Bradwords

I love when families have a language of their own.

Take the Dana's, for instance, my mom's side of the family. If you've ever heard anyone say "guy", "seahag", "died our heads", "blast", "neeeer", or "netla", you're probably talking to a Dana.

I especially love when that language gets used so much that it becomes second nature, and you accidently use the language in conversation with people outside your family. Then, the people you're conversing with get confused.

That's basically what happened when I first met the Bradfords... but I like to think I have their language down by now.

When William and I went on our Utah trip last week to visit his family, I noticed many of the photos we took amazingly portray some of the many Bradford words (Bradwords) that exist.

Here are just a few of those words:

And there you have it.

Christmas at Gampy's and Gammy's

My mom has a knack for throwing great Christmas Parties...especially for the grandkids.

You can see the excitement written all over London's face:

The tables were elegantly decorated :

The kids' table was adorned with Charlie Brown Christmas:

They were stoked to eat:

We like to mix cultures in our holiday dinners: ham + potatoes + mini chimis + chips + salsa = The best.

After the delicious dinner, the adults did a white elephant exchange. William and I scored an over-sized Abbey Road t-shirt (Christmas miracle?)

While the kids were waiting for the adults to finish, they decorated their gift bags. These would be later used when Santa leaves his gift sack on our doorstep filled with their gifts.

Then came the talent show. This consisted of waiting around for about 15 minutes until one of the grandkids was brave enough to volunteer.

Finally, Grant stepped up to the plate. As you may recall, Grant's idol is Michael Jackson (See his costume here). He did yet another tribute to the late King of Pop by dancing to "Beat it":

I love his concentration in this picture.

Suddenly, without planning, all the other grandkids had to jump in to pay their tribute to Mr. Jackson. Here's just a taste of their amazing dance moves:

Grandma looks so proud in the above picture.

The dance party was followed by a few musical numbers, including the 3 Coombs boys singing "Steady As She Goes" by the Raconteurs.

Again, I love their concentration.

After the talent show, Santa brought his gift sack to the doorstep. Santa must have learned about the legalization of fireworks in Arizona, because he left a package full of them.

Nothing says Christmas like fireworks.

And of course, we Coombs like to end the night with a bang. I'm not just talking about the fireworks...We had a head injury and a child choked on a chip.

Happy Christmas 2010!

Thanks mom! You're the best.

Guys, I'm eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me! - Kevin McAllister

William and I are in the middle of Christmas Vacation. We are constantly snacking on treats and listening to this on vinyl:

It's been magical.

Here are some images around our Holiday abode:

Yes, that is a 3rd stocking for baby girl. We are going to fill it with baby bottles filled with Southern Comfort egg nog. (According to William, Jay Coombs, and David Bradford, that's the best egg nog.)

I finally made the Dana Christmas Toffee treat. It's my favorite Christmas taste and smell...AND it's Tom Brokaw's favorite Christmas treat. (Ask me if you'd like to hear that story. It's Grandma Dora's proudest moment...next to the birth of her only red-headed granddaughter.)

And finally, William and I are continuing our Christmas tradition of recording a Christmas song. (We're hoping in 10 years, we'll be able to release an actual album that will be played over and over again on KEZ 99.9 for years to come and we'll collect royalties and we'll never have to work again.)

Last year, we sang about Christmas around the campfire in Campfire Christmas. This year, we took the traditional song, "Baby It's Cold Outside", and put our own spin on it.

Enjoy:

Happy Christmas everyone!

Beating Robs...a new Christmas Tradition?

This is my brother-in-law Robs:

He's the one on the left, enjoying a feminine-pink Italian soda with Alan.

Growing up in a house full of competitive boys, I may have picked up a little competitiveness of my own. Just a little.

And for some reason beyond me, I've chosen to fiercely compete with Robs.

For example, when I play Ticket to Ride with my in-laws, Robs is the man to take down. He's like a virus--He destroys railroad tracks in a sinister silence AND when you least expect it. Plus, he wins practically every game. So during those few times when he loses, I feel like my dad after an ASU win against U of A--I just want to run out and bear my testimony.

Recently, Robs posted a rather charming recipe for Hot Cocoa on Facebook: Hot chocolate + mint extract + whipped cream + nutmeg.

My competitive drive decided to one-up Robs by making an even more delicious Hot Cocoa recipe.

So William and I made a recipe similar to "Flanders Hot Cocoa" last night. Ned Flanders is a neighbor to the Simpsons, and in the Simpsons movie, he makes Bart a dreamy hot cocoa concoction. See the clip here.

Hershey's Bliss Hot Chocolate + Whipped Cream + Oreo Vanilla Wafers + Chocolate shavings + more Whipped Cream + a toasted Marshmallow = Heaven

Behold:

Robs, enjoy your nutmeg/mint cocoa. I think I won this round. What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

It's the Hap Happiest Season

(William getting geared up for the Christmas Season.)

Here's what happened on my favorite week of the year:

1. I got sick. (Of course... it's my favorite week of the year.)

2. Colonial Day on Wednesday with my students... churning butter, Bilbo catchers, and eating pumpkin pie. When asked what they're grateful for, I had 2 students say "You, Mrs. Bradford!" That's 2 more thankful kids than last year.

3. Thanksgiving meal at mom and dad's. Favorite part: It's actually a tie between Mom's stuffing and Kent claiming he's just going to "nibble nibble" (he had another Thanksgiving to attend a few hours after ours).

4. William's Thanksgiving Rap. See the great great great great great great great grandson of Governor William Bradford rapping about his favorite Thanksgiving foods here.

5. Watching the movie "Unstoppable". It's like the movie Duel, but more dramatic. If you like swirling camera angles and shots of a beastly train that the director would like you to think has a mind of its own, then go see it. I mean, rent it. I mean, don't even bother.

6. Black Friday. I'm no Black Friday pro yet, but we woke up at 4 am to go to Target. William and I went to get a hard drive for our computer (I know... very exciting merchandise). At first, the shelf was empty. But after an hour of looking around the store and laughing at the drama other shoppers were facing, we managed to snag one. Then we ate a donut and went back to bed.

7. Receiving a bunch of baby clothes from my sister-in-law Marci. Did I say "a bunch"? I really meant a truck load. I started to sort them, and after 45 minutes, I decided I needed to hire someone to do it for me... I didn't even make a dent. Thank you Londy and Marci! I can't wait for my girlie to meet this girlie:

(London had just snagged that drink from the counter. She's a sneaky one.)

8. Putting up Christmas Decorations. I'd post pictures, but my house is a mess from putting up Christmas Decorations and sorting a truck-load of baby clothes.

9. William and I recorded our latest Christmas song. I know, the anticipation is unbearable after hearing last year's song AND the amazing remix. But I can't post it yet... it's not even December.

Now that I've had a wonderful weekend, it's time to mope around to the tune of Charlie Brown's Christmas song. I have 3 full weeks of school left before my next vacation.

Humbug.

I'm just trying to be a good housewife.

(This photo was taken long before my pregnancy. In the state I'm in now, the shirt that I'm wearing barely covers my belly.)

Today I told William I wanted a Kitchen Aid Mixer and he said "You only want it because it looks vintage" and I said "Heck yes!" and he said "If you will bake me something each week for the next year, I'll buy you one." and I said "You're on." so I came home and made bread AND pumpkin cupcakes. True Story.

Boy oh boy.

My parent's first were boys.

My in-law's first was a boy.

Joe's first was a boy.

Jay's first was a boy.

Four brothers.

Five brother-in-laws.

Five nephews.

I even dreamt it was a boy.

"IT'S A GIRL!"

"Wait...what?"

"See? It's a girl!"

"Umm...are you sure?"

"Yes. Right there."

"Really? Are you postitive?"

"Yes, in fact, let's try from a different angle...see? Still a girl."

"Oh. Okay."

So here were my next thoughts:

I wouldn't feel comfortable dressing a boy in this...

...or this...

...and I probably couldn't watch and enjoy this with a boy...

...or watch this...

...And last, I probably couldn't play with one of these...

...or one of these with a boy...

I'm going to get used to this girl very, very quickly. :)