Christmas Week

Merry (belated) Christmas from the Leavitts! We have officially entered recovery mode around here. And I got a feeling it's going to be a few months long...

We had an exceptional holiday and a grand Christmas week. It started out a bit rough as Brandon prepared for trials and Abby and I struggled to survive some public school acquired plague, but it ended rosy and bright!

2.5 days into aforementioned plague, I couldn't take being in the house any more. So Abby and I (sans Brandon, since he is the typical low-man-on-totem-pole-associate) bundled our recently de-fevered bodies and headed to springs preserve. Now you may question my judgment taking a sick kid and a sick mom to a public, freezing festivus. And I don't blame you. But you try taking 2 days of Barbie movies and see how long it takes you before you're willing to chance creating a global pandemic. 'nuff said.

We finally have enough little ones for a Christmas eve nativity. Not to toot my own (and sister Kari's) horn, but I do believe this was a quality production. She had costume and set design and I was on script and soundtrack. I mean look at this shepherd!

another shot from springs preserve. she loved her blinged-out christmas tree face paint. So much in fact, that I let her keep it on for way too long...so long it ended up looking like a nasty skin bruise. Again, mother of the year!

We had an epic Leavitt family christmas eve party- complete with matching jammies and lobster tails. I'm spoiled rotten!

I think my favorite part of our nativity was watching baby Logan and Makena in their lamb costumes crawling along the floor. Our Three Wise-Dads were quite smashing in their paper crowns, bathrobes and various lady's scarves.

We did feast and feast and feast- on who-plum pudding and rare who-beast. (That's my shout out to the grinch- an all time favorite.) My little family actually feasted on chocolate strawberry whole wheat waffles with whipped cream. Sounds way better than who-beast, eh?

She only got one thing she asked Santa for...but I still think she ended up pretty happy. If two hours playing P.I.G. in the backyard and rolling her scooter through the house mean happy, then we're there!

Fleas on a Dog!
(feliz navidad, according to a five year old)

Updates

In true Jamie Leavitt fashion, I've missed a lot. The above picture is of thanksgiving. And no, that isn't my beautiful face next to Brandon. That's our friend Priscilla's beautiful face. You can also see that beautiful face here http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=8793&vid=1&pid=871031. Yes, she's a Gap model. And Brandon insists he keeps staring at this picture because he looks so handsome in it. While it is true that he is a stone cold fox, I have my doubts about his stated reasons for loving it :) But heck! I want to look at Priscilla too. She's insanely lovely, warm, and fun to have around. Ok, let's move on from my insecurities into an update-dump...

First, an update on my goals for my 31st year. I said I would blog 4xs a month- I accomplished that for November. This is my first post for December, so exciting stuff really needs to happen in the next few weeks so I'm motivated to write about them. Oh, and I was a vegetarian for a week and loved it! My family on the other hand felt tortured. I could easily rock that lifestyle, but I'd need more Birkenstocks and clothes made from Nepalese wool. That's all I've accomplished so far. Amen.

A few items of potential interest I missed...

• I took an LSAT for fun. Rocked its socks. Nice to know Mama's still got it.
  
• Done Christmas shopping.
• We had an excellent turkey bowl this year.
• We had a super fun double date with our good friends the Chatwins. It was not fun because my food was good though. I had toxic green Thai chili dip with pork rinds (curse my adventurous spirit). It was, however, fun because our 30-somethingness cleared out an impromptu Asian teenager disco-tech.
  
• Niece Brinley was baptized and I cried like a newborn babe all the way through it.
  
• We've gone to some seriously funny parties and brought home some seriously entertaining white elephant gifts.
  
• My mom had a birthday. No, she wouldn't like it if I told you which one. So I wont (which you may consider a happy late birthday gift, mom).
  
• Abby and I participate in the annual penguin run even though it was sub-ARCTIC conditions here in Vegas that day (like high of 50!!!)
• I had my first parent teacher conference. Painless when your kid is perfect- loved every minute!
• We had dinner with Chef Niel. He "plated" my dinner for me and refilled my water constantly. (I sent a thank you card that night, the service was that good at his restaurant/house.)
• Brandon went snowboarding for the weekend while I babysat pretty much every kid I know. Have I mentioned I need a break?
• Abby, some of her friends, and I went to a Christmas light parade that was magical in every way. It was awesome. Henderson- it's a place to call home!
• Abby had her first Cheerleading camp and was a super star. She was the "flyer" and I lost about 30 seconds off my life hearing that. They tossed around my little dumpling like she was pizza dough and she loved every minute.

That about sums up the last 2 weeks! Peace and prosperity- to all a good night, on dasher!

Is it too early?

I know it's not thanksgiving yet, but I'm just feeling it this year! Merry Thanksgiving this week!

...I've missed a few things...

We had a fantastic October! It was a banner October! I know I've already blogged a few reasons why we've had such a great month, but I missed a few important left overs. First, Halloween was stellar. And this is entirely because of Lindsay and Wes Griffeth hosting a fabulous Halloween party. The food was epic and the kids adorable! Trick-or-treating as a group is great fun. I've never done that before.

My dear friend, Brityn, had baby Malcolm. We were the lucky recipients of Malcolm's big sister, Madeline, while Mom was in the hospital. As you can tell by the darkness of the room and the fact the girls are in MY bed, Madeline had a rough go being away from mom, especially at night. She may have been sad, but we were THRILLED for her to join our crew for a few days. She's a fun little girl.

We had party after party. We partied hardy!

Abby started cheerleading again. To my surprise, she's REALLY good at it. She went into her class with the other 5 year olds and the teacher pulled me aside after and asked if she could stay for the advanced class. I asked Abby, she said she wanted to try. We got ready for the next class, thinking we'd see maybe 6 or 7 year olds...in walks 11, 12, 13 year olds. I was kind of panicking. I was glued to the glass windows just waiting for Abby to get overwhelmed. But as you can tell from the picture, she's a natural. One class in and she's already the top of a human pyramid!

Did I mention we partied?

The Tracys came to visit us!!!!!!! This is my sister and her husband Phil. She let me boss her around (karma, Donna!) while we worked on trunk-or-treat and the kindergarten class party. Part of their visit we packed up and hit Disneyland. It was a blast!! We did the park right- from opening to close! Come back soon....please?

Got to spend some quality time with the hubby which is easily my favorite thing to do!


It's been a happy, happy October!

Goals, goals and more goals...

Every year on my birthday I always get all reflective and slightly introspective. And without fail it always generates feelings of desire to improve myself. For about 5 years I've made goals for the upcoming year- the number of goals dictated by the birthday I just had. 27 goals for my 27th year, etc. (this, however, is not my 27th year and it's been a while since it has been my 27th year)

Now, I've always used this blog as a place to record what I have done...but today I'd like to go on record with the things I'd like to do. I made a bucket list (inspired by this week's episode of Parks and Recreation) along with my goals list tonight and I'd like to put them down somewhere I can have easy access to them besides my cork board.

In no particular order I present my 31 goals in my 31st year...

1. Get to my pre-baby weight (yes, I know my baby is 5 years old and this is long overdue)
2. Blog 4x's a month. I don't scrapbook. I don't journal. I'm basically letting the crazy fantastical wonder circus that is my family's life walk past me without so much of a nod. And if I don't blog more, I'll never be able to make a blog book and will therefore be breaking major commandments.
   
3. Make a blog book. See above.
4. Complete 24 yoga practices. Love yoga, but I never make time for downward dog
5. Run a 5k. I've done this many times before but not a lot lately...
6. Run a 10K. This is my favorite race distance.
7. Read 2 Shakespearean plays
8. Make curry and use ingredients from the ethnic food store. Curry is my favorite food, but I'm scared to go in the ethnic food store for thai curry paste. Maybe I can recruit a friend to hold my hand...
9. Complete 5 hikes from the top 50 hikes list
10. Learn to swim
11. Finish the book of mormon again. I've been snail's pacing my way through for an embarrassing long time
12. Research and try natural beauty remedies. You know, like the face full of raw oats with cucumbers on my eyes.
13. Create and manage a budget. We have a rough budget and we're good with our money, but I'd like to be able to survive a surprise inspection from Dave Ramsey.
14. Go on a trip just with Brandon. It's been...so....very.........very............long.
15. Take a rec center class for me. Boxing maybe? I am a vicious beast of fury.
16. Certify in CPR/first aid.
17. Be vegetarian for a week (sorry Brandon)
18. Master the first 50 hymns and first 50 primary songs on the piano
19. Go stargazing with my family in rural nevada
20. Do a three week challenge on 7 good habits
21. Grow my hair out
22. Stop having to do push up sets on my knees
23. Read my sister's book
24. Buy a bike and learn to competently use it
25. Go to Big Bear, CA and be camping-esque
    
26. Get a facial
27. Run a 1m race with abby
28. Finally finish a room in my house. I'm thinking kitchen would be the fastest to finish
29. Make homemade tortillas
30. make my own granola
31. Get fully ready every day for three weeks

And now my overly long bucket list. Good thing I'm only 31 because it's going to take me the rest of my natural life.

1. snowmobile in Yellowstone
2. learn Spanish
   
3. run a triathlon
4. learn to play the violin
5. see the rain forest by Olympia, WA
6. visit machu picchu
7. Run a marathon
8. Do a handstand
9. Do a chin-up
10. be able to do bridge pose in yoga and crow
11. complete a jigsaw puzzle on my own
12. kayak
13. climb a rope
14. buy a nice camera and learn to use it
15. job in central park
16. learn a snow sport- ski/snowboard
17. go zip-lining
18. do every hike in red rock
19. have another baby
20. get another degree
21. be completely out of debt
22. take my family to Hershey, PA
23. take self-defense classes
24. see the northern lights
25. try postum (that fake herbal coffee thing that is so controversial to mormons)
26. study buddhism
27. see a cirque de soleil show
28. see Stonehenge
29. compete in the Philadelphia half marathon
30. go jet skiing
    
31. milk a cow
32. catch fireflies with abby
33. drive the pacific coast
34. paintball
35. go to a midnight mass for Christmas
36. throw a great murder mystery party
37. white water rafting
38. see the grave of my grandmother
39. learn basic sewing
40. be able to play every hymn on piano
41. make my own holondaise (I have no idea how to spell that) sauce
42. take a nap in a hammock
43. complete the S-T-P ride
44. pay for a stranger's dinner
45. see the Anasazi ruin
46. Study my family history

I think my plan is to review my yearly goals monthly and my bucket list annually. Hopefully my life will stop passing me by...The last few years it seems all I've accomplished is an excellent grocery list system. I know I'm being hard on myself when I say that, but there is nothing like a good list to be able to feel a sense of accomplishment.

1. 
   
2. 
   

1. 
   

These are 32 of my favorite things...

November 2nd, 1979- a day the world got better (a.k.a. the day my husband was born). Surrounded by terrible pictures of him he would be embarrassed for people to see, I present my list of 32 things I love about Brandon K. Leavitt who this day turned 32.

1.) Brandon should have a desert gardening show on public television. This man can keep a lush, green lawn in the most extreme of conditions. He frets over his fescue like it's a newborn babe.
2.) With all the legal education floating around this house, we can no longer watch legal thrillers or even Judge Judy. It's how we stay happily married.
3.) His tastes have become geriatric. My particular favorite is his taste in music. I married a man with Led Zepplin and Sublime CDs...now I get into his car and hear the sultry sounds of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. When he listens to my ipod he regularly complains it's what people listen to on their way to rob houses and hold up convenience stores (SO not true).
4.) He has a secret wish to be a hip hop dancer.
5.) He rarely eats breakfast, but when he does, he EATS himself some BREAKFAST. He calls it the country breakfast...this self titled wonder consists of every breakfast meat, every breakfast starch, over-easy eggs and a glass of OJ.

6.) He cannot wear snow hats or turtle necks convincingly. And I'm ok with that.
7.) He still holds the door open for me every time.
8.) Total hotel snob. Don't even try less than 4-stars. Holiday Inn? He feels like he might as well be camping.
9.) Even though he rarely flosses, his gums are as pink as a baby's behind. Makes me CRaZy!!!
10.) His pigeon impression is incredible.
11.) The man loves a blue cheese burger. I would say he most regularly craves burgers and nachos, and after a week of that...he craves a salad.

12.) His glasses always slip down his nose grandpa-style.
13.) World's funnest dad. We recently returned from Disneyland where he took Abby on every single ride (even the ones that made her cry) and stood in every autograph like with her the ENTIRE day. I thought he would be kidded out, but he surprised me by saying it was the best day ever.
14.) He is a fantastic provider! This man works HARD for the money and we are grateful for it
15.) He is a wonderful attorney. I think he is great with his family law cases. He's patient and attentive with his clients.

16.) Every time I ask him for a suggestion on what to give someone for a gift, he always says the same exact thing: "What about a nice pen?" We've yet to give anyone a pen. Maybe we should, but then he'd have to think of something new.
17.) He makes a bed like he's been doing it for a living.
18.) He's scared of being eaten by an animal or mauled. Particularly by sharks and bears.
19.) He never misses an episode of Ridiculousness.
20.) He spends a considerable amount of time buying cards. He reads multiple cards until he finds the one that makes him cry. When Abby gave me a birthday card she told me I would love it because, "It made dad cry really loud at Target."
21.) He lets me be me and often helps me be me. Whether it's running a 5K, wearing a Toga, or eating whole wheat brownies that admittedly tasted like yard clippings, he's very supportive.
22.) He loves to get the mail.
23.) He can't STAND people being barefoot anywhere but home. It makes him dry heave whenever he sees it. He even has a special method of trying on pants at a store so that his feet never touch the ground.
24.) He loves the rain. Every time it rains he acts like it's a holiday.
25.) He's become a big help at home. Even though he regularly works 11-12 hour days, he comes home and helps.
26.) Body of Adonis...I'm just saying...
27.) The man can SING. He never chooses to, but he has a lovely voice. My favorite is when he does a montage of songs from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers- complete with dance moves.
28.) He can roast the perfect marshmallow
29.) He's always fun to have in a group. He takes a joke well and isn't self conscious.
30.) He firmly believes that everyone needs slippers. About to the unalienable right level. Like there should be a slipper-assistance program for the needy.
31.) He can sleep through anything (see exhibit below).

32.) I used to lay awake at nights when I was first married and be star struck by the total stud I landed. 10 years later, that happens to me a lot more often. What a freakin' catch! Love you Brandon! Happy Birthday!

2 weekends in review

I love October. It is easily my favorite month and this month has been no exception. We've done some fun stuff so far this month and the end of the month will be action packed as well. In no particular order, here is some of what we've been up to...

Abby was chosen as student of the week this week. My buttons were bursting! Part of her official duties as student of the week is to create a poster with little tidbits about herself and it will hang in the kindergarten hallway for the rest of the year. For those of you curious what Abby put on her poster...She is 5 years old, her favorite color is all colors, favorite animal is bunny, favorite food is mac and cheese, her favorite place is disneyland, she wants to be a princess rock star when she grows up, her favorite thing to do is jump on the trampoline and if she could have a wish it would be to have treats everyday.

As part of my TEN YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY celebrations, my husband and I went hiking. We did a three mile trail where you can see the original springs that started Las Vegas along with the ruins of the care takers house. Brandon looked at that springs, put his hand over his heart and started singing Home Means Nevada as a single tear rolled down his flush cheeks. He was definitely communing with his people (who are CRAZY, because according to our hike, Las Vegas was a HOLE to live in and in my opinion, most of it hasn't improved much)

Brandon sure knows how to take a flattering picture of his wife, doesn't he? We're out to dinner for our TEN YEAR anniversary and he decided to document how I look when I'm eating. In case you're wondering, that is a Brussels sprout in my mouth, and yes, I do actually really like them.

Please excuse the dark picture. All we had was a cell phone camera. This is our hotel suite we stayed at for our TEN YEAR wedding anniversary (have I mentioned that I've been married for ten years?)

We've spent some time getting ready for Halloween and the various festivities we're attending/administrating. As you can also tell from the chair behind my little witch, I'm behind on my household duties. Tis the price of fun.

We had a great family fun night where we hit the crepe shack and rode the carousel at the District. This is Brandon's new obsession (the crepe, not riding his plaster horse, but he does love that too). Who would have known he'd get hooked on nutella as badly as I am? Being married for TEN YEARS will do that to a person. I can almost stomach jalapeno kettle chips now...almost...check back in another TEN YEARS and I'll let you know.

Our primary had a drive-in movie party. It was awesome! We made cars out of cardboard boxes to "drive" in. This is a picture of Abby and I in our creations. I gave myself a jack-o-lantern head because I wanted to be the headless car-woman in honor of the season, but it didn't come off as terrifying as I had hoped. Actually, my jack-o-lantern head looks stressed and uncomfortable. Which, given the fact I'm currently primary president, may have been an accurate depiction.

Oh! And it was below 80 for a few days. Abigail dressed herself against the inclement weather (brr...75!) but we're back in shorts and t-shirts again! Home Means Nevada to us! :)