Christmas Music

I love Christmastime. I love the movies, the lights, the religious aspect, and the music. I asked each member of my family which Christmas songs they wanted on the blog this year. Nyah chose "Silver Bells" (she learned that song in preschool), Zane wanted something from David Archuleta, I wanted "Little Drummer Girl" by Alicia Keys, and Jeff wanted "Blue Christmas" by Porky Pig... yes, his favorite Christmas song is sung by Porky Pig. I have to laugh, it totally fits his personality. I added a few from Josh Groban because I love his Christmas album Noel, and Jeff wanted me to add "Stop Giving Me Crap For Christmas"... again, so him. Ha! I am sure that nobody really visits my blog anymore (who has the time, really), but I like to bring it up every now and then for the play list. The kids love to dance around the room when I put it on, so it is worth keeping up even if it is just for us.

Tonight I made baked potato soup for the first time. It was delish! I really need to get into finding new recipes and making new things for the family each week. I am so glad I did today because I found a new favorite. It had tons of flavor and was the kind of comfort food I was looking for today.

Trip to Cali

Jeff and I decided to take the kids to Knott's Berry Farm this year for Thanksgiving break because that was the only time we had this whole year to go anywhere. Both Jeff and I used to visit Knott's when we were little, and it was fun to go back as adults and take our kids. The week before Thanksgiving the kids and I stayed at my mom's house and visited with family and friends. It was so good to see Andy, Sylvia, Shannon, Connie, Amy, and many other friends while we were there. Unfortunately we missed several that we absolutely adore and miss like the Gublers and the Skylers. I have lots of pictures from that trip, but since I only ever have a few precious moments to post anything on this blog, I am only putting up a few.

Zane, Ny, and Grandma Deb on the Teacups

Jeff and Ny on some train ride


My awesome little bro RJ and me at my mom's

Zane, Me, Ny, Grandma Deb, and our life long friend Andy

Half Marathon, MC Ball, and Ya-Ya!

I am sure that since I almost never update this nobody reads it anymore, which is totally fine. I have gone to some of my friends blogs lately and seen that they don't have time to update theirs either. I guess I just feel compelled to keep posting things every now and then for myself. This is kind of a journal of the events in my life, and I think that keeping up even now and then is good for me to do. So, here's a bit about my life recently...

I ran and finished the Halloween Half Marathon. I am super proud of it even though my time wasn't great. Honestly, who cares about my time, right? It's that I finished it. 2 hours and 15 minutes. I had 2 new years resolutions this year, and one of them was to run a half marathon. Thanks Captain Davis, Raquel, and Captain Turley for helping me make that resolution come to fruition. Since it was a HALLOWEEN half, I had to dress up even if it was just a little. Here is a picture of me and one of the Marine Corps Officer Candidates before the race.

This past Friday I had the privilege of attending the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. I have to say that it was completely AMAZING. I have always been patriotic, and I have always loved and felt supportive of our troops, but this really helped bring it even closer to my heart. There are pictures of Jeff and I together at the ball, but they weren't taken with my camera so I can't post them yet. All I have from that night is this...

One last little update... Raquel and I took Nyah to a Ya-Ya Sisterhood party at Thanksgiving Point. It was so fun to be around a bunch of crazy women (like me!), and my favorite part was burning our woes. Ha! That is something I could get into on a regular basis. We got a few cute pictures of the three of us all dressed up that I think are worth posting.

Halloween Half Marathon

So I have committed. I am going to run a half marathon with the officer candidates at the end of October. I have been slacking with my cardio lately, focusing on weight training, but I am back on the horse as of today.

Day1: 4 miles, 1% incline.

I was PUSHING through the last half. Yuck. The air is so thin up here! No big deal, I will train my lungs to be strong. I can do this! (I have to tell myself positive things if I am going to make it. I know it sounds lame, but who cares?) Tomorrow, 5 miles.

TO MY FRIENDS

Blogging has been on the back burner lately. I am super busy, and frankly, super tired. You know me though, it's all good. This might be a valley in my life, but there is beautiful green grass all around, and I am ready to climb to the next peak. I miss all my friends, you know I love you! Sorry I haven't been around lately. Know that I am still here, still surviving, and I think of you often. I need to plan a little shin-dig or something so we can all catch up at once. I have changed the first several songs on my play list... for all of you that tell me you love them. Enjoy this one. I threw in some oldies but goodies that shouldn't be forgotten :-) Pics to come later. Keep up with me on facebook, I am a bit better about keeping up with that since it doesn't take much time.

My Mom is Allergic to California

California was so fun! I have to say, I just love the Central Coast. I am going to have to wait for pics from my brother, mom, and friends since I forgot to bring my stinkin' camera. Seriously, I am getting blonder by the day.

We went to the beach several times, and the kids loved splashing in the ocean. We built sand castles, had squirt gun fights, jumped waves, hunted for shells, and ate lunch right on the beach. Zane wanted to kayak in Morro Bay, so we rented one and went out to find sea otters. We didn't have any luck with them, but we did see a giant seal swimming and playing right next to our little boat! Amazing!

I really wanted to connect with some friends, so we met Melissa and Tonya (and fam) at Avila Beach. I have known them since first grade, and it was incredible to see them again. We also hooked up with my college roomie Liz and her new hubby in Monterey. We went to the aquarium, and I was blown away. Nyah even touched a sea cucumber. I could hardly believe it.

It was also fun to go to church on Sunday and visit one of our old wards. It was the ward Zane was born and blessed in, and it brought back so many good memories. I love the people there, they feel like lifetime friends. The Petrillis, the Hansens, the Hendrys, the Brunners, the Wrights, and so many more great friends. I can't wait for the next visit.

The last thing I will share is a funny Nyah quote. I had seasonal allergies beginning the moment we landed in Cali, and I explained to Ny that I was sneezing and sniffing because I was allergic to California. I thought this was the easiest way to explain my hay fever. I didn't think she even gave it a second thought, but when we were on the plane back home she turned to the woman next to her and said, "My mom is allergic to California." Ha! The lady laughed and laughed, and I explained where she came up with that, and then she laughed some more. That Ny!

A Sneak Peek

Both the Provo walk and the Salt Lake City walk were awesome! We had so many people come support the team, and I am grateful. I only have a moment, so here is a sneak peek for you.

The Hoppers are Making a Comeback!

MS Walk 2010 is coming soon, and I am jazzed to get the Hoppers up and running again!

SLC Walk, with just a few late-comers missing

A family event!

With lots of good friends

And free stuff. Doesn't it look fun?!

Look! Balloon swords!

I want everyone to know how humbled I am with the response I had last year to Walk MS. Thanks to all of you who joined our team, and to all of you who donated. I know that many of you have other friends and family members with MS, and you walk in their honor, and donate because you love them. That is SO GREAT! I also know that some of you don't know anyone besides me that has MS, and it really doesn't affect your life at all. That is cool too. We all have our causes, and we can't support everything, or we would all be exhausted and broke. But if this is something you want to support, or if you think it might be fun, or if you are just looking for an easy and fun way to help out and feel good about what you are doing, then please join. If you have other things that you are doing and can't support this cause at this time, then that is alright too. I love ya either way. If you want to join us or make a donation, please visit my site at:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=4644547&pg=personal&fr_id=13283

Have You Seen Dear John?

Wow. Jeff took me to see Dear John tonight, and I absolutely loved it. The music was so me, not to mention how romantic it is. I just love movies about people who have a strong connection, and it reminds me of my connections in life. Not just the awesome connection I have with Jeff, but the connections I have with my kids, my parents, my friends. For all of you who love a good chick flick, it is a must see.

P.S. I have decided what to do for V-Day, but I won't post it until after it's over just in case Jeff decides to read my blog. He probably won't, but you never know :-)

Valentines Day is Coming!

It is almost Valentines Day, and I am starting to worry that I won't think of a good idea of something to do for Jeff. Jeff has been working so hard lately with school and the kids and his job, and I wanted to show my appreciation by doing something special for him on Valentines Day. I am going to continue to think about it, but I thought I'd see if anyone else has any ideas to share. I don't have a ton of money to spend, but I do have some. As long as it is under $50, I should be fine. Thanks in advance!

Quickly...

I don't have much time to post because I have a new job. I work at Challenger School where my kids go, but at a different campus. It has been so fun and so busy. Now I have to try to fit in all the things I used to do with much less time. No worris though. I really needed this job, and it is perfect for me. It really is a blessing. I work with many wonderful and brilliant people, and it has been fun. I will try to post more later, whenever I get a few moments.