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Sunday, December 7, 2008

It'S tHaT CrAzY tImE oF yEaR!

We took the kids down to SLC for the USU vs BYU game at the Energy Solutions Arena. We went down early to do some shopping (that was a joke), to see Santa (they were all too scared, except Maddie) and to eat before the game (luckily, that went ok!) Heather was able to get off work in time to meet us for dinner & go to the game with us.
The fans were crazy! It was so loud, so fun to be there, the kids loved it! They would yell & chant & dance right along with them. It was a really intense game the whole time. We won't mention the fact that the Aggie's lost.

Maddie, Allie & Eli ... all great cheerleaders. We were going to see the lights on Temple Square afterwards, but the cheering & screaming wiped them out, so we just drove home.


Not a great pic, but hey what do you do?



My girls, they are so much fun! We all had a good day together. It was nice to be able to go & not have any meltdowns, or tantrums, of course they were threatened with Santa if they did!




It was a gorgeous day to walk around the Gateway. The kids love all the decorations & the music, so do I.












I know, I know... we are complete dorks! But what the hell... we were going to the movie opening weekend & thought we might as well join the crowd! My sister, Whitney & I (& Branden & Wiley) went to the movie, stood in line for 1 1/2 hours for a decent seat, & got to see Edward on the big screen. Yes, I felt a bit dorky, but it was fun. The movie was good, but the books are better... and we had fun!







Eli & Madelyn helped me make sugar cookies. They did the decorating... they love sprinkles!








They were both very proud of their "beautiful" designs. I'm just glad that we only make sugar cookies a couple times of year!









It's that wonderful time of year! The time of year I love best... one reason being because of all they yummy treats around! My mom's family is known for candy making. Through the years I was growing up, it was tradition for my mom & her sisters to get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving to make candy together ... I'm talking good candy! Like caramels, butter mints, fudge, fondant, penoche... all that rich, buttery, fattening stuff you eat once a year. It hasn't worked out the last few years to get together, so Heather, my mom & I have made our own tradition of making candy every holiday season. Our favorites are pecan logs, almond balls, caramels & this year we tried butter mints. Heather had a couple days off, so we got started.










We always have a lot of fun making candy; listening to Christmas music, making our Christmas lists, reminiscing our past Christmas' when we were the kids anxiously awaiting.

I love my sisters & my mom. They are so good to me. They are my best girlfriends! We laugh a lot, drink a lot of Diet Coke & have the best time ever... of course by the time we are done, none of us wants to eat any candy! At least not for a day or two!










We tried to make "Salty Nut Roll Fudge" it is so, so good. They have recently started selling it in our local toy store, Magical Moon. Unfortunately I was in there when they were just starting & offered free samples. I am not a real fudge person, but wow, this is awesome. So after searching on the Internet, I found a recipe for the vanilla fudge, & Heather & I made our first attempt to make the real, old fashioned, beat it with a wooden spoon forever fudge... it was good, not Magical Moon, but hey it was our first try!













Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Thanksgiving '08

We spent Thanksgiving in a cabin at Bear Lake with Branden's entire family. There were 26 people, about 12 being smaller children! So there was not a dull moment! We had a wonderful time, with the exception of 2 of my kids getting the flu while we were there!
Kyle, Jodi & Monica playing games. Branden's family loves games so there is always something to do. We played alot of Pounce, Phase 10, Pictionary & others too. We also put together a 1000 piece puzzle, although it take 4 of us about 9 hours!
Alyssa & Caiden ... the kids all got along great, which is a small miracle in itself!


Lisa, Brad (Branden's bro), Jacque (Branden's sis) & Vance
Our view was gorgeous, the lake was beautiful.



TROUBLE! Morgan, Allie, Wyatt & Alyssa
(Madelyn really was here, she just didn't get in any of my pics!) Sorry Maddie!




Monica & Jacque ... daughter & mother, they came from Elko.





Eli & Wyatt, they are best buddies.






Allie & Morgan ... aka, Blondies








Our cabin overlooking Bear Lake.








Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Blessings


It's that time of year when I start to "count my blessings." I have a lot! I feel like I'm becoming more sentimental these days, I must be getting old! I look at my three kids & I thank God for the opportunity to be a mom to these wonderful, bright, healthy & beautiful children. My kids are the light in my life, they make me laugh (and cry, and yell!), they are my best friends, they know what I like & what I don't like, they are the best snugglers & give the best kisses & hugs too. Being a mom isn't always easy, actually it's really stressful & annoying at times, but those little moments when your kids say something or do something that is so sweet & pure... those moments make all the bad ones go away. I love being a mom, everyday I love it.
I love being a wife too, sometimes I wonder, but really I am very thankful for my husband. I am grateful for the man he is, for the way he cares for and is committed to me & our kids. He is fun & friendly and he has a good heart. We have had a lot of fun in our 8 1/2 years, we've also been down some rocky roads, but we've learned a lot & we make a great team!
I have the greatest family! I know you probably think you do, but really, I do! Branden & I are blessed with awesome family who loves us & supports us in everything we do. We are close with our siblings & our parents, and luckily they all live relatively close, so we are able to do a lot together. We have been able to make a lot of unforgettable memories together that we will cherish always.
The Gospel has become such a central part of my life. I really can't say that has always been the case, but fortunately I have grown up a lot & learned a lot in my years. I have had such wonderful friends & people around me who have taught me that through the Gospel comes so much peace & happiness & joy. I have a strong testimony of my Savior & I am so thankful for all he has done for me.
I am thankful for my freedoms & the privileges that we have living here in America. Although we live in a crazy world, I am so glad I live where I do, to enjoy the prosperity & liberties that we enjoy.
I am thankful for my friends. It seems these days it's hard to keep in touch like I should, but I know who my real friends are because it doesn't matter how much time has passed, we just pick up where we last left off. Friends are so important, we as women need each other to support & lift each other. I am so glad to have someone who cares about me, worries about me, wonders about what I'm doing, if I'm OK, if I need to get out or vent or laugh or cry. I am so grateful for my girlfriends, I love you guys!
I know this is really corny, but I have done a lot of self-introspection lately. Life seems to move along so fast, time just flies and sometimes I don't think I express myself well (pretty much never!) So here is a big Thank You! For being in my life, making a difference & caring.
I love you!




Sunday, November 2, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

My Halloween babies...they had a fun day, by the end they were sick of their costumes, and sick of candy, too bad that didn't last.
Allie is my little "Bee"

My hero, "Batman"




My little "Hippie Chick"