Christmas Party

Christmas crafts and Christmas cookies with friends - what could be better! Especially when the amount of frosting applied to the sugar cookie weighs more than the cookie itself! Take a look!

Michaela Hayes

I've Been Tagged

Okay, hopefully I'm doing this right. Here goes:

10 years ago (Jan 1998): I was newly married, and probably throwing up in Rexburg, ID somewhere, newly pregnant. You can bet I was freezing my little tushie off.

5 things on my to-do list today: 1) Host Aaron's 8th birthday party with a golf ball pinata, golfer's cake and a do all this with a smiling face, 2) Make it to Stake Choir practice to rehearse for tomorrow's meeting, 3) Help Jarom open his Snack Shop so family members can purchase snacks (with play money) and enjoy, 4) plan the music for February's church meetings, 5) clean up the cake crumbs, crusty pizza pans and wrapping paper (9:30 p.m. here, still haven't done the cleaning).

Snacks I enjoy: 1) cheese, cheese, cheese, 2) fresh fruit, 3) trail mix, 4) yogurt covered almonds, 5) queso with chips.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:1) Hire a maid, 2) Travel the world with my family, 3) Pay off all debt, 4) Give, give, give (without letting anyone know I'm a billionaire), 5) Replace the cracked windshield and driver window that doesn't roll down in my minivan. (Yes, drive-up windows are embarassing.)

3 of my bad habits 1) impatience that leads to yelling, 2) expecting too much of people, 3) getting lost in my ambitions - (thank goodness we only have to list 3 things instead of 5 like the rest of the questions.)

5 places I have lived: 1) West Covina, CA, 2) Grants Pass, OR, 3) Rexburg, ID, 4)Provo, UT, 5) Lubbock, TX

5 jobs I have had:1) Desktop Publisher, 2) Real Estate Office Manager, 3) Piano Teacher, 4) Editor for a small private newspaper, 5) Collater, stapler, odd-job around the shop type person for my Dad's printing business

5 things people don't know about me: 1) I stay up all night just to finish a good book, and then regret it in the morning, 2) I am passionate about gardening, 3) I absolutely love family history, 4) I sometimes write novels, 5) I use all natural, organic lotion without any alcohol or mineral oil - great stuff.

Okay, now I'll tag Ashley, Donna, Mary Lou and Amy.

Piano Recital

Here are some pictures of our Christmas Piano Recital at the Garden and Arts Center. I had six students playing (including my own children), and there were about 12 others from two other teachers. All of my students did really well and hardly messed up. Nana, Melissa and Sarah got to be here for it so I'm sure my kids were extra excited.

Waiting for their turns!

Jarom played Twinkle Twinkle.


Austin Played Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.

Aaron played Oh Christmas Tree and Menuet in G minor by Bach.

Josh Played Deck the Halls and Old Fashioned Waltz.

Michaela played We Three Kings.

James played Santa Claus is Coming to Town and The Peacock.

Becky's 30th Birthday

Damon organized a big surprise party for my birthday - so big that it even involved flying my mother and sisters to Texas for the occasion. It's too bad that I found an e-mail with the flight information on it, otherwise it would really have been a big surprise. But anyway, it was still great, and the party was really nice. Here is a picture of the piano cake (I ate the part with the keys on it), and we even had ice cream! What a great guy my husband is!

The "oh no, I wasn't dressed for a party!" picture.

Damon made me wear a crown and a banner across my shoulder.

Afterwards I opened some gifts at home.

Grandma Joan sent me some jewelry, that I love.

Here I am modeling it!

I can't remember what this funny face is for, but up on the couch is the best present of all: a scrapbook of my life with letters from each family member, put together by my sisters.

What a treasure!

Christmas at the Nursing Home

Paula is my favorite. As I talk with her about herself, she often gets upset and says, "I don't remember. If you had a brain anurism then you wouldn't remember either." The wonderful thing is that she is always singing along to whatever music we have playing while we craft. It goes to show how powerful music is - she remembers all the words to the songs.

Aaron and Josh together.

Michaela made a paper chain for this lady. I don't remember her name.

James is helping Mary.

Nadine accompanied by Chloe. These two girls always have great ideas, and Nadine is still very capable. It's fun to see what she comes up with.