We had a wonderful Christmas this year! It was our first being home, just the three of us and I think we started (adapted) some great traditions.

But first, I must post this picture of my dear friend Nicole. She was dropping off her boys at my house while she went Visiting Teaching, and alas, got stuck in our driveway. You have never seen such a determined Visiting Teacher as Nicole, shoveling out her car with no coat and designer boots. Thanks to Jared and Berek for bailing us out!

Alright, on to Christmas. We decided to open up PJ's on Christmas Eve, and it was so fun. You may need to shield your eyes from the technicolor PJ's that Hank received. But they were the only Thomas the Train set at the store, and he loves them! He cried when we took them off the next day, and we have already washed them several times so he could wear them every night since.
Shane read us "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Christmas morning Hank found a train set waiting under the tree!

He caught on to this pretty quick!

He loved the art easel Nana and Papa sent him.

After breakfast and some naps, we went over to the Johnson's to celebrate with the family.The kids played really well together!

Dylan was very nice to share his toy with Uncle Shane

Hank and Grandpa

The Nutcracker Sweet

While Shane was out last night, Hank and I were cuddling on the couch. I noticed that PBS was showing a performance of "The Nutcracker". I turned it on, thinking Hank would give me 30 seconds before wanting Mr. Rogers instead. I was wrong. My son sat in abject (and silent) wonder, watching the show. He barely moved a muscle until the moment where the full size Nutcracker jumps out of the magic box. Hank jumps out of my arms, and literally starts imitating all the dance moves. I kid you not-he was marching, leaping, swinging his arms back and forth. He even tried a few double axles (none landed successfully). His face was of total focused concentration. It was hysterical. Shane came in a few minutes later so I rewound the show to the same part, with the same results.

I don't know what was funnier. Hank's moves, or Shane's obvious concern hiding behind a plastered on smile. Luckily, Shane was quickly able to think of a past Heisman Trophy winner who also danced ballet.

To be honest, if I knew my boy was destined to be a dancer, I don't know that I would have named him Hank. Maybe Hans, or Demetri or Meredith.

Susan B. Anthony is rolling in her grave...

So tonight, Shane comes home about the usual time and just like always, I look at Hank and say "Guess who's home?". He normally runs over to give Dad a hug, but tonight he was very upset when Shane walked in.

Hank walks over to me, looks his Dad straight in the eye, points at me and says "Mine!' Not to be outdone by a 2 year old, Shane grabs me , stares down his son, and starts kissing and hugging me and crying, "Mine! Mine!"

This of course infuriates Hank, who tries to push us apart, but is being blocked out by his father..all the while screeching "Mine! Mine!"

And though I know that it sets feminism back several decades, I couldn't help but smile at being fought over by two handsome men.

Forgive me Mrs. Pankhurst!

Very Belated Pictures!

So a few weeks ago, over Halloween weekend, my family had our reunion at Fort Wardon, WA. We had an amazing time...and here's the proof!

Uncle Derek was never too tired to color with Hank. Hank loves his uncle "Dek"

Smooth Criminals. Hank and Ethan went as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for Halloween.

I didn't think it was possible, but Newman and Redford got out-cuted, big time!

The whole gang. We have Beckett as a Turkey, Caiden is a dragonfly, Gibson as a Giraffe, Maddie as a Lady bug, and our boys. This is the future fire-starters of Fort Wardon (though I don't think we're quite ready to pass the torch...)

My Boys

Family Olympics! Nothing says family like a ball of yarn, flying shoes, and Aunt Gail knifing everyone's balloons. Good times.


Hank being launched into the air by Derek. You can see from his face he hates every minute of it.

Hank, Dad and Derek waiting for the Ferry to come in.

Shane getting some cheek time with Ethan

Hank and his Papa.

This is so us. I should send it out with our Christmas cards...

Beagley Clan, 2008.

Tagged by the Most Christian Woman I ever met!

8 Favorite TV Shows (in no particular order)

1. The Office (If you don’t like this show, I will attack you with the North)
2. Arrested Development ( I pee my pants when anyone says, “launch me!)
3. The Amazing Race (CBS unleashed fat, ugly Americans on the world! The best part is when they try to communicate in their McSpanish in places like Uganda or Bangladesh...no I take it back. .. The best is when they sign up for a reality show to “save their marriage”. Just take it from me, Shane and the Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency...it doesn’t work.)
4. The West Wing (haughty liberals that I love?! Only a mad genius could pull off such a feat. )
5. Top Chef (how could I resist a show when they speak of food in hushed and reverent tones?)
6. Flight of the Conchords (Whose the mutha-flippin?)
7. Around the Horn (I must disagree with Bethany and state that ATH is far superior to PTI. How I love Woody’s chalkboard and when Jackie wipes the floor with the menfolk. Plus, Shane thinks it’s way hot when I speak in Stats.)
8. General Conference (top that suckas!)

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Ate lots of brownies
2. Packed Hank up for his trip to Utah
3. Cleansed my bad aura with a good long talk to Nicole and Marianne.
4. Cried when Shane and Hank left for Utah.
5. Tried new product on my curly hair and LOVED it. It is truly the dawning of a new day.
6. Went to rehearsal and sang my ever-loving guts out.
7. Watched Biggest Loser while eating a Whopper Jr. (I think that makes me the biggest loser. I seriously cannot stand the blue team.)
8. Fell asleep in the middle of the bed.

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Everyone getting over the whole “world peace” craze.
2. Shane and Hank getting back.
3. Opening night.
4. My next nap.
5. My next meal.
6. My next vacation.
7. My next book.
8. The next time my family is all together.

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Melting Pot (A religious experience)
2. Joe’s Bar-b-Que (A religious experience covered in sauce)
3. Thin Pan (Your noodles Thai me in knots)
4. Dukes (good call Bethany. Location is everything)
5. My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (I nicknamed my chub philo and feta)
6. McCormick & Schmidt's (best Cobbla in Boston, right mom?)
7. Landmark
8. Inca’s (The salsa is tomato heroin)

8 Items on my wish list:

1. World Peace ( I got sucked in)
2. The pill that makes diet and exercise obsolete.
3. A few more seats in the house and senate.
4. A clean bill of health from Dad’s doctor.
5. A brother and sister for Hank (but please don’t come together)
6. An awesome shop for Shane.
7. A passport full of stamps for me.
8. 6 great shows.

I now tag Marianne, Nicole, Stephanie, and Allison.

Another Opening at another show

I've been getting a lot of questions about my play opening this weekend, so I thought I would give a little heads up, since it's not a well-known show. It's called "Children of Eden" and was written by Stephen Schwartz, (the guy who wrote Pipin and Wicked). It is based on the first 10 chapters of Genesis. The first act begins with the Creation, down through the expulsion from the garden, Cain and Abel, and ends with the death of Eve. The second act is the story of Noah.

All the actors play mirror parts in the first and second acts. In the first act I play Eve, and the second I play Mama Noah (no, she doesn't have a real name. I call her Fanny.)

This truly is an amazing show, with a great message and spectacular music. Though it's based on the Old Testament (with some definite artistic liberty) it's not an overly religious show. It's more about family relationships, repeating mistakes, free will, etc. It's not Mormon Doctrine, so please don't bring investigators!!!

If you need information on tickets, go to http://rloc.org/ You can also contact me.

Thank Goodness He's a Country Boy!

Saturday, Hank was invited to Grandpa's farm to take a ride on one of the tractor's (or Combine's, to be precise.) Shane went with him and got to drive it himself, which was probably the highlight of his year. Hank did really well, and felt comfortable enough to start randomly pushing buttons on the 1/4 million dollar machine....luckily no damage was done!

Signs your little guy is sick...

...He falls asleep mid sliding off the couch.

Uncle Simon- I hope you appreciate your Nephew representing the Fighting Gila Monsters!

Raindrops are falling on my head...

To my beloved Paul...To the man who made riding a bike a beautiful thing, and taught us that sometimes nothing is a pretty cool hand.... Who drove race cars and sold salad dressing and stayed in love with the same woman for a bazillion years....who made me feel like a cat on a hot tin roof that would go out and join the Israeli Army just to see you walk up that hill.... Who made blue my very favorite color.... The Sting is that you're gone, hombre.

Rest in peace Paul... I think Shane finally can.

When the family gets together...

This weekend we had so much fun with our family visiting from Utah. Here is photographic evidence of all the good times...

Nana sharing her shake with Hank (as though she had a choice...)

Hank absolutely adores his cousin Ethan. He was so happy to show him the ropes with the big boy toys!

Hank and his Papa...

On our way to Seattle on Friday, we stopped in Granger to meet with a farmer Shane works with, and he gave us a tour of his mint still (where the mint leaves are harvested and then processed for their oil). We city slickers were pretty impressed!

Waiting in line for the Bremerton ferry, Uncle Shane gives Ethan his first driving lesson. I guess Greg Beule was busy...

On the ferry with the gorgeous Seattle skyline behind us!

Game day! Our own boys in blue are ready to cheer on the BYU Cougars!

Hank & Tank (or sweet baby Ethan)

Hank's own "excessive celebration"

Papa and Ethan's post game wrap-up show

Book of Mormon Challenge

This summer, our Relief Society decided to issue a 90-Day Book of Mormon Challenge. I just finished and thought I would write a few of my feelings (this is pretty personal stuff here).

I have read the Book of Mormon several times in my life and always believed in it. This time was different, however. For the first time in my life I can say that I am truly converted to it. I don't know what was so different this time, but I am so grateful that I stuck with it (even though I was about 40 pages behind most days!). Here are several things that stood out to me:

• The importance of my baptism. I think we take this for granted when we are baptized at 8, and think of it only as a "first step". It is so much than that. It is the "salvation step" and the true message of the entire book.


• The importance of conversion and missionary work. Every time someone was truly converted, they manifested it in missionary work. The LDS church is truly a church of conversion.


• The gathering of Israel. Christ will redeem his people. The work will go forth and the good guys will win, end of story. The only question is will we remain faithful and obedient to God. Thank you 2Nephi. Though I still dread the Isaiah chapters, you were a revelation to me this time.


• The words of the Savior. I should read 3Nephi every day of my life! Repentance, love, charity, goodness, virtue. How simple is his message. I also love the passage where the Savior prays for the people 3Nephi 17:20 "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full."


• My Temple covenants. Thanks to Alma 12 I will never look at a temple session the same way.


• The words of Mormon and Moroni. Warrior poets.


• Revenge is no good. A very timely message for me and my family. Just look at the Jaredites.


• The Atonement. An always timely message. Moroni 7:28-"For He hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in Him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore He advocateth the cause of the children of men; and He dwelleth eternally in the Heavens." Everything in the Book of Mormon points to Christ and his Atonement.


• Importance of freedom in the promised land. If our cause is righteous, and if we are willing to fight for it and remember the captivity of our fathers, God will grant us to live in freedom.


• This life is a probationary state and we will be judged by our works. We can get caught up in everything else but that is the simple fact and purpose of this life. Mormon 9:28 "Be wise in the days of your probabtion. Strip yourselves of all uncleanness."

I have truly feasted on the Book of Mormon this summer and am so glad for the Holy Ghost that witnesses the truth of it to me. When I read it, everything is better. I am the best version of myself. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith, and I truly believe he was a prophet of God. I am grateful for my Savior who redeems me daily. Ether 12:41 "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written...that the grace of God may be and abide in you forever."

Any of you interested in taking this challenge can find it at : http://lds.about.com/library/bl/aids/aids2/bk_bom_reading.pdf

Revisiting the "Wonder Years"

So there I was blogging and stumbled upon some friends blogs from my home town of Moreno Valley. If I didn't feel all grown up before, seeing the girls I remember with husbands and three kids, just about made me grab some tapioca and call it a night at 7:30.

Do you ever have a most random dream about someone from High School that you never even remembered existed before they showed up in your REM cycle?

It's a reminder to me that they are still there. The whole dang breakfast club that you loved, despised, envied, avoided, admired, pined after, are all still there in your psyche and on your blog.

I have always said that I am glad that I moved away from Mo Val, never having to have an awkward conversation with someone from HS whose name I can't remember, asking me if I still love the Beatles and keep in contact with Traci (yes and heck yes).

But I admit that I actually clapped my hands with joy when I found Janea, who led me to Melissa and Ben. Those fellow freaks and geeks who didn't know me from work or a play date (sorry pete), they knew me when I was the McLaughlin girl with big hair who made up funny songs on the guitar and ruled girls camp with my Three-pac skits (get it? Like Tupac? Whatever, it was hilarious at the time).

Strange when the girl you were collides with who you are now. It makes me realize that when I left the old RC, I packed way too light. I took Traci and left everyone else. Lori Pitts, Graham Marsh, Julie Kaio, Ramon Trujillo, Edward Aquilo, Enrique whats-his-face, Meghann Pricer, Leann Purity, Alexis Blackstone... the list goes on. Awesome people who made high school bearable and to whom I owe gratitude.

Who knows? Maybe I show up in their dreams.

Eight Great Years

Today Megan and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. I just wanted to take a moment and thank her for being a wonderful wife and mother. Without being sappy I wanted to thank her for all she has done for me and our family. Without her I would not be the person I am today. We have had a great eight years and I look forward to the many more years we have to spend together. I love you.

Boy meets concrete

So we were at the water park yesterday, and I barely get Hank's shirt off before he starts running to the sprinklers. He failed to correctly negotiate the steps and takes a dive. Luckily, his face broke the fall. I pick him up as he is hysterically sobbing, and try to get him settled down. It takes a few minutes, and as he is getting calmed down, I say to him, "Hank, you just have to slow down a bit," to which he started wailing all over again. I guess like the Boss, my boy was born to run.