Water For Elephants

This was the book we read for book club this month. It wasn't my favorite. I actually wouldn't recommend it. It had a lot of bad language and the story line wasn't that great. Good enough to keep you interested but not GREAT. Hopefully next months will be better! Thanks to Katherine for hosting. All the food was circus themed... popcorn, cotton candy, little corn dogs, circus peanuts, scones. It was really cute... I wish I would've taken a picture.

Happy Birthday Aunt Josie!

Josephine is Jason's beautiful little sis! Jose is one of a kind. She is funny, smart, photogenic, has great style, and is not afraid to say what is on her mind or to be herself. Josie works as a preschool teacher and is great with children! She has a contagious laugh and knows how to bust a move! Josephine took the missionary discussions and got baptized 3 yrs ago. It was a special day for us. Jason was able to baptize her and Baylee, Griffin, and I all spoke at her baptism. We love you Josie and are so proud of you!! (We hope you had a great day and we are jealous that you are relaxing in Hawaii right now.)

Being Better...

I have been thinking a lot the past couple of weeks about raising children, especially teenagers, in this scary world. I think the Lord gives us experiences to humble us and force us to reflect about what is most important in life. I have been humbled recently. I haven't necessarily been doing anything "wrong". I just know I could do things BETTER. I feel so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I don't know how I could raise my children without it? The gospel standards are not to be taken lightly. I feel like (for myself) it is SO important to teach the gospel in my home and have spiritual moments with my children as often as I can. It is our responsibility to prepare the children in our homes for the future and for trials they will soon face. It is important. I am learning as I go but I will not be naive to what is out there. I know for myself if I expect my children to live a certain way... I need to live that way. I need to be better at reading my scriptures and attending the temple. It's hard sometimes to fit in but I need to prioritize. (I don't mean to sound preachy... this post is more for me)

On Saturday night, we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory downtown as a family. (one of my favorites) After dinner walked around Temple Square and watched the Joseph Smith movie at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Me and my kids on the temple grounds. I love Temple Square. It is so beautiful and such a neat place to walk around as a family. Avaree was fascinated by the BIG beautiful white building! She kept telling everyone that Jesus built the temple!

All in all it was a much needed, fun, spiritual night with the people I care most about!

Happy Birthday Azy!

Adreann is one of those friends in my life that was meant to be! We met our sophmore year in highschool and I adored her. I thought she was SO cool and I wanted to know her and be her friend. By the end of highschool she was one of my BEST friends. After highschool we were together non stop. We worked together and moved out together. In fact, I would have never moved out and went away for school if it weren't for Azy. It was our freshman year of college that we met Jason together. (She actually dated Jason first) I'm glad I won him but I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for her. We have a lot of great memories and have been through a lot together. We can go months without talking but I can say that we have been there for eachother for every BIG event that has happened in our lives since we met. I love you Azy!! Whoever wins your heart one day is going to be a lucky man! Happy 28th! (I actually have a lot of funny pictures of the 2 of us but I couldn't get my scanner to work)

NPS

I'm SO excited about some of the deals I just got that I had to share. There is a warehouse in Salt Lake with a ton of crap and random stuff called NPS. They sell everything from food to furniture to clothes to junk. You have to really look to find treasures. My 2 aunts that are designers go there regulary looking for deals and they came across some darling dresses (that were small) so they called me up. I'm so grateful for my personal shoppers!

Real leather bag for 20 bucks

Earnest Sewn jeans (that fit me!) for 30 bucks

BCBG dress for $35

Here is the price tag!

I actually got a handful of dresses because they were ALL 70% off the sale price and I got some shoes. It was a good shopping spree for me! Baylee scored too.

Snowboarding 101

My friend Alison's boys were taking a snowboarding lesson on Monday (because the kids didn't have school) and she talked me into doing one with her. I've always wanted to learn but it is such a process because you need all the gear, it's expensive, and I need a babysitter but I decided to do it and I'm so glad I did!

It was such a beautiful day. My nose got sunburned.

Alison on the lift

Alison snowboarding (I'm actually in the background)

There I am (with my funny blue gloves, they are actually Baylee's. I don't even own a pair)

We spent a lot of time on our bottoms

I am so SORE. I haven't been able to move for the last 3 days.

Us with our private instructor, Eric. All the instructors gave us a hard time for living in Utah most our lives and never snowboarding. (Alison used to ski but I haven't even done that... okay, once) But it was about time I learned!

It was a lot of fun. I'm still not good but at least I can say I've done it and I can make it down the kiddie hill! I am paying for it now though because my body is killing me!! It was a work out. Hopefully I can go again soon to practice what I learned. We'll see.

Surprise!

Okay... so 30 is a big deal. I had to throw Jason a surprise party too! I invited his crew from work and his family. We had pizza and yummy ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. It turned out really well. He was totally surprised, which made it fun. Thanks to all those people who helped. I can't believe we pulled it off! Avaree had so much fun helping prepare for the BIG surprise!

People in attendance (Jason's crew was a little embarrassed and did NOT want to pose for a picture!)

More fun pics from the night...