December Activities:

We have been busy this month. I had my first Ever "Cookie Exchange" early in December. It was fun to open the Christmas season with oodles of cookes and friends. I had to start cleaning the house right after Thanksgiving. Not just cleaning.....Decided we needed to De -Junk and remove the unnecessary clutter to make room for "little dude" and combine our office/hobby room.

December is full of Christmas activites from Work, church, friends....not to mention the Vet appointments (we procrastinated on), Dr. Appointments (mandatory), Lab tests (necessary), registering for baby stuff (during the holidays.......not fun, trying to find a carseat and stroller was/is stressful) & Visiting teaching (necessary). Oh good news on the Lab test. Normal for Jestational Diabetes! Hallelulia (I was sweating this one.)

Most asked Questions this past month:
-Do you know if it is a boy or girl? BOY
-Do you have a name picked out? Still trying to come up with something..... I'll take suggestions.
-When is your due Date? Mar 2
-Are you craving anything lately? Tomatoes, tomatoe based foods, Milk, Peanut butter and Jelly. If anyone is making Jam I'll take a bottle.

Comments on Due date:
-wait till Mar 17th
-try for Mar 4th
-wait till Mar 21st-Alex!

Name suggestions please post.

Belly Bump!

AAaaagh! It's Growing....at the last measurement he measured 37" around. He is moving more at night than he used to and seems to be still during the daytime. Bending over is not a good thing, I get all breathless when I get back upright. I've grown accustomed to sleeping with oodles of pillows nestled around me. Mike is being a good sport about it, He did mention that the pillows were taking over the bed and pushin him out of bed. oops! Tired very tired lately.
Still working on some names. I try a new one each week, to see how it sounds and if I like saying it. I've got to live with it forever.

Halloween

A tad bit late but wanted to share the festivities we enjoyed. Annual Trunk or Treat was fun! We decorated Mike's Truck as an old wizzard's laboratory....Shrunken heads and Floating eyeballs, juicy sweet bugs, and bones. Mike calls dressing up puttin on a hat. I was feeling the spirit with the bulging belly and became Mr. Smee.

Thank you for Voting

Thank you all for voting for the outcome of our newest addition. Unfortunately we cannot please you all cuz I for sure was not having twins or TRIPLETS!!!. For the Boy supporters, Mike thanks you. For the Girly supporters, I thank you. The TONG family tradition holds true!!!! I'm glad I wasn't the one to break the pattern on the 14th grandchild. For those of you that are not familiar with the "Tong Family Tradition" here it is. All of us were born alternatively boy...girl...boy...girl... get the pattern? Each boy had a girl first, and Each girl has had a boy first. So as long as the picture is correct then we should be having a little boy with long legs and a little nose... ten little fingers and ten little toes. Thank goodness for the little nose.

to sleep perchance to dream

The other night I dreamed of the baby. It very well could have been Charley I dremt about too. Well she had soft black hair. Kinda sticky uppy! Asian eyes and the most delicated soft skin. Little asian nose, I've been worried it would have michael's nose..... With all the features being so delicate....I think its a girl! We shall see.

October 14th we go for the Final ultra sound to check and make sure things are growing well. I have been more hungry lately. Hopefully the food goes to the right places.
March 2nd is the Due date. I'll take bribes to have her on your special day! ..... as long as its in Early March.

Grand Opening

Finally the Grand Opening craziness is over! Thursday night was the open house hooopla for work. Weeks of preparation and headaches to get all the things we needed.
Caterer
Decorations
Balloons-
Florals-they were beautiful. bright colors and a good variety of colors
Guest list
Invitations-working with marketing, a different breed
RSVP's- calling verifying, getting the numbers up
Construction Punch list-doors, electrical...
Guest book
Cleaning-sweep, straighten, dust
Gift Bags-gather and fill with goodies
Extra Food and Drinks
Warehouse set up......
........Whew.......!
It was a very nice event. All of the little details come together nicely. It was good to get to socialize with our clients, corporate and co-workers.

***The Menu***

Filet Mignon on a parmesian Crisp

Crab stufft spuds

Teryaki Chicken

Mini Chicken Tamales

Beef Vino Satay

Cheese Platter on toasted Biscotti

Fresh fruit with Lemon chantilly/Chocolate Cream

****Dessert****

Chocolate Mouse on a chocolate cup

Cheescake

Cheescake Lollipops

Back Home

Back from Vacation... 4 Days at Winchester Bay 4-wheeling with the Smellers and Joe/Laura. The nights were cold and the days were odd. Friday the mist came in and was overcast all day. Saturday it was sunny and misty. Sunday it was beautiful. Monday it was unbelievably beautiful.
Mike had fun with the large group of smellers. They had all riding experiences trails, dunes....watching Bruce get stuck on a hill. Each morning he also took the dogs on a little run. It's the most they've gotten to run in a long time. They loved it!

I had time to myself at camp: sleeping, reading, cooking, I offered to do most of the cooking this trip since I wasn't riding and I wanted what I wanted to eat for a change.

Back to Salem- Tired and sunburnt. All I wanted to do was SLEEP....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz........z..z......zzzzzzzzz.
MIKE Got a "honey do list" from Mom to make a mini vestibule outside of Mini's Doggie door. HA! She liked the little window Mike had put in so that she could see out or just sit there on the green carpet. She had fun barking at our dogs. She likes being with us so much she was doing her best to get into Mike's truck as we were leaving.

Had so much fun visiting with Cathy and Jamey's families. Seeing wedding Pictures and the new house. Found out that Kristin and Courtney are both an Facebook Whoo Hoo!

Didn't make it to Prineville. Really wanted to but... Too exhausted to drive any more. This trip I had the most unbelievable Car-sickness I've ever had. Almost hurled a few times each trip. Michael thinks all the bathroom stops were unnecessary. TOo Bad

Bye Bye Primary....

Today I got released from my primary calling. 3rd Counselor. Mixed feelings, I'm really going to miss the Kids and the funny things you see them do and say. I'm Really excited for the new presidency. I walked in and happy to see the faces of those takin on the new challenge. They'll do great. And so I was able to attend Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society for one week. NExt week I will be in Young Womens. AAaaaacCKK! Not sure I'm ready for this. Teens have attitude and are mouthy.... think they are soo smart. Broither Hoggan Gave a very nice blessing after sacrament that put me at ease so hopefully I'm up for the new Challenge myself.... So whenever my Nieces come to visit we can go to Young womens together. Well except Syd she's too old....and Charley might want to be with mom.

Dr. Appt. Today

Saw our Dr. today. It was a long time waiting. The wait was worth it. She got right to the fun stuff. We got to hear the beating heart of the fetus... She said he had a good heartbeat for a "little guy." The first person that knew was Cathy. She kept calling Mike during the appt. So she was first to know. I called Baba and he was confused what I was talking about....then he asked "is it a Boy?" He was disapointed when I told him not yet. Each time I give him an update he always asks the sex of the baby. Not for about 12 more weeks will we know. It's hard not knowing what we are preparing for in more than one way!

Changes

Carolyn is very excited to get her showroom up and running. Since it was supposed to be done a month ago. The past week she has been coming home tired and dirty from working in new construction. This next week should be a little easier. Putting the displays up and organizing all the stuff....stuff and more stuff. Hopefully she will be able to controll her staff of 2!

Carolyn is also having big changes in her eating habits. She is picky nowa days. She eats bland foods...a common staple is the frozen burritos. Anything with strong flavor or smell seems to make her tummy upset. Hang in there babe!

Garlic Festival in Gilroy

This weekend it the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Lots of food prepared with garlic, garlic and More GARLIC! Over the last year we have become Garli-holics. Adding it to our main dishes, bbq sauces, side dishes...........yuummm!

For the past few weeks I have had an aversion to Garlic. The smell, the taste, and oh the smell.....! When we went to the Santa Cruz boardwalk we had some yumm garlic fries. well not so yumm for me.....So sad I was really looking forward to the Festival.

Nice Truck

Blaah Blaah blah

Do you think Blogs with kids and Babies get more viewing than those without?
Do you think there are more comments made about kids and babies?
I had this theory a little while ago, so I posted a picture of my niece Charley. No comments, I was surprised, I was wrong. Maybe that will change.

Kristin's Wedding Weekend

Oregon here we come... this weekend was full of activites. We ate at the mongolian BBQ, Busters BBQ, the rehersal dinner was catered by a BBQ place, then Kristins wedding food was great too, Another BBQ on Sunday at Cathy's. WE ate well this weekend came back a few pounds thicker!

It was the first time in 5 years that all the family was together in one place. Still didn't get a chance for a complete family photo. But plenty of Photos to remember how much fun we all had.

Visiting Jamey's house then hiking down to the Santiam and sticking our feet in the freezing cold water. The water level was much higher than last time. So we had to huddle on the edge of the bank.

Michael took the kids on tractor rides. He even let them steer around the property. It was a warm day, otherwise we would have been riding the tractor all day. Staying at Mom's house was an experiece to remember. 7 adults, 4kids, and MINI!. The little girls got along just fine. Deegan felt left out now and again. but Maison played with him. Those pictures didn't turn out so great.
At the Wedding there was Dancing all night long. The flower girls and Deegan dominated the Dance floor with their twirls and swirls. Then the big girls came out to Dance! Kristin and her friends were able to get Joyce out on the Dance floor for some line dancing. We all had fun....Participating and watching..

ROCK 'N' OUT

Rockin with the Turners Playing Rockband. A normal pastime usual with Lisa and Ryan. With all of us on a different instrument it makes for good variety. Ryan likes singing, Lisa is good all around, Mike is proficient on the Guitar and drums, I myself have tried them all and favor the guitar, can sing pretty well and am learning on the drums. I finally got my first callus from the drumstick.

PISMO BEACH

There is always a story when we go to the Dunes.......

I was sick this weekend but it was all planned. I needed to get out with the fresh air, and away from my regular routine. So we left. After playing 20 questions a few times and started a movie, I fell asleep. Driving around on the beach was and adventure! Street tires on the new truck. Soft sand...we were asking for trouble. Got stuck a few times.......with the trailer it was a challenge. The other challenge was we'd never been to Pismo so we had no idea how it was set up. At about 12:15 we found a spot on the edge. After getting the tents set up Mike decided to look for a more desirable campsite. Away from a loud Generator and Noisy Drinky neighbors. So it took about another Hour to find a spot and relocate deeper into the sand. We had to air down and lighten the trailer. Took a few trips to the spot keeping one person with the stuff and moving to the other spot leaving someone at the new spot. While the boys were finding the spot Lisa and I had to make a Call to Nature. We were glad it wasn't a full moon. It took about 4 trips to gett all the stuff tho the new location. Good thing we had the Turners with us. When we lightened the trailer we had to take off the Quads so then those had to be ridden up to the new spot. I drove the 250 mike rode his 450 and Ryan Drove the truck while Lisa was watching home Base. Set up again and fell asleep to theVroom Vroom.. of quads all night.

The dogs lived this trip. When I wasn't sleeping Lisa & I would take the dogs on a walk on the beach. Chasing waves and seagulls. One reason we have not many pictures. Water and Sand in Camera. Everyone but mike had a nap. He took everyone on a ride. SHowing them how to ride and how to approach dunes and razors. He's a pretty good teacher, He knows my pace and each time gets a little more challenging. I took it easy. I was under the influence of cough medicine and it says Caution when operating motor vehicles...... or something like that. Here is a picture of the Turners.

It was a quick trip But we had fun. It definetly got us more excited about our trip in August! We also practiced a few things for food too. We eat good when we camp..... maybe a little too good.

The Menu-

Saturday:

Breakfast-Sausage/Egg Burritos

Lunch-Roast Beef Sanwhiches & Baked Beans

Dinner- Tri-tip, Chips, Carrots

Dessert- Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

Sunday:

Breakfast-Crepes

Little Charly

This is my niece Charley. I asked her mom if she at least warmed up the cold floor before she put her there. This was Julie's reply. No I didn't, does it look like she cares? Whell. She is a very cute baby in my mind. Born on our Anniversary.......

11 year old Scouts

Mike had another weekend away. This time he was with 3 boys and another scruffy guy. At Camp Herms in Orinda, Ca. They woke up to a foggy 40 degree morning. Had workshops all day and the boys were able to pass off a few things. Mike was tired cuz the boys were insistent on gettin up at 5:30 am.

Friday night was Tin Foil Dinners.

Saturday Morning, sausage/egg McMuffins.

Lunch, Roast beef sanwiches. The Boys chose the menu.

Do you think I like Sweets or Something?

I enjoy a good dessert now and again. Okay more like NOW..... Mike doesn't care for dessert unless it's Chocolate. I prefer fruity medleys. So in order for us to both be happy and have our sweet fix. We've been trying some new desserts and sharing them with our Friends once a week. There are no pictures as to not make anyone jealous or left out. If we haven't invited you yet... it's probably because we didn't know if you liked dessert.

Memorial Day Outing

Delta dawn..... Went to the Antioch Delta at the butt crack of Dawn to go water skiing with the Hoggans. The water was chill at first jump but then after that it was nice. I used the boom to get up on the one ski! It is tons easier than the rope. Did good at getting my back foot in the ski and balancing while we were just getting going. Still having trouble in the turns....I've always had trouble in the turns. Mike drove the boat while Shaun was skiing. Ethan, Greg and Kara had fun skiing and kneeboarding.

**Pampering **

Every one needs a little pampering now and again. Today was so great. I woke up late and did a few chores. Planned out my day and out the door. So what makes it so wonderful. I had time to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted..... Almost like being single.

-PH Farmer's Market- Loaded up on fresh fruits and veggies.

-Garage Sale-ing

- Visited Kim Hogan

-Finished Projects from last night

-Practiced the DRUMS!

-Packaged gifts that need to be sent

-Placed my Garage sale Finds

-Started another Big Project-draperies for Mike's Office

-Went to the store to get stuff to finish that project

-Had a long overdue pedicure-took a nap in the massage chair.

-Fold Laundry

-Work on Mikes Draperies

-Play Rockband some more...

-Play with the dogs

-Relax some more....

I Miss Mike, Can't wait for him to come home so I can show him all the stuff I've done while he was away. I gotta have fun while he's gone cuz he's having fun without me. We have an understanding!

GIRLS NIGHT

Had so much Fun with the girls! I would have had pictures but there was no memory card in the Camera.... 6 of us total. Rockband was the highlight! I had fun, while mike is out of Town! )

**MIKE'S Birthday CAKES**

Mike had a good birthday. He got all the things he's ever wanted.... a few acessories for his new truck, the remote to the TV, the satisfaction of saying "you can't yell at me it's my birthday" & Yummy birthday Cake! I was planning for the German Chocolate cake and buying the needed items. I don't make this often so it's a special occasion when I do and made with LOVE! As we are walking past the bakery on the way out, someone's eyes got really big. "ooohhh look at that! Yyummm". It was Beautiful. Layers and layers of Lady Fingers, real Whipped Cream, Fresh Strawberries, drizzled in Chocolate.... So we had 2 Cakes. We have problems finishing a cake ourselves so we went to the Hoggn's and Celebrated with them and the Michaelsons. It was fun to relax and get away. Tyler is helping Mike blow out his candles. His lungs are younger and fresher than MIke's in his old age....29!

The Crazy Buzzzy Weekend

This weekend went to Utah for Shane's Graduation and Maison's Baptism. This was the first time in three years that we have been back. It was a Crazy Busy weekend. We saw the Olsens, Williams, Daines Family, Bernston Family, Baker Family, saw our Old House, Baled out Terry's Pond, and Visited Cabela's.
Shane Recieved his masters degree in Architecture! Whooo Hoo Holly is so Excited for him and so are we!

The new truck

OK for all of you that have been anxiously waiting ......(Bruce)! Here are the photos of my new truck. We won't mention any name brands because that would be advertising. It may take a little while for us to get used to the new brand that we've switched to. Carolyn is just shy of 5'0" so see how tall it is. Steps were a must for her and so they will be installed soon. She has to bring her knee all the way up to her chest ...... and heave like getting onto a horse just to get in the darn thing. The bed is short but longer than the old truck. See how shiny the tires are... Take a good look cuz they'll never look that good again. Especially after going to the Dunes, Beach, Ranch.....& Wherever else we go. I guarantee it's gonna get dirty. Inside and out!

Mustache

Mike likes his growing mustache so much. He's been craving movies from the old west. It is fun to see similarities with him and all the outlaws of the wild west. It's just getting a little long. It tickles when he kisses me... just thinking about it makes my neck crinkle. I'll get a picture this weekend when I cut his hair. OH NEws! After a bad hair cut he let me touch it up and has more confidence in me that I can cut hair. or at least trim it up.... we shall see. wish me luck.

VROOM Vroom..

Mike is looking for a truck again. Any body want to buy his old one? We get a new truck every couple of years... Geez I'm tired of all the looking and money and add ons... Hopefully this one will last longer and keep him happy. Do you think that depression gets better with spending?
He's been happier since he started looking at New TRUCKS!

Our friends the Daines

Today our good friends moved away. We tried spending as much time with them before they left. We packed, ate and paacked , then packed some more. Mike had the task of getting all ther belongings plus 2 dogs and a FAAT cat into a big truck and if needed a trailor. THat didn't include a jeep and Durango! Jolene Packed inside and Travis packed the Garage! if you've seen our garages in the past, this one was more packed and had large items too. They moved back to there home town of Kaysville, Utah.





Though we have only gotten to know them for only a few months we will miss them dearly. We've had fun playing Settlers of Catan, Catch Phrase and just having good conversation. Travis is one of only a few people that MIke doesn't get tired of. HE looks forward to going to scouts with Travis. HE looks forward to going to church to see his friend Travis.... Bye
Good luck Travis, Jolene, Spencer and Shaylee.

Easter Sunday

Easter a new begining to the end

Easter Sunday~ Golden rays of Sunshine, Yellow and Purple flowers in the field. Smiling Happy faces, Girls in pretty dresses boys in new shirt and ties. Spring brings such new things for us if we just look and see what beautiful things surround us.

Today was also the last Sunday as a Primary Presidency Together. Tammy, Natalie, Jolene, Kim, and Carolyn.

Project of the week

The Humanitarian Aid is in need of Wooden blocks for small tots. Mike Cut the wood. Then the Relif Society sanded almost all of them. Carolyn is asking the 11 year old scouts to finish the sanding of the blocks. We shall see how quickly they can get them done. The goal is 10 sets!

Mike's Mustache Week 3

Mike has been taking great pride in his new appearance. He is constantly twisting and grooming the new "stache". Today was the first time he used a wax, for shaping. It keeps growing every day.

2008 So Far

So far 2008 has treated us well.

February always seems busy. Probably cuz there were only 29 days this year. I took a cake decorating class and had a ball. This year for Valentines Day, it was My year to plan the evening. It was fun to come up with clues for michael to find special letters. He's pretty good at playing games like that. He's so good he guessed the destination 2 days early.

Mike's Mustache & Beard

After 5 years of the same ol' style, Mike is experimenting with letting his natural roots grow. Not sure if its all the western cowboy movies he's been watching. I was HOPING it would look like Capt'n Jack Sparrow! The mustache is starting to curl in and be quite tasty. The beard is now 2" long. Not quite long enough for beads.