the Capitol and stopped at the Supreme Court (which is right behind the Capitol from those of you who have not been)

Then we went to the new Capitol Visitors Center... It is gorgeous, but a completely ostentatious waste of tax payers $$ :P Whatever...

Then we walked all the way down from the Capitol to the Washington Monument to get tickets to go up it later in the day (We could have gone right then, but my parents were not with us yet). Of course we had to stop and take a ride on the carousel outside the Smithsonian Castle on the way to the Washington Monument (you pass a whole bunch of Smithsonian's on this walk - it is a bit of a long walk)

After getting the tickets, we hopped on the metro to International Square to get some Empanadas for lunch.... Oh Yeah baby - YUMMY!

Then got back on the metro, back to the National Mall, to go to the American History Museum, which had been closed the last few years, so we hadn't been able to go... We saw lots of cool things - it has a lot of the Americana type exhibits like kermit and the ruby slippers and you can see Old Glory and Julia Child's kitchen...

Then we FINALLY made our way up the Washington Monument. After ALL our NUMEROUS trips to DC, we have never gone up... Until now. It was way cool! You can see all the way to the temple in Maryland and get an EXCELLENT view of the city. It did feel like you were swaying while up there though (not sure if it was true, but felt like it) and then on the way down, they slow the elevator down and turn on the lights and you can see the inside of the monument and the different stones from different states - way cool.

Then, after a trip on the metro, where Jonathan fell asleep, We went to Pollo Campero - a favorite from El Salvador :) Plus they have yummy Yuca fries that I am not sure where else you can get them.

Then we all went to the Temple and then may family took the kids home and Joseph and I were able to do a session :) Good end to the day!

DC temple

looking at Lincoln, WWII and Reflecting Pool from Washington Monument

National Mall from Washington Monument

Jefferson Monument from Washington Monument

White House (and Temple, but can't see in the pic) from Washington Monument

C3po at American History Smithsonian

The kids were fighting over this "horse" on the carousel. Luckily, a kid started crying on the ride (not for that kid, but for us) so they stopped the ride, we switched the kids and they both got to ride on it and they got 2 rides on the carousel

"FEED ME" boy

Supreme Court

Dia dos

Well, we ended up sleeping in until 10:00 (Joseph, Jonathan and I didn't get to sleep until 1am... stupid 3 hr time difference) and Jonathan REFUSED to wake up before 11. So by the time we finally got to the zoo, it was about 1pm... I said we were going to go slower this trip (last time was a WHIRLWIND - We did soooo much last time), I guess I meant it...

Did I mention it was a GORGEOUS 70 degrees??

We got a wheelchair at the zoo for my mom, since her ankle is sprained and Jonathan was a bit of a grump from sleeping so much :P We saw lots of animals and of course the Pandas were the kids favorites :)

The gorillas had a new baby - so cute!! The other Gorillas were way gross though. Last time we were there, they drank their own urine and this time one of them grabbed its feces as it was coming out and proceeded to eat it. Guess he wanted it as warm as possible. Jonathan was so excited to see this... "MOM, MOM, MOM!!!! He is EATING his poop!!!!" The things boys get excited over :P

After the zoo, we went to International square to get empanadas, but they were closed (we have to go back! I LOVE empanadas), so we ended up eating 5 guys burgers instead.

Then we walked to the White House and got our yearly picture outside... Jonathan was REALLY GRUMPY by this point (He had only been awake like 5 hrs at this point though... just a GRUMPY day!) and wouldn't look at the camera...

Did I mention that our camera decided it didn't want to work today?? Stupid thing :P So we had to use my sisters all day... Hopefully it will be working tomorrow

Trying out the wheelchair

Jonathan fell asleep while waiting for the metro

White house - the backside

Using Elder King as bait to get the kimono dragon to come over

Cute baby Gorilla

Early Thanksgiving

We made it to Maryland - it was a long day of traveling especially since I wasn't feeling well. But at least no one really cared about the kids coughing on the plane since so many others were doing the same :P

Today we just had a lazy day - it was a gorgeous 70 degrees outside. My dad had to take my mom to the ER because she fell down the stairs, but luckily it was just a sprain.

They also made us an early Thanksgiving dinner - oh yeah baby... so yummy... except no dessert - Becky and Sarah! Sheesh - get to work already! I did make some chocolate chip cookies though, since my sisters were being lazy (oh yeah, I hope they love that I wrote that) :)

I also got a post thanksgiving dinner, MUCH NEEDED nap. So nice, plus with all of us being lazy and resting all day, I hope we can finally all get over our sicknesses!!

Stay tuned and see what we do tomorrow (I promise it will be MUCH more exciting)

I did it!

I managed to get all 4 of us packed into 3 carry-on bags (2 wheeled ones and a small duffel bag) for a 7 day trip! This even includes our Sunday clothes and shoes, and Joseph and my Temple bags! Now I have do do this again in less than a month for another trip (only with more cold weather clothes!!)...

D.C. here we come.... Hopefully Sabrina gets better by the time we leave (she has been sick all week :( )

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I hope everyone had a very happy and fun Halloween!!!

We started it last night with a party at the Little Gym (where the kids take gymnastics) - where the kids had so much fun with the games and obstacle course. Then we went to a birthday party for Aunt Mary. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!!!

Tonight the kids were on pins and needles waiting to go out Trick or Treating. They were so excited - their cousins came over to trick or treat with them :) It was a GORGEOUS night outside to go out!!! Sabrina REALLY got into it - yelling trick or treat very loudly - I guess she'll talk when candy is involved....hmmmm....

Jonathan pooped out earlier than the rest of the kids, so Joseph brought him back to me at the house. I went out trick or treating with them for about a 1/2 hr and then went back home to give out our mountain of candy - but by about 8:00, we RAN OUT of candy!!! We had about 200+ Snickers, KitKats, M&M's, Recees's, etc. but that apparently was not enough for our neighborhood - I think half of the town comes to our neighborhood to trick or treat. I guess since it is a safe neighborhood with lots of houses that give out the GOOD candy, it brings people from all over....

The Crew going Trick or Treating

Trick or treating - yes I do bring my iphone with me - what a better accessory is there for a Wench?

I wish I had a video camera for this - this was taken as he was jumping off the spring board into an awesome forward roll - it looked really cool in his Jedi Robes!!!

On the balance beam - she can actually do summersaults on it!

Going down the big slide at the Little Gym Party

Pumpkin Carving

We finally got around to carving our pumpkins last night... Well, Joseph and I did most of the work. Sabrina refused to clean out her pumpkin, because she didn't want to get dirty and Jonathan was busy hammering a nail into his pumpkin and making lots of little dots all over..

Maybe I am odd, but I actually enjoy getting my hands dirty and cleaning out the pumpkins... Alas, it took us awhile, but we got them all cleaned and carved:

Sabrina took pictures - since she didn't want to get dirty :P You can see Jonathan with his hammer and nail

Sabrina wanted Tinkerbell this year

I think Tink looks demented when lit up!

Jonathan's idea for the year: and upside down pumpkin! He was so excited about his idea :)

Joseph's design for the year... Hopefully you can see the blood in the picture :)

FB blocking

I have a friend on facebook that I am almost 100% sure does not read my blog, so I thought I would pose this question to my best-est friends that read my blog...

Would you block a friend on FB that just really annoys you with their political garbage??? It is not just that I don't agree with this person (which I DO NOT) but it is the CONSTANT and COMPLETELY BIASED stuff the person posts and does updates on.....

As I make no secret of, I am rather liberal, at least for a latter-day saint. I enjoy hearing all sides of every issue and enjoy a political discussion - in fact I LOVE it. I know many of my friends and I aren't on the same side of every issue, and that is perfectly fine with me - it makes life more interesting to surround yourself with people of differing opinions, rather than "yes" men......

However, this person is so one sided and takes all of their knowledge from Fox News (which I LOATHE, fair and balanced my a$$) and can't hear anything else but their own opinion. I don't mind that people have different opinions than me, but the constant one-sidedness that Obama/democrats/anyone that is not a conservative republican is the devil and out to destroy our country and eat our children...

I loved our friend, Trina's political blog, because she tried to illustrate both sides of the arguments and help us be politically informed (although she has taken a break from the blog). I might not have agreed with her on certain topics/issues, I enjoyed the INTELLIGENT conversation (intelligent being the key word).... I always try to see both sides of the issues, and while I might not agree with the other side or understand what the heck they are thinking, I try hard not to CRAM my opinion down everyone's throats....

So to block or not to block... that is the question.....

Master builder

On Saturday morning, we went to a lego master builder event up in Portland. Joseph and the kids loved it... I was happy it was in the mall, so I went shopping while they played with legos. With all the coupons that we had/got there, we got a $50 lego set, 4 keychains (value of $5 a piece), and 2 smaller lego sets ($4 a piece) all for $50... Sweet Deal :)

We then went to our niece's birthday party. The kids sure love playing with their cousins.

We had Sabrina's Parent Teacher Conference and she is doing great - no problems other than the usual, no talking. But her teacher said she is already starting to talk more and it is still the beginning of the year, so not too bad for her :)

I bought plane tickets for a trip to Idaho at the beginning of December to see our nephew get baptized and to pick up my brother - who is getting home from his mission just a few days before the trip (Dec. 1st)!!! - in Salt Lake and take him to Rexburg for a test.

I also got tickets to go see my family in DC - and I got the best price ever. $160 round-trip (under $200 w/tax)!! I was rather excited about it... We will be leaving for that trip in just 2 weeks!! We are VERY excited about all our trips..

Now to get EVERYTHING into carry-ons....

The master builder, next to him is half way to an 8ft Yoda (like the one in the picture)

Sabrina "eating" the lego food :)

Family pictures

Spur of the moment family pictures... I just wanted to take some, so we took a few... I think it is next to impssible to get a picture where everyone is looking at the camera and looks good :P

Idaho

We went to Idaho to visit with Joseph's brother that recently moved there. We had a great time visiting with family and friends. We drove out there on Thursday afternoon (about a 9.5 hr drive there). We got there late at night and let me tell you, the towns of Jerome and Wendell smelled sooooo bad!!! Wow! It at least kept me awake on the last hour of our trip.....

Friday we headed out to Idaho Falls. We got to see one of our favorite missionaries (the REAL Elder Furniss from our videos) while we were out there. It was great to see him! We went to the temple and the visitors center and then had a picnic by the falls - well, the kids really just ran around the whole time. Then we went to a dairy and got them some ice cream (yeah, more bad smells), but it was yummy ice cream though :)

He then took us to meet his mom and hang out at her house and she is such a wonderful person- the kids had a great time playing at her house, they are still talking about it... We can't wait to go back out and visit them again!

Saturday, Joseph's brother and family from Logan came up and we went out and got pumpkins and then took them to a place and the kids painted them. There was a costume store next door where they had 50% off some costumes and Joseph and I each picked out a costume - we are actually going to dress up this year!

Then we went back and the kids played and played! We took the kids to a corn maze - Jonathan got scared though (it was dark), so Joseph let him ride on his shoulders. We also played with hair color and all the kids wanted some in their hair! Pictures below :) Later in the evening, I attempted to do more permanent blue highlights in my hair, but no luck - it didn't work :P Going to have to try again.

Then Sunday we just hung out. The kids just had so much fun playing with their cousins!! We also went to church.. Melissa and I took naps after church and when we woke up, the guys had made a fantastic dinner for everyone! Yeah, we have good husbands. It is nice when all the kids play so well together that it makes it easier to nap and make dinner :)

We headed home Monday morning. We stopped at Shoshone Falls and the Temple before leaving town. The falls was not that impressive this time of year, but we read the it is in the spring, so we'll have to check it out then. We made it home in great time - only one quick stop!

Jonathan's quote for the trip "I think I smell a cow!" He said this so often... It was hilarious...

Pictures (more on facebook)

Idaho Falls temple with Jordan (Elder Furniss)

A voice changer that Jonathan thought was fantastic (definitely a "grandma's house" toy!) I just thought they looked so cute :)

Sabrina and her painted pumpkin and pink and purple hair

Jonathan went with for both colors too

Me with both colors

Jokes

Jonathan discovered the joke section of the Friend and has been telling the jokes we read ever since. He thinks they are HILARIOUS! He is pretty cute... Until you have heard the jokes 100+ times :P