Festival of Trees

Last Tuesday Susan and I tagged along with Mom and Dad to the annual Festival of Trees in Salt Lake City. The collection of trees and other Christmas decorations are donated by people and get auctioned off throughout the night to benefit Primary Children's Hospital.

This tree and the presents around it were made of glass. They lit up in time to Christmas music. Needless to say, it was an amazing presentation. The minimum bid for this magnificent piece of art was a mere $25,000. I was thinking about getting it, but ended up not because I couldn't figure out where to put it in our huge apartment.

Susan loved the Pooh and Friends tree.

There were also gingerbread houses for people to bid on. I say nuts to bidding on it, I want to live in it!

This was dad's favorite tree. It was all made of wood and had tiny billiard balls that rolled through mechanisms from top to bottom. Once the balls reached the bottom they were blown back to the top through the trunk of the tree. We think it could be dad's next wooden project.

We all had a great time walking around and looking at the trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and gingerbread houses. It's definitely a great family tradition... although next time I think Susan will bring a more comfortable pair of shoes (that's her leaning on the giant nutcracker to rub her aching feet.)

Piglet Moment

Yesterday I had a Piglet moment, and by that I don't mean eating all the Ben & Jerry's. I was walking on campus by the canyon and the wind was so strong that as I went to take a step forward a gust poofed up over the side of the hill and sent me staggering backwards a little. It took a little extra umph of energy (which is somewhere between a heave and a heft) to lean forward and get myself going again through the swirling leaves. I was reminded, by this harrowing little scene, of Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day when Piglet is fighting agianst the wind and eventually gets blown away. Only in my version Paul was not holding onto me by my unravelling scarf and flying me like a kite because, let's face it, that would have been a spectacle. Happy Wind-sday Everyone!

Cupcake Walk Tips

We've all felt that familiar fear of being at a prestigious party when a cupcake walk is about to take place. You are afraid to participate in front of your friends and co-workers because you aren't sure if you can win an elusive cupcake, right? Watch the videos below for some great tips from two professional cupcake walkers to ease your anxieties at your next office party.

Give the People What They Want!

Ok, rabid readers, you asked for it. The Armstrong Halloween Carnival was graced with the presence of two celebrities, Kriss and Kross (of Kriss Kross) and Action 3 News was even fortunate enough to get a personalized rap just for us! Watch the video below and you won't be able to keep yourself from singing along...

Action 3 News Behind the Scenes

You always knew Action 3 news was action packed, but take a look at the behind-the-scenes controversy between the camera man and the mime when things start to get heated...
For the record, I had no idea my face would look like this when the video was not started. Shocking to say the least.

Halloween Alter Egos

Wow I just want to thank Curt and Meg (aka Mime and Disney Tourist) for an awesome Halloween Party! My limited bloggie skills inhibit me from posting all the wacky fun that was recorded by Action 3 News (aka, Paul and Alison) but I have included, for your viewing pleasure, one sampling of Alison, Susan, and Stace slipping into their Halloween alter egos. Although, Stace's absentminded act wasn't entirely far from the truth. (Just Kidding Stace! We love you.) Keep your eyes riveted to this blog for future episodes from Action 3 News including appearances by Kris Kross and David Beckham. I also want to give a big thanks to Paul for being such an amazing camera man.

Black Cat Lore According to Paul

Now this is sound advice for anyone interested in avoiding the uncommonly bad luck, possibly resulting in death or dismemberment, brought on this season by the legendary black cat crossing one's path. Two days ago Paul and I were walking through the school parking lot at an hour too early to relate when a black cat slinked (yes, it slinked) from between some parked cars in front of us and walked directly across our path so boldly and broadly that there was no avoiding the cursed trail he left in his wake. I was, naturally, frozen in superstitious fear, but Paul immediately sprang into action. He took my hand and led me in sort of a wobbly circle which eventually rejoined our original course toward the business building.

"There" he looked triumphant, "we are now safe."
"How?" I asked confused, and a little dizzy. "We still have to cross it's path."
"No," he insisted confidently, "we have negated his powers by curving our path into his path but still away from it..." and then I think there was something about a trajectory and the healing powers of spinning in a circle. Needless to say I was a bit skeptical with regard to Paul's certain knowledge of black cat lore that seemed to come out of nowhere, but the prospect of being late to class eventually drove all thoughts of cats, black or otherwise, out of our minds and we speed-walked directly through the ominous path of said cat on to class.

Due to the fact that I am still alive and in possession of all my limbs one or more assertions can be drawn from this scientific experience. First Paul's take on counteracting black cat powers must be accurate. I have also considered the possibility that the cat was actually not black and it was just too dark outside. In the event that Paul's little cat dance actually worked, the scientific method would also dictate that handstands deter werewolves and leeches hate loud music. You are welcome to use this powerful information to your advantage. Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!