Life's Little Laughs

Ok, none of the following really go together except that they are all silly stories...


CHRISTMAS GIFT FIASCO
Present #1:
When I opened the mailbox one evening after work and pulled out a BYU package my first thought was, "It's that BYU-I bookstore gift I asked for for Christmas!" I considered not investigating the markings on the package to try to confirm my suspicion but that really would be asking too much of me. So, I looked at the BYU seal and was sad not to see the word Idaho included. "It must be a school thing for AJ," I concluded.

When I got home I handed the package to AJ, who I believed to be the owner. As soon as he took it from me and saw it he exclaimed, "Oh no! Now, you saw your present." Needless to say, that gave Present #1 away.

Present #2:
I was cleaning and found the "hiding place" where two presents were being stashed. Present #1 I had already discovered and Present #2, a pearl necklace, I could only assume was a Christmas present for me.

Present #3:
AJ was expecting a number of non-Christmas present packages as well as one more gift he ordered for me. One day a smallish-medium package arrived. AJ took it to be the last Christmas gift he ordered and we put it under the tree. I shook and rattled the package without a clue in the world of what it could be.

A few days later I was home from work and AJ was on campus studying for a test. I discovered that we received another package. I wanted to open it because I figured this was one of the non-Christmas packages AJ ordered. But I wanted to be sure, so I called AJ and let him know we got a package and asked if I'd be I safe to open it. He gave me the go-ahead.

I opened it to find a sage green micro-suede down comforter (with matching shams!) and was so excited. I wished it was for me but thought it must have been delivered by mistake. When AJ came home I wanted to show him the comforter so I tried to take him into the other room but he resisted and I knew it was the last present he'd been waiting for. But if the comforter was the last present, then what was in the other box? It was a power supply for a computer AJ and his dad were fixing up!


WEDDING LUNCHEON MISTAKE
AJ and I were excited to learn that his mission buddy's wedding date was on the Friday before we were leaving to Arizona for Christmas. We planned that I would go to work early and take a break at 1pm to go with AJ to his friend's wedding luncheon in Lehi. Neither of us brought a lunch to work and we were excited to eat and see his friend on his wedding day.

The time came for us to drive to the luncheon. When AJ drives I am the designated navigator and while we were headed for the Lehi Main Street exit I noticed that the address of the church building was not Lehi but Eagle Mountain. Lehi is about 10 minutes from our work offices, while Eagle Mountain is more like 45 minutes from our Orem offices. We drew near to our destination a little late. As we pulled into the church we found on our first try (our sense of direction isn't very strong) something seemed a little off. There were no cars in the parking lot. At this point it was more of a hope than a logical assumption that there would be cars on the other side of the building. So, we circled around to the other side and confirmed our fears that the parking lot was completely empty.

Frantically, I pulled out the wedding invitation...the time was right...ok what else? What is today...12/21? Yes. What date does the invitation list? Thursday, December 20th?!

LESSON LEARNED: Read invitations thoroughly before going anywhere!
Pam from The Office has something to say about this:






CHRISTMAS


This isn't really a funny story, but more of an account of our Christmas in AZ at my parent's home. We had great driving conditions there and back. When leaving Phoenix we saw six hot air ballons leaving the ground! Monica and John brought their Wii, which to my surprise, everyone played multiple times. My grandparents spent the holiday with us too. They also enjoyed the Wii, so much so they bought one from AJ.




Grandma was a stellar bowler! We had a tournament and in the first match Grandma bowled a 195! I was honored to accept the title of "Winner" for the entire match, going up against Grandma and Dad, both formidable opponents! I sure like to win!


We had some Karma Chocolates as we call them (homemade chocolates AJ's mom makes). We did not have them right away, only after few nights into our stay did my Mom relinquish her guard post and lower her gun. These chocolates are so good! My favorite is the carmel and pecan in milk chocolate. I love to watch everyone eat them especially my Mom. She gets a look of perfect contentment on her face.

We had a delicious turkey dinner Christmas Eve and afterward my Dad gave a great FHE lesson on trials and giving our will to Christ. We sat and talked for some time about trials and family and all sorts of things. We used to do that growing up and those family discussions are some of my most cherished memories.

Before we went to bed, my Mom reminded us to not wake up too early. I woke up at 6am Christmas morning so I laid in bed for a while and woke up again at 8am. When we were all ready to go my Mom said, "What took you so long! I've been up since 6am!" Mom, I'm getting mixed signals here! I guess we need to qualify "early."


SNOWMAN
Lastly, before any of the above events took place it snowed and AJ and I made a snowman. I don't remember what day it was but I think it was in early December. It had just finished snowing and our backyard was picture perfect! I had a huge urge to make my mark in the snow, not by urine, but by footprint of course! So AJ and I rolled out 3 big snow balls and made a snowman.

But some mean neighbor knocked it down not 3 hours after it was created! So the next day, Sunday, when Erika, Marcus, and Olivia came to visit, AJ and Marcus took the largest snowball from our wreckage and rolled it in front of our neighbor's back stairs to avenge the fallen snowman. That's a little too mean I think but it melted soon enough.

Our little Sunbeams as lambs in the Christmas Nativity at our ward Christmas Party.



A group shot at the family Christmas party.

The BEST Surprise...EVER!

WHAT HE DID...
December 27, 2007 was our 2 year anniversary. AJ and I got off work early at 3pm so we could have a little party. We were going to pig out on peanut M&Ms and pizza while watching Stardust. We were borrowing Monica and John's Wii to have a big competition. To document our party, we video taped us explaining how we were going to celebrate. Afterward, AJ said he had a surprise for me because my Christmas was spoiled (I inadvertantly discovered my Christmas presents early).

He turned the video camera back on and pulled out a big box...actually he pulled out his night table which happens to be a big Dell box (we're high class!) and told me to open it.

My mind was blank while I thought about what it could be. Nothing came to mind! I recalled the last time AJ announced he had a surprise. He called me excited while I was at the store. When I got home I found the surprise was a Jason's Deli coupon, which was great but maybe didn't quite deserve the level of enthusiasm he displayed. So, as I pulled open the box flaps I was COMPLETELY surprised to see a beautifully packaged Wii staring up at me!


WHY THIS WAS THE BEST SURPRISE OF MY LIFE...
I suppose it started this summer when we first played the Nintendo Wii together at our neighbors' Jason and Kristy's home. The moment I beat AJ in boxing I was sold! I never beat AJ at any video game!

Later this fall, during a routine trip to Costco, we were standing in a check out line and a pallet piled high with Wiis lay directly in front of us. We were seconds from purchasing it, but We are not impulse buyers and even though we both wanted it I think we were both relieved to have walked out of Costco without it in our cart. That relief quickly turned to regret.

After AJ's coworker Chase and his wife Becky invited us over for Sunday dinner and a Wii tournament we began feverishly searching for the Wii. But by this time it was already December and Wiis were out of stock everywhere. The base console that retails for $250 was going for $400 on ebay. And stores were keeping shipping dates secret from employees so it was a mystery when the small shipments would come in.

After a few feeble attempts to win a Wii on ebay before the holidays, I resigned. I faced the facts: the Wii was UNOBTAINABLE (stamped in big red letters).


HOW HE DID IT...
AJ learned that his friend, Michael, had an uncle who was the manager of the Orem Costco. While most all the Costco employees were not privy to Wii shipping information, Michael's uncle was.

On Thursday morning, December 20th, AJ got word that a shipment of 50 Wiis had arrived at Costco. His friend Michael stood in line at 9am waiting for Costco to open. But AJ worked on Thursday morning and he couldn't get off work. It was against policy to take off time without notice.

Luckily, the supervisor on guard had been pursuing the same wild goose chase. He and his wife drove to California for Thanksgiving and called every store along the way looking for the Wii. They did not find a single store with Wiis in stock. So, this supervisor let AJ run to Costco.

AJ was hoping to get 3 Wiis so we could sell 2 on ebay, but Costco would only sell one Wii per membership number. Michael bought one on his membership, AJ bought one, and our neighbor Dallan took time out of his day to come buy one for us.

When AJ got back to work with 3 Wiis he sold one (at cost) to his supervisor as a thank you for letting him go. And while we were in Arizona for Christmas, my Grandparents enjoyed it so much that they bought the 3rd one from him (at cost). I'm proud of my husband for being honorable and putting people ahead of money.


WII THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED...
All in all there were about 11 people who helped AJ get the Wii and several people including friends, siblings, parents, and grandparents who kept the secret so that AJ could give this fun surprise. Thank you!

We'll have a picture and video to follow soon!

Edward is Cast!

They chose an Edward for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight movie! It's none other than Harry Potter's own Cedric Diggery (aka: Robert Pattinson). I think he fits the bill!

You may want to check out the press release on Stephenie Meyer's website:

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

:) Laughing

I hate the cold and dark. From this information, can you guess which isn't my favorite season? I detest winter. It is the culmination of all things uncomfortable to me. (Except sweaters, I love sweaters.) In the winter I lose hope of feeling again the bright sun, green grass, warm breeze, and colorful flowers. It seems like spring will never come again.

This year I have decided to remind myself to laugh often. I once watched an interview with Natalie Portman. The interviewer asked her what her five favorite sounds are. My two favorite sounds are:
1) When AJ is sleeping and I haven't fallen asleep yet sometimes I tickle his back. He doesn't know what is going on but he lets out a little sigh of comfort anyway.
2) Olivia's giggle, it's like the way "Magic" might sound if you could bottle it up.

My favorite things to laugh about are parodies. So I have posted some of my favorite parodies and clips for everyone to enjoy.

Jay Leno's Headlines

Dog Tickling Baby


Mitch Hedberg on Letterman


Mad TV Parody of Ashlee Simpson "L.O.V.E"


Mad TV Parody of Beyonce


Alanis Morissette Parody of Black Eyed Peas "My Humps"


Mad TV Parody of Shakira "Whenever, Wherever"


Mad TV Parofy of Shakira "Objection Tango"


Family Guy Parody of Aliens


Direct TV Aliens Ad


The Simpson's Parody of Mr. & Mrs. Smith


The Simpson's Parody of American Idol



More...

Mad TV Parody of Rachel Ray "30 Minute Meals" #1


Mad TV Parody of Rachel Ray "30 Minute Meals" #2

Babysitting Plus Some

Last Saturday we got to babysit! AJ and I arrived at Erika and Marcus' apartment at about 10am. The drive was a little scary because it was snowing hard. Olivia had a bit of a delayed reaction when she saw us come in: blank stare and then a couple minutes later a big smile!

We started out with blocks and socks. While Olivia played with her colorful blocks I flipped socks at her. I love how she can stay so focused on playing even through a sock barrage. After I finished my lunch, AJ and I took her for a walk in the snow. It had been snowing all morning and I was a little sad I took so long to eat because by the time I was done the snow had stopped falling.

We bundled Olivia up tight and tried out her hat and gloves. She didn't like the gloves very much so we left those home afterall. We got her all buckled up and snugglely with her green elephant blanky in her stroller and started our walk. The problem is AJ had been playing Need for Speed before we left and he had the idea that the stroller was a stunt car. The stroller quickly became a (controlled and safe) speedster drifting around corners and sliding through slosh. I'm not sure Olivia appreciated the imaginary race car ride as much as AJ did.

Occasionally, we took a pit stop from our wild racing. I would pick up some snow in my hand and release Olivia's hand from under her blanket. My suspicions were correct: she took some snow from my hand and put it right to her mouth! And I did the same! I love the taste of snow!

As we passed by some neighborhood kids, one shouted, "You have a cute baby!"

"Thank you!" I said pleased but not willing to admit she wasn't really my own. I am a proud aunt Jessi!

After our short winter wonderland adventure we settled down for a game of giggles. For some reason all Olivia wants to do when she's with me lately is stand up. So I sat on the couch with my feet up on the coffee table and I stood her up against my knees. Then I would knock her down into the pile of blankets and pillows next to me and growl and eat her tummy. She was full of laughing and smiling.

When Erika and Marcus got home we decided to get a Christmas tree, go to dinner, and then go to the Festival of Trees. We found a tree and quickly moved on to dinner plans. I wanted to to try the Cheesecake Factory and so did everyone else in Utah! At 5pm they told us the wait would be 3 hours! So, we went to Applebee's. We all ordered the same thing too! How strange. Then we went to the Festival of Trees. I was so surprised to see so many things sold. In fact, I didn't see anything that wasn't sold! We weren't able to look at all the trees but there were a lot of good ones, including Gavin's tree! His was the best of all. Erika took our picture with his tree and gave it to me but I lost it. :( I will post it when I find it.

AJ and I ran into our high school friend Natalie there. That was cool too. It was a fun day!

Thanksgiving 2007

We spent Thanksgiving with AJ's family this year. We drove up to Centerville after work and school on Wednesday, November 21st and slept over at AJ's parents' home. Karma and I spent the evening watching one of those Santa Clause movies with Tim Allen. There are as many of those as there are Land Before Time sequels now and I can't keep them straight.

The next morning we drove to Howell, a little town in northern Utah by Treemonton, all the while pouring over Black Friday ads. Yes, I still love looking at ads! We visited with Granny for a little while before having our Thanksgiving dinner. We had dinner in a family's garage. At first I was mortified when I learned we'd be eating in a garage, I was sure I would freeze. But when we walked in I saw and felt the two heaters that were on full blast.

We had a delicious meal and they even made extra mashed potatoes because they knew AJ was coming. He loves his potatoes. It was an enjoyable Thanksgiving.