merry christmas

Return to Zumba (at least in name)

After Fernando coaxed me into listening to part of a book he is reading (audio style---check it out it is called Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain), I checked out local gym options. I had a free two year membership at our fantastic YMCA that ended in October. The new price tag for each month, $70+, was a bit too much for me to swallow especially considering the distance and mad race I had to get to and from class in time to pick Tiago up from school. Also, if I was going to pay that much, I wanted a few more amenities like a pool to use all year around to do laps.

Against my hesitations on account of the known tv dominated childcare, I checked out the nearby Gold's Gym. The facility was beautiful and huge. The pool was perfect size and the gym offered Zumba as well as the Body Pump and Flow classes. They let me check out Zumba today and boy was I surprised. A man was substituting for the normal class teacher. Zumba can easily be a coed class. It just usually isn't. The man was an amazing street dancer, but it really was kind of disturbing how he used his hand towel to twist whilst he shook his hips during the Belly Dancing inspired song. Almost as equally diverting was a lady who was loving herself. I totally get checking out your moves in the mirror. Go for it. This girl was ogling the mirror. Her shirt, it seems, was such a bother. It kept getting tied shorter and shorter as the class progressed. It even almost was removed entirely at one point.

So do I spend the $320 so for this new place or just buy myself some Zumba Dvds?

Rise and Shout

The rocky season for BYU ended at a Peak during the smack down of Bowl game in New Mexico. Too bad we didn't get to be so celebratory at the U of U game we attended over Thanksgiving break.


Not that it wasn't awesome to watch the U get stuffed for the first 3 quarters, but it was so close and strange how we lost. Really, how often to you see a field goal get blocked? Ok, for avid football watchers may be that is more frequent. Regardless, the underrated team did quite well for itself. A funny side note: we went straight from game day fun to Handel's Messiah. I luckily brought a dress to change into because we were bundled up for the chilly afternoon game.

Mele Kalikimaka

*pronounced meh-leh kah-lee-kee-mah-kah

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day


Mia had a school play the other day that was hilarious. It had nothing to do with Hawaii, but it turns out that Mia doesn't own any red or green shirts as were required for the play. She had to wear this little giddie up that happened to belong to her long ago as a dress (a really long time ago). The play was all about how Santa was "So sad, and here's the reason why. . .Christmas lost its I". In the end, a diligent exclamation point agreed to step into the I place by standing on its head. The microphones weren't really helping which made it all the more fun. Mia was an excellent choir member.

The Magic of Christmas

Christmas music was playing, cool step ladders were offered, and all we could keep them interested in was a little bit a tree trimming. One of the these years, I am sure I won't end up as the only tree trimmer. Irregardless, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Just the Two of Us

Fernando really wanted to take advantage of the free babysitting by people we trust while we were in Utah. He had been asking me for weeks to help brainstorm some overnight adventures with just the two of us. This is a personal obstacle for my life right now. I really feel like my decision to become a parent means that my bulk time should be spent on being with those kids I brought into the world. I don't mind a few hours here and there to regroup, but the whole overnight thing was just a bit more difficult for me to handle. (IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: my feelings on overnight couple excursions is limited to me alone. I think that other people who choose to do such things for overnight and even longer is wonderful.)

With prodding from my brother, and Fernando's refusal to go without me, I agreed to a Park City snowboarding adventure. We found a decent hotel in Park City for only $68 a night and got killer discounts from my brother and sister-in-law for board rentals and the lift tickets. In the end, against my reservations we hit the slopes for some serious carving fun.



We made it down four runs before calling it quits. Fernando took a nasty spill his first run that made the rest of the runs quite painful. I some how manage to get my groove on only to take some pretty gnarly spills myself. Still, I hope someday we'll go back during ski season and this time we'll bring the kids.

Tis the Season

After getting back from a fun but exhausting trip in Utah for Thanksgiving, I confess I feel overwhelmed at blogging about all the fun that we had. It would help if I took more of my own personal pictures. Thank heavens that other people were on top of that but now I have to figure out how to retrieve those from everyone.

My dad did just send me an email with this picture attached:


This was from a Santa 5K run that we participated in the night after Thanksgiving. The idea was hilarious since you had to wear Santa suits to even run in the race. Too bad they were made out of felt which was a lifesaver in regard to insulation (who knew) on that frigidly cold night, but were lousy for staying together especially in the crotch area.
The kids made one lap with only a few sorrowful melt downs and bathroom stops. I ran the next lap with Fernando and almost passed out. Fernando and my mom were the only ones who made the full 5K! View Photos from Provo Santa Run

Bread Bowls

Here is the secret recipe:

I use a bread recipe and make it into round balls. Cook them and scoop out the insides. I am sure you all have a better homemade bread recipe than I have so don't be too concerned about the specifics of that. "If you want really crusty bread, great for dipping in olive oil or marinara sauce, (or making bread bowls) place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven. The steam will keep a skin from forming too fast, giving the bread more time to rise. It will also make the crust crisper." So says Cook Like Your Grandmother website.

Enjoy!

Another Random Halloween Moment

The school day closest to a given holiday gets a special lunch visit. I brought the beloved soup in her carefully kept bowl. But the best part was the caramel apple. Besides the huge apple that made it seem even more amazing, there was caramel with white chocolate and cinnamon and sugar. It got a lot of comments as you could imagine. I mean anything homemade next to junkie school lunch is going to look rockin'.

Carving Pumpkins!

Although San Antonio's weather makes one feel more like putting on a swimsuit than wearing a cardigan on a fall afternoon in October, I still had a huge desire to make soup. Trying to be creative and festive, I made pumpkin shaped bread bowls (if you use your imagination it could totally look like pumpkins) and potato soup (recipe below)

It's always nice to hear and see approval for the food I prepare, but the kids were so funny about their adoration of this soup. Tiago wanted to eat it so badly, that his mouth kept getting burned.



Mia kept talking about the soup bowl phenomenon and ate so carefully so as to preserve her pumpkin for more soup to come.



Talia, on the other hand, thought that spoons just got in the way of goodness and attacked dinner as follows:


Running the risk of moldy pumpkins on Halloween, we waited until Thursday night to carve our pumpkins. Mia had written a book all about how to carve a cute pumpkin. She also was in the know about the innards of the pumpkin and warned her siblings appropriately.




It has been nice approaching Halloween in a more favorable light.

Potato Corn Chowder

1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-2 carrots peeled and chopped
1-2 celery sticks chopped
1 cup water
1 medium potato, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1 pkg McCormick Original Country Gravy Mix
2 cups milk
1 cup whole kernel corn

In a large saucepan, melt the butter with onion, carrots, and celery and cook 2 minutes. Add water and potato cubes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Mix gravy and milk. Add gravy mixture with the remaining ingredients to the saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sometimes, I have added dill to add an extra flavor to the mix.

Labors of the Day

Although the title of this post could describe the feelings I have most Sundays after a hectic nursery day. (especially when a rambunctious nursery child decides to stomp on another nursery child's head!) But actually this is a post about our Labor Day adventures with a family friend.

Early Labor Day morning we headed to Walmart in hopes of securing our posterity in much needed life jackets. Luckily, there were a few left, but the pickins' were slim. While I search Walmart, Fernando search a nearby store for wooden paddles. We finally make it up to Guadalupe River State Park. It's decided that we will play in the river,



rope swing,



and eat before we raft down the river for about a mile*.

There was a fun playground and the new friends made it more than magical. Then it was time to go on a trip we never anticipated. We loaded up into one van and drove several miles to a entrance point further up the river. The water was flowing, but by no means rapid. We should have taken a clue for how the rest of the trip would have played out by the more than rough launching of the rubber boat. The men stood on a bridge and attempted to drop it into the water below. Unfortunately, it wasn't let go at the same time so it tumbled haphazardly into the water that happened to be flowing quite steadily. I immediately jumped into the water in attempts to save the boat, multiple paddles, and the gear. Luckily I got it in time and the men were able to scramble down to help.

We only assumed we had a mile to paddle until we made it back to our picnic site. I swam for a good half hour without any life jacket. My arms were feeling a bit tired so I asked to row. I rowed down the quiet tranquil river with the other mom and most of the kids on board. We talked and sang and ate fruit. After another hour of rowing, we figured it was getting kind of late and that we all should focus on the last leg of the journey. We attempted a four man row which just took a lot more energy and got us nowhere. The kids were spent, our energy was drained. The boat would travel pretty quickly when the water was deep, but then a shallow, rocky portion of the river would maroon us and take all the adults to push it back into the deeper water, but we thought our site was just around the next bend.

We had started this journey at 1 pm. The boat and all of its weary, rock torn passengers made it back a little before 7 pm. When we saw the rope swing, we couldn't help but smile. Fernando, Joe, and I all tried the swing one more time. Unfortunately, my arms had nothing left in them. I willed them to hold on just long enough to not kill myself on the gnarled root system, but paid with rope burns up and down my arms and hands. Our somber little group rallied enough energy to load all the stuff into the van and left around 8 pm. It wasn't until we met up with the other van that we realized we had left the brand new life vests at the picnic site's playground. We drove the 20 minutes back and searched for several minutes for the vests. We found them thankfully and giggled at the misfortunes of the day.

Although it was tough, the day was more than memorable. We loved it so much that we are thinking of getting a boat of our own and doing it all over again. Next time, we'll have a more reasonable expectation and understanding of the distance we will need to travel and bring enough food to rally the troops as needed.

Tired of Voting?

Well, this is for a great cause. Talia! I entered her into a drawing on facebook. If she gets the most likes, she wins some prize. Here is your job. . .

Soliciting Votes:

There is no random drawing for this contest! It is based purely on votes from your family and friends, as well as our website/YouTube/Facebook visitors.
All voters will need to become a fan of Cute Girls Hairstyles facebook page before they can vote for any photos (see below)…


Vote Nov 2-8th!!!
Votes will be counted via the “Like” feature below your photo in our photo contest album B under PUMPKIN


SEE HERE

Happy Halloween

Who need professional make up artists when your body can pull of this wonderful look?



(scary no?. . .better pictures to come)

Side note: I really could use a good night sleep as you could imagine with eyes that looked like that this morning. Unfortunately, my deepest wish has come true with a vengeance. Every Halloween I think uncharitable thoughts about those "kids" who are capable of growing mustaches and have an hour glass figure and think they still can trick or treat. I always think and sometimes bravely suggest that they should be at a party instead of trick or treating with elementary kids.

I guess they took my suggestion seriously. Two doors down behind my house is a thuggin' sound system and multi colored disco lights bustin' out some serious party music. Really? The neighborhood average age is 8. Turn it down!!

Houston For the Weekend

After hearing about a fantastic Pumpkin Patch near Houston and the kids having a strategically placed half day of school, I planned a weekend reunion for our family and Houston sites we loved. (this should be read as the zoo, children's museum, and space center) Fernando was finishing up his last day in Dallas and decided to meet us there Friday night.

The zoo was our first destination for a trick o treating fest. The zoo was decorated so cutely and the activities were well thought out. We dressed up as cooly as possible since it was already 86 degrees when we pulled up. Except for the $8 over priced chicken finger platter to help stave of starvation, the zoo was perfect. The kids got candy, animal interactions, and water entertainment.









Confession: The Children's Museum was the really reason for going. It did not disappoint. The Museum was deck in cute Halloween decorations and dressed up helpers. The trick o treating was a scavenger hunt. I could go on and on, but I won't Let's just say they had to kick us out at closing.












Saturday was a super short day and slightly bittersweet. We went to the Space Center which had a Lego Themed exhibit that was amazing. Jousting, dress up, catapulting, among building with legos made it difficult to stick to our noon departure time.





Why are you so far away from us Houston?

Monster Mash

We totally did this last year and the kids just had to do it again this year. I hope you enjoy. . .especially the toothless vampire.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Not So Good

My attempts to be cutesy for Halloween failed miserably tonight. I thought I would help distract the kids from missing their father by making a treat after church today. I got the idea from a fun cooking blog and decided the red apples could be transformed into a Halloween treat by switching out the red Jell-o for orange. I am not sure how her Krispy Apple Treats turned out, but ours were a rancid sugar overload and not even close to being in a good way.



I wanted to blame it on the semi stale marshmallows. I kept trying it and bite after bite I shuddered. Mia loved it. Too bad, I couldn't allow her to destroy her body with that marshmallow mess. Into the sink it went.

Baby Steps

I hate Halloween, but I don't want my kids to have to go looking for Halloween fun at someone else's house that might choose to be more graphic in nature. So I have been taking baby steps towards adopting some fun Halloween things. This helped:



How can you say no to this cute pizza?

Curse You Technology

Today, after Mia found and wore my dance shoes downstairs, we decided that we haven't really danced for a long time. I took the shoes and began spinning and imagining it looked hot! (Not like hot mess with greasy mom hair still in pj's look. . .but wow I wish I could move like that). The kids quickly joined in and were becoming increasingly more video-able and frankly sellable. . .if one were to do that sort of thing. So I grab the camera and switch it to the movie option and nothing. The camera was on but unable to record anything! 20 minutes after the spontaneous charming dancing was over, I figured it out. Lame

Leprosy or Small Pocks

Fire ants have to be a reminant of the plagues sent to Egypt when Moses wanted to help free the Isrealites. They are wicked and bite with a vengance. They attack in droves and continue to bite over and over again until they are beaten off the victim. Thank heavens that my helpful neighbors were near. One ran to get vinegar and benadryl while the other made sure that Talia's beloved Lambies wasn't going to act like a Trojan horse. After being swatted and dowsed in vinegar, Talia was relatively calm about the whole ordeal and discussed it as one would discuss the weather. Her arm swelled up and it really appeared to be more akin to a contagious disease than bug bites. She still has some residual scars from the whole ordeal.

In other news, Conference weekend provides the opportunity for many fun diversions that never really happen at any other point. For example, we never watch 8 hours worth of TV in two days. We don't have loads of junk food while we watch and we most definitely don't make ourselves into Mummies with multiple rolls of toilet paper. I didn't really mind until I found out how much toilet paper was strewn all over the upstairs. Even then, I was only mildly bugged about the sheer waste of paper. Thank heavens it was creatively used instead of just for the sake of being destructive.