My excuses for not blogging....

My blogging has been a little lax lately, but I do feel I have some good excuses! Quick update on the last week of my life....
Christmas eve: It took Katie and I 4.5 hours to drive to my parents house due to a huge winter storm....we thought we were going to die. Ohh and not to mention that my heater crapped out 3 hours into it. We almost froze to death (ohh, it normally only takes 1:45 to get home....) It was the wildest storm ever!!
Christmas day: Here is my whole family on my mom's side...minus Nike, she opted to stay out of the photo.
These are our new friends from Ghana, Africa. Many of you know that Albert, the cutie in the red, is basically my little adopted brother. He has been a part of our family for the last 2.5 years; and spends holidays and birthdays with us. Annette and Freebody(the two in the back) are his siblings visiting and Bismarck is the stud in the blue shirt, front. Albert leaves on his mission in two days, so Christmas was our big last hoorah for him! These boys were hysterical! We played games all Christmas night! It was so fun to play with these guys!
This year for Christmas a group of us went to the developmental state center and played santa's elves to some of the patients there. It was a very moving experince! So cool!
Nike and I went out and played in the freshly fallen snow....we had a snowball fight...clearly I won.

It truely should be illegal to get married at Christmas time....but either way, Landon and MaLese sealed the deal on the 28th. The photographer never showed, so luckily someone let me use their nice camera, and I played photo girl for the day.....the good picures are on their way, this is just one that someone took on my camera, while I was taking their shots. It was a very cold day, but beautiful....once we get my pictures back, you will see how cute they are.....it was freezing remember...:)
Yes, yes...let the over the hill jokes begin. That is right, On december 29th, I hit the big 25. This is my cheesecake, cake...it was delicious!
While we were waiting for our dinner reservations at Maccaroni Grill, we walked around temple square and saw the lights...and yes it was snowing again....that is all it does around here these days! it is so pretty!
Could we get anymore people in the car? This is my cousin Tanner (red shirt) and his wife and two kids, and my brothers best friend Alex all crammed in the car as we headed off for a little birthday treat for me....*next picture*
Hooray!! I got to drive a semi!! For reals! I drove it two blocks and got up to 2 gears. I am basically pro. This was my last goal to check off....and sure enough, I am amazing. soon I wil do a blog about all my birthday goals....but take a good look folks, I am pretty amazing! how many of you can say you have driven a semi?

Dear Santa, Define NAUGHTY

Sorry for my blog slacking. Last week was a very tough week and you should all be glad I didn't blog....it was rough! But finals are over, and my cold is gone....I was pretty messed up last week, but I am back to "normal". Well my roommate Liz and I decided to celebrate our little Christmas last night. Like our tree? I wasn't going to even have one, until a sweet friend of mine Kimberly Fairbanks sent me some homemade ornadments....I had to use them. (Look really hard in the tree and you will see little gingerbread man hanging out:)
For Christmas Liz got me Season Three of Lost....basically I am in LOVE and slightly OBSESSED with Lost....I was tickled pink! Then for fun we decided we would go see santa; not my best picture but what do you do. Santa just laughed as we walked up. Don't worry I gave him a full report on how naughty Liz has been. We had a very fun night! Filled with laughter and Cafe Rio....yum!

Dancing in the Rain

I know, you are thinking....so CLICHE! However, for one of my 25 things I have to do before I turn 25 I need to dance in the rain. This was not what I had intended when I made the goal, but I am always up for change. Katie and I had a blast. It wasn't truely raining hard, but this is December in Logan...gotta take what you get. It is actually snow now, but we caught it just in time! We danced and froliced in a little park and called it good....we had a blast!! Thanks Katie for helping to complete one of my goals!!

...Putting the "Ho" in Holidays

This weekend I had the glorious opportunity to go home and see my family. While I was home they decided to put up the christmas decorations and tree....as you can see, our family doesn't take this occasion lightly....we must act the part:) j/k, but we did find some fun accessories to help bring in the christmas cheer!

Forget the sleigh...this santa rides in style:)

Ho, Ho & Ho and a little reindeer:)
We missed Landon and Katie....maybe next year they will get their priorites straight and join the team:)

My new do.....

I PROMISED princess Kimberly that I would send her a picture of my new hair do...I got it cut and colored today. It had been MONTHS since I had it colored or cut, and it was looking like mouse fur. So Kim, this picture is dedicated to you!! Oh....and sorry for the deer in headlights look.....I think the flash kinda scared me!

This is what I woke up too......

Grr.....I didn't even see this coming!!

And...welcome to Logan! For those of you that have never been to Logan...you will never truely understand the bitter chill that comes from Novemeber to MAY!! This is the first snow of the season!! and it has only just begun! This is only after one hour!! And it is still coming down!

Black Friday

On our way....

Are you kidding me?
Yes, Katie and I ventured out, at Midnight on black friday. We had to head back to Logan early anyway because we both had to wk, but we decided to head out, freakishly early:) Some of the malls opened at midnight, so we headed out. It honestly was like a zoo, from hell. SO MANY PEOPLE!!! This is a picture coming down the escalator.....pure madness! We barely shopped, b/c we didn't want to stand in line...but it was so funny to watch people. Luckily we got out of SLC by 1:30am, and drove on up to Logan arrived safely at a whopping 3:15am.....oh black friday.

A visit from Jenn!

On thanksgiving morning Jenn and Tyson came to my parents house to see me! It was so fun to play with Little Tyson...and he and my dad bonded...all too well.....Ty loved my dad, and made my dad grandkid hungry:) It was so fun to see Jenn again, and her adorable new hair do! I will miss her as they venture out to Germany...but, hopefully I will be able to go out and see them!!
Love you Jenn and thanks for coming to see me!!

A reason to Blog......

A couple days ago I recieved the best phone call ever! Sabrina's family was meeting in Idaho Falls for thanksgiving, and at the last minute her parents flew her and Olivia up to Idaho for a quick three day weekend. For those of you who don't know....Logan is 20 minutes away from the Idaho border....so Saturday morning after work, I hauled up there! It was a very quick visit....but totally worth it!! We told her family the reason I came up, was just to take a couple pictures for a blog:) We were half kidding. It was very fun to hang out with the Sweetwood family and so fun to see Sabs!

I love this picture!! Isn't she a doll?

Waiting to go out to dinner....we are the biggest, but hottest nerds ever.

SHE MADE ME DO IT!! we went to an awesome little boutique in Idaho Falls, and I told her when we walked through the door, that I wasn't allowed to buy any clocks....she totally forced me into this:) Ok, well there was no gun to my head, but like a good friend should....she jusified it with me, and stood by me at the checkout stand while I sinned. IT MATCHES MY ROOM PERFECTLY....by the way. I don't feel a bit guilty either:)

This is the little mouse Olivia....the best baby!! She is so happy!! We didn't even have to try for this picture!! isn't she darling? looks just like me.

Here is my little sister Brittany....well not my little sister by blood....but by everything else!! Isn't she so cute? She chopped her hair off....I love IT!!

If only you knew how many times we took this one picture....Nerds I tell you....

Well I was supposed to drive back last night, but I was too plumb tuckered out, so I crashed on her Brother and Sister in Law's couch, and sneaked out the door at a whopping 6:30 this morning...that was one long/tired drive home! But SO WORTH IT!!! Love you bina! Thanks for letting me play with you!

Bored.....

I will admit, I should't be bored....It is my senior year of college, and finals week is rapidly approaching...however I have mentally checked out of school, and I am trying to declare myself as bored. BUT secretly, I am facing a new challenge in life...it is called PHOTOAPHOBIA...basically I think I am afraid to not take enough pictures.....I am a closet scrapbooker, seeking help...Tonight, as I am busily working on "homework", I told myself that I had 15 minutes of "break time" to play on photoshop....and this is my masterpiece....HOW FUN!!! ohh just you wait, I have some very fun plans coming up soon, and that makes for fun blogging!!

Ohh and just to clarify, only Liz and I are roommates right now....Keesa is just an old wanna be:) But is missed dearly.

I have nothing more to say

Basically I went home this weekend to have a relaxing weekend, get some things done and have fun with my family. Well exactally 30 days from my last kidney adventure....came this one. Yes yes you are reading this right, every 30 days for the last three months I have passed a kidney stone. I am less than thrilled right now....Sorry I have no fun pictures to blog, but when your weekend was spent with your head over the toliet, tears and pacing around the house...that doesn't make for a very special picture! Maybe my next blog I will have picutres of a tomb stone and have everyone vote....

A witchy Mrs. Jack Sparrow

I know I am kind of lame...but this year I worked, and then went home to study for a mid-term....that was about it...that didn't mean I didn't have fun dressing up!
For work we had to be a witch....well I was fresh out of a witchy costume, so I borrowed my sister's make shift pirate, and made it look..."witchy"
Basically I looked like Jack Sparrow's hot mistress/fourth sister on Hocus Pocus
I think my favorite part has been playing with the pictures, to make them more "halloweeny".....
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

TAG...YOU ARE IT!

I have been TAGGED! Thanks Jessica! Here are 6 fantastic and fun things that you people may or may not know about me!! Enjoy! I have tagged 6 of you...so I better see some fantastic results!

1. Food Quirks- I know this may sound weird, but I always blow on the top of milk jugs before I pour. I hate the dried milk flakes that fall into my cereal or cup of milk. I also do not eat misshaped foods; for example, if an M&M is misshaped, out it goes!

2. Clocks- I have a rather small obsession with clocks. One would say, I collect them! I am very particular about my clocks….I don’t just collect any old clocks. They have to look a certain way. Currently I own 14 beautiful clocks, with definite intentions on buying some more! When you sit in my living room, and the TV is off….the ticking is almost enough to drive one crazy!! It doesn’t bother me so much anymore…but other people think I am nuts! Currently all of my clocks except for 3 are working; daylight savings is a big day around here! I am a busy girl.

3. School- Most people that go to college for 7 years, are called Doctors….I however, I am just called crazy!! YES, I am STILL IN SCHOOL!! And no, I am not a Doctor. The other added bonus…I have been to 5 different colleges! I can explain.
1. Bellevue Community College- my senior year for Sign Language.
2. Ricks/ BYU-Idaho- Freshman Year
3. Utah Valley State- One summer term…(hated it!!)
4. American Institute- Graduated in Medical Assisting
5. Utah State- FINALLY graduating Summer 2008 in Architecture & Design

4. I kissed 4 guys in ONE NIGHT!!! (My parents are so proud!) Only details I will disclose: It was one crazy night, while on vacation to Seattle; I was not alone (just ask Tracy, Ashley and Sabrina) and it was New Years Eve!! What a way to bring in the new year!! My dad called me a Lip Slut!

5. The three C’s I am afraid of…CATS, CLOWNS AND CLIFFS! No joke, I not only hate CATS, but I am seriously afraid of them. There has been many nights I have woken up in a cold sweat, with my heart beating out of my chest; all because I had a dream I was cornered or chased by a cat….and yes, a house cat. I am truly afraid. CLOWNS; have you ever seen Steven Kings “IT”…I saw it when I was little, and sure enough, that stupid movie has ruined me forever. I really hate clowns and will not watch movies with them in it. CLIFFS; I am not afraid of heights, but I am however afraid of cliffs. I don’t like driving near cliffs, even on Highways where you can’t see what’s on the other side, I will drive in the furthest lane possible…or drive really soon! I am just sure I will die someday from being chased off a cliff by a clown and then getting eaten alive by a cat.

6. I have been pulled over 6 times since living in Logan, and I have gotten out of EVERY SINGLE TICKET!! I have some serious skills!! But honestly, the cops here get bored, and pull you over for the dumbest reasons:
1. Not using my blinker 1 out of the 3 times he was following me…ah hello, I used it TWICE!! The odds were in my favor:)
2. Tires not close enough to the curb on a right hand curb…did he not see the pedestrian?
3. Speeding on a mtn. road…close call
4. Tires not close enough to the curb again…this time, I was at a stop sign and realized that I was going to miss my turn….I checked and no one was around, so I turn right…LAME!
5. Speeding again….it was more like a seatbelt check! Good thing I was wearing it!
6. Running a stop sign….I really didn’t see it!
Either way, my beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair work every time! All I have to be is my sweet charming self, and BAM…I flirt my way to success!

Thanks Jess for tagging me! This was so fun! I am now going to tag the following 6 people...and I expect BIG RESULTS! LINDA, STEFANIE, KIM, HOLLY, KATIE, APRIL. GET ON IT GIRLS

Hey baby...I've missed you

As many of you know...for years my mom and I have played this little game of "Hey baby, I've missed you..." It is a sick little game, I will admit, but we have the greatest time. The best part is, we don't talk about it, and we never have. It is a game, just between the two of us that has gone on now for about three years. How it works is, Liman (the attractive naked man) travels between the two of us. Whoever has the card will secretly hide it somewhere for the other person to come across. He has been many places over the years as well. He has been all the way to GA and to WA and CA. He is quite the traveler.

He has been known to hide in many places....under your covers, in your underwear drawer, wallet, purse, bathroom drawer, visor of your car, ect.

We have even involved other people from time to time. My favorite, is while we were at Outback Stakehouse, I pulled the waiter aside on my way to the bathroom and slipped him the card...he later walked up to the table, to my mom, and said that an older man had left a little note for her, and slipped her the card. It was classic!!

Another time I blew him up, and my dad and I dressed him up and put him in the front seat of my mom's car...it was really funny looking.
Even though we sound nuts...it is really fun, and has been going on for years. The card usually show's up about once a month, but it is the constant fear that you are going to get Liman, that is half the fun:)

Francis, the Little Goat

As many of you know, I have 25 goals that I need to do before I turn 25....well time is ticking. Today I was able to cross off another fantastic goal. I PET A BABY GOAT. Now I realize that this goal may be different than some of yours, but how many of you reading this can say you have pet a baby goat? Well, I HAVE!!
This is Francis, a sweet little goat. I love her big tummy:) Francis eventally thinks she is part dog and part cow. She even has a dog collar with tags.
Francis wouldn't leave her black and white friends, so Rachel (Francis' sister) and I ventured very slowly into the pen to try and coax her out. As we were standing in the pen, this is what we saw....a bunch of cows. Well as many of you know, BULLS are not known for their hospitality, and soon we found out that umongst all of these ugly smelly ladies, was the man of the pen...A HUGE BULL!! Well after I nearly wet myself, we quickly shimmied out of the pen, alive.
Here is the beast himself....we went through the barn to try and pet Francis through the fence; and long behold this is what we saw as we got into the next pooh covered pen. Like his nose ring? This sucker grunted and mooed like he liked what he saw....I was like a walking pork chop to him.
Clearly I wasn't giving up now, so I walked along the water trough and entered yet another pen(because, I love danger)....Francis is clearly part chicken, and didn't want me to pet her.....ohh and while Liz was supposed to be on cow watch, clearly one slipped by her and was right behind me, smelling me and getting ready for a big lick. Once again, I nearly wet myself.
I should be a photographer for a dairy....what a cool looking picture!
Luckily as I was leaving, Rachels dad came home and gave us a hand. Francis adores him and follows him around like a little lost dog. He picked up Francis and I stroked his little head...much like you would a dog. He made his goat noises, but was oldly very friendly. We made our connection:)
Talk about a tender moment....Look at the stupid cows in the background....I bet they are thinking how nice I would taste with some BBQ sauce....cause I was thinking the same thing about them:)

Either way.....I GOT TO PET A GOAT!!! It was a fantastic day!! And a huge thanks to Rachel, Liz, Franics and Mr. Farmer man for helping me with my long lost dream!

Goal: Homemade apple pie

One of my other goals was to make a "homemade" apple pie. The best part about making the rules, is breaking the rules....Since I was the one who made the goals and the rules that go along with them, I am also the committee that changes the rules aswell....Instead of making a homemade crust, Liz and I decided to "save" time and use a homemade crust from Pilsbury:)

In the end, it doesn't matter how you make it, or what you did....the end result is the same. Top it off with a little ice cream, it it tastes like heaven.....we are sure amazing little chefs:) Best part is...another goal to check off!!

Landon and MaLese come to play!

Saturday night after Mom and Carly left, Landon and MaLese came up for a visit. Today after church we went up to Logan Canyon and took some engagement pictures. The canyon is just about ready to "die", but there are still some beautiful fall colors. I had so much fun with my family this weekend....Dad and Nike better back their bags...it is their turn next!

After a little sunday dinner.....she will fit right it...look at her beautiful smile!

MaLese has the prettiest eyes!! I love this picture because her blue eyes are popping out of her head! OHHH by the way, they are getting married on December 28th....mark your calendars

She is sitting ontop of a bridge over second dam...this was right before he pushed her off.....JUST KIDDING!! They are so cute together, it is sick....

Words cannot describe this picture......Doesn't he remind you of a little lion cub?

Landon went through my closet and picked out his pajamas....UTAH STATE sweats and a furry vest....he looks fantastic!! (Don't you love how the sweats are nearly capris???) all I can say is...WHAT A NERD...but a cute nerd.