Grown Ups Only!

A few weeks ago all of the adults in Tadd's family headed up to Salt Lake for a grown-ups only night out, I guess I'm considered one of those! We ate at a place called Biaggi's, which is a nice Italian restaurant, it was really good! Then we headed over to Gateway for a little shopping for the girls, and the arcade for the boys! I bought myself a cute coat from J.Crew, thanks to my sister-in-law for seeing it first!

L to R: Corbin (oh so happy), Lindey, me, Lacey, Kecia and Tysen

The other side of the table from front to back: Chris, Kris, Rick, Tadd, Andrew Law, Shaley and Steve. You can't see the last few people, sorry! My mother in law, Camme is across from Steve, next to Corbin.

Lindey, Kecia, me and Tysen in front of the waterfalls at Gateway. Before we took this picture the waterfalls weren't going, and then out of nowhere they shot up really high while a Christmas song began. I screamed so loud, and must've jumped down two or three stairs.

In front of the cute fires they have.

Getting ready to do some shopping! Don't you just covet Lacey's handbag???

We had a really good time, and I hope this becomes a holiday tradition!

How to Care for...

I ran across an awesome All Mighty advertising insert in a magazine with many tips and tricks to treating your clothing, and I knew I must share with all my fellow clothes-lovers. This may be slightly lengthy, but worth the read!

Knits

-Always lay flat to dry or tumble dry low heat inside a pillowcase to help them keep their shape.
-Fold sweaters of padded hangers - hanging them can stretch the shoulders
-It iron wool without leaving marks, use steam and lower and lift the iron instead of sliding it back and forth
-Wrap sweaters loosely in white tissue paper with a cedar block to deter moths before sealing them a cloth bag for the season

*Style Tip: Accidently shrink a sweater? Create a slouchy layered look by wearing it over a long cami or graphic tee
**Secret Tool: Remove piling from your favorite sweater by gently sweeping it with a disposable razor.

Washable Silk

-Silk is only washable if it is pre-washed by the manufacturer. Read the label carefully!
-Avoid detergents with enzymes or high alkaline content, as it can weaken silk
-Wash colored silk items individually, since dyes may bleed.
-Wrinkles in silk? Iron the garment inside-out with a warm iron
-Silk fabrics weaken when wet, so never wring or twist them. Remove moisture by rolling them in a towel instead.
-Hang silk from a padded or plastic hanger to dry. It distributes weight evenly to avoid stretching.

*Style Tip: Layer a super-soft tissue tee under a ilk dress for a casual effect that also reduces static.
**Secret Tool: Ues crocheted hangers to keep straps and slippery fabrics from sliding.

Delicates

**Secret Tool: Rub nylons and tights with damp hands to reduce static electricity between your hose and clothes.

Cotton

-Cotton can withstand high temperatures. Follow care labels and use the hottest water recommended.
-Packing tees for a trip? Roll them tightly to maximize space and reduce wrinkles.
-Cotton is absorbent, so it requires a high setting for quicker drying.
-Iron graphic tees inside out on a low setting to avoid melting the image.

**Secret Tool: Keep T-shirts smelling sweet: soak cotton ballis in your favorite scent (like vanilla), let they dry completely, then place in your drawers next to your tees!

Denim

-Wear jeans at least four times before washing to help them mold to your body.
-Three ways to safely shrink jeans: sit in a cold bath while wearing them (if you're really desperate!), wash them in hot water or put them in the dryer on low heat.
-To preserve color, wash jeans inside out in cold water.
-To refresh the indigo in jeans, wash them with a never-before-washed pair. The color will transfer subtly!
-To make sure they keep their shape, don't hang jeans - store them folded and stacked
-If you're concerned about fading, avoid putting jeans in the dryer.

*Style Tip: Pay attention to the pockets. The bigger the back pockets, the more shapely your
rear appears
*Style Tip: To ensure the perfect length, wash new jeans before you hem them.
**Secret Tool: If the zipper on your jeans sticks, rub it with candle wax to lossen it up.
**Secret Tool: If the zipper slips, spray it with hairspray for stickiness that will hold it in place.

Stack your closets with these must-have storage tools:

Padded Hangers: Help prevent stretching shoulders and denting fabric
Cedar Hangers: Hang clothes and deter moths in one step
Tie Hooks: Perfect for hanging belts or even comisoles
Tissue Paper: Use to wrap knits and delicates before storing
Shelf Liners: Keep fabrics from pulling on splintered wood
Lingerie Sachet: Store in your lingerie drawer to keep it smelling sweet
Steamer: Gently remove wrinkles from fragile clothing

Santa Claus Came to Town!

Store Manager: Ok people, tomorrow morning, 10 a.m! Santa's comin' to town.
Buddy: SANTA!!!!!! OMG! Santa, here??? I know him! I know him!

Buddy's reaction to Santa's arrival perfectly described my feelings upon Santa's surprise visit to my in-laws last night. This event has been going on in Tadd's family ever since he can remember, and it's my second year attending. I was sure to take plenty of pictures to document this evening! (You'll have to excuse the red eye in pretty much every picture. I'm in need of a new camera!)

Tysen and Ava accompanied the family while singing Christmas Carols

Crew and I anticipated Santa's arrival

The kids were unaware that Santa was coming, but there was the feeling of anticipation in the air for sure!

Look at those beautiful blue eyes!

Crew and Tadd cuddling

We all wondered how Ava would handle Santa, and she surely didn't disappoint! She would have nothing to do with him, and even threw his gift bag on the floor!

The twins didn't seem to mind him, however.

All the grandkids with Papa and Grandma

I didn't have a chance to get a picture of each little family posing with Santa, but I did get the Leishmans and DeMartinis.

Tadd asked Santa for a full-functioning finger for Christmas, and I asked for jeans!

Santa shared a special song with us before leaving, and we all listened intently.

Our cute neice Madi, the oldest of all the grandkids, with Griffin

Apartment Searching

Attention! Tadd and I are looking to move into an apartment the early part of next year, and we are having no luck finding a place! We'd like to pay no more than $600, and would prefer not renting at a big apartment complex. If any of you hear of ANYTHING let me know! Thanks!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

The boys are finally big enough to fit in the Yankees onesies Tadd bought them! Crew promptly threw up on his after this picture was taken, he must not like the gift!

Tree Trimmin'

Tadd is skilled. Way skilled. His skills even extend to that of Christmas Tree Trimming. For the past few Christmas seasons the Peterson family has recruited Tadd to string the tree with lights. He has a certain way of doing it, a knack, if you will. Although we are into the middle of December, and my parents just got their tree, they still wanted it looking it's finest, so Tadd and I headed down there last night to assist with the tree. I was merely there to look pretty, as Tadd put his skills to work.

The beginnings of the trimmings

I got a little distracted documenting this event, and began playing with the snowmen.

The finished product, sans ornaments, while
Dad and Jon looked on.

Mallory, remaining surly, as she was when she first arrived home (wink)

Haley received 21 roses throughout the day from yours truly. Ok fine, Jon gave them to her, not me. Here she is as happy as can be with the lucky boyfriend.

Can't you see the sweat upon Tadd's brow? Stringing the tree is hard work!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Happy Birthday Haley Marie!

Haley Marie Peterson turns 21 today! She is the fourth girl among the sixchix, and 16 months younger than I am. Hells, as she is fondly known, has many, MANY talents. Some of them are as follows...

Flashing peace and love to all

Running ridiculous, lenghthy races

Bonding with sisters

Displaying amazement

Blowing award-winning bubbles


Baking goodies, surprise ones, at that

Graduating from Seminary

Screwing up photo-ops

Loving her bf - Jon

Happy Birthday little sis, may your day be filled with joy and GIFTS!

Classic Calvin

Here are some fun wintery cartoons...

Another Fun-Filled Sunday

A most exciting thing happened at church on Sunday, Tadd and I were told we're moving up in the Primary world. We'll be teaching the Valiant 10 class starting in January. And get this, only three kids! So, we are pretty stoked about that...until we heard church was at nine. Hello, we're late at 1:00 pm! I suppose we will just have to grin and bear it...or, move out!

The little boys looking big

Griffin got his head shaved, compliments of Uncle Taddow

Ava here with her own interesting hair-do, post nap.

Sporting a special headdress

You'll have to excuse my orange camera, I'm in need of a new one.

Oh, the holidays...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, I love the gift bags found at the One Spot in Target.

2. Real tree or artificial? For us poor marrieds, a fake one will do just fine.

3. When do you put up the tree? This year, never (livin with the 'rents).

4. When do you take the tree down? Refer to above question.

5. Do you like eggnog? I love it. Amazing, thick stuff - add a dash of nutmeg to it, and mmm delicious!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'll name Mallory's. The doll house!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Sadly, no.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Parents

9. Easiest person to buy for? Sisters, definitely.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? How stupid would we be to send out Christmas cards of just Tadd and me? Oooo...maybe we'll steal the twins, take pictures with them, and claim them as our own!

11. Worst Christmas gift you have ever received? None that I can think of, I've been very fortunate.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Traditional: White Christmas. Trendy: Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I want. I do lots of online shopping, so if I'm bored at work, and it's August...by golly, what a great time to do some Christmas shoppin'!

14. Every recycled a Christmas present? Just the one I'm giving my mom this year...a smelly old shoe.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Little smokies, cheese balls, Peppermint Hershey's Kisses

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Baby it's Cold Outside, Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, that one advent song with the 15 verses...sisters and mom, you know what I'm talking about.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Sleep at parents house or in-laws

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Whitney and Mom both claimed they can with a big DUH at the end, but none of them actually did...so I'll one up them and prove it! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, no tree. :(

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? A little of both

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas has become too commercialized. Why can't it be old fashioned like it used to be? Oh, and the cold.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? The glittery, gold tree ornament we used to rub glitter on ourselves.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just some "us" time with my husband.