CHRISTMAS: " You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"

Twas the Night before Christmas… when all through the house not a creature was stirring- except Ben and I- WE COULDN’T SLEEP. It was like we were young children, so excited for Christmas. I probably woke up every ½ hour from 4 till 7:30 (when we finally got up). Ben claims it was not from excitement that he awoke but from… gas? Just joking. We finally got up but could not go upstairs until the rest of the family got up (and they were not struck with the same “excitement” that we were).

Finally we got to go upstairs and find our stockings (thanks Santa) and opened presents with the family (this is quite a feat with young children). It was so much fun to see everyone’s eyes light up with surprise and excitement. (Ben got 2 Nurf guns- Hence the Blog Title.) We got to talk to all the Newson siblings and see most of them on Skyp- which made it that much more fun.

In the afternoon we went to the Stones house to spend time with family there. It was fun to see everyone and here what Santa had brought them all. We hung out watching movies, eating good food (like always at a Stones event) and playing games. Ben and I got a fun game called ‘Curses’ in which you are cursed to act in a certain way. It was hilarious to watch Mom bark at Dad as he clucked as a chicken, itched like a gorilla and talked like Scooby Doo.

We are fortunate enough to have family very close and therefore we had a wonderful Christmas full of the spirit of love and family. It was wonderful!

In these pictures: Ben pushed me in the snow. They are all playing with Grandpa’s tourch. Ben is on Mylie’s new skateboard. Christmas Morning in front of the tree. Ben and Jacob with a scrumptious Christmas Eve Dinner.

Family Birthday's

December is the month for Stones Family Birthdays- with Erica, Mat and my Dad’s Birthday’s all within a week. We all got together and had a big birthday party for everyone. It was fun to see everyone, eat the good food and hang out. Although it is often crazy, as most Stones events are, it is family and I love them.

Holiday Spirit

Being in our callings (with the youth) and close to family (aka nieces and nephews) we have the great privilege of getting to do all the WONDERFUL holiday things that otherwise two “working” twenty-some aged scrooges like ourselves might not get to. Here is what we’ve been up to:

The youth did a gingerbread decorating contest and yours truly made all the frosting (yikes)! The priests constructed the buildings the week before and then the youth got together and decorated them (with the intent on delivering them, but it was just too cold). It was fun to see how creative they got- from making man eating buildings to a mathematically proportioned red structure. It is always interesting to see the creative genius of today’s youth + candy!












We went down to Denver and go to go to a live Nativity with Mylie, Wyatt and Andrew (and Mat and Andi). It was great to see the kids faces light up as we watched the program and to watch them entranced. It was really spiritual and awe inspiring for me also.

The Young Women learned how to make pies (pumpkin, 2 kinds of apple and cheese cake/fruit) and then took them to people in the ward. It was fun to be able to teach them how to make pies and to be with them as they cooked and learnt a new skill (one I am still learning myself). At the end we got to sample the pies- it was really fun and festive.













We had a youth fireside at our house with music and simple Christmas stories. It was wonderful to have the spirit of Christmas in our home. It was great to be surrounded by friends and family while singing songs about the Saviors birth and about people giving and serving. It was a very wonderful experience and I felt the spirit so strongly.

We got to go down to Denver and watch Andrew in his holiday concert. It was so much fun to sit and hear holiday music sung by Andrew’s Elementary School Choir. It was fun to be with family and to support Andrew in his talent. He did a great job and we were so proud of him!

Melinda and Jacob came over to make sugar cookies. One day they cut them out with Grandma’s help and the next day I got to help them decorate. Their ideas of decorating were each different. Melinda wanted to fit as much candy on the cookie as possible. Jacob wanted to distract me so that he could eat the candy. And Alex just wanted to eat the cookies. It was fun being able to decorate with them.













There were so many more experiences and more to come (we get to go ice skating with the youth this week- yay). I am glad that I have been able to experience the simple side of the holidays with family and friends and share the holiday spirit with those I’ve met.

2 Years Flown By

My little brother has been serving a two year mission for the Church in Riverside, CA. He is the next youngest to me, and the baby of the family. We had our ups and downs growing up but by the time he left- I considered him one of my closest friends. We wrote occasionally through-out his mission and I got to talk to him at 3 of the 4 phone calls. We had our ups and downs, while he was on his mission, usually about girls and his future plans (call me the over opinionated nosey sister).

I was probably more excited for Michael to come home than for Christmas this year. I told everyone I saw. I counted down the days. I finished my Christmas shopping and wrapping before his arrival- so every moment after could be spent with him. The day finally arrived (December 15) and I was so fidgety I spent the entire day baking (for anyone who knows me that is a big surprise). The entire family went to the airport; I am sure fellow travelers thought this huge family awaiting one passenger was quite strange.

Now my baby brother is home! He looks great. He is a spiritual giant and loves to talk about his many mission adventures. He is full of kindness and generosity. He is matured in so many ways and I want to spend every waking moment with him- to soak up his awesomeness (and laugh at his awkwardness).

I am so grateful for the church and the opportunity for young men and women to serve missions for the Lord. I can see the growth and blessings this has brought into Michael’s life and into my families.

Twilight Saga: New Moon

I have read the Twilight Series and I thought it was good. I waited to read it until the entire series was out and read all the way through. I think it is a romantic series focused to make young girls swoon yet filled with a little mystery and action. It has a leading lady that women can relate to and a leading man that women dream about. It was a well written series and one that I read and enjoyed. I do not consider it among the worlds best literature or story by far and therefore when the movie was announced I did not swoon by the prospects of wearing Twilight paraphernalia and having ‘Edward’ posters hanging above my bed. The Twilight movie was low budget but better than expected.

When I was invited to go with some good friends to the opening night, first showing of the second movie, New Moon, I was hesitant. I thought it would be good, like the first. I knew it would be enjoyable and I knew it would be fun to go with friends. I was nervous about the hoards of screaming girls (who found the books much more idol worthy than I did) and the fact that the movie started at midnight.

We went, with much more candy and snacks than needed, and we had fun waiting for hours for the movie to start; playing games, chatting and over eating. The movie started, with the expected screams and screeches, at 12:01 am. There was the chatter, swooning and giggles from the crowd. There was the twinkling of the vampire skin in the sun (bad effect in my opinion). There were sugar crashes half way through. Yet through it all, it was a good movie! There were extremely good looking, half dressed (way to young) werewolves. The main girl did better than in the last movie, the main guy…did not; yet there is another leading male- so don’t be dismayed. And the Twilight Saga continues!!

Pottery Pictures

In September and October I decided to take a beginning pottery class at one of the local guilds in Boulder. I learned so much about throwing pottery on the wheel and only really started to get used to it by the end. A lot of my wheel work is lopsided and shallow but I am learning and I am pretty determined. We also did a lot of hand building, which wasn’t my favorite, but it was good to learn different styles.

I come from a VERY artistic and creative family so I don’t ‘dabble’ in the arts very often because I tend to judge and compare myself to my family. (I know that is wrong!) I found myself doing that in this class also, but opposite, because no one in my family really does pottery- I wanted to be awesome. Instead of being content with creating the simple yet sturdy uniform cylinders or bowls, I tried to create lavish things; which were above my level and therefore I created nothing of great caliber. I thought, “This simple stuff is so boring, I can do better.” I think I will take this class again and I will work on perfecting the simple stuff before growing to the harder stuff- then I will actually have pieces to give away to people!!

I really enjoyed playing with the glazes, which look nothing like the end product as you apply them. I tried to have the attitude that I didn’t know what it was going to look like anyway, so why not try something new. I made a lot of pieces and I am probably really happy with ¼ of them and the rest will be put up in a closet somewhere. But here are some pictures (of both good and bad) so you can see my first experience in pottery…

KISS CONCERT

I got to meet Kiss Tonight! They are very talented, super cute and surprisingly young. I even got to take a 'Groupie' picture backstage.

I WANNA ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT...

We went to the Church's TRUNK-OR-TREAT and had a 'Kiss Decor' Car. We hung up a Kiss Sign and blasted Kiss Music all night. It was a fun night and everyone loved to let out their inner Rock Star!




(Yes we did waste the battery on the music and need a jump..oops)

Body Boarding Blunders at the Beach

On Saturday we went to the beach. It was so much fun to squish my toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze. The water was warm and the waves were intense. I stood back and watched the boys boogie board at first and then they took me in to try. The waves were so hard that I could not get past the crest in order to actually board. Every time a wave would approach the boys dip down and go under the wave, popping out on the other side unharmed and un-tattered to catch the next one (Correct). I could not get this right, I would get hit head on by these waves just to be knocked too and fro, under and over by huge gulps of salt water (Incorrect). After 15 minutes every muscle in my body was sore, my eyes were burning and I had still not made it past the crest of the wave- so I went in, resigned to try again another day. (Tomorrow Andrea and I are going alone and she is going to teach me to go under the waves.)

The little kids had fun body surfing in the shallow water and getting pulled up with the tide. They also love playing in the sand- which allows sand to venture into every body crevice! It was so much fun to go to the beach and even more fun to be there with family that I love.

Airport Emergency Action

I had a life altering experience on Tuesday while in the airport. I was standing in the security check in line and people watching, like usual. I was watching a man, about 7 people in front of me, with three little girls when one of them started choking on something she was eating. I watched him wack her back a couple times, he then picked her up and wacked her- it was not working. By now most people in the line were watching as this frantic father tried to revive his chocking child.

It is at this time that my mind started wheeling, she needed the heimlich. I am first aid certified; I have been since I was 12 and went to Girls Camp. I have been knowledgeable about first aid sine I went to scouts with my dad when I was 8. I have had first aid training in babysitting courses. I have had advanced first aid training multiple times in school including a semester long course devoted to it. However I have never been forced to use first aid in an emergency in my life. I froze. I kept thinking, I can help but this room is full of people, someone has to be more qualified than me. In this room, there has to be a doctor or a nurse, a firefighter or a police officer, and where is the airport paramedic or security.

Finally a woman ran up to him. She had no medical training, she continued to fruitlessly wack the child’s back. Another woman approached grabbed the little girl and did the Heimlich. The child threw up, dislodging the choking hazard and beginning to breath again. They laid her down and lifted her feet. Her sisters just stood there uncomforted, mortified and forgotten. I walked by and went on my way with a pit of shame and despair in my stomach. I should be happy and relieved that this young child was saved and well but I could not get past the frozen horror I felt while watching the emergency enfold infront of me.

I felt like I had wasted my first aid training by doing nothing. I walked like a zombie to my gate, sat down and dissolved into tears. I cannot believe I had failed to miserably, I cannot believe I had just stood there and watched. I have never been so ashamed in myself as I was then, knowing I could act and didn’t.

My sister, who has come upon many a car accident and emergency, said that often we need one experience of frozen doubt and terror to mentally prepare us for an emergency before we can act. She said from this moment on whenever I am faced with an emergency and my first aid is needed I will be willing to help because I will know that I am able. I will already have had this emotional battle. Next time I will act!

Called to Serve

Ben was just called at the Louisville Ward Young Men’s President. He is really excited and nervous for this calling. He feels really humbled that he has been called to help the Young Men achieve their goals and reach their potential and a little scared because he remembers the kind of ‘teen’ that he was. I know that he will do great!

I am excited becuase we get to spend a lot more time together (with me in Young Women's) and our parents are excited becuase this means we are definatly staying in Louisville for a couple years!

Turbulence Turmoil

Ben is a manly man and can handle blood, spiders, ect; the one thing that does get to him is…motion. Ben gets incredibly motion sick when riding in cars, boats, rollercoaster’s and (as we have found out) airplanes. Our flight home from Utah was on a small aircraft with only 4 seats across, 20 rows and propellers on the wings. It was slightly stormy with scattered rains but nothing major and we boarded the hour long flight on time. Our seats were not next to each other but across the isles and Ben coaxed the man next to him to switch seats with me (a decision I am sure he would soon learn to love).
As we took off in our small, yet durable, plane it soon became aware to all passengers that small planes were more prone to the beats and bumps of the storm- known as turbulence. For someone like me, this is not a problem I actually enjoyed looking out the window at the storm and feeling the bumps and dips of the plane. Ben however, thought differently. Ben’s hand slowly started cutting off the circulation to mine and large beads of sweat started dripping down his forehead and neck. He turned the air onto his now pale green cold and clammy skin and the plane rose in elevation.
At this point the flight attendants voice came on announcing that due to turbulence we must stay in our seats and they would begin coming around for drink orders. Another large turbulence bounce, this time the tip of the plane dropped for a split second. Ben lurched forward grabbed the green ‘barf bag’ in the holder in front of him but contained himself. All passengers around us watched with worry and hesitation. The flight attendants voice came on once more, they were going to suspend the drink orders and just pass out water. Ben sat with him head hanging between his knees gripping his ‘barf bag’ and shaking in fear and pain. Another turbulence bounce and the flight attendants came on the speakers again, “We will be suspending all drinks this flight, please stay in your seats with your seat belts fastened.”
Through the next 30 minutes of the flight the pilot pulled the plane above the storm and the turbulence calmed. Ben began to calm and turn a more natural shade of green. We began to approach Denver and lower through the clouds with no turbulence. The wheels were lowered; he was going to make it. Then we landed; bounce, bounce- one to many. Ben opened his barf bag and vomited over and over throughout the landing. The flight attendant brought us napkins, water and more bags. The other passengers hurried to leave the plane while Ben cleaned up and we were last to leave the plane.
As we got to the plane door Ben moaned, we were not at a tube exit but had to descend stairs and walk outside to a building to get into the airport. There at the foot of the stairs were all the passengers of the plane, picking up checked luggage, watching as “the guy who just puked” exited the plane. He was a little uneasy for a couple hours but now feels fine and can say he never wants to experience that again.
I guess we can be sure that if Ben were a super hero- flying would not be his power!

General Conference: Saturday Morning

I love General Conference. I am one of those people who gets dressed up in my Sunday cloths and goes to the church to sit in a cold dark room with 5 other people and take notes for each session. I fall asleep, get distracted or just don’t appreciate it as much in my pj’s on the couch at home.
This conference we were in Utah for Ben’s mission reunion and decided to see if we could get tickets to the Saturday Morning Session. This would be the first time I would ever see a conference session live. We got up early and went to Temple Square. It was a testimony in itself to see the multitude of saints rushing to hear the words of the prophet. We got in the standby line of 200+ people to wait for tickets and after about 45 minutes a young man walked up and handed us two. I was so grateful and excited we practically ran to the Conference Center.
We sat in the balcony section (high of the high) but it was amazing to be in the room with the Prophet of the Lord and the Apostles. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was impeccable and the talks were amazing. Ben teases me and says that I cried through the entire thing, which might be true because the spirit was so strong. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity and experience. I am so grateful that I felt that witness that President Monson is a prophet of God. Conference was amazing and has once again enriched my soul. I am so blessed for the gospel in my life and the wonderful things that it teaches me!

Buenos Aires Oeste Mission Reunion

We went to Salt Lake for Ben’s mission reunion and had such a great time seeing his old companions and Mission President. Ben has been home from his mission (in Argentina) for four years and considers it one of the most memorable and spiritually growing times of his life. This year Ben and his old companion, Moises Barriero, were responsible for setting up and arranging the reunion. It turned out great with about 75 missionaries/guests coming, including his old Mission President, President Ramos, and his wife, Sister Ramos. They had a potluck and then a short fireside with talks given by Present and Sister Ramos and the oldest and newest to return missionaries. They had musical numbers, slideshows and many memories shared. It was great to see Ben light up and reminisce with all his old friends and companions.

Bag Check

A couple weeks ago we went camping with my family and took Ben’s backpack with us. Friday morning as I was packing I saw that I had left some camping stuff in the bag, such as the bug spray and matches- so I quickly took them out and packed the bag. At the airport on the way to Salt Lake City we went through security and were putting our shoes and belts back on when the security guy yelled out, “Who’s bag is this?” and held up Ben’s packpack. Shocked we followed him to the side and he pulled out from the visible mesh side pocket a 3 inch camping knife (Unfolded it would be 6-7 inches). Ben immediately looked at me and my mouth dropped open in shock and amazement. OOPS! I started muttering, “We went camping…I was packing but I… I didn’t even check the side… oh I am so sorry…that’s a good knife… I am so sorry!” The Security Guard could obviously tell it was a big mistake and told Ben he could go through a process to keep it or just get rid of it. We did not have time to keep it so they took his camping knife- never to be seen by us again. I felt really bad but Ben just smiled and said I would have to get him a new one! Flying on airplanes is stressful, I was so precise about putting my 3 oz liquids in baggies and that I forgot to take out my weapons!

Pregnant? Hit the Target

Preface: Mystery Diagnosis
A week ago I started getting this terrible pain in my lower right abdomen. It first started every time I ate and would last about an hour after every meal. My Mom looked and me and the initial diagnosis- appendicitis? So, if I don’t start vomiting or get a fever in 48 days- that’s not it. Then it gradually got worse. By Wednesday I laid in bed for a couple hours in pain and just held my hand on it in constant pressure. 48 hours past and my appendicitis is still in tact- next diagnosis- ovarian cyst? Extremely painful, nothing can be done, wait it out! By Friday morning I was in pain and so nauseous I though I was going to vomit. Diagnosis- tubal pregnancy? Are you serious?

I was on the way to the mountains for a lovely family camp out when I stopped at the local Target. I was grumpy, green (from nausea) and sulking from the embarrassment of my task. I sulked in to the isle (where conveniently they sell pregnancy tests right next to condoms) and standing there were two men about my age- oh goody! So I slumped over, stooping to the bottom shelf for the single pack (why would anyone need a mega pack of pregnancy tests?) and pull. As it came out the next 5 tests tumbled off the rack onto the floor- ugg. I wanted to scream and curse. “I don’t feel good. I want to vomit. These men should have to clean them up!! AHH!!” I stooped down, picked them up and stuffed them in the shelf. I then grabbed a huge, pee inducing, Gatorade and headed for the check out.

At the check out the young teenaged teller looked at me like I was in need of a shrink. I am sure I looked pregnant (like I was going to have morning sickness all over her cash register) and I am sure I looked upset enough for her to think it was a ‘college accident.’ She proceeded to watch me with pain stricken worry in her eyes as I took my purchase, walked to the bathroom door, chugged the entire Gatorade and entered for my sudden doom.

I have taken a pregnancy test before, it is never ‘comfortable’. Yet having the relaxation of your own bathroom (one with you know is at least as sanitary as you keep it) and a bathroom in which you do not hit your elbows every 15 seconds is comforting. Having the nervous, anxious patter of your husbands feet pacing back and forth on the other side of the door is comforting- knowing no matter the result, he will still love you. Sitting alone in a stall in Target makes you feel like you have done something wrong, like you have something to hide from the world. It makes you feel alone- even though the room is filled with strangers. The most vulnerable time when you need him or someone and you are alone…

I finished the test. Received my results, negative. There is a part of a woman when, even when she wasn’t expecting or trying for a baby is disappointed when that test reads negative. Just the excitement of maybe gives us hope enough to feel sorry when we are denied. The teller watched me leave the store. I tried not to have any expression on my face- I didn’t think a stranger should be the first one to know.

That night when I saw Ben I cried into his chest and moaned “I had to take a pregnancy test in a Target Bathroom!” He laughed…a lot. “Oh honey,” he comforted me (still between peaks of laugher and a wide smile) “someday you will laugh about this.” Well I am still not quite to that day- but I hope my bad day brings a smile to your face. The only positive Ben and I could both agree upon was at least it wasn’t K-Mart.

BALLPATE INN

On Saturday (September 5, 2009) we went up to the Mountains with Melanie, Grandma Stones, and Mom and Dad to the Baldpate Inn.












We went for lunch; they serve homemade soup and salad- YUM. With homemade pie for dessert; we each had a different slice of pie and we shared. We had apple, blueberry, pecan, chocolate chiffon and peach. They were delicious.

The Baldpate Inn is famous for having the world’s largest key collection with over 20,000 keys.

































We got to go see all the unoccupied homemade rooms. It was so cute and quaint to see.














After going to the Inn we went on a quick walk around the lake at the base of the Twin Sisters Mountains.

Life Update

I have not blogged in a while, this is for a couple reasons- one being, I really have nothing going on to blog about. Another being, I lost my camera- and even if I did have something WONDERFULLY COOL to tell you all- I wouldn’t have pictures and to me that’s the best part. But I have been mooching pictures off of family to get together a relatively stable blog of the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago we went to my nephew, Andrew’s Baptism. He just turned 8 and was baptized as a member of the church by his dad. Ben and I got to sing a song with his little sister Mylie (she did wonderful) and we were happy to be involved. It was so special to be there and see Andrew growing. My favorite part was at the end when he stood and bore his testimony. It was so powerful to hear the beliefs of this young man standing in front of us- who has just been baptized and received the Holy Ghost. He has such amazing parents. After the baptism we all went to his house and had a pool party!!

















The next week was full of stress for Ben because his office was moving locations and he was in charge of the move! He had to organize everything, pack everything, sell stuff, take down stuff, move stuff, put up stuff, ect. And on top of it, he still had to get done his normal work. I went in a couple days to help him pack and move things around. He worked EXTRA overtime but in the end everything got moved to where it was supposed to be. This week they have been sorting out internet and phones in their new office- but it is all less stressful!

I started a pottery class! It is mostly on the wheel but they also want to teach us some hand building techniques. I am really bad- but hey that’s why I am taking a class, right? I have yet to make anything that has not ripped or pulled apart (but I am starting to get used to the pressure and how to hold my hands- so hopefully I will get it soon). It is also really messy (you get splattered clay water everywhere). But it is really fun and I am enjoying learning something new!

Last, we are house-sitting and dog-sitting for some friends who went hiking through Hawaii. Last time we pet-sat we killed the pet (and no it was not a fish) so this was an incredible leap of faith but we have promised not to kill their beloved dog, Annie. She is a 3 year old black lab and has LOTS of energy. She tried to sleep with us the first two nights (crazy enough Ben was okay with is as long as she was on my side of the bed-how is that fare?) but successfully last night was dog-free! We take her on 3 walks a day (forcing me to get my much needed exercise) and she is really nice and well trained. Neither Ben nor I are what you might say “Dog People” but Annie is defiantly warming us to the idea! (This is Annie- the dog)