Time Out For Women

At the beginning of November, I had the opportunity to go to Time Out For Women. It's sponsored by Deseret Book and they go around to different cities all over the place. They have speakers and singers on a Friday night, and Saturday all day. My favorite speaker/singer was Hilary Weeks. She was so freaking hilarious and has a beautiful voice and beautiful songs, you should look her up! It was very uplifting and an amazing opportunity to spend some time with all my sisters and extended family. We got to go to St. George and get away from the cold. The weather was so nice! We got to stay in an amazing condo and I can't believe that I didn't take pictures of it! Here is a shot of me and the girls in my family during one of the breaks:

Stephie, Sarah, Mom, Me, and Melissa

I think I skipped a holiday...

Oops! I skipped Thanksgiving. We just went to my parent's house again (obviously, since his family is a world away). We had a good time. I didn't get many pictures, but I did get a few of us making pies. The girls decided that we wanted to learn a few of mom's secrets, so she taught us how (and gave up some secrets) to make rolls, pies, etc. My little brother thought this apple slicer was the most amazing invention ever and kept going on and on about it, even though we have had it since he was little. It was funny.

I think my little brother's obsession was wearing off on my nephew...

And my husband... :)

Christmas

The next post (according to Sarah) is supposed to be about New Moon...I went and saw it, it was good. The End.


Now on to more fun things...like Christmas!! The last 2 years for Christmas, we haven't done a big tree. Sio's just not into holidays and I didn't feel like buying a big tree and putting it up by myself. We happened to inherit a big tree this year from little brother, Deebs. It had only been used once and I got it for FREE. Woot. I bought a few bulbs and few boxes of mini lights. The only other things that went on it were a few hand-me-down decorations from my mom. It works for me...and hey, it's a huge leap from last year. Little baby steps... :)

To my surprise, Sio was actually excited and willing to help decorate it. It was hilarious when we were putting the bulbs on because Sio had to make sure that they were in the exact and correct spot. He kept moving them back and forth, deciding which spot was just right. After a few minutes, I just left him to do it and was laughing because my OCD-ness is wearing off on him. hahaha. That's totally okay with me! He was very proud of himself afterward.

We didn't have a star or angel or anything bright to put at the top. I just grabbed one of the stars that normally decorate my living room and had him throw it up on top and call it good.

You can't see this very good, but I'm hoping it's just my computer cause you can see it good on the preview thing on my camera. Here is another one, I don't know if you can see this one either, but I turned the light on behind the tree to try and make it better.

I think it's a little better and a little taller than the one that we had in 2008 and 2007...

We're not going to do anything for each other this year. Well, maybe something small, but I doubt it. I'm glad that he doesn't like to fuss over things like that. I have learned to cherish the important things and am glad, less stress for me! We'll leave that until we have kids and need to make it special for them.

I'm glad that we decided to do a big tree this year! I forgot how much I loved sitting in a room with just the lights on the tree at my parent's house when I was younger. It's very calming and makes you reflect on the wonderful things in life. And I'm sure my electric bill is going to be next to nothing this month! :)

Work

Per Sarah's request...the next post is about work. And I just so happen to have pictures for this one. I schedule all the door production for work and so I work with the door guys a lot. They make it their goal in life to give me grief and do anything they can to be pains in my butt. One of the guys, Nick, was on a kick and was zip-tieing EVERYTHING of mine he could find.

my business cards to the holder...

my phone to the clip...

my pen to the arm of my chair...not sure why on this one?

my staple remover...shut. not much use for it now...

my stapler...shut. not much use for this either...

I kept finding more and more things that they had zip-tied. I thought I had found them all until I went downstairs to clock-out and go home and found this...

what's this? a real post?

I've been chastised by Sarah to do a real post. It's about time for one anyway...and WAY overdue, right? My life just isn't that exciting. I'm going to take her list literally, so for my first post...BUNKO!

Bunko was at my house a few months ago. I won my own bunko and I swear I didn't cheat! I got the most awesome blanket and use it and abuse it. It's a brown fleece throw with pink and cream flowers and it's sooo fuzzy. I love it :) Hopefully fun was had by all...you never know. I made scarves for everyone. Here are a few pictures (and if I happen to come missing after the next bunko, I and everyone else will know why-sorry Kayleen!) I got everyone wearing their cute scarves!

Vickie, Sarah, & Kayleen

Danielle (and the rest in the background)

JaNae, Melanie, Michelle, and Liz

Vickie, Sarah, & Kayleen again :)

This is why I might disappear...haha. I had a "comfort" theme going and Kayleen put on the gel mask and some other junk.

I got this right before she took it off :)

no new posts for several months = one boring life


:)

my official welcome back into the blogging world...with a ginormous slide!!

Not having a computer is so weird!! My computer has been broken for what seems like months, and I can only do minimal things at work. Thus, no blogging. I'm back (but still do not have a computer...I happen to be visiting my parents)!!

Life has been pretty boring for the most part. We have been working lots and not playing much.

I made raspberry jam!! I even picked every single berry (well most of them, I did have a little help) and made it and everything! It turned out really good. I got 17 big ziploc plastic containers full after my 2 different pickings, which is nuts! I have been eating pb&j sandwiches for every meal it seems, but they are quite delicious. Now it makes me want to have a yard with a garden so that I can plant lots of stuff (including a few raspberry bushes) so that I can make lots and can some and have fresh veggie stir fry! yum!! Maybe I'll take the little 3'x3' chunk of dirt in my concrete patio and grow a few things. But that will probably have to wait until next year now.

We did have a family reunion this year. We have one every 2 years on my mom's side. It turned out that most of my family couldn't or didn't come this year, but it was still fun. We went to Swan Valley, ID. There is a church-owned girl's camp up there and it has a HUGE slide going down a hill. It was so freaking fun to go down it. And it was good to see some cousins, although I saw a lot of them that came down to my sealing.

We have a family auction every time so that we can raise money for the next reunion. I got a white crocheted baby blanket that is so cute and family cookbook that my cousin put together, which is fantastic!! I made some tiles with sayings on them. They turned out really cute, I should have taken pictures, dang it.

Sio had to work, so wasn't able to go. It was sad, he would have loved the slide and the outdoors. Maybe he'll get to at the next one in 2 years. Here are some pictures:

Here are 2 of my cute nephews being goobers as usual. They are a few years apart in age, but they love hanging out with each other and get along great!

This is the view from the cabin. Gorgeous, right?

This is the cabin and the HUGE slide.

The view of death. :)

Before going down the slide, I would ask everyone to give me their game face and it was so freaking hilarious! I have some great pictures that I may use as blackmail. My little nephew wouldn't go down for anything, but he finally went with me and then once with my mom. He liked it, but was still hestitant after going.

Now, before watching this, let's keep a few things in mind.

a. I have a fear of heights.

b. I have a fear of falling.

c. The slide was HUGE.

d. I am a goober.

e. I can't help my fears and did it anyway and it was SO fun :)