The Harpers

Quick, I need something to swaddle!

2012-01-24T15:47:00.008-07:00

Cuz I ain't got no baby no mo'. Frowwnnnn. He's one. Yup. And you know how everyone who has a child will without fail tell you that THEY CANNOT BELIEVE THEIR CHILD IS ONE(or 5, or 8, or 16)? AND LIKE, WHERE DID THE TIME GO??? Ugh, you guys it's true. It is so rudely and horribly true. It actually kind of freaks me out. Realizing that every parent is right - the time DOES fly. And I'm more of a linger kinda gal. A lets-stretch-this-out-as-long-as-we-can girl. A last-person-to-leave-the-party-cuz-i-dont-want-it-to-end chick. You get the idea. I feel like I'm already sending him off to college and hating on all his future girlfriends(watch yourselves lady babies!). Yeesh, this is gonna be rough.

He is my first ever one year old! And that is special business. So I threw him a PAR-TAY. A milk and cookies party. Oh you know it. I have been waiting to throw my child a party since I was born (or...for sure 11 months) I got the idea from my sister, who threw her youngest a milk and cookies party about a year and a half ago. It was so cute, and simple and I loved it. Hence the stealing of the theme. And who knew I'd ever throw a party complete with a theme??? (Me! I did!) And if I've ever threatened an insane amount of pictures before - you ain't seen nothin yet. This one totally takes the cake(pun?) It's the winner. The Valedictorian of picture posting! It's true, and I'm not even sorry about it. Ha, but seriously it's more pictures than anyone cares to see, it's mostly so I can look back and remember every little detail.

This is the man as I went in to sing him happy birthday when he woke up. Enjoy the blurry iphone pics.

I was a little excited about it, so excuse the plethera of shots of the same table :) And the weird lighting...

Balloons!

Some of the our favorite people that came to the party:
Beckham

Uncle Steve

Talisia and baby Hendrix

Preggers: Dell and Heather

Aunt Lisa and Grandma Teresa (can we say twinsies? OMG they're not)

Ivy and Grandma Joleen working on a bean bag for Nash

Great Grandpa and Grandma Haymond

I can't believe I didn't get more pictures of everybody that was there...I was like a picture taking fool(clearly). Anyways, we had pizza. I'm sorry, what? Oh, you wanted to see pictures of that?? Get out, I totally have some!

And then we opened presents! Homeboy got spoiled. Which was nice because all he got from us was a new carseat! Happy birthday to you!! Ok, ok fine we got him Rockin Elmo too.

And then I said, "Let them eat cake!" because I'm dramatic like that. And you know what people did? They ate cake. THEY ATE CAKE YO.

We stripped the lil man down to his dipe and let him at it. The little "cookies" on top of his cake are the smash cakes. Cute right?!? Here's 1 million pictures of proof. It's a sickness and I caaaaaaan't stop.

Sooooooo wasted on cake right now. What a lightweight.

And then we sent peeps home with treats and a cookie cutter!

This little one year old is so loved!

Happiest birthday to you Nash!!! You have completely and totally, 100% stolen my heart. And I don't even want it back :)

Kira continued...

2012-01-16T21:55:00.002-07:00

Here are a few more from the photo shoot with Kira. I took sooooo many pictures and I just want to run through the streets throwing the Polaroids (there are no Polaroids) and making it rain with all of them as happy/crazy tears run down my face (it's an awesome visual and you know it) And yeah, I'm weird. You should know this by now. I promise I'll post something different soon (ex: it was someone's first birthdaayyyy! and I took no less than 7000 pictures..prepare your brain)

I know that the above photo is technically a no-no angle, but this shot is still one of my favs. I throw caution to the wind people! (just go with it)

There are still so many more. Who knows, maybe a few more will pop up sporadically here and there. And you'll just have to humor me. I'm already itching to do another one. Who wants to be next?!? (Don't all raise your hands at once!) Come on. You know you wanna.

Kira

2011-11-27T19:20:00.005-07:00

OMG. I don't know how many times I've written this post with a 700 page explanation of why I'm doing these pictures. I first wrote a history of my obsession with fashion and all things beauty from birth on, going through barbie hairstyles to babysitting and playing salon to birthday party fashion shows(none of you will know what I'm talking about because I erased all that, just know it was lengthy and weird). Then I tried to explain why Kira looks like she's wearing no pants. Then I give you 87 reasons not to judge me because I'm not a photographer. Obviously, I'm so nervous to show them to you! I feel awkward and silly because there is no other reason for me doing them other than I thought it sounded fun. Here's my mini explanation(just trust it's mini compared to my previous efforts)

Ok. So I had this idea that I wanted to do "photo shoots" of my friends, family, and/or anyone willing to waste a day with me. I've always had this dream of being a session stylist - someone who does the hair/makeup and/or styling of an editorial photo shoot. I love all things beauty. I've been obsessed since I was little. Anyways...all this to say that I desperately wanted to create a photo shoot. So to scratch the itch, I decided to have a little fun with my friends. I asked my friend Talisia if she'd be willing to help me out, and she of course said yes since she loves this kind of thing to. Then Kira said she would be my guinea pig. So. I kinda thought it would be fun to see if the person getting their pictures taken had any ideas of what they wanted to look like (examples: Talisia said an Indian, one of my clients/friends said a country girl, another said "just an everyday look but something completely different than I would ever do", etc) and then I would put my spin on it. Fun, right? Right!(right???) So Kira said she wanted to look like dun dun dun......a Victoria's Secret angel. Yup. And uh, she definitely could pull it off but seeing as how she's a math teacher at Herriman High and I wanted to, you know, post these on the Internet we thought maybe slightly more clothing would be good :) They are still sexy, I will warn you. And that's why I'm a smidgy smidge hesitant to put these up because I don't want anything to feel scandalous :)

I can't tell you how much fun we had. I came home full on giddy. Couldn't stop talking about it. And we did it all with 3 kids. You guys, if you could have been a fly on the wall while we were getting Kira ready...hilarious. So Talisia and I both did the hair, makeup, and the styling. We're crazy like that (i don't know what that means) We went with a more earthy feel, but to honor Kira's request of V.S. angel we slapped some boy shorts on her lil' bum and worked around that. Talisia found this awesome location right by her house in Lehi. We partied with some cows. I was scuuurd.

Also, I took the pictures.

Also, I am not a photographer. I am not pretending to be one. But what real photographer would do this for free (cuz remember, there is no purpose to this other than I wanna)? Not a one. So to anyone who actually knows what they are doing - I KNOW that there are a million mistakes and funny shadows in some and so on. The editing is all over the place, but I was having to much fun playing around. Some are darker, some a little blown out, some warmer some cooler. A little bronze and black and white thrown in :) But I'm ok with it.

Anyway, this is look number one out of 3 we did that day. And remember, Kira is wearing boy shorts, even if ya can't see 'em :)

Ah! Here they are already. There's a lot. And then some more. Lemme know what ya think!

MATH TEACHER. Kids are lovin themselves some math at Herriman High ya'll.

(some were were too big to fit, so if you click on them it should show you the whole shebang...)

The Boy

2011-10-10T22:24:00.002-06:00

We are so geeked out over This Boy.

We can't help it.

We have literally turned to mush.

To putty.

He literally melts my heart right out mah chest.

We affectionately call him The Boy.
i love his baby breath.
if i could bottle it and wear it, i would.
i pinch his bum. a lot.
i dance and sing and make up songs.
we laaaauugh.
and laugh and laugh.
and giggle.
i love his cheeks and his baby blues.
i love his pot belly.
his toes.
and his nose.

i sure do love That Boy.

We be trippin (and also going on vacations)

2011-09-11T16:04:00.041-06:00

He's such a teaser, this guy. So we totally road tripped ourselves to Cali. With a 6 month old. Gold stars for us! (or "I'm With Stoopid" t-shirts? You pick)

Just kidding, it really was easy. I can't take credit, my kid is just that awesome.

And the fact that we had these two hooligans in the back seat to entertain him.

Hitch-hikers make great babysitters! Just kidding, this is my brother-in-law and his gurl...

We went to visit Kevin's parents who live in Vacaville. It was seriously SO much fun. Beach, Theme park, San Fran, shopping...what's not to love?

This lil beaut was at the Six Flags Animal Adventure Kingdom Sea World Planet Aquarium. Or I can't remember the name exactly, but I bet I nailed it. It really did have all those things though! So fun.

We even got to feed her. Ride a ridiculously scary roller coaster one minute, go to a dolphin show the next, then feed(or ride!) an elephant? You bet. We didn't ride one, but it's important to know that we could have.

In the shark tunnel...

Sharks! This dolphin show is wack yo! (But really we liked it. He's only teasing)

Here is a photo of no one looking! We are in Santa Cruz, Nash's first time at the beach. We changed his shorts to swimtrunks, you know, in case he loooooved the ice cold freezing water and was all "You should put me in that!"...

And I think he did! Seriously, the water hadn't even touched him yet. What a diva! Ha! If only you knew I was behind the camera making all kinds of empty promises like "mama won't ever let the bad ocean get you again!" Yikes. I might be one of those moms.

Sandy feet!

Believe your eyes. Why yes, Kevin is riding a Merry Go Round by himself. Not because we have a child and he is obligated to ride, but because he wanted to. Here's where I tell you I would have been right there next to him had Nash not been sleeping. You have to throw these disks onto a target while it's moving...it's like.....legit.

This is us at the Farmer's Market in Vacaville. If I look top heavy, it's because I am. Was. Am. Dang it.

Mmmmmm.

More yum. Not quite as good as the ones right by my in-laws house though. They grow those with crack. So.....best.

Going to San Fran! It was fogalicious. Actually made it really pretty if you ask me.(and what the date stamp that's ruining my life)

Disappearing bridge!

K, I know this is random...but the houses are SO pretty there! Love.

And speaking of love! Us at Fisherman's Warf. I look like I slept in the same makeup for days. I did. Shut up, I didn't.

Pier 39. Oh seagull, bless your timing. I feel like he's the true star of this photo, no? Don't care? Ok then.

I really feel like the ship is the star in this photo....Oh MAN if you could be inside my head right now, that was really funny. You guys, it's the seal. IT'S THE SEAL.

(I'm tired)

Perty sunset. I wish I had video of what happened next, but I don't. Funniest Kevin moment pretty much EVER. Let's just say it involved a striptease, knives, some gold underwear, a balance board, and a promise to Thomas the male juggler. Be sad you missed it.

I better go before I start making more 'I'm so tired I'm slap happy' jokes. And maybe come back later when I'm cooler.

This is a five part series after all.

Oh Heyyyyyyyyy

2011-09-08T18:45:00.007-06:00

Me??? Of course I'm alive, don't be silly! It's just that everytime I get on here to post something, I get all sidetrackedy and end up YOUR blog instead. Way super more fun(yup). But I was determined to post something today. DETERMINED. Nevermind that I have nothing to blog about. Just kidding I do. Like California, St. George, Bear Lake, etc. But today? Today it's nothing but random randomness. Mostly it's just funny pictures a the best kid on earth.

Tada! Haha, oh this picture. Worst quality picture EVER, but how funny is his face? Doesn't even look like him!

Awe! Those cheeks take a beating every day because I MAUL them.

What, you think you can hang with this??

Ok. You can.

Only if you wear your p.j.'s though.
My husband told me I look like a vampire in this pic. He's sooo sweet like that. Obviously it's the sun. I'm WAY tan in real life. P.S. look at my dogs shadow on the right....what the baby elephant?.He smart.

And a redhead! Can you stand it?

Anyway. There ya have it. A post! I'm amazing at this. Probably I should win an award. But get ready for some vacation pictures! Woop! I have like, 7 posts just sitting half finished (I need some motivation cuz....meh)

In other news...I like Michelle Money. Yeah, WHAT NOW?

Watch 'em.

2011-06-14T14:39:00.003-06:00

Oh man. If there's one thing you do today, make it be to watch these videos. Funniest of my life.

Did you laugh your face off? I sure did. I had to re-watch them with Kevin just so he could partake in the hilarity. And then we BOTH laughed our faces off. Good times.

Back fat.

2011-06-02T21:45:00.004-06:00

So I was throwing myself a little party entitled "Woe Is Me" when my husband got home from work. I was all, "Listen, I'm switching doctors next time I'm pregnant. Wanna know why? Cuz he FORGOT TO DELIVER THIS OTHER BABY." As I'm pointing to my lovely "baby bump". Still. I STILL look pregnant. It's almost been 5 months ya'll. Waaaaaaaaaah. Not only that, but my back keeps collecting fat. Like, it's gotten so bad that I'm thisclose to putting it into therapy for hoarding. I had Kevin take a picture of me so I could show you. Take a looksee.

Isn't that disgusting? Ok, I think I should tell you that that's not me. Seriously you guys, stop! It's really not me! Obviously, this picture is just the one that resembled me the most..... Ugh, that pesky skin folding over is soooooo annoying. Back fat is the WORST. (seriously, when I googled images of back fat, this picture came up. Whaaaa???)

So then, after my husband listens to my super important and tragic story, he proceeds to tell me he is craving Frogurt. Like on emergency levels. I am nothing if not supportive. I really had no choice but to be there for him in his time of need. To Frogurt we went.

Now, you may be thinking Frogurt is not that bad. Here's where I tell you about the new waffle cone bowls. And the MUDDY BUDDIES you can top your cheesecake yogurt with. And Reese's peanut butter cups. And graham cracker crust. Yeaaahhhhh. Maybe that's why my back actually looks like this.

You think I'm kidding...

Please, if any of you out there that have had kiddos (or even if you haven't) can gimme all your secrets as to how you got back into shape, my back would really appreciate it!

Is it a strict way of eating? Hard core exercise? A specific yoga class? All of the above? I wanna know what works for you (and if any of you say that simply "chasing your kid around all day" is what got you back into your size 4 jeans, I will cry, and then straight up punch your face) Thanks!

Hey!

2011-05-08T22:03:00.007-06:00

Blogger is being wierd. But I like, totally updated my blog. You should read it and stuff.

Pssst. It's the post below yo.

Remember when I had a baby?

2011-03-20T16:58:00.034-06:00

Crazy right? I mean I have a BABY. Like a real live human. That's mine! Woot! (Its still cool to raise the roof right?)

So. Labor.

All I can say is OUCH.

Well, that's not all I can say. Labor was......interesting for me. Just very different from how I envisioned it would all go down (ha). Very. Can't say it went as planned, cuz yikesabee (name that movie) it didn't. But I also can't sit here and paint it as the worst labor story you'll ever hear, cuz it wont be. Not even close. But, and there is a but (name that movie, just kidding it was an episode of SYTYCD) it wasn't a breeze, and I just really wanted breezy, guys.

Holy cow I'm gorgeous. I don't know how I did it guys, don't even bother flooding my comments with "how did you manage to look so AMAZING during labor??" I JUST DID.

Now, I knew going into it that labor isn't what you'd call delightful. It's hard work. But I know a lot of people that actually enjoy labor, and I honestly pictured myself being one of those people. Really I did...

It all started with my largeness. Remember how I was a house? Right. So my Dr was all, "You're a house. Let's induce." And I was all, "You're an a$$. But yes, let's." (You see what I did right there? I was swearing, but not really swearing. Dollar signs used as an S = cleverness) And Ok, I'm kidding, I love my doctor. And to be honest I was a little embarrassed to see him for my 6 week appointment cuz it got craaaazzzyyy up in that delivery room (think circus meets something equally circus-y).

Anyway...

So at my 38 wk appointment my doctor really just says "Well, your blood pressure is too high. How do you feel about having a baby tomorrow?" And I say, "So good. I feel SO GOOD about that". Meanwhile Kevin is in the corner rocking back and forth sucking his thumb. Ha! You guys! I'm kidding again. But the blood definitely drained from his face and I think maybe he aged 9 years. Why is it that here, in this moment, do men choose to panic? As if they are just now coming to terms with the fact that they really are going to have a baby?

Anyway...

So we were told to show up at JVH at dark thirty which normally I'd be all "you're kidding right?", but it turns out when you're ready to have a baby, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO EARLY. We were also told that it was going to be a SUPER busy day, and that my doctor pretty much had to bump some other poor miserable soul just to get me in. Take THAT Other Pregnant Lady, I am WAY more important than you! But then, at 5 a.m., as I'm brushing my teeth, the hospital calls. They are too busy. Um. You do NOT tell a girl she gonna have a baby, then tell her she not. And they didn't. They just told me to wait for them to call back to let me know when they wanted me to come. Whew. So we waited, and they called. Come at nine, they said!

Kevin and I had a conversation in the car ride to the hospital that went something like this:

Me: "You nervous?"

Kevin: "Yeah. Are you?

Me: "Yeah, but don't worry, it's nothing like how the movies portray it.
If you get an epidural, its really almost boring. They always make the women drenched in sweat and screaming YOU DID THIS TO ME! Trust me, it's not that dramatic!"

Fast forward 12 hours to me, The Bloated Mess, drenched in sweat, wearing an oxygen mask, holding a barf bag, bawling my eyes out, breaking Kevin's fingers, while my nurse grabs my face and with all the force of a burly football coach yells, "Look at me Annie! Open your eyes! Look at me! Take a deep breath, you can DO this!!" As my best friend is crying in the background and my husband is trying his best to encourage me, and my Doctor is asking me if I'd like him to use forceps or not, all the while I'm still crying asking my anesthesiologist (who by the way is in the room along with EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD) "I don't understaaaaand, why is it not WORKING?"

Oh, yes. It was probably my best moment in time.

You see, I'd been pushing for the last three hours (&#$%#!). All with an epidural that decided to up and skip the party, even after more medication in the IV (x3), a shot in my thigh, and a local. Not that having a baby sans pain meds is the worst thing that could ever happen, even if mentally unprepared for, but that lil' lovemunch of a baby was stuck on my pelvic bone. So.....that no feel good. Major frowny face. And after those 3 hours of pushing I'd made-wait for it..... zero, ZERO! progress (even frownier face). My doctor had been thinking C-section about an hour and half before this point, but because the baby was in no distress, I begged him to let me keep trying. To me, having a C-section sounds about as awesome as the amputation of all my limbs. And taking into consideration that no one could get pain medicine to work on me, I was in no mood for anyone to be slicing my abdomen open and taking my insides, you know, OUT.

That old song and dance.

This picture is weird. I look dead, and they all look happy about it.

My fans. Or cheerleaders. My cheerleading fans, really.

I do have to say I really think I held it together pretty well up until the last little bit. Honestly we were all having us a good ol' time for the majority of it all. I was almost loony with exhaustion, meaning I was crackin some pretty pathetic (awesome!) jokes, teasing my doctor, and really just trying to find the humor in the situation.

That is NOT me giving a specific finger to the camera...but if it WAS, I'd have to laugh. Who flips people off anymore??? So 1998. Or something.

We laughed and poked at my hideous excuses for feet that more closely resembled loaves of bread with toenails.

Pregnant Talisia trying to massage the loaves...she's nice/weird like that.

My Dr would ask me to push just one more time, sometimes five or six consecutive pushes in a row, and I'd get done and try to contort my face into something resembling a smile and ask "How'd I do? Am I making any progress yet?" and without fail there would be a pause and he'd be all evasive with "You're doing really good!" which is obviously code for "You precious, precious soul. No.". And after so long of that; people trying their hardest to be encouraging even though we can all see this is going in the opposite direction than I wanted, I started to wear down. With each set of pushing my eyes would get more and more watery, my voice more and more shaky when I asked, "Any progress yet?", and I'm trying to be brave through the intense pain radiating through my body - pain that shouldn't be there according to the amount of medication running through my veins. And by the end of the third hour I was so overwhelmed with frustration, thinking that I'd wasted so much time and energy into this all to just to have a C-section anyway.

I have no shame. Or pride apparently, cuz check. me. out. My face is missing a little something I like to call "bone structure". You should probably feel sorry for me.

I could tell that my Dr. was all but humoring me with this whole "let's keep pushing" thing, and I was so disappointed and frustrated with my body I felt like I was going divorce myself after all this. For one, my EYEBALLS should be numb with the amount of medication I'd received, and STILL my body was giving that epidural the middle finger (so 1998!). And then to have the audacity to have a pelvis? And put it precisely in the way of my baby??? Well, that's just being cruel. So needless to say, the moment went from uneasy smiles and watery eyes to sobs and covering my face with my swollen sausage fingers as my shoulders shook and I turned in the general direction of my husband crying, "I'm just so frustrated". That was definitely the word of the night. That last half hour of labor lasted three times as long as the rest of the day. It was rough, and I was done. I finally made the decision for him to go ahead and use those damn forceps (you see what I did right there? I went ahead and swore), and he was able to shift him just enough to get him out with a few more good pushes.

And then, I swear to you, somewhere in the background a southern baptist choir broke out in song and doves were released, fireworks went off outside, and I think a flash mob may have started in the hallway. And in this moment I was all "I am superwoman!" having used all my focus and energy on this one act and feeling invincible once I could see the fruits of my literal labor. I had seen it in action in having the opportunity to be in the room, on numerous occasions, during someone else's delivery, but this was different. This victory was mine! In your FACE body.

And then it took my doctor 45 minutes to stitch me back together...

Your welcome for that.

So then they placed the cutest little Asian baby I'd ever seen on my chest.

And I was almost all "You've got some explaining to do Kevin!" But then that didn't quite make sense so I just went with it. And I had about one minute of pure bliss before they decided he wasn't really crying as much as they wanted and he didn't look as pink as he should. Boo :( So the nurse took him from me. And then I barfed for a couple hours. Then 14 hours later they let me see him again. In the NICU...

Just look at his lil' hand that looks like hamburger meat :( Not cool NICU, not cool.

So yeah, not really the labor and delivery experience I thought I'd be having. But all in all, everyone and everything turned out ok, so it was a complete success!

Well, except for the fact that now my stomach looks like an asiago cheese bagel. And really, out of all the bagels, the asiago is the one you wanna resemble the LEAST, am I right?

Good thing I love him!

Moral of the story: labor is a crazy, amazing, scary, miraculous, spiritual, exhausting, emotional, unpredictable bit of greatness. You know what I mean?

P.S. turns out my baby is not Asian. Whew, right?! But I'm torn, it could have been a helluva Maury episode. Who's with me?

What 3 a.m. looks like at our house...

2011-02-04T17:41:00.007-07:00

And I'm not even mad about it.

Look what I made!

2011-01-25T16:51:00.009-07:00

This guy!

Shut up, right?! He's so cute!

His name is Nash, and he is delicious (just thought you should know). He came 2 weeks early, on account of my massive body.

Yep.

I. WAS. HUGE.

For realsie reals. Not only was i measuring 593 weeks pregnant (or 41, it's the same, I'm sure of it), but I had an unimaginable amount of water weight happening. Holy elephantitis. I could not even put on my own pants at the end there. Sexy.

But it was all worth it! We kinda like him.

Here's a lil' taste of his awesomeness.

This is him after his first bath at home. He no likey.

But he LOVES to stretch out.

Like, all the time. (can you EVEN handle that wrinkly knee??)

Frog legs on a frog bath sponge. He's such a jokester, that one.

We are IN LOVE with this kid. A whole lotta.
I kiss him all day long. And, of course there's a lot of sniffing happening to.

Babies just smell good, guys.

So.....hey there.

2010-09-02T18:40:00.006-06:00

It's been what, 200 years since I last posted something? Gosh, I'm such a rebel. I know everyone is just DYING to hear from me again, right? Er, maybe no one will even see that I've updated this bad boy because no one knows I'm even still ALIVE......

So much has happenend in said 200 years! SO MUCH. Seriously, hold on to your hair cause I'm about to blow your mind. The biggest thing, I'm pretty sure, is that I've gone and gotten crafty on your...self.

Yeah. Believe it.

In fact I'm probably craftier than like, 12% of Utah girls between the ages of 18-35 right now. Not even kidding. This should tell you just how much things have changed round here...

I know right?!?! PEOPLE! Well, person really. It's sayin alot though, I mean not too long ago I couldn't even sew on a button, and now this. I think it needs to be said - I'm a super quick learner.

Now, here's where it gets awesome. I'M FIVE MONTHS ALONG. Yep. Having ourselves a little dude at that.

See? Isn't he presh?

He even has toes! TOES!

So it took me so long to announce because a lot has happened to get us to this point and I think it goes without saying that we could not be more excited. If I knew how, I'd be inserting at least5 jillion emoticons right now. We're having a baby!!! We must look at each other about 73 times a night and remind oursleves that we will be having a son. A real live baby boy that we get to bring home and sniff all we want.

I was told by a certain someone that is not my sister but actually is, that I don't love my baby until I make it blog and/or facebook official. So, I think it's pretty safe to say that I most likely love my child. It's still iffy because facebook has yet to be informed, but crazier thing have been known to happen. Crazier things, people.

SO, certain someone......PROOF.

:)

Cuz she don't got no blog

2009-12-18T19:29:00.008-07:00

And I thought you all might like to see the creature previously discussed, no?

His name is Beckham. Isn't he scrumsh?

The people who get to claim him: our best friends.

7 lbs 3 oz
20 in
(exactly what his daddy guessed he would be)

This is Talisia right after giving birth. You would never guess that she had a bit of a rough go of it would you? (i'm SO english right now)

and him. He couldn't stop staring. and COOING.

and taking pictures on his phone when holding him.

it's a reaction I've never seen from him before.

and it was adorable.

I'm pretty positive he's thinking about his aunt annie and all the things we will do together.

He totally is.

That, or he's thinking about his awesome future wife (my awesome future daughter, naturally) and how awesome the future is gonna be.

(what will it be? AWESOME)

Ah, babies.

I should probably get me one of those.

Well color me pregnant...

2009-11-20T17:53:00.018-07:00

Or don't. You know, whatever.

Well no, let's go with don't. That'd be weird. Not to mention slightly misgiving seeing as how it's not me gettin ready to birth a small creature any day.

It's her.

(And yeah, I said creature.) She's my besticle. Isn't she illegal? Like honestly...you had to go and be hot? Get outta here. There are cute pregnant chicks, and beautiful ones, and sassy ones, but HOT??? High five sister. High freakin five.

So being the ever crazy talented pool of people we are (?) - Dellany, Kira, and I threw Talisia a shower. A BABY shower. One with food. You betcha. And gifts. Lots of adorable, pregnant person gifts. It went pretty well I must say. I'm not gonna lie and say it went smoothly. Cuz homygosh. There might have been a few hiccups. But I refuse to even bring up what happened with the invitations. It was horrible, and embarrassing, and I don't want to talk about it...

So I realized I forgot to MENTION on the invitation that dinner will be served at the shower, and to please come hungry. Minor detail....(or not, but much more minor than the fact that I had half the invitations sealed and ready to go without the bloody time to show up on them) AND, it was brought to my attention that while some of the people got their invites in plenty of time, some were JUST BARELY getting them the day before the shower....mm hmm. Yeah. Apparently my handwriting is not legible enough for the mail man....(literally it said that) Mind you, I had already emailed everyone over a month before just to prepare the lost souls. BUT STILL. So I sent out another email apologizing for the crazy that was going down, and also to make sure people were still coming ( and then politely informed them that if they weren't, of course the punishment for this was DEATH)

But it's cool. It was totally cool guys. I mean, I made soup. So....

I don't know if you heard, but I. MADE. SOUP.

Made it.

Kidding. I totally bought it from Costco and pretended that I made it. Seriously though, I told people that. Said I got the recipe from my step mom. (I did infact get a recipe from my step mom, but there was chopping involved, like real live chopping of things- for soup. So...nope.)

The "snack table" and some decorations. Do you have ANY idea what it's like trying to throw a baby boy shower WITHOUT USING BLUE? It's awesome, that's what it is! We had a soup bar and buttery rolls and punch bowl of yummy sherbet drink. And plenty o'snackage. Obviously.

(FYI, his name will be Beckham. I'm very creative.)

The plates. Cute, right?

The cupcakes. When they were all finished, all I could see were Monsters Inc creatures. Not so much the plan.

A little slice of our awesome. Dell, me, Kira, and Pregs. I seriously don't know what we're doing...

Kira

I put Dell in charge, ok she put herself in charge, of taking pictures with my camera. I have to say I was sorely disappointed....just sayin.

Cuz there were alot of pictures that looked like this. And as much as I love shoes....

Talisia's momma. See where she gets it from? This lady had us crackin up the whole night with her comments. And I know she was TOTALLY on to me about the soup. Damn her. (she also sent me 1,986 pictures to go through from the shower. So 99% of the pics on here are hers. Thanks Momma Tyson! And shame on you Dell)

Celia and her daughter with Talisia

Brooke, Meg, and Katie.

Nudes. Sorry Nuria, but I just can't call you anything else...

Me and Heidi (who is cute and pregnant). And I know I look haggard in this picture, but in throwing this shower, I'd had a nervous breakdown, 2 panic attacks, and a monstrous case of diarrhea.

Okay that was a little much. I really only had 1 panic attack, not 2.

Talisia, me, and Kelly

Kira and Christy

Tara and Tori making their entrance

Me kissing little Becks. Much better picture than the one taken before where I was eating the baby. It's what I do.

Kelly, totally unaware that this picture was happening. hehe

Kira, Christy, and Nudes.

Cute girls looking at a different camera. Tara, Katie, Meg, Brooke, Nudes, Heidi

I don't know. But I think Meg was stumped. And Katie was not.

Emily and T. Emily is classy. She wears peacoats and stripes.

Oh Dell. I love your precious, precious soul.

Kir, Emily, and Haley

Hannah, Shelby, and Kira

Haley and Noah. There were babies there. Lots of babies.

Noah trying out Beckham's beanie that Tara made him. So cute!

Tara holding Tori's baby girl Sadie.

Look at that face!

Sadie in all her girly glory. ADORABLE this girl.

We ate.

She opened presents.

And loved them!

A lot.

And then we took a group picture that could rival any sibling Christmas morning staircase picture out there.

And never played games. It's how I roll.

This is Beckham's nursery. I KNOW.

Complete with an art piece done by daddy, Brandon. He's amazing. (those fish bubbles are mirrors, but you can't really tell in this pic)

Bedding custom made by Talisia's family friend, Kim. Again, amazing.

Seriously, these pictures don't do it a shred of justice. You should see this room in person.

I want to sleep here.

This was Dell by the end of the night. Laughing so hard at Susan, that she "nearly" peed.

We might have been a little delirious in the end. We just aren't cut out for adulthood and all it has to offer:

Parties. Babies. INVITATIONS....soup. But you know, we had fun. And I learned something really valuable that I think I will take with me wherever life leads me, passing it on for all generations to come. It is not wise to drive on the freeway with a full crockpot of tomato soup in your passenger seat. It's just not.

Talisia, we really couldn't be more excited for you. You're having a BABY!!!!!

But the real star of the night? Katie's boots. My feet are having and emotional affair on my Target specials with these boots. And you know, I'm okay with it. I condone it, even. I'm 'bout to make it physical. Cuz they are just that tempting. And my feet are whores.

Yay for babies!!! (and really awesome footwear)

26 years and 11 days ago...an ANGEL was born...

2009-09-27T21:30:00.019-06:00

Me.

Ha. No, but seriously, I was born then.

September 16th y'all. Mark it in your calendars....

Ok. I know your SO OVER my silly face pictures. And if I was cool, I'd be all "me too! who does those anymore?!" But guys, I am not cool. I'm Mayor of Nerdville and Gov'ner of Uh Oh, Your A Nerd. (Hi, watch Harry Potter nearly every night, remember??? Point proven) And plus, it was MY birthday, so you have to suffer through whatever I want you to....so yeah.

We even went to Pirate Island in Provo. NO, I will not shut up. You shut up. We really went there! My dad took us all there for mine and Kevin's birthdays. His is tomorrow - a post on him later - be excited. Anyways, I actually requested this place. And Kevin was all - why couldn't I have married someone normal? And I was all babe, normal is nowhere in your future - get used to it.

It was an hour and a half wait. Seriously. So we got bored and to entertain the kids we started making crazy face pictures (always a hit). Then it just rolled over and I made everyone who was there waiting (minus Heather & Dan & Co. - they were smart and went and ran errands) make crazy face pictures with me. And they couldn't even complain! Birthday privileges....

Here is the aftermath.....apparently you should never leave me bored with a camera.

Me and the sis, Ivy.
Since Heather wasn't there, I included this random, sorta silly face pic of her. I wouldn't want her to feel left out now would I?

I know she isn't doing a silly face, but she is just so cute....

Me and the Gramps. He's 82 years people. He even competes in the senior Olympics. He's a runner. And a stunner. AND he entered a sculpture he did back in college into the state fair this year and won first place! Love this man.

We don't take our silly faces lightly, Steve and I. As is demonstrated here.... (could we look ANY uglier???)

And here....

And here....(why I would subject you to this picture of me I don't know. But please excuse my chins....so RUDE of them to intrude on this otherwise awesome picture....if you don't give them any attention, they'll usually give up and go home.)

The Granny. Is she not the DANG CUTEST THING???

I'm scared of MYSELF in this picture.

Shelene, me, and the Daddy-O.

My other brother Austin

When my mom took me out to lunch and shopping the next day, I made her participate as well. Again, I wouldn't want anyone to feel left out. (and just to clear it up, her face and neck were not 2 different colors in real life - we were laughing about this forever)

Isn't she a sassy pants? I had to put a reg. picture of her in here just so you could see her cute self.

Well, there you have it. My birthday - one ugly face at a time. I'm sorry, but this was the best I could muster!! Forgive me! Blogging and I are not friends right now.

And I'm starting to see I only have about 3 faces. I need to mix things up in the future, no? You're hoping your future doesn't include my crazy face pics aren't you? Well, ok, that's fair. But I can't promise anything....

Tori Spelling is my HOMEGIRL

2009-08-26T22:32:00.008-06:00

Oh yes, you heard right.

Believe it. Embrace it. LOVE it. Make out with it even.

Cuz I don't care what you say, girlfriend is HILARIOUS. Her whole family is. I know because I watch THIS show.

Now.

I know it's a good possibility some (all) of you just threw up in your mouths a little. Maybe even had a little dry heave action? But I'm telling you, this show will change your mind (life). I have tried to convince many, but people really hate her don't they? I mean, HATE her. I even tried to get my sister in law Beth to watch it, and she was all, uh - new thanks. Tori = vomit. And you know, I was there once too. But you guys - you just gotta get to KNOW her, you know, like I do.

She even does bagel boobs, and I don't care who you are, that's good TV.

My friends Talisia and Kelly even love it. And if the GRAND POOBA loves it, well then.....there you have it. Talisia and I have decided that if she were an animal, it would be a cow. Not Kelly, but Tori. You know how everyone looks like an animal? Tell me she isn't a COW?

Are we right, or are we right???

SIDE NOTE: I once told someone they looked like a bear. And it was a girl. And it didn't go over well. Word to the wise - keep animal look alike comments to yourself.

Just look at this cute family. Seriously, rent the first season and push through the short haired pigtails. If you can get over the pigtails (and you can) you will love it. Dean is hilarious. And they are the cutest dang parents ever. She has such a sweet little paranoid heart, she cries at everything, and he does movies like Santa Baby 2. You CANNOT go wrong. She also has 2 books (thumbs up), a baby clothing line (eh), and a jewelry line (which actually ROCKS). (I like parentheses)

Also, Liam has a rat tail. I need to warn you of this. So I guess put aside ALL hair mishaps, and then all will be well.

Hope you enjoy.

P.S. Posts like these are what happens if you all (my sister) want updates more often. Don't say I didn't warn you.....

the CHOPPING block...

2009-08-15T11:51:00.009-06:00

Yep. It's happening. I'm officially CHOPPING my hair off.

No. Don't argue with me. What's done is done peeps. Because THIS here picture, might as well be me. And I think we can all agree....

...that it is NEVER okay to have your hair double as a blanket. It's pretty much illegal.

Unless of course you're Nicole Richie, then you might actually need a 24/7 blanket. I'm only KIDDING. You know she doesn't look like that any more....shame on you. I actually quite like me some Miss Richie. In truth, I may or may not have a hair crush on her.

Seriously, her hair is my boyfriend. (not to be confused with my other boyfriend, Walmart. But only the one on 114th South. I don't get around or anything)

And I might as well marry this hairdo - I love it that much.

Also, I might have a style crush on her..... No, I do. I'll just say it.

But this post isn't about Nicole Richie. It's about me WHACKING my hair off. TODAY. I'm thinking something like this?

Or this? Er, wait. No. I'd be straight up HID.

Get yerself ready folks, there's no going back. Except that there is. With extensions. And the fact that I'm not chopping it off. I'm only cutting about 4 or so inches. And sadly, that still leaves me with an insane amount of hair. Husband thinks he's 'forbid' me to cut my hair, isn't that cute? I'm pretty sure I traumatized him right after we got married and I cut my hair to a short asymmetrical do. He of course SAID he liked it. But really, to see his reaction when I say I'm cutting my hair, leads me to believe he may not have been a fan. I think he's worried that this time I'll come home with this.

And she may be one of the very few who could still look GORGEOUS and feminine with no hair. Rude.

Eventually I WILL get rid of it. But by virtually everyone I know, I've been vetoed.

For now.

OCEANside...

2009-07-02T22:58:00.033-06:00

So we went to Californ-I-A last week. It seriously rocked my pants off. It was EXACTLY what we needed. A whole week of nothing but doing whatever we wanted, and as little or as much of it as we pleased...Typically every year we go to Newport and stay at a beach house, but this year we got crazy adventurous and went a few miles south to Oceanside.

Once again, get ready for an unnecessary amount of pictures. Infact, it's not just an unnecessary amount, it's a highly inappropriate amount. Like, the kind where you'd rather stab your own eyes out than look at THAT many pictures of someone ELSE'S vacation....By the end of this, I'm positive you'll be asking yourself why. WHY???? And because I'd like to torture you further, I'll tell you about EACH. INDIVIDUAL. picture. It's how I roll.

And so it begins......

This is our (my dad and Shelene's) condo we stayed in. Everyone had their own rooms and bathrooms. It was HEAVENLY. And off to the left was a full kitchen. This place make-a me happy.

Lil' Lady, as Kevin calls her, with my sunglasses on (how do children always end up with my glasses? And more importantly,why do I always take a picture?) Now, I'll have you know, I spent WAAAAAY more than I would normally lay down for a pair of shades. Like, they might as well be Versace or something (that one's for you Al). Are you ready...$24. I know right? Normally my limit is $10 tops, but I went all out for these suckas. I don't know, I was feeling reckless.

Us eating lunch at the cute little Fish 'N Chips place at the Harbor that was right across the street from our condo. Don't ask me what my arm is doing in this picture...

Mmmmm. The plate: Alaskan Cod, Bay Shrimp, Pirate Stew, and fried zucchini. I'm pretty positive this was on my diet. Grease is TOTALLY good for you.

Sis gettin ready for the beach. She calls this her "mommy swimsuit". She's cute like that.

Walkin to the beach. My daddy-O, Ethan, Ivy, and Kevin. We walked from our parking lot under a tunnel of train tracks, through the Harbor, and to the beach. About a 7 minute walk. (just, uh, in case you were curious)

Still walkin to the beach. Dad and Ivy. She was lovin her polka dot shades.

In the harbor, at a restaurant with live music. This guy was so good it was redonkulous. Seriously, I wish I had video.

The Joe's Crab Shack in the harbor. How cool is that, all floaty and whatnot...

The old folk, loungin at the beach. :)

Just in case it wasn't clear, this is Ethan. He's super awesome.

These two are straight up hooligans, just hangin in the shade. And BOY do I love em.

Racin to fill the buckets with water.

Playing in the sand. Ethan is a funny one, he loves to be clean, so he had to have a bucket to wash his hands when they got dirty like this....Ivy on the other hand would literally lay and make sand angels.

Kevin in his beloved Sanuk's. Stylin or not, this man is comfortable peeps. He LOVES these shoes.

How fun is this picture??? Super fun, I say.

Somehow Kevin's shoulders just collect children...it never fails.

Just chillaxin at the pool (pretty sure that's cool people talk) Ethan is Kevin's little shadow, and he was DYING for Kevin to come swim with him, so Kev told him he needed to 'warm his turtle shell' for a minute. Ethan said that constantly from then on "I just need to warm my turtle shell mom". SO cute that kid.

Would you just LOOK at those faces? No seriously, look. I wanna maul them

Ivy just a swimmin away. You have to spend just 5 minutes with this girl to really appreciate her. She is somethin else, people. LOVE her :)

Dad and Ethan shwimmin.

Kevin and Ivy. Seriously, I'm so excited to one day have kids with this dude. I mean really.

Ivy and I. Now enjoy our silly faces. Oh you know, cuz they're fun.

We also went to Sea World - which I love. Dolphins make me want to cry - in a good way. Yep.

As do pilot whales. They are just so friggin CUTE, dang it.

Look at us bein all cute takin a couples picture. And have no doubt, if I knew photoshop, peace out to half my arm... that's right, I said it.

Petting the sting rays. You can actually feed them, but I was all, uh, I only feed things that dont suck your hand off in the process. Kind of a rule of mine.

So I fed HIM instead. And those A hole seagulls took half my lot. Who do they think they are anyway?

So how gnarly is this picture! Isn't that just FREAKY? Sharks....geh. They scare the S outta me, but I can't NOT look.

And I dig this picture more than it probably deserves. I just like it, okay?

Not quite as cool as the other shark picture, but there IS one back there.....

Didn't even mean for this to be in here...AND it won't rotate.

At the Shamu Rocks show. LA-HUV this show. I mean let's talk about it...how do they get them to DO stuff? HOW????

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think Ethan was excited...

I guess not...Kevin had to MAKE him smile.

I'M SORRY. So I like silly faces....

I'm a beaut in this one....

The pier that holds my FAV place to go...Ruby's Diner. It's this cute little 50's diner with the best shakes ever at the end of the pier and you can eat out on the roof too. We watched dolphins play and the sun set. Much love for this place.

Dark pic of me and the kids while waiting to be seated. Everyone comes to fish here and we went around seeing everything people caught. From small sharks to slimy squid. Mmmm, who's hungry?

Kevin and his buddy deciding what to order...I just thought husband looked cute.

At the Oceanside flea market. Kevin is in HEAVEN at these things. LOVES EM. I almost got this hideously awesome ring. Oh you know, the kind that SO ugly it's fabulous. NO? Just me that likes those things??? oh.

Random pic of us at our finest...er.....not.

We were so sad to leave. We kept asking each other, how do we MOVE here? But we say this with every vacation we are on. Kevin especially. I would be happy living in RAIN central, but I'm a weirdy like that. We slept in, we layed by the pool, we swam, ate good food, went deep sea fishing, Sea World, watched movies, went to the beach, caught crabs - I mean WOAH - caught A crab, went shopping...it just doesn't get much better than that.

So I hope you made it through with both eyeballs intact. I'd hate to feel responsible for any self inflicted injury of yours due to my inability to be selective in my photo extravaganzas. But look on the bright side, we are INSANELY beautiful people, so I practically did you a favor...

Oh ho ho, I'm hilarious...

Did somebody say Brian Freidman?

2009-06-18T00:22:00.032-06:00

****UPDATE: once upon a time all 3 links worked, but apparently only the 2nd one is still available (for now anyway) A for effort??? :(

Why yes! Yes they did. And here I thought he'd never be back after the fued between him and Tyce Diorio(oh no he didn't) on season ONE of So You Think You Can Dance...

And here we are in season 5.

It shocked my pants off (but made me delighted) when I saw his signature 'DO that could rival Justin Timberlake pre-2004 (and more so Justin Guarini in these pics), was no more.

when all else fails, straighten it?

And while I don't want to marry him like I do Mia Michaels, he DID NOT DISAPPOINT - what with his plunging neckline on his man sweater, that 'Eff It' attitude, and an outfit that I'm pretty sure was inspired by Peter Pan . Oh Brian, we've missed you....

Oh yeah, and his dance KILLED it. (I was gonna be all 'with it' and post the video, but I'm blog stupid and can't quite conquer something so official yet...) so here's the DANCE with my super fancy

LINK.

Oh what? What you want another one??? Okay.....

........... LINK(i LOVE this dance)

That's not enough, you say? Well then here's dessert.

LINKITY LINK LINK.

Yer welcome.

*Nobody even clicked on those did they? Sadders.

Let's hear it for Mickey and stuff...

2009-05-07T19:51:00.011-06:00

After you get over the shock of me posting something new - actually taking the time to update this sad little blog, you are gonna wanna hear this.......

Disneyland. That's right. I totally went there. For 3 whole days. And it was Down. Right. Awesome. DRA if you will....

Now prepare yourself for an unnecessary amount of pictures. I think "buttload" is the technical term. (you'll be proud of the amount of pictures that Kevin and I are actually IN)

This is Kevin, me, and Dylan(a neph). Either the sun is really in Kevin's eyes, or Dumbo made him need to poop. Either way, totally understandable.

The Dude givin some love in line for Peter Pan.

Riding in our ship on Peter Pan. Look at my cute bald husband. He's bald. And cute.This is Brock(another neph) in his sweet Mickey ears on his perma-ride called Kevin's Shoulders. He did this probably 90% of the trip.

Dylan being the stud that he is wearing my $3 sunglasses. I warned him, I said "Don't you break those. Thems were made in Korea". He didn't break them.

Me kissing Pluto. He's trying to act like he didn't want this by leaning away. But he did. He SO did. Dyl and Brockie. Look at them, I just want to eat their faces off!

The people who wouldn't let me eat their faces off.

Dylan's turn on Kevin's shoulder's waiting to go on Buzz. My husband is sessy.

Us KILLIN IT on Buzz. Kevin is some kind of ridiculous on this ride. He gets into concentration "Halo" mode or something and goes crazy shooting up everything in sight. His score's were so high I'm almost embarrassed.

This is my little man Kaden, and his hotty pants momma, Lisa.

Dylan and I in the Haunted Mansion trying to portray how scared we were. We were SO SCARED. Obviously.

Kevin likes to get really drunk before hitting up Nemo. So excuse him in this photo, but really, don't you remember the sharks? It's pretty intense. Papa hiding behind Nana, Bethie and Kaden, and Kevin.
Kevin, Dylan (who wanted to take the picture) and me on Nemo.

Beth and Brock on Matterhorn(sp?) Isn't she a hot, sexy, beast??? I'm pretty sure she is. Look at little Brockie's face...he looks really unsure of what he's about to do....

Going up the big hill on Splash Mountain. Ahhh!!!

You can't really tell in this picture, but poor Brock got drenched. Splash Mountain ate us for breakfast.

So the next time we went, Brock demanded cover. He WOULD NOT GO without protection. Lucky for Kevin, Brock served as HIS protection. Winners all around, folks.

Us on our FAVORITE ride in California Adventure, Toy Story 3D. SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Kaden in his super cool 3D shades. Isn't he yummy stuff?

Us on Toy Story, for our 3rd time, I think. Brock kicked my trash....oh who are we kidding, I TOTALLY schooled him.

This is me being a serious nerd in our hotel room. I only post this picture for proof that I really do do my hair at LEAST once a month. It happens folks, not very often, but it DOES happen.

We found Buzz slacking off on his duties while playing Dance Dance Revolution with a Chinese kid (who else?) with MAD skills.

Dylan giving me his best Pirate ARGH!

And last but not least, us with THE MOUSE HIMSELF, Mickey.

Highlights of the trip:

-Kevin deciding he wanted to be known by ONE name, like Prince or Madonna, or KFed. He settled on Chancho(???), but Kevonce' came in close second.

-Joleen putting up a good fight with a toilet seat cover.

-Dylan braving it on Tower of Terror and Indiana Jones.

-Brock finally being tall enough to brave it on everything!

-"Hot water" at Cheesecake Factory

-Windex guacamole

-Pirates of the Caribbean being open the last 2 days!

-a really yummy Chimichanga while in line for Small World

-the midget that stalked Kevin

-having the handicap bathroom in our hotel room. Kevin was excited about the possibility of showering and pooping at the same time. Luckily, that never happened. And on that note....

THE END

MY COLLARBONE

2009-03-13T20:31:00.007-06:00

is missing. I KNOW. And it has been for a minute or 3 years. See, one day it was there, and the next thing I know, BOOM. It's gone. I can't help but think that this might have been a smidge my fault. I know what you're thinking: "no Andrea there is no way this could be of any wrong doing on your part"...but I did, I did put distance between us. I was pushing it away and not spending quality time with it and all, and before I knew it, it disappeared. And in good runaway fashion, it took friends. Hip Bones, Knee Caps, Ankles, and Jaw Line decided to pack up and leave too. They are ALL missing. Bastards. They didn't even say goodbye. And I was all, whatever Knee Caps, who needs you anyway. But then I realized: I do. I need you Knees and Knees was all, sorry lady, it's too little too late.

But don't panic, I have a plan. I'm gonna fix it. I am fixing it. Some of you may be asking yourself how you lose track of such important and obvious things as these? And my answer is to you is, I DON'T KNOW PEOPLE. GET OFF MY BACK. I mean I do. Well....I'm not gonna go into any details here, but it might have something to do with a devilish little red-headed girl in pigtails that answers to the name "Wendy" offering delicacies such as honey mustard, chicken nuggets, and spicy chicken sandwiches.

She's such a beast.

Also my crazy schedule, constant tiredness, and lack of skills in the kitchen might have played a part. But that's beside the point. I SAID I'M FIXING IT. Moving right along...

I will put you at ease here and let you know that there have been some tips given to me of their whereabouts, and I SWEAR I even spotted them once or twice (really I did). Pretty soon here we'll be having mediated visits and I think they will be back before I know it. And they will be welcomed home like the prodigal son. Plus, I think Hip Bones might be hiding out at Dell's house cuz she's all "helpful" like that, and lets face it, girlfriend's got enough hip bones for the both of us. Not cool Dell. Not cool.

I NEED THOSE.

So. If you happen to run into any of my runaways, would you please let them know I'm looking REALLY HARD for them, I miss them, and I swear to do right by them this time around? Thanks so much.

Janu-assi Casinary

2009-02-01T00:33:00.007-07:00

Aren't you so excited....it's yet ANOTHER get-together post.......yay! (So my life is boring, and this is all I seem to post about. Shhhh, you're fine)

This awesome month of January was Cassi's to host. These are the grills who were able to make it out. She made yummy soups and salad and FUDGE. Oh the fudge. We ate and chatted as usual, and then watched some old videos, which is always a good time for us. It was mandatory that we come in comfy clothes and in her email we were told "NO JEANS/HEELS ALLOWED. Comfly clothes, hoodies, slippers, etc. Dont wear your favorite jeans and heels and tell me they are comf. No. They are not.". Sara and Kira didn't get the email. What losers. ( but I might just have to go purchase those bomb A boots)

Delly. Her hair makes me wanna VOM it is so perty. It seriously is thicker than a horse's mane, and she is a natural blonde. (we did add in some extra blonde pieces for the first time ever 2 years ago, but seriously. This is her "needing" her hair done)

Kira, Katie, and.....Cassi-last-minute

It wouldn't be a party if we didn't do our crazy picture. Please, just please check out Cassi and Britt in the middle front. They didn't mess around man. I mean, for realza.

K first of all, we are nerdville. I know. But we were trying to be all serious face in this picture and none of us could do it. The timer on the camera is 10 seconds, and by the time it actually took the picture, we were dying.

Ha, Kira didn't know I was even taking this picture at the time. But come on, look how cute her bum is.

Sheen Diggler, me, Kira, and Dell.

Tara and Hadlee Jo.

Miss Katie pants.

K, I asked Cassi to pose for a picture since it was her month and I do a shpill on the host.

These three beauties are what she gave me....

???????

And a heel stretch.

Ah, yes. Also my go-to pose when asked to take a picture for a blog....

Yep. That's Cassi for ya. We have known each other since middle school. That leaves us with a whole bunch-o-memories. This girl kills me. She is such a funny, random, eclectic person. We did the whole Cheer/Dance thing together. She was one of the three of us that did Varsity Cheer and Dance Company our junior year. Insanity. How we pulled that schedule off I will never know. In one day it would be early morning practice for one and after school practice for the other. But it was so much fun! You get me, Cassi, and Julie Rasmussen in one room and it's over. Anyway, Cassi is a total performer, so naturally she has her own dance company called Bliss Academy. She teaches 16 classes a week, and even offers an adult class. She is outgoing, talks with not only her hands but her whole arms, she wears peace sign ankle bracelets, and is incredibly photogenic. She eats her cereal separate from her milk, taking a handful of cereal and then a swig of milk - but never in the bowl together. She knows, and is friends with everyone. She is seriously hilarious, I think her and Sheena and I could laugh about things NO ONE ELSE thinks are funny. She is the first person to make fun of herself, and will always point out funny/awkward things that no one knows how to respond to. She is honest and open, and has no problem sharing anything :) She referred us to her witch doctor, and who doesn't need/want one of those? She got engaged after dating her husband for one week. I kid you not folks. They are freaking ADORABLE together. Their house is covered in pictures of them: serious ones, fun ones, and silly ones. They are a beautiful couple. One of our friends worked at a restaurant they went to eat at, and all the servers were saying there was "the most beautiful couple they had ever seen" eating there. Tara went out and saw that is was Cassi and Josh. Figures. Anyways, much love for the Cassinator. She rocks.

Daniel's Summit....rocks

2009-01-10T18:50:00.008-07:00

This is the Daniel's Summit Lodge. My dad takes us all up there every year between Christmas and New Year's. It is one of my favorite traditions we do. I LOVE this place!!!This is a blurry picture of our room. Yay! I love the rooms. They are so cozy and cabin....y. In past years, when Austin and Steve were here, they would always come into our room for Madden football on the x-box. Kevin is looking forward to that next year...

A picture of our fire place and fridge. Er, porch. That would be Coke sitting out in the snow for a little chill session. We would get one about 10 minutes later and it would be slushy. Delish.
This is the view from our porch in the morning. Nothin but wilderness
Shelene, Ivy, and Dad just walking to the restaurant. Brrrrr.

My brother-in-law Dan and Kyler Boo in the General Store. Isn't Kyler yummy?
The gang at dinner minus Kevin and I...I took the picture just as we were arriving (i am going to try to change the fact that Kevin and I are NEVER in any of the pictures on this blog)
Ivy. This is her one and only picture face. I guess you could say it's her "Blue Steel"Ethan trying on hats in the General Store...

The first night there, playing games. They have little areas like this in the lobby and upstairs set up for groups to gather and play games. This is one of my favorite parts about the trip, just getting together in our pajamas and sitting in the big comfy couches and chairs and playing all night long.Justin and Jessica. If I tried to explain how we are family....you'd go cross eyed just thinking about it. So I will. Justin is my step mom's step son from her first marriage, whom she helped raise. But Chace and Justin are half brother's because their Dad was married before Shelene, so they have different moms....got it?
My brother Chace and his cute girlfriend Duvae. (Because he is leaving on his mission in February, according to them I don't think I'm supposed to SAY girlfriend....but whatever. It's his girlfriend)
Getting ready to head out on the trail. This is the whole reason we come up here. To snowmobile!!
The first dig out. There was literally about 6 feet of fresh powder, so getting stuck was not hard to do...One of my favorite things is going off the trail and finding jumps and whatnot, but this year that was a little difficult. Only if you wanted to risk getting stuck and spending a half hour digging yourself out.

Just cruising along the trail....isn't it so pretty? Even more so in person
I'm kind of obsessed with cool trees(yep), and these were incredible. Being in the mountains with fresh snow brings a whole new meaning to winter wonderland. And I was smack dab in the middle of it.

Just look at that little guy. All bundled up in his snow gear and a helmet he can barely hold his head up with.....so cute

K, this is when I wish I knew what I was doing with my camera. This picture was SO COOL in person. That bright spot above the trees is the sun (der), but it was this muted, perfect little circle peaking through the sky and if you put your head close and to the bottom of the screen and look up, you can barely see it. Go on, do it. You did didn't you?

Some "action shots"

Another blurry picture thanks to the hubs. This is our last night there, and we are downstairs by the fireplace getting ready to play some more games. That Christmas tree in the background goes from the ground level all the way up through the second floor.

Goodbye to Daniel and his summit. See you next year!

A Very Merry Belated Christmas...?

2009-01-10T17:41:00.006-07:00

Have you seen that movie Four Christmas's? Me neither, but I assume that if you did, you have experienced Christmas the way Kevin and I do....every year. Ha! No but it is a whole lot of running from place to place trying to make it to see everyone and please everyone. Making sure that you spend equal amounts of time at one person's house as you did the next. Eating at every stop, and bringing in the armfuls of presents to each house. Saying your hi's, I love you's, thank you's, and then goodbye's. It's exhausting! But I wouldn't change it for anything. (I can't speak for my husband though) I didn't really take many pictures, but here are some anyway...

This was the Christmas party for my mom's side of the family. It was at my Aunt Carol and Uncle Stuart's house. We had a White Elephant exchange, and then ate some yummy food. I know in this picture everyone looks like they are having LOADS of fun, but it really was!

My brother-in-law Dan and Kyler opening Dan's white elephant....The Prince of Egypt. Nice! My step Dad's gift was even funnier, he got The Work and the Glory DVD....yeah he's baptist. We laughed so hard, of course he would open that gift. He was a good sport :)

This is at the in-law's Christmas day. There were SO many gifts!! It was so much fun to have Erik and Lisa and their boys up from St. George. Everyone was together, and it's always a good time :)

Erik and Chad looking really into the card game. I think Erik likes the Cougars, not sure though.

Watching Dylan open his gifts.

This is at my Dad's house Christmas Eve. The kids were so amped up they were dancing around and jumping off the furniture.

As displayed here....

Anywho, my Christmas in a nutshell. I know, wasn't it SO entertaining?

Par-TAY

2009-01-04T17:29:00.009-07:00

The December get together. It was mine. All mine, and yet Talisia and Dellany seemed to do just as much for it as I did. I think they were secretly worried whether or not I could pull off a whole party, a real one, all by my lonse. But I surprised them, I think. I even MADE stuff. And my mother-in-law even did a center piece with actual flowers. I put cranberries in the ice to make it pretty, and I remembered important things such as paper plates and cups. FOR REAL. What I didn't do was have it at my house. Probably because I don't have one of my own at the moment, and I live with folks other than just my husband, and I thought it would be a little overwhelming to invite 14 other girls over that talk about childbirth, bowel movements, witch doctors, and old high school memories. I'm just sayin. But it ended up going pretty well, thank you very much. I also thought it would be pretty fun, seeing as how I didn't do a theme and all, to hand out some "awards". A few of the awards....

"Most Likely to Die in a Freak Cooking Accident...While Making No-Bake Cookies" goes to.... (yeah, that one went to me)

"One Stinkin Hot Future Relief Society President"....can you guess?

"Most Likely to Change Her Last Name to Cullen".....

"One and Only Girl to Get a False Positive Pregnancy Test"... a pretty hilarious story...

"The Only Woman to Ever Have a Nine Month Pregnant Belly AND a Six pack"...

Just a few. Anyways, since I had December, I'll skip the usual tribute (that'd be weird). Instead just enjoy a whole lotta pictures.

Sara with Miss Hadlee Jo. She is the sweetest thing. The baby I mean....haha

Cassi and Sheena. Two people who can't take a bad picture if their life depended on it.

Brooke, Tara, Kira, Hadlee, and Tori.

Dell showing off how cute the container is for Sheena's diaper wipes. Of course even her wipes are cute. It's Sheena we're talking about...

Katie in the middle of what appears to be an AWESOME story. Which is pretty typical, she is always entertaining us :)

Dell and Kira. Check out that water mug Dell has there. It's GI-normous. It goes everywhere with her and because it's hard for her to keep hydrated since her surgery, she drinks at least 3 of those a day. THREE. And she only absorbs about one of them.

Talisia and Katie.

Katie, Brooke, and Sara.

Trying to get a picture of everyone. I think Sara is the only one that knows I'm taking this picture :) Can you find her?

Kira

Another bad picture with no one looking. But look at how beautiful Talisia's house is.

Sheena and Dell.
Tori, Sheena, and Tara.

Just showing off T's house again.

Her bedroom. She'll want me to tell you that it's not how she wants it yet and blah blah blah. But her husband actually made that bed that goes from wall to wall, and has floating shelves....

Just your typical picture of a boot and some ornaments....?????

Our November party is below, and there are more posts to come. I'm gonna try really hard to keep up the posting. :)

November...

2009-01-04T14:48:00.018-07:00

This is us (minus me, I'm taking the picture, Kira who wasn't there yet, and a handful of others that couldn't make it) being somewhat cooperative for the camera.

This is us, being the crazies that we are. We are at Meg's house for our November get together. Her and Natalie decided to do theirs together and it was so much fun. The "theme" was a Donations/Edward party. Hahaha. I love my friends. What Meg and Natalie really wanted to do was to volunteer somewhere, but apparently November is the most popular month of the year for people to volunteer, and nowhere that Meg called had a spot for us. Which is a really good thing if you think about it. So I think our plan is to go volunteer in the middle of the year this time, when it's much slower. So instead, they had us bring canned food or clothing that they could take and donate. Then, since Natalie and Meg are probably the #1 and #2 fans of the Twilight series, they wanted to go ahead and throw that in as well. Which worked out perfectly for the rest of us, seeing as how 98% of us has read and loved them too.

Meg and Natalie. Please take a minute to adore her crushed velvet lime green couch. Classic.

Katie....... just being Katie.

Talisia on the matching lime green love seat. I literally ADORE Meg's place. It is so completely her, and it tells a story. There really is a story behind everything on her walls, her pictures, her books, her fridge, even her doors.

Which brings me to this little number. (Sorry it's such a dark picture) She usually has a bamboo sitting on her table. And one night her and her friend were looking at the shadow that it cast on her door. They thought it looked pretty cool. And then she painted it.

These are actual dragonflies that her cat caught and brought to her. They are perfectly intact, and they sit on her shelf next to other trinkets and memories.

Just a book that sits on her coffee table. But I liked it, and it's Meg to a T.

She has posters like this one all over. I wish I would have gotten more (good)pictures, but I was incredibly sick and therefor incredibly drugged up that night...it was kind of a blur...

But that's beside the point. Now on to Meg and Natalie....

.....

Natalie. It is true that I don't have quite as many memories with her as I do Meg. But it has been so fun reconnecting this past year. She is a seriously funny person. She has an adorable son Luke, who is just freakin awesome. He is the FUNNIEST kid I think I have ever met. He kills me. We play ninjas and vampires, and other various sorts of deadly creatures. Always a good time. I have some really random memories. Like, I remember going to Natalie's house in middle school and all gajillion of us would gather in her front room. I remember watching a projector movie or slide show in there one time. And don't ask me why, but Buttercup Park always reminds me of her. She is not a shy girl, and can pretty much make friends with anyone. I remember her always having a boyfriend. And she has these crazy double jointed fingers. Like, so double jointed they are triple jointed. She is always so much fun to talk to, and it seems like wherever she is, she is always smiling or laughing. She is my Twilight buddy. She is the one person I know that could never get sick of talking about the movie or the books. We have had many a nerd-exposing conversation about those darn books. She's my go-to girl on anything Twilight. Her and her sisters had this party and she made chess piece sugar cookies for Breaking Dawn. Clever. And hard. She made her own cookie cutters for it and everything. And for Sheena's baby shower, she made this purple tutu that made me want to have a girl JUST so I could have one. She's a crafty one. I'm so glad that I have been able to get to know her even better and catch up with her every month. It has been so fun! Love that girl.

.....

Meg. Oh dear. What do you say about this girl. She is truly one of the best people I know. I look up to her in so many ways. She has a heart bigger than anyone. Hence the theme she wanted to do for her party. It's so Meg, to want to go volunteer somewhere. She is my free spirit hippie chick. She is super intelligent and in high school was determined to be a Forensic Pathologist. She was an SBO in high school, which is really pretty fitting. She always got impeccable grades, worried about getting into trouble, and always respected her authority figures. She hates putting on dresses, and washing her hair. I'm not positive, but I think that the shoes she wore as a bridesmaid at my wedding might have been one of the first few heels ever to grace her feet. We used to color her hair in her bathroom with dye we got at Smith's. She often times cuts her own hair, and does a good job. She is known for wearing at least 4 shirts at a time, and then feeling as though she is suffocating in them. Her room growing up was plastered wall to wall with memorabilia and pictures. She is friends with EVERYONE. I have never known someone to not like her. She has been known to do dances wearing only black socks...she loves music and Bob Dylan. Out of all of my friends, I think she takes the cake for the best tattoos. She has survived being hit as a pedestrian by a truck, and now walks with a slight limp. She really had a miraculous recovery after shattering her hip, and when we visited her in the hospital, was only concerned with how WE were doing. Meg is all about peace and love, and I have learned a whole lot from her. She would give the shirt off her back to someone in need, and we would all be better off trying to be a little bit more like her.

Oldies and Goodies

2008-12-11T22:34:00.015-07:00

I know, I know. I have other things I should be posting about right now, but I'm just not in the mood. That's obviously been a blogging problem for me lately (but check out my large and green letters, pretty crazy right?). I felt way more like digging up a total random and posting on that. Sometimes those are the funnest. Yep. FUNNEST. So here's random for ya. This is a picture of my second ever photoshoot I did. It's an oldie. I was in hair school and I asked my best friend and a co-worker to let me use thier goods for my benefit. :) I did the hair and makeup here, and please don't look too close, there are so many flaws. But hey, I was brand spank. I did however dig the green stitching along the mohawk, that was a fun detail. (Maybe someday I'll post pictures of my first shoot. I did 3 models to look like earth, fire, and water. Super fun). This is also my first time actually showing my scanner who's boss, even though they didn't all come out looking quite right contrast/brightness wise. Sorry 'bout that.

I die for this girls fro. DIE.

Some other shots that scanned all crazytown on me

And last but not least, the GOODIES. Unfortunately I cannot claim that I took these pictures....sadness. But I did take pictures of these pictures. Not sure how legal that is, but I figure if I give a shout out to the photographer no harm done? Sara Boulter my friends. She's the bomb DIG. And don't mind my crookedness when taking the last ones. I was trying to eat at the same time....just love me

This last one makes me want to CRY i love it so much. Are you DYING? I did.

Don't even worry, I posted twice today....

2008-10-28T19:40:00.007-06:00

So I am obviously quite behind on posting. Two months behind actually. I have yet to post about the So You Think You Can Dance tour, our last get together at Dell's house (which is the post below this, so please scroll on down to see that), New York, my nephew's birthday party, my little brother and sister's birthday party, etc. Yeah. But at least I killed 2 birds with one stone by posting twice today! Woot! Anyways, this is us at Katie's house for our October party. All but 2 were able to make it!! We had so much fun, her theme was "Favorite Things" like Oprah does on her show. So we all had to bring a favorite thing and then got to go home with someone else's. SUCH a fun idea. She also made taco soup in "pumpkin" bread bowls, hot chocolate, cookies, candy, the works. We ate, swapped favorite things, and then because there are so many of us (and we all talk over each other and have side conversations) we never get to hear all about everyone's lives. So she had these questions in a bowl and each of us picked out 2 questions and then thats how we talked all night. It was SO fun. the questions were like "Whats the most in love you've ever been?", or "what was the most courageous thing you've ever done?", or "What is the best thing you've ever spent money on?". So we went around the circle and listened to everyone and talked specifically with them about their question. I LOVED IT.

This is Katie giving away her favorite thing, which happen to be wearing hoodies. So she gave the cutest hoodie (hello $$$ Katie, we were not suppoed to spend that much, you punk) to Brooke who drew her name.
Sheena and Hadlee Jo. She was wearing the cutest little outfit! Sheena said she was excited cuz she is now just starting to fit into actual baby clothes. I need to eat her one of these days.

This is Tori giving her favorite candle and sent. I think it was citrus flavored. What, you guys don't eat your candles?

The yummy pumpkin bowl taco soup number. Seriously tasty. Kira made mine for me cuz I couldn't cut make my bowl without mauling it. Thanks Kir.

Hi Weight Watchers cookies that tasted like heaven. Thanks for being so delicious to my tummy, AND being low cal. Super nice of you.

Haley being inventive with bread. Always a plus when you can double your hat as a snack.

Miss Meg. I'm not sure what happened but at some point in the night she got crap all over her shirt. Oops. I'm not sure how she's gonna get that out, I hear it stains.... Hehehehehe (I tease, I tease)

Dell showcasing Katie's awesome Halloween cups. Seriously, every detail was thought of. Katie went all out ya'll.

Sheena, Tori, and Dell. Hot sexy mamma's.

So, a tid bit about Katie. Where do you start with this girl? Honestly, she is one of the most fun people I know. She is crazy and daring, silly and sweet, hardworking and dedicated. I have never met anyone as determined as her to meet a goal she sets for herself. She is also one of the most thoughtful people I know. Katie is always doing nice things for people and in any gift she gives, or party she throws, or card she writes, her whole heart goes into it. You can always spot the gift Katie brought because it is always so put together and elaborate. She is an incredibly creative person, and is always putting that to use. This girls got guts and she's not afraid to get up infront of a crowd of people. She is able to laugh at herself, and not take life too seriously. I have so many memories with Katie, it's hard to know where to begin. Tube socks, highschool cheerleading, camps, going on "crime runs", the beetlejuice mask, spying(hehe), the leprechaun, her rap music always blaring in her car (juan was it?), her talking herself out of 8 speeding tickets in about one year (even going as far as getting out of the car to "throw up"), boys, dancing, her being mine and my highschool boyfriend's therapist, Lake Powell, senior trip, Mesquite, her to-die-for 6 pack, her getting in trouble with our guys friends in Vegas cuz they were worried she looked too sexy (she was wearing shorts, she just has THAT bangin of a body), her witch performance in the 9th grade play, her eating cereal 2 inches from her face, her albums and albums of pictures, going to spend a weekend with her at her sisters in Cali with Brooke, the pinky toe, silver toe nail polish, silver jewelry, laying out and her getting tan and me getting burned, living a summer in Hawaii with her and Brooke, skydiving, running for 3 hours in the rain (ok that was just you, we all stopped at like 45 minutes), eating plate fulls of $.25 pineapple and making our mouths raw, doing her hair for her wedding, and watching her be the cutest dang pregnant chick out there. Needless to say, I love this girl. Thanks for your friendship Katie, for being such an example to me, and for all the fun memories we've had and the next to come. Love you!!!

So You Think You Can Rock?

2008-10-17T17:29:00.007-06:00

So I am an AWESOME rock star. Pretty sure in my next life I'm coming back as Rhianna post Disturbia....I mean, the "sleeve tattoo's" I rocked at this month's get together WERE purchased at Walmart for $4. But Still. I play a mean drum set, and even meaner guitar. September's get together was at Dell's house. She threw a "Rockstar Party" and we played Rock Band and had to come dressed the part. Hence the sleeve's. Although don't put it past me to just randomly sport them to places that have no need. Ok, I'm lying. Maybe. Anyways, Dell went ALL out for her party and it was so much fun! She even did HER OWN mohawk. It was seriously impressive. We rocked it out all night, ate pizza, drank Rockstars (naturally), took pictures, and chatted. My favorite thing of the night was that Haley went and bought a Hannah Montana shirt and microphone that lit up all different colors. Seriously, what's more rockstar than that? Absolutely nothing. Again, people keep coming up with themes and it makes it so fun. And we're super dorky, you won't find one of us denying it....This is Dell all sorts of rocked out. Doesn't she look hard core? And I cant get over the fact that she did her own hair...you should have seen it in person.

T and Sheena. We forgave Sheena for not coming in character, you know, since she just gave birth and all....
This is Haley giving it her all at the drums. She was ALMOST as good as me. Almost.

Kira and Haley. Please notice the black in Kira's hair and Haley's face tat. You're not a rocker unless you've got your face inked....So she's totally got it covered.

Please appreciate our rocker "I'm really hard core" faces.

(not sure why mines in black and white...)

(and Sheena....it's cute. You needed a rocker face)

Haley mid-performance. She doesn't mess around. She totally represented Hannah here, wouldn't you say? Or is this more Miley? I'm not sure....

So, my story of Dell. She's one of the most amazing people I've ever had the privilege of knowing in my life, and I'm not sure how to properly write her "shout out" and NOT write a novel. So I warn whoever is reading this that the rest of this post will in fact be very long, and probably seem somewhat dramatic. But I don't care. It's pretty much just for her anyway, and to tell people how cool I think she is :) Dellany and I have known each other since 2nd grade. We have been best friends since , and she is the first person I met and KNEW I had known before this life. She has lived enough life for 10 people, and then some. I don't know anyone that has conquered as much as she has. I have looked up to her and what she is capable of, for as long as I can remember. In fact, this is a journal entry I wrote about her when I was in junior high and it pretty much sums up how I feel about her (and definitely captures the emotional pre-teen in me...)

"My best friend in the entire world is and always will be Dellany Joy Carroll. She is the most amazing person I have ever been fortunate enough to know. She is more than words can express. There is no one on this entire earth that I love more than her. I can't explain her, she just isn't definable. There isn't a way I could begin to tell you how she does it, how she affects people so deeply. You are strangely changed once you know her. I have never met any one stronger, more honest and trustworthy, or as enjoyable as she is. When we are together, we can say absolutely nothing for as long as we choose, and have had an entire conversation. We will have known exactly what each other thought, and felt. All my best memories include her, they begin with her. Her contribution to my happiness and sanity in my life is enormous. she has never failed me, never let me down. She couldn't disappoint me if she tried. She is one of those people that when you are around her, you know she is different - that she is important in a greater sense. She affects people in a way that you could only dream YOU could. She has this magnetic force that draws people to her. You could be in a room and you would know when she comes in without even seeing her, the room suddenly shifts, and everyone knows of her presence. I know she has angels surrounding her wherever she goes. God knew of her importance, and the protection she would need, so He sent angels to guard her. Maybe that is why people feel changed, because her connection to Heaven is almost tangible..."

Yep. That's honestly how I still feel. There are so many memories that we have together, good and bad. So many places we've been, and things we've done, that it would be impossible to try to write them down. We went through silly things like braces, first boyfriends, Backstreet Boys mania, and Jenko jeans together. We tried out and made Cheer together. Our senior year, we got our schedules switched to have EVERY single class together but one: I had Drill and she had Art. We got detention together, and got thrown out of detention together (ha). We sluffed school and went on adventures everywhere. We ate goldfish and Mt. Dew. G-Squad! We loved school lunch, and shared a locker that was full of clothes from bottom to top. We spent our summers bare foot no matter where we went, even in gas stations (I know, trust me, I KNOW) We made up songs in my dad's suburban when the radio was broken, took naps together, and I had her come on every family vacation we took. She is the most hilarious person I know. She was there for me through my parents divorce, and I tried to be there for her the best I knew how through some of the hardest years she would face. I was there to see her beautiful baby girl Stella born. I watched her do the most selfless thing I have ever seen as she placed her child in the arms of another to raise her, and give her the best life she could possibly imagine. She has been so fortunate to be a part of Stella's life as she has grown up. I have watched Dellany dying, her organs shutting down one by one as she lay in a hospital bed, suffering from a bacterial infection. My dad drove me to the hospital with me thinking I was saying my final goodbye. I watched her family break down in the waiting room as they were told to prepare for the same. It wouldn't be the first time I had thought she was leaving me forever. She was rushed to emergency surgery, had a colostomy bag for months, and now has a 13 inch scar down her abdomen to prove it, which she wears proudly. Not a day has gone by that she has ever wasted time being self conscious about it. By nothing short of a miracle from God, Dellany lived. She has work to do here. Her will to fight on amazes me everyday. She is the most spiritual person I know. The most foul-mouthed spiritual person, but hey :) She has such a deep understanding of things. She has never been afraid to be who she is, and has never once been sorry for it. She's crazy, and fun, sensitive, and caring. She is one of those people that when you really know her, you feel blessed. I am incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with such a person as her. She has been tried more than any other person I know. She has been through literal hell and back, more than once. I admire her in every way. She is going to be the BEST mom ever. She is working every day to fight for that blessing. I am SO proud of her. Thanks for teaching me so many things, I am a better person because I know you. I love you Delly.

My Man is 28...

2008-10-01T21:52:00.004-06:00

I have to give a little shout out to my hubster. He doesn't love a lot of blog time (especially pictures), but it was his birthday on Sunday so here are 28 reasons why I love his awesome self:
1. He's tall. Real tall.
2. He loves the Gieco lizard. Loves it. Tries to talk like it.
3. He loves his family SOOO much
4. He loves me even more (word)
5. He calls me everyday at work, sometimes more than once, just to see how I'm doing
6. He lets me watch Harry Potter every night while going to sleep (I seriously have no explanation for this one, except that I am weird)
7. He would do anything for the people he loves
8. He seems shy, but is secretly obnoxious and dorky. I wish more people, including his family, got to see this side of him more.
9. He loves to make me laugh. But I love HIS laugh. His full on, bust a gut, can't breathe laugh. It makes me happy.
10. He brings me dinner on my days I work at the salon. They are usually 14-16 hour days, so he takes care of me. (Double word)
11. He rubs my feet when I get home from the salon. He's pretty much my slave.
12. He is a football fanatic, and still has hopes and dreams of playing in the NFL one day. Cross your fingers for him...
13. He always encourages me to have hobbies, and do things I love. He loves when I paint and wants to hang the crazy things I come up with in the house. He bought me an awesome camera because I said I'd love to get into photography, and he lets me read, blog, and be creative at any opportunity. Muchos gracias for this, it makes me so happy
14. He cares more about me being happy than sometimes I do. He watches out for me when I don't watch out for me. He protects me when I don't protect myself.
15. He loves kids and can't wait to be a Daddy someday
16. He works so hard and has come so far in what he does. He is lucky to be in the position he is in right now, and I couldn't feel more blessed to have such a hardworking fella.
17. He is honest. In everything he does, he does it with integrity and honesty.
18. He does laundry (boo-yah)
19. If we have a boy someday, he wants to name him Rock. Like, for real he LOVES this name. It's cute because he thinks he will get his way on that one. Awe...
20. He caught me dancing like a dork by myself in the kitchen one day and laughed and said he wishes I would do that more often....sweetness. I've currently got a pretty impressive routine I'm working on...
21. He acts like he HAS to be tortured to sit through American Idol and SYTYCD with me. Loves it. LOVES it. I just know it.
22. Totally sings in the shower. It's quite the treat.
23. Thinks he's going to own about 10 cars some day. All at the same time.
24. He wears his watch with the face on the INSIDE of his wrist. So every time he looks at his watch, it's palms up.
25. He sends me flowers every Valentines Day even though I don't like flowers. He feels bad if every other girl got them and not me.
26. He loves taking drives and walks with me. Just the other day he said, "Ya know, we need to take more walks together". I smiled and thought, "We sure do."
27. He dutifully eats whatever I cook (on the days miracles decide to happen, and pots of gold are sitting at the ends of rainbows) and says it's yummy. I can tell when he's lying (almost always) but I love him for it.
28. And most importantly, I love him for loving me, and taking all the good with the bad that comes with me. He never tries to change who I am. He encourages me to become whatever I want to become and is there for me every step of the way. So when I quit my jobs to become a professional shopper, and then try out for Paris Hilton's new BFF reality show, just know I had his full support.

Love you babe!

Lake Mead!!!

2008-09-21T13:31:00.003-06:00

We went and stayed in Mesquite to go boating a couple weekends ago with my in-laws. So much fun! I'm so lucky to have such great, fun in-laws. This is me and the dude hangin out on the boat. My little nephew Dylan is getting so big! He was my little bud. Him and his brothers, Brock and Kaden, are little fish. All they wanted to do was get out and swim with everyone. K, so I know this picture is dark, but I thought it was kinda cool that way. This is my man doing what he loves best, wakeboarding. The water was PERFECT at Mead. So perfect, even I got up. (I've been trying for like, 5 years is all) AND my mother-in-law. Kevin said it was the best wakeboarding he's ever done, but I was too slow on the trigger to get any pics with him getting any air. But him and his sis Beth got some awesome jumps in. I'm sad I didn't get the evidence, cuz it was pretty impressive. Or "frickin awesome" as Tyler would say.... :)
This is Lisa, Erik, and Kaden. It was good to see them cuz now that they live in St. George, we don't get to very often. Lisa got up on the wakeboard as well. WOO WOO! We're pretty much pro's now.
Dylan wearing my sunglasses trying to look tough. He kills me.

These my friends, are the wild donkeys we came across on the drive home. Who knew there were wild donkey families just roaming down south? I sure didn't. You would have thought we saw a pride of lions the way we stopped and took pictures in amazement, but seriously? Donkey's? They were so cute, and look how nice they were to stop and pose for me.

I'm sad I didn't get more pictures, but dont worry. I got a new scary camera for my birthday that I'm not sure how to use yet. I'm gonna take some lessons, so I think I have a new hobby. WOOT! (Don't worry, I won't pretend to be a professional for AT LEAST two weeks. Ha ha ha! No, this will strictly be a hobby thing for me. But I'm SO EXCITED!!!) Thank you to my in-laws for such a fun trip! It's always a good time with you guys and I can't wait till next year when Joleen, Lisa, and I show up all you "experienced" wakeboarders. Yeah, you heard.

Better late than never...

2008-09-21T12:22:00.002-06:00

So I have been a big time slacker and not posted our get-together for the month of August. I am qiute obviously bad at taking the time to update my blog, and most of the time it only happens when we have these monthly shindigs. So I will try to get better not only at posting things on time, but mixing it up a little in between as well. So....

Cute little Britt had the month of August. Here are a few things I love about her:
We were on drill team together and she was so much fun! The memories I have from our senior year of drill together are too many to post. Drill was one of the best and most fun times for me, and I am so glad that I got to know Britt better by being on a team together. She was even her perky self at the 6 am practices we had every morning. She is such a good sport, and always has a good attitude about everything. She is a hardworker and always willing to help out with anything. She has always been so cute, but she is one of those people I love to hate because she just keeps getting cuter and cuter everytime you see her. I want to slap her because she was still so cute and little after having Treyvan. What a snotface. She is the sweetest mom and watching her with her son is so crazy to me. She is so adorable with him and he is just this little man. I love it. It's been so good to see you every month Britt, and I'm so glad that we can be friends!

She decided that since it was so close to Sheena's due date, that she would throw her a baby shower at her mom's house. It was so nice of her mom to let all us crazy girls come and invade her home for a couple of hours. It was kinda funny, because a lot of people forgot that her parents moved, so they showed up at Britt's old house she lived in when we went to highschool. Ha ha, what losers....So by the time everyone found the RIGHT house, she had some yummy food for us all to eat and we all gathered downstairs to chat and stuff our faces. A couple of the people who have kiddies brought them along (Natalie, Luke was very missed, that kid needs his own Nickelodeon show or something) and it was so fun taking pictures of all the little ones. This made me feel like a real adult, at a real grown up party lining up all the kids and the moms standing behind the cameras making fools out of themselves to get their kids to smile! It was pretty hilarious. Then we opened gifts and played some games. Even though we weren't as cooperative as Britt would have liked, I'm sure. :) The best thing of the whole night was the fact that Meg brought her gift in this huge bag that had an eagle on it. Who brings a gift to a little girl baby shower with a huge eagle flight scene on it? Meg.....Meg does. We were dying laughing. Oh, what would we do without you Meg? The night ended with us on her mom's living room floor and stairway just chattin away about life. It was such a fun night and I'm so glad to have these girls in my life. Thanks Britt!!

Alright people. Go ahead.....domesticate me

2008-08-26T18:53:00.002-06:00

So I realized the other day that I use this word (domesticated) a lot. And it's always in reference to what I am NOT. And then I thought to myself, "That's.....actually not a good thing". I never really CARED to be all housewifey (a moment of silence for my Relief Society President mother-in-law, and the pain this has undoubtedly caused her) I don't like to cook, I don't like to do crafts, I don't like to separate darks from lights, and I especially don't want to put a ceramic rooster in my kitchen (gasp). In fact, if the Relief Society had a reality show called "What Not To Be", I'd star in it. But I CARE now. I find myself wanting to make casserole dishes and lemonade. I now WANT to know how to cook, and now get satisfaction out of vacuuming and washing the sheets. I want food storage and fruit trees. I want to label stuff, and have folders for things (it doesn't really matter what things, just as long as it's in a labeled folder...) I feel like purchasing Crockpot Recipes: Easy as 1-2-3, and something Martha Stewart wrote. There is a housewife in here somewhere, but the problem is, I just don't know how to get her out. I don't really have any know-how. I think this desire must have had something to do with seeing many of my friends grow up and have kids. They are all like, women now. Running households and bein all good at stuff. Everyone's giving homemade cards that they did with their Crikut, or sewing baby blankets on their OWN sewing machine, or dropping off homemade bread. I on the other hand, still need my hand held to boil water. So, please, teach me the ways of good housekeeping/cooking/being an adult. I need all the help I can get. I'm even thinking about doing a dinner calendar, just to show you how dedicated I am to Project Housewife. I would LOVE some advice on organizing, cleaning, and cooking with easy recipes (stress the EASY). I 'd love to see what works for everyone else. This is just something normal people are born with knowing, isn't it? Well, go easy on me, cuz I may be the least domesticated person, EVER.

The Sheen Diggler....and her party

2008-07-27T17:42:00.003-06:00

So, it was Sheena's month to host, and this is how she greets us at the door. Could she BE any cuter? I'm not sure I know a whole lotta women who would sport a bikini at thier Luau, let alone at 8 months pregnant! It just goes to show how much fun she is. And doesn't she look AMAZING? I will surely want to kill her when I am pregnant someday and think back on this moment.
Kira doin' the hula. Lovin' the coconuts.
Brittney and Treyvan. He was the destroyer of all the lei's. But a dang cute one.
Kira, me, Dell, and Talisia. Kira is really the only one who got all decked out, out of those of us in the pic, but Dell and T at least made an effort to look as Hawaiian as they could. I came from a baptism and therefor am lame and not dressed up as Sheena requested....
Haley, Cassi, and Jason Castro. So nice of him to come to our little get together.

So, as you can probably tell, Sheena held a little Luau at her house complete with Hawaiian haystacks (yum), smoothies (yum), and lei's (not sure if I'm spelling that right). It's fun because when we started this whole thing we kinda said people can do whatever they want, make it as low key or as involved as you want, as long as we all just get together. It's been so fun because most people have had a whole themed out party. Love it. We all ate and talked till about 12:30 (it started at 6:30) We just can't seem to stop talking and laughing and sharing stories of what's been going on, and remembering good ol times. This time, thanks mostly to Cassi, I have some great new memories to take home with me...hahaha. Anyways, here's my little Ode to Sheena...

The Sheen Diggler, I'm not even sure how you got this nickname? But the Sheen Diggler she is. Sheena is one of my favorite people ever. She is SO much fun to be around, is up for anything, and is just plain hilarious. She is GORGEOUS, and really talented. She loves scrapbooking and is amazing at it. Therefor she is a picture taker. Her house is decorated so cute, and she is an awesome hairdresser. I have some seriously funny memories with her! We used to sluff school and go to her her house and make food. Anytime we hung out at her house, she was alsways making food for everyone. I remember the homemade salsa her Dad would make, and I LOVED it. To this day it is my favorite salsa. We would have sleepovers at her house, and oh the things we would do. Anyone remember the scare I had on her couch when someone was totally breaking in? :) Her whole room was wall to wall pictures, and I don't know anyone more photogenic than her. Although I do own a few pictures I could blackmail her with....haha. One of my favorite memories is when me, Sheena, Brooke, Katie, and Meg all picked up and spontaneously went to Bear Lake. One of the FUNNEST trips ever. Just on a whim, not even sure what we were gonna do, but we had so much fun. First mistaking where we were actally staying, then the dance, our midnight swim, Katie falling on the playground, getting raspberry shakes and hit on by like, 3 different groups of men at the shake place. One even offering to buy us all clothes and things to stay extra days...Anyways, got a little carried away with that memory. I loved going over to her house and people would be over till the wee hours of the morning and her parents never cared and just stayed downstairs asleep. Her house was definitely "the hang out". We had so much fun on Dance Company, it seriously wouldnt have been the same without her. All our road trips, especially staying an extra day in Vegas on our way home from senior trip. Her and her family and my family taking all the girls to Lake Powell on a houseboat. She has such a fun family. She would always do everyones updo's for dances, and even just to go hang out. Oh, and I do have to say that I seriously miss her booty. Where has it gone, and will it ever make another appearance? :) I remember her always having stilts for shoes, I guess that goes with being a McShorty. And always being in her underwear. Ha! And most recently, being able to be there at her wedding and then going to the hospital when she had Kreyton. She is such an amazing mommy. She has the best dressed kid in town, and soon to be best dressed little girl. Cant wait. Thanks for all the memories Sheena! You have been such an awesome friend, and I obviously have a TON of things I can say about you. I could go on and on. I honestly think the world of you and I always look forward to the next adventures we will get in. LOVE YOU!

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

2008-07-10T22:33:00.003-06:00

MEMORY LANE- This will be fun! This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions: 1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!! 2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Fun 4th Weekend!

2008-07-08T20:04:00.004-06:00

This is up at my uncle's cabin by Park City. We rode all over the trails, and when I got back I LITERALLY had to wipe down my face and arms with wet paper towels. I was so dirty. AND I got stung by a wasp. Worth it though. We totally wanted to ride the Rhino, but I guess cuz Heather and Dan have a BABY, they think they can just take it cuz it's safer or something. Whatever....
At the cabin doin what we do best: eating. I made an awesome dip (I promise, I actually MADE it) and it was scrumptous. Your welcome everyone. :) hee. Thanks Stu and Carol for letting us come up and have so much fun! From left to right, my mom, my foot, Jess, Matt, and Dan.
Ivy and me snuggling at my Dad's later that night while watching fireworks. She is my little buddy and I love having a lil sis this age. When I'm old and ornery, she'll be sure to keep me young!
My cute dad and Ethan at the Oakley Rodeo. This was SO much fun! The kids loved it and it was fun to see them get into it. We especially loved the girls barrell racing.
My granny and gramps. Crazy old people...love you guys! It was so fun having you there!!

Haley's month!

2008-06-29T12:52:00.005-06:00

So Haley (in the orange shirt) had the month of June. She just recently moved into their new home they built (which by the way, is amazing) and was kind enough to let us all come over and hang out! A few of us were out of town, and a few had already left, so this is a pic of most who came. So, a little bit about Haley...

Ah, nurse Haley. She is one of the funniest girls. She is also one of the smartest, so smart, in fact, that she is a nusre at Primary Chilren's Hospital in the Infant Medical Surgical Unit. This is why she is named The Mother of our group of friends, she is always taking care of everyone. She is also a gutsy girl. She will pick up a spider (huge, hairy ones) and let them outside. She will also simply smash them with her bare hand...She was my parnter in crime in our cheering days, and we had one bad A stunt group. We used to do skits for people and we did a mean "Britney Spears". You missed out if you never witnessed it :) She made camp, Nationals, Mac's, Ashley's cheer group, practices, etc., so much fun! Anytime I hear a Goo Goo Dolls song, see an episode of The Simpson's, or order Wendy's chicken nuggets with honey mustard, I always think of her. While all of us were hanging posters of Nick Lachey (ok never him, but you know) she was hanging them of Bryan Russell. She's allergic to everything under the sun, and raises her hand to speak in most situations. We had some of our less finer moments at The Bay, and most school dances...We had sleepovers, took road trips (St. George, Vegas, Mesquite, San Diego to name a few), I don't even know how many times we've been to California together, had Honors English together...We learned to drive a stick together, and then I totaled my car and had Quazimoto face...nice. She has like, a size 20 waist (or some other ridiculously small number) AND has had a child. She is the most giving person, and I know I could talk to to her about anything. She is such a great person and I know that without her things just wouldn't be the same. She makes me laugh so hard and she always sticks to what she believes in. (This is starting to sound like a husband tag isn't it?) Anyways, love ya Haley and thanks for such a fun night on Thursday!!

Tori, Sheena, and Cassi
Talisia and Haley's little Ava
Me and Miss Haley
One of many of Haley's talents...

A few of my favorite things lately...

2008-06-23T22:54:00.005-06:00

* Kellogs Cracklin' Oats Cereal.....it looks like dog food, but tastes like heaven. Try it and thank me later

* Blue October's CD, Foiled.

* Twitchington

* The Twilight Series (again...)

* My new highlights, thanks T.

* Urban Decay's eye makeup wand (your makeup stays on all day, and never creases....score)

* Fiber One bars

* Pineapple Liplicious from Bath and Body Works

* Forcing myself to run...it's a great feeling when I'm done.

* My new primary class....they be crazy, but they be cute.

My wife is going to be shocked

2008-06-20T09:01:00.003-06:00

Well, I told myself and everyone around me I would never do this. But I read the Husband tag and had to suprise my lovely lady.
I want my wife to know how special she is to me, She really is the world to me. I have never met someone who cares so much for everyone around here, including animals! I know I am aweful at describing my feelings, but I hope she knows that she is my Best Friend, my support and most importantly my eternal partner! ( I still can't believe I am posting something on a blog)
I love you honey! I always will. I hope this is a pleasant suprise for you knowing my disgust for the blogging. I could not ask for more from you! I am so lucky to have you as my wife!
And I need to set something straight. There has been alot of things on this blog and my sisters blog that call me "Sensitive". I am not sensitive, I am the exact opposite and don't you forget it!
Love you babe!

Doggy BBQ anyone?

2008-06-18T22:18:00.002-06:00

So this was a minute ago, but we had some friends over for a BBQ in our backyard and it was SO fun. Everyone ended up bringing their dogs as well. It was pretty much a zoo. This is Kelly with her Great Dane Dozer and her Mastiff (he's hiding) Bane. These dogs are HUGE! I love it. Bane weighs in at 170 pounds. My little 11 pound Jack Russell Zeus scares the poo out of em.
Brandon and Talisia with their 2 boxers Jada and Koda. Best dogs ever.
T, me, and Kelly. Such a fun night. We sat and talked and listened to some Jack Johnson and ate some nummy food from our new favorite place Harmons. The men played frisbee with the dogs. Then I forced everyone to play Mexican Train, and they secretly loved every minute of it....

I got Hubby Tagged

2008-06-12T18:50:00.002-06:00

So cute Calli tagged me to answer 25 ?'s about my man. So here goes...

1. What is his name? Kevin David Harper

2. Who eats more? Aw shiz, well before I would plead the 5th. Now, him. WOO WOO

3. Who said "I love you" first? Oh, he did fo sho. I actually pulled the "thanks" card and didn't say it back for like, evah. (I'm so ganster right now....)

4. Who is taller? He is 6'4", which I LOVE. I like me a tall man. And I'm 5'7".

5. Who is smarter? Hmmm, it really depends. To be honest, we're both geniuses (ha) but we're smart in different ways. So take that.

6. Who is more sensitive? He is. He's got a big heart, and sometimes I have to search for mine, so he gets his feel goods hurt more often. But I love kitties and mini things, where he does not. I don't know, maybe we're even.

7. Who does the laundry? Ya'll, he does. I KNOW. In my defense, I work 2 jobs, so most of the time he just has it done by the time I stroll in at 10 or later at night. And even when I try to do it, he's all "no, I'll do it babe, I know you're tired", and when I try to say, "no honey, it's fine, I am fully capable of helping with laundry" he just takes it out of my hands and tells me to go sit down and relax. Again, I KNOW.

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Who would even care to know that? But I'll answer for the sake of the post. Are you ready............me. Crazy eh?

9. Who pays the bills? My big strong man. He pays them online when he's at work. But we have seperate accounts, his account pays for the mortgage and cars, mine pays for everything else. Utilities, gas, groceries, my booth rent, tithing, you name it. It works perfectly.

10. Who cooks more? Okay, you all are gonna think I'm like, an invalid or something. I promise our marriage is equal...ish. But he totally cooks. I'm like, the least domestic person on the planet and I have no skill in the kitchen. If I cooked, we'd probably be dead by now. And some of you think I'm kidding. Well, come over for a meal I cook sometime. It'll make you a believer. HOWEVER, I am trying to learn....

11. What meals do you cook together? And....refer to previous answer. No cooky for Annie

12. Who is more stubborn? Oh, this is a good one. We are both pretty stubborn, just about different things. If I say I 'm gonna do something, you better believe I'm doin it, and at a certain point, probably just to spite you. And he can NEVER admit he's wrong.

13. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? And...refer to previous answer. I'll admit I'm wrong, I'm just not wrong very often....

14. Who has more siblings? He has 3, 2 brothers and a sis. I have 1 brother, 1 sister, 1 half brother, 1 half sister, 1 step-sister, 3 step brothers, and a partrich in a pear tree.

15. Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both kinda have one leg in.

16. What do you like to do together? Boating and camping in the summer. He wakeboards, and I attempt. We LOVE to travel. In the winter we love snowmobiling up at Daniel's Summit. We love road trips and penny machines in Vegas. We like to try new places to eat. We love watching our shows together. Just being together in general.

17. Who eats more sweets? Hands down he does. He's a sugar whore! I like salty things, but anything sour, chewy, sweet, or gummy he's there.

18. Guilty pleasures? He loves energy drinks. The kind that have the warning on the can that tell you you shouldn't drink it unless you want to die. Loves em. Also he is a golfer now. He has like, shirts and stuff especially for golf. He also loves himself a good old triple cheesburger and fries with a biggy coke. And burping after downing it. It's super sexy.

19. How did you meet? My friend Talisia and his friend Brandon were dating (now they are married). They set us up on a blind date. So much fun. I had him from "hello" :)

20. Who asked out who first? ........

21. Who kissed who first? He kissed me. It's quite a funny story that I will never share...

22. Who proposed? Yeah, about that....He propsed the first time.....and the second...and the third. Ha, just kidding, there was no third. But the rest is true. The first was in a police station interrogation room while in handcuffs (it's a long story) A year later when I accepted was in Paris on the Eiffel Tower. I KNOW.

23. His best features? Oh, he has so many. I LOVE his crooked smile. He's got some FABULOUS arms. His tallness. His laugh (is that a feature, not really huh?) And his cute butt, it's my fav (sorry Joleen)

24. What is his greatest quality? Again, he has so many. He is always making sure I am taken care of. He is 110% a family man. He loves kids. Loves them. He's SO hardworking. He cannot just sit. There is always something feels he could be doing. He enjoys housework and mowing the lawn and washing the cars. He's just the best.

25. Tag? Uh, I tag Heather, Sheena, and Katie. And whoever else wants to do it.

Party Hardy!

2008-06-01T14:14:00.003-06:00

So my cute friend Sara had the month of May to host our little get together. She is the one in the middle sportin the pink pants. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures this time, which I'm very sad about, and this is only a few of the girls there. It's the only picture I had of Sara though, and I wanted to post one of her. I decided I would do a little diddy on each person who hosts, so here goes...

Sara and I go WAY back. Like, 2nd grade. That's what, 17 years ago? She and I have so many memories. We used to take baths together (in our swimsuits, i-eet). We would get together on snow days and play, her dad would drop her off on their snowmobile, and we would spend hours outside doing whatever. Then we would come inside and without fail, there would always be donuts and hot chocolate waiting for us. We danced together, we borrowed each others clothes, went through having braces together, we had many a sleepover. Whenever we would go to her house her cute grandma would always be doing SOMETHING for us. Her mom would make us food, and we would watch TV on her cool projector with the red, green, and blue lights. We made up some SWEET dances down there in her basement together! We were on drill together, infact, she's the one that convinced me to try out. She is the funnest person. She is beautiful, and always pointing out good things about people. If she thinks you are lookin hot or being funny, she'll be the first one to announce it to a crowd of people. She has such a kind heart. She loves dogs, dancing, cars, and metro men, and I love that about her! I'm so glad that we became friends, and have stayed that way for so long! Can't wait for the next 17 years Sara!!

Sheena (who's 6 months pregs), Tori, and Tara.
Miss Katie with her ADORABLE son Landon. This is like, the only time he cried. He was the BEST baby ever. He loves being in a crowd and the middle of the action!
Kira and me. Dang we're good lookin. :)

So our night consisted of yummy food that Sara's mom made us (she says she can't cook, so Becky offered) We had lasagna and salad and dessert after. Then everyone was supposed to bring pictures and videos of us all over the past years. It was SO much fun! Just to see us all when we were so young (and some not so long ago) being goofballs. Luckily Katie was always filming everything so we got to see how we were back in the day on just a regular Friday night. It was pretty hilarious. We were some crazy, creative, wierd girls I tell ya. We knew how to have some good old fashioned fun. You would DIE if you knew the stupid stuff we would get oursleves into. I LOVE my friends and I can't believe I am lucky enough to have 13 other girls that I adore so much. It goes against all the laws of women to have that many of us, and no drama. We are a one of a kind group I tell ya, and I love it.

FINALLY!!!

2008-05-22T19:14:00.002-06:00

This has been my son Zeuz for the last, are you ready, 8 months! Sadness huh? I'll tell the story for those who don't know it. My dog broke his leg when he was outside "mowing the lawn" with my husband. Spoiler alert: he did not get his leg caught in the mower, take a deep breath. However, the mower is no innocent bystander. Oh yes, he was involved. You see, when Kevin goes outside at ANY time, Zeus must then follow. He cannot STAND IT if Kevin goes out there without him. So like any responsible parent we put him on his leash in the backyard while the mower is going, JUST IN CASE. I mean, he's bitty, he would not win if the two took each other on. Zeus won't go near the thing anyway, so we never worried. Well.....his leash is long. He was on the opposite side that Kevin was mowing on, but saw something across the way apparently and took off to go and get it. All the while dragging his leash behind him. It happened so fast that Kevin didn't have time to shut off the engine before his leash was dragged under into the blades. Zeus was not even near the mower, so it could have turned out to be okay, but oh no, his leash just HAD to be wrapped around his leg. The pull of the blades on his leash snapped his poor leg in half. Probably, embarrassingly enough, the most scary day of my life. Most people would have just been sad and scared and taken him to the vet to get it fixed. I, on the other hand, exposed a crazy person to my husband that I don't think he will ever forget. I was on the verge of hysteria. Keep in mind that I cried in Hidalgo. The movie where the horse lives and wins the race, but got injured on the way. Tears were flowing. Anyways, I was just sure they were going to have to amputate his leg, or put him down, or some other procedure that Satan himself invented. I was shaking and bawling and snotting everywhere, and my husband was trying to calm me down, hold Broken Leg Zeus (who by the way was sweating, panting, crying, shaking, and cursing our names), call the vet, and get us there all at the same time. When we got there Kevin ran in with him while I had to take a minute in the car to become a somewhat sane human being. I go in there crying and I swear it should have been in a movie. You would have thought I was waiting for my child to come out of open heart surgery at Primary Childrens rather than waiting for a splint at the vet. I go up to the counter and ask where they took my dog and the lady asked which dog was mine. I looked at her like she had three heads. I was obviously appalled that she didn't know of this crisis happening in her clinic. MY DOG HAS BROKEN HIS LEG PEOPLE. So anyways, I finally find them and I'm willing to pay millions if that is what the vet would have asked for. I would have flown specialist in from different countries if that is what it would take. Hello. So to try to sum it up here, he was fine, it was a clean brake, it should have only taken 6-8 weeks to heal. But I have a stubborn A dog I guess. Because 8 months and $1600 later, he is finally healed............yeah.

RACE FOR THE CURE!!!

2008-05-13T22:39:00.003-06:00

On May 10th me, my mom, my sister, and Kyler all "ran"the Race for the Cure. It was the first year that we participated and it was SO much fun!! The picture above is of the papers that they have you put on your back to honor whoever you are running the race for. We did it for my Grandma, my mom's mom. She passed away of breast cancer, and I miss her so much! She was an amazing woman. I was so proud to be a part of this event, and to just let my grandma know we haven't forgotten her. There were over 18,000 people that walked/ran for the cure! It was a really emotional thing for me, which surprised me. The whole time I was choking back tears, the good kind and the sad. There were mom's there with their families wearing scarves over their bald helds while their tiny children walked holding their hands wearing papers on their backs saying "for my mom" and husbands "for my wife". There were people who had "in memory of my great grandma, my grandma, my mom, my sister and my other sister who's still fighting". This particular person was wearing a pink shirt that meant she was a survivor or fighting breast cancer currently. There were too many pink shirts. Then there were people who joined as a team. If you do that you can design a shirt for your own team. So many people had a good sense of humor about it! (I would think you would have to for your own sanity) These were some of my favorite team names:

*Team Ta Ta's...saving one Ta at a time
*Walkers for April's Knockers
*Christy's Rack Pack
*Save the Boobies (and had a cartoon picture of the bird called the Blue Footed Booby, it's endangered)
*something about needing to get to second base, I couldn't read all of it, but I imagine it was funny

This is something that will be a tradition in our family now. If you can give money to a good cause AND have fun...why not?

My sister and her baby Kyler getting ready to start! He was so good the whole time. He literally stayed like that the entire race. Just watching people and chillin with his cool shades
There were so many dogs! And almost all of them dressed up. It was HILARIOUS. There was a little min pin dressed in a mini skirt and tank top! Shirts, sweatshirts, bunny ears, pink collars, you name it, the dogs were dressed in it. All in pink of course....
You can't tell in this picture, but you see that little grey triangle thingy at the very top of the crowd of people? Yeah, that's more people. It was amazing to see in person, I'm actually quite upset that you can't tell what it really looked like in the pictures I took. But it was incredible the amount of people that went on and on. It looked like that in front of us and in back. It gave me chills to think that all those people were there because they have been affected by breast cancer.
This was at the fountain at Gateway. The survivors wore pink and they walked around the whole upper level after the sign of how many years they had survived or been cancer free. It started from 30 years and went all the way to 1 year. Sad to say the 30 year group, even the 10 years had hardly any, and the years 1-5 went on forever. This is them starting to fill the stairs so they could play a song and let dove's go. It was pretty amazing. Especially afterward to see the women crying and hugging their loved ones.

What an amazing experience, I'm so glad we did it. There was so much going on, radio stations were there, the girls from Good Things Utah, people giving "tattoo's", and news crews. And apparently we were on TV afterwards for the news....a bunch of people said they saw us. But I had no idea I was ever being filmed, so hopefully I wasn't picking a wedgy? Yikes.

Hawaii ! ! !

2008-05-06T20:21:00.004-06:00

(I couldn't figure out how to have the writing above this picture, so sorry for random dolphin opening to this post)

Yep, be jealous, cuz it was THAT awesome. I love Hawaii so much and I owe my third time there to my cute in-laws for planning the Harper family vacation there. This was my first time to Kauai though, and I loved it!! It's so beautiful and quiet there. We had so much fun doing all sorts of adventures: kayaking, cliff jumping, rope swinging off into a waterfall, snorkeling, and my favorite the boat tour of the Na Pali coast. So our boat was more like a raft on steroids. We literally sat on the sides and held onto ropes to stay put. We saw dolphins and turltes and humpback whales. Which it wasn't like, oh sweet, there's a whale way out there at sea, grab your binoculars....they were RIGHT THERE. Like, 10 yards from us. It really puts things into perspective when the whale is bigger than your "boat". Yikes! And just to give you a better idea of our watercraft, the captain told us that he had a cool experience where a baby whale came and put his fun IN the boat. Yeah, in it. Crazy eh? I was literally shaking I was so excited to have that experience. They also took us in sea caves and served us lunch on a beach. There we got to walk through an ancient fishing village and and a burial ground for their royalty. Very cool. We ate lots of good food, layed out on the beach, did a little shopping. We spent our last 2 days on Oahu where we went to the Dole Plantation, Matsumoto's Shaved Ice (yum), and Pearl Harbor. Kevin is trying to brainstorm on ways that we could move to Kauai. So far he has come up with taking my dad's and his dad's retirement money and rebuilding a burnt down hotel. So pretty sure we won't be moving anytime soon :(

inside the a sea cave
I didn't mean to put this picture in here, but can't figure out how to get it off. So there you go....
Picture of the Na Pali coast from our raft
Our raft

Us laying at the pool at our hotel
This is us on the hike down to Secret beach. Except that it's not so secret, we found it on a brochure, along with everyone else. Maybe they should call it, "Waves Will Kill You and Take You Out To Sea Beach" because I got my #% handed to me in the water. It was still fun though. It's crazy the power the ocean has.
Us getting shaved ice at Jo Jo's. Here we are kayaking down the river. It was SO pretty, this picture does not do it justice. After this we all cried from the pain of rowing for 4 hours.
My husband looking hard core jumping off the rope swing

Little Lady

2008-04-05T19:12:00.006-06:00

So this pisture is a little blurry but I had to post it because she is just too cute. Ivy is the sweetest little girl in the world! I love her so much and I am so glad that she is my little sister. She is just so funny. She will be in the other room and you will hear her fall down or something and she yells. "I'm okay!" and goes about her business. The other day my dad said she was running down the hall and ran straight into the corner of a door. She wasn't hurt too badly I guess because she recovered, patted the wall, looked intently at it and said, "Sorry door!" and then ran off. It's so funny to hear what little kids are thinking. She can be in the middle of a conversation with you and she will just pause and look at you and say, "Annie, I love you." and then go back to what she was going to say. The other day she told me I was her best friend. She is always complimenting people, which is usually the opposite of what kids do! They are so innocently and brutally honest that usually it's something you don't want to hear. But she always strokes my hair saying "it's beautiful" and tells me I have pretty eyes. But it's her little voice and her mannerisms that go along with it that just melt your heart! My husband always calls her "little lady" and she will always remind him, "No, I'n Ivy". But when he calls her Ivy, it's "I'n Lil' Lady". I love her SO much! She's obsessed with babies, tomatoes (they bribe her with tomatoes when she wont eat her other food on your plate. It's "just have one more bite of macaroni and then you can have a tomato"....), and her blankie. She is daring, outgoing, and strongwilled, and she is the best!

Brooke's House!!!

2008-03-31T22:26:00.004-06:00

This is me and some of my bestest friends. I think every month I'm going to post about our party and the host. I'm trying to get creative here, when not a whole lot happens in my life on a daily basis! This month our get together was at Brooke's house and although she is not in this picture, I just wanna say some things I love about her...

She is so beautiful, but so laid back! She can burp and hang out in pajamas (it was the theme of our party...not burping, but pj's) and pig out. She's totally obsessed with sports. She gets so into the games and will sit down and talk about all the players and their positions with all the men. She is totally a career woman, and has worked hard to get there. I love the laughing contests we would do laying on my bed in Hawaii, and going skydiving with her and her crazy sis and cousins! I'll never forget our gym time on campus either ;) So much fun. She is always someone you can count on for fun and at the same time you can confide in her about anything. I have so many memories with you Brooke and most of them are hilarious. You are the best! Thanks for being such a good friend, and hosting such a fun party!

I've Been Tagged!

2008-03-26T23:12:00.000-06:00

K, so I was tagged by Shandra to do 7 random facts about yourself, and then tagged by Lindsey to do 50, so here goes. I feel so special, my first TAG! (it has come to this, getting tagged excites me more than you know...)

1. I am 22 years older than my youngest sibling (stole that one from Heather)

2. I am completely obsessed with dancing. I love watching someone amazing dance. I am addicted to the show So You Think You Can Dance (my friend from drill team might actual be on it this year but she can't tell...those dang contracts) When I used to be able to dance, it was the best stress reliever, the biggest outlet, and the best workout. I get chills and even teary when I am particularly touched by a dance. "The Bench Routine" with Travis anyone? Mia Michaels is the most amazing choreographer. My biggest regret is not sticking with it when I was younger. I was in 4th grade and in a company at my dance studio with high school girls. I was all intimidated because they wore sports bras and had boyfriends. I could have been really good if I would have stuck with it, but I quit because I felt all young and awkward... Anyways.....see what I mean about obsessed?

3. I have flinstone feet (all my toes are the same length...seriously)

4. I was a student at the Anne Frank Elementary School in Holland when I lived there. I have also been to her house.

5. I'm kinda artsy fartsy. I love painting (I'm not good at it), music, plays, doing other peoples makeup, reading, photography, doing hair, designing clothes, interior decorating, etc. Anything with beauty. However I am not crafty. I don't do crafts.

6. I don't love candy. I wish I did, so maybe it would replace my love for chips....

7. I have always wanted to have a good voice (no such luck) and after hearing someone sing well, I always think I can too. I try it out and am so let down.

8. I have absolutely NO road rage. Traffic? Who cares. Bad drivers? Eh. But I am a super cautious driver. I am the person who looks left, right, left again, and then right again.

9. I love road trips.

10. I am really attached to my pillow. It goes on any trip, downstairs with me to watch TV, in the car (only on road trips, I'm not THAT weird) It's my security I guess

11. I have been in a little canoe on the Zambezi River with alligators, parannah (so not the right spelling), hippos, and other such creatures in the murky water. Our hotel was a 3 walled room on stilts actually on the river so it's the only way to get there. So cool. So scary. Especially when the guide tells us that 7 villagers had been taken by alligators recently and had to keep tapping on the canoe so the hippos wouldn't think we were an alligator and come chomp our boat in half. Literally.

12. I am terrified of sharks. However, if there is a TV show on about them, I cant not watch.

13. I can handle blood and guts, like watching a surgery on TV, but it makes me weak to even think about a broken bone. Oh my gosh, I'm nauseated just talking about it. Bones where they shouldn't be are NOT OKAY

14. I have been skydiving (Hawaii) and scuba diving (Mexico). Both were so much fun!

15. I don't love flowers. I've gotten better though. I do like it when I get one randomly for no reason, I think that's cute. But for a special occasion? Nah. They are expensive and die and really don't take much thought. My husband gets me them anyways. I like that he doesn't listen to me because he feels bad if I get no flowers on Valentines with everyone else. But it's always only a single flower so that I know he didn't spend lots-o-cash. Love him.

16. Someday my friend Talisia and I want to have a wedding planning business. But we have to somehow make people let us choose everything for them...hmmm. Right down to the hair, makeup, dress, jewelry, flowers, tuxes, cake....everything. Not gonna happen huh? But we would create the most amazing weddings! I work with a girl who is having her reception in a hangar (her in-laws own it and old WWII planes) I told her she needed to let me plan her a 40's wedding. How AWESOME would that be in a hangar?!? And they are leaving in a plane and everything....I dream about things like this. So much fun...

17. I used to want to be a criminal psychologist for the FBI.

18. I like to listen to people. I want to know everything about everyone I know. I guess it goes with being a hair dresser! I'm used to people telling me their life stories!

19. I love animals. I can't watch them get hurt. Like the movie I Am Legend....can't see it cause I know the dog dies in it and I would be a wreck! I'm such a dork.

20. My dad has instilled in me a love for traveling. I am lucky enough to have been to Europe 3 times (Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Holland, and more), Africa twice (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia), Mexico, and Honduras. Africa the first time was a Safari, and by far the coolest trip I have ever taken. I have pet baby lion cubs, seen a wild lion feeding, and had a lion right next to the car! Also had a leopard a few feet from our jeep. My dad had an elephant attack their vehicle and try to tip it over. I have eaten Warthog, Alligator, Ostrich, and Gemsbuck. One night at camp in the middle of nowhere a Giraffe broke through the electric fence and ran through our camp. I could go on and on with stories. I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to experience the world and other cultures and lifestyles. It's made me who am I am today.

21. I have lived in Seattle, Utah, Holland, and Hawaii.

22. I'm not really a diamond person. Don't get me wrong, they are gorgeous, but I just don't have a thing for them like most women. My diamond is small, but special because my hubby got it on his mission in South Africa and had it to give to his wife all that time. So special. But had it not been for that, I'd totally wear a CZ.

23. Someday I hope to be in shape enough to run a marathon (against my physical therapists advice because of my bad knees) Linds, you are my inspiration for this!

24. I'm trying to change my lifestyle so that it will be what I want it to be when I have kids. By this I mean eating healthier, exercising, learning to cook(it's scary how little I know) and being more proactive and organized. I really want to be the best mom in the world and be active with my kids and be able to provide the best life I can for them.

25. holy crap I'm only on 25

26. I am a night owl. I could stay up all night and sleep in forever! However I have been forced to become a morning person due to my work schedule that starts by leaving the house by 6:30. Yucky

27. This would be the reason I wear a lot of hats. It's not because I think they are cute (although some are) they are just easy. And this works for me at 5:30 in the morning.

28. I have a very diverse group of friends. We all come from such different walks of life, but I love it. I love all of them and want to thank them for being so great! See you all tomorrow!

29. I don't like yogurt. I try all the time hoping that it will magically be delicious this time around, but nope. I think it so gross

30. I have moved 5 times in the 3 years I have been married.

31. I can't stand long nails. I tried a couple of times to be dainty and get acrylics, but nope. Can't do it. It just feels wrong on me.

32. I hate lotion. (I know, I know, quiet down everyone) especially scented lotion. It feels greasy and slimy and just sits on top of my skin and never absorbs. I'm hoping this means I'm super cool and am already hydrated to perfection :)

33. I love my bed! It's so comfortable and warm, and sounds delicious to me right now.

34. I wish a was half/half. Like, half black, half white. Or half something-really-exotic-looking half something-else-really-exotic-looking

35. I wish I could play the piano

36. I love Harry Potter....

37. I fully expect to see The Second Coming in my lifetime.

38. My husband proposed to me the first time at a police station. Long story but his friends dad is the Sheriff of Salt Lake and I was fingerprinted and everything. It was totally believable at first too because it had to do with my purse getting stolen and them thinking they found who stole it and whatnot. They tried interrogating me saying I was in on it and he made phone calls yelling at people and buzzed "the prisoner in" and everything. I was shaking I was so scared and mad. It didn't end well, but not because of the way he proposed :( I just wasn't ready.

39. I have an addiction to tacky jewelry, sunglasses, purses, and shoes. Go big or go home applies to all...

40. My sister split my head open when I was little with a metal rake. What a ho (hee hee, rake...hoe....)

41. I fell sorry for Britney Spears. I'd be insane too if I had her life and the people in it

42. I really want a Bulldog, but my husbands a buttface and won't let me have one. "One dog is enough" apparently

43. I have an addiction to gossip magazines. It's so stupid, but so entertaining

44. I am the "Golden Child" in my family. It's true, they love me more.

45. I feel so lucky to have the husband I do. He is amazing in every way, and although we are very different, we are very much in love. He brought me two dead roses on our first date because he knew I wasn't a flower person. How funny is that? He just has such a sweet, tender heart and would kill me if he knew I was writing that! He just always works so hard and does so much for me. He loves his family and I know he will make the BEST dad someday. Kids flock to him, I swear. He is just amazing, love you babe!

46. I have horrid posture. I could look so much better if my boobs weren't on my lap from slouching. It literally hurts me to stand up straight. Not good

47. I can't watch the news. It gives me anxiety and makes me think the world is going to hell (which it is) I know I should be informed, but I'd rather not be.

48. I love the movie Juno. Who doesn't? It's such a good mix of things. Funny and serious. Love that show

49. I am directionless. I need a navigation system just to lead me back home from the grocery store. It's pretty bad

50. I am so tired because it's 1 am and I have to work tomorrow.

Here are the rules.#1 Link to the person that tagged you.#2 Post the rules on your blog.#3 Share random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.#4 Tag seven random people at the end of your post.#5 Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

I tag Haley, Brittany, Dell, Jess, Brooke, and Beth. Snap to it.

Happy Easter ! ! !

2008-03-23T20:49:00.000-06:00

I don't have kids of my own to blog about yet, so my little brother and sister will work just fine for now! Ethan and Ivy are so much fun! They love to take pictures of "silly faces" (hence the pictures) It could entertain them for hours. We did a big Easter egg hunt at my Dad's house and it's always so much fun! We do our egg hunt a bit differently, not only are there eggs filled with candy but there are a lot of "golden" eggs that have a piece of paper in it, telling you which prize you got. There are all sorts of prizes that you can win. I was lucky enough to win a $50 movie card! Woo hoo! Kevin won some sparkling cider, a frizbee, and LOTS of candy of course. Ethan was so excited because he won the Tiki basket which included lots of toys and enough candy to last him till next year! He told me before we did the hunt that if I won the Tiki basket I needed to give him the stuffed animal shark in there so it wouldn't scare me. What a con man! I was really rooting for the white Orchid plant too, but my grandma stoll it right out from under me.....oh well I guess I forgive her....There were also kites and movies and huge packages of gum and other things. We also had a yummy brunch of German pancakes, ham, quiche's, cinnamon cake, and all the fruit you can eat! We had an awesome time, thanks for putting in all the effort that you did Dad and Shelene! Love you guys!!

Picture I came across...

2008-03-19T23:14:00.000-06:00

This is a picture of me a while back in Honduras. I went with a group my Dad goes with to do some humanitarian work. It's made up mostly of medical people, but there were a few of us who went to help build a library at one of the many orphanages there. It was an amazing experience. This particular picture tears at my heart. When I first saw this little girl she was sitting on the floor, bawling hysterically and no one could calm her down. No one was even trying. She just stared up at me with her running nose and her her terrified, big brown eyes, crying and crying. I found out that her mother dropped her off at the orphanage 3 days before I took this picture. She hadn't eaten in those 3 days because she was still breast feeding when her mom left her, and refused to eat what they could offer her. I couldn't stand just watching her cry and having no one to hug her and make everything "all better". I scooped her in my arms and tried rocking her and cooing and all the things you do when children cry. Nothing would calm her down. Tears were just pouring down my face because I couldn't help this innocent little girl with no future ahead of her but this orphanage. (Adoption is illegal in Honduras, so she will never know what it is to have a loving home with a Mom and a Dad). I walked her outside and rocked her but she was still just sobbing. I suddenly felt the need to sing "I Am a Child of God" to her. I started singing and in about 10 seconds she stopped crying and just looked up at me and touched my face. I kept singing/crying until she fell asleep in my arms. The words to that song have never meant so much to me as they did in that moment.

You know you see it...

2008-03-17T21:35:00.000-06:00

So Kevin thinks I'm insane for putting this on my blog, but I'm a little post happy at the moment. And I thought this was funny. Talisia and I were sitting watching TV and we had play-doe for a bachelorette game, and we were molding it trying to see "what we could see" after just squishing it. (don't you judge me....) Tell me you don't see a cartoon dog.

80's Night!!!

2008-03-17T21:22:00.000-06:00

So I pretty much look amazing in this picture. Ha ha. It was Kira's month to host our friend get togethers, and she chose to do an 80's night. She did such a good job and went all out for this! It was a blast. These are about half the girls that were there that night, I don't have a pic of us all :( Thanks Kira for such a fun night. ( Didn't really realize I was groping Kira....) You can't really tell in this picture, but I have a sweet side pony and some awesome ringlet bangs. I seriously adore my friends. How nerdy are we?

Holy crap, I'm a blogger!!

2008-03-17T19:23:00.000-06:00

Everyone always says this when they just start a blog, but I seriously have no idea what I'm doing! So this might royally suck for quite some time, but give me a minute and hopefully I can "cool" it up...I just want to be a blogger people.....