Christmas, Birthdays, Valentine's Day, and a Woofie

Okay, I must be penitent about that little rant on the last post. Dan and I spoke in church last Sunday. Guess what topic they gave me? Lift Where You Stand...hmm.....you think this had any thing to do with my reaction to being called to nursery?

Now that I've been penitent, here's another little rant: people who build their houses on the very top of hills/mountains. Maybe this is a weird quirk in both me and Dan and this doesn't bother most people, but we often lament the many houses on the hills around our house. I don't mind building near hills, even on the way up hills (if it doesn't involve carving a big ugly gash out of an otherwise lovely mountain...I think all you folks who are familiar with St. George know what I'm talking about). I love the red hills around my house, but I am annoyed by having my view of the skyline tainted by people's huge, pretentious houses sitting right, smack on top of the hills. Sorry to anyone who has such a house. I'm sure many otherwise lovely people have houses on hilltops.

Now a little bit of what's been going on in the last two months....
Laraine turned three. She's very into "Frincesses" right now, so we had a Princess Party. She certainly is our "Fritty Frincess." I adore her. I love to hear her say "Frana" or "Franta" (Grandma, Grandpa). I love it when she runs up to hug Bennett when he gets off the bus after school and then holds his hand as they walk back to the house. I love listening to her play make believe with Bennett and hearing her say things like, "Superman, save me!" I love it when she brings me a book, often "Fancy Wancy" (Nancy). I love it when she wants to carry a purse. I love it when she introduces people to her baby brother, "Jastor." I even love her roar, to which I'm often treated when I've displeased her.
We spent a ridiculous amount of money at the Bear Mill for Laraine's birthday. Here she is with "Eunice."

This is Bennett and "Safari Sweetie."
And here's Jalen with "Pink."

Jasper turned one. I love our Doodle Bug. I love how he flaps his arms. I love his easy smile. I love it when he gets hold of a comb and tries to brush his nearly non-existent hair. I love the feathery little plume right on top of his head. I love his crazy lopsided crawl. I love his sweet, open nature and that just the sight of him makes me feel like laughing.

Here are a few images from Christmas. We had a wonderful holiday.

She did insist on wearing the princess dress from Grandma and Grandpa for probably 2 solid weeks.

Yes, we have already had to take away the sword.

Dan and I spent more than we should have to go to a Valentine's Day dinner/dance/party. But, hey, apparently it was for charity, and I had to take this opportunity to wear a fancy ball gown. There are far too few opportunities to wear fancy dresses. I dug up a dress from back in the day. We had a grand time. The food was good, the company was excellent, and we danced like imbeciles. As Dan puts it, "Poorly, but enthusiastically." I was asked if I took the precaution of wearing steel toed shoes to dance with Dan. I didn't, but I managed to get by with no major injuries. Our table was shushed by the host during the performance. (I know, can you believe that a table where Dan was sitting could have possibly been shushed? What can I say---I guess I thought the singer was sort of background music.) I noted that the experience turned out to be even more reminiscent of our high school proms than I had expected. Getting in trouble, just like old times. I believe last time it was for dancing in the fountain at the D Day dance. That was the last dance of my high school career, and I'm so glad I went with Dan then and that I'm with him forever now (poor guy).
We added a canine to the family. Meet Diamond. She is a Lab/Border Collie mix with a few more things thrown in as well, I'm sure. She's fantastic. She is sweet and obedient, and she almost never barks. Dan is loving his new running partner, but I suppose I have to accept that my house will most likely be stinkier.

I reviewed Hancock and Hellboy II on the review blog. I've written a few new reviews on Goodreads in the past two months, so I added a link to my list of reviews on Goodreads.