Kenny Rogers = The Christmas Season

In keeping in line with the Ned Lunt family tradition, we decorated our Christmas tree this past monday...

and all to the soundtrack of my childhood...

Yes. I am aware that this CD is AMAZINGLY cheesy and not necessarily that good...but I've heard it every December of my life and I dig that soulful sound of Kenny...(insert your laughter here...I really don't dig Kenny...in fact if I hear any of his other stuff I kind of die...he really is so corny and ridiculous...but I do love this CD)


My mom is about the most organized human in the world so we each have our own boxes with ornaments in them...within this box our ornaments are divided between ornaments for the tree (good looking, not tacky ornaments) and ornaments not for the tree (the ugly, usually only kept for sentimental reasons ornaments).

So apparently some of my ornaments broke in storage...this reminded me of the island of mis-fit toys on the old school Rudolph movie...

You will also notice that the ornament on the left says best grandma....when I picked it out when I was a young one I didn't realize it said that...I just thought it was a cute mouse...oh well...someday I'll be the best grandma and then it will totally be applicable...


The children getting their ornaments ready to go...


April loves this picture of herself...

and I'm not quite sure why Seth has a vampire tan in this picture....



Christmas tree decorating has never looked so good...



So April got to put the star on the tree because it is her last Christmas living at home...

She struggled...


And she was concentrating really hard...if you can tell...



And last but not least....


The sweet nectar of the gods....hot chocolate. I used my most favorite kitchen appliance for this occasion and even used my fancy hot chocolate not sold around here...


Behold the cocomotion...I love it so much.

I have a few other posts I need to update on...but I'm way tired. So don't be mad, Dale :)

Just call me June

So I helped prepare things for thanksgiving today. I thought ALL of you would really want to know what I made and my recipes...
that's what we do on blogs, right?? :)

First I made this:


Homemade cranberry sauce...NBD (translation for those who aren't as into the text lingo: no big deal)

1 cup orange juice
1 cup granulated sugar (dissolve into oj in medium sauce pan over medium heat)
12 oz fresh cranberries (stir into oj/sugar and wait for them to pop and get all mashed together...DELICIOUS)

once it's cooked for how long you want it, put it in a serving dish and let it cool. Will thicken as it does. So good.

THEN I made this:

Cranberry butter....so fattening...so worth it.

I honestly don't have measurements for any of this. I used about 6 oz of cranberries and put them through the food processor, then I dumped in a whole lot of powdered sugar and mashed all that together, then I dumped in about 3 sticks of butter and whipped that all together....so basically it's like frosting but with the powdered sugar and butter in different proportions so we don't feel as bad :)

And last but not least, I made this:


and I even made it all pretty.
There's just a whole lot of stuff all over this turkey. I marinated it over night in a bunch of things...maybe if I plan on ever blogging about recipes I can't just fly by the seat of my pants with all this stuff.

Much more food was had, but those were my main contributions. I had several friends from church come down because they couldn't go home for thanksgiving.



My friend Dan had a food baby.



I tried doing a food baby but it just hurt, and it wasn't super hot, so I just failed and started laughing...and that's where this picture comes from.


Here's me being June Cleaver (or however you spell her name).


I got bangs!
I'll post a picture where I actually do my hair so you can see what they really look like soon :)

tell me the truth

I need COMPLETE honesty on this response. And this is something really not important at all...but I want to know if doing this hair cut would be a bad idea (I'm talking about the mom...not the dad)...

My concerns are that I don't have the jaw line/chin to do it or that it would de-emphasize things that I like about myself like my eyes...is this shallow? I'm not meaning to be, I just sometimes see people like this girl and I want their hair so badly. I think it's so cute.
But REALLY. If you think I look better without bangs or they would eat my face or anything please let me know. I will in no way be offended. I just really want to know if this is something that would look good, and not just something I could pull off. Catch my drift??
K, fire away.

Also I'll have more interesting/meaningful posts soon.

So sorry!!

Let me make the disclaimer that I told you all that I wouldn't necessarily become a regular blogger just because I was doing really well for a few weeks....
But I am sorry!! I've been meaning to update for who knows how long but I get really nervous about putting more stuff on my computer's hard drive. I've had that bad boy since December of 2004. Just wrap your mind around how ARCHAIC it is. My hard drive is around 40 GB....people have ipods and cell phones now with more memory, and I even bought mine with extra. Technology is crazy!
My family was nice enough to let me upload a bunch of stuff on their computer (fact: they don't know I am...but they will when I publish this next slew of posts)

So here is what has been happening for the last while! I'll do multiple blog posts so we all don't get visually overwhelmed.

For starters, I helped my little sister do her extra credit project for biology. I LOVE projects. I really do. Especially projects you can do in a few hours that involve planning and then hands on work. April needed to make an edible DNA and I was all over that.

April didn't want to do the sign....but I told her she should. EVERY project should have a snazzy sign.

This next pic is of my friend Melissa's face....she ran into someone's shoulder playing tag football. It was cuh-razy looking.

Doesn't that look rad??

Next up is the Lake Geneva trip 2010. I went back up to Chicago sept. 11th because I was still helping with this activity. It was really fun. I stayed in Champaign the night before with my friend Tina and then we left early so I could do a trial wedding hair run in Carol Stream (suburb of Chicago) and then head to the WI/IL border. No, I did not meet my eternal companion at this activity....

This is my good friend Tina. A lot of my family might remember her from the Lunt Family Nuavoo reunion in 2003. She lived with my family for a while and joined the LDS church when she lived in my home town.


This is my friend Eric and me. Mostly I have this picture up here because I made the card and it actually looked really awesome, though the picture doesn't do it justice. Like I said, I really like projects. Also validation.

The activity consisted of a super nice family hosting us at their lake house and providing tons of awesome food. There were also jet skis and games. At the end of the evening there was a big ferry boat with catered desserts and we toured all the houses around Lake Geneva (google it...ridiculous homes) and then had a dance. Several of my friends from Milwaukee came down so that was really nice to see them.

It was a super nice night and a really well done activity. Sunset from the boat!

If you got it, flaunt it...

So it's FINALLY started to cool down here in good ol' Charleston, IL....

but for about 2 weeks here it was CRAZY HOT and HUMID.

We all deal with things in our own way...some of us by staying home in front of a fan as much as possible (me)...others by driving around in their air conditioned cars (most people)......






and then.....





there's this guy.......





what better way to beat the heat then to have as little clothing on as possible while out on your hog?? His outfit is complete with old-man boat shoes, SHORT cut-off denims (all right if anyone has ever watched arrested development...never nudes??? ahahaha oh I love it)...and top it off with an almost (not quite cut to the seams) sleeveless shirt that has been handily rolled up to be a mid-drift top.....


So hot right now......



Brought to you by the every day population of small town mid-west.




You're welcome :)

And in this corner...weighing in at 9 lbs and 9 oz is....

Hannah Louise Danielson!!!

I must say, that's a pretty cute kid, huh?? And she's even a new born!!!! Usually those are kind of tragic looking for a while haha.

She was born this morning at 4:30....2 days late....Mommy wasn't very happy about that but is very glad she is here now and is healthy and safe! Everyone is doing well!!

That is niece #6 for me which brings the grand total to 9!! And I have two more on the way!!!

I love being an aunt....also it makes me want babies....but I'll wait till I have a husband to change their diapers :)

check it out

hey, folks.

Just completed my first web-site. Woot!
It's to promote my work as a hair stylist. It only has a few of my events up there right now and the home page is a little bare because I'm waiting to get another picture sent to me to put as the background yadda yadda yadda...but check it out!

And if you live in Illinois or know people living in Illinois or the bordering states that are needing anything fancy done with their hair or just looking for a good stylist for everyday...go ahead and throw my name out there :)

hairDsign

John Mayer

I did the hair and makeup for a wedding back up in Chicago last weekend....oh, by the way...I moved back home...so I'm no longer in Chicago....surprise, I guess?
Anyway, went back last weekend to do the wedding and went to the John Mayer concert that night with some friends. This is my second time to see him live. He has definitely improved as a musician...and as a tool. For those of you wondering what a tool is, I'm pretty sure you can urban dictionary it...but I don't actually know what urban dictionary says about the term...and it's probably inappropriate because a lot of stuff on there is...so maybe don't do that...
but anyway. So amazing live, but you can definitely tell he thinks he's the cats meow. He was wearing the most ridiculous outfit I've ever seen. Let me paint the picture for you because I just don't think my pictures do it justice.

He was wearing white, um, slip on tennis shoes maybe? I don't know they kind of just looked like sports socks. And then his pants, or should I say...man-pris???? That's right....he was wearing capris...but he's a man...so therefore 'man-pris'...they were hidious. I don't know if they're some designer something or other so thats why he wore them but I spent the ENITRE concert trying to figure out what on earth was going on. They were *gulp* tapered on the bottom...just below the calves...and then they ballooned out on top...like parachute pants.....
PARACHUTE PANTS!!!!!!!! seriously, John Mayer??!!!! SERIOUSLY???!!!!!!
for a while I thought he actually had capri over-alls on and had done the super hip, mid-90s folded down at the waist look with the straps hanging down...I could never quite tell.....they were also made of I've concluded a really really shiny black denimn...that looks a lot like leather....so upsetting....
Then he was wearing a white, sleevless shirt....apparently too sexy for sleaves now-a-days. That was followed up with a Brett Michael's bandana on top....truly awful. I used to think this man was really attractive...but I'm having my doubts. Thank goodness he is a ridiculously good musician or I would have lost all faith in him.
Is that shallow??
Whatever.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the evening and a little diddy I got during his encore. I ran up closer to where he was playing...potentially with the intention of perhaps throwing a certain supportive undergarment that some women throw at live music gatherings....but obviously I'm a chicken and did not...plus I didn't have a second one with me....so it just would've been an awful idea. Again. Don't judge me. I was caught in the moment. Someday I will though...hopefully at Neil Diamond.


These guys were the opening band. The Avett Brothers. I loved them!!! Seriously they were folk-rocking it out. So amazing. And they all sang really really well. Their singing style isn't the trendy breathy thing that so many male singers are doing right now but more of a belt it all out deal. That's really hard to do live and they had a really clear tone and it was pretty impressive. One guy was literally walking around playing his cello during part of it too....celloooooo!!! That's amazing:)


I attempted yet again to take a group picture...this is try one...


and try two...


and I still fail. I at least got a portion of everyones face...


J May...seriously I wish you could've gotten a detailed picture of his outfit...


Just thought this pic was kind of cool. Looks more like a drawing...




Mark and Kathryn had never been to a concert before. Crazy to me. We broke them in.



During the encore. We were closer to him so it's a little more detailed. The next one isn't so blurry.




And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!!!
And no, I'm not that voice singing loudly over john mayer...but at least she knows the words.



Also I feel like I'm giving everyone the false impression that I'm going to become a regular every-other-day blogger. That probably won't be the case. So enjoy it while you can:) I'll definitely be better than I was before though!!

Motownphilly back again...wahdah wadah wadah wah wah... Doin' a little eastcoast swang

Yes. That IS a transcription of a song from one of the greatest singing groups ever. Boyz II Men. But that's neither here nor there...

So here is another update!!

I went to Philadelphia to visit my sister Melanie while her hubby was out of town for school. She was 38 weeks or so prego at the time and had progressed some so being alone with two kids when you may have a baby is no bueno. It was really fun to go help and hang out! But none of these pictures can be explained until I talk about my journey getting to Philadelphia...

So...

My flight leaves at 9:05 in the morning. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. I tell my buddy that's taking me to the airport that I need him at my house by 6:45 at the latest. No big deal he says...

WELL.
His phone doesn't go off. I really didn't judge him at all and I wasn't even upset with him. It happens to everyone and he's a super responsible kid. It was just a little inconvenient. I call him about 5 minutes before he's supposed to get to my house...wake him up...and he says he'll get there as soon as he can....

there's just one problem....

he lives about 45 minutes away....

welcome to singles in the midwest. None of us live by each other. He was the only one not working Saturday morning AND he's my home teacher so I thought he would be the best option.

Anyway, he gets to my house about 7:20 or so. He feels super bad but I tell him don't even worry about it. Southwest is usually super fast and if I'm there about an hour ahead I'll be fine...

or so I thought...

First of all this kid drives like a maniac which makes me super nervous. That day, however, he didn't drive like a maniac at all...and what's funny is I was kind of hoping he would so we would get there faster...interesting how that works.

There is construction, of course.

So we FINALLY get there with about an hour before my flight takes off.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

Apparently southwest planned for all of their flights to leave at the exact same time. They had us looped through the entire zigzag line in front AND THEN had us looping around the back of the airport through the employee hallways....

Wrap your mind around that. If I were to guess how long the line was I would say between 3-4 football fields.

IT. WAS. NUTS.

So I start to panic. There is NO WAY I'm gonna make this flight. My sister is pregnant, I don't know how the next flight would be and yadda yadda yadda.

So I'm talking to the lady next to me in the eternal line and we're just discussing how amazing this is and how nobody had ever seen anything like it. She asks where I'm going and why and I tell her and that my flight leaves at 9:05. I told her my sister was about to go into labor (which may or may not have been a small exaggeration, but throw me a bone. I needed to get on a flight. It could've happened!) and that her husband was out of town.

This woman was awesome! She gets all excited and says "Babies don't wait!! You have to cut!! Start asking people to get in front of them!!". I was super hesitant because I didn't want to be annoying. But by about 8:35 I was freaking out because we were still in the part of the line in outer darkness. So this lady goes with me to the front of the line and basically tells people there that I have to get in. I proceed to tell them my sister is going to go into labor...again, don't judge me - It could've happened...and a super nice guy lets me cut in front of him to check my bag. Once I get it checked I SPRINT to security.

I pick the ONE line where captain chatty is checking everyones tickets and IDs...

Then I hear a flyer's worst nightmare....

"this is the final boarding call for all passengers on southwest flight 2424 to Philadelphia. Final boarding call"

....so I start cutting again. I don't remember what was said or done, but there is a small possibility that I might have said that my sister was actually in labor and I had to get on that flight. Captain chatty is talking to people about there upcoming trips. "Oh you goin to Disney Land? You gonna ride any rides? I hear the weather is real nice! What's your name? Oh yeah? How old are you?"...I was amazed at this man. His co-workers right next to him looked up and saw the gi-NORMOUS line and tried to light a fire under it. But oh, no, no, no! Not him!

So when I get up there I again hear my nightmare confirmed...but now worse...

"Passenger Lunt for flight 2424 to Philadelphia. Please report to gate B19. Passenger Lunt. Your plane is ready for takeoff"...

So again I RUN to the security line. Kind people let me cut in front of them. I finally got all my stuff through the scanner. I grab my belt and don't even think about putting it back on and I BOOKED IT across the midway airport. My lungs felt like fire. I blew into the gate like Kramer and BARELY made it onto the plane. They closed the doors maybe three minutes after I got on gasping for breath.

It was ridiculous.

Also my luggage didn't make it on that flight so we had to come back to the airport later that day to get it.

Either way it was darn near amazing that I made it onto that flight. I never want to repeat that experience again. It's not good for your nerves.

But on a lighter note!

Here is a recap of my trip!

My niece, Rachel. She and I were buddies when they lived in Provo. I'm still her favorite aunt :)


Rachel had been really concerned about the fact that I didn't get my luggage and I think it exhausted her. So she passed out. Lincoln was cranky because they were waiting at the airport forever and he needed a nap.


He feels better if he holds Melanie's hand though. I thought that was cute.


The Liberty Bell. I had to fight my way through a bunch of tourists that I'm pretty dang sure weren't even American....


Independance Hall. Melanie was looking pretty pregnant and she noticed one of the security guards was eyeing her and her condition...so she stuck out her belly even farther. He came over and offered to let us go to the front of the line so she wouldn't have to stand. It pays to be with child.


This is the courtroom in Independance hall. They used to make the prisoners stand in the center in what looks like a cage. I think that would have an effect on the jury:)

Also don't be jealous of how put together I look. You can accomplish this too if you just wear dirty clothes and have your hair in a nasty bun. It's that simple! :)

This was another day. Washington Memorial Chapel. It was really pretty. Also I wanted to show how pregnant Melanie was - well I guess is. She still hasn't had her baby. She's ticked.



Lincoln is so dang funny. He likes to jump off of anything and everything. Each time he says "big jump!" My favorite is how none of my nieces and nephews can pronounce my name. He shortened it the most though. The most common phrase I hear from him was "Na! Ook! Bih Jum!"...translation: Deanna! Look! Big Jump! :)


Another "bih jum!"


These kids are stinkin cute. We had a good time.


I thought this was beautiful.


Pregnancy has never looked so good...


Lincoln likes to be sung to at night. So Melanie was in there singing them to bed and he wanted to cuddle. How convenient baby Hannah was right there. I thought this was hilarious so I took a picture.


The Friday I was there we had a princess birthday party for Rachel. We got out her princess tent that she got from her grandpa and grandma Danielson. It was a hit.

All the little girls at the party making princess cupcakes. Also Lincoln.


So one of the little girls at Rachel's party is at least a year younger than the others...and the social development differences between children that have just barely turned three and just barely turned four are pretty different....watch the video to see....



Talk about yer' Party Foul.




Tearing open the presents. She got some good ones.


But this one might be my favorite. Soooooo one of her friends bought her this outfit. We added the t-shirt underneath. It consists of a tiara that looks mostly like showgirl feathers. A choker. A mid-drift tube top. A mini skirt with mesh on the bottom. And a pair of heels. Yikes. Melanie and I were discussing today that we wouldn't be that sad if it accidentally fell apart...







And now the moment you've all been waiting for...









Epic.....


Here is the documenting of the run. My camera was turned sideways...which apparently is only autofixed on my camera and not anything else. Oops. You still get the idea. Also listen to what Melanie says/sings. I think it's funny.