So, I have to make a little preface to the deer pics (they are in the following slideshow). There is the most adorable deer that comes and wanders my old neighborhood every winter. She is loved by all who live there... well, almost all... Poor Erin hates her!! (I can't say I blame her because I understand!! Having your plants devoured every year is a pain!) However, this little doe stole my heart today, and Dylan's...

Dylan, the deer, and other random pics

The I Have Tag

Bold the ones youve done :)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain- (does hiking count?? Or are we talking full fledged Mt Everest stuff??)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris - sort of... I have been to the airport...
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child- We love out little sack of Brown Sugar!!
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept overnight on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden a gondola in Switzerland - And yes, Ash... there are gondolas on Switzerland. They are in the mountains, not the same as the ones on the canals... I think they may be spelled differently... not sure, but either way, I have been on both...
29.Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - both
31. Hit a home run-gotta love church ball... it wouldn't have been a homer in a normal setting...
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen Amish country
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- is there such a thing?? I will find out...
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -both. Scuba is much better.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - 3 to date...
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy- I throw everything away!!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- years ago. I wouldn't recommend this anymore... nasty!
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee- I could have answered no until about a year ago...
100. One cavity or less - is that possible??
I tag anyone who wants to play

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!