FREE CHOCOLATE!!

I LOVE CHOCOLATE!! For Christmas, I bought Daren a box of Godiva chocolate. (They are my favorite and I knew he'd share - clever, huh?) Anyway when he opened the box, the chocolates had "Bloomed." I never knew that chocolates bloomed. But when we called Godiva to complain about our discolored and old chocolates, they told us that chocolates can get too warm and bloom. They apologized and said they would send us out a new box of chocolates.

Today, I was craving something sweet and then Mr. UPS showed up with some new Godiva chocolates. I opened the box expecting to see the same size of chocolates that I had purchased at Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised to see a REALLY BIG box of Godiva chocolates, bigger than I had originally purchased.

Thanks Godiva!!
You have awesome customer service & I love your chocolates!!

I'M ADDICTED!

To This:
And This:

Definitely This: (been waiting since last May)

I can't stop thinking about Jin, Sawyer, Jack, Kate, the island, Locke and all the gang!

And Absolutely This:

Most importantly...

Thank goodness for TIVO!

'TWAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS & I ATE TOO MUCH

My friend Pam sent me this and I had to post it:


'Twas the Month After Christmas & I Ate Too Much
'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt.
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

SUSHI DIVA

When it is someone's birthday in our family, they get to choose the dinner menu.

Camille's request:

Grilled Salmon
Sushi
Corn
Jello
AND...
Chocolate Cake!!
But no birthday would be complete without...

AMERICAN IDOL DANCE SHOWDOWN

AND..

Another birthday cake, Hannah Montana, of course!

Happy Birthday to our little Diva!

A UTAH (WO)MAN AM I???

Holy COW! What happened to me last night? I found myself cheering for the men in red! Daren even cheered for the Utes, well kind of.

We thought about buying an Alabama flag to hang in front of our house for The Wendels to enjoy. Good thing we didn't!! It took Michelle all of 2.2 seconds after the game to come show me her flag. She made me promise not to turn on my blue and white Christmas lights on anymore. In honor of Utah's win, the lights are retired. (Christmas is over anyway...it's really not a sacrifice!)

I hate to say this but....Good job Utah! You made our state & conference proud!

Michelle definitely thinks RED is her color!!

THE WEEKEND OF TEETH AND SNOW

It's a sad day for a mom when the youngest loses her first tooth.

My girls are growing up. Both of their birthdays are next month. Camille wants to have a dance with boys and practices with a yardstick on the trampoline. (We aren't having a dance, by the way) Abby just wants to invite a million kids to her party. (We aren't having the entire neighborhood over either.)

Abby was very excited to have the tooth fairy come. Mom was sad because Abby is way too young to be losing teeth, or is she?

A view of my street, the day after Christmas.

I'm glad it's finally starting to melt!

A POSSIBLE CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE!

I knew I was in trouble 2 weeks ago when Camille sat on Santa's lap.

Santa: What would you like for Christmas?

Camille: A PUPPY!

Anna (My Friend): You are in trouble Julie!
Those that know me well know I'm not a big fan of animals and pets. Tanner had to BEG for years for a pet, earn the money and I finally caved. However, the snake minds his own business in Tanner's room and Tanner feeds and cleans up after him. I thought Camille would let the whole puppy thing pass. She hadn't mentioned it again....UNTIL this morning.

Camille: I am so excited today is Christmas Eve! Tomorrow I'm going to get my puppy!

Daren: Santa's elves called a couple days ago. We talked about it and decided the puppy will not be coming to our house this year.

Camille: Total and complete weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. She began to cry so hard she couldn't talk. I don't want anything else for Christmas. I have been a good girl all year and a puppy is all I want. I don't want any toys...just a puppy!

Julie: Sobbing

Camille: More sobbing

Julie: Thinking of taking everything back to the store on Christmas Eve so her daughter can have a puppy - but dreading the lines at all the stores.

Camille: FINE...I'll be thankful for whatever I get. BUT I REALLY WANT A PUPPY!!

Julie: I feel like a shmuck because my hatred of pets has ruined my daughter's Christmas!

THEN THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE

DING DONG

Just in the nick of time, Old St. Nick was at our front door. Camille exclaimed, "I really want a puppy." Santa patiently sat Camille on his lap and explained that the puppy would not be coming this year, maybe next Christmas. He told her that she was a very good girl this year and that he had some special toys to bring her later tonight.

I just hope I haven't ruined Christmas and she is happy with all her new toys!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! WE LOVE YOU!