DAY 3- MAGIC MORNING

Our Magic Morning worked out great for Princess P. The fact that they let almost everyone in kinda takes away from the 'magic', but oh well. The boys went and did guy stuff and the girls went to do fluffy stuff.

We went on the tea cups twice (S and I switched off). We also did Alice in Wonderland and Small World before there were lines.

The best thing was the Princess Fantasy Faire though. We were about 7th in line and I've heard it takes hours to get through normally. Princess P was thrilled to meet more of her fellow princesses.

I do have to say that if I had to choose a favorite ride this time, it would be Indiana Jones. I just couldn't get enough of this ride, which is strange because the last time we were here I didn't really like it. Hmmm...

Here are the kids fixing up Mater in California. We also LOVE Soarin' Over California! What an awesome ride! Very creative!

The Toy Story characters were hanging out in the Animation place, so we saw a bunch of them...

...and learned to draw Tigger as well.

That night we watched the fireworks. They were amazing (like everything Disney does)! The castle looked pretty enough to eat in its Holiday finery!

DAY 2- HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

Our first day at Disneyland was a blast! A friend told us to run to the back as soon as the gates open and do Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, etc.. first before anyone gets back there. It was a great plan- we walked right on the rides.

We did Space Mountain for the first time- it was closed the last time we were there (7 years ago), so that was fun (incidentally, it was one of the only rides that made me a little nauseous- I am getting OLD!) We also did many of the other favorites.

As we were leaving to eat lunch in the car we spotted Mary Poppins and Burt! Very fun! We'd never seen them before.

After lunch we went over to California Adventures. Here are the kids as Toy Story action figures. We also did the Tower of Terror for the first time. LOVED IT! I love the falling rides! Princess P- not so much.

We rode Grizzly Rapids too and Big C wished he could do it in his kayak. BTW- I got SOAKED! My hair looked like I'd just gotten out of the shower.

That evening we went to see the Aladdin play, but right before that we saw Sully. It was a very fun day! My cheeks hurt from smiling so much!

DAY 1- TRAVEL DAY

It was supposed to be very stormy, so we left a day early for our vacation and drove to Mesquite for the night. (Cheap motel rooms).

I am not sure why, but I love Joshua Trees. I think it's because they remind me of vacation! (palm trees too).

The next morning we drove down to Vegas for church. We found this unique Stake Center. They call it the 'Taco Bell Church' and it is obvious why they do. It even had southwest decor in the chapel.

After church we drove a few blocks to the Las Vegas temple and did a quick walk around. It was FREEZING! I thought Las Vegas was supposed to be warm!

Outside Vegas we hit MAJOR TRAFFIC! There is nothing like being out in the middle of nowhere in bumper to bumper traffic. Never again will we try to drive to California on a Sunday! BOO! *NOTE: This isn't my photo. I had ample opportunity to take one, but I guess I wasn't amused enough.

FEASTING WITH THE FAMILY

We held our Thanksgiving meal here in town this year. My younger sister said she'd host if I'd do the turkey and mashed potatoes. I said 'DEAL!' We were both happy with our choices. I'd never been in charge of the turkey before, but I took the easy way out and made turkey roasts from Norbest- SERIOUS YUM- and VERY EASY!

My sister's home is not very large, so we took out all the furniture and put in tables (there's still another table in the other room too). It was wall-to-wall people, but that's what Thanksgiving is about.

This is my sister's bedroom with all her living room furniture stacked in it.

Here is S (right) and two of my nieces enjoying their meal.

Afterward, everyone came to my house to play games. I am so thankful everything turned out well!

LITTLE C AS A BIRD

Little C was in a play with his 4th grade class on Wednesday. It taught how to follow instructions.

He was a bird and did a great job fighting with another bird for a fish. What talent!

Here he is with his buddy (another little C). They are happy with their performance.

WINTER'S HERE

We officially got enough snow to measure last night and the cold temperatures to keep it here. It was supposed to be 'THE BLIZZARD OF 2010', but we didn't get that. They even canceled classes at the college, so everyone could get home for the holiday. Everyone was pretty freaked out, but it ended up being a big stinker around here as far as snow went. It was, however, 15f on Big C 's thermometer this morning and my boys spent from 6:45 to 7:15 this morning shoveling walks around the neighborhood that covered with an inch, and maybe a half, of snow. I am proud of them. I feel for my poor husband working outside on a day like today. I'll have to have some hot chocolate ready for him at lunch. BBRRR!!

THE RIGHT TIME

When do you begin listening to Christmas music? That is the burning question at my house. I say right after Halloween. Not all day, every day, but off and on, here and there. Otherwise there just isn't enough time to listen to it all. I LOVE Christmas and Christmas music, so it is very important to me. My kids complain though, so many times I reserve it for when I am alone.

Here are two of my favorite albums this year:

In December I get to go see David Archuleta perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (thanks to my older sister for sharing her hard earned tickets) and I am VERY excited!! He has such a beautiful, pure voice. Love everyone of the songs on this CD.

Michael Buble's voice was made for Christmas music! I love his everyday stuff too, but Christmas music deserves a wonderful, rich voice like his.

I only have two more days until I can listen without any guff from the kiddos! Very excited!!

SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

I was able to attend a dress rehearsal of this amazing play/musical on Saturday. I took my family to see it a few years ago, but my sister's fiance is one of the apostles this year, so it was exciting to see it again. If you have not gone to a performance yet, I highly recommend that you do. It is a very appropriate way to celebrate this coming Holiday season and remind us of all our Savior has done for us. The spirit is so strong and it makes you see stories you've know for years in a whole new way. Here's more info (click for link) if you're interested.

Here I am with our favorite cast member. I got his autograph and everything!

100 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

This is a challenge to myself, so feel absolutely no obligation to read this post. I gave up trying to go from most important to least, so there is no hierarchal significance. I challenge you to do a list of your own...

1. My husband

2. My children

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ

4. My health

5. My family

6. A fun job

7. My testimony of Jesus Christ

8. A warm home

9. A working car

10. Music

11. Amazing relatives

12. Fabulous friends

13. Art

14. School/Education

15. Books/Literacy

16. Sun

17. Rain

18. Snow during the Holidays

19. Rivers to run in the summer

20. Mountains to climb

21. Legs to climb them with

22. Computers

23. Hands and finger with which to type

24. Warm clothing

25. Good walking shoes

26. A selection of clothing

27. Food!

28. Contacts/glasses

29. Doctors and modern medicine

30. Great co-workers

31. Chocolate

32. A cozy bed

33. A phone

34. The ability to speak/communicate

35. Teaching/Teachers

36. Being able to see

37. Being able to hear

38. Love

39. Scriptures (esp. the Book of Mormon)

40. Jesus Christ and all he did for me

41. Ability to enjoy nature

42. Camping

43. Drawing

44. Painting

45. A dishwasher

46. Kitchen appliances in general

47. Clothes washer

48. Clothes dryer

49. Electricity

50. Running water

51. Water heater

52. Travel

53. My sisters

54. My parents

55. Soap

56. Milk

57. Caffeine free Dr. Pepper

58. Regular Dr. Pepper for when I'm driving

59. Movies

60. Walking

61. Running

62. Work

63. Play

64. Ability to smell

65. Ability to feel/touch

66. Scrapbooking

67. Disneyland

68. Family vacations

69. Surprises

70. Family Home Evening

71. Church

72. My calling (most of the time)

73. My camera

74. Photos

75. Knowledge (it is the only thing we take with us)

76. Dessert

77. Skiing

78. Scouting

79. Young Women

80. Relief Society

81. Theater

82. Musicals

83. Carrabba's

84. Cafe Rio

85. Sci Fi

86. Romantic Comedies

87. A sense of humor

88. My talents

89. The United States of America

90. Colors

91. Ephraim

92. Service

93. Fidelity

94. Honesty

95. Mexican Food

96. Italian Food

97. Apples

98. Popcorn

99. Missionary work

100. Plan of Salvation

Whew! That is one random list. Some part of it very deep, others very shallow. Good luck with yours!

FREE PIZZA

When I was a young whippersnapper I was creatively asked out a few times. One involved being sent all over town on a treasure hunt and finally being asked to Prom. Another involved being asked out anonymously and picked up in a beautiful 16 Candles-style Porsche. I think, however, the most creative date-asking practices occur in Utah.

Yesterday my 16 year old son, D, was asked to a girl's choice dance by a pizza with the message "This may be cheesy, but will you go to Senior Ball with me?" The girl's name was underneath the pizza. I thought it was VERY fun!

My son, however, is not very adventurous in his dating techniques. We discussed multiple ways for him to answer her back, but the only thing I could talk him into was making a banner to put on her house. I am thrilled he will even go though. He's only been on one other date. I hope they have fun. They have actually been friends their whole lives, so it should be pretty casual.

ART TALKS

Thursday night I was the visiting artist for the art majors at Snow College. I have never done anything like it before and was VERY nervous. I showed images of my work (watercolor, oils, drawing and artist books) and discussed the meanings and reasons they exist. The class is is an hour long and I wondered how I could fill all that time, but I shouldn't have worried. My talkativeness kicked in and I took up the whole 60 minutes. I have shown most of my work on this blog that was discussed that night, but I don't think I have ever shown this book, so I thought I'd blog about it.

The title of this book is called 'Death.' I know that sounds fairly morbid for me, but it has a lot of meaning behind it.

As I have mentioned before in my writings, my father was killed in a plane crash when I was 17. It was a horrible time in my life and in the lives of my family. We were devastated. It took me years to accept that he wasn't coming back and I grieved for a long time.

Comparing that experience with the death of my mother is an interesting concept, and the subject of this work. About 4 years ago my mother passed away. She had been sick (multiple heart attacks and strokes) for quite a few years and we knew she was never going to recover. The illnesses changed her personality, warped her memories and her basic sweet-natured self was gone as well, not to mention her inability to be physically self-reliant. Needless to say, by then we were actually praying for her to go. My dad had been dead for 20 years at this point and we were thrilled they would be together again.

Obviously my experiences with death differed greatly in these two incidences. I wanted to express that visually in this book. One side says 'Dad' and one side says 'Mom'. They are separated by a 'wall' covered by different material on both sides to convey differing view points and expressing the idea that at different times and at different places we can view death in drastically opposing views.

There, you just attend a small segment of my lecture. Hope you're still awake! Some of the students didn't make it.

PHOTOS FROM OLD HOME MOVIES

My dad had a silent movie camera when we were growing up and took lots of movies. My sister was able to find a company to have all the movies put on a DVD for us to enjoy and now, I just found a way to take still photos from the DVD on my computer. I am thrilled!! Here are some fun ones:

My sister and I with my Grandpa C up on Philadelphia Flat (Ephraim Canyon).

My older sister and I at Christmas 1974.

Me on my 4th birthday.

Me blowing out the candles on my 4th birthday cake. Check out that doll cake. My mom was awesome!

Another fabulous cake made by my mom for my 5th birthday. What little girl wouldn't want a three-tiered heart cake with flowers all over it??

REDUCTION LINO CUT

This is a suicide/reduction lino cut (link) print from two weeks ago. I haven't printed the whole series yet because I am struggling with the inks (you can' really see it on this photo). The assignment was to create a landscape. Mine refers to the red rocks of southern Utah. (And you thought I was going to say Dr. Seuss).

HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

I had an amazing group of girl friends in high school. I have probably mentioned them before, but I feel so blessed to have had them. They kept me close to the gospel if I wandered, they were always available to talk if I needed them, but were never offended if we didn't hang out every day of the week.

Saturday we were able to meet for lunch at Cafe Rio and we talked for 2 1/2 hours. It still wasn't long enough. How fortunate are we that we still love each other after so many years.

Here are some of us when we were Laurels in 1987. Wow, time has flown...diggin' those 80's styles. (I'm in the middle row, far right). I love these girls!

MONOTYPES

Printmaking class update: Here is a link for a definition of what monotypes are. We are supposed to have 8 done, but I only have 4 finished.

2 were to be still lifes of fruits or veggies. (Sorry for the terrible image quality. I only had my cell phone).

2 were to be from historical art images:

This is from Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. (click for link)

This is from a ballerina painting by Degas. (click for link)

WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG...

Sunday night Little C threw up all over the carpet. I spent a good 30 minutes scrubbing (and there is still a stain). I thought at the time it was because he'd eaten too much candy, but apparently it was the stomach flu, because A and I also caught it. I am FINALLY feeling better. Hope you guys don't get it!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled blog posts...