First Day of School

This is my wifes first day of the semester. She is stoked about her new classes and looks forward to a great semester. I wish her the best of luck on her classes and her professors. She will do a great job!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Okay I know that the state is getting coated in the white stuff . . . as are we . . . Toph shoveled the sidewalks (our apt manager never does . . .) and five minutes later it was piled high again! Right now the soft stuff is falling . . . my favorite kind! But mensch is it coming down!Softly falling . . . covering my car and leaving my clean floors slick and salty . . . too bad I volunteered to work tonight! We are planning on watching the Utah vs SUU game tomorrow . . . hopefully we will be dug out by then!We hope that everyone traveling for Christmas is safe! Be super careful kiddles! It is nice if you can just stay inside all day . . . but it is not so fun having to go out and drive in it . . . plus our cities 1 snow plow (okay we may have more . . . just not as many as the North . . . a little joke between us . . .) is kept busy avoiding our street! To top things off . . . I discovered that the holiday drink that I am is MILK! I was so pulling for hot chocolate! I am not quite crazy enough to be eggnog, which I can understand . . . but Milk?

You Are Milk

Your holiday personality is innocent. The holidays make you feel like a kid all over again. You love every part of the holidays, and you anticipate Christmas morning. You enjoy getting presents as much as you did when you were young!

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Okay Toph took the test and we discovered that he is hot chocolate . . . so it makes sense now since his drink of choice is milk and mine is hot chocolate . . . what a relief! (Okay I am in between semesters and my brain has turned to jello and will hopefully set again before school starts! . . . hence the reason that I feel things like this are important . . . give me a break!)

You Are Hot Chocolate

Your holiday personality is generous. The holidays are your favorite time to practice the art of giving. You enjoy picking out presents, sharing treats, and making everyone's day a little brighter. And you don't even notice if you don't get anything in return.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Things that make me go . . . wow!

Okay I honestly get star struck pretty easily about some things and over some people . . .

Example A: My cousin and I went up to SLC for Spring Break I think our freshman or sophomore year of college (I was 19 I think) . . . anywho we were at the mall across from temple square eating in the food court and all of a sudden these two guys file past us . . . my cousin had her back to them but I was able to see them head on and about passed out . . . it was 2 guys from Jericho Road (okay you now know I am a major fan . . . but I think that was already fairly common knowledge) anywho I was all ga-ga and my cuz was looking at me like "what the hay" and then the other 2 walked by and I really about passed out! I started doing the "refrain scream" (grit your teeth and quietly let out a little shrill) . . . so after finding out what the dealio was my cuz said well lets go say hi . . . so we ran outside and they were across the street doing a photo shoot . . . but we were brave and got pictures with them on our cell phones! (In fact I passed that cell phone on to one of my little sisters . . . I think that the pictures are still on it). Okay now you know I am a little dorky!
Example B: Well shopping black Friday reminded me of that experience when we found our way to Santa's workshop and of course the first booth we see is the one and only Del Parson's! I absolutely LOVE his pieces! They are just incredible! Toph and I have talked about different paintings that we want in our home and Del has painted many of them!!! I absolutely love the American Revolution history and have total respect and gratitude for our founding fathers . . . so when I saw "The Old Man Wept" out on display I knew that I had to get it! Well then Del himself (who ironically attends church in our meeting house and who honestly doesn't live too far from us) sat down and offered to sign it for us . . . (so nice) then of course I was awe struck and had to tell him of one time when I was leaving my water color class at good ol' DSC and I saw him carrying out a massive painting (that I have yet to see released) and was in total awe! . . . Yeah I get pretty excited about stuff! Anywho story time is over . . . and it looks like we are going to be getting a mountain of snow for the next 5 days or so! Look for us when the pass opens in the spring! (from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". . . "the pass is open, the pass is open, . . . all able men meet at the preachers house . . .")

Toph is Graduating!

Raise the roof! Toph is graduating with his bachelors degree in Sociology! I am so proud of my handsome husband! He has been such a good student and is SOOOOO excited to graduate, enjoy a semester break and decide what he wants to get his Masters Degree in! He loves working at the Elementary School and is leaning towards Special Education . . . whatever he chooses I know that he will shine! Toph I am so proud of you hot stuff! You are the most amazing husband and make each day of my life a delight! I appreciate so very much your personality, your appreciation for the many blessings and opportunities that come our way, your willingness and desire to serve others and continue learning, your patience with me, and the example that you are! I love you! The world is your oyster! Happy Graduation Love!

Well it is officially white outside! We have been waiting and waiting and finally our first "sticking snow" has fallen. It is something crazy outside . . . very windy! I love the snow when I am driving home and it is so quiet and peaceful outside! Well I like it when it isn't such a pain to drive in! I have decided that 97.2% of Utahns drive WAY TOO FAST IN THE SNOW!!! From work I always see cars sliding across the road like hockey pucks because lets face it . . . were driving like and idiot!!! You can never be too careful. Anywho it is beautiful . . . until you go out in it . . . or it gets tracked through your house . . . or you have to dig your car out of it . . . or you get stuck . . . or someone who has never seen snow is driving in it next to you or in front of you or within 300 feet of you!

And now for some holiday entertainment . . . this is what you do when you need a lil' break from writing papers and studying . . .

P Girls go Country

P Girls Disco

With Mama P and Papa P

From Em's e-mail . . . some Holiday humor!

The wife has been on my case to get the Christmas lights up for a couple of weeks now. They are up now and for some reason she will not talk to me.

Okay a must share . . . I just spent one and a half hours uploading pictures to get developed at Wally's . . . it wouldn't let me check out . . . it just gave me Canadian cities and provinces to choose from as to which store to have them developed at! It turns out I was on Walmart Canada instead of the US website! What the hey! My hair was seriously going gray with all of the errors that popped up! Grrr!!!! Oh and heads up Canada . . . it was WAY easier to upload photos under the US site!

Congrats Lowry's!

Congrats Dan and Luisana!!! We are so excited for you and your new arrival! A healthy beautiful baby boy! We can't wait to see your little Logan and his loads of dark hair! We wish that we could bring you dinner every night! What a great gift to be blessed with right before Christmas! We wish you all the joy and happiness that a new baby brings! Congratulations!!! We miss you guys!

Wisdom from the past . . .

Thomas Jefferson is one of my favorite people in history! When I was in 8th grade I went to visit his home, Monticello, and became obsessed! If I see a book about him I read it! I think that he was incredibly inspired and had his on head straight in regards to what the United States needed (still needs). I wish that our country followed his counsel, I think that we would be in a much better boat if we did! My Mutti sent me these quotes . . . I second all of them!


When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

Very Interesting Quote

In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

We are grateful . . .

This year has flown by so fast (again) that I feel like I haven't taken the time that I would liked to have had to stop for a moment and remember how blessed we are and how grateful we are for so many blessings, experiences, and people who are part of our lives. A few days ago we received a letter from a friend serving in Iraq that stopped the world and really helped us to remember so many blessings that we enjoy. I was overcome by the things that he said and little did I realize how much I needed to hear his words and how grateful we are for the great love and appreciation that it brought into our home! For this brave soldier we say THANK YOU!!! While his words were so kind on behalf of our family I couldn't help but think about how blessed we have been by serving others and how grateful we are for the gospel in our lives and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We would feel most unappreciative if we didn't send out a quick we love you to our family and friends . . . people who have and who continue to serve as lifelines, guides, and helpmates in life! We love you all and hope that each day the joy that life brings will touch your hearts and let a little more sunshine into your soul each day! Above all else we are so very grateful for Jesus Christ, the savior of the world and for this special season to celebrate his birth! May we all heed the words of our beloved prophet by following the Saviors example and offering the gift of charity and service to others throughout the year and especially during this wonderful Christmas Season!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year! It was a nice break before the onslaught of finals next week! We headed down to SG and celebrated with the Parry family. Toph and I continued the pie making tradition and watched "Son In Law" while making chocolate cream, coconut cream, and praline pecan pie the day before! After dinner the gals gathered around the table and planned our shopping strategy for "black Friday!" It wasn't as crazy as in years past . . . we honestly did less shopping that day and avoided the stores bursting with people who were foaming at the mouth and ready to fight! Erin and I being the adventurous ones that we are went to a midnight showing of Twilight Friday night!! Yep we were up for 24 hours by the time our heads hit the pillow (crazy I know!) But it was fun . . . and now onto Christmas! I did get my fall/Thanksgiving decor put away Saturday and have started hauling out Christmas boxes . . . but we are honestly a little too stressed and busy with school papers and final prep to decorate today! But it will get done! Oh, the Childrens Christmas parade is this Saturday, Dec 6th @ 2:00 if anyone wants to come! I will make goodies and we can do lunch! It really is fun!

Ladies night out . . . TWILIGHT!!!

I win! I blogged our ladies night out first!!! Okay I don't have kids to contend with . . . that's a given . . . and my hubby is making Elders Quorum calls . . . so I have a little time to burn! I went to Twilight last night with ALL of my sisters and Mutti plus my SIL Brandi and a few of her and Jules' friends! We had so much fun! We went out to dinner and then over to the movie where we waited in line for around an hour or so . . . Austy was our little male chaperon for the evening and entertained us all night long! He loved it too and started blowing raspberries during the movie! Erin was stylin with "Twilight" across her lil' tush (my mom sewed it on . . . jealous . . . yes!!!) The movie was pretty good. My mom kept saying "that's not how it was in the book" and "I can't believe that they left that part out." Overall I'd say it was a pretty good effort with a little che-che-cheesy-ness added in. Oh . . . sorry to the ladies around us if they thought we were too loud . . but that is how we roll at movies . . . I especially get a little into them . . . sorry if anyone was upset with us for laughing our heads off at parts that I am made some people melt . . . ("Your my brand of heroine" . . . yeah really romantic . . . ) Oh and sorry if anyone thought that Jasper should have won an academy award . . . I am sure he will really burst out in the next movie with some tremendous acting and drop his apparent adoration for Edward Scissor Hands!!! Oh if you haven't seen it yet . . . there was a seriously scary preview that was freakin' me out before the movie started! You will never catch me watching that movie! Just close your eyes and plug yours ears! . . . okay the big test will be to see if Toph will go to it . . . to be continued!

Exciting sighting in SG!!!

We went down to SG for family pictures this weekend and on the way to my parents house I looked up on the red rocks and saw about a dozen deer walking towards the golf course! I freaked out and had Toph turn around to go and check them out! It was twilight so my pictures didn't turn out great but it was fun watching them come down the cliffs and book it all over the golf course! I was excited because they were right their and in all the time growing up in SG I had never seen anything like it! I know that we see deer 24/7 while traveling but hey this was in town! I thought it was exciting anyway!
Hey ladies! Nire and I want to make tees for Friday! We were thinking black with Twilight in white across the front in a kickin font . . . classy looking not NKOTB obnoxious, but nice. Anyone who wants to be cool like us let me know! ;) I don't know if we are going to have Mutti sew them of iron them on . . . only a few days now! Wa-hoo!

Tagged!

My sister in law Brandi tagged me (thanks Bran, oh and I think Parker is an adorable name! Go for it!) . . .

7 Weird things about me:

1- I hate touching flour! (Sad because I love to cook!) The feel of flour just gives me the he-bee ge-bee's!
2- I second Brandi in that I cannot go to bed with a dirty house!!!
3- I love hard marshmallows! I let them sit out forever and when they are really crunchy it is time to munch! (but I don't like peeps . . . sorry Patty!)
4- One of my pinky's is longer than the other!!! (Yeah you should see my toes!)
5- I am the biggest scardy cat! Watching movies is always an adventure with me! (Chris survived watching "The Village" with me and still married me! Thanks babe!)
6- I am not a "chalky candy fan" . . . smarties, sweet-tarts etc.
7- I don't like licorice! (am I really my mothers daughter?)

10 Years ago:

1- I got my drivers license!
2- My first car was a little white stick shift Ford Escort that was the funnest car to drive!!!
3- I worked at Larsen's Frostop! (I love the Larsens! It was so much fun!)
4- I was a Junior in HS!
5- Jules' tag reminded me of us running through the neighborhood when she got engaged! Oh and I do remember the Thanksgiving that she brought Dan!!! O-la-la!

5 Things on my to do list today:

1- Sleep! (I caught an evil bug going around!)
2- Chill with my husband
3- Cook the Asparagus that I bought
4- Study for Educational Psychology
5- Put laundry away

5 Snacks that I enjoy:

1- String Cheese
2- Herbal tea! (The Christmas selections are out!)
3- Toast
4- Pickles (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
5- Fruit

5 Things that I would do if I were a millionaire:

1- Go to Europe for a month with Toph
2- Get a kickin' kitchen!
3- Pay off Student loans!!!
4- Alaskan Cruise
5- Have 20 kids!

5 Places that I have lived:

1- Panguitch
2- St. George
3- Cedar City
4- Linz, Austria
5- Germany (Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar)

5 Jobs that I have had:

1- Babysitter
2- Carhop at Frostop
3- Waitress at Shoney's
4- Secretary @ Rosenberg Associates
5- Front Desk at Hotel

I tag Katie, Sheena, and Erin!

Okay touch my heart! I had to hurry and blog before taking off for work because life is just a little crazy and scary in our big world . . . but we are always very blessed to have amazing people and experiences happen that just give you a boost and lift your heart and hope . . . Okay so Toph and I were watching the news this morning and on our lunch break . . . they were talking about all of the protesting going on around the LA Temple and the protest planned for tonight in SLC . . . they showed the protestors with their signs and they had stuck signs all over the fence of the temple . . . anywho a group of Latter Day Saint Polynesians appeared (I think of them now as stripling warriors!) and took the negative signs down from the fence!!! It was super awesome and just touched my heart! I am so glad that their are people who know how sacred temples are and would stand up for what they knew was right! Way to go! This world is heading into such uncertainty that sometimes it just seems to be in total upheaval! I am so grateful to know that the Lord is aware of all of his children and that if we stand up for what we know is right our families will be blessed and protected!

Mmmm Bread Baking . . .

Making bread is kinda a big deal for me . . . because touching flour gives me the willies like nothing else on earth! I don't know why exactly . . . I guess because it gets under your finger nails and . . . augh I am getting goose bumps and the he-be ge-be's just talking about it! Oooo! For some reason I felt like making bread . . I think because it is so cold outside!!! Our house smells amazing now! Chris did a double take and lifted me in a big bear hug when I told him what I was doing! (My honey loves homemade bread!) I was out of wheat flour so I think that is why he was really excited! (White bread is a rarity in our home!) Mensch the world is just spinning so fast! It is almost Thanksgiving already!!! I have a couple of new recipes that I look forward to making for Turkey day! I think Chris is a very willing helper too! I don't think that we will be able to make it to SG the day before but it looks like we will have a few days to chill . . . which we are looking forward to! I am just ready to move onto the next semester! I have discovered how much a of a "groove" I have with some teaching styles and am not doing as well I thought I would in one class and it is ticking me off. I am a little disappointed with class structure and material in another class that I think is really important for me as a teacher, especially that I will be tested on what we learned in this class to recieve a license. The other day my teacher basically said that he didn't like the way the class was and was going to make big changes for next semester . . kind of sounded like he knew it was a bomb and "well live and learn." That always makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about the time, money and effort that you put into school! Anywho off of my vent . . . the bread is almost done and my Toph is snoozing so adorably cute on the couch! (He looks soooo good today in a new shirt! GRRR!) We watched Sleeping Beauty while I made bread (Oh hush . . . I like it!) Turns out I have it memorized . . . shocker since I haven't seen it in years! Malificent is creepy, creepy! Her eyes . . . gulp! Yesterday was nuts huh? All that I am going to say about politics is that I am glad to see that Proposition 8 passed in Cali!

Halloween Night! (Lets Party!)

We had a lot of fun heading down to SG for Halloween and doing a little trick or treating with my siblings kids (Durham's, Anhder's, and Mclellan's we missed your little haunts too!!!) who looked darling and loved trick or treating (nope non- of these kids are ours . . . maybe next year . . .)
Mary had a little lamb who's fleece was white as snow . . . and she had the cutest cheeks ever! Lala looked too cute! She was content to watch the action and just chill!
Here kittty, kitty! Kam loved getting her picture taken! She was the cutest little cat and really got into trick or treating!
I loved when she got down and showed her stuffed tush! She did the cutest kitty dances and rocked back and forth on her feet! So cute!
Holy moly! Look at all those muscles! Batman, Bumblebee, and Jungle Power Ranger protected us while trick or treating! What strong men!
Austy's cute "lil'stinker" tush! His outfit was stuffed! He was the cutest skunk ever!
Austy and Mama! He was so good trick or treating but the weather was so warm! He was happy to go furless when he got home!
Oh a skunk and a cute kitty! What a stroller full!
Konked out from all of the excitement! She woke up in time to party some more later!
A sleeping stinker! He also woke up again and partied some more!
Julie's yummy cake pops!
Ami's beautiful caramel apple! (Hers was the one that turned out the best!)
Get it Trey! Eat that apple! Chew that caramel!

Oop,I guess the party's over! Austy finished off the drinks!