New Years Eve Dance

The 5th Ward planned a 14+ Dance for tonight. Liberty worked so Brett and I just decided to meet some friends there for a little while. Loved getting to dance with my favorite guy! We practiced some country dancing including some flips. Got to bust a move with some friends. Even got in a couple slow dances. Happy New Year, love! ❤️

Happy 40th Kris!

Happy B-day, my Kris friend!!! Hope you have a fantastic year! You deserve it! Hugs! Fun ladies to "surprise" Kris for a little celebration! #professionalbirthdaysingers

Twenty Years... on One Knee

Twenty years ago in this very spot- this amazing man got down on one knee & asked me to marry him. Best decision ever! Luv you! Xoxo

Organizing

I've been doing a lot of organizing lately. For a few friends, myself- it doesn't matter- I LOVE it!! 😍 Makes me one happy lady! Does anyone want to come sweep/mop my floor in exchange for one of their closets organized?? Lol

Pole Dancing at a Halloween Party in ID

I also tagged along to a Halloween party the Hoffmans were invited to. (Amber's friend Katie invited them to her parent's house in Ashton, ID) It was super fun!
Man! I miss the Halloween parties I used to throw. Loved the food, loved the people, loved the games, loved the witch story, loved the pole, and of course the "BABY PUPPIES"!!! (Really they were fully grown cats that Josh was in LOVE with. Man that kid is CRAZY adorable!)

Hocus Pocus Extravaganza

Rexberg had a fun Community Event today that we took the kids to. Hocus Pocus Extravaganza. We rode the train. Got our faces painted. Met Mickey & Minnie Mouse. We Peta pig! Kam went fishin'. We saw real life scary spiders. We ate cookies. Fun times!

Plus- An Avenger Fan's dream come true! Love it! I am one lucky cowgirl! ;) I guess Thor & the big Green guy were out saving the day somewhere else?

Amber & I went dressed as Hilary Weeks fans. Here's us hanging with our pals- the Sanderson sisters & Billy Butcherson. It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! Thanks Amber for letting me tag along on your Halloween Adventure.

Hilary Weeks Concert

We loved the Hilary Weeks Concert. So awesome! We love her music and her message. We got matching T-shirts so we can remind ourselves to "Love Your Life"! Hilary walked right by us on the way out. And we even got a shot of her "fist bump" (she did that several times to her Band guys during the concert) You can even pretend it's me that she fist bumped if you like. fun times! 

Love My Friend! 

Joining the Instagram World

I'm always WAY behind in joining any of the technological fads. I didn't start Blogging until most people had left that world for Facebook. (Of which I don't have any interest in following them over) 

I blog mostly for it to be my Scrapbook & Family History. It's not like I have tons of readers so it's mostly for myself. Every 6 months, I publish my blog into a hard bound book from Blurb. I love them!!!! They are a ton of work however. (Insert crazy face emoji. LOL) I'm always running behind to create the next one so I can print it before the next 6 months happen. It's a bit tedious but so worth it to me. I love to have them and look through them. I hope they are something my family always treasures. 

But...I finally decided to join Instagram! Mostly because Amber showed me that I could use another app called Chatbook to have them send me a picture book made from my Instagram posts. I loved looking through her books. So fun! And way simpler than putting my blog books together. 

So... the next couple months is my trial run. I'll give it to the end of the year. Can I really leave my Blog behind and make Instagram/Chatbook replace my Blog book memories? Time will tell, I guess. Man! Change is so hard sometimes. 

OK... See! I even am behind on the logo. LOL I guess they've changed logos--- There.
Now I'm up to date!

Happy Birthday Amber!

Amber & I have been friends for almost 11 years! We have kept in touch through moves and babies, good times & bad times. I adore this girl! We both love to craft, laugh, cry, be organized (ok- she likes to clean & I like to organize but they compliment each other) and now apparently we both like to Instagram! LOL Anytime we talk it's like we just live next door. Love her!
So when she invited me to come down to ID for the weekend to go to the Hilary Weeks Concert- I made it work. We also share a love for Hilary Weeks! Plus as a bonus- it happens to be her birthday this weekend.
Happy Birthday Amber friend! Thanks for letting me celebrate your day with you and helping me figure out this Insta-stuff!



We did a little shopping while I was down there. LOVE the DownEast Clearance deals! I got another one of my Christmas stockings for $1.50. Pottery Barn, baby! Score!

I treated Amber to the most magnificent Birthday meal! Seriously- where has Kneaders been my whole life?!!! Yum!!!

And I also adored her kids! It was like a big "Aunt Shay" party all weekend. I totally messed up their schedules and eating patterns. But man did I love it! (Sorry Ben & Amber for the aftermath- you'll deal with afterwards from the pure sugar high we are all on! LOL)

Even our trip to Walmart was fun! Silly kids! Thanks Ian for hanging out with us!

We drove by this beautiful place at night when we were picking up the teenager, Yes- Motherly-taxi-driver duties do not cease because you have friends in town. LOL

Oh yes... we also both love to re-purpose things. Amber was working on this chair so she showed me the ropes so I can do a couple I have at home. She's so talented! (There was definitely not even time for us to do all the things we wanted to do. Another visit is in order, I guess! ;) Love you, lady!

Taking Names to the Temple

EARLY this morning, Liberty drove us to Billings for a Ward Temple trip. It was just a special date with Mom & daughter. {Justice had last football game and Brett stayed to support him} Liberty drove the WHOLE way there and back. She's getting to be a really great driver. 

This was our first time taking our own names to the temple. When doing our genealogy, we came across a family that needs some temple work done. Samuel Bower (born 1845) & Mary Ann Pidcock and their 10 children haven't been sealed as family yet. Some need baptisms, some need initiatories and some just need the endowment. Then Brett & I can take them & seal them all together forever. I'm so excited!

Liberty was able to baptize the rest of the girls & I did some Initiatory work for several of the women. 

 What a special day to be with Liberty in the Temple!

I made Liberty's day by taking her to Barnes & Noble. She LOVES books! We bought some books and ate some lunch at their Cafe. Good times!

Muffins with Moms

My last Muffins with Moms with my son. {Sad face!} So glad to be able to be with my kiddos though. They walked me back to my car & held my hand the whole way. How sweet is that?

Brigham City Temple

The girls & I stopped by the Brigham City Temple on our way home from UT. (Yeah! Another temple to add to the side of our Blog!!!) It was beautiful!

We also walked across the street to check out the old Tabernacle. It is old & has gorgeous brick and windows! The girls found a little bat. Crazy!

Bestemor's Funeral

The real reason that the girls and I headed down to UT this week was for my grandma's funeral. Rayola H. Andersen aka Bestemor passed away last Monday at the age of 89.

We attended the viewing in the morning. It was crazy to see all my aunts & uncles & cousins & their kids. Some of them I haven't seen in like 15 years. I hardly recognized some of them.

At the graveside, we had a little service. I was able to visit with my oldest friend, Kathryn. And see a few more relatives that I haven't seen in years. Tauni & I compared our hair. Man! It's getting long!

Pallbearers:

Treston shared memories from all the grandkids.

All of Bestemor's children: (Lavell, Adam, Kathie, Kail, Klarise, & Karla)

All the Grandchildren (except Mark Jr. who passed away).

All the great-grandchildren (minus Liberty & Justice)

My mom- Karla's family

And my Dad & Edette came as well.

We had a luncheon afterwards, Victoria was super excited to bring home some flowers. It came with a little note that read:

"When Rayola was Relief Society President she always brought carnations to the luncheon after funerals. Her gift was fresh flowers to the family of the deceased in remembrance of their new life. I told her that I would do that at her funeral in gratitude for her service and influence to so many others."

Sleepover with Halle

Victoria, Glory & I took a short trip down to UT. We got to stay with the Davis family. The girls were so excited to spend time with Halle. They are so cute together!

They are also pretty silly!

They treated us to a Caramel Apple Bar. So delish! and messy!!!

The girls slept each night in a massive fort. Fun times! Thanks guys for letting us stay with you! XO

4th Floor, Last Door- Women's Broadcast

After going to dinner with my good friend, Kris- I took my little girls with me to the Women's Broadcast. {Liberty had to work} This was Glory's 1st time. Our favorite talk was Elder Uchdortf. He talked about never giving up when sharing the Gospel. They had ice cream for us afterwards. My girls were in heaven!!! ;)

Volunteer on Tuesdays

I am loving being able to volunteer at the school. I love being known as the Master Copy Lady, getting to know the girls teachers and eating lunch with them & their friends each week. Fun times!

Glory's Crew

(Megan, Kovi, Bryn, Faith & my buddy- Taylor)

And Glory's younger friends

(Maia. Boston & McKenna):

Victoria's Posse

(Victoria, Kaylee, Clara, Jadyn R, & Sofie)

One Tuesday it was Bob's Birthday- 
(He's their Imagiary Friend. They take turns taking him home! LOL)

Making Scrapbooks in Mrs. Sharbono's class

Fargo Friend Visit

My 2 closets friends (Kristen & Brooke) from Fargo both dropped kids off at BYU-I in Rexberg this week. It was my lucky day because they decided to stop by & spend the night on their way home. I so loved being with them if only it was for 12 hours. ;)
Glory took Kristen for a SpeedRacing Adevnture-. LOL

Thanks ladies for stopping. I miss you sooo much!!! Drive safe. XO

20th Anniversary GetAway

Brett and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary this weekend!!! We braved leaving the kids by themselves and did a little getaway to Idaho. Perfect distance to not be in the car forever.

We found a fun theme-room Hotel in Idaho Falls. We stayed in the Venice room. It was awesome!

They provide Bubbly on our own little private "balcony".

We drove down to Blackfoot & spent time with our friends for a wedding reception. Then came back to spend the night at the hotel. We even rented a massage table. So amazing! I need one of those at home!

They delivered breakfast to the door in the morning. We got it a little late so the Hot Cocoa cream was melted but everything was delicious!

Once we checked out, we headed downtown to explore a little, We did a little shopping then saw that they have a special exhibit at the Museum. It's right up our alley so we decided to stop. "Rebels with a Cause"

We caught the tale end of the Farmers Market so we tried Mexican Street corn. Oh.My.Heavens!!! It looks and sounds gross but it was super fabulous!

We checked out the Falls. The Idaho Falls Temple is closed this week so we just enjoyed the view.

We found a little place to eat lunch. It was called Diablas. The owner was our chef. We just sat and watched her make our lunch. It was so good! I tried the Seafood Eggs Benedict. It came with fresh yogurt as well. (like homemade- Yum!) Brett tired one of their signature sandwiches and a super fresh salad.

We did head up to Rexberg to do a session at the Temple. It's the 1st time I've been inside so it was a special day! We are going to count this as our Touching Temple photo for Rexberg. Love it!

I am very lucky to be married to Brett. I can't believe we've been together for over 20 years. Crazy! Love you Honey! XO

P.S. Before we headed home- I got to stop and hug my friend Amber. She lives in Rexberg. They were having a Ward Party at the Church so we stopped by for a few minutes. It was so fun to see her. Bummer that I forgot to take a picture. Dumb! Oh well! Good to see you, lady! Xo