Wiseman Ways

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks auntie Lindsey for the soda machine...

A.J.'s stash...

Adeline's Caboodle...

Zeus grew a beard and donned a Santa Suit...I know, I know we are totally annoying pet people...refer to previous posts to see how it all happened.

2011-12-27T12:13:00.000-08:00

Adeline had her Christmas piano recital at the University of Utah...she rocked the Chipmunks Christmas solo! Next she performed in her schools show choir Christmas Extravaganza...WoW..busy girl!

Trimming the Tree

2011-12-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

I am sure everyone out there has a Christmas Tree Tradition...ours just happens to be the best, wink, wink. There are a few very important main ingredients to make it just right...

Firstly-Food! Not just any old food but spray can cheese with chicken in a bisquit crackers, Katawba Sparkling Cider, Chocolate covered cherries, orange sticks and other goodies are a must.

All that "health food" really gave us the boost we needed to take our tree over the top!

Crusin'

2011-12-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, every other year the Stowe, Rupp, etc. etc. etc. clan flies somewhere south of the equator (thank heavens) and soaks up the sun for a week in December.

This year we went on a 7 day mexican riviera cruise with stops in Puerta Vallerta and Cabo.

Thanks Mom and Keith...it was awesome!

Cruisin

2011-12-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

It's Official

2011-11-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me will know a day in the not so distant past when I would snicker at, roll my eyes at and even wonder about the sanity of those people who dressed up their pets...Well, the day has officially arrived when I have become one of THEM. You know what they say...never say never...I guess you could call this Karma Kickin' my Butt!

He looks so cute though...don't you think? And by the way, he likes it...I asked him and for the record...yes, he did tell me so himself. wink,wink:)

Final Hurrah for Adeline

2011-11-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

My cute, sweet Adeline all dressed up like a prisoner...this is her last year in a parade and party at school owing to the fact that she's in 6th grade...as for me, I was sad...sniff, sniff.

Adeline and her friend frosting the monster eye balls that I brought for treats. (doughnut holes, white frosting and m & m's for the eye color)

Monster eyeball's everywhere

Max as Elmo and Adeline with her best prisoner face....pretty good I'd say!

Thanks uncle Joe for the gnarly tats....good thing I had plenty of make up remover after the fact!

Sing and Sip

2011-11-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

That's him...My Boy...the one in the middle with his mouth open and singing his heart out!

Again in the middle with a super cool 70's vest and sunglasses on...This is for his Jr High Musical Review.

T, A.J., Mom, Randie and Pop-Pop (Adeline was socializing and Lori was behind the lens)

Celebratory (is that how you spell that word?) Frozen Hot Chocolates...For all of those who are not aware of these amazing frozen concoctions....here's how to obtain:

Step 1: go into a Dairy Queen near you (execpt in Wyoming evidently)

Step 2: ask them for the Frozen Hot Chocolate (it's not on the menu-thus making it a 'secret')

Step 3: pay them - trust me it's worth every penny

Step 4: wait....wait....and wait some more - again trust me regarding it's worth

Step 5: EnJoy every drop - including the chocolate sauce stuck to the sides when you're done!

Big Daddy's Puppy Parlor

2011-10-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Yes...you are seeing things correctly...no need to adjust your screen or rub your eyes. That is big T blowcombing Zeus. It's great to have a big, strong, manly man husband who willingly shampoos (with apple scented shampoo nonetheless) the puppy every week and then blow dries his lovely locks....Your the best T!

Max Turns Two

2011-10-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

All the Wiseman cousins went to the Discovery Children's Museum to celebrate Max's big day!
Adeline as a checker...

Adeline as a news anchor...

Adeline and crew as life flight pilot...Wow, so many options for a bright future!

Max at Lunch.

Lunch sack Craze

2011-09-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

There is a new, hot craze hitting Olympus Jr High School these days and it's all due to a very talented auntie (Shelby) and a certain newly 14yr old boy (AJ) who asked for hand drawn art lunch sacks for his gift this year. After much consideration he chose this Olympus Titan sack to debut the first day at lunch. I am not going to lie people, I was a little nervous to see what the other cool boys at school would say...but I had nothing to fear. A.J. has enough confidence to pull off an elmo lunchpail if he wanted to. He came home and declared that all the other boys thought it was as "sic" as he did...that's a good thing, by the way. Oh, and just for those that were in on the recycle or not bet with me....he pulled it out of his folder with hardly a crinkle that night to re-use another amazing day!

Four Teen

2011-09-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Now it's official. I am a mother of a teen. I made myself feel a little better last year since thirteen is the first year in teenagedom so it really doesn't count...am I right? But now, I have nothing to comfort myself in, except:

A great kid who happens to be in the first year of official teendom...Happy Birthday AJ!

Enjoying the Scenery, Anyone???

2011-09-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

So, I just spent the last blog post describing the really fun field trip I went on with Adeline's 6th grade class, right? Well, I left the best for last. Just as we reached the summit of our hike and sat down to enjoy our lunches together we spotted this beauty...look close now people. Just to the left of the hiker with baby on back is baby's mom....in a bikini. Yep, that's right what's better than a nice hike around antelope island with only your puka shells on right girls? No but really I think that the students, uh,umm I mean the boy students got a little more education than they planned on. hee, hee, hee!

Antelope, Air and Space

2011-09-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

No, it's not some opening line in a joke or even worse -descriptions of what's inside my brain...its field trip time!

Adeline's whole class at the Air and Space Museum in Roy

Adeline....Moon Walking...sorry, that was bad...couldn't help myself:)

Adeline and friends at the top of our Antelope Island hike overlooking Great Salt Lake

Man....I am going to miss these things when she hits Jr. High next year. But for now, I am refusing to think about that and just plain enjoying it while I can!

Griff....Meet Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

2011-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Griff was introduced to his first (i think) chocolate ice cream cake thanks to an early birthday celebration of A.J.'s Birthday...I am pretty sure he enjoyed himself...what do you think?

Festivus for the Rest of Us

2011-09-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

You know it happens whenever sisters get together for a weekend of fun.....giggles, belly laughs and slap your knee, tears rolling down your face hysteria sets in! We certainly had plenty of that and loved every minute.

Lindsey, Griff, A.J. and Shelby

Pop-Pop entertaining the babies with Adeline's help

Babies Dillan and Griff

Lindsey, A.J., Shelby and Allie

p.s. I am so mad that I didn't take a picture with Billie and Randie since they were in on all the fun as well!

Fancy Meeting You Here

2011-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

A.J. and Parker (my cousin Carson's son) happened to play their football games at the same time in the same place last Saturday...and if you think the coincidences end there you'd be wrong. Billie and Dillan were here from Iowa, Lindsey and Griff were here from Oregon, Shelby was here from San Diego, Uncle Jeff was here from California, Uncle Dennis was here from back East and a whole bunch of other Rupp Clan members were there to for our little impromtu reunion.

Here's a pic of the whole crew

Great Grandma and Grandpa Rupp with Grandpa Rupp with A.J.

Practically Perfect In Every Way

2011-09-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to one of the world's nicest bosses, Adeline and I scored tickets to the Broadway show Mary Poppins.

And what's a girls night out without a little sushi...right? Ok Fine...this is Adeline's plate of sushi...I had teriaki chicken with tempura veggies. At least one person in our family eats adventurously!

Football Fever

2011-09-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

When I say "Football Fever" it's referring to the all encompassing craziness that ensues each Fall as the leatherheads take center stage...it's also referring to the constant state of fever-pitched anxiety that falls upon a certain mother of a certain first time quarter-back...

Looking good so far...

"Hurry and throw that ball...there's a huge maniac running right for him...save my boy...someone?"

T is coaching A.J. for the first time ever in Football this year. Luck for A.J. he gets 24 hour a day, one on one coaching for the next 3 months. I'm sure he loves every minute..wink,wink.

I thought learning spanish and algebraic equations were hard...Crap!

Love and Cake Flour are in the air

2011-08-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I am somewhat of a novice/very amateur wedding cake baker. It all started when I volunteered to help make my Sister's cake a few years ago. Since then I have only made 3 others. Here's my latest attempt...which I must say I am very proud of! The bottom layer is a coconut cake with coconut milk butter cream covered in my homemade marshmellow fondant; the middle layer is a double chocolate cake with a chocolate meringue buttercream frosting covered in coconut on the outside; the top layer is a classic red velvet with cream cheese frosting again covered in fondant. It was fun to see how a simple cake can turn into one the most delicious parts of a brides special day!

Too Cool For School

2011-08-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

It can't possibly be time for school to start. I mean, where in the world did 3 months of freedom go to? I don't know if any of us is ready for the early mornings, schedules, lunch packing,

dress code dressing, homework and project completing drudgery of it all...oh, well, ready or not here it comes! By the way, A.J. started 8th grade and Adeline started 6th (sniff, sniff...that's me with a sound effect side note)

The Sound of Music

2011-08-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

The last Saturday of Summer found us at Sundance Resort. The outdoor theatre was putting on a production of The Sound of Music. After we finally reached the theatre, which is quite the hike, we had alot of fun singing along to the well known songs like...Favorite Things, Do Re Mi, etc. I think that we will be making this a yearly tradition in the Wiseman Family for sure!

Football Slip N Slide

2011-08-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

It has been extremely hot here in Holladay this past week or two...like hovering around 100 degrees hot! Don't get me wrong, I prefer the stifling heat to the winter cold...but I don't have to don pads and a helmet to run around outside for a few hours everyday either.

So, as a well earned treat for A.J.'s football team T jimmy-rigged a slip n slide and popsicle party after one of their practices. Even Adeline enjoyed a few runs...You Go Girl!

Minute Mohawk

2011-08-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

I guess football can get even a straight arrow mom riled up enough to somehow agree to a mohawk cut...at least for a few days at least. After I came to my senses I realized that starting 8th grade with a mohawk probably wasn't the best idea ever so, alas...now A.J. just has a very short buzz!

Midway Fun

2011-08-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

The day after we got home from England we washed our clothes and threw them back in a suitcase for a week of fun up in Midway, Utah with Auntie Lindsey, Griff, Auntie Shelby, Kalen, Bellah and Grandma Ilene. We cuddled on the couches and watched alot of movies together,

Went swimming in the crater at the Homestead resort, went on alot of walks,

went horseback riding and mainly enjoyed just being together!

Eleven???

2011-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that our vacation here has come to an end. However, I cannot think of a better way to spend our last day than celebrating Adeline's eleventh birthday. We went back into downtown London, saw the Olympic Torch and arena being constructed for next years Summer games,

We saw the final Harry Potter movie in their LARGEST screen available (it was about the size of our TV at home). We loved the film anyway and loved that we were in the place it was based on as well.

We ate dinner at Jamie Oliver's per Adeline's request, visited Trafalgar Square and were disappointed that instead of flocking pigeons that you could feed and allow to swarm you, there were water fountains and throngs of people instead. So, here's to you Adeline or should we call you Queen Adeline for after all not many girls get to turn eleven in London!

As I am typing away on this final vacation blog, the rest of the lot is down at the Kabab shop saying their goodbyes and feasting one last time...I am sure that the Kabab owner will be sad to see his best customers leave as well. I, on the other hand am smiling because I can take my obsession home and I have a load of it in my suitcase right now.

Soggy on the Seine

2011-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is...good thing we got to see everything yesterday...it was another one of those not just rainy days but good old fashioned soakings. We spent most of the day wandering around Paris ducking into as many crepe shops and cafe's as possible. We literally ate our way through the city today. Here's some of our findings:
Croque Monsier's (basically a ham and grilled cheese sandwich smothered in more cheese on top), jambone and fromage sandwiches on baguettes (ham and cheese on one of the most amazing breads you've ever tasted), parisian hot chocolate (think thick, creamy and double chocolatey), and sucre or nutella crepes (sugar or chocolate hazelnut spread crepes) are all some of the best foods we have sunk our teeth into for sure!!! I am chocking the next mishap to the fact that 2 of us are Cubs fans....we went to go into the Louve if for nothing else to get out of the rain and...

Low and Behold...it was closed, only today which is Tuesday though, so that's good news..oh, wait we head back on the Chunnel train tonight, oh well!

Perfect Paris

2011-07-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Warning: it is late and I have just realized that these pictures were imput in the reverse order...so here's our 1st day in Paris, only backwards...
We ended the night on top of the Effel Tower looking out at the beautiful city of Lights.

The Metro we needed to take to get the tower was closed (of course) so we had to walk quite a way to get there...but were rewarded by this lovely first sighting.

We took the river boat tour and learned about the famous Lock and Key Bridge where lovers go to scratch their initials onto paddlocks and pledge their eternal love by throwing the keys into the River...

The Chocolate Lover's Historical tour was amazing! Our tour guide, Iris took us all around the Paris streets for 2 hours letting us taste our way through the bakeries and chocolate shops, all while giving us little nuggets of history along the way!

Our first crepes....the stuff my dreams are made of.

Sunday Roast Meal

2011-07-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Today we attended the Maidstone ward for church. It was fun to meet some of the people that were in the ward when T was a missionary here 18 yrs ago. After church we headed to Margate to meet up with one of our fav British families, the Newmans. They took us to their favorite place to eat a proper roast dinner with all the fixins'. It was alot of fun for sure!

White Cliffs of Deluge

2011-07-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

This day starts out on the blog looking alright...us posed in front of Canterbury Cathedral all nice and dry...but as you'll see it didn't start out that way... Here's me doing a few items of laundry (including drying my jacket for the day) at the Laundrette

and...here it is...the moment that the heavens decided to open up and unleash their fury upon the town of Dover at the very moment we hit the top of the castle keep. I hear it was a good view from up there...I wouldn't know- I just saw water in several forms...rain, mist and clouds.

We did get to go underground for the secret tunnels used for the 2nd world war base...that was cool!

Taking the Plunge

2011-07-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

We began our day at Brighton Palace. This is the very place where 12 years ago T and I ate in Queen Adalaide's tea room and were inspired to name our Adeline similarly.

A.J. got to cross "swimming in the English Channel" off of his bucket-list today...no one else dared stick more than a toe into the frigid water. The Brits had no problem sunning their pasty whiteness in their bikinis on the rocks though!

As you can see we had beautiful weather today...I am convinced that it is because I dressed for the cold again so of course it was hot.

This is Arundal Castle which is about a 45 min drive from Brighton Beach. The thing that makes this really neat is the fact that it is actually lived in by the Duke of Norfolk and his family. They live in the East Wing. The West Wing and part of the grounds are open to the public a few months of the year. The bedrooms we toured today were actually used when the Duke had extended family visiting a few weeks ago. It was neat to see an actual working castle.

On our way home this evening we drove to the London Temple. We went into the visitor's center and talked to the Missionaries and the Temple President. It was really neat to see the beautiful reflecting pond and grounds around the temple as well.

p.s. T and Adeline had another Kabab and you guessed it...I had chocolate

British Open...only for the brave hearted

2011-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

We got up this morning the first time the alarm went off at 5:30am...we were out the door at 6:30am. We drove for about an hour and felt really good about our early arrival to the Open until we came around a bend in the road before the town we were supposed to be heading into and saw "it"...the long, snaking line of cars. We then spent another 1 hour slowly creeping along until we finally made it to the parking lot. Yahoo, we thought, we made it...until we looked down the hill to see a huge line at the bottom for the buses. After waiting for another 30-45 minutes for a bus we spend another 30-45 mins on the bus at a snails pace due to insufficient traffic control and street sizes for the buses. There was a small revolt and half of the bus passengers (including us) got off the bus and took our chances on foot. After another 30 minute walk we finally saw the line to the security checkpoint/bag searches. All in all it took us 4 plus hours from the time we left our hotel to just get inside the front gate of the open...you would think that was enough, but oh no, we were then treated to a beautiful British July day including gale force winds and rain. Actually,believe it or not, we all had alot of fun trapsing around the greens and seeing all of the golfers up close!

This is a picture of a picture (sorry for the crink in your neck now) that they took at the Open for us...as a gift for all of the time it took us to just arrive I assume...I don't have any other pics due to the fact that cameras were not allowed in.

This is Adeline on the car ride home...she looks exactly the way we all feel tonight. Exhausted but grateful for the day's adventure!

To Market, To Market

2011-07-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

We had one of those mornings...the alarm went off, we hit the snooze button. The alarm went off, we hit the snooze button again. Finally around 10am we made it out of the hotel room. Today we are shopping! We took the scenic route through Little Venice which is nothing like Venice, Italy and is most definately "little". We strolled down Portabello Road with Adeline singing the song from Bednobs and Broomsticks along the way. The Toilet situation here in Europe is always risky business. Like for example this public toilet in the middle of the street where one person can enter through an electronic door, do their business and then it will self clean before the next patron enters...quite an experience. Needless to say Adeline would rather hold it all day than try her luck in one of those.

A Cupcake shoppe was too much of a pull for me to pass up...chocolate with pink frosting and sprinkles are delicious in any country!

St. Pauls Cathedral was next on our docket. We enjoyed an incredible audio tour on individual ipods that had headphones attached and told you about everything as you walked around the place. T, and the kids all took the 600 plus stair climb to the famed whispering wall that goes around the inside and outside of the dome at the top of the cathedral. I enjoyed the organ music and sturdy chair at the bottom:)

A.J. wanted to try a "Proper Roast Dinner" so of course we hit a traditional pub for dinner. A traditional roast dinner (in case anyone cares) includes: a roast meat of some sort, ( tonight it was beef) mashed potatoes, gravy, a yorkshire pudding( which is a kind of bready pop-over), roasted vegetables, (carrots and green beans) and lastly roast potatoes (think crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle).

We spent hours in the Covington Garden area of London wandering through the markets which sold everything from fruit to jewelry to lip gloss shaped like Krispy Kreme Doughnuts...and no, I didn't get one on these.

Because he didn't get his "fix" last night, T had to polish off another Turkish Kebab at the local shop that now consider him a regular...I call the owner T's BFK (Best Friend Kababer)...I, you guessed it...had chocolate instead!

Hampton Court Miracle

2011-07-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

At the British War Museum we learned about the tunnels under the streets which were converted into British Intelligence during the World War II, but more importantly we learned that, "To Dress Extravagantly in War Time is Worse than Bad Form it is Unpatriotic".

Hampton Court Palace was quite the place! Adeline's favorite part was the fully functioning kitchens and A.J.'s was the maze in the gardens.

Laugh it up people, but, yes...I did find a Food Network Star's restaurant all the way in London. Jamie Oliver's Italian was delicious. We had bruschetta, fried ravioli, potato gnocci, spaghetti bolognese, mushroom ravioli and an amazing angus burger with proper chips (fries). YUM!

Lastly, the "miracle" part of the day. As we left Kingston around 9pm this evening, T was reminiscing about the lady he used to live with on his mission named Sister J. He drove around trying to guess which street she lived on and stopped in front of a house to knock on the door just to see. That was not the house...it was 2 doors up! We went in and talked to Sister J for over and hour and had us all a good laugh.

What not to do in London

2011-07-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I left my camera in the room...oops! We went to the Tower of London to learn about the BeefEaters, the Ravens and the Traitor's Gate. We then went on a river cruise to see Big Ben, the London Eye (huge farris wheel)...then a donner kabab for all but me, AGAIN. I had chocolate!

No Nine Fingered Normans here...Phew!

2011-07-10T14:44:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday, so...First thing this morning we attended a church where T served 18 years ago. I loved it and the kids had a ball in primary and YM's. A.J. passed the sacrament and Adeline sang a solo in Primary because all the other kids wanted to hear her accent.

Next, we headed downtown to hit the London Zoo. One of our favorite areas in the zoo was this monkey enclosure where you can go in and the monkeys are running around all around you-even close enough to touch. We agreed that all of you at home would get a kick out of this sign... it reads: Meet Norman Nine Fingers, he tried to feed the monkeys...but notice the bloody finger and corresponding monkey mouth. hee, hee, hee!

Here's Adeline with one of the monkey's right over her head.

We walked all through Regent's Park on our way to dinner at an Italian Eatery and saw people ballroom dancing in the middle of the park and alot of beautiful flowers.

On the way home to our hotel, T took us to an area that he served in called Bromley and walked us to the park where he had his famous "Bromley Brawl" fight...Quite a tale!

Road Trip

2011-07-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Nothing like logging a good 200 miles of beautiful English countryside... First stop: McDonalds breakfast overlooking Windsor Castle. Our favorite parts of the castle tour were the Queen's Doll Collection and the Weaponry Room. (You'll never guess who each fav belonged too)

A.J. was a little nervous to get a pic with the castle gaurd...Adeline wouldn't even get in the picture frame

After a quick stop in Kingston for lunch and a change of plans at Hampton Court Palace (it was packed with people for a 4 day flower show) we headed to Stonehendge.

Last stop was Salisbury Cathedral which dated back to the 13th century. We sat in on an actual service and read all about how it was constructed...amazing!

I didn't get a pic of the last thing we did today which was eat a Doner Kabab...if you know T you'll know how very excited he is about these little beauties. Even A.J. and Adeline are craving the lamb kababs....as for me, I think I'd rather eat a Mars bar for dinner:)

Zombies Abroad

2011-07-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

We arrived in London at 7am after an all night flight. Adeline decided that she wasn't tired on the flight and so she and T didn't get any sleep...
This is NOT Adeline on the plane, it is one of her 30 two minute naps during the day. On the train, on the "tubes" and in her dinner...

The Tube rides, aka...the subway.

Of Course we had to get a pic in one of the famous red box telephone booths. Look closely for a sign as to how well it smelled...hee,hee,hee!

We have arrived! Stay tuned for more misadventures across the pond.

R-U-P-P?

2011-06-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I wasn't so sure that the last name of RUPP was that cool...you can imagine the jokes that ensued. It went a little something like this:
mean bully boy at school: Hey, Allie...how do you spell your last name?
Me: R-U-P-P
m.b.b.a.s: Really, your pee-pee??? did ya hear that guys..she said she's pee-pee
Me: [read: huge eye roll]

Fast forward a few years...er, make that decades and I think I've changed my mind, not to mention my last name. Here are a few pics from the RUPP Family Basketball BBQ the other evening.

I don't know where Carson was that night....sorry, no pics of you. hee, hee!

Cali Girls

2011-06-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Adeline and I headed to San Diego with G-ma Ilene and Jaden last weekend to help Shelby celebrate her Birthday. We had so much fun that Adeline actually stayed by herself an extra week!

The Workin' Girl

2011-06-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, Folks...it is true...she does actually work at Delta! I got this very rare photo when she worked at the very gate that Adeline and I left from last week when we went to visit San Diego. She looked and worked so professionally and I think Mom was so proud she wanted to burst.

Luv ya, Jade!

The Signs of Summer

2011-06-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yes...Night games is one of my fav signs of summer. There is something wonderful about watching the sun set and not having to worry about getting up for school the next morning.

Lazy mornings in front of the T.V. are another sure sign that summer has arrived at our house.

Zeus thinks he has died and gone to heaven with so many people around all day to cuddle with.

What are YOUR favorite signs of summer?????

Who's Got Talent? We do that's Who!

2011-06-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

This spring has been a busy one with all of the year end performances and all...here's a re-cap:
Adeline performed in her 5th grade "Western Movement" musical.

A.J. got an award for Music and Social Studies at the awards assembly.

Adeline showed us all what she learned this year in her Orff music class...think African drums, haikus and feet stomping fun!

A.J. had a solo in his choral performance of "Supercalafragalistic"-yes, I do know that was spelled wrong...oh, well!

Over all this year has been a fun one for both A.J. in 7th grade and Adeline in 5th grade...but, we are REALLY ready for summer!

Caught by the PO PO

2009-12-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

Scene of Crime: 4th South and State Street (Downtown SLC, UT)

Mother (Me) & Daughter (Adeline) in the car on the way to a Christmas night out together

Adeline: Hey Mom, what's that big white building?

Me: Oh, that's the County Courthouse honey

Adeline: what's a County Courthouse?

Me: Well, it's where people go when they make bad choices and have to talk to a judge and find out their consequence for the bad decision

Adeline: Do some people have to go to JAIL?

Me: yes, sometimes people have to go to jail if they make a bad enough choice. So, make sure that you always make good choices because....blah, blah,blah...you get the picture it was a typical sieze the moment time to give a good talking to about choices and consequences and I was not about to pass up the opportunity! You Mom's out there know what I'm talking about right? Right!

3 blocks later, sitting at a red light

Adeline: Mom, why is there a police car behind us with his lights on?

Me: I don't know, I'm just sitting here at a red light minding my own business, maybe he needs to get past...I'll just pull to the side here and let him get past....UUHHH, why is he pulling behind me instead of moving along???

Adeline: why is he shining that bright light on us?

Me: I don't know honey, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding, don't worry!

Wait, Wait, Wait...

Officer: Maam, were you aware that you ran a red light 3 blocks back?

Me: Oh....Uh....No, I thought that was yellow...(when in doubt, play dumb, right?)

Officer: It was yellow, Maam, about 10 yards before you hit the crosswalk then you proceeded through the intersection when it was red.

Me: UUHHH....OOPS?

Officer: Do you have your licence and registration with you?

Me: Yes (fumble, fumble...where did I put that dang registration again...oh, there it is)

Adeline: What's going on? Cry, Sob, Cry, Sob...I'm scared!

Me: Sorry, Officer we are having a small melt down...

Officer: Why? is it because of me???

Me: (in my head: DUH! Yes, it's because of you...) out of my mouth: Yes, I've never even been pulled over and she's not sure about this whole thing.

Officer: It's okay sweetie

Me: (in my head again: really? that's all you got? It's okay sweetie?)

Officer: Please remain in your car, Maam, i'll be back in a few minutes

Wait, Wait, Wait...

Me: Adeline, it's fine...I probably did run that red light back there so he's just going to give me a warning and that will be that! (in my head: he's going to see when he enters in my info. into his computer that I've never been pulled over, let alone gotten a ticket in 20 years so for sure I'm only getting a warning...yes, that's right a warning)

Adeline: Mom...are you going to have to go to the County Courthouse?

Me: No probably not

Adeline: So...you won't have to go to jail?

Me: No...Adeline, it's really okay...it's just a warning to let me know that I should be more careful when I drive...that's all...don't worry sweetie.

Wait...Wait...Wait...

Officer: Okay, Maam, here's your ticket for running the red light...(me in my head: Wait...did he say ticket? he must have meant warning ticket)...Please sign here and call this number in 5 to 14 days....

Me: Okay, thank you officer

Officer: Have a safe night, Maam!

Me: (after officer leaves) What? he totally gave me a ticket?

Moral of the story: Don't break the law while seizing the moment to give your child a "Choices and Consequences talk!)

F.Y.I...T hasn't stopped laughing since he heard the story...ha, ha, ha very funny honey!

Feliz Navidad

2009-12-16T20:10:00.001-08:00

Ahhh...nothing like the tropical air, white sandy beaches and aqua marine blue water of Cancun to get you in the holiday spirit I say! We picked the coldest week in recent memory by the sounds of it which- Yeah for us- but man oh man was that cold blast of winter chill hard to swallow when that plane landed us back in reality! Thanks, Mom and Keith for an amazing Christmas present!

Blank-a-Palooza

2009-11-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

It's good to know that if something ever (God fobid) happened to T and I had to go back to a 9 to 5er that there would possibly be a marketing gig available for me at Old Navy...I mean come on people, has it really come to the bottom of the barrel with maniquins talking to each other about their sweaters on the streets of NYC (anyone seen that beauty on T.V.?) and a Gobble Palooza Rockin' Deals add that could double as a Guitar Hero ad??? Only one word fits this sitch...WOW!

Brace Yourself

2009-11-26T17:57:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a few braces to make your daughters face go from little girl one minute to pre-teen the next. snif, snif...don't mind me I'm just a little sad that my baby girl looks so old all of a sudden. I do have to say, though, Adeline...you look pretty great in them for sure!

Goodbye to 1954!

2009-11-26T17:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, as sad as it was to say goodbye to the lovely pink and brown original bathroom that I am certain was the height of fashion in 1954 when our home was constructed...the day has come! Yahoo! I never imagined how much I could love a bathroom so much...but after 3 1/2 weeks of dust, construction workers and platic covering the floors upstairs I really think love is the appropriate word to express my feelings for this room.

Since it would not be "our" (and by "our" I mean mine and T's) style to just take on one single project like a bathroom remodel at a time...we decided it sounded like a fabulous idea to re-vamp several other rooms in the house as well...the family room upstairs and Adeline's room as well. A.J.'s room is still in the process so stay tuned....

Champions and Champions

2009-11-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

The first game of the state championships last Saturday was played at 9am by A.J.'s team and by halftime I was wondering why I had dressed for the frozen tundra of Iceland and why I hadn't packed my sunglasses in with all that long underwear somewhere...well, by the time the 2nd game, which was T's Team took the field at noon it was very clear that the frozen tundra had arrived. I am sorry I don't have a pic of the brutal, sideways, wind whipping snow storm whiteout in which we spent the duration of the game cheering in...just use your imagination (heaven knows i gave you enough adjectives!) Needless to say both teams WON!!!!

Witchy-Poo

2009-11-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

This year we stormed the town (okay, just the village...Gardner Village that is) as witches. And not just any old witches mind you...Magnificently Beautiful Witches! We all went to the annual Witch-a-palooza Dinner and I have to tell you that I have never had so much fun dressed up in my life. Here's to Witches Brew and good old fashioned cacklin'!!

In the spirit of the season and the aforementioned Witch Fest...Adeline followed suit of course dressing as a Disco Witch for her Halloween Parade. You can't see the enormous afro she sported since she took it off the minute she reached the classroom...I guess that's why you don't see alot of witches with fro's...they're just not conducive to the lifestyle!

-side note: A.J. was home sick with a case of the "witchy-flu" ha ha ha...okay, so I was the only one laughing at that, who cares?

Blogging "Take Two"

2009-11-12T16:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay...I know I am a slacker and that I have taken a 6 month sabbatical from blogging. I am sorry and do solomnely swear (yes..i am holding my right hand to the square) to do better from this day forward! Here's a re-cap:

Family had strep throat in the fall - YUCK!!!
A.J. broke bone in his hand playing duck, duck, goose at school in May...Yes, that's right people...duck, duck, goose....(insert: my rolling eyes)
Spent majority of summer at Grandma Wiseman's house with all the cousins including a trip to Disneyland in July (Adeline had her 9th Birthday there)
Football started for A.J. and Tony's teams in July as well
4th (Adeline) and 6th(A.J.) grades began in fall (insert: my sad, frowny face)
Adeline, me, Aunt Shelby and Grandma Ilene had girls trip to NYC
Aunt Lindsey got married to Shannon in September

Okay...that's a good overview...now let us begin....again!

Star ++

2009-05-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Adeline and I thought it only fair that since the last blog referencing the "school-card" was an art project with glue gone very wrong...it only seemed right to include an amazing 4 star plus card as well. This week is the dreaded CRT Testing week also, making this all the more awesome!

Here's what it says for those who's eye sight have gone...from age or worn out lasik (you know who you are!)

"She did well during CRT's. She was so focused"

Handy Manny

2009-05-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is proof. Actual visual proof that T not only has tools, but more importantly...knows how to man handle them. It's not so much that he doesn't know how to actually fix things around the house (he's actually pretty good at it). It's more like he is never around during the daylight hours to get to them. So, when I looked out my front window yesterday afternoon and spied these going's on...well, I just had to document this!

Wicked Good

2009-04-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

It seemed like forever...waiting for this day to come. We found out that the Broadway show "Wicked" would be in town last year and Adeline has been listening to her soundtrack ever since in anticipation. We had a blast together and now, we are all warmed up for our upcoming trip to New York in the fall....stay tuned!

Fake Bake

2009-04-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Emily and she looks amazing on the eve of her 40th Birthday- in my humble opinion anyway! To celebrate we decided that something crazy and semi-out of character may be in order so we got a spray tan, of course...what were you expecting? Not any spray tan would do however; we had heard horror stories of orange mist blasted at your face and an even worse umpa-lumpa orange body to follow, so we decided to hit the all-new, state of the art VERSA TAN machine. This thing is a huge, open machine with a nice woman's voice which calmly walks you through the 4 poses you must take during the 90 minute process. Yeah, that's right...I did say poses! It was sorta like being in a tanning car wash-you know how that gentle mist covers your car up and down several times during the waxing stage? Then it blow dries you the same way...Needless to say we had a good long laugh at ourselves, fun showing off our new tan as it appeared hours later and yes..we did buy the package deal!

Spring has Sprung

2009-04-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Finally...the ice age that was this past winter feels near completion. I can't tell you how good the grass feels under my bare feet and the smell of it's fresh cut blades makes me remember to breathe; really breathe like filling up your whole body with as much spring scent as is humanly possible before exploding. And baseball, yes the all encompassing Oly High, Pony little league and super leagues have begun! Thank goodness, frankly I was sick of the late night drop off's at the warehouse they used far too long for plan B rain/snow outs. And lastly, but certainly not least of all...we are all smiling more! The sunshine has a funny way of bringing out the best in my family especially after being cooped up for what felt like an eternal winter!

Easter in Vegas

2009-04-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

As you can see we took our annual trip to Vegas for the Oly High School Baseball Tournament. We had alot of fun eating, playing arcades, and eating some more. Thankfully the Easter Bunny found our hotel room again this year...I happen to know that he experienced technical difficulties this year for sure!

The Great Easter Flood

2009-04-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

It's 7:30pm Monday evening and I had just settled in to watch a little Oprah (thank goodness for DVR) and Adeline was in the room next door soaking in a nice, hot bath...when a shriek was heard 'round the world. I jumped off of my bed so fast that I fell and almost broke my ankle, hobbled around the corner to see this...bizzaster!!! FYI...the water was deeper than it looks in this picture people. Adeline had thought it was a good idea to sneak the Easter Bucket that she recieved last night at Grandma Sally's Easter Egg Hunt into the tub with her to #1 fill with water and #2 balance on the edge of the tub...culminating in this lovely mess. Now it all makes sense...the Easter Bunny is a smart one for sure. He must've known that giving out candy in baskets with holes in them would prove a much better design for those who like to take a little Easter with them into the bath.

The raising of a squirrel...I mean girl

2009-04-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a mystery at our house how Adeline survives on the amount of food she consumes (hardly any). Until today that is....we found the secret stash. The sprinkles and chocolate kisses that she evidently has been scavenging under my bed for weeks now. What you don't see was the pile of rappers that led to her undoing. When questioned about the contraban secret sugar stash under her parents bed her only comment was..."Mom always gets mad when I eat in her bed so I had to hide the food." So there you go...when Mom tells you not do something in fact what you should do is to continue doing it and just hide the evidence. Makes perfect sense.

Lucky? Not so sure!

2009-03-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

It's official...we have been hit by those pesky little leprachans. It happens every year on St. Patty's Day. They show up when no one is around and destroy the house leaving green glitter, gold coins and all kinds of treats in their wake. As you can see...Adeline is doing a very appropriate jig to celebrate the occasion! So, lucky? some might think so...until it's time to clean up that is!

Princess of Quite Alot...well, maybe not...

2009-03-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

Introducing Princess Adeline all dressed up for a date with Grandma Ilene and the Disney on Ice characters. These pics are in a sequence for a reason people...as you can see, the 1st one shows excitement leading to the 2nd in pure princess character ready to sit for hours on end. However, as you can see...we have faded, crashed landed actually to the carpet of despair. The tickets are for tomorrow night, oops!

Team Building

2009-03-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

How great it is...not having to hire a babysitter everyweekend that is! A.J. (11) and Adeline

(8 1/2-I wouldn't dare forget the 1/2) are old enough now to stay home by themselves while T and I go out on a date...I know, I know an actual date! Anywhoo...T and I came home the other night after our "date" and found an amazing basketball coach and player hard at work running drills, practicing free-throws, etc. Way to Go Team!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

2009-03-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

David, Adeline & A.J. on Crazy Hair Day at School

(A.J.'s must have "C" for Cubs-of course!)

Happy Birthday to you,

you write about cats and fish too,

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess...

Why we have crazy hair day to celebrate...I haven't a clue!

Molto Benne

2009-03-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Mom!!! Our newest and funnest holiday tradition has been to sign up for a mother/daughter cooking class and give it as a gift to Mom every year. This year was a pasta making class with chef Roberto (as seen above with Mom). Too bad I didn't catch on film the obvious favortism that Roberto showed Mom as well-breath mint anyone (had to be there...)

Lesson Learned

2009-02-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

This is Adeline's science fair project...she did a great job helping me cut out the dye cut letters, adding the colors to the waters and writing down the temperatures at the appropriate times. But, this blog is not about her science fair project per say...it's about an important lesson that every mother must learn. Your kids school projects are not meant to be theirs...they are meant to be a display of your own creative ability on display for other mothers. To make my point, let's all go back a few months/blogs ago to the lovely marshmellow head Mr. Wheeler that A.J. and I did (mostly A.J. as you can tell by the pic). You remember, the one that sister couldn't resist chopping into? Okay, now we're all on the same page and ready for my point. A few weeks after the assignment was turned in, A.J. came home from school saddened that everyone elses ancestor clothes pin dolls were totally awesome including home spun kilts, amazing hair, etc. etc. etc. He had gotten a C on the project when everyone else, he felt, had gotten an A because in essence their Moms had done a far superior job than his had. There it is people...I'm a grade A Loser ( or maybe grade C Loser would be more appropriate). So...this time around when something had to be turned in for display I did not require Adeline to do the entire thing using only her magic marker set, crayons and some scrap paper...NO, I spent time and money on this display using my creative abilities to make it look amazing. So...may this be a lesson to you Mom's out there who haven't learned this lesson yet....It's your grade, so make it good...who cares what they learn in the process, right? I really did feel bad for a few of the Mom's who where putting up there kid's science fair projects with heaven forbid their own kids handwriting and pictures all over the thing!

Shingles II - The Sister Act

2009-02-20T08:51:00.001-08:00

For those of you that follow all of the sister blogs (shelby, lindsey & Billie)- you will remember that Shelby was suffering from a case of shingles a few weeks ago: i.e. superbowl stupor. Anywhoo...I have come down with a case of the shingles myself and even though the doc says there's no way that I caught it from S it seems a little fishy at the very least. I mean really, do we all seriously believe that it's not contagious??? I am convinced that sometimes things are transferred between sisters even if it is through emails. P.S. thought you would all enjoy the sample pic from the doc's information....hey, at least I didn't post the one on my back! Linds..you better watch your back (lol...couldn't help myself)

Ooey, Gooey Hearts Day

2009-02-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

Did anyone else's kids watch Rolie Polie Olie on the Disney Channel? You know, the one with the cute robot people who sing about things like having a Totally Chocolate Dinner? Well, I'm sure you've guessed by now that we did in fact watch and enjoy that show for years (sorry, A.J. your secret is out). Anywhoo...They referred to Valentine's Day as Ooey, Gooey Hearts Day and for our household that name stuck. This O-G-H-Day was celebrated a tad early seeing as how school has alot to do with the holiday and all...Thanks to Grandma Sally both A.J. and Adeline had very cute boxes for those tasty deposits that make this day special. A.J.'s was a toaster oven complete with a sign reading "Caution: I'm HOT!" and Adeline's was a dog house with a sign over the front door reading "Puppy Love".

Kiss Attack

2009-02-13T13:19:00.000-08:00

This rare view of my family in a full pile-on-to Mom moment, which I am sharing with you not for your oohs and aaah's people...is for your sympathy vote! You fellow Moms out there know that moment in the day after 7 loads of laundry, several load/unloading sessions of the dishwasher, piano practicing marathons, homework duties, carpool runs...yes, THAT moment. The moment when some unfortunate soul decides to complain about the fact that they have to put away the folded clothes you have just slaved over washing and folding for them. Needless to say after the "Look of Death" from Mom there was only one thing left for them to do...You got it, Force Mom to Smile/laugh/Get over it. It seemed to work, although you can't see my smile, sorry!

Aggie Hell

2009-02-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

I should have known the moment the 3rd or 4th person who walked by our floor seats (right behind the visiting team bench) said "Welcome!" with a warm inviting smile that trouble awaited. What they meant was, "We really don't all behave like crazy, lunatics here in this town..but you're about to meet all of them that do." After the warm fuzzy of the national anthem and that schpeel about "Good Sportmanship in this building" it was game on...and I don't mean on the court. What ensued the minute the game clock began ticking was nothing less than a brutal beat down meant to prove that anyone dumb enough to cheer for the "other" team must be sub-human and thus not worthy of any and I mean any type of respect. Thank Goodness Lindsey moved down by me AFTER I set the guy behind me straight about a few things, otherwise we might have had a WWF smack down on our hands! Needless to say, We cheered loudly for our team, they fought hard and lost by a few, and We were always proud of our team and especially of it's COACH!

Girls Night Out Extrodinaire!! Billie and Lori came into town for the big game, so of course we have to get together just us girls! It was fun to see everyone again and enjoy alot of good conversation along with alot of good Food!

A chip off the old....

2009-02-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here she is in all her baking glory!!! Adeline decided that although she has many talents such as piano, dance, yoga poses (think incredible flexagirl) and singing...those were way too boring to share with the other achievement day girls (Of Course, what was I thinking?) . So thus, the Famous, Very Secret Recipe Carrot Cake that she makes with me whenever we get the baking bug...which sadly seems less and less these days what with all of the aforementioned talents and my dieting endeavors and all. This has been an excellent opportunity for me to remember that I will always have a reason to diet; however, the days of giggling over baby food carrots being added to a batter of butter and sugar are numbered I'm afraid and soon it will be gone....just like the 5 lbs. I just lost.

Pretty Lady

2009-01-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

This is an actual Newpaper Ad circa 1935...It's kinda small so here's what it says:

Pretty Lady

how do you stay that way?

There is no one magic road to keeping lovely. It takes many things...rest, proper food, careful grooming, a dressing table of creams and lotions and fine cosmetics, and...among millions of women...A certain little blue box!

On its cover is the name Ex-Lax. It is dainty, mild, gentle, thorough and very pleasant way to combat that dreaded enemy of lovliness and health...constipation.

Delicious to the Taste

Ex-Lax is such a delight to take, it tastes just like delicious chocolate. Like fine candy. Once you take Ex-Lax you'll never mistreat your palate again with bitter, nasty-tasting cathartics.

Mild, Gentle Action

Ex-Lax is as thorough as any laxative you can take. Yet, it is so mild, so gentle. It doesn't overact. It approximates Nature. It doesn't disturb you at inconvenient moments. Nor does it ever leave you feeling weak afterwards. For yourself, and every member of your family, Ex-Lax is the ideal laxative. Children love its great taste, and it is so good for them. More mothers give Ex-Lax to their children than any other laxative. 10c and 25c boxes at all drug stores.

When Nature Forgets-Remember

All I have to say is Who Knew?????

What's the Capital of Boise State?

2009-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

As you can see, we ( and by we I mean the Wiseman's, Leni's and Lindsey and Shannon) visited Balmy Boise last weekend for the annual LA Tech and Boise State Basketball duel. Shelby was the only adult who actually packed her swimsuit or admitted to, so therefore had to get in. Last year was a blow out and this year was a much better showing for sure. We did end up loosing by a few points in the last 2 minutes, but you know we were in it until the end for sure. It was fun to see Dad again and to watch the ball/water boy do his work. See Below:

After all of the swimming, eating, cheering and hoopla that we could possibly fit into a weekend...it was a nap that we all deserved!

Visitors!!!

2009-01-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm a few weeks behind. It seems that between Christmas clean up, a brutal awakening of back to school schedules and the sugar coma from December -time has slipped by.. no one will fault me though, right? Anyhoo...back to the topic of visitors. Randie and Lori came into town and it was fun to see them again. We met for lunch with Cousins and Aunt Valaire!

No Zoobies Allowed

2009-01-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

Go Utes!!! Here's to an Amazing season and the chance for all Football Fans whether Blue or Red to unite in cheering on some Utah history!

Grandpa Dave and A.J. basking in the electric glow of victory!!!

Power Lunge

2009-01-01T15:01:00.001-08:00

Yes, Uncle Joe has mad guitar skills, but we think that the Power lunge doesn't hurt either. As you can see this is how we spent most of our holiday break. Sometimes there's nothing better than a fire in the basement, putting your p.j.'s on and Rockin' out.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-28T18:54:00.000-08:00

As you can see- between the Guitar Hero Rock Band, the giant hello kitty stuffed animal and the fat head ( 6 foot tall cut out of a baseball player)....a Merry Christmas was definately had by all!

Festivus for the Restuvus

2008-12-22T15:27:00.000-08:00

Yes..this is the same day as the aforementioned Breakfast with Santa! We were really, really in the holiday spirit, what can I say? Grandma Ilene decided to treat us to the Polar Express Train ride this year instead of Breakfast with Santa - thus my previous post. Anyhoo...it was complete with old train car seats, elves with names like Cocoa, Jasmine, and Tinsel, chocolate chip cookies, semi-hot chocolate, a real live book reading and a rousing rendition of the 12 days of Christmas! What it was not complete with was restrooms...that's right... drink it up and hold it in! The kids had a blast but I just had to include the picture up top with Kalen and Adeline deeply staring out the window, nope: Deeply staring at the Polar Express Book, nope; deeply staring at the jubilance around them, nope: Deeply staring at the Nintendo DS....yep!

Breakfast with....the Grinch???

2008-12-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Okay People...This is a community service message to all and you will thank me later. In order to explain I must start at the very beginning...I personally have been attending some kind of Breakfast with Santa since- well as long as I can remember we'll put it that way. First, it was Downtown at the Tiffin Room in the Old ZCMI Building (still my favorite by the way), next came the Zoo's rendition (which was amazing considering I won't even eat popcorn at the zoo usually) and this year we decided to try the Thanksgiving Point festivities. First of all, the buffet included it's own security elf who would not allow anyone to make a second trip even if they were a starving 2 year old who didn't get eggs the first time around. Secondly, there were no tables with less than 8 seats on them so we Wisemans had to bust up some unsuspecting families fun by taking up half of their table...pass the salt, please. Thirdly, the entertainment included the following: A very, scary, hairy grinch who talked with too much of a lisp- if you get my drift, a gingerbread man, a sugarplum fairy, a huge white polar bear and the best for last....a Santa who looked like a 20 year old Brazilian. I mean really, you should have seen those dark, bushy eyebrows next to the white hair and beard. Even Adeline commented that that HAD to be one of Santa's "helpers" since he didn't look anything like the Real Santa. Sorry I didn't get a good picture of this brazilian fiasco...I am just too cheap to pay $20 a person and also $7.95 for a picture with him as well. Yes, they did charge for those. This my friends was an official holiday trap-the same as a tourist trap only with a giant Christmas Bow on top. We will definately be returning to the Monkeys, Lizards and such next season for our Breakfast it was the best we've found so far. So, my friends...save your money and time and please don't drink this egg-nog.

Cookie Party with the Fam

2008-12-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

Yum, Yum, Yummy...So Good in my Tummy (that was A.J.'s contribution to this post). Lindsey, Shelby, Mom and all of our accompanying troops met last night for a baking extravaganza. As you can see we mixed, rolled, frosted and dipped our way to pure sugar nirvana. It was so fun to try everyone elses cookie creations and then share with neighbors, friends and co-workers the next day!

Snaggletooth!

2008-12-18T16:48:00.001-08:00

Holy Cow!!! check out that snaggler growing out the side of A.J.'s gum line. He's going to kill me someday for this, but for now he thinks it's pretty cool. He obviously had to have this thing removed before it grew a head of it's own and decided to take up permanent residence. The other picture is the sad aftermath of a visit to the Dentist's office and 3 novicaine shots. Cheer up little buddy a full set of braces is just around the corner.

Attack of the Sister-Monster

2008-12-15T20:59:00.000-08:00

A.J. and I spent hours dressing up this clothes pin to represent an ancestor who owned a farm (Wheeler Farm to be exact). While we left it to dry it seems someone could not resist the urge to take a bite of that delicious, stale marshmellow-nevermind that I have an entire bag in the cupboard. It must have been the mouth watering googly eyes that weakened her resolve. For some of us it's chocolate, for others its cookies...for the Sister-Monster it's google eyed mallows!

Snow Glorious Snow

2008-12-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

Finally, an excuse to put on these beauties again...Adeline went out to play in the snow clothed in Full and I mean Full get-up. Piggy snow hat, orange tinted googles, lady bug scarf, turtle neck, winter coat, ski pants, gloves, long socks and UGG's. I thought she'd be out there all day-alas, I was wrong. 20 minutes later there she was at the back door ready to take it all off again and have her ceremonial cup of hot cocoa. Just as she was taking off the orange tinted googles she said to me, " Mom, I can't believe it's been a year since I saw the world in orange."

Piano Recital

2008-12-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

After many months and hours of practice...it was finally time to show their stuff on the baby grand. A.J. and Adeline played 2 Christmas pieces each and Rocked the House if I do say so myself! It's amazing how much better it sounded on that Baby Grand piano...in fact I think our little beauty at home (that was a nice way of saying piece of junk) is out of tune to say the least. Oh well, playing music is playing music is playing music, right? No matter what your playing on it always sounds like a masterpiece to your MOM.

A definition of ME

2008-12-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

A.J.'s 5th grade teacher gave him an assignment to define himself with a poem and a posterboard. When he brought it home, it made me think of how I would define myself. What pictures represent who I am, what I dream about? What words would I use in a poem about me? Needless to say A.J. did a far better job at defining himself than I could at this point in my life. I think the older we get the harder it is to put those abstract dreams, wishes, desires for our future even words to describe ourselves into something that can be pasted to posterboard or rhymed with other words. At least it seemed that way to me today. I want to get back to that place in 5th grade where that stuff flowed so easily...I guess I'll start by following A.J.'s lead...

A.J.
Awesome, cool, sweet
Sibling of: Adeline
Who is made happy by: Bryan Reagan
Who needs: an air soft gun
Who gives out: Butt kickin's daily,
Who fears: nothing
Who would like to see & meet: Derek Lee
Who remembers going to a Cubs game
Who wears "Cubs" stuff
"Wheezeman"
Who is thankful for sports

(Written by A.J. Wiseman and is included in his posterboard masterpiece above)

Amazing Adeline

2008-12-12T20:13:00.001-08:00

Today was parent participation day at the Virginia Tanner School of Dance, so of course I donned my sweatsuit and choreographed my way through our families favorite Christmas recipe as was assigned. (Carrot Cake? Really Adeline when was the last time we had Carrot Cake in the month of December?) You know... like crawling around the floor to represent the baby food carrots we add into our cake batter and pretending to stir Adeline while she spins on the floor underneath me...that kind of choreography. Anyway, as I sat there watching my only daughter move, jump, spin, skip, sway or in other words DANCE I was struck by how much I loved this Virginia Tanner women. Even though we have never met and never will I am thankful to her for her vision and for providing a place for girls to feel like amazing dancers no matter what their ability levels are. The following quote is on the wall inside the studio foyer for all to read and all I have to say is -AMEN!

For those of you who may need reading glasses (Uh, Ummm...you know who you are)

"The motivating force behind my work is not only developing excellent dancers, but more importantly, developing young people who are useful, imaginative, worthwhile human beings"

-Virginia Tanner

His and Hers

2008-12-11T22:09:00.001-08:00

What is the deal? Didn't we all learn how to make paper snowflakes in pre-school? Well evidently I missed that day! No matter how hard I tried, how carefully I cut, how long I stared and contemplated the design, I could not seem to get it right. Oh well, we all know one thing for sure - God did not want my imput on the day he created snowflakes!

"Box Out, Box Out!"

2008-12-11T21:57:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's on to another game involving another type of ball for us at the Wiseman household. #9 here just can't seem to get enough of coaches, hard physical exertion, practices...or in other words FUN, right? All I know is that no matter who is technically the coach on the sideline, A.J. will always have another voice echoing directions as well...last night it was "Box out A.J.-Box out!!!" After a lengthy discussion on what consititutes a well executed "Box out" manuever on the way home from the game, I now know that it requires alot of booty and sending your man to timbucktoo. I'm pretty sure those were the technical terms used somewhere in there...Thank goodness Dad cleared that up for both of us!

Welcome Tinsel

2008-12-08T19:27:00.001-08:00

Our families "official scout elf" from the North Pole arrived shortly after Thanksgiving again this year. His/Her name is Tinsel. The gender is a topic of ongoing discussion in our household, in fact I think I may re-name it Pat. Anyhoo...it's fun to have a visitor of such importance around to keep everyone in line...(ummm, Adeline?). Tinsel has a few rules that must be strictly obeyed in order to keep him/her from splitting the scene. #1-you must never touch...elves skin is evidently much too sensitive for us mere humans #2-he/she only moves around when people are not home/or are asleep #3-he/she cannot stay in a house with anyone on the B B & G list (Bad Boys and Girl) ...So, you better watch out, etc. really does apply in this sitch!

A day in the life of....

2008-12-08T19:20:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, my Adeline has a little trouble at school occasionally. I have instituted a system that consists of index cards seperated into 4 sections that represent the 4 parts of her school day. A star is good!!! But the part that I just had to document is the "NO Star - Adeline glued her hands together during art! "part. Man I love that girl!

Halloween 2008

2008-12-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm sure all of you can tell I'm new at this-and I am talking about the world of blogging, of course. Unrotated photos, screwy setups, forgotten text boxes, etc. To tell you the truth I have put this off for the longest time thinking that it was just out of my realm of reality. I am actually very proud of myself at this moment, so please endulge my proudness and overlook the mistakes for a short time at least until I get this under my belt. Loves!

Adeline's big day

2008-12-06T09:54:00.001-08:00

Adeline turned 8 last July and was Babtized in September...I know, I know we're a little slow! She loved seeing all of her family and was very glad that the water was warm.

Opps..I forgot the best part

2008-12-06T09:50:00.001-08:00

State Champs!!!

2008-12-06T09:43:00.001-08:00

Tony and Joe's 9th grade football team went undefeated and won the State Championship Game!!! The best part of the whole day for Adeline and I was the ceremonial shaving of Uncle Joe's head with a shaver right there on the field. Nothing like promising to get your head shaved to provide motivation to 15 year old boys. Way to Go!

Disney Mania

2008-12-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

Look closely at this guys hair cut we spotted on our last trip to Disney World. And I thought my hubby loved all things Disney. We went on our latest adventure to Mickeyland with our good friend the Odom Family. Fun was definately had by all!