Christmas coal and other goodies.

Christmas coal. That's what I told my kids Santa left for them. Witness the reaction, and Braxton's initial optimism. Hopes quickly dashed, the children fall into utter disgust.

Yeah, I know I am mean- but it makes for the funniest of videos. This is a classic, don't you agree?

There's spies in them there trees!

(One of Santa's Bird Friends.)

Okay, I admit it. I am not above telling others what I want them to hear to produce the end result that I want. This holds true in almost every aspect of my life. It is true that I would excel in the field of politics or political staffer. I am very good at spinning things so as to appear a certain way. Now, how does this and the above picture relate? Good question. I'll tell you how.

If you didn't know, Santa has his own special espionage agents. Sure, they look like harmless birds, but what you don't know is that they are spying on you and reporting their findings back to Santa Claus. Each time you see a bird, you have to be especially good so that they tell Santa all the good things you do.

I have noticed how good my kids are when a bird is around. I think it's working.

The Annual Rudd Christmas Party

Every year, my mom's family throws a Christmas party and it is usually pretty fun. This year was a bummer because my gramps passed away only a few short months ago. He was so sassy, and that is what always made the party a "PAR-TAY". The party was much fun, so I will share some of the good pics I snapped.

Jack wasn't sure about Santa.. that is until he produced a candy cane. Then Jack was totally down with Santa.

Before food:

After food:

Braxton with Santa... explaining the condition of his room (oh no!).



Addie with Santa. Telling him she wants only 2 things: an ipod and a Nintendo DS. Hey, at least they're cheap gifts. (sheesh!)



My Gramma is the best in the west! She is a card carrying member of the red hat club. And she tells everyone. I love her!!

Gramma and Addie.

Grams has some Alzheimer's, as evident in the following video. She forgets what she is doing and figures "to hell with it... I will do a little dance number, instead". She's the best!

Gramma's got skills! At least according to Braxton.

It's a bird! It's a plane.....

No, It's just Jackson scaring the crap out of me by climbing everything he sees. I swear, most of my gray hairs are because of this kiddo! Observe:

And then he gives me this little ditty when he climbs the other chair... like, "Ha! Mom... Relax! I don't need you to worry. I am the master climber!".






I absolutely refuse to push this kid's wheelchair later in life. You know, after the accident. Sheesh!

Paradise Found!

View from the front drive. I know... beautiful!

So, we went up to my dad's house in Paradise, UT yesterday. I love how peaceful it is there. While I am the first to admit that nature and I are not one, this is about as close as I get to being that way. Right after dinner a deer came up to the rear of the house. I told him he was too late for dinner.... :). The only ones that love that home more than I do are my kids. Gramma Kristine and Grammpa Rick have the coolest house, EVER!

For example:

The Barbie Room under the stairs.. oh, shut up! Who didn't want this as a kid?



Braxton in the dog house! There's a tv on a shelf above the door. I think they were watching a Disney movie right then.

The slide from the landing half way down the stairs. Slide goes into the train room.

The Train Room. Love it. It is equipped with sound and flashing lights.

The classroom downstairs.



And, last but not least, the unfinished room that Jack uses as his racetrack!

Overall we had a great Turkey Day, part 2. Weight gain in full swing! Let us all joyfully allow the pounds accumulate!

Thanksgiving and such.....

I admit I have not been as vigilant as I should be, so I guess I will try to play "catch-up".

Ryan's Mom was good enough to come and stay with the children so Ryan and I could go and enjoy the Monday Night Football Game in Denver. We enjoyed ourselves immensely by gorging ourselves at Maggiano's and other wonderful local eateries; sleeping in; experiencing a massage at a local spa; followed by the game. Ahh... what a nice trip. I had a blast. Thanks Ryan!

Thanksgiving was fantastic (if I do say so myself). But, I do have to admit, I was worried about the food. Not because of my mother in law- but because of . . . okay, my mother in law. Surprisingly, it couldn't have turned out better. Really. It was a bittersweet day, since I fixed most of the things my mom loved and fixed for us every year, like pistachio salad, great grandma's stuffing and morning breakfast pull-aparts. Yum.. my favorites!

Braxton made this lovely turkey hat at school for the occasion. How Festive!

Thanksgiving spread! Proof that I actually can cook!

And last, but certainly not least, I have been lost the last few days without my BFF. I didn't realize how much I depend on her to 'talk me down' or just make me laugh. Get home Joon, or else!!! :)

My Favorite Things

I think most of my friends would be able to tell you spot on what I love the most. I love the usual things, like my dear husband & crazy children; my fantastic friends; my car and home. But it's time that the little things in life be given some recognition!

I submit the following for your consideration:

There's nothing better than a good set of black, pointy heels. No, I'm serious!

Diet Coke with Lime...mmmm....






Dinah Washington- - Sings "Relax, Max"
(And any other good old jazz music.)

Funny Faces




And, my mom.
(Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday. )

Minutia

Well, like Pam I guess I am blogging late into the night, and the children have been asleep long enough that I miss them. But, tomorrow will come with all the stunts, craziness and minutia that I love so much, and I will once again wish that they were asleep. :) I do wish that there were a happy-medium that I could enjoy for just the morning and then let the antics begin. But alas, that is not my life. So instead, I reflect on the past week and I will share some of the best "little moments" with you.

And he knows it, too.

Mmm.. Pot roast, apple juice and ... Mrs. ButterWorth's?



Snuggling up.



Child Labor.



Up...



Our new dog, Flopps.



At the park. (In my heels, no less... )



Clearly 2 Binkees are better than one.

I love being a baby!

Little moments are usually the big things in my life. Thanks for being part of my... no, our week.

Cleaning the pantry.

So, I admit it- I loathe my pantry. I could be grateful that the Wilson's (who built the house) elected to put in a pantry ( I mean WHO builds this house without one... oh, that's right! Joon does.), but it isn't big enough for me. You see, it all stems from childhood experiences that cause me to panic when my pantry gets low. Hence, it must be nearly full at any given time. It is just one of those things. Some people have their cigarettes, some people have their Mountain Dew (CM) and I have my pantry (well stocked with Diet Coke w/Lime, I might add).

So, yesterday I was cleaning it out and straightening it up. I had removed all the contents of the shelves and stacked them on the counter, taken out all the empty boxes (GRRRR!!!) tossed them on the floor as I was going- could I have picked a better time to film the interior of my home?!? Yup, but then this wouldn't have happened.

I moved the mop bucket out from off the floor and turned around when all of the sudden I got a load of this:




Dang funniest thing I have seen in a long time!! You have no idea how hard I was laughing when I was taping this. Especially when he would run into things and laugh.

I hope it brought a smile to your face. :)

T

What Not to Wear.

So my older children dress themselves most days, and without exception most days you can tell. (Thank goodness for the school uniform.) Yesterday was no different. Braxton comes out wearing this little number (dubbed the 'Ronald McDonald' by Joon). Pay close attention to the socks.

That was my favorite part of the outfit. Enjoy.

Nack.....

It is no secret that Jack loves his food. It doesn't matter if it contains 0 nutritional value.. he likes his meals. The only thing he likes more is the "Nack". (Which means snack for those of you who are not fluent in Jack parlance. ) Please view the following footage captured only a week ago.

I trained him to shut the fridge door, too! :)

Bang Your Head!

No words necessary... Just watch.

(Jack does this when he's ultra frustrated.)

Witchie Witchie... Screamie Screamie... Happy Happy, Halloweenie!!

Look at these little spooks~ Mine are the 2 goths and the little lion.

Last night the children couldn't get to sleep. It was almost as exciting as the arrival of the fat, jolly man from the north. Except this time the children could go door to door collecting 'gifts' from friends and total strangers. I remember this labor of love as a child- that is until I got home and found my sack full of crappy candy- like Mary Jane's and peanut butter kisses. I opened up my kids sacks tonight (sort of a once over scan to see if there was anything I might wan- er, um.... to make sure there wasn't anything dangerous in there) and there was only 1 MJ. The kids scored. Many thanks to Joon for taking the kids out while I gave out the candy.

** Warning: Here's where I go into my rant about the andy-kay. This year we had a few candy levels.

• Level 1- was the animal crackers for tots up to 3.
• Level 2- was the run of the mill nerds, twizzlers, general candy assortment that is pleasing to most.
• Level 3- was the grand poobah... that's right- the full size candy bar (of my choice, I might add) for the kids I like and those over say- age 9.
  

Imagine my surprise when as I was handing out the candy, this kid looks at me and says," I don't like M&M's. Can I have something else?" WHAT?!?!? I am sorry, this isn't freakin' Burger King! You can't have it your way! Now get off my front porch. Oh, and give me back my candy! (Okay, so that is how it went in my head.) It really went like this, "Sure hun. What kind would you like?" I only look like a mean witch!

We had a little lion who wasn't really all that happy by the end of the night...

That is until the candy came in.....

And Oh, Nelly were we a happy bunch!!!

Happy Spooking!

The ghost of Halloween past...

As I was running through the old family photo's (and laughing my rear end off in the process), I found a few from Halloween past. I figured these were too good to keep to myself so here we are, Halloween 2003:

Get some chaps on that kid! (You'll note the licorice in hand.)


Cinderella couldn't find prince charming.... so she settled for a cowboy.

Keeping Up... with you know who!

While I admit freely I am not one to "keep up with the Jones'", this is one place that I have been forced to keep up with all of my neighbors in. That's right, all 3 of my neighbors created these blogs just to force me to create this one (I am sure its a conspiracy!). Now, don't get me wrong, it isn't that I haven't wanted to, but this is like a journal (which, by the way, I was only good at in high school- but that's another story- filled with boys and FUN!). So, I make no promises, but I will update as often as Joon wants me to. :P