I'm thinking OK, these ought to be great. I got them home and strung them on my tree and couldn't believe my eyes. The tree looked downright depressing. It was like entering an office, flipping on the switch and waiting for the fluorescent bulb to kick in. But these puppies never got past that initial flicker phase. They had the dullest glow (?) ever. The bulbs pictured on the box seemed to put out as much light. Suffice it to say that they are repackaged awaiting the trip down Rt 66 whence they came. I guess this is what I get for buying tree lights with the energy star logo on the box. I'm not exactly what you would call a tree hugger, so why on earth would I go green for Christmas? So now it's back to square one on my quest to find the old-school glass bulbs that get hot and actually light up.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tree Light Drama 2010
Today I got new Christmas lights to string on my tree. They were $13.99 for a box of 50 at BJs. 
I'm thinking OK, these ought to be great. I got them home and strung them on my tree and couldn't believe my eyes. The tree looked downright depressing. It was like entering an office, flipping on the switch and waiting for the fluorescent bulb to kick in. But these puppies never got past that initial flicker phase. They had the dullest glow (?) ever. The bulbs pictured on the box seemed to put out as much light. Suffice it to say that they are repackaged awaiting the trip down Rt 66 whence they came. I guess this is what I get for buying tree lights with the energy star logo on the box. I'm not exactly what you would call a tree hugger, so why on earth would I go green for Christmas? So now it's back to square one on my quest to find the old-school glass bulbs that get hot and actually light up.
I'm thinking OK, these ought to be great. I got them home and strung them on my tree and couldn't believe my eyes. The tree looked downright depressing. It was like entering an office, flipping on the switch and waiting for the fluorescent bulb to kick in. But these puppies never got past that initial flicker phase. They had the dullest glow (?) ever. The bulbs pictured on the box seemed to put out as much light. Suffice it to say that they are repackaged awaiting the trip down Rt 66 whence they came. I guess this is what I get for buying tree lights with the energy star logo on the box. I'm not exactly what you would call a tree hugger, so why on earth would I go green for Christmas? So now it's back to square one on my quest to find the old-school glass bulbs that get hot and actually light up.
I Heart Costco
I ran over to Costco to get a prescription filled yesterday and came home with this: 
Probably the nicest real tree we've ever had. And it was cheap. I can hear Tom all the way from Provo bemoaning the fact that we no longer pile into the suburban and drive out to Chantilly to cut one down. While those were good times, things change. I'm sure some day I'll once again traipse through a freezing Christmas tree farm (hopefully with grandchildren in tow), but for now I am content to have the nice man at Costco load it into my minivan and save a bunch of $$ while I'm at it.
Probably the nicest real tree we've ever had. And it was cheap. I can hear Tom all the way from Provo bemoaning the fact that we no longer pile into the suburban and drive out to Chantilly to cut one down. While those were good times, things change. I'm sure some day I'll once again traipse through a freezing Christmas tree farm (hopefully with grandchildren in tow), but for now I am content to have the nice man at Costco load it into my minivan and save a bunch of $$ while I'm at it.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Mikey's Eagle Project
Today MK and I headed over to Glyndon Park loaded down with enough Krispy Kreme donuts and choco milk to feed the masses.
Things were just getting going to clear out brush, and replace garden timbers at the parking lot of the little league baseball field. There was a good turn out (over 25) and the job was done in about 2 hours. SWEET! Here is the before: 
and after:
and in between:
MK and I had to bail after about an hour for her basketball scrimmage at Westfields HS. The youth went straight from Mikey's project over to rake leaves for an older couple in our ward. What a hard working and nice bunch of kids.
Things were just getting going to clear out brush, and replace garden timbers at the parking lot of the little league baseball field. There was a good turn out (over 25) and the job was done in about 2 hours. SWEET! Here is the before: 
and after:
and in between:
MK and I had to bail after about an hour for her basketball scrimmage at Westfields HS. The youth went straight from Mikey's project over to rake leaves for an older couple in our ward. What a hard working and nice bunch of kids.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Around the Nielson's it was a quiet low key Thanksgiving. I set the table for 11 but someone turned out to be AWOL. We still don't know what happened to him! But it was still a fun day. Mike and Dad headed out to the annual YM verses Old Geez Turkey Bowl on Madison's astro turf at 7:00 AM. For the first time in years the YM prevailed.
Jessica came over at around 10:30 for our yearly Thanksgiving word find. MK gave everyone a run for the money this year, but as usual without Jeff here, Dad won. Before the boys were back from flag football I turned on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, wrestled the 23 pound turkey into a brown-in-bag and got it into the oven. Then there were lots of potatoes to peel and other dishes to prepare. MK helped me tons and ended up eating stuff (green bean casserole and sweet potatoes) that she previously wouldn't touch with a ten food pole. G-Ma and G-Pa showed up around noon. We also had the missionaries and two guys named Scott. (Christofferson and Dalquist). It was funny hearing them simultaneously answer my questions. To simplify things we ate buffet style (should have photographed the spread--dang it)!
A squirrel that was bound and determined to dive bomb the bird feeder motivated Dad to pull out the old b-b gun.
After a while he gave up the hunt to watch Dallas lose (again) and MK (inspired by Dad) started a nerf gun war with Mikey and the elders. I had lots of help washing and drying dishes and getting food put away. MK (who apparently likes pickles) and Aubrey Bourne (whom she was babysitting) 
decorated the living room tree. 
Now it's black Friday and I have to admit that I did do a little shopping. At Michael's with coupons. And there were no lines! Life is good:)
Jessica came over at around 10:30 for our yearly Thanksgiving word find. MK gave everyone a run for the money this year, but as usual without Jeff here, Dad won. Before the boys were back from flag football I turned on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, wrestled the 23 pound turkey into a brown-in-bag and got it into the oven. Then there were lots of potatoes to peel and other dishes to prepare. MK helped me tons and ended up eating stuff (green bean casserole and sweet potatoes) that she previously wouldn't touch with a ten food pole. G-Ma and G-Pa showed up around noon. We also had the missionaries and two guys named Scott. (Christofferson and Dalquist). It was funny hearing them simultaneously answer my questions. To simplify things we ate buffet style (should have photographed the spread--dang it)!
A squirrel that was bound and determined to dive bomb the bird feeder motivated Dad to pull out the old b-b gun.
After a while he gave up the hunt to watch Dallas lose (again) and MK (inspired by Dad) started a nerf gun war with Mikey and the elders. I had lots of help washing and drying dishes and getting food put away. MK (who apparently likes pickles) and Aubrey Bourne (whom she was babysitting) 
decorated the living room tree. 
Now it's black Friday and I have to admit that I did do a little shopping. At Michael's with coupons. And there were no lines! Life is good:)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
MK's Jerseys
What the heck? This thing could fit LeBron:
After rolling the shorts up 5 times and tucking in the shirt:
Oh well.... At least she got the number she wanted:) Go double zero!!
After rolling the shorts up 5 times and tucking in the shirt:
Oh well.... At least she got the number she wanted:) Go double zero!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Our Balla!
Woo hoo! MK made the HS freshman basketball team with her BFF, Olivia:) She is one happy girl!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Happy 23rd Birthday Tom Tom!
Once upon a time on November 16th 1987 I had the Gerber Baby: 
He weighed in at 9 pounds 11 ounces. Maybe because he followed the twins who were born on 9-11? Either way, he was THE cutest, happiest, easiest baby by far. (No offense to his 6 sibs, but facts is facts). Here he is celebrating his first birthday (22 years ago) complete with drool bandanna:
When I look back, my poor children all looked like a bunch of scruffy little orphans with food crusted all over their clothing/faces.
But somehow their smiles transcended all that:
Tom still has this reaction when it comes to cake and candles:
Growing up in the shadow of his older brothers was never a problem:
Because he has always had oodles of self confidence, even when wearing tights or dressed up like Harry Potter:
He cares not what people think. The boy was a stud:
He also learned how to be refined on his mission to Italy: 
So proud to be his momma! 
Happy Birthday Thomas Ashby!
He weighed in at 9 pounds 11 ounces. Maybe because he followed the twins who were born on 9-11? Either way, he was THE cutest, happiest, easiest baby by far. (No offense to his 6 sibs, but facts is facts). Here he is celebrating his first birthday (22 years ago) complete with drool bandanna:
When I look back, my poor children all looked like a bunch of scruffy little orphans with food crusted all over their clothing/faces. 
But somehow their smiles transcended all that:
Tom still has this reaction when it comes to cake and candles:
Growing up in the shadow of his older brothers was never a problem:
Because he has always had oodles of self confidence, even when wearing tights or dressed up like Harry Potter:
He cares not what people think. The boy was a stud:
He also learned how to be refined on his mission to Italy: 
So proud to be his momma! 
Happy Birthday Thomas Ashby!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Gearing up for the Holidays:)
It's been so gorgeous this week that I knew I had better get out for a walk through the neighborhood before the weather takes a turn for the worse. It really is the perfect fall day. Mid 50s, not a cloud in the sky and the fall foliage is gorgeous! Nothing like Vienna VA in November! Our town pig is right down the street from us and we love to see his outfits change with the seasons.
Saturday is our annual "practice" Thanksgiving with our dinner group buds at the Copan's house. This year I'm taking one of the pies MK had to sell for a chorus fundraiser. They were something like $30 each and are they ever good. We can't wait! It kind of stinks having everyone too far away to be home for Thanksgiving. I really miss my western kids! But it's all good. Just as long as everyone takes pictures and writes in their blogs!!!! Madison High's basketball tryouts start tomorrow. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for MK!
Saturday is our annual "practice" Thanksgiving with our dinner group buds at the Copan's house. This year I'm taking one of the pies MK had to sell for a chorus fundraiser. They were something like $30 each and are they ever good. We can't wait! It kind of stinks having everyone too far away to be home for Thanksgiving. I really miss my western kids! But it's all good. Just as long as everyone takes pictures and writes in their blogs!!!! Madison High's basketball tryouts start tomorrow. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for MK!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Happy 21st Birthday, Laura!
In honor of her special day I thought I'd pull these old classics out of the archives:) 
Golly did she grow up fast! Happy Birthday, Laura!
Golly did she grow up fast! Happy Birthday, Laura!
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