whoever thought of this

IS A GENIUS!

a very random christmas

So, I didn't take many pictures this Christmas, but here are some from throughout December:


Here we (Eileen, Seryna, Angie, Janell, and Trevor)are at the Christmas sing-a-long at the Energy Solutions Arena. I have kind of made it a tradition to go along with the Rojas family.


Here is the ginger bread house we made at Jess's parents. I got off work late and by the time I got there Jess has already taken over the whole operation. Check out "rasta man's" anatomy.


Here is the only picture I took Christmas day. This is Jess's lil' brother, Joel, playing w/ his Christmas toys.

We had a good Christmas, even though Jess had to work Christmas Day. Just did the traditional stuff...my parents house on Christmas Eve, I went to Jess's parents house Christmas morning. Then we go to Little America for dinner on Christmas night w/ my parents. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas as well!

busted

They blocked Blogger at my work...needless to say, I will not be posting as much since Jess and I have not joined the real world and purchased internet.

just when you think you are getting over it

it rears its ugly head again...I am talking about morning sickness. As some of you may know, one of the only reasons I was afraid to get pregnant was because I HATE to throw up (well and the fact I have to pop something the size of a watermelon out of my woo hoo). It is THE WORST thing if the world to me! My mom was sick pretty much all 9 months and everyone kept telling me you are most likely going to take after your mom.

Well, I was proud to say I surpressed every urge I have had to throw up for the last 8 weeks...until this morning. Not only have I broken my goal to not throw up during pregnancy, I have broken my 2 year streak. It usually comes on when my stomach is completely empty, I am in a hot bathroom after a shower, or I have tried to brush my teeth without eating something. I am usually able to deep breathe it out, splash cold water on my face, shove some food down my throat, or roll all the windows down on the freeway in 20 degree weather...but not this time. Jess has been anxiously awaiting the moment I actually threw up and he was grinning ear to ear when I made a run for it.

Okay, so it wasn't so bad because my stomach was empty, but I still HATE it! Anyhow, I have to say I have been damn lucky with this morning sickness thing. My stomach never feels quite right, but I am not near as sick as I know I could be. All in all I got away lucky...so far. I am nearing the 2nd trimester, so we shall see how it goes. I am however, gaining energy slowly, but surely!

For those of you who cannot see the disturbing floating fetus ticker, I am a little over 10 weeks!

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE...

MY

EGGO

IS

PREGO!!!!!

PHEW...I said it and I feel so much better! I HATE keeping secrets!!

So, I always thought the floating fetus ticker was a little creepy, but I am going to display it anyway.

smokey mountain christmas

Last night was the 10th annual Smokey Mountain Christmas party, but only my 5th. Our good friend Mike O'Connor started this lovely tradition, but moved to Austria 3 years ago, so Eileen continued his tradition here in the US. Now Mike used to really get into this, such as a graded pre and post movie quiz and song books to sing a long. If people talked or did not sing along he was hurt!

Eileen has made the environment a bit more relaxed. Mike did email us a quiz from Austria that we all took together before and after the movie, and yes, we did still sing along with the movie! There was even a guest appearance from:

DOLLY HERSELF!!

It is also tradition that new comers dress as Dolly.

If you have not seen this made-for-tv movie, I highly recommend it...for a good laugh!

christmas tag

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate...Ican't stand egg nog even with a little something added to it to make it fun!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Definitely wrapped. Way more fun!

3. Colored lights on a tree/house or white? I always thought just white lights were really classy, but my tree actually has red and green colored lights. My mom bought it for me, so I am not complaining!

4. Do I hang mistletoe? No, but I should!

5. When do I put up my decorations? After Thanksgiving. I can't stand to see Christmas before Thanksgiving!

6. What is my favorite holiday dish? My mom's homemade pierogi's (Slavic dumpling stuffed with potatoes and cheese). She doesn't actually home make them anymore because it was an all day affair, but she does buy the frozen ones at the store and doctors them up to taste just as good!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? baking Christmas cookies with my mom and decorating the house while listening to the Carpenters Christmas album.

8. When and how did I learn the truth about Santa? I actually don't remember, but I know I was way too old to still be believing!

9. Do we open a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve? When I grew up we opened one from an extended family member. Now, since we have to divide our time between my parents and Jess's parents we do my parents house on Christmas Eve and open all presents then.

10. How do I decorate our tree? I actually have a memory tree. Most of the ornaments on it are from somewhere we have traveled or from Jess's childhood.

11. Can I ice skate? Um, YEAH! I took lessons when I was a kid!

12. Can I remember my favorite gift? My Munchi chi!

13. What is the most important thing about he holidays for me? Family and giving to less fortunate.

14. What is my favorite holiday dessert? Almond Rocca!

15. What is my favorite holiday tradition? Going to Little America for dinner on Christmas night.

16. What tops my tree? A strange looking santa

17. What do I prefer - Giving or receiving? Giving

18. What is my favorite Christmas song? River by Travis, Song for a Winter's Night by Sarah McLachlan, Carpenters Christmas album, and yes I love Manhiem Steamroller too.

19. Candy Canes? Hmm, not too big of a fan. Only if I am desperate for a breath freshener.

I tag... Megan, Heather, Veronica, Lindsey, or anyone who wants to participate!

flashback night

On Saturday, Trevor had a b-day party for Eileen. We went to good ol' Classic skating in Sandy for Flashback night! Thanks to Danell, we all had excellent flashback gear to dress up in! Jess got stuck in this dress. He was yelling at me to help him, but I was too busy laughing and taking pictures! He decided this one worked better. Nice crotch grab, huh?

Tarek and Oliver wanted to help Eileen blow out her candles. I made that cake and it was an absolute disaster...this is why I usually just go to Costco.

Our Flashback Crew.

We also rented the karaoke room. Here is Trevor singing "Come on Eileen".

30 wonderful years and counting....

I am a day late, but I just had to say Happy Birthday to my bestest friend in the whole wide world. 30 years old! Where the hell does time go? I swear it was just last year we were only 20 and galavanting through Europe without a care in the world! I love you Eileen!

Trevor (Eileen's wonderful husband) me, and Eileen.

couldn't do it

I tried to find a Christmasy/wintery blog background, but couldn't find one to my liking. Instead I found this one. The blue is kinda wintery, isn't it?