Imagination

I just told Carter he had to go potty and his exact words to me were:

"I caaaan't. You will flush me down the toilet! And that would not be good!"

Christmas Surprise

My former MIL and FIL surprised me with a GORGEOUS, brand new, shiny washer and dryer. That's right my friends- a high-efficiency, front-loading washer and dryer. I cannot even begin to express my love for these things. It was only a week ago that my one day off was devoted entirely to doing laundry at Mom's house. Not anymore. I can throw one load in at night and wake up to clean clothes. I no longer have loads and loads to do at one time. It is a beautiful thing!

Jim & Carol, Thank you a THOUSAND times! I LOVE them!

Breakthrough!

So, I finally did it. I asked a man out. Ok, I kind of asked a man out. Really, I did not ask him out, but I left him my number so he could hopefully ask me out. I will update as soon as I something to update about!

Frugile, Frugile, Frugile and PROUD!

I have a new obsession. It is online shopping. Yes, I can lie in my bed in my pajamas AND SHOP! I discovered this recently (even though I have been working for an online skincare retailer for almost a year now-hmmm, go figure!) and it gets even better!

You can google coupon codes for bukoo savings!! Yes siree!

I came across this website (you can find in my list of favorite websites) called Couponseven.com. Holy smokes! I found a coupon code for 30% OFF my purchase... That's right THIRTY PERCENT OFF!! I got Carter a hand-held educational gaming system and I saved like 50 bucks! Oh I am so stoked! Michael, I am sure you are just beaming right now with my Frugality!!

Carter and I had our pictures taken at a orchard in Provo. The talented Wendy of Bluelily Photography did an INCREDIBLE job with Carter and managed to snap a plethora of amazing pictures in just 20 minutes- even with a wardrobe change half-way through!

I am so excited! I just received the proofs today! Unfortunately, I can't post the pictures to get help deciding which ones to choose (really I have about 30 to choose from!). But, Wendy did put some on her blog so I will post them here. Enjoy!

Congratulations!

To Mom & Michael!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to attend their Temple Sealing. It was an amazing experience. I haven't sobbed like that in a while!

You two are a incredible example of what a marriage should be- I can only hope to find someone to share that kind of love with!

I love you!

We LOVE Halloween!

Wow! Halloween 2008 was extra exciting! We had lots of different festivities going on this year and we barely made it through! By 10:00 on Halloween night, I was practically comatose.

This was the first year Carter picked out his costume. I was slightly nervous at first at the thought of him picking out his own costume- it left me feeling a little out of control! I have always dressed him up in the cutest, cuddliest costumes I can get my hands on... so what does he pick? The most un-cuddly costume ever... BATMAN! I'm not gonna lie... He was ADORABLE! See for yourself!




We started out the week with our Ward Halloween Party, which somehow I got roped into being in charge of the face painting. The kids loved that! I did have one boy ask me to paint a penguin. That was kind of weird. Funny story though- Carter was hanging out with this little boy from the ward and the little boy asked me if I was Carter's sister. I told him that I was his mom and be looked me up and down with a disgusted look on his face and said, "I have never seen a mom that looks like you." Not sure if that was a compliment or not!

Then the night before Halloween, Carter helped me make my costume. He got way into it saying things like, "Oh Mama. It's beautiful." and "You will be the cutest paper doll ever!"



Halloween morning, I woke up at 5:00am to get in my costume for work then I dropped Carter at school at 6:30am and went to work. I left work at 10:00 to go watch Carter in his school parade. Unfortunately, my camera battery died so I couldn't get any pictures of that. Went back to work where we had a fun Halloween lunch (soup in breadbowls- yum!) and had a costume contest... and GUESS WHAT?! I won!! I never win anything! I won Best Costume. It was pretty exciting! My favorite costume by far was Waldo (AKA Dan the Man). I tried to work for a little bit after that but I could barely contain my excitement. Then we were able to invite our kids to come trick or treat at work. It was so fun! Carter came and was loving how easy it was to get all that candy! We did see Flash along the way so we had to get a quick picture of a couple members of the Justice League!



We went home and met Carter's dad for a little trick or treating around the neighborhood and then we headed to Dad's for a Halloween spread. I love that family tradition! Seriously, its one of my favorites! Dad, you are gonna be hosting that one for a long time to come! We ate good food, talked, laughed, had an all-out wrestling match with all the neices and nephews on the front lawn. That was hilarious! Andrea and Jayson didn't dress up for the first time in years- so disappointing! I have a vague memory of Jayson in spandex and a 'fro and Andrea with incredible facial hair and a kilt! They usually are the King and Queen of Halloween. Well, maybe next year, huh guys? And to finish of the night... there was the Mullet. Stay tuned for a future post on that one.

6 Weird Quirks...

Only 6? Really?

1. In my pantry, all of my cans have to be labels facing forward. It is a sickness that is deeply rooted in my 'ol Robyn Todd days!

2. I cannot sleep without moisturizer on my face and lotion on my feet. But hairy legs, NO PROBLEMO! Sorry, TMI.

3. All blinds must be closed at my house at dusk. I don't like the feeling of people potentially looking in at me- Like I am an animal in a cage.

4. Locking the doors. And relocking the doors. I can have my Dad to thank for instilling that one in me!

5. I have to go to sleep in a fully made bed... so if I didn't make my bed that morning after waking up, I have to make it all, and then climb in and tuck myself into bed.

6. I have 6 pillows on my bed, but only one I use. I cannot sleep on the same pillowcase more than twice. I sleep on one side the first night, then flip it over the second night. Then I will replace it with a new pillowcase. You can bet I have a plethora of pillowcases in my linen box!
PEOPLE! Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase will cause your skin to break out! No joke!

As you can tell, I have quite the bedtime routine!

I tag Mom, Angie and Amee!

p.s. Andrea, I loved your stache admission!

Congratulations!

To Dad & RaeAnn!

They were married on Wednesday, October 3rd at a beautiful property located in Mountain Green.

I love you Dad! And I am so happy for the both of you!

Splurge!

Yay! On Tuesday, I splurged and got myself something I really have wanted for a while... A DYSON vaccuum!



This baby can pick up anything! Who knew I could be so excited about a VACCUUM?!

My next big purchase...

Top Model

On Saturday, Andrea and I got our hands on Michael's camera. This is the result:






And of course, we had to do some group shots:











We truly have been blessed with impressive photogenic talent. Should I say "Thanks Mom!" or "Thanks Dad!"?

Bubbly Beehives

Last Sunday, I was called to be the Beehive advisor of my ward. I cannot even begin to express how happy this makes me! I love Young Women's! It's the only calling I have ever had!

I'm Baaaaaaccck...

Ok, so I fell off the Blogging Bandwagon, but I have got some new amazing pictures that will provide for some great blogging material.

Summer Days (warning: this is a pathetic attempt at a blog entry...)

I cannot even begin to tell how many times I have begun a new post with pictures and everything but I never actually save it. For some reason, I have no passion for blogging anymore. It is my primary method of journaling these days, and I just have not been diligent on keeping everything updated.

So, here are some of our activities this summer in a short "nutshell" post:

Swimming As often as we possibly can.

Bug-Catching Carter has decided he likes to put bugs in his pocket. He remembers them a few hours later and finds that they are dead. We release the bug to its natural habitat (nice way of saying we dump the poor, dead thing) and Carter will always comment saying something like (and always in a bright, cheery tone), "Maybe next time he will grow up." It is really quite dreadful.

Popsicles & Ice Cream Sandwiches Our favorite summer treat.

Sleepovers in Mom's Bed I have always refused to allow Carter to sleep in my bed... But its been so hot that I cannot bring myself to force Carter to sleep in his room where it is hot and stuffy. I have large windows and my room is at the back of the house where the cool breeze from the creek blows in. Beginning tonight, we have a window air-conditioning unit, so there will be no more sleepovers in my bed.

Cars the Movie We watch it constantly.

Soccer As soon as it cools down (about 8:00pm), we go out to the backyard and kick the soccer ball around. It is my last opportunity to exert the last of Carter's energy, hoping for a painless and easy bedtime routine.

Work & School This is the most time-consuming activity of our Summer Days. Necessary but certainly not the most fun.

Well, that's about it. We are looking forward to the Fourth of July and a family camping trip planned to take place a few weeks from now. There will be a few firsts for Carter, so there should definitely be some blogging material available.

Birthday Bash!

Ok, it wasn't so much a bash, just a weekend full of fun activities.

Friday, June 6th

- I worked from 7-5. Blah.
- Went to dinner at Epic Restaurant with a group of best buds.
- Went to my mom's house with Best Buds and watched movies, opened presents and partook of a deliciously adorable cake; complements of Amee.
- Fell asleep on my mom's couch fully dressed with basically a towel as a blanket. Best Buds left me there.


Saturday June 7th (My Actual Birthdate)

- Woke up on Mom's couch and had her drive me to my house. Got in my pj's and went back to sleep in my bed until 10:30am.
- Woke up and did some digital scrapbooking and downloaded music.
- Got lunch at Subway. I love the Veggie Delite sandwich.
- Went to Sego Lily Day Spa in Murray where I soaked in a Japanese bath tub, had a 90-minute Hot Stone Massage, steamed, sauna-ed, ate snacks, drank Elixirs, slept, read. Finally, ended the spa trip with a luxurious 90-minute pedicure. Thank you Mama!! I was at the spa from 1:30-7:00!
- Went to my favorite Thai restaurant, Orchid, where I had potstickers and Yellow Curry with Chicken to go. Went back to my house with plans to watch all the movies I have been wanting to see, but remembering Carter had broken our TV two nights before. Ate food, read a book and went to bed at 9:30.


Sunday, June 8th

- Woke up to Carter arriving at my house (he was with his dad this weekend).
- Showered and got Carter and I ready for church.
- Went to church at 11:30am and I actually quite enjoyed my meetings today. Not to mention, one of my favorite people was sitting right by me in sacrament meeting! :)
- Went home, changed to cozy clothes and went to Mom's where Andrea and Jayson graced us with their presence. She made one of my favorite meals; Cafe Rio Salads (of course mine was meatless). We ate, talked, played and made some "plans" (wink wink).

Another year and another memorable birthday!

Bowling!

This weekend, I was thinking of all kinds of things Carter and I could do together today.

Swimming, playing soccer, riding bikes... Even Lagoon was a possibility.

Well, as you may all have experienced, today was cold and rainy. So, what did we do, you ask? We went bowling! It was Carter's first time and he loved it!



Carter's average speed was about 1.8 miles per hour!



1st Game - I barely beat Carter! He is pretty good!


Carter would do this move and hold it while he waited for the ball to make it down the lane. People were laughing and clapping. He provided much entertainment for the nearby bowlers!




Carter enjoying some deliciously greasy bowling alley food!


Game 2 - I showed some improvement! Hey, I got a strike!