2011 wrap up

There is so much that 2011 has brought. Good, bad, happy, and sad... and I am very glad that this year is on its way out the door. It wasn't a horrible year, but it wasn't my best. I am ready to bring in a new year with new hopes and new dreams, all to hopefully be fulfilled in 365 days. I thought I would talk about the good (and the bad) that 2011 has brought me.

January:
Although I feel asleep on new years eve at an early 10:00 I did wake up 30 minutes past midnight to kiss my lover farewell to another year and hello to a new year that lies ahead. By mid-January my year wasn't looking so bright as I spent a full week off work with a common cold... or so I thought, until I went to the doctor and found out it was the cold flu virus. But I hadn't thrown up.. until 45 minutes after I got home and spend the next 3 days doing just that with a stuffed nose, sore throat, and killer body aches. January wasn't much of anything for me :(

February:
When I wasn't down in January I was trying really hard to make my own creation. I know that it had been a couple months in coming but I finally completed the purple room. I love my purple room! I spent many night hanging out in there letting my creative juices flow.

March:
March was brought on by yet another photo shoot. I love Laine Images! March also brings the sense of summer coming in to our future... it starts off by the yearly world dutch oven competition. This has been a family tradition for years. This year was a first of not only 3 generations competing but of siblings, parents and grandparents competing against each other. My mom was on one team. My brother and his wife was on another, and my sister was my brothers son (nephew) were on another. Not to mention my brothers other son and my dad were runner and helpers in the competition. It was a fun time to see them all competing against each other.

April:
Hello Hollywood!!! Has that caught on yet? I had my 15 minutes of fame and that is what my dad now says to me. We had some amazing creatures at my work for 2 whole weeks. 'My what big eyes you have!'....

May:
With April bringing in good references to my work, May brought it a whole slew of bad! This month was one of my hardest months. One Saturday brought on a devastation to many in my company. It is still hard hearing bad words about the one person... even if is a small jab. Either way 2 families are hurting very very much. I was glad to see this month go!

June:
Ah! The summer months are here! Camping season began... although the farthest we took our trailer camping was to the back yard, our baby made her way down to the Paiute trail with us. This is the first time we went down there but it was we had an amazing time that I am for sure will be in our schedule for years to come. It was cold, warm, wet, snowey, and sunny while we were down there, We got all sorts of weather but it was still fun! Thanks Paiute!

July:
We had more riding... some new, some old. Mona Pole Trail was awesome.... soapstone was bug infested but if you kept on the move you did have a problem.... we also spent the first holiday with my family in a long time. Maybe because there was only a few there I was able to handle it. The 24th was fun, especially with kids. We cant forget to mention Red Butte gardens were a hit for my birthday!

August:
August lead us back to the Paiute with some family and friends. We had so much fun with lots of riding and some pretty amazing views in the morning. August I also started Wednesday wonders... I think they are a hit!

September:
This year for labor day we stayed back since both Bryce and I worked... but I decided to head out for some sister time that I hadn't had in a while. Our original plan was to take the kids swimming but we had a little accident and my niece broke her arm so we went to plan B - The zoo! I think the kids enjoyed themselves and I finally found my raspberry honey butter (the best!) that same day... YUM. 2 weeks after the zoo we had a new addition to my family. Welcome #17...

October:
October brought on a new store to me that is currently my favorite place. If you haven't checked this place out, I think you should... oh and make sure you have lots of money to spend! They rob me blind!!!! ok, I willingly give it to them.


November:
November brought me to Nablopomo... I failed miserably.... but at least I tried!

December:
December always brings me great happiness. I love this month and everything about it. December happens to be the month of Bryce's birthday. This year he turned 30 and thanks to some amazing friends and family I was able to pull of a surprise party for him. He really enjoyed himself.

Thanks to all of the people who are part of our lives. I don't think our year would be half as great without you. Now I better get going so I can say goodbye to this year and hello to a new one! Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

 I figured since I haven't really blogged lately that I would do a blog post on my house before I tear it all down next week.. and pack it away for another 11 months. I will start with my living room. I will tell you when and where I got it and around how much it cost. :)

This is on one of my end tables. I love how this turned out. I got this from the wood connections (all raw wood) and painted it myself.

I added this believe to it. I bought it last year at tai pan the day after Christmas for 50 cents or something. It is actually a tree ordiment. I took off the wire and used the wire for the bells on the shoes. The ends of the wire were already curled. I think they turned out so cute!

These I made just this year...

This joy I bought last year at Tai Pan. You cant see but it has a transparent glitter on it. I wanna say I paid 8.95 for this. I saw them again this year.

This year I bought this at Tai Pan. I bought it thinking that is came apart and was individual letters. I think it is really cute and was looking forward to stacking it in my purple room but to my surprise it is all connected! You can twist it to make it all funky looking. It was still cute and I wanted to keep it. I think it works perfect in front of the TV, even for the steep price of $12.99

This train Bryce has had since he was little. His grandma bought it for him when he was really little. There are lights that go with it but last year they broke, but I think it still looks cute in front of our TV

This sled I got raw - from wood connections. The total cost of it was $35... with the bell, ribbon and extras. I love it!

Here is the set up of our living room (kind of) with the TV, sled, train, believe and tree!

This Grinch I got this year from wood connections. I cant remember the exact price but I think it was around $17 plus $2 for the wire that I used on it.

 Now on to the kitchen!

The manager I also got from the wood connections. With the star and everything it came to $15.95. You can see the brown runner in the pic but I picked that up at hobby lobby this year for $10. It has some pretty snow flakes stitched into it :)

Here is above one of our cabinets in our kitchen. I have had this present for a couple of years. I got it from hobby lobby for $5 It also opens up so it can hold all of your holiday cards. I just like it for decoration.

The blue bulb I got last year at Target the day after Christmas. It cost me a whole 50 cents!!! The Ho Ho Ho I have had for a few years. I got that from Tai Pan for $15

My candy canes (next to the HO Ho Ho). I big candy cane is HUGE. It stands about 3 feet tall. I saw this last year at Tai pan and I could not get over that thing! I kept thinking about it for over a week before I finally caved and went to get it. I think it cost me $10 which I had a hard time spending on a candy cane. I obviously wanted it that bad. The smaller one I got from Tai pan also. Cant just have one!

 I have had this for a few years.. I got that from Tai pan too!

I got these from wood connections. I paid $10 for the set of 3. I bought these this year

The sled I got from Roberts 2 years ago. I got it for $7. RIP Roberts (sniff sniff)

These stars I picked up at Tai Pan. I got them last year and the big one was $7 and the smaller ones were $5. They had them again this year in all sorts of colors and sizes.

I had to show our stocking. I couldn't get our longer railing in the picture that has Bryce's dads, grandmas and grandpas stockings hanging up. Bryce's grandma made their stockings when he was little. I got mine from hobby lobby this year for $7! Can you see Bryce messing around in the picture?????

 On to the purple room:

Here is my entire shelf!

I got this from hobby lobby this year! It was $5

Wood connections. I believe it was around $12 for the set of 3

I have had this since I was 16. My mom bought it for me. I find it really fun to bring things out from when I was younger.

I got this last year as a gift for Christmas from my SIL A.

I bought these for Bryce a couple of years ago from Kohl's. They say "You really jingle my bell! Merry Kiss mas!" and his tail jingles with the bell on it.

Here is the top of my shelf. All of these bulbs are different sizes. The giant ones (not picture but identical to the blue) I got at target last year. The red ones I got at albertsons for $3. The silver ones I got at smith's market place this year for $3 (they came with all sorts of colors, I just pulled out the silver ones, the rest are one our tree)

I got this Noel from wood connections. I paid around $10 for it... give or take, I cant remember one this one.

Well I hope you enjoyed the tour of my house at Christmas time. I wish everyone a fun, safe, great Christmas!

WW

OK I have to set this up. I have noticed recently.. Ok mayb not notice just more irritated.. That I have people at work who are nosey. I normally don't mind people knowing about my life but this goes beyond that. I have a few people that reguardless if I an up front or in the back at work that 'snoop'. If I have anything on my desk they will go searching through it to see what daily goodies I have. If I got prep my breakfast or lunch to eat at my desk, I will always put a paper towel over it to prevent someone from sneezing or coughing all over my food. It is like they have radar and will hunt me down just to poke under the paper towel and get thiscose to my food that I no longer want to eat anymore because my lasagna met their nose. When I say everything I mean everything including my purse. I wonder why people feel it is their right to snoop through my lunch sacks, purse, food, and even unopened Christmas presents that I would like to open... They do have my name on it after all ...

What a weekend!

I cannot believe we are into December. I am ready for the snow! If it is going to be cold, it might as well be pretty not ugly. This past weekend I had a surprise birthday party for Bryce! I cant believe I pulled it off. There is always a little bit of drama surrounding stuff like this but I pulled through and kept it a surprise. On Saturday I told him that we had reservations for dinner. When we got to dinner, I thought he was far enough away when I told him I didn't have reservations but he wasn't! He seemed a bit irritated so I told him I did have reservation but I didn't say where... so again I quickly lied and told him I reservation for dessert. Whew! only he didn't eat very much because he thought we were going out for dessert. Oops! After dinner we headed over to Keys on Main to meet up with a few friends and his family. We had a blast! He was surprised! We didn't get home until 2 am. He kept saying 'thank you' and 'I cant believe you did this for me!' I am glad I was able to pull off this one thing and that he had a great '30th' bday party (even though his bday isn't until tomorrow). Sunday we woke up around 9 and decided we were going to lounge around. We stayed in our pj's and only left to go get junk food and movies. We took naps and watched movies all day yesterday. My house was a complete disaster when I left for work this morning but I didn't care... It was one of the greatest weekends for us! I was so sad to see it come to end, but it had to. This weekend goes down in the history books for us.

nablopomo wrap up

I failed! I failed miserably. I let one small thing snowball to make one big thing and made me one grumpy person. It is so hard to attempt to list what you are grateful for when you are just not in the mood. There is always next year! I didn't want to go out in a lame sort of fashion so I thought I would try to do a wrap up. I have alot to be grateful for and often I don't express it enough. I wanted to save the best for last. I have some amazing friends and some amazing family that pretty much sums up my life. between those two I have a huge list of joy that they bring in to my life. so for my last post I would like to show you what I am grateful for.

First is him:

I know I haven't been the best aunt growing up, maybe since he is now an adult it is too late, I don't know, but I have learned a thing or two from him (along with the others). I am grateful for the relationship that has been salvaged from my own teen years where I was... well... a teenager. We have had some good talks, simple mistakes, and some good laughs ( I swear I am buying this kid a calendar for Christmas so he wont forget his appts with me!) Here is to Chad... stop growing up.

Second is the guy:

He was premature, tiny and a fighter. I remember the first time he came home he literally slept in my bottom drawer from my dresser. He has been fighting his way through life since. He is small but tough. He is a kind of kid that everyone wants to be around because he can relate to everyone in some way. He is Bryce's mini me... heaven help me when they he stays at my house. I cant control either of them! Here is to Cam.... my mini Bryce.

Third is someone I cant post a picture of... sweet K. Someone that completes me! ok, in the girlish way that I have yearned for in a child that I don't have. She is simply a teenage girl. I love the little texts that I get in the morning. The calls when something exciting goes down. I can never have enough shopping trips with her! Maybe she could be a mini me in training???? no, I am too much of a devil :)

Fourth is also one that i cant post pictures of, T. I don't have alot in common with him but I have sat back and seen the once rambunctious child turn into one very tall, amazing, young man. He is one day going to make some girl very happy... but that is  along way off. He ceases to amaze me in just saying 'hi' and turning it into to some random conversation. He is very smart... oh and he likes to annoy his sister. Just like my brothers. Just like his dad. Yep, he is a spitting image of his dad. Heaven help his sisters!


of course I hope you all have stuck with me for the last. The last is the best and most important! Him:

I love him. yep, I love him.

 He is my life, my light, my reasons for breathing, thinking and living. He challenges me in ways I never thought someone could. He gives me thoughts to think about. He gives me time to myself. He lets me be selfish when I just wanna think all about me. He makes me laugh, smile and makes me want steal looks when I think he inst pay attention. He knows how and when to put me in my place. He lets me cry when I am having a bad day. When I least expect it, he pulls out surprises. He is my blond hair, blue eye, baby butt boy. Knight in shinning armor. He is my everything. and I. Love. Him.

Solutions

I am very sorry about the rant I was on yesterday. I had to get that off of my mind. It has been a full day and my mind has been filled with possible solutions. The one that came up first was to simply delete those that I work with from facebook. Easy and simple. But there are people who I truly enjoy working with and I like having them in my life and they are my friends. Even then, How do I punish all for one person's big mouth when I am not for sure who was the one that open their mouth????? So tonight, when I came home I made a 'group' on facebook that is strictly people I work with. From here on out my posts are now blocked from them. All of them, except one. It makes me really sad that something was turned around into something it wasn't. It makes me sad that one person broke my trust. And it makes me sad that someone has nothing better to do with their lives that MY life consumes them enough to have a conversation about my facebook posts. Now we will get back to my regular scheduled program.

Taking a time out....

I am taking a time out from my grateful month to say a few thing that are on my mind... Bryce and I were talking this weekend about protesting and Freedom of speech. I believe that everyone should be able to speak their mind but there is a time and place for that. Maybe there was a reason for that conversation at this particular point of my week. I had my manager approach me today about something he heard that was posted on facebook. This was not posted by myself but made to look like I posted it. Regardless, I laughed it off because there was nothing I could do about it but delete it. I wasn't mad.. Thing happen.. I do apologize if it offended anyone at all, it was not the intentions and it is not in my character to post something like that. However this is MY blog and it is MY Facebook page. I have never had ties to the company I work for on Facebook or my blog. I am very careful what I post and what I say. I also make sure my settings are under wraps for Facebook and I check my blog daily on who comes in. I don't post pics of certain people in my life out of RESPECT. I don't follow blogs because I want to maintain privacy for those who have blogs. With all of that said I think it is WRONG for people to say things that are not theirs to tell. It is very inappropriate for someone to bring my views/comments/posts to work when it isn't theirs to tell. These are MY things to share and no one has any right to drag my manager into especially when it had nothing to do with work. I respect all of my fellow bloggers and Facebook friends out there and I would hope they would do the same but I was obviously wrong. If anyone has a problem with what I put on here then don't read it... Plain and simple. Now it is time to go delete some people on Facebook. Trust no one. Again I am sorry if I have ever offended anyone but you bring that up with me... Not my family. Not with Bryce. And definitely not with my managers at work.. Especially when it has nothing to do with work. Period.

#18

Today I am grateful for the Melting pot. Nothing like good food, good friends and good laughs!

#17

Holy crap I am behind. Every day is getting busier and busier. If I don't post in the morning I tend to pass out on the couch before I make my post. so I will make 2 before tomorrow. I guess this one is technically yesterdays... I am grateful for twilight. I know that sounds really retarded to some but really that movie gives me more than I can ever tell you. I love everything about it. My favorite scene is in the last movie eclipse when they are hiding Bella from the newborns and they are up in the mountains with that huge snowstorm coming in. I love it when she is freezing and cant get warm so Jacob snuggles up next to her. We cannot forget the moments after that when Victoria shows up and Bella saves the day by cutting herself to distract Victoria. That is when they go in for the kill! That scene is the best in all of the movies (so far). Twilight is #17 on my grateful list!

#16

I missed another day! I had a valid reason... I didn't get home from work until 9 last night. I hadn't had dinner and was very tired. My alarm goes off at 530 in the morning so yesterday was one long day. So today you get a two-for. For yesterday's post, I was going to post that I am grateful for sister time. I have missed out on that a lot the last couple of years and I am loving it now! So that is my thing for yesterday. Stay tuned for another post later...

#15

Half way there! I can't believe it! Today I had a moment that almost made me bawl (wouldn't be the first time I have done that at work). I have people at work that cease to amaze me! Some in a bad way, and some - very very few - in a good way. And those few who do amaze me in a good way do it quietly and when you least expect it. I hardly doubt I will ever have this particular co-worker read my blog but for today I am grateful for him. Who almost brought me to tears....

#14

I am grateful that this Monday is almost over. :)

#13

I love Christmas lights, there is nothing more magical then a bunch of colored lights. That is what I am grateful for... Christmas lights.

#12

well today has been a reflective day and it is only noon! I came home today from spending the night with my SIL and was in bed cuddling with Bryce. While I was laying there listening to his soft snores I couldn't help but let my mind wander. Sometimes that is a great thing. I have this great big tree just west of our window. The weather is changing, the wind is blowing, and a snow storm is expected to hit us a soon. As I was looking at this tree I began to reflect on this past year. I began to see myself in this tree. The seasons are changing and so is life. I have had to decided to make a few changes in my life recently to get back to the happy person I once was. I was letting things get to me. So I told myself that with the seasons changing so would I. I haven't voiced this to anyone but Bryce. I was thinking back to where I was a month ago, 3 months ago, 6 months ago and even a year ago. I am that tree! When I was born I was this beautiful tree with a few green leaves. as I learned to walk and talk, the leaves on MY tree were changing. They were bright and bold and I am sure everyone love to see me glow as my life season changed... just like my tree outside. Then that became old and the boldness and bright colors wore off. Being so young, I don't remember but I'm sure I felt bare and cold. skip a few years ahead... I am a child trying to figure out who I am and where I belong in the world. I was green again, growing, getting stronger, and I have more leaves. I am warming up to my surroundings, I am in 6th grade finding myself. My leaves are getting bold, strong, bright and they stand out.... then BAM! I hit Jr. high school and I lose myself once again. My life is cold and bare and I have to kick into survival mode, I have to learn to adapted. This continues through my life. Through high school, through the adult-but-I'm-still-a-teen-phase, through relationships, through work, through all of the different aspects of my life. As I get older and go through the seasons changing I get bigger and stronger with more leaves and finer details of aging but it is a beautiful process. We cant forget either that there are birds who try to wiggle their way into your beauty and may poop on you, but is that what you want?? Going through life letting something so small crap on what potential we can all be??? 6 months ago I was that tree. Showing another sign of aging, letting the wind rip through my bare branches wondering if I was going to make it or be broken in the process. The sun came out, I started to get my green back - not standing out, trying to figure out what to do from there. Today I am that bright bold tree again. I show lots of color: yellows, orange and reds. This is something I yearn for - even when I have it. I am sure the wind will torment me and I will loose my leaves. For now I will keep telling myself: 'The seasons are changing and so am I.'

Today I am grateful for this bright, bold beautiful tree that was put in our backyard many many many years ago to teach me this one lesson I learned today. I am grateful I am a tree.

#11

Today you get two in one. I had every intention of post last night, figuring I would be up late. Around 830 I snuggled next to Bryce and boom! I was out. cold. So I didn't make my NaBoPoMo. I will keep going though... today I am grateful my phone did arrive! On Time! Oh FedEx how I love you!!!! I have been eagerly watching my little truck on the map... waiting and watching, don't forget refreshing every 10 seconds. 5 days without a phone is NOT fun.

I love my new phone (even though I don't have it in my hands YET, or I haven't used it at all!) I love FedEx and I love Verizon!!!!

Oh for all of you who have to work..... PFFFFFF :P I have it off! Now it is time to go pick up my phone and have a day of fun with me SIL....

#10

I love a little nailtherapy! It does wonders. I am so glad this week is over and what a way to end it by hitting up the nail salon and having pretty fingernails. That is my love for today...

#9

I spent the first two hours of work thinking that today was Thursday. Man when 8:30 rolled around I was in for a rude awakening. Usually I am a day behind - it is never good to be a day ahead. It kinda ruined my morning... I curse you Wednesdays!!!

Today I am glad that I have a new phone on the way... sad that I am still out of a phone. For those who don't have facebook - my phone company crapped out on me. I do not like tmobile. Then they delivered the bad news that they changed my bill date and 'forgot' to tell me causing all sort of havoc on not paying my bill on time. Them telling me that = one MAD Sam. It was not a fun picture. To top it all off, they hung up on me :( so now I am switching providers along with getting a new phone. Tmobile is going out of business and the last 6 months have not been fun ending in them losing one long time customer.. so for those who have called me or sent me a text - and I haven't responded... I am not ignoring you, although there are a few people I want to! My phone wont send any outgoing calls or text.. but I can receive incoming. so here is to a new phone! Can Friday come any faster???? PLEASE????

#8

Man - today has been a rough day! The show must go on....

I am grateful for a place called wood connections. This place brightens my day and makes my wallet bare. oh how I wish I could go there today!

#7

Waking up today I have to say that I am EXTREMELY grateful for a garage to park my car in. I have never had a car that I have been able to park in a covered area. until this year. Even before I had my own car I was always up in the cold and snow, bundled up, scrapping car windows. I no longer have to do that! Yay!

#6

Bye Bye Halloween decor. Hello Christmas!!!

I can never have enough time with Christmas/winter decor up.... Its a guilty pleasure :)

NBPM #5

I know some people are going to curse me when I say this... "LET IT SNOW!!!"

I am a huge fan of the snow! I love snow (I love summer more :)) I was like a kid in a candy shop this morning when I woke up and saw all of the snow! It makes me feel like the holidays really are upon us. It make me excited. I want to bake, cook, decorate, eat homemade soup, drink hot chocolate in my pajamas on the couch curled up next to Bryce while watching an awesome movie in the dark with the blinds open so we can see the big flakes coming down outside. I want it to snow 6 feet at once so we all get locked in our house for days. That about sums up how I feel about snow. Along with the snow, we have the upcoming holidays to think about. I am very excited for thanksgiving but even more excited for Christmas. I don't want to brush off Thanksgiving but Christmas is my holiday! I love shopping, I love buy gifts, I love putting together gifts in cute ways. can you see why I love Christmas so much?

This year I got an early start on Christmas... I have 2 very special projects on my hands. The first one I am 90% completed and the second one I am about 1% in (I will post more about it when I am more in to it). The first project: My next door neighbor is doing a tree for the festival of trees. I went over last week and it simply looked amazing! I love the color scheme they picked out (blue, silver, and white) and I love the theme: 'hope'. I cannot wait to see it all finished and set up. They have a story of hope to go with it. One of the things they needed for the 'tree' was a hat and a scarf. They also wanted a bunch of present to put under the tree that was going to be donated to PCMC for the kids. I ventured out a few days ago and found the perfect hat and scarf. I am very excited! I also picked up several toys along with wrapping paper to match the tree to wrap them up in. Today I will finishing up the details of the little adventure and taking them over to my neighbor. Doing stuff like this really gets me into the season, instead of focusing on the bad things that may come with the season. I am grateful that I have opportunities like these to keep my mind in perspective of what the holidays really are about.

#4

A few nights ago Bryce and I took some time out to go and enjoy ourselves. Our schedules have been packed full so it was nice to just enjoy some time together. We really wanted to go see Real Steel for a while so it was nice that we had some time. This movie was awesome! It was a great clean movie! Anyone who wants to go see this movie, I would highly recommend it! If you want a good clean movie to take the kids to, pick this one. I hope those who choose to go see this enjoy it just as much as I do.

Day #3

suddenly, he doesn't seem so small to me!

Here we are in November and I just realized that I complete forgot to make a post about my nephews senior tribute. Well maybe I did remember but I was still mad about certain events that took place on this night. Overall we had a fun filled night, Cam got to play, we stayed up really really really late and had a blast doing it. I appreciate my SIL taking the time to make room in her busy schedule to bring her kids, freeze her tooshy off with me, and drink hot chocolate. It was a great night! Tooele did not win their game but it is what you make of it. I am glad that I have the opportunity to make my nieces and nephews a priority in my life. I was not one who wanted to have kids young. I always said I did when I was younger but I only said it because I felt that was what I was suppose to do. Not having those kinds of responsibilities and a great job with awesome pay has allowed me to do whatever I want with them. These are memories that I can never replace and I am glad, even though I stay crazy busy, that I am able to go out and attend football games, prom dress shopping, prom pictures, paintball nights, sleep overs, scrapbook pig outs, and much more.

I had made 3 signs, The said 'Go Cam!' ' We <3 #34' and 'Proud owners of #34' I had the little kids hold up the signs and this is when he saw them. Kinda cheesy but I wanted to make him feel extra special.

Shaking hands with the coach

Ward trait! We sure do know how to stick out our tongues!

In respect of not completely embarrassing cam I made one exception to post a pic of him 'being sad'. In this one you cant see him but it shows that he is sad that this is it. After the game I talked with him and I told him 'if you are like this for a football game, I am scared to see what you are going to be like at graduation!' He kept saying... 'it is all over' and I told him 'nope, it is just the beginning.'

a few of the seniors after the game for one final pic. This is the exception... only because there is more than one crying :)