Smiles for Today

-had Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast (slice of smoked turkey, green bean casserole & stuffed mushroom dip with crackers) MMMMMmmmmm......
-Hair curled nicely
-Sunshine and blue skies!!!!
-got sustained and set apart for my new calling-member of the relief society meeting committee
-Sister Sally Barfuss came and sat next to me in Relief Society
-Didn't have to get out of bed right away when I woke up this morning :)
-Candles and candle warmers

Faux Fur Friday

I recently came to the conclusion that it was time to get a new winter parka, my old blue one has served me well for nearly 9 years but..... the filling is start to be flat rather than fluffy and there are stains that just do NOT want to come out of the sleeves.....

Friday I left after work and went to Burlington Coat Factory. Mom had a full day was kind enough to join me for an hour or so to help me pick out a good winter parka. I had a little time before Mom got there so I used that time to peruse the clothes (non-coat) section.

I tried on about 5-6 coats. Purple, red and black. I was looking for a coat with down filling, a hood, one that was fitted and preferably a color other than black. At first I was not a fan of the faux fur on the hood but when it became apparent that the warmest coats with hoods came with faux fur.... I changed my mind :) I finally settled on the little red number below. It met all my criteria-fitted, colorful, hood, etc.

After shopping I was able to take Kelsey to dinner to celebrate us making it through a long work week. YAY for Fridays!!!! Initially I was thinking Cheesecake Factory at the mall but when I had a work luncheon at the mall earlier that day, I noticed that it was the grand opening of H & M and Crate & Barrel. There was a looooonnnnngggg line spanning the side of the mall and parking took at least 10 minutes.

So instead we went to Ichiro Buffet. Close to home and we both love Asian food. The buffet did not disappoint-egg rolls, fried tempura vegetables, fried rice, coconut shrimp, sweet & sour chicken. We also had our choice of sushi to share-we chose crab & avocado, shrimp &..... something else that I forgot :) Good times, good food, GREAT company!

Superhero Saturday!!!!

Me & Grace during intermission, she was my buddy during most of the play. I LOVE having a little child on my lap :)

Tonight was a proud aunt moment- seeing not one but TWO niece/nephew in a school play!!!! In this case it was Bennett (14) and Annie (16). The play was "Calling All Superheroes" The basic plot is that there are 2 villians plotting to take over the world, posing as everyday citizens. The only one can stop them is superhero "Xray" whose day job is a bookstore owner and mother of 3. Bennett played Xray's son and Annie played one of the cops who was trying to arrest Xray-one of the many twists of the plot :) They both did great, played their roles fully and I was so proud of them!

We sat by the Dishman clan and here are some photos of our mingling with them during intermission. Here's Jake showing me his latest scouting award, the Wolf. Yay Jake!!!!

Jake, Jessica, Sam & Allen.

Mom/Grandma with her granddaughter, Jessica and great-grandson, Sam. Don't you LOVE Sam's round cheeks???? I do!!!!

Thick Thursday

Had a really fun experience tonight (10/27), Halloween Concert with Mom!!! The director of the Salt Lake Symphony also the University of Utah Philharmonia, Mom had an extra ticket and I was eager to go!

The concert was FUN. The hallways on either side of the concert hall were decked out-grave yard with RIP & Here Lies.... type of gravestones. An underwater theme with fish, octopus, etc. And the costumes!!!! The entire orchestra and conductors were in costume. We saw a chicken, Indian chief, pirates, lobster, a ketchup & mustard combo, a gorilla, a princess, seeing all those costumes was half the fun! And I think half of the challenge might have been playing in those costumes or seeing the conductor over the top of someone costume :) Huge points for creativity, though!!!

The theme of the concert was "Music from the Depths" there was a variety of selections including "March to the Scaffold" "Little Mermaid Medely" and "Pirates of the Carribean" There was also an appearance by the U of U Ballet Company. The music did not disappoint, either and all the conductors were in costume and really into the fun spirit of the thing!

After, Mom & I stopped for "thick" (hence the blog title) shakes at Arctic Circle. I rarely get a fruit but tonight a strawberry banana shake was quite satisfying :) Thanks for a fun night, Mom! I love you!

Masquerade Monday

Jake displaying the "Witches Hand" he made. Sorry, this pic is out of order, I know....

Each Halloween the one event I look forward to the most is..... Family Halloween Party!!!! Mom and Dad always pull out all the stops including food, decor, costume, activities and no two parties are ever the same!!!!

Here's how it all went down.....

Wickman, the Transformer
Mom as a Spider, props to her for the idea, design and creation!!!! Cora, also a spider??? The only shot I could get off the whole night.... Posing for pics was not on her agenda....

Sabrina the Skunk, way to work that tail, Sabrina!!!

Dad as Zorro and Sara the Knight going to battle!!!

And the battle continues!!! Sara the knight and Jake the vampire

Grace as Sleeping Beauty

Jessica and Sam as Princess & the Frog

Carter the Ninja and Faris the Grim Reaper

Me as a Runner, a very comfortable costume, I might add!!!! Holding Saige the Bunny. Funny story about my costume-Deborah asked me about my medal, I casually said, "Oh, it's just because I won the race.... I mean... finished the race!!!!"

Jessica made "Witches Brew" rootbeer with dry ice. Delicious!

Common occurrence of the night-Saige pulling on/trying to eat my headphones :)

Lexi and Ashley enjoying their pizza dinner. Note the pan that's by Lexi on the table, part of her "Tangled" costume. She was Rapunzel, Melanie was the mother, Spencer was Flynn Ryder. Quite a sight!!!!!

More pics of the kids, including Beck as an elephant sans mask, and Ashley as a "witch princess" Classic Ashley costume! Why choose between costumes when you can have 2?!?!
Dad explaining how to play "Pumpkin Bowling"

The "pins" Toilet paper rolls with faces

Beck putting his fingers in the pumpkin bowling ball holes

Lexi frosting/decorating her "ghost" I was a bit slow to pick up on that one.... At first I thought they were white christmas trees!!!!

Davey the army guy in part of his uniform and Allen as the "Zombie Vampire Camper" he had taken off his camping backpack by this point. Love Allen and his creativity!!!!

Carter diligently making his "skeleton" with q-tips cut in half

Bennett helping out in the "Spook Alley" why his head is on the table I don't remember.....

my first time through the spook alley was with Mel, Saige, Ashley, Wick, Beck and Grace. Halfway through Saige started fussing, so Mel took her back to Deborah and I finished the spook alley with Lexi & Wick on one arm.... Grace & Beck on the other arm..... :)

And..... the ever popular "Donut on a String!!!" As my Mom said, "Lexi, Wick, Beck & Ashley thinking this is way too messy!"

Steamroller Saturday

Went to a BYU game today (10/23) went with Mom. A steamroller BYU victory, 56-3 over Idaho!!!! Mom and I had GREAT seats-we were able to use Uncle Ralph's "chair seat" tickets (thanks!!!) and sat on the 15th rowm midfield. SO awesome!!! We could say the players, huddle, watch the play develop-the handoff, the quarterback scramble to throw, etc. The one downside? The ONLY voices cheering, singing the fight song, dancing, clapping, etc. Mine and Mom's. The rest were more like golf claps. I wanted to say, "Really, people??? Do you know how great these seats are????" But I digress..... We also enjoyed stadium hot dogs, something about hot dogs at a ballgame..... And I got my "rise up" football T-shirt
This is the view you get to see when your eyes are not on the field. Lovely.

That night I celebrated my birthday with some of my friends. Mandy and Anne were coming from church meetings and had the cake and the movie so there was a bit of wait time.... I said, "Well, we could play some games. Wait, I don't have any games here!" Thankfully, Eric C did in his truck, so I taught everyone how to play skipbo.

Towards the end of skipbo we were talking about Eric's job at Dominos Pizza and I said, "Doesn't pizza sound good right now?" Everyone agreed so I ordered pizza spontaneously! Well, actually Lisa ordered it online with her iphone, I paid for it. Thanks for taking care of that, Lisa!

The movie part of the night was watching "Back to the Future III" Last February my friends and I embarked on a conquest for me to watch all three BTTF movies, we watched 2 of the 3 in one night than finished tonight. I have now officially seen all 3 BTTF movies. Awesome. Loved them all. Here's a picutre of the movie playing. We also had crackers, popcorn and red licorice to satisfy our palates until the pizza came :)

Here's those that came (minus Anne & Brian who hadn't made it yet) Lisa, Emily, Amber, Mandy, me, Eric N, Eric C.

Anne & Mandy have recently branched out into a new hobby. Cake decorating! Each cakes design is created specifically for the person/event. This particular cake had a BTTF theme. The "Delorean" the car from the BTTF movies. Complete with details like the cars name, a "31" license plate, wheels (held in place by toothpicks) and lots more. Plus, this fondant actually tasted good!!!! I hear it's because they use a marshmallow fondant. I actually ate fondant off a cake this time around :)

Thanks, Friends!!!! You are the greatest!!!!!!

Thespian Thursday

Tonight, (Oct 19) the folks and I saw "My Fair Lady" at Hale Center Theatre. I admit I was a bit wary about going to see the show.... I had only seen the movie once, and I kept falling asleep during it, waking up to realize, "Oh, they're still singing....." Back to sleep, wake up, "Oh, they're still singing...." But I am happy to admit that I was wrong!

I loved the show! The cast was incredible, they all played their roles so well and REALLY stayed in character. The costumes and scene did not disappoint either. A very happy night!!!! And try as I might to practice, speak with an English accent the only one that came out sounding decent was "Wit' a lil' bit o' luck." I like the song too :)

Memento Monday

I was spoiled with gifts and love on the big day. Check it out...... A black flower hair clip and card from Derbs :) I gave her an overnight of free babysitting

Mom and Dad gave me a mixer/chopper/blender combo.

The label that was on the gift, carefully wrapped by Dad. I love how Dad always signs cards/notes with hearts.

Kelsey gave me a really thougtful card, mini chocolate fondue pot and a tile, "Your future is as bright as your faith-" President Monson

I also got a collage photo frame from Kerri and a chocolate gift basket from Lisa. Sorry I didn't get pictures of those, but thanks friends!!!!

Molar Monday

After going to the dentist to get a cap the right side of my mouth was numb. Very numb. Thankfully the numbness wore off in time to enjoy..... birthday cake!!!!! I love Costco cakes. Lots of thick frosting and pudding like filling..... :)We got together to celebrate all the October family birthdays. Jim 15th, me 17th, Deborah 19th, Grace 25th. Here we are gathered around the cake, including Ashley who wanted to join in :) This awesome pic is courtesy of my nephew, Spencer.

Singing happy birthday

Posing with the cake, sans cutting :)

Funny story about this picture of Jake-he was at Deborah's when we stopped by. Mom asked him if he was coming over for cake and ice cream later. We all love Jake to bits and one of his trademarks is that he speaks slowly and deliberately, carefully choosing his words. When I said, "No, he's not coming. He just likes to eat brussel sprouts," he looked at me and said, "That....is....an.....incorrect.....statement!!!"

In between the pedicures, Mom and I stopped by Deborah's. The couple times I've babysat Saige has been asleep and I was in need of some Saige time!!!! I think she might have been a little tired for these pics though..... Still, check out those eyes!!!!

Reaching for Grandma's keys

And..... now eating the keys

Me with Ashley & Saige

Grace, the soon-to-be 4 yr old

Derbs the birthday girl with Allen

Me with my cutest grandnephew Sam. Sadly just after this picture was taken I made him cry:(

He's only 3 months old but weighs close to 17lbs, real cute chunk! So with chunkiness I forgot he doesn't have full head/neck support. So when I walked through the doorway holding him, he leaned his hed back and bumped it on the doorframe. Oops. Sorry, Sam! Pretty sure he forgave me, though! Don't you love his smile????

Some of the partygoers-Lexi, Ashley, Grace

Lexi 3, Ashley & Beck 5, Grace almost 4

Jake 8, Bennett 14, Annie 16, Sara 7. I LOVE being an aunt!!!!!

Cora 20 months. Love those pigtails and blue eyes!!!!

Love being with the family!!!!!