Ten for Tuesday 12.02.08

1. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Last year we made a Thanksgiving tree for FHE and on each of the leaves we wrote something we were thankful for. The kids loved this activity, so we decided to do it again. It cracked me up to see how excited they were when I told them we were making another tree. I thought it turned out pretty cute. Kind of retro looking. Anyway, we certainly have much to be grateful for, and if you look closely, you might even find your own name on it!

2. On Wednesday the boys got to go over to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving crafts, goodies, and video games. The boys are so lucky to have such a fun grandma.

3. We ate dinner at Reed's Nana's house this year, and everything was delicious. It was so nice to have a slow relaxing day with our family. Reed got to go play in his annual Turkey bowl that morning, and he had a great time.

4. I was in charge of bringing pie this year. I made two berry pies, and one peach pie, and they were delish! (If I do say so myself!) I brought one of the berry pies home with me and ate the entire thing myself. I think I'm good on pie for the next little while.

5. I decided to brave the crowds and go shopping early on Black Friday. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I've gone, but I've never gone quite so early, and I've never done Walmart before. Anyone who knows me knows that A. I hate early mornings, and B. I hate Walmart, and C. I hate cold weather---so this combination was definitely dangerous. Before bed on Thursday I organized my shopping list and all of my store adds and coupons. I charged my phone and my Ipod, packed my purse, and set out my shoes. I tried to get to bed early, but you know. . . yeah right. . . Anyway, by the time I finally did get to bed I was way too anxious to sleep. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but there is something SO EXCITING about hunting down a major bargain! Serious adrenaline!

I was in line at Walmart at 4:30 am. Yes people, I was one of those crazy maniacs at Walmart trying not to get trampled. Valerie was there even earlier and she was so nice to bring me a couple of items while I waited in line. One thing that is great about shopping the early morning Black Friday sales is that it is prime time for people watching---which is something I thoroughly enjoy. It's also fun, because everyone is in a fun mood, chatting in line and talking about their "big get" and about previous shopping years. I was standing in line next to a lady who had never done the early morning shopping thing, and she was just cracking me up because she was so surprised by the crowds. I will not repeat the words she said when the clock struck 5 and everyone started diving on the pallets of goods, but they were choice.

This may be the only time ever that I can think of something nice to say about Walmart, so I thought I'd share them. It was so nice to wait in line inside the store rather than outside. Also, someone reminded me that Walmart price matches if you have the add with you, so I was able to get some killer deals from other doorbuster adds. Nice.

I shopped and shopped and shopped until my car was full, and then I came home. You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Such fun. I got nearly all of my Christmas shopping done in one trip. And that is what makes the early morning shopping worth it. Doing all of my shopping at one time---without the kids. Yes, I have returns to make, and odds and ends to tie up, but I am so on top of Christmas this year, and that will definitely make the rest of my December much less stressful.

6. When I came home from shopping Reed had already brought the trees and decorations up from the basement. Michael wanted to decorate the trees right away, but I was too tired, so I handed him a small box of ornaments and told him he could put it on the kids' tree. Let me tell you, Blake was SO excited, and I have not been able to keep him away from the trees. It only took moments to destroy a few ornaments. I've decided that I don't want to fight with Blake and worry about my tree all month long, so I'm just not going to put the ornaments up this year. Such a bummer, because last year the tree looked so pretty, but I just don't need the hassle. Maybe next year.

7. I was pretty much useless on Saturday, but that's okay every once in awhile, right? Reed got offered Jazz tickets for the night, and I was too tired, so he took Michael, and they had a great time. Reed told Ty that he could go to the Jazz games when he's 4. This is how my conversation went with Ty that evening:

Ty: Dad says I can go to the game when I'm 4.

Me: Really?

Ty: When I go to bed tonight, Robby's going to come home from his mission, and then I'm going to be 4, and I can go to the game.

It's so funny to me how his little minds work. Ty knows that Robby's not coming home until he is 4, and the quicker that all happens, the better.

8. So, we've had the van for just over a year, and the mileage is just over 8,000. Nice!

9. Some friends of mine in the neighborhood started a dinner swap a few months ago where each person takes one night a week and cooks enough for all of the other families. I've developed the bad habit of hanging around when it's time for everyone to come and pick up dinner. Tacky. I know. I'm not trying to be a mooch, but who really knows what is going on subconsciously? Anyway, a spot just opened up in the group, and I am going to try it out. I did this in college for several years and loved it. It was so nice to come home to a hot meal every night, but only have to cook once. But, I'm having a little anxiety. I'm not sure this will work for me at this phase of my life. I don't know what to cook that will be easy to make in large quantities---and that will travel well without getting cold and soggy. Also, will I gain 20 pounds from eating my neighbors' delicious butter and cream style cooking? What about cooking new recipes? I hate for other families to be my guinea pigs. Will they like my cooking? Anxiety! Maybe I need to re-think this. . .

10. I got my hair cut yesterday, and the girl who cut my hair had eyelashes that looked like this:

Oh! They were to die for! She said they were extensions. They cost $150-$300 a set, and need to be filled every 2-4 weeks for another $50 a pop. Never in my lifetime, but oh they were pretty!