ThE jAnUAry GiRLs!!

Birthdays are a time of celebration! But it does mean that you become one year older...and who wants to get old anyway??? I think that most people....eh, most women, want to stay young all our lives. We are still looking for the cure for the common birthday. As I get older I get more and more upset with my age. I do not like getting older. So I decided to adopt a life's philosophy to make me feel better: "Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional."

I also have many people around me to keep me young. And two that share my birthday with me. My two cute nieces Torie and Halle will always be around to make another birthday more bearable and fun. They are the cutest girls ever! Torie is a junior in highschool and likes to read, watch movies, hang with her BF, sing, and listen to music. Halle is a bundle of energy who loves to paint, draw, watch Sesame Street, and loves Tinkerbell. They are my January Girls!


I have also learned through suffering through so many birthdays that the calories don't count on birthdays cakes. And birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake. So I allowed myself a piece of cake and some ice cream (both of which are still in my fridge and taunting me). Halle loved blowing out her Tinkerbell cake and I think loved eating it even more.


Dustin and Heather got me a cute cupcake. It was so pretty I didn't want to eat it. And the best part was that it came attached with a large diamond ring. Talk about bling! So now I have my checklist: Got the cupcake, got the ring......got the man??? Well, I'm still working on that. Maybe someday my prince will come....and show up on my doorstep ready to whisk me off to somewhere exciting, and we ride off into the sunset, and.......
WOW, I need to stop watching romances.

I celebrated my birthday first my taking the day off from work. I then knew we were having people over so I scrubbed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom, and vacumned. I then went to Halle's birthday party to wish her and Torie the best birthdays ever! Then my mom and I cooked a yummy dinner. My sisters Gayla and Joni came over (they were going to a play with the parents) and Rick, Julie, Cassidy, and Tucker came as well.

Gayle gave me the cutest apron ever! It had bling and said "Domestic Diva". I love it! Joni gave me a giftcard to Target which is awesome. And Julie and family gave me Happy perfume and some way cute earrings. My mom and dad gave me the cutest purse that I have been stalking at Kohl's. They also gave me the cutest coat! I am so blessed to have so many people in life who care about me and are willing to share my birthday with me.

Rick, Julie and kids babysat me while the others went to the play. We then played Truth or Dare which was funny. Cass had to smell all our feet and had to bark like a dog whenever anyone said the the "and". We dared Tuck to eat Seuarkraut, which he wouldn't do. But I'm such a wuss that I asked for Truth every time. Then we ate yummy cake and ice cream. It wasn't the most excting birthday but it was fun.

My mom is the best! She still manages to make birthdays special. And I know that I am older and should outgrow that, but I still love it.

So now I'm another year older and wiser (no laughing). And I am so grateful for so many things and people. I love you all!!! But I think the true secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and LIE about your age!

New Years Resolutions.....

I'm not the kind of person that normally makes a New Years Resolution. I always feel like it setting yourself up for failure. But this last year I accomplished more than I ever thought I could.

Last July I told myself that I was going to get healthy and make a huge change in my life. I gave up my favorite things in the world (pepsi and treats) and started a lifestyle change in my eating habits. I also started exercising, which I hadn't really done since highschool. The first few weeks were the hardest I had ever had. I never knew how much I relied on food to get me by. But as the days went by and I actually started to see results I knew that I had done the best thing for myself. I never knew I could actually have that much self-control to stick to it for the last 6 months. So now here I am....52 pounds lighter and much happier.

So now that I know that I am able to see something through I want to try to make a resolution and make it happen. I couldn't decide what I wanted to change the most in my life this year, whether I wanted it to be about me or others. So I decided to not make just one large resolution, but many small ones......

I want to be a nicer person. I want to be un-selfish and do for others, to help when its needed. I want to make more friends. I want to visit places and do new things. I want to learn to not be afraid of stupid things, like snow & dating (random, huh?). I want to open myself up to people and not hold back, to not keep it all in and be closed off. Does that make sense? I want to be a "new" me that is more adventurous and fun. I want to a person that someone would love and want to be with. I want my family to be healthy and happy. I want the best for them all. I want to "Pay it Forward". I want, I want, I want....wow, I need to work on that. I guess I should say instead, " I would really really like for.....".

I just know that I can BE better. So if any of you have any more ideas for me to make this happen then please feel free to write and give suggestions. I just hope that I can do these things. I guess we'll see. Let's see if I can make this new year one like I've never had before!

Its Christmas Time!!!!

Can you believe that Christmas has come and gone already??? It seems like we wait forever for it to finally get here, then all of a sudden its over. I love the Christmas season (minus the snow). I love the lights, the decorations, even the shopping. I always put up my tree the day after Thanksgiving so the season can last longer. We even had out lights up BEFORE Halloween! So here's a few pictures I managed to take of my holiday...

I got to cookin' like I always do (extra hard this year considering I'm not supposed to eat this yummy stuff anymore). I made yummy pecan tarts, gingerbread cookies, and pretzel/rolo goodies. Then I made gift bags of popcorn with seasonings to give away. It all looked so good, I hope it tasted good too.....

So every year we try to cram as many people into out house as we can. I don't know why we do this and not move to a bigger venue, but whatever. So with everyone in the living room, I try to find people to hand them their gifts. It is pretty crazy!!! Then the wrapping paper fights begin and it becomes a mad house. One thing though...I wouldn't change it for the world. This is my family, I love all the craziness and mayhem!! What would I do if I didn't have this to drive me mad?

Its fun to see people you don't get to see often, but its hard because you don't get to really visit and sit & talk much. I can't believe how large this family has gotten in the past few years. We were missing some people too. I'm just so happy to welcome new people into this wacky family and to get reacquanted with others who've been her awhile. I just don't like the clean-up afterwards. Where are my helper elves when I need them?

So my sister Christy gave everyone a Million-Dollar bill as her gift (they were fake). People got such a kick out of them and Tucker ended up with like $5 million I think. If only......

I'm so thankful for so many things. I have a great family, my health, a home, a job, etc. This Christmas was a great one and I appreciate all that I was given and thank everyone. Christmas has now come and gone, and now we begin a new year. I hope it is full of fun and adventure, and all good things for me & my family. I love you all and wish you a very Merry Holiday and an even better and joyous New Year!!!

WHaT I'M thAnkFuL fOr.....

I can't believe that another year has gone by and it's Thanksgiving again. There are so many things that I am thankful for in my life. My number one: my family. They are always there for me, supporting me, loving me. What would I do without them?? I'm also thankful for my health, my home, my friends, a job, movies & music, hugs & kisses, and ice cream (ha ha).

Just like every other year we had many come to dinner. I think we ended up with around 23 people that came for dinner and a few more for dessert. We stuffed ourselves with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, ham, yams, green beans, vegetables, and jello (not me...its gross). Then we ate even more when we had pie for dessert....all my favorites.....pumpkin, pecan, caramel apple, chocolate cream, and cheesecake. I love having family here but I sure do hate the clean-up.

For some reason (I'm mean) I like to get pics of people while they're trying to eat. There's something to be said about a picture with a fork in your mouth or food on your face. I just like catching people unaware and putting the pic on the internet.

Little Cathan loved the pie. Grandma Gayla couldn't feed him fast enough.

The little kiddies had a lot of fun running around and playing on the stairs with Uncle Josh. The stairs became a new toy to them. After all of their fun they were so tired they needed a rest on the floor.

Seeing Thanksgiving come and go is kind of bittersweet for me. I love this Holiday so much and look forward to it. But then all of a sudden its over and we quickly move on to the next holiday. I just wish we could spend more time on the things we're thankful for. And spend less time at the stores.

HaLLowEeN cAmE & WenT!!

It's that time of year again, the time where we can dress like freaks and its okay with society. I actually love Halloween for that reason. I love any reason to dress up in a totally random character and be that person for one night. I couldn't narrow it down to one costume this year so I had a costume change half-way through the events. I rented a costume for Halloween night but in the meantime I had another costume....as the devil. On Friday night before Halloween I was invited to Jamie & Taime's place for a party. So I donned my Devil-Lady costume and off I went....

I met up with my Zombie-brother Kelly where he got a little "close" with someone at the party. I think they make a great couple and I heard it could be serious.

I put on my costume for work on Saturday morning. When I got home to prepare for the next party, I met up with a tame kitty that I like to call Mom.

Ryker was our first Trick-or-Treater of the night. He came as a cute Train Engineer. He just liked all the candy that was put in his Thomas the Tank bucket. Then all kinds of people showed up....we had Vampires, bunnies, monkeys, clowns, and pirates. We don't discriminate at our house...everyone is welcome!!

Candace the Pirate-Godess!

I changed into my Bat-Girl costume when the party started. I have never worn a "real" costume before so I was excited to be a Super-Hero for one night. I was a little self-conscious of showing a tiny bit of skin(my arms) but no one knew it was me anyway...Duh, I was Bat-Girl!!!

Cupcakes I made with body parts.They were yummy...I heard.

All my buds!

This is the pics of the A-Team. We can take on the world with our unique abilities. We can control all things Bat, Redneck, Vampire, and Train. Who else in the world can offer that in one crew??

I love spending this crazy night with my family eating yummy food and treats. Such great times!!

IT'S PUMPKIN TIME!!!!!

Do you know what the best thing to do is on a cold and snowy night a few nights before Halloween?

You need to make a big ol' pot of homemade chili to heat you from the inside out to start then carve a few pumpkins. Since it was so dreary outside, my mom and I decided that tonight was THE night. We cleared the table off and let the carving begin. I am not a, shall we say, creative type person. So instead of making my pumpkin cool or scary...I made it cute! I carved flowers and polka dots. What can I say, I'm such a girl. To make matters worse I pulled out the paint and made it colorful too. My mom knew what she wanted but couldn't carve her pumpkin so I did hers for her. They both turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.

We are not the most artistic or talented of pumpkin carvers, but I had a great time spending time with my mom and that's what makes it a great memory to share.

Ryan & Janette's Wedding!

My nephew Ryan married his beautiful Janette last night. They went through the temple that morning and had a luncheon at their church that afternoon. The reception was at a place in Sandy called Noah's. They reserved the large baquet hall and it was so beautiful. They served a mexican feast and authentic mexican drinks (YUM!). After dinner the dancing began.

Ryan & Janette started the festivites off by groovin' on the dance floor. Then they grabbed their parents for a dance. And took turns dancing with their new in-laws.

The floor was then open for anyone to dance. Cassidy, Julie, and Tucker headed for the floor to "Get Down". Cass took Ryker out to dance and he didn't know what to think, but he did it. I eventually headed out to the dance floor to dance with my two best guys....Tucker and Ryker. Let me just say one thing: I DO NOT DANCE! I have zero rhythm and make a fool of myself but I had so much fun dancing with everyone. I danced with my cool nephew Jared, with Cassidy, with Candace, and Joni even got my mom out there for the Macarena. The dancing went on until late in to the night.

In the Mexican tradition they do this dance where the bride & groom stand on chairs, join hands, and make an arch. Then all the women in the room take their shoes off (better traction), grab hands, and dance around the whole room and under Ryan & Janette's arms. It got really crazy when it was the guys turn. They got faster & faster going around the room. Chairs were overturned, and people had to hold on to Ryan & Janette so they wouldn't fall. But it was so much fun to be a part of and learn about their traditions.

Another tradition they did was when people pin money to the bride and groom for a dance. It was so cool to see all the money pinned on them as they danced around the room with the people who love them. My favorite was watching Ryan dance with his guy friends.

Ryan & Chelsea took me up to the top floor of the reception center. The cool thing aboutNoah's is that its a center that can have multiple uses. It has a requetball court, karaoke, a movie screening room, 2 billiard rooms, and an ice skating rink on the roof. Chelsea liked the billiard table ('nuff said).

This was the funnest wedding. I had such a great time and loved dancing with my family and taking pictures of everyone. But most of all, I am so happy for Ryan and Janette. We are so excited to welcome her in to the family with open arms. Congratulations to them and best wishes for a wonderful future.