Christmas sweaters

Last night Amy and Kimberly hosted the 2nd annual friends Christmas party. They really know how to have a good time! It was a step back in time to the '90s when everyone wore Christmas sweaters in the season. It was hilarious! There was wine tasting (root beer) complete with sweaters tied around our shoulders and a grape vine garland. There was the white elephant exchange, which I won! The night ended with a group picture. I don't think I stopped laughing the entire night!

Thanks again Kimberly and Amy!

And the battle begins

Christmas. I love Christmas time. However, the season marks the beginning of: Da Da Da Da!!!!

Willpower vs. chocolate chip cookies, symphony bars with toffee and almonds, gobstoppers (we battled tonight), peppermint ice cream, chocolate covered popcorn, carmel popcorn, M&M's, homemade carmel's, sugar cookies, cheese balls and crackers, eggnog, etc, etc, etc, the list continues. My willpower is severely outnumbered.

Tonight as I climbed Satan at the gym (the affectionate name of the big stair climber) I thought, I'm burning these 400+ calories to be able to go home and skip dinner and munch on Luke's candy he insists on having in the house. Is it worth it? Luke has willpower each day he takes a small square of the symphony bar and is done. Satisfied. I, on the other hand, take a square before I leave the house, a square when I come home, two squares after dinner, a square while I'm folding clothes, a few squares before bed.. by the end of the day its gone and he exclaims something like "Wow you really like the symphony bar don't you? I didn't even see you eat any!" In a house of only two its hard to put blame elsewhere.

Sigh...

Am I alone here? Does the season mark similar sentiments in you?

Poisoned???

Warning: Do not ingest

I had a serious migraine, my head was throbbing. At about midnight before I crawled into bed I decided to try to sleep it off with the assistance of Ibuprofen. I popped the pills and grabbed a glass of water from the counter and gulped them down, finishing the clear liquid in the glass. Before the last drop slid down my throat my entire esophagus was on fire. I was coughing, wheezing, gagging. Then my memory (why did it take so long) fired up and I remembered, Luke saying "I'm going to clean my toothbrush" and watching him use that same glass of liquid to scrub and sanitize his toothbrush with HYDROGEN PEROXIDE!!!! I gained control and called Luke into the room. We both found it pretty funny. We laughed for a minute and then thought we should check the bottle for warnings. It read "If ingested call Poison Control immediately". Our smiles disappeared quickly. Luke called Poison Control and was informed that Hydrogen Peroxide is used as an Ipecac for dogs. He was instructed to have me drink plenty of water, not let me sleep for a few hours, and not lay down for a few hours. Reminder: I ingested this stuff around midnight.

Consequently within 10 minutes I began to feel really sick. We spent an hour on the bathroom floor surrounded by pillows, him laying down, me propped up. About every 10 minutes I had the vomit sweats and shakes. By 3am I crawled into bed and attempted to sleep sitting up. Somewhat successful. I made it through the night with no vomiting!! Yeah!! The next day I was a little nauseous but able to function.

All in all, I'm fine now, we can laugh about it, and we have a great story about how my husband tried to poison me.

my sexy nighty

Now that temperatures have dropped below freezing I have been able to break out the most flattering nighty I own. I have wanted some of these forever. Whenever I put kids to bed I've always felt slightly jealous that I can't have my slippers adjoined to a full fleece bodysuit connected by one zipper. Sasha, whom I will forever be in debt, found some in the children's section, XXL but they fit!!! Now every night is a pink plush party. Luke loooovvess them!

Single????

I spent a little Cook sisterly time minus Amie (we missed ya Amie!) in St. George. About an hour before Katie left to drive to St. George I decided to join her. The reasons that convinced me this would be a good choice:
a. Both jobs, dictation and weddings, were closed for the weekend. I had no work
b. Luke was working on Halloween until midnight and I really, really did not want to spend the night alone.
c. Katie, who I might mention is 16, was driving all alone there and back
d. I'd get to see Nikee!!!!
e. Most importantly, Luke gave me permission

I threw random things into a bag grabbed my Halloween costume and left. While driving there I realized something I'd never thought about. Nikee is single. She lives with roommates. Nikee likes to party (in a not drinking way). Katie informed me that we were probably going to spend the weekend party hopping.

I forgot what it feels like to have all of the girls meet at one apartment/house and spend 4-5 hours getting ready (we really spent 4-5 hours!!!) We did each others makeup. We ratted each others hair. We tried on different outfits for opinions on which one was the best. We listened to loud music and sang along, me off-key. Around 10pm we left the house.

Halloween night we went to a party at a house first and then attended the Dixie Howl dance in a barn. I thought my moves would be out-dated, but apparently my moves are classic. I still fit in. I don't feel like I looked like the oldest person there, although I was. It was probably one of those moments when you run into someone from high school and you think, wow they look really old, I don't look that old. But they are thinking the same thing. Yeah, I felt like I fit in.

The next night, once again around 10pm, we headed out for a bonfire. Another taste of what the single life is like. There was dancing, singing, a lot of guys, a few girls, alcohol, and a huge fire. I felt really out of place. I was introduced as the "sister-in-law" but I don't think some understood. Katie and I stood there on the outskirts. We were told to be social and go meet people. We felt really awkward. It was about this time I slipped out of the group and sat on a rock in the dark and talked to Luke. Sigh..... Luke. We talked for about a half hour before I noticed Katie being swarmed on and had to leave to rescue her. I had her back.

What I learned.
1. I am really really really really glad I have a man like Luke.
2. I am really really really glad I am not single.
3. There are not a lot of good guys left out there, if there are some (Matt), they are few and far between.
4.I can't pull the all nighters. I can't stay up until 3-4am and get up 7am to go to school and/or work.
5. I am completely done with that part of my life.

It was such a fun weekend to spend time with Katie and Nikee and Nikee's hilarious roommate Amanda (pictured below as captain Vagina). I loved all of the good conversation. So much fun. All in all, I really missed Luke.

New England

I have been East many times, but never in the Fall! Luke had an interview in New Hampshire and I got to come along. We were able to stay with my sweet Grandparents which made the trip that much better. Here are the highlights:



Luke at a covered Bridge


Pretty fall colors


Downtown Plymouth


One of the many old farms we passed by to get to Hanover


A cool building on campus


Dartmouth, such a beautiful campus


Luke walking out of his interview. Doesn't he look handsome?

The Lady "Timp" at her best

I think you all can agree with me that Autumn is probably the best season to be in Utah. This year for my Golden Birthday (turning 28 on the 28th in 2008) I gathered a group of 20 enthusiastic family and friends to hike to the tin house. The day before the big hike, as we were making final preparations for the morrow, I called our hiking group and realized that one by one everyone was flaking out on me. Needless to say the next morning as we ventured out at 6am, I learned who REALLY loves me. Thanks Luke, Mom and Dad (who are both 55+), Jared, and little TJ. What an unforgettable day!!!


Sunrise






Fall at her best just above Aspen Grove



Jared taking on the glacier


TJ became known as the gazelle


View from the saddle


The six of us at the tin house. My parents are so cool they love hiking and the outdoors and have taught me to do the same. Thanks for a great birthday!

Road Trip *SEATTLE*

This last week Luke and I cruised north to Seattle. It was a LONG drive to do in one day. These are my highlights:

Pike Place Market: the flowers!!! I couldn't figure out a way to bring them home and make them last :(




San Juan Islands: We shipped our car along with us to San Juan Island to camp for a few days. On our way back it was all dark and foggy and I totally felt like I was on the movie "The Ring".




Kayaking San Juan: We camped on San Juan Island edged by the Puget Sound. Beautiful sunsets, fresh mountain/sea air, and unforgettable camping neighbors. The next morning we kayaked the Sound with a group. One of the most amazing things I've done.



Braving 46-degree water: We could not drive all they way to the ocean and not jump in. We even had a few spectators who wanted to see if we were crazy enough to actually get in.

Back by popular demand *FLASHBACK*

In the spirit of school starting this week.... our first day at Pleasant Grove High School. I thought we were in style. We were, right?



All of you who grew up or live by a beach be grateful. This is where we came to swim and layout. Could it get any more white-trash?



Cruising Movies-8 in Amy's hot red car.

My list of things that must go

1. The worlds police-woman: People (usually women) who feel it is their duty to tell me what I am doing wrong.
- "Your dogs supposed to be on a leash"
Do I know you? No greeting? Every other dog on the canal isn't on a leash but yours!
-"You need to move in further on the trail" Laura and I experienced many ornery bikers and runners who felt it was their duty to tell us that we were sticking to far out on the running side of the Provo Trail; what are you supposed to do when you are pushing a stroller?

2. Bad movie etiquette: This one has a few.
-People saving more than two seats for a sold out show. I realize YOU came early enough to get good seats, but what about the family of 20 that showed up late and all filed into the theater front and center row 15 minutes late. They leave a trail of coats, purses, lipstick, hats, and you think that I can't just move it to sit down?
-People coming in after the movie has started. They walk across the whole theater, blocking views, asking "are those seats open" and you have to whisper to strangers next to you if the seats are open, then you either have to squeeze your legs in or stand up to let them through and by the time you get back in your seat and watch the movie you've missed the first twist and are lost the entire movie.
-People eating around me. Wrappers tearing open. Popcorn crunching. Ice clunking. Stinky food they've sunk in making me nauseous. Its all inconsiderate and obnoxious.Sasha loves this one.
-People bringing babies to movies. I realize you've not been to the movies since you've had your baby. You probably are dying to get out of the house. Please, get a babysitter. It's very rude to hold your baby in the aisle while it wails, I can still hear it and not the movie. Take it out! And please, for the love, don't keep coming back in and out of the theater, and in and out of your seat making me move each time you do.

3. Bad parents.I need to preface this by saying I don't have any kids so I really have a hard time finding any sympathy. Maybe someday I will.. but for now this must go. Also I realize it is the parents to blame, not the kids, I love kids.
-Along with movies. Parents who let their kids run up and down the aisle during the entire show.
- Eating at restaurants. Parents letting their kids run around and harass the other customers while their trying to eat. I know you probably think its cute, you look at me and smile as you darling 3 year old steals the rolls from our table, but I came to have a nice quite dinner, we purposely didn't go to McDonald's. You also didn't say "sorry" to the waitress as she almost tripped on you adorable child while she was carrying a tray full of food.
- At wedding receptions. Parents who turn their kids loose and don't see their kids the entire duration of the reception. I've heard one parent say to the other:
"Are you going to stay with ________ outside?"
And glancing at me she replies, "No we don't need to watch our kids, she's out here and she can watch them."
Kids picking my flowers, running into the greenhouse and spilling our potted plants, going outside of gates to "pet" the cows and horses, crawling up and down the buggy, climbing the fences, and playing hide-and-go-seek in the middle of flower beds killing my precious flowers. Ahhhhhhhh! I love kids, hate bad parents. If your responsible enough to "make babies" you should be responsible enough to teach your kids respect. Amen.

I'm sure many of you can relate to my list, but do any of you have things that you would want to add?

LOL

Aislian introduced me to this hilarious website. I particularly loved the anniversary post which included details of her wedding day. Ahhhhh.....

http://www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

You've probably already seen this, but I did a search for "the worst music video ever" and this what came up, multiple times. The background dancers... what is there to say?

JULY THE FOURTH

I fulfilled a dream I've had for a while, going to the balloon launch. We sacrificed by getting only four hours of sleep to see the spectacular event. I loved it!





We spent time at the family cabin in Fairview and went to a po-dunk carnival and to the firework show in the cemetery. We were a little skeptical about how the show would compare to P.G. but were all pleasantly surprised.

Wasatch Back

Team Sweetness

Team Sweetness freakin rocked it out yesterday! From Logan to Park City we busted out 180 miles running, sweating, crying, some of us lost our marbles (Lindsey between the hours of 2am to 5am), getting covered by dust, running in almost 100-degree temps, clawing our way up mountains, attempting to sleep on a high school hardwood floor, attempting to sleep at all, soaking in hot-tubs (the boys), becoming best friends with the honey buckets(aka port-a-potty),and traversing some of the most beautiful scenery in Utah. It was a great adventure and one of the funnest times I've had!

I already miss The Office

Putting together a wedding in a week

Karlena, bless her heart, announced on Wednesday that she was going to get married the following Thursday. I know we have connections in the wedding biz, but really putting a wedding together in a week? We did it. The following pictures are proof that you really can do a wedding with limited time and a limited budget.

The families were gathered...

Lily and Isabah scattered rose petals...

Dad walked her down the aisle...

She officially became Mrs. Smith

We had a full Hawaiian buffet complete with Hawaiian dancers

They cut the cake...

And could not stop smiling the entire night! A success!

For those of you who requested, this is a picture of the cake. I attempted fondant, and I think it came out okay. No Cakes by Dawna by any means, but for a free cake not half bad. Also a special shout out to Jamie for help with the wedding flowers! You are amazing Jamie! Thanks again!