So, I'm Kind of an Elf--it's a Long Story

Last year we got to attend an ugly sweater/gingerbread house making contest. This year, the lovely hostess added a new baby, a new calling, and her husband has been working so much they flew his twin brother in to help out. It's all good that she canceled this year's party.

HOWEVER--I had picked up a nifty sweater vest at Savers in April. So I proposed a fun and festive FHE--Ugly Sweater Bowling and Hot Chocolate. Who doesn't like these two thing rolled into one fun package? I know I do. Look how excited Inger is!

Here are the "good looking" couples and their "adorable" sweaters--check out Louis' slightly pervy Christmas shirt

Love the face. Hey, you do the crime you pay the time.

Team Smith, showing off their elfin' fun

The gang of ladies--showing off our awesome sweaters and holiday spirit

Team 34 Rock Harbor Lane

Inger showing us a preview of what's to come in, oh, 4.5 more months. This seemed to freak her out a little, since her lil bun in the oven looks more like bread bloat, less bowling ball at the moment

We had some seriously good form on the lanes--especially Evan, who showed off a great spin and the winning score



Every time I got a strike or a spare, I did my elfin' jig. Too bad I didn't get it on film--it's quite charming.

Around this time, the alley manager came over and let me know that "while my holiday spirit was fun, my camera flash was really bugging the hardcore bowling leaguers, and I could only take pictures without a flash from that point on out." Okay, dude. I understand. I would NEVER dream of disrupting the reverence expected on League Night. Flash off.

We dined on some classy fare--bowling alley style

Because I can't eat pizza, and it was 11 pm (time for 2nd dinner) we hit up yet another class joint in the adjacent strip mall. May I present...WING STOP! I know this wasn't supposed to be a white trash bowling night, but I suppose that's an oxymoron.

Mmmm. Kaari liki wingi.

Then the real fun started, Travis "The Topper" Murdock started regaling us with tales of his eagle scout days. His story went a little something like this--"my eagle scout project was rejected because it was too good, too big, and took too much time." He asserted his project took 500 hours and that the end project was a huge cabin of some sort. We garnered a guess that he really built a brokedown kiosk that took a week.


Travis immediately got on the phone with his father to try and back up his story--then he realized it was 11, and his dad would have been in bed for hours. Lucky break, buddy.


Thanks to everyone for another fun night. For those that wanted my homemade cocoa mix, here you go:

Kaari's Cocoa Mix
2 cups nonfat dry powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa
1/2 cup non-dairy creamer like Coffeemate
Dash of salt
Add 2-4 TBS of mix per mug of water. Top with marshmallows and enjoy!

Music Wrap-Up for 2009

As the year starts winding down, I would like to do my annual Top 10 list of favorite songs from 2009. You can find last year's here.

Best Songs of 2009

1. Lady Gaga. Just Dance, Poker Face, Love Game, Paparazzi, Bad Romance...the list is endless. Truly the most talented and original singer in the last 10 years. The new Madonna. She's here to stay.

2. Kings of Leon. Sex on Fire, Use Somebody. Just behind Gaga in originality and creativity. Album is amazing--love the lead singer's voice.

3.The Black Eyed Peas. Boom Boom Pow. This was the jam that kept me up all night long in Vegas.

4. Britney Spears. 3/Circus. Killer dance songs. She continues to reign.

5. Cascada. Evacuate the Dance Floor. Another killer dance song. Look it up on Youtube if you don't know it.

6. Jamie Foxx/T. Pain. Blame it. This song is trashtastic, and I love it.

7. Kid Cudi. Day n Nite. The Crookers remix.

8. Kayne. Heartless. Kanye is Kanye. I'm embarrassed to have him on this list.

9. Muse. Uprising. A solid band with placement on last year's chart as well.

10. T-Swizz. Love Story/You Belong with Me. Funny, talented, cute, dated a Jo Bro. What's not to love?? PS. I should have put her above Kanye to teach him a lesson, but I'm lazy.

And here are the ten songs that made me want to drive off a cliff. If you need to interrogate me, play these songs in a room, and I'll start talking.

Worst Songs of 2009

1. Colbie Caillat. Fallin' For You. Blech.

2. Owl City. Fireflies. I do NOT want to hear about you dancing with and/or receiving affection from bugs. Ever.

3. Leona Lewis. Happy. Does not make me happy.

4. Jason Mraz/Colbie Caillat. Lucky. It's a holdover from 2008, but it ruined enough of my 2009 airtime, so it gets a nod. He is also responsible for "I'm Yours."

5. Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. Party in the USA. Kill me now.

6. Beyonce. Sweet Dreams. The stations are really trying to push this one, but they should just throw in the towel. Single Ladies it's not.

7. Black Eyed Peas. I Gotta Feeling...that song sucks.

8. LMFAO. I'm from Miami. Then you should just stay there and stop torturing the rest of the US with your crappy song.

9. Rihanna. Russian Roulette. Love the voice, hate the song.

10. David Archuletta. Every single song, but the "Christmas Album" is by far the biggest offender.

Gimme yours if you're not totally offended. I know Archie has his little Mormon minions around this place.