Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Jake and I watched this documentary last night and I found it very informative but somewhat disturbing. This documentary was released in 2008 and is about a young man's quest to found out the truth about steroid use and America's obsession with becoming bigger, faster, and stronger. I would recommend watching this if you use or know someone who uses steroids or if you are simply interested in exercise and nutrition.

I wasn't too stunned with the information about steroid use at all. The most unsettling things really didn't deal with steroids that much. Back when the big baseball steroid problem broke out and Congress became involved with banning the use of steroids. This movie states that Congress spent more time talking and debating steroid use in baseball than they had spent talking about health care, the Iraq war, and a few other hot topic items. SERIOUSLY!!! Not to mention all the experts that came into Congress stated there were no studies that showed effects of steroid use and suggested that steroids should NOT be banned. Congress IGNORED the experts and banned them anyway. The guys narrating speculates that it had something to do with the fact that it was during President Bush's administration and that he was the owner of the Texas Rangers at the time that Jose Canseco played (who admitted to using steroids and testified he believed that everyone associated with Ranger management including the owner had at least some idea of the steroid use).

I have my own opinions about steroid use, but it bothers me that Congress ignored experts and signed laws.

Another part that bothered me deals with Orrin Hatch and Utah.  Once upon a time, supplements were regulated by the FDA, just as all other drugs and food products. Meaning testing for the safety of the products, regulating who can make them and how they are made, as well as dictating what the labels should say. Supplements are no longer regulated or tested by the FDA before they are sold.  Actually, supplements are only taken off the shelves if the FDA can prove they are harmful.  According to this show, Utah is the nations largest supplier of nutritional supplements and it was Orrin Hatch who lead the campaign to the deregulation of supplements. So now anyone can make a supplement and list the ingredients as "proprietary blend" and sell them.

I don't mean this as a crusade against Orrin Hatch or anything of the sort. I did study exercise and sport science with a number of nutrition classes and some of this information bothered me.

One point they did make in the movie is why are steroid, specially anabolic steroids or performance enhancing drugs, so bad in sports when doctors prescribe speed-like drugs for kids in school so they can study longer and harder and Air Force pilots are required to carry "Go" pills with them. These drugs are also "performance enhancers."

It was just a lot to think about and just another reason why I don't normally watch documentaries, or the news for that matter.

Christmas Festivities

Christmas time can be so great but then again it can be challenging. It is definitely just as stressful for close-knit families as it is for families who put up with each other because of the Holidays. There is so much expected for the Holidays and plenty of things I didn't plan or think about before.

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents and family, minus Annie's family. We had a delicious steak dinner with some excellent homemade wassail. We played a few games dealing with Christmas and then as he has been doing my whole life, Santa made a quick drop early at the house. Next had to prepare for the 50+ people trying to fit in my parents' house the next day. That meant making food and setting up tables and chairs. Then it was off to bed.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, Ellie throw up. Since I am a fairly light sleeper, I heard her and woke Jake up to help (which he wasn't a huge fan of). I picked her up and carried her upstairs to wash her off. Jake grabbed all the blankets in Ellie's bed and brought them up. After new pj's and a quick bath, it was back to bed.



Santa brought Ellie a pillow pet which she likes to lay on.

We woke up and continued to set the house for the family, all my mom's siblings with their kids and grand kids, or at least those who could make it.

We then took some time to open presents. Ellie didn't seem too excited about the presents at first but I think its because she really didn't understand what was going on, until we started to open them.


Ellie picking and choosing presents to unwrap.

We then had a Gledhill traditional Christmas breakfast that consists of eggnog (both store bought and homemade), sausage, and of course Pull-aparts (most people know these as sticky buns).

We opened more gifts once Annie, Brian and their kids came over. 

She did eventually open this present. She did quite well at opening gifts.

 

Chef Ellie here to make your food.

 

All the married daughter got aprons and the granddaughter received aprons that matched their mom's.

Once that was all done, it was time to pack all our stuff and move up to the Watterson residence. This became quite a trick as my mom's family started to file in and fill up the house. We ate a bit but took off quickly to spend the rest of the day and our stay in Utah up "at da Wanship."

The 4 Runner was packed to the top. I wasn't sure how we were going to bring everything home to Denver as we had left a bit at my parents while we stayed with Jake's parents. (Spoiler alert; Jake is amazing at packing cars and everything made it home.)

Once we arrived at Watterson's, we unloaded a few things but then opened more presents. I didn't know where the camera was packed at this time, so I am still waiting for pictures from Marc and Cassie.  Jake's family was a little more low key. Siblings coming and going to other family functions but there was good food and lots of love. We had a great time that day just eating and talking.  Ellie and Becca played and pretended to share toys (they kept fighting over each others strollers and babies).

It was stressful trying to work everything out and move, but even with the stress I still love spending time with family, especially at the holidays.

Things I love

I promise, I will write about Christmas one of these days. But first, I want to write about a few of the things I love.

I love Chic-a-fila. Not only is their chicken delicious but they fry (I know it's not that healthy) in peanut oil, making it only slightly better. I do love that their chicken nuggets are real chicken though, not that weird stuff we normally eat or feed our kids. Not only that, the one in Sandy gave our flowers to all women who looked like they could be a mother the Saturday before Mother's Day and they have disposable place mats for kids that stick to the tables. No need to wipe down or sanitize the table before feeding your kids. Just stick down a place mat the sticks to the table.

I love finding great deals on stuff you are planning on buying anyway.  Anyone who knows me knows I like to brag and boast about great deals; like the Levi jacket I bought for $6, several new shirts (3 from GAP and 1 from Maurice's for $7, and most recent paying only $9.53 for bread products (more info next). Although because of this, I sometimes have a hard time paying full price for other items. It does help control my spending though.

I love the Orowheat bakery outlet that is down the street from us. I can find awesome deals down there. Yesterday I bought 2 loaves of Orowheat bread, 2 packages of Thomas English muffins (BOGO), 3 packages of Thomas bagels ($0.99 each), 2 boxes of mini muffins (BOGO), a box of donuts (free from punch card), and a package of hamburger buns (free for purchase over $6) for $9.53.

I love spending time with family, especially because I haven't been restricted by work I could do things during the less busy times of the day. I also love being able to talk with them face to face and share mealtimes. I love playing games with them, even when things become heated with competition.

Even though I really miss having family so close by, I love being home. There is just something about your own place. Ellie seems to even love being home. I haven't had a single fight to take a nap or go to sleep at night since we have got back. I don't even have to rock her to sleep. She has only woke up once at 4 and needed to be rocked to sleep (but she couldn't find her binkie as it had fallen on the ground). Now I just need to love cleaning my place.

A few quick sarcastic "loves". I "love" that apparently Denver doesn't plow any residential side street. I love that they use dirt instead of salt. I "love" that less people in Denver use blinkers than in Utah. I "love" that the HOA association had a fit because we had our DirecTV installed before receiving their approval for change even though half our neighbors have DirecTV but they don't live up to their promise that all driveways and side walks will be shoveled by 7 on weekdays and 9 on weekends.

Lights at Christmas Time

I love lights at Christmas time. I don't know what it is about them. Its probably for the same reason I love fireworks. I think Ellie will be a lot like me and really enjoy lights as well because every time she sees them she says, "OOOOHHHH!!!" This year we went to see lots of lights.

First was Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. It was my parents, Stef, Ellie and I. It wasn't all that cold but we still bundled up.

The lights are all in the shapes of animals.  A little known secret; at Zoo lights they sell these cool glasses that when you wear them, the lights are different shapes. This year was snowflakes. I didn't take a picture of what you see when you look through the glasses, but it is cool.

Here are the reindeer they had out on display. Ellie loves animals of course, although these ones have a vague resemblance to the ones on Grandpa Watterson's, Uncle Rob's, and Uncle Justin's walls.

Ellie with Grandma Wendy and Poppy DeVon.

Ellie and I. We had a picture taken here in front of the elephant when Ellie was only about 3 weeks old.

Next we went to Temple Square. We (Stef, Jake, Ellie and I) meet up with our friend Maree and her daughters and their friend. Ellie didn't stay in her stroller that long.

I love this picture of Ellie walking by Aunt Stef towards the Temple. Especially cause Ellie looks awesome in her snow gear.


Eventually Maree and the kids left and Marc, Cassie and Rebecca joined us. Becca was a good girl and stayed in her stroller most of the time. Sadly, Ellie was tired and starting to become a big brat at this point so we didn't get to see a lot with Marc and Cassie. It is still fun to go down to see the lights. 

Ellie and Daddy looking at the lights, trying to keep Ellie from jumping in the water.



Our happy family.

(P.S. As per my sister's suggestion, I forgot to mention that Ellie really did try to climb into that little stream at Temple Square. Her boot even fell off into the water. Luckily it landed right side up, floated, and no water got inside.)

Time to Potty Train!?!?!?!

Those of you who are parents will understand this story and my question as to when you should potty train.

The other night Ellie had about 2 glasses of juice with dinner, she played for a bit, we changed her diaper and put her in pajamas, and gave her a bottle of milk. About half way through the night she started whimpering. I got up once and checked to make sure the blankets were still on top of her and that she wasn't too cold. Finally after Jake woke up and left for work, Ellie was still whimpering so I picked her up to bring her into our bed. As I picked her up, I noticed that she was soaked through from her knees to her chest she had wet that much in her diaper.

I stripped all the blankets off her bed, took her clothes off, changed her diaper and wiped her down.  We then went back to bed cause it was still around 6:30.

After breakfast that morning, I jumped into the shower with Ellie. We had finished up, I had dried her off and was in the process of drying myself off when I hear the sound of dripping. I look up to see Ellie peeing on the tile floor in the bathroom. (Thank you Ellie for peeing on the tile and not on the bathroom rug or on the carpet.) So I grab her and put her in the bath tub again to wash the piddle off her legs. I decide to just let her sit in there while I brush my hair before heading to put clothes on.

Next thing I hear is Ellie grunting away. Yes you guessed it. She then proceeded to poop in the tub (no water). I grab the diaper I had pulled off before the shower and use it to clean up her mess and then I washed her again. As I finish, she does it again and then a third time. Finally I have everything cleaned up (including the tub with bathroom cleaner) and we are able to get dressed.

I thought to myself "if she were only potty trained." But then I realized she doesn't talk a lot yet and I am not sure how much good it would do. Kids, seriously, who thought they were a good idea?

Don't worry, I laughed the whole time this was happening and thinking "only me."

Making Candy

There is a great Watterson Tradition that includes Connie spending hours and days making candy in abundance for friends and family during the holidays. This year I went and made some with Connie and Kristine.

We made these marshmallow carmel rice crispy balls.

And some pretzels dipped in carmel and chocolate. I made milk, dark, and white chocolate pretzels.

Ellie and Becca were huge helps as I am sure you can imagine. Mostly they annoyed Brody and his friend and the guinea pig Bugsy. They like to put their fingers through the cage bars and hit the cage.  Luckily Bugsy is a good guinea pig and hasn't bitten them yet.

When we needed breaks from making treats, we played Just Dance 2. I am saving those pictures for future blackmail. ;)

Connie actually makes way more candy than that but we didn't have that much time and the ones we made are the one I enjoy the most. She makes pecan logs, chocolate cherries, chocolate coconut, chocolate covered pretzels, fudge, carmel, and I am sure I am forgetting some things. She is amazing. Her boys always sneak into the back room to steal some.

Then later with my family we made gingerbread houses (actually they were graham crackers).

Again, Ellie and Braden helped mostly by eating candy and graham crackers. Then if no one was watching trying to feed the snacks to the dogs.

We just used graham crackers and a basic frosting recipe. Annie brought over left over Halloween candy to put on the houses. I really don't think we had any traditional Christmas decorating candy.

Kelsey's almost finished house. I love the spider on the roof. She is so creative.

Macy's almost finished house. She is really big into patterns as you can see by the roof. It was a fun simple night. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed their festivities. Ours have been keeping us busy, hence no post for a while. We enjoyed the holidays doing things with both families and making sure we partied hard. I will write more on our activities later. Since it is already belated, I wish everyone well for the New Year and hope that things work out for the best.

Love the Wattersons