For My Fellow Twilight Fans

My sister-in-law, Jen, just informed me that they have cast the part of Edward in the movie Twilight! Apparently it will be Robert Pattinson, known for his role in Harry Potter 4 as Cedric Diggory.
I have some mixed feelings about it. I've had some mixed feelings about them even making a movie, because it might ruin my vision of the characters and setting. However, if the movie is anything like the book, it will be awesome. I can see this guy portraying Edward okay, but I still know what "my" Edward looks like. It's something like this:
Anyway, just thought I'd share the news. You can read all about it at Stephenie Meyer's website:

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html

And by the way, The girl they cast as Bella is all wrong, In my opinion...

Christmas Shopping

I used to LOVE Christmas shopping: going to the mall, taking my time picking out the perfect, most thoughtful present for everyone on my list. But over the past few years, Christmas shopping actually seems like a chore to me, which I hate and feel really sad about. Maybe it's the fact that my husband doesn't like to shop. Or maybe it's that I can't just run out and get something without getting 3 kids fed, clothed, and in their car seats- not to mention dragging them screaming all around town. No, it's not that bad, but it is hard. I can't wait until they can just follow me around and not have to be pushed in a stroller or carried.
But I can't really blame this on the kids. I must be getting old, because lately I just can't stand the crowds, the rude people honking and cutting people off for parking spots, and the annoying kids screaming for everything in the store. I sometimes think online shopping was created for me.
I have most of my shopping done, and I did it in one evening. It wasn't the most fun shopping experience I've ever had, but it was efficient, and I'm pretty proud of myself for that. I love to dawdle and look at everything in the entire place, but I just can't do that anymore. I think I'm ruined. Even when Peter watches the kids and I have time to window shop and take my time, I just don't. At least Peter should be grateful for that. Hopefully someday I'll be able to calm down and enjoy Christmas shopping like I used to. If not, there's always the Internet.

Levi's Baby Blessing

Levi Kevin Shirley was named and blessed yesterday in our ward. My family was able to come down. Kira was out of town, so she missed it. We also had all of the Shirleys in town there. It was a very nice blessing and it was a fun weekend to visit with family.


After the blessing, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Shirley's house to have dinner. Here are some pictures from the day.

Christmas Quiz

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, And try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy and paste into your blog and change the answers so they apply to you. No pressure, this is just for fun! Merry Christmas!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper- I love to wrap presents (I think it's one of my useless talents). Boxes are so much cuter to decorate!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial for now. maybe a real one someday. But if not, I have to have a tree-scented candle!

3. When do you put up the tree? When we get back from Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? A couple days after New Years Day

5. Do you like egg nog? Disgusting- I have a raw egg phobia.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? This is hard- I still think it was the Kimberly cheerleader doll I got when I was 4. I loved that thing!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have the Willow Tree set, minus the shepherds. Maybe I can get them after Christmas.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Peter! He doesn't want anything, or if he does, he either changes his mind or it's a book that's out of print!

9. Easiest person to buy for? My kids- they like everything!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!

11. Ever recycled a Christmas present? I probably have, but I can't remember anything specific!

12. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably socks or underwear wrapped under the tree if there didn't seem like enough gifts down there!

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Story/ Meet Me in St. Louis/ White Christmas (3-way tie)

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to start in September, but usually get a late start and have to fight for parking spots during December.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar Molasses cookies and Ham

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear and red

17. Favorite Christmas song? Some Children See Him or Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Either one is great, but I like to be home I think.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Nothing right now, but I want a star on top.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open 1 gift Christmas Eve from our gift exchange, but the rest in the morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic and Long lines

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love red, white and silver. And I love candy cane stripes on anything!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just to be able to get some things for the kids. But if I had to pick something for myself, a new camera.

Thanksgiving Pictures

This post has been long overdue! We had a great time at Thanksgiving in St. George this year and were happy to be able to see our family members that we don't see often. This year we stayed with Peter's brother and sister-in-law and we had a really fun time. Our kids all played together and it was a lot of fun to spend time together.

Jonah and his cousin, Emma

Jonah and his cousin, Nick

Levi

Emma loved Levi!

Eden's way of going down the slide! It didn't even phase her!

We started our weekend with breakfast at a church building, which we've done for years now. It's fun to see everyone and to play a couple games of Bump-out. This year, I even played though I was usually the first one out!

Grandma and the kids at breakfast

Bump-out at the church

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, as usual. We stuffed ourselves and then had FHE afterward. My cousin made a DVD slideshow and it was really good. There were a lot of pictures of me and my sisters that I had never even seen before.

Getting the meat ready

Grandma and Levi

Friday morning was my Grandpa Willard's funeral, and it was really special. He definitely was missed at Thanksgiving, but I was so glad that we were able to all attend the funeral. Friday night we had our Silly Song Night, and like usual, we made fools of ourselves, but it was fun.

Me and my dad at Grandpa Willard's gravesite

Connie, Jonah, and Great-Grandma Willard

On Saturday, my sister-in-law and I went to the Craft Boutique there in St. George and there were a lot of cute things. My family usually goes back to Logandale on Saturday, but we had to stop at Pizza Factory first! I worked there during college, and it is the yummiest place ever!

Chowing down at Pizza Factory
BYU beat the U! Yeah!

The kids were happy to get back to Grandpa and Grandma's house. They were pretty overwhelmed with the huge Willard crowd in St. George. We had a great weekend and were so happy to see everyone!