highlights of the last decades:-

Just a few highlightes from the last decade:
-survived & graduated high school
-went to Germany, NYC, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City
-worked at DTV, Poster Compliance Ceneter, Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse, ATV Tires & Accessories, Saia Inc, Kuna High School assistant debate coach
-lived with 3 roommates (Sara, Heather, Libby)
-lived in 4 different apt (Kootenai, Juanita, Harrison, and now Nampa)
-survived being in 3 weddings & helped plan 4
-had 3 cars (Galant, Sonata, and Saturn)
-been in 6 accidents (hit lamp post, skid off rd on snowy road, hit a dog, drunk driver in Benz totalled my parked Sonata, dealer in a BMW pulled out and side swipped me, and fender bender in parking lot at work)
-gone to TOO many concerts (in no particular order and off the top of my head: Lifehouse, Lonestar, Blue County (3x & autograph 2x), GARY ALLAN (3x), Billy Currington, Josh Turner, Little Big Town, JOSH GROBAN, Breaking Benjamin, Dierks Bentley, Phil Vasar(autograph), Lilith Fair (Lisa Loeb autograph), NSync (2x), Eric Church, Clay Walker, The Standards (2x & autograph), Our Lady Peace, Chad Brock, Aaron Tippen)
-got a dog, TJ
-survived being Relief Society President of a singles ward
-fell in love with farmers markets
-introduced to digital photography
-currently teaching Gospel Principals in Sunday School
-got more nieces/nephews
-lost Grandparents/Uncle Weston
-DEVELOPED BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY

I made it!!

I am so proud of myself. I made it through this Christmas season without thinking about how I am single and no family of my own (yet..). I must be honest and admit to a couple of bad days but they didn't last long. I contribute this phenomenon to one simple thing...TJ.

I have been able to poor all my nuturing, and unused love on that poor pup. He bears it well. He doesn't mind the extra tummy rub time, or the running around at the dog park, or going for car rides, the cool toys he gets, or the snuggle time. My favorite time is sitting in the rocking chair and he will plant his feet in my lap and stretch up. He tucks his head underneath my chin. Of course his belly is exposed and he really wants a rub, which I always provide. I also love waking up on Saturday and feel him curled in the small of my back. He is a little furnance.

TJ makes me giggle when we are playing on the floor. I will stop and act like I am watching TV. He will plant his front paws in front of him (similar to the Sphnix) but keep his butt in the area and make this yelp, trying to get my attention. If that doesn't work, he will jump on the lap and plant his paws on your chest and kinda tap you with his paw.

I wonder why I never got a dog before!! He in such a help on those nights when nothing is going on. I have someone to talk to (yes I have conversations with him) and it is funny to wrestle around. He offers comfort on those bad days and always loves him. Now if I could just get him to obey!!

What a day!!!

To view pictures of the past two days click here.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!! I can't believe how quickly this day has gone by!! It is now 630 but it feels like it should be noon!! I can report I am happily typing this away on my new laptop!! Take that Lexy!! I waited til Christmas to open it!! Dad purchased this for me on Black Friday and I have been anxiously awaiting Christmas to open it. It was worth the wait!!

Besides the laptop some highlights included new recipies and apron (Thank you Lexy!), decorate yourself dog dish (Thank you Lexy and Mom/Dad), slippers (Thanks Mom/Dad), cookies in jar and cookie spoon (Thanks Caitlyn), cute dishes/bowls to go in kitchen & bedroom (Thank you Jana & Stacey). Chicken Jerky and toys for TJ (Thanks Caitlyn), and soap (Thanks Kaylee).

CHRISTMAS EVE
I woke up on Christmas Eve not feeling too great. Well, Wednesday night I wasn't feeling the greatest. Waking up on Thrusday, I still felt like I needed to throw up. I know that as soon as I throw up I feel better. So I make myself sick. I am thinking it is just food poisoning from the taco salad from Artic Circle.

TJ and I head to meet Caitlyn, Brandon, Emma, and Boomer at the dog park. There I started to feel sick to my stomach again. After the dog park, I head back home to lay down and catch a brief nap. No such luck. My head is pouding and I still have a tummy ache. Thinking mind over matter, I head to meet Caitlyn and family and Idaho Pizza Co for lunch. I attempt but after half a slice I give up. My stomach won't take it (most expensie 1/2 slice and pop I have ever paid for).

After those couple of bites, I still had to finish Christmas shopping. Oh the joys of heading to Wal Mart!! Thankfully I knew exactly where I had to go and had to get so it was a quick trip. What made it agonizing was the smells. It was awulf!! I had to breathe through my mouth or else I would throw up. Just the smells of the deli mixed with the flowers and humans. I made it out without embrassing myself.

I had to finish gift wrapping but after the ordeal of Wal Mart I just collapsed into my recliner. After a few minutes I had to gather my strength to wrap 9 gifts. Even though all I had to drop the items in the bags, it still felt like a herculian effort to me. After dropping everything into a bag, I had to muster my last reserves to get everything into car.

Right before I was going to pull out, the UPS driver pulled up with my present to myself. New clothes!! Lane Bryant was having a deal!! I safely made my way to the parents house. Unloadin the car was partially done by me. After getting half the bags into the house, I collapsed into a chair. Dad unloaded the rest and secured me car.

For the remainder of the evening, the chair was my friend. I eventually I made it to the floor. No good food for me. We swapped gifts with the neice and nephews. After sleeping for a little bits, I was able to get a back massage from Mom. After the wonderful back massage, I headed home. I slept from 10pm to 830am. A record for me. Of course I had to wake up three times but oh well. Nothing can be perfect.

CHRISTMAS DAY
I ran out the door at 830 because I thought everyone else would be at my parents house. I arrive at 850 and was shocked to see NO ONE WAS THERE!! I was STARVING!! Thankfully today I only had a headache (a bad one but it was still an improvement over yesterday). I make a ham sandwhich on a homemade roll!! Divine!!

At 9am, people finally start showing up. Lexy, Chris, and Marlee were the first to arrive. Marlee brought her Einsteins ride toy. About then minutes later, Caitlyn, Brandon, and Emma arrived. Emma brought all the presents she had opened that morning. So far everyone was in their PJ's. When Jana arrvied, she was fully dressed!!

Finally it was time to open presents!! What a fun thing to do with the little kids. Unfortunatly, Wyatt was with his dad for the holiday so we will have another session of present opening on Saturday. It was a great time. Everyone enjoyed their gifts and we were all mushy.

After all the gifts were opened, it was time for breakfast. Caitlyn made monkey bread. Of course the first thing I did was set up the computer. It is awesome!! I am so excited to be able to download pics and music whenever I want!! Plus think of all the blogging I will do!!

Last time I looked at the clock it was noon. Set up the computer, and watched a movie the parents and all of a sudden it was 630!! Where did the day go?!?

May we all remember the reason. I am so thankful that Christ was born. Grateful that He choose to gain mortal body, and suffer for our sins, and die on the cross. I hope we all try to follow His example. May we always keep the Spirit of Christ (aka spirit of Christmas) with us.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and received what you wanted.

christmas card update...

I was going to use the Santa Claws/Paws picture as my Christmas card (yes I am turning into one of THOSE pet owners...so shot me...it isn't hurting anybody). But it was a major disappointment so to parents house to stag a photo shoot. My parents weren't home to help so out came the good old tripod. It is a work out trying to get everything staged and chasing TJ (he isn't happy with me today). But I got it done (I actually gave up and use the best out of what we had. We are slightly blurry do to the fact I had to move to get TJ's head up (again not happy with me). So without further ado...your Christmas card!

Poor Marlee...

Poor Marlee was sick the other day. Dad took a picture of her and she has the funniest face. Plus there is a cute pic of me and Marlee from Sunday.

TJ hates baths!

TJ has never liked baths. He hates them. Today was the first bath I have given him all winter. He was groomed in late September and my original plan was not to groom him til spring. There is the saying "the best laid plans go to waste". How true for TJ. He was just grungy and we were going to Santa Claws tomorrow (yes I am getting my dog's picture taken with Santa. He is going in an reindeer costume and elves and sweater. It is his faults so many outfits. If he threw a fit wearing them, there would be no discussion but he doesnt mind!!) so I needed him to look better than he did. After visiting the muddy/wet dog park forthe past two days he was in desperate need!

Now his curls look so cute!! His tail looks like it got permed!! After his baths, he is MAD at the world. He usually runs around the house and tries to pick a fight with anything. He can run in cirlces for 15 minutes!! I finally got it on video. Sorry for the quality but it was in my digital camera (old Kodak) and I wan't able to turn on all the light because he took off like a rocket when I opened the bathroom door. We use my parents bathroom because they have a shower head with a hose.

Refusing to look at me (even when I have treats) because he is upset..

Waiting inpatienctly to get out of the tub...

still waiting...

When he gets out of the bath, he always rubs his face in the floor.

After being patted down with a towel for 2 seconds.

updated Christmas Cards...

Here are the edited Christmas photos I did for Caitlyn and Lexy. I hate how they are so similar but when you have three people there is only so much you can do! But I am proud of how they turned out!!

The card below is the Christmas card from my friedn Molly. I thought it was such a cute picture of her daughter Hailey. Molly's sister Amy with Heath Photography made them.



Here is a link to my cousin Steve's blog Christmas Card post. I thought it had a beautiful message.

pretty funny..

Don't get offended if you are a democrat...these are jokes that were sent to me by Dad and I feel are pretty funny and accurate...

Joke 1

A pretty little girl named Suzy was standing on the sidewalk in front of her home. Next to her was a basket containing a number of tiny creatures; in her hand was a sign announcing FREE KITTENS.

Suddenly a line of big black cars pulled up beside her. Out of the lead car stepped a tall, grinning man. “Hi there, little girl, I’m President Obama. What do you have in the basket?” he asked.

“Kittens.” little Suzy said.

"How old are they?" Asked Obama.

Suzy replied, “They’re so young, their eyes aren't even open yet.”

“And what kind of kittens are they?”

“Democrats,” answered Suzy with a smile.

Obama was delighted. As soon as he returned to his car, he called his PR chief and told him about the little girl and the kittens.

Recognizing the perfect photo op, the two men agreed that the president should return the next day, and, in front of the assembled media, have the girl talk about her discerning kittens. So the next day, Suzy was again standing on the sidewalk with her basket of “FREE KITTENS” when another motorcade pulled up, this time followed by vans from ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN.
Cameras and audio equipment were quickly set up, then Obama got out of his limo and walked over to little Suzy.

“Hello, again,” he said, “Id love it if you would tell all my friends out there what kind of kittens you're giving away.”

“Yes sir,” Suzy said. “They’re Republicans and Independents.”

Taken by surprise, the president stammered, “But … but … yesterday, you told me they were DEMOCRATS.”

Little Suzy smiled and said, “I know. But today, they have their eyes open.”

Joke 2

NO NATIVITY SCENE IN WASHINGTON D.C. THIS YEAR.
The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scenein the UNITED STATES Capital this Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason.

They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in the Nation's Capitol.

A search for a Virgin continues..

There will be no problem, however,finding enough asses to fill the Stable...

Joke 3

Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five Aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell . New Mexico . This is a well-known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.

However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:
Albert A. Gore, Jr.
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer

See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses? I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me. No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens! Now You Know.

Salt Lake City

Here are the pictures from this weekend. Nothing spectacular happened. Just great family times and good shopping. I will post pictures of the souveniers once I get them set up.

FRIDAY

Spent most of the day driving there. I was proud of myself about navigating through the crazy SLC freeway. It helped that Dad and TomTom were there to help too. Once we were at the hotel, we took a little dip in the pool and then headed out to see the Christmas lights. The LDS Temple Square is so pretty. I remembe going as a little girl and it was better (more captivating/enchanting) then but still beautiful. Emma called the Temple "Cinderelly castle". SOO CUTE!!

Caitlyn, Brandon, and Emma in front of some lights in Temple Square.

Caitlyn, Brandon, and Emma in front of the Temple.

Christus, by Bertel Thorvaldsen in the North Visitors Center, Temple Square.

More Christmas lights in Temple Square.

Me in front of Temple
Views of the Temple

Reflection of Temple in pond

Nativity in middle of pond.

Mom, Emma, Caitlyn, and I in front of Christmas light tree.
Mom, Brandon, Emma, Caitlyn, Dad in front of Christmas light tree.
Mom and Dad on the tram.

Emma and Me on the tram.

Emma keeping me awake (revenge of all the teasing I do to her)
SATURDAYWas a day of shopping. We started at Garnder Village, which was an old mill community that was renovated into shops. After Garnder, we dropped off Mom (aka Grandma) and Emma at the hotel for nap and Dad (aka Grandpa), Brandon, Caitlyn, and I went shopping at Trolley Square and Gateway Center. I bought cute Christmas ornaments at Garnder Village and perfume and clothes from Gateway. We finished shopping and went to pickup Mom and Emma for dinner. Ruby Tuesdays has pretty good BBQ Chicken.

Emma and Caitlyn at Garnder Village (shopping center)

Emma getting ready to go back outside in Garnder Village.

Me, Brandon, Emma, Caitlyn, Mom in front of waterwheel at Garnder Village.

Grandma helping Emma throw a snowball at Grandpa

Brandon, Emma, and Caitlyn at waterwheel at Gardner Village.

Mom and Dad

Mom, Dad, Brandon, Caitlyn, and Emma on bridge at Gardner Village.

SUNDAY

We drove home. We were going to go to a muesum (suprise it was opened on a Sunday) but poor Emma had a fever and was throwing up most of the morning, so we just headed home. It was snowing/raining and I was thankful Dad was driving. (He used to drive bus/truck so he is a very good driver). Good thing too because the truck in front of us on the freeway slid off the freeway (first playing bumper cars with the cememt wall). Dad was able to slow down (without sliding) and change lanes with just feet to spare or we would have hit the truck!! It was scary but memorable!! I got home around 430 and we left SLC around 10!! What a trip!!

This is the visiblity we had leaving SLC. After an hour it cleared up.

This pic was taken minutes before the wreck!!

Caitlyn, Emma, and Brandon on the way home (shopped too much I guess).

Emma looks a Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Toward the afternoon Emma was feeling much better.

Boise Holiday Parade

Family tradition dictates we go to the Boise Holiday Parade on Saturday November 28th. We always sit on the corner of Capitol & 9th. It was an good parade. Below are the pics of our family.

Wyatt being a ham.

Emma so excited to see something.

Jana and Wyatt bundled up against the cold.

Emma and Wyatt calling out for candy.

Beth's children (I forgot their names-Sorry!)

The theme was Golden Christmas. I thought this was pretty cool.
The horns/hoofs are gold.

Beth and her daughter Trista

Emma looking cute in ther hate and puffy coat.

Beth and her kids.