Happy Thanksgiving to Me

Here's how I got my early Christmas present:
I suppose I could start with the Christmas of 2001. We were engaged and told each other what our presents were because it was just too hard to keep a secret. Christmas day was a bit of a let down so we decided to not do that again...until this year...
Jeremy calls to say he's on his way home from work and has big news. When he gets home he says he was just kidding about the news. Later, he's looking at the calendar and casually mentions that he took a few extra days of work at Walmart so that maybe I could get a new wardrobe or something big for Christmas. I'm a little confused. But that's his "big news." I'm getting a chunk of cash for Christmas and he couldn't keep it a secret. Well, I did not feel comfortable spending all that money on myself (and we're both disappointed that he spilled the beans cause the way he was going to wrap my present on Christmas was way cool.) That's when I remember something that I've wanted for a long time and that I wouldn't feel so guilty buying. The whole family has had fun playing it and my skills are making a come back faster than I thought. I'm so excited to play "carols 'round the spinet!"

What We've Been Up To

Let's see.
Some family fun:
We went to the Utes basketball game. The boys were better than expected (thanks to getting ripped off at the concession stand). I even wore red while Paul gave me a suspicious look. I figured the rivalry was getting a little out of hand when he said he didn't want me to put him to bed because"she's a Coug and I don't like the Cougs." Ouch. Tis the season. I wish Daddy didn't have so much influence! I had Sam on my side, but he's already starting to sway. It was fun to watch them cheer, "Go, Utes!" with their little fists in the air. Something must have sunk in cause at the football game Paul said he would cheer for the Cougs and the Utes.
We saw our first movie all together at the theater. Wall-E. Sam made it over half-way through before he discovered the joys of running up and down the aisle but surprisingly, it kept Paul's attention the whole time. I would say I owe the concession stand for that, but I think they were generously compensated (again). I owe them nothing!
The boys:
Sam's nearing the dreaded terrible two's. He can through fits any two-year-old would be proud to claim. His latest obsessions are gum (feel free to judge me), repeating the end of everything we say, saying "uh-huh," asking to go for rides in the van and then to drive, not eating dinner especially anything green, running (he's so fast too!) around as super batman, studying DVD cases, escaping mommy's attempts to kiss and snuggle his guts out.
Paul changes back into his superman pjs every afternoon, has discovered the leapster (which he's impressively good at), watches Toy Story and Backyardigans, goes to Preschool, loves to be praised, jumps onto and off of everything, is getting really good at making his bed and cleaning up his toys (although afterwards he closes all doors to make sure no one gets a chance to mess things up), wants to know how to spell everything and what words start with what letters or sounds, etc.
Other than that, it's been the same-old, same-old. We're gearing up for the Holidays (and birthdays).