We Ain't Ones to Look A Gift Horse in the Mouth or Anything

So, as our Christmas season ramped up to it's max Christmas-Morning-Celebrate-a-Thon, we wanted to do a little giving around the neighborhood. Nothing much, just the usual Mormon culture influenced plate-o-goodies: a few iced sugar cookies, a couple rice crispy treats, some no fail ginger snaps, a scoop of bright colored Christmas candies and two to three cookie airplane treats that needed to be explained upon delivery because they could have easily been mistaken for a number of other things--namely a cigar with a peice of gum strapped to it.

Due to the fact that it is nigh unto impossible for a mother of 3 INTENSLY curious and helpful children--and a very grabby baby--to put together a plate of cookies that have not: been licked, been sneezed on, or been touched by dirty hands that were just licked or sneezed on; and that does not contain: sand, half of a container of sprinkles, or the contents of someones pocket, we kept the list down to a handful of neighbors so mom could stay vigilant over the goodies until they were safe in the neighbors home for consumption/discard as they so chose (it's totally the thought that counts).

Well, delivery proved to be fun for all of us and the neighbors appeared grateful for our humble offering. But little did we know how grateful and generous one cute little family from across the cul-de-sac really was. Upon returning home from our post-Christmas-wedding-snow-extravaganza a week into January the mother and daughter of the family slipped by with a little card. We invited them in and chatted for a while and they explained that they had tried to bring this by before but we were gone. We, of course, thanked them and opened the card later to find this:

Super nice right? Super, super nice and thoughtful, but the front of the card looked like this:

As you may have guessed by the title of this blog, they made a little mistake on our last name. Regift? We wouldn't mind, but we prefer to chalk it up to Jared's name being mistaken for Jerry, then being mistaken for his last name. It's happened before (to someone probably). We didn't let it bother us much last week as we went for the appetizer combo, lasagna plate, seafood pasta, and one kiddie meal to share between the 4 kids (it's not our fault the kids refuse to eat at restaurants). We would, however, enjoy some advice on how to break the name mistake to the neighbors sweetly so we can stay on their Christmas list for next year. Please comment with some great ideas for us!

You May Have Doubted

but I've gone and done it. The Christmas pics I pinky promised I would post. Now . . . for your viewing pleasure, I present: our family!
This is what Christmas at the Parkers------and a week with the Ercanbracks for my bro. Creighton's wedding----looks like.
(My thanks goes out to Tim and Mary who posted pics on Facebook so I could swipe a few!)

A very dark shot of our tree which was used as a hiding place, dancing partner, and a weapon (tree lights are obviously meant to be mini light-sabers), and looked much better in the dark from about Dec. 2nd on.

Showin some Andrus charm!

Afton prayed for weeks about Christmas. "Thank you that Santa is coming to town." and then afterward "thank you that we got TONZ a presents."--I love this age at Christmas.

The elephant was cast as the donkey and really made the whole thing come to life.

Davie didn't enjoy his role as the little lamb this year, as it was past his bedtime, and the cotton ball taped to his bottom didn't last long either.

I don't know how we are going to top the costumes next year. This year set a really high standard.

I have to say I was very impressed with their reverence for the nativity, and it was neat to feel of the Spirit on Christmas Eve.

Santa got a tempting spread this year! Can you tell which ones Lindsey decorated (licked), can you tell which one the Big J submitted (sprinkles).

This year Jared, er, Santa's other little helper, taught me the strategy of proper present placement throughout the room, to maximize the feeling of gift abundance on Christmas morning.

First bikes/plastic trikes that ARE called BIKES to almost 3 yr olds.

After a full day of reveling in new toys Aftie fell asleep like this in her bed.
Thank you Santie Claus, thank you--after another year of being told during every toy request at Target, "Maybe you could ask for that for Christmas," it didn't take much to help these kids feel like the luckiest kids on the block. As for me, my favorite presents were also the kid's new toys. Now (and for the next 2 months) there are fewer requests to watch TV, and more self-entertained kiddos. There is more outside play, vitamin D straight from the sun, and tired kids at the end of the day. And lest we remember just the presents this year, let's remember that our little brood, especially Deej and Afton, are understanding more and more of the meaning of the Savior's birth and how that night so long ago affects us all today.---


Then, at 2 am on the day after Christmas we woke up super early so I could get lost on the way to Utah (adding another 100 miles) for a week with my family and a beautiful wedding. Welcome to the crazy Ercanbrack way of life Michelle.

Cousin Violet let us share her celebration of 3 years with her.

There were several Dance-a-thons.

Just squeezing in a little work between the ceremony and pictures.

A romping gala with some of the High School buddies.


Bowling down at the B Y.

Bowling for burgers! I actually won (with the help of the bumpers), it was a first for me.

Genghis Khan's newest recruits. Yeah, they know how to handle a 3 ft ice cycle.

Shopping on a Budget

I just spent the last hour in a very deep conversation with my nearest and dearest. Nothing but his words, needs and interests have been at the foremost of my mind---and which background to choose for my blog. So I tried on 20 or so backgrounds (with my hands and eyes only, again, my mind was totally engaged in our conversation) and ended up with this wild piece. Who knows if it will stay for long, but it was sure fun shopping.