Retired

Here is my 9th grade cheerleading shoes, AKA running shoes for the past 4+ years.

They're Powerhouses, or top of the line cheer shoes in their day.  But, my parents thought it was about time for some new running shoes, so for my birthday I got to pick the running shoes of my choice.

On "Cyber Monday" I bought these  babies on Amazon.com.  

Thanks Powerhouses, we have seen many miles together, but I think it is time I lay you to rest.  I know my feet and knees will be grateful.

Cold Turkey

This year I was worried due to the Freezing cold, our annual Turkey Trot was not going to happen.   But we got up out of our warm beds and braved the cold...

And even finished the race!

Yes, I wore 3 pairs of pants, one of which is in my hands

Thanks Bryce and Er for being the only ones brave enough to run with us this year:)  See you again next Thanksgiving!

What Are You Thankful For?

We are thankful for our families, especially our nieces and nephews.
In Colby's nephew's primary class, they were to make a card for someone they are grateful for.  When he handed it to Colby at Sunday dinner, Colby's exact words were, "It better not say Colby's magic tricks."
And he opened it up to find this...

... Magic Colby, complete with a wand:)

Then I got this cute Thanksgiving card from my niece Kendell.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Birthday Diaries

As many of you know, another birthday came and went.  Another year older, and another candle added to the cake.  Yuck, 23 just sounds so old!  Growing up you just never thought you'd get there.
I must say though this was another exciting birthday.
It started out on Halloween at my parents house.  I think for the first time in my 23 years I didn't choose cheese enchiladas for dinner, this year wanton salad.  We also had fabulous cupcakes made by Emily and Kendell.

Colby's big surprise, So You Think You Can Dance tickets!

On my birthday I woke up to a yummy breakfast,

and later had dinner at Senora grill.
Thursday was the main event So You Think You Can Dance and was so much fun!

We were grateful we got there as early as we did, come to find out they double booked the floor seats!  So whoever was sitting first got to stay.  Luckily no one came up to us with tickets for the same seats, I hate contention, but there sure were lots of angry people all around us without seats.

Then I came home to Colby's last big surprise, a 3 paneled canvas painting for our "really white walls" painted by our brother-in-law Doug.  He did awesome, he has a ton of talent.

My birthday ended with a yummy brownie at Kyle and Sheena's, a good lunch with Whit and Kelly, and a last birthday dinner at the Sherman's.

Practicing for next year with 24 candles:)

Nothing like a good birthday week! Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. 

This is Halloween

This year we got our fare share of festivities in.  We were able to dress up on 4 different occasions to Colby's delight since he spent so much time on his costume.  I had found the idea on Martha Stewart.com and he went to town to create it.  He spent hours on it, and I think it paid off.
To kick off the celebrations we first had a costume party at Ashli and Brian's, she had gone all out to decorate, and it was a lot of fun.
The next night we went to the Pumpkin Walk in Syracuse.  I could not believe some of the pumpkins!  Pretty impressive if you ask me. I think we'll make it a tradition.

The firefighters even dressed up for the occasion

After being inspired there,

we went home to carve our own pumpkins with Bryce and Erica.  Colby brought out his creative side, and impressed me once again.

Friday Night's sunset

Friday we went to a party my cousins threw, and had a blast.  It was filled with a pumpkin launch, dinner, costume contest,

 "Bee Keeper and a Bee"

One of the many creative costumes, "Global Warming"

doughnut on a string game,

dipping carmaled apples,

and our favorite... glow in the dark baseball.

Yep, this is a picture of glow in the dark baseball:)

Last night I made Colby a little festive dinner.  While making it we saw this...

Although you can't see it, it was a double rainbow, and one of the prettiest post rainstorms I've ever seen.
On the Halloween Dinner Menu: dinner in a pumpkin,
bread bones and blood,

and shaped orange jello jigglers.

After eating and handing out treats to the very few trick-or-treaters we had, (I sadly think Trick-or-Treating door to door is a thing of the past) we headed out to another costume party at a friend of Colby's.

One of my favorite pictures of the whole season...Colby patiently waiting for Trick-or-Treaters with his homemade bees swarming his head:)

Then to polish off Halloween, today we went to my parents dressed up for dinner where the rest of the grand kids had come decked in their costumes.  I'd say we had our feel for Halloween this year! It sure was fun though!

Getting a good picture with all 5 grand kids is a tough feat
Maddi (chicken), Kendell (unicorn), Mikelle (witch), Kamryn (cow), and Kade (dragon)

Happy Halloween!

The Mix Up

Yesterday Colby thoughtfully made me cinnamon french toast for breakfast.

I commented they had a slight hint of what tasted like chili powder.  Colby noticed too.  He then made some scrambled eggs for himself.  I said cinnamon scrambled eggs are sick, but after taking a bite he said, "Nope they still taste like they have chili powder in them."
This baffled us both, until I said, "Did you by chance put in cumin instead of cinnamon?"  We went over to where he had made the breakfast and sure enough there is the bottle full of "ground cumin."

I laughed so hard and caught myself giggling throughout the whole day.  Cumin French Toast?  Who woulda thought?:)

They both start with C's, are brown and in similar bottles.  Close enough I guess.

Date Night

Due to our out of control busy schedules this past month, Colby and I weren't able to do much spending time together.  So, Colby planned a date last Friday that I was so excited about.  Horse back riding!  I love, love horses, and hadn't ridden in years and was looking forward to the date.  Well, the clouds were a threatening black all day, but I still had hope.  So I met Colby at the car lot after work, and he first surprised me with this...

a bowl full of yummy black berries.
Well, just as we had worried about, the clouds opened up and the rain started coming down, and coming down is an understatement.   This was the scene pulling out of the car lot...

 And this was the scene on Washington Blvd on the way to the corral...

 ...completely flooded.  Needless to say we didn't get to go riding, but we still were able to go to dinner and a movie, and spend time together.  All we needed after what felt like months apart.

Lesson Learned

A few months ago Colby and I were put in charge of Youth Conference.  When we were called my eyes got big and I was thinking, Do you know how old I am?! I mean I still get asked at the door if my parents are home. (Which I don't mind by the way.  This way I can simply turn those pesky sells men away by simply saying "Nope" and feel okay about it cause I'm not lying)  So we stressed, planned, and prepared for it.  Our youth comity came up with the activities, and we helped make it possible.
Although I was a stress basket the day of and the days preceding, I think it turned out pretty good.
They did a service project for an elderly couple in the ward..

Had dinner, which thankfully less kids showed up than expected because I had a whole pot of chicken that never cooked.
Had a talent show.  I was really impressed with all the kids that participated, they did awesome.

Even Colby joined in.

Then Ashli, Colby's sister, set the mood for her husband Brian to give a geat fireside.

We camped,

Then woke up the next morning for some boating.  I think Colby has had his feel for camping for the next year.:)
Through this whole experiece we have learned the importance of one word, "D-E-L-I-G-A-T-I-O-N!"  If we are ever in charge of anything again, we will Not try to do it all on our own ever again. 
Thanks to my family and Colby's family for all you offered and all your help.  You really made it work out for us!