High School Musical Fever!

I have a confession to make: I am an avid watcher of the Disney Channel. Maybe I am just a sucker for the cheesy dialogue and corny jokes, or maybe its because there is just so much crap on TV that I resort to watching shows like "That's So Raven" -even though I know its meant for people half my age. Can't put my finger on it, all I know is that I love it. My sister Vanessa and I were actually pretty sad when we could no longer watch Shia LeBeouff as Lewis in Disney's "Evens Stevens" (even though I am pretty sure he is much happier playing lead roles in I-Robot, Transformers, and Indiana Jones). And though I have to admit, there are now some Disney shows which are a little too juvenile even for me, that didn't stop Vanessa and I from catching an early matinee viewing of High School Musical 3.

Go ahead- roll your eyes, think me easily amused, or just plain dorky. I don't care. All I know is that Zac Efron, he's so hot right now. Haha... just wanted to see if you were still reading. No really, maybe its the dancer in me but I am in love with the amazing choreography and constant energy that exudes from every song in the movie. But its not just the songs that are entertaining, but the story line itself. You see, Vanessa and I have this really cool sisterly connection that allows us to make ANY moment in ANY movie hilarious. So like the really melodramatic scenes with Gabriella and Troy, my sister and I just snicker and whisper our own reactions and dialogue. I am sure this seems blasphemous to the real HSM enthusiast, but we don't care- it just makes the movie all the more enjoyable to us. One more cool thing about the movie is that it was filmed at East High in Salt Lake City. It was fun seeing our mountains and sky scrapers in the background of some scenes.

So if you are in the mood for a good-feeling, fun flick with plenty of cheesy moments but incredible song and dance numbers, High School Musical 3 is the movie for you!

A farmer and a charmer

So this post is a bit disjointed but I had some random thoughts that I didn't feel like splitting up into two different posts so bear with me:

I realized two things about Toby recently- One, he has red flannel shirt that makes him look like he just came in from bailing some hay. I was going through all his fall/winter clothes (aka clothes with long sleeves) and I found this shirt and every time he wears it I just giggle because he seriously looks like a miniature farmer. He just needs a pitchfork (made out of plastic for safety purposes) and a mini John Deere tractor. haha its making me laugh just thinkin' about it....
And aside from being a farmer, Toby is THE biggest charmer. Especially with the women. I am wondering if this is a preview of things to come (ahh!). Seriously though, whenever a girl reaches their arms out to hold him, most of the time he will wrap his arms around their neck and give them a big wet kiss on the cheek.

Slow down there tiger.... :)

Things you may not know about me.....

I got this through a forwarded email, but thought I would post it on my blog. Enjoy!

20 years ago.....

1. I was almost 6 years old
2. I wished I could fly
3. I was no longer the youngest child in my family
4. I was a tomboy at Lehi Elementary and could outrun most of the boys

10 years ago.....

1. I was a sophomore at Lehi High School
2. My life revolved around dating, driving and dancing
3. I still lived on the same street as Kassy Hawke and Amber Wood
4. I became best friends with Dan Jackson

5 years ago....

1. I was working as a receptionist at Authorize.Net
2. I was attending night classes at UVSC
3. Amber Wood and I were two peas in a pod - did everything together
4. I drove a purple Saturn and became obsessed with John Mayer (his music that is)

3 years ago....

1. Nick and I had been married for about five months
2. I was living in Anchorage, Alaska and bracing myself for winter
3. I worked at Shannon and Wilson as an Administrative Assistant
4. I had a lot more money than I do now :)

1 year ago...

1. I was over 4 months pregnant and just about to find out what I was having
2. I was working full time at Authorize.Net and taking two classes from UVU
3. Nick was about to start a job with Henry Schein
4. We were having LOTS of car problems

This Year....

1. I became a mother to the most adorable, cuddly boy in the whole world
2. I realized that I could get by with less sleep (though its definitely not easy)
3. I am writing a book
4. My life seems more complete now and I am happier than I have ever been

Yesterday...

1. I ran errands
2. Laughed with Toby
3. Worked on my book
4. Ate some really good mint chocolate chip ice cream

Today...

1. I am a bit tired
2. Am wondering why Toby is not wanting to take a nap
3. Still need to take a shower
4. Am very happy to have Nick home in the morning now that he has a break from school

Tomorrow....

1. is Wednesday
2. and I have no idea what I am going to do
3. maybe I will look at Halloween Costumes
4. am out of ideas of what to say here

Next Year....

1. Nick will be done with school!
2. We could possibly be moving out of state
3. Toby will be walking
4. I will have finished my book
5. I will have gotten back into shape
6. Maybe we will have a dog!!

Feeling nostalgic

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion." — President Gordon B. Hinckley

As some of you may know, Nick and I lived in Alaska for a little over a year in the beginning of our marriage. Although I grumbled to him about the lack of good weather on occasion (OK lets be honest, almost everyday) , as I looked through some of my "Alaska pics" I realized a few things.

1- my hair use to be really blonde! Its almost like I'm looking at a different person. Weird. 2- Nick hardly ever has a normal face in any of the pictures. 3 - I am very grateful to have lived in Nick's native land and at times I do miss living there.
Our first year was pretty awesome. We did a lot of incredible things from staying at Luke's amazing wilderness lodge and going four-wheeling, whale watching, and fishing, to skiing and staying the night at the Alyeska resort, to sampling sushi for my first time (and loving it!), to just the fun weekend things like eating at Mooses' Tooth with friends or rollerblading on the coastal trail.
Now I have got to be careful here because this could honestly get Nick and I into another "Utah vs. Alaska" conversation. So lets just hope Nick doesn't read this post. :) So yes, even though I struggled with being 3,000 miles away from friends and some family, and really missed just a few things about Utah (Cafe Rio, Target, HOT, summer days, waterparks, haunted houses, all 4 seasons - I could keep going but that's a decent list for now), Alaska will always hold a special place in my heart.

Its where I learned so much about myself spiritually because I no longer lived in Mormonville where everyone talks, looks, and acts the same. It challenged me to really question my beliefs and it strengthened my testimony of why I love and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved the times when poeple made me stand up for my convictions and defend my values. Alaska is also where I learned how very superficial Utah can be. To steal a line from Nirvana, I would say that the main disposition in Alaska is "come as you are." No one really cares if you just rolled out of bed and went to the store in sweats with no make-up. The people were real and genuine.

Lastly, Alaska is where Nick and I really learned to rely and depend on each other. Granted, my sweet sister Beckie lived about 45 minutes away from us so that helped in times where I needed to vent about how different -and at times challenging- Alaska was for me.

But honestly, I think being away from all that was so comfortable and familiar, from the friends I had grown up with to the co-workers that were like a second family to me, really strengthened our marriage. It enabled me put all my energy and focus into the most important relationship - our own. Don't get me wrong, I did have friends in Alaska- some pretty cool ones that I still stay in touch with. But I left there realizing that my best friend was and forever will be my wonderful- but quirky- Alaskan husband.

Quote for the week

General Conference was so inspiring. I wish I could have listened to every talk but Toby needed a little extra lovin.' I think a tooth is about to emerge because he's been a lot more fussy and clingy. Thus I had to lay down next to him whenever he needed a nap and stay next to him or he wouldn't sleep. I think that qualifies as an excused absence, don't you? :) But really, I didn't mind too much since I knew I could just read all the talks in the Ensign in a couple of months OR I could just listen to them online. What wonderful times we live in to be able to have those options! But from the talks I did hear, I just ate up every word. There were so many good one liners, I wish I would've written them all down. I don't know why I am always surprised when there are talks that seem like they were tailored just for me and my current circumstances and worries. So since I didn't take notes, I am going to post an inspiring quote by one of my favorite former General Authorities - Elder Neal A. Maxwell. No one puts it quite like him. Also I want to post a favorite quote at least once every week or two.

"Genuine hope is urgently needed in order to be more loving even as the love of many waxes cold; more merciful, even when misunderstood or misrepresented; more holy, even as the world ripens in iniquity; more courteous and patient in a coarsening and curt world; and more full of heartfelt hope, even when other men’s hearts fail them. Whatever our particular furrow, we are to 'plow in hope,' without looking back or letting yesterday hold tomorrow hostage." -Elder Neal A. Maxwell

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

FALL! I love fall. It is my favorite season hands down. The weather is perfect - usually in the crisp upper 60's to low 70's, (even though right now its unusually warm in the mid 80's). I love looking at the mountains this time of year, splashed with orange, yellow, and red.

I have been trying to soak in this season as much as I can. So a couple weeks ago I went with my family up to Sundance and took the ski lift to see all the color changes. Even Toby loved the ride and being out in the fresh air.

And last weekend we went with Nick's parents to one of my favorite places to visit in Utah - Midway. It's a quaint and adorable little city nestled on the other side of the mountain from Provo. It has a lot of Swiss influence, hence the biggest hotel is named after a touristy ski resort city in Switzerland called "Zermatt." Nick and I like going to "The Homestead", another charming resort, to sample some of their homemade fudge. It's SO good!

These pics with Mary and Bob are on top of the crater at "The Homestead." Its 55-foot cave filled with 90 degree mineral water. My little sister, Vanessa and I actually snorkeled in it a few years ago. Its pretty amazing, but a little intimidating when you first go in because its very dark and the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom of the crater.

This is the view from inside the crater, looking up.

This pic shows just how very dark it is in there, even with the light shining through the top.

I attempted to take a pic of the water but again, its pretty dark so it didn't really turn out that well.