24 Days of Christmas

My amazing Mom is doing the 24 days of Christmas for my sisters and I this year. She’s been working on it all year long and it’s so fun opening them each day. They are technically for the ‘family’ but since I’m my own little family I don’t have to share! I love the boxes a few of the days came in.  They will be fun to decorate with next year.

My Dad delivered days 1-6 to Susie at her office and her coworkers couldn't believe it.  Susie simply described my Mom and how she plans these things and they were jealous!

Day 1 - Vinyl Christmas Countdown.  I'm going to mount mine on wood so I can use it over and over again.

Day 2 - Christmas Blanket

Day 3 - Cookie mix and cookie cutters

Day 4 - Christmas book

Day 5 - Manger to remember the true meaning of Christmas
Day 6 - Wooden Shoe and candy like the kids in Holland get to celebrate Sinterklaus Day
 
Thanks Mom!

The Pioneer Woman

Ok, I have found my new favorite blog.  I stumbed upon Ree's blog via another blog I read and I'm in love.  It's about Bree, a city girl that fell in love with a cowboy and how her life changed.  It isn't so must just a blog as a full blown website now.  She just wrote a cookbook and I can't wait to get it.  I just got a tweet today saying she is in Salt Lake tonight to do a signing....maybe I'll have to go.  I kinda feel like a stalker going so I'm not sure if I will!  If you get a chance go to her site The Pioneer Woman and check it out.  She wrote a short story about her journey called 'Black Heels to Tractor Wheels'.  It's amazing.  I laughed till I cried, cried from sadness and from the romance.  It's only a 2-3 hour read and well worth it!  All I can say is where is my Malboro Man!

Pumpkin Patch

I had a couple days off and I spent the last one off with Roo. We had fun hangin in bed watching tv, going to visit her Mommy and Grandma at work and then we were off to the patch. It was really windy and chilly but we both had fun. She was fascinated with all the pumpkins and couldn't keep her eyes of one pumpkin in particular. Therefore that's the one we left with!

Grandma Nelson

Mom and I spent this last weekend down at Grandma’s. We decided on the ride down that we where going to get her out of the house. She’s been couped up since January in pain and since her surgery last month she has only lef the house for doctor appointments. She was so excited and wanted to go for a walk. So with Mom and I on each arm we were off. We went up the road some and back. I’d say she did about a block. I know it doesn’t sound like much but for what she’s been through it’s a huge milestone. We had the sun behind us on out first walk and we could see our silhouettes. After all she’s been through she’s worried about her figure. She’s looks great and her waist is tiny!

After her walk we went to Mt. Pleasant to get groceries and for a ride. She did great and we even went on another walk later in the evening. Mom took her for her follow up with the surgeon today and he said she is doing amazing. Grandma was worried she might have moved wrong and screwed something up but he assured her that all is well and that she needs to keep moving. I told her next time I come down we’re going for a jog. She laughed and said maybe one day. I’m so glad she is feeling better.

Utah State Fair

I love this time of year and I know fall is almost here when we go to the fair. We go every year and it’s a lot of fun. Friday night I met Susie, Will and Roo and we went through some of it while visiting with Dad at the DWR booth. It’s cute to see him with the little kids and seeing DeAnn and Santa. On Sunday Mom, Susie, Roo and I went back to see everything else and to go through the buildings and booths. The weather was perfect and we had a lot of fun. Roo went on her first pony ride and I happened to get her Christmas present there (I now have all but Brooklyn’s gift!). Best purchase was my sheets as I’ve become a high thread count snob. We all got some at a smoking deal and I scored and ended up with 2 sets (Will hated the high thread count so Susie gave me theirs!). Now to get my new dryer (mine caught on fire!) so I can try them out. You just can’t go into fall without a fair corndog, snow cones and seeing the butter cow!

Yummy junk food!

Roo's first pony ride

Dad working the DWR booth

The famous butter cow

An American Saturday Night

My family and I all got tickets to see several concerts this summer at USANA. Brad Paisley was the last of the three and a great way to end the summer. Susie and I went early to get our place in line and again Susie ran her heart out and got us our spot. Jimmy Wayne and Dierks Bentley opened for him. Dierks was great but Brad proved why he was the headliner. Hands down one of the best entertainers I’ve ever seen. Through the heat and rain we had a blast!

Sleepover

I love to have sleepovers with my nieces and nephews. This was my first with Roo and her first night away from her mommy. Roo was just fine with it but her mommy was a nervous nelly and missed her tons. I had her most of Saturday so we shopped and played at the park. She is so funny and I love her personality. She reminds me a lot of Cody when he was that age. Everywhere we went people would stop and tell me how beautiful my daughter was. I wish she was mine!

But since she's mobile now she gets into things and anyone who’s been to my house knows it’s not baby proof! I would follow her around to make sure she wouldn’t hurt herself and get into something she shouldn’t. She loved pulling the baskets out of my coffee table and dumping them out. I finally made one of them hers with all her toys and she was a happy camper. First thing on Sunday she went straight for her basket and giggled when her toys where there, including her favorite WCW westler doll. I got this when I worked at the E Center over 10 years ago and had found it in a box so I sat it aside for when she comes. She loves it! We both had so much fun and I can’t wait for the next one!

Wanna Buy A Rope?

First off, it you know what I mean by my title then kudos to you! Mom, Dad, Susie, Will and I all went the the George Strait concert last weekend. Susie was awesome and got there early to ensure that we all got a great spot. It was a lot of fun before the show started and even more once it did start.

The show began with Julianne Hough, then with Blake Shelton and then the most handsome man ever George Strait. The man gets better with age!

If you look close you can see Susie and Will running to get our great spot!

My Dad getting a manicure!

Susie had purple nail polish with her and she painted my nails while we were waiting for the show to start. Dad was so jealous he joined in on the fun!

The girls

Susie and Will

4th of July

Susie and Roo met me in Provo for some shopping early in the day (Susie had a blast at the Disney store!) and then Mom and Dad met us at the Freedom Festival. It was a lot of fun...even though it was in happy valley. We then met Will at the 'Hot Stove' for dinner. Thanks Dad for humoring us with our love of the Stove! We all then headed north to Riverton for fireworks. We go there every year and every year they are better than the last. It was a great day!

Most of my pictures have Roo in them and Susie prefers pics of her to not be posted on a public forum. Check Susie's blog or either of our Facebook profiles for pictures of Roo.

The girls

Me and Mom


Me and Dad


Susie and the 'rents

Roo playing peek-a-boo

Will at fireworks

To Swine or Not to Swine....

Well I possibly have the swine flu. I tested negative but my doctor thinks I'm part of the 30% that get a false negative as I have all the symptoms. I got it from a girl at work who got it at church. Be careful, it's everywhere!

If you're healthy and get it you'll be fine. People are freaking out too much about it. It's the people who have health problems that need to worry. Since my doctor also sees my Mom she knew that I shouldn't be be around her or Roo because she is an infant. 10 days without Mom and Roo....not my idea of fun!

I've been working from home since Tuesday and stayed in the house. I'm about to go nuts. Needless to say by Monday I will be excited to go to work!

I had pneumonia for Mother's Day and now the flu for Father's Day. One might think I don't like my parents. NOT TRUE! I feel really bad about missing both days.

Mom and Dad went to dinner and brought me some yummy salad from Midvale Mining (well, they left it on my doorstep). Talk about heavenly! Thanks, it tasted so good and I ate every last drop.

So I will leave you with one bit of advice....wash your hands often!

The Three Stooges

Saturday night Mom, Dad, Susie, Will, Roo and I went to the drive in to see Night at the Museum. Cute movie and I highly recommend it. It was so much fun with Roo there...she is always entertaining. She growls now and it's the funniest thing ever. Susie put a video on her blog but it's dark and you can't see her face. Her face scrunches up, she opens her mouth real wide and then the growl. At one point I was growling back at her and we had a thing going. People around us thought I had lost it but we were having fun!

As usual I took many pictures and there just had to be some self portraits. Susie and I have perfected it and we got this one of us and Mom. I'd post more pictures but I forgot my camera and I need Mom to send them to me!

80 and Still Kickin!

Grandma Nelson turned 80 today! The things she has seen, done and experienced is amazing. Grandma has 5 kids, 9 Grand kids (14 with the spouses) and 12 Great-Grand kids.

I'll never forget the 'shopping sprees' when we would stay with you in the summer growing up and then the fashion shows Grandpa would have us put on with our new clothes. You always make us feel special and important. You ALWAYS have ice cream in the house and you make the best spaghetti and sloppy joes known to man. You're so talented and love so strongly. Stay strong and healthy and Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!

Decoration Day

I still call it Decoration Day instead of Memorial Day. It's what my Grandpa Nelson called it and it stuck with me. Mom went down to Fairview on Friday to help Grandma get her flowers from the florist but the weather was too bad. Dad, Susie, Will, Roo and I came down on Saturday. Susie and her family camped up in Milburn in their trailer. Crazy if you ask me, I hate camping in the rain.

Other extended family was there and we all visited and caught up on gossip in between trips to the cemeteries. I always know I've made it to Fairview when I come around the bend and see the cemetery up on the hill and Grandpa Nelson's tree. It's not really his tree but it's next to their plot and he kept his tools in it for when he would visit to clean and water their area.

I came home on Monday and stopped by Camp Williams. I love going there seeing all the flags. After all the traffic, construction and slow drivers it was worth it!

Overall it was a great weekend but it makes me sad. I've lost 3 Grandpa's, 1 Grandma, 3 Uncles and an Aunt. Not fair if you ask me...I miss them all so much!

Aunt Mary

May 1st.....the 18th anniversary of Mary's death, the day we laid my cousin Kathy to rest and now Uncle Evan's service. I'm not a big fan of May day! Driving home from the service I though lots about Mary and how much I miss her. There are so many things every day that remind me of her. I'll see, hear or smell something and I think of her. Here are a few...

Microwave popcorn
Chlorine
Alabama (the music group)
Peep toe heels
Yahtzee
Mac'n'Cheese
Bubble bath
Frito's
Masking tape
Backscratchers
Anything yellow
Carnations
Alcohol swabs
Cookie dough straight from the tube
Lady and the Tramp
Tab

It's hard to think that you've been gone 18 years and I only had 12 years with you. You were the best aunt and backup Mom and girl could ask for. I talk to you almost everyday and sometimes people think I've lost it but it helps me. There are times I feel you with me and I treasure those moments. I love you dearly and miss you terribly.

Uncle Evan

My great uncle Evan passed away recently and Mom, Dad and I just got back from his service in Las Vegas. He was such an amazing guy. He worked for the church most of his life and definitely lived for his family and the church. His service was full of everyone talking about what he always did for everyone else. What a great guy and I'm glad he passed so quickly. If he had to leave us I am glad it was so quickly for him.

Unfortunately funerals are sad but they tend to be a great time to see family. Aunt Joanne came from Florida, Uncle Lewis came from northern California and we also got to visit with Aunt Etta and Aunt Susan from Ivins. Seeing Evans wife and kids and everyone there was sure fun.

Mom, Dad and I did Vegas and the funeral and were back in 29.5 hours! I don't recommend it if you don't have to.

We'll all miss you Evan!

Happy Birthday Dad!

For Dad's birthday we went to the 'Jakanese' place for dinner. He loves this place! He did end up on Susie's list that night though....we caught him giving Roo Pepsi! The best part was how much she liked it! Isn't that a Grandpa's prerogative?!? I love teasing him that he is now a senior citizen!

Happy Birthday Dad! You're the BEST!

Sisterly Love

Since Roo came along Susie and I don't get as much time together as we used to. That's ok...she is home being a great mommy. She is so patient and loving to that little girl....even after 8:30pm (inside family joke).

We used to take self portraits all the time being goofy but since Roo came along they're all off Roo or with Roo. I got this great shot of us at Dad's birthday dinner last weekend. Love ya!

Blurry but Beautiful

Mom tells me all the time that she has never met anyone that takes more self portraits of themselves than me. While at Mom and Dad's last weekend I took this of me and Roo and I simply love it...even if it is blurry. I love playing with her and making her laugh. But who wouldn't with as cute as she is. See Mom I got a good, although burry shot!

Later that night I was babysitting and we played and laughed until she fell asleep. Susie called me the next day asking what I did to her child. I panicked and thought, "Did I feed her too much, not enough, did I forget to burp her, etc?". Then she informed me that she was so tuckered out she slept through the night. Maybe that will encourage Susie to let me babysit more often!

Flowers in February

This year I decided to get out of town and enjoy myself for my birthday. I planned a trip to LA and since you get into Disneyland free on your birthday I thought why not. I was treated like a queen and didn't have to wait in lines! I was there less than 6 hours and had seen and done everything I wanted. When you don't have to wait in lines you get through it fast!

I then spent the rest of the weekend in town having fun and spending time in Santee Alley. I brought some new friends home with me as well. Louis, Jimmy, Chloe & Burke!

The weather was absolutely beautiful and brace yourself....hot! It was 89 degrees and I was prepared for 70's. Oh well, it was a trip to remember.

A 16 Month Wait.....And Well Worth It!

After waiting 12 months for the actual show and a cancellation/rescheduling another 4 months, Mom finally got to see Celine Dion. I got tickets in October 07 for her that Christmas knowing she would have to wait until the next October for the show but I knew she would love it.

Talk about an entertainer! She has more energy than any toddler, more facial expressions anyone I've ever seen and a voice to die for. Hands down this was the best show I have ever been to. Mom and I couldn't get over how great she sounds live.

Mom's friend Marsha and her girls came up also and we all had dinner before the show. Too bad we weren't sitting next to each other.

Watching Mom I think she enjoyed it. I was a lot of fun to take her even though she had to leave Grandma to do so. Grandma was quite jealous!

Today was my Friday the 13th

This morning I packed up and went down to my garage to head to the the hospital to see Grandma. When I got in my car I started it and realized I could hear outside. I looked back to see that my car had been broke into and my back window was missing. What the $&@#!

When the Sandy police officer arrived he looked at the damage and couldn't get over how they used a crow bar and tried to pry open my back window and not just break a window. When they did that the window shattered. I hope it shattered in their faces!

And what did the jack@%&'s get? My emergency kit.....that's it. They grabbed the emergency kit and took off. I took it in to the body shop and it's going to be a while before I get Maggie the Mountaineer back. When you first look at the car it doesn't look too bad but they screwed up the whole back door, fenders and bumper of my car.....ugh.

Now my insurance will go up and I get to pay a deductible just because someone else felt more entitled to my emergency kit. I work hard for my things and they need to as well!

The cute kid at the rental car company felt bad for me and didn't want to put me in car that insurance would pay for. He talked to his manager and got me a Nissan Frontier (4x4 truck) instead of a Kia Spectra for the same price. Such a sweet guy!

All I can say to you thieves out there is KARMA. It will come back to get you! THIEVES SUCK!

Yet Another Tag!

I've been tagged and am now tagging you! Copy and paste these questions on your own 'note', replacing my answers with yours, then tag 25 or so people to do the same thing. Remember to tag me back so I can see your answers!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last night, thanks for listening Mom!
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Do shoes count?
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Sometimes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Yes, I learned it from my Dad
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted Flakes
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Butter Pecan, thanks to Grandpa Nelson
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their hair….weird I know
15. RED OR PINK? Pink
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? No telling
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST ? Mary
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? Yes. I like to learn about my friends, but no pressure
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans & brown shoes
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Brittni Black…check her out!
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Black
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Pomegranate
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Ken, a client of mine. He’s a drunk so you never know what he is going to say!
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? None
27. HAIR COLOR? Depends on the month. Right now a chocolate brown
28. EYE COLOR? Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Used to
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Toss up between Italian and Chinese
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Juno
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Tan
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer, no question!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs, Cody’s are the best!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Susie
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don’t know
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? A Pretty Fat
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don’t use one
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I worked on emptying my DVR...so many things
42. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? A babies coo
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Salt Lake City, Utah
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Mom’s
48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Not married
49. IS THE CUP HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY? Depends on the day
50. IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN TO DINNER WITH FIVE PEOPLE WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Grandpa Graham, Grandpa Nelson, Elaine (Grandma Nelson’s sister), Abraham Lincoln & me in 20 years

Minus a Couple Chompers

On Thursday I had my top wisdom teeth out. I had my bottom ones out when I was 18 so I thought I was out of the woods. Dad took me and was dead convinced it would take longer than it did. From when we walked in to when we got back in the truck was only 40 minutes. Gotta love general anesthesia! I loved waking up and having it over and done with. Dad was so sweet and stopped and got me some things I needed and my prescriptions. How cute is this little guy?!? He brought it out and said it was for me to hug.

Mom came over after work and stayed with me that night as you're not supposed to be alone for 12 hours after going under. She babysat Roo at my house on Friday and we both got to fawn over her. It wasn't too bad as it was only the 2 of us as normally we are fighting over her.

I healed amazingly with only a sore jaw as of now. If anyone is in need of good oral surgeon then call David Smoot. He is the best!

Mom and Dad are so good to their spinster daughter!

Another Tag

In your senior year of high school. . .

1. Did you date someone from your school? No

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? No

3. Did you car pool to school? No

4. What kind of car did you have? Isabella, my Mitsubishi truck

5. What kind of car do you have now? Mercury Mountaineer

6. Its Saturday night...where are you now? Quilting, I need a life!

7. It is Saturday night...where were you then? Probably working

8. What kind of job did you have in high school? Started at Reams and then worked at a card dealership

9. What kind of job do you do now? Project Manager

10. Were you a party animal? Ah...no

11. Were you considered a flirt? Ah....no

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? No

13. Were you a nerd? Kind of. I doubled up on some classes to graduate early.

14. Did you get suspended or expelled? No but I did make a good enemy with my guidance counselor.

15. Can you sing the fight song? No

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? My sophmore history teacher....can't remember her name. She looked like Cruella DeVille and noody else liked her. I took a class from her as an elective as a senior.

17. Where did you sit during lunch? Had left for work....so probably in my truck on my way to work

18. What was your school's full name? Kearns High School

19. When did you graduate? 1997

20. What was your school mascot? Cougar

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? NO!!!

22. Did you have fun at Prom? No, I dumped my boyfriend right before Senior Prom

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Occasionally

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? No

25. Do you still talk to people from school? A couple

26. School Colors? Green & Gold

27. What celebrities came from your high school? No that I know of

Tag I'm It!

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD ... IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!!

Here's what you're supposed to do... and please don't spoil the fun... copy and paste, delete my answers, type in your answers and send it to a bunch of people (tag) -including me.

Where is your cell phone?..Couch

Your significant other?…None

Your hair?... Brown

Your mother?...Diane

Your father? ...Neil

Your favorite thing?... Family

Your dream last night?... Work

Your dream/goal?... Motherhood

The room you're in?... Office

Your fear?...Alone

Where do you want to be in 6 years?...Married

Where were you last night?... Bed

What you're not?... Skinny

Muffins?... Yuck

One of your wish list items?... Entrepreneur

Where did you grow up?..Utah

The last thing you did?...Yawn

What are you wearing?...Pj's

Your TV?... On

Your pet(s)?...Birds

Your computer?... Laptop

Your life?... Progressive

Your mood?... Tired

Missing someone?... Cody

Your car?... Mountaineer

Something you're not wearing?... Socks

Favorite Store?... Many

Your summer?... Hot

Your favorite color?... Yellow

When is the last time you laughed?... Friday

Last time you cried?... Tuesday

Who will/would re-post this?...Susie

Four people who email me?... Mom
... Dad
... Susie
... Liz

Four of my favorite foods?...Peas
... Brocolli
... Pasta
... Peaches

Four places I'd rather be right now?... Bed
... LA
... NYC
... Future

Four people I think will respond?... Mom
... Susie
... ?
... ?