Enjoying Michael's time off.

Michael took this whole week between Christmas and New Years off.  It's so nice having him relaxed and not stressed out.  I wish he could do this more often.

I have to say this was the best Christmas yet.  We stayed in our PJ's all day, played with the girls, watched movies and relaxed.  No stress.  I didn't clean anything up until Monday.

One more day!

One more day of school.  Tonight I have to make gingerbread men for Karly's class party and chili for the employee luncheon.  I have got a very busy evening ahead of me and then it's smooth sailing through the holidays. 

Kassidy's teacher announced that she wasn't going to come back after the break.  She wants to be a stay at home to her new baby.  Kassidy took it pretty hard.  I am not sure how the rest of the year will turn out but I am praying Kas will be okay.

I got to teach art in Karly's class today.  I think I managed to spread glitter throughout the whole school.  I am sure the janitor loves me.  Karly did a great job.  It was a difficult project but she was one of the first kids done and it looked pretty good.

Getting old and making Christmas

The other day I sat down cross legged for about 2 hours while I watched movies and wrapped presents.  By the time I got up I thought I might need a double hip replacement.  My hips have been cracking, popping, and a bit painful ever since.  The next day I did Pilate's hoping to get back some of the flexibility from my youth.  I decided then and there I need to stretch more.  I do not want to come stiff and sore every time I sit down.
The Christmas count down is on.  Hyper mode has already set in.  The girls are getting wound up more and more every day.  They are already having a hard time falling asleep.  The amount of candy they are bringing home from school and every other function is frightening.  They talk non stop about presents, parties, candy and more presents.  I remember getting so excited that I would make myself sick.  I still get sick but only from eating too much indulgent food. 
I can proudly say that I am just about ready for Christmas to happen.  Only a few more things to wrap and lots of yummy goodies to make.  We have a few more parties and then we will be celebrating a new year.  I really do love this time of year.

A night of culture.

We took the girls to see the lights on temple square this evening.  The weather was very nice and we went early enough so it wasn't crowded.  My favorite tree wasn't covered in red lights this year.  Oh, well.  It was still amazing.  I think my second favorite are the trees covered in orange lights.

After walking around a bit we went to Hatches for their famous hot chocolate.  I swear I have never tasted any better in my life. 

To finish up the evening we attended a Gospel Choir Concert in the Grand Theater in Salt Lake.  They sang the Messiah like I have never heard it before.  A very soulful jazzed up version.  Kassidy was bored but Karly couldn't get enough.  She was singing, dancing and clapping with the best of them.  She was actually sad when it ended.  I have to say my hands hurt when it was over.  I think if I ever went to a church that had that kind of music I would have to develop callouses on my hands from all the clapping.  My friend Michelle is in the choir and she did a great job.  She is in two different choirs.  I asked her what she was going to join next so I could continue my cultural education in the performing arts.

All for now,

Krystal J. Anderson

Hallelujah!!!! The fence guys came and finished our fence. I didn't think they would come until spring because of the snow. Again, gotta love the hard core Utahan's that don't let snow get in their way. They dug out the snow so they could put up the fence. For the first time ever I let Teebo out and he couldn't bolt. He now has a great place to run around. I am so happy.

Yesterday at the library we saw my Mom's book called On the Jericho Road on the new books shelf. Kassidy and I got all excited. It's fun seeing her books in public.

This aftenoon I got to help decorate the Elementary school's Christmas tree. Now mine looks drab and dull. I am going to have to do something about it pronto.

I went grocery shopping at Winco Foods today. It's like a bigger Food 4 Less. I remembered why I don't like shopping there as I was bagging my own groceries. It's worth a few extra dollers to have them bagged and loaded for you.

That's all for now.

The Blizzard

We were supposed to have a blizzard last week. It snowed but not blizzard worthy. This weekend it was just supposed to snow and we got the blizzard. In Virginia the schools would have been cancelled just because they thought it might snow. In Utah we go to school no matter what. We are like the postal workers. Not hail nor sleet or snow will stop us. We are the ones that invented walking to school in waist high snow butt naked uphill both ways.

It was so cute watching Karly try to get through the snow that was up to her knees. I was walking in front of the girls trying to forge a path but the snow was so powdery it just fell back into place. Both the girls were giggling and so excited to be out in the elements. Oh to be a kid again, I just kept thinking I hate snow, I hate snow, I hate snow. :)

Karly has been chosen as star of the week in her class. They are displaying a poster that we made of her and she gets to be teachers helper all week long.

Kassidy is suffering from a head cold. She is feeling pretty miserable but well enough to push Karly's buttons. :) Really she is off to a good start this week. She is eager to help around the house to earn extra money to buy Christmas Presents. She even cleaned up the kitchen all by herself and did a fine job. I was so proud of her and very happy not to have to do it myself.

I am getting some training on the kiln at the school. I am almost ready to fire it up and see what happens. I hope I can pull together the funds I need so that all the kids can do pottery this year.

That's all for now.

Krystal J. Anderson

Thanksgiving

A bit scaled down from last year, we only entertained my parents, my aunt and uncle and Michael's parents. I created a more indoor olympics for the girls because of the extremley cold weather. They had fun competeing against each other in cookie stacking, bubble gum blowing, puzzles, math and various other fun activities.

Kas finally got her braces off. She looks adorable. I can't believe how nice her teeth look. Karly finally lost her top front tooth. She looks super cute. Last night she said a prayer that the tooth fairy would bring her extra money so she could buy nice presents for her family for Christmas. Of course the tooth fairy couldn't resisit that. $$$

We have all really enjoyed the 4 day weekend. Yesterday we took the girls to see Tangled. It was a great movie for all of us.

Michael and I finally tackled the office. We hadn't really organized it since we moved in. Now we are unpacked.

Educational Funding in Utah Stinks!!!

I am upset today because I want to do some pottery with the kids at school. We have the kiln but need supplies and it's so expensive that I don't think I am going to be able to pull it off. It makes me so mad that we don't have the money we need to cover the things the children deserve to have. Something needs to change.

On a lighter note Kassidy has a new friend boy. He has come over to play the last two days. I have to say this one is pretty cute. He has white blond hair, blue eyes and is shorter than Kas. He fits right in this crazy family with his jokes, singing and creative ideas. I also have to say his worm and running man can stand alone. I am glad she has a friend that can keep up with her hyperness.

Karly is making lots of friends this year. She keeps being invited to activities and parties. It's all starting too soon. We just had her parent teacher conference and she is doing very well in school. No surprise she needs to be a better listener and focus more. Our family motto should be"Pay attention and Focus" Michael seems to be the only one who can do that.

I am still enjoying my job as the director of the art program at the girls school. I love working with the kids, getting messy and being near my girls.

Michael is super busy (Is anyone surprised?) He is in charge of a big project at work and so he has to work late nights until Christmas. He is also in the Young Men's presidency at church and is still taking some classes. He is still trying to get into the reserves. It's been a year now since he first applied. So much red tape.

That's a good little update for now. More to come.....

It's Coming

The holidays are here. I have a love hate relationship going on with it all. I love getting presents, buying presents, making yummy food, eating yummy food, listening to Christmas music, visiting with family, Christmas lights, and hot cocoa. I hate... crowded stores, gaining weight, wrapping presents, cleaning up for visitors, trying to make everyone happy and putting away all the decorations when it's over. Wether I like it or not the holidays are here so bring it on!!!!!!
Kas invitied some of her friends over to play this afternoon. I love watching her goof off, giggle and run around. She is entertainment at it's best. Karly tried to tag along and it made me sad because I remember always wanting to be included with Heidi's big girl friends and she rarely wanted me. Kassidy doesn't want Karly. They fight so much it's discouraging. I know that someday they will be best friends like I am with my sisters. It just seems so far away.

Fat, fat and more fat. Why does everything in life that tastes really good have to be so fattening? The more important question is why does food have to taste so good to me? Why can I smell and feel the texture and flavors of food more than others? I think this is my trial in life. Because I have a mind to live longer I watch what I eat but I long for the good stuff. I am always thinking about food and what would taste good with this and that. I wish I could be a beautiful chubby women like Paula Dean and be respected for putting butter in everything. Instead I remain the genetic cesspool and must eat healthy or die.