New Moon

So, it's been a long time since I blogged last...Lame! Oh well...when was the last time YOU blogged? (that's what I thought!)

Anywho...so...first things first. I went and watched New Moon a little while ago. Greg, Shaina and I hit up the midnight showing. There were a few people in there, but not too many. So that was nice. You want my honest opinion of the show? Okay...it was not as bad as Twilight, and Taylor Lautner as Jacob is an EXCELLENT idea! But here's what I've noticed about the movies and why they bug me SO bad....There is absolutely NO EMOTION coming from the actors/actresses. It's pathetic. Bella and Edward totally annoy me...When they say "I love you" it's like they're saying, "i bought toilet paper at the store today." Nothing! I mean, granted the books can go into details about thoughts, feelings, and emotions, I get that...but a good actor can portray those feelings and emotions the way they should be done. I also was annoyed that they downplayed Jacob a lot. I really appreciate the fact that they showed him shirtless a lot...and in the rain...but I don't think they did him justice at all! I don't know how to explain it, but they just downplayed him a lot! But...there were some super cool parts, like at the beginning when Alice leaps over the railing on the stairs. That was way cool! And Jasper's face...doesn't get any better than that...Oh...and when they're running through the forest in slow motion! Wow! I can't wait for the next movies! But it was totally cheesy, they need a better Bella and Edward, and they should make a movie ALL ABOUT JACOB! mmm...he is the best thing to happen to that movie! So yeah..overall it was cheesy, and LONG, and they should have just ended the movie/book with Edward dying...but then I wouldn't want Jacob to end up with Bella, so it's a toughy...But yeah...the movie bugged me mostly because there is no emotion (aka bad acting)...so...yeah..I think that's all I'm going to say about that...except for...TAYLOR LAUTNER!! Go Team Jacob!!!

Nothing else going on around here...Can't wait for Christmas. Sure hope Santa brings me a new computer + Adobe Suite, and a camera lens...but we'll see...What are you getting me?

The Nutcracker

So, last year around this time for our combined mutual activity, we had a dinner for the widows in our ward, then our bishop took them to watch the Nutcracker. Well, he promised us last year that since we did that last minute service, he would take us to the Nutcracker this year. He paid up last night. It was my first time EVER watching the Nutcracker (well, I watched the Barbie Nutcracker once...I don't really remember why...it was just recently too...haha, I had it on tv while I was on my computer) ANYWAY...and it was my first time to a ballet, kinda. (I went to the ones that SV would put on in Cokeville..but I don't really remember them...) It was pretty good though. I used to want to be a ballerina, but Cokeville only offers so many extra-curricular activities like that...(wait...they don't offer any!) so that dream was shattered, but not before receiving a pink tutu for Christmas (I have pictures, but I'm too lazy to scan them in!) I had forgotten though that there is no talking in ballet, so for the first few minutes I kept expecting them to burst out in song or something...lol, but they didn't. The first scene was actually kind of boring. There wasn't much "ballet"...and I was pretty bummed, but it got better and better. Especially when the men came out! (HA!) Really...I know that it's been this way forever, but can they not have the men wear pants? Ugh...haha...Let's just say when I say they were wearing tights...they were TIGHT!!! Especially the very last guy...haha...he was really good, but ... you could see every muscle...and well, everything else! I guess that's the ballet though. It really was good, and the dancers did a good job. It was fun to hear some familiar songs, and actually see where they came from...I would go to it again...(maybe!) haha...So that was a new experience for me.

And...I was editing some pics and wanted to share these. I'm too lazy to upload to photobucket, so you'll have to click on them to get larger.

Poor Aidan....

but we were able to get a smile out of him!

I'm Thankful For...Part 9-27

9. Electricity...even though half the power goes out quite often, I'm still grateful for it, and grateful that at least 1/2 of it stays on (and that half happens to be the circuit our computers and TV are on..THE MOST important circuit!) haha...

10. Family...I love both sides of my family, and I'm so grateful for each and everyone of them. For loving me, for being forgiving, for being there for me, and for randomly texting me about things that happened during the day.

11. Military men and women...I have quite a few family members and friends who are/were in the military, and I am truly grateful to those who are willing to risk their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today... (and of course I'm grateful for their families too!)

12. Ice cream...Nothing can be more of a comfort food than ice cream. Mint chocolate chip is my fave, of course, but almost any kind will do!

13. Laughter...especially when I'm able to laugh with Greg about the dumbest things in the world. I also love the sound of children laughing...

14. Nice hot bubble baths...so relaxing....

15. My ability to play the piano...There are very few things I feel comfortable doing in front of people...playing sports is one...playing the piano is the other. Not that I don't get nervous, because I do...but I am always willing to play the piano, and I'm grateful for all of the piano teachers I had over the years, and for their patience with me. They were all great teachers! and also being able to play the organ. Thanks grandma for teaching me how to play it!

16. Photography...i love photography so much! And I'm grateful to be able to use it to capture moments and memories and feelings.

17. Digital Scrapbooking...Yes..I'm obsessed with it. I could do it all day, everyday if I could...(wait...I pretty much do!) It's been fun to learn a new craft and to get a new hobby. Plus I get to stretch my creativity to reach new levels.

18. The Gospel and my testimony...They have both grown so much over the past few years, and I'm grateful for the principles that the gospel teaches.

19. Jesus Christ...for the sacrifice he made so that we can repent and be forgiven and be able to return to live with him.

20. My calling...Yes, I am not always happy, and yes the girls sometimes drive me crazy, but I still love them all and wouldn't want any other calling...(well, except for ward organist...see #15...hehehe)

21. My computer...what would I do without it? I have everything on here. It's my baby, and I am grateful for all the programs I am able to use on it...(and thanks mom and dad for buying it for me all those years ago!)

22. Cuddling up in nice fuzzy socks and a nice fuzzy blanket on a cold day...

23. Texting...yes..I'm grateful for texting...it's the only way Greg and I can communicate while he's at work...or in the other room...(hahahaha!) Plus...texting is great when you want to talk to someone, but don't necessarily want to talk to them in person or on the phone...(lol..come on, you know I'm right!)

24. Positive people...what great examples they are. I strive to be positive everyday...and I'm grateful for those who are able to always be positive.

25. Ramen Noodles...The most healthy and nutritious lunch a girl could ask for! (okay...insert quick for healthy, and easy for nutritious! That sounds better!) But I love ramen noodles! So delicious! (i may go make me some now...)

26. Pizza...Papa Johns is the best EVER...but I could have a cheese Little Caesar's pizza (with their cheese sticks of course) anyday! (ummm...I'm kinda unhealthy!!! Just a little bit though...)

27. My wonderful husband who is so thoughtful and funny and kind....and makes a killer turkey!!! (Oh my gosh! We had the BEST Turkey yesterday...seriously so delicious!!!) and I love him! lol

Hope you all had a fantastical Thanksgiving, and for those who decided to take on the Black Friday crowds. I hope you made it out alive while I was safely in my warm bed dreaming about stealing people's wedding rings at the beach then giving them back to the people...

don't ask...I am weird sometimes...i know...

I'm Thankful For...Part 8

Friends: I have had a lot of good friends through the years. I was lucky enough to live in a small town where you pretty much have to be friends with everyone, but it was a good thing because I became super good friends with people I normally wouldn't.

I was very lucky to make friends with the younger girls, Jenna and Lindsay...lol...I have a lot of funny memories of these two...Dressing up for halloween, driving down Stoner Ave, letting Lindsay drive my car when she was only 14 (maybe 15! So scary!) haha...A day trip to Evanston with Jenna. Volleyball and basketball trips...Even now that it's been many years later, and I don't stay in touch with them as much as I could/should...I know that if I were to call either of them on the phone, we'd be able to chat it up like the old days.

Even younger than them, thanks to a special ward girl's camp we had, I made friends with some 8th graders my senior year. Camille and Talisha became fast best friends. Even though they are a lot younger than I am, I had a lot of fun talking to them and hanging out. Now that we are all graduated, and again, I don't see them as much as I'd like to or talk, when i do see them it's great to get a big hug and be able to re-connect our friendship (haha...is that even a real term?!)

Of course, there are the girls in my HS class. For the most part all 5 of us have been together forever...at least that's what it seems. Not that we never had fights, because we sure did...but at the end of the day we were still friends.

(Sorry Tiff isn't in this pic!)

I made some awesome friends through my photography class. Photography was awesome...having only 6 people in the class we were all able to become good friends. One in that class became my best friend during my senior year, and I'll always be grateful for that. Two were my cousins, and boy oh boy...was that fun to be able to hang out with them in class (especially when Forrest wasn't there! lol) and two were foreign exchange students. One from Sweden (Sofie), one from Germany (Jana). Jana was also on my basketball team (of 7 girls!), she had never played before, so it was fun to teach her and watch her learn, and get to know her better. Before she left to go back to Germany, she gave me a picture of me and her taken at regional basketball. On the back she wrote "Friends Forever." and I'll always treasure it!

After HS I met some great friends at college. It was pretty easy to meet friends because of volleyball, I instantly had 15 friends. (again with the fighting..haha! a whole other story!) I knew most of them from visiting Kandyce while she was at Western, but it was still fun to be able to hang out with them and talk to them...though I do wish I would have hung out with some of them more. But I was able to make some friends for life through that experience.

Of course I met my BESTESTESTEST friend at college. I never expected to meet a BFFFFFFFF there, but I did, and I'm grateful for it. (One of the best things I gained from going to school in the hole of Wyoming!) But I met my husband. The first night we met we talked all night long, and every night since then. I love him so much, and he truly is my best friend!

Since being in Logan, I have met a few more great friends. I met a lot of great people working. One of them being my friend Shay. She was the very first person I met there, she trained me, and we were instant friends. When I got moved to the service desk (taking her spot! lol...not really...the boss just didn't like her for some reason..) and she moved to the office...we would spend A LOT of time talking on the phone! It's surprising we got any work done. Everyday we were able to talk and complain and just laugh with one another. Sadly...once she left work to have her baby, we haven't been able to hang out as much...though we recently re-connected and have decided to become friends again...lol, even though we STILL haven't hung out. But she is a great friend, and she will always be my friend. (And Shay if you're reading this...we should do something sometime! haha!)

I have also made friends through my calling in the YW and volleyball...Both the girls and the leaders and coaches I work with. It's been fun to meet new girls, and see their different personalities...

Alright, this turned out to be REALLY long, and I didn't meant it to be. But I am grateful for the many friends I've had throughout the years. The ones I've listed here aren't even all of them, so if you're my friend, and I didn't list you..don't be offended...I still love you, and I'm grateful for all of those who have been examples and friends to me.

THE END! (For now...I still have like 17 more to get caught up on!)

I'm Thankful For...Part 7

(I'm really trying to get caught up! I'm just so slow! Too much to do, so little time!)

McDonald's fries...

I know...that's why I've gained 20 pounds since HS! I will admit it.. lol...but seriously friends. I would die without McDonald's fries. They are seriously the best ever. When Greg and I get fast food, we usually order our burgers or whatever from wherever we want, then get our fries from McDonalds. They are the best when they are fresh out of the fryer...mmmm...my mouth is watering just thinking about them...I could eat them everyday if I weren't concerned about my health...(lol, right!) I honestly crave them at weird times (mostly in the middle of the night...) But they make me happy, and even though I don't really like a lot of MD's other foods...I could always eat their fries...just thought you should know!

(this may also be why I will die at an early age!) but at least I'll die happy and full of MD fries! :)