Cookies for Santa

Today the boys and I made cookies for Santa. They are all great cooks and enjoyed rolling out the dough, using the cookie cutters, and making the frosting. They loved every part of baking and decorating the cookies. Their favorite part was...

Being the taste testers. I had to send each of them several times to rewash their hands because I caught them with their fingers in their mouths again and again (Santa is one lucky guy).

Good job boys the cookies turned out great. Now, maybe Santa will leave something under the tree for you.

The Grinch

Every year at Christmas time we get a visit from the Grinch. When it first started happening the boys would get scared and cry, now they look forward to it and talk about it all year long. The Grinch is great! He does things like take the boys' gifts from under the tree and pretends to steal them, drops candy on the floor and waits for one of them to pick it up then kicks them while they are bent over, and then gives them a great treat bag complete with stink bombs for the boys to use at their discretion (thanks Grinch).

This has become a great tradition that will make some wonderful memories.

Justin's friend, Joe, is the Grinch. Thanks Joe for being so willing to come every year, we love it.

Trevor and Danny's Christmas Program

It doesn't matter how many Christmas programs I have been to, I love to watch them all. I love listen to the songs and watch them sing them. I get tears in my eyes every year for some crazy reason. This year they did great, we were so proud of them!

Christmas Tag

Rachel tagged me...so here goes.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for sure, I think it looks better under the tree and snooping eyes can't see what is inside.
2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial all the way. It took me 8 years to finally convince Justin, and I am never going back.
3. When do you put up the tree? As soon after Thanksgiving as I can convince Justin. This year the day after, he is getting easier to sweet talk every year.
4. When do you take the tree down? I am usually ready for it to be put away by the day after Christmas, but it is definitely done by New Years Eve.
5. Do you like eggnog? Heck yes, and I am with Rachel -give it to me straight.
6. Your favorite Christmas gift as a child? I think I was 14 and I got the Robin Hood Prince of Thieves video, I loved that movie and it was my first movie of which I am an avid collector. I currently have the movie on DVD and still have the video I got when I was 14.
7. The hardest person to buy for? Anybody in Justin's family, I always feel like they are going to hate what I get and I am nervous about giving it to them all of Christmas.
8. The easiest person to buy for? Danny, I love to watch him open anything because he gets so excited and he appreciates everything.
9. Do you have a Nativity Scene? Yes, the Willow Tree one, it is beautiful, I would display it all year if I could.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? What?
11. What is the worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of anything.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? The Christmas Story.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I always have good intentions, I start thinking about it in August but I never start until much after that. This year I started last Week. Every year for our anniversary on the 18th we do the bulk of it. What a romantic way to spend our anniversary!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember.
15. Favorite thing to drink at Christmas? Eggnog.
16. Lights on the Tree? Yes, white.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night by just about anybody.
18. Travel Christmas or stay home? I would rather stay home, be cozy, and watch the boys enjoy their new toys.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I tried tonight while singing Rudolf with Preston but I think I said Donnor twice.
20. Angel or star on the tree? Angel.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas? I have been trying for our entire marriage to get Justin to let us open one gift on Christmas Eve, even if it is just the pajamas, but he will not budge so we open gifts on Christmas.
22. The most annoying thing about this time of year? The tacky blow-up Christmas decorations people insist on putting on their lawn every year.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? All I want is this semester to be over and to have time to just be a wife and mother even if it is for 3 short weeks. I can hardly wait.
We would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas!

Take My Picture

This morning after Preston was finished getting ready for school, he must have thought that he looked pretty good because he asked if I would take his picture. I set him up next to the Christmas tree, he smiled his handsomest smile, and I took the picture. When I was finished he said, "Now put that on the computer." I assumed he meant that I should blog the picture. So, with out further ado, here is Preston!

Festival of Trees

The boys visiting with the Talking Tree

Danny is showing off the tree his class decorated

Trevor (the Punk) thinks he is to old and cool

to talk to Santa

Preston wants a Handy Manny

Danny wants an X-Box 360. (That is a dream, you

keep on asking Santa and say a few prayers and it might happen.

NOT! )

Working at the hospital does have some perks. Every year the hospital sponsors the Festival of Trees and hosts a reception for the employees and their families. We love to go. The kids get to see Santa, we get to see some beautiful trees and of course the food (our favorite). The festival is a fun way to start the Christmas season.

Yard Work Day

When we bought our home in May we had no idea about the beautiful flower gardens that came with it. All summer long we were thrilled with each and every bloom (and there were thousands). We didn't even mind the weeding that went along with our beautiful yard because it was finally ours. Justin and I would walk around the yard and notice how the previous owners had a wonderful green thumb and talk about how nervous we were that we would wreck the whole thing. The first time we ventured out to weed, Justin's mom had to come over and show us which of the plants to keep and which ones to pull out. Today the weather was nice enough that we could go out and clean the flower beds for the winter.

I can hardly wait to see the flowers again in the spring, but for now I am glad that we were able to work together to clean up the yard for the cold months ahead of us.

Holy Smokes

Ryan, Jonathon, Preston, Sarah, Addie, Grace, and Me.

Trevor, Danny, and Ethan aren't even in the pictures. There were a ton of kids here. What a lot of fun. Thanks Jo and Rach for letting us watch them.
This is one heck of a leg workout.

Today we were able to babysit for my sisters Rachel and Joanna. Our house was full of kids but I think everybody had a great time. I now know why I don't need to have any more children, I have plenty of young nieces and nephews to fill whatever void I may feel (particularly the nieces).

Sweet Boys

Last night Preston wasn't feeling well and needed some cuddle time. I had to get ready for work and Justin was cooking dinner and we were unable to give him the time he needed. In my mad rush to get dressed fast enough to have supper with my family and make it to work on time, I walked into my room and found that my sweet Danny was able to give Preston the time he needed. I am so grateful that my boys are so loving and sweet with each other.

Steve's Quiz

I think I know the answer to almost all of the questions. I want to know if there is a prize for the person who gets the most right.
1. I am pretty sure Joanna had her hair sucked up into the vacuum cleaner several times.
2. I'm not sure who sang the song at Porter Park, but I would guess Gwen.
3. Matt's favorite meal was milanaisa or naked spaghetti.
4. Joanna would throw shoes at poor Gretel when she would snore.
5. Matt and Justin were the Mullet Men.
6. "She had to go bathroom" was from the movie Annie.
7. I think Stephen hung from the moving car, but we all stood on the back bumper of the van while Matt would back it in and out of the garage when Mom and Dad were gone.
8. I think Stephen dressed up like a girl for Blake.
9. I don't know who Steve was supposed to look like but it was pretty scary.
10. I graduated in 1996.
11. Mom and Miriam were both in a Company of Wayward Saints. Mom directed the one Miriam was in.
12. Josh was born on 9-21 but it was in 1979. I was born in 1978.
13. I am not sure who was nicknamed after underwear but I think Stephen is a jerk for bringing it up.
14. Gwen was the mastermind behind "ladies lingerie."
15. Mom would always say, "When I get back, this house had better shine like the top of the Chrysler building" (another quote from Annie). Mom would also say, "When I come home it had better look like a ten man crew from Ace went through here!"
Good memories Steve, that was fun. I'll have to think for a while about my questions.

Happy Halloween

Don't they look great!

Riding with the cousins in the back of Justin's truck. They all loved it.

Telling stories about their favorite parts of the day before saying goodnight to each other. Relieved that we are finally home, and the boys are in bed.

Man we love Halloween. It give us a chance to dress-up in great costumes, get free candy, and get a little scared all in one day. This year we accomplished all of our goals. Trevor was a handsome gangster, Danny was his hero, and mine, Rocky (be still my beating heart), and Preston was an awesome Astronaut (if you asked him he was a Yasternat). We went trick-or-treating with my sister Joanna and the cousins (Rachel's kids). We went to the Mystique's spook alley and had the daylights scared out of us. Then we visited Miriam and trick-or-treated her neighborhood (more candy). Last, but no least, we stopped by the bowling alley to visit Grams and Grandpa. What a wonderful day, one that we will remember for a long time.

Livin' It Up With Debbi

I feel I should let you all know what a joy it is to live in a house with a soul like Debbi. If you have ever met Debbi, you can imagine how entertaining it is to live with her. Boring is never a word that would be used in describing her at all. You can always count on her to do something that will keep you laughing. Her Stallone and Neil Diamond fetish concerns me a bit because it is rubbing of onto the boys. She is full of energy all the time and is always on the go. Being so full of energy is a must when you are working full time, going to school full time, and being a mom full time. Then she still has time to add in things like training for a marathon. The running habit she has picked up may just kill me before it is all said and done. She is willing to try almost anything as long as it doesn’t include being anywhere near a rodent (if you want real excitement, put a mouse near her, sit back, and enjoy the show). She loves to laugh and it is very contagious. Even after being married for almost 10 years (10 years? She IS getting old), she is always surprising me with how much fun she is. I am thankful every day for her and am glad that I get to be there to enjoy the person that she is.

Good Job Boys!

Fam-O-Lantern Night

Friday nights is a great night around the Meyer house, it is our family night. Tonight, for family night we made our Halloween jack-o-lanterns. Danny sweetly said, "What a great family night." Everybody had to agree. We all look forward to Friday nights at our house.

Our Reading Super Star

Danny ran in from school today showing us a blue lizard that he got to pick out of the treasure box for reading 26 books and passing all of the tests for them. Not only did he surpass his reading goal but he started at zero 2 weeks ago. We are so proud of him! Congratulations baby, keep up the good work.

Chris's New Tag

Chris got bored with the quirky tag, so he decided to mix things up a bit. He wants me to answer the following 12 questions as my brother, Stephen. I hope I can do you justice, Steve.



1. Who was your favorite past president? I have always been fond of Ben Franklin, he discovered electricity and everything while being president of the U.S., what a cool guy. He was the president, right?



2. What is your dream job? Are you kidding, I already have it! I am a professional doughnut taster. Who could ask for more than that?



3. Do you floss, and how often? (be honest) I floss my front 4 teeth every time I eat corn on the cob, I hate it when the kernels get caught between the cracks.



4. What is the grossest thing you have ever eaten? I'm not sure, but it had to have been in Guatemala while I was on my mission. What ever it was made me friggin' sick.



5. What is your least embarrassing moment? When I was a little boy I used to stand in the middle of the street and scream and my sisters (Joanna and Rachel) would come out and beat me up until I either stopped screaming or got out of the middle of the street. A lot of people think that would be embarrassing; but it wasn't cause I did it all of the time.



6. Have you ever knowingly eaten feces? (any type) I'm pretty sure I have, remember I went to Guatemala and got friggin' sick. I am positive that was feces related.



7. What is the grossest thing you have ever smelled? Newdale during the potato pit cleaning season. There is nothing like taking a step out your front door and inhaling in a deep breath of rotting potatoes.



8. What gives you gas? (be honest) The better question is: What doesn't give me gas? Sarah has just started wearing a gas mask on a regular basis. I must admit I think she is awfully sexy in a gas mask.



9. Who is someone you used to admire, but now do not? I used to admire Debbi, but after this I think I am going to erase her phone number from my phone and never talk to her again. I guess I'll just stick with President Franklin.



10. What cartoon character do you hate the most? I hate, hate, hate Bugs Bunny, he out smarted Elmer Fudd every time. Poor Elmer.



11. What is your second worst pet peeve? When people poke me in the belly and giggle like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. JERKS!



12. Finish this sentence: "Once when I was out of underwear...." That happened just this morning. I put on a pair of Sarah's, they're a little tight but the support is insurmountable.



Now Joanna gets to answer the questions like she was Miriam, and Steve like he was Josh. Have fun.

Mom, Can I Help You?

Joanna was kind enough to give us a start to make Amish Friendship bread and yesterday was baking day. Preston loves to help in the kitchen, especially when it is time to bake sweets. I have to admit he is a great help and the real talent in the kitchen. Thanks for the start Jo, the bread was yummy.

Finally Preston Got Tagged

Deryk tagged Preston and he is so excited. I am excited too, because now Justin is the only one in our family who has yet to be tagged and he can answer the questions by himself. I asked Preston to tell me the things that he likes about himself and here are his answers as he said them.

1. Uhh, I like to go to go to school so I can be safe.

2. I like to play with my friends.

3. I like to play outside in the snow.

4. I like to play with my toys.

5. I like to read books with my mom and dad.

6. I like to play with trucks.

7. I like Porter, Eva, Daniel, Trevor, Stephen, Sarah, Gracie, Ethan, Grams,Rachel..., and everybody else in his family. (I had to stop hip somewhere or he would have gone on to name every member of his family.) And also Grandpa. (He added as I was finishing typing this.)

Preston would tag 3 other people if there were 3 people left to be tagged. This was a fun game and I am excited to read all of the remaining unanswered tags that are still out there. (Miriam, everybody in your fam has to name their quirks so you had better get on it.)

Preston definitely put the finishing touches on our family. We are so lucky to have him.