It's all about the shoes...

Ya Ya loves shoes....loves them. So, I bought her a pair similar to these (my camera broke - being fixed...can't show you the exact pair!) to celebrate her partial potty training. She walks around in these all day: "CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP". Wears them out in public even.

Well, last Friday was our ward Christmas Party. We were supposed to dress in biblical times. Juliana wanted to be an angel. So I dressed her in a cute white dress and put tinsel in her hair - complete with these pink, fluffy shoes (Her idea, of course, not mine). There was no stopping her; she "CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMPED" around in these babies all afternoon and WAS NOT taking them off.

I was rushing to get everything together before the party and ran downstairs to grab something. She apparently wanted to follow me because I heard her "CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP" near then stairs.

Then I hear a high pitched: "AHHHHHHHH"
"KA BOOM, KA BOOM, KA BOOM."

I looked around the corner and found her sprawled "superman" style on the bottom stair. Her dress was twisted, her tinsel disturbed and her face frozen in horror. I looked up the stairs to see one shoe on stair #2 and the other shoe on her foot. I quickly asked her if she was okay and in PURE PRINCESS style she cried, "WHERE IS MY OTHER SHOE?!!!!"

And that isn't the first time she about broke her neck wearing these shoes. Fashion is everything, isn't it?

More Snow Photos

This was taken this morning. I had to bribe her with candy to get her to go outside. She is definently a "summer" gal!

View facing Utah Lake - of course you can't see it!

Let it Snow!

We just got hit with an incredible snow storm - the kind that makes you want to curl up with hot cocoa and watch the snow while listening to Christmas carols! The weatherpeople had been predicting this snowstorm for days, so you can imagine how dissapointed we were when we awoke with nothing! But come early afternoon, the snow started dumping. It was the perfect kind: light, soft and beautiful. It held it's shape and was great for compacting. The day was so magical - it felt just like a Christmas holiday! Jeff and I bundled up and headed outside just like kids! Jake was staying with Mimi, so only Ya ya joined us. She however, was a wuss and headed inside after about, oh, 2 minutes. (She aparently didn't like the snowball fight.) She watched the fun from the front window for a long time. Jeff and I shoveled snow and made a cool snowman. What a storm! I think we had about 5-6 inches? But I am no weather man - you decide! This is why I love Utah...

And the Stockings Were Hung...

I just HAD to share my ingenious idea! Last Christmas, I happen to stop by Downeast Home. Sitting in a big box in the middle of the floor were these cute stockings from Pottery Barn Kids. Now, we didn't have any stockings - I had been meaning to make them for about four years! When I saw the price tag I got really, really excited - each stocking was, get this, $1 each! That's right! One dollar! So I bought two matching stockings for Jeff and I and four additional stocking for our lovely little children. (I figured our family wasn't quite complete yet - and even if it was, it was a dollar!) Now, the catch was each stocking had a different name on it, Brynn, Ty, Kate Lynn, etc. But that didn't stop me, oh no! My mother happens to have an embroidering machine. So I stiched up each of our names, covered the other names and woah-lauw - I have my own custom stockings. I recently found this month's Pottery Barn catalog. They are still selling these stockings at $19 each. So, roughly I figured I saved $112! That's $112 I can spend on other fun things! (I love "savings" numbers...the funny thing about savings is, reaisticaly, I would never purchase Pottery Barn Stockings at $19 each...but still. I saved, right?)
We don't have a fireplace, so we hang our stockings on the banister. Now we are all ready for Santa to come!

An Unusual Tag Response...

Let's be honest, I NEVER respond to tagging. I can't say never - but rarely. Usually it's because when I see my name, I think, "they must be talking to another Jen!" But this time, I decided to respond. Only because Karalee said she was waiting - and I hate to disappoint people!

• How long have you been together?
  We met August of 1996 - started dating in January of 1997. So about 10+ years!! (Whoa!)
  

• How long did you date? We were engaged in eight months and married in 11 months. Geesh, that was fast, wasn't it!?
  

• How old is he? Jeff is 32. I think. He might be turning 33. He gets older every year. I just added it up - he turns 33 December 27th.
  

• Who eats more? Me. Totally. Jeff eats like a bird. And it drives me crazy.
  

• Who said I love you first? I think it might have been me. But sadly, I can't remember those details.
  

• Who is taller? Jeff
  

• Who sings better? Since I have made a few public performances, I would have to say me. However, Jeff really has a nice voice - he would NEVER let you hear him sing, but I love when he does.
  

• Who is smarter? I say me - but I am the one writing! We are both smart in different ways. 50/50.
  

• Who does the laundry? Unfortunately, I do. But Jeff always helps out when I get behind. The problem is he dries items that shouldn't be dried. So, honestly, I like him doing other chores! But I NEVER say anything to him - who can resist a little help now and then?
  

• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? We actually swap places every few years - depending on where we move our bed. Right now, I actually sleep on the right side. Well, it's the right side if you are facing the bed.
  

• Who pays the bills? Again, we swapped. For a long, long time, Jeff did. Then he started to forget to pay some. Then I got mad and took over. Then I forgot, etc. So now we set everything up online (hallelujah!) and meet twice a month to discuss money. However, these meetings usually turn into "vision" meetings (largely due to Jeff's ability to plan for the future) where I sit and nod and say, "uh-huh, that's great." Money. I hate dealing with it...
  

• Who mows the lawn? Jeff does. That is NOT my cup of tea.
  

• Who cooks dinner? Me. But once in awhile Jeff does.
  

• Who drives when you are together? Always Jeff - unless he is eating something or I am dropping him off.
  

• Who is more stubborn? I am more vocally stubborn - Jeff is silently stubborn.
  

• Who kissed who first? Jeff kissed me. He tricked me by saying he put on too much Blistex. I fell for it and now we have three kids! :-)

• Who asked who out? Jeff claims I did first. I didn't - it was a group activity. He officially asked me out a week later.
  

• Who proposed? Jeff did twice. I agreed the first time but then decided I wasn't ready. Then he asked me later - and of course I said yes!
  

• Who is more sensitive? I can't really say we are sensitive people.
  

• Who has more friends? I think I do. But Jeff has more admirers.
  

• Who has more siblings? Jeff - he has 8. I have 4.
  

• Who wears the pants in the family? We are exactly 50/50. At least we should be.

I have never tagged anyone - but I guess now is a good time to start. I tag Karalee, Kati, Sydney and Kaila.

Flashback...

I just received these photos from our friend Poncho. Chances are, you will see them on our Christmas card! But here is a sneak peek for my devoted fans!

Here Comes Santa Clause!

Guess who showed up at the annual Lifferth Family Christmas party! The big guy himself, Sant-ee Clause!! Juliana wanted NOTHING to do with him, Jake was a little shy (what? My Jake?) and Adalyn was as happy as could be sitting on his lap! Not a peep out of her! I asked Santa for a new high capacity washer and dryer - red. With pedestals. He said that dreams do come true! You hear that Jeff?

CAR FOR SALE!

Sorry to solicit - but you are reading MY blog! Up for sale is a beautiful Chevy Trailblazer for sale. It is a 2002 with 73,000 miles. It is a great car. If you remember right, we bought a MINIVAN, thus we are selling our SUV. If you, or someone you know, NEED this car, please let me know. In fact, there will be an incentive for anyone that helps us sell this car. It's a surprise. Don't you love surprises?

Spread the word if you could.

Home for the Holiday's!

We just returned from a 10 day dream vacation to Cozumel, Mexico - our other "home." Jeff and I spent two years there making great friends and great memories. We were lucky to return. Our best friends, Ale and Poncho let us stay with them in their new home. They were the best hosts - although I am sure it was not easy with all of us and all of our gear. They only have a baby dog Samba - who is darling. They were kind enough to allow us to use their vehicles as well. We love you Ale and Poncho!
We even had a party with the old gang. They had hired a taco lady to fix tacos. They absolutley LOVED Scott - I guess it was becuase he ate 10 TACOS! Way to go Scott! We had a FABULOUS vacation with Scott, Karalee and Austin - I won't even apologize for all the photos. Every day we snorkeled, swam, ate Paradise bars (the best!), visited with friends and family, ate tacos, tortilla soup, helado and chicket. We could have spent a few more days in Cozumel- we actually ran out of time. We have the BEST friends in Cozumel. The best. Jeff commented that he felt more at home in Mexico than here in PG. I would have to agree. Those people are the most generous, kind, loving people we know. Gracias por todos!

The gang.

Scott eating his 10th taco. I believe he actually ate two more after that!

Our favorite snorkel spot. This is where Jen received a rather large jellyfish sting. Yep, it still hurts.