Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving! My parents are here and my brother Todd and his family and my brother Scott and his cute pregnant wife! She's finally showing a little. I love Thanksgiving because I really try hard to think about what I am truly thankful for. We had great talks in church last Sunday that helped me mentally prepare for this day. Thank you Hodsons! I have so many things to be thankful for. We went around the dinner table and we each said what we were thankful for. It was a neat experience. I love my family! I wish all my brothers and sister could have been here!

The one bad thing of the day is that I am sick! No fun. I woke up with the stomach flu. I didn't throw up... it was the other one. I had terrible sharp pains in my stomach all day, I actually still do. I would try to help get things ready for dinner and would end up on the floor or the couch for an hour. Its been a real bummer. I hardly ate a thing at dinner... hopefully I will feel better and be able to enjoy left-overs tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all my friends!

Costco vs. Sam's Club

I don't want to sound snobbish... but, there is a huge difference between these two stores. When I moved here, I thought I didn't like Sam's Club because of 2 reasons. 1. I had never been to one. 2. I am from Washington, the home of Costco corporate. I like to stay loyal to my home town. But today, I have realized those are not the reasons I prefer to go to Costco. I just got home from Sam's and I was so frustrated by the time I left... I waited in line to order a pizza for no joke, 10 minutes. Did they not just finish remodeling the snack bar?? shouldn't things be faster now? Not with only one person working at dinner time?? what are they thinking??? (they took out their soda machine in their remodeling?? All they have is bottled pop now and I heard the lady in front of me say it was warm. I hate bottled pop. Way too carbonated for me.) Then I walk over to the photo center... the photo center is really the only reason I like to go to Sam's. I prefer their photo finishing to Costco. I think their color is so much better. So, I go over to pick up my enlargements that I uploaded and there is no one there?? what?? I go find a worker who is totally dressed like a total slob and ask him if anyone is working in the photo center and he tells me she is on a break?? How can you close a department for a break at a big store like that? I don't think that would happen at Costco. So, I had to wait another 10 minutes to get pictures. Then I grab the 2 things I needed and I wasn't about to shop around because I was a little mad, so I grabbed my pizza and left. Very frustrating. I don't think Sam's gets the whole customer service thing... I will admit, some of their prices are a bit better, but not enough to get me there all the time. It's kind of like Target vs. Walmart. Love the class of Target, but love the prices of Walmart. I guess you have to pay for class. Enough of my venting... I hope I am not offending anyone. sorry.

Advertising advantages...

Once in a while John gets free tickets to things from the TV stations that Sunburst advertises with. This happened to be one of those weeks. Thursday afternoon he was given tickets to the "Trans Siberian Orchestra." It was at the MGM Arena and it was packed. I wasn't really sure who they were... I guess I need to get with the times... You can check them out on this YouTube link: It was a great concert! I need to go get their Christmas CD.

Yesterday he got tickets for the filming of the Ellen show here in Vegas! It was so fun! We got to go to a luncheon first with the channel 8 people. This guy at our table works for the Ellen show and he gave me his business card and told me I could call him to get tickets anytime! I think I will take advantage! The show was lots of fun. She had Bette Midler, Hans Klok (sp?) he's a magician here in Vegas and then the singer Pink. She was great. It was a fun show. It will be on TV on Monday... you will have to watch. I am so lucky! Ellen and Oprah in one year!


I have more to say about it, but I have a ton of stuff to do today to get ready for family coming for Thanksgiving!!

Happy Birthday Cindy!

It's my sister Cindy's birthday today. I hope you have had a great day! Cindy is the oldest girl in my family, so she was always like a mom to me when I was little. My other sister Julie and I would try to make Cindy cry when she baby-sat us... sorry! We were pretty rotten. I didn't really get to know her very well until I had kids. Then we hung out and let the kids play and we tole painted. Cindy is the artist of the family. She paints kids rooms, she's painted sea creatures at Seven Peaks in Utah... she's amazing. She's the one who taught me how to make those cute little covered Books of Mormon. She's selling them in an Etsy shop. You can buy them here: www.CindyRoutson.etsy.com

Happy Birthday Cindy! Love you! Here she is at the cabin a few weeks ago after we finished a puzzle...

On the Road Again!

It was tough to get in the car again, but very worth it. John, Tanner and I decided to hop down to Hesperia, CA yesterday to meet our new niece Cienna. I really wanted to see Cienna while she was in the newborn stage. Newborn babies are my favorite... sorry kids, but my favorite stage of life is when you were under 2 months! You know I love all the stages, but there is something so special about a fresh new baby. They don't try to leave you, don't talk back to you, they just want you to hold them and snuggle them. And I did. I practically held her the whole time we were there. I got my baby fix!

It's only about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive depending on whose driving. John has slowed down in his old age... actually I think it's a fear of another ticket... remember our 3 ticket day last May? If you've forgotten, you can read about it by clicking here. We finally had to pay the fees last week. OUCH! Our sweet attorney neighbor tried to take them to court for us and the judge was in a bad mood and wouldn't lower any of the fees. He did take my speeding ticket down to a parking ticket, but it still is cost me $190. He wouldn't budge on the "full attention to driving ticket", that one cost $280. (I have to do traffic school for that one! I'm doing it online, so for I've passed 2 of the sections!) then the ticket John got for running the stop sign on his bike cost $190. Can you say Merry Christmas John and Allison! Anyway, it wasn't too bad of a drive to go down there. We forget that they are so close. We need to go see them more! The kids are so cute! Edie sure has her hands full! 3 kids under 3! 3 kids in diapers. fun fun. Carter is a typical almost 3 year old... into everything. Caden is a little angel boy. He will be 1 in January and little Cienna was precious. Grandma Barnes was there, so that was an added bonus to see her.

We went bowling and Grandma won! I think our excuse is that we were all stressed out taking care of 3 little kids, so they wouldn't disturb our serious bowlers in the next lane, that we got a little distracted and lost focus on the game! haha

Here are a few pictures:







Edie and Luke: You are doing an amazing job! You have a beautiful family! Remember, don't listen to those who, shall we say aren't mature, and know that it doesn't matter how you received these little angels into your beautiful family. You ARE their parents! Being parents is the hardest and the most rewarding job you will ever have! Love you both, so glad we got to spend the day with your family!

Home Sweet Home!

I feel like I've been gone for weeks! We went to the cabin over Nevada Day weekend and came home for 1 and 1/2 days and left again. I wrote that like the cabin was ours... I wish! Anyway, we had a wonderful time at Dix's cabin in Brian Head with my family. My parents came, my sister Cindy and her family, which included her married daughter and son in law and my brother Todd and his family. It was so fun! I wish all of my family could have made it! LOVE them all!

We spent the weekend doing puzzles, learning how to make digital scrapbook pages, eating, watching football, 4 wheeling, shooting bb guns, watching movies, the kids played the Wii and of course spending the late hours playing hearts. My family is pretty serious about hearts! We taught the teenagers how to play and they did pretty good. I believe I won the first night and Cindy lost big time! Fun memories.

We came home Tuesday and then I left for Spokane on Thursday morning. I had a great time up there visiting with friends. I spent the first 3 nights at Stacy's house. Stacy is such a wonderful hostess! She picked me up at the airport and took me straight to the mall for pedicures, well we actually had a short $200 dollar stop at Target. That's not hard for Stacy... she loves Target! I love shopping with people who love to spend money! I showed her 3 games my kids love and she bought them! Pedicures were wonderful. They brought back memories of my days working for her. Before every big scrapbook show that we would go to, we always made time to run and get a pedicure before we left. When we got to Stacy's she had a big basket of fun treats for me in my room. She bought me these cute DOTS slippers and the most cool box of candy. It's called "the best candies from the 70's". She knows me well. We spent each night talking for hours! Geof even joined in on the conversations one night!

Friday was the big card party and I pretty much got nothing done. I brought my laptop hoping to make a few digital scrapbook pages, but I spent the whole day and night talking and eating! It was wonderful to catch up with so many of my friends. I am so sad that my camera is still broken! I have no pictures from the whole weekend. I was just on Stacy's blog and she did have one picture of us making brownies. I know she took a lot more, I will have to get them from her.

Saturday night Stacy, Whitney and I went to Coeur d' Alene Idaho for dinner. We ate at the Dockside restaurant that is right on the lake. It was amazing! I think they were trying to remind me how beautiful the Pacific Northwest was! It's definitely got my heart. I haven't grown to love the desert beauty yet. But, I must say, it did rain every day I was there! No joke. Not a bit of sunshine. I got my rain fix for the year.

Sunday night I spent the night at Whitney's and we talked the night away! I flew to Salt Lake on Monday and drove home on Tuesday with Ashley and Mitchell. They had their first road trip to Utah without us! They went up and visited friends. Thanks Barb for taking Mitchell for the weekend! He had a great time with Jake! You can move back anytime! Ashley had fun with Alex and Kristine.

I came home very tired! It's always fun to get away for a quick trip, but I LOVE coming home. Nothing like your own bed, your husband next to you in that bed, and your kids! I spent the day today trying to get caught up on laundry, emails and all that fun stuff that you ignore when you are away!

I will post the pictures of the cabin tomorrow... I've got to get to bed!

Happy Birthday Mitchell!

How could my little boy be 15???!!! Mitchell has always been an easy going boy. I remember when he was born he was so mellow. The nurse was poking him and he didn't cry, he got shots and didn't cry! It was amazing. He's been easy going every since. He was a bit curious when he was little. We had a lock on the fridge, all cupboards and all doors. When Tanner was born, my neighbor called one day and asked if I knew where Mitchell was... I had fallen asleep and he went next door! silly boy. He is a great big brother to Tanner and a best friend to his sister. It's fun to see them get along so well.
Here are a few fun pictures of Mitchell...





We love you and happy birthday!!

Sad...

Well, I am sad to say that soccer season is over. I really enjoyed going to Mitchell's games. He had a great season. They ended up 15 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties!! They were pretty nervous for the last game... it would have been sad to loose the last game, but they pulled it out and beat Sierra Vista. Good job Mitch!!

So, I was a really bad mom last night and didn't take any pictures of Halloween... my flash is still broken on my camera! Tanner was the Phantom of the Opera. He looke dcute. We went to the ward trunk or treat and that was fun. There were a lot of kids there and he got tons of candy! He went trick or treating with his friends after that and got even more candy. Then the fun stuff happend! He was throwing up all night! Seriously it wasn't fun... The boy hasn't learned what his candy limit is!

We are road on a road trip, headed to Brian Head for the weekend... should be lots of fun. My sister Cindy, brother Todd and parents are meeting us there! Tiemn for some FFF. (Forced Family Fun)

Welcome Cienna!

I have been meaning to post about the newest addition to the Barnes family. John's Sister Edie and her husband Luke just adopted a beautiful little girl! Cienna Nicole was born on Sunday, October 19th at 3:58a.m. She weighed 8 lbs and was 19 inches long. We are SO HAPPY for Edie and Luke. They weren't sure if they would ever get a girl since they had already adopted 2 adorable little boys... but a birth mom picked them and they are so happy to finally get a little girl! Edie will have her hands full since little Caden isn't even 1 yet and Carter will be 3 at the end of the year. But we know they can do it! We can't wait to go down and visit them and meet Cienna.
Here is the proud big brother!

hard life lesson..

Tanner has had a rough week. He didn't win Vice President at the elementary school. I picked him up from cub scouts yesterday and I knew immediately that something was wrong! I quickly remembered that elections results were to be told that day. He had tears by the time he got his seat belt on. It's so hard to loose things. He had worked so hard on his posters and his speech. Nothing we said seemed to help... so John took him to Taco Bell for dinner and that helped a lot. He woke up happy this morning and just came home happy. so that is good news. Hopefully this won't keep him from trying again later on in school...

I told you I would let you know how the Gorman game went... we won! 1-0 and we beat Pahrump yesterday 3-0. Tomorrow is the last game and I am a little sad... i will miss it. I think their record is 14 wins-0 losses-2 ties! Go Bonanza!

best and worst of the week...

Well, it's been a while since I've done my best and worst... and since i have been posting my worst things this week, I will only post my best. Sorry for being such a poop lately....

So, my best for the week....

1. Tanner had his rocket derby for cub scouts last night. I wasn't able to be there, but John said his rocket was one of the fastest. Tanner was so happy! This was our first rocket derby... kind of fun.

2. Our family has had some great missionary moments with an investigator. (John is the new ward mission leader) this could actually be a whole post... but way too long... I will write about it later.

3. Ashley got a 63 out of 65 on her government test.

4. My Stake leadership training is over... it's been heavy on my mind for about a month. (Thanks Linda, you gave an amazing talk!) I could write a whole post on this too, it was great. I love how the spirit works...

5. I finally got my halloween decorations out.

6. Mitchell has a big game today... they play Bishop Gorman again... i will let you know how it goes. they are still undefeated!

7. Booked a flight to Spokane for just me! So excited. My friend has a Christmas card making party every year... its the 12 th annual... I had a free ticket, so I am going!

depressing...

So, I REALLY hate going to the doctor... any kind of doctor... not sure why. I just don't like to be weighed, poked and all those fun things women have to go through. When I am sick, I have to be really dyeing to go. And those yearly exams are usually between 1 1/2-2 years. But since my mom is recovering from breast cancer, I know my chances of getting it are higher and I need to be better about going. I have been procrastinating going this time because I knew they would weigh me and I am 20lbs heavier than last time I was there. And last time I was there they were so proud of me because I was 50lbs lighter than the year before... So in my mind I have been telling myself I would go as soon as I lost the 20 because who wants them to notice the gain. Even though the weight hasn't been falling off like I would like, I finally went on Tuesday. Keri has been my little coach telling me I need to go. Thanks Keri! I needed a push.

Well, here is how it gets depressing. It happened just how I imagined, the Doctor walks in staring at the chart and the first thing she says is, "I see that last time you were here you said you were on Weight Watchers maintenance" and then she looked at me like WHAT HAPPENED? Seriously, she didn't have to say the words. I just wanted to cry. If she only knew how hard it is to keep it off. Way harder than loosing it. Not that loosing wasn't hard, it was. But for some reason your brain has a hard time on maintenance, it thinks you can go back to your old habits. crazy how the brain works. I am trying to get it off. I've been going to my WW meetings and trying to get motivated. I work out like 5-6 times a week.

Maybe I need to set some goals on my blog. I know all my blog friends would cheer me on, right? How about every Saturday after my meeting I have to let you all know how i did. Maybe being accountable to all of you will help. I am headed up to Spokane in a few weeks and I would love to be down 5-10 pounds. I think 5 is a pretty realistic goal. Ok, its set. If you don't hear from me each week, be sure to nag me! Thanks!

kids bedroom...

This is for Susan... we aren't perfect either!

Am I the only one who can't get their kids to keep their kids bedrooms clean?? I have about had it! I asked the boys to clean their room on Saturday and Tanner's reply was, "Why? No one is coming over!" Why would he think we only clean our rooms when we have company?? We argued for 10 minutes on why we should clean our rooms everyday. Yes, we clean a little deeper when we have company... but that doesn't mean it can be a mess the rest of the time. Ashley has WAY too much stuff... she can't fit all her clothes in her closet... time to throw stuff out! All 3 kids have been walking tornadoes lately... drop towels on the bathroom floor, leave clothes in the corner of the bathroom, backpacks all over the house, soccer shoes in the family room, dishes can't seem to make it to the sink, let alone the dishwasher! Does anyone have any good ideas on how to motivate them. I'm thinking of taking cell phones away or texting... that would hurt the 2 older ones bad! i don't think I should have to pay them to keep their rooms clean... isn't that a given for living in my house and getting fed?? I feel like I keep a pretty clean house, not as spotless as some of my friends, but not disastrous like some that I have seen... so wouldn't they learn from me a little? Have I failed or have they just become very lazy??

Please tell me I'm not alone and give me any advise you have....

Yummy Recipe

I found a recipe my whole family likes so I thought I would share it with my blog friends. It's a bit healthy since the chicken isn't breaded. Just don't put too much cheese on it (if your watching your weight like me.)
Here it is: (click on the picture to see it bigger)

I wanted it to taste like Fazzoli's chicken parmesan (because it's one of our favorites) so I added spaghetti noodles to the sauce before I baked it. But the trick is that you have to boil the noodles for about 5 minutes before you add it to the sauce. I learned that the hard way... so, stick them in before you add the chicken and make sure the sauce covers them.

Enjoy!

ashleys corner III

lemme just start by saying this will probably be the last entry of ashleys corner. mostly because this is as high as i can go in roman numeral counting. haha just kidding. but really it is. well.. i had like the best weekend of my life, sunday was great too, and then this week at school has just been blah.
could it be because this week is when i have A days 3 times? (B day is my favorite.. my weeks with 3 B days bring pure joy)
could it be that someone totally just prank called me?
or that my government teacher made me look like a fool today?
or that my mom forced me to go to a "spin class" with her at the gym last night, and i now have two rather large bruises in places that i'd prefer not to post online?
maybe its the whole graduating thing. some guy came and talked to us today about buying caps and gowns.. as much as i want to get the heck out of here i really don't!! its come so fast. college means i have to leave my mom. BYU applications come out tomorrow. TOMORROW. seriously? nervous doesn't even begin to describe how i feel. i have worked so hard these past 4 years and now i guess its time to see if i was good enough. rejection is probably one of my biggest fears.. and if i don't go to byu, then what? thats my only plan. second choice is sit at home and wait for some rich handsome guy to take me away... but my parents didnt really like that one. we'll see how it goes.
GAH.
and who the heck should i take to sadies!? drama. disneyland is going to be so expensive.. and there's no one that im DYING to take. would it be worth it? i dont know. but if i dont go i probably wont get asked to prom.
ANYWAY, this whole blog has been such a downer. im sorry.
on a happier note, homecoming was absolutely AMAZING. let me just tell you that i probably look at that first picture on the homecoming blog like 50 times a day. yes. its true. brandon is such an incredible guy.. i am trying to be somewhat like him haha even half as good as he is would be great. also i got to see alex leah and kami this weekend! i have missed them so much. really, life is so weird without them. and did i mention i quit farm basket? yes its true :) haha its about time. maybe in a couple months i can start eating there again without wanting to gag myself.
well now duties calling.. gotta love the work field right? come get stuff dry cleaned at lakes cleaners. and thanks for the vent session.

Homecoming highlights

The day started off with a trip to the lake. Ashley said they had a great time. I was worried because it was cold and windy... but she said it was still lots of fun. She got home with just enough time to shower and then go get her hair & makeup done. Michelle Garrett did it for her and did a great job. It took a little longer than expected and I was all nervous because she didn't get home until 5:00 and Brandon was coming to get her at 5:20! Luckily he was running a little late too. Leah and Alex were home for the weekend so they came over to watch Ashley get all ready. It was cute!

She looked gorgeous when Brandon arrived.

She got the boutonnière on all by herself!

They went over to Brandon's for a few group pictures. They all looked so fabulous!

After pictures they went down to Build a Bear at Fashion Show Mall. They made this cute little bear named "Stuffy". Then they did a scavenger hunt in the mall. Ashley and Brandon won!

Then they had dinner at Christian Bolick's house. Ashley said it was a five star meal!

They were running late, so they got to the dance 10 minutes before it was over... which was a bummer! Oh well... then they went to Brandon's for pie. It was a great night!!

Never mind...

Ok... we had a weather change the last 2 days... it dropped like 20 degrees and I am freezing. We went to the Bonanza football game last night and it was windy and cold and I was wishing i was in shorts! So ignore the last post... i will be happy with my summer clothes.

Ashley is off at the homecoming dance tonight... I will do an update with pictures tomorrow... I had a little accident with my camera the other day. I was over helping with the freshman float and I set my camera on someone's car and sort of forgot about it. I was home when I remembered that I had left it there and then I remembered where I left it and I got this sick feeling when I realized that the owner of the car left before I did. So I called Mitchell and someone had found it down the street. I thought it still worked, but I went to take pictures tonight and the flash wouldn't work. Big bummer. So, I had to take pictures with Ashley's camera and she took it with her. I hope she is having a great time. She looked beautiful!

wardrobe change...

I realized that I am missing fall right now. Not because I want colder weather, I love the 80's. But because I am tired of my summer clothes! Everyday when I get dressed, I struggle with what to wear because I am so sick of everything in my closet. All of my fall clothes are long sleeve and long pants and its still a little warm for that. So, I have nothing to wear. Any suggestions from all of my Vegas natives?? Do they make many short sleeve fall clothes?? I guess I need to hit the mall!

tagged

8 TV Shows I Like to watch:
Oprah
Ellen
Survivor
Kitchen Nightmares
Biggest Looser
The Price is Right
American Idol
Privileged (some stupid teenage show ashley sucked me into)

8 Restaurants I like to eat at:

This is hard to narrow down... I will do 4 nice and 4 lunch places
Bajio
Jason's Deli
Nordsrom Cafe
Great Harvest Bread
China Grill in Mandaly Bay
Kona Grill
Geisha Steakhouse
PF Changs

8 Things that happened today:
Took Tanner to the library
Drove Mitchell to Bonanza to decorate halls for homecoming
Drove back to Bonanza to get Mitchell to take to Soccer game
Went to soccer game and they won again! 10-0
Drove Mitchell back to Bonanza to finish halls
One more time to Bonanza to bring the boy home.. (will post hall pics tomorrow... way cute)
Went to 2 different Sam's Clubs looking for tents for girls camp next year
Ate dinner at Bajio with John and Tanner

8 Things I am looking forward too
Watching Conference this weekend
Relaxing while I watch conference
Seeing Ashley get ready for homecoming dance next week
Getting my leadership training meeting over with
Thanksgiving at our house
Scott and Jenn coming over to watch conference on Sunday
Mitchell's soccer games
A date night with my hubby


8 Things on my wish list:
A clean house
Get back to my goal weight
Happy kids
A husband not so stressed out about work
A nice vacation with John
A new computer
Weather in the mid 80's (i am done with the 90's)
$


8 People to tag:
Julie S.
Julie W.
Keri
Edie
Linda
Kathy P
Pat
Lisa
and whoever else reads my blog...
It's fun-just do it!

Give yourself a present....

My wonderful friend Stacy Julian gave me a challenge a few weeks ago and I must admit that I forgot about it until last night... so, I sort of missed out on most of the fun. But, I still did it and enjoyed it very much. Here's what she sent me:

 

Be Here Now.
As Scrapbookers we spend so much time creating in the past and anticipating the future that we sometimes forget to live in the present. Your life is unfolding everyday, hour-by-hour and you have the opportunity to live and be happy. Let’s bring the scrapbooking world together in a fun and potentially perspective-shifting challenge to be more aware, more grateful and more engaged with this thing we call life.

You have everything you need right now to be vibrant and fully engaged in the creative process. Join me and dozens of other scrapbookers in a challenge to “Give Yourself a Present”
• Snap ten photos of your life right now.
• Compile these photos in a really small mini-album
• Keep or carry this album with you (in your desk drawer or purse) for one year.
• Promise to glance through the album every time you stumble upon it or pull it from your purse.
• On October 1st, 2009, create a scrapbook page about your experience. Don’t worry, I’ll blog and help you remember!

Since I forgot about it, most of my pictures are ones that I found in my iPhoto library or online that represent my life right now. I think I might cary my camera with me this week and take some action shots of these same things and just replace the older ones. Anyway.... thanks Stacy for making me take a few hours to think about my life right now and appreciate it! I know I get caught up in all the things to do, that I rarely sit back and see how lucky I am to have a great life. That's why I titled my book, "Lucky in 2008". I feel very lucky to have so many wonderful things in my life....









I challenge you to take Stacy's challenge and capture your life right now... it will be a great present to you and your family in years to come! Check out Stacy's blog to read more about it and see more finished books! For my friends who have no idea who Stacy Julian is, you are missing out. She is the founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks Magazine and I had the privilege of working for her when I lived in Spokane. I was her editorial assistant and worked in her house a few days a week and I got to travel the country with her. She is an amazing speaker and she teaches scrapbooking classes all over the world. I helped her with her classes for a few years and loved traveling with her. I never got tired of hearing the same classes over and over.... she inspired me every-time! Love you Stacy!! Miss ya tons!