Glitter & Lights

Today after work/school, Mom picked Autumn up for me b/c I had to go get my nails done.  They were so long that it hurt to type b/c they were so grown out.  While I was getting my nails done she called and said to come meet them at McDonald’s.  This was the best picture we could get, b/c Autumn wanted to get down and go play and Nick always closes his eyes right before the picture takes.  Mom threatened me with my life if I posted the picture I took of her and Dad.  Right after this picture, Autumn pulled away and my earring got stuck in her hair and got ripped right out of my ear.  So for anyone who thinks our lives are perfect and wonderful, this is proof that it definitely is not.

I had to show off my pretty new nails.  I decided to get sparkly white instead of regular white for Christmas/New Year’s.  It reminded me of snow and since it’s going to be in the 70’s next week and mid-50’s for Christmas Day, I had to get some snow into my Christmas somewhere.  It was so weird & crazy to leave the nail salon and tell Binh (the guy that does my nails) that I’ll see him next year!  It has snuck up way too fast.

After eating dinner, Nick had to leave to go to a young single adult activity at the Church.  Dad wanted to drive around and look at Christmas lights.  We drove around some neighborhoods but didn’t see anything spectacular.  I suggested we go over to the shopping area where Nick works b/c I knew they had a huge tree that was covered in lights.  On the drive over, Autumn kept wanting to sing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Dad told her that the red light on top of the water towers that we passed was Rudolph, and she was LOVING that and couldn’t stop talking about how she could see Rudolph.  Anyways, we went down to the tree and it is really a sight to see.  Each-and-every branch is covered in lights.  Then they have these blue tubes that make it look like falling snowflakes.

I was taking pictures and a guy walked by and asked me if I wanted him to take a picture for us.  That was very nice of him, especially since I’m rarely in pictures.  I had left my coat in my car at McDonald’s, so Mom let me borrow her light jacket, b/c she stayed in the car.  It was SO COLD outside and that little jacket didn’t help much, but it was better than nothing.

They have these big horse statues by the tree & Dad put Autumn up on one.  She didn’t like it b/c she said it was cold on her bummy, but she stayed up there long enough for me to get a picture.

After looking at the tree, we decided to walk around a little bit and look at the other trees and lights.  This tree was really tall and was COVERED in ornaments and bright colored LED lights.  While we were walking around, I noticed there was a big fire in the fireplace and I was FREEZING, so we started to walk over there.  Dad said he had a good idea and was going to run up to the grocery store that’s in the big shopping complex.  Autumn & I had to go to the bathroom from all the drinks at McDonald’s, so we went our separate ways and planned to meet at the fireplace.

Dad went and bought marshmallows at the grocery store so we could roast marshmallows!  But, they had a big screen over the fire so we couldn’t get close enough to it to roast marshmallows.  Dad noticed that someone had cut a little square in the mesh screen, so he found a little stick and stuck the marshmallow through the hole.  As you can see, the marshmallow didn’t even get close to the fire, but that didn’t stop us from trying and having fun.  Some families w/ little kids came over by the fire to warm up and Dad gave all the kids a marshmallow and they thought it was awesome.  One Dad was laughing at our sad attempt and even took a picture.  We had a blast and Dad said he’ll get a wire hanger and put it in the car and we’ll have to try it again.

Autumn wanted to run around w/ the kids that we had given marshmallows to, and they went down by the little stream that runs through the shopping center so she followed them.  They had this statue of a big old duck that Autumn wanted to ride like a horse.  She is such a funny little bug.

They had these trees completely covered and this picture doesn’t do it justice, but they were gorgeous.  I wonder how much time it takes to wrap every single branch in lights?  I’m glad that they go to all that work and effort so I can enjoy how beautiful the trees are.

Autumn decided the duck was too little for her and wanted to ride this big bull.  She even had Papa, or as she calls him “Hop-a” help her slide down the bull’s back.

After we couldn’t feel our fingers anymore, we went to this neighborhood where they have big mansions all decorated for the holidays.  This house has their lights choreographed with music, and as you can see from the sign in the yard, you just turn your radio to 99.9 FM, but it only works if you’re right in front of the house.  It was fun to watch.

Then at the entrance, there was this HUGE house that was DECKED OUT!  It’s the same house that goes all out with decorations for Halloween.  These huge snowflakes on the house started at the top and looked like they were falling.  The wheels on the train looked like they were going around.  It was really cool and we sat there for about 5 minutes just looking at all of the different light displays they had in their yard.

We went back to McDonald’s and got my car, which is good b/c Autumn was so concerned the whole time that we had left it there.  She kept asking where my car was.  Anyways, we came home and had our 5th surprise from our Secret Santa.  Whoever is doing it, is SUPER generous and gave us about 6 ring pops instead of just 1 or 2.  Here’s the note that came with it:

On the fifth day of Christmas with things rather tight,
It’s important to us that we all travel light.
Gold rings are too heavy (and so are gold buckles),
So please be content with sweet rings on your knuckles.

And here’s Miss “Thang” showing off her ring.  I told her to go put on her jammies, but she was just too excited about the ring pops.  I let her have one and then it was time for bed.  I had a good heart-to-heart talk w/ Nick b/c he went to the young single adult activity but only stayed for 5 minutes and left.  It made me sad that he didn’t want to be there and would rather sit at home and watch anime stuff.  Anyways, I went to WalMart at 10:00 to get some stuff for a breakfast casserole I signed up to bring to the ward Christmas party tomorrow morning.  I came home and watched an episode of Golden Girls and now it’s time for bed!