How to destroy a candy house

Michael's destruction

(You can make all of these bigger by clicking the right hand corner of the video)

Devin's destruction. 

Dad's destruction.

Tamara's destruction

Emily's destruction

Mom's destruction

Fish you say?

I agreed to feed a friends cat while she and her husband went out of town for Christmas. Oh, and her husbands fish...

Fish?

You mean sprinkle a few flakes on the top of the aquarium each day?

Um, not really.

Here are what he fish look like.



And I think they are called Axolotl. Click here for a description. They are in the salamander family.



And this is how they eat



That is a frozen bloodworm in my fingers. They float. So you have to reach your arm in the tank, holding the bloodworm in your fingers, because they float to the top. Then they suck them out of your fingers.

She told me  the fish could go every other day feeding. So I picked that option.  First attempt I got 2 of the 3 fish to eat. The third was hiding. The following day I got the 3rd to eat. That was not without drama though. I had my right arm in the tank, and it was coming up to eat. I got startled and jerked my hand away, splashing water all over and ended up cutting my wrist. It is not a bad cut by any means, but it is my little battle wound!  My third feeding today I managed to feed all 3 without any drama!

Thank you Audrei for testing my bravery. Courage is in check!

Christmas 2012

Christmas means... FAMILY! 

My Handsome Brother and his Sassy Sister

Handsome brother and Smokin' momma!

Don't mess with us!

Me and Muscles Miguelito!

Don't let him fool you, Michael is one good looking young man!

Hey good lookin!

Christmas Eve anticipation! Six adults took almost two hours opening gifts one by one. It was delightful!

What a blessed life. 2012 was good to the Kelm Family. I am grateful for the celebration of Christ's birthday, the greatest gift of all. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

How to make Kelm candy houses

Step 1- Buy tons and tons of candy. New additions this year include Christmas Tree Peeps, Nerds, and Twizzlers. 

Step 2- Get the foundation of graham crackers and frosting "cement", and start building.

Step 3- Sample a few candies as you go. 

Step 4- Add as much candy as you can! 

Ta-Da! 

 Can you see my army gummy man in camaflauge?

Something new happened this year. Dad was not the last one working on his house... 

  Welcome to the family Emily Jane!

Dad's cool walk way between his three buildings.

He also had some pretty patterns.

Emily made a lovely crushed candy cane pathway!

Here they all are. Emily's in front. Back Left- Mom's with her typical candy corn covered house. Center back- Devin's: more building then candy. Right back- Tamara. In front of Tamara's is Michael's creation.

Here is a close up of Michael's. 

Epic battle of gummy bears vs octopus gummy. There were a lot of casualties. Not sure who won. But his nerds skywalk between buildings is awesome!

Stay tuned for Step 5...how to destroy a candy house!

How to love your daughter

Yesterday my brothers took everything out of the attic. Devin and Michael were in search of Pokemon cards. I had my own trip down memory lane. It started with this... 

My Barbie and the Rockers bus! It was a Christmas present in the 80's from my Grandpa and Grandma Hutchison. My dad strapped it on the top of the car when we drove back to California from Utah. I was in love with this. I have saved it, although it is kind of falling apart, for some future day when a child of my own will probably destroy it. If I have no daughters, we can spray paint it black and a boy can play with it.   

Then we opened up another treasure. A container with books. Including this...

Then something magical happened. My dad opened up the book and started to read it to me. I sat down on the garage floor and listened. He even used his cookie monster voice and we learned it is important to share cookies. I was instantly taken back 25 years and was a little girl charmed by her daddy reading a story.

We also found this other favorite. Grover is always a favorite! Even when HE is the monster at the end of the book! 

 

 

The last delightful treasure was a 15 page composition my mom wrote in 1977 titled "Self-Search". It was a personal history with stories I had never heard before. Like how she got the girl behind her to stop asking for answers on tests...she gave her the wrong ones! I learned about her first crush, but most importantly her 20 year old self perspective on meeting my dad her junior year of high school. I loved the insight into my mom. Her final thoughts included her desire for her future- to be married in the temple, to have children, and to have useful and rewarding life.

December 19, 2012...a treasure filled day!

Keep Calm and...SANTA!

 

 'Tis the Season to be Jolly and Joyous! 

AND, to go to Christmas Parties with friends...

 

  Me, Ivy, and Kristin. I've known these lovely ladies for YEARS!

Ivy and I were the only ones without dates (Ok, so Kristin's husband was at work, but she has a husband none-the-less)...it is a mystery why, I mean look at how sassy we are! 

  Heather was the hostess, and let me tell you, her home and food were bursting with all things beautiful that the Christmas Season is all about. Warm, love, coziness, and friendship!

And here I am with a group of "newer"friends. Tiffany organized a trip to see Ballet Austin perform The Nutcracker. I'd never been. Good excuse to dress up in boots, although after leaving there you feel like you should be twirling and leaping all over town!

Another group of my favorites! 

And another nice thing about the Christmas season is the tasty treats you are brought. Chocolate peppermint cookies in a jar...they taste so seasonally delicious...now I am off to go share the completed creation! 

Meteor Shower

Can't sleep.

Being nostalgic

Saturday I was reminded of a happy memory as a drove on Parmer Lane towards Manor.

A memory of a meteor shower observed in the back of a truck.

Wrapped up in a blanket next to a friend.

The conversation lasted for hours.

It is going on 3 years since that night.

I still pause when I drive by the spot.

The sky was foggy and cloudy. Not a meteor or star in sight.

Buy my mind was clear. The moment was perfect.

I haven't talked to that friend in a very long time.

I miss those conversations, and I ache for the emotion behind them.

But the memory is still sweet. And the moment was still perfect.

I think I'll try to go back to sleep now.

And the 2012 Christmas Season Begins!

Christmas Season in Apt #1014 has started.  

On Friday I came home to this...

 

My parents had the lights on and waiting for me!

And inside was this. The detergent mom bought me at Costco and a lovely Poinsettia! 

Yesterday the Kelm's went to the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our trees. OUR trees, because I decided my apartment needed its very own! 

I came home with this 5 1/2 foot beauty!  

 

As I decorated it, I watched "While You Were Sleeping". Two favorite parts to the movie. "These mashed potatoes are so creamy", and the scene where the kid delivering the morning newspaper slides on the ice. It is such a random  scene, but I anticipate it ever time I watch it with happy memories. I saw the movie 1995 with my cousin Bethy Boo. For some reason we laughed hysterically at that scene. I remember it with a fond emotional attachment.

 

 

I am so excited for Christmas...the whole season. Full of joys, anticipation, excitement, peace, and love. May you also feel the sweet spirit of the season that celebrates Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving 2012

This morning started with a 2.5 hour workout...over 1000 calories burned. A little extreme? Yes, but worth every high knee and every squat. (Thanks to Bryant, Kristin, and Jamie.) Wore my "Stronger than the boys" shirt, made me work harder!

I made mashed potatoes for the first time (which I why dad said I have not caught a man yet).

Ate the most moist turkey ever...

...Went to a Chick flick with my parents and loved being totally shocked with my mom for a good 10 minutes. My dad is awesome for taking the two of us to Twilight. 

Enjoyed mom's homemade Apple Pie...

...Watching football...

Going to eat cheesecake during the second half...

...And doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of things I am grateful for today! 

Life is good!

Happy Thanksgiving!

How to watch a football game

I watched the TEXAS football game today at my parents house. They were at the game. I watched the game with my brother Devin. How you ask? Skype of course! I skyped the game for him since he couldn't get this one out in Utah. My laptop faced the TV, he hooked his laptop up to his TV, and we chatted back and forth for the whole game. It was delightful. And while I watched the game, I kept myself busy with another project... 

I call this one "Spring Tree"

And this one "Fall Tree"

I love football season!

"I know it, I live it, I love it"... me too!

This is a talk by Sister Ann Dibbs, called "I know it, I live it, I love it." She talks about that phrase being what she would put on a t-shirt to summarize boldly who she is. She said-

A few years ago, I was in line to make a purchase at my local grocery store. Ahead of me stood a young woman, about 15 years old. She appeared confident and happy. I noticed her T-shirt and couldn’t resist talking to her. I began, “You’re from out of state, aren’t you?”

She was surprised by my question and replied, “Yes, I am. I’m from Colorado. How did you know?”

I explained, “Because of your T-shirt.” I made my accurate supposition after reading the words on her shirt, “I’m a Mormon. Are you?”

I continued, “I must tell you that I’m impressed by your confidence to stand out and wear such a bold declaration. I see a difference in you, and I wish every young woman and every member of the Church could have your same conviction and confidence.” Our purchases completed, we said good-bye and parted.

Yet for days and weeks after this random everyday moment, I found myself seriously reflecting upon this encounter. I wondered how this young girl from Colorado came to possess such confidence in her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I couldn’t help but wonder what meaningful phrase I would figuratively choose to have printed on my T-shirt reflecting my belief and testimony. In my mind, I considered many possible sayings. Eventually, I came upon an ideal statement I would proudly wear: “I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.”

What would MY shirt say? I think you already know! 

Click here to see the birth and history of Take Action.

(Flor- a fellow Take Action founder, Larissa and I in 2010 on our way to a cruise!)

Desiree and Michelle, the other Take Action Founders- wearing our Take Action shirts on the most recent cruise.  

 

 

I sure do love these girls and the inspiration they give me! 

I am a Mormon, I know it, I live it, I love it...because I know how to Take Action!