" EYE LOVE YOU! "

Look what showed up in my email today. Could this be any cuter!

And then these candies delivered to our door. Of course..mine is the Elvis one.

Thanks Leo. Fischer, Rocky and Dodgie. We loved them xoxoxo

Ventriloque : Terry Fader ( Watch This)

Only in Vegas can you be entertained by a singing turtle, a country music singer and an Elvis impersonator all in the same show. They are just some of the characters in Terry Fator’s show at the Mirage where he astounds...

His show starts with a performance of the Etta James’ hit “At Last” sung by his lovable puppet Emma Taylor. It’s the same routine that won over the hearts of audiences nationwide in his debut performance on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in 2007. Next, he pulls out Winston the Impersonating Turtle who performs Roy Orbison’s “Crying.” It’s awe inspiring to hear Orbison’s voice projecting from a cute turtle puppet while Fator seems to be standing there taking in the outstanding performance just like the rest of the audience. In fact this incredible moment in the show is the same performance that made Fator the $1 million winner of “America’s Got Talent.” Aside from just singing, Fator has brief discussions with each of his characters that usually end in amusement for the audience. “I’m like a convertible, I look better with my top down,” says Vikki, a sassy and voluptuous cougar puppet who made her debut in the show at Mirage. Laughter erupts from the audience at her remark. She performs songs from female artists like Amy Winehouse and Beyoncé. Her lifelike movements and dynamic personality make it easy to forget that you are watching a one-man show, aside from the live band that also performs on stage. In between doing impressions as a ventriloquist, Fator also does them on his own to demonstrate that his puppets are not the only ones who can carry a tune. “I like to do that because after seeing me on TV most people don’t even realize that I can sing,” says Fator in his show after performing a song from the Bee Gees. Walter T. Airedale is the next puppet to perform. He is a country music lover who also has an eye for the ladies. “Last time I saw that many beautiful women in Vegas I had to pay a cover charge,” says Airedale after taking a look at the audience. Not even Fator can stop from laughing. In fact, despite not moving his lips for much of the show, there always seems to be a smile on his face. Fator’s success story is one that dreams are made of but getting to that point wasn’t easy. In his autobiography, “Who’s The Dummy Now?,” he describes how a disapproving father and chronic illness got in his way, but he never lost sight of his dreams. “That’s my message to everyone. Never give up. Don’t let somebody tell you what you can and can’t do with your life. What do they know? You’re the one who has your life in your own hands. The amount of work you're willing to put into something is what you’re going to get out of life,” said Fator in an interview after the show. This clip is when he performed for America's Got Talent. Awesome. Enjoy! http://www.gingagadgets.com/youtube/view?key=qNJ02rxaNrs

Gregory : My Chauffeur Amour!

Today while we were out doing errands, Greg stopped me at a friend's house to run something in to her. Her kids said " Mom...someone's here and they have a chauffeur driving them. I thought it was so funny.....must be his hat. But it isn't far from the truth. As long as he has his book, Greg will drive me all over....not just in the bad weather but all the time. He usually asks how many places we are going.....then gets his entertainment lined up. He always carries his book, his cell phone to call his folks or the kids and sometimes the newspaper if he hasn't read it yet. I usually let him get a snack and a drink and sometimes even dinner on our travels. His favorite part is when he gets to take an uninterrupted nap ( like when I am in Target or the Dollar Store). The are not usually short stops. We usually listen to talk radio en route and discuss the days political happenings . The only thing I don't like about the car ride , is when he editorializes my cell phone conversations....adding his hysterical humor, wit and sarcasm. Although I do have to say he is pretty funny at times. Now I know where Clayton gets it . He used to walk by me, when he was a teenager, while I was talking in the kitchen....say funny things.....and crack me up to no end. I miss those days. Now I just have to get in the car with Greg! But all in all Gregory ( his real name sounds more chauffeur like) is good guy and I couldn't have a better chauffeur. Thanks SWEETIE :)

Coco turns 9!

Chloe Jane Wood turned 9 on February 8th. She had a combined " Jump Rope" birthday party with Felix this year. They had a guest performer come and perform. Chelsea sent me a summary so I got the details right

For Felix and Coco's combined birthday party, we planned a fandango that included all their favorite things. They have been slightly obsessed with jump rope this past year, and we were lucky enough to have a local celebrity willing to make an appearance. We rented out our neighborhood club house, created the invitations/water bottle labels/treat sacks, invited several dozen friends, and picked up some speed ropes. When the kids arrived they spent time at the origami table (another Wood obsession) while we waited for the other guests. Then we played a rousing game of freeze dance set to Chelsea's club mix. Coach Tyler arrived with some other athletes and began the jump rope clinic. The kids jumped at varying levels, but each learned some new tricks. There was a double-under competition and also a chance for everyone to jump double dutch. Chelsea was thrilled the kids liked her 'healthy snack table' filled with fruits/veggies, popcorn, and bottled water. Coach Tyler then performed for the kids, jumping an awesome and dazzling routine. The party ended with cupcakes for all the guests. Coco and Felix had a blast and were so excited the following week to begin watching Coach T. on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (the first jump rope team to make it to the finals). Best of luck in Hollywood, Tyler! http://www.mtv.com/shows/dance_crew/season_5/episode.jhtml?episodeID=164897

Everyone wants to be like Grandpa Greg!

Jordan sent us these cute pictures of Tess and Maddox with fake mustaches and the caption : "Everyone wants to be like Grandpa Greg". They are so cute and I miss them. And Ellie and Reagan. We don't get to see them very often . But we are going to visit sometime this year as we are having an adults only reunion in DC this year. Love these cute cute kids.

Snow Glorious Snow and Sleepovers at the Folks!

Even though this 3rd winter snowstorm came and ruined our weekend plans, it is beautiful to look at. Our trees are fabulous..like white velvet. We hear there may be another storm on Tuesday or Wednesday. Yikes! There sure is not global warming happening in Virginia or surrounding areas.

We were suppose to take Leo and Fischer to Raleigh, NC to see their cousins,the Woods.

We were all disappointed that we couldn't go due to the weather.Leo, Fisher and Rocky came over and spent the night here so we could still have some fun . We watched a movie with popcorn and had waffles for breakfast. Their dad, Denton came and got them after making breakfast in bed for Marissa's birthday today.I think they may have even got to go sledding today. It is fun to have a sleepover at grandma and grandpa's....especially for grandma and grandpa.

So we will have to reschedule to go again the first weekend in March......and hopefully we won't have snow. We will be extra excited to visit the Woods in NC.

I got hit by a snowplow on Thursday that backed into me at a stop sign...if you can believe that.So I am going to stay as far away from them as possible. It was their fault but will be a

big inconvenience to get my van repaired.

Tomorrow if we can dig ourselves out, we will go to Denton's house for Marissa's birthday lunch at noon and one hour of sacrament meeting with 3 wards combining in the afternoon.

We have been holed up all day, watching movies and eating a variety of foods...including the famous Romans hot cocoa. Thank heavens for Netflix. There could be worse things.

An Awesome Find : Great Green Bags

I found the coolest things by accident. I was in Stapes buying office supply things, and I saw these bags on clearance for really cheap ( like $1.50) They are Debbie Meyer Green bags to help your produce stay fresh longer. I thought, what the hey, they were cheap and no big loss if they didn't work. But much to my surprise, they are awesome. I even saw them in Kroger for full price in the produce department for $9.95. I divided my giant bag of spinach from Costco up into smaller "green" bags. I have had it for 2 weeks and it is just as fresh as the day I bought it. Which is so awesome for me because Greg and I usually have a hard time eating up the whole bag before it goes rotten unless we have spinach everyday. I was trying to use it in different ways because it is so good for us. Now I don't have to stress....I can do it less often and still make it work well. The are also reusable. I am going to put everything in them. You get 20 bags in a box. I bet I can find them on-line cheaper when I use these up. I

I love it when good things like this happen to me. Too bad I am 56 finding

out about them .That is why I am posting this on my BLOG so you can all know my

great secret to FRESH vegetables. Greg can no longer say I am growing a variety

of different molds to experiment with :)

You must try them and let me know what you think.

Valentine's Thouhgts and Decor at Suzie's

I love Valentine's Day. Somewhat because of all the cute decorations. But mostly because it is LOVE month and fun to give Valentines to people in many different forms. I love being surrounded by all these hearts.....and thinking of some of the fun V Day dates with Greg and some of the fun presents he has given me over the years. And my kids too when they were younger.

We usually go out to a yummy lunch and then a romantic comedy ( Greg is a good sport on this day)...and I think we will do that again this year...only a few days early.

Here I am posting a few pictures ( not as many as I could :) of my decor.