The old adage...

"if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all" is something I use in my life quite often. And it appears the month of December hasn't been all that nice. But we did have a lovely Christmas (there would be photos if I could find my camera) and the kids are super busy (and going stir crazy on break!).
I measured them on Christmas day (for their little snail ornaments, the "slime trail" of the snail is a little retractable growth chart) Brady is 51 1/2 inches (4 foot 3 1/2?) and Natalie is 43 1/4 (3 foot 7 1/4?) And Brady has been a bottomless pit lately (but still as picky as ever) so I'm anxious to see what he plans on doing with all the food he's inhaling...
Hopefully the new year will bring new energy and better blogging from me (believe it or not, I love blogging and it's good for me too!).

A Christmas Carol

After work last night we took the kids to see A Christmas Carol. I found out when we got there that it was in 3-D (gulp) and then when we got into the theatre everyone (but me) voted to sit in the middle (double gulp). I don't do well in movies where I'm up close and things fly at me (I've had to run out of an Imax movie more than once to barf).

And now that I'm older, the effects of motion (and sound) have a much more pronounced impact on me. A few years ago, I did something stupid. It may have been a coincidence, but nevertheless, from the moment I walked out of the office where I did the stupid thing, I was dizzy for 3 months straight, with several episodes periodically ever since. What was the stupid thing, you ask?

I went to get Hypnotized, people. Yes. I did. I can't remember exactly why I went (migraines maybe?) but I left the woman's office, drove to Costco and couldn't walk straight anymore. It was like I was on a boat in rough waters. Probably pretty entertaining but frightening to watch ("hey, look at that drunk chick! Wait, she just got out of that minivan!")

Nothing seemed to provide me relief and I was running out of hope and went to someone called a "Cranio-Sacral Therapist". I left his office thinking "I just threw $65 bucks in the toilet" but woke up the next day significantly better. And one more visit to him and I only get vertigo when triggered, not spontaneously.

I had to watch a good 25% of the movie with my eyes closed. But what I saw was pretty good, a little too dark for the kids, but great effects and of course the message of the classic tale shined through.

Super Duper Sunday

I felt like if I was going to go cheesy with the post title, I might as well commit to it, so I threw the "duper" in there for good measure.
Yesterday was the annual Aune Holiday Brunch, which was fantastic once again. Jen and Dale's home was bursting with friends and family talking, laughing, eating (such good food!) playing and wrestling (the kids, the adults held it together). A good time was had by all, and it was only one street away so we walked down and back, however the cold wind made me reconsider our plan. I can't stand when people get in their car to drive one block, but yesterday it was tempting. Our cheeks were nice and rosy (oooh, that makes me think of the song Sleigh Ride. Sorry, the band-geek in me popped up for a second) when we got home.

Shortly after we got home and the kids were starting to grow antsy again, good 'ol Kate called up and invited us up to ease both of our kids' boredom. So I grabbed a couple of half-racks and headed north-east to the Rankin Ranch. I have a really pretty picture of Baker and the Sisters to post *here*, but they are still on my iphone and I'm not getting up to get my iphone right now.
Watched some football, had a few beers, had some great girl-talk, and had some great chili for dinner. If the weather had been 78 degrees outside, it would have been the perfect day!

But it was still a pretty great day. Thanks, friends for making it one!

Mid-Week Duldrums

Having one day off smack dab in the middle of a work week sucks. Even if the day is sunny and beautiful. And 31 DEGREES outside! I did get outside a couple of times, but I don't think I actually absorbed any vitamin D because I was bundled up because it was 31 DEGREES! I've kind of had a ho-hum kind of week, so I'll just blog in photos today:

The kids have invented a new game, camp mat sliding with obstacles (ignore the pile of laundry on the table downstairs. I do.)
Ran the bleachers a few times and did a few laps, but the track was frosty and it was distracting to have the BPD testing out their new bomb-robot in the corner field.

Natalie Sue and Riley. The TV was on so getting them both to look into the camera was impossible.

My mom made this awesome Advent calendar for the kids. They each get a mini-ornament to hang on their very own tree. My mom is so talented!

I finally hung these (yes they are level, the angle and shadows are jacking the photo up). I figured they weren't hanging the last time I had a party and with the holidays approaching, I might have guests again so I better put them up. I hate hanging photos.