the big debate...

Short and Spikey...

OR....

Long and Shaggy...

Since Easton has had hair (roughly since he was about 1) there has been this debate about his hair. I like it long and shaggy and I think he looks so cute with his little wings and curls... Derek however thinks he looks like a girl. I'd like everyone reading this to sound off and tell me what you think. I don't want Easton to look back and think he looks femmy in all his pictures growing up-- but I just can't decide. It looks cute short as well and now I am really close to cutting it and I just need some feedback... What should we do?!?!?

I took spiderman to the park

chasing me around the playground....
this is when he discovered I was an easy target because was trying to "capture the moment"

Eastons grammy and grandpa (my mom and dad) purchased for him a Spiderman "Web Slinger" for his birthday. Up until today he had ony used with water. It came with a bottle of "web" and I hid that because right on the bottle it says it will ruin clothes, carpet, furniture, paint, pretty much everything it touches. Perfect toy for a four-year old. I told Easton I would take him to the park because it was sunny outside (miracle) and he was so excited. I felt a little guilty for making him wait so long to do it- but he really had a great time. It made a big mess though so I was glad we were outside. He was really into it and he get so into character and seriouselty he thought he was spiderman. I kept telling him Spiderman is nice and saves people and not to act so mean when he is playing super hero games. One the way home he said "Mom, superheroes get to choose if we are good or bad huh?" I guess maybe somehting sunk in...hopefully. Boys are so strange.

Young womens...

We had our New Beginnings program for the Young Women in our ward this week and I am just blown away by them yet again. They are so strong and have such a desire to do what is right and I have just gained such a love for them. They are amazing! I wanted to share the handout I made because I think it turned out really cute! It has the theme on it and the star will (hopefully) remind them to remain steadfast and immovable in their lives.

Good Deal at Goodwill.

This red frame was purchased at goodwill...
So were these peep-toe heels...
and so was this sooo cute candy dish thing...

I may complain about the crummy shopping here in our little town... but I must give credit where credit is due and say that we have the rockenist Goodwill ever. I thought Goodwill was like DI... some concept right? Oh no.. if DI and Goodwill got in a fight I would put my $$$ down on Goodwill. now... some of you may be above second hand shopping, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta due and these are poor and desperate times people. And even if I were rich I think I would still just love going to see what treasures I could find. I love to go with my friend Megan because she can see anything there and think of somethings really cool to use it for. For instance: today while we were browsing she yelped from the next isle over like she spotted a Van Gough painting or something and come to find out she had just spotted this HUGE nasty gold and black frame that was like 3' x 6'. Very ugly at first glance- a whole lot of huge ugly frame ... but she had a the coolest idea for it and well she just has that talent- you know? Anyways... one of my favorite memories of living here will be a time that I went to Goodwill with Megan and she filled up my ENTIRE cart as will as hers and also bought a huge trunk. It was so funny- she was on fire grabbing things off shelves like a crazy woman and we were just dying laughing of what her husband was going to say. So... Goodwill I thank you for many good deals, fun memories, and also for being the catch all for all my junk that I have to clear out once I buy your junk. Ahhh... the circle of life.

I'm Livin' on a Prayer

This is sort of an absurd thing to blog about...but it's the kind of mood I'm in today.

Many of you know and some may not that I am a little in love with Bon Jovi . Ok a lot in love. Don't get me wrong- it's not that kind of love (although I must say he is delicious my dad informed me not to long ago that he and Jon Bon Jovi are about the same age and so that would just be wrong...and sick ew.) but there is just this little rock star inside of me that seems to come out when I am jamming out with Jon and the band. Yes, feel free to laugh at the mental image that statement evokes. Whether I'm working out, doing housework, in the car, it just makes me feel alive. One of the my favorite things about bon Jovi is the fact that he's has been married to his high school sweetheart throughout all his fame. For some reason in my mind that validates him even more as a good musical influence...it just so endearing. ok so... I added a bunch of Bon Jovi songs to my play list for all you fans.... and for all you non- fans... well you can just stop reading my blog. :)

A funny thing happened at Winco...

Derek, Easton and I were just pulling up to our parking space at our local grovery store Winco when we saw some guy loading his grocery into his car. He had turned around to get stuff into the back seat and left his cart back by the trunk and I saw it slowly start rolling away- at first I thought to go grab it- but we were on the other side of the parking lot and so I had a sort of a moment when I wanted to see what was going to happen. It rolled accross the isle and stopped next to the place where you put your carts away and I told Derek that we had to sit there and see what the guy did. He was one of those "tough guy" looking fellows and I just wanted to see what he'd do...well- it was hilarioous. You may think I am mean for just watching, but it was so entertaining. It took him a minute and then when he looked back you could totally see his thoughts: "Hey somebody stole my groceries- who did that? I'll get them... where'd they go [he turned around and surveyed the parking lot- gearing up for a fight or something] Oh... is that my cart? [walked over to get his cart] I hope nobody saw that [ looked aroound to see who/if anyone noticed]." Needless to say Derek and I were histarically laughing! It was so funny!!! It is hard to explain how funny it was really- it was like one of those moments when you do something stupid and nobody is around to laugh- I am sure that's how he felt. The funniest part was that we had to pass by him as he was unloading his groceries and as we walked by Derek said, "Hey, that was pretty entertaining" and he either didn't hear, or completely ignored him and so we started cracking up again once we got into the store. Ha! HA!!! It was a very funny moment. I think I'll catalog that memory so I can pull it out of my brain next time I am feeling blue. :)

You can call me Betty...Betty Crocker.

HoW CuTe iS ThiS?!?!

I made an investment in a fabulous new apron today that I am hoping will spark something inside me and I will turn into a fantastic chef... I am not sure yet, but I suppose even if I am going to ruin 80% of the things I cook, I might as well look fabulous while I am doing it. I had a great conversation with Derek trying to explain the difference between flowery and paisley. Ha! HA! I am making a resolution (is it too late?) to be a better cook- and to have more confidence in myself! I made a yummy pesto-alfredo-chicken and spinach salad tonight so I am 1 for 1. I know... pizza is almost impossible to ruin... but I'll work my way up. :)

Look at this!

I hope this works because it is the coolest magic I have ever seen- I mean seriousely- how in the heck is this possible?!??

Make yourself comfy...

Happy New year (a little late I know) to all you lovely people who read my blog. I don't really make New Years Resolution formally, but I love staying up late to celebrate. We arrived home from our trip to Utah to see family on New Years Eve and so our party consisted of a family sleepover in the front room- low key... we were pretty tired but we made it to midnight so...
Here are some ramblings from our trip home... we packed a lot into ten days and these pictures are really in to particular order. I would like to apologize to all our friends to whom we said we would try to get together with over the break- we really didn't have time and I feel so bad because it went by like a whirlwind and I didn't even call anybody. PLEASE still be my friends - forgive me and know that I love you!!!


Christmas day... I didn't take many pictures... the last few Christmas pictures have all been pictures of other people filming and taking pictures which really irritates me for some reason. So this year I just wanted to enjoy the moment and reactions Easton had. It was great! He was the only kid and it took him while to get into it. The very last thing he opened was a towel from my mom (she debated whether or not to give it to him because she didn't know if he'd like it) and he was more enthusiastic about that than anything else yelling out "A FROG TOWEL!!!"

I love this picture of my mom- she looks so happy. Don't you love her Hugh Hefner PJ's? Ha! HA!
Mel got some sassy new shoes from Santa... she bought the elf pajamas for herself :)


Ok... Derek's brother is a police officer and he let Easton wear his real police badge. this is his "police officer" face. Jackson was playing catch with him and he came over to me and said... "mom, I'm playing with a police officer" I guess I know who can set him straight in the future!

Taya, Bailee and Donovin are some of Easton's cousins on Derek's side. They were total hams for the camera- especially because I told them I was sending pictures to Uncle Tyler who is on a mission in Baltimore.... I have a million pictures of them --aren't they funny???

model material???




I am totally in love with my new niece Alisa- she melts my heart and I just loved holding her. She is the adorable 5-6 month age when babies are just wonderful and fun-- cooing and smiling. Can you blame me? Look at her!!!

I paid my brother-in-law dave $1 to eat a lemon skin and all. I don't know why. I just did. He ate the whole thing for a dollar. It was very entertaining. It kind of reminds me of another time when I paid my other brother-in-law Jackson $10 to drink a huge pepsi without stopping... It's pretty funny to see what they'll do..boys are so silly-stupid.

I like to call this Fridged four wheeling. Do we look cold??? We are. I made it around the block and that was about enough fun for me. Easton loves the four wheelers and he just had fun sitting on them even thought it was so cold!

Theannual crab feast... What do you do with 20 LBs of Alaskan king crab? stuff yourself silly! Oh man- I don't think I've ever been so glutenous!
I love the look on my mother in laws face- that was her real reaction to this peice of crab- no staging.. in fact I didn't even notice until I downloaded the pictures.
My aunt Debbie put on a great family party at her church and I got to see tons of my cousins and aunts and uncles. It's crazy how our family has grown! The chocolate fountain was a hit I even got my grandpa in on the action.

What would a family party be without Debbie's dress-ups. This is me about 20 years ago...
Shelly and Hudson- I love you!

sweet Gracie!
my mom and dad

my #1 cuz ad his cute wife... we decided we both married up. (:
My bro Jace- This is my one and only brother...can you tell we're related?


This is a picture of the best sledding ever. We had the perfect day, the perfect hill, and tonz of happy kids with lots of energy. My mom made hot chocolate to finish it all off and it was a great success!!!

Sassy sisters!!!


So... if you made it all the way through congrats! Now you know how I spent my Christmas Vacation! I still have two weeks to enjoy with Derek before reality starts again. This time is the best part of being a student... all the free time! We had a great trip and wish we could have stayed longer.