A Little Toasted . . .

This year we decided to liven up the usual Thanksgiving fare with some mixed drinks . . .
Mmm, that cocktail edger was tasty!

Ian had about a dozen drinks. He gave it the thumbs up!

Carson felt the holiday cheer!

Nyah was in heaven!

Aaron was the bartender!

After the appetizers and fancy drinks, none of us were hungry for the feast.

Everyone felt a little toasted after stuffing our faces so . . .

we headed outdoors for a little touch football. Some of us felt like puking, others felt like taking a nap, but we took one for the team and ran off a couple of calories. It was a blast! (Mom and Dad were team captains. I was the last to get chosen. I showed them. TOUCHDOWN!!)

Here's the recipe for that fabulous drink!

Virgin Green-Apple Martini

2 ounces Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
1/2 ounce Granny Smith apple (chopped)
2 ounces lemon-lime soda
2 dashes cinnamon
1/2 cups crushed ice

Put ingredients in blender, add ice, blend. Pour into martini glass. Garnish with an apple wedge and serve. Makes 1 drink.

Celebrity Look Alike

Over the years I've noticed that I have a lot of physical similarities to a certain celebrity.

Notice the bushy eyebrows and bad complexion. Also the use of a bandana to hold back the unruly locks of afro.

Similar facial bone structure and pasty white skin.

Out of control hair, even on "non-windy" days.

I recently found out that we even have running in common.
I'm sure you've guessed what Hollywood celebrity I resemble. My long lost twin . . .

None other than . . . Howard Stern! Check out those legs. Definitely me!

I know poor Howard would be shocked to find out that I, Vanessa, an ordinary, Everyday Housewife, could possibly match his physical beauty and prowess, but . . . I think I may have this one in the bag!

The Thanksgiving Feast

Carson's kindergarten class held their Thanksgiving Feast today. They served warmed up turkey deli slices (nastiest thing I've ever heard of), mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. The teacher said, "You just have to try everything!" And guess what? The kids did! They tried a bit of everything and there was no complaining. I really need to enforce that rule at home.

While the kids were eating, the parent helpers walked around serving seconds. While we were serving the food, Carson piped up and said, "This is just like an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET!! Mrs. Hyer and the parents got a kick out of that one. The odd thing is, Carson has never eaten at an all-you-can-eat-buffet. He must have dreams of it though.

After observing the feast, I have decided to start a new tradition: who needs to mess with a giant 25 lb. bird? Warm deli turkey is the way to go!

Where did that Rule come from?

I have always told the girls they need to wait until they are 12 years old to get their ears pierced. I don't know how I came up with that number. I think it was tradition -- I had to wait until I was 12, so by golly, they were going to wait to.

I fudged a teeny bit with Cali on this rule. She approached me when she was 11 1/2 years old and said, "My friend, Julie, is getting her ears pierced for her b-day and wants me to do it with her for her party." Well, since it was a mere 6 months early, I grudgingly let her break the 12 year rule.

Last week, on Tueday, I walked into the kids' school to deliver something to a teacher. Nyah's teacher from last year, Mrs. Stokes' saw me and said, "Hey, Vanessa. Nyah just told me she's getting her ears pierced this weekend. How fun!" I was completely caught off guard. What? This was news to me! What in the world was Miss Nyah telling people? And why?!

When Nyah walked in the door from school I said, "So, Nyah. You are getting your ears pierced, huh?!"

"Oh, yeah. I was going to talk to you about that, Mom!"

Well, it turns out, Nyah's friend, Ady, was planning to get her ears pierced and invited Nyah along. I, of course, said, "Nyah, you are only 9 years old. You have to be 12 to get your ears pierced."

"Why?" Nyah asked.

"Yeah, Mom, why?" Cali chimed in.

"Well . . . uh, well . . ." I hesitated for a second before I came up with my fabulous mommy response. "Cali, you had to wait until you were ALMOST 12, and Nyah, you are only 9 years old. You have to be able to take care of them so they don't get infected! You don't want to have red, pussy ears!"

"Mom, I'll help Nyah take care of her ears. It'll be easy!" Cali responded.

Tag Team! What could I say now? "Well, the answer is, no! The family rule is 12 years old."

When Aaron got home from work, I told him about the situation. He just kind of looked at me blankly and said, "Well, why are we saying 12 years old?"

By this time I was completely frustrated. "We just do. That's the rule!"

As the days of the week ticked by, I started to wear down. Nyah would look at me with her sweet puppy dog eyes and say, "Please, Mom! I promise I'll take care of them."

Finally, on Friday, Nyah asked one last time. "Just call your dad and ask him!" I said in frustration.

I heard Nyah talking to Aaron and then she said, "Mom, Dad wants to talk to you."

I put the phone to my ear. "Vanessa, I told Nyah I'm just an old softy. I really don't care if she gets her ears pierced. It's up to you."

Why do I always have to be the bad guy? Did I really care anyways? Twelve years old. Nine years old. What's the difference?

Needless to say, Nyah was pleased as punch as she got dressed to head to the mall on Saturday.

She took her frog, "Sour Apple," along to help her feel brave.

Holding hands with Ady for moral support.

McKenzie, Kaitlin, Nyah and Ady with their beautiful new ears!

Hopefully, I will have more strength of character with the rest of the family rules: no dating till you're 16, and absolutely no kissing till you're 30! Ha! Ha!

Just a Normal Day in the Crazy House

Today was just a normal day . . .

Cali played a Concerto with her teacher, Cyrena, at the Sonatina Festival.


We drove up to Orem to shop at Xpedex, my new favorite store. They have the coolest selection of envelopes -- if you're ever in the market! Ha! Ha! Aaron kept groaning and saying, "How much longer are we going to be in this store?!" He's such a trooper.

We went and ate lunch at Carraba's to celebrate Cali's performance at the recital. We had a gift card, so we went all out . . . an appetizer, sodas . . . Usually when the kids try to order sodas at a restaurant, I give them the evil eye and they quickly change their order to water. But not today. Ian gave his meal a perfect 10!

Next we headed to a fancy Stamp Store to pick up some items for a Scout Merit Badge. Fun, fun!! The owner of the shop was nice but VERY quiet. I guess that's to be expected when you hang out with stamps all day long.

WalMart was the next stop. The girls had a list. The boys had a list. The race began. The girls got sidetracked at the clothing section. The boys won!!

Cali got called back for the Winner's Recital -- Top 10! She got to play her concerto again!

Aaron baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for me so I could go listen to Cali play at the festival.

Ian sorted 100s of stamps by country and loaded them into a binder.

The evening ended with a little homemade pencil making. Don't ask!

All in all -- just a "normal" Saturday at the Heber house.