ThE liGHt pAraDE!

I'm such a nerd when it comes to festive / holiday stuff. I love the holidays! So when I heard it was time for Bountiful to have their light parade...I was so there. I just had to convince someone to go with me. So I asked the elderlies (my parents) to go and the Long family (Rick, Julie, Cass, and Tuck). We bundled up for the cold and waited to see all the lights........

Let's just state right off the bat....this is Bountiful, Utah not New York City. The parade lasted 10 minutes max. There weren't many people in the parade, nor were there very many people in attendance. But it was still fun. Tuck and I stood right out in the street to collect all kinds of candy, we even got toothbrushes. Tuck yelled "Hello, Ladies!" to the local beauty queens. And we tried to get every one to wave to us....we were VICTORIOUS.

The local paper even took our picture.

Before we knew it it was time to see the big guy himself.....Santa. As he went by he points right to me and says "NAUGHTY!" He then tells Cass & Tuck they were "Nice" this year. Whatever Santa! Way to single a girl out! And....how did he know!!!!!

Anyway, we had fun at the light parade and went on to stuff ourselves at dinner. My kind of night!

Getting Ready for Christmas...Peacock Style!

As I was getting out all my Christmas decorations this year I decided I was tired of the same old stuff. I've done my room in purple for the last 5 years and thought it was time for a change. So I headed off to craft store heaven (Hobby Lobby) to see what new things I could find. As I was shopping around I saw this teal blue peacock and I knew I wanted to use him....but how. So I thought I could put him on top of my tree instead of a star. To my surprise I found all kinds of peacock items to use, and in the right colors. I had so much fun finding things and trying to figure how they would work together. Below are my results. It may not be the most "Christmas-y" themed room but it is festive and I love it!

I had a glass jar and a plain green wreath in my closet. I decided to see what I could make...

Baby Smallz is Here!!!!

My little nephew decided it was time to make his debut to the world today. Gavin John Tenney was born at 2:05 am to his proud & excited Mom (Candace) & Dad (Brett), along with awesome older brother, Ryker. He could hardly wait to enter this world that he made mom & dad rush to the hospital where he was ready to get the party started ASAP. He came with a full head of hair, big hands & feet, and a dimple in his cheek.....just like his brother. His parents are so happy & pleased that he is healthy and came to them in perfect condition. He will be loved by his parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, especially by one particular "great" auntie!!!!!

ThE SpOOks cOmE OuT!

Do I look like I'm scared for my life???

Nobody wants a Zombie on their shoulder, but I had one following me around on Halloween night.

Once again it is that time of year....Halloween! A night for fun costumes, great food, and candy. I decided to try something new this year and make a thing called Cake Balls. They were cute and a lot of work, but really yummy. I made three different kinds: Red Velvet, Chocolate, and Carrot. Check them out:

I also made my cheese ball into a "Frankenstein" of a sort. And my typical bean dip made to look like a spider web. We even named our food fun names like: Witches Stew, Eyeball Chili, Brain Soup, Mummy Dogs, and Fried Frog Legs. I think I tried every one and they were YUM-O!

Before I knew it Woody & Jessy & Bullseye showed up from Toy Story. They kept posing for pictures and saying "CHEESE!" Just one more! They were stinkin' adorable!

Along came the Big Bad Wolf with his Little Red Riding Hood (Kelly & Andrea). He had a great time scaring the crap out of the little kids. Pretty soon Octo-Mom was around with her massive scary lips and pregnant belly (Hint:It was just Candace & Smallz).

Halle had a great time trying to catch the "Old Bat" until eventually she scared herself and started crying. She has a great laugh and smile though. Grandma/Mom had a great time spooking out the kids and some adults too.

Jamie turned into a Zombie at midnight (take that Cinderella). He said that you can only count your outfit as a "Halloween Costume" if it has blood on it. I guess mine didn't count then. I only had hairspray and blue eyeshadow.

I decked myself out as an '80's chick and went back in time. (Technically I was a child in the '80's so it made me feel not so old). I rocked the spandex, the neon colors, and the big bangs. Madonna ain't got nothin' on me!

So Halloween has come and gone and we quickly move on to another holiday. But we will always have our memories of this night.....

and the pictures to prove it.

Julie's Birthday Dinner!

This is a totally random blog about the Cheesecake Factory. For Julie's birthday I was invited to join her & her family and go out to dinner. We went to the Cheesecake Factory. Can you say delicious? Dinner was good but who goes there for the food...its the dessert that wins the prize. We indulged and all split the red velvet cheesecake, the Oreo, and the Turtle. I could have licked the plate....I think Cassidy actually did. Yum Yum! Moral of the story: I hope Julie had a great birthday (she deserved it) and always save room for dessert.

Kids and Rainy Days!

A couple of weeks ago I once again had the privilege to spend a few days with my best buds Cassidy & Tucker. While their parents went on a week long hunting trip, I spent the week being a fill in "mom". I always love when I get to be with these two kids. They not only make me laugh, but they make me happy to be with them. On one of our days it starting storming pretty bad so we decided to have a photo shoot (plus were were really bored). Below are the results of one stormy afternoon and a digital camera......

On one of the nights the weather was clear, I had a spur of the moment idea to run to the Kaysville Pond and take pics of the sunset & the kids. I should have planned better and gone earlier because we ran out of sunlight. But I still love some of the pictures at dusk. (FYI: For some reason I have no individual pics of Cass, I know I took some)

These two kids are awesome and they put up with their crazy aunt who makes them have photo sessions. I just want proof that they were at one time willing to spend time with me, for when they get older & too cool, I will have evidence of it. (Ha Ha) Cass & Tuck - YOU ROCK!

Sister By Chance....Friends By Choice!

So its time for another blog victim...I mean, another loving blog "dedication". This time I want to wish my big sister Julie a Happy Birthday!! I love the idea of writing a little something nice about someone I love and look up to. So here goes....

My sister Julie is awesome!

But what kind of sister would I be if I didn't post some pics of her growing up?

All kidding aside, I think my sister is one of the best people I know. I think having a sister like her was one of the best things that could have happened to me. She's someone who will let me cry on her shoulder, laugh with, confide in, and have complain sessions. There are so many things that I love about her. I wanted to write a really creative paragraph that makes people laugh and cry, but I'm not the creative one. I make lists, so here is my list of

"25 Reasons Why I Love My Sister (in no particular order):

1. She loves me! (haha)

2. She's very forgiving

3. She's a great cook

4. She's very smart - more than she thinks

5. She's very creative

6. She shares her kids with me

7. She's always there for me and doesn't judge

8. She respects me and I respect her

9. She listens to me

10. She has a wicked sense of humor

11. She's addicted to Diet Coke

12. She makes awesome salsa

13. She does my hair for me and makes me feel pretty

14. She'll jump off the high-dive at the pool

15. She'll dance the Electric Slide

16. She's always willing to help

17. She's a great example

18. She takes me on vacation with her

19. She hangs out with me by choice (go figure)

20. She lets me cry on her shoulder

21. She has a great smile

22. She can be hypnotized

23. She's very outgoing

24. She loves her family & will do anything for her kids

25. She loves me...did I say that already?

I realize some of those things were cheesy and my list could go on & on, but those are some of my favorite things about my sister Julie!

It was nice growing up with someone like my sister - someone to lean on, someone to count on....someone to tell on! Having a sister like her is like having a best friend I can't get rid of because I know that whatever I do she'll always be there. And I hope that she knows that its the same for me. She can always count on me, to talk to, to listen to her, to be there for her.

Julie has the best little family. I hope her family realizes what a great wife & mother they have. I know that my sister will do anything for her family. She always wants the best for them and worries for them. And loves them with all her heart! They are so lucky to have her. She is the best example of what a mother should be. I only hope that if I have kids that some of her mothering "mojo" rubs off on me. She is a great example to follow.

Anyway, the point of this whole blog is to tell my big sis Julie "Thank You!" Thanks for always being there for me through the years. We share our past, now lets look forward to our future together. Have a fantastic birthday and remember, you're not getting older, you're just getting another year closer to looking like mom. (Just kidding sis!)

Luv Ya Sis!

Celebrating With Cake!

I was trying to think of a creative way to celebrate Candace's birthday this year. I was going to be really mean and do a whole "You're Old" theme. But then I remembered that I'm older than her....so what does that make me...ancient?? My first idea was to make a cupcake tower but I couldn't figure out how to make 30 cupcakes fit. So I decided to have it spell how 3-0 with a candle for each one. I decorated them in colors I know she likes: black & red. It was really fun and I think she liked them enough. I especially loved embarassing her when we all sang to her at the family picnic. At least she had a cute helper to blow out all those many many many candles.

I'm NOT 30.....I'm $29.99 plus tax!

Finally the day has arrived where I can tease my best friend & niece Candace about hitting a birthday milestone. Candace has reached that awesome time in her life where she is almost to the top of that "hill" where she is turning 30!!!!

I think she is really 18...with 12 years of experience. She's the oldest person I know...that is younger than me.

Candace and I have been great friends since we were small children. I have so many memories of her throughout my whole life. We would always get the same Christmas presents (in different colors) every year, we had the same dolls, and as we grew up over the years we found we had many many other things in common. Candace was the cutest little girl with white blonde hair, a quick smile, and outgoing personality. She grew up loving animals, babies, movies, drawing / art, and at one time was obsessed with the New Kids on the Block. She loved to play outside with her friends and idolized her older brother Dustin. We were always friends & family but as we got older our friendship grew......

As we became teenagers we found more & more things that we both loved to do. We loved going to movies, listening to music, reading, going on vacations, and eating out. We both developed a love for the band 'NSYNC & boybands, and were annoying girls that were obsessed with them. We loved (and still love) to quote stupid / funny lines from movies to each other and make fun of embarrassing moments we each had....she always had more than me. I have many to share with you all, so ask me next time you see me.

But here's one in particular that I especially like: We went on a cruise and on our layover in Atlanta, Candace walks into the bathroom. She looked around and wondered what all these men were doing in the womens bathroom, then she realized she was actually in the MENS bathroom. She comes walking out with a red face and I laughed my butt off. I could have stopped her before she went in...but I didn't! That's how our relationship works. And that's the great thing about being friends with someone over many years...you have tons of dirt on each other.

We love goofing off when the opportunity presents itself and you will always find us laughing our heads off over something. We have tons of private jokes and team up against people to tease them mercilessly (sorry family). There are so many things that I love about my friend Candace: she is funny, caring, smart, has a great laugh, is witty, has a beautiful smile, pretty eyes, is outgoing, loves chocolate, and likes to hang out with me (go figure). I hope that she always stays such a strong independent silly awesome woman!!!

When Candace met Brett I was so happy for her. She truly fell in love at first sight with him and they are so great for each other. I love that he loves her for what a fantastic woman she is.

Before we knew it they were starting a family and Candace's life would become even better. She became a mom to little Ryker Bean. She is the best mom in the world! She loves that kid to death and is raising him to be such a great & funny kid. He definitly gets his silliness from her.

Pretty soon they will be adding to their little family with baby Smallz (in December). I'm so happy for her that she found a man to love, who loves her so much. And will be sharing all her talents and awesome traits with her children. She is a great wife and mother and I know she loves it.

I love that Candace is my best friend! I love that I can call her anytime and we always have things to talk about. We can see each other and call a half hour later and still manage to talk for another hour about random dumb stuff. I know that she always has my back and wants the best for me. She is honest with me when I need it, and sometimes tell me what I want to hear, when I need that too. Only best friends tell each other useless information and don't care. She is the one I can tell secrets to and I know the best time she can make me cry...is when she makes me laugh so hard. A true friend is the person who no matter how you treated them the day before, still keeps their promise to stand beside you the next. She truly is one of the best people I know and am privileged to have in my life!

I love ya Soupie!

Happy "not quite old yet" Birthday!

P.S. Stop being younger than me already!!!

Once Upon A Bean!

Another year has gone by so fast and my little nephew Ryker is ready for another birthday. I had to take the time to dedicate a small blog entry to honor this sweet boy. Ryker will be turning three years old in the next few days and I cannot believe how fast he has grown. I can remember the day he was born and the first time I saw him as his "Great" Aunt Steph. I remember when I first held him that he was wide awake and looking around, like he was wondering "What is this strange place?" To this day he still looks around and tries to figure things out, how they work, and how they are built. He had always been a very curious boy since the very first.

The second thing I noticed when he was born was his adorable dimples. There is something about that smile of his combined with the dimples that prevent me from saying no to him or not smiling myself. They are seriously irresistable.

The third thing I remember about him when he was first born was his bright blue eyes. They are so blue and you can see his emotions in his eyes at all times. He has "Smiley" eyes.

The fourth thing I remember about him was that the first time I held him I knew I loved him. I may only be his auntie but I adore this kid and will do anything for him (any time, any place, any where). He will grow up knowing he his adored and loved very much.

Ryker has the best parents in the world! I think it is so great knowing he is growing up in a home where he is so loved and cared for. I don't think Candace & Brett could have had a better kid. I know that Candace's life revolves around this boy and she is constantly teaching him, reading to him, singing with him, and playing with him. He is so lucky!!! He is the light of his parents life and a soon-to-be Big Brother.

Ryker is a typical boy. He loves trucks, cars, tractors, planes, helicopters, motorcycles, and anything with wheels. He loves dirt, sand, jumping, swimming, and playing. He loves his shows on tv: Super Y, Sesame Street, Sid the Science Kid, Dragon Tales, Curious George and don't forget the movie Cars. He loves his "blankie", his golf set, and his stuffed animals. He loves playing with his cousin Halle and they laugh and run around together. He has the sweetest voice and likes to sing Sunshine, ABC Song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Wheels on the Bus. Ryker loves cookies, brownies, ice cream, popcorn, cereal, ravioli, and pretzels. This kid has great taste!! He loves all his grandma's & grandpa's because they all spoil him so much. He adores his mom & dad.

Ryker has had many nicknames since he was born. We started calling him Bean while still in his mommy's belly. From that came Beanie-Boy & Beans. He is also called Stinkin' & Baby.

Since Ryker started talking he has been trying to say my name. It started out as "Seppie" and has since evolved to "Steppie". My favorite thing to hear is when he says my name and then goes "Hi, Steppie!" We have this little game where I go "Ryker.........HeBeeJeeBees" and he laughs at me and does it back. Ryker's favorite thing about me is my truck. He calls it "MY Steppie's green truck". He has adopted it as his own and loves when he get to ride in it. Sometimes I think he tolerates me for my truck and cries when IT leaves. That's ok though. It makes me happy to make him happy and if riding in my truck does that....then so be it!

I am so lucky to be an Aunt to such a great kid!!! I hope he grows up knowing I will always be there for him, to spoil him, teach him, and listen to him. And to give him "goodie" bags to take home, and ride in my truck, and make tents with. He is a sweet, silly, smart, awesome boy and I love him. Happy Birthday Bean!