Not your typical Christmas Tree

This year I was getting the urge to get our first official Christmas tree, but I never got around to it. So when I finally got to putting up our decorations, I decided to create our Christmas tree. I was pretty pleased with what I came up with. Looking into our house, you can't tell its not really a Christmas Tree.

Where did we get a green guitar you may be wondering. Wayne had it custom made for him before he went home from his mission in Chile. Her name is Constanza ;) She looks really cool, but is third on our list of guitars when it comes to sound. I decided it was her time shine!

We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh did I tell you I'm making the 27 hours to...and 27 hours fro road trip to the Sugar Bowl with two of my brothers! I'll be sure to post on that, it should be a real adventure. (That's if I make it back alive) And no, Wayne isn't coming along...he can't hack it! But thats okay because he took his last final this morning and we'll officially be leaving the world of poor college students...I guess we'll just be poor normal people:) hee hee

This has been a good week!!!

1. The Utah Utes bowling team at my work won the 3rd annual Rivalry Week bowling match...Wayne was the MVB with an average score of 145 on two games! He really pulled through for us this year. (Every year the winning team of the bowling match ends up winning the football game)

2. The Utah volleyball team beat Colorado State this afternoon and won the Mtn. West Conference Championship.

3. And last but certainly not least, Utah Utes 48 byu cougars 24! What a fun game to be at...thanks bro for the tickets~! I'm so glad we were able to be there, its been a long time coming.

4. BCS bowl game, HERE WE COME!!! I know what I'm getting for Christmas.

My cute nephew at the U Volleyball Game...(He's been wearing that jersey every day for the past three weeks, don't worry mom washes it while he naps) He's pretty much one of the most hard core Utes Fans I know.

Tag #2

I was tagged by my by my friend Staci - http://trentandstaci.blogspot.com/ and there's not a whole lot to blog about right now, so what the heck!

Here are the rules:
1. link to the person who tagged you.
2. post the rules on your blog.
3. write six random things about yourself.
4. tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things about me

1. I could eat pizza rolls 2-3 times a week for dinner. (This is Wayne's fault, their pretty much his favorite food lately, and they are sooo tasty)

2. I work for the National Energy Foundation
A non-profit energy education company that works with teachers/students to promote general energy education and conservation. I am the Program Operation Administrator, which pretty much means I do what ever needs done when it comes to our programs. People always ask me what I do and where I work, and I hate trying to explain it...So here you go! :)

3. I could eat an entire carton of Dryers Slow Churned Ice Cream in one sitting (especially now that they make them so small, arg), but I restrain myself and spread it out over 2 sittings. That look Wayne gives me when I go back for thirds helps too! I always use really small cups or bowls to dish it up in, I think that makes me not feel so bad for going back for thirds & fourths. That's why I only buy ice cream about once a month, it is my weakness of all weaknesses.

4. My favorite Dryers Slow Churned Ice Cream flavor is the American Idol Oreo Cookies in Mint Ice cream. It was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten and I'm so mad because I only found it ONCE!! I've looked at every grocery store and have never seen it again. If anyone ever sees it, please buy it for me ( I will pay you back, plus interest) and drive up to 300 miles to pick it up. Buy every carton the store has!!! :)

5. When I find an article of clothing that I REALLY like, I buy two of them so that I have another one when the first one is old/ruined. I don't do this very often, but there have just been too many times when I need a certain item and I can't find it anywhere for years. Its like food storage, but with clothing...makes sense to me.

6. I eat candy really weird. Like with a snickers candy bar, I eat all the sides, then the top and bottom, then the nugget and last the nuts and caramel. I pretty much have a routine for every type of candy I eat. My mom has always gotten a kick out of it. I'm pretty sure I picked it up as a toddler watching the Reese's peanut butter cup commercials, oh how I have perfected it!

I just realized most of these are about food, yikes.

I tag...

Teri
Jackie S.
Jackie P.
Everyone and any one on Ladies from the Eighties
Sarah...It can be your first blog post

My First Tag :)

This is the first time I've been tagged for something!! Thanks cousin Dean, I feel so special :)

8 Favorite T.V. shows
1. Cosby's
2. Hannah Montana (I'm not ashamed...anymore)
3. House Hunters
4. The Office
5. College Volleyball
6. Life with Derek
7. Jake and Josh
8. Even Stevens

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Went to work
2. Made Dinner
3. Went to Liz & Wes's for Dinner
4. Played one round of Guitar Hero
5. Fell asleep on the couch
6. Called volleyball girls
7. Went to bed
8. Ate candy...(really exciting day huh)

8 things I look forward to
1. Wayne graduating next month
2. Buying a house....someday
3. Thanksgiving dinner.
4. Utah beating BYU - football & volleyball
5. All week off of work for Thanksgiving
6. Snowboarding
7. Jamie & Nate visiting
8. Saving money on gas by carpooling

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Olive Garden
2. Tacanos Brazilian Grill
3. Wendy's
4. Market Street Grill
5. Chili's
6. Dairy Keen in Heber
7. Famous Dave's
8. The Roof

8 things on wish list
1. Going to Hawaii
2. Being a mom
3. Buying a house
4. Tickets to the Utah/byu game
5. Not having to drive in the snow very much this year
6. Not working
7. Sleeping in every day until I wake up (Maybe in retirement)
8. Being a super good volleyball coach

8 people to tag
I don't know if eight people will read this, but if you do, and you haven't done it yet, go for it :)

Hallo-Wacky-Weensday

Here we are...can you tell which one is me? (Click on it, I dare ya)

Could you take this man serious as your coach? ha ha. My favorite part was when he kicked the football players out of the gym during our practice. I said, "Bob is over there trying to intimidate those guys while wearing a DRESS!!" What a sport. Good times.

Birthday Fun

25 on the 25th of October. Wow, I use to think 25 seemed so old, and now I'm there and its a little surreal. Like Wayne says, I'm a speed limit. Yikes. I don't think I paid to much attention to 23 & 24, so I'm a little shocked that 25 is here, but what can I do...enjoy it I guess. I better start paying attention to my age, because I seriously feel like I'm too young to be 25. ha ha... Like look at this picture taken of me yesterday...I look 13! I know there are people out there saying that I'm crazy, because 25 is NOT old, but then there are those out there thinking, yea 25 is old!!! Age is a crazy concept, so I'll stop there!

Any how I had a great birthday, I played volleyball...which is what I REALLY wanted to do, even though I play practically every day of the week, it was still number one on my wish list, and I was even hooked up with two league teams in the process! Whahoo! Then Wayne and I met my parents and family in provo for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants...Tacanos, a little shopping....Which I have a thought on that...

We went into abercrombie and immediately we were smacked in the face with the overwhelming sent of perfume..which gave us both instata-headaches...then I was reminded of a thought I had after seeing one of their billboards with a 3/4 naked man. "It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that all their adds, and pictures in their stores have 3/4 to 7/8 naked pictures of men and women in them. They are a clothing store for HEAVENS SAKE!!! What are they thinking!!!" Seriously I needed to get some more smell goods at Victoria's Secret, and it was more awkward walking through abercrombie with my husband than it was in Victoria's.

Then we went home and rented the Ultimate Gift...which was a birthday miracle because I received it for free!!! Who knew you got a free movie rental on your birthday? Thanks Hollywood Vid...sorry I don't rent from you any more thanks to red box. It was a pretty good show, it has a good message and now I want to read the book, because I'm sure its even better. (Jamie can you believe I just said that??)

So I had a great day, thanks to my awesome husband. He always makes sure to make my birthday a special day, even though at one point all I wanted to do was vacuum my carpet with my new VACUUM! It was quite rewarding though, I've been wanting a good vacuum for years and years. Thanks Wayne!

Happy Halloween Ya'll

This is our pumkin from a few years back.  I don't know if we'll ever be able to top this one, but we will sure try.

Goin' Home

Wayne and I were finally able to make it out to Neola for a nice three day weekend. Its been almost four months since I was there last, and a lot has changed. My parents doubled the size of the pond in the back yard and added an island for the ducks, purchased a four wheeler and added a side lawn to their already ginormaous yard. It was fun to see all the changes, and Wayne had lots of fun dreaming up his adventure for next summer. I'll just let you know it involves the pond, the four wheeler, PVC pipe, large intertubes and his wakeboard. I'm just excited to tape it, because I'm banking that we'll have some great footage to send into AFV and Country Fried Videos.

Me & my good Neola buddy Marleigh...We've been friends since the day she was born. I'm pretty sure I've been her friend longer than anyone else....besides family of course.

Aside from chillin with family, one of my favorite parts of going home is going to church in my home ward. I love the feelings I have when I see the friends I grew up with, and all my leaders and teachers from nursery up to young womens. There is just something special about being surrounded by all those great people that helped me to become the person I am today. (Especially my YW president...you know who you are ;) It is kind of crazy to see the little kids, that were literally babies when I was there, and now their passing the sacrament and going into young womens. It hits me how old I really am, even though I still feel like I was just a young woman myself...and that I'm not old enough to be teaching them. Crazy. I'm so grateful for growing up in Neola, even though I never thought I would say that. I look back and really appreciate the opportunities I had, the friends I love and the things I learned growing up in a small town. I am always amazed at how that great town pulls together and helps each other out when tragedy stikes. It is truely a humbling experience to see how they serve one another. I still remember how much people did for my family when my Grandma died, I will never forget the love they showed my family. I love living in the Salt Lake Valley, but that is one thing I really miss, the closeness you feel to those around you.

We did it!

My volleyball team won the re-match we had with our rivals, the #1 ranked team in 4-A, Murray 3-0. Whahoo! It was seriously so exciting...The girls played awesome, they are so amazing. One day I hope I'm as good as them!

Wacky Wednesday Outfits* ( I can't wait to see what they come up with for Halloween)

*We all dress up in crazy outfits on wednesdays, hense wacky wednesday. I laughed so hard at some of these get-ups...

Cottonwood Volleyball

So my life right now pretty much involves 3 things...Wayne (fun), Work (not fun) & Coaching Volleyball (fun).

I coach Volleyball at Cottonwood High School, and I absolutely LOVE IT! It is definitely my dream job, and I'm soooooo blessed to be able to do it. Cottonwood is the most perfect program for me to be at. The girls are amazing...on and off the court. The other coaches are awesome, and I learn so much from them. And heck the school colors are even gold and black...just like Union, my HS alma madder! So I feel just at home. So we are having an awesome season thus far, and I'm so excited for the rest of it. We are 19-5 on the season and 7-1 in Region, currently ranked 4th in 4-A! The most amazing part about our starters consist of 1 Junior and 5 sophomores!! So they'll be around for a while.

We have so much fun and I love every minute I get to spend with the girls! I'll keep you posted on how our season ends up. If you're in the Salt Lake valley and you want to come to a game, let me know I'll send you the schedule. That is one thing we need more of....FANS in the STANDS!

UTAH 31 oregon st. 28

My friend Dari and I after the game

Just in case any of you are wondering what we're singing at the games. (Okay okay I only know the last line, but I do a pretty convincing mumble through the rest of it:)...Whoever thought I would be proud of referring to myself as a MAN??? ha ha.

"UTAH MAN" 

VERSE 
I am a Utah man, sir, and I live across the green. 
Our gang, it is the jolliest that you have ever seen. 
Our coeds are the fairest and each 
one's a shining star. 

Our yell, you hear it ringing through
 the mountains near and far. 

CHORUS 
Who am I, sir? A Utah man am I A Utah man, sir, and will be till I die; Ki!Yi! 
We're up to snuff; we never bluff, 
We're game for any fuss, 
No other gang of college men 
dare meet us in the muss. 
So fill your lungs and sing it out and 
shout it to the sky, 
We'll fight for dear old Crimson, 
for a Utah man am I. 

VERSE 
And when we prom the avenue, all lined up in a row, 
And arm in arm and step in time as down
the street we go. 
No matter if a freshman green, or in a senior's gown, 
The people all admit we are the warmest
gang in town. 

CHORUS

VERSE 
We may not live forever on this jolly good old sphere, 
But while we do we'll live a life of
merriment and cheer, 
And when our college days are o'er and 
night is drawing nigh, 

With parting breath we'll sing that song: 
"A Utah Man Am I". 

CHORUS

GO UTES!!!!!

Looked Fun...Read at your own boredom :)

What to do: Copy this list on your Blog, and bold the things you've done.

1. Touched an iceberg

2. Slept under the stars

3. Been a part of a hockey fight

4. Changed a baby’s diaper

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Swam with wild dolphins

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a tarantula (I have pictures)

10. Said “I love you” and meant it

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise

15. Seen the Northern Lights

16. Gone to a huge sports game(07 NCAA Volleyball Championships!)

17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (Always in Seminary when I was suppose to read a scripture...always)

21. Had a pillow fight (Oh man...Snow College-Soccer Field-Boys vs. Girls-Lots of Pain...Now that was a pillow WAR)

22. Bet on a winning horse

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (I call them mental health days...ie EXAUSTED)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping (ha ha...remember that girls? You know who you are ;), don't worry, no boys around.)

27. Taken an ice cold bath (If two trays of ice count)

28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Ridden a roller coaster

31. Hit a home run (In the park of course)

32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

33. Adopted an accent for fun

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment

36. Loved your job 90% of the time (Volleyball Coaching)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (As a poor college student yes)

38. Watched wild whales

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach

41. Gone sky diving

42. Visited Ireland

43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Russia

45. Bench-pressed your own weight

46. Milked a cow

47. Alphabetized your personal files

48. Ever worn a superhero costume

49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day (Just on Monday actually)

51. Gone scuba diving

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Done something you should regret, but don’t

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business (Selling candy for a loss to my neighbors)

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Been in a movie

60. Gone without food for 3 days

61. Made cookies from scratch

62. Won first prize in a costume contest (Last Halloween at Work...Princess)

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Been in a combat zone

65. Spoken more than one language fluently

66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone

67. Bounced a check

68. Read - and understood - your credit report

69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy (Those water tubes that slide through your hands)

70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did

71. Called or written your Congress person

72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over (More like to move on..)

73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

74. Helped an animal give birth

75. Been fired or laid off from a job

76. Won money

77. Broken a bone

78. Ridden a motorcycle (never!)

79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph

80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing

82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

83. Eaten sushi

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read The Bible cover to cover

86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about

87. Gotten someone fired for their actions

88. Gone back to school

89. Changed your name (Does getting married count?)

90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands

91. Eaten fried green tomatoes

92. Read The Iliad ( I think I was suppose to in High School...)

93. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

94. Taught yourself an art from scratch (French & Fish Braiding)

95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt

96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

97. Been elected to public office

98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream

99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you

101. Had a booth at a street fair

102. Dyed your hair

103. Been a DJ

104. Rocked a baby to sleep

105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours

106. Raked your carpet

107. Brought out the best in people (I’ve tried)

108. Brought out the worst in people (Basketball)

109. Worn a mood ring

110. Ridden a horse

111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap

112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe

113. Buried a child

114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play

115. Been inside the pyramids

116. Shot a basketball into a basket

117. Danced at a disco

118. Played in a band

119. Shot a bird (I would if I had a gun...I loath birds)

120. Gone to an arboretum

121. Tutored someone

122. Ridden a train

123. Brought an old fad back into style

124. Eaten caviar

125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need ($40 house cleaner...NEVER AGAIN!)

126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant

127. Published a book

128. Pieced a quilt

129. Lived in a historic place (SL....pioneers)

130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage (ballet)

132. Made a hole-in-one

133. Gone deep sea fishing

134. Gone roller skating

135. Run a marathon (wha hoo)

136. Learned to surf

137. Invented something

138. Flown first class

139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite (Someday)

140. Flown in a helicopter

141. Visited Africa

142. Sang a solo

143. Gone spelunking

144. Learned how to take a compliment (still working on it)

145. Written a love-story

146. Seen Michelangelo’s David

147. Had your portrait painted

148. Written a fan letter

149. Spent the night in something haunted- not quite the night, but a significant amount of time

150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane

151. Ran away (to the pump house hill in my back yard...at least once a month as a kid)

152. Learned to juggle (In a college class...how cool)

153. Been a boss (I would say a coach is a boss)

154. Sat on a jury

155. Lied about your weight

156. Gone on a diet

157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget

158. Written a poem

159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox

160. Gotten food poisoning

161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission

162. Hiked the Grand Canyon (see #80)

163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks

164. Gone to the opera

165. Gotten a letter from someone famous (my aunt Joyce is quite famous)

166. Worn knickers

167. Ridden in a limousine

168. Attended the Olympics

169. Can hula or waltz

170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books

171. Been stuck in an elevator ( I was jumping as we went down and it got stuck in between levels...Almost missed my flight)

172. Had a revelatory dream

173. Thought you might crash in an airplane

174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert

175. Saved someone’s life

176. Eaten raw whale

177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint

178. Laughed till your side hurt

179. Straddled the equator

180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing

181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival

182. Sent a message in a bottle

183. Spent the night in a hostel

184. Been a cashier (Big 5 whoot whoot)

185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

186. Joined a union

187. Donated blood or plasma

188. Built a campfire (Kind of...it only smoked, never burned)

189. Kept a blog

190. Had hives

191. Worn custom made shoes or boots

192. Made a PowerPoint presentation

193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course

194. Served at a soup kitchen

195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube

196. Know CPR

197. Ridden in or owned a convertible

198. Found a long lost friend

199. Helped solve a crime

200. Responded to a NJP newsletter