Sister's Day

We sure are trying to pack everything in this weekend. Yesterday after my shower was one of the infamous sisters days. Where my mom and all my sisters and sister-in-laws go for a day of shopping, eating and laughter. And boy was there a lot of laughter. We went to Salt Lake, did shopping, went to Gardner Village for fudge, and a quick photo, more shopping, ate at Chick-fil-A, and went to Twilight. It was a blast. It also became a quick impromptu wedding shower for Sani. We asked her questions about Blaine and gave answers to the same questions that Blaine answered about her. Then we gave her a gift card to get her hair done and a pedicure on her wedding day. All in all it was a great time. We were sad that Emily couldn't make it, being married the day before and sad that Maren had to leave early due to a baby-sitting conflict. But we were glad she could come while she could. It was a ton of fun! And I look forward the next Girls Day, as always!

Baby Shower

My sisters and my mother threw me a baby shower yesterday. I felt very loved. They put together a really nice event. We had lots of good food and great company! Thank you all so much for putting it together. You are all wonderful. Here are a few photos from the shower.Here is one of the quilt that the guests tied while at the shower. My neices really got into it and finished it off with the help of Sani. Here are all the wonderful workers helping to get the food and drinks ready.

Here are some of the guests we had in attendance.

Here is my Aunt Gayle, my cousin Pam and her two girls, Alaina and Collete.

My neices, Madeline, Kamille and Savannah (mini Madeline).

My soon to be sister-in-law Sani.

Mi Madre.

My Aunt Linda.

My sister-in-law Maren, Loren's wife.

Here is me and my cousin Sarah.

Here are my neices Shayla, Kara and Mallory.

Here is my cousin Katrina and two of her three boys.

Here are some of the cute and fun presents I got.

A way cute finger puppet set from Maren. I really look forward to playing with this one.

This is a nice big hooded towel that Sani gave me. I think this is going to be really nice to have. Its plenty big so Xander can use it for years.

Here are the two big presents I got. A stroller (all terrain) and a bouncer/swing that is compactable to take with me when we go places. From my sisters, Marianne, Jen, Melissa and Emily, my sister-in-laws Maren and Sani (soon to be anyway), and my Mother.

Thank you all so much for everything. I know there were several other gifts given, and I truly appreciate those. I also have to apologize to Melissa, Marianne, and Jen. There were no pictures taken of you three. Melissa was taking the photos during the presents, Marianne was in the kitchen still getting things ready, and Jen was busily writing down what gifts I got what advice people gave me. Thank you all so much! I love my sisters more than words can express. Thank you so much for a wonderful shower. Maren, Sani, Mom, Marianne, Jen and Melissa. You are all so wonderful!!

Emily's Wedding

My sister Emily got married last night. It was a really nice ceremony. Then we got to experience the Chocolate Fountains that the Johnsons put together. I tell you they were amazing. Anything you could want to dip was there. Sorry, I know the pregnant woman going on and on about the food. Emily looked lovely and it was nice to see the new little blended family. Jared is way awesome and we are all so glad to have him part of our family. Not to mention he makes my sister very happy. Here are a few photos from the event.

Here a few of the family that I took. I didn't get a lot taken. And I am wishing I got one of the food and the fountain. Maybe one of my siblings or mother did that I can post later.

New Found Love

I happen to be scanning on the radio and came across this song, and fell in LOVE with it.  I don't know what else his other songs sound like, but this song is so fun.  Its bouncy and happy and I can't get enough of it.  Check it out!  Hopefully, I did the video thing right.

Jason Mraz

I'm Yours

Sweet sweets from a Sweetie!

I got such a wonderful surprise this morning.  My sister from Seattle come knocking on my door at 8:00 am, just as my alarm was getting ready to go off, with breakfast for me.  I had gone to see her last night and missed her and mom and she felt bad and wanted to come and bring me a nice treat.  Cinnamon Rolls, Orange Juice and some great morning conversation.  It reminded me of the days when we shared a room.  If you wanted to wake up Melissa just go and start talking to her, she will be wide awake in two seconds.  It was a nice trip down memory lane.  I loved it!  It was really nice and a great way to start my day.  Thanks, Melissa!  

The importance of November 12th

Nine - the cardinal number 9

Year - a period of 365 days (or 366 in a leap year), measured exactly or approximately from any date.

Wedding - a marriage ceremony, or the act of marrying.

Anniversary - a celebration or other commemorative ritual marking the date of an important event.

Cleave - to cling closely, steadfastly, or faithfully to something or somebody.

Love - an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion.

Flowers - what my husband gave me for our 9 year wedding anniversary.

I love you, Dave!  Thank you for a wonderful 9 years!

Fridge Fairies

The Fridge Fairies visited my home.  Yes, that's right, the Fridge Fairies!  I couldn't believe it, either.  Let me explain.  Since we moved into our house a year ago, we have been using a mini fridge.  We got it for free, and it worked for the time.  But being pregnant and wanting milk all the time, and not being able to fit a gallon of milk in the fridge, really got annoying and got me thinking, "I need a big fridge."  So I started looking.  Well, with Dave losing his job recently and things being "tight", I was looking at KSL.com for cheap fridges, like $50-$75 cheap.  But ones that weren't too far away, either.  So we didn't have to pay a lot for gas to haul a trailer, etc.  But hadn't found one.  I have been looking for a long time and stressing about this.  Well, Saturday night we get home from Amtgard and low and behold, there is a big fridge in my kitchen.  Not only is there a fridge, but it is in place in the kitchen, everything had been moved from the mini fridge to the big fridge, and we were even given a few items of food.  A loaf of bread, apples, salad lettuce and lunch meat.  It was amazing!  The fairies had got the fridge, brought it in, placed it and took care of all the hard parts.  They even moved my pictures and magnets to the big fridge.  It was all cleaned out and beautiful.  Dave and I don't know who did it, but we are so thankful.  It might not be brand new, but it is perfect to us.  And every time I get into the fridge I am reminded that someone, somewhere loved us.  I woke up Saturday night after dreaming about the fridge, just crying.  Because I was so grateful.  It has been a real blessing.  I know that words can't express my intense gratitude, but I am going to try.  The stress was just lifted.  I no longer had to figure out how I was going to find a fridge, pay for a fridge, and get the fridge into my house.  It was all done for me and anonymously.  Hopefully, the fairies read my blog and see how full of thanks we are.  It truly has been a bright time to our otherwise bleak couple of weeks.  So Thank You, Fridge Fairies!  Thank You!

Home again, Home again, jiggity jig!

Welcome Home Mom and Dad!  They are finally home from their two year mission.  Well, 23 months, but close enough to two years.  It was a long, hard wait.  But I can see how much it meant to them to go, so it was worth it.  But we are all really glad they are home.  We went last night to the airport.  They had shirts made for all the grandkids that stated Welcome Home Grandma and Grandpa!  Each child was a letter, except for the smallest Lia, her shirt said Grandma and Grandpa and I was the exclamation point.  So that Xander could be involved.  It was a little disheartening, because we thought they would be coming to one portion of the airport in Terminal one and they were in Terminal two.  So we waited for like an hour in the wrong spot and they were wondering where we were in the other terminal.  But eventually we found them and it was good times.  Then we all went to Chuck-A-Rama to eat.  As is tradition when a missionary gets home.

Baby Lilian

I got to meet a beautiful little girl today, Lilian Faye Chance.  She is so beautiful!  She is the new daughter of my friend and co-worker Kelly Chance.  She is so adorable!  She was born a week ago and is so little.  She was 6 lbs, 11 ounces.  Baby and Kelly are doing well.  It was good to see them both.  I had to put her on my blog, because she was so dang cute!  It was nice being pregnant with Kelly.  And I knew that as soon as she had her, I would have three months left.  Its on the down hill slope.

Election Day

Yep, we voted!  As you can see from our stickers.  It was nice going in with Dave and voting as is our patriotic duty.  And no, I won't tell you who I voted for.  I feel it is a personal thing and everyone has the right to tell or not tell.  If you want to, by all means, but I personally feel that it is my decision and mine alone and no one needs to know.  Everyone who can, please get out and vote.  No matter who you vote for.  Take the time to do it.  It was 15 minutes tops for Dave and I to go over there this morning at about 8:00 am.  I was surprised there were no lines.  It took longer to go through the ballot.  I appreciate my right to vote and I hope all of you do too. 

Kingdom Crown Qualifications

Saturday November 1st we went to Elko, Nevada for an Amtgard event.  I wasn't in the mood for taking photos, so I don't have many.  We went for the Arts and Science competition and Fighting Tournament.  Then later that evening they had a masked ball for feast and court, with the feast being catered.  It was way yummy food and the company was superb.  We didn't have masks because I couldn't find ours from Halloween 2006.  But that was okay.  We still dressed up fancy.  It was sort of Halloween, but not, since we dress up for Amtgard all the time.  The person we had snap the photo got this photo and then a blurry one of us full length and a full length one with Dave's eyes closed and I'm not smiling.  So this is the best we had.  But I wanted people to see the beautiful dress.  A good friend of mine, Sindari (Michelle), made it and loaned it to me for the event.  I needed something I could wear being pregnant, and it worked great.  So yes, we both look goofy, but at least you can see our outfits.  It was a good weekend.  We both really enjoyed ourselves.

Halloween Time

So Halloween was weird this year.  I ended up not dressing up on Halloween.  And I didn't get to see any of my nieces or nephews.  Which was odd.  I had a Dr appointment in the morning and then went to work.  But every year there is a Downtown Trick of Treat.  And since the Transcript is Downtown, we get to participate in the trick or treat and get to see all the little trick or treaters.  So a few employees and ex-employees brought their kids down to do the trick or treating.  So I snapped a few fun photos of them all.  

Melissa and Zoey 

(Melissa was the tree for the monkey to climb-CUTER!)

Chelby and Connor (another cute monkey!)

Shawn's cute boy, Ben as a Scary Ghost!

Heidi's Girls McKenna and BrookeAnne  (A Princess, and a Snow Tiger Princess)

Alaura, Kelly's girl as a pretty witch

(she didn't want her photo taken, so this is the best I had that wasn't blurry)

That night we passed out candy and played games with a group of friends that didn't have kids, and therefore needed somewhere to go that night.  It was a good day, but not my typical Halloween.