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.