Me v. Food

I was watching Man versus Food the other night {actually, a marathon of Man v. Food- Matt was out of town, don't judge} and as I was watching an episode in which he eats spicy tuna rolls I was transported back in time....back to a Me versus Food moment.

As Adam talked about the spiciest tuna roll, which included a red Thai chili pepper, I flashed back to a day not long after Matt got home from his mission {and immediately got heartburn just thinking about it}.

Matt took me to a friend's house for Thai food made by him and his mission buddies. They decided I needed an initiation into the world of real Thai food, and thus dared me to eat a red chili. I never turn down a dare.

I did it, and man did it hurt! Wanting to impress them all I wouldn't admit to how bad it actually was {though they all knew....they ate them for 2 years for heaven's sake}. I couldn't taste anything for the rest of the night, and I won't even begin to tell you about the day after.....but I did it!

So Adam, I may not be able to eat a 76 ounce steak but I'll take you on at spicy tuna rolls!

Christmas Festivities part 2

kids in their Christmas jammies

2:00 a.m.- that's what time Kensie came in to say she didn't want to wait anymore. Too bad we said, and told her to go back to her room until at least 4:30. Luckily she fell asleep and didn't bother us again until 5:45ish...

The kids were pleased to see that Santa had indeed come, and brought them what they asked for, along with some things they didn't ask for {but liked nonetheless}! We were all even more spoiled by our families, and received much more than we were able to give {I hope that changes someday}. Thank you all!

After some breakfast burritos and toy playing we headed to my parent's house for more fun. Despite me being sick it was a great day, and didn't last long enough {which is always the case when it comes to Christmas}.






Now on to enjoying the rest of the Christmas break!


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Christmas Festivities part 1

little shepherd {in a Roman helmet}

Christmas was fabulous {despite the fact that I came down with a cold on Christmas Eve, and still have it}. We were able to spend some time with Matt's family earlier in the week and enjoyed a party at Matt's grandma's and watching the BYU bowl game with his parents.

Christmas Eve brought the traditional celebration at my parent's house with the Hallman's {who were all wearing shirts made by Joseph that said "Max Hall Hates Me"}. We opened Christmas Eve gifts, had a yummy dinner, and performed the annual Nativity {this year with two Mary's: pre-baby and post-baby!}.


Of course, Thomas was the hit of the party, and played a wonderful Jesus! {next year we'll have to have a baby Jesus and a baby John the Baptist...}




After the play we headed home to open our Christmas Eve Jammies and get things ready for Santa!

makin' a list...checkin' it twice

Reindeer Wreath- CHECK




Cookies baked- CHECK




Presents Wrapped- CHECK




Eddie ready to go back to the North Pole- CHECK




Snow- CHECK

We're ready!

'TwasThe Days Before Christmas

We've been doing lots of celebrating....


From parties with family,

to parties at school...

From a day at the Nutcracker,



to the school Christmas sing...
{bonus points if you can spot Kensie}





What a fun time of year!

Three {more} Reasons I Love Where I Live

Number One:

Living above this-


No, those are not rolling ocean waves...it's the valley engulfed in fog/smog. This was the view on my way down the mountain this morning. Yuck!


Number Two:

Neighborhood wildlife



we love our backyard friends!



Number Three:

It's cold enough to make these-



Ice wreaths are my new favorite. They'll last about 4-5 days (or longer) in my neck of the woods. Fill a bundt pan half way with water & add whatever your heart desires. I had some cranberries and a jalapeno on hand.....Freeze and enjoy!

I also made one with baby carrots that we'll put out on Christmas Eve for the reindeer to enjoy while Santa's busy leaving us goodies. I hope they like it....if not, I'm sure our backyard friends will!!

Traditions!

*disclaimer: i "stole" this post from my friend Jill's blog. I was planning on doing a post about this but she did such a good job that I figured I'd save myself some time ;) Hope you don't mind, Jill!




A few nights ago my school friends got together for our annual Christmas Party. We have been doing this forever, and though we don't have a sleepover these days, it is always such a great night!

Here is a lovely morning shot of our 1st shebang! (we're missing Liz). LOVE the plaid boxers! I'll always remember waking up in the morning to the smell of Shosh's pull-aparts. Thanks for making them again, Jill! This Christmas Party has never failed. A couple of us may have missed a time or two, due to missions, living out of state, having babies, etc...but the show always goes on!

So, last night was our 17th annual Christmas Party. CRAZY that we've been doing this longer than we were alive at the 1st party!

This year, instead of exchanging gifts, each person brought a Christmas Tradition to share, other than the traditional advent calendars and nativity reenactments. It was really fun to hear some new ideas.

Nabby makes a doll for her mom every year for Christmas. She started when she was 7. She brought them all, and it was fun to see how her creativity has evolved over the years. One gift was a big stuffed ant, one was a quiet book with dolls that velcro on, one was a manger scene, etc...Here is a picture I stole from Nabby's blog. It's her apron gift from last year, with "dolls" on it.Andrea's family always draws names and make a homemade gift for that person. Some examples are: a binder full of favorite sheet music to play on the piano, an "autobiography" including essays and writings from the child as they grew up, a full Halloween party kit, a framed photograph for an office wall, etc... They're thoughtful and sentimental gifts.

Nicole's family always makes a gingerbread house at the beginning of December. Nicole builds the house and hides little toys inside for her kids. Then the kids decorate it together. On Christmas Eve day, they get to break it open and find their 1st gift of Christmas.They also play lots of games, and she recommended "Smarty Party."

Liz's family always makes Aebleskivers for breakfast on Christmas Day. When she got married, she was pleasantly surprised to find out her husband's family had the same tradition! She brought us the recipe, and I can't wait to make them!

My family has a Christmas blanket. Each day a different child gets to carry it around that day & sleep with it that night. They cannot wait until their turn comes around again! The kids are so funny, and come down in the morning and say, "I had the best Christmas dreams, because of the Christmas blanket!".

Jill's family always reads, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve. They all sit in a circle and her mom and aunt pass out money to everyone. There is always at least one $5 bill, a $2 bill, some $1bills and a bag of chocolate coins. Then her uncle reads the story. Every time he reads the word "the" they pass their money to the person next to them. At the end of the story, whatever is in their hands, they get to keep. Two funny twists to this, some versions say "The End," and some don't! And although you may think the chocolate coins are the dud of the prize, there have been children known to trade an uncle their $5 bill for the chocolate coins. :)

Although, there are so many "traditional" traditions, I'm always amazed at all of the other fun ideas out there. So do share some more! And in the meantime, have fun with your family traditions!

Thief #2

Here is Kensie's part in the 3rd grade play, Scrooge-
{she's the one in the middle}

So much for motherly instincts....

It's a BOY!

I was so convinced that I was having a girl. The thought of a boy hardly crossed my mind. I had a name chosen {divinely inspired while folding laundry one day before I was even pregnant}. The kids were as certain as I was. Matt was the only skeptic.

As I was watching the ultrasound I saw it. There was no mistaking. I'll admit, I was irritated. I tried not to cry- how could I have felt so sure? What about the name? Why?

I got over my pity party quickly when the tech came back in with the head honcho who told me he wanted to take another look at some things. At that moment all thoughts of boy vs. girl left my mind as I thought about something being wrong with my baby.

Long story short, he had seen a small cyst in the tissue around the baby's brain. That in and of itself was not too concerning, but if the baby wouldn't open its hand then that could be a sign of a chromosomal abnormality. They tried for what seemed like forever to get the stubborn guy to open up his fist. They jiggled him, they tried to scare him with a buzzer. They finally got him to do it and told me that if the quad screen I had taken at my last appointment {to test for abnormalities} came back normal then everything was fine.

I cried the whole way home, and called for my test results a.s.a.p.

Everything was normal.

I think it was the Lord's way of telling me "It's a boy. Get over it."

I'm over it.

and can't wait to meet this little guy!!! Now to think of a boy name.





This is how the kids reacted to the news:
we told them at Costco, thinking that a churro might butter them up....




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the card

Here's the final product:



Maybe one day I'll have the $$$ to get professional pictures taken {or get a nice camera}....

Until then, this is as good as it gets!