The Lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City...

were beautiful last night.

We started the evening with A Christmas Carol, which was performed at the Hale Center Theatre in West Valley City. Highly recommended! Then we feasted at The Macaroni Grill in Salt Lake, and finished the evening with a walk through Temple Square. It was incredible! Every little branch supported a string of lights. My favorite spot was the reflecting pond with the illuminated floating bubbles.

That said, I'd like to remind everyone of the four basic food groups at Christmas. Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. ...Anyone know what movie this is from? It's one of my favorites.

And, to top things off, my youngest has decided to put Santa to the test this year. When he sat on his lap last week, he asked for a squirrel.

Yes, a squirrel.

A real, live, teeth-and-claws-squirrel.

His older brother, who visited with Santa next, asked for a pony and a girlfriend. To which Santa replied, "You're too old for the first, and too young for the second." Unfortunately, he didn't give the youngest a witty reply, so Christmas morning will be interesting, unless Santa finds a way to bait and trap some furry rodent while traveling over Wyoming or other nearby state that hosts such critters.

Happy Holidays!

Good Times

It's been a while since we met, but holidays and other events have a way of bringing friends back together, especially friends who love to talk about books (and many other things--some of which I could never talk about here--but that's what makes them so fun).

We met at local restaurant and were treated to many surprises of the evening, including dessert on the house and a bottle of wine bought for our table by a friend of a friend. Thank you, Paul! The 7 Deadly Zins is a new favorite vino. And thank you, Ted! You helped make the evening special.

I love these ladies. They are one of the many blessings in my life.

I don't know what I'd do without them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, it's the day after we devoured turkey and stuffing with all the fixings, and I'm still feeling incredibly blessed. I do have much to be thankful for, even though some days I feel completely overwhelmed. And here it is, Black Friday, a day I opted not to shop and woke instead to see why I'm the luckiest mother in the world.

I'm thankful for two boys who will wake themselves at the crack of dawn to make sure they can surprise me with breakfast in bed. (I tend to be an early riser.) It was one of my favorites. French toast, a mini ham and cheese omelet, and OJ. And they did it all on their own.

I'm thankful for a daughter who tells me she loves me and that I'm her best friend. A daughter who showers me with hugs and plays uplifting, empowering songs when I need them, even though I'm not telling her I do. A daughter who stands by me in the kitchen before and after the Thanksgiving meal to help with preparations and clean-up. A daughter who hands me her size 3/4 jeans because she thinks I can wear them, after I see that mine are too big and no longer fit. (I won't tell you if hers fit, though!)

I'm thankful for family and friends who show their support and share their love and help keep me focused on my hopes and dreams. I'm thankful for a wonderful home, good schools that help educate my children, the means to put food on the table, and strong health. I'm thankful to have full days to enjoy, the sun when it shines, and a future that keeps me looking forward. And I'm thankful to live in a state and a country that affords us so many freedoms to do the things we do.

Happy Holidays!