Starry Starry Night

Temple Square is so neat! I love the spirit there and how freezing it always is there and the horses and how happy everyone is. Those lights! I can't have Christmas without them! We had to stop on our way home on Sunday and I was worried because the fog was so thick and maybe the lights wouldn't be quite the same . . . but as soon as we came up to Temple Square it was crystal clear! Amazing! I'm so glad we were able to continue this tradition this year and didn't miss out. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!

Ugly sweater party- more like flugly (aka Flippin' Ugly ) sweater party

No words for this girl! Jeff you are one lucky guy! ( haha! ) Thanks for playing Jen!

Don't let this picture fool you- everyone was having a sweet time . . . making fun of me and all my flugliness.

One of the most impressive sites of the night . . . Can you believe this lady? Lani has not let the effects of old age wear her down at all!

It'll be fun sweethart, I promise! ( evil laugh by Nikki )

And the worst couple of the night award goes to- you braden. Just you. Give me another partner and I would have swept the floor. :)

What a good sport- no amount of concentration will ever get that pom pom stuck on your nose. Sorry. And are the antlers really necessary? Geez, how embarassing.

Cookie Face! Bethany was really good at this one, and all of them really . . .

Cody on the other hand . . . some people have the gift and you my friend are very gifted!

Oh husband, I have never been more attracted to you then right now- I don't know if it's the silk moo moo you're wearing or the green tree ornament hanging from your cable knit sweater or the bad comb over, but you got it goin' on!

So, y'know how you see an "ugly sweater party" on blogs and they are not ugly at all. Every one is really stylish and sitting around looking perfect with perfect decorations and food- well this is what an ugly sweater party SHOULD look like. And it should definitely include someone wearing a red sweater with a teddy bear holding a heart that squeaks when you push it and is placed in a very questionable place the person.

And for anyone who doesn't like th pictures I posted, I have worse ones. Like blackmail worthy so, merry christmas.

Thithster! Thithster!

Sierra did so good in her high school musical: The Music Man!

She had a line and a short solo. Which, I may be biased but I am pretty sure she has the best voice ever and should have gotten a lead part with that voice of hers. She has been in so many plays now and is so talented! We had so much fun watching her and her friends perform- it was pretty impressive for a high school production! We look forward to seeing her in more of these and see where that beautiful voice takes her! Please excuse my sickly face- I have been sick nonstop this season! I guess my body is just allergic to this crappy weather. :)

A little bit

A little bit of us at Jack's pizza in Logan ( where else? it's the happenin' place to be! )

We enjoyed it, a little bit.

Actually, it's delicious. We just don't want anyone to know about our well kept secret. That its basically the same as the popular Firehouse but quieter, better service, better tasting, and plus for me- No Tv's playing random football games for my husband to stare at the whole time while we're "on a date"! Yes, if you eat there you're husband will probably be forced to talk to you at some point. And who knows, you may learn something you never knew about each other, you may remember why you fell in love and that you still are very much in love. You may go home a little more wide eyed and smiley, and your stomach will defintely thank you for it.

What is it about this cold weather they makes me want to go into hibernation? I would be fine to never leave my house, my pajamas, my books, my crochet hook, and my little family until the snow melts in May. But that's just today.

PS. harry potter was wonderful! No it's not for children! But if you are over 13 ( I think more like 16 but what do I know ) probably the best movie in theaters right now. Loved it!

Got one!

It only took us about 50 tries to get a decent picture of our little ( kind of sad looking ) family for Christmas cards this year. It's decent, not great, really awkward but I guess that's us. We're not what you would call "camera friendly". We took this on the driveway at Zollingers, pretty location eh? I had to get a fall picture, the colors of fall are just breathtaking. I love the seasons, I love nature, I love my husband and my dog. Maybe we need a professional next time. Happy fall!

You can't tell it was halloween

These are the pictures we took during Halloween weekend. It doesn't look like we celebrated it much. Halloween will probably be more fun with little anklebiters running around. But we did enjoy some family time and hamburger time at JCW's in American Fork. Yums.

Really enjoying my 50 mm lens. Takes such pretty pictures. Pretty blurry pictures. sigh.

Mom was really excited about it. We all relaxed at Muzzy and Munga's and helped them give candy to trick or treaters. Grandpa griped every time someone came to the door and told them to go away. We told him if he really didn't like it he wouldn't waste time buying tootsie rolls and dums dums every year. He's a softie, we know better. Grandma keeps talking to me about this cat she had when I was little, she asks me every time: Do you remember that cat? it would always play with your hair. and climb up the screen door. And then she chuckles to herself. It's a little heartbreaking. When she's tired, it's especially difficult for her to remember- she asked me, Now did your dad ever get re-married? I look at her shocked and say: Yes grandma, when I was 8 remember? and she laughs and says oh yea, I knew that! and shakes her head. How hard it must be to get old. I love my sweet grandma. It was so nice to spend time with them in their cozy home in Highland with the door open and the raining pitter pattering outside and the sound of children laughing and squealing TRICK OR TREAT! Grandma said, it sure would be nice to have another baby around. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I told Sierra to get on that. We ate pizza and root beer floats and just talked. Very low key Halloween. I had a feeling that was exactly were I should be that night.

Plus- I was too sore to do much else. I also ran that morning. The provo halloween half. It was horrible. The dowhill about killed me, our bus almost didn't make it, the first rest stop ran out of water, at the other rest stop they fed us some nasty liquid called Heed, which much stand for something like hearburn ew ew diarrhea, it was so gross, they lost my bag for a few hours, I am now crippled permanently- but I went with my cute friend from High school and we looked cute in our tutus and made the best of it. I guess the shirts they gave out were pretty cool. And the costumes were amazing, there was a forrest gump, a chicken, a lady carrying an inflatable boom box, some really unattractive spandex, and a guy running barefoot.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!

Is it still October?

Is October too early to start asking for Christmas presents? Probably. I always know just what I want and willingly take advantage of this wonderful, present filled holiday! Husband- this is what I need this year: The Perfect Portions scale. You can find out more about them here. It's awesome. Would I use it? Heck yes! ( actually don't quote me on that ).

And if you won't get me that, the least you can do is get me this and this!

That's the holiday spirit!

Rolle Family pictures

Taking pictures of this darling family was so fun! They are so photogenic and easy going. I loved the colors Linsey picked out! Hope you like them! I do!

Spent Saturday taking pictures of Braden's sister and her family.
I know, they are gorgeous. My future children are going to have a complex.

See you in Heaven

(the "group", Marci's groupies from the hood- love these girls. will you all still talk to me even though the glue that held us all together is gone?? )

That is what Marci said to me the day she left: Well, I guess we'll see each other in heaven, right? Yea, that's cheerful. Thanks Marci! On that happy note . . . good bye forever apparently. Little does she know what an impatient person I am, and I refuse to wait that long! I am already planning a trip to see you next year- heaven my bum! I'm kind of sad and glad that this picture turned out blurry ( manual focus be darned ) glad because you can't tell how puffy and red my eyes are from crying the night before, a little at work, and still a little more while we said our last good byes. I never thought I would have great friends again after I got married, everyone seemed so busy. Marci was in my life for a reason, to run with me, to wave at me when I drove past her house every day after work, so I could enjoy her darling kids, to help me meet some wonderful people, to talk late into the night with me and watch scandalous reality tv, to help me feel better about myself, and on and on.

Marci- you have been such an example to me of friendship. What a blessing you have been to so many of us! Thank you thank you! We miss you already. . . see you soon :)

A birthday surprise

Mom ( and family ): Thank you for surprising me with delicious, fancy cupcakes, pink sixlets, paper lanterns, and jars with candles in them so I could finally make a birthday wish.

Marci: Thank you for inviting your friends to my party so I could borrow them and pretend they were my friends too. :)

Kate: Thanks for trying to think of people to invite but not getting desperate and inviting the lady who runs with grocery bags in her fists when you realized I have no friends :)

Husband: Thank you for making my day with balloons, princess wands, and digusting hard candy from the $ store that tasted like hairspray ( and of corse, Einsteins for breakfast! )

Boss: Thank you for feeling bad about forgetting my birthday and giving me an hour long lunch break with lunch on you

Ashley: Thank you for using up all the toner in the office copier to cover my desk, top to bottom, in birthday signs so everyone would know it was my birthday and feel obligated to wish me happy birthday the rest of the day.

I am very lucky to have such great people in my life. I don't deserve them.

a happy birthday picture

Come on everyone, all i want for my birthday is a picture of my beautiful family all together!

That's it, seriously, we are doing this . . .

Kudos to grandma and grandpa Merrill for hustling in for the picture before everyone else . . .

Christian, if your going to be frowning try to smile with your eyes at least . . .

okay everyone is going to actually have to look at me, look at the camera please . . .

There we go- okay we have 10 seconds-Richard, your looking really good-keep that smile. Ok, ready? Say cheese!

AAh. Beauty. ( Is this picture not perfect? We got this on the first REAL try. And they really didn't need that much direction, that commentary was just for the sake of this post and keeping it interesting . . . )

Ok, should we try a funny one? Wait, are we making faces or not in this one? No, we're not. Everyone do something funny! 5 seconds! I'm not making a face!

There was a little confusion as to whether or not we were making funny faces for this one.

I love these pictures and just had to post them because our family is wonderful, and funny, so fun! This picture wasn't the only thing I got though- I was sure spoiled this year! The surprises were non-stop {pics to come} You guys really know how to make a girl feel loved on her birthday. Thanks for a great day! It was one for the books!

Headed South

This is what we've been up to the last 4 days. We headed south to St. George to sweat our guts out and loved every minute of it. Braden's buddy once again, had the hook ups and we were able to stay at his grandparents house complete with a pool and hot tub. Needless to say- we felt pretty spoiled. I hope we can, one day, return the favor somehow. We both got a few days off of work which couldn't have come at a better time, because work is kind of making me want to shoot myself right now. :) Just relaxing, shopping, sight-seeing, laying out, and swimming! Ok, now I'm excited for fall. Goodbye summer! Come back soon!

Fountains at the Bellegio, which I don't think I had ever actually stood and watched. So pretty.

Some awkward positioned picture of me and Brade on the roof of some hotel. Why do I ruin every picture I'm in??

Had some awesome mexican food in the Hard Rock Cafe hotel, good but a little scandalous- please don't bring your children to this hotel :) I found myself blushing, alot.

Some scary face masks, these were everywhere in the hotel. Brade fit right in.

The beautiful red rocks of St George. Really, is our state not amazing? I love the diversity.

Relazing in the pool, don't mind my bed head. It was my day off, I don't have to get ready ok?

Kolob canyon. We also went to Zions Park but I was a poop and decided I was too sick to take the bus up the canyon for a hike so me and Brade missed out on the hiking. Sorry husband. The heat and crooked canyon roads and cramped spaces just don't do me good. We had fun playing in the little town and met some crazy man who had biked there from Illinois!! Also he biked from Mexico to the bottom of South America last year and was biking for 5 months straight. He's writing a book.

Great weekend. Good to be home though. Really good. I never want to live in St. George. or Vegas. Logan is where it's at. :)