A SuRpRiSe

We discovered a few days prior to leaving on our trip that the boys had stuck a dime in our CD player in the van. It was only partially in and I thought I could get it out while we were driving and ended up pushing in in all the way. Kelly was thrilled about that. It made the radio short out or turn off every time we went over a bump, and the radio stations all reset every time the we would start the van. Needless to say it had to be taken care of before we left.

So I called the dealership and they wanted $95 just to look at it, plus additional fees to fix it. Needless to say we decided not to go that route. Kelly instead asked around and researched online how to take of the paneling and do it himself.

This is what he found.

It's no wonder the radio and CD player wouldn't work!!

A Week of Chaos

The week before we left on our trip to Arizona was insane for me. That was the week of the Twilight premier. Being part of Team Alice for the TwlightMom's premier at the District meant that I was spending a lot of time making final preparations. That on top of getting all of us packed and the house cleaned and the laundry done, for some reason wasn't enough for me to do. I decided that I had better get all my Christmas stuff up before we left too. Yes, I know I am CRAZY!! But I did, I did it all.

I went to see the midnight showing of Twilight!!!

Kim, Shelley, Me & Shauna in the theater.

We held the largest Twilight premier party west of L.A. The movie premier was a success and we had so much fun doing it. I maintained the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation charity and had a lot of fun doing it.

Me & Alex's Lemonade Stand

Me & Kim at Will Call

The cast that showed up for photos!

I managed to get all my laundry done, my house cleaned and Christmas up. I even finished making the Cars ornaments for the boys tree.

My Christmas Tree

Landon's & Carter's Tree they decorated themselves.

Kelly got the lights up on the House
My village of Christmas Trees on top of
my cabinets with vines of red berries
On top of my entertainment center
My side table in my kitchen

It definitely was insane, but I am happy that I did it all. I felt good about leaving at 4 am the day after the premier, knowing that I had accomplished everything I had set out to do. Now would I do it all over again? That's something to think about.

Twilight

We're finally home, and my first order of business is my Twilight movie review.

To begin, I have to say that for days before going to see the movie, I kept telling myself over and over again that the movie would be the book, and I needed to keep that in mind. I think that I was a little worried that I was going to be disappointed, and I of course didn't want to be. So that was my way of preparing myself for it. Needless to say, all that prep was for nothing. I LOVED the movie!

There were some parts that I felt were a little cheesy, like "Hold on tight spider monkey" I've hated that ever since they showed it in the previews, but like I said before I knew it wouldn't be the book and I prepared myself for that. They included lots of details from the book, and at times it just didn't seem to transition smoothly to the next scene. There was never anything that I thought was horrible, it was just a little choppy here and there. Obviously things were left out, and new things added, and overall I thought that they did a great job in adapting from the book. I still felt the same emotions watching the movie as I always have reading the book. Some parts were even more intense. I personally think they did a great job.

I thought the cast was outstanding!

• Robert played Edward incredibly... ahh... sigh... I could have watched the movie a thousand times over again!! And I'm sure I will. He was perfect!!
  
• Kristen (who I was a little worried about) also was fantastic. I didn't know if she would end up pulling it off, but she did, and I have no complaints.
  
• Jackson did an amazing job playing Jasper. He was so rigid and uncomfortable around Bella, it was great!
  
• Nikki made Rosalie even colder than I thought she could be, that was a little surprising.
  
• Ashley was a perfect Alice. I wish that they would have included her character just a little more.
  
• Kellen I am convinced is Emmett. He looked the part and was exactly what I would have imagined him to be.
  
• Esme was portrayed just as I would have imagined by Elizabeth. Super sweet and kind. She made me happy.
  
• Peter made Carlisle even more dreamy than ever. I like others, was in awe when he first came on screen. He was excellent!

My favorite part of the movie, had to be the kiss. Wow! It was intense and amazing!! I know that sounds crazy, but seriously, it was that good. There were so many great parts of the movie, but that was my favorite. If you haven't seen it yet, (I might think you're a little crazy) trust me, prepare yourself for it.

Some other parts of the movie that I loved were:

• Edward bringing Bella to meet the family. It was great, very funny!
  
• The baseball scene. I thought the special effects were well done. And besides that... who wouldn't love watching Edward play baseball?!?!?
  
• The ballet studio. It was intense and everything I imagined it would be. Bella was great in this scene and the action was perfect. I also loved the special effects they did in the studio as well.

I would absolutely recommend that you go and see the movie. Even if you didn't love the books, the movie was really well done, and I think that you'd enjoy it. I am a little biased so obviously I think that it's great, but go and see for yourself. I can't wait to go and see it again in the theater. I hope that I'll be able to convince Kelly to go with me, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello all! I am not dead, and I'm sure that there are some of you who are shocked that I haven't yet posted about Twilight. Don't worry I will. We are in Queen Creek, AZ this week for Thanksgiving. We left at 5 am last Saturday, and I was only home for a couple house between the midnight showing of Twilight and when we left. So when we get home I will post for sure.

Until then, I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. There is so much to be grateful for this year, and I wish you all the very best. My love goes out to each of you and I want you all to know that I am grateful to know each and every one of you. I know that we would not be where we are today without you in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Day Full of Laundry and Fun

Today was one of those days that you hate, yet can't escape. I finally made myself stay home today (with the exception of running to town for my diet coke), to do the 10 loads of laundry I have been stock piling. If you think that I am over exaggerating, think again, because I am 100% serious. I had that much laundry to do today. We were literally down to our last items in our drawers and closets. I don't mind washing and drying our laundry... It's folding it and putting it away that I hate. So because of that I put it off, and put it off until I absolutely have to do it. Today was that day. I have to say that it's almost all done. I think that I have 2 1/2 or loads left and that's mostly blankets and extra sheets. So I'd consider my laundry day a success overall. I do have Shauna to thank though. She and her girls came up and played with the boys and helped me fold some and put some away too. And they came right at the perfect time. Had they not walked through my door when they did, I would have called it quits for the day, and instead I accomplished a lot more. So Thanks Ladies!!

While they were here the kids all decided to make a big "leaf pile" as we call it, out of all my couch cushions and jump from the couch into/onto them.

It's hilarious to watch them do it, and they have a lot of fun. Thanks again for all your help and for a fun afternoon.

Team Alice

I am on the planning committee for the TwilightMom's premier of Twilight, and it's been so much fun planning everything. I can't believe how soon the event is and I am freaking out with excitement to see Edward on the big screen. We recently had our last meeting before the event and had this picture taken of us.

If you're going to the event, prepare yourself, because it's going to be fantastic. For those of you on Team Alice with me, I think that you are all amazing, and I can't wait to go and enjoy the day with you all.

Yummy Fruit Salad

I had to make a fruit salad for Kelly's step-sister's farewell today. Shelley gave me this recipe and everyone loved it. I thought that you all might want to try it out too.

2 Small pkgs. Instant Vanilla Pudding
2 Cups Buttermilk
1 12 oz. Carton Regular Cool Whip, Not Lite
1 20 oz. Can Pineapple Chunks, drained
2 10 oz. Cans Mandarin Oranges, drained
2 - 3 Bananas, sliced
1/2 pkg. Fudge Striped Cookies, broken up

Mix pudding, buttermilk, and cool whip.
Add fruit.
Right before serving mix in the cookies.

So Simple, and very delicious! Try it out and let me know what you think.

I am Esme

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Snow & Cookies

We woke up this morning to about 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground. I wasn't super excited, as I am not a fan of snow at all. I hate it! I would move just to not deal with it. So to pull me out of my foul mood, I thought to myself, "What's something great on a snowy day?" None other than home made, fresh out of the oven, Chocolate Chip Cookies! That's what I decided we needed to have. So Shauna called me from the store and I had her buy and bring us some chocolate chips, thanks Shauna, and I started making cookies. During the process Alivia and Ethan came over to play, and after I pulled the first batch out of the oven all the kids sat on the bench at my kitchen table with a cup of juice and a cookie. It was perfect! So if there are any of you who live close and want a chocolate chip cookie, come on over. I have plenty. And thankfully for my mood, the snow has mostly melted away now. Hallelujah!!

Election Day

This election day was so much better than the one 4 years ago. Kelly stood in line outside in the freezing cold for like 2 or 3 hours waiting to vote. I remember waiting forever as well, but I voted in the daytime so my wait wasn't as cold.

This year was so much more organized and I didn't wait at all. I walked right in and went straight to a booth and it took all of 5 minutes. It couldn't have been any better than that.

Kelly was able to leave work a little early and went straight to the elementary school to vote. He only waited for 20 minutes this time and the wait was indoors, so he too had no complaints.

We're both very happy that we have the opportunity to vote and express our opinions. Even though they may or may not have been the winning ones, they are ours, freely expressed.

Where was Carter?

This morning, I was surprised when I looked at the clock to see that it was 9:00 and I hadn't heard a sound from the boys bedroom. So I decided that I would peek into their room just to make sure that they weren't playing and that I wasn't hearing them. Landon and Carter were both asleep when I first opened the door. This is what I found. I couldn't believe it. Kelly and I had both gone into their room at different times late last night to check on them and Carter was in his bed. The most random part is that this happens all the time. I'm not sure if he sleep walks or what, but he's doing something that's for sure. By the time I had gotten back to their room after grabbing the camera Landon had gotten out of bed and was standing at the foot of his bed looking at Carter. This was his face. He too couldn't figure out why Carter was partially under his bed. He thought he was hurt. Landon kept asking, "Carter OK Mommy?" I woke Carter up and he was completely disoriented. He sat on my lap breathing really strangely for a minute or two and then heard Izzy and jumped and ran to find her. Crazy little boy!!

Happy Birthday Scotty

Yesterday was our nephew Scotty's 5th birthday. I can't believe that he is already 5 years old. For his birthday he wanted a witch cake and his mother Kris Anne did a wonderful job creating the perfect witch birthday cake.

He got lots of presents too. We gave him a poster size coloring book with markers and crayons included of Disney's Cars. Scotty and his cousins opened it and started coloring shortly after opening it. I'm really happy that he loved it.

He had lots of family there to celebrate with him, but the person he wanted to come the most was his bishop. He got his wish. The bishop and his family showed up just in time for cake and ice cream. I thought it was so sweet that they made his wish come true. I got all emotional and teary eyed when they got there. I just love Scotty's precious little spirit. He's such a great example and loves everyone. I learn from him something new about the gospel every time I am around him.

A Great Day

Last Saturday was a lot of fun for us. We decided to take the boys to a park and play for a little while. We drove out to a park in Herriman and had lunch and played. There was a huge hill and the boys had lots of fun running up and down it. Kelly even showed them how to roll down it. Carter was the only one that attempted to roll, and he didn't quite get it, but it was so fun watching him try.

Carter and Kelly attempting to roll down the hill.

Landon running up the hill.

Kelly and Carter on top of the world.

Carter making his way back up.
Landon

After the park we came home and got ready for the Utah vs. New Mexico game. We ordered some take out from Mama Chu's and headed to Lindon to Trent's parent's house for the game. Shelley and I did some scrapping and watched the kids and Kelly and Trent watched the game. Luckily for mine and Shelley's sake the Utes won 13 - 10 GO UTES!!! Otherwise, we would have stayed the night there and sent the boys home. There's nothing worse than a Ute fan husband after they've lost a game. Just remember to stand clear. ;0)

Kelly, Me, Trent, & Shelley. GO UTES!!

Don't bother Kelly...

Me & Shelley

Trent & Shelley

Kelly & Me

HaLLowEEn 2008

Halloween was full of fun and excitement this year.

We started off by dressing Kelly in the wee early hours. The team he works on decided to all dress up as cartoon characters from the 80's. Kelly chose to be a Pound Puppy. I took some of his clothes and sewed on all the spots, the tail, and made the Pound Puppy logo for his butt. Then I got one of my headbands, and made him some ears.

Isn't he so cute!!

What a cute Logo!!

Kelly and his fellow Pound Puppy friends.

Once I had him out the door, it was cookie time. The Devey and Tolboe chillins came over and we all decorated some cookies for them to eat for breakfast. I figured the day was going to be so full of sugar anyway, we may as well start it off that way. The kids loved it!

Me and the Boys

Don't mind me... I woke up in my costume. A scarry, mean, wife/mom.

Carter and Landon really enjoyed the frosting.

Shelley, Alivia & Ethan

After the cookie disaster, it was time for hair. Both Alivia and Abby were being princesses for Halloween, and you can't be a princess without princess hair. So we turned my kitchen into a beauty salon, and started on some ringlets.

Stylist at work on Alivia's hair.

Alivia's beautiful Snow Princess hair.

Abby's beautiful Cinderella hair.

Finally after that it was time for me and the boys to get ready and head up to Salt Lake to Trick or Treat at Kelly's work. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of the boys in their cowboy costumes again. I honestly don't even know what I was thinking. After that we headed to Heber and surprised Morgan and my Mom. It was a great day, and the boys had a wonderful time.