Squinty Eyed McGee and Big Head Boston Syndrome

We finally got the family pictures back! There were over 500 to go through...Most of which did not turn out. Its hard to get all 17 of us smiling with our eyes wide open when its freezing outside! I'm so excited to share these though. I can't wait to get prints so I can put them up on my walls at my house.

Here's me and my husband, Squinty Eyed McGee, I get the one eyed squint so I won't say anything. Daren couldn't apparently see due to the bright snow...

Here are all the Boston siblings in all their glory

Me, Michael, Brian, Kelsi, AJ(on tip toes), and Andria

Here are my wonderful nieces and nephews. These were the most fun pictures to look through. It's a miracle we could get one with all of them looking at the camera. It was good for a lot of laughs while we got them taken though.
Xander, Baby Audrey, Sydney, Kennady, Baby Lillian(finally!) and Avery



Those dang dogs caused me stress! I'm REALLY sad that these didn't turn out wonderful. The more I look at this one the happier I am with the outcome! But with people walking up the stairs next to us they were getting very distracted. Oh well, its better than nothing!

For some reason, who knows why, my brother in law Joe wanted his picture taken with my father. There were some definitely good laugh ones.

Again, I'm so thankful we got to all get together for Christmas and have our pictures taken. I'm sad that my brother and his family live in Philly so I never get to see them! Even with my sister and her family living in Eagle Mountain is too far away.

Boston Family Christmas

Christmas for 2008 was a success! There were a few bumps in the road but overall it was very wonderful.

I didn't however get any pictures of the actual Christmas day...whoops. Daren and I woke up and opened each others gifts and checked our stockings in the morning. At 9:00 we went up to my parents house to eat some of the famous Christmas breakfast casserole. We also exchanged gifts with our families. Daren got some money from my parents, which he is planning on getting an ice shanty...some tent like thing for ice fishing. And I finally got my BodyBugg!! It is the neatest and most wonderful gift I've gotten. I've really enjoyed seeing how many calories burned vs. consumed I've had over the holidays...I've done rather well if I do say so myself! Unfortuately, there was a HUGE storm on Christmas night and I ended up getting stuck at my parents house (Daren had left earlier to go to Wes's House...)

I was lucky when I woke up, I got to help my brother AJ and my dad(who was having a stomach ache of some sort....nice guy that he is) shovel not only their driveway but the neighbors as well. Granted, they had the snowblower and I got the remains with the shovel...it was still a lot of work! I actually burned over 3700 calories that day...whoa! Only because then when the roads were finally getting cleared and it was warming up outside my parents took me home where I got to then shovel our driveway as well. I have never been so sore in my life!!!! Once I got the driveway shoveled and all ready for the day it was time for the whole Boston family to FINALLY get together! Andria had even called while I was shoveling asking if it would be ok if they stayed with us. I'm glad it turned out ok...their girls HATE dogs(except Audrey will love them...) and of course we LOVE our dogs. By the end Avery wasn't crying every time I had to hold Meli...
It was originally planned that we were going to just hang out, eat some soup, and have a white elephant exchange but that stomach ache of my fathers ended up taking him to InstaCare all night. So we ended up going to Kelsi's apartment and watched A Dark Knight, kids upstairs watching Elf. I'm glad that my dad is ok and the night ended up working out to the best for everyone.
The next morning, Saturday, with my father feeling ok everything was going to go on as planned. Which meant family pictures! IT WAS FREEZING!! I've never heard Daren complain so much. It was really THAT awful. I can't wait to get the pictures back. I will be sure to post them as soon as I can! The dogs were included with me and Daren for just a few pictures! I can't wait, seriously it's like a dream come true!
Once we came back from pictures we decided to go ahead with the White Elephant and the real gifts and the soup! It was wonderful. Don't mind all of us in our black and red....

Sydney, Kennady, and AJ...nice face Kenn...
Alexander, Brian, Andria, Audrey, Joe, and Avery
Here is another one of Xander and Brian....Xander REALLY likes candy! I think he is just about the cutest nephew anyone could ask for. I could hang out with him all day!!!

Kennady and me

I think all the gifts that were exchanged were fabulous!! Thank you so much Andria for the wonderful gift, again I can't wait to get the pictures back so I can hang that up on the wall!

Michael, Joe, Kennady, and Andria...And the dog Charlie...

Kelsi, Avery, and Kelley

Daddy and Momma

I think Syd really liked Kennady's "grill" she got during the White Elephant...

On Sunday, which was Brian's birthday, we made gingerbread houses. We got smart and got the kits to make them this year. However, it still didn't turn out quite the way Michael had wanted it too....

Michael's "masterpiece"

Here are my teammates...Daren and Syd! We did the best job if I do say so myself...

AJ and Kennady did the Go Phone commercial where the gingerbread mans house gets eaten. Creative.

I never got a finished one of Kelsi's and Avery's or Xander's and Kelley's. Kelley is definitely an interior designer. She was even making her loops even on each side. But hers was the most neat house. Kelsi's and Avery's roof was a bit top heavy apparently because it came crashing down. Avery just liked eating the frosting.

I just realized, I did not have one picture of baby Lillian!! She was napping a lot of the time....oh I'm an awful aunt! I'll for sure have to post the family pictures because she was there then!

Of course, which Christmas break wouldn't be complete without stopping at dad's office to complete a tooth ache on a family member! Michael had a very sore tooth Saturday morning so later that afternoon we took him in to complete the work. I didn't think we'd all make it out of there alive but we did! After a few swear words and some serious tears the tooth is completed....Thank goodness!

Gordon Family Christmas

This year, we will be spending actual Christmas Day with my family so this weekend we went down to spend the weekend with Daren's Family. We're starting a new tradition of having a Christmas Party with the family because very rarely do all the boys get together.

We started out by celebrating Jaxson, poor kid's birthday is December 23. He got a lot of great gifts, lots of transformers things. His cake was even the bumblebee car...? Not sure what it is but he sure liked it.

Eric, Keera, and Jaxson

After celebrating Jaxson's birthday we did a White Elephant exchange. Megan got a great Barking Dog Alarm Clock. It'd terrify me to wake up to that but she was REALLY excited to get it. Daren stole some tools from his little brother Reece and as we were going to bed he said he was going to give them back to him because he felt so bad for stealing it. Especially cause then Reece opened our gift we brought, the gag glasses, some magic towels and some candy.

Like I said before, it is a rarity for the Gordon boy to all get together. It was a must that they get a current picture.

Back Row: Seth, Eric, Blake
Front Row: Reece, Wes, Daren

Seth also got one of the white elephant gifts we brought....and after eating cake, watching the BYU game(booo...), and many hours later he was still wearing the "pimp" hat and bling necklace. I'd say it was a party well done.

Thanks to Susan for the pictures! Too many people were getting upset that there were a select few who were getting camera happy...therefore, I wasn't about to whip out mine.

BSF...Cheers Me Up Any Day Of The Week...

As much as I HATE snow, I really enjoy this time of the year. I love spending time with my family. I have so many fond memories of Christmas time!! I love when my parents put up the Christmas tree because each ornament has a story behind it. I was telling my mom all about them last night(don't think she cared too much)

As a memory, this following picture of AJ is much like what I looked like as a child when I insisted on having a the tree on the top of my head. I'm totally shocked AJ allowed me to do this with his hair...

...Probably let me do whatever I wanted to his hair because I didn't want to go sledding very much but I went with him. It was too dark to get any good pictures. Aren't ya digging my hat? Speaking of memories....I was always embarrassed to wear it as a child but now I'd wear it all the time! Sledding isn't as enjoyable as it once was either... Michael went sledding with AJ on Saturday. When he came home he said he's never doing that again, it was too much exercise for how little fun it was. I completely agree, after my 5 times down the hill my wrist, hip and leg were killing me. I'm getting too old...

I tried ALL week to get a good picture of the lights on main street! It's my favorite part of the day. Luckily I come to work when its still a little dark outside so the lights are still on. I love Christmas lights. I can't wait til next year...THERE WILL BE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON OUR HOUSE!!!!

These are kind of random pictures...but I love how close of an office we are. We all get along so well. My dad, being an amazing boss, takes us out to lunch on a regular basis. I never thank him enough... We've had some WONDERFUL lunchtime experiences and I will never forget them. I sound like I'm leaving the office...but I'm not just had some pictures thats all.

Here is a picture of me, Grandma Swenson, and Kelsi at my mom's kindergarten program. I love seeing my grandparents. The memories I have of my grandma isn't necessarily from Christmas time....more the summer(oh what I'd give for 90 degree weather!!) When we'd go to my mom's concerts and she'd bring worksheets for us to do our homework, painting rocks in her backyard, or her zucchini from her garden. Like I said, I really love my family!

On Friday, Kelsi, Chris and I went to Happy Sushi! I was so hungry I just couldn't eat enough food. Doesn't that look absolutely fabulous. We tried to Golden California Roll(the top roll in the picture) it was quite delicious. However, my favorite still is, and probably always will be, the Mexican Crunch Roll. But how can you go wrong with spicy tuna, cream cheese, and deep fried? I don't think you can....All you sushi haters have to give it a try sometime. I'd bet money you'd like it!
And lastly, Merry Christmas to myself. This year Daren's big Christmas gift was his elk hunt so I figured I could go and get myself something... Yes, that is definitely a Britney Spears concert ticket. I can't wait to go!! I know, I know she will be lip syncing the entire time but just think...I'll be in the same building as Britney Spears. Beware....she is my Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. I will ALWAYS admire her!

Splendiforous Week

I didn't get many good pictures this week....so I will just throw some in throughout.

There were many things I did and learned this week, so I felt I should share them with you...

• Kelsi, AJ, Chris, Jenny, and I went to Logan High's Musical on Tuesday the 25th, it was Grease. It is definitely a really weird thing to see these kids who were MUCH younger than you to be performing as seniors. I laughed harder than anyone else did...I throughally enjoyed the show though.

• I would like to thank everyone who tried to make my birthday as special as possible. I still hate, and will probably always hate, when my birthday is. It really is hard to muster up any positive feelings...I tend to be forgotten. One day I may appreciate that fact but I still enjoying growing one year older.
• And a very big special thanks to my grandma Swenson who mailed me money, she was out of town, I went ahead and purchased a Blair Waldorf outfit. It made me feel SO cool all day long! Complete with red tights and a red headband!

• Thanksgiving takes a lot of preparations! I never have helped in the past but this year I actually jumped in to help my mother in law. I hope Daren appreciates getting to sleep in...
• I decided to branch out this year and try new things...I ate yams for the first time, cranberry sauce on the turkey, and I even ate some carrots....
• I'm a good proportioner on that glorious day! I was ready for more when everyone was failing. Perhaps Chet, Daren's cousin, was also ready but his plate was definitely more heaping then mine.
• I failed to get ANY pictures this day....probably because I couldn't get up from the couch to go get my camera from my purse. Lazy me...if only Julia was there, she would have gotten pictures! We missed you Julia!
  

• I will never got day after Thanksgiving shopping...Or so I always said.
• Daren and I hurried back on Friday morning so we could meet up with my sister Andria and her family to go to lunch before they left to go back to Utah County. Worst service ever...but most enjoyable lunch ever! I love my nieces!
• After lunch I went shopping with AJ and my mother. Too many people!!! But I got some great finds I do believe.
• These are the kind of pictures that happen when you give your little brother your camera.

Thanks for bearing with my pathetic post...I'm sad Thanksgiving is over. But I am trying to welcome Christmas with open arms. I feel foolish listening to Christmas music but I really am working hard and trying to make sure EVERYONE will have a wonderful Christmas. I can't wait to see my new niece Lillian...thats the thing I'm looking most forward to this Christmas.

P.S. I really can't wait to see what Andria buys me for Christmas(hahaha just kidding ;))

Shopping Extraveganza

So....what's a girl to do when EVERYONE is out of town?? Shop, of course!! My mother and I just didn't know how to spend our Saturday....so we decided to go shopping. We ran the "usual" errands then we were having so much fun trying on the fake diamond rings at the mall we decided we needed to go to TJMAXX! They always have the best bargains. Now, we got quite silly here. I almost peed my pants. It all began when I kept trying on all these different hats telling her that I wanted to be Blair Waldorf(for those that don't know who that is...its a character out of the books and tv series, Gossip Girl.. One day I will be Blair Waldorf, I guarantee it!)

My mom thought this first hat was hysterical, especially once she put her glasses on top.

I had originally put on this horrific gold sherpa hat but then she insisted I put it on again while she found a matching one....along with the stuffed bear. I couldn't control my laughter. I love the look on her face....classic

Little does my mom know, I'd give up an arm and a leg to be decked out in Ed Hardy gear....so this picture I don't necessarily find hilarious...it's a dream picture. But we're pretty thuggin aren't we?!?!

We are awfully serious....serious shoppers, eh? She secretly wants those for her opera at school. They're too expensive and I could make them with all the peacock feathers I have in my house...thanks to Daren. But whatev....we rock.

Nothing is better than a good laugh and a great day of shopping. Maybe the entire family should leave us alone again...who knows what havoc we could wreak next time.

Proud Post!

I'm so proud of MANY things over the past week which have been accomplished. Daren finally hung his elk head on the wall. Meli HATES this head. She has a hard time going to the front door(for those of you, alright, most of you...you haven't seen it but this is the first thing you'd see when you walk in the front door) She even slid past me one night right out the front door...luckily she didn't run away!

On a side note, that is some what similiar to this elk head, I went pheasant hunting with Daren and the pups this weekend. I started out with having Meli on a leash because I didn't want her to run away which I was sure she would but she ended up doing really well when Daren shot his gun. She got to run around like crazy. I thought they'd both be really tired by the end but instead Meli was just shivering from running around in the SNOW. My dogs are so cute and fabulous companions!!

I know this a bit of old news, but I WENT AND VOTED! Now, for those that know me know that I hate doing things by myself for the first time(ie ordering from a new resturant/fast food, driving anywhere new, etc...) Crystal and I had plans to go do the early voting but with other things on our minds we ended up missing out on doing that. Ultimately, I'm glad because I still had no idea who I was going to vote for. I really didn't think I'd end up going but on Tuesday I ended up leaving early in the morning to go stand in line. I was #59! The wait was a lot longer than I had anticipated for it being in the morning. I still didn't know who I was voting for I was so stressed out waiting in line reading the instructions. Once I finally got behind my own little booth my heart was racing and I just wanted to hurry and get it over with. I didn't know you could leave parts of it blank so I was voting for things I didn't know what I was doing. But I'm seriously SO proud of myself!

Last, but not least, Daren was gone elk hunting with his buddy this weekend so I was home by my lonesome and I didn't want to just sit around at my parents house like I always do when Daren is gone. I have been wanting to paint a wall since I got married but since I never owed our townhouse I never got the chance. The day we moved in I have wanted to do something decoratingish. I really am not crafty or anything of the sort. But I finally took the plunge and painted a wall in our house. I put a lot of thought into which wall and what color it should be. Which picking out the color really is a pretty funny story. Back when we first bought our couches Daren and Kelsi convinced me to get these pillows even though I didn't love the color of them. But that is now the color of the wall. I love the color now...go figure! I haven't decided what exactly to go on the wall...well, no I know what I want but I don't think it'll ever happen. I really want a professional(or at least close to...) picture of us and the dogs. Dogs are too difficult to photograph though. I'll keep dreaming.... one day this wall won't just be a painted wall it'll be a DECORATED painted wall....