HOLIDAY PREP and CHRISTMAS CARD

Christmas break has started! (Let me hear you say YEe-ahh!)

Preparing for the 25th has kept life just as busy...but in a good way. I'm beginning to get really excited! I have holiday music playing all day (Jewel's Christmas CD is my all-time fav), the guest bed all made up with clean sheets and new pillows, and I've even had self control enough to obey Andrew's order not to go in the garage (he's storing my Christmas present in there). When I was a kid, I remember being so excited for Christmas morning, I would stress that the world would end before it ever came around. My anticipation isn't quite as extreme anymore...but pretty close. An example of what I'm up against: check out that monster of a present that can't even fit under our tree! Are you just a little bit curious as to what it is? =)

Can't tell you yet!

We built gingerbread houses over the weekend (more pics to come). The remains of Andrew's have been sitting on a cookie sheet in the kitchen. Andrew was simmering some dinner last night. He didn't have a lid big enough to cover the pan...so Andrew got innovative and plopped the entire cookie sheet, gingerbread house and all, over top of the pan of stroganoff. I had a good laugh when I walked in on such a silly image. Whatever works I suppose.

I spent every moment yesterday, between cleaning, errands, and gift wrapping, chipping away at the mountain of dirty laundry that had taken over one side of our bedroom. At the end of the day, I was rather pleased with all that I had accomplished...until I realized it was time to start chipping away at the mountain of clean clothes that now needed to be folded! Tell me. Does laundry EVER end?? Hmmm...I wonder if Andrew's hiding a housekeeper for me in that garage.


But anyway, here's a copy of this year's Christmas card! (click picture for bigger view)

(Yes, we are on a giant potato.)

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year to all our

friends and fellow bloggers!

May we all survive the preparation and anticipation!

Lots of Love,

Andrew & Rachel Ashmore

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RACHEL'S FAVORITE THINGS

I love to make lists. Lists give me a sense of organization and power in a world of stress and worry. When there is a lot to be done or a lot to think about, my brain can't handle focusing on one thing at a time. It tries to solve all of the world's problems at once...and then bad things happen and nothing gets done (think along the lines of tantrums and full-blown meltdowns). Being a perfectionist probably doesn't help much either. As a result, I resort to writing lists for anything and everything that pop into my mind: groceries to buy, chores to accomplish/errands to run, students who need extra help, items to pack for a vacation, favorite baby names, Christmas gift ideas, things that annoy me, famous people I've met, life-changing books, recipes to try, things I'd like to learn more about, funny things my students say, and...I'll even admit, businesses in Southeast Idaho with names that sound dirty (you'd be surprised at how many there are...but I'll refrain from sharing that one).

Instead, I'll share my current list of favorite things--things that make Rachel Ashmore happy. If Oprah can do it, why can't I? I'll just humor myself into thinking people would even care without me having my own talk show, magazine, or a million dollar fortune. In no particular order...

1. Dinner Schedules

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While we're on the topic of lists, dinner schedules are among my favorite things. I don't mind cooking dinner so much...it's the having to come up with something every single night when I'm tired that drives me crazy. Especially when my husband's only help with the decision is to assure me that: "whatever you make is fine, dear." Too many of these nights turn in to popcorn and cereal for dinner...simply because I don't want to have to come up with anything else. This list is a lifesaver. I spend 10 minutes jotting down a schedule 1-2 weeks in advance, and then I'm set. Dinner time is relatively stress free! I also find I'm wiser with the food we have and ingredients are less likely to spoil before I remember to use them.

2. Settlers of Catan

I love, love it! I apologize to any friends of ours who feel that we're social only to play with your game. It's only partly true.

3. Colorful Socks

Wearing colorful, fun socks, even with tennis shoes and jeans (or black dress pants for that matter) over top of them, can make my day so happy. If you ever see me looking especially chipper...ask to see my socks.

4. Dimples

More specifically, Andrew's dimples. All I have to say is: if Andrew doesn't pass those adorable genes on to our children, he's going to be in big trouble, Mr.

5. Bath and Body Works Hand Soap

Transforms any hand washing experience into a heavenly walk through an apple orchard. But I can't justify spending 5 bucks for a little bottle of this stuff when I can get a gallon of hand soap for 99 cents at Sam's Club. Oh well. I guess you now know what I'd spend my sweepstakes winnings on.

6. Tumbleweeds

It's kinda hard to explain. For some reason, one of these rolling down the street make me grin from ear to ear. They are so funny to me! I guess it just seems like something you'd only see in cartoons and old Westerns.

7. Blogging

It combines so many things that make me happy. I enjoy writing, journaling, scrapbooking, taking pictures, and staying in contact with friends and family. (And yes, I may have told people once or twice just to look at my blog rather than just telling them about something.)

8. Musicals

I'm one of those who actually like it when characters in a story randomly break out into song and dance. Andrew and I do it in real life all the time (definitely recommend that). When Maria runs over the hills with her arms outstretched, or Elphaba rises in the air promising to fight the wizard with all her power, or Gene Kelley dances those tap shoes through the rain with such grace...I totally get goosebumps. There are a few exceptions however. Carousel and Showboat teach horrible lessons, and little ophan Annie singing "The sun'll come out tooo-morrowww!" makes me want to throw tomatoes...and explosive devices.

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9. Father of the Bride Movies

I am a huge movie watcher and would find it impossible to name just one favorite. However, these ones are close pretty close to the top. If you haven't seen these classics already, take my word for it and check 'em out. I like the 2nd one even better than the 1st. I've seen them at least 30 times and yet I still laugh out loud every time. Martin Short is a frickin' comic genius.

10. Books on Tape

I love to read and rarely have as much time for it as I would like. I'm also a multi-tasker who hates to waste time. To solve both of these problems, I frequent the public library where I can check out as many books on tape/CD as I want. Just by driving to work and home again and running a few errands a week, I have listened to countless books: Helen Keller's autobiography, The New Testament, probably 15 Junie B. Jones books, Shackletons's Antarctic Adventure, Cricket in Time's Square, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The History of Classical Music, Emma, and Stargirl just to name a few. I am currently in the middle of Little Women for the first time. (loving it!)

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11. Children's Chewable Vitamins

I struggle to swallow giant adult pills. I feel like they sit in my throat for days afterward. Chewable pills have been the answer. But honestly, why do they even have those giant horse pills for adults? Wouldn't everyone prefer fun-shaped, candy-tasting ones instead? (Don't you just love Andrew in the background trying to figure out why the heck I am taking pictures of my vitamin bottle?)

12. Red

My all-time favorite color. You wouldn't be able to tell from standing in my living room though.

13. Canning Jars

I have a whole set of them that I use as water glasses. They just make me feel happy and domestic...like we live in an old farmhouse or something.

14. Corner Pieces

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They're just the best. Crunchy, chewy goodness that can't be matched by any other pieces from the pan. Andrew was a genius and started making brownies in 2 small square pans instead of one large 9x11 pan. Twice as many corner pieces!! (BELOW: I plan to own one of these pans some day. Every single piece is an edge piece! What a glorious thought! Too bad there wouldn't be any pieces for Andrew.)

15. Run-less Nylons

Ladies, I don't know if you can relate, but I have the hardest time keeping my nylons "run free" for more than a few uses. It is so frustrating...especially here in Idaho where nylons are a necessity in these ridiculous winters. A brand new pair without a run spreading mercilessly down my leg just makes me feel "good all under."

Now, what silly things make your list of favorites?

WHAT YOU'RE MISSING...

CHRISTMAS IN MY CLASSROOM

Our tree
(courtesy of Erin)

Students' wreaths

(courtesy of about 3 billion staples)

*Click HERE for a detailed, step-by-step tutorial!

Students' Sewing

(courtesy of life-saving parent helpers)

And the class door
(courtesy of the Dollar Store and my creative prowess)

P.S. 4 days til Christmas Break. Oh, how I need it.

Once upon a time, Andrew and Rachel Ashmore left their kingdom, traveling to the snowy mountains in search of a Christmas tree.

It was very, very cold. But Rachel kept warm, burrowed deep inside her thick velvet cloak, hooded and trimmed with sable fur.

Wild swans, floating on the icy river, spoke of a particularly pretty tree nearby

And so they traveled in search of it while bald eagles, high overhead, kept watch for witches, woodsmen, and wicked step-mothers.

Soon, the beautiful tree was spotted, and Andrew gallantly marked it, so it was not lost among the others in the forest.

After the tree was cut, happy little forest creatures transported it over the snow with a song. And Andrew and Rachel were happy.



But suddenly, a pack of ravenous wolves, sent by an evil snow queen, attacked the little band! She was jealous of their happiness and sought to steal the tree and burn it maliciously into coals! *cue evil laughter* Her devilish plot would have succeeded were it not for Andrew's masculine strength *sigh* and the magic of friendly wood fairies. The magic caused the wolves to become confused and they ran over the edge of a deep chasm to their deaths (This is only fair, as they were being very bad).

Under the continued magical protection of the fairies, the couple journeyed safely through the woods with their Christmas tree...while the sun smiled down on them from above...

...the sun's rays warming the snowy mountain considerably. *snort*

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At the edge of the forest, the two travelers bid farewell to their animal friends. Then, they continued on, only stopping to rest themselves at an enchanting little delicatessan called...ahem...Frostop.

(no. really. if ever in ashton, id, the burgers and fries here rock my world.)

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Finally, the pair and their lovely tree arrived at their castle home. Princess *cough* Becca, visited to help adorn the tree with sparkly jewels imported from the far away land of Wal-Mart...all while a roaring fire blazed on the big screen TV.

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When they had finished, it was spoken of by the entire kingdom as the fairest Christmas tree in the land.
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THE END.

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FAMILY FOOTBALL

I forgot to bring my camera to the annual Jolley Family Thanksgiving football game, so I stole these from my cousins. A few noteworthy events from the game:
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1. Andrew scraped himself somehow. He shrugged it off and insisted he was fine, so we continued to play. But by the time there was blood dripping down to his ankles, his teammates could hardly stand it anymore...even if he could. My cousin was kind enough to retrieve a first aid kit from her vehicle and put the rest of us at ease.

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2. I wanted to document Dad's football playing outfit for posterity (I specifically instructed a cousin to take this picture on the sly). No one else I know could pull of the combination of that hat, a Civil War weapons sweat shirt, and the long johns peeking out from under those ripped sweatpants quite like my dad. =)

My sister opted out of this year's game. She said something about standing around and waiting for, "athletically superior males to throw pity passes."
;) Oh well. I think she missed out. Blood and gore, high fashion, Perfect weather, and great company.

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THANKSGIVINGS

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FEAST DAY 1

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We had Thanksgiving with the Bountiful, Utah Brown clan. Aunt Joy cooked up the yummiest of traditional meals with some Japanese touches. I've never had sushi on Thanksgiving, but I wasn't complaining. Andrew especially appreciated the reminders of his mission.

Making sushi rolls:

Grandpa Ni, Jennifer, and Aunt Joy

Davin, Andrew, and Karsten pretending they aren't up to no good. I won't go into any ridiculous details...but there were definitely Kung Fu Karate kicks involved (hi-ya's included).

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While there, I played with a Wii Fit for the first time. Is there a resemblance between my Mii and me?

FEAST DAY 2

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The next day, the Jolley family gathered in Pleasant Grove at Grandma's House.

Lots of people, lots of action, lots of food, and lots of football.

Her home is only a stone's throw away from the Timpanogas Temple. (view from window)

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My second Thanksgiving meal of the year

Little sis' Aurora. She's 5. Check out her reeally nice portraits (HERE) I took over the holiday.I'm telling you...her big blue eyes will blow your mind.

My two year old twin sisters hadn't seen me in a year. They didn't remember me and as such, their shy selves hated my stinkin' guts. My cousin Michael's, brand-new baby Asher, seemed to like me okay though. (Can you say precious?) Mostly, his parents were just lucky I was never left unsupervised. I totally would have carried out my plot to smuggle him home with me.

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But wouldn't you know it. The twins absolutely ADORED Andrew.

Whatever. I'm not bitter.

Just know, that the next time I see Aria and Belle, I fully intend to buy their love with an exorbitant amount of candy. I simply can't compete with Andrew's dimples in any other way.

The "kids" (minus me) : Becca, Belle, Aria, Andrew, and Aurora.

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P.S. BYU kicked booty over the weekend.

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