Old Fashioned Christmas

This year we spent Christmas with my mom and grandpa in Idaho. This is where I spent most of my Christmases growing up and it was so fun to be there again. We didn't fly in until Christmas eve and then left the day after, short but very sweet.

On Christmas the wind blew (blew shutters off the house) and it snowed all day knocking out the satellite and even the basic cable channels. So we played games, watched movies and didn't even leave the house, not like we could have even if we wanted to, seriously! I got T.J. all to myself (no Xbox, he did have a PSP but apparently he can't play football an entire day like he can Gears of War) so what else could a girl ask for!

My best friend Ashley met us at Cafe Rio (had to get our fix) on our way to the airport. Super quick but so good to get a quick hug and see little Zaida!

Alumni Party

Wednesday was our Denver Broncos Cheerleader alumni Christmas party! I didn't realize how much I missed everyone until I got there. It was so fun to play catch up! I just love these girls and don't get to see nearly enough of them!

Cat, Whitney, Candace, Me

Teresa (Director, isn't she hot?!?) Kristin, Me, Cat

Back row: Sara, Laura, Holly, Cat

Front row: Whitney, Kim, Keela, Kristin, Me

I stayed with Jenn that night and we had our 2nd annual viewing of The Holiday / brownie sundae party. Needless to say we didn't really watch the movie this year because we had too much chatting to do.

Just waiting to be devoured!

Yes, that does say -16. Does anyone feel bad for me?

(Just thought I'd try to get some sympathy)

San Diego and Stuff

Last weekend we went to San Diego. You think it would be nice to ditch the snow for some sunshine but the day we left was actually our first snowfall of the year. We had fun just hanging out for a couple of days and don't forget the eating, shopping, eating, shopping, napping... you get the picture.

This past Saturday was our Christmas party for the dealership and Debbie (my mother-in-law) , T.J.'s aunt Sandy and I were in charge of all of the food. It was fun to be able to eat dang good food and have a little bit more casual party this year. I was mainly in charge of the desserts which is bad news because guess who came home with all of the leftovers? You guessed it. Me!

We left this...

Enjoyed this

Rode this

Forced T.J. to do this

Wished we wouldn't have done this.

This sweet little flight simulator (or food poisoning, not sure which) had me throwing up all night. No Bueno!

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!

Pumpkin Carving 1989 (give or take)

I stole this picture off of Karly Staples blog of the Orton, Adams, Staples, Harper families annual pumpkin carving party. I had to post it. T.J. is the cute little fart in the back with the light blue shirt and dark shorts. I'm not kidding when I say that I think he was the cutest kid (still is) in the world! This might be the only picture you ever see of him carving a pumpkin, so enjoy!

Fitness Challenge

Every season at my gym we do a fitness challenge. It's basically like the Biggest Loser. Every trainer has a team which we encourage healthy lifestyle changes both physically and nutritionally. Unless... you train with me, and then I will work you so hard you will want to die. Now if I have a client that just wants a couple of workouts so that eventually they can "go it alone" then I will give them a few well balanced workouts and send them on their way. But, if I have a group member that tells me that they are in this challenge to win it, then they are not getting away without a throwing up a time or two. I've only ever made two clients pass out (don't worry, I caught them both) which is never a fun situation for them especially when they wake up surrounded by a bunch of EMT's (safety first). But in my defense, if I thought I was going to pass out I would tell my trainer. I don't read minds!

For the fall challenge this year I got the best team in the whole world! They all want nothing less than nauseating workouts and we are 250 points ahead of the other 6 teams. I'm a little (a lot) competitive and I expect no less from my group. Our team name is the Blue Bunnies (a cop term, probably dirty - I dunno) .

Throughout the challenge we have fitness competitions where all of the teams get together and compete physically against each other for extra points towards the challenge and ever so important bragging rights. We always have a team "uniform" for these types of events and so I had to see how good of a sport Parks would be. Well he was awesome, not only did he wear the bunny ears and tail with pride - he also wore bunny boxers. You can't beat it! They took 2nd in the first challenge (we got robbed) and 1st in the second.

One of my team members has won 5 out of the 9 challenges and I really think this time I will have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and trainer's choice, all from my team - total sweep! Go Bunnies!

We all put on fake tatoos. I made Parks (next to me) put on on a skull with pig tails:) Priceless!

Turkey Shmurkey

So we had 2 turkeys in our teeny tiny little freezer from Thanksgivings past. We get a turkey every year and every year we clean out a spot in the freezer for the new one. Well, we've never had to actually cook turkey for a Thanksgiving dinner because we are always with family so why in the name of all that is good in this world would I ever cook one by choice, right? Well I'd had it with these stupid turkeys and told T.J. that I was going to give them to caring ministries. Well, he freaked - he loves him some turkey and insisted that we not only keep them but obviously cook them.

So this might be something totally common to most of you but being the vegetarian that I am, totally sicks me out! Not only is it bad enough the you are dealing with an entire bird but it turns out you have to molest it before you cook it. The feet are tied together with what looks like a zip tie that you have to take off so that you can go digging in the lower orifice of the bird to get the neck. Then you lovingly tie the feet back up and go into the upper orifice to get the remaining organs which happen to be in the cutest little baggie you've ever seen - gag. Seriously!?! T.J.'s aunt Sandy (thanks Sandy) offered to come over and help and luckily saw the look of horror on my face and did the molesting for me (again, thanks Sandy!). Then you have to check the skin for any remaining feathers that might still be attached to your little gobbler, pick up this entire 16 pound bird and plop it into your pan to cook.

The bird cooks, looks great, smells good. So I ask Sandy, "How do you cut this thing?" to which she ripped off a leg and said, "like that!". Let's just say - hopefully it will be awhile before I cook another turkey!