Fabulous Fall...Seasonals!

Yes... it is Friday and time to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. One reason ( of about 10,000) I really love fall is it is the kick-off of the Holiday Season. Football, Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas & New Years... all start with fall. Today I put up all my Halloween and Autumn "seasonals" and I was quite happy the way they turned out! Since this is my blog I am going to include photos... like it or laugh- whatever! I did my porch, front door, entryway, and half of my entertainment center in autumn and then the other half of my entertainment center, mantle and end-table in Halloween decor. Last year was the first time I decorated for Halloween, but I can tell it is becoming a favorite! ( I changed the photos from a mosaic... hope you can see them better)

What would Fall be without the yummy food associated with this glorious season? As a part 2 of my weekly Fall post... I am going to share a favorite fall recipe or food idea. This is the absolute BEST time of the year to entertain. SO MANY fun ideas and tasty treats!

#1 tip- Costco is now selling their pumpkin pies... Meg eats a piece every morning for breakfast!

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

1 block of cream cheese

1/2 to 1 cup of pumpkin ( depends on how orange you want it)

sugar ( to taste)

pumpkin pie spices

* This is so easy because all you do it mix it up and let it chill... you can make it into a cheese ball and serve with ginger snaps... HEAVENLY!

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be Thankful for this week...

1. Jackson got the best teacher ( well actually she is the strictest in the whole school) and I think it is going to be the best thing that ever happened to him! Meggie got the two cutest 1st grade teachers ever! They team teach and she is loving school... IF she can stop crying because she is soooo tired. Mitch...oh Mitch! I am glad they have the computer link to the school so I can keep up on Mitch's grades... This year he is really being responsible on his own... hope it keeps up. If you can't tell... I am thankful school is in and we are getting down to a routine. My kids have good teachers and I hope they can soon start doing their homework by themselves because the new season of TV is coming on soon and I have got shows to watch... Oh yeah- That is why I have DVR!

2. Today my man and I went to lunch and ran errands in town all day before I had to take him to the airport... It was so fun to just hang out and talk and laugh and just be with him. He really is so dang funny and we have fun together... It was a really great day!

3. Legacy Highway is soon opening up and the traffic won't be so dang bad. I do not love living in a bottle neck!

4. THE LEAVES ARE STARTING TO CHANGE COLORS! I have been keeping an eagle eye lookout for the leaves to start changing on my mountain and they have and now I am even seeing some in town! I love it... I am so dang excited, but I will save my joy for tomorrow's FABULOUS FALL post.

5. Good books... Have I ever mentioned that I would rather read than just about anything else? I love love love to read and to talk books with

people. I should have been a librarian... I have been reading some great books lately and I have to say that there is nothing better than reading on a cool-ish fall day.

6. The normalcy of my life- I am just living a normal, crazy, often spoiled life! I am so glad there are no big problems - sure life isn't always easy... but today I am very thankful for just a NORMAL life- no life threatening illness, no major accidents, no catastrophic trauma... just everyday life. I am not going to look at it as mundane... it is a blessing- I am going to count it!

There are just a few things that bring joy to my life. Sometimes things are crazy ( mostly me) but, I have much to be grateful for...

Happy Day To My Man!

DON"T LAUGH... This is one of my very most favorite photos EVER! Today is Caylor's birthday! He doesn't even read my blog...but it is a type of journaling, right! I am documenting our lives! Isn't his birth date cool? Next year it will be 09-09-09. We are really going to party then... Here are a few things I love about him!

* He is so dang funny... he makes me laugh EVERYDAY!

* He is a great husband- the love of my life.

* He is such a good dad- The kids love him so much and he does so much for them!

* He is so handsome!

* He is a hard worker and sacrifices so much for our family!

* He is kind.

* He is clean- I am sometimes the piggie in this relationship- I saved him from being a very fussy bachelor.

* He is a good leader- whatever the situation he can take charge and get things done.

* He is spiritual and wants what is best for our family.

* He is a good time... sometimes seems like the mild mannered business man, but he can still cut loose and be the life of the party!

* He is a good friend... His best friend is still the same guy from High School.

* He treats me so good... I am spoiled..if you don't believe me, just call my mom and grandma!

* He is good at his job- I love to watch him at work... he has a natural charm and charisma.

* He is level headed when I tend to be a little flighty... In other words- " He completes me"

* He is my best friend... I would rather be with him than anyone else...EVER!

* He is just the best dang thing that ever happened to me and I am glad he is my man!

Happy Birthday Caylor... You are the best!

Okay... I'm addicted!

I have really become addicted to C Jane's blog and information about Nie Nie. I almost feel dumb calling her "Nie Nie" because I don't know this family and I kindof feel like I am prying. I guess that is the beauty of a blog... you can blurk. Collette and I ran some errands together yesterday and as we rode along we started chatting about this tragedy. We talked about it for 30 minutes... we don't even know these people and yet we are soooo saddened by their situation. Then last night we were glad to see C Jane on the KSL news. I think it is amazing the response and love that has flown through the blogoshpere concerning this sweet family. I have thought ALOT about my own family...sisters and nieces and nephews...and my thought and prayers are with the mom and dad, the 4 little kids that are picking up an old life in a new world, the aunt that is stepping into a full-time role as mother of 5... it is such a touching story. Ijust watched them on the Today show and am so happy that this story has gone "national" ( like it wasn't already national via the blogoshpere) . I thought her family was so darling and positive and I love seeing those photos. I am sure that those pictures are priceless. What a great story! I guess the response just goes to show that there still are good people in the world and most are touched by other's human experience. I know this was quite a deep post and hopefully that I am back to my same shallow-self tomorrow!

I got Nothin'...

Today is a slow day, just recooping from the weekend. I have got nothing to talk about... I am in a blogging slump... so sorry... later!

Fabulous, Fabulous Fall...

If you haven't noticed... I LOVE FALL! So... in celebration of my favorite time of year I am going to dedicate Fridays to the things autumn that I love. I am not trying to give decorating ideas or be any kind of designer ( I'll leave that up to my Over the Tipsy Top friends, Tonia and Marla)...just going to show you some things I think are cute and fun for the most fabulous time of the year!Last week Tonia and I were out and about and we saw this DARLING Halloween star at Heartland Paper in Bountiful... we had to copy it. It was so fun and easy to do! While Viv was in town we projected the night away... we made four of these little beauties and I thought they turned out so cute. I think I am going to hang it from my ceiling with Halloween ribbon. I am really getting ready to put up my Halloween decorations. I can hardly wait until the 15 of September. I have to wait because I just can't have Fall decor up longer than Christmas decor.

Speaking of Halloween and Fall decorations... There is a great store called "Secret Haven" located at the Rock Loft in Fruit Heights- they are having their annual "Witches Night Out" next Monday- September 8th from 4:00- 9:00 p.m. If you dress up like a witch they are giving you 30% off one item. It is the cutest place in the world to go get unique fun decorations and even better ideas. It really is a great store- probably one of my FAVORITES! My mom and I shopped a little there yesterday and it totally got me ready for fall... Is it possible to be any more excited? Check out the "Witches Night Out" Who knows I just might bump into you there...

Check that NASTY project off the list!

Put a great big check mark on that nasty pantry cleaning job! I got it done!
I have decided I am kindof a PIG! I can't believe I allowed my pantry to get soooo bad! I know that all three of you that read this are thinking..."more junk on the stupid pantry?... Why me and I wonder what is posted on Seriously So Blessed today?" Don't switch just yet... I have got to come clean about what has been haunting me for months... yes I said months. I knew I needed to get this bad boy in shape, but the thought just made me want to scream. I decided that today was the day... I posted it on my blog so I had to get results... that was good peer pressure. Being the blogger I try to be... I even took photos and I must say I am quite embarrassed about what you are about to see. I really am not such a slacker..but here goes. The photos on the left side of the cube are before and the done deal is right next to it on the right. I even tried to get the same angle on the before and after shot. See my shame! I must also say that it took me ALL day to get this monster under control. Moral of my story? Either hire someone really good to clean and organize ( even if a kidney has to be sold to pay for it) or be a little more on top of things that need to be done. Well I am off to check off another thing on my list...party it up with my mom and sister-in-law, Mindy. We are going to shop, and laugh, and go to lunch, and have a ball... Just trying to do what I set my mind up to do! Aprons to be made Thursday...they are going to be so cute... I'll take pics!

I've got BIG plans!

Okay.. so today is Tuesday, but it feels like Monday, and I have got big plans! Last week was the first week of school so I indulged in a little bit of "me" time. Well I have danced all night now I need to pay the fiddler... I have got things to do. I know that one difference between successful people and... well those that don't quite get their crap done (me) is the ability to write their goals down. I am trying to take a page out of Tanja's book and make a list, but most importantly stick to it and check the items off my list. I figure if I actaully write it out loud then I might be held accountable for it. SO- here it is... MY LIST...

(This was a handy little thing from superstickies... Kindof a fun idea I got from Kami)

Here is the run-down...I have got to make a few aprons... 1 for an apron swap I entered online from Apronista, 1 for a bridal shower, and 1 for Halloween ( a gift to send early). I have GOT to organize my pantry... it is a disaster... and then the third thing on the list is Party with VIV- Yes Viv is coming to town and we are going to have a ball. So I have got to organize my time so I work smart, not hard. I have got a lot to do before the party queen hits town this-afternoon. I will post some photos of my progress. I am trying to get my crap together and be a disciplined adult. We'll see how long that lasts.

Freaking Out Over Fall!

Today it happened... I went outside this morning and I felt the most wonderful thing... FALL! I know the kids still came home from school smelling like summer recess, but this morning it seemed cooler and more crisp. Mitch is playing football, the mornings and evenings are cooler, and fall is knocking on my heart. I love love love fall! I think it was because the first one I really experiences was in 1999... the year we moved to Boise from St. George. I had no idea leaves actually turned red before they fell off the tree. I am being silly... ( I really did know that) but St. George has corner on the market for Spring, but Fall- Not so much! In San Jorge the leaves are on the tree bright green one day...the next day they are a yellow/green and then the next day they are on the ground the same yellow/ green. I love everything fall! In my house I don't do "seasonals" ( sorry Mindi) except fall and Christmas. Two years ago I had a big old fall party and I am already going to plan one for this year! Did this last year and loved it!

I went with the Over Tipsy Top Girls ( AKA Tonia & Marla) to Michael's today and bought a little Halloween decor. If that is not the best way to spend an hour and a little cash I don't know what is! I know what Meg wants to be for Halloween- so I can start on that costume, I already have my Halloween apron material, and I am just waiting for the green light to start going for fall in my house. I usually wait until Sept. 15... I hope I can wait that long. Last year was the first year I did Halloween themed decorations... I usually just to the whole pumpkin and leaves and fabulous fall theme. But... there was something so whimsical and fun about my fun Halloween stuff... It should be in my blood because my mom, VIV, and my sister,Jody, are really witches at heart. I say that lovingly... they love Halloween. So I am digging out my Martha Stewart Living mags from years gone by and am going to start getting into the fall festive mood. I can't wait to wear orange... make caramel apples... junk up my house with orange and black... and enjoy the cool down and the BEAUTIFUL fall view off my deck. This isn't the last you'll hear about this... I am freaking out over FALL!

Let's Give Martha a toast... she is the best Halloween idea giver in the world!

Have a great Weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I have so many things to be thankful for... Here are just a few that pop right to mind-

1. My family- Caylor works for the company that owned that airplane that went down last Friday in Moab, killing all 10 people aboard. He has flown on that exact plane with that pilot many many many times. It freaked me out a little... I am so grateful for him! Also I am so thankful for my little kids ( not so little anymore) they all seem to like school and are all really good kids. I have been talking to Rebekah, Ty's mom, quite a bit lately and my heart just aches for her... I have got to stop complaining about my kids because she would give anything to have to buy school clothes for him this school year... would do anything to study spelling words with him. I am happy my kids are healthy and happy!

2. My blog- I know this sounds so cliche', but I am so glad that I started a blog. I have been reading about Stephanie and Christian Nielson and their terrible plane crash and I was so touched to read her blog and although I don't know them... I am glad that I got to glimpse at their world. Those photos and memories are going to be priceless. I cried when I went to her blog. I hope I never have to rely on my blog as a way of remembrance as a stage of mourning, but I am glad I have jotted a few things about our lives that will keep memories that tend to fade.

3. My past three days of fun and freedom- I know it sounds so contradictory, after all the mushy sentimental things in the last two items listed, but I am so thankful for the fun- alone, grown-up time I have had over the last three days. Today is to get my house somewhat in order and do laundry day, but the good thing is... I've got 9 months to make all my dreams come true! ( no I am not pregnant...that would be a tragedy... the school year is 9 months)

4. School clothes shopping- Gives me an excuse to hit the stores! I love to shop and this is about one of two times when I can shop without the little buyers remorse that I usually get. My boys don't really care about anything other than shoes... and Meg loves all the clothes and hates shoes. It has been so fun and I am so glad Caylor is usually on board with this. It has been such a fun thing... any excuse to shop!

It is all about me...part 2!

The last two days I have really been searching for the "meaning of life"... I found it at Hobby Lobby, Justice for girls, Buckle, and Hip and Humble! Today is part 2 of my quest for selfish indulgence! I got my nails done, met Caylor's cousins and aunt for lunch ( so dang cute and such a fun time), returned some school clothes that didn't work, and stopped to get dinner supplies. Need less to say that I haven't been blogging! I apologize for my lack of comments on your blog and I will resume my blurking and blogging sometime in the future. I am foot loose and fancy free and so glad my cell phone isn't screaming at me and asking , " Mom, when are you going to be home?" I wasn't called mom once during the hours of 9-3:30 and ,I know I am going to get my "Mother of the Year" nominated ripped up , but I liked it! It was great!

What to do? ... What to do?

What a great day it is! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and most importantly...THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL! I got the camera ready and was going to get some fabulous shots of my kids, but I ran into 2 problems... #1- Mitch DID NOT want his photo taken and so he did a silly- I am too cool for my mom's dumb picture- pose and #2 I am a really bad photographer so my little kids have the sun shining in their faces and look like they had lemons for breakfast... Oh well! Here are the little angels. I will write a longer post about it later- I've got a ton to do... pedicure, Barnes and Noble, and maybe even a little laundry. We'll see!

A day celebrating Ty!

Today would have been Ty's 11th birthday. His mom, Rebekah knew that is was going to be such a hard day and wanted to celebrate instead of be so heart sad. When he died, their neighborhood all got together and donated money for a memorial area in little park in their subdivision. They planted a tree, got a cool wraught iron bench, and a little plaque memorial stone. Today was the day they set the stone and kindof dedicataed the area " Ty's Memory Corner". We all gathered to remember what a great kid he was... we had birthday cake and even sang happy birthday as all the friends sent red helium balloons to Ty in Heaven. His mom put together a little DVD of the slide show that was played at the viewing... and then just found some new homevideos of him singing and dancing to this crazy song. How fun it was to watch. We really miss him and with school starting tomorrow, I think the kids were thinking about him, but just didn't know what to say or how to say it. This little celebration of Ty was a great way to continue the healing process. I am glad that Rebekah gathered us all together to think of him and remember how special he was to all of us. It was a really great day!

The Party is Over... Back to the Real World!

Well.. All good things must come to an end! Although it has seemed like an endless one... today is officially the last day of summer! ( seeing that it is Friday, a school day and they are still on summer vacation- my kids are having a hard time with this concept- they think the last day of summer vacation is Sunday, but they wouldn't be in school anyways) I don't want to get all crazy negative on how dang excited I am for school to start, because once the homework and all that comes with it begins... I'll be ready for summer slackin' once a gain. It sounds like I am never happy! Here is a list of things I have loved about this summer...

* Loved sleeping in! Mitch slept in until 1:30 p.m. ( that's our record)

* Loved eating bar-b-que and fresh veggies at 8:30 at night!

* Loved eating breakfast with my kids many times a morning.

* Loved the "White bathing suit" Meggie got while swimming for days in Gram's pool.

* Loved going to movies in the afternoon.

* Loved the kids sleeping in a tent on our deck ( because they're afraid of cougars)

* Loved all the baseball games!

* Loved all the fun company we had...45+ people stayed here since Memorial Day

* Loved not worrying about combing hair or matching clothes. Everyday was casual Friday

* Loved pulling weeds all together ( should have loved it a few more times)

* Loved the late night movies and popcorn.

* Loved the summer Popsicle diet.

* Loved that flip- flips were the shoe of choice... not so many socks to fold!

* Loved going to Lagoon with any visitors that came to visit!

* Loved going to St. George and seeing cousins!

* Loved that Meg turned into "MerMeg" when she got to Gram's pool.

* Loved making glitter cups ALL summer long.

* Loved reading with my kids most days.

* Loved going back-to-school shopping. ( The boys HATED it)

* Loved not having any structure... no big plans, no hassle, no worries!

* Loved no bed times.

* Love that the party is over and school starts on Monday!

I could have won the Nobel Prize in EVERYTHING!

In the time it would have taken to cure AIDS, balance and payoff the National Deficit, Conquer world hunger, and find Osama Bin Ladin... I attempted a little nip and tuck on the old blog. Anyone who doesn't blog loves to say to anyone who does..." I just don't have the time to do THAT" or "Where do you find all your time to 'play' on the computer... I have children to care for" and usually I laugh and say that I do it for only about an hour a day ( Okay so I minimize it a tad) but today... I put in a full time job worth of work on this bloody thing. I though it was going to be a quick little project! I consulted with a professional, my new Blogging Idol- Vanessa, and she explained how easy it was to do. I tried it for a good long time and then I got desperate and called her on the phone. This was the first time I had actually REALLY talked to her and I didn't even have time to be nervous or mess around with the preliminaries- I was at my wits end and I knew she could help. We had a great chat and after 3 phone calls and her thinking I am a total IDIOT... I just begged her to do it for me. She helped a poor train wreck out and now I have a new look. I did do the header, but she had to step in and assist me with the main body. Sooooo... needless to say I am kindof embarrassed that on my first meeting I showed how lame I really am. Good things did come of it though... We chatted for a while and I found out that we were almost room-mates at SUU ( well...except for the fact that I was married and she attended 3 years after I left and I didn't even live in Cedar City at the time she was there... minor details!) The paralleling didn't end there...we both were teachers, her daughter's name is Vivian ( they call her Vivi) and you all know that I know a Viv, We both lived in Idaho ( opposite ends of the state, but who cares... the gem state is the gem state!), and we both have fun, outgoing, energetic mothers. We are practically twins that were separated at birth! Well it was a crazy day, but I did get a new look! I think I am going to like it! If you don't...please don't burst my bubble- it took me ( and Vanessa...well, mostly Vanessa) all day ( and all night) to do it! Thanks, Vanessa... I owe you one!

P.S. If this post seems a little disconnected or rambling and doesn't make any sense- Sorry! I have slaved over a hot computer all day and I just can't type or think anymore!

Give Aways Galore!

Here is a little something to get you through the last Tuesday of summer vacation ( for me at least). Some of my bloggin babes are giving some sweet stuff away that will help you get back to school and into the swing of things!
Check it out:

Tanja is going to help some lucky ducky get ( as my lovely friend Lori says) her "Shish" out of the street and into a pile... In other words Tanja is going to help someone get the back to school organization started with a subscription to ListPlanIt. I hope none of you need to get organized because I need to win this! Check Tanja AND ListPlanIt for all the back-to-school organization goodness.

Angie is going to help combat all the wrinkles and sun damage and kid damage that has happened to your face this summer with a superfantastic Avon giveaway worth $200.00. I know I have a damaged face... so I hope to win this one too! Check Angie out!

How to be a good wife...

So... I went to Dear Lizzie for Tonia's b-day shopabration and had such a great time... blah...blah...blah... old news! While I was there I bought the greatest t-shirt. It has a retro housewife on it ( you all know I love the 50's type housewife...wearing an apron, of course!) and the word HOUSEWIFE bedazzled with pink rhinestones.Love it! The best part is that it has this little quote from a 1954 Home Ec. book on the back of the shirt. I loved it when I saw it and had to get it. I have read this before and it totally cracks me up. As I was reading it this time... I realized that I strive to do many of the things that are listed below. I don't really love the tone, for it is a little condescending to the "little woman" but on the whole... I like my job as a "housemom" and try to take pride in being a good homemaker.When I was first married I was riding to Las Vegas with my mom, Viv. She gave me the whole talk about... " when your man comes home, you need to have some food on the table, and the house needs to be clean" and I bought it. Later I listened to Dr. Laura's book "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" and got the idea that as long as you cook food, keep a fairly clean house, and give "IT" up once and a while you can have anything you want from your man. I tend to believe it. Now... don't think that all I do is clean, and cook, and clean some more! Any of my friends will tell you that I can play with the best of them all morning and early afternoon... but, about 3:00 in the afternoon I get nervous to get home and start "backpedaling" or making it appear that I have been slaving away all day. There is a blog out there WWMD ( What would Martha Do) that makes no bones about being a homemaker and LOVING it. I am going to again holler something from the rafters...take a stand! I am going to say it loud and say it proud... I LOVE TO COOK, DECORATE MY HOUSE, HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE ( notice I didn't say clean my house... I hate that... I just like the after effect), BE CRAFTY, AND BE DOMESTIC. I would like to be Martha Stewart! I am not always perfect... and neither is my house or my menu, but today I am going to strive to think.. "What Would Martha Do" and then DO IT! That is my soap box message for this day... Now... I am going to go tie one on ( whether an apron or something else... you'll never know) and get my work done...unless someone calls to go to lunch and then I will "backpedal" my work done later!

HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE
Home Economics High School Text Book, 1954


Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal, on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the home just before your husband arrives, gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad he is home.

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

19- 19-1998!

You Belong in 1998

With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

Well I took this little quiz that is floating around my blog pod ( the people that my people and I all blurk) and thought is was quite funny... The last line, "It is all good" is really one of my favorite lines in my real life. In 1998 I was the mother of 2... teaching full time high school, weighed ALOT less than I do now, and drove an AWESOME White Isuzu Rodeo. I had lots of hair...sometimes curly and sometimes straight- I was on top of my game. I loved how it says I am sometimes grunge and sometimes Ghetto Fabulous- somewhat true...it changes every day! It figures that I am stuck there... It was when I was at my best! This is really a fun thing to do... try it out and then tell us what you were doing that year! p.s. I tried to find a photo of my from that year...NO DICE! That would have been funny

It's first & ten, baby- first & ten!

It is the best time of the year! Mitch's first football game is tomorrow! Football is a serious family tradition with this bunch! Caylor played... most of his brothers played... his dad played... now Mitch is playing. Jacks... not so much- he says he doesn't want to get "creamed". Jacks just becomes the Cliff Clavin of football players and stats. Mitch loves to watch, play, eat, drink, and sleep football. He changed teams this year so he could play with all of his baseball team friends and it has been a great thing so far. I am jazzed about football season because that also means that fall is right around the corner and that is my very most favorite season! Caylor's dad is flying up to come to Mitch's first game. I think he would live with us during football season if he could- he is all about going to every practice and game and just talking about it nonstop until November. Maybe it is a good thing he'll just come up occasionally for a game. We had a little gathering at the coach's house and he got his jersey and helmet stripes. He got the old number 19... the number his dad and uncles wore. Kindof funny that we were all so excited about that. It doesn't take much to get the whole fam going this season... Football is king at this house!

Thankful Thursday...

This is what I am soooo thankful for this week:

1. Something besides bills in the mail box...

Exhibit A- I won a blog giveaway on Chrissy's blog... YEAH!It is a labeler... as soon as my children go back to school I am going to get serious about organizing my house. I am going to label anything and everything thanks to this awesome prize! I have already started so I can remember what all the important things in my life are...Thanks to Chrissy and the random luck I had that day.

Exhibit B- My cute friend, Shannon, from long ago that I have just found again through blogging sent me the greatest notebook... She had one in her purse and she pulled it right out to write down my phone number and I was SOOOO impressed. She knew I liked Anne Taintor and that I loved her little handy purse notepad so she sent me one ( like the print below) in the mail...with a nice card even! It made my day! Thanks Shan!

Exhibit C- My darling cousins sent me a box of joy as a thank-you for the weekend they stayed at my house and we partied hearty... inside was a pair of Modbe jeans ( yummy for the fall), a darling swimsuit, and some slipper flip-flops that are complete heaven! Talk about awesome things...they are welcome back ANYTIME! NO photo here... just watch for a hot little pic of me in the jeans coming sometime this fall... YEAH RIGHT!

Exhibit D- A darling card from my neighbor. I took her a glitter cup and a diet Coke the day her son entered the MTC and told her to "drink her way through her sorrow". She wrote the nicest little note EVER and actually sent it in the mail! I need to be more thoughtful and send notes... the mail is a great place when there are no bills!

On a side note...

2. I am thankful for my family & Friends in So. Utah- I had such a great time last weekend- There are so many people that always come out and support us in whatever we do... I do think it helps that we serve yummy treats and that Viv is hilarious to be with... but it is so fun to see friends and family! It was fun to talk to Kaye, Jeri, Susan, Chris, Linford, my dad's sisters, both grandmas! I am lucky that these people are in my life- they make me who I am!

IT WAS A GREAT WEEK... I HAVE MANY GOOD PEOPLE & THINGS IN MY LIFE... I AM THANKFUL!

Back to Reality!

After reading my own blog... it sounds a bit pretentious. "This is how rad I am and this is how hard I can party... blah...blah...blah" - Do I live in a crazy state called Utah? I do like to have fun, but I am not as "jet setting" as I sound. The last week has been pretty crazy on the constant party meter...but, I just need to let you all know that yesterday I didn't go anywhere ( besides to the Chevron to get a Diet Pepsi - and I drank it from a regular cup). I am back to the daily grind of being a housemom. The party is unfortunately over for a minute or two and real life is banging on my door. Like I said, fun is a HUGE need in my life and I don't have anything planned as of right now... so if any of you want to party on...just let me know. I am always good to go! until then, I will be the one without make-up buried under a pile o' laundry.

I know People...

I know people who have all the right hook-ups...well that and they just like to have fun! When we lived in St. George we ran with quite the rowdy crowd.... they are still running and we sometimes get to jog along! Lat week I was in San Jorge for my dad's party and they "friends" called and told me they had 1 extra ticket to Joel McHale in Vegas. I thought about it for approx. 1/2 second and was ready to go. The plot thickened when they told me we rented a 15 passenger van so we could all travel and laugh together. Laugh we did! Remember last week when I said I needed to "belly laugh" more... I did it! I don't know if I laughed more on the ride down, at dinner, in the Jared scented elevator..., at the professional comedian, or on the ride home? It was so great to just have a relaxing time with people I love! It made me miss living around these Yayhoos- we were always getting something going. Back in the day when we each only had 1, maybe 2 kids...we would bar-b-que every weekend- sometimes both nights. This group of friends has really been together for a long time. I moved out and a few new ones moved in...but it is still so much fun to get together and just be. This is the kind of friends that I would never dare to "break-up with" they know the real, true, down and dirty on my and my man. We have to keep these folks close! Thanks for the VERY enjoyable evening and morning ( we got home at 3 am)! You guys are the best!

This was a pair of very sexy underware we took to have Joel sign. He said it was the strangest thing he had ever signed. He even autographed Ryan Seacrest's name in the crotch area... funny stuff.

Happy Day...Tonia!

Today is my friend Tonia's birthday. Yesterday we celebrated by having a shopping/ girlfriends birthday lunch! When they stopped to get me...Tonia handed me a Diet Coke in a birthday spectacular glitter cup done with a shopping theme! Does it get any better?

(photoed...L-R... Amy C, Lori, Tonia, Cindy, Marla, Me, Tonia's mom, Anita)

We headed to the store that was made just for Tonia, Dear Lizzie, for lunch and fun... the one question I had was, Does it get any better? Then I had to go home, but the rest of the fun lovers went to a few more stores. Last night everyone got a date ( husbands) and met up at PF Changs for one last little surprise for the birthday girl! Again... Does it get any better? It was a fabulous day partying with the flamboyant, creative Tonia! Happy Birthday! It just doesn't' get ANY better than that!

Really? Can you handle how great she is? ( p.s. she does sell these little babies... click here to see her fabulous blog and order yourself some glittercup goodness)

The Big Kahuna's Surprise!

Thursday was my dad's 60th birthday and I went to St. George for the ultimate surprise of the year. My dad is usually not really into the crowd and the chaos of a party, but about a week ago he started asking my mom is she was going to do something really great for his BIG birthday.

She kept telling him no, but we had already decided to copy the one I put on for my neighbor and just keep it a surprise from my dad. He hinted and talked about having a party... we all just laughed and said that nobody could come and that it was a crazy night and that we would celebrate it over the weekend. He even kind of sulked because nobody was going to do anything... we all were laughing our butts off about it. On his birthday I called and told him Happy Birthday and I was sorry that I couldn't come down to celebrate it with him. I was calling from my sister's backyard. He didn't even know I was in town, because I stayed at my sister's house until that night. We sent he and my mom to the spa for massages while we got everything in place. She was so mad that she wasn't with us getting ready... I learned all of my party skills from her. Viv has MAD party SKILLZ! It was a fabulous party! My sister Jody made the cutest cake EVAH! There were about 50+ people that came..we had a Polynesian dance program that lasted almost an hour, great food, everyone hulaed and danced and sang, and most importantly...he was surprised! As I say almost every post... We partied like Rockstars- This time Hawaiian rockstars!

Ta Da... my 100th Post!

Yeah! It is my 100th post and I really celebrated it with a blogabration with a few of my fav-O-rite bloggers. ( I know this happened a few days ago...but I had to party with the bloggin' babes, get my life organized to head out of town, jump in the car and drive to St. George, and then work really hard to put on ANOTHER party. My dad's 60th birthday party...attended by 50+ people- so I have been busy) I had a little gathering at mi casa and we had such a fun time. Several people even brought me presents- it totally took me back to elementary school b-day parties- I was such a rockstar! Marla got me this darling clock to commemorate my 100th blog... SO CUTE!

Tonia and Marla hooked us up with some cupcakes that really were over the Tipsy Top... nobody even needed introductions as to who they were... it was obvious!

This is a really close up photo of Tonia and I... some people think we look alike- If only I could be so luck...plus she is WAAAAAY older than I !( She is having a b-day this next week and mine is in December so really only 4 mos. older...he he)

This is a photo of the place settings...I had to steal it from Holly's blog because I suck at taking good photos...okay photos at all! Thanks for documenting it all for me gals!

I knew everyone that was coming so I wasn't that nervous- they already know what a ding bat I am. We ate, and laughed, and had a really fun time! I was so glad as many came... they are all so dang cute! THis is who was there: (Back Left to right) Chalyce, Kris, Marla, Collette, Tonia... (Bottam Left to right) Kourtney, Andrea, Holly, Me (and I am not really THAT fat), Shannon. I missed a few people that either lived REALLY far away, didn't get the message, had a sick baby, had to work, or just couldn't make it... or just really thought I was a looney stalker and refrained. Thanks to all that made the trek to come celebrate with me! Some of you are old friends...new again & some of you are new blogging friends that I SO dig. I love everyone that showed up- THANKS AGAIN!

p.s. It is sooo late and I just put on and cleaned up my 2nd rip roarin' party of the week and I am tired so ...please forgive me that I didn't link to all the blogs of the babes that were here... they are all on my side bar- go check them out from there! They don't disappoint!