Tis the Season

Tis the season for school Christmas programs with visits from Santa:

Tis the season for birthdays. In my family, just in December, birthdays include me, my mom (she turned 60 this year) my nephews Clayton and Frankie, and Alex. And just added to that December birthday count: new twin nieces, Erica and Elizabeth. These are my mom's grandkids singing at her birthday party.

Tis the season for big family get-togethers that include good food and good talent.

Tis the season for snow days, although where we live that is rather unseasonable. There was just enough snow for it to be fabulously fun and to make a few snowpeople. That really is almost a once in a lifetime memory.

Tis the season for the magic and joy that Santa can bring into a child's life.

I love this season!

Happy Birthday Alex

Alex's birthday was yesterday, Dec. 28. The card I got for him says everything I feel:

Birthday after birthday

year after year,

we live and we laugh and we grow.

We savor our joys,

learn from mistakes,

let life's little heartaches all go.

Birthday after birthday,

we're grateful for memories we've made

and for goals that we've met,

And the beauty of life

is that every new year

holds the hope it will be our best yet.

For all the beautiful days

and nights we've shared,

for all that's still to come-

I love you.

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

I love dressing up. Fortunately for me, my husband works for a company that has a formal party every year. The annual Discount Tire Company Party was last night at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. For a bunch of tire guys, they really go all out for these annual parties. I found a great dress for this year's party: plum colored, mermaid style, slightly rouched and beaded in the middle. I love feeling like a princess! The party was fantastic! Excellent food, a surprise proposal (almost any proposal brings a tear to my eye), dancing with my husband (that's an annual event as well), and the company put us up in the hotel for the night! That's really livin' the high life! Also, I just have to say that Alex really cleans up well.
Here's a better look at the dress.


Alex and Carmen with Bruce Halle, founder and CEO of Discount Tire

HBDT Me!

So today is my birthday and I am 35 years old. I can hardly believe it myself. Thirty-five seems so old until you actually get there. Whenever I see someone that is 28 or 29 or 30 I always think they are the same age as me. Two years ago I was talking to the father of one of my college roommates and he said that I looked the exact same as the last time he had seen me ten years before. I guess I'm aging well.

However, there are times when I feel old. It seems I have to take extra time and make-up to cover up the dark circles under my eyes. Recently I substitute taught at the high school I graduated from and where I last taught. I was filling in for a teacher who co-taught with other teachers and one of the teachers I co-taught with was Mr. Purtill, the same Mr. Purtill that was my eighth-grade Algebra teacher in 1988. That was 20 years ago! And I'm really out of it when it comes to text-messaging. If I ever send a message it takes me forever because I don't know the lingo. And I am super annoyed by people who text while I am talking to them. It's not multi-tasking; it's rude!

I was looking at my baby album and I noticed this picture of me and my mom. I am about sixteen months old. I think it could be a picture of my own little girl Lacey, except her eyes are blue.

Here I am: older and wiser.

Lance's Testimony

Once when Lance was two he wanted to bear his testimony, but I said he had to wait until he was three. He has borne his testimony quite often since he turned three. At first Alex or I would tell him what to say. Then I would ask him what he wanted to say and if he got nervous, I would remind him of what he had already told me. Well today he decided that he wanted to go up to the stand all by himself and bear his testimony by himself. This is basically what he said:"I want to bear my testimony. I know this church is true. I know Thomas S. Monson can be the prophet. I love my mom and dad and my sister and my brother and my grandmas and grandpas and my teachers. I know that if we be good we can live with Jesus someday. I want to be a missionary when I grow up and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Alex and I looked at each other and said, "Wow!" It was such a sincere, sweet testimony that it brought me to tears. I was so proud of my little five-year-old.

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke turned 3 on Saturday, November 29. (Hopefully the terrible twos are behind us!) He spent all day Saturday playing with his new Bat Cave. Although Luke can be a handful sometimes, he is also quick to forgive and say he is sorry, and he always shares with others. His new thing is when he is in trouble he says, "I sor-ry. We be best friends." So now Alex always says to Luke, "Hey, it's my best friend!" He gets super excited about Batman and Superman. When the opening sequence of the cartoon comes on, he does a little dance. It's hilarious! We love you, Luke! Happy Birthday!

Lance and Luke's Birthday Party

The boys had a fun birthday party on Sunday, November 30. Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Bill, Grandma Susan and Grandpa Lowell, and most of the aunts, uncles and cousins came to celebrate. We had dinner then the boys blew out the candles of their specially home made Spongebob and Superman birthday cakes. (I spent about three hours decorating cakes on Sunday morning.) Before they opened their presents I asked a question about Lance or Luke. Whoever answered the question right got to give their present. It was a fun game. The boys definitely had fun dressing up in their new Superman and Batman pajamas, and also Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes. Other fun presents included a tee-ball set, Nerf guns, new books, more pajamas, and Disney coloring and activity books.


Who is the Ace of Cakes now?


Heroes on the half-shell!

Christmas Cactus Garden

In honor of Luke's birthday as a family we went to Ethel M chocolate factory to see the lights in their cactus garden. Christmas is so magical when seen through childrens' eyes. Lacey kept saying "Oooh star! Oooh Christmas! Oooh Santa!" And the boys were so excited to see all the displays. Lance stood in line to see Santa, but Luke said Santa was too scary. So Alex took Luke to get a candy bar while I waited with Lance and Lacey. Lacey wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but she happily took the chocolate coins he gave her.

What We're Thankful For

Lacey: Nanee (candy), and pretty much everything else.

Luke: Scott (his cousin and best friend)

Lance: Gramma Haynes, Mommy, Papa, Grandma Susan, Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Lowell, Grandpa Bill

Alex: Our house, his job, that we're doing alright because it could be worse, family

Carmen: That Heavenly Father sent me the best children He had in heaven, the gospel of Jesus Christ, a loving family (no holiday drama here!), and good financial circumstances.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Lance!

Today is Lance's 5th birthday. I didn't think he was too excited about it because he hasn't been telling me anything he wanted, and I have been the one to say "Three more days. Two more days." However, first thing this morning he came in my room, just seconds after I had finished wrappng his present, and said, "Mom, it's my birthday! I'm finally five!" Then he looked in the mirror and said, "Well I look bigger than yesterday!" All day he has been milking this birthday thing for all it's worth: It's my birthday so I can have what I want to eat. It's my birthday so I can watch whatever I want on TV.

Lance has done some really cute things lately. Last week I was doing some projects for Enrichment Super Saturday. He wanted me to draw something for him, but I said I was busy. He said, "Mommy, I am your widdle son. What is more important? The project or your widdle son?" What could I do but draw a picture for him. Last Wednesday he drew a picture for Sister Twitchell, a very sweet old lady in our ward. He came with me to choir so he could give her the picture. She didn't come that night because her 98-year-old mother-in-law was at Sister Twitchell's home, very close to death. When I told Lance Sister Twitchell wouldn't be coming he cried so much that I said we could go to their house after choir. Brother and Sister Twitchell were very touched by his picture because he had drawn their daughter who passed away 20 years ago as well as the elder Sister Twitchell, who I felt would also be going to heaven very soon. What a tender heart he has. Lance has also started to notice pretty girls. He was kissing a picture of Amy Grant the other day and he thinks Tinkerbell "looks good." (Do I have to be concerned about that already?!)

Happy Birthday, Lance! I love you more than anything! Love. Mommy

Our First Date

On this day, Monday, November 24, exactly 10 years ago, Alex and I went on our first date. I can't believe it's been that long, but it's true. Here's the story: I met Alex for the first time in January of '98. We were both at the temple doing baptisms. I was impressed that he was spending a Friday night at the temple. A few months later he started coming to the same singles' ward I was in. I didn't really talk to him that much for a long time. I would see him playing basketball after activities, tie-dyed shirt and backwards bicycle cap, and think, "How old does he think he is?" But after a while I noticed that he was at every activity and Family Home Evening and institute class. Impressive. And I heard good things about him from other people. However, even when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't bring myself to talk to him. One time after Institute class he came up to me and told me he was my home teacher. He was mistaken, but if I had been suave I would have said something like, "You don't have to be my home teacher to call me." But suave I am not. He called me once to ask me on a group date, but that weekend I had to chaperon a group of students going to Magic Mountain. We kept missing each other for a few weeks. Then at last we made arrangements to go out to dinner after Family Home Evening. I thought it was going to be just the two of us, but his friend, the infamous Kenny Taylor, and Cindy Kleinman (now Campbell) and Meridee Robbins (now Turner) joined us also. We all went to Johnny Mac's
To be honest, there isn't much to tell about the date. We said a prayer before we ate our food. I ordered a chicken salad. At one point I told myself I should pay more attention to my date instead of thinking of other things. Alex and I chit-chatted a bit and after dinner we went to his mom's house and watched TV for a while.His mom's house alarm went on when we entered the house and she came out of her room in her nightgown. That was my first glimpse of my future mother-in-law. It was really no big deal. The next day as I drove home from work I thought, "I don't really have any bad vibes about him, or any good ones, but I guess if he asked me out again I would say yes." About seven weeks after that he was my boyfriend, and here we are ten years later-married with three children. Here are some pictures of us at that time.
Me at a faculty Christmas party (I went out with Alex later that night.)
Alex with the lasagna he made for a church dinner.
Us as a brand new couple.


P.S. Happy Birthday to my brother Aaron, who for the next two weeks is the same age as I am!

Polar Express Live

It was magical! The excitement and joy I used to feel as a child at Christmas time was restored on the Polar Express. Our family, along with my parents, brothers and sister and their families, went to Williams, AZ for an amazing experience based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. We all checked into the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel then ate at the buffet. While we waited for our train we walked through the lighted maze and visited Mrs. Santa Claus. The weather was chilly, just right for a ride to the North Pole. As our departure time came closer, we stood in line to get into our train car. At the "All aboard!" everyone got on and took their seats. This was as exciting for me as it was for the kids because it was my first real train ride. When we began moving our "elves" brought us hot chocolate and cookies. Soon we came to the "North Pole" and there was Santa getting his slay ready for Christmas. We couldn't get off the train, but Santa boarded so he could visit all the children. He visited each train car. Our car was last in line, so to pass the time we all sang Christmas carols. When Santa finally arrived he talked to all the children and gave them a special silver bell. By this time we were back at the station. If I were a kid, I would have been in heaven. But I'm not a kid and I still thought it was great. It was the essence of Christmas-family, love, joy, believing, giving. The Polar Express was a wonderful start to the holiday season!

Halloween Fun--Just Can't Get Enough

Preschool party, Trunk-or-treat, neighborhood trick or treating, passing out candy. This year's Halloween season was jammed packed with fun. Lance, Luke, and Lacey had a great time at the Junior Junction Preschool Halloween party. They came home with lots of candy and prizes. Halloween night we went to the trunk-or-treat party at church. Again the kids came home with lots of candy. Then Lance wanted to pass out candy from our house. Then I took the kids to a few houses on our street. (Here's a trick-or-treat tip for next year: At one house on our street they pass out full size candy bars and at about 8:00 they say you can take as many as you want!) You know it's time to come home when your bag is so full of candy that it's too heavy to carry.

A Shout Out to. . . Nevada!

Home means Nevada, home means the hills. Home means the sage and the pines.
Out by the Truckee's silvery rills, out where the sun always shines,
There is a land that I love the best, fairer than all I can see.
Right in the heart of the golden west, home means Nevada to me!

I learned the Nevada state song in elementary school and now Lance has learned it in preschool. Today is October 31, and to most people that means that means Halloween. But here in Nevada it means Admissions Day, or the day Nevada became a state. Here are reasons why I love Nevada:

1. Family. My pioneer ancestors settled in Nevada. My Grandpa Hafen started a business here in the 1950's which is still here today run by members of the family. My dad returned here after college and getting married to start a family. All of my brothers (except one who recently moved) and my sister and their families live within 20 minutes of where I live.

2. Opportunity. For whatever profession one would like to choose there is a job here for you.

3. Great weather most months of the year.

4. Close proximity to other great places. We can be at Disneyland, Zion National Park, or the Grand Canyon in a matter of hours.

5. A variety of outdoor activities within minutes. Lake Mead is close by and Mount Charleston is close by, and the stunning Red Rock Canyon is close by.

6. Culture. From farmer's markets and pumpkin patches, to local plays and Broadway productions, whatever your interest, we have it.

7. Hometown/Metropolis. As a native born Nevadan, I am one of 10 percent of the population. People from all over the country have relocated here bringing their unique perspectives and enriching my life. On the other hand, because of my history here, I am not just a face in the crowd. I can go anywhere in this town and state and run in to people that I know or that know people I know. I enjoy that.

So Happy Birthday, Nevada! Thanks for the holiday!

Halloween Party-Discount Tire Style

Every Halloween Alex's boss hosts a costume party at his house. Last year we went as the Princess and the Frog (side note: I made Alex's costume out of a green hoodie, white flannel for the belly and ping pong balls for eyes. He got made fun of so bad! So I will not be attempting homemade costumes again.) I think our Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi costumes were the best I've ever had. Other costumes at the party included Edward Scissorhands, Lucky the Leprechaun, Thing One and Thing Two, Blind Referee, Missionary and Polygamist Wife (wrong on so many levels), Flapper Girl and Gangster, and many other crazy and creative costumes. I thought we should have won for best couple, but that went to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. I'm already thinking of what we can be for next year!

He Would Ride One-hun-dred miles

Saturday Alex participated in the Regional Transportation Commission Viva Bike Vegas ride for charity (also called the Las Vegas Century). One could ride 25 or 50 or 75 or 110 miles. Of course Alex chose to ride 110 miles. It was just a ride, not a race, but cyclists tend to be competitive no matter what kind of ride it is. Alex was doing well, but at 80 or 90 miles into it he crossed wheels with another rider and went down. Other riders crashed into him. He has a bad road rash and is pretty sore, but mostly his pride was hurt. He managed to finish the ride, with a cracked frame even. (Some, including myself, might question the sanity of all this.)