Thanksgiving 2013

This year, we decided to stay home and enjoy Thanksgiving in our new home. I love the years when we stay home. Its a lot of pressure to do ALL the cooking on our own, but I love that we can do it at our pace with no worry on being on time for dinner. And Josh is such great help that it runs smoothly.

 

I was going to prepare a few things each night, but never did. So I had to do it all today. I started by making two of the pies so they could have time to set up in the fridge. We did run into a few hiccups. Yesterday, while I was at work, I called and told Josh to pull some bread out of the freezer. Turns out, all I had in there was banana bread. We decided we had enough food, we would be fine without stuffing.

 

But then, I realized I needed a few things from the store this morning. (Josh went to the store TWICE for me today.) So we decided to do cornbread stuffing this year. I ran out of time to make fresh rolls, so during one of Josh's store runs, he bought some frozen rolls.

 

Our feast included:

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes & home made gravy

Carrot Supreme

Candied Yams

Cornbread Stuffing

Cranberries

Rolls



Halloween 2013

This year, I almost didn't dress up. I couldn't find a time, when everyone could come, to my Halloween Party, so I didn't feel the need to get a costume. I should have known better. A week ago, I started having a panic attack because I didn't have a costume for Halloween. I decided to just do something simple, a witch. I found a few things in town, and then ordered the rest from Amazon.

 

I got up early so I could do spider web eye makeup.

 

As always, I was the only one dressed up at work. But I enjoy it.

 

I got off early so I could go do the Main Street Parade with Vanessa and the boys.

 

That actually worked out really well. Our little Bat decided to remind us why they call it the terrible two's, and he went home early with his mom.

 

But I stayed with the Ninja Turtle and we had a blast.

 

This was later that afternoon when he was getting ready to go out with his dad.

 

The boys opening the treat bags I made for them.

 

Cute story; yesterday, when I told Valex I had a gift for him, he asked, "is it a helicopter?" Not sure where that even came from. But today, I found a cute toy helicopter and I had to buy it for him just because he said that yesterday. I'm in trouble if they ever figure out just how tightly they have me wrapped around their little fingers.

 

After I finished at my sister's, I drove up to Altamont to see my other nephews. I can't believe how big they are getting. Each age just amazes me at what they can do. Preston is so smart. And Tyler is such a ham.

 LOVE that he was a John Deere Tractor. That is the PERFECT costume for him. I can see him wearing that until it falls off in rags.

 

They used their stickers to decorate their pails before heading out to go trick or treating.

 

I am about to be even more blessed as an aunt. Melanie and her family are moving to town and will only be a mile away from me. I'm so excited to be surrounded by all my favorite boys. 

Lunch With a Witch

One of the local grocery stores has been advertising about "Lunch with a Witch." Vanessa and I thought it would be fun to take the boys.

 

Unfortunately, last night, she had costume problems. The package came in the mail, it only ONE costume for Valex. Then when she tried it on him, it was too small! We decided to just take the kids in their Halloween shirts. But then, I found a cute bat costume in town and couldn't resist buying it.

 

It took a little convincing, but he decided to wear it, with part of the Ninja Turtle costume. He had on the mask and the shell. He was our Ninja Turtle Bat.

We tried the to get Daxsen to wear the Ninja Turtle costume, or the SpongeBob (from last year), but all he wanted was his blue monster hoodie. 

We tried the to get Daxsen to wear the Ninja Turtle costume, or the SpongeBob (from last year), but all he wanted was his blue monster hoodie.  

 

I decided to dress up as a witch this year, but I can't decide which witch hat to wear. So I spent today trying out both of them.

 

Ready to go trick or treating through the store!

The boys would wave to the monster, from a safe distance, but they didn't want their picture with him. So Vanessa got one instead. 

They both did really well with the witch. Hopefully they will do just as well with Santa this year!

 

The Beauty and the Cutie!

 

After that, we decided to meet some friends at the park and enjoy the nice weather.

 

Daxsen, the ever fearless climber.

 

I didn't get a picture (because I was laughing to hard), but Daxsen got to the top of the spider web thingy you can see behind him. I pointed that out to his mom and she about had a heart attack. And of course, he fell before she could get to him. But it didn't even phase him. he just ran to the next thing he could climb.

 

It was a fun day. I can't wait for Halloween. I'm getting off work early to go Trick-or-Treating with Vanessa and the boys!

Halloween Chocolate Modeling Class

 On Wednesday, I saw a Halloween Chocolate Modeling class that was scheduled for the next night in Duchesne. One of the gals at work had just taken this ladies cake decorating classes. I asked if she was going, but she had to head out of town for a family event, so she wasn't going.

I thought Jessica had standing plans for every Thursday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. I was in luck, her Thursday night plans had been cancelled for the week.

 

We worked with modeling chocolate and fondant to make several cute Halloween decorations. And we got to meet some fun new people.

The cat was by far the hardest, but I love how it turned out. I had so much fun and learned some fun new techniques. I can't wait to try out some more.

 

Las Vegas 2013

While I was at the zoo with my family, my mom mentioned she was going to Vegas with my grandma and she would only be using half of her condo. She was telling my grandma, she was thinking of trying to sell the other half, but wasn't sure how to find someone she could trust.

I stewed on it for a little bit, and decided I would really like to go. It was the same week Josh would be hunting, so I was going to be alone anyways. I just needed to make sure I could get off work for that week. She was leaving in like 8 days, so I didn't have long to plan.

I had 2 plans. I could go alone, and craft to my hearts delight, hanging with my mom and grandma when I wanted. Or I could get a friend to go with me.

I called one friend, but she couldn't go. I was bummed to be going alone, but was still determined to go and have fun. I was telling Josh about my plans when he said, "why don't you invite who ever that was you were talking to on the phone the other night?"

That person would be the amazing Ashley. We grew up close when we were young, and during my sophomore year, we were really good friends. I still have great memories of hanging at her house, making our own milk shakes.

But as life does, we had grown apart. I got married and she moved away and we lost touch. A few years ago, we connected on Facebook, but that was about it. After my 6 month hiatus from Facebook, I got back on and learned she was going through a tough time. I reached out to her online, and she in turn called me. We instantly picked back up where we had left off all those years again.

Since deciding to live my life free of the church, it has been really hard on me to connect with people. I still maintain the fact that I haven't changed that much, but I guess I must have, because I feel left out. Or like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. I've struggled through some depression over it, but didn't know what else to do. So when Josh suggested inviting Ashley to meet me in Vegas, I thought it was a brilliant idea.

I was going to arrive Saturday afternoon, and stay through until the following Saturday morning. She recently  moved to LA and was able to ride the bus to Vegas. I picked her up on Sunday and she was able to stay until Thursday night.

Honestly, I was excited to see her, but also nervous. It had been over 14 years since I last saw her. What if we didn't connect and it ended up being a miserable week? But it was just the opposite. When I saw her, I was so happy I could feel myself tearing up.

She is such an amazing lady and I'm so glad I got to spend the week with her. I feel like I have a new best friend and I hope we can keep it going strong this time.

We pretty much ran non stop the entire week. So much so, we didn't take any pictures. But it was a blast.

Notice our matching necklaces she bought for us.

Sunday night, we went to Sin City Comedy & Burlesque at the Planet Hollywood Casino. It was so funny! We were still laughing days later.

Monday was spent shopping and running a few errands. We were going to go to a Magic Show, but real life got in the way and we had to miss it. But I did get to meet another one of her friends and I'm glad to know she has some amazing people around her right now.

Tuesday, we went to Zumanity. It was AMAZING!

On Wednesday, we did something I've been wanting to do for over a year now.

Yep, I got inked!



I've been looking at pictures for over a year now. I knew I wanted a flower, and I was pretty sure I wanted it on my foot. I wanted it were I could see it often, but also where I could cover it if I needed to.

I looked at hundreds of pictures, but I always came back to this one. Its actually just a henna drawing, but I loved the design. When we got to the 3 Lions Tattoo Parlor, my phone wouldn't work, so I couldn't find the picture. But they had a computer and after scrolling to a gazillion pictures, I was able to find it again.

Holly did my tattoo and she was awesome. When she started, I warned her I was ticklish. She warned me, that it didn't matter, it wouldn't tickle.

I've heard the foot is the most painful area and I'm now convinced that is true. It hurt like HELL! I was sober when we started, but my friend, tequila, had to help me finish. 

I love how it turned out. I was only going to do one flower and let the vine go up my ankle, but after Holly drew it on, it didn't look complete, so we added another flower. 

That night, we took a limo to a club. And I was even able to wear these shoes that Ashley bought for me.

 

Our last day together was spent relaxing and getting her ready to catch the bus home. I was so sad to see her leave. Even more so when the bus stop was at the airport and all I could do was drop her off to the curb. I wanted to soak up every minute with her. LA feels so far away, but I'm hopeful we can keep our friend ship going. And its encouraged me to reach out to other friends from my past and reconnect with them.

Friday night, I went to Freemont street with my mom and grandma. When we went last year, the light show had been cancelled, so I wanted to try and see it again. It was pretty cool.

I'm glad I decided on this trip last minute. It was just what I needed to distress.

Josh also had an enjoyable week in the mountains, but didn't get an elk this year. But he was determined to shoot a big one. He did pass up several small ones, so he's ok with it. He does have a cow elk tag in December, and I'm sure he'll get one then.

Fuel to drive to and from Vegas by myself: $200

Food: $150

Gambling money: Actually, I broke even on that one. ;)

My first tattoo: $180

Making a new best friend: PRICELESS!

Corn Maze with the nephews

Last week, Barb mentioned going to the corn maze. Josh had to work, but I wanted to go.

Then, literally 10 minutes before I was supposed to leave, my sister called looking for a baby sitter. So I decided to take them with me.

 

This was like a dream come true, spending time with all of my nephews at once.

 

I took most of my pictures with my camera, but also took a few with my phone so I could text them to my mom and sister. Melanie also took some awesome pictures with her camera and was nice to share with me. So that is why the pictures might seem out of order.

 

Even though we were running late, we still beat everyone there. So I took Valex and Daxsen to look at the goats. They LOVED them! They were hilarious to watch. They would lean in close and if a goat smelt them or licked them, they would fall back in a fit of giggles. I wish I had thought to get a video.

 

Then Tyler showed up with his grandpa & grandma. While we were waiting for the rest of the group, we explored the corn pit and the slide. I was so nervous letting Daxsen go down by himself, but he is determined to hang with the big boys and there was no stopping him. At least he came down at a slower pace.

 They also have a couple big guns that shoot pumpkins. Valex wasn't so sure about them. Each time he could hear the gun pressuring up, he knew it was going to go off, and it would scare him a little.

 

Daxsen only played in the corn for a minute. I don't think he liked the feel of it. But Valex loved it. He watched some older boys fall into it. So after they left, he did the same thing.

 Then, when it was time to move on, he buried his hands and told me he was "stuck".

 

For the first 20 minutes, I kept asking them if they wanted to ride the cow train, but Valex kept saying no. But when he saw Tyler climb in, he decided it was ok. And while I was trying to find change, Daxsen climbed in by himself. After the corn maze, Valex and Daxsen rode the train again while Melanie and her family did a shooting game. So some of the pictures are mixed up. On the first time, Valex rode in the last car and Daxsen rode in the car in front of him. He looked a little scared the whole time (I think cause it bounced so much), so the second time, I made sure they were in the same car.

 

Then we headed into the corn maze. Preston is getting so big and acted like our leader. I can't believe how good he is reading! He's in first grade this year and doing really good. At one point, I heard him read "originally" and I was shocked because there was no adult assisting him. He really is an amazing reader!

 

 We found a lady bug and played with it for a few minutes.

 

After the maze, we let the boys play some more. I'm pretty sure its safe to say, the digger toy was Tyler's favorite part.

 Melanie and her family playing the nerf shooting game. She made sure to tell Preston to not shoot anyone in the face. So of course, Tyler's first shot was to his dad's face. Oh boys, they are such...boys.

 

The last thing we did was ride in the hay wagon to the pumpkin patch. I let each boy choose a pumpkin to take home. Just as we were getting on the wagon, Preston went to one of the other booths. So grandma & grandpa stayed behind with him.

 

 

Playing with our pumpkins before heading back.

 

This lady was nice enough to let Valex ride in front with her so he could see the tractor better.

It really was the perfect day. I love each of these boys so much. Spending the day with all of them was so much fun. As I was looking at my pictures last night, I thought, "today was perfect."