GiNgErBrEaD HoUsE NiGhT

Wednesday night we had a few friends over to celebrate National Gingerbread House day. We had some yummy dinner and then it was on to the house building. We busted out some serious creativity, and some improvising, Jeddy made some frosting using flour instead of sugar, it didn't taste so good and was a little runny, but it made for some sweet icicles. Everyone's houses turned out awesome, I am so proud of you all. :o) Hopefully this will turn into a tradition and we can do it again next year. Thanks for the fun night, it was a great way to kick off the Christmas season.


The whole group (almost) with our gingerbread masterpieces

Mike and Alicia, missed out on the group photo. May your gingerbread house R.I.P.

Dan and Kelli



Mar and Billy

Jeddy and his Flour frosting

Tag, I'm it!!

OK, here are my 6 things, hopefully you all learn something new today.

1. I love big dogs, but I am deathly afraid of any sized dog when I believe they are chasing me. One time I left Amber in the dust as I SPRINTED around my entire house to go in the back door, only to find a confused Amber and the neighbor's well-trained dog standing in the same spot it was when I felt threatened.

2. I have a dent in my forehead. We tell people it's from when I was 2 and crossing the boardwalk in San Diego and was hit by a bike, but that's probably not true. I'm pretty sure it's just a oddly placed dimple.

3. I'm 99.9% sure I have NEVER bought an article of clothing at full price, I just can't do it! And if I did, I guarantee I returned it after the guilt set it. I am a bargain hunting Queen, (Thanks to my frugal mother) and rest assured, the hunting is usually quite successful.

4. I have an amazing memory, if I may say so. My bro Matt and I both got it. I remember the littlest and weirdest details, it makes trips down memory lane a little more enjoyable. :o)

5. When I was 5 I wanted to, and truly believed I could be a horse when I grew up, I have since then gone another direction with my career choice.

6. I learned to drive stick shift at the ripe-old age of 11. Before I was legal, I would drive around the neighborhood in "Rusty", my 1980 Datsun 210, and I've never been so nervous as when that cop pulled behind me and turned on his lights and sirens, turned out he just wanted to pass me. Whewww!!!

I now Tag Marianne, April, Charla, and Kelly Nelson

We made Elves of ourselves!

I'm sure some of you have already seen these things, but it's still funny no matter what. This is Benton, me, his bro Bill and wife Marianne. Benton is a girl, and a very girly girl at that, check out his booty shake at the end, it's classic! Enjoy! Happy Elfing!! (just click on the link, or copy and paste if it doesn't work)

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1145039192

2 Posts for the price of 1 - #2: Back to the beginning

Thanksgiving weekend we got lucky because Benton got off work early on Friday and so we actually got to go on a date on a Friday, this is very rare for us. We went to dinner, macaroni grill, mmm mmm mmm. Then we were supposed to go goofy golfing or something, but I was FREEZING, so instead we went to Temple lights, I know it doesn't make sense, still outside and still cold, but we stopped by QT on the way and got some of their amazing hot chocolate.
QT has a bit of sentimental value to us because the first night we ever hung out we went there to get drinks, romatic eh? don't worry it wasn't a date at all. But we hung out in the parking lot talking for about 3 hours, I guess we just couldn't get enough of eachother, I mean, we are both really cool. ;o). So yeah, it all started at QT, it not only serves as the best gas station, but also a pretty sweet match maker. Benton was so good to let me be a girl and take a picture in front of a gas station, thanks Love!! Oh, and the temple lights were amazing as usual. I had a very funny experience in the ladies room there, Anna, I think you would really appreciate it!

2 Posts for the price of one- #1: Oh Chrismas tree.....

We put up our Christmas tree!!! My awesome visiting teacher gave us a Christmas tree and I will be ever grateful because what is Christmas without the tree? It was so fun to have our actual "first Christmas" (last year we were living at Mom's). We cranked up the Christmas tunes and got to work. It's complete with steady AND blinking lights, thanks to my handy husband, and has ornaments on the front side, it's kinda fun being newly weds and broke and making do with what you have, it lets ya be creative. Since we got it up we've moved it, and our furniture, around a couple times to find that perfect spot. I think we finally got it.

We LOVE Christmas and all that comes with it, the weather, smells, decor,music, food, parties, and most importantly the Spirit of Christ. it really is the best time of year!

Thanksgiving a la Robinson

This year we spent Turkey day with my family. As usual, the festivities were held at my Pat and Jeep's, my aunt and uncle. Dinner was fantastic but that was just the tip of the ice burg. We have a large extended family with lots-o-little kids so in order to better keep them entertained, we rent a giant 30 ft inflatable slide that takes up the entire drive way. It's awesome, and by the end of the day all the neighbors have dropped by to try it out. EVERYONE from 0-60+ goes down the slide. It's not just entertainment, it helps burn off a few of 1000's of calories we've injected. :o)
I also got to try out a favorite childhood game, tetherball, oh manny! If you wanna a work out, find a friend and a tetherball pole! hahaha I played Peter and we were both pooped by the end of one game, then my 2 oldest bros played and I recall one of them saying " I don't remember ever being winded from tether ball before". Serious, I'm still feeling it! 4th graders are tougher than I thought!
I hope you all had a 'gobbling' good time on Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving slide



Me with my oldest and youngest neices

Why i don't like Harry men

Being in the hair business I'm bound to have a difficult client now and then, but this one was a special treat, 'cept I would never call it a treat. The moment I saw this Harry guy I knew he was gonna be trouble, I knew he was much to prissy and high-maintainence for my liking.
The first thing he says when he gets in my chair is "Look, I've had my hair cut the same way for 15 years. I'm very particular, but I tip well, so you're gonna need to go a good job." Already I knew I was doomed. He proceeds to give me very specific directions on how to cut his hair and when I suggest I use a blending technique I am more comfortable with, he came back with " I think you better do what I tell you."
He VERY specifically and repetitively asked for a 1.5 guard on the back and sides, so that's what I gave him. Now, for those of you that don't know, clippers typically don't come with 1/2 guards, only whole numbers, so there is a little level on the side that raises the guard making it a half size longer than the given guard number.
I Proceed with the clipping, and when Harry sees the side of his head he freaks out and tells me to stop and insists "that is NOt a 1.5!!!" So I tell him, "yes, it is" and I show him the little number 1 and the magic level that brings it up to a 1.5. Harry refuses to believe me and this debate goes on for a full 5 min and it gets pretty heated, I kid you not. Anybody could see and tell the lever makes it longer. So now Harry is very upset that is hair is as short as it is, but again, he very specifically asked for a 1.5. Not the 2.5 he demonstrated on my clippers and called a 1.5 during this argument.
After shampooing his hair twice, cuz once was not enough to get all the gel out of it, I proceed to cut the 1/2 inch off the top, just like he showed and told me. The length was fine, but unless you want a crazy ugly nasty ridge or bowl cut, you gotta blend the top to the sides, so i did that, just like every other men's cut I've ever done in my career. Again, Harry flips out and asks why the sides are shorter than the top... hmmmm... tough one. This goes on and everything I do he gets upset at, so finally he says we're done and gets out of my chair. Halleluia!!!
He then asked if anyone else there knows how to use clippers and if he could ask them a question. So I call another stylist over and grabbed my clippers and #1 guard. I attempted to explain to Tricia what he wants to know, and 3 words into it Harry snaps at me and demands " YOu don't say anything until I'm done!!" real nasty like, he then goes off into this tale of how he's gotta his hair cut for 20 yrs in 20 different countries the same way, with a #1.5 guard, so he takes my clippers and explains to Tricia how they work and that what I did to make a #1.5 was really a 0.5 guard and we're idiots. Tricia tells his "sorry, I'm gonna have to agree with Brittany, that's a #1.5" because it is for crying out loud! He got really mad then and said " I am not paying for this hair cut!" and stormed out. We were all ah-struck at the madness we had just witnessed and could not believe someone could be so rude. ( I cut out a lot of details for the readers sake, if you wanna know, please ask)
Anyway, moral of the story, get to know your guard numbers and don't be sending any Harry's my way!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Gilbert Days!!

Yesterday was the annual Gilbert Days parade, and I was so excited to go because I hadn't been in a few years and it was something that I always did with my Dad, which makes it a little extra special to me. So, Marianne, Charla and the twins, and I packed up and drove downtown Sat. morning. We stopped and ate breakfast at the Farmhouse, great place by the way, and everyone was so inthralled with the twins, it was so cute! They were so adorable and so good! Stacy and Johnny came with the kids and lent us a stroller yay!! Special thanks to the Farmhouse guy and his handy work with his stapler. :o).
After breakfast we went out side to join the thousands of people lining the streets to watch the parade. Sadly, the parade has gone down hill, instead of huge fun immaculate floats, it's moreso a bunch of advertisements. I personally think it started going down when Bruiser, my old dog, retired from his position as Houston Husky Mascot. But its still fun and nostalgic. I mean, who doesn't love a parade?

Mason and his collection of candy

Stacy, Johnny and fam, yes that is tootsie roll on Bubba's teeth.

Mason decided to attack me, it was hysterical, and that's one attractive picture

My adorable neice Annabelle ( I think that's right :o)) and me isn't she SO cute?

My kind of day

(view from our front door, checkout those clouds!)

I woke up today and to my utter enjoyment it was all overcast outside!!! It's been so stinkin Hot here I thought Arizona had given up on winter all together. I didn't want to waste any of the fantastic weather, because really, how long does it ever last? So, I opened up ALL our windows to let in the breeze, but i still wanted to be outside, so I grabbed a chair and went and read on my front porch, then i watered the flowers. I even went as far as pulling weeds to have something productive to do so I could stay outdoors. It was wonderful and it even rained! And on my way to work, I spotted 2 rainbows in the sky, pretty cool..... Oh if we could only have everyday be like today,I would have a very nice lawn. :o)


Here are the 2 rainbows, it was cooler in person


For those of you who haven't seen it, We finally got our landscaping in!! again, cooler in person

It' HalloWeeeeeen Time!!!.... just a little late

Hi, sorry it's a little late, but I just got the pictures downloaded and I made a digital scrapbook!! So if you have a sec check it out, it's short. We had a great Halloween! After driving around to 5 different stores trying to find a pumpkin, we did finally, thanks Mom, we went to a sweet party. Mar and Billy threw a fantastic party complete with strobe light, dragon blood, bat droppings, jack-o-laterns, and caramel apples. Everyone came decked out in amazing costumes, all homemade, even the "elves". It was a great night! We're just glad it happened to be our day off! HaPpY hALLoWEeN!

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

Our First Anniversary

So we made it! The first year of marriage is gone, and what an AMAZING and AWESOME year it's been!! Ok, so it's technically not till Saturday, but since we both work that day, we celebrated early, on Wednesday. We had made plans to hit the State Fair during the day, then go out to dinner and exchange gifts. So come Tuesday I was crazy excited and couldn't wait for our funfilled day.
As many of you know, Benton was unfortunate enough to get very ill on our honeymoon, which put a damper on it, but we still had a good time. Well, I think maybe he was trying to be sentimental becuase he decided to get sick Tuesday night and Wednesday too! He came home early from work with a mad fever, serious chills, upset stomach and bad headache. The poor guy... he didn't sleep well that night, and he still wasn't feeling too hot come morning, so the fair went down the drain, so we hung out at home and tried to nurse him back to health. Luckily bydinner time he was feeling pretty good, so we went to Black Angus, we had a coupon! The food was a little bland and our server wasn't around much, but we had a good time, we got double dessert, one came with our meal and they brought us out a surprise one for our anniversary! Very thoughtful of them.
We got our real dessert to go and I drove and made Benton close his eyes while a drove to a secret spot. I took all sorts of turns and even cut through a neighborhood and he still guessed where we were. I took him to Morrison Ranch Park, the same place Benton Proposed. I didn't have a million floating candles, music or anything like he did, I had one candle and an ipod with a set of earphones, but that was good enough for us. We had a great time talking, snuggling, (it was actually a little chilly!), and enjoying the memories that flooded our minds and hearts. It was a perfect day, even with a sick husband and no fair. Benton is an amazing husband, I couldn't ask for a better, more loving husband. Happy Anniversary, Benton!! I Love you!!

I present to you.... Princess Benton

 

Yes, Benton is wearing a tiara, not just any tiara, but a leopard print one with fluffy stuff. My cute little niece was getting us ready for Halloween on Sunday night and decided Benton needed a crown, best part was, Benton was too distracted by the D-backs game he didn't seem to mind his newly adorned accessory one bit. And he gladly posed and smiled for the camera when Katie came down stairs with a camera to capture Benton's royal stint. Doesn't he look adorable? Yep! That's why I married him!

It's True, I made that!

I know, it's hard to believe, I made something that actually turned out! So, I'm on a craft thing right now and I love it! It's my new favorite hobby. This time, no cotton balls were used. Today, Mar and I went to Michael's, again, because my wonderful Mom left me about 15 50% off coupons to use so we found mountains of treasures and then, Aunt Marianne, the craft Master, suggested she teach us how to make wreaths tonight! You could guess my excitement at this. So, she came and told us what to buy, and since you're only allowed one coupon per day, we all went through different checkouts a few times, we know how to beat the system. Anyway,it was back to Mar's house and the magic began. They are SO fun to make and look how adorable! I still need to add a few little acorns and cool yellow thingy's but it's great, and I only got 1 blister from the hot glue. I can be crafty! It's a miracle. Isn't Fall the greatest?


My wreath



Mar's giant, gorgeous glittery wreath


me, marianne and marianne the wreath queen

There's a little Twilight in each of us

Ok, so I made Benton take the "which Twilight character are you" Quiz with me, and here are our results. Benton is Jasper, and it's dead on! I got Jacob Black, I got a boy, neat. Anyway, it doesn't fit quite as well as Jasper does to Benton, but still fun. Anyway, for all you Twilight addicts out there, take the quiz, it's fun, and for all your that aren't yet, break down and READ IT!! and then you will understand.

Which Twilight novel character are you?

center You're Jasper Hale - You have a calming personality and a simplistic way of looking at life. People like to be around you because you can help keep peace and are friendly to everyone. Although you do have a quiet side, you would be well balanced with a bubbly, spunky mate. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

The Cotton Ball Technique

So, here's the scoop. Marianne and I went shopping yesterday for items to make our fall wreaths with. Well, after a trip to Ross, which always proves dangering on our wallets, we made it to Michaels, which proved to be equally dangerous. You see, I am Obsessed with Fall and all that comes with it. We found ourselves in the Halloween decor and decided why pay for this stuff when we could make it ourselves??! Yeah, exactly. So with our little wooden, ready-to-paint decorations, some paint and glitter, we were off. We were starving and I think that must've cut off some brain cells, because as we got all set up and ready to begin "craft night" we realized we forgot paint brushes. But I'll tell you, as soon as we got some food in us, the creative juices were flowing. And so we used Cotton balls, crayons, white out and our fingers to our benefit. We made all sorts of crafty discoveries last night, and although next time we will most likely use paint brushes, we will not fret if they get left behind. HAPPY FALL!!!!
(P.S. These are my very fist "on my own" crafts, so don't be too critical, thanks. :o))

Season Four has arrived!

Which Office Character Are You?
	You are Pam. You are sweet and likable, but your shyness makes it hard for you to express yourself sometimes. Regardless, you are always there for your friends and will usually come out of your shell to help anyone.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Well, today is a very special day, it is our 11 month Anniversary, AND the season premiere of The Office!!! Sadly, I had to work tonight and missed the actual real-time showing, but thank goodness for Tivo. Benton gets home in about 15 min, and she's almost as excited as I am and has agreed to watch it before bed, which will put us at about 2am, but I think it's worth it, it's almost like going to a Harry Potter midnight showing, but you laugh more. Good think we don't have to be anywhere in the morning. Did everyone else get to see it yet? How was it? Did you go to any sweet Office parties? Can't wait to talk about it!!!

Fancy Pants

 

So I was going to work on Saturday and running a little late, but in my hurry to get from my car to the mall, where my salon is, I was thrown a little off track by something very out of the ordinary, and sparkly. I had to do a double take, and yes, I wasn't imagining things, she was real! And she was wearing Gold Spandex and some nice high heels to go with it. She looked stunning from the front, I regret not being able to get a picture of her from the front, but I was afraid she would've known what I was doing had I done that. I used my camera phone to look as inconspicuous as possible. She made my day, it's not everyday you see something as glorious as that in Gilbert, AZ. So, to all the owners of afros and gold spandex, I say Thank you!

Mason, an apron, and hakuna matata

I think we could all learn a little Fashion sense and dance moves from this kid. It's pretty hilarious. It's you don't wanna watch the whole thing, just watch the first minute or so, it's fabulous, he is one funny kid. If you watch the whole thing, you'll notice when Brian comes and scares the crap out of me. Enjoy! Kids are the coolest.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Vampire Dreams

Hi. So, I'm sure many of you know the Twilight series books by Stephanie Meyer, if you don't, I highly suggest picking one up, especially if you're a girl, Bubba has read the first two, he liked them, but said there's not enough blood and guts for his taste, really it's a chick flick in book form, they are fabulous! Now, when you do read them, and if you are prone to have insane and crazy dreams every single night, like me, then I caution you to stop when you think it's getting a little too tense or scary at least 3 hours before bedtime, and reading something less suspensful, like the BoM or the Ensign instead, otherwise you might turn into Bella and have what's going on in the book happen to you, and then be scared to move after your husband goes to school the next morning. I'd tell you exactly the part I'm talking about, but I don't want to spoil anything for those that have not yet read them. Oh-they're really not scary at all, just a little suspense, although, Stacy read this same part a night Johnny was out of town, and she didn't sleep all night. So just make sure your husband is close by. Now, Go to your library and get Twilight! Happy Reading!

P.S. Sorry the pic is so fuzzy

Pizzeria Brittanica!

So, you're probably looking at that picture trying to figure out what exactly it is. Well, today is your lucky day, I'm going to tell you. You see, each and every Sunday I count on a big family dinner at my Mom's. Well this past Sunday she was out of town, and people had meetings and staff infections, so we decided to just fend for ourselves. It was sucha weird feeling not going to dinner, so I decided to invite Buck and Nadia over for dinner. I remembered Stacy and I had recently made pizza dough and I had some in the freezer, so I thought, Great! that's what we'll eat! So I pulled it out and it was frozen as a rock. Out of desperation, I called Katie to ask how long it normally takes to thaw these dough balls, and to my dismay, she replied, all day. Crap. But she did tell me there's a way special way you can speed the process along in the microwave, but it's hard to do, and she couldn't remember the specifics, but I decided to try it anyway. So, I tossed it in the micro on defrost for just 2 min and decided I'd better take it out becuase it was getting piping hot! And the edges were starting to cook. So I waited, hoping desperately that it would start to rise, but nothing happened.... I then drove to Katie's and brought along my dough patty with me to show her what I had done. And, with good reason, she just laughed. This thing was so dead and flat, Brian thought I had brought him a giant cookie, until he got up close. Anyway, my dear sister, out of the goodness of her heart, had mercy on me and whipped me up an entire new batch of pizza dough, grinded the wheat and everything! For that I am VERY grateful. I needed this one to rise really quick, cuz Buck and Nadia were coming any minute, so I threw it in the microwave! Just Kidding!! I learned my lesson. It was hot enough that it rose perfectly and beautifully and 20 minutes later we ate some of the best pizza known to man kind. Sunday Dinner was saved.... that's until I boiled the no-bake cookies a tad too long, but that's another story, for another time. Toodles.

Looney Tunes

Has anyone noticed how terrible the main stream music is becoming, specifically the Hip-Hop genre? I've never been a fan, but having been exposed to it more since I joined the band of cosmologists, I've noticed there is not a single decent singer/song writer/musician in the whole business! And man does it get to me! It's Pathetic! My ears have the displeasure of listening to our fabulous hip hop stations here in the valley at work, and I can predict 80% of the songs that will be played in the first 30 minutes, I am so good at this because the music library at these stations have only about 10 songs each and it's like they put them on repeat. I can feel myself losing brain cells every time I hear one repeated. My dear friend April experienced this phenomenon the other day while getting her hair done, and she said, "wait, didn't they just play this song?" "oh Yes, April they did" was my reply. If I have to hear that dumb Fergie song about a child missing it's blanket, or how to "Party Like a rock star" or the "suicidal" song that butchered the classic "Stand By Me" I think I will commit suicide, well maybe not, but I will get a little annoyed and probably go change the station to something I can whistle along to, because as my wise father often told me, if you cant whistle along to the melody it has no tune and therefore isn't real music. Wise words .

The tragedy of media

Well, today has been an adventurous day, while at work, the computer/register decided to die, I cut a Russian limo/escort service business owner's hair, and an old lady fell on the up escalator and was bleeding from the back of her head. Don't worry, she came in after she got cleaned up to thank her new hero. Sarah, for saving her, she's alright!! But all of this, does not compare to what happened as I so innocently skimmed a hollywood gossip magazine, they 're abundant in salons. I got to the second page and my eyes were drawn to a picture of Harry Potter, obviously! So, I read it without thinking, and then I wanted to shoot myself and the magazine Editor in chief for printing the ending before I finished the book!!! I have spoiled the ending for myself! For the sake of those who have, like me, not finished yet, I wont mention one word of it. Why me? Why again? This same thing happened to me for book 6, except that time I missed the huge Spoiler Alert on the previous page..... oh I knew should've locked myself away until I was done. I was so careful this time to steer clear of Harry Potter anything because I didn't want anything given away. So much for that..... On the bright side, at least there wont be any more harry Potter's to be spoiled for me.

The adventures of being me

Well, once again I've had a abnormal thing happen to me , Tuesday night I was tidying up our family room, putting a throw on the sofa when all the sudden I felt a pin prick on the side of my foot, but the pain didn't go away. Alas, I had been bitten/stung by something. I was home alone and was so worried what I was gonna do in case I died. So, I decided to be proactive and research one of the two things I decided could've bit me, a scorpion, or a black widow. I started with Black Widows and was preparing for the worst, cuz they get pretty bad, look it up if you ever have a minute. But then I decided it wasn't that bad of a bite cuz the pain wasn't really spreading much. Finally, Benton got home for work, 2 hours later and, since I was too scared to look under the couch, I tried to look from a far using a pair of tongs to lift the slip cover, but to no avail, so Benton, being the He-man that he is, hoisted up the entire couch where we found a little scorpion.... dead. Yes, I was stung by a dead scorpion. How does this happen? I do not know. Anyway, I was relived to know it was a scorpion that got me, somehow. Um, if you've ever tried to sleep with a scorpion sting, it doesn't work!!!! The numbness and tingling kills you! I think I fell asleep round 5 am. Not a fun night! But the good news is by Thursday I wasn't numb anymore! The End.

The Amazing Self-Pruning Tree!!

Monsoon season is well upon us, at my mom's house we can always tell when it's the season becuase of the magical tree in the front yard. Each year it grows as big and tall as it can only to grow old of its newly grown limbs, and figures the drive way and street are the best places to dispose of its unwanted excess. It's great, and it serves as some fine entertainment during the hot summer months. The sucky part is having to cut it all into tiny little pieces so the trash guys will pick it up. Here's a picture of the self-pruning tree in action, the dead leaves to the right is the limbs mom has just hired someone to come cut off.... had she wanted 2 more days the tree would have done it for her! oh well....until next year.

The Wal-mart trip from, not heaven

So, tonight after work, I went to Walmart to pick up somethings for Sunday dinner, including bell peppers and a pineapple, both of which I planned on ad-matching for a great low price. As I was walking to check out, I found a short nice line only to be told, "sorry I just closed", so I was forced to walk to the clear other end of the store, if you've been to a walmart supercenter, you know what an inconvenience that is. So, I join the herd of other customers in line of one of the 4 open registers. All the lines were insanely long, so I waited and waited and finally it was my turn, she rang up my stuff and I told her the price of my items I needed to ad match and she entered them, but then my total came out to $50! I had about $15 worth of groceries, so that started this big long process, and ended with the manager coming over to void the 3 times I was charged for my bell peppers at herendous prices I might add. So after being heckled my the people in line behind me, offering to pay for the "stupid bell pepper" I paid and was off. I got to my car and thought, something still isn't right, $24 is still too much, so I whipped out my trusty cell phone calculator and added it up and sure enough it was off by a good $10. So back inside I went to customer service and the same manager found the $10 she forgot to void and refunded my money, which wont show up for 7-10 business days. What a nightmare, what should have been a ten minute shopping trip turned into almost an hour, most of which was standing in line, I'm just glad to be home. (oh, that's me being mad at my receipt in the pic)