Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Year's Resolutions


Here are the resolutions I intend to make for 2010:


1) Read my scriptures more.


2) Lose another 10 pounds - want to look Fabulous at 40!


3) Get all of my pictures organized and in photo albums. This is going to be quite the chore.


4) Go to bed earlier.


5) Go to the gym at least 5 days a week. (See #2)


6) Have more dates with my husband


7) Spend more one on one time with each of my kids


8) Pray more fervently


9) Start playing tennis again


10) Blog more often - my blog is my journal, so I need to put more of my "thoughts" down, rather than just the goings on of The Chase Gang.


I think 10 is enough. What New Year's Resolutions did you make?

End of a Decade


It's hard to believe another year - another decade - has passed us by. It's been a great year - not much changed for us here at the Chase household. We lost a dog, and added two more. That was probably the biggest change. But, thinking back over the DECADE, I'm amazed at how much our lives have changed. Ten years ago, I was the mother to 2 year old twins, and a 9 month old daughter. Our lives were wrapped around diapers, and cribs, and high chairs, and keeping my kids from destroying my home and everything in it. In the past 10 years, I have gained and lost the same 20 pounds. (I just came across the picture we sent out for our 1999 Christmas card and I was aghast! Did I really send out that picture??? My kids and husband looked great, but I looked like the Stay Puft Marshmellow woman!!) Ten years ago, I was worried about turning 30. This year, I'm looking forward to turning 40! This past decade, I fell in love with a city (NYC) and look forward to visiting said city at least once a year while I'm still here on earth. In the past ten years, I've lost those I love (Matt, Tama, Grandma, Uncle Don, Addie)and I have welcomed new loves into my life. Ten years ago, I was dealing with toddlers. Now, I'm dealing with tweens and I'm loving it!! Ten years ago, I still was in love with my husband. Now, I'm still in love, and even more so. These past ten years have flown by, and it's hard for me to imagine the ten years ahead. Ten years from now I'll be looking towards the big 5-0. I will have welcomed my son home from his mission, and possibly have either of my daughters out serving the Lord as well! I could even (biting my tongue) be a mother-in-law (biting harder.....). Oh gosh....strike that image from my mind! In any case, I am happy. I love my life. And even though I have hard times....hard days.....I am happy. I hope that each of you will take some time to reflect on the past decade, and reflect on what it has brought to you.


Happy New Year - Happy New Decade to each and every one of you out there in blog/facebook land. I hope this new year, and new decade, brings you all the happiness you could ever ask for.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas Card 2009

Our Christmas Card this year.
And I opted for a poem for our Annual Christmas Letter. It looked much cuter when I typed it, but Blogger here seems to want to format this themselves. So, hopefully you'll be able to read it as a poem, and not one giant paragraph.

It is that time before Christmas and I am stuck. An annual letter needs to be written, but I am in a rut. I remembered a poem I did a few years past and thought, “What the heck! I’ll do it again since it was such a blast!” (NOT!!)
The year started out on a sad note for us, an event caused us to cry. We said goodbye to our sweet Chelsea as she joined her sister in the dog park in the sky. Our sadness didn’t last for along came Griffin - a Shih-Tzu puppy with big brown eyes – one look and we were smitten! (Thanks Julie!) But he needed a friend as to not be so lonely. So a few months later, we adopted Zoey! (Thanks Wendy!) Another Shih-Tzu, with a little poodle mixed in. They are best friends, a perfect pair, they always make us grin. Courtney turned 12 and lucky for her! Camp Lo Mia for Girl’s Camp this past summer. I was her Cabin Mom and we had a great time. We dodged skunks, hiked hills, and loved it in Pine. Sixth grade this year and lots to do. School, piano, Young Women, just to name a few. Connor is also 12, as you probably figured out. A busy kid he is without a doubt! Football, piano, and scouts fill his days. Add in school and homework and keeping the girls at bay! Caitlin is 10 and is full of spunk and energy. She’s in 5th grade, has taken up the flute, and her playing is ummmm……lovely!? She is learning to sew, (maybe she will teach me!). Grandma Pam helps her and even gave her a sewing machine! Hugh will no longer be appearing on the local news. A new position at work he was able to choose. Right hand man to Deputy Chief Case. So no more tv cameras shining bright in his face! (He’s very happy about that.) A Mexico fishing trip he took in May. Ten days on the lake, fish galore, what more can I say? He made me very happy by taking a trip with me to my favorite place on earth – New York City! We were joined by some great friends and had a wonderful time on the town. Even the crazy amount snow didn’t slow us down. A dream came true for me this year, something I’ve waited over 20 years for. I met Andre Agassi and I almost passed out on the floor! We met, we hugged, and even shared a laugh. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Our house was stricken this year with the disease of the Swine. Courtney, Connor and I all got it and it lasted a very long time! (Not fun!) For me, it turned to pneumonia and I still have a cough but I learned how to spell “pneumonia” so all was not lost! As 2009 comes to an end, we are grateful for our family and friends. We hope your year has brought you joy and love and that 2010 brings you blessings from above!


Much love to you all!
The Chase Family Hugh, Toni, Courtney, Connor, Caitlin, Griffin and Zoey

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Brace Face!

Before...

And after!!
I can't believe I'm old enough to have a child with braces.

Baking! Baking! More Baking!

I've been in my kitchen more than I've ever wanted to these past few days. I made an AWESOME dinner the other night (just ask Bonnie & Kamon) that I repeated for my mom last night. (Thanks David Dorsey!!) Other than that, it's been baking, baking and more baking!
Courtney wanted to make Christmas tree shaped green Rice Krispie treats. Super cute. Caitlin & Connor wanted in on the action too.

Connor's job was decorating the trees with red hots.


Yummy Fantasy Fudge! Not as good as Wendy's Love Fudge though. Hey Wendy...where's my fudge??

Pumpkin Bread...my favorite!

Family Pictures

These are the pictures we had taken a few weeks ago. Our photographer was Jacie Ames, who is an 18 year old young woman from church. She is so talented and I can't wait to see what she does in the future!
These first three are my favorites, and they are the ones I used on our Christmas cards.


I think this is my favorite picture of Caitlin EVER!











What a goofball.

Polar Express

I'm a little overdue on my blogging. Sorry folks. It's been a little crazy around here!
We took our annual trip to the Polar Express on December 12-13. We had a blast, as usual. The best part is just all being together. Here are some pics from the trip.

Hugh having a snowball fight with the Fatongiatau boys.

Kammy & Kim

Caitlin patiently waiting for her present from Grandma Pam & Grandpa Bob.

All of us in Grandma & Grandpa's room.

Kort....isn't he cute??

My nieces - Taylor, Kailey & Kacey

Waiting for the train!!

Me & my schmoopie.

We take up half of the train car!

One of my favorite pictures. I love the way Connor is looking at his Grandpa.

Emmi had a great time!

Silly boys.

These two, Karlie & Rocko, were totally caught up at the sight of Santa.

My girls getting ready for some late night sledding!

Go Connor!

Go Courtney!

My girls...

Miss Emmi

Man, I love these three...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's Over...

Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance, that is. It seemed to be a shorter, more rushed season (and I cannot find any info on a tour, so I'm guessing there isn't one. Whatever!), and it definitely wasn't my favorite season, but I loved it nonetheless. I was happy that Russell won. He was one of my favorites from the auditions. I love it when a dancer like Russell, who has no formal training, and is basically a street dancer, goes on to become one of the most beautiful dancers on the show. He was graceful and beautiful when he danced, and it was a joy to watch him. I especially loved his dance with Ashleigh on the season finale. I did have a few favorites along the way, but none that I liked more than the one with Katherine (my favorite girl) and Jakob (NO man should be that flexible. It's just wrong!). Danced to "At This Moment" by Michael Buble....Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Katherine & Jakob!


Friday, December 11, 2009

I heart iTunes!

ITunes is giving away 20 FREE holiday songs this week only! And these are good songs.....not cheesy ones like the ones sung by The Carpenters (seriously, those are my LEAST favorite Christmas songs.) So, go here for the songs. Merry Christmas!

And We're Off!

Tomorrow we leave for our 3rd Annual Polar Express Extravaganza! Well, not really an "extravaganza", but Hugh's mom does everything she can to make it seem that way! We are leaving right after Connor's football game tomorrow morning, and we will be taken from cool dry weather to FREEZING SNOWY WEATHER! And I'm so excited about that! It's like two different worlds! Hugh's entire family goes on this trip....all of his brother and sisters and their spouses, all of their kids, Hugh's mom and her husband, and Hugh's dad. One big happy family! We are meeting up at Pam's hotel room at 3pm for treats, a Christmas story, and PAJAMAS!! Then we'll be off to the train. We always have such a great time on this trip, and it's something we look forward to all year. I'll be reporting about our adventure on Monday!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Santa Cam

WARNING: IF YOU STILL BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS, DO NOT READ THIS POST!!
When the kids were little, and I used to tell them that the smoke detectors in our house were "Santa Cams". If the green light was on (which it ALWAYS is) then Santa was watching them from the North Pole. When I would catch them being naughty, I would say "Guys, Santa is watching you!" The would IMMEDIATELY stop what ever naughtiness had overcome them, turn to the "Santa Cam" and say "Sorry Santa!!" Sometimes, I would catch them talking to Santa through the Cam. So cute. It worked though. So, for those of you who still have kids who would fall for this crap, USE IT! It may bring you some peace.
P.S. Someday, I'll have to tell you my other big lie....the "Spank Man". Genius.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Random Thoughts for the Day


I got this from my good friend Jason. I thought it was too funny, so I must share it. Enjoy!


1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the he!! are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes - to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this thing I have-- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "What would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the he!! do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well..

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet, on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with Bud Light than with a Kay jewelry product.

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