Josh Week!

 Josh Week Started on January 17th 2011...

Here's a Rundown of how it went!

It all started with a GIANT box...

 {Waiting patiently to open His surprise}

 {Party in a Box!}

 {Comes with a Banner, Balloons that pop out when you open it, Creme Soda, and an envelope... }

 {Opening the Envelope}

It told him that this was Joshua Week and to come back each day after school and Check for a new envelope...

 {Super Excited!}

{Contents of Party in a Box}

The Goods:

Day 1: Party in a Box

Day 2: Gummy Bears {Hugs}

Day 3: Game Coupons {He LOVES board games!}

Day 4: Cologne from Bath & Body {He wanted it- All the Brothers have some. Ha! He's so grown up!}

Day 5: Money Scavenger Hunt {9 one dollar bills, as he was turning nine}

Day 6: 3D Movie of His Choice {Gulliver's Travels}

Day 7: Despicable Me {Had been BEGGING for this for Forever!}

And here we are with our Stunner Shades-

{How cute is He?!}

After the Movie on Saturday, you had better believe he used one of these bad boys to play....

RISK! {The Longest board game EVER.}

{The Set up}

{Ben teaching us how to play}

{Decisions, Decisions.....}

{Making War sounds as All Little boys do.}

Happy 9th Birthday Joshua! I love you!!!

{♥.}

A New Year.

Some are probably expecting all of my New Year Resolutions on this post. Well, that's not the case this year. I figure, that it is only an important NYR if I can keep it without being reminded or an attitude of  "I'm-scared-of-the-judgments-of-others-if-I-don't-keep-it". And you know, I think it will hold a higher accomplishment value if I can do all of the things I want to this year for myself; not for others. So while I need the support and encouragement of dear friends and family, I would like you to continue just being there for me. Thank you so much for your love! I have felt it strongly this past year.

And now, as 2010 has closed {with all of it's jobless-ness, moving, finding myself again (which is tough!), and all of the other negative things} I will leave those negative things behind, remember the finer moments of 2010, and hope, work, and pray for an even better 2011.

Finer Moments of 2010:
-Cleaning the Sink @ Angie's with my Roommies.
-Sledding & Watching Movies on the Bigscreen @ the McLaughlin's in Idaho.
-Directing the Ward Choir with LOTS of help and support of others!
-Singing in the BYU Women's Chorus & Being on the Publicity Committee when we 'Sold Out' a Solo Concert.
-Having Friends Come Visit me in Utah (Oh HEY Katie Williams!)
-Mom Coming up for Women's Conference
-Movie Nights/Going on Midnight Runs with Roommies and Nora.
-Blogging
-Road Trip to SLC to see Merica & Jaron get married and getting to see the rest of the Martin/Jansons too!
-Going to see the Gila Valley Temple
-Teaching Swimming Lessons
-Getting a New Job
-My last talk with Nora before she Went on a Mission.
-Going to Parker to Hang out with Kaighty Scott
-Visiting Ally Snow on Her Birthday
-Hanging out with the Brittney Chapman in Mesa
-Going to Josh & Kayla's Wedding Reception
-Shooting some engagements for Ben & Mallory
-Flying to Utah and Spending a week re-united with my BFF's (Honey, WHERE is my SUPER SUIT?!)
-Getting to see the Taylors
-Watching a FABULOUS BYU football game-We won!
-Having Sheri Ward come and visit AZ
-Thanksgiving at our house
-Running a 10k, doing one the next monday, and then going 10 miles the next monday after that.
-Having a Game Night at Grandma Gail's and Papa Tom's with Mary too!
-High School Lunch table Reunion.
-Singing in the Ward Choir and doing the Descant
-CHRISTMAS!
-Fireworks Christmas Night
-Going to Olive Garden with my Family to hang out and laugh our heads off.
-Going to see 'Tangled' with Mom & Stephie right after Olive Garden.
-Having a Girls night at Grandma Janet's
-New Years Eve Party at our house

I'm sure that SO many other moments could have been on that list. 2011 is going to be a Grand Year. I can feel it!

I hope that 2011 is a year of happiness for you too!

{♥.}

Summer's End

Wait, who am I kidding? Summer ending in Arizona? PFFFFFFFFTTTTT. Riiiiiiight.

Anyway, here are a few of the things I have been up to this summer.

#1. Twilight Party

Mom, S & I  were invited to a Party/ midnight showing of Eclipse. It was so fun! When we arrived at the party, it was all we could do to not drool over all of the fun decorations and yummy food! We walked up the driveway and I nearly jumped out of my skin...Edward was sitting in the car in the driveway! I thought it was a real person and when I came to my senses I thought that it was really creative to have a life size cutout in the car. Haha! Then, we walked into the back room and Jacob was outside staring in through the window.... Not to mention all of the quotes on the mirrors and the sugar "blood" on the glasses. We all had a grand time discussing our twilight fan-ness and playing creative trivia games. Thank you Amanda for hosting & Kiana for inviting us!

{all of the 'Yummy' things}

#2. Water Ballons & Youth

{My Girls. Love them!}

As you may have heard- I was called to be a leader in the Youth Group at my Church. Our first activity that I attended was a massive water balloon fight. The prep work consisted of filling up 500 balloons (just between my brother and I! There were a ton of balloons.) It was a pretty intense night. But the sky was absolutely gorgeous! It was a blast.

{Love how the Moon is right above those beautiful clouds}

#3. Visiting Kaighty in Parker, AZ

By the time July rolled around I was READY for a Vacation and I hadn't seen my friend Kaighty in over a year, so I decided to go visit! And may I just say, It was FABULOUS. We relaxed, ate good food, chilled (or rather, Baked) at the lake, watched some awesome movies, went shopping, caught up on our lives and enjoyed each other's company. She then came to my house and endured the longest monopoly game ever. :) Thank you Kaight for letting me come visit you!

#4. Started working at New Balance

Oh, How I LOVE my job! 1. I love shoes. 2. I love helping people and 3. I find old people and children HILARIOUS. Needless to say, it's a perfect job for me. And I now know a TON about shoes....If you have questions, please, ask me. I really do love it!

#5. Family Vacation in Sedona

Where to start? We all CRAMMED and I mean CRAMMED into the Van (I literally had a claustrophobia/panic attack in the backseat as we were leaving.) and drove for 2 hours to beautiful Sedona. We went swimming, watched movies, did puzzles, went hiking and had a 'Girls day' at Tlaquepaque....Shopping and jewelery making. Oh! And we went and watched the Meteor shower. It was breathtaking! I can't even tell you how much fun we had. It was our first (hopefully of many) 'Grown Up Family' Vacations.

{The Crammage.}

#6. Visiting Brittney in Gilbert, AZ

I went to see Brittney in Gilbert and she took me to Fountain Hills to see the Tallest fountain EVER. Haha. It was Superb. We then ate a wonderful lunch and headed to my new favorite store, Scrapbook inc. Guess how much I spent there? No wait. DON'T. I actually did VERY well restraining my personal purchases...but I sure "helped" Brittney find more than enough to buy. (Sorry Girl!) We then went and picked up some frosting so that Britt could teach me some basic cake decorating. I loved it! I wish that time permitted us to get together more often, though, I don't know if our bank accounts could take it. ;) haha!

Well, there you have it. I'm sure there will be many more adventures soon!

{ ♥.}

Taylor Dinner

I was invited to the Taylor's for dinner a few sundays ago; we had so much fun! The Knight Family came too and we had Hawaiian Haystacks, orange rolls and played speed scrabble and Nertz... It was great to catch up and have such a fun time! Thanks Taylors! We'll have to do it again soon!