St George Road Trip 2011

This last weekend we headed out to st george from some sunshine and swimming fun. It was great! We went, ate lots of food, went swimming, slept (Well kind of) and just chilled! Above is my cute mom and my Grandma Linnell
The Ride there... We haven't ever done a road trip before... It was slightly painful but we made it!

Our favorite dinner was the Pizza Factory. They were delicious! We had our own pizza, grandma also got spaghetti, and they had these awesome bread twists! Yummy Yummy!

We love to see the Temple! St George Temple.

It was a nice vacation and gave all of us a chance to just get away! Although there were a few complications with the hotel and sleeping arrangements, I think all in all it was a good trip and that even though some might not admit it, we all had a good time. It was nice to swim with my family and to just spend the time with them. Since I have moved out I don't see them as often (which I know is my fault but still...) and we haven't ever been on a vacation with just us and grandma Linnell! Hooray for a successful St George Trip of 2011!

Ice Cream for Dinner!!

To celebrate mom and dads anniversary my Mom wanted to have Icecream for Dinner! So, I switched my work schedule so that I could get off earlier to attend the festivities. And I was sure glad I did! We had a great time. Everybody was happy. We also all shared some of our favorite memories of Dad, which we don't do very often all together. The most commonly talked about was bath time... LOL and how he would act like we were in a "car wash" or how out of habbit he would always walk out and turn the light off and leave the kids sitting in the dark... LOL
We all enjoyed our Leatherbees ice cream and "the best grilled cheese and fries/cheese fries" around town! (I got much crap for getting cheese fries because apparently they are a heart attack on a plate! But they are so good you can't go to Leatherbees and NOT get cheese fries!

This is silly Kyle... He cracks us all up with his witty sense of humor.

Jeff would not let me take his picture for the LIFE of him. Hence the picture of him with his head down and back turned. Party pooper.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!

JANUARY 25TH 1989

Happily Ever After Since 1989

My moms anniversary was yesterday and I wanted to make her something kind of special...

So I put together my creative juices and came up with this cute picture plaque!

I had been wanting to try modge podge and thought this would be a great first start.

From roberts I got a wooden plaque, modge podge, purple paint, clothespins, the scrapbook paper, and the sparkly 3D stickers. Then I went to work, and VIOLA! I liked the clothespin idea because now she can switch out the pictures whenever she wants.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to my wonderful parents Steven and Julie Brown!

*Since 1989*

*Editors note: They got married in January of 1989 But their lives weren't complete until the little miracle that was me came in 1990!!!*

Happy 4th Birthday Carmel and Claire!!!

Carmel and Claire are turning 4 tomorrow, January 26th. I cannot believe how big they have gotten and how grown up they are! I have loved every minute of their 4 years of life and have been so blessed to be able to spend it with them. They are having a big shabang on Saturday, but I am unable to make it because my family is leaving town. So, instead we kept to the tradition of going to dinner! Red Robin it was, and boy did we love it! I had the crispy chicken tender salad, (which you can never go wrong with) Cailin had the new BBQ chicken whiskey river salad, Claire enjoyed a hamburger and fries, and miss Carmel had some mac and cheese with salad! In past years I have always gotten the girls a chocolate milkshake, and they weren't about to let me forget it ;) So, we got some chocolate milkshakes and rootbeers. Then, (me being the forgetful person I am and not remembering to tell the waitress it was their birthday) when we were getting ready to pay and leave Cailin mentioned to the waitress that it was their birthday to find out if they sang. Unfortunately, Red Robin does not sing for you. However, she said she would bring us out a "little mud pie". Yeah, it was not little! But it was wonderful and she was very kind to do that. I got the girls a Tangled/Rapunzel night gown which, as you can see, they loved! Points to me! You will also notice that there is only one balloon in the last picture... this is because poor Carmel was traumatized one day when they all decided to let go of their balloons and watch them go up in the air. Ever since that day she refuses to get a balloon LOL poor thing. I had a great time and got some much needed neglected loving from the girls since I don't see them as often as I used to or would like to. Great night!

Happy Birthday Carmel and Claire!!!

BWFs (Best Work Friends!)

I know that some of you have been requesting a few names to faces... So, here they are! All of my BWFs! The people I sit around for 8 hours a day... Who I interact with non-stop for 8 hours a day... My second family I guess you could say... so yeah, here they are!

(Lorelei, Katie, Brian, Jesse, Chris, and Adam)

IN or OUT???

There has been much discussion over the weekend on if this "front braid" hairstyle is still considered to be "IN". My cousin Danny and my friend Corey both have declared it to be "out". But, all of my other girl friend declare it to be "IN". So... I am wondering what you all think.... Is the front braid IN or OUT???

The Money Tree

A conversation over heard at work:

Chris: why is there a tree there?

(Deidre just switched desks and now sits with our team and has added this recent decor to our cubicles)

Me: For decoration. Why else?

Chris: Well is it a money tree?

Me: No, money trees don't exist.

(Silence followed by both of us admiring the tree)

Chris: yeah, I guess you are probably right. Too bad.

Lorelei: (much laughter) you guys are hilarious at how funny you are and serious you were about it possibly being a money tree.

*Kind of a random post I know, but who wouldn't want a money tree and when you think there might be one, that's a serious matter! I also think that this was more of a "you had to be there moment".. because it truly was hilarious when it happened....

I WON!!!! LOOK IT!!!!

Vintage Wanna Bee: THE THREE WINNERS ARE...: "The Winners of the 4 Bobby Pins and Sequin Headband are Maren from Through the Looking Glass and LuckyTJG from Born To Win  and t..."

Scrapbooking Supplies Galore NOBIGGIE Giveaway!!!

Giveaway: Scrapbooking Supplies GaLORE! ($50 value)

Best Weekend EVER!!!

Why was it the best weekend ever you ask? Because Allie came back from Idaho!!! Granted, she was only gone about a week and a half, but we were missing her and she us. So she came and we played the whole weekend long! It was an awesome weekend also because we were LAZY. All we did was eat, sleep, watch tv and movies. I call that good times.

Here is us enjoying ourselves at Texas Roadhouse (Where Allie is a tough customer to wait upon)

Daniel was feeling a little left out that he couldn't sleep over with us, SO, we had a pajama party! Don't you just love his pajamas? We watched Dinner with the Schmucks... which... I probably wouldn't recommend to anybody.
Allie wanted us to lay on the floor with her... So down the beds went! It looks like a legit slumber party, huh? That's because it was! Allie also made us this delicious pull apart monkey bread thing for breakfast on Saturday Morning which we devoured and which Daniel came back over to enjoy.

All is right in the world when the cars out back look like this... Oh how we miss our Allie so!
I have to say that it was a very good weekend. Again, we didn't do much.. but eat sleep and watch tv, but we loved spending the time together! We love you Allie and are so glad when you come to visit!

BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!

***Editors note: I would also like to give a shout out to Charles in our ward who is a great friend to us! He came over and chipped away all of the ice and snow in the back so that our cars could get in and our easier without being stuck or struggling everytime! THANK YOU CHARLES THIS SHOUT OUT GOES TO YOU! I also think I should add that I am no longer Emergency Prepardness Co-Chair, but Visiting Teaching Supervisor. Go me!

New Zodiac Sign

New Zodia Signs!?! No way!!!
ARIES=April 19-May 13
TAURUS=May 14-June 19
GEMINI= June 20-July 20
CANCER= July 21-Aug 9
LEO= August 10-September 15
VIRGO= September 16-October 20
LIBRA= October 31-November 22
SCORPIO= November 23-November 29
OPHIUCHUS= November 23-December 17
SAGITTARIUS= December 18-January 18
CAPRICORN= January 19- February 15
AQUARIUS= February 16-March 11
PICCES= March 12-April 18

***Editors note....I have heard that this is not true and that the Astrologist that did this was basiging it off of something else... I have also heard that if you are born in 2009+ that you follow this new calendar... All in all I think it is RIDIKK and that we should all just stay our same signs. If this is the truth.. I sure feel bad for those that got tatoos of their signs and now aren't that sign! The world is crazy... And coming to an end.

PEZ!

I don't care what they say. I love me some pez candy. And it's even cooler coming out of a Cinderella dispenser. Take that world! I will always be a kid at heart... and have a tender place for my beloved pez candy.

Oh how I love me some give aways!

My cute friend Ashley Allen is just getting her fun little business up and running. She has an etsy shop, a facebook page, and a creations blog and does cute craft things and bows for little girls. Today the give away is bows for little girls! So I thought it would be fun. If I win, we all know they will go to Carmel and Claire...

http://ashleycreations-a.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-first-giveaway.html



If you are interested, check her out!

There is also another sweet give away for lots of scrapbook supplies at this blog:

http://oneplusoneis3.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-boyish-scrapbooking-supplies.html

The Biggest Loser

As you all know, one of my New Years Resolutions is to lose weight. I have gained quit a bit of what I like to call "grief weight" and am ready to have it go away! My work decided to help me out with this, and they started a program that is very well known as "The Biggest Loser". They are having different drawings each week and you keep a work out log, all of this cool motivational stuff to lose your unwanted weight. And, the contest starts TODAY! So, I have reinstated my 24 Hour Fitness gym membership, and as a bonus, the one in provo right up the street from my house happens to be one with a swimming pool! I also did my first weigh in... and... I am currently a "healthy" 170lbs! Goal weight is 150lbs at LEAST. I will keep you up on my weigh ins.. but for now it is going to the gym after work each day, and doing the Slimfat 3-2-1 diet and TRYING desperatly to cut coke out of my diet... we will see how that works. At the very least I should be able to cut down my intake. I am hoping that I will be at LEAST to 160lbs before Carmel and Claire's birthday extravaganza.. and FOR SURE my goal weight of 150lbs before Kristen and Daniels wedding. So, wish me luck and any words of encouragement would be GREAT! Hooray for New Years Resolutions and the ongoing battle of losing weight. *Sigh*

Daniel the Icicle Man

Our house is quite an adventure in the winter time I have decided. The driveway is a mess, the streets are never plowed, it's icy, cars ALWAYS get stuck, and the latest addition is the massive icicles that hang off of our room. I don't have many complaints about the icicles since they do not really affect me. The do however, have a big affect on dear Daniel. It has created a black ice part on our sidewalk where he always tends to walk, and has on occassion, fallen. So, the other day he walked into the house holding the icicle. He had knocked it down but it had kept in one piece! I had thrown a slight fit because I had wanted to take a picture of the huge thing, and thus became Daniel the Icicle Man.

He's a piece of work. But we love him anyways!
(And now, hopefully, he wont fall everytime he comes to visit his Fiance)

*Editors note: I did not realize how messy our room was until I looked at these pictures... So, please excuse the mess that is our room. We've been busy and have had better things to do than worry about picking up!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

My sweet brother Jeffy turned 17 on January 6th. I was thrown for a loop when my uncle Mark declared "In one year you'll be an adult!". He is still supposed to be little! He is growing up just way to fast! He got to go to Famous Dave's for dinner on the 6th and got to skip school and stay home. (I was not able to make it to birthday festivities that day due to a malfunctioned car) We had his brithday party with the Linnell Family Sunday the 2nd and the Brown party yesterday the 9th. I think his favorite present is the big ole' tool bench thing he got from my mom that goes with his big ole' tool box he got from Santa. I love you Jeffrey! He is a big help to our family and is so kind and willing to help with everything. It pays to have a brother that knows what he is doing with everything! Happy Happy Birthday to you!

UG!

This was my car Yesterday...

Yeah it sucked. What a JOKE.

Here's what happened:

I woke up, did my normal routine of going to work, got all of my stuff together to head home to West Jordan for Jeff's birthday, went out to my car and it wouldn't start. Wouldn't unlock either. Finally I was able to get into the car, but it still wouldn't start. And the horn kept honking and the alarm kept going off. SUPER ANNOYING. So my dear Kristen brought her car around and we tried to jump it. Jumping it made the heat and radio turn on, but not the car and the engine wouldn't turn over. In distress I called work to tell them I probably wouldn't be able to come in today. Called mom. Called hyundai. Called the tow man. Luckily, my Hyundai gets free towing for 5 years... so it being an 07, I have free towing until 2012. Thank goodness. So the tow guy comes, and he was a character. Kept shaking his head and mumbling about how he wasn't going to be able to tow my car because his truck was too big and our hill was too narrow and such and such. On and on and on. Finally I asked him what do you want me to do because obviously I can't bring the car down to him, which then made him suck it up and get the tow truck up the hill and towed back down. We honked on the road the whole way to Hyundai. I had Hyundai take me to work and later that night got a diagnosis.

All of these problems were because my car was frozen engine and when we jumped it we reset everything, including the "security breech" thing. Which put my car into "panic attack" mode. So it shut down completely. Good news is, it was not the alternator or starter or the battery like we thought it was, so it did not cost me an arm and a leg.

Bad news is, I feel totally dumb.

2010 Summed Up in a Survey

What did you do in 2010 that you've never done before?
Moved out of my moms house... twice!
Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for this year?
I can't remember the ones I made last year... so I probably did not keep them. This year I did make more and I WILL keep them and they should all actually be accomplished by April.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Ashlee gave birth to cute little baby Owen
Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thank the good lord.
What countries did you visit?
None. I don't even think I visited any states this last year...
What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Have more confidence in myself, make new friendships, be financially stable.
What dates from 2010 will be etched in your memory and why?
Dads 1 year anniversary. When we went to court for the first time this year... I believe it was in June, and before Fathers day but I don't remember the exact date. I will always remember the experience though because it was the first time I came face to face with the teenage boy driver. Erin's mission farewell. The days I moved out... Also, Carmel and Claire's pageant dates! Because I had been wanting to do pageants forever and they finally let me fulfill my dream!
What was your biggest failure?
Finances. For sure.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious. No injuries, just a few colds and throw up.
What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm... I bought so much but nothing really stands out... I pay a lot of bills, buy a lot of clothes...
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Daniels! For putting a ring on Kristen!
Whose behavior made you apalled and depressed?
Occassionally, my own.
Where did most of your money go?
Everywhere. To bills, to play, to everyone and everything.
What did you get really really excited about?
Baby Owen's birth, Kristen and Daniels engagement.
Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier
Richer or Poorer? Richer
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with family. Done more spontaneous things.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
hmm... I am actually pretty pleased with everything I did. I wish I could have worked less, but that's not an option.
How did you spend Christmas this year?
Went down on Christmas Eve to my moms, had grandma and grandpa linnell over for chicken cheese soup and christmas program, woke up Christmas morning opened santa presents, went to grandma and grandpa browns, and went to grandma and grandpa linnells.
Did you fall in love in 2010?
I did not. I have yet to have a boyfriend and somebody that I truly love and consistently date.
What was your favorite TV program?
TODDLERS AND TIARAS
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. And shockingly they are all room mates. Grr.
What was the best book you read?
I loved the Hunger Games series. Saving Max was also interesting.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
None... I still can only just play the Piano and still like all of the same music.
What did you want and get?
Happiness, security, friendships, the list is endless.
What did you want and not get?
The result I got from court is not what I wanted.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Disneys Tangled
What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 20... I am sure I went out to dinner with my family... Probably did something with Kristen... Don't remember the exact details though.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my own selfish reasons, a different court response...
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
T-shirt and Jeans. Not a very fashion forward person. But, it has improved since High School
What kept you sane?
Kristen. Family.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None. I chose to fancy my mom.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay Rights.
Who was the best new person you met in 2010?
Allie Brown!
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Don't take life for granted. Life each life to fullest. Mistakes can be made, and can be forgiven, but if big enough, never forgotten.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave."-Lady Antebellum American Honey

There She Goes...

My sweet Allie packed up her things today and headed back to Idaho to continue her schooling at BYU-I. It was very bitter sweet. I have growned very accustumed to Allie and her company, and we have built a great friendship. I like to call her my "home buddy" because we have spent many a night just the two of us at home. We like to just chill and watch tv, mess around on our computers, and go to Maceys to get an ice cream cone! She will finish her schooling in July, and once she has graduated I hope she will come back down here again! You will be missed Allie! But no worries, for I am sure she will come back to visit often. I joked that I was going to get a trundle bed for her in our room... But I am not quite sure how much of a joke that was... Love you Allie and good luck down at school!

***We have a running joke that Allie cannot frown. That's why I think this picture is hilarious and perfect for this post. She is sad to be leaving, and this is the best of a frown she can do. I think she did pretty good though in this picture... Funny times and many inside jokes.

Texas Memorabillia

Last week Kristen and Daniel were in Texas visiting Daniel's parents and family for the Christmas season . I had told both of them I wanted to have a cowboy hat brought back for me. But, a cowboy hat is a very high demand, big space taker uper when it comes to packing it home, and a big investment moneywise. So I promised instead something else as a souvenir to their trip. Daniel's dad was kind enough to think of me and brought me back the item in the first picture, which is a texas snowman hanging. I LOVE it and hung it up right away (much to Kristen's dismay as she considers it a "christmas" decoration since it says Noel on it) I figure it can stay up as long as their is snow on the ground! The other came right from Kristen and Daniel and is a cute little pin I have stuck to my purse that says "I am loved." I am so glad they had a good time in Texas and that Daniel's family is so loving and open armed towards my Kristen. Makes giving her up and sending her away there THAT much easier. Happy texas times!