despereaux is a mouse

I am home for the holidays and it's wonderful. Lots of family (and I mean lots...Kent claims he has to work, but I think he has to get away from the chaos for a couple of days, so he's in Long Beach) and lots of family time. With about 60 people hanging around, various activities go on. The teenage boys spend their time working out in the garage or checking facebook, monitoring the statuses of their newest flings. The teenage girls make sugar cookies, play games and sport their new skinny jeans. The ten year boys, well, they are glued to the Wii and the computer. I'm lucky to be blogging right now. I don't know what the ten year old girls do. Maybe frost the sugar cookies? The other little boys follow the ten year olds' lead and attach themselves to any electronic device available, as long as it has video games on it. The younger girls play dress up and flit about, and the little ones-8 months to 2 years-move around the house on all fours or wobbly twos as the adults ooh and ahh over them. It really is wonderful spending time with everyone.

Anyway, I was talking to my mom this afternoon and she said we were going to a movie tonight. I thought, great, I would love to see a good movie, there are several out that look decent, if not very enjoyable. While we were talking, one of my nephews piped up and said he wanted to see the Tale of Despereaux.

Meet Despereaux, the mouse:

(I think Despereaux is a mouse with big ears, but overcomes his abnormal physical condition and becomes a hero, sort of like Dumbo.)

This movie choice got me thinking, why are there so many movies whose characters are personified rodents? Why mice and rats? Here are just a few mouse/rat characters and movies:

Mickey Mouse
Ratatouille
The Secret of Nimh
An American Tale
The Rescuers
Mighty Mouse
Flushed Away

There are probably more, but these are a sampling. I like Mickey Mouse and enjoyed most of the movies listed above (who didn't like the Secret of Nimh?), but why mice and rats? Kent and I recently had a bout with rats and I do not like them. One died in our wall and it stunk up our study for over a month. They also carry disease and fleas. I remember learning about the bubonic plague and it wasn't pretty.

Maybe they are cute and cuddly as cartoon characters and their movies sell, but I will never be a rodent fan. I just hope our future children don't ask for a pet rat because it won't happen. Ever. I'll just put on the Tale of Despereaux. Hopefully, that will due.

the creche

Our Christmas tree is something I adore, but our nativity set is even better. I purchased it almost 10 years ago while in Jerusalem, but this is the first year I've used it. Why didn't I take out before now? I don't know. Maybe I thought being married and having a house was a prerequisite. (Who knew it was going to take 9 years-I would have rethought my plan.) Either way, it has made its home on the perfect mantle in our living room and sets the tone for this wonderful season.

I don't want to say much about the nativity set because it speaks for itself. It's not painted or adorned with elaborate jewels, it is simple and naturally beautiful, much like the story of Christ's birth. I love the feeling of peace I feel when I look at it and it helps me remember what happened in Bethlehem long ago.

I am so grateful for this time of year and for all of the blessings I have received. I am excited to be with my family and husband on this lovely Christmas Day.

'The happiest heart that ever beat

Was in some quiet breast

That found the common daylight sweet,

And left to Heaven the rest.'

-John V. Cheney

christmashup 2008

I missed it last year, but I don't think I ever can again now that I'm married to one of the founders. This year, the Christmashup Holiday Dance Party was a success thanks to Dave and Kent's creativity and willingness to "techno-ize" Christmas for the rest of us.

A brief history of the Christmashup as told by Dave:

In December of '02, Kent and Dave gathered with a few friends in a ratty duplex in South Provo. They had recently discovered Limewire, and subsequently, a world of unreleased, white-hot Christmas techno remixes. The listening party turned into a dance party, and over the years the tradition of the Annual Christmashup Dance Party became a south-of-campus institution. When they moved to LA, the tradition continued with only the slightest of hiccups. (They missed '05, as Kent was a first-year at Chapman High School of Law, and Dave was barely employed and broke. But the magic continues this year as we celebrate the 5th Annual Christmashup Holiday Dance Party.

It really was quite the shindig.

Highlights:

-Red (well, they were actually kind of pink) & green glow-in-the-dark bracelets. Those were a big hit.

-The glowing orb in the tree.

-Freestyler

-No neighbors getting angry or calling the cops even though we danced until 1am.

-Lindsey and Warren's scoot dance. It's like the Worm, but sitting up.

-I saw Mike Miller dance.

-DJ Dave spun like a champion.

Lowlights:

-No one used the Mistletoe.

-No one ate the food. (Next year it's going to be Doritos and water. MAYBE a bowl of peanut M&Ms. Maybe.)

The set up committee.

Lindsey and Zach.

The tree crew.

Zach and Kent (you can see Kent's foot)

DJ Dave. Nothing like some Carl's Jr. to get ready for the big party.

Lit up to the best of our ability.

The refreshment table. I was really excited to use that cheese dome. Unfortunately, no one ate the cheese. I guess the crasins kind of look like bugs. I didn't have time to chop them. Oh well.

Wally and Elsie, the newlyweds, and Tiffany.

Brad enjoying a meatball. I'm so glad someone ate something.

Heather and Zachary. I wish I knew what Heather was saying.

Love Nate and Jess. One of my top 10 favorite couples.

Dave and Lindsey getting down. Yeah!

Gabe.

DJ Dave and Zach, the Master Dancer.

Techno Tree

Aubrey, me and Emily. Glad they could make it.

An example of what happens during Freestyler.

I tried to get the sitting up Worm, but I was too late. I like Lindsey's boots though.

Ashlee with the glow-in-the-dark bands. They add so much to one's outfit.

Tehachapi and Gardenia. I'm so glad no one got upset. I have a new love for our neighborhood.

The end.

no cars go...literally.

In the last week, I have driven to Redlands two times, once to make Christmas candy with my mom and sisters and another for a business meeting. The drive isn't terribly far (65 miles or so) and I don't mind an hour and a little more of driving in the car, but when there is traffic, I lose it. Honest to goodness, lose it. Nothing can console me, my natural woman just takes over! This is what happens: Hugh Hewitt's good words start making me angry. The car in front of me with the ridiculous flashing brake lights makes my blood boil. My favorite music can't even calm my soul and I LOVE music. Kent ends up thinking he married a crazy person because I send him 5 billion texts about how bad traffic is and how horrible interchanges are. I think I've even pounded my feet (at least foot) on the ground like a 3 year old girl. It is pathetic.

Unfortunately, on both of my trips I happened to leave Redlands at 5pm to return back to Long Beach, and I had places to be at 7pm. What was I thinking? I know better than that. I broke three very important rules to drive by in southern California:

1. Only drive on the freeways between the hours of 10am-2pm or 8pm-4am.
2. Avoid the 91 at all costs.
3. Tack on a 30 minute cushion for getting somewhere.

Really, those rules are important for my well-being because I become a different person, kind of like Mr. Walker/Mr.Wheeler in Motor Mania. Do you remember this cartoon? Goofy, who I think is a dog (I've never been quite sure about that), really does personify the 'angry driver' well. I don't try to take out pedestrians like he does, but I can relate to almost every issue in this short sketch. Here's to learning some patience before I do something rash while driving Floyd (our car).

a variation of sommer

Since adopting my new last name, I have learned that there are many variations of the name Sommer. When I first met Kent I could never say it right, but it's pronounced Sommer, the 'o' sounding like 'on' or the sound you make when you open your mouth for the doctor to look down your throat...."Sahhhhhhhhhmmer".

Anyway, I've noticed that people most often mistake it for Sommers, which isn't too bad, just an extra 's', but it is also confused with Somners, Somner, Sumners, Sumner, Summer, even Pommer. That one was during a phone call, so I can understand the confusion. I was probably mumbling. (West was an easier last name, but it's lower on the alphabet chain. No more being second to last on the role.)

Either way, the name confusion is the reason for our blog title. In college, Kent's good friend, Dave, thought Kent's name was Kent Somner. They were in the same ward for about a year, but Kent always remained Kent Somner. I think Dave was disappointed when he found out it was Sommer. They had to get to know each other all over again. That 'm' versus 'n' made a big difference.

So, we're actually Kent and Nellie Sommer, not Kent and Nellie Sumners. It's tricky. I love my new last name and if you do say Summer, you're not wrong. Sommer does mean 'summer' in German, just don't forget the 'ahhhhh' sound.

the reception

This is the last installment from the wedding photos. I don't know how we're going to pick shots for our album. So many to choose from! Once again, this was the best day ever. Kent was worth the 29 year wait and I'm so glad we could share the day with our family and friends.

more of the perfect day

Here are a few shots from the luncheon and our bride and groom photo shoot around town before the reception. I love historic Redlands. It is one of the few nice towns in the "909". (Claremont is a close second.)


Quick note for post #2: Taking pictures in a public library is worth doing. I'm surprised we didn't get ssshhhed.

what a perfect day

Our wedding pictures arrived yesterday and we couldn't be happier with them. They also couldn't have arrived on a better day because December 9th happened to be our 4 month anniversary. Our first year is 1/3 complete. How did that happen? If you didn't get a chance to browse through our pictures on our photographer's blog (Rachel is the best), here are some of our favorite shots. I'll have to post them in a series because we have over 800 photos. Here are some from the temple.


Quick thought: I'm sad I only get to wear that dress once. Thon (pronounced Ton), the seamstress, did an amazing job. Monique Lhuillier was a bit out of my price range, but that didn't mean Thon couldn't throw something together just as good, if not better.