Thursday, December 9, 2010

December Happy List

I'll get around to finishing up my photo challenge
I promise.

But today I am posting a happy list.
Because I need a little lift of happiness today.

And since it is December,
I am making it a December/Christmas themed happy list,
to keep in the spirit of things.


  1.  My Dad, Kenzie and Rebecca. (December birthday's)
  2. The Light Parade
  3. Christmas music and movies
  4.  Hot Chocolate
  5. Home made candies
  6. Snow
  7. The decorations and lights
  8. Modern Medicine
  9. New pajama's and socks to wear Christmas Eve
Not all of these are December/Christmas themed
some I just need to express my thanks for.
But I am so happy for each one of these beautiful things.

Friday, December 3, 2010

So...

Remember that one time I said I was going to do a 30 day challenge?

Yeah apparently I forgot too.
Or got lazy.

But I will catch up on those
(because I think they are kind of fun)
and fill you in on the other happenings in my life soon.

Maybe this weekend...
I have 4 days off...
I may go insane...

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 6, 7, 8 and 9

Wow can you say slacker...
I missed 3 days on this picture challenge
so now it is time for catch up.

Day 6: A photo that makes you laugh


This is Braxton.
He cracks me up.
He thinks he is a serious hunter
just like his daddy.
Day 7: A photo of someone you love


How about of 2 people I love?
These are my two best friends
Kami and Kassidy.
Love them!
Day 8: A photo of your favorite band/musician

If you don't know who this is,
I am not sure if we can be friends.
Day 9: A photo of your family


This photo is about a year and a half old.
There is a new little girl
(notice Shalane, front right)
Then Jess is expecting a girl
and Amanda is expecting twin girls.

Yeah my family is huge!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Day 5

A photo of yourself

Hmmm should I do recent?
Or old?
Or when I was little?
Too many options!

So I'll just go with this one for today


I showed this picture before
but it is one of my favorites!

I was Madonna from her Like a Virgin video
for a rally we had with Verizon in Las Vegas.

My mom helped me make my awesome tutu
and I had so much fun this night!
Really I would wear that tutu all the time
if it were back in fashion!

Have a great weekend blends!

See you tomorrow.


Friday, November 12, 2010

The 4th day

A photo of the last place you went on holiday

Oh well doesn't that sound fancy?

The last place I went on holiday was
Sweet Home Alabama!
To see my wonderful sister and her cute family!



Katie, Kenzie, Jenny and Me
enjoying some girl time while
Mariann took Ethan to the Dr.

Miss you guys!
I will come visit soon!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Day 3

A photo that makes you happy

The following photo not only makes me happy
but cracks me up!

Please note the following things:
  • I am wearing 3 shades of blue
  • Kassidy's face
  • Our creative use of fruits and veggies


I think it is safe to say that
Kassidy would kill me for posting this picture!
Good thing she doesn't ready this blog!

Love you Kass!

This photo was taken shortly after I had moved to Cedar.
It was the first big snowfall since I was living there,
so as soon as I got home from work Kassidy and I
decided we needed a snowman in our yard.

The snow was so powdery so it wouldn't pack
and we were freezing by the time we were done,
but it was so much fun!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 2

A photo of yourself a year ago

Ok so this one was hard.
Because, as most of you know,
last year at this time I was living on St Thomas!
(you sick of hearing about that yet? Because I talk about it a lot, sorry)


And I have A LOT of pictures from there.
So narrowing it down was difficult.
But here goes:



Brynne and I on Virgin Gorda
This was taken on part of our tour of The Baths
right before we came around to Devils Bay.
More pictures here.

As much as I love Utah
and snow and winter
and everything we have here,
I wouldn't mind going back and seeing this again.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

30 day Photo Challenge

So I am trying out this little challenge

For 30 days you post a different picture that falls under the category
then give maybe a little story with it.

I will have to make a few changes, but I think it sound fun!

Day 1: Your Facebook Profile Picture



It was Halloween
I was carving pumpkins
Does it need any more explanation?

See you tomorrow for day 2!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Last week I woke up to a text message from my singles ward.
That night they were holding a costume party for Halloween!

Awesome! 
I love dressing up!

Only problem my original costume idea was maybe not church appropriate...
(it was better then years past, but shorts and fishnets...probably not)

So I had to think of something fast!

I went to the fabric store and picked up a few different patterns
then recruited my mom to help.

My ultimate goal:
Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas

My mom is A-MAZ-ING
and made this:


Not only did it turn out great
but I won Best Costume at the activity!
(she made both these costumes in just a few hours)

Thanks again Mom!
You are awesome!

Thriller!

It was so fun to get away to St George a few weeks ago!

Angie and I went down Friday to attend the
What Woman Want Expo.
They do this twice a year and I love it!

After that we met up with Bethany for sushi.
I hadn't had any since St Thomas
when my friend Sam invited us to the Ritz
and made us so many delicious rolls!
I love sushi so it was so good to have some again!

The next day my mom and Amanda came down
and we all shopped until we dropped!
(literally...none of us wanted to walk another step)

Then that night we went to THRILLER!!!


Odyssey dance theater is so good
and I love watching them any chance I get.


One of my favorite parts of the night was seeing my friend Karolann.


Each year dancers are selected to mingle/frighten the crowd before and after the show
and they also get to join in on the final dance of the night.


She did so good! 
It was so fun to see her dancing as a professional
after being on drill team with her years ago.


All and all it was a great weekend!

Friday, October 29, 2010

I went to this concert...

And she is A-MAZ-ING!!!

Not even joking
she is so good live.

This song is originally by REM,
but wow she sings it so good.

She uses a looping pedal for the background
and I was blown away.

Next time she comes in concert
I WILL be going again!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Its the weekend!

Working retail you sometimes forget that sometimes people don't work on the weekends
and that they can go enjoy themselves for a few days!

In the past 3 months I have only had 3 Saturdays off...
and it gets old pretty fast.

But this weekend I am going to St George with Angie!
Shopping and not having a schedule sounds so good!

My mom and Amanda will come down on Saturday
and we are all going to THRILLER!!!

Remember when I went a few years ago?

So excited to see it again!

Enjoy your weekend and see you next week!

Giveaways!

I was reading NieNie today
(her blog is inspiring, really it is)

and she is doing a giveaway with

The VP makes beautiful jewlery
and I love it all.

Go check it out and enter the giveaway!

What is even better then one giveaway though?
TWO!

There is a second giveaway
on VP so check it out as well!

And if you win let me know!
I will only be a little bit jealous.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My cousin.

So this past weekend my family lost one of my cousins.  This hit me in different ways.
  1. Shock
  2. Sadness
  3. And not really knowing what to do.
See here is the thing.  He is my cousin, and I do love him and it is a really sad thing.  But I didn't really know him.  Growing up his mom never came around to family functions- so I didn't really know any of my cousins in his family- and when they did come I was to busy playing with his sister who was the one girl cousin my age!  Then when I was in high school his mom passed away, then our grandma the next year, and our grandpa two years after that.  I don't say this for sympathy but show how little we saw each other.  Other then those 3 times I have not seen him in the past 6 years, at all.  I know little details that have happened in his family, and seen a few of his family members but never him.  I am so incredibly sorry to his siblings for another loss in their life.  And to his wife, to become a widow so young.  And I hope he is happy now.  I hope he is no longer sad and feeling whatever it was that made him get to this point.  I do love you Z and hope that you are happy.



Z. MCDONALD

Visit Guest Book

Z McDonald "My Best Friend" Our beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend unexpectedly left his earthly home, we miss him dearly. Z was the son of Dennis and Laurel McDonald. He was born in Salt Lake City and was the fourth of six children. He was raised in West Bountiful surrounded by three sisters and two brothers. Z graduated from Mountain High School in 2003 and began work as a lot attendant at Larry H. Miller Ford. He excelled in his employment and received many promotions; his current position was as sales manager. Z had a passion for his work. Everyone who purchased a vehicle from him or engaged with him at work left knowing they had been taken care of by a man who truly loved what he did. He worked there for seven and a-half years. Z, along with his wife and little brother, had two dogs, Daxon and Jace, he was utterly devoted to them. Z enjoyed having fun: we all have memories of tossing the football; trips to the lake; hearing him revel in stories of playing racquetball with his brother, Veto; taking his wife Lindsey for rides on the motorcycle; running, yelling, tickling, laughing, and climbing with his eight nieces and nephews. Z loved music. Music was part of his every day from singing and playing funny instruments to blasting the radio and his iPod. Z loved to watch movies with his wife and in conversation was frequently throwing movie quotes and quizzes at whomever he was engaged with. Z dated and married the love of his life, Lindsey Parkin McDonald, in August of 2005. They shared five wonderful years together. She will hold dear the memories of all the different ways he expressed his love to her and the many nick names he used to express that devotion. She greatly misses him. I love you, babe! Z was preceded in death by his parents Dennis T McDonald and Laurel B McDonald, and his grandparents. He leaves behind his loving wife, Lindsey, whom he referred to as his "heart"; siblings Tavis "Veto" McDonald, Savannah (Justin) Leeper and children Caden and Carsen, Ian McDonald, Samara (Steve) Brinkman and children Brooklyn and Charlotte, and Sarah (Ben) Elmer; in-laws Dennis and Chris Parkin, Matthew Parkin, Scott Parkin (Doug Redding), Megan Parkin, Wendy (David) Shafer and child Ethan, and Jennifer (Daimian) Izatt and children Logan, Cason, and Raisa. Bye, love you. A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main, on Tuesday, October, 12, 2010, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, October, 13, at Russon Brothers at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 prior to the service. Interment - Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com

Rise and Shout!

This past Saturday I went with my Singles Ward to a
BYU football game!!!


It was so much fun.

(me, Jennifer and Melissa)

I hadn't been to a football game in a few years.
It was so fun to be in the crowd
cheering and yelling and just being completely "in" the game.

(cheap seats = the very top corner of the field)

There were few awkward moments
that had nothing to do with the game itself
but in the seating arrangements
but that is a story for another day...


Oh and BYU pulled out a win
so that made it even better!

Friday, October 1, 2010

October!

Oh October...
I love you!

Your crisp weather
General Conference
Baseball playoffs
Halloween
Sweaters and tights
Football games
Boots
Colored leaves
Hoodies
Trips to the cabin

Oh I have missed my beautiful October
with your wonderful fall weather!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fun little video

So I saw this video on The Rockstar Diaries
and thought I would share.

Love it!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Telephone

Two things I love about this video
  1. Glee is back, and still amazing!!!
  2. Some of the lyrics are very fitting for me right now

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Baby!

Today my sister Amanda found out the sex of her baby...

......

....

.......

.....

...

.....

Twin Girls!!!

She was measuring big so her doctor moved the ultrasound up
to see if she was father along then they thought or to see if it was twins.
And she was right!

I am so excited.
I think Amanda is just freaking out.
But that is expected right?

They will be adorable!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

I did it!

I made a goal to cook every day while my parents were gone.
And even though one night I technically baked instead of cooking
I did it!

My parents will be home tonight
and so I am very proud of myself!

Tonight I made homemade pasta!

If you know me you know I love pasta,
and homemade is even better!

I used a recipe from Pioneer Woman
and it was really easy.

I love her blog, her photography and her recipe's.

If you are ever out of ideas on what to cook,
go to her website, she has some awesome recipe's!

Oh and the pasta was delicious!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Dessert!

So tonight instead of cooking
I had leftovers.

Then I made me this!

Candy Apple Dessert Squares!

I found the recipe in an old cookbook
and it sounded so good!
I went to the store and bought every ingredient for them!

They may look kind of odd
but OH MAN are they good!!!

(yes that piece missing is from me, I had to taste them!)

Just thought I would share!

They are brownies
covered in a cream cheese and caramel topping
with apple pieces and
recces peanut butter cup pieces
crumbled over the top
then drizzled with caramel!



Friday, September 10, 2010

3 nights in a row!

You all might not care about what I eat,
but I am really proud of myself!

Three nights in a row I have made dinner for myself!

Normally when I am home alone I am hitting up
ever fast food place in town.

This week, I haven't been to one!

Go me!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

2 nights in a row!

I made dinner again tonight!
I forgot to take a picture
but it was delicious!

I made a Chicken and Rice casserole,
simple, easy and yummy!
Plus we had all of the ingredients already at my house!

This whole cooking thing is much better for the wallet.
Maybe I can buy a new pair of shoes with what I save...

ha ha! Just teasing!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

I am a chef!

Or learning to be one.

I have always been big on baking.
Cookies, cakes, bars... that sort of thing.
But cooking was another story.

I can make pasta, and simple easy things
that help keep someone alive at college.
But homemade items,
not the stuff from a box,
I have never been that great at.

So my mom and I have decided that needs to change.
See my mom is an awesome cook.
She can just throw random things together
and they always turn out so yummy!

This past weekend she taught me how to make a pie crust
(yes this is baking and not cooking but she is a pro at them)
and I must say, it turned out really well!

Well today my parents left to California for a few days,
but I decided that I was still going to cook
and not resort to going to a fast food place for dinner.

So I made Pizza, from SCRATCH!!!
I was pretty proud of myself.
I had never made the dough by myself before
so I was really nervous on how it was going to turn out.

But after checking on it a few times
I think it turned out really well!

I made the sauce as well.
Go me!

(sorry for the weird angle, it happens when I have to use the timer on my camera)


And touchdown on finally cooking for myself!


Loving this song today.
A little old
but so, so, so good!



Sunday, September 5, 2010

Nervous!

Right now I am waiting for a certain someone to come pick me up.
We are going to my cabin.
We as in me and him,
plus my parents, Jessica's family, Amanda's family and Keldon's family.

Besides the fact that everyone is going to be there,
we are staying overnight.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I ran away...

A few weeks ago I ran away.

Ok so technically I drove.
And I only left for about 2 hours.
But I left the house because well...
I NEEDED TO!

Sometimes I need me time.
But when you live with family
(and during this time it was lots of family)
you don't get me time that often.

So I ran away and decided to remember
why I love where I live again.

Here are some pictures from my night.

Hope you enjoy!






I have a lot more,
but these were some of my favorites!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

If you see a Guy reach for stars in the sky...

Last Saturday my mom and I went to Salt Lake for the day.
We attended a luncheon at a country club
(it sounds so fancy!)
went shopping at the Gateway
and then that evening we attended
Guys and Dolls!

I was so excited for this for 2 reasons:
1. I was a hotbox dancer for this play in high school
2. One of my best friends Scotty was Benny!


I love this play and this was a great production of it!
I was so impressed with most of the lead characters
but Miss Adelaide was my favorite!
(I wish I had a picture!)
She was awesome and kind of stole the whole show.

But the other best part was watching Scotty do something he loves!


(sorry this one was taken on my phone)

I have known Scotty for about 4 years now
and I knew he sang,
I knew he use to do plays in high school,
but I had never seen him perform.

He did AWESOME!!!
I was so proud!
It was also hilarious to watch him dance.
And Benny was the perfect part for him
because sometimes while he was up there
he was just being himself, not playing a part.

My mom laughed at me for laughing at him,
but I couldn't stop!

I almost hope I can go again when I am up there this weekend!

Good job Scotty!
I hope you start doing plays more often!

Monday, August 16, 2010

One year ago

  • I was packing up 2 suitcases with the clothes and items I would need for 5 months.
  • I was saying goodbye to my family for 5 months.
  • I was picking up my best friend and driving to Salt Lake.
  • I was getting ready to start a week of training for a job that would take me thousands of miles away from home.
  • And I was scared silly.

I can't believe that a year has gone by!  I was so excited to go on the biggest adventure of my life!  To go to a tropical island and live in a place where I wouldn't know a single person except for my best friend Kassidy who was going with me.  A place that I had only found out 3 weeks before that I would be moving to. 

I had no idea what adventures would come my way.  The people I would meet.  The places I would visit.  I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to go there.  For everything I learned about myself and the world.  One year goes by so quickly!

Also another celebration that is going on today is a blog-o-versary over at Love and Happiness!  To celebrate she is hosting a giveaway.  Go enter and if you win I want one of the caramels! lol

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Remember

Those adorable pink Toms Shoes for a little girl
that I talked about a little while ago?

Well my oldest sister found out this week that
she is having a little girl in December!

I think I just found my excuse for buying those...

Little girls are so much fun!

Congrats Jess!  I am so excited for you!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Gummy Worming!

The other night I was in high school again
or maybe middle school even
but it was so much fun

My niece Lydia and my sister-in-law's
two sisters Sara and Rosie were staying at my house for the night
and I decided we needed to do something fun and adventurous

so we went Gummy Worming!

In case you don't know what this is let me explain...
1. Buy original type of gummy worms, not the sour ones
2. Get most of the said gummy worms wet, usually by putting them in your mouth
3. Flick wet gummy worms around so they get nice and sticky
4. Drive around town and find unsuspecting people or cars
5. Throw gummy worms at said people or cars

(please keep in mind we live in a very small town
where mischeif like this is not uncommon)

These girls were a blast to do this with!
I mainly was just the driver, but I got in a few good ones myself.
I also made sure we were listening to proper music
Backstreet Boys, Lady Gaga and Ke$ha.
Yeah we know how to jam.

(action shots are always the most unflattering,
but the funniest!)

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Turn that frown upside down

Yesterday I was having one of those days where everything was sort of setting me off.
After my nephew and I had a small episode over a snack I decided I needed to cool off.

So this is how I fixed my mood:

I made cookies with my niece Gwen for my good friends birthday.

And while we did this we watched a musical.
Yesterday's choice was The Music Man.

By the time the cookies were out of oven and the band marched down the street
I was a happy girl!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Small update

I need to make quite a few posts.
I am behind.
But for today this is what you get.

My current playlist:
Use Somebody by Tyrone Wells (this is a remake, and possibly better then the original)
Hideaway by The Weepies
King of Anything by Sara Bareilles
Break Me Out by The Rescues
5:19 by Matt Wertz
Wild At Heart by Gloriana
Paris (oh la la) by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Latest

One of the blogs that I read and love is

Well earlier this week she posted about some
of the latest things she loves
and I thought I would take her lead
so here goes!

Lately I've Been Listening To:
Sara Bareilles
Josh Kelly
Lady Antebellum
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
(I heard about them from this blog and I am in love!)

Reading:
Can You Keep A Secret by Sophia Kinsella
Heart of The Matter by Emily Giffin
Return to Red Castle by Dorothy M. Keddington
(don't judge me that I have read this book over 30 times before...)

Wearing:
Maurices clothing!
ha ha a given since a work there...but seriously now
Toms Shoes and lots of flats
Something about this summer has made me want simply flats
and not the heels
weird for me I know...

Watching:
The Twilight Movies
Pshyc
Kourtney and Khole Take Miami
(yeah I love it, don't judge)

Eating:
hmmm cant think of any food I have
had a ton of but I have been
addicted to MetroMint Water!
So good and refreshing.
I like the Orangemint, Lemonmint, Spearmint and Peppermint

Working on:
Trying to find a job in the SLC area
so I can move!

What have you been doing?

Monday, July 26, 2010

Dear Blends:
I have been away in Alabama!
Visiting my sister and her family.

I fly home tomorrow.
And latter this week I promise to update again!

Love you all!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Rodeo!

Every year Salina has a big rodeo as part of their 4th of July celebrations. 
We haven't been for a while, but we decided to go this year
and I am so glad we did!


I loved it!


Almost everyone from my dad's family was there, including most of my family.
I love small town event's like this and I am so happy to live where I do!



Rodeo's are a blast
but definitely not for big animal activists...



Ha ha no worries though
no animals were hurt during this rodeo!


somehow Rosie fell asleep during it...



Thursday, July 15, 2010