Our big fat redneck shootin' spree

We had the greatest "date" New Year's Eve morning. We got together with Amanda and Travis and took the guns out for a little action. Amanda has never shot, and I haven't shot since I was about 17 or 18. I actually got to break out the hiking boots that I only wear to girl's camp. That was about the only redneck thing I own. Sorry, no cammo for these pics! Amanda and I had the same debate...does one wear makeup when going shooting in the middle of nowhere? Yes. Yes we do. We of course had to start out with a full breakfast provided by Maverick gas station. I think it is a requirement that if you have guns and are traveling, you have to have a 32 ouncer, donuts and a corn dog to start the day. We drove out to nowhere, then took a left. Let the fun begin! We had Dan's 30/30 and Travis's full arsenol of weapons and let loose on the sagebrush and clay pigeons. I am now obsessed with his 12 gauge. The bruises Amanda and I have on our upper arms/ shoulder from the kick are wicked cool. Our kids don't know quite what to make of what their moms did. I don't think the guys thought we would like it as much as we did. We can't wait to go back!

Random Christmas Pictures

Christmas 2008

This may go down as our most memorable Christmas to date. At 6:30 Christmas morning Dan called his mom to say that the snow was looking pretty bad, and she may not want to come up for breakfast and gifts. She said it wasn't that bad (where she was) and she would try it, and turn around if it got scary. At 7 a.m. (yea! they slept in!!!) The girls made us get out of bed and ran down to look in their stockings. For some odd reason, the socks and chapstick didn't hold their attention very long, and their eyes and little bodies kept wandering over to the tree, which held many fun looking packages under it. I threw the cinnamon rolls in the oven and started the hot chocolate, and we talked daddy into letting the girls open Santa's gift, to give the girls something to do until Nana made it over at 8. At 7:45 Dan got a call from his mom, who was hysterically crying and stuck in the snow on the road close to our house. He threw our snow shovels in the back of his truck and set off to find her. At 8 I got a call from her saying she was fine, and turning around to go home, but that Dan was helping other people get unstuck. At 8:15 I got a call from him, saying everyone was stuck, his truck had been hit (by one of our friends :) ) and he didn't know if there was any damage (there wasn't). His hands were freezing past any feeling and he wanted us to say a little prayer. I gathered the girls around, explained the situation and Bug said a sweet prayer. We spent the next hour or so trying to get a hold of him, but he was not answering his phone. By this point our power had gone out at home, I had 3 girls crying semi hysterically and I was a little stressed. I talked to Amanda, who was about to send Travis out with his brother to find him, when Dan called. He had been helping the fire dept with a few other men dig out stranded cars. Noone could go anywhere until they systematically got everyone out in order. Even the utility truck, coming to restore power was off the side of the road. One was a sweet older grandma, traveling by herself and so scared. When he got home a little after 9:45 a.m., Bug said "yea! now we can open presents!" Dramaqueen said,"don't you know, presents aren't important anymore..just that we are home together with our whole family". Dramaqueen had been crying the hardest, because she had prayed for a white christmas and thought it was all her fault that Daddy was out stuck in the snow. Poor girl! When he got home, he was soaked clear through, and took a hot shower in the dark (remember...no power!) to try and get warm.
After presents, we went to my mom and dad's, where we got snowed in and had to stay the night. We got to play with my brother and his family and had a great time!
I took lots of pictures with my NEW CAMARA and as soon as I figure out all of the ins and outs I will post all of the fun pictures from Christmas!

I'm Done

I can't believe it...for the first time in 15 years of marraige, Christmas is shopped for, wrapped and put under the tree. It's not even 3 a.m. Christmas morning, people...which is when Dan and I usually get to bed after putting together toys and bikes and what-nots. I. AM. DONE. I am so finished that I even cleaned the mudroom. I cleaned off our dresser(which is a catch all) Dan is going to think there is something wrong, that he is maybe at the wrong house. Everything is baked. The reindeer food is made and ready to be sprinkled on the snow out front on Christmas Eve. My sister and her family left today to go to her in laws for Christmas, so there is nobody extra here. The girls are happy and not arguing. Their rooms are even clean. I am just kind of wandering around aimlessly, taking it all in. So this is what it feels like to be uber-organized for Christmas. It feels...boring! I think I like it!

Let it snow!

When we first moved here it was in the middle of winter. I had a love/hate relationship with the snow. I was enthralled by it. We lived 2 hours away from snow and only saw it in short sporadic spurts before. I was scared to death of driving in it. I would get sick to my stomach and cry a little if the roads were slushy. Then, one random day, I was driving my girls somewhere and it hit me that it was snowing...hard. I didn't even realize it. That's when I knew I would be okay. Now I still complain about the snow. I think there should be rule that it can only snow during Christmas break and maybe a little while they are off track. But a part of me LOVES it! I love to watch it fall, I love how pretty everything is with a layer of fresh snow on it. I love that Christmas looks like Christmas!

Happy Birthday Dramaqueen!

Last night Dramaqueen had her birthday party. I can't believe she is 10 years old! It was a pop star event, complete with lanyard backstage pass invitations and dressing up like a pop star! the girls sang to Play station's Sing it, and did the DDR on the Wii. It was a loud party, but the girls had a blast!

FYI

We really do call Bug "Bug" at home. I'm not sure when or how it started, but even grandma is in on it. All of the other girls know that they have a "blog name" but it's never used other than on this blog. (okay...truthfully Crazygirl really is crazy), but Bug has just always been Bug. I think it is because she is so stinking tiny. Anyway, just felt like throwing that little tidbit of information out to the universe!

is it just me or is it getting itchy in here?

Since my little episode with the cantalope and missing Twilight (which I FINALLY saw by the way...thanks Amanda!) I had to go see an allergist today. He had to do that scratch test to test for any other allergies. We got there and it was (no joke) 53 degrees in their office. The heater had broken and it had just been blowing out ice cold air. Can you say COLD? After the initial exam etc. the nurse had me remove everything from the waist up and put on one of those little paper gowns. I was really nervous about the upcoming test, and how I was going to react to it, so I wasn't thinking about the fact that my exam room was corner room with 3 LARGE windows, and the blinds were all open...facing a day care. Luckily Dan did, and jumped up to stop me from sending dozens of children to years of electroshock therapy. Once the blinds were properly shut, we prceeded with changing and the test. They brought in a little space heater for me...but as I type this 2 hours later I am still shivering. The test wasn't bad except for the BURNING on parts of my back from it itching so bad. The doctor was impressed with how many things I am actually allergic to. Who knew? No more lawn mowing for me!!! I get to go in 1 or 2 times a week for allergen immunotherapy shots. oh yippee. good news, though. I found that I am officially not allergic to chocolate (yea!) and even better, am REALLY allergic to cats. For years I have been telling the girls that I am allergic to owning a cat, but now it's official!

Festival of Trees

Bug and her dance team performed their Christmas dance at Festival of Trees, which is a fundraiser of sorts for Primary Children's Hospital. Since we have used that hospital more than I would have ever thought in the last few years, we are extremely grateful for the way they specialize in pediatrics and love to help them in any way possible!
Bug's team did great. There is nothing cuter than 5 and 6 year old girls in tutu's!!!

Thanksgiving weekend

We had such a busy and fun Thanksgiving weekend. On Thursday we spent the morning watching the parade and putting up the Christmas tree. We then went to mom and dad's for dinner. My Brother and his family from CO came to town for the holiday. My other brother came down also and my MIL came. It was really fun! We spent the afternoon playing Guitar Hero world tour and Disney sing it on the Wii. Of course the evening was spent planning out the shopping strategies! Friday we got up later than usual. We actually slept in until 5:30 (gasp!). I know, I know, we really weren't into it this year!!!! By the time we got to the store at 6:15 am, most of the stuff I needed was gone. Oh well! We go more for the fun than the die hard shopping. It was Dancingqueen's b-day (14!!!) so we went to Olive Garden for lunch, then took her shopping and went to a movie. One of her favorite guy friends made her brownies for her birthday topped with 24 Hershey kisses. He's a good baker, we're going to stay on his good side! We ended the night by going to Temple Square with my brother's family to see the Christmas lights. The girls were all so excited to hang out together. We realized we could have been at a McDonald's Playland for all they cared! We spent Saturday shopping and playing with the cousins again. It was fun to play with family and just spend time together.