Baby Dillon

Happy New Year!!! Is this the cutest picture ever? This is our new little nephew Dillon. We have been waiting for him for a long time. He was born yesterday @ 2:50 pm, weighing in @ 8lbs 1 oz. You know a baby is cute when they look cute screaming their head off. Welcome to earth little dude. (And a warning for all the faint of heart, one more booth boy is on the loose).

New Year

Since we are on the dawn of a New Year, I thought I would post some random bits of wisdom, in case some of you are searching for some wisdom to carry you into the new year. Here it goes:

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. (I love this one!!)
4. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
5. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
6. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. (If you ever see me look like my passport photo please commit me to the nearest mental institution).
7. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
8. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
9. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
10. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
11. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on. (My dad will love this one).
12. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
13. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world. (But usually they are really boring!)
14. You should not confuse your career with your life.
15. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. (you are funner to watch too, if you can't dance well).
16. Never lick a steak knife.
17. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
18. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
19. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
20. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
21. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
22. Your friends love you anyway.
23. Surf or Die -(I saved the best for last!!)

Bathroom Butler for Hire

We went to a Christmas party tonight with some good friends and family. While at the party I noticed that I hadn't spotted Tanner for awhile so I decided to snoop around and look for him. I soon found him cleaning the bathroom sink and doors w/ hand soap and some Kleenex. Isn't that just so Booth boy like -always trying to keep everything neat and tidy. Always leaving a place better than he found it. He was so willing to help even when there was a great party going on. Didn't his mother do a great job!! Speaking of jobs, Tanner is available for hire for bathroom duty for parties only. If any of you need at great bathroom butler and want to give your party that EXTRA touch of class and clean, he charges $1.00/hr, if you provide the Kleenex and hand soap. He charges $1.10 if you don't. Fruit snacks, markers and goldfish also can be used as valid currency. But, may not be combined with any other offer.

12.25.08

Merry Christmas!! I expected this post to be a great big warm fuzzy, where after reading it you walk away with a renewed sense of spiritual awakening. I was totally in the mood for it, right up until Christmas Eve when our friends the Walkerz delivered this great gift of the nativity made out of chocolate. It was so beautiful, that I really did have to pause before I bit the head off the wise man. He was the first to take the fall. I was swallowing Joseph as I realized I was totally chewing on one of the most important figures in history. It was a swift downhill slide from there.............and oh the guilt as I devoured Mary (I so like her). I never thought I would make a good cannibal, but for now I recommend anyone near me to avoid wearing anything made out of white chocolate. It wasn't long after I finished off the chocolate manger that I decided I better save the spiritual enlightenment for a time when I am more into the actual characters of the story and not so consumed about how they would taste.

On a side note here is the note Taylor left for Santa Christmas Eve:

Hum, Santa are we getting demanding at the Booth home?? I was glad to see that he at least wished the Jolley 'ol Elf a Merry Christmas. I better mentally file away Letters to Santa Etiquette for a future mother to son talk.

Above is a picture the box of band aids that Santa brought Tanner!! Santa sure does know what makes this child tick. Tanner was in heaven he loves band aids, the box was quickly torn open and after he covered all of his own exposing skin, Tanner went about covering every other available surface with batman band aids. Below is Tanner jumping on the indoor trampoline the boys received. There has been a lot of discussion about how this fit into the sleigh. We are pretty sure that the elves did a lot of jumping on it before it came to our home, this tramp has some major bounce to it.

Below Carver is holding up a new Barcelona soccer jersey. We are just waiting for Kaka (a good player for the Barcelona team........for those of you who aren't into intl. soccer) to get a sprained ankle, so the Booth boys can get called up to take his place. Look how good that name looks on the back of a jersey.

Below Taylor is trying on his new ski threads. He hit the slopes today in fashion, watch out a red streak coming soon to a ski resort near you.

Christmas day, Zachary didn't have a moments rest from defending his medieval castle against invading marauders (one in particular was a relentless threat against the castle and its' inhabitants as seen below). Santa also brought Zachary his much desired perler beads and lots of food to stock his blue mini fridge.

It was a great day at the booth home. I treasure these Christmas mornings where we get to see the magic of Christmas through the eyes and hearts of four little boys -that was the best gift of all.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all..........................

..........and to all a goodnight!!

Watching the Snow Fall

I have allowed myself to get sick. Bad Timing. Lots of stuff to check off that pre-Christmas list. Gift giving, present wrapping, house cleaning, snowball fighting, cookie making, that mountain of laundry that haunts my dreams, parties to attend, a family party to host, "projects" to finish, Christmas lights to still hang, Christmas music to still play, etc.....I hit panic mode this morning as I was lying in my bed alone thinking of my list and watching a snow storm rage outside the window. The day has passed and I am still in bed, but now Tanner and Zach are lying next to me. Tanner is asleep, I am listening to the song"The Prayer." I love this song!! I am currently on my gazillionth playback of this song (Zach keeps reminding me it is the gazillionth time we have listened to it). The snow has stopped falling, and outside the window it looks like a postcard. And suddenly, that mountain of laundry doesn't seem very important. Suddenly, I am grateful to be sick. It has allowed me to relish the moment. It has allowed me to slow down. Allowed me to get to spend the day in my bed with my kids; reading books, eating crackers, watching Scooby-Doo, while the rest of the world rushes like mad to get their list checked off. Being sick has allowed me to listen to the "The Prayer" and remember what a cool song it is. It has helped to remind me that that mountain of laundry does make a good hiding spot for hide-n-seek. And somehow despite feeling under the weather and missing a great Christmas party, I feel grateful, because I have been allowed to watch the snow fall, snuggle with my children and listen to great music.

**Below are the lyrics for the song "The Prayer":
I pray that you will be alright
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide w/ your grace
To a place where we will be safe
I pray we'll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope it's all we'll find
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so well be safe.

Letter to Santa

Santa we hope the sleigh is already packed........................

If not, Tanner might have some explaining to do.

My favorite things.

Here is a few of my favorite things at Christmastime:

1. My Children's art. Michelangelo's paintings don't hold a candle to magic of my children's art at Christmastime -I already mourn the day when the boys don't come charging home from school with a hand painted masterpiece of Rudolf the red nosed reindeer (especially when he has six legs).

2. The song Oh Holy Night. When my son Taylor was just a toddler he would sing it from the top of his lungs. It was his favorite song. I still sing it to him, he still sings or hums it around the house. I reckon this will always be my favorite Christmas song, because it reminds me of laying next to Taylor singing to our hearts content. It was the song in my head as I would watch his sweet face drift off to peaceful dreams.

3. The first Christmas tree Chad and I shared. Someone gave it to us free, after we got it home and decorated it, we figured out that it was covered in dog urine. No amount of fake pine scent was powerful enough to hide its' true colors, but the memory makes me laugh when I think of us trying to create that hallmark moment.

4. My mother's bread pudding

6. Eden after a fresh snowstorm -is there any place more beautiful?

7. Eden when it is socked in with a dense fog -is there any place more beautiful?

8. The Albert Finney DVD version of A Christmas Carol.

9. The year Santa delivered w/ the blue mini fridge.

10. Fresh pine boughs.

11. Hot Chocolate w/ REAL whipped cream and cinnamon on top.

12. White elephant gifts that are worth saving until the next Christmas.

13. The words JOY, PEACE, HOPE and LOVE.

14. The song Mary Did You Know.

15. The Nativity Story and all it's wonders.

16. Wishing people Merry Christmas, instead of all the other greetings that leave out any reference to our Savior's birth (I have a feisty side).

17. Having a family to Love Christmas morning.

What are your favorite things?

Word Verification

I have to ask if the word verification that you type in for security purposes on websites and blogs is simply done by a computer? Does anyone know? I was just posting a comment on my friend's blog and the word verification was F-A-R-T. I have a feeling that someone in some cubical very far away is having a good laugh right about now.

Zachary's Christmas Wish

Last year Zachary asked Santa for a blue mini fridge to put by his bed. We questioned Santa's ability to produce such an item and expressed our concerns to Zach. Zach was sure that he couldn't have been the only three year old in the world who would want a blue mini fridge -he was sure there were others (I highly doubt it). When we asked Zach why he wanted one so bad, he simply replied, "so I don't have to get out of bed to eat." Profound words. Did Santa deliver? --Santa delivered BIG TIME! Christmas morning in all its glory under the tree stood a beautiful blue mini fridge fully stocked w/ all sorts of good things for Zach to munch on while in bed.

Zachary's Christmas list

We wrote letters to Santa last week. On Zachary's list was:

1. Perler beads

2. A mini soccer ball

3. Food

We sure hope that he is on the nice list so he can get something to eat.

Worry and Panic

It always worries me a bit when I brush my teeth and my toothbrush (the one that I keep well hidden in a drawer) tastes like the bar of soap sitting next to the sink. This scenario happened tonight, it wasn't the first time it has happened and I'm sure it won't be the last......................I have chucked many good toothbrushes over the years to the taste of soap. I can handle the soap in your mouth taste. What I can't handle is the panic that rushes through my body as I think of all the surfaces (one in particular) in a bathroom that a two year old would think it fun to drag a toothbrush across -the toothbrush that is currently in my mouth!

SNow!!!

Finally snow -WAHOO!!!!!

GTV CRIBS

Thank you for joining us today for the latest installment of GTV cribs...........we have an exciting show today. It is our Christmas special, where we get a sneak peek into the homes of some of the most famous gingerbread men and women. Our tour today will take us to the homes of the famous gingerbread stars that live large on gingerbread lane. First we will visit a minimalist style home complete with swimming pool and soccer field that belongs to none other than the Ginger Beckhams.(as seen below)

Next, We will also get to go behind the gates of hockey legend and star Wayne Gingersky. If we are lucky enough maybe he will let us skate on his pond in front of his handsome estate.

After the Gingersky's we will head north to gumdropball star Lebron Gingerbread James. We will take a dive into his heated pool, and shoot some gumdrop hoops on his outdoor court. (We could not show pictures of the court due to copyright laws with the National Gumdropball Association).

And last but not least we will get to delve behind the gates and mind of the Osbreads (as seen below). Stay tuned to really see what makes OZzy Osbread tick. We are also going to ask him the tough questions like what makes his frosting drip and why does he prefer black gumdrops to red ones.

Now a word from our sponsors:
Are you having trouble keeping your Advent calender safe? Does it seem that every time you turn around someone has stolen as chocolate from your calender? Take the booth family for example.

Yesterday, their son Taylor was upset because someone, I am not naming names (at least I wasn't yesterday) got into his advent calender and ate all of his chocolates. Taylor found his advent calender stuffed under the Christmas tree. I am sure whatever two-year old that stuffed it there was thinking that it would blend in with the presents (all two of them). The suspect list last night was quite narrow. Today, that suspect got busted. Thanks to ADVENT ATTACK systems. Our system sends a signal into the mothers brain whenever an advent calender is being breached. The Booth mother's testimony is as follows, "Tanner locked me out of the laundry room, an alarm went off in my head after Advent Attack was installed into our home. By the time I broke into the laundry room, Tanner had eaten almost all the chocolates out of Carver's advent calender. Thanks to ADVENT ATTACK, I was able to salvage a little chocolate toe from a little chocolate stocking." ADVENT ATTACK can also warn the owners of advent calenders when their calender is in danger. Zachary Booth felt that his chocolates were under attack, thus ADVENT ATTACK warned him and so he ate all of his chocolates to keep them safe. Kelli Booth says that next year they will definitely install ADVENT ATTACK earlier on in the season. ADVENT ATTACK is currently doing research to determine what it is about little chocolates behind little paper doors that make them so irresistible? Until then install ADVENT ATTACK today!!

Facing Facebook

I am sending out a call to all facebookers. O.K I am a little slow, but I just have a hard time with face book. I don't get when you log in and all your friends pop up and it says things like, right now on facebook,"Tina is walking the dog," "Pam is going the bathroom," or "Tim is taking a nap." Does that mean that right now on facbook, they are NOT on facebook?? That really confuses me, because right now on facebook Kelli just wants to act like she knows what she is doing on face book. I also don't get when someone writes on some one's wall??? I get enough of that from my two year old at home, I don't need any more writing on the wall (that was a very profound statement wasn't it). AND how do I know someone isn't making friends with me, just to laugh behind my back??? How do I know they are really sincere??...................Oh wait someone..........just posted that they want to make friends with me, hang on let me just see who it is..........................Oh -it is just Tina she is back from walking the dog. Anyway where were we?..........oh wait someone else just posted........hang on there I think it is probably a famous person wanting to be my friend. OH, it is just Pam she is done going to the bathroom. Lets see I bet if I wait here long enough, Tim will wake up from his nap. ....................nope -looks like Tim is still asleep. How can you sleep through facebook.........doesn't he know that Pam just got out of the bathroom??? Doesn't he care?? Hey look I made a friend. It says, right now on facebook, Chad booth wants to be friends!!! (And it looks like Tim from facebook is a cat napper, because it says right now on facebook Tim just woke up -way to go TIM!!!)

***** On a side note I have received a couple of bids for the auction we are holding for Life Jacket Lego Man's Jet ski and Jeep, the bidding will end one week from tomorrow. If you are interested in placing a bid feel free to do so. If you are wondering what I am talking about go to post Unexpected Death

WHERE IS SKIP??

The other day we had a door to door salesman selling cleaner (cleaner that was the same price as a small sports car, mind you), and when he got to the door I thought,"Where is Skip........I need Skip?" Skip was our old neighbor in Ogden (when I say old, I mean that we used to live by him, not that he is two-hundred and two years old). Nobody could chase away a salesman like Skip. Whenever a salesman would knock on our door, in Ogden , I would open the door to find Skip asking the salesman where his license to sell door to door was and why doesn't he take that vacuum and go sell it in another neighborhood, because we already have vacuums in this one! (And we did too!)
I also have to attribute Skip to my very first experience of a CITIZEN'S ARREST. I knew they existed, but I have actually never seen one happen (especially outside my front window). We lived on a hill that high schoolers liked to drive fast down and "catch air". Skip called me on the phone and told me about a white car that he had witnessed doing this exact thing about three times in the last twenty minutes. He said to keep my kids inside and to watch for it. Not more than two minutes later, I looked out the window and the next thing I saw was Skip throwing one of those LARGE green garbage cans out in front of a small white car to stop it. The car stopped. Skip told the driver to get out and that he was calling the cops. I have never been prouder, he talked about kids that live on that street and how good the neighborhood was and how we didn't want punky kids driving fast down our road. By the time skip was done he had that kid was quaking in his over-sized sneakers. After that I always joked that if I ever was in trouble I wouldn't mess with the cops, I was just going to call Skip!! Skip you better be around when my kids are teenagers, because I am bringing them to your house (or better yet just move up by us)!! Don't you wish you could take good neighbors with you when you move. That is always the worst part about moving. I could go on and on about fun Skip stories and what great neighbors him and his wife, Kathy were (they had the BEST yard -we got to stare at it and pretend it was ours).

*****I forgot to tell this story: We moved next to the Warners right as the snow started falling. Chad couldn't figure out why our dog was putting on weight. When, the weather started to warm up, Chad and I were out on the patio, when we heard Skip's door open. Then we saw two large dog bones sail over the fence, and the door close. Mystery solved. Oakley would sit by that fence for hours just waiting to hear that door open. It turned out Skip is a big wig in the pet foods industry (Oakley misses you too, Skip). I would have been in trouble if he was a big wig in the chocolate industry. We love and Miss you!! Thanks for the fun message on the answering machine, you made our day.

Unexpected Death

Life Jacket Lego man, met with an untimely death Sunday. Investigators have determined that yesterday afternoon Life Jacket Lego Man fell into the toilet and drowned. The exact time of the accident is still being determined, although an eye witness, Zachary Booth, says that Lego Man was flushed down the toilet sometime after church. A very large two year old was also seen leaving the area where the drowning occurred. It took authorities a while to locate the two-year old. Right now he is not talking to investigators, at least they think that is what he said (It was either that or he is looking for his alligator). Authorities are calling the death an accident, but they do say foul play has not been ruled out. Police are also telling us that the body will not be recovered, because they feel that the toilet is too risky for a recovery team of mini figures to attempt. It is also unclear whether the life Jacket Lego Man was wearing was a US coast guard approved life jacket or if he was wearing one that was just made out of plastic. A short funeral was held for Lego Man a few hours after his death. Carver Booth had some moving remarks about Life Jacket Lego Man. He talked about their time spent together and what a difference Lego Man had made in his life. The two were friends for about a week. The hymn God Be with you was sung by Kelli Booth, who was holding back the tears in between verses. In lieu of flowers (or toilet paper) the family requests that everyone take this incident as an opportunity to educate all of their Lego mini figures on toilet safety and the importance of proper life jacket safety standards. A scholarship fund will not be set up for Lego Man as to the fact that he wasn't married and didn't have any surviving children. Life Jacket Lego Man's jet ski, trailer and jeep (as seen below) will be auctioned off to recover the cost of his funeral. -Associated Press

WANTED

Wanted: A house cleaner willing to work round the clock, cleaning anything and everything. Must be willing to clean the wall behind the toilet and also the bath tub. Must be energetic and work well w/ strong chemicals. We would prefer the person to be a multi-tasker who is not afraid or intimidated by rooms that resemble the aftermath of a tornado. The applicant must have a working knowledge of a two-year old's mind and know where they like to "hide" things. The applicant must also be able to get marker and pen off walls, Cheetos "cheese" off furniture and jam off refrigerators and counter tops. It is preferred that the person applying for this position be cheerful and happy while cleaning -although this is not required. Last but not least, the applicant must be willing to work for free, but will be compensated by lots of pats on the back and the occasional chocolate chip cookie.

Birthright?

The great thing about blogging is I have been able to reconnect w/ some old friends. In my last post, I posted a picture of me playing soccer (the one below).

You can imagine my surprise when I got an email after that post. The email said,"It is time you knew the truth.................I knew this day would come and at last it has. When I saw your soccer picture I knew that it was time you knew where you came from. Kelli, I am your Father" (your suposed to read that last part in a Darth Vader voice).

Love, Daddy

P.S

I have contacted your birth mother and she will be getting in touch w/ you as well. I have attatched the most recent picture I have of her below.

Pain and Suffering

Yesterday, I played in my first soccer game in a little over four years. When my friend Stacie called I thought,"sure I will come play" and subconsciously I thought,"yeah I still got it!" -Famous Last words. The game started, and for a second I had to make sure I was at the right place. The field was a lot bigger (a lot bigger), the ball hurt when it hit me, my lungs burned, we had no subs and the little old ladies I pictured on the other team weren't so little and weren't so old. They were out for blood. They weren't here for a friendly game of soccer they were here to kick some one's Ace. And I will tell you what they did a great job w/ mine (I made it easy for them, I stood still and prayed for death). When I knew my body couldn' t take it any longer, I looked up at the score board sure this beating couldn't last much longer.................I began to weep when the clock still had 9:41 left to play in the first half. You know you are in trouble when all you can think about is the ball going out (a tough feat, by the way, in indoor soccer). I spent the next half of the game thinking of ways to gracefully exit the field. Sprained ankle. Broken leg. Diarrhea. Heart attack -this one would be the most believable as to the fact that my face was bright red and I was having difficulty breathing................and oh the pain I was in severe pain, not just in my left arm, but everywhere. When the game was over, Carver said to me in the car,"Mom you didn't play very well." I said,"no I didn't play that well, but I did pretty good for a girl who couldn't sub out due to the fact that she was suffering from a sprained ankle, broken leg, a bad case of diarrhea and a heart attack." Old ladies league........ yeah right! Feel free to comment on your own pain and suffering due to old ladies leagues, sports, or whatever you need to get off your chest.

****I have a few readers who think that my first picture I posted was a little blurry (like a Bigfoot picture), so I posted another one that is a little less blurry below, but you can still tell that it is me.

A FAIRY TALE FULL OF LOVE

Yesterday, Princess Kelli really wanted to show her kids and prince how much she loves them. She spent all morning baking a really complicated chicken broccoli casserole..........Boy did that take it out of her! But , -her five little angels (counting prince Chad in there) are worth all of the physical and emotional strain that this casserole takes out of her. She stuck the casserole in the oven to bake. She called Prince Chad to let him know dinner will be ready when he dashes through the front door of the castle. Sounds like a fairy tale? Life at the Booth's palace, it usually is. Princess Kelli turned the oven off and took a little trip to Salt Lake. She knew the royal children would be so excited when they got off the bus and came home to the smell of a great chicken casserole. Like all fairy tales, they have an ending and Princess Kelli's ended at about four o'clock when Carver called to tell her that the palace stunk really bad and that there was a very, very black casserole burning in the oven (the oven was on). Minor detail. Does this happen in fairy tales? Princess Kelli quickly ran through her mind all the pictures of fairy tales and she can vaguely remember Snow White burning the dwarf's toast now and then, and didn't Sleeping Beauty sleep right through the buzzer on the spaghetti sauce? ----------She thought so. (Princess Kelli doesn't want to bring up the fact that Cinderella arrived home after parties w/out essential clothing items. Princess Kelli is above that, and doesn't want any rumors starting).


Above is a picture of what princess Kelli's casserole looked like @ the end of the story. And below is a picture of what the royal family had for dinner.

Fairy tales end, but the good thing is another one can start tomorrow.....................hopefully one that doesn't call for Princess Kelli cooking chicken broccoli casserole!

DETECTIVE WORK

My grandpa Carver was a brilliant detective. In his basement he had lots of photo albums filled w/ pictures and newspaper clippings about all of the crimes he had solved. Growing up, as his granddaughter, I took notes and paid attention when he offered his wisdom and secrets to solving cases. Here is what I learned from him. First, survey the crime scene to look for clues:

Second, create a list of possible suspects: Chad, Carver, Taylor, Zachary, Tanner.

And last but, not least try to link the suspect to the scene of the crime.

HOt Pink Ink!!

So about a month ago my printer ran out of ink for like the gazillionth time in the last six months. I got new ink cartridges. No big deal right? Well, ever since no matter what color you want it to print it always printed in hot pink. The kids color printouts..............Hot pink! Kelli's all so important "to do" lists..........Hot pink! Chad's Church lessons..........Hot pink! Everything has been hot pink around here. Until friday when the ink ran out..................Until yesterday when I bought a new ink cartridge. Back to black. -----------------That is until I printed today and pressed the printing color selections..................And I found it, that great hot pink of the eighties or in printing terms HOT MAGENTA!! Why did I do it? Just for old times' sake................ just to make me smile.............just to remember how fun it was to send a bill in Hot Pink............. Just to remember life is more fun in color. Have a great day!