Suggestions Anyone??

We are having family come visit December 27 thru January 2nd. As mentioned in the previous post, I'm an organizational freak. I would love to have some sort of idea of what activities we could do. This particular family was here last year in September and we did the usual Snoqualmie Falls, Pikes Place, Space Needle and even the Underground Tour (wouldn't recommend). I was wondering what people do here in the winter. Do any of you have any fun family traditions or places you visit at this time of year? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've been Tagged, dang it!

Not only have I been tagged, but I've been tagged twice. I ignored it the first time (sorry Lynne), but I don't think I can ignore it now. Debi lives too close to me. So here it goes...6 random things about me.

1. I LOVE my husband. We very rarely double date or go on vacation with other couples. It's not that I don't enjoy spending time with other people, I would just rather spend time with him. The last few years we have been able to go to fun places like Germany and Amsterdam and a few places in the states. But, some of our funnest dates are ones like grocery shopping or picking up the kids from their various activities. Now that the kids are older, schedules are tight and we squeeze our dates in when we can. I kinda like the guy.

2. I LOVE my pillow. One of the best inventions. Ever since I was a kid and teachers would have you make a list of what you would grab in case of a fire, my pillow was ALWAYS at the top of the list (after family of course). How can one go through a crises, such as a fire, without a good pillow to get some sleep? I normally travel with my pillow. I've learned it CAN fit in a suitcase. You wouldn't believe the looks I get when they check my luggage in security because my pillow is big. I just explain I can't enjoy my vacation unless I have a good nights sleep. Aaron is glad I don't pack all 3 of my pillows.

3. I went through a Backstreet Boy phase about 8 years ago. Yes, I just said the Backstreet Boys. Met other ladies online and we traveled to Vegas, Seattle, and Texas to meet and go to their concerts. I even managed to sneak up front and shake Howies hand at one concert before a security guard pushed me back. Ah..good times. I owned all their videos and knew their voices by heart. Still can tell their voices apart if any of you are curious. The phase ended several years ago, but I still keep in contact with the ladies I met.

4. I am a organizational freak. I love to be organized. I clean things on certain days, my food is categorized, my closet is aligned in like colors and styles, my kids' toys have certain spots. I could go on and on...! I remember weird things as well. My siblings will bring up a story from the past and I could tell you exactly what I was wearing. Someone should have told me that yellow stretch pants with an overgrown green sweater with bright yellow stars was not a good outfit to wear for my drivers test!

5. I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. When I say huge, I mean huge. I read the Packer websites everyday to find out the latest. My husband gets me the NFL Sunday ticket every year for my Birthday so I can watch my beloved Packers. My home teachers even know not to come during game time. (Yes, I watch on Sundays) I even know what's going on with other teams and what the standings are.

6. I also love my beloved UTES! I have been watching Ute basketball since I was a kid. My dad used to take me to work and I would go through the escape tunnel at the Huntsman Center and watch them practice. His office was always up front, so I would stand at the door and get the basketball players autograph when they passed. I can remember starting lineups from back in the 80's. It's been hard since we moved here because we don't get Ute games televised. Well, I changed that on Saturday. I called the cable company and told them my sad tale and convinced the gal to give me the MTN channel. She felt for my cause and even gave me a discount. I only pay $2 a month to watch my Utes play football and basketball. Kudos to that nice lady!

Church....the new lost and found

We have learned in the last year that our church is a great lost and found. Let me tell you two very cool stories about my son Christopher.

First: Last year my son played soccer and was given a soccer ball to bring to each practice. We, of course, put his name on it so it could be easily identified. He accidentally left his ball at Ravensdale Park one practice and we could not locate it. He was extremely upset about this. A few months later we went to a primary activity at the church and his soccer ball, with his name on it, was sitting in the church foyer. How did it get there from being lost at the park? We have no idea. It pays to go to church.

Second: Christopher has a favorite zip up jacket that he loves to wear, but continually leaves places. He left this one at the school last year before summer break. He realized what he had done while we were school shopping this year. He was so upset and was hoping the school still had his jacket. First day of school he learned that they give all the lost and found items to charity and therefore his jacket was gone. He was so devastated. Not only because he lost his favorite jacket, but because I refused to buy him a new one. Need to teach him responsibility. Well strange enough, Christopher found that jacket hanging up at the church today. Wow! I didn't even believe it until he showed me the tag with his name written on it in my handwriting. So how did this jacket that was left at school months ago end up at the church today? I have no idea. Again....it pays to go to church.

Have any of you lost any items lately? My advice....go to church!

First Day of School

Jenessa started High School this morning. Yikes, I can't believe I have a child that old. As you can see, she starts the day quite early. She leaves for Seminary at 5:40 a.m. and then after school heads to swim team practice and doesn't get home until 6:00 p.m. She will have this schedule until December. Then we start Drivers Ed. She is a busy girl.

Jaycee is a 7th grader at the Middle School. She is still playing competitive soccer and has a busy schedule after school as well.

Christopher is a 5th grader. His big excitement this year was that he gets to ride at the back of the bus.

Preston is in 2nd grade and is lucky enough to have the same teacher as last year. This lady is amazing and is exactly what Preston needs.