on the 11th day of Christmas, my boyfriend gave to me...

its christmas eve.

my sister great with child is at the ER, my mother has been glued to the bed all day, i'm letting the kids watch the Lion King, for the second time, and i'm trying to not break a molar as I chomp away through stale croutons in my salad.

because of all the chaos, I've been asked to be the pseudo mom. Take care of Evelyn, Christian, and Hudson, and do all the casseroles for the Christmas feast tomorrow night, and part of tonights.
I'm already failing.

I started a load of wash, and dryer, but left the dryer door opened, and forget to add the towels to the wash. sigh. I checked my phone for a matter of seconds, and Hudson, decided to be Picasso and draw on the window with pen. I race back and forth from reading the recipes to the food, convinced it should be less difficult. And then after attempting to put the baby down three times for his nap, I've realized I have forgotten all the primary children's songs in English and Spanish.  and clearly, i'm the slowest diaper changer in this families history. frankly, i'm in trouble.

now, i sit as commander in chief of this guess who game. to make sure there is no cheating between a a five and three year old. you know.

but... alot of this turned around, when i was in the kitchen, doing something, and the doorbell rings. of course, another package not for me. i didn't even bother to look up. and then my dad says its for "Emily Lewis." I became pretty suspicious, because there is only 1 thing that comes in box like that. Factly, I turned a few shades of red, and quickly unearthed what was beneath the lid. It wasn't just one rose, it was 12, beautiful long stemmed red roses. With a short but sweet note, and a box of delicious chocolates. Can you believe it. I couldn't. I think i was mesmerized for a good while. I always thought I wasn't going to be one of those girls that didn't roses or chocolates, but I was completely wrong. I was and am absolutely thrilled.

this has just been such a happy christmas. a christmas at home. a christmas with family. a christmas to remember Him--Jesus Christ, who has made all happiness, change, growth, goodness, and love, possible.

merry magical christmas

christmas is over. the idea of that still hasn't quite settled in. and quite honestly, i don't want it to. i love the feeling of the magical christmas's each year. they are so perfect. i just wish i could take one picture of it and freeze in time. but thats not possible. 

big news: oregon snowed. it was so lovely for the five hours it lasted. 

christmas isn't christmas in the lewis household without some of that coveted caramel popcorn.

mmmh....my mouth just watered alittle looking at that bowl of heavenly goodness.

and we finished making about 10 batches of caramel popcorn before Christmas Eve. So the morning was spent, having a breakfast feast. {compliments to the tradition starter: alice-anne}

{hot chocolate, buttermilk french toast, and eggs were on the menu}

{the rest of the morning I made gifts for about 4 hours and delivered them for 4 hours...}

{the glorious christmas eve feast with vivienne's family followed by a brawling game of wii}

{what mormon family doesn't act out the nativity? so we did. and we had to cute handsome Shepherd}

{and...now Julia and I have matching scriptures! Except my name is in lower case--specific orders!}

one hour til' go time

if you're reading this, it probably means you are shaking your head, rolling your eyes...uh huh. If only you would understand the predicament I'm in. I haven't wrapped any of my presents.(read: I haven't exactly figured out what I'm even giving to everyone in the fam.) When I was younger I would beg to wrap presents, oh and believe me, my mother loved it, but now, i'm almost to the point where I'm willing to pay someone to wrap my presents. And with the money i have....it would mean a low qaulity product.
I wouldn't feel any pressure to give each member a gift, but see how theres about aprox. 12 presents under the christmas tree for 5 people....well you do the math, it'll be obvious who didn't give to who.
So here I go, I have about 10 hours before we will actually wake up and open presents. Lets cross my fingers for at least 5 hours of sleep!

{each year I ask myself, why I even put everything off until the end...I never have seem to find the answer, but luckily, some Lewis instinct kicks in and I have the 'lewis-production-deadline-cursing' blood pump through me, and I'm good as new.}

Merry Christmas!!!

two thumbs up

two thumbs up for the start of Christmas break. this is finally my last Christmas break in high school. gosh, that sounds nice. but today ended with a bang. last night was our "winter" choir concert, that left me totally tired+exhausted and the combination of that with senioritis= emily not opening her history binder or not even reading a single page of Macbeth. I know...I know what you're thinking. real classy.

things that have made me so happy about the holidays:
-that customers sing along with the music at salvation army in the aisles next to me.
-that a family in my ward has reindeer antlers and a red nose on their car.
-that my old math class has a christmas tree with lights everywhere and sprayed snow on windows. ah....
-eating 2 donuts in 2 different classes.
-in my IB music theory class....we were doing nothing. so my friend and I slipped out of class without him noticing to go up to said math class and partake in their heavenly goodness. they had a buffet of holiday treats while they made gingerbread houses/decorated cookies and watched elf. it was lovely.
-I left IB music again to go to my english class room and come back to find the room completely dark. slightly confused I look again and see that the teacher is battling a student over a football video game {very similar to techno superbowl}
-yeah, i pretty much love the last day of school.

{best thing ever: I don't have to go to school until next year! And I'm hoping to do some of this during winter break-ski!}

I love this picture of Utah, taken by the most amazing, inspiring Kelle Hampton (non-lds) who was interviewed by BYU-tv, as part of their collection of documenting inspiring people who do good and share good. Kelle has a DS baby, who is so precious, and her blog focuses on enjoying the simple things in life. Hence her blog title Enjoying the Small Things.

i'm legal now, and proud of it.

Dec. 5 marked my day of birth--and the wonderful 18 years i've been here to torture and love you all. :) Actually, we should probably all thank mom for that, afterall, she was the one to give birth to me. You all remember my birth much better than me, i'm sure...but all i know was that there was a significant snow/ice storm that Oregon had ever seen. Perhaps, it was a sign of my birth. That would make sense.... anyways. I am so happy to be here, especially the youngest and i am just loving life. What made my birthday so great (despite being home alone most of the day...and not opening a SINGLE card from any of my siblings *cough* cough*or any presents because mom was out of town.)

Vivienne-my great sister puts you all to shame. She was the sweetest to take me out to Truffle Hunter. The restaurant that has such a historic significance in our town. It has been there since the 1800 ish (okay more 1900's, but still). It was so delicious. That was the third day in a row I had ate out somewhere and that was by far the best food I have ever had in a long time. The sandwhichs were huge. I had never seen or ate one so big. Than, they brought out their dessert platter...and my mouth just watered alittle bit thinking about it...but just try to imagine heaven on a platter (various chocolate cakes, pies, crisps, everything!) When Vivienne convinced me to get one to split, she said, "come on its your birthday" than thats what prompted the waitress to bring me a candle and light it for me. It was so great! :) (even better side note, our waitress was my middle school secretary--who DEFINITELY remembred me...5 years later...just sayin.)

2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party-this is probably the highlight of my friends and I winter. Instead of explaining every detail i'll share pictures.

three claps for me. (first I just wanted to show my 2 gifts to myself! first clap: these printed tights that i love second clap: vintage suede navy blue shoes from salvation army. I found them on line at urban outifitters for $40 in the same color-although they are out now...but i got mine for $4!) third clap: Check out that huge sandwhich--yep the very one from truffle hunter. Thanks viv. 

Last satuday when I was all alone and the tree was needing some trimmin...I got all the christmas boxes down from the garage and blasted some j-i-n-g-l-e tunes. I was feeling very "while you were sleeping-ish" being all alone. So needless to say, I put on my largest oversized grey sweater, bun on the top of my head, and sweats. All that was missing was a cat and dipping oreos in the milk. :)

 {HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TO ME!} I spent most of the day webcamming with family and talking on the phone. The rickers were nice enough to let me eat dinner-cake-ice cream with their family. Than...the jensen's (bishops family--I just adore them) made sweet rolls for me (and i literally almost fell over and died they were so good).

  {ugly sweater party} scratching our first lotto tickets as 18 years old---and look who won a dollar. bingo!

{chummy, michael, alex, emily, julie, allie, fabian}

and its always tradition to play the chocolate game...which usually ends up like this...me attacking the table to eat every piece of chocolate I can.

brownies. not your typical birthday "cake" but i loved it. and we lacked candles so we did matches as candles and used just enough to have 9 candles total (6*3=18...good enough in my books)

It was a great birthday! Unfortunatly...this means I have responsibilities...but I am so excited. I am pretty much a college girl now!

thanks for all the birthday wishes. and as for the bet Meredith and I made on how many birthday wishes I would get on facebook. 

emily's estimate: 33

merediths estimate: 39

facebook total: 86

i guess people love me? 

Merry Christmas 12.25.09
So when I was having a spray paint massacre, I could be found looking like this.


Merry Christmas 12.25.09
most awkward family Christmas photo.


the flower and necklace i made :)
and our Christmas Feast

The End.

December 24, 2009

Sharing caramel popcorn is a very delicate matter. You only give when necessary (ie people who have already given to you...its kind of an obligation). However, when you want something from someone else, you are mindful to give them your caramel corn first, in hopes they will return the kindness.

We did some shopping. Of course. If a Lewis family member doesn't shop on Christmas eve, something is seriously wrong. Dad went at 2pm and saw a family friend when they shockingly said "I'm surprised to see you here so late!" Dad quickly said, "LATE! This is early...its only 2 pm!"

After attempting to clean every nook and cranny, the Caudles came over and we ate and stuffed ourselves like it was Thanksgiving again. Sadly, my pumpkin turtle peacan pie was an epic fail. The remains spilling and shedding all over the refridgator.

When dinner was done, we played many rounds of duck duck goose and then had push-up and plank contests. My idea, but i don't remember why. :)

We bundled up and went to make the caroling rounds, only to get stuck in one persons house (ou know who im talking about) forcing us to drink bottles and bottles of sparkling cider. Yuck!

We came home to read the Christmas Nativity story, and let me emphasis READING, we don't act it out anymore, or Julia and I would have played every part.

Julia and I watched the end of Its a Wonderful life and then Garfields Christmas "Its a good old fashioned Christmas down on the farm"....sorry I got alittle carried away.

I only stayed up till 1:30! Since the night before it was till 2:30. But i got alot of "stuff" (presents, shop stuff) made.

Merry Christmas and all a good night.

December 23, 2009

Wednesday was alot like Tuesday.

I have never been in a more crowded grocery store, where it took me 2 hours to get everything. At that point i felt like just buying the whole store so I wouldn't have to fight people through the aisles.

I ordered take out for the first time ever. Of course it was at Chinese Happiness. I wouldn't waste 2,000 (non needed) calories on anything, but Chinese Happiness.

And finally, the day ended with caramel popcorn. We made 27 bags- a record for one day. I'm surprised our popcorn popper didn't blow, since it had been working from noon till 9pm. We used 1 box of margarine. 3 cans of carol syrup. Refilled our supply of brown and white sugar. And completely stuffed ourself with popcorn.