Thanksgiving Weekend

THURSDAY
Our Thanksgiving days are always pretty crazy, we try to make it to both sides of the family. The morning started out with breakfast at Moore's, yum. After breakfast I came home to get in the shower and get ready for the day, by the time I got out of the shower the kids had the Christmas tree put up and mostly decorated. They even clean up after themselves! It was definitely a Christmas miracle.

Around 2:00 pm we went over to Joel's parents house. This year his Brother, Judd, and his Grandpa Lewis didn't make it over. They were both down with the flu. It was good to see Grandma Lewis, Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Stan. They live so close, but we only see them a few times a year. Ry sat and stuffed himself on a huge turkey drumstick, he loves the dark meat...yuck!

We arrived at my parents house in Bountiful around 5:00. Susie, Ryan and Bodee were there and they brought my Grandparents with them. My Sister and I LOVE my Mom's fruit salad! She only makes it once a year, on Thanksgiving, and it's the BEST! We always fight over who gets the leftovers. This year she planned a sneak attack and had hers packed and in a sack to go before I even thought of packing leftovers....Cheater!

Brent and his family always eat with Christi's side of the family and then try to make it for pie every year. This year we drove out to their house to have pie and visit with them after dinner. Then my mom came home with us to spend the night, so she would be up here for our 3:00 am shopping tradition.

BLACK FRIDAY!
Every year we, Susie, Mom, and me, meet to hit the stores for the best deals and then go to breakfast. We always seem to start at Walmart and then work our way to all the other stores. This year I was able to finish up for my kids and get most of the extended family done. Joel and I went back out that night and got the rest of his family done. Now all I have left to shop for is my brother and his wife and my sister and her husband....I'm clueless as what to get them. I am pretty sure my sister in law, Chirsti, is in dire need of another pie server from Dollar Tree. I know how she LOVES her Dollar Tree kitchen supplies :)

SATURDAY
This was our lazy day. It was fabulous! We got a few things done around the house and let the kids play outside with friends. That night, our friends, Troy and Andrea did a fondue night. It was yummy. They had seasoned steak and chicken to fondue, with salad and a FABULOUS chocolate fountain, with all the trimmings, for dessert. Yummy, yummy! There were about 10 of us that made it. The night was full of laughs.

It was supposed to be a "NO KID" night, but Eric's babysitter backed out at the last moment. So Eric, Troy and Andrea's son, hung out with us... and murdered me in just about every game of Spoons we played. He sat there giggling all night. He's a cutie! I told Joel that we could not leave until I won at least one game. Luckily, a few hands later, I won. The night was a lot a fun, thanks Troy and Andrea! Eric is the cute red head in my pictures.

SUNDAY
After church I needed my Sunday nap! Next thing I knew, it was time to get the kids from Joel's parents, they had spent the night, and head up to my Grandpa's house for cake and ice cream. Today is my cute Grandpa's 81st Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA! We love you :)

TOMORROW
Everyone goes back to work and school! YEAH!

The Jazz Game!

I can hardly wait for tonight! Joel and I are going, with 6 other couples from KSL, to the Jazz game, and we will be watching the game from the KSL suite! Yeah for me! I have always wanted to go into one of the suites and I LOVE going to the Jazz games -- can't wait, can't wait! My only concern is that most of my favorite players will still be on the injured list and won't be playing tonight :( That would be a bummer... It was a hard loss on Monday night and I pray things turn out differently tonight.

The Ivers Family...

Last night Adam, Carie, and their 4 girls came over for dinner. It was nice to be able to catch up with them again, this being the first time all of us have gotten together since they moved to Idaho a few months ago. Carie joined us girls on our "twilight" night, but it's always a tons of laughs when Adam and Joel get together. Carie and I just set back and wait for what will come next with those two, hoping and praying the kids can't hear :) I love listening to Joel, don't get me wrong, he laughs a lot, but when he gets around Adam, he get the giggles. It's so funny!

It is amazing how fast our kids grow up. Ry is the same age as their oldest, Mia, and Ky is the same age as their second child, Taite, then they have Cadence (4) and Addison (16 months). When they walked in, I could not believe how much the girls had changed. They are really enjoying Idaho and are adjusting well, a little to well, to being far away from their family and friends. Click to read more about Adam and Carie! They are only in town for the Thanksgiving Holiday and will head back to Idaho next week.

Royals Football Banquet

Last night, Monday, Ry's football team had their end of the season banquet. We all met at the Roy Rec Center at 6:00 pm. The evening began with dinner, catered by Andrea Dixon's Dad (yummy Greek food), then Coach Troy Dixon brought each boy up in front and talked a little bit about that players season and presented him with a mini helmet.

When Ry was called up, Coach Dixon talked about Ry playing an awesome defensive position and about all of his QB sacks, WAY TO GO RY! Coach Dixon also brought up that while watching the DVD of the mini-bowl game, he saw Ry do his little dance out on the field and laughed. It's hilarious, I'll have to post it later :)

Overall the team had an amazing season and Ry can't wait for it to begin again!

PSS : The good and the bad...

This weeks question is, what three things do you consider yourself to be very good at... and what three things you consider yourself to be very bad at?

My good: (I had a hard time thinking of my good, asked each family member)
1. Taking good care of everyone - Ky
2. Blogging - Ry
3. Getting what you want, lol :) - Joel

My Bad: (I have been struggling with these, this is going to be easy)
1. Staying organized...I seem to be surrounded by chaos.
2. Being on time...I am ALWAYS running late.
3. Disciplining my children...They are rotten and pretty much get away with anything, it's not pretty. Good thing they are cute :)

I asked...He said

I am...a super hero
I know...I am wondrous, lol :)
I want...cheese
I have...an ipod
I dislike...cleaning my room
I miss...pancakes from this morning
I feel...cheesy
I hear...a sound coming from up above
I smell...cheese from the heavens...see what I live with :)
I crave...potatoes
I cry...when I scrape my knee
I search...for gold
I wonder...if my sister will ever straighten out
I regret...nothing
I love...BYU football
I care...about the homeless
I worry...to much
I remember...my super hero friends are mighty
I believe...I am strong
I dance...in the shower
I argue...with everybody
I write...incorrectly
I win...all the time
I lose...NEVER
I wish...I could fly
I listen...to nobody
I am scared...of my mom
I need...help
I forget...to run every night
I am happy...that I am cool

So, that pretty much sums up my Ry. I have a wondrous, non-flying, super hero who cries when he scrapes his knees. This is just a little window into my life :) I love him!

To all of the UTE fans....

Final Score: U of U 48 --- BYU 24

Cong...(sniff, sniff) ratu... (sniff, sniff, sniff) la... (sniff, sniff) tions...
Please.....be kind :( You can wound me no more than
Max Hall already did tonight... (sniff, sniff)

Twilight Premiere Night!

On Thursday night I had tickets to go see the midnight show of Twilight! We, large group of friends and family, started the evening at the Olive Garden around 8:30. From the moment we walked into the Olive Garden we could tell that it was going to be a night to remember. There were MANY large groups of women, young and old, also beginning their Twilight Night. From printed shirts to prom dresses, everyone had their own Twilight style.

After dinner we headed down to Fat Cats, across the street from the Mexaplex. Once again, a lot of other Twilight Fans had the same idea. Between lots of laughs, and some dancing (they had a live DJ playing), we managed to get in an entire game of bowling... It wasn't our most fabulous game, but we had a great time.

Around 11:30 we walked across the street to pure craziness! Thankfully all the Megaplex employees had it organized and we were able to get drinks and popcorn and make it to our perfect seats with time to spear. When I walked in the door I wasn't sure it was going to be possible.

FINALLY, at 11:59 the screaming and the show began! I loved it...Love it, loved it, loved it! Can't wait to go back and see it again! Although...next time, I hope I make it home before 4:00 am :)

So, thanks to all the gals...Susie, Christi, Chantell, Michelle, Kim, Keri, Carie, Chelsea, Jermaine, Jamie, and Natalie...for making it a fun and memorable night!

I asked....She said

I stole this idea from Lisa :) It's too cute.

I am...Kylie
I know...math
I want...a DS
I have...an annoying brother, lol :)
I dislike...cleaning my room
I miss...Dodger (one of our dogs that died)
I feel...like Mommy is driving me crazy, lol :)
I hear...Daddy's computer (server) running
I smell...perfume
I crave...cheesecake
I cry...when Ryan bugs me
I search...for money
I wonder...what I am getting for Christmas
I regret...nothing, I don't regret doing anything!
I love...Mommy
I care...about my friends
I worry...about nothing
I remember...going to Disneyland
I believe...anything Ry says is NOT true
I dance...to Hannah Montana
I argue...with Ry
I write...at school
I win...sometimes
I lose...sometimes
I wish...I could go with you tonight --- Me: Sorry, you can't :(
(Dinner, Fat Cats, and the midnight show of Twilight with sisters and friends!)
I listen...to music
I am scared...of snakes
I need...cheesecake
I forget...to tell you to buy me cheesecake, lol :)
I am happy...at school

I love her, she makes me happy!

Thanks KSL

Yesterday Joel, and his co-workers, spent the afternoon volunteering at the Utah Food Bank. I love that KSL is willing to pay it's employees to go out into the community and volunteer. They had a great time and learned a lot about the process the food bank goes through to get food out to those who need it. Joel also told me that the Utah Food Bank is extremely short on baby food, so I think that might be my next PTA or Community Council project :)

I am a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
• * Share fun times with me.
• * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
• * Let me know that I am important and special to you.
• * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
• * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
• * being generous, caring, and warm
• * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
• * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• * not being able to say no
• * feeling drained from overdoing for others
• * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
• * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
• * are outwardly compliant
• * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
• * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
• * are often playful with their children
• * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
• * can become fiercely protective

Interested who you are.. take the quiz here.

PSS : First Kiss

This week Lisa asked about our first kiss. Who was it with, where was it, and what other details do you recall?

My first kiss was with my very first boyfriend, Matt McBride. We were in the 8th grade at South Ogden Jr. High. One day were hanging out on the side of the school waiting for his football practice to begin. My friend Nicole asked him if he was ever going to kiss me. He said, "Yes... I have been wanting to do that..." and that's when my first kiss happened. We continued to "go out" with each other the rest of that year, then he moved away.

We kept in touch for a few years, he even mailed me a letter or two. Last I heard he had gone down a rocky path but has finally clean up and is now a good family man. So, MATT - if your out there, I wish nothing but the best for you and your family. Thanks for being my first boyfriend and my first kiss - great memories!


~Update~ When I asked my husband about his first kiss, he said, "Hum....I don't remember her name - it was that good, LOL." :( Oh, how sad for him.

NKOTB!

The concert was a blast! I went with my sister, Susie, and her best friend, Michelle. The first opening act was Lady Gaga - weird, but okay...Then Natasha Bedingfield came out - she was fabulous, I only knew a few of her songs, but I loved it! I'm not sure what I enjoyed most about Natasha, her performance or the way these guys, that we sat by, got totally into it. It was the funniest thing ever! I even asked them do their act again so I could get it on video. These guys, plus others, kept us totally entertained all night. Enjoy :)

It must run in the family!

When I stopped by my Mom's house, on our way to the concert, she was in full Christmas decor mode! I am so excited, it totally gave me the green light to go ahead and start my Christmas decorating :)

Thanks Mom!

My sick baby...

Today I am home, bored, with my sick little girl. She was laying on the couch looking too cute and I couldn't resist taking this picture. I should get off my blog and take her to the doctor, but when I mentioned it to her this morning she freaked out and promise to take her Tylenol Cold medicine every 4 hours. So I will give her till tomorrow and then take her to the after hours clinic tomorrow if she's not better. In the mean time I should be getting laundry done or doing something productive, but I can't seem to get motivated. I still REALLY want to put up my Christmas stuff, but I am hesitating...I'll go read a book :)

Is it too soon?

Okay, I am so ready for Christmas! I would pretty much be okay to skip Thanksgiving this year, but I love Black Friday - Best shopping day of the year. So, please don't laugh when you drive by house next week and all of my Christmas decor is out and shining brightly :)

I am also on the hunt for a new Christmas blog design that I like. If you happen to know of where I can find one, besides the cutest blog on the block - they don't have one YET that I like - then let me know!

PSS : Significant Other

Tell us about the very FIRST time you saw and/or talked to your current significant other:

It was in September of 1992, my junior year of High School. I had gotten a job at Hot Sam in the Newgate Mall (pretzel place kinda like pretzel maker). As I was standing their with my boss on my first day, she said, see those boys across the hall at the Pine Factory? I turned and looked. She said, they are the shyest brothers you will ever meet - they will never stay and talk to you, doesn't matter how dead the mall becomes. She told me their names and that they were my age, maybe a little bit older.

So, after finding out exactly how dead the mall became in the evenings, ghost town-ish, (these were the days before Dillard's and all the other name brand stores) I set out to make them my friends - I needed someone to talk to! I started to do what I do best...talk and give away free stuff! They both became good friends. It wasn't until the first of our senior year, me at Bonneville - him at Roy, that Joel and I started spending more time together and he became my best friend. We went though our senior year being best friends, talking daily and seeing each other outside of work. It drove my boyfriend and his girlfriend crazy. There were a lot of times his girlfriend would call me to find Joel. It was kind of sad - for her.

THEN around graduation time, June 1994, he broke up with her! I wasn't even sure if he was interested in being more than friends, but I had to take my chance. I immediately broke up with my boyfriend that I had been dating for over a year. Then one night, a few weeks later, I was invited to go over to his brother's apartment to watch a movie. When I showed up, it wasn't the usual group - just Joel, his brother, Judd, and Judd's girlfriend. YEAH!

We started the movie and then Judd and Julie disappeared into another room. So, we started to move closer and closer and before long we were kissing on the couch. After, there was that awkward "crossed the friendship line" pause, so I said the first thing that came to mind - "Well...It's about time!" He started to laughing. We have been together ever since. We got engaged a year later and married six months after that. This February we will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.

Joel, I love you so much! Thank you for still being my best friend and so much more :)

I added way more than everyone wanted to know on that post, but since I print my blog monthly, I wanted it on record for me!

She is very concerned...

Sunday night Ky came into the computer room and looked very upset. I started asking her about what she was thinking about and this is what she told me:

Mom, I was thinking about the new president, Obama. ALL the kids in my class think that he is going to start making lots of changes when he becomes president next year and he is going to get rid of our recesses!

I started to laugh...she got MAD.

(Red in the face, yelling at me.)

MOM - I AM SERIOUS, ALL OF THE KIDS IN MY CLASS THINK THAT HE IS GOING TO GET RID OF RECESS, I DON'T BELIEVE THEM, BUT THEY SAY IT IS TRUE!

I said, Oh sweetheart...come here. I gave her a hug and held her for a minute. I said Mr. Obama has way to much to worry about other than getting rid of your recesses. I told her that not once did I hear of any recess talk during the debates and I was 100% positive that recess would continue as normal once Obama was put into office. She just started shaking her head and left the room.

I started laughing again, and from the other room, she said MOM - IT'S NOT FUNNY! I apologized and tried to stop laughing.

I love the things kids can come up with :)

WFFL Mini-Bowl...

I know that Mini-Bowl is LONG over, but since they wouldn't let us bring in our own video recorder, we had to wait to get the purchased copy of the game in the mail. So, here is just one of the many plays Ry had in the game. He also assisted in the play right before this one, so you hear the end of his name as the new play begins. I am so proud of Ry, from the amazing way he play during the game, to the great way handled the defeat. I even love how he likes to show off after he has made a tackle, it's pretty cute :)

My Dad Rocks!

So, I was going through old pictures and found these that I took of my Dad's display cases for the two times that he has made a hole in one! As I like to say, He's FABULOUS! He also collects golf balls from every new golf course he goes to, and trust me when I say, he would jump on an airplane any day just go to a new and exciting course. I know he has played on some famous courses, but since I am not into golf, I cant remember which ones they are :)

My Mom made a awesome arrangement on the office wall for him with all of his golf memorabilia- then kind of killed it by adding the ugly calendar, but hey...that's my Mom! Gotta love her!

So, Dad, I love ya tons! Your little obsession will golf is kind of cute....kind of old, but also cute :) There is one great thing about it --- I ALWAYS know where to find you on Sunday morning!

I know your going to be jealous.....

So...My Sister and I went on a ticket buying spree, kinda... First, Susie and I, and a large group of friends and family bought tickets to go see the first midnight showing of Twilight. Can't wait. There is even talk about getting matching "Team Edward" shirts for this special occasion!

Then,

Yes, it's true (I can't believe I am admitting this to the four people that read this) My sister and I, minus the large group of family and friends that DID NOT want to go, got really good seats to go see the New Kids On The Block in concert on Nov 15th. It's going to be hilarious! Don't get me wrong, I LOVED them back in the day, but now it just kind of comical, or sad, but it should be a ton of laughs! I'll let you know all about it after so you can live vicariously though me :) They are coming with some pretty good opening acts, so hopefully it will turn out okay.

The votes are in...

Today I went to school with Ry this morning to help the 4th graders participate in a mock election. They have been learning about the voting process, the different parties, and about each of the candidates. This morning they each were given the chance to come out in the hall and go through the entire voting process, from registration, going into the booth to vote, depositing their vote, and receiving the famous "I VOTED!" sticker. They used a sample copy of the ballot us adults will be voting with tomorrow, minus the many different amendments.

The results are in:

For President: McCain

For U.S. House: Bishop

For Senate: Jenkins

For State House: Greenwood

For Govenor: Huntsman, Jr.

For Weber County Commissioner: Dearden

PSS: Seven Sins & Virtues

So, I joined a blogging group (Project Say Something, PSS) with various people, I only know one personally - the rest are friends of friends, that take turns asking a weekly question that we each blog about. This week the question is:

Out of the seven sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) which one is your favorite and which one (if different) are you most guilty of? Same question with the seven virtues (Prudence, Justice, Restraint, Courage, Faith, Hope, Love).

Hum...I'll have to think about that one.

Okay, 7 hours later I have my answer...

My favorite sin is sloth, I love being lazy. I don't get enough of this one though to really consider myself sinning. Nothing better than a rainy Sunday to stay in the P.J.'s, forget the dishes and the laundry, curl up in the lazy boy and read a good book.

The one sin I am guilty of is envy. I always want what I can't possibly have, i.e., naturally straight hair, a rare talent, or being a size 2 like my sister. I envy the stuff you can't go out and buy, trust me I have tried :( Other things, being things, like new houses, cars, etc., I always think - I COULD have those THINGS if I went to back work. I just remind myself it is my choice to stay home and be extremely involved in our kids lives. I can get "things" after they graduate and start families of their own.

My favorite virtue is love, and to me - actions speak louder than words. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be told daily, which all four of us do constantly. However, it's the best feeling in the world to set back and watch my kids play together. When they are laughing together, LOVE that sound, and enjoying being together - I like to sit back and watch them and enjoy the feeling that they do love each other. Another example is that Joel tells me that he loves me several times throughout the day, but at night when we are setting down stairs watching TV and he sets there and rubs my feet...I know he hates this, but he never complains and does it nightly because I like it. He MUST truly love me :)

Halloween Weekend :)

The fun holiday weekend really started last Wednesday. Wednesday night was our Ward's trunk or treat night. My kids look forward to this event every year. Lot's of candy in a short period of time, and they still have Halloween night to come. Our ward never does it on Halloween. Thursday Ky's class had a fun Halloween Party and they were the only grade that was able to bring costumes to school. Rebel Teachers, got to love 'em! Thursday night the school had their Annual Family Fun Festival, mini-carnival, put on by the PTA. Since I was way busy - I didn't get any pictures :(

Friday, Halloween, I got to sleep in! NO SCHOOL! My Birthday is on Halloween and I told my kids I wanted to sleep in, at 10 am they came in and asked if that was long enough. I was amazed...I can't remember the last time I slept in till ten! Then we got ready for Lunch, pizza party, at Shalise's house and then on to the KSL studio's for their Halloween Party. We got home in time to meet my family in our driveway. We all headed down to the field that my Brother's ward has their trunk or treat in. We crash their trunk or treat every year, it's the best, then head to the Olive Garden to celebrate my birthday :) I love this tradition that we started about 4 years ago. My kids get their Halloween candy and I get to celebrate my birthday - ON my birthday! I know I whine about this all the time - I HATE my birthday being on Halloween, sucks to be me. Then we stopped by Joel's parents house so they could see the kids on Halloween night. Finally crashed in bed around 11 pm.

Saturday morning I met up with another girlfriend, Joanna, for brunch at the Cracker Barrel. It was FABULOUS! I love catching up with her, since she lives the single lifestyle in SLC, I don't get to see her as often as I would like. After brunch, I went to my cousin's house, were Ky was, and we took our Daughters out for a little girl time. First to quickly get a bit to eat, Dad forgot to feed her, then to Ben Franklin's Make and Take It event. Every Saturday from 1-3 they have small crafts that you can make there and take home with you. This was the first time Ky and I had gone, and we loved it. I am sure we will go again soon. It was great Mother-Daughter time. Overall the Halloween weekend was filled with lots of laughs and good times!