Painting!

Today I did lots and LOTS of painting.

It started in the laundry room. For Christmas the kids helped mom finish the laundry room. Part of the gift was new paint for the walls in a color of her choice, plus the promise that she wouldn't have to paint it herself. This morning Mom and I went to Home Depot and got the supplies. This afternoon Suzy, Haley and I painted. I really like the color she picked, and I really, really like how it looks on the walls.

I also knocked another task off my Day Zero list...or at least got it started. I made a goal to paint every fingernail a different color. I have to leave them like this for a week, even though it makes me feel a bit like a twelve-year-old. I thought Christmas break would be a good time to do this, since I own nearly every color of fingernail polish known to man, but pretty much all the crazy ones live in Idaho.

I was a little leery at first, especially since a week from now I'll be back in Provo and back in public. I kinda like the results though, even if they are tween-ish.

Incidentally, two of the colors that I used tonight I actually got for my twelfth birthday...

Merry Christmas!

Today we woke up bright and early (I wouldn’t have minded sleeping in…but some of my brothers and sisters are still young children at heart.)  Christmas morning was a lot of fun this year.  Santa Claus brought fun things.  My mom is a little sad that Santa doesn’t shop at the toy store anymore, but I think big kid toys are just as good.

For Christmas this year the kids had a lot of fun shopping for Mom and Dad.  We facelifted our mom’s laundry room, with a new shelf, ironing board, rod for hanging clothes, and paint.  We bought out dad a new binding for his waterski.  Both of them were very excited about their presents, which is the best part. 

This afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa Harper’s house for dinner, and then we hit the road to head to Grandma Smith’s.  We’re lucky to live so close to family.

Christmas was really great this year.  I find that the older I get, the more I look forward to the giving part, and the less I’m concerned about what I’ll be getting.  I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Today was the same as most Christmas Eves at the Smith house.  We baked a LOT.  Some people were sewing.  We watched "Christmas with the Kranks" and listened to the Carpenter's Christmas album.

Tonight we went to Grandma and Grandpa Harper's house to spend time with my mom's family.  Uncle David and Aunt Elaine's kids acted out the nativity while we read from Luke 2.  Jared was the donkey...

When we got home Dad helped us put together the finishing touches on Mom's present...probably more on that later.

Now Suzy, Haley and I are holed up in my old room.  Suzy wanted to have a Christmas Eve sleepover.  The last time the three of us attempted a sleepover it didn't go so well.  It turns out Suzy isn't very good at sharing...  We decided to give it another shot, in the spirit of Christmas and togetherness and peace on earth, etc.  If it works, I will wake in the spirit of hallelujah.

A Blue...Blue, Blue, Blue Christmas

About a week and a half ago Apartment 5 made gingerbread men and delivered them to some of our friends and neighbors in the apartment complex.  When we visited Apartment 19, we sang them an awesome rendition of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You..." because we are awesome.

Tonight, they returned the favor. So for your listening enjoyment, the amazing men of Apartment 19:

My only regret is that they didn't come into the kitchen. There was some pretty incredible hip-swinging going on outside the door, and the video just doesn't quite do it justice...

Merry Christmas Apartment 5!

Last night was the first evening that all my roommates were home since Thanksgiving break, so it was officially time to decorate for Christmas.  We pooled all our decorations and innovations as we sung Christmas songs and decked the halls well into the night.

Several weeks ago, snowflake production began on Sunday afternoons.  Our kitchen ceiling now rivals any winter wonderland, as it it thoroughly bedecked with the paper creations.  

Frannie is looking festive.  Our little tree twinkles with holiday cheer.  The stockings are hung on our wall with care, and Annie is currently on the lookout for some mistletoe to hang.  Even the refrigerator is happy that Christmas is coming.