Christmas, Giblets, and Tasty's

Hello blog readers. Here's my Christmas post, now that everyone is completely over Christmas and is no longer in the mood to read about it. Or write about it, for that matter. I do have to say, however, that on Christmas morning I opened my eyes and rolled over to find that Santa had brought me exactly what I wanted for Christmas: Jason and Addie, my cute little family, all healthy and all together. What more could a person ask for? It was a happy Christmas indeed. "Enough mushy stuff," you're thinking. "We want to see the presents!" How about just some photos instead?

Grandpa, Uncle Nate, Aunt Caitie and Addie playing with a pink raquetball.

Jason resting on his new pillow tie. Yes folks, this tie inflates for comfortable in-church napping.

We had our own Christmas at home before we left. Addie got a Mr. Potato head and some Mega Blocks. Oh, and a potty and some bubble bath.

This was at our Christmas event at my parents' home. They got a new piano and so Grandpa and Addie plunked out a few songs together.

Addie was not very much into presents and unwrapping. No, my child was far more interested in the edible parts of Christmas. If we had attached a thought translator to her forehead this is what we would have heard: "Food! Food! Food! Why are there so many nicely wrapped obstacles in my way?! Food! Food! FOOD!!!" I think I was more excited about her presents than she was. Okay, I'm positive I was. Hey, who do you think plays with her all day everyday? And who do you think keeps her toys warmed up for her while she's napping? A new batch of toys is something to really look forward to.

This was taken right after she woke up, but this is about as excited as she got all morning. The donkey next to her sings "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch (you know that I love you)" and she seemed to enjoy turning it on and letting it sing right in her face as she ate some cereal. She also learned how to turn it on and off in the middle of the song, so she's been putting together some remixes. The same goes for a little ride-on-car she got from my parents (e.g. "Do you know the muffin Do you Do you Do you know the muffin man that Do you Do you").

Caitie and Cami got dwarf hamsters from Santa and were really excited about them...until one of them bit Caitie. I was downstairs doing my hair when she came down and asked me if I wanted to take home her hamster. I asked her why and she told me her story about getting bit. I asked if she bit it back. It might surprise you to know that she didn't. "We might have to get rid of them if they bite again. Do you want to take it home?" I dried her tears with the blow-dryer and then told her that I don't want a biting hamster, either. "Maybe it just needs to get to know you a little better," I said. I never heard anything more about it, so I assume the friendship is progressing nicely now..

Along with some movies, a four-wheeler ride, and some other fun stuff we also went on a hike to view some Indian pictographs. I quite enjoyed it since I've been itching to go on a hike for some time now.


Yesterday we went to Wheeler Farms with Jeff (Jason's cousin), Melenie, and Adam. You might think that 30 degrees is not an ideal temperature to stand outside in for longer than a millisecond (two if you're a polar bear), but you would be forgetting one important benefit of being out in the cold: no one else is out there. You can park wherever you want. There are no lines, no crowding, no competition whatsoever. We were Wheeler Farm Royalty. One con to being out in the cold is that nothing is open. No milking cows or feeding chickens. No snacks or "Gifts Made in Utah" (actual sign). You are on your own. If the turkeys gang up on you and tear out your giblets no one will know until spring. So, we were Wheeler Farm Royalty Survivor-Style. I know, I made that sound so appealing that you're already yelling at the kids to grab their coats and get in the car. Have fun.

This is the only picture I took because it was too cold to get the camera out.

I wanted to have this done for Christmas but it's far more work than I anticipated. It will be fun when it's done. And it better be fun forever because I don't think I'll make another one after this. My dad made the PVC pipe frame that comes apart for easy storage or transportation. I've been working on sewing the tent part and this is what I've got so far:

The front, complete with a mail slot and sliding drapes.

The side (the other side will hopefully look just like it), fancified with a flower box (flowers are removable so you can put in new ones or candycanes or whatever fits). The inside has pockets for storing toys and things stolen out of garbages or mom and dad's room.

The back (or other front). I'm currently working on this one so it's still missing the striped valances, the sprinkles on the ice cream cone, and the window shade with the "Closed" sign. This side is for her to run her own business, whether it be a diner, ice cream parlor, or candy shoppe. It says Tasty's on the top, which I think covers just about anything she'll want to vend from her little store. I figure she can use the window as a service window and take orders through it as well as serve food. After I finish this side I'm going to do the other double window side and then the roof (which will be pink with scalloped edges). Then it will be finished forever. She already thinks it's fun even though it's all currently safety-pinned together. I'm glad she plays with it now since it is taking over the entire front room.