TIM TAM SLAM!

My best mate from Aussieland, Charlie Rea, is engaged and getting married in January and I couldn't be happier for her!

We had so many fun adventures running around Provo, stealing cherries, going on bike rides, boys*, and sneaking into spooky places. I've missed her tons since she left but I'm hoping now she and her new hubby Adam will come visit. Or maybe I'll try and convince Matt that we need to take a trip to Australia. I wouldn't mind...

Mr. and Mrs. Harriman!

The other day, along with her wedding announcement, Charlie sent me a box of Tim-Tams. An Australian favorite. Late late at night we used to have what Charlie called "Tim-Tam Slams." You bite a little off of each end of the Tim Tam cookie and then drink hot chocolate through it. It melts the chocolate perfectly and is absolutely delicious. I am still quite excited about it.

Thanks again Chuck, and I want to see you SOON!!

Have a Blue Christmas

We had our True Blue Christmas party last week and taped 4 shows in one day. Then as we were wrapping up the party, we found out we had no sound on 2 of the shows. SO everyone went back to work and we RE-taped 2 shows  making our total 6 SHOWS in ONE DAY.

Oh well, with these guys it's always fun!

Make sure to watch the Las Vegas bowl game 6pm (Utah time) on Saturday Dec. 20th!

Congrats!

   Congrats to Johnny Hatch and his lovely bride Becky! 

We were so glad to spend some time with you on your special day!

Christmas questionnaire

SO I first got this as an email from my lovely mom-in-law and it was fun to see what she wrote and think of my own answers. Then Sydney tagged me with the same questionnaire and I owe her one:) 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? mostly wrapped but i'm a mess when it comes to tape so sometimes i just throw it in a bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial?    always had a real tree growing up but being in college i bought a fake one for me and my roommates. now we still use that fake one.

3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?  After new years, when we get back from visiting family

5. Do you like egg nog?  i can stand a couple sips but only if it is watered down with milk.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?  a magic trick kit, i didnt even ask santa for it but somehow he knew. still trying to figure that one out...

7. Do you have a nativity scene? no because all the ones i see are ugly.

8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad and grandpa. they say they don't care but then they end up with stuff they never use.

9. Easiest to buy for? my sisters. they'll take anything.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? well since it's only matt and i, i don't see the point. maybe someday.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm not telling

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?  Home Alone/Muppets Christmas/Christmas Vacation

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hmmm not that I remember

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? anything you put in front of me. I especially love my mom's different homemade candies andsugar cookies.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?  I think the white ones are classy but I still use the colored ones because Im old school and thats what i grew up with. 

17. Favorite Christmas song?  The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole and Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well we get to travel since we live in Utah and our family is every where else. Next year Janice! Next Year! 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?  Sure can.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I used to think this was a special family tradition but since coming to BYU I've found that every other Mormon family does it too. PJ's Christmas eve, everything else Christmas day.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Trying to figure out what to get people and having to deal with college kids who don't know how to drive in the smallest amount of snow.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? no preference yet

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner?  I'm pretty sure we've done ham in the past but this year might be different.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? ...?

25. What is your Christmas wish for the World? More love and tolerance. And on a personal note---Matt to figure out what he wants to do with his life!

Ashlee, Ashley, Christina, Jason, Jamie, and Sarah. You're up:) 

Toni is True Blue

So I'm not really the blogging type but I felt my awesome wife deserved a shoutout for all the hard work she does for her show True Blue.

1. As in, it only takes 1. She owns the show. Her ability to dominate the teleprompter has earned the nickname of "One Take Toni."
2. Two talented. Get it? I'm doing a theme of numbers with words that describe Toni. Her talent is obvious, as she has an on-screen presence rivaled by no one.
3. She's 3 times the reporter anyone else is. Ok that was pushing it. But the work she puts in does not go unnoticed, especially by me (how could it she's my sugar mama).

Balancing her work with all she does at home (she's very festive) and putting up with me earns Toni a Tommy Point and a Matty Point. I love you Bones.

tradition

These may not look like much in the pan, but notice how there are only a few left? Proof that they are delicious. 

Tonight we continued a tradition that Matt and I started a couple years ago. Homemade cinnamon rolls and Home Alone. We had some family over for a cozy evening and it made me even more excited to go home for the Holidays. Two more weeks!

Hotel & Bar

Still no snow in Provo. Is anyone else amazed? (and grateful?) This past Thursday the Varsity Theater in the Wilk (which I've never been to except for classes) was showing A Muppet's Christmas Carol (see previous post for pic).  So my sisters, Matt, and I took advantage of the wonderful opportunity to see this movie in all its glory on the big screen and went to the 9pm showing. Cousins Paul and Stu came as well so we had a mini family reunion while watching the Muppets in a theater for the first time since 1992! I couldn't believe it was that old. Neither could Meg---she would've been 2 years old at the time. Crazy.

Anyway, right before we got to the theater Matt got a call from one of my all time favorite people--Grandpa Dave. The summer before we got married Matt worked for Dave on his farm. I had the pleasure of visiting them frequently on his beautiful land, and I also was able to develop a fun relationship with Matt's Grandpa.

 He gave me many words of wisdom on men and marriage that I am still so thankful for. I remember sitting out on his porch under the stars just the two of us talking. Matt would peek out the window wondering what we were talking about. I'll never tell haha. I'm just lucky to know such an insightful guy.

That night he was calling to stay with us for the night because he was on his way back to Idaho from Arizona.  I love having him over to share his latest adventures! The next morning when I got up he was already gone but he left this for me on our message board...

A check for "Hotel & Bar". I love that guy.

Countdown

25 Days til Christmas

23 Days til my Mom-in-laws b-day

19 Days til I go home

18 Days til Matt only has 2 semesters left of school (yay)

17 Days til my Holiday break starts

I put the decorations up the day after Thanksgiving. If it's gonna get dark by 5:30 we might as well enjoy the holiday light glow as long as possible. 

Now we begin watching the many classic Christmas movies that I wait for all year long...

In no particular order :)

   

I know I've left some out.

But maybe I should stop now...

Dan...

Thanks for letting us borrow your wife and child for a few days:)

A couple things I think you should know:

1.) Upon arriving (at 11pm) Bryson walked into our back room, pointed at our Boston banner and said  "Red Sox!"  I can't believe those were the first words I heard him speak in person. Typical Cook boy I guess.

2.) While playing I (jokingly) tried to put my Oakland A's hat on Bryson. He quickly threw it off his head, ran over and grabbed my Boston hat. Oh my. The tradition continues...

Just thought you'd be proud. Matt sure was :)

wish

Today I wish I was here...

With this view down the street...

And these people.

I miss my New Hampshire family. (Tyler--not pictured--I miss you too)

It was a great summer.

Get a Fade

"Get a fade" was a common phrase at my high school between the guys. If someone said it to you it either meant that it was literally time for you to get a haircut or it was used as joke/ insult to tell someone they looked disheveled.

Well, Matt lately has been wanting to shave his head (sorry Sydney!) and last time he did I didn't find it too flattering :) Lucky for me, this time my cousin Stuart was available. 

Back in high school if someone was told to "get a fade" Stu was the man they'd go to. Their is a big difference between just shaving your head and getting a fade. It takes some work ha ha.

Matt with his luscious locks of hair.

You have to look closely but here he is with half a buzzed head! Just part of the process...

Barber-extraordinaire-- my wonderful cousin Stuart and his finished work of art, Matt!

I can't believe that was all on Matt's head.

Stuart, thanks again! This time around I am LOVING the fade.

 

Megan's Surprise Party

These pic's are basically for my Mom so she can see how we really, truly, surprised Megan on her birthday! 

  The Entrance.

 

The Cake.
This picture is for my Dad--I've got names and numbers if you want them.


 I'm so glad it went so well. Thanks again to all Meg's freshman friends who joined us for a fun night!

Date Night with the Swapps

I'm posting this mainly because it just cracks me up how serious guys can be about work, school, sports, fantasy, etc., and then you get them in the nickelcade and they are 12 years old again! 

Not to worry though, Ashley and I took matters into our own hands and while the husbands were busy we literally beat the entire game of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time." We seriously owned Shredder, the Brain, Beebop & Rocksteady. Looks like being 12 again isn't such a bad idea:)

kissing our muscles...as usual.

The Week of the Megans

November 12th was my sister Megan's birthday, but today is the one and only Megan M. Berry's birthday and I couldn't help but do two tributes in one week for two very deserving ladies.

Oh My Goodness. Where to begin about Megan Berry, formerly McMahon. We met my sophomore year as random roommates at the much celebrated apartments of King Henry and my life was forever changed. Although a little shy at first, one day I heard her quote Anchorman and then a while later sing a little snip of a Ludacris song and I knew I had found my non-lesbian life partner. The rest of the year it only got better. 

After being roommates for 3 straight years I seriously feel a void now that we are each married and can't just knock on each other's door at any hour to share a.)wildly embarrassing stories b.) forbidden rendezvous details or c.) dirty jokes. 

 Although I must add, I am so glad she finally met her match when she married Matt B.  Perfect sarcasm and wit combining to create a love bond? True.

Without getting too sappy, Meg, I love you! You are one of the funniest, most thoughtful and enjoyable people I know and you are a part of practically every single one of my favorite college adventure memories. I think we may know a little too much about each other but I'll never tell if you don't :) Ha! Here's a little trip down memory lane. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I can't wait to see you tonight!!

After Cougarettes in concert, when she was aptly named 'crazy legs' for her unbelievable dancing ability.

The girls.
House party. An oldie but goodie moment that brings to mind some interesting dance moves? Never a dull moment around "the mcmahon".
Our shared love for holiday decorations was quite the bonding factor in our friendship. For obvious reasons.
From the Vegas Bowl in '06. We were both there for very different reasons but yet were are so much the alike:)
Right before Megan's first game as a Cougarette!! (she was not loving the pom-poms) It sounds motherly but I am really so proud! I love watching her performances/dances. She is amazing.
I feel like I should end with a Mitch Hedberg quote or something, but my grandma reads this so... Feliz Cumpleanos A Ti and I will see you soon!

Happy Birthday Megan!

Today is my beautiful sister's birthday and seeing as how it's the cool, expected thing to do, I thought I'd give her a much deserved blog tribute:)

She is out at BYU this year and I am so happy to have her around. I can't wait for the day when Chloe and CJ join us too!!   

Here are some things about Megan that make her the amazing person that she is.

* Her quick wit.

* Her ability to cap on you to your face...and then make you think it's funny.

* The girl can dance.

* She was the one who gave Matt the hardest time when I first brought him around--and I was      glad she did :)

* She is always challenging herself to do/try new things.

* Always has a good story to tell.

* Is MORE than generous with her dining plus! Just ask Matt...

* Great style. If I could fit into her clothes I would steal them.

* Is always herself  even when it can be hard to do so.

* Loves a good laugh, a good friend, and a good time.

*Is so much more than this list but I just want her to know I am so proud of who she has grown   up to be and for the example she sets. 

Stacie took Megan to Vegas for her high school graduation gift, pretty sweet!

Blue eyes courtesy of  Grandma Stauffer! Gorgeous

Matt and Megan are pretty entertaining to be around!

Happy 19th Birthday!!