It Really is a Wonderful Life

We watched this movie tonight as a family, and I have to say, the older I get, the more I love this movie. It's my dad's favorite movie, and I always think of him when I watch it this time of year. Now I join him in declaring that this movie is one of the best movies. Ever. Period. I dare you to disagree with me. If you do, you are cold and heartless and I would really need to question if we should be friends.


Does this picture not say "celebrate"? On Friday our little family officially finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time. In the past our scripture study was always on and off, but we've really tried hard and our labors have paid off. Boyd and I told the boys we wanted to celebrate our big occasion and do something that we don't usually have the opportunity to do. We had planned to go to the roof for dinner on Friday but it was cold and snowy so we gave the boys a choice: The Roof or any other restaurant they could think of. And guess what, the White/Peterson gene prevails in my sons...they all unanimously wanted to go to....wait for it....wait for it.....Chuck-A-Rama. I know!? Crazy and true! So we went, saved a bunch of money (although that place is not cheap), and had the happiest boys in the universe. I haven't seen them that happy in a long time. I mean, icee's, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, apple beer, and chicken - and all you can eat of it. They were so happy, and guess what? It made me happy too.

With our Book of Mormon celebration over on Friday, we had a basketball game, template date, family pics and a ward party on Saturday and tickets for the Tabernacle Choir on Sunday morning. I had also agreed to substitute Primary. And as it goes with my family, during the wintertime, someone always gets the stomach flu. That someone happened to be Logan. Logan told me before I left for a quick errand Saturday evening that his stomach hurt and he was in his bed - which for those of you who have boys, they just don't randomly go lay in their beds. I asked if he went poop, he said he did, and I thought "oh, he'll be alright". I told the other two he wasn't feeling well and ran to Sam's. The next thing I know, I received a text from Spencer saying Logan just threw up. Oh no - our family always gets the stomach flu a few times in the winter and it's never a pretty sight. Luckily, he made it to the "barf bowl" - yes we have a bowl designated for barfing - and it even says "Barf Bowl" on the side. I keep it within easy reach underneath my bed for those late night barfing spells the boys seem to always get.
Boyd ended up taking the other two to the ward party, a long with our cheesy potatoes that Boyd forgot to put the sour cream in. I told him to tell the gal who was in charge, and is my good friend, that they didn't have sour cream so they need to be used last, and only if REALLY needed. But he didn't, so I should apologize to all those who got the White family sourcreamless cheesy potatoes. Unfortunatly, Boyd also decided to use a sharpie and write our name all over our dish so we couldn't get out of the gig unrecognized for our poor side dish. Oh well, the ward is probably not going to want me to bring food anymore, so maybe there is an up side to this.
With Logan sick, we had a slight change in plans. Luckily, he was able to play his basketball game and be okay for family pictures - it hit right after they were over.
My sweet sister Laurel did another awesome year of pictures for us. The shoot was fast, we're pretty sure we had them taken in front of a marijuana shed, and it ended with an impromptu snowball fight.













We had a great snowstorm today, with the biggest flakes I think I've ever seen!



So today, as I stayed home taking care of my 10 year old "baby", and watching the snowflakes fall, I got to comtemplate my many blessings. It really is a wonderful life, even if our cheesy potatoes don't have sour cream and my son is barfing, there's lots to be thankful for.

Merry Christmas courtesty of Wham!

For any of you who know me very well, you may know that I love George Michael/Wham! I always have, and I always will. This posting should probably be titled "Things About Me That Are Embarrassing". But if you know me well, you'll also know I'm usually a little too honest, so I can't deny my feelings for George.

I heard this song going into work this morning, and it put me in the best mood. I LOVE this song, know every word, and LOVE to sing a long. I really get into it. I always sing in the car, but to this song, I really let it fly. I wish I could sing a duet with George, I really do.

If you know me REALLY well, you probably know that George Michael was the first poster of a "boy" I had in my room. Yes it's true, this poster DID come before Kirk Cameron in white blazer/turquoise tee shirt and pink backdrop. When my dad asked me who he was and why he was on my wall, I was so embarrassed, I tore the poster off the wall and threw it away. If my memory serves me correctly, and I'm pretty sure it does, I believe my dad was chuckling as he asked his questions, hence the embarrassment. So sad, I wish I still had it - George in his aviator shades and leather jacket. It was pretty sweet. I'm pretty sure this posting is going to be followed up with an hour of me watching GM videos on Youtube.

Anyway, nothing says Merry Christmas like hearing a good old 80's song sung by a good looking guy with a huge do. I just can't believe George gave "her" the same diamond pin he gave me for Christmas...

Funny!

Yes, I'm Alive!

It is true, I have not died and fallen off the face of the planet. I've just been super busy and not had a moment to either update my blog or read any of my favorites. My sister La said everytime she checked my blog she would get so mad to see "Summer Lovin'". I don't blame her, summer is gone. Sigh.
Here's a few pics of what we've been busy doing...

An early morning sunrise, getting ready for work!


Stampin' Up!'s 2009 Annual Convention. A few of my product lines...






Me dropping off Gatorade and sunscreen to Boyd while he volunteered at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.


Lara brought Reese home as he had a 4-day leave from the military. They best be getting hitched because I like Lara so much!


I now have a 12 year old...



And a 10 year old....



And three football players...
Spencer

That would be Spence, front left, the tall kid...

Spence making a sweet tackle.

Bryant
White, Black...ha ha!


Sorry, all of my action photos are blurry and I can never get Bry in the shot...

Logan




A dirty scout returns home with three new friends...


Lucky for me, 2 got out (outside thankfully) and I convinced him to give the last one to a neighbor so I am lizard free, the way to be!

Me and and my peep Missy take a trip to Wisconsin...

"Head. Pants. NOW!" "It's like an orange on a toothpick"

And finally, conference morning. Breakfast with the family.

Boyd "Would you like a round-house kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys? Forget about it!"

Summer Lovin'

Does this photo not embody everything about summer? I think it's one of my all-time favs.

Boyd's mom and dad had a waterslide party for Boyd's dad's birthday - it's become somewhat of a tradition and we always have such a great time. I had to sit it out because of the leg. Boooo. But it was still so much fun watching.








The boys with their boy cousins on Boyd's side of the family...



Anyone that knows me, should understand how hard it was for me to not go down the slide. Torture I tell ya!

OH, and big news in the White household, Spencer got to sit in the front seat of our car for the first time. YOu need to be 12 to sit in the front, but he's taller than most kids his age and he will be 12 in 6 weeks. It's always a big day when they get to sit in the front seat. He's growing so much I can't believe it!



We also have big news in another area. For the first time in I don't know how long, Bryant's not playing fall baseball. We signed both Bry and Spence up for football. Practices started this week and they are kicking the snot out of Bry (he still loves it) and I've never seen Spencer happier. Seriously. He LOVES this sport and is doing so good! He's got some work to do on receiving, but as far as speed and tacking, he's kicking butt. He's always the fastest at any of the drills they do. I'm loving watching him play - it sure beats soccer! I feel like I'm cheating on my true love - baseball. I feel guilty we're not at the baseball fields, and I feel guilty that the boys are loving it so much. But not guilty enough I guess. Baseball has defined our family for a while, because of Bry's involvement. I don't think Bry will give up baseball (thankfully), but I'm sure he'll be a better player for this experience. IT's good for him. He's playing linebacker and learning lots of new stuff. However, I think Spencer has found his calling. Stay tuned...

Bryant is off at youth conference - and I miss him. He'll be home tomorrow, and I'm sure he's having a great time. Imagine, little Miss Molly (me) never got the opportunity to go on Youth Conferene. Pretty sad, I always had a job from the time I was old enough go. I can't wait to hear the report when he gets home.

Oh, and I can't forget, school started for Spencer (6th grade - in his own words "I'm going to rule the school!") and Logan (4th grade) this week. Argh! Summer's are for staying home and taking swimming lessons, and camping (although I'm on a camping strike until we get a trailer), and sleep outs. However, the boys only know year round school, so they don't mind. I must be getting old, I didn't take them to school the first day like I always do and walk them to class. I let them ride their bikes and they were as happy as can be. I'm a bad mom.




I'll end with a photo of Bellingham Bay in Washington, where I was at last week. Breathtaking!