Christmas 2014

I didn't take many photos over the holidays this year*. I just enjoyed being with people I adore and drinking in the future memories. Christmas Eve and Day were two lovely, peaceful, happy days. Just as they always should be.

Christmas Eve

My mother's brother and sister-in-law returned from their mission this year, so they reinstated the combined Christmas Eve celebrations. I'd missed my cousins, and it's so fun to see how our family has grown in the three years since we last celebrated together. Two new spouses and four new babies! Thank goodness the new house accommodate everybody!

I love that we have an actual kid-sized kid's table!

The G-unit plays "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" while his sisters sing along

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus

The Nativity -- we almost have enough kids to do it without making the adults dress up, too...
Almost. (Thank goodness for cool uncles)

Having a real baby sit in for baby Jesus makes the whole thing that much more poignant

My darling sisters-in-law

Adam's family sang a song they had made up about Zonks's stuffed unicorn, Uni. Here, Dave and Aaron model the Uni decals the Jr. Smyth's wore while singing.

Best cousins talk about their respective medical school experiences

Christmas Day

Extended-family schedule juggling was complicated as usual (thank goodness there were no conflicts for Christmas Eve), but we all came together in time for my sisters-in-law, mom and I to help out with Christmas dinner prep while the boys distracted the kids. We opened presents in shifts based on when people arrived -- before dinner and after. This turned out to be nice because it didn't go on too long and no one had hurt feelings if they had fewer gifts than others. That night, the adult siblings and the G-unit played card games and laughed a lot. Oh, and there was plenty of traditional junk food. 

It was a great day.

Finally snowed in my and my parents' neighborhoods. It was a Christmas miracle and wonderful surprise!

My nieces and I with Corni the Unicorn (Uni's new big little sister)

Once again, Adam and Lindsey came up with a brilliant idea for gifts from their kids to the aunts, uncles, and grandparents: 

Family portraits crafted from beads. 

They are just about the best things ever. 

Dave says he needs to buy a pink shirt now

Dad and Breezy show off the portrait of the grandkids for Grammy and Papa

I adore this Megan portrait, especially the tiara

Aaron and Heidi's family would not be complete without their kitty, Hal

Peter, Jordyn, and baby PJ

I took a photo of the gifts from family. My friends were also generous this year. I am grateful!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, too!


* I borrowed all but those first two Christmas Eve photos from Aaron. Thanks, bro!

Getting Things Done, or I Love a Staycation!

I hoarded my vacation time* so efficiently this year that -- combined with the vacation time given to all of the employees at my company -- I have two full weeks off for the Christmas and New Years holiday.

So, what did I do with my first Monday off? Why, I ran errands, of course!

Here's a list of all I accomplished (including the fun, non-errand stuff -- hooray!):

• Cooked eggs for breakfast, and extra turkey bacon for breakfasts the rest of this week
• Deposited checks at the bank
• Allergy shot
• Lunch at the Olive Garden with my Iris
• Purchased the last of my Christmas presents
• Returned Mistborn to the library and checked out Allegiant
• Drank a peppermint and chocolate shake from Chick-fil-A
• Wrapped gifts while watching Ugly Betty
• Read Frindle
• Attended Open Mic Night Family Home Evening at my singles' ward (I did not perform)
• Grocery shopping
• Watched a lot more Ugly Betty
• Read in The Infinite Atonement

Tomorrow I have more lunch plans with some friends, and then plan to sort through a bunch of piles of papers and things, and hopefully clean my bathroom and finish season 2 of Ugly Betty (I really want to finish before Netflix axes it on January 4). Christmas Eve, I want to dust and vacuum my house and at least clean the kitchen counters before getting ready for the party that night. Oh, and I plan to exercise every day, because I can. I did a lot of walking today, and I think that should cover it. And of course I will work on memorizing my lines for Noises Off. These two weeks are going to fly by far too quickly.

I love time off! I love getting things done I don't have time for otherwise!


*My vacation time is use-it-or-lose-it, which means I have to use it by the end of the year or else it's forfeit. And darn it, I earn that time so I'm gonna use it!

It feels like Christmas!

In celebration of my last day of work for the rest of 2014, here is an adorable rendition of a song from my favorite version of A Christmas Carol: The Muppet Christmas Carol.


Only seven more sleeps until Christmas! Are you ready?

Anyone care for some sardines? (I'm in a new show!)

Noises Off: A Play in Three Acts by Michael Frayn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this play. I think it is clever and funny and the characters (of the actors and the roles they play) are lovable and well-crafted. It isn't hard to keep track of who is who. The second act, where split into what's going on backstage versus onstage, is hilarious. My only complaint is that I feel totally stressed out while watching and reading it -- and it never lets up! The ending is funny but it doesn't really give closure. I prefer the ending in the film where at least you see what everyone is going to be okay when it's all over. Ah, well. It isn't meant to be a deep, thinking piece (if it is, it fails). Pure fun and silliness.


View all my reviews

Ever since I was in high school, I have wanted to play a role in this play, and now I get to! I'm going to be Poppy (the stage manager) for the Midvale Arts Council! February 27 through March 7, except Saturday. The cast is wonderful, and I get to work with some of my very favorite people. I'm so excited!

Put us on your calendar now!

Memes that make me giggle: An important language for the favorite aunt

Borrowed from Set Phasers to LOL

November shenanigans

Obviously, the big events in November were Pie Night and Thanksgiving. It was a nice, chill month, enjoying the fall colors on the trees, and catching up with the people I neglected while I was involved with Jekyll and Hyde!

I bought this card for Lindsey's birthday.
Actually, she'd probably love to carry a puppy in her purse!

I must have strained my wrist somehow (overuse?) so I spent a lot of time wearing this brace, especially at work. Physical therapy helps, thank goodness.
(It isn't carpal-tunnel. The pain is in the wrong place.)

Saw Theresa in Kensington Theatre's Urinetown on her birthday.
I'm glad I bought my tickets a week in advance, because the run was sold out before it opened.
So, so fun and funny!

Theresa's husband, Trevor, and I act out a running gag from Desert Star's Dracula: He's so Vein

Laura, Theresa (the birthday girl and star of the night), and Shilene

Closer to our actual personalities

I saw this play in New York and loved it, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the live presentation at my local movie theater. The dancing is awe-inspiring.

I've had this yoga VHS tape for about 20 years, and it finally gave up.
I'm so sad. It was my first yoga video and much shorter and easier (practice makes perfect) than any of my others!

The first of the Christmas plays this season:
Scrooge at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre

Every day is a good day to combine chocolate and peanut butter

Well, December and the holidays are upon us. I'm taking about two weeks off at the end of the month and I. Cannot. Wait. Meanwhile, plenty of parties, movies, plays, and other traditions to keep me busy. Let the celebrations commence!

What are you up to in December. If you want to hang out, contact me quickly!