Whoa I am behind. It gets worse and worse as the holidays are approaching and I wish that I could be logging everything especially around this time of year. So, I'm going to be playing a bit of catch up. (mostly for my own journaling purposes)
I am currently sitting here sipping at a cup of sweet hot wassail. Oh man, if the holidays could taste like anything at all, it would wassail. I love the citrus, sweetness and spice all combined in a cup....simply wonderful! The reason for the sippage is not only because it tastes fantastically good, but more so, because I'm sick...with strep throat. Bummer. I even had to call in sick to work today which I totally hate because for some reason I always think that they think I'm lying about it. Why the guilt?!?!
Anyway, onto the catch up of my last month. I can't possibly remember ever single little thing that happened, so I will only document what I remember and if possible the dates and pictures. here goes...
November 26th
[Thanksgiving]
Woke up {not so early} and got ready to go play in the bi-annual turkey bowl. Showed up with the black paint and put our game faces on. Now we were ready. At every single one of the opposing teams [long] huddle, we grew tired of waiting for them so in order to entertain our short attention spans, we threw snowballs at them. They really didn't do anything...not even hurry. Still fun. After about an hour of playing, Oliver grew tired of watching us and he wanted to get out of the cold so we called it quits. Our team won! Dinner was going to be at 4 but we didn't end up eating until 5 when the final 2 people showed up. We were starved and ready to dive into our Thanksgiving feast. While we were eating, we went around the table a coupe of times and named a few things were were thankful for. Just to name a few- For grandams apple pie recipe, to live in this country, for wives and kids, and that Jack stopped biting me (that was Ethan's...Jack bit him earlier that day). After dinner, some people had to take off and only a few of us were left. We played a few games and called it a day. It was a very mellow day and it was wonderful.
November 27th
Shopping?
My sisters mentioned at dinner that they were going to try to go to a few places in the morning for those screaming black Friday deals. Was I in? Uh heck no??? Are you crazy! Well after some thought, I decided to give it a whirl and see what the Black Friday fuss was all about. They came to get me at 2:30 am. We stopped by at our 7-11 (and by our 7-11, I mean the one that we grew up with a house and a car shop away), grabbed some hot chocolate and free doughnuts and off to the Gateway mall we went. When we got there, we were so happy to see that there wasn't a line formed at all at Only Navy (our first stop). We thought we were the first ones until the security guards told us that the line started behind the store and that we couldn't be on mall property until it opened up. We took a picture anyway and walked around back. Fortunately, we were still pretty close to the front of the line and were still able to get the wrist bands we needed in order to get our Lego Rock band. Wha what!!! After spending way more then I needed to, we were done and I was done. I had to work later on that day so I needed to go home to get as much rest as I could. I told them to take me home...they did and I finally settled down and went to bed at 6 am!
December 1st
Happy December
I really have no idea where this past year has gone. Are we seriously in the last month of 2009??? I remember last year on the very last night of 2008, I got a little emotional thinking back on how wonderful of a 2008 year I had. I better start preparing myself for this year so that the same emotions don't suddenly smack me in the face. Happy December ya'll!
December 2nd
Cookie monsters!
We have so much fun in our ward and I strongly believe that our ward is one to be envied. We have great friendships and I think most of it has to do with the many different activities that we get to do. Tonight was Book Club Night. However, Like we did in October, we decided to fore go the book and just get together and have some fun. We had a cookie and white elephant exchange. My cookie was Snicker doodles, the gift that I took was a lump of coal and a small body butter [a personal favorite]. I ended up going home with more delicious cookies that I knew what to do with and some very cute hot chocolate mugs. Thanks ladies...as always I loved it!
December 4th
Mele kelikima???
Once again we hung out with some friends from our ward. Tonight was our Ward Christmas party where the theme was something along the lines of a tropical Christmas (sorry ladies if I got it completely wrong there). The whole place was set up as if we were in Hawaii. We had Hay stacks for dinner, slushies for dessert, A tiki bar, hula dancers, limbo and singing and it was all wonderful. Oliver got to sit on Santa's lap...that didn't go so well for him, but we got some great pictures. He'll thank us one day.
December 5th
Fillet Mignon
We have anticipated this day ever since we found out what was going to be on the menu. Luke knew that right away that he was going to order the Fillet Mignon, me on the other hand, I kept going back and forth with all of our choices. At the last minute, I ordered and it turned out that I ordered the Fillet Mignon as well. Everything that night was fantastic. I didn't eat the shrimp and mushrooms that happened to be on just about everything, but what I did eat just melted in my mouth. I can honestly say that the cut of meat I had that night was the best I've ever had. To top off the night we walked away with a dang good gift card and won the table prize for the 4th time in a row. Thank you Heath.
December 7th
Happy Birthday James!
My Nephew James turned 8 today. Congratulations to you and your baptism. We sure do wish you lived closer so we could hang out with you more. Someday we'll come visit.
December 8th
No Partying tonight
Oliver came down with something today. I didn't realize it until around 5 PM when I changed him and saw the worst rash/thing I have ever seen. It was awful and at that moment I felt like the worst mother around. I rushed him to the insta care near by. In that short time that it took me to get him there and by the time the Dr. came in to check on him, it was worse and bleeding. The Dr. Diagnosed it as a skin infection, wrote up the prescription for the antibiotics and sent us on our way. Poor little Oliver screamed every time I had to put him in his car seat. Just imagine...Getting snapped in a car seat where the seat belt is pressing against a raw sore in the worst imaginable spot...I'd be screaming too. We got home and cuddled for a bit before finally putting O down for the night. I was suppose to go out with Amy and all of her invitees to celebrate her birthday. She had a night planned with eating at Rumbi and then watching beautiful men {mainly Jacob} on the big screen {New Moon}. I was really quite sad that I had to miss it. At that moment I felt like not only a bad mom, but a bad friend too. Oh well, guess you can't win them all.
December 9th
Happy Birthday Amy
What can I say. Amy has quickly become one of my best friends. I don't know if she realizes this, but that doesn't matter. The things that I love the most about my sister in law are that she is so real with you. No nonsense, no drama, all honesty, and watching her laugh is probably one of my favorite things about her. When Luke and I were dating, I always thought that his sister hated me. Never really had a good reason to think so, but it's what I thought for the longest time. I found out how great she really was when they moved to Bountiful and we started to hang out on a more regular basis. I discovered how much I look up to her and the way she teaches and raises her kids. I loved that she sticks to what she likes and doesn't let anyone change that about her. Recently I saw her wild side when she broke out in dance...it was shocking and hilarious at the same time and really made me wish that I could be even more like her. Amy is always so willing to help anyone even though she already has her hands full with her share of kids, work, callings and many other activities she does. She is pretty much Oliver's second mom and we lover her so much for looking after our boy when we need the extra help. She rarely complains when Luke and Oliver eat all their food or when all we want to do is watch her movies. Really, I am lucky to call her my sister and friend. Happy Birthday Amy!
December 10th
Kiddos
Yesterday Trent and Amy took off to spend a few [much deserved] days down in SG. I was asked to watch some of the hoard for a few days while they were away. So I packed up my things and spent the next 2 and a half days playing and having a great time with Aiden, Andrew, Oakley and Oliver. Because it was so cold, we stayed in all day long. Poor kids. They probably think I'm the most boring adult ever.
December 11th
Kiddos again
Day two with the kids. Still felt bad that I hadn't done anything fun with them so I took them to the pet store so see the puppies, snakes, lizards, birds, fish, frogs and rodents. Their favorite were the puppies and in particular one that looked like their old dog Milo. They loved it and hated to leave the store. Much hand sanitizer and face washing was needed after this trip. After the kids were gone we indulged in a bit of movie watching at our favorite place. Watching Speed Racer in a nice home theater is pretty much awesome!
December 12th
We're a little crazy at times
Well tonight we had our second annual Baker Christmas party. This year for dinner we had soup. Following the food we had a white elephant gift exchange and ended the night with a little bit of karaoke. Taleesha and I kicked things off and pretty much became the entertainment of the night. I know that videos were taken and I really hope they don't surface to be seen by the public eye. Oh man. Thanks to everyone who came and made it so much fun. We love you guys!
December 13th
Old folks
As a ward, we are in charge of helping out at the Heritage Place (retirement home) this month. Let me just be honest with you and say that although most old people are very nice, they tend to scare me just a little. Really, I don't know if some do it on purpose or if they really just have no clue, but it scares me silly to think that there is a possibility that I may be like that one day. Yikes!
December 14th
That one party
Every year we attend the Smith Family party...and by we I mean me and Luke's family (this doesn't include Luke) In the past years, I have just hitched a ride with the Jensen's and hung out with them. Last year, Luke did manage to come because it was on a Saturday...this year, he was a no show again so Oliver and I packed up and headed out to eat, play with cousins and be visited by Santa. Oliver did fairly well this time. When it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap, he was close to crying at first, but then got over it when he saw that Santa was handing him a gift. So what did he get, you may wonder? Balls. Hopefully Next year Luke can join us in all this fun....but I won't hold my breath.
December 16th
Work and something in my throat
I woke up this morning with the strangest pain in my throat. Tried to ignore it while I was at work, but anytime I had to swallow, it was so painful. I was hoping that it was just the smog in the air that was affecting my throat, but I'm not that lucky....and does the smog really do that???
December 17th
It really hurts
Okay day two and my throat is killing me. In addition to my throat burning, I have had a pounding headache and my body feels tired and achy. The only thing that seems to ease the pain are hot showers and hot liquids. Could it be strep throat? I decided that if I had something that could be treated with a prescription, then I better be seen. I put O to bed and quickly drove to the Insta Care looking like death. Half an hour later I came out with a prescription in hand for antibiotics to treat what was in fact strep throat. I dropped of my prescription and headed to the grocery store where I loaded up on ice cream, ICEE cups and Lozenges. Hope this stuff helps and that I can have a good nights rest. Looks like I'll be calling in sick tomorrow. Blah!
December 18th
Night in...strep and painful back
Well, I got sleep. As soon as I could, I called into work telling them that I wasn't going to be able to make it. I would be contagious until 9PM tonight...what was I suppose to do??? Around midday, I felt my throat ease up a bit and my headache go away. Wow drugs really are a powerful thing. Taleesha brought me a whole crockpot full of wassail. Love her and wassail! Now that I was on my way to being healthy I was happy until....I did something to my back. I have no idea what...could it have been washing all those dishes that were piling up for days...probably, but really, whatever it was did a number on my back. I can't even walk straight. Really, I have to walk with my chest and butt sticking out. Not pretty....I look like a duck. Luke took me and Oliver our for a nice little dinner at Fire House Pizza. He has been taking great care of us sickies the past few days...Love that. Watch Julie & Julia and actually liked it. Found my I-pod that had been previously lost for a couple weeks.
16
My absolute favorite thing ever ever ever!
Midnight premiere
Happiness
Fans 
Young 
Happy Halloween 2009
Book club
In a bucket