Busy, Busy, Busy!

Yesterday was such a fun filled, busy day! I started off the morning in SLC at two of my cousins wife's baby showers. It was nice to go and visit with family. Here are some pics from the shower....
Me and my grams

Chelsie and Spencer

And of course, Spencer and I...

After the shower, Chelsie and I went shopping and ate lunch. I think this picture of Spencer was so adorable...

I decided to go visit Benton's grandparents since I had about an extra hour. Benton went to the U game so it was just me, which I think kinda surprised them. I love visiting with his Grandparents, they are so extremely smart. His grandpa is 91 and his grammy is almost 89 and they still live in their house, taking care of each other. I think that is so amazing, they are still sharp as ever. It's crazy they start telling me dates from over 50 years ago, I can barley remember yesterday...I wish my memory was as great as theirs! After visiting with them I met my friend Ashley at the Layton Park with her 2 cute kids. We just sat and visited for about 2.5 hours. It was nice getting together with her, I love days when you can just hang out at the park. So all in all it was a very fun day, I was exhausted once I got home. I ended up falling asleep at 8:30 with my make-up on (I hate that!)

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!!

Two days ago Dave and Marie (Benton's Dad and Step-mom) won the Most Beautiful Yard Award for Sunset City! We are so excited for them, they deserve the award more than anybody I know. Marie works in her yard hours almost daily, I don't know anybody who takes such pride in their yard work. I love going over to their house and sitting at their table in their backyard because it is so gorgeous. For years they worked on redoing their yard and it has certainly paid off! I wish I was more like them with loving yard work, I just don't have the knack for it....I didn't plant one flower this year, terrible I know! So last night I drove over while Benton was at school to see their sign and congratulate them on their accomplishment! Here are some pics...
Dave and Marie

Front Yard

Backyard

What a great accomplishment! Congratulations!!!

All Done!

I finally finished making my salsa for the year. Last year I only made 1 batch of salsa and half way through the year, we ran out. So this year I made 2 batches. It's not hard, just time consuming. For 1 batch it takes about 6 hours total. I am lucky enough to make my salsa with Benton's step-mom Marie. She is so willing to help me make it at her house. I really enjoy having someone to make it with, the time goes by much quicker! They have the best set up in their basement for canning.
Here's what it looks like...preparing all the veggies...


Cooking on the stove...

While it was cooking, Marie and I watched Chicago. I really appreciate Marie for letting me take over her day with canning salsa for me. She's so nice to help me and I love talking to her. Here is 1 batch of the finished product....

Yay, I'm so happy it's done. Homemade salsa is so Yummy!

FrIeNdS!

Last night I met up with 2 of my friends that I hadn't talked to in about 5 1/2 years! I'm going to take you back to how I met each of these girls.

I met Kamie when I moved to Utah in 8th grade. We instantly hit it off, we were inseparable, always sleeping over at each others house's, going on vacations together, shopping at the mall, we seriously were hooked at the hip. It got a little harder once I began High School, since she was a year younger and still in Jr. High. We lost contact after my wedding and I really have regretted loosing her as a friend. So thanks to Facebook I was able to e-mail her and apologize for being such a rotten friend. Kamie was so willing to forgive and forget. I am so happy to have her back in my life! She is still the same old Kamie and I am glad that we could rekindle our friendship.

With Ashley I met her during our sophomore year of High School, she moved in half way through the year and like Kamie, Ashley and I instantly were the best of friends. We had a friendship different from others, it's even hard to explain. I think it was because we were so much alike. I have so many great memories with Ashley! One of my best memories is singing in the car together, we'd blast the radio as loud as we could and sing on the top of our lungs, it was awesome (not for others, I'm sure!). I see things all the time that remind me of my friendship with Ashley. We have both changed and matured, which I know will just make us stronger as friends.

I could have have talked all night, I'm sure Red Robin is thankful we didn't! Thanks guys for such a fun night!

LOTOJA 2009

I tagged along with Stephanie and Tim for quite an adventure this past weekend. Tim has been preparing all year to do the Logan to Jackson Hole bike ride, that's right...it's 206 miles, and yes they do it in one day! It is so extremely amazing, and inspiring! We left Ogden at 4:30am and jammed to music in the car to Logan. Tim was all pumped up for the day ahead of him. So Steph and I supported him along the way, giving him more water/Gatorade and of course plenty of food. As you know I did my first century ride (100 miles) this year and couldn't imagine doing that twice in a row....seriously I applaud all those who do this. Tim has done it the past 4 years and has gotten better times each year. Way to go Tim, what a great accomplishment! After the ride we hung out with his friends and went to dinner at a Thai restaurant. This morning we woke up and went to the Taste of Jackson Hole....where restaurants come and you can taste many different types of food...I was stuffed by the time we left. I had a great weekend and am so glad I was able to join them! CONGRATULATIONS Tim!

Thanks Aimee!

This past month my cute sister-in-law took all our family pictures at Layton Park. She did such a great job! As you can see, I posted a new blog heading with just 2 of the photos she took. If you're interested in getting pictures taken you should check out her website it is, aimephotography.com Thanks so much Aimee, we love our pictures!

LaBoR dAy!

For Labor Day Benton and I decided to go visit my grammy in SLC and take her out to lunch. I felt bad for Benton, he had a long night of throwing up and having a bad belly ache, so I was surprised he decided to come along, but of course loved that he did. We ended up meeting Chelsie, Taylor and Spencer at Chili's. It's always nice to have an extra day off of work and spend it with those you love.
Me & Grams at Chili's

The Hansen Family

I'm so glad we were all able to meet up for lunch, and to visit with my cute grammy, I love her so much and am so thankful we live so close!

24 Hours as a Mom!

I had the opportunity to babysit Spencer for 24 hours, it was Chelsie and Taylor's 4 year anniversary. So we picked him up on Saturday night on our way to visit the Earls. Spencer was so cute in the car, he was singing and talking (nonsense of course, we couldn't understand what he was saying). Benton and I just looked over at each other and smiled, we're not use to having someone talking in the backseat. He was great at Kattie's, played, ate some dinner and was a gentlemen. On Sunday he slept in, and then we went to 2 different parks. Holy cow, parks are scary for 2 year olds....they are so big, with holes where a little guy could fall in, not sure where everyone takes their toddlers, cause it's scary! So we went to a second park, still scary, but not as bad. Here is Spencer going down a slide at the 2nd park...

Spencer and I going down together...

I didn't get ready all day...I have to give it to all you mom's out there, I'm not sure how you do everything? I was exhausted-when he napped, so did I. It was weird because Spencer was awesome, no fits, no crying, nothing, he was perfect, but for some reason I was still worn out. It was a great experience to be a mom for 24 hours, hopefully my kids will be as wonderful as Spencer.

Welcome Cache!

On Saturday night Benton & I drove down to see his sister Kattie who had her baby boy Cache on August 13th. I left for Arkansas on that day so I wasn't able to see her in the hospital...I was so sad, but was excited to go down this past weekend. He is darling, Kattie and Jay have the cuttest kids. Their little boy Cowen who is 15 months is so much fun, and his hair is so blonde! I cannot imagine having 2 kids, only 15 months apart, but they are doing great and are loving having Cache in their lives. Congratulations Earl family, we're so happy for you guys!
Kattie & Cache

Here's Cowen, isn't he a doll!

Arkansas 2009!

For the last 10 days I went and visited the Hodge's in Arkansas. We had so much fun, I braved the trip alone, left Benton behind. Sometimes it's nice to leave your hubby at home, it makes you appreciate each other way more when you come home. I loved meeting my nephew Reid who is almost 5 months, he is the cuttest little thing...he certainly is a sensitive baby. It's crazy something so little can actually get his little feelings hurt, he's adorable. Then their is Jack, who is the best little 3 year old. Every morning I would wake up to him opening my door and laying in the hall for me to get out of bed. We'd play cars multiple times everyday...it's kinda like playing Barbies but with cars...here's an example..."Hi my name is green car, what's your name? So where are you going today?...." It is so cute, he has such a fun personality, I love listening to him talk...he asks you so many questions...it's interesting sometimes when you don't quite know the answer. I love those little guys, I miss them like crazy!
I loved talking to Nick and Karly. I think Nick has such a hilarious personality, he says the oddest, funniest things. Karly is way easy to talk to and just is easy going. Here are some photos of the trip, I ended up flying into Tulsa, Oklahoma since it was $300 cheaper, my mom and dad actually were there as well (my dad had a work trip in the same area) so we all stayed in a hotel on the first night I arrived and my parents flew home the next day. What a great trip! I love you guys, miss you like crazy!