Christmas List (Stef)

Well, I am with Blaine, this is a serious thing so it has taken me extra long to compose :)

New Michael Buble Cd (or mp3s)

Disney DVDS for Bret -some examples would be
Disney's Tarzan DVD
Happy Feet DVD (this may not be Disney...sorry)
Lion King
Aladdin
(any with fun music for him to enjoy) (we don't care if they are used)

tripod like Dad's sweet one for our camera
money to go shopping (one of my favorite hobbies) :)
Food Storage
photo paper (for the printer)
appetizer tongs
mini wisp

long black beaded necklace
cute beanie/scarf/and or gloves

those are the practical/affordable ones

now just to be like you guys I gotta put these ones on there too:
chacos
Tuacahn season passes
sewing machine (not sure if I really want this or not)
guest bed so our moms can stay comfy when we have the new baby!

Well that's all :)

Devil Woman Gone! (mom)

Did anyone notice that Kristi's devil woman eyes have turned brown?? And now we have a new little title, too. And is it just me, or did something happen to Blaine's left eye? Hmmmm. . . just wondering.

My unnrealistic Christmas List :) (Janey)

Hi everyone,
Of course I have to start out with the things that are unnrealistic to give but what I really want:
-Someone to decide where I should I go to graduate school
-Someone to fill out my grad school applications
-Someone (namely Blaine) to take the GRE for me
-Someone to find a good job for me
-Someone to figure out the squeaky thing in my car

If someone could do those things for me, I wouldn't need any thing else :) Please note how there is no diamond ring on that list (usually there is...but not this year. That is just too far out of my realm. We can let Rose take care of that one this year. The cool thing for her is that it might actually happen! Wahoo!!!!)

Okay, now to my real list:
-Clothes of course (running clothes, jackets, pants, everything)
-That Girl (season 5)
-A new journal. I really like the one I have right now. It's spiral bound down the side with a hard back cover.
-Flirty apron (um...I have actually already purchased this so don't buy one)
-Cookies (ha, just kidding)
-Book: "Code of Honor" by Betsy Brannon Green
-New silver watch
-Jewlry

I can't think of anything else. If I do, I'll add to it!

Love ya!
Jane

My grown up Christmas List

Hmmmm...

Well there is this one book called "Coping with not Being an 'Original 5'" that I'd really like to read....ha ha, just kidding.

Let's see

hmmm...

vacuum that works
griddle (on which to make multiple pancakes at the same time - - is that a griddle? I am so done making them on a frying pan)
Big bread loaf pans....like double long ones....ask Shauna Jones, she has them.
Lens hood for Nikon D40
Camera bag for D40
Cool boots...but I totally plan to buy this with any birthday loot I get, or with money I get from donating plasma. I simply will not wear flip flops in the snow, again.
Warm Coat
Cute hat and gloves (warm).... I hope to look like Jennifer Aniston did in that show Janey and I went to go see her in.
Babysitting coupons ( I would be completely happy if that is all I got!)
Anxiety medication for my upcoming flight
New unified cool silverware, of the non rusty variety
Other sorts of cooking gidgets and gizmos to hone in on my craft
speaking of crafts mabey a fabric cutter and mat....eh, I don't really want to waste a Christmas present on that, but if anyone knows anyone who has an old one they are getting rid of....
Oooo! Nice straightening iron with that concoction you are supposed to put on your hair before straightening it (Jane what is that stuff?).
Uh...did I already say babysitting coupons?
Chocolate covered pretzels, which I have decided are my very favorite treat
Gym pass to the Lehi recreation center
Or
Elliptical machine
My own carribean island
Hmmm.... I could go on and on and on.
Uh, full day preschool for Gwen
Did I mention babysitting coupons?
Ski pass
weekend ( or week, or weeks, or months) away with Blainey bopper
time for myself
um......okay, done for now!
wait wait, gift card to Maurice's. AKA "pants that fit"
Modest swimming suit with magical slimming powers. And hey if we are going for magical powers maybe it could have magical tanning powers too.

oh wait wait, just read Nick's list..I would love a bike too, and a bike trailer....er...I guess two bike trailers. Dang I have a lot of kids!

Can't wait for Christmas!

For Rose - From Nick

Whatever anyone thought about giving me for Christmas this year, I would like you to think again and just use that money to help get Rose what she wants. She is such a good girl, and she deserves it all. Love ya Rose!

Ok, but it never hurts to throw out there what I would like:

-A new computer (j/k of course): I just can't stand slow slow slow computers and ours seem to get slower everyday. They still work fine but I am not kidding they are slow.
-A new set of Irons (golf clubs): This is something I would need to choose myself probably, and would be almost as expensive as a computer.
(I am just trying to get my juices flowing here, that is why I put the first two items)
-A wireless router. It really would be nice to be able to use internet anywhere in our house, not just the little upstairs office
-A handful of new Zebra F-301 pens. I think I am about out and those pens are the best
-New jean, or works shirts, or ties, or socks, or polo shirts, etc...
-Beautiful artwork for our front room
-New nice chair for the front room
-Goggles (this is something I would probably need to pick because I would be kinda picky about it.)
-New furniture set or kitchen table
-Some good books on CD or digital (i.e. Enders Game, Michael Crighton books, Harry Potter, etc) This would make our frequent drive to WVC not only bearable but something to look forward too. Stef and I love listening to books.
-A real football (something like Max's nice Nike one - not a nerf ball)
-Some fun new Cologn
-A family trip
-A decent road bike to start getting me in to biking (this would require lots of shopping to find a good deal)
-A Zions Ntnl park pass, or even a Pass for all the national parks. Stef and I have talked about trying to visit all the parks next summer.
-New flip-flops. (again, something I would need to choose)
-A new nice watch, or to get my current one fixed...which would probably be cheap but it is just one of those tasks that I never get around too
-For the whole fam to move to St. George!!!! You guys will love it here.
-Some dumbells (like a 20 and 25 lbs)
-Materials for the GMAT

Ok, I better stop, this is getting out of hand. I don't need any of this stuff, but if you insist on giving anything, this could give you some ideas of things I have thought about before (except those last two...the juices got flowin then went straight south - basically forget the last two).

Loves and thanks for getting through the list.

Nick

St George Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,

Nancy came over last night to update me on their St. George plans and I thought I would pass them along. Both houses are reserved for the whole weekend. From here on out houses will be identified by the "Yorg" house and the "other" house. She thought the marrieds might want to sleep in the other house (B&K, James &K) and Dad and I sleep in the Yorg house in our regular corner room with grandma and Gwen Y next door in the white bedroom. I also learned that Gwen's favorite friend, Robbie, is coming down for the weekend. Nancy is thinking Richard, Max and Robbie will be in the basement at the Yorg house.

Also, Nanc wanted to know when everyone is planning on going down. Since Dad is willing to work out of the other house (where there is internet access) on Wed., we may go down on Tues. night since Max and Janey don't have school on Wed. This was happy news for me. I know Blaine doesn't have Wed. off but we hope you can make it down that night so you are there on Thanksgiving. What are your plans B&K?

Rosey, you are welcome to invite Daniel. Would you stay the whole weekend? Do you have school on Wed? Nick and Stef, what are your plans? Last I heard you were eating turkey with us and heading to SLC Friday.

One more item - family Christmas photo. Can we all plan on taking a photo on T-day? Bring your nice camera Kristi!! Anyone care what we wear? Or where we take it?

Should be fun. Let me know plans ASAP.

Thanks and love, Mom

In the spirit of being selfish...(ROSE)

Ok so I just thought of one more thing I really want...would not want to keep it off the list! :) There are a few books I would really like to own, but for the sake of not looking too selfish, I will just name one. It is called Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam. I am really interested in the topic. I am done...sorry!

-Rosey

Bachelor Life: Way Overrated

I am currently living the Bachelor life and it is way overrated. Just to give you a taste of what I mean, after my church meetings today, I took a 3 nap, drove around our ward to familiarize myself more with the boundaries, played the piano at the church, and hung out with my 60 yr old YM Secretary for a few hours. It was actually quite fun but one day is enough, and I am ready for work to start again and then later to join Stef and Bret in WVC.

Life is going pretty well overall. Work has slowed down significantly which is a huge blessing. Things with my calling are still overwhelming and I am just doing my best to know how best to help the young men. My next big push is going to be to get the qourums organized, and get these YM qourum presidencies to start utilizing their keys and fulfilling their callings. It will be a blessing for everyone involved if they will. The Lord really has a great system set up to help members of the church at all ages and phases of life...the trouble comes when people don't follow through with or implement that system. Home Teaching is the best example of that principles but it applies to all kinds of areas of our lives. First and foremost, if satan would quite picking on families and let families help and encourage each other, that would be the very best thing to help get people active and doing well. Next if neighbors and hometeachers would look past their busy schedules once in a while and reach out that could really help, and ultimately, if everyone would magnify their callings with the spirit I believe lots more lost souls would be found and helped. But alas, it is not so easy. it really takes hard work, discpline, trust, faith, and other principles that require time and cultivation. I suppose all we can really hope for is that everyone is just doing their best. I really believe that when we are giving it our best the Lord will help fill in the necessary gaps that we leave behind. I really have a testimony that this is the Lord's work and the imperfections are not in the church itself but in people like me who need so much help to fufill a calling the right way.

On a slightly lighter note, Bret is now sleeping in a big-boy bed. He still requires us to rock him to sleep before we put him down so I guess it isn't really like he is doing anything different (fall asleep in our arms, sleep, wake up 7 hrs later) except somehow he wakes up earlier in the big boy bed...go figure. Stef has been so sweet all week long to be the one to go and get him and either try and put him back to sleep, or entertain him till it is at least 7:00 or 7:30. Bret is now learning to talk and can say more and more words every day. I really can't believe how old he is getting.
Stef gets cuter everyday. She is sure in great spirits too considering she has to carry a big beach ball around under her shirt that weighs like 15 lbs all day. She does an amazing job being patient and loving with Bret, and has really been doing lots of stuff getting ready for Christmas. She was not joking when she said she has lots if not most of her shopping already done. She is just great. She just got called to teach in RS which she was really excited about. Every time she teaches she puts in what seems like hours of preparation (I am always so impressed).

I'll end, but I love you all very much. Thanks for your happy spirits and good examples to me. They mean so much to me!

Nick

BFF (mom)

This is the night we've waited for;
Always a treat we have in store!
We love each other more and more
With ev'ry BFF

Good food and games for everyone;
Being together can be fun!
Father and mother, daughter, son,
Together at BFF!

The New York Steaks are thawing, the garden red potatoes are ready to be scrubbed. I whipped up a little hot artichoke dips for an appetizer. See you all at 6 pm tonight. (Hope Carol Graff Gunn didn't mind a slight change of the words. For some reason this song was buzzing thru my head when I pulled the steaks out and I had to share.)

And to Nick and Stef - we will miss you A LOT but are glad you get to go out with Brent and Nancy.

Love, mom

Devil Woman

Am I the only person who feels like I may turn to stone from the laser beams shooting out of my eyes in the picture on the BAWB.

Just sayin'. . .

My Christmas Wish List (Rosey)

All Janey's talk of Christmas has got me excited! So out of my greedy heart, I thought I would write a quick wish list...emphasis on the word WISH. I just need something to unwind my mind so this is fun...

A pair of choco sandals (they are super, super, super nice...and even more super expensive)
Food for my lowly apartment
A ski trip with my siblings
New pants and shoes
a diamond ring
Cleats
Gum
Homemade bread
A new power cord for my computer
Money
Prime Family time

and I am sure there are other things...but for now! tah tah.

Love you all...

Research (Janey)

After extensive research, I found our list that we did last year (we are a little late this year...last year we talked about it in October). Stef is correct in her calculations, everyone gives two older. Here's the list:

Blaine and Kristi give to Rosey
Nick and Stef give to Max
Janey gives to B&K
Rosey gives to N&S
Max gives to Janey

I am assuming we want to stick with $30-$35?

Do we want to do dollar gifts? I am thinking probably not because we won't have many people at the house anyway. Rosey, Max, and I will probably all sleep in until noon. Ha ha. Just kidding. If anyone has thoughts...do share. Christmas lists on the BAWB would be helpful!

Love, Janey

Christmas is on the Way!!! (Janey)

We can know that Christmas is coming soon because the Harold B. Lee Library already has their Christmas tree's up. One time I got thinking and wondering why they put their christmas stuff up so early...the conclusion I came to was that they want us to enjoy them for at least a month, and because we all go home so early in December, they decide to get a jump start on it all and put stuff up at the beginning of Novemember. Anyway, I am excited for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, does anyone remember where we are in our rotation? Who gives to who? I am suprised Stef hasn't said anything yet...last I heard her Christmas shopping was practically done. :) I am so jealous of your amazing early Christmas shopping skills!
Quick update on my life:
-Smart Cookie is done! Weird but amazing to be done. It is amazing how I kind of miss it. Then when I really think about it and the things I didn't like about it, then I don't miss it very much! I think it might also help me stay a little bit more healthy. I already don't crave cookies as much.
-School. School is good. I love my major and my classes. I can't believe that I only have one more semester and then I graduate. Don't get me wrong, I still have another two years, but it will be nice to have my undergrad done! It's time to buckle down and study for the GRE and really wok on those Graduate school applications.
-Roommates. Love my roommates. We have so much fun together and I really do feel like we all care about eachother's lives. I didn't see Lara all day yesterday and it took us like an hour this morning to catch up on everything that we had missed from the day before. I love it! The hard thing is how crazy I am about things being clean. I kind of get tired of cleaning up after people, but I figure it is kind of my own problem. We have lots of guy apt friends in the ward and it is super fun. I love my ward and feel like everyone is really friendly.
-FHE mom: I wasn't super excited about this calling, but I have learned to love it! I need to do better at reaching out to the few people who don't come, but those of us who do come...we have a great time!
-Blaine and Kris: I love having them so close. They are so nice to let me come over for dinner and I love that I can occasionally go and babysit. It's weird because it reminds me so much of the good old days when I would go my freshman year....but their family is a whole lot bigger now. It's a little more difficult to babysit three kids than one. I put them to bed last night while B&K went to dinner. As much as I was kind of going crazy, I was really laughing my head off. I was trying to read Gwen a story while Ivy (who was really squirmy) was sitting on my lap and grabbing the book. Ben was on the other side of me jumping on the couch and yelling words at the top of his lungs. Their little neighbor from upstairs was over (age 3 or so) and she was yelling trying to tell Ben to be quiet. Meanwhile, Gwen was sitting patiently next to me while I attempted to read the book. The whole situation just made me laugh. They went to bed really well afte rthe story was over.
-Love Life: It has actually been quite exciting and there is too much to write. I have been asked out a bunch this year which is really flattering. Although I haven't really been to excited about anyone that I have gone with, I have had a good time with them and just getting to know people. The best part of my dating life (I guess this should go a little bit more under a "friends" category, but I am going to put it here), is that Brian is back! Although we haven't gone out on an official date, it just makes me happy that I now get to see him and Tim more often. They just make me laugh (Rosey got to meet them and was in full agreement that Tim is pretty much one of the funniest people out there!) I went with Brian this past Sunday to the CES fireside. It was just me and him and it was great. I felt like he treated me like a girl, not like his little sister. He opened my doors and even came up with me to my apt and helped me make syrup for a Waffle Party my apt. was hosting later that night. It was fun to see him interact with my roommates who are even younger than me. I'll just say it...I like him. The great thing is, I feel like everything between me and him, and everything in my dating life is just where it is supposed to be. It is truly a great feeling to have. Who knows what will happen, but I just feel like life is good!
-Bowling Team: I have been especially invited by Chelsy Erickson to join a bowling league (I think they wanted my mad skills because they know I have great potential because Great Grandma Layton? Winder? bowled a perfect game once.) Anyway, it will be Chelsy, Katie (roommate), Katie, Amy, Emerald (who were all in that ward) and me. If you only knew these girls and how funny they were you would also want to be on this bowling team. I wish you could read the facebook thread of what everyone has said, you would laugh your head off. I justhope we don't get kicked out of the bowling ally. Anyway, we have the team name of the "Pin Pals" (apparntly taken from "The Simpsons"), and it should be a lot of fun. I think this starts in Jan. or Feb. It will just be fun to see these guys once a week!
Sorry, that was a little bit longer of an update than planned, but there's the basics of my life!
Love, Jane