Jenna's Moment

Jenna missed her Christmas dance recital this year because she had pink eye and chicken pox. So we let her show us her dances at mom's house. She got all dressed up and did both of her dances for us. She is such a beautiful dancer. She didn't have much room in the basement, but she still did wonderful. It's such a bummer she had to miss the recital!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with my mom's family at her house. We made homemade Clam Chowder and Brocolli Cheese soup. Aunt Joy made her bread bowls! We did our annual gift exchange and had lots of fun. The hot item this year was White Chocolate Oreos, travel blanket with pillow, and WD 40. It was fun to spend the night with all mom's family. After we ate dinner, we headed to Chris's brother's house. Cole always has great appetizers and it's a good time over there. Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures of us over there. We didn't exchange gifts that night, but Cole gave us the presents from her. We got an awesome blanket and pillow for our trailer. Thanks everyone for the wonderful Christmas Eve!

Everyone loved our tie dyed shirts and wanted one for themselves. I got one for Zach, Jenna, and Quinn. Quinn got a Scentsy from Beth (he was soooo excited!) Chris got Braden that cool poster of himself (We got it framed too!) Everyone had great gifts for each other! Braden tried my new coat on, and had some additions to it!

Thunder Mountain Railroad

For Dad's birthday, we went on a train ride in Horseshoe Bend! Mom has wanted to do this for some time, but it didn't work out 'til now. We went on a ride with Santa and Christmas carolers. There were Christmas lights on the train and we got to eat cookies and drink hot chocolate. The biggest bummer was that they left the lights on the train while we were riding. We couldn't see anything out the windows. They had a little village we stopped to look at on the way back to base. Overall, we had a lot of fun sitting around talking with each other.

Piano Recital

I have been teaching piano lessons since school started. I have six students and it is so much fun to watch them learn and grow. I had a Christmas recital with my mom's students on Monday. The kids did such a great job. I felt like a proud mom watching her kids accomplish something big. I had so much fun seeing how far they have come since they started. This picture shows how packed the house was. The other pictures are of my students.

My 27th Birthday

I celebrated my 27th Birthday last week. Chris and I went to Utah for the weekend. We had a wonderful family party on Saturday with his relatives. Saturday night, Grandma made me a strawberry cake. I was so excited, she makes it for the grandkids in Utah and I felt so privileged to have one too! Don't you love the tie-dyed shirts!

FHE @ Grandma's

Grandma Patty had us all over to her house last week for family home evening. She shared Christmas stories and had a wonderful dinner. One of the stories was about a blue blanket that was given to the Savior. Each family was given a blanket and asked to hand it down to each family member until Christmas. After each person has had it, we will then give it to a homeless shelter, along with anything else we have to give. The kids had a great time listening to the stories and it was a fun night all around. Don't believe the look on Beth's face, she really did have a good time too!

The After

So, Suzy had a big week and today was the biggest. She has been doing so well in her new house, new bed, new kennel. But, every once in awhile is still scared. Monday, she had to visit the vet and got a clean bill of health (and two shots!) Today she had to go to the groomer. It took 2 hours to give her a bath, clip her nails, and brush her teeth. She came home with a great haircut and a pretty purple bow in her hair! I think she feels like a new woman!

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Suzy Q

So, besides yesterday being Thanksgiving, it was a really busy day for our family. We have a new addition to our little family. No, a baby is not on the way. We now have a small Pomeranian, named Suzy. Chris's cousin gave us this sweet dog and we couldn't resist.

This is Suzy as she looks now. We are going to get her to a groomer within a week and she will be half the size. I can't even brush through all that fluffly hair. Stay tuned for the updates!

Now, although we spent most of yesterday in the car (Yes, 6 hour drive to get the dog!), it was a great Thanksgiving. We got to spend the day with both of our families and have 2 great dinners. Chris and I have so much to be thankful for:

Family: We both have our families so close and can visit anytime we want. They are so supportive of us and show us love everyday!

Friends: We have so many friends surrounding us and love being able to spend time with them.

Jobs: Chris and I have been lucky enough to have great jobs.

Gospel: Of course, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without it I don't know where Chris or I would be. It is such a strength to have it as a foundation in our lives.

There are so many other things in our lives. We live in such a great country and are surrounded by so many freedoms that others take for granted. Chris and I have a wonderful life and have been so blessed to spend the last 18 months together!

Tag

So Beth didn't specifically tag me, but I thought this was fun and I haven't had anything to post anything in quite awhile.
1.Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (school)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (tithing)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (Not me personally but I have several adopted family members)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (i think)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (didn't last too long)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud(not often, and if you know me, I didn't enjoy it!)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie ( Not exactly, but I've been in several commercials)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check(unfortunately)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy(too many of them)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt(Beth loved it! Ha Ha)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone(Does cracking my head open twice count?)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car(and a new truck, at different times, of course)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (I've stood outside the fence)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life (Kinda--I'm a nurse--that's my job!)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Thanks to our catering business, I've meet a lot of Country singers--Clay Walker, Martina McBride. I can't think of all of them. Also we've catered for Butch Otter's fundraisers and his wedding.)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
I tag anyone else who wants to share...Just paste this list into your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done, and unbold any I have done that you have NOT... (I changed the font size also on the ones I bolded.)


***** Also on a side: When I do have kids thank goodness they start little and then grow up (and hopefully they come one at a time.) Mom and dad went on a cruise and were gone for 10 days and I got to play mom (along with Beth and Chanall.) It was a lot of responsibility to keep track of 4 kids and their busy schedules. I have a new found respect for parents. Did I mention I hate doing laundry and for extra people it is even worse : { Thank you Braden for keeping you and Zach's stuff clean and for cleaning the house. Needless to say, it was a fun experience, but I was really glad for mom and dad to get home!

Zach & Quinn's Birthday

Quinn's birthday was the 8th and Zach's is the 14th. So, on Sunday the 12th we had cake and ice cream for both of them. We had candles on the cake for a 6 year old and a 17 year old. It took quite a bit to get the candles blowing out. Zach wasn't thrilled to pose for the picture, but Quinn is always ready to pose for the camera! Any way, both boys are sooo cute. Zach probably won't appreciate that either!

First Snow

I didn't get to see the great snow in Boise, but it snowed in Utah too. While Chris and I were in Brigham City, we had quite the snow storm. We drove over to Logan in a great blur of snow. Probably not the smartest idea going over the pass, but beautiful none the less. After dinner, it continued to snow at Grandma's. However, every time I got the camera, the snow would quit. I just wanted a picture of the huge snow flakes. I finally got a few really good ones! No snow stuck to the ground, but it really wanted too!

60,000 Miles

So, as Chris and I drove to Utah last weekend, I hit 60,000 miles on my car! It's an '05 Liberty. I guess I drive a little too much, huh? I bought the car with 6 miles on it. I have driven it hard, but it has been a good car. On the way home from Utah, the check engine light came on and the gas gauge fell to empty (on a full tank of gas). I started to get scared and think my car was going to fall apart. Needless to say, we kept driving because Chris looked under the hood and everything was fine. He read the manual and it said that if the gas cap wasn't quite tight, this is what would happen. In Burley, we filled the tank and sure enough the gas cap wasn't quite tight! The check engine light was still on and 50 miles down the road, the gas gauge fell to empty again. Oh, no, I thought! The gas cap was on tight this time, my car is surely falling apart. After we got to Nampa, all the lights went off and the gas tank was working properly. Now, 3 days later and everything is working fine! I guess it's a big deal to get the gas cap tight!

Quinn's Birthday

Quinn had his 6th birthday on the 8th. He is going to be a pirate for Halloween and that is what he chose to have for his birthday party. The cake was cute, but I missed seeing it in one piece because I got to the party late. Quinn and some of his friends dressed up like pirates and even got to dig in a treasure chest. I think they all had a lot of fun!

New Room

Beth and Deidra have been spending a lot of time making their new houses so cute. I was beginning to feel a little bit jealous. Don't get me wrong, I love my house, but it is just such a hodge-podge of stuff. Nothing really stands out, or is overly cute! If you check out Beth's blog, she painted cute squares around some of her pictures. I decided that would work well in my family room. We also added circles around my square. The squares around the Halloween decorations are really for the pictures that hang there year round, so don't worry I didn't paint my walls just to fit the season! The big picture is still a work in progress, Beth has a few more ideas on how to complete it. Stay tuned for updates!

Jenna's Big Day!

Can you believe my littlest sister turned 8! Crazy! It makes me feel so old, especially when my "little" brothers are 18 and almost 17. Oh well, back to Jenna's big day. Saturday was all about her. She was baptized by Dad at 2:00 in the afternoon and then we had a lunch celebrating her afterwards. Family and friends gathered around to congratulate her. I bought her a towel for her baptism day. It has a cute little girl on it and says, "My baptism towel."

Fishin'

For anybody who knows me, fishing isn't my favorite thing, but I love to hang out with Chris and he loves it. I prefer to read my book and when the fishes bite, I reel them in! Quinn has also decided that it is only fun when we are actually catching fish, not waiting for them to bite. Needless to say, when we went fishing a couple weeks ago, it started off really slow. Quinn and I were ready to give up... then the fish started biting. Chris got 2 on his pole, I got 2, and Quinn got 2, but Quinn reeled most of them in. I forgot my camera when were fishing, but took a picture of the feast! I caught the biggest one on my pole and Quinn had a hard time reeling it in!

What Disney Princess Are You?

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Labor Day with the Christensen's

Instead of going camping this year for labor day, Chris and I spent the weekend with the Christensen's @ their cabin! On Saturday, we went on a 5 (yes 5) hour 4-wheeler ride. Needless to say, I was able to stay caught up with everyone! Quite shocking since it was my first real ride on my 4-wheeler. I must say though, it was tough to stay up with Tyson and Trey! We rode back in the mountains to see a great big concrete mansion. (I guess some billionaire from Texas is building.) By the time we got back to the cabin we were all covered in a thick layer of dirt! I don't know if I have ever been so dirty in my life. The first picture of me and Chris about half way through the ride! Dirty already.

Taggert was the only one that wanted to look at the camera. Who could resist that smile!

Everyone just hanging out at the mansion. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of it!

Bliss trying to get on the 4-wheeler. (Without any luck!)

(Isn't this lovely?!?!) Check out the layers of dirt!

Jamie, Katie, and Ramie

Girl's Camp was at the cabin a few weeks ago and the kids kept finding shells in the dirt!

Golfing

First of all, I have never wanted to golf, nor do I know anything about it. Grandma Black's new apartment complex has a 9 hole golf course open for residents and their families. Jenna and Quinn (and mom) have wanted to try it out since she moved in. Last week we finally tried it out. Mom left to get her hair done while I walked the course with Jenna and Quinn. Grandma played in the putting green, but just watched as we did the 9 holes! I don't know which club to use for long vs short distances and I obviously don't have much of an arm. The par for the course was 27, check out our scores that are almost tripled that! Opps!

Summer Swimming

I haven't spent as much time at Grandma's pool this summer as I would like, but today I went. Mom was there with the kids and Natalie had her kids there too. I was baby-sitting my friend's little girl, Addison and we had lots of fun. I can't believe how brave Daniel was, jumping off the diving board and going down the slide! I, of course, enjoyed just being in the sun!