Birthday Time Again!

Much to my dismay I have aged another year. I am not happy about it for I am starting to feel my age more & more every year. But I have to write a little something about how the people around me made me feel special for one day and not so depressed about getting older.

My birthday celebrations began on Friday the 28th when I showed up at work to a yummy lunch with cake & ice cream, a nice card with a gift card in it from all my co-workers. They were so thoughtful to do all that for me. On Saturday I got up early and Julie & Cass came to pick me up for a "Girls Day Out". We started with breakfast out (yum) and spent half the day shopping 'til we dropped. Julie bought me the cutest tops so I can feel sassy & stylish....and young.

When I got home I was immediately off to Dustin's & Heather's to celebrate with Halle & Torie (since we all share the same B-Day). I knew that Halle loved Justin Bieber so I had made her a t-shirt at work with hers & his picture on it that read Halle hearts Justin. Then I got her a heart shaped necklace with his picture in it. She put it on and loved it.

I can't believe that my little birthday present,

Torie, is now 18 years old. Time just flew on that one...

Me & Torie Me & Jana Me & Mom

I had to leave before cake & ice cream to meet my parents, the Longs, and Candace (+ cute kids) for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. After we waited for freakin' forever (over an hour) we finally got seated and I threw the diet out the window and ordered my food deep fried. Calories don't count if its your birthday. We all totally stuffed ourselves and had a great time shucking peanuts and tossing the shells on the floor.....you can do that there, its allowed. Ryker had a great time in the long wait with Cass & Tucker. They spent the time dancing in the waiting room.

After dinner the group broke apart and Candace & I met Torie, Steven, Jamie, Jana, and Mike at the bowling alley. We played a competitive 2 games where I lost out to everyone, including Ryker. We had so much fun but before too long I knew my busy day had started catching up to me and I was ready to end my day of celebration. I got home around midnight and found a surprise waiting on the counter. There was a balloon (from Mike), a party hat (from Jamie), and a chocolate cake (from mom). So what could I do except put on the hat and eat some cake.

I have the best friends and family in the world!!! They let me be the center of attention

(with Halle & Torie) for one whole day. I hope they know how much I appreciate everything they did for me. They all Rock!!!

P.S. Thanks Candace for the kick ass boots! I love them!

Bringing in Twenty-Eleven!

Its sad but true but the last few years my New Years Eve has been pretty lame and boring. I usually spend them at home alone (tear). So this year I wanted to do something fun that was safe and didn't cost any money (hey, I have my priorities). So when my sister Julie invited me over to her house I was like "Heck Yes!"

I made some yummy bean dip and she made Cafe Rio ( I can die, its so good) and we spent way too much time oinking it out and stuffing our faces. To work all that food off we headed for the basement and a silly night of Wii. We played Dance Party 2 and.......let me add in here how much I HATE to dance, have no coordination, and basically suck at it......but I decided to be opened-minded and try it. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!! I loved it! I never ever thought I would say that but it was a hoot and nobody cared that I looked like a dork. The best part was getting Rick, who hates dancing more than me, to get up there and shake his bootie! We danced till we could dance no more, played some Wii bowling and archery to pass the time.

Then we got ready to enter in the new year. So we bundled up to head outside. Rick may or may not have made some "homemade" fireworks and I think we were all a little nervous to see what would happen if he were to light the "alleged" fireworks. Some fireworks were lit, there were some loud booms, and a large divet was left in the lawn....but it was fun! The neighbors had a firework show and we stayed outside to watch till we decided we liked it better inside where we wouldn't freeze our butts off. We all wished each other a Happy New Year, and me, Tucker, and Cassidy headed for the basement to watch Despicable Me. By 2:30 in the morning we could no longer keep our eyes open and off to bed we went.

It may not have been the most exciting New Year's on record but I had a blast! I got to spend it with people that ROCK and we had tons of fun. What more could you ask for?

Celebrating the Holiday!

Let's start this new post with a past due wish for a Merry Christmas to all who may read this. I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrated with those you love. I start every blog off with my usual saying, "I can't believe how fast time goes by and its that time again for (enter appropriate holiday in here)." But if you can believe it Christmas has come and gone and we are ready for a new year to begin.

Since the Haacke Family Clan has grown & grown over the years (around 60 people) we decided to try something new. It has been harder and harder to cram all the people into Grandma/Mom's little house and we feel like we can't move. Plus we can have a party and never even see some people because they have escaped to spacier areas where they can breathe. To solve this dilemma it was decided to have Christmas at the church. Everyone seemed on board and I thought it would be so much easier and less work for me.......little did I know. The thing with having a "destination" party is that all the supplies, food, gifts, games, decor, and set-up.....have to be TAKEN to supposed destination. We went the night before and set up all the chairs and tables and were there bright and early the next morning to decorate (as much as you can decorate a room made out of a basketball court). My mom & I had made all the 12 kids a "movie themed" basket of treats and I though that they would also be great to fill in space on the tables as decoration. We had a yummy meal of pulled pork, ham, meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, salads, veggies, and treats, treats, and more treats.

We didn't want to just sit around staring at each other ( since we actually had the space to do so) so my sister, Joni planned some fun games. We played "Minute to Win It!" and it was a blast. Everyone had a chance to sign up for the game of their choice and they had 1 minute to complete the task. The kids started and had to shake all the ornaments out of a tissue box tied to their back. Tucker's was the best because someone taped over the whole in the box and he shook & shook and nothing ever came out. I guess you had to be there but it was hilarious!

The next game each person had to take a box and, without touching it, they had to fan an ornament across the room to the center and keep it there. It was pretty funny to see all the different methods that were used by each person.

Then we played the cup challenge where you had 1 minute to make a cup pyramid and take it down without once knocking it over. Each person kept trying & trying but nobody could complete the task. Then along came Margie & Ryan (they tag teamed it) and they did it!

The final game was where each person had 1 minute to get 10 ping pongs in 10 glasses by bouncing them. No one could do this but it was fun to see people try. The best part of the games was sitting around laughing and having fun watching everyone try the games. There was teasing and hollering going on, but we all got to see each other and have a fun time together.

I love Christmas! Its a lot of work and it comes & goes so fast. But it really is the best time to spend with those you love to eat and be merry. I wish it could last all year round (minus the disgustingly cold yucky weather that it brings) and we could keep the lights up and the trees and eat yummy treats.

ThE liGHt pAraDE!

I'm such a nerd when it comes to festive / holiday stuff. I love the holidays! So when I heard it was time for Bountiful to have their light parade...I was so there. I just had to convince someone to go with me. So I asked the elderlies (my parents) to go and the Long family (Rick, Julie, Cass, and Tuck). We bundled up for the cold and waited to see all the lights........

Let's just state right off the bat....this is Bountiful, Utah not New York City. The parade lasted 10 minutes max. There weren't many people in the parade, nor were there very many people in attendance. But it was still fun. Tuck and I stood right out in the street to collect all kinds of candy, we even got toothbrushes. Tuck yelled "Hello, Ladies!" to the local beauty queens. And we tried to get every one to wave to us....we were VICTORIOUS.

The local paper even took our picture.

Before we knew it it was time to see the big guy himself.....Santa. As he went by he points right to me and says "NAUGHTY!" He then tells Cass & Tuck they were "Nice" this year. Whatever Santa! Way to single a girl out! And....how did he know!!!!!

Anyway, we had fun at the light parade and went on to stuff ourselves at dinner. My kind of night!

Getting Ready for Christmas...Peacock Style!

As I was getting out all my Christmas decorations this year I decided I was tired of the same old stuff. I've done my room in purple for the last 5 years and thought it was time for a change. So I headed off to craft store heaven (Hobby Lobby) to see what new things I could find. As I was shopping around I saw this teal blue peacock and I knew I wanted to use him....but how. So I thought I could put him on top of my tree instead of a star. To my surprise I found all kinds of peacock items to use, and in the right colors. I had so much fun finding things and trying to figure how they would work together. Below are my results. It may not be the most "Christmas-y" themed room but it is festive and I love it!

I had a glass jar and a plain green wreath in my closet. I decided to see what I could make...

Baby Smallz is Here!!!!

My little nephew decided it was time to make his debut to the world today. Gavin John Tenney was born at 2:05 am to his proud & excited Mom (Candace) & Dad (Brett), along with awesome older brother, Ryker. He could hardly wait to enter this world that he made mom & dad rush to the hospital where he was ready to get the party started ASAP. He came with a full head of hair, big hands & feet, and a dimple in his cheek.....just like his brother. His parents are so happy & pleased that he is healthy and came to them in perfect condition. He will be loved by his parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, especially by one particular "great" auntie!!!!!

ThE SpOOks cOmE OuT!

Do I look like I'm scared for my life???

Nobody wants a Zombie on their shoulder, but I had one following me around on Halloween night.

Once again it is that time of year....Halloween! A night for fun costumes, great food, and candy. I decided to try something new this year and make a thing called Cake Balls. They were cute and a lot of work, but really yummy. I made three different kinds: Red Velvet, Chocolate, and Carrot. Check them out:

I also made my cheese ball into a "Frankenstein" of a sort. And my typical bean dip made to look like a spider web. We even named our food fun names like: Witches Stew, Eyeball Chili, Brain Soup, Mummy Dogs, and Fried Frog Legs. I think I tried every one and they were YUM-O!

Before I knew it Woody & Jessy & Bullseye showed up from Toy Story. They kept posing for pictures and saying "CHEESE!" Just one more! They were stinkin' adorable!

Along came the Big Bad Wolf with his Little Red Riding Hood (Kelly & Andrea). He had a great time scaring the crap out of the little kids. Pretty soon Octo-Mom was around with her massive scary lips and pregnant belly (Hint:It was just Candace & Smallz).

Halle had a great time trying to catch the "Old Bat" until eventually she scared herself and started crying. She has a great laugh and smile though. Grandma/Mom had a great time spooking out the kids and some adults too.

Jamie turned into a Zombie at midnight (take that Cinderella). He said that you can only count your outfit as a "Halloween Costume" if it has blood on it. I guess mine didn't count then. I only had hairspray and blue eyeshadow.

I decked myself out as an '80's chick and went back in time. (Technically I was a child in the '80's so it made me feel not so old). I rocked the spandex, the neon colors, and the big bangs. Madonna ain't got nothin' on me!

So Halloween has come and gone and we quickly move on to another holiday. But we will always have our memories of this night.....

and the pictures to prove it.