Sleeping Angel

Poor Jackson was so tired on Sunday that he fell asleep during church. He was very creative using his scriptures as a pillow. I think this is so cute.

The 5 Days of Christmas

Wow... I can't believe Christmas is over. We have tried our best to make sure it lasts as long as possible. We have, with our friends, created the best Christmas activities. On the Friday before Christmas we arranged an impromto canned food drive for the food bank. The boys had so much fun running from house to house. We gathered 88 lbs of food. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Saturday was a cold day (yes we have those in AZ), we spent a couple of hours watching Cam play baseball- way to go Cam, we had great lunch, a badmitton tournament, and then a great evening eating pizza and watching the BYU football game (Rise and Shout!!!).

Sunday we spent a nice night strolling around the AZ temple. It was beautiful.

Monday was our Christmas Eve event. We saw National Treasure: Book of Secret, ate at Cafe Rio, and then had an amazing dinner. Our evening was capped off by a great talent show.

Tuesday was a very laid back day. We didn't open presents until 7:00am. Nothing like sleeping in on Christmas. I think we surprised the boys by giving them a Wii. They had all their money saved and they were going to buy one after Christmas. We did absolutely nothing--it was nice. We ended our 5 days of Christmas by playing one of the games we received for Christmas. I won the game by lapping up water like a cat for 30 seconds--not one of my better moments.

Anyway-Christmas was wonderful this year. It was full of friends and family. I only wish we could have had everyone we love with us. We missed you all!

Christmas Joys

The last couple of nights we have been out in the neighborhood delivering Christmas treats to our friends. This has involved Chris driving (and sending emails from his black-berry), me frantically putting bows on the bottles and giving Chris directions, the boys carefully (except for Jackson who was swinging the bottles around) carrying bottles of Martinellis up to doors. There was also the usual arguments over who got to do which door. There was also a lot of "fine, I'm not delivering anymore." I was wondering to myself, as I sat in the middle of two boys yelling at each other, whether this was really worth it. About this time, the boys stopped fighting and one of them reached over and gave me a hug. He said, "Mom, thanks for getting all these ready so we can deliver them. It's a great Christmas." I guess somewhere between the arguing, the the bows falling all over the car, and Chris complaining about my directions--A little Christmas spirit worked it's way into our lives.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

New York by Blackberry

Business travel for me means late nights, early mornings and conference rooms in between. Not much, if any, sight seeing. When we lived in Europe I would buy a little disposable camera each trip and take whatever pictures I could hanging out a cab window on my way to said conference room. I would call the photos "London by Cab" or "Zurich by Cab". Now that my BlackBerry (Angie's arch-nemesis in our relationship) has a camera, I took a bunch of pictures in New York this week I call "New York by BlackBerry". Here are a couple.

-Chris

Christmas Cards

I love everything about Christmas. I love decorating, the music, the food (I am trying to be good), the gift giving, and even the dreaded Christmas Cards. I know some people don't like them, but I love getting a letter with the cards. I love reading what has happened to my friends and family over the past year. I do hate trying to come up with an original idea every year. Last year we took our picture out by some cacti in the desert. I thought it was pretty cute. Friday is the big day for us to take our picture. I am a little nervous because we have not planned very well (Chris has been in NY the whole week). But tomorrow is the day. Wish us luck!

Merry Christmas

The other night at dinner we were talking about all the places that won't use the words "Merry Christmas". Now usually I am a little liberal in opinion on personal rights, but this is one time where I say-Merry Christmas! For me Christmas symbolizes so much- not just presents or a holiday. It symbolizes Christ- the core of my faith. I love the what Christ taught- Love one another. How can that be wrong? No matter your beliefs, it should be human nature to be kind to one another. So as I go through this Christmas season I will say it loud and proud Merry Christmas.

Knock Knock Jokes = Criminality

So our oldest son, the 10 year old, recently brought home his mid-term grades. He typically is on the Honor Roll. As I read his mid-term grades, they each looked stellar as I went down the list, 95% or more in Math and Science, an 81 in Writing, a 96 in Social Studies. Whoa!! Hold the phone--is that an 81? The last time I saw an 81 on a report card I was trying to explain to my Mother why I was not cut out for metals shop (two words--"grinder accident"). I started leafing through said 10 year old's writing assignments. There it was, right in the middle of an essay on the planet Venus. We pick up the action 2/3 of the way through:

"...a planet known for its interesting atmosphere. Knock, knock, who's there? I don't know. Venus' surface has been mapped in detail..."

Did you catch that? A knock, knock joke in the middle of an essay? Are you kidding me? Personally I don't know where my sons get their penchant for class-clowning but I am investigating Angie's family tree in search of the bad genetic influence.

Like the Father of the Year I am, I confront the 10 year old. Note the empathetic dialogue and tactics I employed:

"What were you thinking?"
"Of course she hated your writing"
"At least you could have told a good joke, like 'a lawyer, a doctor and the Pope walk into a bar'..."

Ok, I didn't add that last part. But his response to my careful and sensitive questioning? He turned away from me, used his most pathetic martyrdom voice and sobbed "Quit treating me like a criminal!!"

Score another point for the children of America. No longer will they sit idly by and let haters of knock, knock jokes drag them down! The revolution will begin at dawn.

Scotland

Chandler's Arrow of Light

Just wanted to give a little shout out to our son Chandler. Last night he received his Arrow of Light. This is the last award he will receive as a Cub Scout. He also received his 20 patch, which means he earned every possible award in Webelos. He did a great job and worked really hard. We are very proud of him.

(Sorry about the dark picture. We had all the lights out so we could use our electric fire for the ceremony.)

He got an real arrow and was able to walk across the bridge to boy scouts. He was very excited. (He is behind the flag.)

"It was good. I hated it."

These words escaped Angie's lips after we saw the movie "Dan in Real Life". Angie can't stand dramatic tension, such as when a character is about to bumble through something important or get caught doing he shouldn't, like kissing his brother's ex-girlfriend. Hence her ambiguity regarding Dan in Real Life. She squirmed in her seat and kept asking if we could leave during the scenes involving the proverbial dropping of the other shoe, but she soldiered on and took one for the team by finishing the movie. George Bush would say she didn't let the terrorists win, but I just enjoyed seeing her sweat it out.

-Chris

2nd Grade Musical

Minutes before the concert we had to leave to get a parking spot: 45

Minutes we had to wait before the concert started:30

Minutes we had to sit during the concert: 30

Watching Christopher sing Thanksgiving Boogie: priceless

Yummy Rolls

My kids were reading the Friend on Sunday and found a crescent roll recipie they wanted to try. It actually turned out really good.

1 scant tablespoon yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup warm water

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1 c. warm milk

5 cups flour ( I actually used closer to 6)

1/2 cup butter, melted

In a small bowl, mix yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar and warm water. Set aside so the yeast can activate.

Mix together the salt, oil, and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir in the yeast mixture. Add the eggs and the warm milk. Slowly add in the flour. You may add up to 1 cup extra if the dough is too sticky or won't form a ball.

Cover and let rise for 3 hours.

Divide dough into two balls. Roll each ball into a circle-about 1/4 inch thick. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Cut the circle into 12 pieces--like a pizza. Roll the wedge from the wide side to the narrow point (the boys loved doing this part). Put on a cookie sheet with the point tucked under. Repeat with last ball of dough. Let rise for 2 hours.

Brush the rolls with butter and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

They tasted very good with some butter and homemade jam. Enjoy!!!

Our Trip to Scotland

A couple of months ago, Chris and I went on our first vacation without boys. We flew into Manchester, England and drove up to Scotland. We spent 8 amazing days exploring castles, driving all over Scotland, and having interesting discussions about food. I really did love Scotland, but I have to say that my heart belongs in England.

We visited a village where Chris' ancestors came from, Loch Ness, the Highlands, Culloden, Stirling and Edinburgh. On our last day in England I got to visit Old Trafford- the stadium where Manchester United plays.

I was very excited until we realized that they were locking the doors as were trying to start shopping. I think I actually started crying.

We had a great time together and it made us realize that the two of us need to take more vacations.

Our Day of Soccer

For the past 3 months we have spent a good portion of our Saturdays at soccer games. Today was our 2nd to last week-thank heavens!!

Christopher's game was great. They won 7-1. Christopher took two to the face. He was very brave. Unfortunately, he cut his eye after the 2nd ball to the face.

Chandler played his best friend Cameron's team. They lost 3-1, but played amazing. I learned that Chandler's nick name on the team is "skinny cheese". Here is a picture of Chandler and Cameron talking during the game.

Jackson's team lost 4-2. The team they played was a little mean. Jackson played great.

Only one more week and we are done!

Here We Go

Welcome to the Miner family blog. We are excited to share our life with family and friends. Hope you enjoy!