Lucky to be alive

This Christmas I feel a little lucky to be alive! As we headed to the Barker family Christmas party in Roy during the snow storm, I was a little nervous. JD's car isn't great in the snow, but my tires were bad so we ended up taking his. As we got off the Roy exit, we started to slide, but JD got things back under control...so we thought. We then started heading for the fence on the side of the road and straight towards a mile marker. I thought for sure we would just mow it right down and end up in the ditch! Surprisingly I kept it together pretty well as our car slid out of control! And we definitely had someone watching over us. As I watched in horror, heading straight for the ditch, we amazingly did a 90* turn and stopped dead in our tracks! We stopped about a foot away from the mile marker I thougth we were sture to hit. We both just sat there stunned for a minute wondering how we just stopped and hit nothing. The car was stuck and JD got out to push, which left me in the drivers seat. (I get a little nervous driving in the snow when cars are whizzing right by me) As soon as he got out of the car, someone behind us pulled over to help, which in a matter of about 30 seconds turned into two, three, and four people. I can't believe this many people stopped to help us! Whoever you are, thank you! It took 5 people to push the car out with me behind the wheel trying not to make someone else slide off the road by backing up into traffic coming off the off-ramp. We safely made it to the party and we happened to tell my mom and Rod about our little adventure on the way to which they responded, "Oh that was you?" Come to find out, my entire family was behind us and saw us slide off the road! My own family didn't stop to help! My mom actually said as they were driving by, "Oh that's so nice of those people to stop and help on Christmas Eve!" Apparently none of them know what JD's car looks like...they all said they didn't know it was us! Thanks! Well, I'm sure if they would have known, they would have stopped! Anyway, we are alive! And we had a wonderful Christmas! Thanks again to whoever it was that helped us!

Winter Wonderland

Here are some pitcures from ashley and chase's wedding. I wish I had more pictures from the dinner, but I let allison take most of those since she just got an awesome new camera.

ashley and chase got married on December 14 and it was fabulous! I guess I'm a little biased since I was the wedding planner, decorator, and cake decorator. The ceremony was awesome and they look so happy!

I don't think I've seen either of them this happy or smile like this before!

Just look at their faces!

All of the girls!

5 down, 1 to go

It was seriously so cold outside! I couldn't feel my feet by the time we were done with pictures! Poor ashley and chase had to stand out there for another hour or two! Maybe this little expression on my face will tell you just how cold it was! I had to wear my lovely green gloves to try and keep warm!

Here are a couple pictures from the dinner at Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon. It was so beautiful up there with the snow and everything! Since I did the cake and the cupcakes I mostly took pictures of that! I also did the decorations so I will have to get some pictures from allison and post those on here. I do have to say I think it turned out very nicely and it looked amazing in there! You wouldn't even know you were outside in a tent! This last picture is a little closer up of the cake so hopefully you can see the detail! It's supposed to kind of look like swirly snow....you can be the judge whether it does or not! Comments welcome!

I guess the only thing left to post is the fabulous florida vacation photos! Those will have to wait because I've got Christmas decorating to finish and presents to wrap! Check back for photos! As a little preview....we fed alligators!

Feeling a little Christmasy...

Which I think is appropriate because it's CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Yay! I have been meaning to post these pictures for a while, but it's been a little crazy with the wedding (Ashley and Chase) and vacation! I don't think these pictures do our tree justice...it looks even better in person! Trust me! I happen to think my tree looks fabulous! I haven't quite finished putting up my Christmas decorations yet...I know, nothin like waiting until the last minute huh? Like I said, it was finals, wedding plans, wedding cake, 160 wedding cupcakes, and then Florida! It's taken me a while. I think I'll go finish before tonight! I can't wait for the Barker family Christmas party tonight held at the Roy Senior Center! Yes, that's right....the Roy Senior Center! It's so fun! After that, we drive around the neighborhood and look at the Christmas lights and the whole neighborhood puts out luminaires along the sidewalk. It looks so pretty, and I love it! Then sleeping over at my mom's house with everyone and waking up to a fabulous Christmas morning! Although we will miss Adam and Allison who are in Wyoming. Come home! Maybe I'll post some pictures of Christmas! Linc will be a little more entertaining this year as he actually knows what presents are and loves opening them! I'm sure he'll be exhausted by the time he finished opening the mound he got waiting! Merry Christmas!

Rejuvenate

So we were looking at buying a house and getting out of the basement apartment...after not being able to find one we really loved and searching for months, we just decided to stay here. Since we will be moving in about a year and half, we decided that it wasn't worth it. I told JD that the only way I would stay here is if we could make it feel more like home! So I made him ask the Yospes (upstairs) if we could paint. They told us we could paint whatever we wanted so we went and picked out paint! The color that we picked was called rejuvenate, which I think is very fitting! We needed a little rejuvenation down here! I like the apartment, but it tends to be a little dark down here with only two window wells! I think this helps brighten it up! We also bought some new lights for the ceiling to replace the old flourescent ones. So anyway...there's only

one wall becuase I wasn't sure if I could handle more than one wall of green! We absolutely love the color! I matches with our couch and pillows perfectly! Next I think we'll be moving on into our bedroom and bathroom for a little color. Here is a closeup of what the color looks like. It'll make you feel just like you're here!

It's ok to get excited, just don't go overboard...

I found this on The Office website.....Kevin just kills me, he's so funny! In a creepy sort of way! Does he creep anyone else out? I want to hang this up in my office!

Thanksgiving!

I know this is totally cliche to say what I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving, but I'm going to anyway. (I'm not quite sure why we have to wait for a certain day each year, we should be thankful everyday!)

So here are some things that I am thankful for....

My family...both of them! They are both great in so many ways! I love them! I love having familiy that I love to hang out with and that I am close to! I don't know what I would do without them!

My husband...I am so thankful for everything he does for me! He's such a good helper! He always helps me when I'm cooking, making cakes, cleaning, whatever I need! He likes to play games with me, watch movies, and just hang out! We are a lot a like and it makes things a lot easier, and we get along really well. I am so thankful for his drive to finish school...I don't know if I could do it! He is so determined to be able to provide for our family that he is working so hard to finish school and to find a career that will support our family. He will always take care of me when I need it! He's so predictable, and I love it! I always know what he's going to do before he does it! I love that he will wear the stuff that I pick out for him even though it may not be his favorite. I love how much fun we have together and that we can just be silly and totally be ourselves!

I didn't think I would say this, but my job and school....I really am thankful that I have a job to help support us and the opportunity to go to school. At the same time, I am kind of glad that opportunity is almost over (2 more semesters).

Our cute litte apartment....It's not huge and it's not fabulous, but it works for us! I am so thankful to have somwhere to live!

And last, but not least....The church. The gospel has brought so many blessings into my life. It's pretty amazing when I stop to think about it. I am thankful for my Savior and the gift of the atonement. I am thankful for a prophet who leads and guides the church with such faith. What an example he is of faith and righteousness. I am thankful for the power of prayer and that my Heavenly Father will always be there to listen to me, no matter what.

From now on I will try to be more thankful everyday and not just one day a year! Happy Thanksgiving!

Elf Yourself!

If you want to see something really funny....click on this link! Trust me, it's great!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9544563852

And....elf yourself!

Boys Like Girls

We had a bit of a wake-up call this last week as JD, Allison, and I went to the boys like girls concert at Weber State. We got tickets for $5 so we thougth, why not?....this might be the ONLY good thing about STILL being at Weber. We were pretty excited to go, but on the way my car died at the gas station and I never would have thought it would be so hard to find someone to help us jump it! We had the cables and everything! We had 2 people tell us no before the 3rd guy reluctantly said yes. I guess downtown Ogden isn't as friendly as it once was! We finally made it to the concert and got frisked on the way in (always a good time). We soon realized just how old we really are...we were surrounded by junior high and high school girls screaming and dancing and jumping around. As I looked at the 3 of us, (just watching, no jumping, dancing, or screaming) I felt like we were the chaperones or something! I'm pretty sure we were some of the oldest people there! We also thought it was a bit loud. Who would have thought at 22 I would be too old for concerts of this sort? Oh well we still had fun, but this may be the end of the concert days!

Dwight and Angela

This year for Halloween we decided to be Dwight and Angela (from the Office). I think it turned out pretty good! JD even had Schrute Bucks he handed out at the parties we went to! A lot of people told me I fit the part of Angela...I'm not sure that's a compliment...

And if you don't watch the Office....you should! It's hilarious!

Happy Birthday Linc!

Today is my nephew Lincoln's birthday! I can't believe he's one already! He's gotten so big! We had a triple birthday party last week for Lincoln, Brock, and Ashley. Here are few pictures of Lincoln with his presents and cake! As you can tell, he's the center of attention!

As you can see from this face he wasn't a big fan of the cake I made for him. He doesn't like to get his hands dirty! Maybe next year...

He got this adorable little beanie and was totally hamming it up for everyone watching!

Sometimes I can't even stand how cute he is! My only worry is how can my kids ever beat this? Since he is the only nephew/grandchild so far, this kid is spoiled like nothing I've ever seen! He has FIVE aunts who keep him very well dressed! And he gets lots of attention! He loves everyone and is so friendly! Linc is one of the happiest babies I've ever met. I guess he's not really a baby anymore...he looks like a little man!

My little project

So I have recently taken up cake decorating and quite enjoy it...when it's done. I tend to get a little stressed out in the process of making it...I wonder who I get that from? JD has been my little helper when I get stressed out making a cake. He measures things and mixes for me! He's a great help! I thought this would be a good skill for the wedding business Allison and I have started, but so far I've only done one wedding cake. If anyone needs a cake for any occasion or knows anyone who does, let me know! I would love to make one...and for a pretty reasonable price! I am going to attempt to make Ashley's wedding cake so if it goes well, I'll post a picture.

Katie's (JD's little sister) 12th birthday

Just for fun...


I made this cake for one of Ashley's patients that got married and is waiting for a heart transplant. My cake decorating teacher, Melanie, helped me out with this becuase it was my first wedding cake and she has a soft spot for heart patients.

Rochele's birthday cake

How did this happen?

Can you believe that this....

...turned into this?

This is Michael! (the little boy that I nannied in New York) As you can see, he looks so different! He is getting so old! He's almost 5 now! When I first got to New York, he was just about 7 months old and he was 18 months old when I left. Susan, Dave and Michael were all here a few weeks ago for a wedding. They had 6 of the 7 nannies present (including the current nanny)! We tried to get a picture with everyone, but it was a little hectic chasing after Michael, etc. Right when we got to the reception, we walked into the cultural hall and see Michael picking up the knife and ALMOST cutting the cake! This was followed by Susan trailing behind yelling, "Michael, NO!" Apparently they had a long talk the night before about how there was going to be a big cake there that he wasn't allowed to touch it! He was so funny! And he loved JD! It was so good to see them as well as the nannies! (Miquelle, Jenna, Megan, Cassidy and Beth) I love any chance I get to visit with them. And although it was a quick trip and visit I hope we'll see them again soon! Hopefully in New York!

Summer Pictures

We spent quite a bit of time at the Kitchen Family cabin this summer in Bennington, Idaho right near Bear Lake. We had a lot of fun sleeping over and boating at beautiful Bear Lake.

We went to Denver in July for a quick little vacation and loved it there!

Elitch Gardens

16th Street Mall

Cheesecake Factory

There were some really cool buildings all over the city and this one happened to be across from our hotel. We were just kind of wingin it here! We showed up with no hotel reservation or anything and had a blast! We went shopping, walked all over the city, went to Elitch Gardens, Cheesecake Factory, 16th Street Mall, and for a drive all through the Denver suburbs before heading to Glenwood Springs on the way home.

We went to Flaming Gorge with the Kitchen side of the family. I conquered many fears there like this slide! I went off the slide on the houseboat, jumped off a cliff, and went tubing...TWICE! With Grandma Kitchen and Dave. Unfortunately I don't have any picture of those...

We went to Lava Hot Springs for the yearly end of summer camping trip. We had a lot of fun swimming at the pool, floating down the river, sitting in the hot springs, and just chililn out!

Ashley and Chase

Allison and Adam

Alicia and JD

We had a really fun summer and are sad it didn't last a little longer!

My Girls

I went to a baby shower for my cute friend Jessica Dunford Gnehm last night and it was so fun to see everyone! These are the girls I grew up with in the Kaysville 2nd ward. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. I miss seeing them and I just love them! It doesn't seem to matter how much times passes, when we get together it seems like we were never apart! Jessica looks so darn cute with only 15 more days to go....if she makes it that long! Everyone seems to be betting little Hunter will be coming this weekend!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to our blog! I hope you enjoy it! It has taken me forever to get it going, but here we go...

It's back to school and we are super busy this semester! I am working full time and going to school full time so I can FINALLY finish! Two more semesters after this! JD and I should probably graduate at the same time, have a semester off and then it's off to Optometry school. We have been looking at schools on the east coast, but haven't decided yet. I think we should go on a long vacation and check them all out!

Well at least we had a fun summer! Here are some of the things we did this summer

Ok I'm going to have to post the pictures later because it doesn't want to work...and I have to figure out how to use this thing! Check back later!