Tuesday, October 28, 2008

WHY OH WHY DOES CHOCOLATE HAVE TO BE SO BAD FOR YOU?!?!


Image-Chocolate.jpg   


It all started Friday night when I thought my hubby was going to be released from the Bishopric. He was at a meeting and I waited patiently for him to arrive home from meeting with the Stake President.  When I got the phone call..... "Well sweetie I was released," I immediately started thinking how wonderful it would be to see him more and to actually have HELP on Sundays. Its not that easy getting 3 little girls ready for church by 9:00 am. Then my dreaming came to a complete halt..As he went on to say... "And they called me back into the Bishopric." I told him I needed 20 minutes to process this information and I will talk to him when he gets home. I headed strait for the pantry to find chocolate, cookies, chocolate and more chocolate. Sunday was still really hard for me. Jeff's alarm went off at 5:00 am and I remembered I was a bit bugged that I couldn't go back to sleep. So I just got up and got ready for church. Church was absolutely beautiful and the Spirit was so strong that I realized how selfish I was being. ME ME ME! What I want!  I knew right then how grateful I was that he is who he is. He is truly an amazing person and a true example of how to serve. Driving home from church I accepted that it's going to be a long haul for me. I started getting overwhelmed. So what did I do... I went right to the pantry again.. looking for some CHOCOLATE! I want to eat in breakfast, lunch and dinner. AHHHHH!  Chocolate may be bad for you but it is sure delicious, and it always makes me feel better!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LEAH!

Happy Birthday to my BEAUTIFUL sister! I truly think you are amazing and I am so thankful for your friendship and your positive advice!! What would I do without you?? Have a FANTASTIC Birthday! Love you!  Oh, this was the only picture I could find of you by yourself. You look pretty rockstarish if you ask me! 



Thursday, October 9, 2008

Daddy-Daughter Pumpkin Carving

The Primary in our ward held a Daddy-Daughter activity yesterday.  It was supposed to be carving pumpkins, however some of the Dads had to get a little more involved since the daughters were all running around together.  Regardless, it was a lot of fun, and here are two cute pics for ya...


My little Celine was a trooper, and was the only one of my three to stick it out the entire time with me.  She was also the only one of my girls willing to get her hands dirty and dig out the "guts" of the pumpkin.  She did a great job!

Mya also did a good job with her pumpkin, which is sitting on her lap.  Livia on the other hand, just played the entire time.  

Participation or not, how can you not love those 3 cute girls!!!


Quote for the day


 Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.
 
 
 If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
 
 
 If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
 
 
 If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
 
 
 She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.
 
 
 So - if you give her crap, you will receive more sh@# than any one human being can handle!

GIRL'S TRIP!!!

I want to take a second and tell you about my awesome rockin chica friends that I had THE BEST time with during our recent all girl's trip to Julie Stott's cabin.

Getaway Girls...

Each year the "Sisters of Southern Highlands" (although some have relocated)" get together for a fun trip to rejuvenate ourselves from the monotony of motherhood.  This  year we all decided to go to Julie's BEAUTIFUL cabin on top of Zion National Park in Zion's Ponderosa.  We went for some rest and relaxation (or at least I thought we were going to relax!).  But something happens to me when I am away from my children...some would say I become somewhat childlike myself.  NO more cleaning up after anyone; NO more refereeing the fighting; NO more driving all over town for soccer, gymnastics, etc. etc.  This was all part of the recipe for the "rockinest" trip I have had in a long time with tons of laughs and very little sleep, rest, and relaxation (although just enjoying the beautiful land that God gave us without any distractions was relaxing enough).

Nicole, Roslyn and I headed off a day early on Wednesday and stayed at my Mom's house in St. George.  We stayed up late, made pastries, and giggled a lot.  Thursday we meet wthe rest of the crew at Tai Pan Trading to do a bit of shopping (can't go on a girls trip and not do shopping...right?!?!)  We ate lunch at Pizza Factory and then we were off to Zion.

Thursday night we got all settled in and made a fancy BBQ Chicken Salad and planned the rest of the weekend.  We all felt like we had to do everything before we went home...And we did do everything...Late night games, jacuzzi dips, paintball, four-wheeling, ping-pong tournament, hiking, cooking and baking (but for pleasure this time), just to name a few.  This trip was so much fun!  I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard, even though it was probably from the lack of sleep.  It was one funny weekend!

Hiking

We decided it would be fun to go hiking in beautiful Zion National Park. Baby Owen was an exception on our trip because he was just too little to leave home. He did so good the whole trip and he loved being carried like he was royalty. Let me just say that I told Rosyln NOT to bring her stroller, and what did she say....

Roslyn:  "Christa, I'm looking at the map and it says that this trail is paved."
Christa:  "Roz, I'm telling you, it is NOT paved.  If you bring that stroller, I'm not helping you carry it up that big mountain!"
Roslyn:  "I'm going to bring it.  The map says it's paved."
Christa:  "Seriously!  Let's think about this for a minute.  How big is that mountain?  You really think that it is paved to the top and around.  NO WAY!"

Sure enough, the trail was not paved.

Roslyn:  "OH NO! THIS TRAIL IS NOT PAVED!!"
Christa:  "Nope, it's really not.  I hate to say TOLD YOU SO."

We all helped carry baby Owen up that darn mountain.  I needed to work off the whole pan of peanut butter bars I ate all by myself anyway!  (I'm not kidding about the bars...I just couldn't stop myself!)

Paintball

The stage was set.  The teams were evenly matched (at least we thought).  IT'S GO TIME!!

Yellow Team
Julie
Shawna
Carrie
Christa

Orange Team
Becky
Melissa
Nicole
Roslyn

I was concentrating with all my might...ducking in the bushes, hiding behind broken down cars, trying to formulate a plan in my head.  What was my strategy?  Who was I going to attack?  How was I NOT going to be seen.  And then all of the sudden I heard the brush behind me crack...I turned around and saw someone coming out of the brush!  I didn't even have time to think.  I aimed and started firing on this enemy of mine when all of the sudden I hear "CHRISTA, I'M ON YOUR TEAM!!  What!  Could it be so?!?!  Did I just shoot by own teammate?...Yep, I did.  For a split second I felt bad, Then I started to laugh, then I looked at her and said "DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!  YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!" (I'm pretty sure she was thinking the same thing considering she was the one being shot at!).  Luckily I got her right on her helmet so she didn't feel any pain. Sorry about that Shauna!

We ended up playing 3 rounds and walking away with some cool looking bruises.  Our top shooter award (that's shooters, not Hooters) goes to Melissa on team Orange and Julie on Team Yellow.  You both have quite the eye and aim.  Good job ladies!!

Funniest moments...

Aussie Fun
Playing Mexican train and eating Lollies (candy from Australia).  Becky, who just happens to be our Little Aussie Buddy, kept us on our toes with her witty humor (plus everything she says just sounds funnier with her cute little accent).

Snipe Hunt
Nicole convincing Becky to go on a "snipe hunt."  You know, "snipes"...the mystical creatures of the forest that only come out at night.  It was like we were 12 years old and in Young Women all over again!  If it wasn't for Roslyn we would have had her too!  Thanks a lot Roz!  Why you gotta be so honest!  Ha!

Breakfast for Zombies
I had Saturday breakfast duty.  Ok, first let me remind you we had been staying up late.  Anyway, I got up hoping that all I had to do was set out a couple of bowls, some cereal, and milk.  But of course not...This is a trip with Julie Stott we're talking about here.  She had a gourmet breakfast recipe all ready to go.  I barely could keep my eyes open to read the darn recipes!  Becky, for some odd reason, was up also so she just automatically came into the kitchen with me.  We were so tired!  I was trying to figure out what I was making as I'm trying my best to follow the recipe.  The recipe said to melt the butter.  Ok, so far not that hard, right?  Wrong!  I went to put the butter in the hot oven and caught myself.  "Wow, that was close!"  Then I grabbed teh plate and went to stick it in the cupboard.  "Oh my gosh!  What am I doing???"  By that time Becky and I are just rolling with laughter.  I could not get my head on straight to think MICROWAVE.  The whole rest of the breakfast went that way.  I'm just glad it turned out in the end and it was yummy.

Perfect hair...not so perfect
Julie is always so put together every single day at home.  She always has her hair and make-up done and looks just gorgeous.  One night she stayed up late with Becky and Nicole to sit in the hot tub.  When she was getting ready for bed she realized she didn't have any conditioner, so she didn't use any.  That next morning she came out of her room rubbing her eyes saying, "sorry about my hair guys...couldn't find the conditioner."  Julie's pretty and perfect hair wasn't so perfect anymore!  It was sticking straight up, completely a mess, and it looked like she just stuck her finger in a live socket!  It was nice to know that we are good enough friends that she can show us the "just out of bed Julie".  Becky especially couldn't stop laughing.  Thanks Julie, and WE LOVE YOU!

River rafting
River rafting was also an adventure that we all really enjoyed.  I especially like all the creepy little bugs that would crawl on you or try and hitch a ride on my tube and because the river wasn't that high we got some major bumps and bruises from the rocks hitting our butts.  

We were told many times not to swing on the rope that was hanging from a tree but Julie and I couldn't resist.  Julie looked pretty graceful swinging from the rope, and then it was my turn.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little apprehensive when I got up on the rock, but I did it anyway.  It wasn't so bad.  It actually was fun until I slipped and went under the water! I think it took becky 15 minutes to finally decide to swing from the rope and then started to chicken out when she was finally ready. It just took a minute of teasing her for her to swing. 

Allyson would not get out of the tube.  She was determined to get down the river without getting out.


I was so impressed that "us" girls loaded and brought all of the toys

Tough lookin chics, right!

Ha!  You don't have a mean bone in your body!

Yo...word!
Boy would we like to take on our husbands out here!  We would destroy them!!!

Nicole and Melissa


Sorry about the hair Roz... I just thought pink was your color.




Shauna, Becky, Carrie, and Melissa



This is just how we roll....
Nicole, Roslyn, and Me

And who's idea was it to bring the stroller?!? Because I know it wasn't mine!

This is what you get for not listening to me!

Don't you girls look cute.



This game got a bit intense.

Enjoying the Lollies... smile!

We had the best meal plan and I ate everything on my plate and more everyday. Mmmm BQ chicken salad with panini. So good!!! 



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

10 Year Reunion Update


So looks like we  are pretty much the same. Just a little older. It actually was really interesting to me what everyone was up to.  I found that personality wise their really wasn't much change.... 

- Those that were funny are still funny
- Those that were very social were going around talking to everyone. 
- Those that were to cool to associate with others just came in with their back-up and left with their back-up. Kinda funny!
- Some just can't get over stuff that happened in high school. Its okay that the football team wasn't that good Justin.  It's over now.  We all thought you were great.  He he! 

I have to say that the table I sat at was hilarious!  I sat at a table with TROY and he has quite the sense of humor.  Thanks for keeping me laughing!!  


Me, my sis, and baby Jabez at the Pine View High school football game. This was the first time I had been back to the high school since I graduated.  I almost couldn't find it.  Everything had changed so much!  It was really weird!  My nephew will be attending Pine View next year. WOW!
I'm glad my husband was able to come. 
Look at all my cute friends..  What can I say about all of you?  I have so many great memories of you.  I could talk about each one of you forever, but I won't.  It was just so good to catch up. I'm ready to meet at Pizza factory again.  I'll try to be on time. Ha!

This is a random picture of our ROCKIN REUNION!  Looks pretty fun eh.

I'm sure our hubbies were so bored!  Let me guess what they are talking about... hmmm.. could it be golf?!  Now I'm bored :)