TOFW-SLC

This past weekend I was able to go with my sister Sarah to Time out for Women sponsored by Deseret Book. We really wanted to go because our favorite singer Hilary Weeks was the musical person on Sat!! And I wouldn't pass any opportunity to listen to her perform!!! Of course we weren't disappointed! It was overall a very good experience.....we liked most of the speakers and we loved Hilary. Many of the talks were just what I (we) needed to hear and gave me a much needed boost in my life and with the things that I am struggling with. Sometimes you just need to be away from the walks of life to hear what the Lord is trying to tell you!! I forget to do that sometimes and get SO caught up in things that distract me from hearing!!! One speaker truly was inspiring...Kris Belcher told her story about loosing her sight and eye....what a powerful story and makes you think twice about your trials! I saw a long time friend who I hadn't seen for many years and it was fun to catch up on her life! It was fun to spend sometime with Sarah without her 3 year old just like old times!! Thanks for going with me Sarah and John for taking Audrie so that she could have a break!

2 weekends ago Mandy and I took a day to pamper ourselves!!! It was so fun!! We started out with massages......AWESOME and much needed!!! Then we headed to get pedicures and well I decided that I need a manicure as well! It was so nice to be able to relax and just take sometime for ourselves and renew our friendship! We headed to lunch at our favorite place and had a most enjoyable visit over yummy bagel sandwiches! Thanks for needing a break Mandy and inviting me to come along! I have needed a massage for a long time and it has helped a lot in the weeks following! We need to do it again!!!

I love my sisters and mom and the things that we are able to share! I am so blessed to be able to have them as dear friends!!! I know that our family was designed this way for a purpose and I am thankful for their examples, love and support in my life! And their cute kids aren't too bad either! Thanks girls for being so great!! Whose next for a fun Saturday???

Halloween Fun!!!

My mom and I decided that we would make some cute witch pumpkins after Laura found us some warty pumpkins! Studio 5 had a segment on a pumpkin patch that grew warty pumpkins and it inspired us! After we made them we sent them in to show them what we had done and the next day they were spotlighted at the end of the show! Way to go us!! We are famous!!!



This Halloween was one filled with lots of fun activities! I had a few booked weeks doing lots of fun things and enjoyed them all! I attempted to make caramel apples with my sisters but they didn't turn out too hot at least in the looks department, but they sure tasted yummy!!!

Lilly and Audrie helping make the apples

Audrie in her first costume--Tinkerbell, she didn't like the wings so this only lasted for one party!

Darling Tessie!

Tessie and I at Sarah's ward party. It was fun to go with the girls and see all the creative costumes! I enjoyed being there and seeing my dear nieces and all the people that love them. Sarah lives in my grandparents old house so many of the people know Poppy and Nana. It is always fun to visit and enjoy the memories as they come flooding back! I had some neat reminders while I was there---making me realize what life is all about!

My pumpkin carving skills!! I got this idea from Studio 5--Super easy w/cookie cutters!

I also saw this on Studio 5. These were a fun treat to create. The first time I made them I didn't do the M&M eyes, but I like this much better! They were loved by all!

This is before Trick or Treating with the girls. It was a super fun night...we had dinner and then headed out to do some treating! The girls were hilarious!!! It was so fun to watch them in action! They would be in their own world many times as we went from one house to the other, we had to call for them many times cause after a door they would start walking the opposite direction that we were going. They fought over who got to knock on the door or ring the metal buzzer as Audrie called it! We had to take care of a couple fights but all in all they had a fun time. They were super anxious for the candy and a few times they really got into people's bowls and once someone even took some back cause they took too much! Thanks for letting me tag along Sisters!

Striking a pose---U of U Cheerleader and Cat

In Action!

My friend Wendy and I made the rounds for a few parties as well. We had a great time at all the parties that we attended.....but the most fun was our time at our first "old" people dance! It was fun to be able to interact and meet some new people in our age group! We wished that we had spent more time there! We had a fun time doing all our activities... even while we were pulled over at a police check point on the way to one party.....who would have thought??? I thought that was only in the movies!! We laughed, rocked out, sang, ate yummy food, danced, and even flirted a little bit! My costume was a hit at the dance, I was surprised by how many people complimented me on it! Who would have thought something that took little effort would warrant such great results! All in all this was a Halloween to remember! Thanks to all who invited me to have some fun!

Happy Birthday Jake!!!

Happy Birthday Jake!!! Today is my nephew Jake's birthday! First of all I can hardly believe that he is turning 6!!! And that he is in kindergarten!! My how time has flown! Jake is an absolute riot.....you NEVER know what is going to come out of his mouth!! He says and does the funniest things and acts like who me!! He is a spitting image of my dad...he acts just like Grandpa Dean....such the charmer and friend to everyone! I love to be around them when they are together cause they just keep you laughing.

I love being around Jake cause he makes you feel good about yourself! He is always saying nice things to me and is always ready to give a hug when you ask. He doesn't get angry very easily and has a heart of gold! I love watching Jake interact with the other grand kids cause he is such a good friend to all of them.....he shares and wants everyone to just get along!

I year or so ago I asked Jake to find me a boyfriend. He was determined to find me someone good......every time I would see him he would ask how about so and so and I would tell him why he couldn't be my boyfriend. He was so cute and determined to find me someone so that I could get married and have kids that he could play with. In the end he figured out that I needed someone who was like Jesus......boy was he right!!!

Jake makes a big difference in our family and boy am I glad that he is here! Have a very Happy Birthday.....love you lots kid!!!

Missing my Grandma.....

Almost daily on my way to work I pass the assisted living place that my Grandma Ann spent the last few years of her life. Today as I passed I missed Grandma terribly!!! Maybe it is because it is a Thurs and I usually saw her on Thurs cause it was my Mom's day to visit and I would meet them every couple weeks or so for lunch and a visit. Maybe it is because she was one of my BEST friends and she often told me how great I am and the influence that I had on her life--despite my feelings of inadequacy at times for not having a family of my own. Maybe it is because she truly listened to all the stories I had to tell and shared so many of her own that I have never heard! And offered such great advice for anything that may have been challenging me. Maybe it is cause I have gone through so many changes this year and not been able to share them with her and get her advice on what to do next in my life. Maybe it is because the Holidays are approaching and I tried to take her a little something for every holiday even the small ones.

But I think mostly it is simply because she was one AMAZING woman!!! She touched so many peoples lives and has brought so much joy to many. She wasn't know through out the world by millions but she touched the most important people.....her family! I am honored to be able to call her my grandma and friend! I hope that as I continue on my journey here that I can continue to make her proud of all that I do! Love you lots Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday Jarom!!!

Happy Birthday Jarom!!! (Just a day late!) My nephew Jarom is 4 today! I can hardly believe how the time has gone! He is a little spit fire! He adds humor to the mix of grand kids and always has something interesting to say---whether it is true or not is a different story!! He started preschool this year and it has been really neat to see how much he has grown up. He is talking a mile a minute and just wants to have fun in his life! He is always learning new things and trying to be the best kid that he can. He plays well with the other kids and LOVES to be in dirt! Just being outside for a few minutes warrants a big mess in the dirt.

He is the youngest in his family and is loved by all his older siblings. They get along well with him and he has been a blessing I know for them to have him in their family! He looks totally different from his siblings and we often wonder where he came from.....but his grandma assures us that he is just like his dad was as a kid and the pictures that we have compared really do prove it! Jarom has a great smile....and seeing it brings happiness into peoples lives!

It has been fun to watch him develop a personality of his own. In the last few years he has really become a unique individual. I am thankful to have Jarom in my life. I enjoy talking to him and spending time with him. Hope that you have a great day Jarom and that the coming year is filled with lots of fun!

International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009

Here are a few photos from my recent trip to New Mexico for the Fiesta!!! It was awesome!! The photos DO NOT do it justice and it was gorgerous! I had a great time visiting my cousin and his family and experiencing the Fiesta. We ate tons of yummy food, played lots, and shopped more! It was a much needed vacation and I was glad to get away! Thanks again for having me!!

Happy Birthday Johnny Boy!!!

Happy Birthday John!!! Today is my brother in law John's birthday. He is married to my younger sister Sarah. I had the privilege of meeting John from the beginning! We all went to USU together and it was fun to get to know him before everyone else! John is a very charitable and fun loving guy! He is always doing something for someone and he would do anything for anyone! And really has done so much for me and even strangers! I learned this early on and I am so thankful for all that he does for me! While he and Sarah were dating he would often take my car and wash it for me! I think he was trying to butter me up so that I would approve of him and I tell you what it worked.....he is an amazing car washer!!! When I can get him to do it I love it!!! He takes such care and does a great job! My car has never looked so good! Working along side John is fun! I have learned a lot from him in his enthusiasm for service.....he truly has that one down!!

John isn't only good at washing cars though....he is becoming a great electrician! He is working hard in his apprenticeship and has excelled in his classes and in his learning. He has done a great job in his profession and works super hard to provide for his family. I know that John works hard and I know that Sarah appreciates it so that she can stay home with the girls! And boy are those girls cute! John is really great with them! He takes his turn in caring for them and yet at the same time lets me take them away from him often!

I always feel so comfortable around John. He makes me laugh and cares about me as a person. He isn't afraid to hug us and is always showing us that he loves us! I appreciate that so much! I love getting a hug from John!!! He makes my days more than he knows! He teases us girls often as a brother would but he loves us for sure and I know that cause he shows us and tells us! And he is super good with the nieces and nephews. They all love him and want to be around him!

I am thankful to have John in our family. He has added something that we all needed! He makes Sarah happy which of course is the most important!! John is an incredible person! Hope your day is grand!!

Happy Birthday Johnny Boy---Love you!!!!