Witches Night Out!!

This weekend was so much fun! Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE HALLOWEEN!! Not only is is my b-month but I love the weather, I love candy, I love playing dress up, I love decorating, and I love scary movies and being freaked out of my mind!! Elisa had the great idea to go to Witches Night Out. I'm so glad we did! Everyone dressed up with at least a witches hat. There were some pretty scary witches! Gardner Village decorates the whole place with gigantic green witches doing silly things, like, ride a bike over the water, playing baseball, or riding in a wagon being pulled by brooms! They had music and dancing and of course drawings, but we didn't stay that long. They also had story telling for the little ones and a fortune teller. ( I forgot to get my fortune told so that's a must for next time!) All the witches were dancing around the stage and from a distance it kinda gave you an eerie feeling...as Sarah said, "it makes you feel like we're trying to open some sort of portal or something". I laughed!! They had great deals, but still to expensive for me. I love all the pics! Elisa has some cute ones so check out her blog!

Madison's Baptism

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Madison was baptised. Elisa, Darrin and Miram came down and we spent the morning getting ready for Madison's Special Day. My mom made her the cutest babtism dress in eylet material and we all put our testimonies in a book Elisa made for her. It was so fun being all together and Madison is the sweetest girl ever! Her and my dad sang Teach me to Walk In the light of his love and it was so cute, Madison has a really great voice and a good ear! Elisa gave the nicest talk about enhariting his kingdom. Darrin babtised her and my dad confermed her. Mom lead the music. Her whole class was there and so many friends from the word came to support her. It was such a special day!! I think my favorite part was when all the kids got to gather around the font to watch the batism. What a good example she is to her little cousins.

A Season for Everything

So, I thought Spring and summer were the seasons for flowers. Nope I was wrong. I planted some flowers that my mom gave me along the fence by the neighbors. My mom said to cut off the blooms so that they can grow back fuller. I did and never saw another bloom. Until today. On plant had completly bloomed! Its been raing a lot lately, but I watered, why didn't they grown before! I had also been fighting with my porch flowers all summer. Kelly gave them to me when she moved and I thought I could get them to grow. They did, then they died, then they grew, then they died. They look better now then ever before!! Whats the deal? It's fall!

Refelction

Today is Thursday and it's UEA weekend so I do not have classes today. So, I'm catching up on blogging and cleaning. I can't believe how many blogs I've missed! You are all so entertaining! (and creative) Well, First of all thanks for all the birthday wishes and gifts! I have the most loving and thoughtful family! All the calls, comments on Elisa's post and surprise visits we're much appreciated! I was however bummed that I'm now 25! I know, I know, some of you are older but come on! My body certainly is not 21 anymore! But on the grateful side at least I'm healthy and able!!
So, I was thinking back on life and remembering back in grade school when you fill out those papers that say "Where will I be when I'm 25?" and wondering what happened. I'm so grateful for whatever did happen but, I thought I'd be on Broadway like in "42nd Street" or something. It's crazy how life turns out. I wonder where I'll be when I'm 52? My favorite thing to tell myself is that "if it's meant to be, everything will fall into place" that's how my life has been, I mean I do set goals and work for things, but if it doesn't fall into place then try something else or wait for the right time. It's funny how hindsight is 20/20. I'm so glad I met Jared after 5 years of going to the same school. Yes it's a small town but not that small. I definitely needed those five years to prepare myself for him. He is amazing and I had a lot of growing up to do. Where is this blog going? I don't really know but anyways. Life is good! "Bloom where your planted", and soon it will be time to "Dance among the Flowers"

Fall Fun

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do. I just can't seem to find time to blog! Something always goes wrong! I can't get my pics uploaded or my computer is so slow or something! But anyways here is an update on what is going on.
Two weekends ago, Jared and I met a friend and his wife up at the cabin for the opening of the Muzzleloader deer hunt. Weston and Jen are going to school in Ogden. Jen and I slept in and really good breakfast, watched chick flicks and went on nature walks. I loved it! The boys went hunting early in the mornings and then came home for lunch. We did go out with them in the evenings on the four wheelers but did not see and buck, just does. It was fun! I loved how beautiful it is up there, all the leaves are changing and the weather is nice and crisp with the smell of camp fires in the air. The pics are of Jared and Weston trying to split a huge log. They were trying to be "Manly Men".

This weekend Jared's family came to visit for my birthday. We went out for dinner and carved pumpkins and played a super fun game called "The Wrong Game". We laughed so hard! You'd be surprised at how hard it is to give the wrong answer to the questions. But for all of you pumpkin carvers I have a few tips to make sure your experience goes smoothly.

* Be sure to cut the top off at an angle so that it doesn't fall in and to prevent extra light coming out of the top.
* Cut a key in the top so that you know how it fits.
* Make sure that the top is big enough for you hand to fit in.
*Don't cut out letters...They may seem easy but they are really hard.
*Make sure to scrape the bottom evenly so that the candle or light can sit evenly
*Carve at an angle to the outside so that more light can show through
*Put your pumpkin in water at night so that it will last longer
*Rig something to the pumpkin so that when kids try to take them to smash them they're arm is cut off. Or just bring them inside before you go to bed.

Now I'm not an expert and that's pretty much all I can do, but if you have any other tricks let me know. The carving kit is pretty good and I do like the little saws, I think they do a good job...But what do I know:)

Mark painted the car before he left for his mission. It's pretty sweet. He just used lace and spray adhesive. Mark is so talented! I miss him!

Cabin Craze

This weekend was so fun! We went to the cabin with Sarah and the kids and mom, dad, and Erik and his kids. We went up to fix the front porch because there was too much snow last year and it caved in... sort of. Jared loves to work so he and dad, fixed the porch, made a sand box, cooked hamburgers, cut wood made fires and took us all to see the "bear cave"! I forgot my camera and Sarah's is broken so no pics. The bear cave is really close and I think it was made from water. We all had fun crawling through it. All the kids did it! Allie wants to sleep in it with the bear! At night Jared and the kids sat on the front porch listening to the elks talk to each other. He had his call so they were quite loud. Madison wants to go hunting with Jared so bad. She is really into real life animal stuff. She watches animal planet and the hunting channel all the time!! Weird! The Kids played the "Papa game" and we laughed so hard. It is when grandpa lays on his back and the kids sit on his knees. They put a coin in the "machine", his mouth, and he puts up his hands. The kids start putting down fingers until they've selected the "special" finger and papa lets them fall through his legs. they love it and we can't stop laughing. I remember playing when I was little. Well I hope everyone had a good weekend, Elisa we missed you and can't wait to see you next weekend.

Open Season!

Hunting Season! Well, It's time to wear bright orange, and camo clothes. And not time to shave. Jared has been hunting this month and will continue next month. He drew out for this unlimited bull hunt where he can hunt for a big bull elk during all the seasons...Riffle, bow, muzzeloader...He shot his bull this Monday in Huntington canyon. It's a pretty big bull. He is so excited! But, now he wants to mount it on our living room wall. Great! I've suggested the cabin but he wants it right by the door to greet him every day. He is not done hunting yet, he also drew out for muzzelloader deer which starts on conference weekend. He has been having a blast and it's crazy how a hunt unites boys together. He had a semi-friend from high school that he hasn't talked to in years call him up to go hunting together. It's crazy! But I'm happy for him! So Happy Hunting Everyone!!

Elisa's Tag

Elisa wanted me to do this tag so here it is. I haven't been reading much lately. I use to read all the time and get in trouble for it. But now I'm married to a redneck and he can't read. J/K
1. One book that changed your life. All the books by Jack Wayland. He was my "favorite and my Best" in middle school. I loved A New Dawn

2. One book you have read more than once. The Jack Wyland books, and The Children of The Promise books by Dean Huges. Love reading about WWII and of course the BofM

3. One book you would want on a desert island. Jared says that John Bytheway book about marriage because I would probably be with him. Same as #2

4. One book that made you laugh. Holes. I love it and the movie is almost as cute as the book!

5. One book that made you cry. Number the Stars. I just feel so amazed at what those little girls had to go through. I couldn't do that.

6. One book you wish had never been written. I haven't really read any crappy books because I only read books that have been referred to me but I wish that some things in the Sun Advocate
had never been written. Man I hate that newspaper
7. One book you wish had been written. The R.L Stines series, the one on Fear street
with the witches and the curse being passed down or something. I need to read them again. GOOD TIMES!
.8. One book you are currently reading. The Narnia Series. and the BofM

Dream Come True

I finally did it!! I opened a dance studio!! I have been planing this for years, since high school. It was fun to go from a ugly room to a cute studio! I loved every minute of it and appreciate all the help from my family and friends. Jared's mom and sister came for a "girls weekend" and helped with some painting. My mom helped clean the bathrooms and came up with the paint scheme. My dad and Jared put up the bars, mirrors, fake wall, and moved in all my dance stuff and equipment. Sarah helped decorate and advertise and Erik and Kelly painted the waiting area. Jared, my mom and dad helped finish painting the studio. With all the help it turned out great!! I had my first week of classes last week and had a blest!! I've had alot more girls sign up than I had hoped for! I can't wait for performances and costumes!! I'm even doing an adult class and I have so much fun! Now I can go to my high school reunion with confidence! Just kidding. If anyone has any cute dance ideas or decoration ideas please let me know!

It's time to get the house back together now. I've put off house work and improvments for a month! I'd rather work on the studio. We do need to paint the office and bedroom and get the guest rooms all situated. And I need to weed like crazy!!
I'll post pics as soon as blogger will let me! The "before pics" will not download so sorry. It was just a big white dirty room with a huge cut out on one wall.

It's Starting to Come together

Well, I've started advertising for my studio and have already had people call and sign up!! I have had this goal since high school when I realized that I was too short to be a rockett or any kind of Broadway dancer or ballerina. In College I created my name and logo and company names and even had a test run through when my ballet company teacher Candice allowed me to teach 2 jazz classes. They were great and I loved every minute. I liked school but not my dance classes, I failed ballet and modern because of written tests. We had one test where we were to draw the nine body positions in ballet. I'm not an artist so my stick figures cost me a passing grade. But don't let that fool you , I'm still a pretty good dancer. Then I moved to SLC to gain more experience in teaching little ones. I loved this job but still had a desire to own my own studio. My patriarchal blessing encourages me to pursue this goal and to be a good role model to those girls I teach. I so want to help girls realize that there is no such thing as "bump and grind" in real dancing.. That's only for music videos. Because of my drill coach who always had modest costumes I want my dancers to be able to live their religion no matter what talents and interests they have. Well, for a few months I felt that this was not going to happen as fast as I wanted it to. I was looking for a building but no one would rent to me or the spaces were to small or I couldn't afford them. I looked into building but that seemed even more impossible because a commercial building and all the permits and little fees are way too much. But just at the last minute someone finally felt compassion on me and allowed me to rent from him. (It's Kelly's dad, I love family) Not only is he letting me rent from him but for the first few months it's rent free so that I can get it started and running. Plus the building already had mirrors, which I didn't have and a wood floor which I can't afford to put in! So now all the expenses that I thought I would have, I don't! So most of my money can be put into advertising!! I do have to put some money into paint to fix up the room but it'll be so cute when I'm done!! I don't know why all of this came about but it did all happen the same week Jared and I accepted church callings. He is the 17 yr. old Sunday school teacher and I'm teaching the 9 & 10 yr. old primary. Coincidence? I don't know but I'm grateful for it all!! If you want to check out my studio blog it's encoredance.blogspot.com. I can't sleep because I'm coming up with dances and class ideas and year end concert stuff and advertising! I love it!

Denver Trip

Denver Colorado

I've been meaning to blog about my trip to Denver with Jared's family for awhile now but it just hasn't happened.

At the end of May Jared and I met his family in Denver and the Denver Aqarium. His brother lives in South Dakota and the rest live in Grand Junction Colorado. Denver was in the middle with a Six Flags so we met in Denver. It was fun to be with his family and the neicies and nephews. We went to Six Flags, the Aquarium, Denver Temple and the Denver Zoo. Now, Jared is not a big picture taker. He doesn't like to stop what he is doing to say "cheese". So at the Zoo I finally got mad and told him that we wouldn't be able to remember anything if we didn't have pictures. So what does he do? He finds a poor unsespecting bystander to be the modle of his photo shoot. The modle was an over weight guy taking his daughter to the Zoo. Well I guess it was his pants that Jared was interested in...more like his butt. This guy had a trail of brown something down his crack! Now I don't know what it was or what happened to him but Jared found this very entertaining and made it his mission to get the best "memory" of our family trip. Leave it up to Jared to take great family pictures. Poor Guy!

Elder Rasmussen

Elder Rasmussen

Mark is now in Brazil beginning his new chapter in life. It was hard to see him go so far away. His talk on Sunday was so impressive! He really is a smart guy! Now I'll have to write my own talks for church! Just kidding! But he was just a little boy setting boobie traps and pretending to be a Ninja Turtle and now he's in a foreign country learning a new language and learning to rely on the lord. How selfless is my little brother!!

We drove to SLC on Monday and Mark rode up with me. He was in such a good mood and I think he was really happy to be serving the lord. My family and Uncle Damon ate at the spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square and then went swimming at the hotel pool. Madison splashed Mark and we had a blast. I can't remember the last time we all went swimming together, even dad. Mark's plane left for New York at 9:50 a.m. so we had to be at the airport early in the morning. Dad said a prayer and off we went... Almost without any problems. Thank goodness for cell phones, because dad missed the exit and finding parking was trouble! While we waited for Mark to get his tickets I asked Miriam where Uncle Mark was going and in her tiny voice she said "Brazil" and she told me he was a "missionary". What a good example my little brother is to his nieces and nephew's. They will miss him so much!!

With all the Security we had to say good-bye early and that was the hardest part!! There wasn't a dry eye in the whole place! Elisa has all the Pics and I'm sure she'll put them on her blog! Mark and the other Elders looked so young! How can he be nineteen and teaching strangers for two years! He's my Little Brother! But I know He'll grow so much and do some amazing things!! I love him and am so proud of him!

God Speed Elder!!

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Rain Rain go away!! Well, maybe not, we need you. So, it's been raining for like a week. I love the rain but I hate the thunder and lightning! Mostly because Jared works nights and I'm home alone with Tonka. On sunday after church their was a thunder and lighting storm. At first it was fine and then a Huge clap of thunder came down followed immediately by lightning! Then the power flickered and dimmed. Yes the lights just dimmed! We heard this buzz all throughout the house and outside. We grabbed our shoes, jumped in the car a drove around the block. Just on 2nd east was the fire chief and some men staring at the power lines. You couldn't see anything but the fire truck was on it's way and more men in church clothes were showing up putting on their fire suits as they jumped out of their cars. We had the power out for six hours! I was scared. At the cabin Sarah and Elisa made up a story for the kids when it was raining. The clouds were at a birthday party and kept saying things like "happy birthday" and "excuse me,excuse me" In their deep voices. And the lightening was the flash on their cameras as they were taking pictures. Even though this was for the kids, it helped me this last week. Plus I am just down the street from mom and dad, so I just run up there for them to comfort (make fun of) me. That's something I'm glad for, in SLC I was all alone. Elisa lived in Centerville but that's sometimes to far away, especially at 10:00 at night. I had to rely on prayers and primary songs to comfort me. (and Jared's pistol under the bed, Don't worry we never had bullets. ) Well, anyways, my point is that we are never alone, I sometimes forget that and need a storm to remind me.

Tee Ball

TEE BALL

Jared and I went to Josh's Tee Ball game. Erik is the coach, and so good with kids. Josh hits really well and always takes like three practice swings before he actually hits the ball. Those kids are so cute! Everyone in the field dives after the ball no matter where it's hit. Erik does have one kid that looks like he's in like 3rd grade and one kid whose name is T-Rex...No lie! Not only is his name T-Rex, but he has the craziest mullet I've ever seen! Jared loves it, but come on! It's tuff for kids now days as it is!! That's just asking for trouble! While we were there, across the field Jared's cousin, Melissa was coaching her twin sons Coach Pitch ball game. We went over and watch them for awhile. Boy are they good! One mom went to SLC and bought them all matching jerseys, New York Yakees. They're so crazy! Everyone has to slide into home base, no matter how much time they have. Jared can't wait to have boys! (we'll probably have all girls) It was fun to see all the little Tykes and their parents, kinda make me baby hungry, but not enough!

P.S. The picture of T-Rex doesn't do him justice!

Is This NASCAR?!

Is this NASCAR??

So last night mom had a BBQ with the Bedonts. It was a blast Karen Bedont is a funny loud lady. Mark and Sarah were on a roll with the jokes and we talked Mark into coming to the fireworks at the Fair Grounds. He didn't want to but we played the whole "we won't see you for TWO WHOLE YEARS" bit. He caved and came. It was fun! Madison and Marcus played on the playground and we laid out a blanket on the grass. They had food and music (crappy but entertaining music). And the fireworks were right over our heads! I loved being around tons of people watching the same show. It reminded me of when we would go to Hunnington cemetery or elementary and watch the fireworks on the big hill. Well, so every thing was fun until the dreaded exiting the parking lot. Why is it that parking and traffic can completely ruin an event? People just don't have patience and don't know how to merge. There were cars and trucks making their own lanes and horns honking! We almost had three wrecks in front of us! Where were the police and parking attendants? Why wasn't this organized better? I would pay money just to have it work smoother. Well, I think I'll talk to Paul Bedont, he's the Fire chief. We still had fun and I'm glad Uncle Mark came with us to "make memories".

Tonka

This is my new little girl!! Tonka. I have wanted a pet since Jared and I got married. In SLC he said only fish because of the small apartment thing. Then when we decided to move to Price I wanted a dog. We are living in Grandma's house with a big yard and everything! But he said no. He was the designated "dog sitter" growing up so he put his foot down. Not that he doesn't like dogs, he does. Well, one day when we were at mom's we found out that the Bedonts (next door neighbors) had kittens. We went over to play with them and Jared fell in love with them! Yea! Now I have a pet! A friend to keep me company when Jared is working nights! Even though she is a girl I named her Tonka. Before I moved I held a contest at the Winner School with all the girls to come up with a name. Sophia had the winning name and earned a treat from the snack Bar. I pick the name before we picked the kitten so we didn't know if she was a boy or girl. Jared loved the girl. She is so great! Playful yet cozy when she's tired.
She loves playing with bubbles as I do the dishes and she follows me everywhere. She also sleeps with us in bed at night which is a little crazy sometimes because she's so tiny we sometimes squish her. She likes to sit in the window and watch the cars go by just like my grandma. I love when she falls asleep in my arms and lets my play with her paws. She is "purr"fect! I want to train her to sit and fetch but we'll see.

Well, Well, This is what it's about

So this is hard stuff to figure out for a computer illiterate girl like me! But everyone does it and they look so cute, so I decided to try it. I shouldn't compare but how can you not, I hope mine is as cute as Elisa's and funny like Sarah's. Maybe this will help me vent and keep my thoughts organized. So here's to the blogger's life!