Sleepover Parties

I was lucky enough to be the host of a few niece and nephew sleep overs this summer. The ironic thing was that they happened one day after the other. Ethan, Savanah and Vanessa came to stay with me on a Thursday night. We ate at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. We took Charlie for a walk to the park and then made Smore's in my backyard! Yum!!



The following night Gracie, Jared and Miya came to sleepover. We ordered Pizza Hut pizza and had a Hershey's chocolate pizza for dessert. Yum, again!! We went to the park by the bountiful Rec Plex and played for a while. On Saturday morning the kids came to Charlie's obedience class with me. They were great to help out the dog trainer train the dogs and held her dog, Bowser for her while we were in class. Both nights were lots of fun. I have the best nieces and nephews in the world!!

My 31st BiRThDaY

I turned 31 years old on July 13th. I can't believe how the years start to fly by when you get older. I had one of the best days ever of course. Because my bday was on a Tuesday and I had to work I spent the Saturday before at the Spa. I had a 90 minute fire and ice massage and a 60 minute facial. Both were divine and I felt like a celebrate when I walked out the door.

When I went to the counter to pay they said that Rhianna had called and prepaid for my facial. I wasn't sure what that meant because I do not know Rhianna. What they meant was Brianna had called and prepaid for my facial. That was such a great surprise. Thanks to Bri for knowing what I love and for making me feel special.

On Sunday the family had a birthday dinner for me which consisted of a Nacho Bar, homemade rootbeer and my Mom's made from scratch chocolate cake. It was delicious. To celebrate the day at work we went for a popcorn lunch which means we went to see a movie and grab some Sushi. It was way yum and super fun! Dinner the night of my birthday was at Arella Pizzeria in Bountiful. Close friends and people that are important in my life were there.



Sweet Kelli made me the most amazing chocolate birthday cake with reese's peanut butter cups crushed on the top. Of course it was amazing. It was such a great birthday. I am so happy for all that I have in my life. Although it is passing by quickly it truly does just keep getting better and better.

Charlie....

I adopted a 3 year old boxer dog from the animal shelter a few months ago. His name is Charlie. He is the best dog ever!!! He was found on the side of the freeway by the highway patrol. The shelter staff was unable to tell how long he had been on his own. When he went for his neuter the vet found that he had low liver function which he said was probably from eating garbage. He had a cough when I first got him and was scared of nearly everything. But, he has adjusted well and now is my new best friend.



He loves to follow me around the house wherever I go. He fell asleep on the floor on this stack of dirty laundry. I like to think it's because it had my scent! Haa! When I come home from work and let him out of his kennel he wiggles his entire body and turns in circles. He paws at my feet until he feels he has had enough love. I've only heard him bark a handful of times. As of late it is when he thinks someone is coming into the house, like the guy who mows our lawn. He likes to protect his territory and I am happy he gets possessive.



Charlie has come to work with me a couple of times just because I don't like leaving him home alone day after day. Even while we are in the office he follows me everywhere. This is a picture of him climbing through my desk to keep himself entertained. He is the best!!

The Race for The Cure

The Race for the Cure was on May 8th this year. My sister Colette and my sister in law Kim came down to participate with me this year. We had a sleepover at my house the night before. Did a last minute shopping trip to Target and grabbed some ice cream. I had talked with Colette and Kim about the race's I had done before. The Race for the Cure is my most favorite race I have ever done. Ever year I ended up running with tears regardless of how hard I try to stay composed. My family kind of made fun of me for saying the race always made me emotional. Colette, Kim and I were walking to the starting line and I looked over a both of them. I was stunned to see they were both trying to hold back the tears and were becoming emotional before the race even began. It was really cool. I'm happy they made it done and had a good experience. Hopefully it can become a tradition for the rest of our lives. To all of those who suffer, or know someone who has suffered from the awful breast cancer disease. The race is for you and you will always be in my prayers.





Colette and Kim both ran for people they new personally in their lives who had been plagued by breast cancer. I love to see people show they care.

My Kitchen Renovations

About a year ago or more I decided I wanted to update my kitchen a little so that it would be a little more me. Well, I started by taking off all of the cupboard doors and applied one coat of primer to half of the cabinets. Then I got busy and bored. I am embarrassed to say, my kitchen stayed like that for months. Then one day a friend of mine said she knew a guy who painted for people on the side to make extra money. She said he didn't charge much and did a decent job. I thought it was a brilliant idea..I called him over to look at it and hired him to finish the painting my kitchen. The I had to summon the help of my brother Austin and sister in law Alysha to help me put the handles on the drawers. You would think I would figure out how to do a project before I dive head into it. Obviously that wasn't the case. However, it is finally complete. Hallelujah! What do you think?

Here is a lovely picture of before....



And here are the pictures of the after...

Not Sleepless in Seattle

I went to Seattle in March to see one of my Brazilian mission companions that was visiting from Switzerland. While we were in Seattle we also met up with another Sister missionary from our mission and had all sorts of good times!! We were definitely not sleepless in Seattle.





Underneath the Fresh Market there is a Wall of Gum. To be honest I think it is absolutely disgusting but actually kind of amazing. The entire wall is plastered with people's gum. Crazy! And as you can see I felt like I had to participate!



We went to the Pier and saw some barges. Cindi fed the seagulls some donuts. That's healthy for them, right?




Eliete and I at Pike Place Market.










Of course we had to eat some Brazilian food!! Yummy!

I love that Seattle city. Such a fun place to be. It was beautiful weather the entire time and I loved spending time with Eliete and Cindi. I hope it isn't so long before we see each other again!!

The Nativity

One of the many perks of staying with my sister Colette over Christmas was watching her kids reinact the nativity. Vanessa didn't want to do anything or participate until all the other kids started rehearsing parts and getting there costumes ready. As we were about to get the production started she decided she wanted to be Mary. It turned out so good. I was really impressed with how they all did. We sang songs and Journeyed through the back yard to Bethlehem. It was really fun to see and participate in.

Christmas Diva

I spent Christmas with Colette and her family. The kids were all riled up on Christmas Eve. Vanessa pulled some stockings and Santa hat out of a closet and put them on to model. I had to take some pictures she was so darling!

Three Kings Found the Lord

I saw the Forgotten Carols on Friday with a friend. I can't help but be more excited for Christmas after seeing the play. Three Kings found the Lord and so can we. If we choose we can find Christ in our lives and follow him. I love the Lord and I am so happy for the Christmas season that reminds me of the love he has for us and the peace he can bring into our lives. Three Kings found the Lord and so can we.

A Winter Wonderland

We got our first great big snow fall today. I woke up to about 12" at my house. It's always a bad sign when I can hear snow plows at 4:30am. I took a couple of quick pictures of my backyard. Doesn't really show all of the snow but, you get the point...winter is here!!!



My back yard.


The lovely pine trees.


Can't even see my feet.

My Eye...

Can you see the two small pink marks under my eye? I hit myself in the face with my blow dryer cord. Dumb, I know. I have a blow dryer with a retractable cord. I was in a real big hurry and I pulled the plug out of the socket and then pushed the retract button and the cord flipped up and got me right under my eye. I started bleeding and ended up with a bruise under my eye for about a week. Everyone kept asking me what happened and I had to keep saying, "I hit myself with my blow dryer cord." Ha Ha.. how lame does that sound? Oh well, it's all better now and makes me laugh that it even happened. Ha!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I decorated my Christmas tree tonight while listening to a holiday playlist on my computer. I went with gold and red decorations this year. Last year it was blue and silver. I like to spice things up sometimes. I am very excited it is the holiday season. Merry Christmas!!