I love the holidays!

This Thanksgiving was super relaxing for us. I actually cooked for just the two of us. Before you throw up in your mouth at the thought let me tell you that it was pretty darn good! The turkey was the same disgusting process as last time but apparently good, the homemade rolls actually turned out, my sweet potato casserole was flippin' sweet (not that I let anyone but myself have any), and neither of us ate ourselves into a coma. I'd call that a success!

My gym was closed for the holiday but I taught a class at 6:00 a.m. for all the crazies that hate to have to miss a workout day, especially on a 3000-5000 caloric intake day! I hate to teach class that early because I can barely walk let alone plan, execute and cue a workout but it was well wort it. We completely fogged over the mirrors in the first 30 minutes. I'd say we all sweat a good 1-2 pounds off by the end!

I participated in the madness which is "Black Friday" and to my delight had a pretty layed back shopping experience. I went with my friend Shannon and we were both a little worried about the crowd situation. Shannon just made sure that I had enough money to bail her out of jail in case things got crazy. She kind of has a temper - that's what I love about her!

Saturday was dedicated to our pathetic attemp at Christmas decorations. We got this little tree the first Christmas we were married and It makes me smile! It's shorter than I am and somewhat sad looking. It's sad to say that this might be this little guys last year since some of his braches have gone limp. Here's to you, Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

(Is it not normal to have Pioneer Plasma boxes in every nook and cranny of your house?)

My mother-in-laws creation. She gave this to us a few years ago. She is amazing, this picture really doesn't do it justice. Poor T.J. went from extravagant to Charlie Brown. Whata ya do?

Harley is dying to pee on each and every one of those boxes. Just hope that your gift is not under the tree yet!

Fitness Challenge update:

They did it - total sweep!

My team got 1st, 2nd, 3rd and would have been fourth had there been a prize for Fourth.

My kind of card. Short and sweet!

Iowa

Last Friday was my sisters 30th birthday and she said that all she wanted from me was to go and visit so that I could "mourn" this "awful" day will her. Since I'm the best sister in the world (and missed her like crazy) I obliged. We had an absolute blast but like always it went way too fast!

We went to Nauvoo and Carthage while I was there. I'm sure that my sister is so sick of going because she ends up taking just about everyone that goes to visit.

We started at the Carthage Jail and it was neat because we were the only ones there so we watched the movie about Joseph Smith's life all by ourselves and then I ended up touring the jail alone with a sister missionary. The whole experience was incredible and I'm so glad that she was willing to take me.

This is us right outside of the jail. You can tell by Cael's face that it's about nap time.

We were driving through Nauvoo and my sister saw this little carriage, turned the car around and made me get in for a picture. I was pretty sure that it would crumble under our weight at any second but it was still standing when we left.

By the time we got back to the temple, the kids needed some serious z's and were just plain fussy so I just hurried and grabbed Hunter out of his seat and snuck a quick picture.

The big day. My sister actually made her own birthday cake but I have to admit that I was tricked. She said that she wanted to take a quick nap while the kids were asleep. Well I dose off for hours like a moron and wake up to her making her own birthday dinner and cake. I think I get the sister of the year award but the cake was dang good!

Saturday we went shopping and Cody went hunting. Cody had something to greet us with when we got home from our retail therapy - Bambi. Poor little Bambi. The only thing worse than seeing that poor little deer in the back of their truck was seeing it skinned and hanging from their back porch.

Silly little Cael - I just love this picture!

So before you look at the next picture you have to know the background. Last year I was at Krumpets with my mom and I saw this creepy little doll. I pointed to it and told my mom that the doll had to be evil. She then told me not to tell that to my sister because it was one of the gifts that my sister had wanted for her birthday. So of course I had to call my sister and warn her about her evil birthday present to be and we've laughed about it ever since. Well throughout my stay, this freaky little doll greeted me almost everyday.

I was ready to get in bed one night and here it was waiting for me.

As I went to zip up my bag I saw these two little feet hanging out of the bottom of my bag, opened it up and there she was.

-Notice the creeper in the background-

Happy 30th Birthday Deaner! I love ya!

ZUMBA

This past weekend I got certified to teach Zumba and I'm so excited! If you haven't ever tried a class, you have to - it's awesome! You get to shake you booty, move your body and sweat like a fat kid, it's great! This just might be my saving grace after "retiring" from dancing. As long as I can occasionally shake what my mama gave me, I'm good to go and you better believe that my Zumba classes will have little to lack in the booty shakin' department!

Our Halloween

Our Halloween was pretty uneventful. We closed the blinds (only because last year we had not one single trick or treater and this year the streets were lined with Batman's, ghosts and 103 Hannah Montana's and we were totally unprepared) and watched 24. We never caught on to the show until now and we're hooked and watch it ever spare second we get - I know I know, we are some serious party animals!

So let me remind you that I don't usually dress up my dogs, that they hate it and it only consists of me putting it on them, snapping a picture and giving them a treat for the trauma I've inflicted but it's so worth it to me. Harley was going to be a king but I saw this saddle and laughed so hard because when he gets really excited he bucks around and gets a little crazy and I had to see what It would look like with a saddle. Right after this picture he started bucking (both back feet in the air) to get his hat off. I wish I would have taped it!

Biggie got to be a devil because when she was a puppy (and still now sometimes) she will show her teeth and growl, and the look quickly got the name "devil dog" (it's what nightmares are made of). She is such a little sweet heart but I had to roll with the devil instead of a princess this year.

How cute are these spider cookies? I made them for everyone at the dealership and a couple people I work with. I made organic granola bars for my clients and the "healthy people" at work. 600 calorie cookies don't go over well at a gym but they rock!

I got this flight suit and patches while I was on my AFE tour at the first of the year. I've always wanted one because, well because they're sweet! So one of the guys asked what I would do with a flight suit if I got one and I told him that I would wear it for Halloween for the rest of my life. Well, I'm not sure that I'll hold true to the "rest of my life" business but I've got one year under my belt. I wasn't sure that we would be dressing up for anything special so I wore it to work and ended up going to vote afterward which felt slightly inappropriate but I wasn't about to be wait all day on Tuesday to cast the old vote.

Shout out to Jeff Layton who gave me the flight suit. Thanks again!