Vegas Baby......

After a long winter of snow and cold weather, I have been anxious to get out and feel some "real warmth" and see the "real sun" for awhile. The opportunity arose when my sweet dad called me up one day and asked if I wanted to ride down to visit my Aunt in Las Vegas with he and my step mom, Kathy. I was thrilled. I had gone down with my dad three years ago and we had such a wonderful time. We use to go down to Las Vegas as a family when I was little, for Thanksgiving or just for a visit, but as an adult...I haven't been able to go down to visit much. I love spending time with my aunts, my dad and my stepmom. They are so much fun and have so much wisdom and zest for life. 

So this past Thursday we took off for sunnier days and warmer air. We took the scenic route down and got to see things and places that I don't see very often. We drove for hours, laughing, talking and having a fantastic time. After our long scenic route, we dropped down into Hurricane UT and I thought that I had just landed in heaven. Coming from brown dirt, snowy patches, dried weeds and dead grass (back home)....to this lush land of green grass (even been mowed), green weeds (yes, right now they looked pretty good too), blossoms, flowers, the scent of fresh spring air....and people WITHOUT coats...(you get the picture)...It was AWESOME! It just made me happy all over. 

                            

The farther south we went, the warmer it got. I actually took my jacket off and felt a bead of sweat run off of my forehead...it was great!

We spent our time in Vegas hanging out and just visiting, cooking, reading and visiting some more. We sat out in the sunshine and warmth (even though it was breezy and I still needed a jacket, it was warmer than here at home) for a little bit one afternoon and soaked in the sun. NO we didn't get to come back with a tan line, but it was beautiful none-the-less. We took an afternoon and watched the airplanes take off at the airport and then took in a movie, we even did a little shopping. 

We didn't do anything elaborate or mind boggling...but it was a nice, relaxing week...a nice break from the routine of my normal busy day.  I am so glad that I got to go and see my Aunt and spend some time with her. It was fun to visit her, she is alot of fun to be with and I had a wonderful time "tripping" with my parents....Thanks for the great week everyone! 

SuRprise....is ON US!

For the past month, we (our family, as well as Dana's family) have all been planning on attending a big "Surprise Birthday Party" for my sweet daughter-in-law, Dana, planned by her hubby (our son, Todd). It was all set for Saturday, March 20th at 5:30. Todd was going to make a nice dinner (orange chicken, rice and Jello) and cake and ice cream....hide everyone so they could yell "surprise"...the whole shebang. We were very excited.  On Friday I was talking to Todd about how he was going to get Dana out of the house so that he could do the cooking without her suspecting anything. He told me about several different possibilities of things that he might do, then just sort of left it at that....in other words, he hadn't really decided HOW hew as going to get her to leave. Saturday morning rolled around, Dayna (Jack and Dayna came out for the big surprise too) and Kim and I were all talking and thought maybe we could get Dana to come to Vernal with us. Kim needed to go and look for some shoes and we could kidnap Dana and "she would never suspect a thing"...hmmmm....we thought it was a splendid plan...well thought out and it sounded like it would be perfect. I called Dana, invited her to go. She sounded excited and I told her we would be there in an hour to pick her up. I also said that we had to be back by 5:30 (that was the time the party started) because Dayna and Jack needed to head back home. OH it was Perfect!....what a plan!!!! We picked up Dana and all had a great visit during our long drive. We stopped at one of my favorite little clothing stores in our small little area, so that Dana could pick out a new outfit with some money that she got for her birthday. Then we made a "quick stop" at Walmart to pick up a few things. Kim looked for the shoes that she needed (...and didn't find any)...Dayna found a few cute outfits for less than you can purchase a spool of thread (not even joking!!!...A seriously awesome sale!!!!) and then we were off...a 1/2 hour late...but on our way home nonetheless. We pulled up to Dana's house and went inside with her while Dayna "picked up a Game" (all part of the secret surprise). Dana didn't expect a thing (...yep, we were sure of it)...we went downstairs where everyone was hiding, and waited for Dana to come down....after a few minutes she calls for Todd to come upstairs. He jumps up and runs up to see what she needed. He is gone for a few minutes, then casually brings her down and we all YELL "SurPrIsE"!!...Yah!!! We surprised her and I was so happy. Its always fun when you can completly surprise someone like that, mainly because it doesn't happen very often, at least to me. ...BUT THEN...she sits down on Todd's lap....and that is when we got the tables turned on us!...they unzipped Dana's Jacket that she was wearing...and upon the belly of her black shirt is a big red bow. I thought maybe she rubbed up against something and didn't realize the bow was there. Then Todd says.. "Surprise...We're going to have a baby". At first I didn't believe him, because he is always teasing us that they are expecting....BUT then I asked Dana if he was serious and she smiled and said, "Yes!"...Woo hoo!!!! I am going to be a grandma. I am so excited! They both seem so happy and elated that they have a sweet baby on the way...and I couldn't be happier!...They proceed to reveal that the entire "Surprise party" was always a plan to get us all there and to announce their big news....GUESS the Surprise WAS on US!!!!....Dana helped plan the entire "party" and knew what we were up to the whole time...because the party really wasn't for her....Yep, we were SURPRISED!!!! BUT we had a great time with Dana anyway, regardless of the reason that we kidnapped her, it was fun to go and spend a little bit of time hanging out together.

Congratulations Todd and Dana!!!!!!

We are all stoked about this new little one coming our way.

(PS...I'm guessing its going to be a girl~)

 But no matter what we get, grandson or granddaughter...

...we are excited about it.

One SmArT Cookie!!!

This year, Kim was asked to be on the Academic Decathlon (AD) Team that our high school has. She was a little nervous at first, but quickly decided that it would be a "fun" thing to do and joined the team. She spent MANY, MANY long hours studying, reading and attending study sessions and practices. In the end...it all payed off! The team went to St. George last week for a 3 day State Competition. Our little school took 2nd in the STATE...which is amazing. Kimber came home with 6 (yes, six) medals! We couldn't be prouder of her!!!! She got 3 bronze medals-1 for Super Quiz, 1 for French Economics, 1 for Essay...2 Silver medals-1 for Art, 1 for French Revolutions (2nd team overall)...1 Gold-for Speech. She was thrilled and excited to have done so well!

Way to go KiM!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

Winter ReMNaNts...

The snow has thawed (for the most part) and has left proof of "winter visitors" who have wandered around our yard. It's funny how we never cross paths, never see them here...but they always leave us a "little gift" so that we recognize their presence in our yard...("thanks for the house warming gift, Bambi. Sorry that we missed you! I hope that you found much to eat, but left my trees alone".) 

Among the "droppings" I uncovered many treasures leftover from autumn. I found rotten squash-(yes, I forgot to put in the trash)...but after the snow came and buried it...

it was out of sight, therefore out of mind. 

...the leaves that blew off of the tree's and piled up after the weather was TOO cold for me to rake,

 are still there WAITING FOR ME to...

 "pick up right where I left off." 

....and the remnants of leftover snow...(yes, that would be WATER) will have to be dumped

 from my wheel barrel, preparing it for its many hours of hard labor

....and then there are more leaves....and more work....

BUT....I will have to say~ that right now, it sounds like a nice 

change from housework. I am sure that the "newness" will wear off quickly and I will soon be

complaining (because thats how "we humans" are) because I am tired of it as well..but for now

a nice sunny, warm day filled with raking leaves, dumping trash and making my yard a pretty place

sounds like a good day! 

Good bye Snow (for today at least)....

and Welcome Back brown grass and moldy leaves....

its good to see you again!

Yes..."We've Been KNOWN"...

Our family is unique, fun, corky, witty and sometimes down right crazy....

but after all...isn't every family?!

Yes...our family is just like everyone else...or are we?!

1. We have been known to dream BiG....

because no one can ever take away your dreams!

2. We have been known to get so tired of mom taking pictures...

...that sometimes we just have to let Go!

3. We have been known to have neighborhood swimming parties...

...IN the cul-de-sac

4. We have been known to stop and stare at things that we haven't seen before...

...therefore making ourselves look like recluses!

5. We have been known to go swimming...

 in weather where most people would wear coats

6. We have been known to face our fears...

up close and personal (some more than others)

7. We have been known to use our manners...

...even if they might be our bad manners

8. We have been known to spend the day in the sun...

...fishing for "answers"to some of life's biggest questions

9. We have been known to live through a tornado...

...who cares that it wasn't very big

10. We have been known to get our hands dirty...

...and maybe even other parts too

11. We have been known to "fight off LIONS"...

right in our own kitchen

12. We have been known to dance...

and make the most of the moment

13. We have been known to bury our young...

...all in the name of fun

14. We have been known to talk to strangers...

...and even have our pictures taken with them

(what sweet people...wished I knew who they were!)

15. We have been known to rub elbows with famous people...

some of which, you may not even know yet

16. We have been known to get money for Eating things...

that most people would never consider to be food 

17. We have been known to find buried treasures...

...even if the treasure is only in the eye of the beholder

18. We have been known to share what we have...

...even when know one else wants it

19. We have been known to enjoy our food...

...sometimes a little too much

20. We have been known to get caught exercising...

...even if it is just chasing after the family car...

when they are leaving us! 

21. We have been known to take in "Mermaids and Pirates"....

...love them like we've known them forever

...and treat them as kin!

One of Life's little pleasures is to have...."been known"...

20 things that I betcha didn't know......

I am dedicating this post to "Things that you might not know about me"...because everyone has "hidden secrets"...and these are a few of mine~

1. I am fascinated by creepy animals, bugs, snakes and creatures in captivity...

I could just watch them for hours as long as they are behind glass...AND AT THE ZOO!

2. I miss when my kids were all young and at home...

but its nice to know they are growing up to be responsible adults and making their mark on the world.

3. I love scary things...movies, scaring OTHER people, haunted house etc....

BUT I am not very fond of Halloween.

(no worries...this picture was staged at the Wax Museum in California...

IT'S NOT REAL, DAYNA LIVES)

4. I love the Wizard of OZ...the movie, the dolls, the wax figures...all of it!...

Guess thats the "child in me".

5. I have cut my children's hair from the time they were born (okay, their first hair cut)...

along with Deron's hair, since we got married...but I'm not a beautician!

6. Three years ago while we were on a trip in Mexico, down by the beach-

I had an iguana follow me around like a puppy... AND then...

I picked him up and held him (but NOT quite like a puppy). 

7. I love Disneyland...it brings out the "kid" in me and makes me all Bubbly and Happy!

8. I love the ocean, the beach and the sand between my toes...BUT

I detest the idea of putting a bathing suit on!

9. I love the mountains...hiking and exploring my surroundings...BUT

I'm not a fan of lions, tigers and bears that lurk in the woods.

10. At times I have been known to goof off and get "crazy silly" when I am 

with my kids and siblings..but in reality, if you aren't family, chances are-

YOU WILL NEVER see that side of me.

 

11. I love taking pictures of the outdoors...my family and things that we do...

BUT I don't like to take portrait type pictures...mainly because,

I'm not good at it. 

12. It doesn't bother me to drive to the city and hang out by myself for the day...

I have even been known to sing really loud in the car when I am all alone...

just because I can.

13. I think Penguins are one of the cutest animals (birds) ever!...they 

make me smile and I could watch them for hours.

14. I made up my own adult apron pattern...created it from my own little head...

and then I made up a "little girly" apron too...

all because I had a brief moment of insanity (inside joke)

15. I adore homemade, baked cheesecake!....I LOVE it..it's my favorite in the entire world!...

AND it will be served as one of my many "last meals" before I die!

16. There is at least one clock in every room in my house...

yes, Bathrooms included.

17. I put pepper on almost everything...and not just a little, I use ALOT!...

I've actually had people wonder if the lid accidently came off while I was shaking the pepper out.

18. I despise canning...of any sorts!..BUT

I think it's so cool and rewarding to see all the full jars resting on my shelves, ready to be eaten up.

19. I made (yes- created, built and designed) this kitchen island (that sits in my kitchen)...

from an old bathroom vanity...

and to think that there were "some" that doubted that I could actually do it....

(that would be me, myself and I) 

AND Last BUT not Least.............

20. I adore, love, crave AND....

am thoroughly addicted to Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop 94% fat free Popcorn...

and I eat it every single day!

...there you have it, the mystries and secrets that "not too many people" knew.