Things Valerie Has Done...

Things I Have Done...

To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept over night on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23.Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone Deep Sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Ho Ho....Nooooo!!! Our Visit to Santa

Yep, the picture pretty much says it all

She was so excited to see Santa "santa santa santa" until we tried to put her on his lap. Then all bets were off and thus began the screaming, arching, wriggling mass that was captured in this Kodak moment. Since that time, she has refused to be left with anyone or sit on their laps...LOL She also will have very little to do with the jingle bell necklace he gave her.
Dallin on the other hand, has NEVER cried with Santa (so it was kind of fun to experience this..in a twisted way) and marched right up to Santa and told him that he wanted roller skates for Christmas and that he was being good and he was making Santa some cookies. Since that time, he has pointed out every white bearded man and insisted that they are Santa.

Thanksgiving Day

Ok so I know this post is a bit late, but I had to post it quickly because the Christmas posts are starting to come (so you may want to check back daily for a bit).
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. It is hard to believe it was only about a week or so ago. We went over to my parents' home and had a DELICIOUS turkey dinner. Everything was cooked to perfection. It was amazing. I loved the smells and the tastes, and the laying about afterwards with family(and the going out almost in the middle of the night for the sales the next day wondering if you were crazy and the deal was really worth it...LOL...good times good times...love ya mom).
The kids were really cute this year. It is so much fun watching them experience things for the first time and develop their own sense of self. Dallin ADORED the stuffing. My mom actually made extra because she knows how much he likes it. I think he must have had about 10 helpings (I am NOT exaggerating here). Kate has discovered the joy that is cranberry sauce from a can (that's my girl!). I think she ate at least half a can all by herself. I really had to fight her for it. LOL We all told what we thankful for. Most of the adults were thankful for family, friends, and jobs during this uncertain time, but I think my favorite was the kids' answers.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Dallin: Is it my turn? Is it my turn? Oh ok! I'm thankful for the potty!!!
(I am too!!!)
Kate: ME!!!
(no self esteem issues here! lol)

I feel blessed to have such a good husband who is also a wonderful father, and I am truly amazed that the Lord has sent 2 such special blessings into my life, my children Dallin and Kate. I am grateful to live near my family and I am LOVING every minute of it. I am thankful for the church and the gospel, but especially for my growing testimony and the love of Jesus Christ. I am blessed that we live in this wonderful country in a beautiful home with enough food to eat and a job for my husband. I pray that we may all continue to remember how blessed we are and to feel grateful through the coming year.