CELINE!

Last night my sister and I took my mom to see Celine Dion for her 50th birthday. We gave her the tickets LAST year for her birthday so she had a whole year to look forward to it. Celine is her FAVORITE and has been for a long time. My mom was never able to see her show in Vegas so it was awesome that we all got to see it together here. Now I have heard she was an excellent entertainer from many, and to say the least she did not disappoint.
Before the concert we (along w/ my aunt, cousin and other cousin's wife) went to dinner and has a great time. Then onto the concert where we scored an awesome parking spot and realized our seats were right next to the exit! Couldn't have been a better set up. As we anxiously awaited Celine she had a super great opening act. He is an impersonator from Vegas who imitates soooooooooo many people (most of which are singers whom he can sing exactly like). He was hilarious.
Then on to the main event. Celine is one of if not the best performers I have ever seen. She knows how to connect to the crowd so you feel as if you are just hanging out with her and then blows you away with the dancing, special effects, and most importantly singing! She sang acapella, french, and a lot of her most popular songs. It was weird for me because I didn't realize how many songs she has that everyone knows!
It was one of the best memories I could have ever asked for. My mom has sacrificed abundantly for me my entire life and I am grateful for her love in a way that I can't put in to words. Happy Birthday Mom!

Thankful

I love Thanksgiving. You get to be with family, think about all of your blessings, take time off of work, and eat! It's also a nice transition into the Christmas spirit. I absolutely love it. This year my family and I spent the holiday with my aunt, uncle, and cousins on my dad's side. We had a great time! My cousin and his wife hosted it in their new home in Fountain Valley which is super nice. There was a ton of great food and a ton of little kids which makes the holidays fun. They are funny and cute and were so well behaved it was unbelievable! My cousin planned some crafts for them to do after dinner which turned out REALLY cute (some ornaments and little turkeys made of like a thick waxy cardstock and some other stuff. What a great idea?) After dinner my sister and her boyfriend went with Jason and I to see the movie "Four Christmas' " (w/ Reese Withersoon & Vince Vaughn). We loved it and decided to take a picture in front of the tree while we were there (we saw the movie at Fashion Island). I love the tree there!

By the way, I just noticed I didn't write under the one with the sign that says "The Strip House". To clarify, it was a steakhouse with great steak and lobster.

Viva Las Vegas

Here is Jason is in the booth at the SEMA show...

Paris Hilton. She knew we were there so she decided to come see if we'd party with her.

We were getting ready to go out to dinner (me in the bathroom, Jason in the bedroom) only to find out we were MATCHING! So both in blue we went out.




We went to Vegas for the SEMA show (it's a huuuuuuuuge car convention held annually). It was a lot of fun but really tiring. Jason left Sunday and I met up with him on Tuesday night. I help at the booth so we both work all day then go out to dinner and shows or what not at night. It's fun to get to spend time together and for me to see what Jason does for work. We stayed at Planet Hollywood which was a nice hotel. Paris Hilton had her movie premiere there on my second night there. A ton of people came which I thought was kind of funny. I just don't think of her as being a big celebrity. She's just famous cause she's rich and made a sex tape. Not the best way to get famous, but whatever. The next morning we are in the elevator with about 10 people. Evryone is quiet, then out of nowhere this middle aged, overweight guy says "OK, I just have to say it. I saw Paris Hilton last night!" Everyone sort of muttered, "Yeah, we all did. She was at our hotel all night." His reply, "Yea, but I video taped her the whole time!" Then, silence. So awkward!
The whole trip seemed to be filled with random stuff like that. It was awesome just people watching. We came back the following weekend (a whole week there for Jason!) just exhausted. And then one day later... our anniversary!

November 11, 2008--Our 2 Year Anniversary

Yesterday Jason and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary! We went out to dinner and today he took the day off work so we could spend a leisurely day together. No errands or to-do lists, just some hang out time for the two of us. It was soooo nice! We took a walk to get some breakfast, saw a movie, did a little shopping, just enjoyed being together. While reminiscing, it was crazy to think of how quickly the time has gone. I won't say it's been easy, but definitely rewarding. We have grown together in many ways I never even dreamed existed. It is so exciting to think about continuing in building our home and a family together. Married life has brought us an abundance of blessings. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan for us and for the blessings he gives us from having a temple marriage. I definitely feel like one of the luckiest and most blessed people alive. It was fun looking through some pictures and thinking of that awesome day. Best day of our lives. And the honeymoon in Maui was pretty freakin awesome too.

and one more thing...

Danielle, Tam, and I were hiking up June mountain and somehow decided it would be a good idea to jump into a pool from the waterfall. It was really fun but sooooooo cold! Coldest water I have ever been in. (The water is from the left over snow at the top of the mountain so obviously.) It was in the low 40's. I think the guys were suprised we did it. But it was great to have a little adventure to tell about. Good times.

So it has been a while.

I always mean to post and just procrastinate! This summer has been really fun but seemed like it went by too fast. I only made it to the beach twice! That's not a real summer. Anyway, the beginning of August we went up to with my friend Tam to her grandma's ranch (with Danielle and Kiffy too) and it was sooo much fun. We hiked, did pilates, swam at the resort, took a day trip to Yosemite, basically just thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors.
This is one of the lakes in Yosemite. So beautiful.


Jason and I about halfway up June mountain. The boys were fishing in every pool that was made by the waterfall from the top all the way down. It was a really fun hike.
Jason fishing in Yosemite.
And me just walking around the park. I really love Yosemite. My favorite thing is the richness and intensity of all the colors in everything around you. Amazing. It was really nice to be able to spend some time with my good friends and just relax. A big thanks to Tam.

I love being an aunt!

So it has been over a month now, but my brother-in-law Jeremiah and his wife Hillary came out to visit with their 3 kids (Callie, Jackson, and Ellie) and I still wanted to post about it. We had a really fun weekend just hanging out with them and my other brother-in-law Justin with his wife Jamie and daughter Katelyn (they only live a few street lights away). I get to hang out with my Katie-Kate all the time, but the other 3 not so much, so it is a treat when I get to see them. They are so freakin cute and say the funniest stuff (Jackson always takes huge steps and says "Fe! Fi! Fo! Sum!" We try to tell him it's 'fum' but he doesn't care. He's the best.) Here are a couple pictures from the weekend that I took from Hillary's blog (thanks!) cause I kept forgetting to bring my camera.
Here is Callie checking out her 1st "real" manicure and Katelyn with her mom Jamie.
Katelyn gives me a little snuggle time after my pedicure.

And I got to hold Ellie during my pedicure.
Jackson thought this car downtown was the coolest. I love his smile for the cameras! Haha. Isn't it the best?



Here are the kids at my place when they first got into town.And Katelyn got to finally see her cousin Ellie for the first time.

Red, White & Blue

On the 3rd of July we went and saw my niece, Katelyn, in a 4th of July program our stake has put on for the past 24 years (when my grandpa first started it!) It was great. She looked so cute as a little cheerleader. It was a great way to start celebrating the 4th!

On the 4th Jason and I woke up and jumped on our bikes and rode for a few hours. We stopped for lunch and rode to my parents house as well. It was really nice to have some time with just us. Afterwards we cooled off in the pool and then headed over to the Swainston's for a huuuge block party. Colin lit off some pretty ridiculous fireworks to end the evening. I love the 4th.
Jason and Kiffy....
Dan and I....

Tam and Spenc making the shave ice. It was by far the most popular thing there. (The taco man did make some pretty killer tacos too. The spread of food was intense.)

I love the 4th of July. I am so grateful to live in the promised land and be free to live as I choose. It's a pretty amazing blessing to be born in such a great place.