New Year's Eve Bash Idea

One of my favorite websites hosted a "creative party" contest. One of the top ten ideas is for a New Year's Eve party. This year I'll be at my parent's house babysitting for my sister so I get to throw a party for the kids. We'll have a little different decor than this, but we are going to have so much fun!

Christmas at the Cabin

Before we went up to my family's cabin at Beark Lake, Kent and I were able to go with his family to the temple. It was a nice way to slow down and be reminded the reason for this season. At this time of year I am thankful for the knowledge of the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am humbled to know that He came to earth for me to atone for our sins so each and every one of us can return to live with Him again. I am grateful for the sweet reminder of the importance of His role in my life. On Christmas Eve we went to be with my family. With over 30 people, things were very busy! We enjoyed traditions including chili dinner on Christmas Eve, white elephant gift exchange, siblings gift exchange, parent gift exchange and a pinata! With all of the storms going on, we definitely enjoyed a white Christmas. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas in Utah

We are in Utah already, having begun our Christmas vacation. I am hoping to post pictures soon, but until then, I wanted to keep some record of what fun we are already having. Friday night, we left home directly after Kent's work party. We loaded up the kids and drove as far as we could through the wind and snow. Yesterday morning we got up and drove the rest of the way to Alpine for the annual Rigby Family Bingo Christmas party. As usual, we had a great time seeing family, eating delicious food and going home with some wonderful gifts. Today we were privileged to go to a BYU ward to watch our niece, Lauren, perform with her singing group for their Christmas program. Their was a beautiful spirit of Christmas that carried throughout the day. We met up with Kyle and Kim's family (Kent's brother and his wife and their three children). It is almost tradition to eat at Chuck-a-rama and eat. The kids had a great time and Ethan even lost another tooth at dinner! After we ate, we went to the Gateway mall to pick up Trax to ride over to Temple Square to see the lights. We were a little early for the lights so we had some time to go through the old tabernacle, and the visitor's center. The weather was cold but our hearts were warm. It is a wonderful time of year to be with family and feel of the Spirit of Christmas.

Happy Birthday Jessica, Kate and Grandma Faye

Today two of my nieces are celebrating their birthdays that they share with my Grandma who has passed away.. My niece, Jessica Faye (my sister, Camille's oldest daughter) and Kate (my little brother, Russell's baby girl). I am not at my own computer so I don't have pictures to upload right now. They are the sweetest girls and I am lucky to be called their aunt. I love you girls and can't wait to see you soon to celebrate your birthdays with you!

Church Christmas Party

Reagran was in charge of the Christmas party for our church last weekend. She did a fabulous job playing hostess to our ward family of over 150 people!
The serving tables were darling!

The desserts were just as adorable as they were delicious!

The kids had their own tables set up around a huge Christmas tree in the center of the cultural hall with Christmas coloring pages and crayons! What a great party. Thanks Reagran!

This is a picture of Ella with her new best friend, Marin. Marin and her parents (Jonathan and Ranae) just moved into our neighborhood and our ward. We already love them so much. I told the girls to smile and they looked at each other and "cheesed it" for each other. Adorable! I have a feeling you'll see lots of pictures of these two.

Happy Birthday, Jeff

Our brother-in-law, Jeff, is having a birthday. Kent and I both used to work with Jeff, at separate jobs, before he married Kent's sister, Amy. He keeps you laughing and has a great heart. Happy Birthday Bro!

Bravo Bride

If you are planning a wedding, getting married, or just throwing some type of party- here is a new website I stumbled across. It is called Bravo Bride.
It is sort of like ebay for parties. They have anything from wedding dresses to party favors to centerpieces that they may have used for one event and no longer needed. You can find things much cheaper than in the stores. Not everything is great, but it is worth a look if you are need of some party supplies on a budget. Happy Hunting!

Farm Christmas Parade

Saturday night, we met up with some friends for the Christmas Parade. It is so amazing to see the tractors and farm equipment decked out in lights for the holidays. We saw several Santas and loved yelling "Merry Christmas" at each one! The kids were wrapped up tight with coats, gloves and blankets!




Even a house!

Monkey Dooz

I was asked to take pictures of a fun little birthday party. It was held at a salon where the girls can dress up, have their hair done, make-up applied and their nails painted before they have cupcakes and fancy drinks. Here are some pictures of a little bit of the fun these cute little princesses had!

Great Christmas Home Light Show!

My sister-in-law emailed this light show to me. Kent and I got a kick out of it. We are just thankful we don't live next to a house like this one!

Couples Christmas Dinner

Last weekend we were able to have some friends over for a Christmas dinner and gift exchange. Thank you all for making the night so enjoyable!

Trimming the Tree

The kids and I have been decorating the tree since Thanksgiving Day. We are having so much fun. Here is a picture of what you'll find in our front room.

Entertaining vs. Hospitality

I read this post on a beautiful party entertaining blog. As I am preparing to host a couples Christmas dinner at my home this weekend, I am thankful for this reminder of what is really important. I posted it to my blog so I could read it often and make this season a beautiful AND happy one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did...





As you are preparing for your {holiday} celebration, whether you are Host or Guest, keep the stress at bay by remembering this:If the turkey isn’t done on time (or over-done!), if no one likes the cauliflower dish you slaved over, if you accidentally break a wine glass….it is OK. When someone is offering hospitality to others, they are offering to serve them, to open their heart and home to them. While the table setting, decorative elements and recipes ARE wonderful elements, they are not the sole focus of the gathering. Entertaining others can often lend itself to focusing on how beautiful everything looks, how “impressive” everything is. Entertaining can often feel….stressful. Hospitality just feels good.

When we are gathering with friends and family in the name of hospitality, no one cares whether there’s dust on the baseboards or if the dishes all match. No one notices the paper napkins instead of the pressed linen ones. Everyone feels welcome and comfortable. We tuck ourselves into bed with full tummies and warm hearts, thankful for the blessing of loved ones and happy memories.

Not everyone has the gift of entertaining. That’s OK. Don’t let that be the cause of undeserved worry or tension because we all have the capacity for hospitality. Don’t spend your time apologizing that the turkey isn’t moist enough, that some guests have to sit on folding chairs or that you didn’t make enough gravy. No apologies for opening your home and pantry to others! Just enjoy the day and the chance to be a blessing to others.

Happy Birthday, Heidi

Where do I begin? Heidi is one of my friends that I hold closest to my heart. I am so thankful to be blessed with her as a part of my life. As I left my home of Utah, for the very first time in my life, I was lucky enough to have Heidi as my friend. Through the ups and downs of being a "dental student wife" she taught me more life lessons of charity, patience and love. She is such a stylish woman and mom who takes care of herself inside and out. I have the comfort of knowing Heidi and I will be friends for life. It has been hard to be away from her, without even seeing each other, for a year and half- but we have remained close and I am grateful for that. Heidi, you are beautiful and I wish I could be with you today to celebrate you and your life! I love you. Happy Birthday. This is a picture of the last time I saw Heidi. Miss you!

Who Am I?

Ethan said to me, "Mom, I have a very hard question for you. I mean- it is really hard... you might not know the answer." I was very nervous about all the things he might have heard or seen from someone at school or otherwise, and what question could be on his mind. Thoughts raced through my mind as I waited for his "really hard question." Then Ethan proceeded to say, "Why are we people? Why do we have these bodies and why are we living here?" I was amazed. My little six-year-old boy wondering such big questions about life. How comforted I was, to have the answers for my son. Kent and I told him that we are on earth to receive a body of flesh and blood, just as the Savior, Jesus Christ, did. We told Ethan that we are here to gain knowledge and wisdom and to use these truths to choose, for ourselves, between right and wrong. Our faith is tested as we listen to the Holy Ghost and endure to the end of this life to return to live with our Father in Heaven. I am thankful for my little boy and thankful for the gospel that helps us answer those really hard questions. I am grateful that Ethan knows he has a purpose and that what he chooses to do in his life does matter.

Happy Birthday Garrett

Garrett was born only 12 days after Ethan was. I can't believe that was six years ago! How he has grown! Happy Birthday! You are a special little boy.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving. I wanted to put some words down in writing about some of the things I have to be thankful for this holiday. I have to start with my gratitude for the church I belong to- the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I am thankful for the peace I feel from the knowledge of the gospel. I am thankful that I am sealed in the temple to my husband, my children, my parents, my family for all of eternity. I am thankful that I have a husband who loves me and puts up with my imperfections. I am thankful to be blessed with two healthy, loving children that are patient with me and love me unconditionally. I am thankful for amazing parents that have been righteous examples to me throughout my life. I am thankful that my husband has amazing parents that treat me as one of their own children. I am thankful that my children have wonderful grandparents that show them love and affection. I am thankful for each one of my siblings, but I have to single out my favorite sister, Camille. I am thankful for her friendship throughout my life. I am thankful all of my frienships. I have been blessed to have loyal and loving people in my life that I would consider closer than just friends, but as family. I am thankful for a comfortable home, with food on my table. I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Day that I have been able to spend it with just my husband and my children. It has been a day full of love and laughter. I'm thankful for so many things that I do not feel worthy of all the blessings I enjoy. I am thankful for all of you that have had such an influence on who I have become, and the woman I am still trying to become. I am the luckiest girl to have such wonderful people surrounding me. I hope all of you are having a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Vegas, Baby!

Since it was our 8th anniversary last week, Kent took me on a romantic weekend to Vegas. Once again, the kids stayed home with my parents and then Reagran's family so we could have some time away. We had so much fun. We rested, ate, and laughed until we felt like we had gone back in time 8 years to when we first fell in love. It was so thoughtful of Kent to take the time off work and arrange a wonderful weekend to celebrate our time together. I am thankful for my husband and my marriage. Happy Anniversary Kent. Here's to another eight years (wink, wink).
Kent even wanted to take me on a gondola ride. Although both of our expressions look so dorky, we had a fun time being sung to in Italian by an Italian named Figaro.

While we were there, we met up with Kent's old mission companions and his wife. We are thankful for their friendship, it was great to catch up.
Kent and I had our dreams come true at the wax museum!





This is an entrance to one of the nice places to eat at the hotel. Each of those tubs are filled with rose petals and candles floating in water- very romantic!

Our room had an amazing view. We loved the remote control for the curtains. It was a lot of luxury. I can't wait to go back!

Sweet Dreams!

Happy Birthday Taylor

Today is our nephew, Taylor's birthday. This is a picture of him (he's the cute kid in the center of the group) with his golf team that won the Utah State Golf Tournament. Since this year it happened to fall on Thanksgiving, we'd like to say how thankful we are for a wonderful young man that is such a great leader for his younger cousins. Happy Birthday Taylor!

Who Saw the Movie?

What did you think?

Twilight Highlights

Here are some pictures from the Twilight Party!

Above the dessert bar, we put glass canisters with apples, red ribbon, chess pieces and red and white flowers in them. To go along with that, we displayed each of the books from the Twilight saga.
We had a huge turn out (I couldn't fit everyone in my lens)! We played games, had a costume walk off, and listened to great music. This is Erin conducting the Twilight Trivia Game.
Roger (the chef) was awesome. He really got into the theme for dinner- he even dusted the vegetables with gold!

Here is a heaping platter of fresh, steaming mountain lion served with blood red gravy.


Apples dripping with blood red sauce.
If you were one of my friends, and you attended the party, you were put to work! My own mother had to earn her ticket by selling t-shirts with Kathy at the party.

Reagran played a wonderful "Alice" and told everyone's fortune to them. The line was enormous and people were loving it! The person having her fortune told to her right now was dressed up as "Billy". She was even in a wheelchair most of the night. Hilarious.

Becky and Tiffanie look exhausted after taming the masses at the lottery and silent auction table. Thank you all so much for helping out. There was a LOT to do!

Even Kent showed up to "check things out" and we made him fix the laptop for the slide show presentation! Don't feel too badly for him, he ate for free! :)