Look What Santa Brought Me, Mom!

Check out my sweet ride! My very first quad.

My Christmas Lights

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard. Kind of feel like I gave in by taking it down but my neighbor did confirm two near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made him too real this time So it was fun while it lasted.....Merry Christmas everyone!

The Remodel

My parents have been "remodeling" for over a year now... they finally decided to hire someone to finish the job. He textured the walls, painted, and took out the closet. It really opened the place up! These are some "during" pictures.

This is where the closet was. It makes the perfect spot for tools during the remodel!

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Taking out the closet really opened up the room.

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One more shot of the openness of the room.

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AFTER

We gave this mirror to my mom for her birthday. It looks awesome with the table and the color of the walls (tobacco rose) dont' you think?!

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They added a door to the laundry room. It makes such a difference in the noice level when a batch of wash is being done :)

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They also added a border around the pantry door. All in all, it was a pretty awesome remodel!

Fish on Gramps, Fish on!

Gramps passed away on November 13. This is something I wrote for him in August and was able to share at our family reunion in August.

When I think about Grandpa, I think about:

· A testimony of the Gospel and the Priesthood.
· Hugs and kisses on the cheek.
· Stories.
· Big, warm, kind smile.
· Fishing.
· Music.
· Him traveling to see me in choir concerts. I had friends ask why my Grandpa came to so many events, I was shocked that their Grandparents didn’t support them like mine did!
· Going to the shed to look at old teaching material.
· Stories.
· Singing at my wedding.
· He and Grandma visiting me in the hospital while I was on bed rest.
· A special dinner, just for me, when I turned 12.
· A tender heart.
· Encouragement to get through school.
· Priesthood blessings.
· Always feeling loved.
· Stories.
· Always feeling important and special.
· Riding to Idaho a couple of times for baby blessings or graduations.
· Positive outlook on life.
· Love of learning.
· Love of teaching.
· Love of people.
· Love of visiting.
· The hat he wears in the winter.
· His love, tenderness, and respect towards Grandma.
· Jokes and riddles.
· Pinion Horizon. The deck, the outhouse, the animal bones, etc.
· Stories… did I mention stories? I LOVE Grandpa’s stories!

I love you Grandpa, we all miss you VERY much!

Look at me! I can dress myself AND do yoga!

I think it's time to clean out her drawers... what do you think?

See ya mom, I'm going to work!

I bought Audrey some princess shoes, she dug out the "whit-woos" (aka sunglasses) and some jewlery. She told me she was off to work!

These are Audrey's "Bling Jeans." They have a rhinestone on the back pockets. She gets a little attitude when she wears these pants.

Disneyland, October 2009

So... Jessica asked me via text if I wanted to go to Disneyland in October since the whole park is transformed for Halloween. I said that I would like to go - not thinking she was serious. She asked me - not thinking I'd be able to. So, we went!

We were so EXCITED to be out of the car and in the park, we had to give big thumbs-up.

On the tea-cups.

This is the first time, in all the time's I've been to Disneyland, that I tried to pull the sword out of the stone. Brilliant!

This is the hotel room where we stayed. We took a nap after spending half the day in the park. Do you think the maid was left handed? Judging by the way the pillows are all gravitating to the left, I'd say so.

Whew! Exhausted!

Handy Manny

Snow White

Jessica (I'M A NOUN was on her shirt... so many people commented on it after we'd walk by. It was so funny!) with Malificent.