Sid's donation

So Sidney has been growing her hair for a long time and today, after a particularly rough brushing session, decided it was time to get it chopped. Here is the result. Her hair will be in the mail tomorrow to Locks of Love.


Sidney's hair yesterday...



Sidney's hair today...

I'm a copy cat!

OK, Deanna. I loved your list so I thought I'd share mine!


Welcome to the Christmas edition

of getting to know your family and friends...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I gift wrap everything. If it's an odd shape and I'm giving it to someone besides my kids then I'll put it in a bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I'm all about being fake! I can't stand the smell and mess of real trees. We've had the same tree for years and it still works!

3. When do you put up the tree? We put up the tree either Thanksgiving night or the night after, depending on what's going on. After all the years we spent in Vegas and Chris having to work those nights the girls and I have gotten into the habit of doing it without him. (he hates doing it anyway) This year it was the day after when Chris was at work.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? It's not anything I go out of my way for.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Pink & Pretty Barbie Doll. She was the most wonderful Barbie ever. And as my family members know... The Barbie Doll Story was the result!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have a couple. One set belonged to my grandparents and Mary, unfortunately, didn't fare too well in the box this year and needs her head glued back on. (I think she'll be ok!)

8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband because he doesn't want anything!

9. Easiest person to buy for? The kids. They want everything!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Definitely mail! I don't so much like sending them, but I LOVE getting them!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? If only I could tell you! (ask me sometime and I'll tell you the story!)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I remember watching it in school as a kid. LOVED IT! (and still do!)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends. The earlier the better.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Scones on Christmas morning

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Growing up it was red & white lights with all crystal ornaments. Now it's colored lights with snowmen everywhere!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually stay home. We don't like anyone enough to go visit them. (just kidding!) Usually (like in #3) being in Vegas meant Chris had to work on Christmas. Now that he's teaching we're planning many trips in years to come!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Who can't?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a snowman star on my tree (see#16)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? The girls open their presents from each other on Christmas Eve and the rest wait till morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? SNOW!!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? When we were living in Vegas my wonderful brother, Nick, bought me a TON of the glass snowmen with the colored bells at the bottom. I have a tree full and I love them all equally!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham... with my mom's clove sauce..... YUMMY!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my house to magically clean itself!


So there ya' have it! Copy and paste it and share your list too!

Snow days

When we moved Colorado the kids learned these simple steps to guarantee a snow day... (of course, it only works on nights when it's supposed to snow anyway)
1. Wear your pj's inside out
2. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow

3. Do the chicken dance in front of the refrigerator before you go to bed


Unfortunately it didn't work for us this time. It worked for all of the other school districts in town... just not ours! Maybe next time...

My Saturday Night...

Let me start this story with the fact that Chris was called to be the Executive Secretary in our ward about 2 months ago. So tonight was the bishopric Christmas dinner and my husband had to work (of course). So I debated and debated whether or not to go. Finally, I decided to go if for nothing else, a night away with other adults! I am so glad I went. I certainly appreciate these men (and their wives) for all they do for our ward! We had a really great dinner and some really good conversation. But the highlight of the evening was when the Bishop's wife handed out presents. I almost cried when I opened it. What a beautiful quilt! She has made the most amazing quilts and I am so blessed to own one now!

What's your sign???

So I had a super crafty weekend. This is what I made... plus one more sign that I can't show because it's a Christmas present for someone that I'm pretty sure doesn't read this blog, but I don't want to take any chances!! This is a rare occasion where I actually like what I made, so I thought I'd share!

Happy Halloween!

Here's the pictures from my kids Halloween. These are actually from a ward party on Saturday. My brilliant husband took the camera to school yesterday and FORGOT it! So these pics will have to do! It was a pretty fun Halloween. I'm glad it's over. I just need someone to donate all the chocolate to so I don't eat it all myself!! Any takers?

Megan's Stick

About a week ago we went to a Colorado College Hockey game. We've been several times because my brother has season tickets. So we went to the game last weekend against Minnesota. Each game they raffle off a hockey stick and a jersey. Megan's ticket was pulled and she won the goalie's stick that he used in an actual game. I wish I had a camera when she realized she won! It was priceless. What are we going to do with a hockey stick?? I have no idea. She's just happy she won!!

Sidney's first volleyball game...

Sidney joined the school volleyball team. They had their first game on Tuesday. They lost both matches, but she scored a point on her first serve they didn't return. (Do they call it an ace like they do in tennis?) Anyway, it was pretty fun to watch. Sid isn't too crazy about playing because this is the first time she has played and she is counting down the days till basketball. I'm making her stick it out for all 7 games so I should enjoy watching the games while it lasts!

I guess there is a bright side...

Megan's eensy weensy snow man! How cute!

The three things I hate about Colorado...

snow, SNOW and SNOW!!!


Emily, are you sure you miss it?

Happy Birthday Sidney!

Somehow my daughter turned 11 on Wednesday! I have no idea how that happened, but I guess it's only going to get worse from here! She's at the age now where she totally hates having to go to school on her birthday, but there's no changing that either! It just so happens that Wednesday was wacky clothes/hair day at school. She did have a really fun day! She got the Nintendo DS and the Zelda game that she was willing to give up every other present for, so she was a happy girl!

My funny husband

So I got up Sunday morning and got dressed for church. I wore a white long sleeved t-shirt, black vest, and khaki skirt. The next thing I know I look at Chris after he got dressed and guess what he's wearing? A white shirt, black vest, and khaki pants. He'll do that every now and then so if you ever happen to notice just remember this... I was dressed FIRST!!!

What's the point???

Today at work I had the opportunity to help a special ed. student take a test. He can read, but only very small, simple words that he can sound out. So his "regular" teacher asked me to take him out and help him with the test. So I look at it and there are three FULL pages he is expected to read and answer questions about. She told me I could read him the questions but not the text. I was stunned. So he sat and looked at three pages full of words that he couldn't read and we expected him to answer the questions? He had the same chance as a monkey to do well on this test. I just don't get it!!!

Megan's creations

I love Megan's little imagination. Here are her latest creations! She loves playing with sidewalk chalk and playing with the paint program on the computer. She cracks me up!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Things you may not know about me

I've been tagged by my friend Emily. (Bunco isn't the same without you!! We miss you!)
Here are 8 useless things you may wish you never knew.

1. I got my bachelors degree in Sociology from UNLV. I took my SOC 101 (with my favorite professor and now friend, Jennifer!) to fill a requirement and about 2 classes into the semester I knew this was the major for me. I loved every single class I took! The Sociology of Death & Dying, Aging, Social Movements & Change... it is all SO interesting to me and I learned a lot! My biggest interest is childhood poverty. It amazes me that we live in one of the richest nations in the world and yet we have millions of children living here that don't get enough food to eat, don't have a place to call home, and can't see a doctor if they're sick.


2. I absolutely detest cooking. I do it because I have to, not because I enjoy it in any way, shape or form. I'm a cleaner. I would much rather clean all day long than cook. I need to find someone that is willing to cook for me if I clean for them. Any takers?????

3. I have absolutely insane dreams! I dream my teeth are falling out. I dream I'm pregnant (a little too often for my taste). I dream I can't get away from the kids I work with. Everywhere I go, they're there! I dream I leave Chris for women! (Did I say my dreams are insane???) I have learned over time not to take them seriously. I'd be a basket case (and a lesbian) if I did! :)


4. I am completely and ridiculously infatuated with Ewan McGregor. He is adorable!
Enough said there!


5.I am a reality TV junkie. I love Survivor, The Amazing Race, America's Next Top Model, The Biggest Loser, America's Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars, etc. I think because I am a pretty competitive person I love the competition aspect of all these shows. I know I should find better things to do with my time! I usually don't sit and watch, I am usually taking care of things with the TV on in the background. That makes it a little better... right?

6. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people use the wrong your and there in a sentence. I can't stand when people don't use the contraction you're when needed. For example... it's not "Your my best friend." it is "YOU'RE my best friend." As for there... don't use "I want to go to there house." use instead "I want to go to THEIR house." I know it's silly, and I don't really care about other mistakes but for some reason those two drive me crazy!!!

7. I am a Diet Pepsi junkie. I can't get enough of the stuff. Diet Pepsi and water are about all I drink. I know I need to quit drinking it, but I enjoy it way too much to give it up!


8. Last but not least... I have 14 nieces and nephews (on the Karnes side of the family). Being 6th of 8 kids, having a lot of nieces and nephews is inevitable. They range from almost 22 to 6 weeks old. I'm sure there are more to come. I only wish we lived closer to them. It would be good to be part of their every day lives (notice the use of the correct THEIR?)

I'm missing a few pics and some are a little old. (I'm a bad aunt!) I need to bug my brothers and sisters for newer pictures!

So there ya go! You will never get back the 3 minutes it took you to look at this blog entry. I hope it was worth it. I hereby tag Julie, Robyn, Julie and Jennifer!

Thanks Deanna!

What cute backgrounds! I love it! Thanks for the link! She has more cute ideas. Check out Matie Kay Creations!

The week in pictures

I love msnbc's Week In Pictures. They post new pictures every Friday. They have some really amazing photos from around the world. Some are amusing, some are very sobering. Check it out if you get a chance. This was my favorite this week...

Teacher update...

Chris and I met with Sidney's teacher yesterday after school and I'm proud to say that I didn't strangle her! Just kidding! It was a very good meeting and she explained things to us that we just didn't know. I certainly feel much better about Sid being in her class. They have raised the bar this year (which I have no problem with) and they just have to stick to their guns. It's going to be hard, and Sidney is going to have to work really hard. But when I think about how much she is going to grow and learn this year... I think it will all be ok. Her teacher said that most kids are "shell shocked" coming from 4th to 5th grades and we are just going through that now. I would certainly encourage all of you that have teacher issues to go talk to them. I was also able to let her know a few things about Sidney that may help her. It was a really good meeting and I'm really glad we went.

The World Beard and Moustache Championships

So I was surfing the net tonight. This isn't something I often do. I usually get on, take care of business, and get off. Well tonight I stumbled upon a real gem!! The World Beard and Moustache Championships! I had no idea there was such a thing! Some of these are SO funny! Check them out!

It was warm enough today for...

P.S.

I lost in football this week. WAAAAAAAAAA!

Our first bad teacher!

So we are just now dealing with our first bad teacher. I'm thankful that we haven't had one before now, but I am at a loss as to what to do. She is Sidney's 5th grade teacher. I knew coming in that she is strict. That we can handle. But we have found ourselves having TWO hours of homework every night, and she is completely unfair when she grades. For example, Sid had a spelling assignment where she had to put her spelling words into ABC order. When she got the sheet back she had gotten 6 wrong! Not because they were spelled wrong! Not because they weren't in the right order! They were marked wrong because her cursive writing wasn't perfect. I'll be the first to admit that she doesn't have perfect handwriting. But they were legible! It's not like it was so sloppy you couldn't read the words! I was FURIOUS! This wasn't a handwriting assignment. This was a spelling assignment and she spelled everything correctly and put them in the correct order. Example #2... she has two vocabulary words every week that she has to write the definitions for and write meaningful sentences for each word. Chris helped her write her sentences last week and they were both marked wrong for not being meaningful. Isn't meaningful subjective? I can't believe how picky she is being on this work. I am totally fine with strict, but the fact that my daughter is stressed out over 5th grade is a little ridiculous to me! Doesn't 10 seem a little young to be this hard on them? On top of that she is just plain mean, snappy and rude. Sidney is scared to ask questions in class because she is scared to get a rude response. Chris and I have a meeting with her set up for Monday. I'm trying to think of a nice way to say to her to stop being so mean and picky. The last thing I need is to offend her and give her any reason to retaliate against Sidney. Any ideas???

It's football season!!!

I just need to get out of my system that I am so totally excited that football is officially ON! I play in a fantasy league that has been assembled from my family members, ward members, and friends and I hope that I cream each and every one of them. This is where my competitive side comes out BIG TIME!! I'm the only girl in the league and I want to beat all the guys for bragging rights alone! I feel like I've got a pretty good team built around Carson Palmer (the Bengals quarterback) and I only hope this is his year to come out strong and take some names!

My kid's first concert

Chris took the girls to their very first concert on Saturday. They saw the All American Rejects at the state fair. They love that band! Chris being the great husband he is bought 3 tickets instead of 4 because he knows I don't like that band for one, and so I could have the whole evening to scrapbook with no interruptions! The kids had a GREAT time and I got SO much done. What a night!

My husband's hair

So about a year ago we decided to invest in a pair of clippers so that I could start cutting Chris' hair. Usually about once a month I'll give him a trim. It never ceases to amaze me how much hair that man has on his head. I cut it last night and this was the pile of hair on my bathroom floor.
I know it's totally gross, but he has SO MUCH HAIR!!! Just thought I'd vent about it because I can! :)

The Balloon Classic

After living in Colorado for 2 1/2 years now we finally went to the Balloon Classic they have every Labor Day Weekend. It was actually my job that inspired me to go. The 3rd graders I work with were making paper mache balloons and the teacher was talking about the Balloon Classic and how cool it was. They start setting up at 6:00 am so I wasn't overly thrilled about dragging my butt out of bed. We actually got there late, but what a sight. So many hot air balloons you don't know what to do with yourself. There is a little lake in the park that the balloons will touch their baskets down in for luck. Totally cool!