oh what a day

I decided to change the look of my blog to a more upbeat and bright look. I figured that this is how I want to start the new year and since Doug and I will be traveling back to Iowa for the new year I thought I should change it now.

Ok-enough about that, let's talk Christmas! This Christmas for us was such a blast! It was Drew's first Christmas where he understood what he was supposed to do with all of his presents...not to mention everyone else's presents too! He also played Santa and helped my dad pass out the gifts to each other. But the best part of the morning was when he woke up. He looked right at us and said, "Santa Cwause! Toys!!" It was so cute! When we brought him downstairs, his eyes got all big and he started jumping up and down, and ran right to his stocking! He just had a great time! So I'll leave you with some great pictures of Drew's wonderful Christmas! Oh wait! I must start off with the best picture of all, Doug in his new p.j.'s! (My mom gives everyone pajamas on Christmas Eve!)

what a weekend!

It's been a very white few days here in Sandy, UT. It has snowed about four inches or so at my parents house, and Drew loves it! He hasn't really had the opportunity to play in the snow. Last year in Iowa the snow was hard and the wind was awful. But this year it's the opposite, the snow is soft and there isn't much wind. Drew got a Tonka Dump Truck for Christmas from his Grandma and Grandpa Giles, and he has been taking it out in the snow...not to mention he loves to ride in it!

He even got to help his Grandpa Quinn clear the neighbor's driveway!

Then last night, my dad's whole family get's together the friday before Christmas and has a huge party. The grandkids perform the nativity, we sing, and play games. There are about 40 people involved...it's a blast!

I will end this blog with the best part of the night! My Aunt Sue brought a piniata for all of the younger grandkids (ages 2-6)! Here is a video of Drew hitting his first piniata...enjoy!

Tagged

Ok-so I was tagged by my great friend Erica, but I have no idea what to do, so I just copied and pasted her tag and changed the answers so they describe me...if that's wrong, you let me know.

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend(s): Doug, &Mori Jensen
C-Cake or Pie: Pie
D- Day of choice: Friday
E- Essential Item: cell phone
F- Favorite Color: red and pink
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: DOTS
H- Hometown: Born in Salt Lake City, UT, raised in Sandy, UT
I- Indulgence(s): nice cold caramello
J- January or July: July-no question
K- Kids: 1
L-Life is Incomplete Without: family, friends, my religion, piano, and books
M- Marriage Date: November 14, 2003
N- Number of Siblings: 2 sisters, 1 brother (all younger, but my brother and one sister are twins!)
O- Oranges or Apples:I like them both just the same
P- Phobias or Fears:Spiders, losing my husband and son
Q- Quotes: Remeber who you are. (my dad would say that every time I went out with friends)R- Reason To Smile: watching my son discover new things
T- Tag Three: Kristan, AnnMarie G., & Teresa G
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have a white flower around each pupil of my eyes, and I have a tatoo of a piano on one of my molars.
V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: meat eater, but I do like my veggies
W- Worst Habit: I bite my nails...ugh
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasounds
Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican or Doug's cooking
Z- Zodiac: Cancer

So ther you go! I hope you all enjoyed your reading!
CHOW!

Bee Movie

Today we went and saw Bee Movie. We wanted to see a show that Drew would sit through and enjoy. Well, he enjoyed it, but he didn't sit down...he stood the entire time in front of me and Doug! We were pretty much the only ones in the theater (maybe 10 people total). Drew could not take his eyes off of the screen! Thank heavens for fun animated movies! It was a good show, telling about how important bees really are. Who knew something so fun could be so educating! Ok, I know I'm a loon (Erica) but I enjoyed it!

relax

I feel like I can finally relax! All of my Christmas shopping is done, and I my final for school. Of course I still have to wrap some of the gifts, and I have some to send out, which means I need to do that fast so it will get to it's destination on time.

It's cold up here in Idaho, and there is only about an inch of snow, but the flurries are starting to come down so I'm expecting some more. Drew will be excited if it does snow, he's been wanting to play in the snow and build a snowman! He's so funny when he sees one in someone else's yard, he yells out, "Snowman, snowman!" He gets so excited to see them!Drew's been playing with matchbox cars. He puts them on the window sill and makes them crash to the floor! He thinks its the funniest thing! But the thing he's been loving the most is watching the Grinch! He loves that movie, every day he asks for it, so we've seen it about 50 times already! He knows just about every word!

new arrival

We have a new arrival in our family, William Mark Giles! He was born on sunday! Click here to see his first picture! Way to go Matt and AnnMarie! We love you and wish we could be there to see him in person!

Oh happy day!

I HAVE A HUSBAND AGAIN!! He wasn't going to come up until monday because of the storm, but my sweet dad flew down to St. George to ride back with Doug. That way they could drive together through the storm. They got home about 10:30 last night! I can't tell you just how excited I was to see him last night, even Drew was so excited! I hope everyone has a great day today, we are going to be out playing in the snow...about 2 feet of it! CHOW!

Utah....finally!

Well, I made it to Utah safe and sound...with a little bit of turbulance, but it was great! I sat on the front row of the plane and all by myself!! I love it when nobody sits next to me, unless it's family. I could stretch out and be confortable. When I finally got to my parents house, Drew was so excited to see me! He ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug! But now that is all over with since he now realizes that the disciplinarian is back in town, and Grandma is his safety net! All I can say is that I can't wait until Doug gets here this weekend! It will be nice to have his fatherly expertise with Drew, besides the "me" time with him!! I hope you all have a great week! Chow!

august rush

I just came back from the best movie, August Rush! It is about a boy who is trying to find his parents through music! Johnathan Rhys Meyers is so good looking in this movie! He has such kissable lips! "Sometimes I talk to the moon!" I'm such a loon!

Then after the movie, I went a got a peppermint hot chocolate with Erica...YUMMY! Thanks Erica for introducing me to those, now there won't be anymore drinking from the fountain! Oh, my ribs!

my morning commute

Well, this is what I got to drive home from work in this morning...isn't it lovely? It isn't snow, it isn't hail, it's freezing rain. It's like little ice crystals hitting your car and they don't come off, they just stick. So I had to have the heater on full blast on the windshield so that it wouldn't stick to it. I can't wait to get to Utah where the snow is powder and not this freezing crap, because here in Iowa, it has to rain, freeze to the ground, and then it will snow. Then the snow is covering all of the ice underneath it so you can't see it....scary! Anyway, I just thought I'd share this with all of you who aren't experiencing this disgusting stuff in Iowa!

cleaning

It never ceases to amaze me how tired I am after cleaning. I just finished cleaning my entire house because our housing assistance people (CIRHA) are coming to do a walk through of our place to make sure it's up to standard and I am just exhausted! It's not much of a posting, but I realized I hadn't posted in a little while so this is what you get. I hope the rest of you have figured out non-exhausting cleaning techniques!

White Christmas

I got thinking about other things I love about this time of year and you know what I forgot, my favorite movie! And it just happened to be on tv! It's White Christmas! I love the music and the story. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are absolutely wonderful! If you haven't seen it, I recommend you do.

holidays

I have this love/hate relationship with the holiday season. I love it because you get to spend some good quality time with friends and family. For Thanksgiving, I was invited to Bret and Erica's house for dinner. We split the meal up, but Erica made the turkey....can I say "YUM!" She did a fantastic job on the potatoes too! And then for Christmas I get to spend it with my wonderful family, (some I haven't seen in such a long time)!!

But what I hate about it is the stress that it brings of trying to please everybody and make sure you're good or else "Santa" won't come. But what I absolutely hate the most...the snow! I like snow for Christmas, but any other time, no thank you. We got our first snow on Wednesday and let me tell you what a let down that was. Ever since our accident in January...see picture... I've been terrified to drive in the snow.

I'm not just saying that I grip the wheel tight and go 10 miles an hour (which I do), but I start to hyperventilate. When it snows here, the first layer that stays turns into ice, and then the snow packs on top of it. So the roads are a complete mess because of all of the ice. I had to drive to work wednesday night and so I left 45 minutes before I had to be there and got there just in time. So here is a picture of the snow.

I told Doug that this confirmed we are moving somewhere warm when school is over! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and a great weekend! Chow!

books

Thanks to my friend Debbi I have a stack of books to read! I am really excited that I will have something to do at home when I'm not working...besides cleaning! The first book on my list to read is called Uglies.

I'm not sure at all what it's about but my friends here have read it and say its good. So since they have good taste in books, I'm going to trust them!!

sadness

Well, I'm officially on my own. I took Whitney and Drew to the airport today and I decided I'd go inside and help them check in, that way Whit wouldn't have to keep an eye on Drew. The agent was so incredibly nice to us. He even gave me a pass to get through security so I could be with them at the gate...how great is that?!! It totally made my day. Drew was great while we waited, he watched some of Finding Nemo and was playing with a christams tree they had there. When they finally called for boarding...that's when I started to loose it. I bent down and Drew gave me a hug, I kissed him and then watched them walk away. I stood by the window which is ground level and watched. Drew turned around and waved at me! That's when I lost it. He was so excited, he had this bounce in his walk as he headed to the plane. You could see his happiness in that walk! When he got to the plane, he looked back at the window and waved at me again, and went inside. That's when I had to leave. I kept telling myself, "Just get to the car, you can make it!" As soon as I headed home, the tears started flowing. He hasn't been gone an hour and I already miss him. Man, I am such a baby. All I can do now is pray they get to Salt Lake safely...I'll be waiting their phone call telling me they got there.

bye, bye Drew

I can't believe that Drew is leaving today. He's headed for Utah with my sister Whitney, so I'll be by myself for two weeks...I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle things without him. He's not even gone and I'm already missing him and I can't think right now how I'll handle my emotions when Whitney walks away with him. My whole life revolves around that little boy and without him here I just might go crazy! My friend Debbi told me I could come over and borrow some books, so I'll be taking her up on that offer. I'll need something to do when I'm not working and I don't want to clean all day! I'll probably be writing later to share how I handled things at the airport with Drew leaving, so stay tuned....

talking dogs

You'll like this!

http://www.youtube.com/v/ZCYaw5tGYAs&rel=1">

bored

Anyone have a good book I can borrow? I'm going crazy here! I need something good, an easy read. Let me know if you're willing to share!

4th Anniversary

Four years ago today, Doug and I were married! I can't believe it's been four years already, time keeps going faster. Doug has been such a wonderful husband to me and a fabulous father to Drew and I know it's hard for him to be away. It's hard for us to have him away, but I am so proud of him! Doug is doing such a great job in Mesquite that he was pretty much offered a job down there when he's done with school! How excititng is that? You are my hero Doug!

I just want to say thank you to Doug for putting up with me for these past four years. I know I haven't made it that easy, but you never really complain! You are such a wonderful man and I am so greatful that our Heavenly Father sent you to me! I couldn't ask for anyone better! I LOVE YOU DOUG! Happy anniversary!

a thankful project

Thanksgiving is such a great time of year. I love to think about everythng I'm thankful for. My friend Crystal came up with a great idea to show 100 soldiers just how greatful we are for their sacrifices. She is in need of a little help with her project so anyone who would like to help can. Click here to read her idea and see if there is anyway you can help. Thanks everybody!

Thanks Erica

My awesome friend Erica has a post that she does on saturdays called, Saturday's Someone. It's where she can highlight her friends, and this week she highlighted me! So if you all want to check it out click here. She has been so great, she has spent the last two friday nights at my house so I could work. Thanks Erica, I really appreciate everything you and Bret have done for me.

question

Hey, anyone know where I can find some cool templates for blogger? Maybe ones that have three columns too? Thanks!

Beggar's night

Out here in Iowa people don't trick-or-treat on Halloween, the do it the night before and they call it Beggar's Night. I know, you're all thinking, "Why?" Well, they do it so that adults can party on Halloween and not have to worry about kids being in harms way of those partiers. So we met up with a group of friends and headed out for all of the fun and especially the candy! We only wet around our complex, Maple Grove, and I'm sure glad. It took us a while to do that and Drew got so much candy that his bucket was dragging! But he wouldn't let me carry it for him, so i took part of the handle, and he took the other part. Here are some fun pictures of Drew and his friends going door to door.

what to do with myself

Patience, that's what I have to tell myself now. I finished book three to my series, "Eclipse" and now I have to wait for the next book to come out. I think I might go nuts! I've never read a book that has me wanting to be in it so badly! I'm so excited for the events to come, but a little nervous as to how the author will write it. I hope she doesn't leave any questions I have unanswered or doesn't skim through the details. I want everything!!! I don't know how long I can wait for this book, the anticipation is killing me! Patience Courtney, patience!

Well, I thought I'd share this little clip that I took of Drew. He is playing the piano (trying to anyway), and dancing along with the background music. He was so funny! I didn't get him singing because I was too slow with the camera, but oh well. I'm sure he'll sing again! Enjoy!

Oh, one more thing. If you want to test and see what you rank, Yankee or Dixie, go ahead. I am 46% yankee (barely in the yankee category)!

what a weekend

To start, our Trunk-or-Treat was on Saturday and it started off a bit sad. Drew threw a fit...I know what you're all thinking, "Wow, another fit!" After a bit he calmed down enough to realize that if he wanted candy, he needed to go around to all of the other cars and get it. We had such a great time with our friends and their kids...oh, and lets not forget about our "White trash" mullet-wearing friend Bret!

Next, I finished the second book in my series!! This one is called "New Moon," and it is just as good as the first book. In fact, this book only took me just over a day to read. I got it on Saturday and I finished it Sunday morning before church! Now I can't wait to finish the third book to the series, "Eclipse."

And then in church we got some sad news, our ward is splitting. They just split the ward about a year ago and now they are splitting it again. But that's not the sad part. The complex I live in is moving to another ward, so that means all of the student families, all but 9, will be in a different ward. And the really sad part is one of those 9 families staying in the ward is our good friends Bret and Erica. I know we'll see them during the week, but it isn't the same going to a ward that your friends aren't a part of. But what can you do when your ward is just too darn big. I mean, we have three (maybe four) nurseries! But I can tell you one thing I'm going to like about it, I won't have to find a sub for all of december!!

the best book ever

I just finished the most amazing book I've ever read in my entire life. All of my friends out here have read the entire series, but I just finished book one. It's called Twilight. And OH MY GOSH! I recommend this book to any woman who needs a great read! I'm in love with Edward!! I kept putting myself in the story...how interesting it would be! I can't wait to read book two, in fact it will probably drive me nuts until I get it! I give this book 5 stars!

oh, the fun of halloween!

I'm so excited! Tomorrow is our ward Trunk-or-treat! I'm really excited to see Drew in his Buzz Lightyear costume. He has loved Buzz ever since he saw the movie Toy Story. Then one day at McDonald's Drew got a Buzz Lightyear in his happy meal, since then, that Buzz has been to almost every event we've ever been to. He carries him around all of the time. So when I found this costume I had to buy it! But here is a cute picture of him in his costume last year. He was a pumpkin! I can't believe how bow-legged he was!!

painting pumpkins

Today was a day of lounging...ok, I guess most of our days are like that! So today I had Drew bring in our two pumpkins from the porch and I lined the table with newspaper and had Drew paint our pumpkins. He was having so much fun! Now these pictures aren't the best because I had to take them with my phone since my camera is broken. But I hope you all enjoy!

Let's eat swap

I was reading a friends blog today and found out that one of her friends is doing a recipe swap. Anyone can join, you don't even have to know her. If you'd like to participate click here. I think this will be a fun and inexpensive swap to do! Great idea!!

my interview

So last night I headed to the church for my temple recommend interview that was at 6:30. I sat outside the bishop's office with Drew for about 45 minutes. Finally the bishop asked me who I was waiting for. When I told him I was there for the interview he felt so bad he hadn't asked me that question sooner. He had no idea that I was scheduled for an interview. The bishop had been doing hay rides for the scouts and getting ready for Young Women in Excellence. So Brother Parks (one of the counselors) was kind enough to do the interview before he went in to teach the Young Men for their activity. I felt kind of weird just hanging around with Drew, but what do you do? At least I got it done.

new gadget

Last night I wasn't feeling great, so after I put Drew to bed I sat at the computer to look up stuff for kids. You know, different activities and all. I came across this cute stapleless stapler! I think I'm going to have to get one of these sometime. It would be great to have for the kids, and you wouldn't have to worry about them getting into the staples!

what a day

Today was a pretty good day. Drew and I went for a little car ride, then for a nice walk after lunch, and then a bike ride after dinner! I would say that I got good exercise today...just what I need!

Drew was wonderful today. He didn't scream, hit, push, bite, etc. And the past two nights he went to bed without screaming and crying himself to sleep!!! YAY!! :) He has really struggled with that since we've been home. Anyway, I just thought I'd share our little milestone, ok for me it's a big milestone!

CHOW!

2 year pictures

I just had to share these pictures! While we were in Utah, my grandma had Drew's 2 year old pictures taken. She even had them take pictures of him in his costume! I thought these were great!

First week alone

This week was my first week by myself and let me tell you, I don't know how I'm going to get through the next month. Drew knows that dad isn't around and he is doing everything he can to drive me crazy. I have never seen this boy throw so many fits in one day. Today, for example, I took him on a walk. The weather is nice (72*) and so I figured it would be fun. BOY WAS I WRONG!! He screamed the entire way....the ENTIRE way. He would throw himself on the grass and scream at the top of his lungs and then cry. He kept throwing his sippie cup down, so I finally took it away and that made him even more mad. I'm not kidding. All I could do was laugh at him. He looked absolutely rediculous. If he keeps this up he'll be spending the entire time in time-out!

I'm trying to figure out how to work since Doug is gone. I have a friend that has offered to take him a couple nights, but I'm not sure how it will work. Drew is having a terrible time going to bed at night and with him throwing these fits, it definately won't work. I just have no idea what I'm going to do with him...any ideas on how to keep him entertained?

We're home

We made it home! In fact Drew was so excited to see the front door that he jumped up and down! I love seeing family and being with them, but it is nice to get back to your own home. It took us a total of two days to get here because we stopped in Kearney, NE. Drew was so great! If he wasn't sleeping he was watching a movie. One of the times we stopped for gas I bought him little speakers for the DVD player so he could actually hear the movie, which in turn kept his attention longer!

I'm so thankful to my dad for taking the time from work to drive back with us. I couldn't have done it without him. I really enjoy the company. THANKS DAD!! Drew will definately be going through withdrawls when my dad leaves us tomorrow. He has gotten used to getting his way, and he knows that it isn't me that gives in! Tuff times ahead!

CHOW!

HAPPY B-DAY DREW

I know I'm a couple days late, but Friday was Drew's 2nd Birthday! He has had three parties. We threw him a party before Doug left for St. George, one on his birthday and one tonight! I sure hope next year he doesn't think he gets three parties! He has gotten so many great things (some of them are staying at Grandma and Grandpa's for future use)! I just don't have enough room in the car to bring it all back.

Anyway, I can't help but think how time flies right on by. It doesn't seem like he's been in our lives for two years! I think about when he first could roll over (i found out because he rolled off the couch), then when he could crawl, and then walk, to his first words, and now I can't get him to be quiet! His sentence right now is "What's this?" But I can't really complain, he's been such a good boy! I just hope this coming year will be a good one and not the "terrible twos!"

I'll publish pictures later!

Conference

I just love conference! I love everyone getting together and enjoy being with one another as we hear about the Gospel. But today, my favorite part was after the morning session. They did a story on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Me being a choir person, it just moved me. There are times I wish I was a member of the choir. I would love to travel to the different parts of the world and sing for all those who want to hear. Music brings the spirit faster and stronger than anything else. I hope you all have enjoyed conference.

On another note, I thought I would let you all know that Doug is absolutely loving his rotation in Mesquite! He loves the family he is staying with in St. George, the clinic and the instructor, but most of all, he LOVES the weather! I'm hoping he'll get on one of these days and post about it, but I'm not holding my breath!

CHOW!

rotation is here

Well...I'm sitting here kind of lonely tonight. Doug left this afternoon for St. George, UT. He will be living there for the next two months with some family friends while he does a rotation in Mesquite, NV. I can't tell you how hard it was for me to be without him for a month, and now I have to go two more. You don't realize how much you'll miss someone until you have to be without them. Doug and I hadn't ever been more than two days without seeing each other until this fall. It's a good thing I have such great friends and family to keep me company!



I just have to say that I am so proud of Doug. He works so hard in school and I know this rotation is going to be great for him. He has been looking foreward to this for a year! Good luck babe and enjoy the warm weather! I love you so much and can't wait to see you again.

Amuzement Fun!

Alright, I know it's taken a while to post, but it's been kind of busy here. In an earlier post I said I would put pictures up of Drew at Lagoon on his first rides. He had such a good time which you'll be able to see on his face. I hope you all enjoy these as much as I do.