11th Anniversary

When Josh got home from work on Wednesday he had these beautiful roses to celebrate our anniversary. Most years, I will hint whether I want flowers or not, but this year I didn't, so I was really surprised to see them. He picked out eleven roses for each of the eleven years we have been married. When the florist tried to get him to pick one more rose (to make a dozen) he told her he would do that next year when we celebrate twelve years. The guy in the line behind him grumbled something about he how couldn't believe we had made it eleven years when he couldn't make it two. Maybe he should take lessons from my husband since I happen to think he is the best husband in the world. ;)

He also got me a card. He is always able to find the most perfect card. This one said:
To the one I love on our Anniversary.

Then inside it said:
We've been through a lot,
you & I,
Since the day we got married,
but I still can't think of anyone
I'd rather have by my side.
Being married to you
has brought me
so much happiness,
and I want you to know,
today and always,
how much I love you.

Then his handwritten message said,
"Thank you so much for the last 11 years. I can't believe it, but I love you more now then I did then. Happy Anniversary Babe, I love you."

Yep, I truly believe he is the best husband ever.

This year, we kept our celebration smaller. We usually try to go out of town for a few days, but with all the traveling for his brother's wedding, we decided what we really wanted was just a quite day at home. The first luxury was just being able to sleep in. Then we got up and while I made breakfast, Josh spoiled me by doing the dishes that have piled up the last few days. I really am a lucky woman.

A few weeks ago, I took my rings to Zale's to get them resized. While there, they told me about a new necklace that was coming out. If I bought it in the first week of February, I could get it for just $20, after that it was going to sale for $120. So I decided to get it too. They shipped it with my ring and I decided to give it to Josh to give to me for our anniversary. ;) So we spent all day joking about what great taste he has to pick something so beautiful for me.

Yesterday we went to Vernal and did a little shopping. I bought some new shirts and a new pair of jeans and then Josh bought a new work vest that he has been wanting for a while now. I offered to buy him something else, but he said since he went to Ohio hunting, that could count as his gift. (Someday I will blog about that. I keep forgetting to get his camera from him.)

Then we went to a movie, followed by dinner at Don Pedro's. It was a great day, but more importantly its been an amazing eleven years.

February Swap Group - Cookie Swap

This month, Laura was in charge of swap group. She decided to host a cookie swap. It was lots of fun and I have loved trying all these new cookies. I didn't want to Josh eat all of one kind, without me at least getting a taste, so I split them all so we could each try them.

I'm trying to gather every one's recipes and post them to my cooking blog so I can find them in the future. Here is a list of what everyone brought:

Savannah - Hot Chocolate Cookies

Jessica - Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Kim - Mexican Wedding Cookies

Laura - No Bake Chocolate Drops

Lewaina (she brought a few kinds) - her favorite store bought shortbread cookies, Cake Mix Cookies and Peanut Butter Cookies

Felicity - Poppy Seed Bread

Naomi - she brought her favorite cookies courtesy of Kebbler. ;)

Sarah - Chocolate No Bake Cookies

Katie - Caramel Coconut Macaroons

Angie - White Chocolate Pumpkin Dream Cookies

I was a little worried about having so many cookies for just me and Josh to eat, but they have all been so yummy, it hasn't been a problem.

Also that night, Lewaina gave each of us a Valentine. She had covered a heart shaped box with fabric and then placed a heart shaped tuck in each. She is so talented!

Laura also used her talent to make a few giveaways. I was so excited when I won one of them!

Book Club - "Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne DuMaurier

It feels like FOREVER since our book club last got together in October last year. So with the holidays out of the way, I was excited to get back on track so we can have that extra excuse to hang out each month.

It was Kim's turn to choose the book; she choose "Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne DuMaurier. It is briefly mentioned in another of Kim's favorite books (by Dorothy Keddington) where the character mentions it is their book of the month for book club. So she thought it would be fun to make it our book of the month too. I'm so glad she choose it, I LOVED it.

Because of the big break, I actually read mine quite a while back. I thought about rereading it this month since it was so good, but my copy is lent out to someone else right now.

It is about a woman having a high seas adventure and falling in love with a Robin Hood like pirate. We didn't talk about the book much, because only half of us had read it. But the woman in the book unhappy in her marriage and ends up having an affair with the pirate. The book was written in like the 1940's, so its almost hard to tell there even was an affair, its a very clean read.  To me, it spoke of real life and how these things really can happen. I then had to reassure everyone, that even though hubs works out of town so much, he still takes care of me in other ways so that I don't become unhappy in my marriage. Lonely at times yes, but still happy with my marriage that it isn't a problem.

We ended up at Randi's house for book club so we could help her finish a quilt she had to have done before the weekend. By help, I mean we all visited while her mom and her tied. But we kept her little boy entertained so that counts, right?

I also volunteered to bring dessert. I see all these good things on Pinterest I want to try, but with my diet, I hate cooking fancy (aka, fattening) foods for just me and Josh. So I used book club as an excuse to try out two new recipes. Randi provided cheesy potato soup and bread sticks for dinner that were delish. Then I brought Rocky Road Brownies and Candied Popcorn. They were both so good!

A few months ago, Randi mentioned the book she was thinking about choosing, so I bought it. I can't wait to start reading it.

Super Bowl Sunday 2012

Last year, we had so much fun with the Ercanbrack's that we were excited to be invited again this year. With all the traveling for the wedding, I didn't have much time to prepare much. But when I saw these football cookies on Pinterest, I had to make them. I used the recipe on my cooking blog and then followed this blog to know how to shape the cookies. 

Jessica & I both saw this chip stadium on Pinterest and wanted to make it too. Josh was excited because he finally had a change to make guacamole for a crowd. Bountiful Baskets had an add on last week of the tortilla chips in the Super Bowl colors. 

I'm not really into football, mostly because I don't understand anything about it. I did finally start cheering for the giants after halftime since they were down a few points, so I was excited when they won. 

We had TONS of food, but I only took pictures of the food Jessica and I made to match the Super Bowl theme. We also had two cheese fondues, a spinach artichoke dip, ham, baked potatoes and other yummy appetizers. 

We had so much fun and can't wait for next year. 

Dallon & Natalie's Wedding

On Saturday, Natalie joined our family by marrying Dallon in the St. George temple.  

We all headed down to St. George on Friday. Usually Josh and I love to go to St. George in the winter so we can escape the snow at home. Home hasn't been bad at all, we've had snow on our lawn three times this winter, and it has melted off early each time. So we didn't escape much cold, but St. George was still beautiful.

Six plus hours is a long time for little bodies to be trapped in a truck, even if it is with grandpa & grandma. So as soon as we got to the hotel, Tyler jumped on each bed and tossed all the pillows to the floor in the center. Then he made a dive to the other side. Luckily his uncle Josh was there to catch him. After that, it became a game and he jumped back and forth for quite a while. 

Then we headed to dinner at the Olive Garden. Tyler played with his spaghetti noodles a bit. Right at the end, I remembered I had my camera in my purse and caught this picture of him trying to untangle it from his arm.

Saturday morning was gorgeous! Bright and early that morning, Melanie and I took a walk along the streets. (Because the gym in the hotel didn't open until 8!) About 10 minutes after we left, Josh heard a knock on the hotel room. He opened it to find his mom demanding he take her to Walmart because she had left her makeup at home. We got back from our walk just in time to see Barb & Matt off as they headed to the temple.

Josh and I ate a quick breakfast and then headed to the temple to be there when they came out. There had been some miscommunication about when Josh was supposed to wear his pink tie, so we didn't bring his white shirt with us that weekend.

Mr. & Mrs. Christensen!

 Everyone loved Natalie's pink shoes.

And her beautiful flowers.

I am so happy to have a new sister in-law. Dallon choose a wonderful lady to bring into the family. 

It was a perfect day for the people I love most. I am so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family. 

This Auntie Rocks

Last week, I decided to run into Carter's (real quick, haha) to buy a shirt for Preston for his birthday. And a shirt for Tyler so he could open a present on Preston's birthday too. Then I grabbed another shirt for each boy. Then I decided I wanted to get a few shirts for Valex and Daxsen too.

This aunt has a hard time controlling herself when it comes to spoiling the nephews.

So with my two shirts for each boy (so 8 shirts total) I walked up to the counter. Two things happened. The clerk informed me that socks were on sale. Socks? I told her that I didn't need socks. So she started to tell me just what a good deal it was. I informed her that I'm not the kind of aunt that buys socks. Those are lame and I am not a lame aunt.

The second thing that happened, was I saw a onesies that was to die for! Valex and Daxsen are my little rockstar nephews. If it has a guitar on it, I just can't resist getting it for them. Bonus if I can find the same thing for each boy. This onesie had a guitar on it and said "My Auntie Rocks." Of course I had to buy it for each boy!

Josh had stayed in the car while I ran into the store. I think he was shocked when I walked out with a bag of shirts. I'm so glad he doesn't seem to mind how much I love spoiling (and therefore spending) on my nephews.

Last night, after work, I went to see my sister and the boys so I could give them their new clothes. We both decided the onesies were so cute, we had to put them on a get a few pictures. Valex wasn't into the idea, so I didn't get a picture with both boys, but he warmed up for the camera later and let me take some pictures.

 I'm so sad to see Daxsen get bigger. He is my go to baby when I need to get my baby cuddles in.



Valex hamming it up for the camera with grandma.

Since Christmas at my mom's was such a full house, we didn't get the tunnel out to play that I gave them. But I soon heard just how much Valex (and the cat) loved it. So while I was there last night I asked Vanessa to get it out. Valex immediately dove into it, climbed in and out, turned around in, hid in, etc. He was having a blast. I can't wait for Daxsen to get big enough that they can play together in it. 

When I left, Valex waved at me. Vanessa says he hardly waves to anyone but grandma. He just knows what an awesome aunt I am.

Most aunts would probably wait until maybe Easter, or even birthday's, before buying more gifts. But I know me and I know that before long I will be back with more gifts.

Winter Subway Art

Since I put my Valentine's decor up yesterday, before putting this subway art together, I guess I'll display it next year.

I love how it turned out. I just ordered the Valentine's subway art for the Idea Closet. After that, I'm hoping she'll do a St. Patrick's Day subway art and then I'll have one for each season of the year.

Preston's 5th Birthday

Today we went to Josh's parents to celebrate Preston's upcoming 5th Birthday.

I was so excited to give him this tooth fairy pillow I had made, along with five $1 bills.

I also bought him a couple new shirts. I almost bought the blue shirt in orange (I love buying the clothes in orange), but this blue shirt was so pretty, I bought it instead. I'm so glad I did, its such a pretty color. 

I also bought Tyler a few shirts so he could have a present to open too. Josh says I spoil my nephews, he's probably right. ;)

 When we got there, I was so excited to see both boys wearing their "I'd rather be with my aunt" shirts that I bought them for Christmas. It made my day!

 

Preston smiling for the camera before blowing out his candle. I always get a kick out of his smiles, he tries so hard that they turn out so funny.

Helping Tyler open his present.

 He immediately started trying to put a shirt on, so I helped him. Then he was ready to play again and wouldn't even pause for a picture. 

Preston opening his presents.

Tyler LOVES his grandpa. Josh was trying to play with Tyler, but Tyler just wanted his grandpa. About the time I took this picture, Tyler told Josh "go to nanna." Another funny that afternoon was while Preston and
I were walking back to grandma's house. He stopped to look at a cat and I told him to keep going. When he still wouldn't go, I told him I was cold because I didn't have my coat on. He looked at me and said "It's ok." Then he headed towards the house again.

When you asked Tyler to show you his teeth, this is the face he makes.

Just before we left Preston decided to put on one of his new shirts and pose for a picture. 

Also before we left, Barb gave us our birthday presents. Josh got a gift card to C-A-L Ranch and she gave me this pretty picture.