Look what Ella's Getting!

Just look at her new big girl bed! This was a deal Thanksgiving weekend at a local furniture store. Usually we spend days, sometimes weeks, reflecting on our big purchases but at the price it was at we knew we couldn't wait. Brandon did check a couple places and no one could beat the price. The closest someone could get was within $60 so we knew it was a pretty good deal. I think it's beautiful and is a style that will work now and when she's older.

I just got the call that it's in the warehouse. Our lucky little girl will get her pretty new bed as soon as Daddy can get down to Salt Lake to pick it up.

Christmas Greetings

Every year I torture myself to save a few bucks, okay, a lot of bucks, by taking my children's Christmas photo myself. Each year it has gotten harder and harder. Am I the only one with goofy kids?

Take One

Take Two

Take 3

And after this shot Ella just up and left the room, Christian started crying and I said a bad word. *blush*

Take 4

Take 2,394,872,938

After much sweat and many tears we came up with a shot that was okay.

The almost final card.

I made Christian's head bigger in the little circle thing on the actual final card and I changed the wording a bit but I forgot to save the final product. LOL

PHEW! We don't have to try again for another year!

I got TICKETS!!!!!

To Wicked!!!

After getting the busy signal at least 100 times

being on hold forever

and refreshing the computer screen at least 100 times.

I got 8 tickets!

They are already selling for around $300 on KSL.com.

Too bad these are all promised to other people otherwise cha ching! LOL

Look:

Thank you for your interest in our events.
Due to an unprecedented amount of demand on our website, we have been forced to close this method of sale for the time being.

To purchase any tickets at this time, please visit us in person, at the
Capitol Theatre
Abravanel Hall
or
Rose Wagner Center
or call us at 801-355-2787,
or toll-free at 888-451-2787.

Wicked is now Sold Out!

Hanukkah at the Parish's

Conversation heard from the other room last night.

DAD: "That's IT! Christmas is cancelled!"

CHRISTIAN: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"



PARKER: It's okay Christian! We'll just celebrate Hanukkah!"

Do you believe in elves?

Apparently my son does.

Tucked in our Christmas tree I found this letter with 2 candy canes.

To: Elf

From: Christian Parish

Dear Elf,

Can I call you Elf? What is your real name? Is the green stuff magic? I want a pet elf in my house. You can sleep in my tree. But in the daytime turn into a statue so my brother doesn't find you. But you have to be careful I have a cat. You can play my Wii. While you are a statue I will show you around. I know your name will be Someone or Snowflake.

Your new friend,

Christian

So I asked my son.

"Christian what's this?"

"It's for our elf."

"We have an elf?"

"Yes all families do. They watch you and stuff."

"Who told you this?"

"My teacher. It's been there for 3 days Mom and I guess he's not coming to our house."

Tears begin welling in his eyes. If you know my son you know this is a bad thing.

SO what's a good mother to do? One who is wondering when that last Santa believing year will be? She goes out and searches the ENTIRE town of Logan for two hours for an elf statue of some sort. Funny thing is, we had some elves from Brandon's grandmother. Where they are now who knows? Figures.

The good news?

An elf ornament (well really a gnome, insert rolling eyes here) has been secured from ShopKo of all places and Daddy says when Christian's room is clean the elf will magically appear.

My kids are SO going to need therapy some day.

PS As soon as our gnome, I mean elf, appears I'll be sure to update with pictures.

HO HO HO!

Our annual trip to Christmas Village and Santa Clause

Our favorite house:

Watch out Snowmen! The chili is HOT!

Christian wants Legos

Parker wants a remote control plane

Ella wants dollies!

This years ornaments

Ella's

Parker's

Christian's

Mommy's

Daddy's

Family

Decking our Halls

Decorating the tree.

The angel gets put on 3 times!

We are very adventful. Add these to the chocolate calendars, our Lego advent calendar and our countdown clock. You can't miss Christmas in this house.

I think they are now sufficiently decked!

Merry Christmas!

Today I got a special surprise! A present from a far away friend, Kristen in Florida. I love it!

Thanksgiving Weekend Continued

The rest of the weekend

Day Five ~ Sunday

No pictures today either. :(

After a very sleepless night we were thankful that we were in Ogden to take Ella to the pediatrician's office where she was diagnosed with croup. Remember I was just thankful for healthy kids? Guess my luck ran out.

The boys got to help Grandma decorate her tree and we got to go spend some time with Grandma Joyce. :)

Day Four ~ Saturday

The boys have been waiting for today! Tonight we went to Ballet West's Nutcracker Ballet. They have never been to the Nutcracker but have been counting down with anticipation. Parker had no idea what he was in for!

We started the night off with dinner at Cafe Rio

As we were standing in line we realized the first time we went there Parker had to be held up to the see the tortillas cooking. He's getting so big!

Yummy food!

Waiting for the show to start

And since there's no cameras allowed during the ballet I borrowed one. The best part was Parker's commentary.

Parker: "Are those real kids?"

Dad: "Yes."

Parker: "If I stand up will they make me stay standing the whole time?"

Mom: (trying hard not to laugh) "No."

We had a long talk on the way to the ballet about appropriate etiquette which included why we dress nice, no talking and staying in our seats.

The second Act was especially painful for Parker. In between wiping his face on my jacket, patting us, laying on our laps, putting his feet on us and hanging upside down in his chair he asked,

"Dad what are those?"

Dad: "Sugar Plum Fairies"

Parker with a giant roll of his eyes: "Well when are one of those Sugar Plum Fairies going to kill another mouse?!!"

Day Three ~ Friday

I have no pictures of today because there was no time! I shopped til I dropped!

My Mom, Nat and I left for Walmart at 2:30 a.m.

Then ShopKo

Then I went to:

Gymboree

Sears

Sports Authority

JoAnn's

And after realizing it would be at least 2 more hours until they could cut my fabric after I had already waited 1 hour I threw in the towel. :(

Then 2 Famous Footwear's

Hallmark

Walmart again

I haven't been that tired in a long time!

Thanksgiving Weekend a Photo Story

Day Two ~ Thursday ~ Turkey Day

Kids on the roof!

A new dress!

Christian made place cards

Food

& Family!





Day One ~ Wednesday

The preparations begin

Turkey Cupcakes

Pies

Pies

and more Pies