Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Welcoming 2009!!

JC and I are so excited for 2009! We have some fun things coming up that we have been anticipating for a while now! We were fortunate enough to have time off of JC's job so we were able to ring in the New Year with family in Ephraim.
New Years Eve was a fun, relaxing day of fabulous food and games. We were determined to make it until midnight...and we did!! JC, Dad, Nathan (well almost), and myself kept each other awake long enough to watch the ball drop. Moments after the ball dropped JC and I welcomed the New Year with a kiss and then hit the pillows.
New Years day was full or more yummy food, games, and relaxation.
HAPPY 2009 everyone!!
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Home for Christmas 2008 (Part 2)

After getting back from Idaho Falls JC was scheduled to work for a couple days. During those couple days I slowly took down all of our Christmas decorations. The following Tuesday we packed up gifts and luggage and headed for Christmas part 2 in Ephraim with JC's family.
On our way to Ephraim we stopped and picked up our nieces, Keyleigh and Rebecca. They were SO awesome on the drive down. After a few stops for dinner and a little shopping we got to Ephraim.
The following day Mary and Derek arrived and we opened Christmas again. Once again we were spoiled! JC got a new white shirt, a LOT of Wii points and Itunes points, video game, and movies. I got the coveted Cricket machine, FABULOUS new sheets that we so needed, and a 5 pack of chick flick movies (thanks again Nathan!).
As fun as Christmas is, I love watching the little ones light up every time they open something. I also love being surrounded by family. We have so much to be grateful for!!
Thank you again to everyone for everything and for making Christmas so fun!
(Here are a few pictures from part 2 of Christmas)ImageImageImageImageImage

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Home for Christmas 2008 (Part 1)

This year we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at my parents in Idaho Falls. My brother and his family were able to be here from Kansas, and were staying with my parents. All my other siblings did Christmas at their own house or with their in-laws.
Christmas morning was so fun as we got to watch the little girls come up the stairs to see what Santa had brought them! My niece Rylee was so funny! When she saw the plate of cookies that were left out for Santa to eat, had actually been eaten, she got the cutest/funniest surprised/shocked look on her face. We all got a good laugh.
My sweet Mom had gone into work in the middle of the night to cover a shift for a lady so she could be home as her own kids woke up to what Santa brought them. So, the rest of us waited until she got home later that morning to open our gifts. JC got me a cute sweater and I got him a traveling computer kit. My Mom and Dad got us a roaster oven and a couple games. And, our grandparents spoiled us with Christmas cash. Thank you to everyone for your gifts. It was a great Christmas!!
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Saturday, December 20, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS Blaine and Kristin!!

On December 20th we gained a new sister-in-law! Blaine and Kristin were married in the Rexburg, ID Temple. It was a beautiful sealing ceremony. Their Sealer offered some great council I think all in attendance took with us as we left. Although Kristin's mother was not able to attend in person, we definitely felt her spirit in attendance.
After their sealing ceremony, pictures were taken of the new couple along with pictures of all those who were able to attend.
That afternoon Mom and Dad hosted a wedding dinner in their honor. I got the opportunity to help decorate the banquet room. It was way fun with a little stress thrown in for variety but overall it was a great day and we are so excited for Blaine and Kristin as they start their new family.
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Friday, December 19, 2008

Gift exchange at work

I had so much fun making and purchasing gifts for the family I nanny for. I took some updated pictures of the girls and printed them to be framed with a poem for their Mom and Dad. Emi got a spinning art machine. Lili loves Dora so I made her a fun Dora blanket to snuggle with at nap time. Everyone seemed very grateful and excited for their gifts.
I was given a very gracious bonus with a sweet Christmas card.
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Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Train Ride

A week before Blaine and Kristin got married in the Rexburg Temple, Kristin received her endowments in the Salt Lake Temple. JC made arrangements at work so we could both go down to Salt Lake and be there with Mom & Dad, and Blaine. Going to the Temple is always a fulfilling way for me to spend an afternoon.
After we were done at the Temple, we all went to find Jamie and made plans to meet up at "This is the Place" Monument Park. When we got there we went in and looked around the little gift shop and decided to take the train ride through the little town and boughtr our train tickets. Jamie and I ran back to the cars for extra blankets and made it back in time to load the train with everyone else. We got off at the first stop and had dinner at an old hotel. Just as we were finishing up the train had come back around and we got back on and finished the tour through the cute little town all lit up with Christmas lights. As we rode around the wind was blowing which created a slight sting on our cheeks. We couldn't help but feel for our pioneer ancestors who had to travel in this weather as they made their way to the Salt Lake valley and other parts of the country.
Thanks again for inviting us Mom, Dad, and Jamie! We had a ton of fun!!
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Monday, December 8, 2008

Christmas with friends

Every year we get together with our good friends Jenny and Jeremy for a Christmas dinner, gift exchange, and games. This year little Ellie joined us and was so much fun. We had BBQ chicken (thanks for running the grill honey), twice baked potatoes, salad, steamed veggies, and rolls. For dessert I made a harvest bread (thanks for the recipe Kristin) and served it with ice cream and a homemade hot fudge sauce.
After dinner and desert had a chance to settle, we exchanged gifts. Thanks again for the fun gifts Jenny and Jeremy! I LOVE the shirt. (They got me a t-shirt that says "I put ketchup on my ketchup") They know me too well. I DO love ketchup.
After gifts Jenny and Jeremy pulled out their game "Ticket to Ride". We had a blast!! I loved that game! Maybe we'll ask Santa for it.
Before they had to leave, Jeremy and I tried to get pictures of little Ellie posed with Rudolph. She was a good sport about it.
Thanks again you guys for making the drive all the way up here. It's always fun to have you guys over.Image



















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Friday, December 5, 2008

Polish babies

It finally snowed enough to have to really bundle up before going outside for play time. This is a picture of Lili, the little girl I nanny, in her snow clothes. I LOVE those big blue eyes. I think I will be going to Poland to adopt our babies!!
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Oh Christmas tree!!

I love love love this time of year!! We bought a smaller tree this year that didn't seem to take up so much of our living room. This tree was our first attempt at a pre-lit tree.....and I LOVE it!! They are SO awesome!! I love shutting off all the lights and staring at the tree. I thought it was cute when my Mom would stay up late, staring at the tree after we decorated it. Now I understand why she would do it. I love the feeling that all is right with the world....even if for just those few brief moments. I hope you are all having a great month!!
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Contest!! Give-a-way!!

Check out www.udreamitvinyl.blogspot.com and enter your name in a drawing for your choice of a couple WAY cute vinyl projects to choose from!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I've been tagged!!

This is in response to a tag by my cousin Tiffany!

8 T.V. shows I like to watch:
1.) John & Kate plus 8
2.) Little People Big World
3.) 17 Kids and Counting
4.) Good Things Utah
5.) Studio 5
6.) Food Network: Food Detectives
7.) Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee
8.) Food Network: Unwrapped

8 things that happened yesterday:
1.) Went to work
2.) Got Christmas stuff out of storage
3.) Packed to go home
4.) Drove home to Idaho
5.) Helped finish putting together hygiene kits
6.) Went grocery shopping
7.) Bought my first turkey
8.) Read stories to my nephews

8 places I like to eat:
1.) Olive Garden
2.) Hamilton's
3.) Formosa
4.) Samba Grill
5.) Korean BBQ
6.) PF Changs
7.) Arby's
8.) The bowling alley in Ephraim

8 things I am looking forward to:
1.) Buying a home
2.) Going to the Church History sites(someday)
3.) Hearing if JC got the job with the FAA
4.) Being a Mom
5.) Decorating for Christmas
6.) Moving from Aggie Village
7.) Being out of debt
8.) Driving home for holidays with a van full of kids

8 things on my wish list:
1.) A Baby
2.) A Baby
3.) A Baby
4.) A Baby
5.) A Baby
6.) A Baby
7.) A Baby
8.) Owning a home

8 people I tag:
1.) Jill
2.) Jamie
3.) Bre
4.) Adee
5.) Kristin
5.) Jenny
6.) Sara (Oblad)
7.) Sara (Howell)
8.) Mary

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Baby Shower for Ellie!

This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for Jenny and Ellie at Mimi's Cafe in Layton. Jenny's friends from high school, college roommates, friends, and neighbors attended. Jenny got a lot of fun things for Ellie that ranged from crocheted burp cloths to organic diapers. Here are a few pictures from her shower!

ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageThe last two pictures are the gift I gave Ellie--a snowsuit and her first purse. I am always teasing Jenny about her purse collection so I thought I'd help start Ellie's collection.
Congratulations again Jenny! It is so great to see you in action as a Mommy. Ellie is lucky to have you and your deep love for her. Happy Motherhood!! I love ya!


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's another GIRL!!

No we're not pregnant. We will however be gaining another sister-in-law!! Blaine and Kristin are now officially engaged as of this evening!! CONGRATUALTIONS!! We love you guys!!
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Sunday, November 9, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

Last weekend we went to Idaho for my Dad's birthday. The night of his actual birthday, we got into town and met Dad and Jamie at Thunder Stadium for one of Hillcrest's football games against Pocatello. Of course they WON!! GO KNIGHTS!! I don't know a more loyal Hillcrest fan than my Dad so it was only fitting to have a winning game the night of his birthday!ImageThe next day we continued the birthday festivities. We all went to a session at the Rexburg temple. (Thanks again Jamie for watching the little boys. You're the best!)ImageAfter the temple we came home and made the traditional birthday dinner and birthday cake.
ImageImage(I would like to interupt this post and inform our readers that no, Dad is not actually 94. He is always a big tease and Mom was joking with the candles)
Afterwards we moved on to the gifts. Following are pictures of some of the gifts Dad got.
ImageImageImageImageImageHope you had a great birthday Dad!! Thanks for all you are to our family!! Love ya!!