My job

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_yOAHISi8I&feature=player_embedded
Check it out. This is where I work and I love it.

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

In October, I volunteered at the American Alpine Club's Craggin' Classic Party. At this party, they had the most amazing taco cart EVER! I ate 6 of the beautiful tacos and had my stomach allowed, would have gone for more.

I babysatt Natalie's babies for a weekend and loved it. Those babies crack me up. I am in love.

Tom and I (with friends) took many many weekends and built most of a new deck. Ours was rotten and Tom had torn it down this summer. I had no idea what a crazy amount of work it takes to build anything like that. I was so paranoid with my measuring after we mis-measured and mis-cut a few times. Yikes. I did a bunch of painting and staining by headlamp. I'm glad we're saving the stairs until spring - too much work in the cold. (the 2nd picture shows our friend who shot his fingers with the nail gun)

On my birthday, I got home from church and my whole family and Tom's family was there with a giant breakfast. It was my dream come true. I really wish everyone would always just show up at my door. It was super fun. My sister brought this amazing rich chocolate cake from the bakery she works at. The nieces and nephew were in their halloween costumes. I loved it.

Two weekends ago we went to Saint George to get some sun and climb. I hadn't been climbing for months and it felt great. We drove home and hit snow and wind in provo. I always am so nervous driving in my first snowstorm of the year. My back was sore the next day from being so tense. For thanksgiving weekend, we took off the wednesday before and the monday after and headed to Joshua Tree. We hadn't been there in years and it was still as beautiful and peaceful as I remember. We hit the outlets in Vegas on the way home and I didn't buy one thing. 1) I'm too cheap 2) I don't dress fancy enough.

We have a cute Christmas Tree that is on the leaner side (not totally Charlie Brown but kind of like that). I really like it and am loving the Christmas Music. I have it on everywhere.

Tom had his 34th birthday yesterday. What a sweetie. I had a cold so I was kind of a party pooper. We did have a good day though. I suprised him with a Solitude Ski pass - he was totally suprised when we drove up there. I had told him we were going to get a treat. I like suprises.

I've been at my job about 3 months and I totally love it. If anyone wants to come visit, my residents would love you. They are so sweet and fun. I go to work and feel good. It's great.
So, now time for Christmas. I went to Orson Gygi yesterday and bought 10 pounds of chocolate and 6 bags of oreos to dip. I also got my Costco Christmas Cards. Got Robyn's in the mail - totally cute family. I already have most of my shopping done so I just get to enjoy the music, treats, family, lights, and everything about it. Hurray for Christmas!

Loving every minute of it

Hope the thanksgiving get-to-gether is going great. Wish you were here. :)

friend of a friend

Tom's sister Wendy had a friend's wedding last weekend. Check out these boys moves. I am so proud and impressed. I guess the groom (in white) is a cop. Next time you get a ticket, ask him to show you his moves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qt1jSlfBiI

A lovely summer

I don't call. I don't write. I just watch my life fly by. This summer has flown by and I've loved it. It's been super busy. Here are some photos to help me remember:

Here is Crystal and I at the great salt lake. I think it is so fun to go out there and feel like you weigh 1 pound. I would totally recommend it. The 2nd picture is Crystal and Sophia at Steiner. What cuties.

Here is Tom, I, Kable, and Angie down in Moab. We went down one weekend when it was cold here. It was super fun. We ate at Milt's and rode a little slick rock. I am weak sauce when it comes to mountain biking but it sure was beautiful.

Here is a sunset hike from the "living room" hike. A few gals in my ward invited me to go and it was fun. I couldn't remember the last time I was there. Very pretty.

Here are pics from Audra's 4th b-day last week. She looked so cute and was excited. They gave out toy cell phones for party favors which makes me think times have changed. Watching little Wyatt pretend to talk on the phone was super cute.

Tom did Lotoja for the 3rd year and it was a long but fun day. I kind of like driving 200+ miles and just being alone with my thoughts. I think Tom looks so cute even after riding 206 miles in a push. It makes me wish I wasn't so lazy.

This last weekend I had my annual HERA Climb4Life Event. It is my 7th year volunteering but I spent many moor hours helping plan the schedule for other volunteers. Wow, it was a lot of work but it turned out great. Crystal even volunteered and we got to climb together. Good times. Tom and I were dancing machines at the party and I forgot what an amazing dancer I am. Oh wait...

I was wishing my HHS girls were there to help me quick make up a line dance for all the awkward outdoorsy folks who don't know how to dance. Oh wait, that's me.

Let's see. What else? I got a new job in Bountiful working at a long term care facility for people with Alzheimer's and Dementia. I am still in training but am falling in love with these residents. Hurray!

were you wondering how cute my husband is?

This September, I am the volunteer coordinator for the Climb 4 Life which raises money for Ovarian Cancer research. Tom is one of the local athletes who will take folks out climbing. He is so handsome: http://www.herafoundation.org/SLC/events_slc4.cfm

Happy July

Hurray for summer. These are some of the reasons I love summer:

• flip flops every day
• no jacket needed
• delicious fruit
• need for sunscreen (which means I'm outside)
• long days (I don't even mind waking up early)
• flowers & birds
• ice cream cones (Tom loves coke slurpees more)
• BBQs
• girl's camp
• I'm in the mountains
• feeling glad that I'm out of school even when I'm not going back
• being outside at night and taking the time to look at the stars
• walking on the grass (but my feet are sometimes too ticklish)
• everyone whines about how hot it is (who cares? it's summer!)

Here is a pic from breakfast at Ruth's Diner for Crystal's birthday. I made her wear a crown and continually yelled "Happy Birthday Crystal" which is a little adolescent but I'm over it.
It was also Miss Heidi's birthday and we missed her. She is loving life in Portland so I can't be too sad she wasn't here too. The brother in laws in the back love that I am always doing family pictures. Can you tell?