Merry Christmas to all!

We hope you have a wonderful Holiday Week!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Life in Las Vegas

Life is busy. We had a great weekend with a beautiful choir program at church (Angela directed and played her flute). We have been enjoying our "24 days of Christmas" book that the Hansens gave us a few years ago. Each night we read a scripture, sing a song, and share a story. EVERY story makes me cry, but it's good quality family time each night. The kids get a treat from their advent calendars (thanks, Suzanne), too. Steve is busily wrapping up his class at U of I (Wednesday is his deadline). We are all counting down the days until we go to Texas. It will be a wonderful trip.

I found this on a news web site and I have to share. Those of you who know me, know I like dark chocolate...and it looks like it might be a good thing! :)

Ever since the Atkins Diet revival made sugar public enemy No 1, confectionery manufacturers have had their work cut out to sweeten up their image. It hasn't been easy: sugar doesn't just make you fat, and thus can contribute to the development of adult-onset diabetes, it also rots your teeth. Willy Wonka would be weeping into his top hat.

But recently, chocolate has been undergoing something of a rehabilitation, and the current thinking is that it may actually be good for you. So, what's going on?

In fact, the idea of chocolate as a health tonic goes back centuries. Long before goji berries, broccoli and tomatoes were hailed as "superfoods", cocoa and chocolate were celebrated as natural remedies. Cocoa and its derivatives have, historically, been prescribed for a range of ailments, including liver disease and kidney disorders, and by the 1600s, chocolate was identified as a mood enhancer.

It is only relatively recently that chocolate fell out of favour with the health lobby. Although cocoa is rich in flavonoids (which promote healthy cellular tissue), the practice of mixing it with saturated fat, cholesterol and sugar made it less friend, more foe. But now chocolate has been thrown a lifeline: antioxidants. An antioxidant is something that slows down, or prevents, the oxidation of cells; oxidation produces free radicals, which damage cells and can lead to heart disease and cancer. The flavonoids in dark chocolate (containing 70 per cent or more cocoa solids) act as antioxidants, and it contains almost five times the flavonol content of apples (though they also have fibre and vitamins). The industrial processes that turn cocoa into chocolate reduce its antioxidant properties, which is why the less-processed dark chocolate has more antioxidants.

What may come as less of a surprise to chocolate addicts is the growing evidence that chocolate is a mood enhancer. Chocolate contains as many as 400 different compounds that promote a better mood and alleviate anxiety, which helps to explain why so many people experience cravings for it. Serotonin, endorphins and phenylethylamine are all found in chocolate and can lift the mood; it also contains the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, and the amphetamine-like compounds tyramine and phenyletylamine.

However, one set of researchers found that cocoa-filled capsules were unable to satisfy the cravings of chocolate "addicts" in the same way as chocolate itself, so it seems that the sensory experience of eating chocolate, its sweetness and melting softness, contribute to its uplifting effects.

Perhaps most surprisingly, chocolate even works effectively as a cough remedy. Scientists at Imperial College London discovered that theobromine, one of the stimulants in chocolate, is a third more effective in stopping persistent coughs than codeine, the medicine most commonly used. The theobromine suppresses the nerve activity that causes coughing, and it is thought that the viscous quality of melted chocolate could help soothe tickly coughs.

The health benefits of chocolate have not gone unnoticed by its manufacturers. Prestat, for example, has come up with a new product called Choxi+, saying that two squares per day contain the recommended daily dose of antioxidants, while having fewer calories than an apple. And the Japanese company Glico makes a chocolate called GABA, marketed as an anti-stress product, and Japanese businessmen can't get enough of it. Chocolate's mood-enhancing qualities are given a turboboost by the addition of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that occurs naturally in the brain, so GABA acts as an inhibitor and has anti-anxiety properties. People who eat GABA report reduced stress levels and an enhanced feeling of relaxation.

Clearly, chocolate also contains fat and sugar, but it is worth noting that the nation with the lowest incidence of obesity and coronary heart disease in western Europe is also the one with the highest per capita chocolate consumption: Switzerland.

Alasdair McWhirter, editor of Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal, believes there is nothing wrong with promoting chocolate as a health supplement, particularly for its antioxidant properties. "I was also interested in a study into the Kuna people of South America. They have a low incidence of cancer and heart disease and drink several cups of a cocoa drink per day."

Touching

I know I've seen this going around in email - but this is so touching, especially given the season. Enjoy.

Click here

Update

Well, you can see the masses of photos below but here is a brief overview of our schedule over the weekend.
FRIDAY
4:45am leave house for airport (Thanks, Darrel, for taking us on your BIRTHDAY!)
9:30am arrive at SEA TAC airport
10:20am leave on bus to go to Lakewood - where Steve's family lives
11:15am arrive in Lakewood - go to lunch with Billie & Keith Sutherland - YUMMY! Thanks! Then we visited with them and they leant us a car to drive to Eastern Washington.
2:00pm Leave for Benton City
6:20pm arrive at the home of Tania, Troy, and Keith Reynolds in Benton City, WA
SATURDAY
7:30am leave Benton City for Moscow, ID
10:20am arrive in Moscow, ID for commencement
12:30am Commencement
3:45pm leave Moscow for Pullman, WA for dinner (only 8 miles away)
6pm leave Pullman for Benton City
9pm arrive at the Reynolds' home - Steve & I got to take advantage of their hot tub - it was WONDERFUL - thanks again Tania.
SUNDAY
8:45am get up (YEAH!!! That was wonderful) Steve helped Tania set up a wireless network before we left.
12pm leave for Tacoma/Lakewood
4:30pm arrive in Lakewood
5:30pm leave for dinner at a lovely restaurant on the waterfront - Thanks again Billie & Keith!
11pm hit the hay
MONDAY
3:15am get up
8:20am arrive in Las Vegas - Steve made it to his 9:00am meeting with 3 minutes to spare.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend and we are so grateful to each and every person who made it all possible. A HUGE THANKS go out to Angela and Suzanne for watching Caitlin and Daniel in our absence. Thanks!!!

Awards Assembly

 

 

 

Kenneth got "A" honor roll, and Alex got "A/B" honor roll. Since Kenneth gets it so often I kind of get complacent about it, but Alex worked REALLY HARD on this and I'm VERY PROUD of him. Way to go, Alex!

Fun Times

 

Kenneth looks comfy doesn't he? He sat in the back seat and played the PSP all the way back (4.5 hours). Rough life, eh? The other people are Steve's family - Billie & Keith Sutherland. They were SO KIND to us and we LOVED seeing them!! Thanks guys!!!

SNOWY WEATHER

 

 

 

 

We ran into some weather coming back from Benton City headed toward Tacoma.

More photos...are you liking this??? Feast or famine around here.

 

YEAH!!!

 

 

More....

 

 

 

 

More Graduation

 

Upon arrival

 

Ironing the gown - the other lady is Tania, Steve's cousin, with whom we stayed and she and her son Keith came with us to the ceremony.

 

Kenneth and Keith

 

One of the tables they set up for the reception afterwords.

Graduation

 

This is how early we arrived!

 

This is the Kibbie Dome - the location of the commencement ceremony.

 

This is a shot toward the rest of campus - you can see how the Kibbie Dome sits on a hill.

 

I got a kick out of the water tower - it reminded me of Texas.

Video Games and Pig Tails

 

This is a shot of the kids playing with the game cube - then 2 photos of Caitlin the first time I put her hair in pig tails.

Helping at church

 

Here are the kids helping Steve set up the RS room at church. The photo on the bottom right was obviously taken at home, AFTER church. :)

I'm leaving....on a jet plane

Well - big news - again! Steve is going to "walk" at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho this weekend to receive his Masters Degree in Computer Engineering. Steve applied for this program the day before Daniel was born, 5 years ago. He has been diligent and enduring and has perservered through even the most terrible technology and has come out on top! I am so proud of him. He said I can't dance yet (because he hasn't officially passed his class yet), but I'm dancing in my heart and I've been spending all weekend trying to figure out how we can get up there. Moscow, Idaho is 1083 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada. That's a heckofa long way. Just to put it in perspective...we're going to Texas for Christmas, and Taylor, Texas is 1339 miles away from Las Vegas. Anyway, after planning this trip about 50 different ways over the last few days, I just booked air fare from Las Vegas to Seattle. We'll drive the remaining 5 hours in a borrowed vehicle (Steve has very wonderful family in Seattle) and stay with Steve's cousin over the weekend. We are SO EXCITED!!! We are taking Kenneth with us. It will be a wonderful trip. Thanks go out to everyone who has made this possible, including my sister, Elise, and Mom & Dad Hansen and all the Sutherlands! Thank you !!!

Layton Update

We decorated for Christmas on Monday night. It was fantastic fun. I put out 6 of my nativity sets this year and I'm so excited! I love being in my house at night with the tree lit up - well, I guess I should be honest, I've closed all the blinds so the house stays dark so I can keep the tree on all day long! I'm really enjoying the change. I had book club at our house last night so I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned, and it's so nice to have a clean house! I'm trying hard to keep it that way...we'll see how long it lasts!

Church is busy, and life is busy as always, but we're healthy and happy. We're looking forward to Steve becoming "Master Steve" (the end is in sight!) and we're looking forward to our trip to Texas for Christmas.

I made homemade chicken/noodle/vegetable soup (without a recipe) for the first time EVER today and it turned out so wonderful I can't wait to make it again. I even made homemade noodles (whole wheat)!

I lost 4.2 pounds last week (YEAH!) I'm finally on the losing weight band wagon again...I know it's been too long in coming. So - weight watchers - here I come...again.

Yesterday I switched around the kids' rooms. I put Daniel's bed into Caitlin's room. Caitlin has been having a very hard time going to sleep alone, and she pines for Daniel. Those 2 have been playing so well together lately, it's so fun! Last night Steve ended up sleeping in the queen bed and both of them were in the twin bed when I came in after book club. :) Tonight Daniel fell asleep when we dropped Kenneth off for piano (5:30pm) and I put him straight to bed and Caitlin went to bed next to him happy as a clam. We'll see how tomorrow night goes.

We're still spending lots of time at the park and today we ended up having lots of friends over to play today as several of my friend's kids are battling illnesses and needed to go to the doctor and/or ER. I'd rather be the one home with the kids than be the one with the kid in ER! : )

Kenneth's soccer season is over and we're not signing him up for basketball. I need a break. He's OK with it, I think. He's been doing amazingly well lately and I'm really enjoying being home more. He goes to GATE (gifted and talented education) 3 times a week at school and last week some guy from the school district called me and said he had been referred for the Highly gifted program or something and he scheduled a 2 hour test for Kenneth. He took it, and we haven't received any results yet back. Kenneth reads a LOT. I'm pretty sure he's read every Harry Potter book (except 7) at LEAST twice...if not more. He likes to read star wars and my sister got a bunch of Hardy Boys books, so we'll see how he likes those.

Daniel's speech improves every day and he's enjoying learning (finally!). He asks me how to spell things when we're driving in the car and he is trying to sound words out here and there. He now writes his name 1/2 in upper case and 1/2 in lower case. It's very cute.

Caitlin's speech is also very very good, and she's 100% potty trained! Hallelujah!!! :) Her vocabulary is expanding exponentially now and she's become my little cooking/baking pal. Anytime I'm in the kitchen she goes and gets a measuring cup and "helps". She's actually pretty good at not spilling when she pours things into the pot. Today I was making Macaroni and Cheese for her (her current favorite) and she was trying to open the box. She wasn't being very successful so I reached down to assist and she wrenched the box back and said, "No, mom, I'm HELPING!" in an angry tone. It was so funny.

We got some devastating news yesterday. Suzanne Lopez (Artie's wife) called to tell us that her mom had a massive heart attack last Friday and passed away on Saturday. She is now without a mom, dad, and husband. They've all preceeded her. She seems to be handling it amazingly well. It was good to talk to her, but I just feel awful. Please keep her in your prayers.

Crazy Hair Day

Enjoy!

I know....I know

I'm way overdue for an update. Things have been pretty high-stress around here lately between work and school, etc. Other than that - we had a wonderful week with Amanda...we were able to make 2 trips out on the boat...fun, fun, fun! Angela & I got 2 girls nights out with her. We played soccer last Friday and I came home with a nasty bruise on the side of my knee (I was playing defense again). It was a frustrating game. We led 4-1 at the half and lost 4-6. You can see how that was frustrating. We had a wonderfully productive and fun Saturday. We helped Darrel & Angela lay sod in their back yard (see their blog www.thedarrelwebbfamily.blogspot.com for photos), and they were kind enough to give us their extra sod....so we laid more sod in our yard, too. We had a great time with the Jones family when they came through again on their way home from Disneyland. We had a great dinner with the Webbs (using our gift cards that Steve & Darrel got as gifts from their soccer team.) It was a fun, full day. Yesterday was church, church and more church. The kids and I had a nice evening, though, while Steve worked on his school project. We made cookies together. :)

Well, sorry it's not more exciting...we're just plugging away. We're looking forward to the launch of www.cheerfulnoise.com this afternoon (6pm MST). If you'd like to know more check out the website or email me at cheerfulnoisejoy@gmail.com.

Soccer & more soccer

So - last night Steve & I played again. The other team played really rough. I got knocked over (for the first time ever) and got banged into a few times (well, I WAS playing defense...perhaps I was doing the banging into, eh?). We lost the game, but I thought it was my best game yet. I really enjoyed it. Steve was having an "off" night - just coming off a migraine, and he was still nauseated. Mom was there to watch and that was fun! We went to Cafe Rio for dinner afterwards...that was fun, too. This morning my sister-in-law, Amanda, flew in with her dog, Diesel. Diesel will be staying with the Webbs for the next year while Amanda goes to Iraq. Thankfully, Amanda extended her trip and will be with us until NEXT Saturday....we're all excited about that....especially all the nephews who have a crush on their beautiful, fun aunt. :)

On another soccer note, Kenneth & Johnathan's team played the only team they've lost to this season today. The team, the WILDCATS, was undefeated, so it was a BIG GAME! We WON in a shoot-out....very exciting! So, along with their regular team trophies they got 1st place trophies from the city. It was a great game, and it's so fun to see how these boys have improved over the past 10 weeks. We had cake and pizza afterwards and it was all in all a successful soccer season. Steve & Darrel did a great job w/ coaching and now they each have a nice plaque and a $25 gift card to Black Angus to show for all their hard work.

Tomorrow is Stake Conference and the Jones family is coming through on their way to Disney Land! YEAH!!! :) Another fun weekend.

Delinquent

I know - I know - I've been a complete & total delinquent when it comes to blogging this week. We've had another wonderful week at the Layton house! We've gone to the park quite a bit (the weather has been in the 80's and I'm sure it's not going to last much longer), we've done school, scouts, soccer, church, etc. just like always. But - Grammie came Wednesday night and it's been so fun to be with her in the evening! She's here for a blogging conference (or something like that). Angela is picking her up from the convention center now and then we'll head over to our soccer game tonight and go to Cafe Rio for dinner. We are all looking forward to that! The guilt is piling up for not having donated blood for a while (I've been thinking about it a LOT and I've even been taking my iron!). Hopefully I'll get to do that next week. Tomorrow morning Amanda comes for the weekend - YEAH! She's getting tired of her flight to Iraq being delayed and she needs some Vegas sun before she takes off! (She's also accompanying Diesel and will help transition him to his new home at Angela's). If the weather is good tomorrow, we'll go out on the boat one last time before we winterize it. Tomorrow is also Kenneth and Johnathan's last soccer game, and their team party is right after the game.

Great News!

So - I scored a goal on Friday for our soccer team. Yes, this is Joy typing....believe it or not! It was so fun. I also assisted on one other goal. Amazing.

The other great news is that Caitlin is breaking down potty-training barriers all over the place today. She got 3 of her "Poopy-presents" today. You can imagine what she has to do to get one of those! :) We are so excited! Yeah!

Halloween Fun!

 

 

I know it's been over a week since I've updated, but nothing spectacular has been happening. Today we're thinking about our friend, Spencer, as he has his scans to confirm he's still cancer-free.

Last Friday we took Tasha into the vet and she came home limping (it was a really bad experience, they also quicked her when they cut her toenails), so she's been getting a lot of TLC at our house. Steve & I gave her a bath after our soccer game last Friday night. We had some wonderful friends over for dinner on Sunday and it was such a good time! We're so pleased they could come. Last night was our Ward Halloween party (see photos). We had great fun. Halloween is such a fun time of year. Daniel especially has a fun week this week since he had our ward party last night, his pre-school party today, Halloween tomorrow, and his birthday on Thursday! By Friday he'll be exhausted, I'm sure. Yesterday we "Skype'd" with Emily and Jacob and Catilin especially got such a kick out of it. Johnathan and Alex and Zach and Daniel also talked into the computer to sing to Emily. Caitlin has been saying ever since, "I talk a Emiwy amorrow". So - this morning we'll Skype again so Caitlin can talk to her friend and Cousin. Tonight is soccer at the park and that is always so fun.

Cute kids tonight...

So, rarely do all 3 of my kids engage in play together. Tonight I was working with Kenneth on the piano and Steve was studying and Daniel & Caitlin were playing together. It was really cool. Then I left Kenneth and he started leading the play with Daniel & Caitlin. They all got along great and played really well together (one of those - ahhhh it's great being a mom - moments). Anyway, at one point they all came into my office under a queen size comforter and all I hear is "Don't tell mom". Caitlin had a flashlight and aparently they were all playing "good guys/bad guys". Caitlin and Daniel had to use the potty, so then Caitlin asked for a bath. I was about to say no (I am trying to prepare my thoughts for my annual RS Board training tomorrow) when I realized tomorrow is church and they probably should have baths. Anyway, Kenneth says, "Mom - it's OK - I'll watch them." I tell him that's great and threaten them when I hear water splashing, but that's about the extent of my involvement until I hear Kenneth saying, "OK - 5 more minutes." Then I hear (a few minutes later) "OK - who's getting out first?" I go in there and ask if they've washed their hair and Kenneth says, "Yes, mom, I washed their hair by telling them they were going to get a treat. Do you think it's OK if they have a treat now?" Now THAT'S impressive! I told him of course they could have a treat. So I dress Daniel and Caitlin, we go find a treat, then we brush teeth. Then, Kenneth says, "PLEASE, mom, can Caitlin PLEASE sleep with us tonight?" (We've tried this in the past and it's always ended up with her getting put in her own room.) Well, tonight I let them try again and this is what I saw when I went in a minute ago to check on them:

Tagged

I have been tagged by Elise.

The rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names,
then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I'm REALLY BAD at doing math in my head. I know I'm a CPA - but adding machines were invented for a reason. My Grandfather would roll over in his grave if he knew how bad I really am!

2. I HATE running. 'Nuf said.

3. I love jewelry...shopping for it...buying it...wearing it. I think it's pretty.

4. I don't balance my checkbook. I keep track of it in my head. I know someday I'll be too old and forgetful to do this, but so far, I've stayed out of trouble. I used to balance it regularly, then...

5. I love to garden. I have one marigold bush blooming in my garden right now and some strawberries, and I derive great pleasure in watching things grow.

6. I'm not nearly on top of things as I may seem. At any given time I'm behind in at least 5 areas of my life. These ususally include: work, laundry, cleaning, my church responsibilities, and exercising.

I'm tagging: Julie, Shauna, Erin, Marcie, and David.

Photo Journal of Elise's trip

Our fun day at the Children's Museum.

 

Our fun day on the boat.

 

Krispy Kreme...need I say more?

 

Utah with Grammie.

 

Deadline, Pears & Parting

Well, today was the October 15th deadline. I managed to get all my clients taken care of, and I was very relieved. Elise & Angela helped me can pears - we got 11 quarts done out of the box Jackie brought (Thanks, Jackie!). Angela kindly took Daniel, Zach, Caitlin & Emily to the park for the bulk of the canning project and Elise & I were able to focus - thanks, Ang! Tomorrow morning Elise leaves to go back to CO. I must admit it's a bitter sweet. We've had such a good time and I've really enjoyed having her and her kids here. We've watched Jacob grow before our very eyes. Emily & Caitlin are becoming such good friends. Caitlin won't know what to do with herself tomorrow night when no one is in her bed with her. :( Every day has been fun and full and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Aren't they cute?