Spring Break 2013

When we decided on Palm Desert as our destination for Spring Break 2013, we didn't realize how important that decision would be. Last year we vacationed outside Las Vegas and it just wasn't south enough to be warm. This was our deciding factor in going to Palm Desert. Besides, I don't know if there is a more beautiful city anywhere. Matt says he thinks that is what the Celestial Kingdom will look like ;) It was a lot of fun to live there the first 9 months of our marriage.

We were up and at on Monday morning April 1st and on the road by 7:30 am. The babies had actually already been in the car for an hour by the time we left. Work calls coming in for Matt seemed to lessen throughout the week but on the drive down his phone was going crazy. The first time I answered it without thinking. He mouthed, "Why did you get it?" As I handed the phone to him. I wished I hadn't, not because I mind hearing work-talk but Matt uses his hands a lot when he talks. He would take his hands off the will to demonstrate, "Column A, column B, and column C," for example. I didn't answer the phone anymore after that.

Lunch in Mesquite. The half way point.

We made great time and were in Yucca Valley at Sizzler with Grandma Donna and Grandpa Mike for dinner that night. We all ordered the salad bar. The getting up and walking it required was good for our car sticken legs. Matt's old Bishop was sitting next to us, Bishop Reed. He was the Bishop when Matt went on his mission and Matt hasn't seen him since. He was sitting with another family that Matt also knew from way back. The Tuvai's? Donna said, "Matt you took their daughter to Prom, I have a picture of it." Matt said, "I don't remember." Awkward. He said, "I went to two Proms, one of them I don't remember at all." I corrected him since he also took me to my Senior Prom, "Hey, you went to three proms." Awkward again. Turns out it was actually Mark who had taken their daughter to Prom. The Tuvai's kissed all of our cheeks before they left, even the kids.  It was sweet. *(Now that I am coming back and proof reading this before I post I should clarify: They kissed each one of us one of on the cheek. The did not however, kiss all of our cheeks.)

It was dark when we pulled into our Residence Inn an hour later so it wasn't until the next morning that we walked out into the sunshine. It was glorious. We sat under the Pergola on the patio for breakfast but couldn't bring ourselves to go back to the room afterwards. The kids got tennis rackets and basketballs from the desk and we goofed off for a bit. I took a walk down Cook Street. The desert was in full bloom. What can I say. Ahhhhhh.

The pool was wonderful. We spent several hours there that day and the next. Gray made a friend, Naveen. This was good since Mallerie and Ava were busy together and the babies couldn't play the diving game he wanted to play like Naveen could. Naveen came up gasping for air. I asked what happened, he said, "I swallowed a fly under water!" I guess it was a good thing Grayson had his new goggles from Grandma on.

We all had a fun time helping the babies practice swimming. Callie got brave and we could separate further and further and she would swim between us. She reminded me so much of Mallerie at that age. I couldn't get enough of her. Graham had a cast on his right arm for this trip. He broke his arm a couple of weeks ago on a friend's trampoline. He was devastated that it would completely ruin his Spring Break. It didn't of course, with a waterproof cast he was able to swim away.

A stranger commented to Matt about our family. My first reaction when he says that is always, "Uh-oh." But she had told Matt how impressed she was by watching the older kids help the younger ones so much.

Ava found a long string at the bottom of the pool which she thought was a shoelace. She brought it up and gave it to Matt to examine, "No this is the tie to someones swim trunks." Having just seen the latest installment of Diary of a Wimpy Kid we all wondered how long the poor sucker swam around without his trunks waiting to get out of the pool. It wasn't until we were getting ready to go to the pool the next day that Matt discovered, "Hey, that lace went to MY swimsuit." (How can I work on not teasing him so much when the guy keeps giving me so much fresh material to work with?)

Then when it was time to pack up for LA the next day Matt came in to do one last sweep of the hotel room. He opened the bedroom drawer to find ALL of his clothes still in the drawers, "My clothes! I thought my suitcase felt light." (See what I mean? :)

Matt had continued outdoor adventures planned for the afternoon with a hike through Indian Canyon. It sounded intriguing from the way he described it, a trail runs alongside the river and there are big trees. He hiked there as a youth. We enjoyed our drive there down Country Club drive. It never ceases to amaze me how manicured the streets are. Near perfection. We pulled up to the booth at the parking entrance. It was $9.00. Seems a little steep for parking for a short hike doesn't it? Well that would have been a bargain. It was $9.00 per PERSON. Eeek. We did not hike Indian Canyon. As we pulled away I wondered aloud how they can possibly charge that much. Matt reminded me it is a reservation and they can charge whatever they like.

Instead we ended up at Boomers. like Boondocks but Boomers. We all rode the Go-Karts (as they spelled it). It was nice that we could ALL ride. We did have to go in two shifts since Matt and I were the only ones who could drive with Grayson, Graham, and Callie, but it was nice that everyone was big enough to participate.

I'm a Big Kid now.

Katrina walked next door to Target while Mallerie and Ava climbed the rock wall.

The boys and Callie played inside at the arcade. I loved watching Graham play Skeet ball. He had his casted arm hanging off to the side and he had funny way getting the ball up the ramp with his other hand. It was a good tactic. He even got in the 100 hole once.

For dinner we met up with Mike and Donna again. This time at our favorite restaurant Las Casuelas Nuevas. We were treated to freshly made guacamole at our table. We were going to save it to eat with our meal but it tasted so fresh we polished it off with the home made chips. The bowls were practically licked clean. I said, "There goes our chance of sending it back saying we didn't care for it." I would never...
Graham said he enjoyed sitting at the end of the table by Grandpa Mike since he hasn't talked to him for a long long time.

Mike and Donna had brought the truck down from the high dessert for us so we didn't have to go back and get it. The boys all got in and Matt reminded me how to get back to the hotel. I love Palm Desert at night so instead I took the girls down El Paseo drive and past our old stomping grounds. The twinkle lights around the palm trees make the city sparkle at night.

After some more of the same the next day; breakfast under the pergola, a walk down Cook St. (this time I had the boys with me because they wanted to spot the lizard I had seen the day before), we swam, and then headed back to the room for lunch. That is what we like about Residence Inn's, they have kitchen's so it saves on the food budget (they just "eat" up a lot of Matt's points). This particular room was great because it slept 8.

Note: Objects may appear closer than they actually are.
This was not our actual view of the golf course.
Our view had a lovely yellow flowering tree in front of our deck.

 I sat on the back deck that overlooked the golf course with Graham and Callie as we ate. There were cotton tail bunnies everywhere! As abundant as those airplanes were last year, the bunnies were even more abundant this year. When we first got out of the car that first night we all shushed each other, "Look, there is a bunny." We were a little like the couple who was excitedly filming the airplanes the last day of our trip. You couldn't go a minute without seeing one of those cottontail bunnies run by. It made me wonder if the 9-year-old we had put in charge of watching our bunnies back home was doing his job. Anyway, I sat on the deck with Graham and Callie in the sunshine for quite a while after lunch. They wanted to take turns singing songs. They were the cutest songs you could ever hear. They were pieces of primary songs mixed with nursery rhymes but all had the theme that Jesus wants us to love our family. Its like they were singing their testimonies. It was a treasure.

We met up with Mike and Donna that afternoon at Morongo Valley Park. The kids blew bubbles and played on the playground.

Some of us went on a hike: Matt, myself, Mallerie, and Graham. The kids were sort of spooked because there was a sign warning of a cougar sighting in the area. This left Graham especially jumpy. He held a bloody tissue to his mouth because moments he had before knocked out a loose tooth on his own knee. On the boardwalk we passed an older couple. The lady noted, "Poor little fella." As she saw Graham with his cast and bloody tissue.

We stayed on the boardwalk but did have these zingers to show the folks when we got back to the pavilion. It was only a few days past April Fools Day after all...

We bid our farewells from there and parted ways, they left back to the high dessert and we headed to The River, a shopping/dining district.

Pictured left to right: Pride and Joy.

The night was so perfect. The girls went to Forever 21. Matt asked if I wanted to go with, I said "I'm way past that." I need a Forever 30 Something (seriously, I think there would be a market for that). We sat by the river and people-watched on such a perfect night. They mainly have high-end restaurants there and I wanted to sit outside so we went to 5 Guys and sat on the terrace with the three younger kids. I totally rammed a guys elbow when I opened the door. It seemed to even take some skin off. I felt so bad! I apologized over and over then found myself automatically rubbing it like if one of my kids bangs their head. He had to have thought that odd.

We were done eating when the girls came over so they ate inside ("There're too many flies!") while we walked over to the theatre. We bagged the idea of seeing a movie after calculating that it would cost $98 (and that is without popcorn). Even if I was a millionaire I cannot fathom paying $98 for my family to see a movie. It made our stop for ice-cream at Haafen Dazs seem like a bargain even though I could have stocked my freezer quite full of ice-cream if I spent that same amount at the grocer.
Hey, It's a vacation.

Our last stop of the day was the JW Marriott.

We were there just to look at it. If you are ever in the area it is worth it to stop by. So beautiful. The glass wall opens for the boats to go in and out of. The restaurants are all on the water and it is simply gorgeous. We sat out front on the benches and watched the flamingos before going back to our now-not-so-fancy hotel for the night.

Part Two:

The week before we were to leave on our break, Matt's 89 year-old grandmother in California passed away. We wondered if we would need to leave earlier on our trip than we had planned so we could go to the funeral. However, since they didn't bury her for a whole 10 days later we ended up having to extend our stay in California to attend the funeral. Either way, it was a blessing that we had already chosen and planned out our destination so that we could be there. After Matt's dad was killed in 1981 things changed and he has not seen his dad's side of the family since. We both felt it was high time we make some connections.

We checked out the next morning and headed to LA. Mallerie couldn't get over the population numbers listed  under the city limit. Close to Four million. More than the entire state of Utah. And those freeways show it! You can never drive faster than 30 mph. I was following Matt in the truck but got separated a couple of times. What would I do I wondered? We were able to get to Santa Monica Pier okay. Down by the coast was chili as I suspected it would be at this time of year but it was full of sunbathers and swimmers anyway. Mallerie and Ava especially loved the ocean. We picnicked out of our cooler pretty much finishing off what we brought and giving the rest to the seagulls.

 

It was another long drive back to the new Residence Inn we were staying at. I guess we chose the wrong beach. Huntington would have been a lot closer to where we were staying but it doesn't have the Pier and we had the time so it was okay. Just a lot of driving!

The kids were sandy and tired and hungry when we got to the room and it was time to get ready for the viewing. I suggested to Matt we leave them behind and just he and I go. I knew he would want to visit with his long lost relatives and I could picture how bored the kids get. I could picture them asking over and over when we are leaving. Matt wanted them to meet his family but there would be time for that the next day at the funeral and luncheon. He agreed and we ordered them up pizza and took off on our own to find the viewing. Rose Hills Cemetery was close by but HUGE. We learned it is the largest cemetery in the United States. It looked like we were pulling up to a building once but realized we were in a Mausoleum with people's ashes. A cyclist steered us in the right direction. We needed to go to gate one and we were at gate 16 or something. It's a HUGE place. I asked Matt if he was nervous walking in to meet his family. He said, "No, just anxious," I felt the same way but right away we were greeted so warmly. It was a bit overwhelming to try and keep names straight. Matt's genealogy isn't exactly easy to sort out.

Aunt Martha, Me, Uncle Roy, Matt, Aunt Celia

Afterwards we went to Applebee's for dinner and I was writing down info and names pedigree style to get it straight in my head.
I was then anxious to get back to the kids. I wasn't completely at ease being away from them in a city that seemed 90% rough and tumble.

We had plenty of time the next day to get ourselves together for the funeral services but not enough time to go out and do something beforehand. We were the first one's to arrive at the chapel only seconds behind the hearse. The casket was again opened so the kids got to see Grandma Angie after all.  It was weird to think that they have the same relation to her as my Granny Woolf who died last year and with whom they spent many hours with.

I struck up a conversation with Reverend Dan who would be performing the service. I realized pretty quickly into the conversation that he had never met Grandma Angie nor did he know anything about her. As family started to trickle in he asked if there would be many more coming. I said, "I don't think so. Last night at the viewing it was in a very small room with very few people. Out of her four children only two are living." He said, "Is that right?" So I continued, "She lost one son in Vietnam and Matt's dad in a car accident." Rev Dan said, "You don't write that into the script do you." More of a statement than a question.

Later Matt's cousin William (Willie) came into the church. Matt has a cousin! It was neat to see them visit for the first time. I snuck around to try and get a photo of this first meeting.

Again I was standing by Rev Dan. I said, "I just want to snap a picture real quickly of Matt meeting his cousin for the first time." This too surprised the Rev so again I continued, "Yes they are both grandchildren of Grandma Angie but they have never met." We chatted a bit more about the Reverends family and then he asked, "You called Evangelina (Angie's full name) something different there what was it?" I said, "Grandma Angie. That is all Matt has ever called her. I guess it's just easier when you are a kid to say Grandma Angie instead of Grandma Evangelina."

The funeral was held in a beautiful stained glass chapel at Rose Hills with the casket open at the  front and draped in more roses than I could count. Reverend Dan began the service, "This is the service for Evangelina Bocanegra (except he kept pronouncing her name Evangeline)". "But she went by another name didn't she, ah yes, Angie. Even Grandma Angie. Can we call her that today? Grandma Angie?" The family nodded their approval. I sat there thinking, "This guy has a good memory!" Then he continued, "Angie did not lead an easy life did she, no, she lost two sons. One while fighting for our country in Vietnam and the other in an automobile accident." I found it interesting that his only personal material was from what I had chatted with him about. Had he really planned on conducting a funeral for someone who he knew nothing about??? Then he went on. "It is great to see her family gathered here today, some of you meeting for the first time." I guess I'm the family gossip.

It was a lovely service. Reverend Dan's Bible was more marked up than mine will ever be. He could quote scripture and did a good job remembering details he had obviously just learned from family members beforehand without writing anything down. He talked about the importance of serving one another (referring to the service Aunt Martha had rendered to her mom), the afterlife, and resurrection. That is really the only time the doctrine seemed to differ form what we believe. There wasn't an opening or closing prayer rather during the service he would say, "Let us pray." As we discussed the service afterwards I thought about all the similarities there are in our church's teachings.

The Reverend then he openend up the remainder of time to let the family speak if they chose to. Matt got up first and said he remembers his Grandma and especially going to her house each Christmas and the spirit in her home and that he was always treated very kindly. Though things changed after his dad died, he always remembered his Grandma Angie and the he loves her and he knows she loves him. He closed in the Name of Jesus Christ. The reverend stood off to the side as Matt and the others spoke but he was not silent. He added a lots of, "Yes, and wow, and ahhh, and wonderful." You know as in "Can I get an Amen?" The first time it caught Matt off guard but he was able to press on. It was good to also hear from Uncle Roy, Aunt Celia, Cousin Crystal, and Cousin William. None of them were overly emotional because it is a blessing that Angie was able to go when she did, but their hearts were tender since they have such a great love for her. I hope Katrina wasn't giving false representation from our row with all her sniffling and nose blowing. Truth is she had come down with a horrible cold the first day of the trip.

Matt was one of six pallbearers 

At the gravesite we were led in the Lord's prayer. Uncle Roy and William brought white homing pigeons to release. Callie and Graham got to open the cage. The birds were a little stubborn so they had to hit the back of the cage. The birds flew out and circled the gravesite. It was the perfect touch. One pigeon however would NOT leave the cage. William was shaking it and banging it but the bird would not budge. They said that the last time they released the pigeons a stowaway had come home with them. This poor bird didn't know what was going on, or what to do, or where to go, so it just clung to the sides of the cage. haha.

We hiked the steep hill to visit Grandpa Manuel's grave and also Uncle Hugo's grave. The last time we visited Katrina was 4 and Mallerie 2. It was healing to be there.

Matt's dad died in a car crash when Matt was nine years old.

Matt is named after his Uncle Hugo who was killed by an enemy explosive device in Vietnam at the tender age of 19.

I think the most important thing about being there was that I feel like my kids finally get it. They have heard Matt tell about his dad who passed away when he was nine. Mallerie is the age Laurie was when Manuel died and Grayson is the age Matt was. This makes it more real to them to realize how well they know their dad and how special he is to them and what a loss it would be if he were taken now. Even during dinner one night Graham said to Matt, "I'm sorry your dad died." It was so sincere.   I said, "He is giving you his condolences all these years later."

Roy and Celia live very close to the cemetery so it was a short drive to the luncheon at their house. They had gone all out and had made all of the food themselves. A true Mexican feast. There was a table reserved just for 'Matt's family.' Celia made mac n'cheese incase the kids wanted that instead. She had CapriSuns in the cooler and toys out for the kids. I thought Graham would be excited to ride the little bike she had gotten out but he wouldn't touch it. I asked him later and he explained, "That is a baby bike and I know how to ride a two wheeler." Roy took us on a tour of his projects and motor home and to the cage he keeps the pigeons in. There they were back home (minus a few :( Willie came and sat with us at lunch and later both Matt and I expressed to each other how impressed we were with him. He is so personable and thoughtful and kind. Grayson got in a sneezing attack and he offered Benadryl and a cough drop. He had Rock Band and the Wii set up for all the kids. Will after all did just graduate from prestigious Pepperdine University in Malibu, which he talked to Katrina all about.

Back insude the house Matt showed his Doritos commercial on the big screen. The kids relaxed on the couch, the babies played. It felt so natural.

I got to talk to his half cousin Krystal a little and Celia also gave us a photo book full of names and pictures from the Cavazos side, which is the blood line, as well as addresses and contact information should we choose.

Matt looked at the time and whispered, "We better get going, we don't want to overstay our welcome." But I don't know if that would be possible. Celia told us over and over again how we have GOT to come and stay with them when her daughter Janeen is out from Wisconsin with her family. We did get to meet Janeen via Skype that evening. Her mannerisms reminded me so much of Laurie. Janeen too had such a genuine interest in our family. They have been getting our Christmas cards for years and have noted each time a baby has been born, "They had another one!" Matt updated her briefly on what his siblings are up to. I told her that Laurie is now a grandma, and Matt told her that she has multiple preschools in Hawaii. Graham randomly stuck his head in front of the camera, "They're made of cheese balls!" Funny little guy. Callie seemed to be having a good time as well. I was surprised that their Great Dane, Joshua, who was taller than Callie didn't bother her.

After a tour from Celia of the house (with lots of reminders where we could sleep when we come next) she loaded us up with snacks and drinks and we bid our goodbye's. As Matt hugged his relatives goodbye Ava was in the lineup, "Bye Ava," he said as he gave her a hug. One more laugh for the road. Matt told Celia, "You treated us like royalty." She said, "You are. You are family royalty."

While we got ready the next day to check out Matt decided to head to Rose Hills with the boys one more time. When he came back he said, "I remember now how the radio stations here only play the same 3-4 top hit songs over and over." He was referring to Justin Timberlake and Jay Z's As Long As I Got My Suit and Tie. This phrase remained in his head and would come out at any time. I asked him, "Are all your things packed up this time?" "As long as I got my suit and tie," was his answer. I liked that he did sing the phrase every time.

Before leaving LA the next day to head to Vegas us girls requested a stop at The Grove. It is so beautiful there with an awesome farmers market and I knew Callie would be old enough to enjoy American Girl. The drive took us through the nicer parts of LA as well. I couldn't help but think of the house in Father of the Bride as we passed the groomed lawns and spacious homes. Still though, we were in the heart of LA and that was reiterated when we stopped for gas. I pulled up behind Matt and put the window down. It sounded like someone on the other side of the pumps was having a domestic dispute. I couldn't get the window up fast enough as the degrading slurs and language filtered through. We turned up the music. Matt who was standing outside the whole time said that they were two strangers. This guy was soooo angry at a girl who was taking too long to fill up because she was fiddling with her phone. Isn't there some law like verbal harassment? This jerk store had definitely crossed the line. We were able put the windows down on our last leg to The Grove. There was a souped up black car next to us full of people having a great time. Blaring on the radio was, "As long as I got my suit and tie..." It's our anthem for the trip.

Our spot in the parking garage gave us a good view of the Hollywood sign.

Graham was sour thinking he would only be going through girl's clothing stores.

His mood brightened when he realized that was not so and Matt bought him a lazer gun. Graham promised to pay him back and gave Matt his money when we got to the car. He was a few bucks short but since the tooth fairy owed him for the tooth he lost in Morongo Valley it all came out even.

I took the girls into American Girl. We reminisced about when Mallerie was completely fascinated by the dolls. I miss it.

The weather was ideal as we browsed shops, relaxed, and ate at the Farmer's Market. Getting ice cream is a must but as Ava learned Fancy Nancy is NOT the flavor to try. The name is fancy but the flavor is terrible.

Mallerie and the Traveling Angel


Mallerie found a dreamy cell phone cover of the Santa Monica Pier. When we were there a couple of days earlier she said she wanted to see the sun set there. On her cell cover it is the sun setting at the pier. I found some prints to hang up in the living/dining room. We got in a conversation with a Brazilian at a kiosk selling yummy homemade soap. I got cucumber and mint bars.

I walked around with Mallerie and Ava for a while and we were having so much fun we could have stayed all day but Matt said, "Time to go." Ahh man!


I love that these two had each other to pal around with at the pool, while shopping, and goofing off in general.

Our next stop was in Vegas. It was a long leg of the trip.
As we unloaded our luggage the kids noted, "Hey we never ate at IHOP on this trip." That seems to be a tradition of ours. I said, "It aint over yet!"

We sat down and the little kids rattled off their same kids meals they always get, Mallerie and Ava order the chicken and waffles, Katrina keeps her order to herself, Matt decides quickly, and I stare cross-eyed at the menu. Matt said some things never change.

We scrunched into one room with two beds for the night. We turned on General Conference the next morning in time to hear President Monson's talk on obedience. I couldn't help but add my "yes, awesome, wow," like Reverend Dan had done.

We caught what we could on the radio of the rest of conference. I am so glad it is available online for that reason.

Callie was quite the little pack rat. She unloaded random things from her bag. She had a plastic box full of tin foil squares. A couple times during the trip I caught her sitting quietly spreading out her tinfoil. Gray on the other had had a bunch of clothes but was very short on socks and undies.
Live and learn people. Live. and. learn.

I appreciate a lot things about traveling with Matt. He was so great at arranging all accommodations beforehand with the rooms when we had to change part of our stay to be in LA. He took the reins stocking the cooler with lunch food beforehand and deciding on dinner plans while on our trip. I like that he doesn't keep taking us out for fast food. We only ate fast food once actually. He was behind me in the truck at Wendy's drive through. The employee said, "The van in front of you took all the frosty's." Matt said, "That is my family." "Oh."

Don't go and be dissen' family. Can I get an Amen?

Graham I Am! March 2, 2013

What do you do when a birthday is here?

You throw a party for all that are dear!

March is the Month

The 2nd to be exact,

If you come at NOON 

We'll keep you intact.

We will play play play play

But we'll finish by TWO

Right after we sing "Happy Birthday to You"

Which wondrous person warrants such BAM?

Well I'm here to tell you

It's GRAHAM I am!

This was my first boy party ever. Since Graham shares a birthday with Dr. Seuss it was easy for me to come up with a theme. He had five guests come to the house and they were all well mannered and seemed to have a fun time so it went well!  

I bought one of those helium balloon tanks. Since it costs a dollar a balloon to get them blown up somewhere it seemed like a good deal. The only problem is that because the balloons don't have high-float in them they don't stay up for more than several hours.

The waiting game. His party started at noon and he counted down every minute beforehand. I was glad to catch him playing happily at the table with his new Spiderman doll though...but don't think for a second he wasn't counting how many minutes till his party. 

We had decided to give Graham a new bike for his birthday. Matt said he would be in charge of picking it up. The night before when Matt got home from work he was extra tired. The first thing he said was, "I didn't get the bike yet but I'll go to Kings and get one. " I knew Matt just wanted to stretch out on the bed and relax. I suggested we let Graham go on his birthday and pick one out. Matt asked, "Are you sure?" "Yes," I told him, "it will be fun."

It turned out well to have Graham with us the next day because he didn't care for the bike at King's at all. We ended up with this cherry red number from Walmart. Graham would want me to tell you that he does NOT need the training wheels but that they came with it. Matt took them off when we got home. There have been a handful of pretty days since then that he and Grayson have been able to ride bikes to school.

When I talked to Donna on the phone about the pretty weather we have been having she said, "Oh we've had a real cold spell blow in. It's been in the 60's and 70's." I told her, "That's what it's been here."

It looks like this one friend is saying a blessing on his food. He is! He is totally praying.

Matt reading "Left Foot Right Foot." Graham also wanted to go fishing, play Bingo, duck duck goose, and just play play play play.

Later in the day we went to Utah County. Matt had some business at Cabela's and it seemed a good birthday destination. Graham seemed to really like it there, "This is a great place to come to on my birthday!" We had dinner at IHOP after having a run of bad luck everywhere else we went. 

We were finally all together as a family after church the next day to cut the cake.

What else does Graham love? Nutella. I had to run to the dollar store and knew I would be cutting it close to when he got dropped off from Kindergarten one day. I left the front door unlocked. He must have come home just a moment before I did because he opened the garage door for me. He was already up to his eyeballs in Nutella. I laughed when I pictured him coming home. Upon realizing he was by himself he went stright for that Nutella.

Getting the boys to stay dry at night has been what they call, enough to drive a mother to drink. As I was stripping his bed sheets the day before Graham's birthday I noted there were only two diapers left. I said, "Oh look you can get some more diapers for your birthday." Later when I went by his room he was all grouchy and Callie was trying to console him. He said, "Well MOM (loud enough so I could hear) wants me to have a bad day. Then I heard Callie say, "She's not that bad."

He did not get diapers for his birthday, instead he got things he loves most. One of his favorite things was a box of Legos from Grandma Donna. Graham is obsessed with building. He wants to go to Engineer College he says. He asked me to tell him something about it. I told him I don't know anything. He asked, "Not one thing?" Not. One. Thing.

Here is what I do know. My life would not be as rich as it is without this little guy.

Will You Be My Valentine? 2013

Callie wanted me to help her make a Valenitine card for Mallerie. Keep in mind the card was for Mallerie. I wrote while she talked: "Dear Mallerie, you are nice, Ava is nice too. I love to play with Ava. She is my best friend. I love Ava."

Later she sat with wide eyes in front of her cookie at the table. "I can not eat all that." Katrina was gone that evening and Mallerie left for a track meet in Idaho on Valentines Day. I packed her with fresh snacks to eat before the race but also sent her cookie with her for after the race. She said it tasted divine to bite into later that night. These cookies are divine. For whatever trouble it may be to make them, they are so so worth it.

I liked to see the kids putting together their class Valentines the night before -so excited to give. Grayson had decided he didn't want to bring Valentines to his class, cause that is the funny kind of a guy he is. Then as he watched Ava and Graham he made a realization, "I think I better bring something since people will bring stuff for me." I had a box of red wrapped Andes mints on hand. Ava helped him cut out a red heart and tape one to each with his name.

I was asked to help with Ava's class party. I sent the assigned drinks with her that morning in case I couldn't make it. I never know how long the cookies will take me. I finished around the time her party was starting. By the time I got to the parking lot of the Intermediate school I saw that Callie was already asleep. Then I remembered about Mallerie's track meet and realized I should to be home to see her off. I sat there a moment before putting the car in reverse and heading home. Sometimes you can't do it all but when I look at these pictures of the table and those cookies I realize, I did enough.

***You may notice our new round diningroom table. Well it's not "new," we got it at a consignment shop in Provo. Matt and I were on a date waiting for our table to be ready at Happy Sumo. While we waited we browsed the shops and Matt spotted this round table. The gal working there came over and asked, "Are you out table shopping?" I said, "Sort of, we are going to dinner...you know, table for two."

Superbowl XLVll in Nawlins

The first time I heard of the Superbowl contest for Pepsico employees was in December at the Taylor Christmas Party. Matt had roped Cade, a natural fil maker, into helping him out. During Christmas break while I was in Elko with the girls they did all the filming. A week later it was edited and submitted. How could they not win with a gem like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ_0NNm2V0c

They left to New Orleans on Cade's birthday February 1st. The weekend consisted of one private party after another, a guest appearance by Garth Brooks, golfing, eating, and of course two tickets to the SuperBowl. By using Cade's advice to keep a straight face and keep walking Matt and and Cade got down on the field after the game. Matt sent me a photo of him doing snow angels in the confetti in the end zone! Those two. Matt said Cade was a lot of fun to be with. The hotel they were staying at in the French Quarter always had a crowded elevator. Matt said when the door would open Cade would say, "Come on in, we'll make room!" when in reality there wasn't room at all. Then it would open on the next floor, "Come on in!" Finally it opened and Cade told the waiting crowd, "We can make room." Everyone shouted, "No we can't!" Ha ha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pof1zdbzogI

It was truly a chance of a lifetime.

New York New York! Jan 23-27th 2013

Even after attending the parent meetings and having been to NYC several times myself, it still felt strange sending Katrina so far away. Thanks to technology we could look at Matt's phone when we wanted to see where she was at: Ellis Island, Times Square, Fifth Avenue. But compared to the dot that showed where we were were in Heber City, she seemed very far away!

The Debate team waiting to take off from SLC Int'l. They competed at Columbia University. They also got to see many sites on the City Tour and catch a couple of Broadway shows. Katrina was nine last time she was in the city and she has been itching to go back ever since. 

Our big report from Katrina: "It was cold." Yes, yes I can see that.

Christmas Collages 2012

With Black Friday starting earlier each year Christmas now starts on Thanksgiving Day. Katrina's friend called and wanted to meet her at Walmart that evening for the maddness. The reason they had to meet there is because neither of them has had her license for six months so they can't drive anyone who isn't a family member.

**Did I not mention Katrina has her license? Well, she does! She was in no rush at all for months. The reason being because she didn't have a car to drive. But the family she nannies for offered her their spare minivan to use during the week. This lit a fire under her and she seemed to have her license within a weeks time. One Friday night in November she had a friend over, they came upstairs and said, "We are going to Wendy's." (The friends name is Brooke, not Wendy, so follow along!) I said, "But you can't..." They interrupted, "We know, we are going to follow each other." There they went two minivans in a row off to Wendy's...then afterwards to Brooke's...got it?**

So anyway, on Thanksgiving night Mallerie and Ava wanted to go to Walmart with her. They came home around 11 pm to report on the maddness. I asked if they bought anything. Ava informed us, "I bought lip gloss, Mallerie bought gummy bears, and Katrina bought eyeliner." Ha! "Were they a great deal?" I asked, "No." So there my girls stood in a long line to buy their goods just as content as the guy who was getting a screamin deal on his flat screen TV. They were out on their own, spending money they earned themselves, and that was all they wanted.

So with that we kicked off what is deemed as the Christmas Season 2012. Feel free to pick and Choose.

Excerpt from the above article: FBLA members were busy this month supporting Wasatch County's Sub for Santa program. WHS students donated over $4,000. FBLA members were responsible for collecting and counting the money daily, purchasing, wrapping, and delivering several gifts for each child. A special thanks to the Service Committee Chairs Hazel Harvey and Katrina Bocanegra for their extra efforts in making sure the project succeeded.  

Much of these efforts were by Katrina going door to door for collections. She is a service oriented person. She has enjoyed being an officer and will interview to be a state officer.

MUST BE SANTA

Graham's class learned several songs and then presented them one morning to the parents during school. My favorite thing was to hear Graham practicing Must Be Santa, "Who has a big red cherry nose? Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Santa Clause!" It's a pretty lengthy song but he'd sing all the verses when asked even if it was on a Sunday around the dinner table. The song represents all the times we ran into the big red man throughout the next month. He was like a bad penny, he just kept showing up;)

Graham asked me in all sincerity, "Mom, do you hurry and go to store on Christmas Eve and buy as many presents as you can and then come home and wrap them? OR does Santa bring them?" My explanation was option C, "I like to think Santa does it."  it MUST BE SANTA.

BYU Cougar CUB

Grayson had service do do as well. For scouts instead of having pac meeting in December each cub was assigned a single sister in the ward to do an act of service for. The lady Grayson got had recent back surgery so we took her some soup one evening. She is completely alone and had a hard time telling Gray thank you because of the tears in her voice. On the way to the car Grayson said, "I feel good that we did that. "
Last year he visited a new widow. She is also a BYU fan and really enjoyed talking sports with Grayson. This year she gave him a BYU ornament. She said it was her late husbands but as she was decorating the tree this year she decided she really wanted Grayson to have it. I am glad he got to have these neat experiences thanks to cub scouts. Neat kid.

Trains Trains Trains!

The Heber Valley Railroad is under new management this year so I still hadn't heard anything in November about working as a Reader on the Christmas train this year. Then Mallerie got a job as an elf and let them know I have done it in the past so they gave me a call.  Since I now work from home I wasn't sure, but they said I could pick and choose as many or few trains as I wanted, and it really is a lot of fun so I went a handful of times and read. The main perk of course is that I get to bring my family for free one night. Mallerie and I were both on the same train that night so we had a good time. When Santa came on he asked the boys and girls what they wanted for Christmas. He asked a big fella who looked 25 to me but I guess was only 15 what he wanted. He said he wanted Elf Cindylou hoo's phone number (that was Mallerie's aka name). I bet this big 15 year old fella didn't know Cindylou's dad was at the front of the train.
All the trains I ran on went off without a hitch ecxept for once when the power was out for a while. Mallerie however, worked a lot more than me and was on several that had real problems. On one train the power went out and then the entire jug of hot chocolate spilled so everyone was sloshing around in the dark, three people got sick on that train. It sounded more like the Nightmare before Christmas train. Anyway, she got a text from her boss asking if any elves could come the following Monday at 6 am to work. Mallerie decided to go. As I drove her over there that morning we both figured she was on clean-up duty from the horrid spilled chocolate train. However, like last year, the News Station was there and she was to be interviewed on live TV. I never saw the live news bit but the train FB page put up lots of photos. She was one of only two elves who showed up to work that morning. She was always the one going above and beyond what she was asked to do. Because of this she was one of the few who was asked to stay on permanently as an employee. I was glad she saw the natural consequences of working hard, the rest takes care of itself.

Next up was to ride the Polar Express in Lindon. The guy my dad works with at the Temple has a train in his yard. I think the maximum on a train is around 20. We had it loaded with 28 of us. They had music playing through the speakers but in my head the tune went, "I think I can, I...think...I ....ca...a....an." This was because a few people had decided to come that hadn't originally planned on it, like Mallerie. I was so glad she decided to come. She was so cheerful to be around and made the best of the tight quarters. As we were leaving home I reminded the kids we were going to be outside- so dress warm. As I looked at Mallerie while we stood waiting our turn to board, I noted that she had mismatched gloves on because she couldn't find a matching pair.  I would never think to do that.

The final train delight was on Christmas morning when Graham opened a Polar Express box. The only problem was that it seemed too light to actually have anything in it. Then right on cue the whistle blew and out it came from behind the Christmas tree!  He didn't leave that train's side for days. The day after Christmas we had a lunch date at the Olive Garden to say good-bye to the Wasson's and he cried that he would have to be away from his train.

He is somewhat obsessed with the Polar Express. He got overalls like an Engineer for Christmas that I can hardly get off of him to wash. He watched the movie on a loop all through December. One day as I worked I noticed the sound get louder, and LOUDER, and LOUDER downstairs so I went to investigate. The volume was all the way up to 100. The movie was at the part where the dancers in the train serve hot chocolate with the music, "Hot, Hot, Hot, HOT CHOCOLATE!!!" The babies were going CRAZY rolling jumping, hoping, dancing, CRAZY! I told that story to the family that night at  dinner. Then Graham giggled, "Then MOM started going crazy!" I said, "Hey! I'm telling the story with the parts I want to tell ;)" What can I say, I couldn't help it.

You Can't Catch Me I'm the Gingerbread Man!

Parks and Rec offered a gingerbread house decorating day that I took advantage of this year. Gaham asked often WHEN we were decorating gingerbread housese. I knew I would never get around to it so I signed up for a couple houses. One Saturday morning Matt and I took the youngest four over to decorate. Matt said, "I have seen these kits in stores, we could have just done this at home." But I knew I would never get up early on a Saturday and begin at 10 am sharp decorating houses with the kids. It would never happen. Matt assured me, "You have been a mom for 16 years now, you definitely know what works and what doesn't." I do. This worked.

Katrina went on a date the next weekend and afterwards they went as a group to her dates house and also decorated gingerbread houses. We were so proud of this Christmas masterpiece.

During the kids Daddy-fun-day when I get to stay home and do my Christmas preparations Graham's little friend brought over two gingerbread cookies for he and Callie. Graham ate some of it when he got home. Later he got totally sick. In his mind it was because of the cookie. He told me, "Throw that away, I can't look at it anymore!" Then at school Graham told me they read the story of the Gingerbread man. Then he kept standing there with a repugnant look on his face. "Oh right, they make you sick," I remembered.

OH NO I GOT THE FLUTE!

Luckily we had already gone to the gingerbread festival here in town. It is a tradition I take the kids to every year. We look at the local gingerbread houses and decorate gingerbread men to support the local Children's Justice Center. It is never crowded and there are even some decorated trees for auction. Well, this year I decided it was time they see the REAL Festival of Trees in SLC. We haven't been since the older girls were small. The kids eyes popped out of their heads at the rows and rows of what seem like thousands of trees. It's a festival alright. The gingerbread houses there had such crowds around them that you could barely see the magnificent work. It made me glad we have one locally on a much smaller scale. Afterwards we went to Scheels for the first time. There were a decent amount of crowds there but I didn't see any action going on at the registers. Like us, people were just there to check. it. out.

Other December odds and ends were that Mallerie and Ava had a piano recital. It was Mallerie's last as she has decided to give it up. She gave it an honest go and I am okay with her decision. Ava had to make a circuit house with real working lights for school. Matt worked on the lights with her and then started on the house. It was a strange looking house that looked like glued together garbage. Ava pleaded to me with her eyes to fix it. I stepped in and created a little red house with her that she was proud to bring. But I was thankful Matt took over the actually circuit part. I tucked that house away since Grayson will be in fifth grade next year and I don't want to have to re-do that on a busy December evening. Ava also had a band concert where we got so see her play the flute. Ava had a rough winter sick wise. She got the flu three different times OR as Graham calls it the FLUTE. He would tell me that kids in his class were absent because they had the flute.

But getting the flute is better than dying in a firey inferno isn't it???

CHRISTMAS EVE 2013

Graham still had the flute on Christmas Eve so I stayed home while Matt met up with the Wassons and Bocanegra's in Orem. The Wasson's were here from Hawaii to spend Giovanni's first Christmas with him. Also Laurie wanted to be with family incase we did all in fact die in a firey inferno ;) My Christmas Eve was a quiet evening home with Graham. He slept a lot then we watched Charlie Brown Christmas on my bed. I hoped so badly he would feel alright by morning but he threw up again when he woke up. I was dead to the world and didn't hear him, but Katrina who was sleeping on the couch got up with him. She helped him change and even put his bedding in the wash. That was the best gift she could have given me! As it was she also had the most darling little birdhouse salt and pepper shakers to present to me me as well, and I didn't even have the flute. 

The kids opened up new jammies and, surprise, this year so did me and Matt. They also opened up gifts from each other. Katrina's friend brought over a gift for her of a music CD she and Katrina had recorded in their own voices. We felt as proud as we had when we saw her gingerbread house as we listened to it.

The thing is, that they really CAN sing, they just were being silly on the CD. I know this because I was at the Wasatch High School Talent Show in December. Katrina and her friend Brooke wanted to surprise their friends by being in it without telling any of them. I didn't take a still shot because my hands were full filming on the camcorder. They sang "Taylor The Latte Boy" Brooke belted out the tune with Broadway quality while Katrina pretended to play the grand piano with gusto. Then she'd get up and join in on the chorus. This wasn't lip syncing I remind you, it was REAL singing. It was great!

After gift opening that night and a movie, the kids put out their stockings. I was one shy, "Where is the other stocking???" Katrina STILL had it in her room from LAST Christmas. It wasn't stuffed that full!

Oh the weather outside if frightful...

We have a little tradition where we drive around and give out awards to the houses whose lights we like the best, and whose decorated porch we like the best. Well, the month got away from us this year so it was after Christmas by the time we got around to it for FHE one night. We delivered our "Best Lights Award," but the porch we had originally planned on awarding was now dark. I gave the kids an option, "We can award it anyway or we can eat the last box of Debbie Cakes for our FHE treat." All but Mallerie voted on eating the treats. As we pulled back up to our house I said, "Well, we really do have the cutest porch anyway."

...but inside it's so delightful... 

I had fun decorating with some of my late Granny's Christmas decorations this year. At first some of it didn't seem to go with what I already have so I did groupings: A pink group, a blue, group, a red group. I likey.

I have a hard time getting around to taking decorations down after Christmas  I know part of it is because I put up so much dang stuff, but also it just seems sad to put such pretty things back into a box. The basement seems like a dreary wasteland once the tree is down. Mallerie said, "Let's just leave it up all year!" I totally could. I looooved sitting down there looking at that tree. Even after going up and down row after row of trees at the Festival, I didn't see one that compared to mine and I aint afraid to say it.

Within 24 Hours the basement family room went from looking like the above photo, to this:

I Phone, You Phone, We Phone!

In December I went into Radio Shack to buy batteries. The employee informed me that my phone was up for an upgrade. He showed me different options including adding more phones to our plan. I said I'd talk to the big dog about it. In reality it got the wheels in my head turning a lot. Maybe it was time to add phones. It was a pain last time Katrina was at an FBLA tournament to have to keep calling her friends to find out when she'd be home. Then a few days later I forgot Mallerie all together. She called on the school phone for a ride home. I told her I was taking Gray to scouts and would get her after that. But in that short span of time my over-loaded December brain was already onto the next item on my list. I dropped off Grayson and then went to Family Dollar for party favors for Graham's class party. I got home and started cleaning out the bunny cages. As I did so I went through each of the kids in my head to make sure I knew where they were. Katrina, check, Mallerie...MALLERIE! She had been waiting out in the cold because they locked the school. I felt so badly that the next day she found a little apology favor on her bed and a note from me. So when I mentioned to Matt that maybe it was time they had their own phones he was right on board.

On Christmas morning the timing was strategically planned for me to open my phone first, then Katrina, and then Mallerie. They were all in totally different shaped boxes so even Katrina was shocked to find a phone for her. Mallerie was downright stunned. She had to wait to even take it out of the box she was shaking so bad.

I took the girls during Christmas break to Elko to visit the Gouldings. During our Saturday shopping trip we ate lunch at The Great Wall. I had to recount to the others what I saw from Mallerie on Christmas morning: It was after the presents had been opened and the family was starting to disperse. Mallerie was still sitting in her new arm chair holding her phone. She had a smile on her face that she could not wipe off. She was deep in thought and seemed to be replaying the magical morning over in her head. She was replaying it literally with silent gasps of surprise as she looked at her phone followed by her mouthing a conversation as if telling a friend the joyous news. It was so cute I couldn't break her spell. However, as I told this story at lunch she started howling with laughter because she hadn't  realized she had done that. I don't know which we got laughing harder at, the story, or her reaction to the story. Love the malmal.

The phones have been especially handy to be able to text the girls. Here is a sample of a text I sent Katrina and Mallerie:

Me: There is a key club text saying they need preschool readers on Tues at 9:15 or 1:30

Mallerie: I don't think I signed up for their club so you can ignore them

Katrina: Yeah just ignore key club

Me: That sounds a bit harsh. Key Club members are people too you know :)

Katrina: Not really ;)

Mallerie: I don't even know what key club is.

Me: Well Katrina was in it ast night as she was fiddling with the door. Haha

Katrina: Haha Yeah thanks for locking me out Mallerie

Mallerie: Well you should carry a key with you at all times

Katrina: I do! It just didn't work

Me: We will have a little test run with the key this weekend. Have our OWN key club.

Mallerie: Hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Oh what a shame. Sorry Katrina I forgot that you still needed it unlocked.

I can also text Matt more easily since we aren't all sharing a phone:

Me: I got up to shovel this morning and Mike was just finishing up! (he's our home teacher)

Matt: What. That was nice.

Me: I know! I am so touched

Matt: Good Guy. Great neighbor

Me: He should work for Allstate...Or is it Statefarm?

Matt: Whatever, he is hired.

Me: :)

The phones were the WOW gifts for the older girls. Ava didn't expect to get an electric scooter but she did, Gray may have expected one, but instead got a new mirror for his bedroom closet, since he cracked his last Aug in a moment of rage. Graham's gifts all centered around Indie and TRAINS. Little Callie's wish came true to have her own cash register among other surprises.  I envisioned this giving her hours of enjoyment. The only hiccup is that she wants ME to be the cashier every time she shops. But the doll house is a success so I just hurry and remind her, "How about playing with that CUTE dollhouse!" She will, as long as we keep it in the living room. 

Grandma Donna in the HOUSE!

For the first time ever we got to have G-ma Donna sleep over on Christmas Eve. It was soo much fun to have her! She requested no gifts but I couldn't help it when I came across my favorite Mother Theresa poem beautifully framed. Afterall, she's OUR Mother Theresa.

I even took a picture of her things cause I just love having her here!

I'm  a Little Bit Country, I'm a Little Bit Rock n' Roll

My gift from Matt was an overnight excursion downtown to see Donny and Marie's Christmas Show on December 27th. I didn't get to go downtown with the extended family since that was my Christmas prep day but I could see the lights at Temple Square just fine from our hotel room. The Marriott we were staying at was also budded up against City Creek so we had a pretty view of that as well. It was also conveniently located across the street from Abravenal Hall where the show was. The view of Temple Square from Abravenal was the prettiest of all! When we were checking into the hotel room Matt asked if they had any suits available. The gal at the front desk said, "Yes but they are all conference rooms, there aren't beds in them." Matt said, what seemed a little too loudly, "Well, we need a bed!" I could have sworn everyone turned to look at us at that moment. Instead she upgraded us to the Concierge floor. 

We did some walking and shopping at City Creek before dinner. I had worn my boot shoes with heels and they were slippery. I found a pair of comfy boots at Macy's while Matt went and looked at leather jackets. They were crazily marked down and even more so at the register. He looks great leaving for work each day in that jacket. He said once he gets to his office though he changes into a fleece jacket to work. You know, like Mr. Rogers did.

We didn't want to walk too far for dinner so we ate at the hotel's restaurant "Elevations." I thought it was where you catch the elevators but it was a blue carpeted restaurant with an older crowd dining inside. I said, "I bet all these people are going to Donny and Marie." I think I was right. Let's just say, that ugly sweater Mallerie had been trying to find all month to wear on Ugly Sweater Day was in full abundance at Abravenal Hall. Though my girls would argue that my shirt also fell into that category (hey! it was on clearance!)

The show was great. The hiccup of the night was that Donny had nearly lost his voice due to sickness. He did the best he could but Marie had her son Steve there singing backup during the power ballads. It sounded great but I missed the Donny we saw in Vegas. All in all though, a great show. I later learned from People magazine that Marie's daughter, her costume designer, had married in Park City on Christmas day. And I thought I was a busy momma at Christmas time.

It was my own fault for not staying caught up on Dancing with the Stars. I had the finale recorded but hadn't watched it yet. Sure enough Donny said, "Wasn't it great when Melissa won Dancing-All Stars?" I said to Matt, "Dang-it I havent' watched it yet." My own fault.

The night was so lovely as we left Abravenal Hall it nearly took my breath away. Snowflakes had started falling softly. The mist in the air caused the lights to glow and twinkle. I almost wished we had further to walk to the hotel.

We caught a matinee of Les Mis the next day by taking Trax to Gateway. Since it was a matinee the theatre was very sparse. A couple came to our row and sat down RIGHT next to Matt when here the entire row was empty. Matt couldn't take it and got up and moved to my other side. I wondered at first if that was rude of Matt but if this guy that snuggled up to Matt is that dense then someone needs to learn him.
After seeing that movie and then seeing Lincoln soon after and then The Impossible. I think we need a cheery movie next.

The True Meaning of Christmas 

The girls in their Christmas dresses on a VERY cold Sunday

A tradition we have as a family is to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional at the Stake Center every year. Graham loved Pres. Monson's story of the Christmas Train (but not much else). Then our HomeTeacher read the story, and then Graham opened the book on Christmas Day. 

The next night Matt was out of town so I took some of the kids to the Interfaith Crèche exhibit in Midway, also a nice tradition. 

Then the next Sunday we stayed at the church after tithing settlement to hear the local production of Handle's Messiah.  It was long, the chapel was hot, we were all scrunched on a small bench, a lot of the songs sounded the same, but the kids did so great. What a treat it was to hear a live orchestra in our chapel. The Hallelujah chorus at the end was glorious. I could picture what it sounded like when the heavenly choirs sang. It was a sing-a-long but even some of the choir members were having a hard time keeping their emotions in check. It was that beautiful.

One last Christmas tid bit. Graham sure keeps me on my toes. In addition to gingerbread house pestering, he also asked repeatedly when we were going make and decorate Christmas sugar cookies. 

Finally I found a solution:

Step 1: Buy pre-made cookies and icing from the bakery

Step 2: place them on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven

Step 3: Tell the babies, "The cookies are done!"

Step 4: Pull them out of the oven and let them "cool"

Step 5: Let the babies decorate with icing and sprinkles.

Then I realized they didn't fall for any of it. Actually they didn't care a bit WHERE the cookies came from. That's the way the cookie crumbles.