Matthew and Tiffany

My youngest brother Matthew was married on December 22nd.  It kind of made me feel old to watch my youngest sibling get married.  But it was an awesome event.  Matthew could not have found a more perfect wife for himself.  Tiffany is great and she is crazy about my nerdy little brother.  We were so happy to be able to be there with the entire Slovacek family for the event.

There were many, many sealings that took place on that day at the Salt Lake City Temple.  But I can promise you with absolute certainty that no photography session was met with more irreverence and gut-busting laughter than the Slovacek session.  It was pretty fun.  Here are some of the results:

Thanksgiving: A Look Back

In an effort to be a responsible journalist, I am going to document our Thanksgiving-- even though it is well into January.

Thanksgiving 2012 was a simple affair.  My little brother Steven flew in from New York to spend the weekend with us.  Its always a party with Steve in the house! 

Actually, the kids were little monsters the whole time he was here.  I am fairly certain we scared him away from ever wanting kids.  Here is a picture of Uncle Steve and the monsters at the Houston Zoo:

This year was my first time attempting the entire Thanksgiving dinner-- turkey and all.  We found a great recipe for bacon wrapped turkey.  It wasn't as good as fried turkey (which is what we are used to)-- but it was good.  However, the turkey took up so much time and effort, we decided to forgo turkey next year.  I like ham.

We spent the day watching the Texans play and eating.  It was a good day.  We have so much to be grateful for in 2012.  We love living in Texas.

Explanation

I try to get some pictures of the family, or at least the kids, during the holiday season.  We never got around to having a picture taken for our 2012 Christmas cards, but I have been busily snapping pictures as we do fun winter activities.  I have not posted them here, or Facebook, or Instagram because of my youngest son.  See if you can spot a trend:

At the Giant Christmas Tree in The Woodlands:

 

At Santa's Farm:

 

At the Ward Christmas Party:

 This kid ruins all the pictures.  In many of them, he's saying cheese... while jumping, running, or facing the wrong way.  And in others...

Oh well, Merry Christmas!

3 Superheros and A Dancer

This was our first year doing traditional trick or treating with the kids.  I thought I would tire of chasing the kids as they trolled the neighbors for candy.  I was wrong.  It was awesome.  Poor Slappy had blisters all over his feet by the end of the night.  I am not surprised that he didn't complain until the evening's end.  Running outside with wild abandon... with friends... in costume... ringing doorbells... getting candy.  Its like a dream come true for the kid.

Lance couldn't very well let the kids have all the costume fun-

 

10 Things Every Woman Should Have

In Allure magazine this month, Oscar de la Renta made a list of 10 things every woman should have.  I usually just scan through the magazine for perfume samples-- but I stopped and read this article to see how I measure up.

1.  A Great Romance.  Check.

 

2.  Face-framing Earrings.  Done.  NOBODY does big earrings like I do.                                                                

3.  A Small Bag.  Ok, I take exception with this one.  Clearly, the women in Oscar de la Renta's life are not toting around three small children.  In my mind, the bigger the bag, the better.  Even with no need for diapers anymore, I am still responsible for snacks, toys, wipes, hand sanitizer, bug spray etc.  I'll run out and get a small bag on the same day I buy myself a small car.

4.  Black Lace.  I bought this great skirt from Target a few weeks ago.  Love it. 

5.  A confident walk. Um... that's weird.  I'll work on that one.

6.  A cause to support.  This is a great one.  Mine is education... and family issues.  Everyone should have something they are passionate about.

7.  Red carnations. "a deep, deep red".  Another weird one.  But carnations are cheap-- so maybe I will work on this one too.

8.  A significant scent. I don't have a signature scent.  As I mentioned before, I love "Falling in Love" by Philosophy, but I don't wear it everyday.  I have about 20 different perfumes and body sprays I rotate through-- depending on the occasion.  Maybe I should commit to one for a while.  (For the record, for years I never wore anything but "Flowering Herbs" from Bath and Body Works).

9.  Very tall shoes.  I own this one!  A few months ago, the missionaries in my ward asked me to stop wearing such tall heels because I made all the Elders look short.  But I married a man that is 6'4-- I am free to wear any size heel I want!  I love it!

10.  A competitive streak.  I have always been competitive-- but the streak has died down over the past 5 years or so.  It took me nearly 30 years to realize that I am not very good at anything!

Some Light Reading

I had a few weeks in between semesters at school.  I decided to indulge in my favorite past time-- reading mindless drivel!  10 years ago, I was a history major at BYU and had to read so many heavy, tedious texts that it became a treat to read some Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steel (gag) in between semesters.  Sadly, this became a habit.

So, with my precious two weeks of freedom from insipid education textbooks, I indulged in the following:

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling


I stumbled across this book at Target and laughed so hard at the Introduction that I had to buy it.  It did not disappoint.  Mindy is hilarious and easy to relate to.  She really hits her high in the first 4-5 chapters of the book.  After that, it gets a bit slow.  But those first chapters are so funny that its still one of my favorite new books.  (Beware, there is some language)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
 

This book isn't as mindless as I generally prefer.  A friend told me that the book was written from the point of view of the family dog and I knew I just had to read it.   It is good-- not great.  Its a bit sad and heavy at times-- but overall a well-written story.

Now You See Her by James Patterson


This is James Patterson at his absolute best!  I have read just about every James Patterson book ever written (except for his young adult books) and I still did not know how this was going to end.  LOVED it!  (Again-- some language)

Crossed by Ally Condie


I had forgotten that I had read the first book in this series, "Matched".  The sequel is pretty good.  To be honest, it is not that different from all of the other post-apocalypse utopian young adult novels (Hunger Games, Pretties, The Giver, etc).  Intriguing, easy read.

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

Picoult is a good writer-- but kind of bugs me sometimes.  This is an interesting story-- but not an amazing book.  Her other books are better.

Now I'm back in school.  And instead of these delightfully shallow reads, you can find me scouring the pages of this:

Product Endorsement

Before I turned 30, I never worried about beauty products.  Don't misunderstand me, I indulged in makeup and hair treatments plenty-- but I never really paid too much attention to brands and regiments.  The older I get, the more effort and maintenance is required to look (at least semi) attractive.  I don't like it.  I've always considered myself to be low-maintenance.  But I have found a few products that I really love.

Glow, by Hard Candy.

I read a magazine article written by Jennifer Lopez's makeup artist in Allure.  He claims that Jennifer is quite pale and does not have a natural glow about her-- that it is all in the right makeup.  I think J. Lo is so beautiful.  I was encouraged to read that her luminous beauty is, in large part, a result of the right makeup regimen.

I am fortunate to have lived in places that allow me to swim and soak up the sun regularly for 7-8 months out of the year.  I love being tan and haven't had to "fake bake" in a very long time.  But I have found my solution for the winter months.  Glow is a bronzer that enhances a tan and produces a "natural glow".  I love it.  I bought a large bottle at Walmart (classy, I know) months ago and it is still going strong.

Essie Nail Polish

My sister introduced me to Essie.  I love it.  I rarely paint my fingernails because the polish chips too easily.  The only polish I will use on my fingers is Essie.  The colors are so subtle and gorgeous.  I recently bought the color "Master Plan" (see picture above).  Lance calls my nails, "Primer nails"-- but I get a ton of compliments when I wear it.

Philosophy, Falling in Love

I first discovered this scent while shopping in Fresno in 2007.  I have been obsessed with it for five years now.  I don't buy it very often (I am prone to cheap perfume knock-offs and haven't found one for Falling in Love yet).  Lance bought me a bottle of Falling in Love, Summer for our anniversary a few months ago.  Love it.

What I need are some recommendations for 1. skin care (I have never put much effort into my skin at all.  But now that I am over 30, I figure I better start doing something) and 2. mascara  I feel as though I have tried every conceivable mascara out there.  I have made a hobby of it.  But I am still looking for one mascara product that "wows" me.   So... speak up and tell me what your products are!