Frustrated

I am so frustrated. My computer has a terrible virus, and I can't do anything on it. We are working on cleaning it up, but it won't let us go to any websites that have anti-virus software or open anything on the CD drive that has antivirus software. Not even in safe mode. So we are going to have to reformat our hard drive, and start over. So there will be no fun pictures of Christmas, or New Years. I think I would rather have the virus than my computer.....goodbye until it's fixed...

Utah State Flag

Apparently back in October, when Amber's 4th grade class was studying government, Amber asked why the school only has a US flag, and not a Utah one also. She asked if she could write a letter to Roy's representative to see if he could get them one. Well, she proceeded to write the following letter to him...

Dear Rep. Greenwood,

Mrs. Becraft's fourth grade class, and especially me would like to get our school a state flag and I was wondering if you could get us one. We would appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Amber Simmons

When I read the letter, I thought that was all there was to it. I thought that Mrs. Becraft asked all of the kids to write a letter. I was wrong. Today, Representative Greenwood came to the school to present a flag to Amber to give to the school.

He talked to them about what the different things on the state flag represent.

With the flag, she got a certificate of authenticity, that included the flag's serial number. It also stated that the flag was flown over the State Capitol Building on Dec 5th, 2008, and it was signed by Gov. Huntsman, and Lieutenant Gov., Gary Herbert. (Hmm, can't get that one the right way, and I don't have time to fight with it) She gets to keep the certificate.
And then he gave Amber the flag. They had planned to go put it out on the flagpole to fly it today, but they weren't able to get the clips to do that yet.

This is Amber with her Teacher, Mrs. Becraft, and Representative Greenwood.

Pretty cool Amber, what a good idea to ask our local representative for a flag!

Solo

I completely forgot about blogging about Amber's solo in church on Sunday. I guess that is because there are no pictures, video, recordings etc., of it;. Our ward primary does a Sacrament meeting program at Christmas every year, and Amber was asked to do a solo singing "Who Is the Child." She did an amazing job, I wish I had a recording of it. I was so proud of her!

Christmas Tag

I've been tagged by Heidi...

Christmas Tag!

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Some of both, it is too easy to peak in gift bags.
Real tree or artificial? Artificial.
When do you put up your tree? The 1st weekend in December, if the kids rooms are clean (am I mean?)
When do you take your tree down? At least by New Years Eve, my house is too small to have extra clutter after the gifts are opened.
Do you like eggnog? Yes, but only the Cream O Weber one that is red with a cow dressed like Santa on it!
Favorite gift as a child? ??
Do you have a nativity scene? Yup, 4 of them.
Hardest person to buy for? My Dad.
Easiest person to buy for? Zak
Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I never do Christmas cards, but I have them already to mail out this year!
Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Luggage my senior year of High school...I wanted a nice stereo, but my little sister got that, I had to stick with the clock radio (love the parents when they are getting you ready to move on!)
Favorite Christmas movie? Polar Express
Have you ever recycled a gift? Yes, but not a Christmas gift, ...I don't think.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time? Orange flavored fondant dipped in chocolate.
Clear or colored lights on the tree? I wrap the center with colored lights, and do the branches with white.
Clear or colored lights on the house? I only got my husband to put up lights once, but they were definitely white.
Favorite Christmas song? It Could Happen Again - Collin Raye
Travel @ Christmas time or stay home? Stay Home
Can you name all Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph- I'm such a nerd.
Open presents on Christmas eve or Christmas day? Christmas day.
Most annoying thing about this time of year? Wound up kids.
Favorite ornament theme or color? You should see my tree, a little of EVERYTHING.
What do you want for Christmas this year? A remote for my camera, and kids that are nice to each other, not fighting.
What is your favorite Christmas memory? ???

I tag...hmmm, so few people read my blog that have blogs of their own.....Deena, & Amy J!

Merry Christmas!

Get Gephardt

I think I would rather not see myself on TV again, but for all of your viewing pleasure, here it is.

Our trip to Temple Square

Well tonight we decided to make our annual pilgrimage to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. We didn't even make it to the Antelope Drive exit in Layton before the fun began. We were driving down the second lane of traffic (right at 5:00 rush hour) minding our own business, when the guy next to us decided to change lanes at 70 miles an hour. He hit us right on my door, and then immediately, he moved back over into the lane he had come from, and hit the car that he was trying to pass the same way. He was really driving very wrecklessly if you ask me, he was already on the side of the other car before he even got all the way into our lane.


The accident dented and scratched both doors on the passenger side of Brian's CRV, as well as the rear panel.

It smashed the door handle right into the door. Funny thing is, it didn't tear it off. It is still there, just inoperable now.
And this is the car of the other innocent driver. She just had a baby 5 days ago, so fortunately, the baby wasn't with her.
This is the car that hit us. Both of his side mirrors were torn off and scratches and dents all the way down both sides of his car.
The other side of his car.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. After a few minutes, I started realizing that I must have hit my elbow pretty hard, and bumped my head on the window, but nothing that was serious. Amber was pretty shaken up, and really worried about everyone, but after about 20 minutes, she settled down and realized everything and everyone was going to be OK.

Eventually, we did make it to Temple Square 1 1/2 hours after we had planned, but all in one piece.

I love the luminaries, they are so pretty, and I love that they depict Christmas as it is observed all over the world.

Zak said that this was the Hershey's Kiss nativity, I loved it.

This is just the bubbly fountain with the lights in the background. Different.

And this is from the top of the Joseph Smith Building, there is some reflection from the window, but I kind of like the way that it looks.

We had a great time, and were very blessed to have made it to Salt Lake and back safely.

Dirty Dishes

OK, so I am the only parent on the face of the earth that makes their 9-year old help with dishes, I understand that, but I only do it because it is so entertaining. As I type this, Amber is in the kitchen whining, and slamming things around as much as she can get away with without me totally losing it. She asked the other day why she has to do the dishes when they are gross, and why I don't do them (now it was only breakfast and lunch dishes in the sink, and at our house that is never very much). So I questioned why I should have to do them when they are gross. Her response was hilarious...."because you're used to it"!!! I have been trying without success to get my kids to rinse off their dishes as they take them to the sink, and have had no success. I figure if she thinks it is so gross, eventually she will start doing it and encourage Les to do it too.

Please let me know that none of you encourage your kids to help around the house so that I can assure Amber that she is the only one who has to help out, and that I am the meanest mom alive. Thanks!

Bowling

Thursday, I went bowling with the 4th graders. It was lots of fun for some, and not so fun for others. This is Amber.
Many of the kids were frustrated with ball after ball of gutter balls. some improved and some didn't. Others were being coached and didn't appreciate it at all. Amber's teacher was kind enough to let me and Zak bowl, but she found a place to get in and take a few turns. Thanks.

This is a few of Amber's classmates. I think they had a great time!

Get Gephardt

Well today, the crew from channel 2 News Get Gephardt segment stopped by our house to do an interview. I have been getting some phone calls that are rather obnoxious that I e-mailed them about, and it turns out it is a scam to steal identities. Apparently, several people have contacted Bill Gephardt about this, and they are doing a story about it. Les was really hopefull that Mary Nickel would stop by, but I assured him that she wouldn't be here, and I didn't think that Gephardt would be either. I was right. It was just the camera girl, Shirsty, and the interviewer, Matt (I think).
They took a picture of us being 2 News reporters....I look awful, that is why I like to be behind the camera... I almost went to get Les from school to meet them, he loves the 2 News morning crew, but I decided not to. I'm glad I didn't. They were very nice people, but not the ones that Les knows from watching the news.