some changes

well, as some of you already know - we're expecting a baby in july.


the hubby-bubby's favorite present


see the excitement on his face? he loves going to the doctor


but it was worth it - we got to meet this little one.

Christmas

what was your favorite thing you got / gave for Christmas?

my favorite thing i gave was a Snuggie blanket to my mom. :)

for reals - the best!

o.k. so the hubby-bubby and i happened upon the coolest Christmas light show ever! on saturday night.

check this out - link to the coolest Christmas light show ever!

if you want to go - let me know and i'll give you directions on how to get there - super easy and right by our house.

1 week...and counting

so - what's on your Christmas list this year?

i'll tell you what's on mine:

2 days of sleeping in
lots of good food
time spent with my dear family
maybe some egg nog
and some holiday cheer all around.

just tryin' to keep it simple this year.

Merry-in-1-week-Christmas to you!

for reals -

i am so done with people acting like jerks to whoever they want.

grow up and be nice people, o.k.?

sheesh

time to play catch up -

it's been a few crazy weeks lately.

first - we celebrated our 1st anniversary. yee-haw!
we went to a local hot-spot and had a really, really sweet dinner, got a ride on a golf cart back to our room, and had a private hot tub. it was nice!



the happy couple

we had a really good dinner and were so full that we couldn't eat our dessert (three-layer chocolate cake). we took it back to our room and didn't eat it that night. but don't worry - the hubby-bubby wanted to taste it, so he ate it for breakfast.








mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

and don't forget the tradition of eating the top layer of your wedding cake on your 1st anniversary -



yep - this is what we did with it after tasting it. year old frosting is not very good

Then the thanksgiving eating bonanza started -

the hubby-bubby made this fantastic pie for one of our feasts. it was sure tasty -
and look at that meringue! he's an amazing cook.


and don't forget Cheeks on thanksgiving. here she is with her "My first thanksgiving" bib. she really chowed down.

then we got to go to my friend Diane's wedding. it was a beautiful day and she was a beautiful bride. so we had to take a picture of ourselves to mark the occasion




me and the blushing bride

then it was Dallin's birthday

Super-Jake wowed us with his mad harmonica skills. after all "where Jake goes, the party goes"


the party


then the Festival of Trees started. what a crazy week.
but we had enough time to make sure we knew how tall Brookie was. :)

DON'T FORGET

Festival of Trees 2009

Wednesday December 2 - Saturday December 5
South Towne Expo Center
10:00 am - 10:00 pm

100% of proceeds go to needy families at Primary Children's Medical Center

Border Warz

Super-Football player nephew played in his 13th football game of the season last weeked. and yep - their team record was 13-0.
they got to play their two last games in the Real Salt Lake Stadium. for those of my dear readers that have never been to that stadium - you must go! it is beautiful.





yes, his brothers were bored by the 2nd quarter and ended up playing in the stands









front row seats gave us a great view of this touchdown


nice 'n sassy in my layers


yay nephew!


all this for a t-shirt.

this week's hero: lori

can i just tell you all how proud i am of lori?!?!

yesterday she had a little accident on the freeway with a semi truck. SHE'S O.K. - don't worry. apparently the guy side-swiped her and did some damage to her little car.

the coolest part about all of it - Lori chased the guy down and made him pull over so she could show him what he did to her car. i just think it's awesome. i wish i could have been there to see her waving this guy off to the side of the road and then getting up in his face. (o.k. - she probably didn't get up in his face - but still) watch out for those vicious mama bears!

so - lori is at the top of the list today and hopefully recovering well. as for her poor car - we'll see. thank goodness she's o.k.!

Together Again
Bonita Janice Carter Thomas, 74, passed away on Nov. 12, 2009 at her home in West Valley City.Bonita was born April 20, 1935 in Shelby, Montana to John Deloy and Mildred (Hatch) Carter. She married Dean Wilde Thomas on June 14, 1962 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Bonita moved with her family to Salt Lake City in 1941 and was raised in the Cottonwood area attending Oakwood Elementary, Olympus Junior High and Granite High Schools. Bonita met Dean while dancing at the Terrace Ballroom and together they raised four children in their Hunter/West Valley City home. Bonita relished her role as mother and grandmother. She loved gardening, music, cake decorating, sewing and ceramics. Bonita is survived by her four children; Diana; Allan (Janet); Rodney and Jaren (Elaina); seven grandchildren; six brothers; Dee, Dorian, Bart, Von, Rob and Brett Carter; two sisters; Diane Wyatt and Debbie Hatton. Preceded in death by parents, husband and brother; Van Carter. Funeral services will be held on Tues., Nov. 17, 2009 at the Centennial Park Ward Building, 3372 S. Merry Lane (5300 W.), West Valley City, at 11 a.m. with viewing Monday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Tues. morning. Interment will follow the services at the Valley View Memorial Park. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.serenicare.com

snow? what snow?

what happens when you go to your nephew's championship football game in the middle of a blizzard and you haven't dressed appropriately for it? you open your trunk and layer with whatever clothes and blankets you can find!

and then you wait in the car with 6 adults and 3 children until after the first quarter has begun.


3 adults, 1 child


1 more adult


2 more adults


2 more children
makes for a very foggy-windowed-car


here is the list of protective clothing / layers we are each wearing.

me: a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, a down coat, another sweatshirt, a beanie, on hood of a sweatshirt, another hood of a sweatshirt, gloves, and a blanket covering it all

hubby-bubby: a t-shirt, my sweatshirt, his light-weight jacket, one winnie the pooh
blanket on top of it all

and don't forget the broken umbrella - it helped a ton


poor kids - they must be freezing!


but don't lose hope!
the nephew's team went on to win 26 to 0 - a totally undefeated season!
way to go!

2009 Festival of Trees

O.k. everyone - here is my official push for the Festival of Trees for 2009.

Festival is open to the public Wednesday December 2 - Saturday December 5 from 10:00 - 10:00. it's a great date idea, Christmas gift for neighbors, teachers, visiting teachers, home teaching families, aunts, cousins uncles, etc. and the best part is - 100% of the money goes to help needy families at Primary Children's Hospital.

if you would like *discount* tickets - let me know and i can mail them to you.
Adults = $3.50
Children = $2.50

Merry (early) Christmas!

the festivities

last saturday we went and celebrated the hubby-bubby's birthday by going shooting.


can you tell he's excited? yep. this is his excited face.


o.k. everybody - empty the cars! get the stuff out - let's get the show on the road.


it might have been a little chilly


we went a little off-roadin' to get to a good spot.


grandpa getting ready


grandma and mom stayed in the car for their ears' sake


anyone want a burger?


the ladies catchin' some sun


nothin but smiles here





ready.....aim.....fire.....miss


yep, i'm that good


action shot - you can even see the shell flying out of the gun


the infamous cannon


nice and lit, ready to go off


KA-BOOOOOMMM!





some targets. after we were done with them - the tree looked like it had been flocked


family party


birthday cake

Surprise dessert party at Chili's































the end of the birthday weekend festivities