Sneak Peak

While I am waiting for pictures to graciously be sent to me...here is a little preview of one of the happenings while in Georgia. Back to short and blond. When I feel like doing my hair appropriately (it's New Year Eve, I'm feeling a little funky today) additional shots will follow, because really, what is more exciting than pictures of my smooshed-up-way-to-close-for-comfort face??

Conclusions

1. Blogging has become another one of those things that I need to do, put off, get behind, and guiltily and half-heartedly begin again.  Kind of like exercising, or eating dinner before dessert.  New Year's resolutions to rectify all three of these issues.

2.  I hate the snow just as much this year as I did last year.  On the Friday before Christmas we got buried in snow here.  Well, buried by my terms, which is more than 6 inches falling in a less than 10 hours.  This was also the day that we were to embark on our 14 hour drive to Georgia. Meaning, I spent the day cleaning, laundering, and packing to prepare while the kids watched TV.  When I was done with all my chores, we headed outside to play in the mounds of fresh snow.  Instead we got poured on, lasted five minutes until we were fully drenched and ran inside for some hot chocolate.

3.  Driving overnight may be better than flying.  We debated all of Friday whether or not to brave the snow and start our journey South.  Allen got home at 6 pm, declared we would drive, and began loading the car.  We were on our way out of Summit by 7pm.  Out of the snow by 9.  Parked in front of my parent's house in sunny, seventy degree Georgia at 8:30 am.  No vacation days wasted traveling.  A little sleepy, but no worse for the wear.  The kids slept. ate or watched movies the entire duration.  Plus, we could bring as much crap as humanly possible.   Quite a pleasant way to travel.

4.  We (my mother included) need to do a better job of paring down Christmas.  I really tried for a small Christmas this year, but seemed to fail, pretty miserably.  I will choose to blame this on the husband and Grandmother.

That is all for now.  I have grand intentions of inundating my blog with unexciting pictures as they are emailed to me, Megan and Father.   

Miracle of Miracles

Ryder snapped this shot of Linley and I on our way out the door this morning.  Note: we are sans tights or coats, with expressions of exuberant jubilation.  This can only mean one thing: it is sixty degrees outside.  Sure, it is doomy and gloomy and raining and my photographer refused to snap a shot outdoors because his hair may get wet.  This doesn't matter.  There is no ice to be found.  Rain.  Oh heaven.

Abomination

It was 15 degrees when I took Allen to the train this morning.  And windy.  So really, much colder than 15 degrees.  Which means, it officially feels like hell.  Frozen over.  Twice.

The Return to Normalcy

Regular life has resumed.  Phew.  So, let's recap:

Saturday night before Thanksgiving- my parents arrive from Georgia just in time to catch the BYU game.  We'll leave it at that. Okay, well I'll add awesome for the Mountain West to have three teams in the top 20.  I will not comment on the order.  Sadness.

Sunday-Primary Program.  Perfectly wonderful.  Added bonus: Grandma and Grandpa present to watch Ryder perfectly recite his line, "I can help my family by setting the table."  Perfection capped off by Ryder falling off his chair at the end of the closing song.  Hello hilarity.  He obviously gets that from his mother.

Tuesday night- little sister Amanda flies in from BYU and little brother Grant flies in from Georgia.  The festivities may begin.

Wednesday- bake until my little heart's content.  And hot dang, my pumpkin cheesecake was divine.  

Thursday- Completely fabulous food surrounded by fantastic company.  Sweet and dreamy Thanksgiving.  This is the only picture shot throughout duration of trip.  Shameful.

Friday-  Awake at 3am for some serious shopping with mother and sister.  An additional 30% off everything at Saks.  What.  Happy Birthday to me.  Complete first shopping excursion at 10am.  Come home, eat, sleep, shower.  Return to shopping at 1 pm.  Arrive home at 6 pm.  Handsome hubster takes me to Benihana to celebrate the fabulousness of me turning 27.  

Saturday- say goodbyes to all.  Thank you for the wonderful time had.  It is now Tuesday and still Linley is asking every morning, "Where is Amanda? Where is Grant?  Where is Grandma and Grandpa?"  Where is the muzzle I ask.  

Sunday: Put up ghetto Christmas tree and decorate house.

Monday:  Allen's last day off.  Put up doors.  Go to BJs.  Go to bed early.

That leaves us with today.  The return to normalcy. Which means, I have really got to go do some laundry.

Looking back on the week conclusion:  I have a pretty dang fabulous life full of some pretty amazing people.

Somebody's 30...

Happy Birthday to the handsomest man I know.  Sorry you are turning 30.  You don't look a day over 29.  I promise.  

In your 30 years of life I would say some of your greatest accomplishments are:

Dating a sea of girls and being smart enough to pick the most awesome fish

Graduating from B-school with a 4.0...holy genius

Making two phenomenal babies with that awesome fish

Establishing a career that allows you to afford your awesome fish (okay, so this is a work in progress..you are only 30)

Serving a 2 year mission in the frigid cold and dark abyss

Eating the awesome fish's cooking, every night

Getting and staying super buff

Learning to love asparagus

Destroying my, well, already destroyed house, then putting it all back together, all pretty- like

Walking home from the train that one day you did it when I wasn't home and didn't get your call in time

Well, there are more, like all the really important ones, but you don't read my posts so I will stop myself.  We are excited to get you home so we can celebrate!!

Love, True Love

Hi Handsome Husband.

Remember when...

You got down on one knee and I squealed, loudly

And then you made me a princess and I smiled so hard my cheeks broke

And then we flew into adulthood

And then God smiled on us

And then we lived the dream

And then the dream sparkled

And then we took a leap

And never looked back???

It's only been 7 years, but already you have granted me a lifetime of wishes.  You are my shining star.  I love you baby!  Happy Anniversary!

Ramblings by Me

I am a fairly crappy blogger these days.  Guess my life is uneventful.  Which is a happy thing.  

I would like to briefly comment on all the junk going on in California.  

I think it is interesting that the very people preaching love and tolerance are completely incapable of implementing such tenets when the tables are turned.  What these protestors are doing is vile and disgusting and makes me even prouder to be a Mormon  for Prop 8.  So thank you.  Also, thank you hypocrites for bringing our church to the forefront.  Because of you, we have more friends than ever (maybe an exaggeration, but how awesome is it that so many different religions and sects are speaking out in favor and in behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints???).  Thank you for giving us so much credit, even though there are only 750-800,000 Mormons in California, and of that, probably only 200-250,000 are registered voters.  Thank you for believing that even with our small numbers, we were able to make such an impact so as to compel over 5.5 million people to favor Prop 8.  We really are that awesome, and it is time someone give us some credit.  

Have fun destroying our temple gates.  Enjoy spraypainting doors to homes and cars.  You have very clearly and effectively illustrated to me what a bigot looks and sounds like.  Makes me happy to know I am not one.

Gratitude

Things I am thankful for today:

1. No longer can fault be placed on the Repubs for the state of the Union

2. All States where bans against gay marriage were on the ballot passed 

3. Ability to fillibuster is still in play

4. McCain losing early so I could go to bed at a decent hour last night

5. No more bloody phone calls, television ads or mailers telling me the awfulness of people in politics

Good thing it's the thankful season.  

Turkey Time

Last night for Family Home Evening we made our Tommy-the-Thankful-Countdown-to-Thanksgiving-Turkey.  Idea courtesy of the geniuses over at Make and Takes.

We took turns saying things we were thankful for.  These things became feathers.  Each day we will pluck a feather and focus on being grateful for the corresponding subject.  The plucking will continue until Thanksgiving arrives.  Today was "school."  Ryder didn't have school, so there wasn't a whole lot of thankfulness going on.  Surely tomorrow will be better.  Unless Obama wins.  Then it will be worse.

Go Vote!

I did.  At 6am.  To avoid the crowds.  Which  I didn't.  But I did vote.  For McCain.  And  you should too.  Unless terrorists and taxes are your kind of thing.

As Promised

Let the fatness begin!!

Halloween Hooplah

The past week has been full of Halloween goodness.  We started the Trick-or-Treating last Saturday in Summit's downtown boutiques and bakeries and other shops of goodness.  It was cold and raining but the kids and I persevered.  Probably why I am still feeling like death today.  And to make matters worse, the monkeys repeatedly chose the tootsie rolls and dum-dums over the Butterfingers.  Even after all of my not so gentle prodding.  Seriously.  What a crock.

Yesterday was Ryder's preschool Halloween party.  Which I was in charge of.  Gross.  In the end though, I decided I like preschoolers.  You can do no wrong by them and they are a pretty gracious lot.  Linley came with me, and instantly fit right in.  Then again, she would probably fit in with a group of high school seniors.  Drama Queen Bee.

Today was our play group party at the church.  Again, fun.  I love little kids in costume.  Especially the boys.  They become invincible.  And Linley, well, she perfectly embodies her Drama Queen Bee-ness.  I will try to get some good shots of the kids before they head out to go trick-or-treating with daddy tonight.

Play Group Party

Pre-School Party with my fab pin-the-nose-on-the -pumpkin in the background

Drama Queen Bee

Pre-School Parade...can you find the Pre-schoolage Mutant Ninja Turtle???

And on another equally important note....Big fat huge thank you to Grandpa Z for coming out and further freshening up our home.  The new doors are such a pleasure, on the eye and temperature.  Thank you for working your butt off, freezing your butt off, and starving your butt off, all in the name of our fabulous, now less ghetto, home!!

Shoot Me

I am in no mood to blog.  It snowed today.  I have bronchitis.   My ribs feel broken.  Nope, in no mood to blog.

Pumpkin Patch

(Okay.  So those aren't pictures of a pumpkin patch. Just Linley being cute.) 

 This past weekend we ventured to the local pumpkin patch.  The monkeys loved it.  Until it was time to pick apples.  Then they melted down.  Sad since this is why I wanted to go to the pumpkin patch.  And to purchase one or a few mouthwatering pies. Instead we hurried off with no pies. No apples.  Just pumpkins.  Next year I am going to the pumpkin patch by myself.  

The view on the way home.  Pretty sexy.

Bleeding Blue

Really.  Painful.  Bleeding.

Got off to a horrific start.  Never recovered.  

Obviously the streak had to end.  Obviously it would end on the road.  What crappy timing, however.  Suck.  Suck.  Suck. 

Bye bye BCS.  It was a real pleasure.

Now onto my dilemma...do I root for Utah as the BCS buster??  Oh how I loathe Utah.  And oh how BYU must kill them.  Still, the Mountain West deserves a BCS bowl.  We have annihilated the Pac 10, stupid BCS darling.  I really do hate you BCS, with all your stupid rules and bias and crockery.  The Mountain West deserves an automatic berth.  Get over yourselves and give it to us.

Sending All My Love To You

Because let's be honest....after the past two games, you boys are going to need it.  And I have some seriously overenthusiastic fans counting on you.

PS...Thanks "A.P."  You rock!!

PPS...I so should be living in Texas right now.

Happy Fall

It has been so completely beautiful here this week. Low seventies, leaves changing, the excuse to eat pumpkin goodies at all times. I love it! We brought out the scarecrows....Linley is in love. Ryder preferred digging for worms. Is October a crazy busy month for anyone else? Last week I couldn't find a free minute. Somehow I allowed myself into getting roped into being the class mom in Ryder's class. And already I have had two meetings with another this week. What??? Plus play dates with church friends and play dates with school friends, sneaking in one last trip to the zoo before all life must end, Relief Society progressive dinner, throwing my fabulous girlfriend a baby shower, watching too much football (Allen insisted I turn off the OU-Texas game if I had any intentions of watching the boys beat New Mexico that night....rude), running to BJs and Costco several times this week to stock up on food storage, listening to Allen forecast the end of the world, do Sharing Time in Primary, and more and more painting. Busy but fabulous. I love my life :)

Countdown to Candy

Because lets be honest, it's all about the candy. I had to copy Maile after I saw this on her blog. She got the idea from Make and Takes, a craft-challenged friendly blog with great ideas to do with the kids. The monkeys loved it. Then again, they love anything that has to do with gluesticks and the thought of candy, even if it is in the seemingly very distant future. They can't wait to take off their first ring before bed tonight. Coincidentally, I can't wait to put them to bed tonight. We all win.

Because I Rock

Thanks Holly and Kim for thinking I deserve an award.  I feel so special.

Here are the rules: I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others.

Here are the questions:
1. Where is your cell phone? Desk

2. Where is your significant other? citi
3. Your hair color? bleh

4. Your mother? hot
5. Your father? genius
6. Your favorite thing? shoes
7. Your dream last night? shoes  (that is not a lie btw)
8. Your dream/goal? organization
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your hobby? shopping

11. Your fear? spiders
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? rich
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? graceful
15. One of your wish-list items? windows

16. Where you grew up? california
17. The last thing you did? cuddled

18. What are you wearing? socks

19. Your TV? big

20. Your pet? ewwww
21. Your computer? new
22. Your mood? sleepy
23. Missing someone? family
24. Your car? aging
25. Something you're not wearing? pjs
26. Favorite store? nordstrom
27. Your summer? short

28. Love someone? monkeys
29. Your favorite color? white
30. When is the last time you laughed? lunch
31. Last time you cried? dunno

I pass the award to....

Amanda Lee

Megan Brooke

Mama Tracy

Amy Gail

Sheryle

Georgia Jess

Naomi

What the Holy Cow?

**UPDATE:  Ranked 7th on a bye week.  That is a thing of pure beauty.  

That would be Ryder's favorite term when something seems a bit off....perfectly fitting in regards to this weekend in football.  Holy upsets.   Love it.  

Debating Debacle

Did you watch the debates?  I did.  Fairly lackluster with moments of spark, but ultimately left me wanting.  Wanting a few things:

1. Mitt up there to make the economy right.  Both McCain and Obama were so stinking weak on this front.  Seriously....why not give some hard answers in this hard time?  What are going to do with $700 billion stripped from your budget?  Huh?  Surely you have thought of this boys.  Your bringing change Obama...tell me what you are going to change now.  Really curious.  And Mr Straight Talk, give it to me straight.  I applaud you for at least mentioning a spending freeze....obviously more than the terrorist offered, but still not enough.  Freeze spending where??

2.  McCain to brutally attack Obama on his lack of experience.  I appreciated McCain telling the terrorist that he repeatedly didn't understand, well anything.  Obviously this is true.    However, the delivery needed some improvement.  The old man sounded a bit crotchety.  A shame since Obama really is retarded and naive.

3.  Jim Lehr to shut his mouth and not try to initiate a blood bath in the first five minutes of debating.  Useless waste of valuable time.  The boys will address each other when they feel good and ready.  Right now, I feel what they have to say to me is a bit more important than what they need to say to each other.

4.  Both candidates to watch more 24.  Hello, have you not seen Jack Bauer in action.  What is so wrong with a little torture here and there???

5.  Obama to wipe the smug look off his face.  You don't have this in the bag, regardless of what CNN is propagandising (is that even a word??).  

6.  Obama to be a crappier orator.  It is no secret McCain is pretty dang boring to listen to.  Except when he is ticked.  Then I get nervous.  This stinks because I strongly believe what he has to say is far superior to the rookie.

That is enough for now.  In conclusion....McCain is not my favorite Republican.  And this debate did nothing to make me fall further  in love with the man.  However, it did make me dislike Obama more.  Every time he spoke I felt myself getting poorer and poorer.  Or angry.  Or embarrassed for him.   He just can't cut it.  Not now.  Not when so many aspects of our country's well being is at stake.  I strongly believe this.  Not just because he is one freaking liberal democrat (although that does strengthen my standing)...the guy just hasn't been around long enough.  Hasn't seen enough.  Learned enough.   He's delusional.  I am assuming it is easy to get caught up in his delusions, but I will not fall prey.  You can't fool me terrorist.    You are no good for this country.

Feeling Obliged

I honestly have nothing of merit to blog about, but it's been awhile. My brain power is being consumed in thought and prayer for a powerless baby. My excitement is being directed to a football team that is not disappointing (another shut-out, what?!?...and three MWC teams ranked. Holy fabulousness!). My energy is being sucked dry by the cold that is creeping in on me. I think I like Fall. I know I love dressing for Fall. But I hate waking up cold. Ughh. And I really, really hate that I turned the heat on already. Gag me. I am fairly depressed that the quotes for new windows in the house were so unbelievably bloody high. Double gag me. Here's to a happy Monday!!

And here is cute Linley. She is always worth bragging/blogging about.

Introducing Graham Scott Wallace

My brother Elliot and his cute wife Tracy welcomed sweet baby Graham into the world via C-section on Thursday, September 18th at 12:47pm.  He was 7lbs, 15.9 oz, and 20 3/4 inches long. He has a full head of hair and is completely beautiful, but you can see all of that for yourself.

Sadly, baby Graham has a little bit of a fight ahead of him.  His sweet little lungs aren't quite what they should be, and will be calling the NICU home for the next two weeks.  If he has half the spunk and heart of his mommy and daddy he will be strong like ox in no time!

Tracy is keeping us all updated on her blog.  We love you Elliot and Tracy and are keeping you and that precious baby in our prayers.  And we are dying for you to finally be able to get your hands on that adorable little guy!!

Ryder Says

Yesterday on the way to school Ryder informed me that he wanted to be 4 things when he grows up. They are, in his words:

1. A man animal petter
2. A car racer
3. A running racer
4. A cowboy

Good luck with those kiddo.

Spousal Success

These past three weeks the hubster has been studying for the Series 7 exam. If he were to fail, well, he would not be asked to return to work. And I don't know if you noticed, but places to work in NYC are dropping like flies. Lehman, Merrill, now AIG, nearly all gone, in two days. Yikes.

Moving on, Allen spent all of yesterday, literally, from 1-9 in Clark, NJ testing it up, and he passed. Not just passed, kicked it's can.

Such a studly man that handsome hubster is. Congrats baby. Now that you get to keep your job, I shall celebrate with a new pair of boots. Oh, the many reasons I love you.

Bleeding Blue

Holy mother what a day of football. Did you see all the massacres happening yesterday? Sad for Ohio State and Washington. But obviously the bloodiest and most brutal beating was brought to the Bruins. Not so sad, more like embarrassing. What a game. Love you boys. Real love. Deep love. Talk about capitalizing. Pats on the bum for our defense. You rock.

What a heavenly evening. Now lets just keep that momentum going. And not get too cocky. That would be tragic.

I Remember

I am always a bit more hesitant to send Allen off into the city on this date. I am jumpy when I hear an airplane. Spending two 9-11's in Jersey City was far worse. I would stare out my window, watching downtown Manhattan, fearful I was going to see something awful at any moment and the monkeys' daddy wouldn't be coming home. Watching that stupid movie only made things worse. I don't care what anyone has to say about Mr. Bush....we have been kept safe. Thank you.

Princess Monkey is a Genius

Here is Miss Linley singing her ABC's, with a little help from her monkey brother. Enjoy!


PS
The crazy monkey is in love with pre-k. Heavenly!!

Parrtaay....I mean, Pre-School

Today was the big day for the four-year old monkey of the household. He has been so excited to start school, really, for the past two years. Today I was able to spend the day with him, and he was in complete heaven. He loves his classroom, he is already making friends, and his teacher, Mrs. Shire is delightful. He also has 2 aides in his classroom, so there is no shortage of attention for the kids (all like 10 of them). We started off the day with the usual morning routine, then went to a little breakfast party (that was a celebration for mommy's getting some freedom back, but I successfully spun it as a party for Ryder's first day of school...way to go me for making it all about him). Then we dropped off Linley at the sitters and I took Ryder to pick up a happy meal at Old McDonalds (he refuses to call it anything different), and off to school we went. I will proclaim this a perfect first day of school. Let us only hope that Monday is no different, and to be honest, this is Ryder we are talking about; the worlds foremost social butterfly. I am not worried.

I am so proud of you little man! You are such a smartie and you'll be the best pre-schooler ever.

*And it is 93 degrees today. Makes total sense now that the pool is closed.