We Don't Have Cable, but we do have Hulu

Let me introduce you to the two TV shows that we don't watch on TV: House and Castle. If you haven't seen Castle, go to casttv and watch Season 1. It's about a mystery writer who shadows tough girl cop to get inspiration. Guess whose favorite that one is! Then House, the snarky sociopath genius who solves mysterious diseases. Colby got hooked after it was a required homework assignment to watch an episode and then write a paper! This is graduate school?

They Just Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To

Colby and I have always been big into movies. I was really disheartened to move away from the Orem Public Library because they have a gigantic collection of all sorts of movies. I am pleased that our new public library has a pretty good movie collection as well. I don't ever have much time in the library because I walk there with Jackson and he quickly gets bored of seeing rows of books that he can't pull off, so I do a quick snatch and grab and go on my merry way. Recently, I grabbed "The Sting" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It won Best Picture in '79 and if you haven't seen it, go out and get it! It's a great movie. Well, we decided that we'd watch all of the winners for Best Picture that we could. So I grabbed "From Here to Eternity" (that movie with the two people rolling in the surf kissing), "Rebecca", "Bridge on the River Kwai", and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". We've come to the conclusion that while we don't always like these movies, they are always interesting to watch and provide excellent conversation for days to come. For example, we didn't like "From Here to Eternity" because it was a rah-rah-army movie about Pearl Harbor. We concluded it was merely because we were from a generation that doesn't glorify war or the army, but the acting was phenomenal! Frank Sinatra did a great job as a plucky private and Burt Lancaster! I'm a fan!
"Bridge on the River Kwai" has actually turned out to be one of Colby's favorite movies. Now he knows his obscure actors because this movie features the pirate from Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" as the main antagonist and Alec Guiness (Obi Wan) as the main protagonist. It's got some great situations that really get those ethical gears moving and unlike "Eternity" depicts war as I think it should be. It shows a situation and lets the viewer try and come up with the rest.
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was my favorite so far! I've never really liked Elizabeth Taylor, but what a beautiful lady! As Maggie the Cat in Tennessee WIlliams' Pulizter Prize winning play, Colby and I were fascinated. The drama that unfolds between the characters is sultry, tense, and very real (without being overwhelming). The characters are so dynamic and Paul Newman and Burl Ives do a great job! If I could choose a part to play though, I'd choose Mae, the naggy, "breeder" who is pushing so hard for an inheritance and her children are just terrible "no-neck monsters". This movie was so character driven that it left us sad to think that today's movies rely more on gore, special effects, and steamy/awkward sexual situations to entertain.
"Rebecca" is next and although I've seen it before, it's been years since I have. I'm excited. Who knows what out next movie night will bring! I've never really wanted to watch these movies when I grabbed them from the library shelves. In fact, I grabbed them just because I recognized the title and knew it was famous. Well worth the hours spent!
And by the way, there is a new Tennessee Williams movie coming out called "Loss of a Diamond Earring" starring the guy from Fantastic 4 (Fireboy) and Bryce Dallas Howard. We'll see if it lives up to "Tin Roof". I don't think anything could really beat Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, though. What a movie!
They just don't make 'em like they used to!

Catch Me: Book

So I did finally settle on a new book, but it was something I really hadn't expected. I don't normally go in for non-fiction but this is a great read. It's fascinating. I was a little disgusted at Frank Abagnale's obvious lack of morals but amazed at how easily he swindled everybody. This book reveals more than the movie (they usually do), but I was pleasantly surprised because I didn't even really like the movie. A great and fast read!

Canadian Christmas 2009

Most of this post is thanks to my mother. I stole it from our family blog for this one. Thanks so much and it was great visiting you!

What made Christmas 2009 special? In random order...

#1 We were able to talk to Sister Annelisa High on the phone! Unfortunately, the fax line she was on created a bit of a problem getting a hold of our missionary at 9am, but at 9:18 am we were all crowded in the master bedroom kneeling around the phone listening to Sis. High's news.

#2 We were able to once again, have the missionaries over for fun and frolic. It's been tradition to have the missionaries over for Christmas for years. We also played the tradition "Presents Game" where you toll the dice and try to get 7, 11, or doubles. If you do, you get to unwrap presents--with oven mitts. Of course there's trading and stealing and bartering. It's so much fun! Jackson particularly enjoyed visiting with Elder Barber. It's most enjoyable to laugh at Christmas.


#3 As usual, the ladies of the group tried to show off their best Christmas head-wear.


And for some reason, Colby said his hands were cold all through the game, and he kept wanting to put his blue mittens on.


#4 Becca, Nana, and Bryce enjoyed getting to know a new guy that wore a mask most of the night. He seemed to fit right in.

Note: We learned an important tip for the Unwrapping Game for next year. Do not follow Grandad's rule of only wrapping the gifts 3 times in white paper because it makes for a smaller pile at the end of the night. Still, there was plenty to throw around and play in. What would the game be like without the classic arial view.


#5 We learned that important people were missing from our "wheel" this year. They were Megan, Jared, Logan, and Annelisa. Our only group picture of the whole Christmas holiday had a few gaps in it because they weren't there with us.


#6 We discovered new things about ourselves. We learned that even though some family members were in Utah, we hadn't lost our appetites. As a result, we wasted no time feasting on Christmas Day. It is safe to say that from Dec. 23rd to Jan.4th, we had enough food to go around: Mexican Christmas Eve, turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Day, special New York style corned beef sandwiches, French onion soup, Chinese food, and seafood. Nothing much went to waste, and too much went to waist. (Oh well, that's what New Year's resolutions are for!)


#7 One of the highlights of opening presents this year was opening gifts from Annelisa. She had planned ahead and started making or buying her gifts in May! She had taken pictures of herself with the gift too. We all missed her being there so that we could give her a hug and thank her personally. We did take pictures though, and sent her copies in a letter. And although you won't be able to see this blog for 17 more months we just wanted to say thanks. Thanks Annelisa from...

Mom for the excellent garden gloves...

From Colby for the Swiss Army knife. (Poor Teddy almost was beheaded, though!)

Thanks from Dani for the card making supplies. I think she got the message that you wanted her to write her!


Thanks from Nana for the beautiful pictures of dried flowers and the frame (not shown here)


Thanks from Grandad for the gift card to Michael's for art supplies.


Thanks from a very surprised Becca for the T-shirt quilt you made yourself so that she could enjoy all the T-shirts that had been up in her closet for several years!


Thanks from Bryce for the bird house decorated with flowers you had dried. It is currently outside with birdseed in it.

#8 Family pictures are fun. We look forward to new baby Gage in 2010!


#9 Jackson was adorable in his starring role as nephew, grandson, great grandson, and great great grandson.








#10 We were very happy that Grandad was looking well. He had been sick with an infection and was trying to keep well so he could have an procedure on Jan. 4th. (At posting time, Grandad is recovering nicely in the hospital, and the doctor said everything went well and he'll be just fine.)


#11 We're grateful GG is still GG - funny, spunky, shrinking, and alert. After all, the world needs more "lerts". (Groan). GG will be 92 in the year 2010. Her doctor recently said she'll live to be 100. We can hardly wait!!!! (Warning: as of posting date, GG had renewed her driver's license for not one, but TWO MORE YEARS!)


And so, as 2009 has come and gone, we are grateful for all the blessings we've been given. How blessed we all are for family, friends, health, prosperity, peace in our lives, the gospel, and the gift of the Savior Himself and His atonement and resurrection. In addition, temples are glorious, the scriptures are witnesses, and the gospel is true. What more do we need?

Jackson's California Christmas

Well this year Grandma and Grandpa Gage got Jackson a Cozy Coupe for Christmas and he loves it! He especially liked opening and closing the door as well as waving "bye-bye" out the window. He was a little tired when these pictures were taken, but he really loved it. I'm not surprised--what a great gift! Thanks!

Movie Trailers

What do you do when you've got scads of laundry to fold and a hubby out at Avatar? You waste time looking at upcoming movie trailers, of course!
Iron Man 2
Loved the first one. The dialogue makes the movie. Of course the cool special FX help as well.
Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief
Highly recommend this teen series! Just a fun read. Takes you right back to eighth grade mythology.
Sorcerer's Apprenctice
Disney is number one for recycling ideas: Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Country Bears, Cinderella, the list goes on and on and on. But, again, Nicholas Cage and the CGI will draw people to this movie.
Robin Hood
And Colby loves Gladiator so when Russell Crowe and Gladiator director team up again...what's not to like?

Leg Warmers: Emily, don't look!

So here is a picture of Jackson in the leg warmers I made for him the other day. They're actually girl's knee-highs but don't tell him that! I made 5 pair and all out of the most masculine colors I could. The close up is of Jackson after he decided he'd like to examine the camera a little closer. He was actually trying to rip it out of my hands at the time.
If you are really interested, here's the link I used for instructions. I did "pink" the seam to reduce bulk (I think that's what it's called; it's been forever since Home Ec) and I LOVE them! Jackson can wear shorts or a T-shirt (keep in mind we are in a warm climate) and still be okay, and I can rip them off or shove them on easily. I got the socks from Target and had to look in the hosiery section.
and p.s. Emily, if you did look, I'm sending them to you, but I haven't found a post office nearby! Gah! You might get them in Scotland after all!

Don't mind

Don't mind that when you're pregnant you eat just as much as your husband but more often AND that you can polish off a medium pizza by yourself and still be hungry afterwards. We don't mind that nonsense. p.s. Sarcasm is heavy.

It's a boy!

For those of you who haven't heard, we ARE having another baby and it is a boy! Due date April 18th. We're making the announcement really late just because I feel awkward announcing it. Stupid, I know. But there it is. We're so excited to be having another boy! Jackson has already been around a couple of other newborns (Cousin Logan and baby friend Carter) and he loves to give them hugs and twirl their hair. I hope it keeps up when the newborn is permanent. Anyway, there you have it!

New Callings

I'm the new Sunday School for 12-13 year olds and Colby's the new financial secretary! We're so excited!

Mignon, Braden, Kerri and Ugly Sweaters

Good times! Where's Mandy or Ashlie?

If you wear makeup, read these books!

Why am I recommending make-up books? I'm no aficionado on maquillage by any means. I only wear it on date night, Sunday, or when I have time and feel like "Dead Mommy" needs a face lift. However, these are two books anyone that wears make-up needs to read because they are simply fabulous. Kevyn Aucoin starts with the bare basics, outlines all of his steps, and inserts such a positive outlook within the pages that I consider it a must have that should be stored right along the concealer and mascara. If the natural look is your thing, he's got it. If you'd like to be more adventurous but don't know how, he's got it, too. This book has helped me explore more looks than I would have on my own and helped me feel confident about what I was doing because he explains the why behind make-up and their colors. Also, in this book, he takes ordinary people and does their make-up. It's very refreshing because you can see yourself in the people he chooses and then see yourself in the "after" pictures. If you have watched "What Not to Wear" and know who Carmindy is and her take on eyebrows, you'll love this book. My sisters borrow it all the time and it's just fun to try something new! So, I recently borrowed "Face Forward" from the library and while I don't consider it as informative as "Making Faces", but just as fun. He goes into more details like balancing eyes with lips and shows the different effect that playing with that balance can have. In this book he also explores what he considers all aspects of beauty, including the history and different styles. Great book, great read! Get either from your library or half.com. Money well spent. I would recommend trying "Making Faces" before "Face Forward".

All Things Thrifty

I don't know about all of you but we are definitely strapped for cash this year. I don't even know if we'll buy anything bigger than a table tree and mini ornaments for a buck at Target. However, here is a website my friend directed me to (Thanks, Mandy) and they have got some really cute stuff for really cheap. Great ideas! So here's the link: All Things Thrifty

Thanksgiving and Family

Well this Thanksgiving we had my sister and bro-in-law and baby sis all join in the fun! It was a blast! We went to Newport Beach and rode bikes on Thanksgiving day and had a great time! No one was there and they let us have the bikes (surrey) for as long as we wanted! Happy Holidays!
We also went to the Discovery center and as a mom as soon as we entered I thought, "Germs!" There were kids everywhere touching everything! But armed with hand sanitizer we braved the Center and had so much fun! We played virtual volleyball in front of a green screen, experienced hurricane speed winds in a giant plastic tube, we made smoke rings, and laid on a bed of nails! What fun! Jackson loved the green screen volleyball although he wasn't really sure what to do. So he settled from running on the court and screaming his head off! And out back they also have a Dino Exhibit which translates into playground shaped like a dinosaur. He loved the baby slide!
We also went to Logan's Candies to honor baby Logan. Pretty good chocolates, I must say!
We also went to Pick Up Stix a couple of times for Megan and Jared and El Torito because Grandad insisted that we go! Jackson wore the bull's horns. We all did! Jackson even ate 3/4 of his quesadilla and we were thrilled!
Happy Holidays!

Dear John/Jane letters found on dearelder.com

So my younger sis just went into the MTC and I've been using dearelder.com while she's there to keep in touch. They have a section dedicated to Dear John/Jane letters and they are amazing, as in amazingly awful! The names, dates, etc. have all been changed but they are letters that people submitted after their mission. I read the first one aloud to Colby and he said it was the best and worst Dear John letter that he'd ever heard! These are the best two:

Dear Adam,

I just want to start by saying how much I still love and care for you but the truth is the moment your plane took off I ran into Elder Stevens. He was just returning from his mission in England. He asked me for my number and suggested that we meet up. I did and we started seeing more of each other. Occassionally, my mind would drift to you, but I figured that you were having fun with your companion and I needed some fun too. You need to concentrate on your mission thats why I'm only telling you a week before you come home so its not a shock.

I'm engaged, Adam, and I've never been happier! I was wondering, seeing how David is your best friend, he wants you to be a part of the wedding and be his best man. It is understandable of course if you can't bear it and see me with him when we said as you left "see you in white!". I know this may seem harsh but I'm way too good for you. You need some-one a little bit more in your league. David is out of my league but he still loves me. Anyway, I'm babbling, but we'll meet you at the airport when you come home! I'll look forward to showing you the wedding plans and the ring David bought me (sorry, it's the one you were going to buy me, but couldn't afford it)!
Hope this hasn't ruined your day!

All my love, forever, Christine xxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Amber,

I want you to know that you mean the world to me. I will always treasure the moments we spent together, and I know we will have many more of those moments in the future, considering that I'm marrying your sister Emily in two weeks! Yeah, isn't it crazy! We had wanted you to come to the wedding, but we decided we couldn't wait that long. We're getting married on May 6th in the DC Temple. I know you waited for me on my mission and I promised to wait for you, but I know God had something better in mind for both of us. But we're thinking that we might name our first daughter after you. That would be nice, wouldn't it? I hope we can still be really good friends, otherwise Emily would feel bad. Anyways, have a great day!

~Mike

I've gotta stop reading those books before bed!

I'm mostly posting this to post it. I just woke up and was scanning my blogroll and was disgusted by the same post that's been there forever on our blog. All that said, I did re-read the Twilight series and having prepped myself for stupidness, I enjoyed them. Go figure. I also moved onto The Historian (love) which is another vampire book dealing with the original, Vlad Tepes the Impaler. It's historical fiction and is really good and takes vampires back to the classic Stoker kind. However, I've just got to stop reading these before bedtime. I had a dream of New Moon (with a few twists) and for those of you who have read the books (or seen Underworld or HP6) you'll understand my very brief synopsis.
I was Bella (of course) but it was a Quinten Tarantino version of New Moon. I was a vampire trying to stop Victoria and her newborn army which looked like the Inferi in HP 6 complete with creepy lake underground. I was friends with the werewolves and then I was one. The final showdown ended up being in a warehouse and for some reason Edward (who was supposed to be Robert Pattinson but who ended up looking a lot like Colby (blush)) had a gun like the vamps in Underworld. He ended up killing some human bystander and I got mad and started hanging out with the werewolves, which Jackson was one. Of course all of this was not without some Tarantino-worthy action/bloodshed. Crazy. Like I said, got to stop reading them before bed.
The movie poster above best illustrates the tenor of my dream.
p.s. I did get some good recommendations from the Onofrio's for another book: The Road, 1984, The March, The Things They Carried, Slaughterhouse V, and Animal Farm. This is me personally, If you haven't read "The Things They Carried", it's an absolutely fascinating book! Read it in college and LOVED it!

We're Moving! To Alaska, No Ontario!

We are moving to Ontario, CA! An apartment opened up really close to school and we're taking it! And here are the pics of Jackson's stocking. I've been working on it non-stop since the last post!p.s. Emily, if you're still feeling crazy, it's Bucilla felt stockings. You can get them at Joann's! Good luck with your move!

Barack Obama's Peace Prize Farce

Barack Obama got the Peace Prize? I thought it was a joke when Al Gore got it too. But really, what has he done for world peace? Miss America Pageant contestants do more for it than he has!
Here's Wikipedia's quote: According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
Hmmm? Compare it with this: President Barack Obama has approved a significant troop increase for Afghanistan, Pentagon officials said Tuesday. (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/17/obama.troops/index.html)
I agree with Tony Stark in that sometimes "peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy," but do you really give the prize to the guy holding the stick?
I'm not a political pundit but really?