I love Christmas

I am so excited for Christmas. I am sad that I don't really get to be home during the holidays as much as I am used to. Whose idea was it that "grown ups" don't get Christmas break? I do get to be home for Christmas day though. :D

We went up to Whiterocks for our traditional Christmas Tree hunting. The water Clint painstakingly boiled got spilled on the way up, so there was no hot chocolate. BUT we did have some amazing homemade donuts. We played on the swing, (until someone got hurt) and had a really good time. Karalee and I even kept Mom and Dad together the WHOLE time--we were pretty proud. (Usually in the quest for the tree they separate and get lost from one another and it takes for ever. So it has become kind of a joke.)

Every year, after we get the tree up, my dad says it is the prettiest tree we have ever had. This year, I think he might be right. Of course I am bias cause I picked it out this year. (It was my first time :D) 2 trips to town later, there are 1800-2000 lights on the tree. I didn't get a picture, but I will try to this weekend.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

ahhhhhhhh!

Kaulene is home. (Remember the paper chain?) AHHHHHHHHHHH! I got to go see her at the airport yesterday. I am soo excited.

She's a boy.

belly button

I used to think I had an "outie."

Today it occurred to me that it has changed. Its "surroundings" have.

I definitely have an "inny."

Oh buddy!

My old roommate Jessica just posted this: and it is HILARIOUS!

seriously

quit college.

Katie hasn't even graduated high school.

and she makes more than me.

NOVEMBER

I have never been a big fan of Halloween. I take that back, I am sure I liked it in Elementary School. But it wasn't really a celebrated holiday at my home besides my mom's sugar cookies. (The ladies in the ward used to take their kids up to our house and come in with their kids so they could have a cookie.)

In a college town there is undue pressure to dress up. Its just not my thing. The girls at work did talk me into going to work as a thug. (Mostly I just got to wear my sweats to work.) I was helping do inventory in the parts department with a whole lot of people I didn't know. I am pretty sure most of em didn't know I was in costume. HA HA! I am way too white to be a thug!

Clint called right as I got off lunch and invited me to a little impromptu family get together.

BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY EVER!!!

We didn't have to dress up. We had over half of the family there. Clint and Kathryn made some fabulous Mexican food, and shared their trick-or-treat chocolate! I was sitting there realizing how glad I am that I live in Utah. I never got to do things like this when I lived in Idaho!

Mostly I am just really excited that it is November! I love it- AND now I get to SHAMELESSLY listen to Christmas music!!

50 days!

My Momma

I am a few days late on this, but this week my mom turned 55! I just want to throw out there how incredible she is. She taught us how to trust in the Lord. She is always willing to listen. She works really hard. She does soooo much for all of us and my dad. Her handyman skills are incredible. I would put her up against a few guys in the phone book.

Mostly I just love her. A lot!

Oh yeah, and she raised 12 incredible kids.

I hear #9 is the favorite though ;)

Here's to you: McDonalds

Smearing their image are the obvious use of trans fats, the debates of their not so obvious meat selections and the 2004 airing of "Super Size Me," McDonalds has taken global heat. I would like to recognize the small steps McDonalds is taking. Not only are they offering more healthy choices, they are working on portion control. Prior to Super Size Me the fruit n' yogurt parfaits were approximately 12 oz. In the face of rising obesity in Americans, McDonalds dropped the serving size down to about 9 oz.

In recent years, research and development improved packaging including a lid that also holds the spoon and granola. Never again will the 17 yr old high school drop out forget your granola! With this improvement, they also reduced the size to 7 oz. Now wasn't that thoughtful? I mean after all, those who aren't weight conscious have already ordered a Big Mac and Oreo McFlurry. This is really a step up for calorie counters! (And they kept the price the same so you wouldn't be tempted to by TWO for a dollar.)

I would really like to give credit to the minimum wage employee that made MY parfait today. She could tell I need to lose some weight. That girl went above and beyond. She scooped in 2 tablespoons of yogurt and a couple of strawberries and then iced the top with yogurt. I think she wanted me to know there was fruit in there. There was so little yogurt on top I could see all the fruit. Or maybe it was to prevent any unnecessary spills in my car that she only filled my 7 oz. cup half full.

ARISE AND SHOUT

The Cougars are out! These little boys absolutely love BYU. I promised last fall that we would do another pinata when all the cousins were together. We are missing a couple, but its as close as we will get for a while. Caleb gets SOO excited about this little tradition we are starting. He had a couple ideas for what we could make. He suggested that we make a Transformers pinata. I was a little shell shocked after that and I agreed to the BYU thing.

I asked Caleb what we should put in the pinata. He thought for a second and said, "popsicles!" I asked for clarification, and whelp, yea, that is what he wanted. I was trying so hard not to laugh!!

Experience of a Lifetime

One year ago today I was flying across the country on my MATS tour. It really was the most incredible experience I have ever had. I made some incredible friends, and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world!

Crutchie literally wore the bottom of his crutch. He even hiked a mountain with a broken leg (3 days after surgery)

Amanda looked away in an unreal number of pictures!!!

Jena... well her stories are hers. Oh but how I wish I could share!

Noelle-besides the time she was dangerously near an accident after eating the largest helping of broccoli I have ever seen, she was an absolute riot!

Tom wanted to re-instigate polygamy after touring Nauvoo, and he tried to save me from dogs.

I hit a stranger in the head with a frisbee and was banned from the game.

Oh the memories I have of that time....

A couple fellow travelers nearly made me crazy with their ramblings in the back of the bus, but I loved the people on that trip. I dream about it from time to time.

Its Been A While

I finally signed a housing contract last night. It is a 12 month contract in a condo south of BYU campus. It was kind of weird. I have never committed to ANYTHING that long in my life! I don't get to move in until the end of the month. I have to be out of this place by Friday, luckily Amy said I could live with her in the interim.

I will give you all a tour when I move in. (Josh and Amanda style :D)

Amy and Riley had a little honey extracting party. Jared & Kara, Clint & Kathryn and their kids, and I met them in Spanish Fork. It was fun to see the fam.

Celebrate good times... Com'On!

I finally have a job. I am no longer an unemployed _________.

It's a Party in Your Mouth!

I just love this!

I remember one time as a little kid my mom was doing the monthly shopping trip. We were supposed to clean while she was gone. Clint was in charge. Mom said if he reported to her that we were good helpers we would get a treat. (This sort of bribery was not commonplace.)

I think there were five or six of us working on dishes. It was quite the assembly line. Mom came back with the deluxe size Fun Dip. You know what I am talking about: three flavors and two sticks!

...happy memory...

I am eating one as we speak (well sorta)

Happy Day!!!

My little sister Mary had her baby yesterday! I am happy for her and for her little girl.

Remember When?

One time I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with...well a baby. Whoops! I thought abstinence would prevent that! I guess I know what happened...


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Atta Boy-Girl

Can I just tell you all how much I love this girl?

Sister Sara Evelyn Cushing recently returned from serving a full time mission in Tuscan, Arizona. I am proud of her!

We have been best friends since we were 15. We have had some pretty awesome times and now that she is HOPEFULLY moving to Provo, the good times are bound to roll. (Do Provo an roll kind of rhyme or is it just really early in the am?)

peace love and chicken grease

I am THIS close to selling knives!!!

Happy Independence Day!!!

I love the Fourth of July!

...Camping at Paradise Park...

...Stadium of Fire with the family...

...Fireworks!!!...

AND

MY "ROOMMATES" MOVED OUT!!!

(okay that was today, but I am feeling the Independence!!!)

Open Letter-Freeloader

Dear _______,

Hello, its me-the one in the back bedroom. You may or may not recognize me. I am the one who pays to live here.

I apologize for not including your name. You see I don't know it, but I do know that you were in MY shower this morning. I think it was you, it may have been one of the others that use this apartment as community housing. How many of you were here this morning? 

I know this is your cousin's apartment, (Well actually I am not sure you are her cousin, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt.) but I am still unsure why that means that you are using MY toothpaste, and MY hand towel. You see your cousin pays to live here, but she isn't here. Why are you?

Oh! I see! You must have become close with the HAMSTER that lives in this apartment! I do apologize for being the one that caused it's relocation. Yes, it is still in the apartment but tucked away in a bedroom rather than in my front room.

I am writing this long after the other roommates have gone to bed. The front door is still unlocked though, because for some reason we are under obligation to leave it unlocked so that you can come and go as you please. 

You do realize that your cousin Lauren won't be here until Friday right? Oh! Oh you do? Okay. Well, while you are here do you mind washing the dishes since our dishwasher doesn't work?

Thanks,

Lori Jane (the new roommate in the back bedroom)

"Grandma its time I get on with my life"

So... I moved to Provo this week. Of course I left my computer at home, mom mailed it to me. Thanks mom you're the best!

 My roommates seem pretty cool- they are both UVU students. Oh I accidently went to an institute class for married couples. WHOOPS!!! That was awkward, not going to lie. 

I am still looking for a job. No Bueno. Karalee and Amy have been trying to help me. Keep your knees bent and your fingers crossed for me. 

love it!

you knew all along

You may or may not know: 

But I have been dating Spiderman for quite sometime. I did have a little affair with Superman one night, but Spidey has always had my heart. I think we are getting pretty serious.

Shred Quuen

My first job was when I was 16 and working for Uintah Care Center for $5.25 an hour. For three weeks I sat in the copy room and shredded papers that my supervisor went into "the dungeon" to get. (Later I found out that a "shred truck" comes out every six weeks.) Anyway, I felt pretty  it was pointless then, now I sit in my house day after day applying for jobs, sending out resume after resume. I still haven't heard anything from anyone. I feel like I am applying to a brick wall. 

lame. 

confession

here is my confession:

I think that the early to mid 1900s actually happened in black and white.  Funny because all of the year before and after were in color.

Leslie, Les, Leslona

You know how there are those few people in your life that are in it for the long haul? Well Leslie is one of mine. I just have to laugh when I think of us meeting our first day of college, both of us a little apprehensive. 

She and I have been through a lot together. She is truly one of the best friends ever! Yep, we have fought--even over boys, but she really is amazing! I was talking to her tonight and once again she had to realign my view of reality. She is good at that. Her stories are pretty funny and she is as loyal as they get. 

I look at her now and I am so proud of her. She takes challenges head on and always seems to get the most out of them. 

Mostly: Leslie I just love you. Okay? 

lil' spill

I don't want to grow up.

I don't want everyone else to grow up.

I don't know what to do.

I am tired of not having a job.

I am sick of this economy.

I don't want to make any decisions.

Wow! Growing up is fun!

New York

So I am back from New York. I lost my cell phone on the way back. Sad ;( 

We had good times. We went to the Manhattan Temple, to Wicked, the Lion King, Canal Street (China Town) and Ellis Island. 

I tried to check out the school (even though I had decided not to attend). They SERIOUSLY wouldn't let me further than the foyer! I should have expected that from a school that required such an intense background check before admission! Yeah, seriously the security guard wouldn't let me past the lobby...

We had A LOT of fun. 

Ups and Downs

I have decided that I wont be attending FIT. I am kind of sad in some ways--but I know that it is the right decision for me. 

Of course I still have tickets so we are going on vacation. We have tickets to see Lion King and Wicked this week. I am going to try to jump in on some baptisms in the Manhattan temple and of course I will take Mom and Kathyrn on a ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty and the NY sky line. 

Any suggestions on any other must sees in NYC?

Sooo... Mom, Kathryn and I are going to NYC! Yeah I am stoked. We bought the tickets today. We are going to go check out the school and see the cool sites of NYC!

Graduation

So I graduated this weekend. I am really sad to be done in some ways. I am really happy in other ways. I wish other people could have the experiences that I have had there. These are some pictures of people who really mean a lot to me. I am grateful they came up there for me.

 

Brother McGary--my boss. He is one of the most amazing people ever!

Gideon Tolman--the embodiment of BYU-Idaho

My dad and mom. They are cool. They came all the way to Idaho for me ;)

Haley Hobson--the favorite roommate

Some of my graduating class

My family that came up.

Erica Sparks of of my best friends--she and I pushed through the program together.

Leslie Johns, my first roommate. She is amazing!!!

Kelli Kitchen my roommate and cousin and therapist...

Derk and Alicen Hatch. She is my other mom. They came up as well I can't even believe it!