Christmas With Your Friends!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. (Thanks Aimee!) Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, & try not to be a SCROOGE! Copy this entire post & paste onto your own new post! Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then tag a bunch of people you know....Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper!! And not just throwing it together! Oh no, it must be good paper so that you can get a perfect crease... and then top it with ribbon tied just right! Aaaah, you guessed it! I am so incredibly OCD when it comes to wrapping gifts. I know you are saying that no one cares and they will only tear it off, but that doesn't stop me! I can't help it! There is nothing like beautifully wrapped gifts.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I am an artificial girl! I would love to do a real tree, actually! I think I am just scared I would kill it 2 weeks before Christmas! (I have never claimed to have a green thumb) We never had real trees growing up and I have no idea how to maintain one of those suckers!! Also, I won't lie that having one pre-lit saves me a lot of grief!!

3. When do you put up the tree? I try to get it done the day after Thanksgiving. When all the other suckers in the world are braving the stampedes at the stores, I am chillin in the comfort of my home, hanging ornaments...

4. When do you take the tree down?

Usually sometime the first week in January. I am not one to leave it up too long. The outdoor lights are a different story... Since I vote myself out of that job, I won't complain when it happens as long as it is before Mother's Day. Lol. Actually, I think this is the 2nd time we have ever done lights outside!! Thanks to Dylan for begging!!

5. Do you like Egg Nog? Gag, gag! NOOOOOO!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My mom made us Pound Puppies one year. We knew we were getting them, because she couldn't hide her craftiness... they took too long. I wish I still had it... Just to prove that my mom has actually sewn in her lifetime.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents. I swear. They all have everything, and the stuff that I think would be beneficial for them, they don't share the same opinion... I have given up and just try to give updated pics of my kids every year. I know. I am pathetic.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Dylan. This year, all he wants is a jack-in-the-box and a sling to carry his arrows. He is so funny!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I am still searching for one that is not tacky...

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? this is assuming that I am on top of it enough to send anything in the first place...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My Great Grandma used to give us HUGE granny panties every year!!! Oh, how we dreaded getting those... bless her heart... oh, how I miss them now. Funny how the things you despised are the things you miss the most. Funny little Gram.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? #1: Elf. Who doesn't like this movie?? Hilarious. #2: Christmas Story (Aimee, I am dying that you haven't seen this!!)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Oh, you know... maybe next week?? Uh, when I get around to it...

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but sometimes I give Dylan presents he got for his birthday that I put away. He gets so many and forgets about some, so they make a new appearance at Christmas or as someone else's birthday gift... I know. That is horrible!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sausage Rolls and Fin and Hatti... I don't even know if I spelled that right. It is smoked cod. I know you are probably sicked out right now, but it is really good and its one of those OLD family traditions...

16. Lights on the tree? Yep!! Pre-lit, Baby

17. Favorite Christmas song? Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel everywhere possible with in the Salt Lake Valley. I wish we could stay home!! We did last year, cuz everyone left town but us! IT WAS HEAVEN!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.... And RUDOLPH!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither. I have a bunch of flowers and twigs and crap up there... slightly more nontraditional.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning!! That's the point, isn't it??

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who are stingy. I used to work at ZCMI. They used to do the Angel Tree there. (I don't know if they still do now that it has been so many other stores) At any rate, I used to try to help them generate a little business for the tree when I was slow at my counter. You would not believe most of the people!! They would be walking around with over a thousand dollars of merchandise just purchased and they would tell me they didn't have the money to do it!! What the EFF?? Most of those people only needed like $15-$20. BAH!!! SCROOGES!! #2 most annoying thing is people who go way overboard with tacky lights and decor outside. Come on, people!!! There is a tasteful way to go about this and make your home look beautiful!!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? What I have right now is not my favorite (red and gold), but since I spent so freaking much on my tree when this was my favorite, it is going to stay for a couple more years!! I really want to do a turquoise tree.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We don't really have a huge tradition for Christmas dinner. Breakfast is more our thing... We do like to have clam chowder on Christmas Eve.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would like a live in "do all the shiz that I hate" person. Is there such a thing?? Some one who will do laundry, clean toilets, do dishes, and homework with the kids with out expecting a massive paycheck?? I don't want the basic, I want the super deluxe Model (you know, the one that does baseboards, dusting and windows as well!)!!

...been an awful good girl, Santa Baby! So, hurry down the chimney tonight!!!! (this is what I posted on Tiff's blog. I went back and did a little copy/paste action...)

TAG: Jessie, Michelle, Erin, Kallie, and Ashlii (and anyone else who feels so inclined...)

PORTER KYLE is HERE!!

My CUTE nephew Porter is here!!! And yes he is so CUTE!! Megan was so worried she was going to have an ugly baby... ha ha ha! He looks just like his daddy! Congratulations Megan and Kyle!!! We love you guys so much!!

Here are some fun pics from Thanksgiving this year!! Loves to all!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

THANKSGIVING!!!


So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, which is my 2nd favorite holiday, I have decided to write a post on 5 things I am grateful for! I am thinking outside the box of the normal God, family, and friends. Although I am not listing those, I hope you all know that I am still grateful...

1. I am so very thankful for the opportunity that we are all given to learn and grow everyday. I hope that I am living up to the potential I have to stretch myself and to be a better person. My sole wish is to be a blessing to others. I hope that I can touch lives, impact others, and to be an encourager and give hope, especially when so much of the world is negative these days.

2. I am thankful for my individuality. I am so very glad that God has given me the gift to be who I am. Not only that, but he has given me the ability to not care too much what others think of me. I believe that this has allowed me to think outside the box and reach to a higher level. When we are truly comfortable with who we are, God can use us in amazing ways. If we are trying to hide and be someone we are not, we will never be able to find out what he really has in store for us!

3. I am thankful that I am compassionate. I love the fact that I cry at the smallest of things. It reminds me that I have a huge heart to love on and serve my fellow men.

4. I am so very grateful that I have the opportunity to everyday hear my children laugh. That is another thing that can make me cry so easily. I hope that I never take these small things for granted. It is so wonderful that I don't have to miss these little things anymore because of having to work.

5. I am so very thankful for my husband who is a warrior and a champion. Everyday he goes out and fights for our family and makes decisions with the long term in mind. He is reminding us to sacrifice the good for the great. I feel so fortunate to be his helpmate and companion in life. I love to watch him grow and develop, and everyday he becomes better!! I think that I am married to the most amazing man on the planet!! I hope that all of my beautiful friends fell the same way about the men in their lives. Tell them, and tell them often how much you appreciate them!!

I hope that we can all have an attitude of thanks and love. My dad's heart attack a couple months ago I think opened some eyes in my family (which I am so grateful!!). This weekend, let us all remember the "important" things in life and let go of a little baggage. Hauling a refrigerator full of crap around on our backs as we go through life is no fun for anyone. Leave it behind... Forgive, love, and BE THANKFUL!!

PS- I am not tagging anyone, but if you would like to do it, consider yourself tagged!

FIVE!!


5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
Hanging with my beautiful DG Sisters, Dating as many guys as I could, Attempting to make it to all my classes, Rooming with Jamie Clyde, and Annie Miller, and in 1 month I would meet Travis.
5 things on my list to do today:
Tell Travis I love him, Snuggle with my kids, Read my current book, Finish laundry, and Get it on!!

5 snacks I love:
Chips and Salsa con Queso, Nutrilite Mixed Berry Protein bar (I know it sounds gross, but it is yummy!!), Ice cream (almost anything but chocolate), Caprese w/ balsamic vinegar, and Cashews.

5 things I would do if I were a Millionare: (which I will be!)
I will start a program for children and adolescents to teach them self esteem and to value themselves, I think that will solve a lot of problems. I will volunteer my time and money for many different organizations in which I believe. I will hire a private teacher for my kids so that we can travel the world and experience first hand the things they are being taught. I will join up with my great friends Tim and Gaye to help with their crusade to save marriages and families!! I will have houses in all my favorite places to be, so that when I remember how much I hate Utah winters, I can vacate and head somewhere warmer!!

5 places I have lived: (All in Utah, unfortunately)
Cottonwood Heights, Sugar House, Tooele, Herriman, and eff-ing Kearns.

5 jobs I have had:
Clinique counter manager, Contempo Tile showroom sales, Interior Designer and Faux Painter (self employed), and now Mommy and Wife.

5 people I tag....so sorry...ha ha:
Erin, Tiff, Jamie W., Jessica, and Katrina

Tagged again...
All about High School...



1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? um almost everyone...

2. WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? I had a white convertible Chevy Cavalier! Oh Yeah!!

3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? yep

4. WHERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? I was the party...

5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? Absolutely!

6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? Chior

7. WERE YOU A NERD? no, I don't think so, but then I don't think I really cared...

8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? No, but I did letter in something academic... lame.

9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? No... I just never got caught.

10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG? I doubt it. Maybe if someone started it...

11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? I don't remember...

12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? I didn't really sit anywhere, I was always on the move...

13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? I went to 2: Cottonwood High School and Brighton High School

14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? Cottonwood: Colt w/ black and gold. Brighton: Bengal w/ blue and orange.

15. DID YOU GO TO HOMECOMING AND WITH WHO? which year??

16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU? Nah, I am happy where I am at now, although I did enjoy it while I was there.

17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? The afterparty!!

18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY? we had one of those??

19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? nah...

20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? unfortunately...

21. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? Again, which year? and which prom???

22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR 10 YEAR REUNION? It passed, and no, I did not go...

23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? Nanny and clerk at "The Store".



I tag whoever wants to do it.

To all my wonderful Blog stalkers:

Sorry, there are a couple new posts on here as I was tagged a bunch this week. I actually have a couple more, but I felt it better to save them for a bit later, so if I didn't do your tag, I swear I will get to it soon. Check back soon!!

Luvs,
Shantel