Holiday recap

I love the holidays:

1. You eat and eat and eat. (New Year's Resolution: starve, starve, starve.)

2. You get to see old friends that reconverge on Zion (That's one perk about living in Utah. It was so fun to see the the Winkels, the Linds, the Bowens, the Thomases and the Perrys. We miss you guys!)

3. You don't have to work (I KNOW my Christmas was good because I stayed in my pajamas for 3 days straight. No joke. Gretchen called me out.)

We had the best time.

First, I went to CA to visit my family.

We went to Brookstone. Why do they sell this here? So you can practice bull-riding from the comfort of your own home?




The boys rocked the family Christmas Pageant initiated years ago by the Stone-von-traps.




We watched a ton of good movies.




And got in the Christmas spirit. (Jordan and Tyler DID wear this hat outside.)





Then, I came back to Utah Christmas Eve to be with Criag. I wrapped presents all day. I love doing it. I know, it's weird.





We invited ourselves over to Marc and Gretchen's for Christmas morning because what's Christmas without kids going crazy and opening presents?




These guys are so cute. Thanks Marc and Gretchen for letting us crash!


Then, we headed up to Craig's parent's house where we were greeted with a white Christmas. It was beautiful. This is the view from the the front porch.





I'm glad I have my new iphone or else Christmas wouldn't have even been documented. Hope you all had a great Christmas, too!

Self Defense?

Sometimes I worry about Kristin walking to her car by herself at night. I mentioned this to a friend and he told me that he had heard something about people using crazy bright flashlights as a crime deterrent. I googled it and I don't know if I'm just living right or what but this is what I found. I didn't buy either of these but based on the cover I think I have a working understanding of the techniques.

Phil's technique relies almost entirely on confusing the potential attacker with your unexplained use of a flashlight in broad daylight. Though somewhat effective Phil found there were some situations where normally non-violent people punched him simply because he was shining a flashlight at them in the middle of the day.


"Light Him Up!" had more parenting advice then I was looking for. Steve uses the flashlight as a tool to squelch Steve Jr's rebellions. Since Steve started disciplining with the flashlight Steve Jr. is back wearing the family t-shirt and haircut, but he's still not happy about it.

I think I'll buy her some pepper spray.

Early New Year's Resolution

So I'm ahead of the game on holiday pounds this year if having already gained more then last year is ahead or if the game is called "get really fat".

Luckily I've already found my solution:

I've got to get this book because I’m pretty sure at least one of those hands belongs to a woman (even if she is 80).

More to Fear Than Creepy Robotic Animals...

There was an article in the WSJ today about violence at Chuck E. Cheese's. I've always thought that place felt a little dicey. Apparently I should just be counting my blessings that no one ever pepper sprayed me because I played a game too many times.


Here are a few highlights (I think Michigan takes it):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122878081364889613.html

It's Not Just The Economy...

Something's wrong. I've always liked Brooks Brothers' shirts but now that I've seen these little tootsies I may have to rethink some stuff, and yes I already double checked to make sure I was in Men's.

Lest some misguided chap try to justify his way into a pair. They're referred to as a "pump" so you know where you stand.





These could also be yours for $1,998. Not $1,999- rich people are way too smart for that.

Spread Christmas Cheer

Do you like Christmas? And Nie? Good because if you don't, you're a bad person. Since most of you aren't, I have a really cool thing for you.

My friend, Emily, an amazingly talented designer, has decided to use her skills for good this Christmas season. She has done a line of Christmas cards and 100% of the profits go straight to Nie. (Emily is the best like that.) Here are a few of my favorites:






If none of these catch your eye, she has done a TON of different styles to suit everyone's taste.

If you were already planning on buying Christmas cards this season, why not buy these and help out Nie? I know that a lot of you care about Nie and have been trying to figure out a way to help- maybe this is it!

To see more or buy these great Christmas cards, go here.

Squatters' rights

I got this off Wikipedia (so you KNOW it's true).

In common law, adverse possession is the process by which title to another's real property is acquired without compensation. Adverse possession is sometimes called "squatters' rights".

Exhibit A:




My old apartment. Everything is nearly moved out and in our new place.


Exhibit B:



The new tenant. She's moved in with all her essentials- cereal in a bag, fuzzy blanket, red sippy cup, and computer. Her new motto: "Hell no, I won't go!"