January 3, 2011

We started off our day having brunch at Market Street Grill With Jay and Nghia (which this is not actually a picture of... well, it is Jay and Nghia, just not at the restaurant).  I have been a terrible friend and just barely gave them their Christmas card and gift.  They looked great and were fun to be around. I wish I saw them more often.

Following brunch, Patrick spent the rest of the day alone while I went to the school and tried to get some work done.  Some organization happened and until this hour (2 am) I have been working on my Science grades for Mr. Wood and will momentarily retire for the night without a complete product for him.

I hired Liv and Cord to work for me and they were really hard workers.  The Rhoton's joined us and helped for a good 45 minutes as well.  My goal is to limit procrastination and stay on top of things. Three and a half hours till it's time to get started.... Goodnight!

New Year's Day

Breakfast of Champions: Reese's Puffs, Pop Tarts, Nutty Buddies, Hot Chocolate, and Soy or Rice Milk.

The kiddos hung out, rocked out on the Wii, and played board games until about 11:30 when Clint came to pick up Joey and Angel for his family get-together.  Joey and Angel went sledding and exchanged presents with the Deckers.  Meanwhile I went to the School and Mandy's to grade some papers and watch Grey's Anatomy (which she is getting me hooked on - but making me start with season 1).  We got through 1 episode, a new seating chart and some grading while stopping periodically to run children around.  Cole, Cord, and some friends went sledding (don't worry, it was sunny and warm with a high of 13 degrees).

Dinner was Betos' chips, salsa and guac; which we enjoyed while watching Good Will Hunting until Mommy Mandy was wanted but unfortunately she was stuck in my driveway due to a snow (ice) hill under the car. It ended up she just needed a little push and was off.

Patrick and I hung out the rest of the night, relaxing.

New Year's Eve

We wanted to start our new year with some of our good friends: the Willdens and the Rhotons.  During the day we went to Boondocks and played Laser-tag, enjoyed the XD Theater and played lots of games.



We had tacos for dinner and then played board games, Rockband, Guitar hero, Wii Dance and Sing it until just before midnight.

The Willden family told us that their tradition was to grab pots and pans to make noise with for one whole minute at midnight.  Instead, we grabbed all the musical instruments around and used those while screaming and yelling on the porch. After brining in the New Year, parents went home and the kids had a sleep-over.  When I finally went to bed at 3:30 I could still hear Kristyn, Kaley and Liv talking.

As you are trying to imagine Patrick and Bristol taking part in all of our fun activities, don't.  After returning from Boondocks they watched football and then TV.  The only time I heard them even address the rest of us was after throwing a pillow at the basement door didn't successfully close it, so they had to tell one of the kids to do it.

(Incidentally, it has been years since I was able to stay awake until midnight to bring in the New Year.)

Officially Hooded

Today was graduation and I was officailly hooded, twice.  I have to say I was impressed with the UVU Commencement.   There was a touching speech given by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs for the US Dept of Interior, Larry Echo Hawk.  It was a long day for the the kids though.  The Convocation for the School of Education was very nice, my friend Wendy gave a witty, humerous, and honest speech about the graduate program.

Gardening

We did some serious gardening today.  I thought it would only take a couple of hours to plant 41 plants.  I was very wrong... six hours later we are done....

Last but not least, here is our beautiful view.... there are literally millions of birds who live in those reeds! It is really fun to go out and listen to them in the morning.