I have my DVR set to record my favorite Christmas TV special of all time tonight, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. I never get tired of it. The more I watch it, the more I realize that my friends and family freakishly resemble the cast of characters.

Take a look for yourself:

BOB-(My Dad) as “Santa”

Brian as “Herbie the Misfit Elf”

Karen as “Tall, Nameless Elf”

ME as “Whiner, Redhead, Misfit Doll”

Christopher as “Rudolph”

James as “Coach Comet”

Bridgy as “Hot Reindeer Clarisse“

Jonathan as “Yukon Cornilius”

Michelle as “Bumble with retarded star”

And last…the misfit Jelly Squirt Gun reminds me of my brother, Rhett…I’m not really sure why.

I’m going to see if I can brush up on my reindeer games and get the hell off of “Misfit Island”.

I’ll catch y’all later.

*(This is taken from one of my favorite posts of all time. I posted it way back in the day when no one but family & close friends were reading and I thought I would revisit it for you.)

Love,

Dog & Beth-Bounty Hunters

(Plus two fearsome Ninja that happened to stop by for candy.)

***Edit-I am loving your comments! I’d love to hear non-holiday tradition ideas, too. I struggle with traditions for our family outside of the holidays and could use some ideas.

The mention of our family going out for breakfast on the first day of school got me thinking about traditions.

I think my parents were much better at traditions than I am. The traditions that I think about most often center around holidays.

Some were great: (Left over birthday cake for breakfast and celebrating July 4th by making peach ice cream in our ancient, mint green ice cream maker that you had to cover with rock salt and crank endlessly.Laying in our station wagon in our PJ’s while my parents took us on drives at night. Sleeping out under the stars with my mom. Singing “O, My Father” to every newborn in the family as their first song.).

Some were not: (Ok, I know that I started the Thanksgiving tradition of the five kernels of corn thing to count off our blessings when I was in fourth grade, but seriously? Our family is just too.freaking.big. It makes me want to put a fork in my eye by the 10th person. Stop. Please?)

Like millions of other holiday saps around the world, my favorite memories and traditions involve Christmas.

Growing up, we all got to sleep in the same bedroom on Christmas Eve. We would whisper excitedly and listen to the news reports about sightings of Santa’s sleigh all night long in tortured anticipation. We were horrible about pestering my parents during the night and we usually started asking if we could open presents starting at about 2 am. We were relentless until they finally got up.

In the morning, it was FORBIDDEN to go down the stairs. Now that I am a parent, and given how much freaking time it took for them to just “Turn the Christmas tree lights on!”, I suspect that they did most of their wrapping, sorting and placing on Christmas morning. It was just to torture us with agony, I know it.

My father went to great lengths to show evidence of Santa’s visit. We had an old, wood burning fireplace and every year we would put a sheet out in front of it so that the carpet didn’t get dirty. In the morning there would be soot bootprints on it. One year there were reindeer tracks, a turnip with a bite out of it, and an old-fashioned sleigh bell that fell off Santa’s sleigh on our driveway.

My parents were pretty good at the whole tradition thing and I have incorporated many of these into my own family.

Just like when I was growing up, Santa doesn’t wrap up his presents for my boys, he leaves them unwrapped in designated piles. (I have to confess that Santa is kind of a cheap bastard at our house. Hey, there is no way I want a red-suited fat guy taking all the kudos from my children. I admit it. I’m petty. Suck it up and deal, Fatty.).

Some of the traditions of my childhood I avoid.

Iron-clad rule? You are not allowed to wake up the parents on Christmas Morning before seven am. NO EXCEPTIONS. It’s just better for everyone that way. My kids don’t crash by 1 pm and I am not a Ho-Ho-HAG all day. Eggnog is OUTLAWED. I will also never serve Hawaiian Punch mixed with Sprite at any holiday dinner held at my abode.

Some traditions I blend in with Jonathan’s childhood traditions. We always saved our stockings for last when I was growing up, but he really wanted to use his family’s tradition of getting stockings first and eating out of them when you watched other people open presents.

Some traditions are all our very own. We started using Christmas gift bags instead of our decorative stocking (So they don’t get grody). Jon’s stocking is another tradition. He always gets the same food treats: A wheel of Baby Swiss Cache Valley Cheese, a box of Triscuts, Beef Jerky, Sunflower seeds, Dr. Pepper, Ande’s Mints, and a Hickory Farms Beef Log. (Dude. I will never understand his adoration for that food product. I mean, it isn’t bad but you would think that it is made out of platinum for Pete’s sake.).

We always watch “A Muppet Christmas Carol” on Christmas Eve with the boys, and once they are in bed Jon and I put on Christmas tunes, light candles, and spend a couple of hours wrapping, assembling and making the living room look homey and perfect. They are two of my favorite hours of the year.

What is most heartwarming to me is that even if there was bickering, fighting or downright screaming when I was growing up, there were loving moments in all these traditions. I love sharing them and creating new ones with my own little family. I cling to the memories they create.

I want start new traditions with my family, too. Every day ones. So, talk to me. What are your favorite traditions???

It’s been a flurry of activity, trying to get everything sorted out, packed and put away from the holiday festivities. Every year, Jonathan and I throw a huge BBQ for our friends and family on the same night as Cache Valley’s firework celebration. Logan usually has their fireworks on the 3rd because we have a HUGE firework company stationed in Logan and they give a great discount to the city to do their fireworks, but since they are doing all the other shows on the 4th, they have to do it on the 3rd. It actually works out ok.

Our annual tradition of gathering at my house all started about 6 years ago when we went to Max and Brigitte’s for the fourth and instead of seeing fireworks, we saw the edges of the annoyingly big-ass tree in Brian Joy’s yard turn a plethora of different colors. GRRR.

Our house has a KILLER view of the fireworks, we love parties, friends and cooking, and so it seemed a logical choice that this would become our annual “Thing”. It’s also great because knowing that we are having 50 people come to our house means that we get loads of projects finished that would just be put off even longer.

For example? After about EIGHT MONTHS we finally have most of our bathroom finished. I don’t have photos because I have to go to SLC to IKEA (Hopefully with Little Miss and Blogging at work) and buy finishing touches. Well, we also have to put up the new light fixture. Sadly, it didn’t get done yesterday. Part of that was due to the wisdom of my friend, Zac. (Who if you go to my flickr page you will see that we LOVE taking wierdo photos of ourselves like the one above at this annual party.).

“Well, Zac, I have loved talking to you, but I have to go.”

“Awe, you do?”

“Yup. I’m going to try to hang up the new light fixture in my bathroom.”

“Uhhhhh….Lo? You know I love you and because I love you and because I KNOW you, I am going to suggest that you wait to do that until Jonathan can help you. Or me. Or Karen. Or even James.”

“So…What is it that you’re trying to say, exactly?”

So, the light was not put up, but I am still alive. Pretty even trade, I say.

The party was a success. We grilled, we laughed, we oohed and aahhed over big firework explosions and I got to see tons of people that I love. My great-niece, Fiona have moved with my niece, Bekah back to Logan from England and I had little “Wee Fee” suctioned to my body at all possible times. I love her to bits. She reminds me so much of my little bug. She makes my heart happy.

We found out at the end of the party that my aunt passed away. I’ve taken it pretty hard and I didn’t expect that. I mean, I knew she was dying (Although her diagnosis was only a couple of weeks ago) she had a WONDERFUL, full and long life, but this has just knocked me kinda on my butt.

I don’t like the feelings it brings up, I guess. The feelings are too familiar and painful and reminds me of other people I’ve lost. I also think that it is extra hard because she is the first of my aunts and uncles to die. They are all very important to me and all my siblings. I also relate with how my mom feels. She is so grateful her sister didn’t have to suffer for a long time, but she is so scared of being left alone and watching them all pass away because she is the youngest child. I am the baby of six and there is quite a big age gap between me and my older siblings (Sorry lin, and Brother. No offense meant). I have always been afraid of being left alone.

I’m going to be driving down to the funeral in Mesa this Saturday with my sister, Melly. It’s about a 10 hour drive each way. I don’t think I have ever had so many long trips back to back like this. It’s pretty tough.

Thank you for all the kind words, thoughts and emails. I heart you all.

For Father’s Day, we have had a slew of activities going on. Yesterday, we all went off-roading with my inlaw’s.

It was pretty fun, despite the fact that I am sore as hell from being thrown around inside of a jeep. What really matters is that Jonathan had a great time (Although he wasn’t too happy about me insisting on getting a photo to add to our “Vista Kissy Face” photo collection. He’s a good sport.)

The views and our surroundings were pretty spectacular. There was loads of lovely nature all around us and it was just good to hang out with loved ones. James spent the weekend with his father (My first husband) so he missed out on the festivities. We missed him.

For today’s fun, we bought a bunch of sun paraphernalia in anticipation of our trip to California and went on a picnic.  Behold, the one and ONLY hat that hasn’t looked completely stupid and dorky on me. Not the most fashionable, but it will keep off the sun and it was on sale for $5.00 so I really can’t complain too much.

We had great take out, the weather was lovely and the kids had a great time. They totally love their dad. Jonathan has always been an excellent father. James was barely 2 when Jonathan and I met and he decided that he wanted to take on me and my son and have an instant family.

He was only 22 and just dove headfirst into fatherhood. He did a great job with James.

And with Christopher.

And with Matthew.

He hates it when I write about him here, so I won’t gush. I’ll just say that I appreciate the way he has raised our boys.

Happy Father’s Day, Sweet Pea.

Love you.

Ack. It has been so hella-busy up in my neck of the woods. I’m so behind at this point that I think I’m just going to fling captioned photos at you to make sure it’s documented and then I have GOT to do my laundry or I will soon be re-enacting “Lady Godiva’s Ride” the next time I go to the corner gas station to get my Diet Coke fix. *YES* that would be a bad thing.

Memorial Day was, well…Memorial Day. I don’t really know what to say about it because the holiday has sort of changed for me since Matthew died. It just isn’t all about grilling and frisbee and having a long weekend anymore, you know? Let’s just say it’s getting easier. It helped that my family had a big gathering for my parent’s wedding anniversary and so I had everyone around and a lot going on as a distraction.

After a ton of changes on time, day and location, we ended up having lunch on Saturday at…Golden Corral.

I hate Buffet’s. HATE THEM. Everything about them makes me slightly queasy and makes me want to spray myself down with Lysol every few minutes. That whole strategy about designing the atmosphere to get people OUT of the restaurant? IT WORKS.

BUT!

I LOVED IT. Know why? Because 1: It is my Dad’s favorite place to eat, so therefore he was happy and 2: It meant that there was NO KARAOKE, OR LINE DANCING!!!!! Therefore, I heart Golden Coral. I probably would have married it if it had asked me that day. (And just think of the interesting News Blurb THAT would have made. As if Utah wasn’t already weird enough in that respect.)

Although there was no line dancing or Karaoke, we did have to listen to musical selections by my twin sister.  Still, it wasn’t too bad seeing her. (We have a touchy relationship. Nuff said.)

Everyone but Brad, who lives in St.Paul, was able to come. Except for my mom freaking out and getting huffy over seating arrangements it was a pretty ok day.

Tuesday was my parent’s actual anniversary. May 29, 1957. They were married in Nauvoo, Illinois in The John Taylor Home. Actually, if you are up on your Mormon history, they were the first LDS couple to be married in Nauvoo since the exodus (You’ll have to just look it up, people). At least, that is what the officiator told them. Who knows? Nice story, though.

In addition to the family gathering on Saturday, my parents had an open house with a buffet for family and friends at their house on Tuesday. My parents coped with the planning fairly amicably and it eased even more when we found out that their crazy dog would be kenneled for the week. YAY.

They have been planning this for a long time and really got every little detail exactly how they wanted it. They even had their buffet table, china and serving dishes laid out weeks before. Then they had little slips of paper with what was going to be served out of them written down and placed in each dish. HOW THE FREAK DID I COME FROM THESE PEOPLE AND WHY DIDN’T I GET THOSE GENES?!!! Seriously, my parents are highly organized and “Just so”. You could say I am not.

Ehem. As my mother told me when I bitched about being so random and chaotic, “You were always this way, even as a tiny child. You would go to get a washcloth from the linen closet and there would be a nicely folded stack of them and you would take one you wanted, regardless of where it was placed. You’d just pull it out from the middle, half the stack would fall over and you’d just leave them there and merrily go hop in the tub. I don’t understand behavior like that.”

Sucks.

Back on topic!

My brother, Rhett came up to help out and participate.

So did my sister, Melanie. Poor Melly. She had her hands full keeping me and Rhett (Aka “The strangest person on the planet”) in line.

My wonderful friend, “M.E.” came and helped slug it out in the trenches, too. We spent a lot of time in my parent’s laundry room which served as an awesome butler’s pantry. We called it “Servants Quarters”. She’s such a great sport and really helped out with great advice and hard work. She was also willing to take home loads of leftovers so that me and my siblings weren’t all drowning in them, too. It all went well. In fact, I think the only real ‘Mishap’ is that my mom thought I used too much filling in my lemon bars (Whatever).

Lots of people came and had a great time. My awesome aunt, Leotha, made the trip even though she has been in really bad health the last several years.

I was happy some of my friends were there, too. Brian J. and his family came by as well. This photo sucks. Blame Jonathan.

My parent’s cut their wedding cake while there were still people around and actually made lip contact. I’m just glad my mother is still speaking to me when I proclaimed that I finally had film documentation that we were not all left by the stork. (Hey, it was funny!).

Over all, it was a much nicer, and more pleasant day than I thought that it would be. Everyone had a great time, the food was awesome and my no one bickered even once. They had a REALLY good time and after 50 freaking years, I think it was not only very deserved, but a very nice memory for everyone.

I have been double-tagged by Natasha and Martha to participate in “8 random things about me” meme. Since I didn’t really feel like trying to write a cohesive post about my day today, a meme suits my needs perfectly. I did tweak it to be more about the day I’m having than just random things about me, though.

1. I was going to get a car stereo that works for Mother’s Day, but Jonathan and I decided that since we are having to scrape together funds to go to my niece’s wedding and take the kiddies to Disneyland so quickly, we would forgo Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Jonathan’s birthday gifts. Jon did buy me 2,000 ladybugs to release. It was both sentimental and practical: Ladybugs remind me of Matthew and our snowball tree has an aphid problem. It was really sweet of him.
Christopher and James both made me the sweetest gifts at school. James gave me a paper tulip Christopher’s gift was a really cute bag of various photos and drawings from. Christopher has been the sweetest about this holiday. He has been telling me for weeks about how hard he worked on my gift. Last night he slept over at Grandma’s and he had her bring him home very early in the morning because “It’s Mother’s Day and my momma is probably missing me!”.

I think my favorite gift was from Christopher. It is a fill in the blank list of things about me. I have to share a few (I know, just suck it up and deal.)

My mother’s name is: Lorily

Her hair is styled: Down and long. It is soft and pretty and she looks like a princess.

I know she loves me: Because she is my momma and gives me adorable huggies and kissies.

She knows I love her: Because I do.

Her favorite place in the world to go is: To me.

My friend, Karen gave me a framed photo of my kids she took with her new camera and some action shots of them jumping on our trampoline. They rock. It was really sweet because while I have hundreds of photos on my computer, I rarely print them off.

2. Did you know that keeping your salt and sugar next to each other in similar Tupperware containers may not be the best idea? Otherwise you may get a really, really, REALLY hideous surprise when you start drinking your coffee. Especially when you put in 6 teaspoonfuls. BARF BARF BARF.

3. I purchased all of my plants for my garden and flower beds: Rosemary, thyme, cilantro, basil, parsley, peas, sweet peas, chrysanthemums, dahlias, marigolds, lavender, butterfly buttons, geraniums, impatiens, daisies, and a whole bunch more that I can’t remember off the top of my head, I’m going to plant them later today. I love gardening. I am not really great at it and don’t pull off elaborate things, but I love the smell of the earth and herbs and flowers mingling with cut grass and the smell of our fire pit in the summer. MMM… While I was at it, I bought my mom a creeping apple blossom plant for her Mother’s Day gift. She’ll love it.

4. I finally watched this week’s episode of “Lost” HOLY FREAKING MOO-COW!!!!!!!!!! Is all I can really say.

5. We’re eating at my in law’s house for lunch and I am bringing the main dish. It’s a porkroast with an Apricot/soy/rosemary glaze. I don’t really know why, but I make awesome pork roasts. I’ve never had one turn out anything other that spectacular. I wish I could say the same for my cookie-making ability, but hey, you take what you can get, right?

6. I am eating one of my favorite food obsessions right now: Dole Sliced Peaches. OMGOSH…HEAVEN!!!! My MIL turned me on to them and they are DIVINE. I prefer them to homemade bottled peaches which, if you knew me says a lot. I love keeping a couple of bottles in the fridge and eating them in the morning with toast.

7. Jonathan and I are having separate gatherings this evening. He is having friends over to watch the Jazz game in the playoffs, and I am having friends over to do anything BUT WATCH BASKETBALL.

8. Mother’s Day is a pretty bittersweet day. There are three times of the year that are extra hard…Christmas, September (The anniversary) and this next period is one I have come to call “The Triumvirate” in my head: Mother’s Day is followed by Memorial Day, which is followed by Bug’s Birthday on June 7th. This month still hurts and is hard, but it is getting easier. Last year I consciously decided to focus more on the joy he brought to our lives during this stretch of celebrations. I don’t want Mother’s Day and his birthday to just be about grief and loss. I loved him and he brought me such happiness so I’m trying to just focus on that. I’m going to go to the cemetery today to plant an orange flower and to tell my son I’m so glad I was his mom.

Since I tweaked this meme everyone is safe from being tagged.

Have a great day.