Christmas time....

Well, as you can see above me and Erin have decorated the living room. Took around 40 minutes of hard work with only one 25 minute break. The best part is if you look at the lower left end you'll see some beautiful yuletide statues. I took the time to shape and put them in the kiln. Erin then painted them. It was great. We found a perfect nook in the tree where Eli can perch without harm of falling out. He is really loving that tree and the Christmas experience he's having.
Whatever you do don't look too close at the frame of the picture over the fireplace. I'm ashamed I had anything to do with it!

It's company Christmas time! You know what that means....companies are paying for Christmas parties! Yeah! I actually love company Christmas parties. I've been blessed with cool bosses for me and my wife that care about their employees and throw good parties. I've had tons of fun.

I've been to two already and have my Dad's company party left. Here are some of the highlights so far.

1. Last year I gave a gift, it was a shirt that said "I heart Medicaid workers." It appears that the person who ended up with the gift was so upset that she didn't come to this years party. I don't know if I should be offended or honored by that. Honestly, who doesn't love me and what I do?

2. Someone brought and gave a live rabbit this year...I can't imagine how many health codes it breaks to bring animals into the hospital. The good news is that the person who "won" it screamed when she first opened the gift than was happy because she lives on a farm. It was a wonderful gift from the cosmos!

3. The other party I was at gave out two more live animals!

4. Watching the married girl uncomfortably hit on the single new guy. Really uncomfortable.

5. The other party gave out condoms and other "stimulants." This party was thrown by a bunch of therapists some of them which are sex therapists. It's a great and hilarious party.

6. Watching me and Erin clean up on the prizes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to give mine back cause we won so much.

7. Great food

8. Me and Josh wrote a letter from "headquarters" about how those who didn't get the H1N1 vaccine would have to cordoned off from the rest of us, made to be objects of curiosity for the vaccinated, herded in and out of the building by dogs and the physical facilities managers and have their wages garnished to pay for their upkeep. The best part was that some people took it seriously and were really offended.

9. I was really, really and I mean really tired yesterday. I got out of the shower and forgot to put on deodorant. It wasn't until the end of the party that I realized how bad I stunk (that room got so hot!). I had to go home and shower, wash my coat, now we have to wash the sheets, and I have to shower again. It was a living stink!

10. And the best part about Christmas parties is that there are more to come.

If you have any good christmas party stories let us know in the comments section.

What's in the box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I'm thankful for....a timeless journey through the medium of picture.

Hey everyone, it's about time you all knew what I was thankful for instead of spending needless hours wondering. You could be spending those hours with your family or looking for your future family. I feel so guilty. So to end the mystery here is what I'm very thankful for this year (subject to change). Note, I already made a macaroni mosaic to show why I love my family.
1. Scented candles: How they tickle the nose and relieve the senses. I wondered if I should put this or not because I've also had my problems with these lovely candles. You see in my mind everything that smells good should taste good. More then once has Erin come home to see my teeth filled with waxy sweet scent. Will I ever learn?
2.That kind, gentle, mischievous face taught me it was OK to laugh again....Thank you Ricky, excuse me...Ricker!

3. The first step in healing some of the racial wounds that plague are county were taken by this odd duo. Mr T and Corbin Bernson. They laughed til I cried. In this particular picture, if I remember correctly, Corbin was about to show Mr. T his buttons.

4. Mmhh, delicious and colorful. Also, allegedly the first thing that I jammed way too far up my nose.
5. Would it be the holidays without eggnog? I think not! I can only hope that they finally come out with grape flavor.
6. This, my dear friends, is Bravestarr, yes with two rr's for extra arr. This not so gentle hero taught me all that I needed to know to be a man in today's world. Mostly, make friends with horses that can stand upright, talk and shoot guns. Always have a hat. Never leave any setting without first giving a moral lesson. People love it. Especially when I do it at the gas station after buying a pop. Subsequently, Maverick you know I will find where you put the PA announcing system!!!!
7. Need I say more? No, but I will. This gentle balm has healed everything from a broken heart to mouthful of leprosy. Also, soothes a baby to sleep while cleaning out their nasal cavity!
8. So dang cute! Just don't accidentally put one down your brother pants...
9. If you think about it, it just makes sense.
10. Whatever your imagination tells you. Or your spouse, mom, dad, grandpa, neighbor, politician, pedestrian, voices in your head tells you that you should be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!! We love you all!

Blizzard? What blizzard?

...Spencer and I did a 'google' search today and found out we had a blog... oh yeah...

Okay folks, for those of you who have not given up on our blogging, we are back. Has anyone else noticed how hard blogging is? I check our friends blogs regularly and I seriously have no clue how they keep them so cute and updated. My new goal is to try and update ours at least once a week.
Eli is six months old now and as cute as ever. I love seeing all his new little personality quirks. He is seriously the best thing to ever happen to me.


**Spencer would like me note that he is now 372 months old and growing more each day!! He is making great progress in learning to pronounce his ' R's ' and we couldn't be more proud of him! **

Spencer is currently in his VERY LAST class of his Master's program, only a thesis left and we are DONE! I can't wait. Then will it be my turn to get my MA? I hope so, I am kind of nerdy for missing school..

I am still working at the psych clinic and loving it. I have the best co-workers! This is one of the only jobs I have had where I can honestly say I never dread going to work. It IS hard to be working and be a mom though, thank goodness I am only part time.

More to come later...

P.S. Where DID that blizzard go??

Things Eli Likes....

Doing my stretches....

Laying around and relaxing....

Getting ready for a car ride...

Playing with my toys...

Sleeping, car rides are so cozy.......



Things that Eli does NOT like......When mom takes too many pictures....

Some random thoughts....

1. I believe Alex Trabec to be a lonely man. Lost in a world devoid of human affection and completely ruled by facts and the endless pursuit of clever category names.

2. Fireworks are still as awesome as ever.

3. Eggs will always be gross. Along with Mayo, Miracle Whip, mustard, relish, raisins in anything, meth, rhubarb, and yams.

4. My brother-in-law Mitchell left on his mission this Wednesday...I found myself a little jealous of the adventures I know he will have. Then I remembered that my family might need me at some point in the next two years.

5. My little boy Eli looked me in the eye yesterday and smiled at me. That changed my life.

6. I was thinking back on the men that were with me in the circle as I blessed Eli. It really struck me that I have been blessed more than any other to be surrounded by great male influences. I'm so grateful for you all. For those who couldn't make it...well the feeling is somewhat similar :)

7. Eli is good for one rollover a day right now. No matter what you do that is all he will give you. Then I found his Union card and it all made sense.

8. I want to encourage everyone I know to eat at Joe's Cafe on State St. in Orem across from the mall. It is an unreal experience. The owner is the best and his food is great. Here are some of lines that he said to me and my brother Josh. After complementing him on his food he yelled "Ain't no shame in my game!!" and came and gave us both a hug. Also, "I"ll make you a biscuit as big as yo face!" "Get yo face back in my place!" To my brother Jake who hadn't finished his 3 and half pound omelet - "suck it up! I didn't poor my love into your food so you could waste it!" To top it all off his secret ingredient is something called "slap yo mamma!" I kid you not we saw the label.

9. I can't wait for peach season.

10. Erin is so sweet. It's so cute to watch her with Eli. She really is a special mom.