Happy Thanksgiving

So I got a virus on my computer the day after Thanksgiving, and it went bye, bye! We had Josh stop by and he said to rebuild it, so I'm finally back up and running. So Happy Thanksgiving, a little late. I just took some really cute pics of the kids I'll have to share soon.

Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! The kids had Halloween off, and so they all dressed up on Thursday for school. On Friday we had Josh & Julie Family, Mom & Dad, and Jay over for a little Halloween party. I made this yummy Chicken Veggie Soup that Diana made for Bunco. The kids got a lot more into Halloween this year! We went farther then they ever had before. Lindsey got a little tired before everyone else, but she didn’t stop. She did keep tripping over her Belle dress and that really got to her. But look how cute she is already doing the princess wave. Such a princess in training! Jonathan and Marissa were Monkeys together, and Gavin was a Ninja!The night before Halloween we carved our pumpkins.

This was the first year that we let the kids’s clean out and cut their own pumpkins. They didn't even want our help drawing faces; it was all on their own. They turned out very cute! Take a look!

Tooth & Pumpkins

I almost forgot! Marissa lost her first tooth while we were at Disneyland. Unfortunately we didn’t leave a note for the tooth fairy that we were on vacation, so she had to wait until we got home to put it under her pillow. It’s kind of funny because her and Gavin are missing the exact same tooth right now.

On Friday after returning from our trip to California we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. The kids were begging, and hoping we wouldn’t forget with our vacation. Gavin got the biggest pumpkin he could find. Lindsey wanted an even bigger one, but we convinced her to get a medium one. Jeff and I decided to get small ones, because we will now spend hours cleaning their pumpkins out. He! He! I even told Gavin we were going to have to start his an hour earlier then everyone else, just to get it ready in time.

Disneyland

Look I'm posting twice in one month, are you impressed? It has been a busy month! We just got back from our very first visit to Disneyland. The kids were so excited that they were bouncing off the walls for two weeks before we left, and Mom just barely made it though. Not only was it their first trip to Disneyland, but it was also there first time going on an airplane (Gavin's first time that he can remember). The day before we left Gavin decided to slam Marissa's head in this bedroom door, giving her a massive black eye and a huge headache for our trip. Look closely in our pics and you could see it, poor thing. So we packed all up and headed to California on Saturday. Upon arriving we discovered that we had left our Disneyland tickets sitting on the desk at home. Thankfully my brother Jay broke into our house and was able to get them to a friend who was flying out Monday for us. Big thanks to Jay! He saved us! Only had a slight heart attack with that one! Thank goodness we had already planned spending Sunday at Newport Beach, were the kids played it the waves, and we took a harbor cruise. On Monday Shelly was kind enough to come straight from the airport to give us our tickets and we were able to spend the rest of our time having an absolute blast in Disneyland. Gavin went from sun up to sundown for three straight days, and his favorite rides were Screaming California and Indiana Jones. Marissa just missed being able to ride Indiana Jones by and inch, and that was so sad for her. Her favorite rides were Splash Mountain and Star Tours. Lindsey really didn't like the rides that much, but we were able to get her on a few. She liked Soaring California and Nemo the most. Of course her favorite was the princess. We were lucky enough to have dinner with the Princesses on Tuesday night, and the kids were in heaven. It really was a very pleasant trip, and I now know why everyone loves Disneyland so much. I ready to go again, now if only I could convince Jeff!

Another Month has Gone By

I can't believe it has been another month since my last post. Times have been tough lately, everything a little emotional. My Aunt Sue passed away last week, rather quicker then we had expected. Poor Mom is taking it heard, not to mention she has been having some health problems herself. My sister June is also having some bad health problems, and then my poor brother Jay lost his job, got his car stolen and had to go to court all in one week. But our family is doing well.

Who is tired of the crappy elections? Man, could they make it any harder for us. I'be got a new one for president, check out this fun link out.

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=374154&altf=Kfggsfz&altl=Fwbot

And who else thinks our economy is a mess! Poor Jeff is going to have a heart attack if we loose any more money.

So I need uplifting news! Any one got any?

Life is Busy!

Yikes! I have not written for a while! Life has gotten so busy. Gavin started the 2nd grade and then Marissa started Kindergarten this week. Lindsey also started preschool this week along with dance classes. We also started soccer practices, soccer games and now Gymnastics. To busy! I just have to get use to running around again, after a nice relaxing summer.

Neiman Marcus Cookies

A couple of weeks ago Jeff went to a meeting were they served the most delicious cookies he has had in a long time. He wanted me to get the recipe, but I dept forgetting. Yesterday I wanted to make a special treat for my dad, who was in the hospital on his birthday. Jeff recommended that I make these cookies, and even called to get the recipe. As it was given to me over the phone, she laughed and asked if I had ever gotten the Neiman Marcus Cookie recipe. Of course I had gotten it several times through e-mail, but always deleted it, thinking it was a hoax. But sure enough these yummy cookies, I had heard so much about was the Neiman Marcus Cookie. I did make them, and they were very good! So I thought I would share the recipe once more, for all those who may have also deleted it.

Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe
2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal
24 oz. chocolate chips
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.

Just so you know, it makes a ton of cookies!!!! I halved it!

Good Things Utah

Yesterday I was able to be a guest host on the morning show “Good Things Utah”. What an experience. It was so much fun! The ladies on the show where so nice to me, and it was so fun to see all the behind the scenes. Some friends and family came and watched me do the show, and they were a real support. Now if I didn't hate the way I looked so much on the TV, it would have been a lot better :) It really was fun though, and I'm glad I did it.

Several people have asked how I got on, and it was all thanks to Jeff. The show did a contest were you had to send in an addition tape to be a guest host. I was so excited I wrote up a little script, involving the family and made Jeff read it. But with in days I came down with the worst flu I’ve had. I was in bed for a whole week, and then when I started to feel a little better all three kids came down with it. There was no way I was going to be able to get the audition done, so I just forget it. But Jeff wouldn’t let me and he made me sit at the table and do one. I was so bad, there was no way I was going to send it in, but Jeff again would let me let it go. The sweet man spent all night editing the tape and even drove it to the studio for me on the last day. A few weeks later they announced that they accepted everyone’s audition, because they were all so good and they just couldn’t decide. If it was for Jeff I wouldn’t have been able to have this fun moment of time in my life. So thank you honey!

Park City

I just got back from a fun filled girls weekend at Park City! We had so much fun seeing movies, eating great food and shopping. I didn't get much for me, which is unfortunate, because I still have nothing to wear for GTU this week. Oh well! I did get some great clothes for the kids though. I can't believe that school is just around the corner.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the day ten years ago I married my sweetheart. I am so lucky, he is my friend, my companion, and everything I needed, but didn't know I wanted. I tell him that all the time! He is amazing and I want to thank him for ten happy years! I love you Jeff!
PS-Thanks for Mexico!

On another note, I finished a cute little album I made from the photo shoot I took of the kids in the field behind our house. If you want to see more pages, just click here. I took this picture in the girls room.

Cleaning & Mexico

The kids were soooo good this weekend and helped me clean house. They washed window, cleaned walls, helped vacuum and so much more. What champs! I also went a little crazy and bought some new decorations. I have not been to Tia Pan in forever, and I think I spent about two hours there on Saturday. Poor Jeff just smiles and rolls his eyes at me. I'll have to send pictures when I figure out where everything is going to go. I also want to repaint, a green I think!

I have had a lot of people ask for some pictures of Mexico, so here are a few.

Coba -Jeff & I at the top of the Pyramid

Paradise Snorkeling-This was the boat we took out to go snorkeling.

Jeff and I at Chichen Itza

Jeff at our hotel

Me swimming with Dolphins

California

Here are some pictures from my last trip to Santa Rosa, California with my family. Enjoy!

June with our rental car at the Redwoods

Christian, Wayde, Robin, Me and June

Me at beach

My Mom's family together again!

Robin & Me

New Look

I changed my blog around today, trying to make it a little nicer. What do you think? Thanks to Julie for the cutestblogontheblock.com. I just got back from a great trip to California, where I was able to see my extended family. I went with my brother Josh and Sister June. We meet up with my parents who drove. It was fun being just siblings for a while. We didn’t seem to drive each other too crazy. Big thanks to Robin and Wayde for putting up with us, and letting us stay in their beautiful home. I especially wanted to see my Aunt Sue who is very sick with cancer right now. I got lots of pictures, and will have to share some of them later.

I Did It!

I have been thinking of starting a blog forever now, but was scared to try. But I did it! I created it. With Jeff's parents leaving on their mission in a couple of weeks, I really wanted a spot where they could go and keep up to date on our family. So here we are, now lets see if I can customize it.