You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE. (I’ve never done this…SIKE)

2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton. (“…so I’m moving with my Uncle and Auntie in Bel-Air…”)

3. You know that 'WOAH' comes from Joey on Blossom.

4. If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'.

5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school. (and you played it on an Apple IIE)

8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side. (or you fashioned your own using a rubberband)

9. You played the game 'MASH' (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House).

10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

11. You know the profound meaning of ' WAX ON, WAX OFF' (I got this movie for our kids last year and they are learning to appreciate it)

12. You wanted to be a Goonie. (I got this movie for our kids this year and they will hopefully learn to appreciate it, too)

13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing.

14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off, his cheeks shifted and his nationality became questionable.

15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf. (I have a Smurfette Christmas ornament – it’s cool)

16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.

17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

18. You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.

19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets. (Were we sappy or what?)

21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?'

23. You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'.

24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

25. You have ever played with a Skip-It, Pogo Ball, or Popples.

26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that. (John Cusack “Say Anything” is on my all-time great movies list)

27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

29. You remember ALF, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.

30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as 'NKOTB'. (Hello, I remember them and am still in love with them!)

31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,' The ORIGINAL class.

32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

33. You just sang those words to yourself.

34. You still sing 'We are the World'

35. You tight-rolled or french-cuffed your jeans; and still debate on which is the right term!

36. You owned a banana clip.

37. You remember 'Where's the Beef?'

38. You used to (and probably still do) say 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'

39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you! (it’s OK, I am, too)

40. Your hair looked like this for at least 1 school picture! (Holli!)

It's Finally Here...Christmas!

Santa was pretty good to the kids this year...

Ashley loves her High School Musical beanbag!

Peyton has more legos than he knows what to do with!

Ashley loves getting her picture taken, too!

Whoa! Peyton is surprised with a memory card for his PS2.

Peyton uses his new lego table in his room


Ashley plays with her new Barbie house and her zillion new dolls.

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve we went to church and then braved the wintery winds at "Winter Garden Aglow" at the Idaho Botanical Gardens. The pictures are blurry, but that's because it was snowy and windy and the camera had condensation on it. OK, it's also because I'm not a very good photographer.
















When we got home the kids got to open some presents from Mom & Dad and each other. Aren't they cute in their Christmas jammies?

Gingerbread Houses

We tried making gingerbread trains this year with a kit -- the kids were done by the time we put the four walls together on the caboose. However, they enjoyed eating the candy so by the time we got around to decorating it we were low on supplies.















Then last week we were invited to decorate gingerbread houses at the O'Keeffe's with a bunch of friends from our school and neighborhood. Peyton stuck it out until the end and his house turned out very cute. Ashley was more interested in playing with Ian's toys so Melissa and Sandy decorated her house for her. The tree made out of caramel apple wrappers was very cool before it got too warm and melted. But check out the hershey shingles and the stained glass window made out of gummy melons!


Peyton's house


Ashley's house

We're Going to the Sugar Bowl!

Yep, we finally decided to book the trip. I bought the tickets weeks ago, but Jeff and I kept going back and forth over whether or not to go. But you know, how often do our Utes play in the Sugar Bowl? Watch for us on TV January 2nd -- down with the Crimson Tide -- GO UTES!

Crazy Drivers

I was driving home on Sunday night after a successful shopping spree when a guy in a pickup starting doing donuts on the freeway. I was not able to stop quickly enough and slammed into him. He and I are both fine, but look at my poor car! I actually don't think it looks too bad, but the bill from the repair shop says otherwise. Good thing I have insurance from Liberty Mutual (shameless plug for my brother-in-law, Matt).

S N O W ! ! !

Winter is finally here! Jeff and the kids took the sled to the park across the street - not the best sledding hill but it'll do! Charley was pretty excited about the snow, too!

Peyton's Music Program @ School

Roots Run Deep

I have always felt a strong connection to family. From my mom's side of the family who diligently schedules family reunions every three years for Oswalds of six generations, to Leo's family who shows me that even if our cousins are former convicts they deserve a place at the Thanksgiving table, I've realized that family ties mean a lot.

My mom grew up in a small town in Nebraska -- West Point. We left West Point when I was 6 years old and followed Leo to Utah. From the age of 7 until 18 I spent time every summer in West Point, Nebraska with my grandparents. There was no shortage of uncles, aunts, or cousins. And even in the last 13 years I've tried to visit as often as possible to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, and the rest of the family.

This past year I lost both of my grandparents. At Grandma's funeral I remember thinking that it might be my last trip to West Point--and then thinking that I'm too young to have a "last" of anything. Still, I don't know when I'll get back there. Luckily, I have second cousins and other relatives in the area (along with uncles and aunts not too far away) who keep in touch and remind me of the kind of life in West Point, Nebraska.

Cousin Connie sent an email the other day about West Point's town Christmas tree this year. It just happens to be the tree from her parents' old house. Connie's mom and my grandma were sisters. They had coffee at least once a week for as long as I can remember. Connie's parents passed away several years ago and the kids sold the house; it was the new owner who donated the tree to the town. Connie said she remembered buying that tree for her dad, Norm, for Father's Day one year, and planting it in the front yard. You can see a picture and a story from the local paper here: http://www.wpnews.com/

This makes me think that there can't be that many Christmas trees around towns in the USA this time of year for which we know their whole history. I started thinking that only in West Point would the town Christmas tree have a story and only in a family like mine with such deep roots would we all share the story.

Attention Football Fans

Check out this youtube video, you won't be disappointed (I promise even Cougar fans will laugh)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6CROOR2QN8

Black Friday!

A few years ago my sisters-in-law talked me into getting up early and going shopping with them on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was reluctant to wake up so early, but when we got to Wal-Mart, snuck in front of everyone waiting in line, and pushed and shoved to get the Carebears, I was hooked! It's a woman's sport. This year did not disappoint. Some woman rammed Brandi in her tummy (her 8-month pregnant belly) so Brandi hit her with a Hannah Montana guitar. I got my toe run over by a cart and knocked over a bunch of DVDs but neither one stopped me. Deana was such a trooper to stand in line while Holli, Brandi, and I canvassed the stores for the best deals. We woke up at 3:45, hit Wal-Mart at 5:00 am, Target at 6:00 am, then Old Navy and Toys-R-Us. We paused for breakfast and then hit Kohl's just for fun. We made it home a little after 1:00, although I told Jeff we'd "for sure" be done by 12:00. Oh well, you can't stop until the car is full and we lived up to that motto. Check out these pics!

Thanksgiving in Kaysville

Bobby's blog says it all...

http://thewynnsofnorthogden.blogspot.com/

UTAH 48 BYU 24

Can you say "Mountain West Conference Champions"?
Can you say "Undefeated"?
Can you say "BCS Buster"?

Peyton and Ashley have something to say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sV1Sm-OuEM

Ashley Got Her Ears Pierced!

She didn't even cry!

Peyton Lost Another Tooth (#3)

Can you guess which one?

New Kids on the Block!

I've been waiting for my boys to return for 18 years and it was worth the wait! I was a pretty crazy 13-year-old girl in the summer of 1990 when all I could think about was Jonathan Knight and NKOTB--I became that girl again last weekend in Salt Lake City. My crazy mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and neice joined me and our craziness level just multiplied. By the time I drove to Utah on Saturday Deana and the girls were in the midst of making one-of-a-kind t-shirts for all of us. I brought along my duffel bag filled with 18-year-old NKOTB memorabilia (no joke), including books, magazines, posters, shoelaces, water bottle, bracelet, earrings, pins (the BIG ones!), and my homemade scrapbook including important info on each "kid" (like favorite color and the kinds of girls they like). I told you I had been waiting for this!

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when those boys came on stage. They are more hot now than ever before (of course, I've gone through puberty since the last time I saw them so I'm sure that has something to do with it)! We had great seats, especially when they did a couple songs in a small stage in the middle of the arena--I had a close-up view of Jonathan and his delicious arms and delectable rear end. I don't think Erika (Justin's wife) quite understood the depth of my feelings for NKOTB, but I think she realizes it now. Brandi, eight months pregnant, was pretty crazy herself.


You can visit Erika's blog at justinanderika.blogspot.com and Brandi's blog at mattandbrandi.blogspot.com for more pictures and stories. My infamous butt picture is on their blogs as well...

The Oregon Coast

On Friday we flew to Oregon for a weekend at the coast. Our friends Kim and Dan were supposed to join us but had to stay in Utah and take care of family so it was just the four of us. We stayed at a condo at the Inn at Otter Crest -- it's literally on the edge of a cliff! Our view was unbelievable!(http://www.innatottercrest.com/)

We had a blast and although the kids weren't supposed to get wet, I couldn't get mad at them when they had such huge grins on their faces. The weather was a cool 65 degrees most of the time. We hit the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Marine Science Center, but mostly we relaxed.

Halloween!

Halloween in Boise is like Pioneer Day in Utah or a home football game for the Huskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. It's a big event! Half the city turns out to trick-or-treat on Harrison Blvd. and it's wall-to-wall people. This year we were able to make the trek with a few friends. The grins on the kids' faces said it all. I can't wait 'til next year!



Ashley carved this pumpkin almost entirely by herself. She's pretty independent...I wonder where she gets that?...










The pumpkin on the bottom is supposed to be the witch from Snow White but the damn squirrels got to it before I got to take a picture. The pumpkin on top is Peyton's.









Is this the cutest witch you've ever seen or what?


























Our ninja was focused on only one thing -- treats!!!

The goblins (clockwise from top left): Peyton/Ninja, Owen/Dale Earnhardt, Geoffrey/SPD Ranger, Ty/Darth Mal, Charlie/Superman, Jack/Hedwig (the Harry Potter owl), Ian/Mystic Force Ranger, and Ashley/Witch.

SURVIVOR

I've decided that instead of forwarding funny and insightful emails, I'll just post them on our blog. So here goes - this one's a good one!

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects , cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:
each child's birthday,
height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size
and doctor's name.
Also the child's weight at birth,
length, time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear and
what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance.
The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

Pumpkin Patches, Hay Rides, & Corn Mazes!!!

Nothing says "October" like a trip to the pumpkin patch! So we loaded up the family Infiniti and headed out to the 'burbs (Meridian) to Linder Farms. Besides smelling like a farm, we got to feed animals and Peyton & Ashley got to ride horses around in a circle. I must also say that we did pretty well in the corn maze -- much better than Jeff and I did on our first date (when we "cheated" and went out one of the gates).

On the Hay Ride

Peyton's Horse

Ashley's Horse

Aren't They Cute???

Still A Ham!