New Year's Eve at the Moose Lodge

Boo on New Years' eve

Survival Skills of a long distance commuter in the winter

   Yukky commute into work today, then news of a twenty car pile up on I-80 and a two hour drive home and I decided for the first time in twenty years of living in Stansbury that I was going to just stay in town and get a hotel. When I first told Tom he was like, "really?"  Then he said "well you've been threatening to do that for years so now's your chance".  I could've called Campbell's and stayed there but I didn't want to bother them and there's a new Hampton Inn close by so I just booked it.
   The roads weren't bad in W Jordan yet so I decided to do a little shopping before checking in my room. I went to Sam's and filled up my car so I was prepared to sit in traffic if I had to, then to Kohl's to spend my Kohl's cash and get a new pair of jeans, sweater and new socks to wear tomorrow. I got a new book in Sam's Club to read tonight and picked up 1/2 price Christmas candy but came to my senses and set it back down. Stopped at Barnes & Nobles to look at calendars and any Christmas sales. Next to Target where I picked up more half price Christmas candy then thankfully set it back down. To Kneaders drive thru for a delicious veggie/avocado sandwich and then to check into my room. By now the snow has started falling in W. Jordan also and I am happy about the decision that I made.
   Now for the survival part. Check in, hot tea, cookies, apples. Wow I could've skipped dinner and just ate here. Didn't ask for top floor like Tom always requests and as soon as I got in my room I regretted that.  Ate half my sandwich and no refrigerator so put my snow boots back on and put the other half of my sandwich in my car for lunch tomorrow. Grabbed another cookie on my way back in. Remembered I didn't have a toothbrush and asked the front desk for one. Got back to my room
and thought I don't even have a comb.
   Got all situated, dead bolted my door, left the TV OFF, put my book and cell phone by the bed. Called Tom to check in, called Carole and caught up with her, she reminded me I could just turn my underwear inside out for tomorrow as she's had to do that before. Good tip. Missed my pj's, missed by hubby. Off to sleep until midnight when the ghetto neighbors next door checked in and started screaming and throwing stuff. Remembered story about someone shooting a gun and killing innocent person in the next room. OMG....Miss my quiet house.
   Survived the night and looking forward to a 5 min commute to work. Jump in the shower and just then realize I don't even have any make up, let alone a comb. Used my fingers for a comb and their cheap lotion for my face.  Decide I really appreciate my expensive Clinique moisturizer lotion and it's worth every penny.  But I survived and learned a couple things, became a little more independent (first time alone in a hotel) and can't wait to go home tonight to my hubby and house and ham and beans he cooked me yesterday. And yes, I may do this again....

Christmas Day with Killian, Kinzi and Liam

 Tom 2 got the boot in our white elephant gift exchange.

Family photo blanket we got mom and dad.

 SO BIG

 The cooks of the day. Chicken noodle soup with butter balls, ham & cheese sandwiches and lot of goodies.

Getting dressed to go sledding with papa.

 

Christmas Eve with Boo and Shelby

We went to Shane's family Christmas party and met everyone,

We played a fun dice game where everyone (44 people) start out with $3.00 each and one person wins it all. We didn't think it was polite to win since we were guests. Tom almost won.

Boo and Shelby

Boo requested that we stay in our pjs and make cookies and watch movies on Christmas eve. We did that in the afternoon after we went to look for deer, stopped at the cemetery to take a candle for Gma Joan, stopped at nursing home and dropped off a poinsettia flower arrangement to a little lady named Marie that I met at Thanksgiving, and stopped at Wal mart for one last thing. Then we made lasagna and enjoyed relaxing the rest of our afternoon.

more pictures from Killian's birthday week end.

K got new glasses and looks so handsome in them.

Great Grandma and Liam are in LOVE with each other.

Liam loves his walker and balloons

and Killian can do some pretty fancy tricks in his walker.

celebrating moms birthday at teds montana grill

christmas party

The belle of the ball....

Cabo Wabo at the Hotel Riu Santa Fe