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