Santa Lucia

Tonight we went to the fourth annual Santa Lucia party at our friends Josh and Elizabeth's home. (To learn more about Santa Lucia, go here.)

We had the traditional cheese and chocolate fondue. YUM! We drank virgin glog. STRONG! We chatted with friends and got to know new people. FUN! We left those two hooligans known as our children with a sitter. WOO-HOO!

We always end the evening with singing the traditional Santa Lucia song while Elizabeth puts on that crazy candle hat and white tunic. In years past it has been hard to sing the song because: 1) nobody knew it, 2) we didn't have any music, and 3) no one could really sing with bellies full of fondue. This year we not only had lyrics, but Lance and I also made a special Santa Lucia CD just for Josh and Elizabeth. (Lance and I crack ourselves up! But didn't we design a cool CD cover?) ((The title is in reference to a song that Lance and I both find funny - do you know it?))


It was a fun evening - a really great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Thanks, Josh and Elizabeth, for such a great evening!

Elizabeth braved the candle hat. (Non-drip candles, of course!)

Ashley and Elizabeth pose for a 'belly' shot. (Such cute first time mommies-to-be!)

Josh and Elizabeth have the best Christmas tree ever - it's the top of one of their trees in the back yard! (It was actually really cute and totally fit the 'mood' of the party!)

The Santa Lucia crowd - 2007

Hot Chocolate Dance

Spencer started to dance like this whenever Lance started to sing the "hot chocolate" song. What a hoot!

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I Henry the 8th I Am...

A big birthday thank you to Susie and Dad for sending me a new ornament for my tree. (The one on the right.)


Yes, my friends, that is Henry the VIII on the left. In the middle is Ms. Anne Boleyn (beheaded), and the latest edition is Ms. Catherine of Aragon (divorced).

Oh, you need an explanation... ? Okay.

I went to London for 10 days with my dad and brother back in the summer of '99. I found these Henry VIII ornaments in Windsor and fell in love. You could buy Henry and all six of his unfortunate wives, plus his daughter Elizabeth I. They were just soooo funny to me! But, being a poor student back then, I could only afford Henry. So poor Henry has been all alone for these many years until now. Dad and Susie went to London this summer and brought back Anne for me. And then they surprised me for my birthday with Catherine. Only four more to go... (I wonder if Henry ever had those exact thoughts?)

And why Henry, you wonder? Henry VIII was awesome! I mean, he was just so full of himself, so confident, so crazy, so narcissistic, and yet so charismatic that he got just about everyone who mattered to go along with his crazy schemes. Not only did he go through six wives because none of them gave him a son who lived, he also taxed people like crazy and liked to fight with the French for no reason. (And who doesn't, I say.) Plus, and this is my favorite, he decided to start his own church (the Church of England), force everyone in the country to convert, and make himself the head of it because the Pope excommunicated him for divorcing one of his wives. Awesome.

Okay, not exactly hero material. But definitely one of the most interesting figures in world history. At least to me. And since this is my blog, that's all that really matters. :)

Paper Ornaments

We made these awesome paper ornaments for Family Home Evening tonight.






They're super easy to make and Spencer loved it because they involved using a hole punch, a stapler, and cutting thread. (He didn't get to use scissors on the paper because they needed a straight edge!) You can learn how to make them here.

Totally cool. I'm having my primary kids make them for my next lesson. And, if I remember, I'm gonna make heart ones for Valentine's Day.

Done and Done... kinda

Church was canceled today because of an ice storm. (The storm wasn't that bad, but we have lots of members who live out in the boondocks who probably would have had a hard time coming in.) So I spent my free time finishing my Christmas cards. All done!

Except for writing our Madsen Top 10 list, printing it, and putting it in the cards. Then signing each one. Addressing the envelopes. Stuffing the envelopes. Buying stamps and putting them on. And finally mailing them.

So done. Kinda.

BTW: I've been working on our Stake's Nativity Celebration this year. Once it's done tonight, my time should free up for the more important things in life. Like blogging. :)

On My Kitchen Table

A Conversation Without Words

Josh can only say a few words, but we often have entire conversations with just our eyes. For example, our conversation at lunch today:

Josh is sitting in his highchair, eating some noodles and veggies for lunch. He grabs a handful just as I catch his eye.

Me (with just my eyes): Don't you dare throw that handful of food onto the floor.

Josh (with just his eyes): Why not?

Me: Because I said so.

Josh: But I wanna...

Me: Do not throw the food.

Josh: Who's gonna stop me, lady?

Me: Me. That's who.

Josh: Ooooohhh, so scary! All words, all words. I'm gonna do it. I wanna hear it splatter on the floor. I love that sound.

Me: Do. Not. Throw. That. Food.

Josh: Here I go! I'm gonna throw this food and it's gonna be great!

Me: You're going to regret this.

Josh: I find that hard to believe, lady.

Me (out loud): JOSHUA ROPER MADSEN! DO NOT THROW THAT FOOD!

*splat*

I rush over and pull his tray away, all the while saying as sternly as I can, "No, no, NO!"

Josh: So worth it.