Here are a few pics from Christmas. Presley really loves that little jacket. She did get her sewing machine from Santa and to my relief she thinks it is awesome (that could have been a terrible gift). So now I need to search for a good beginners project. We also just celebrated Presley's 7th bday. I can't believe I have a 7 year old. Its crazy. She had a great 2 days. We have to split between families of course. I have some great pictures and I made a really cute cake. So there is more to come.

I am getting so excited. Presley will be coming home this weekend. I can hardly wait. These pics where snapped when we were shopping just before she left. She is such a girl. She loves to shop.

XMAS Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper and I like it wrapped perfectly. Sharp corners and all. I hate to wrap weird shaped boxes.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
I prefer a real tree...but I just use the one at my parent's (which is flocked and fake).

3. When do you put up the tree?
The Saturday after thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
After New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog?
i used to love it but I can live without it now.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I think that I was most excited to get my Cabbage Patch Preemie.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My Dad...what do you get the guy who has everything?

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Presley...she is my child.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes I do.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Non of the above. That is so much work right now.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
That would have to be the year Dan didn't get me anything. I bought my own presents. That was not fun.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
About mid December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Pumpkin Pie.

16. Colored or Clear Lights?
Colored!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Hark the Harold Angels Sing

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I like to stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
An angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We open up pj's on Christmas Eve all the rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Hands down the traffic.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I like all colors not just one like our tree has green, blue, gold, red, pink balls on it.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Prime rib and crab. MMMMMMM

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I really want a camera!

26. White or Warm Christmas?
I usually want a white one...but this year I would love to be on a beach.

27. Favorite thing about Christmas?
Hot Chocolate

28. Favorite Christmas Tradition?
Opening up presents as soon as we wake up!

29. Favorite Christmas Location?
Anywhere with family!

30. Who do you tag?
Brynne, Tamara, Jamie,and Anna

I need one of these. The only problem is where will I find the funds. This is a not so nice dilemma.

I think I have a one track kind of brain. I have a hard time keeping up with everything. I tend to pay more attention to one certain thing at a time. Otherwise I get really stressed. So right now I am in workout mode. I will probably switch to something else when my life gets back to normal (by that I mean when she gets home). Until then I am just trying to deal.

On a side note. I can not figure out what to get Presley. I really am sick of stupid toys that break or make annoying sounds. I am thinking about maybe getting her a sewing machine. She has asked to use mine many times but it was so expensive I can't let her use it. What do you think? Is it a good or bad idea? I was thinking about this one it is to adorable and not super expensive.

P.S. I wish I could take credit for the pic but I just found thru google images.

I have a confession..... I love fitness infomercials. They totally suck me in. I gave in and bought this one earlier this year and just got the guts to really stick to the plan. I just finished week 2 and I am loving it. It totally kicks my butt and I am excited to see changes in my body. I can't wait to see what I look like after my full 90 days. I have to say that Tony Horton rocks!!!!

Ungrateful? Not Me.....No Never

I think I have been a little ungrateful lately and I want to share a list of things I am grateful for. This is not a true order I am just going to list them as I think of them. So don't get offended. Hehehehehe!

1. Presley
I am totally missing her and enjoying her being gone at the same time. Does that even make sense?

2. My sisters
I love all of them but Taylor and Britt really get me and that feels so nice.

3. My almost sisters Julie and Anna
I really love these girls and they always listen to my rantings.

4. Mom and Dad
What can I say? They always love me and are there to take care of me.

5. My mind
I love that I can use my mind and search and reason to figure out problems or questions.

6. Prayer
I use this one on a daily basis and I am sure he is ready to me to stop asking for so much.

7. Books
They keep me sane. Its my alternate reality. I love, love, love, getting lost in a good book.

8. Potato Chips.
How can something so delightful be so bad for my thighs? Its not fair.

9. Old Navy sales racks
They always have the best prices and they help keep my baby looking cute.

10. The Book of Mormon
Its always were I left it last and it gives me some great perspective into my life.

11. Blogs (of course)
It is so nice to have permission to peer into other peoples lives and learn even more about someone that you might not have gotten out of a conversation. It has become a good way to connect with old friends and find new ones.

12. My In-Laws
They have their flaws like any other family but they have been so supportive through all this whole mess. Sometimes I think they like me better than their son. (shhhhhh thats a secret)

13. The Ensign
Its so nerdy but I love my Ensign. My loving home teachers makes sure I have my copy each month.


After writing this I realized I could go on and on. But who wants to read a million mile long list on my blog? I will save that for my journal.

Today I am most grateful for my family and friends that count as family. You know who you are and you rock! The one that gets a personal shout out is my precious lovely daughter. I will miss her more than she knows today. I love you!!!!!

These rocked my world!!!

As many of you know I am allergic to wheat and sugar and I have been off of both of them about 2 months. Needless to say I have been dying for a cookie. I finally found a recipes that I liked. I have made them twice now and have savored every wheat-free and sugar-free bite. And they are super easy.
*it makes a wet sticky dough*

Agave-sweetened Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup almonds
21⁄4 cups whole-grain spelt flour
3 cups pressed oats
3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, wrappers reserved
1½ cups blue agave syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup raisins or chocolate chips

Directions

Set oven to preheat to 350 F. Meanwhile, place the almonds on an ungreased cookie sheet and put sheet in preheating oven. When oven is up to temperature, about 7 minutes later, remove nuts. Chop coarsely and set aside.

Combine the spelt flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

In a bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Gradually pour in the agave syrup and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy. Add flour mixture and mix to combine. Stir in the raisins or chocolate chips.

Grease cookie sheet with reserved butter wrappers. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets. Flatten cookies slightly. A standard-sized sheet should accommodate 12 cookies.

Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on sheet, then move to a counter or cooling rack.

Makes 48 cookies.

I love love love this stuff. It so good. The best part is that it doesn't raise you blood sugar. Click here to get more info on Agave.

I was blogercizing (yes that is my new term) the other day and found these gorgeous wedding pics. I love her dress and flowers. You've got the check it out.

I saw this movie last night and the jury it still out. I am going to see it again this afternoon and hopefully I will get a better opinion. Maybe be I am unsure because it was so late last night or it might have been the teenage girls whispering, laughing,and cheering through the whole movie that put me off. I just want to watch the movie in peace. So hopefully I will watch it with a less annoying crowd today.

I want to say a big Congratulation to Brynne on the arrival of her second bundle of joy.
P.S. I love the name.

I am super excited and just needed to share. I just got off the scale I have lost 3 lbs and I hope to lose even more. Go me!

Wow

Something fantastic happened. I went to the gym today and low and behold they installed new tvs. There are now tvs at some of the elliptical machines and treadmills. They even have cable. I made it thru and hour and ten min. of cardio like it was no ones business. It may be stupid but it made my day!

This was Presley's first time on skis and and she loved it. I have some better pics coming as soon as I develop them. Dan said she was a natural and I am so glad she doesn't take after me. I am not really the "sporty" type. She had a blast and she can't wait to do it again.




P.S. She thinks she looks like a "fat lady" in her snow suit. We both think its pretty funny.

I love this little chica but as I write this I can hear crunching ever so loudly on a celery stick. I can't help but think I really need a break. This Sunday she is heading back to Maui with her Dad for about a month. It will be a very long break and I will miss her to pieces. I will just have to keep myself busy and mingle. Right?

Bella

These are little Bella's feet. This is so her it makes me laugh. I love those black toes. She is out spoken, brash, head strong, and then out of no where she is the sweetest little angel. She will say things like,"Your my best friend Aunty." and,"You look so pretty Aunty." She was my little friend while Presley was gone this summer and gave me some good cuddles. I miss this chick.

So sometimes I like to reminisce about friends from my Laie days. I have a few girls I hold dear from those days. Namely Brynne, Natalie, Keri, Brooke and last but not least Ruth. I was thinking about Ruth the other day and thought I wonder if she has a blog. And low and behold I check my email today and see that Ruth sent me a link to none than her blog. Needless to say it made my day and it is one more sign that my Heavenly Father loves me and answers my prayers I didn't know I prayed. God is good. :)

Sheesh.....It has been so busy today I haven't had a moment to breath. And it doesn't look like it is going to let up. I will have to post about our birthday party fun a little later.

I have a fancy birthday party to go to tonight. I think I could rock a look like this.

Ok, I am so mad right now and I just have to vent real quick. Here is my story. I have been of wheat and sugar for a while now so I haven't had much in the way of sweet treats (I even made it through Halloween sugar free). So I decided today that I would make a cheesecake for myself. I got all the ingredients. This means that I made homemade wheat free graham crackers and all. I make my awesome sans wheat and sugar confection and put it outside covered to cool (to speed up the cooling). I go to retrieve my well deserved treat to find that it is being devoured by my parents' little dog. My precious confection and all the money I spent on my expensive marscapone cheese is down the tubes. I was ready to cry and I am just seething. I will never ever have any pets. I hate them. This dog has ruined my night and I am ready to feed her to the wolves.

I totally want a pair of these. I bet they are super flattering.

Happy Birthday to....Audrey and Brynne

Happy Birthday to Audrey and Brynne. Audrey is my little niece that I wish that I knew better. She now 2 years old and when Taylor told me she was prego I told her you are having this baby on Halloween. She didn't like that and she probably thinks I jinxed her but I love it. And Brynne is my good friend from the Laie days. We didn't know each other well until the last couple of months we were there and we wished we had more time together. Hopefully we can reunite so day! Happy B-day to all!

Muffins

My friend sent this to me and I loved it. Just watch it.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to all. I hope everyone has a safe and happy day/night!!

I need some help. I am having a storage issue at my house and I needs some good ideas that won't break the bank but are pleasing to the eye. Give me your best ideas so I can steal them and take all the credit. j/k I won't take all the credit.

So Stinkn' Cute

Leila is so stinkn' cute. You can't help but love this little girl. I just love to squeeze her. I love the fauxhawk that she is rockin'.

The B Man

These were taken on Brook's (my nephew) birthday way back in August. We had a great time that day. He is now 6 which blows my mind. I remember going to to Texas to see his little baby self. My how time flies. Oh and by the way... yes this is his favorite way to be (shirtless).

The Fitz Kids...minus one

Right before my sister Britt moved back to California we went to a park and here are a few shots I snapped of her kids. Needless to say I miss these kids and they better come and see me at Christmas. P.S. The last one is the best. That kid is such a nerd and I love it. Unfortunately none of the Leila pictures turned out but I have some others I will post of her soon.

Here is one of me behind my camera. I think my sister Katherine took the pic. By the way that date is so wrong. That was taken at the tail end of August.

Jaremy

My good friend Jarmey (from my high school days) graduated from BYU this summer and I just got the film developed. I know it took me way too long. This is him and his aunt Lisa and cousins that are like brothers to him. And darn it the picture is just a little out of focus so don't look to closely.

The Secret Life of Bees

I saw this movie last night with Julie and we were both blown away. It was so good and I am sure that I cried for at least half of the movie. The acting was great! I am now going to read the book. I have been waiting to see the movie first because I usually get disappointed. With that being said I can't believe that the book will be better (although I really hope it is because I love reading). Afterwards we went to the Happy Sumo and had 2 delicious veggie tempura rolls. It was just what the doctor ordered. Best friend, good movie, good cry, and good food. I love you Julie!

I like Presley's eyes in this pic. She is my little cutie and she is full of to much energy. I need her to slow done.

Here is my sister Maison. She is the baby of the family. She is 9 and is tiny with a tiny voice. She loves having her picture taken. In fact she tends to pout if she doesn't get it taken. What I want to know is how I got the shaft of the olive skin. I got the pasty white skin. Not fair.

This is how I feel today( like a girl not a boy). I wish I could pin point why I feel so sad. Hopefully these blues will pass soon. I don't like feeling this way. Do you ever feel this way? If you do what do you do to feel better?

PS. Will someone tell these crazy telemarketers to stop calling my phone because they won't listen to me!

My friend sent this to me in an email. And it is the cutest thing I have seen in a while.

Please check out Operation Nice today and read the post on Blog Action Day. It touched my heart and it is hard to believe that this is happening in our country. It reminds me how much I take for granted.

Since we will be shorty moving into winter and I will have to ditch my beloved slip slops (aka slippas) I wouldn't mind a pair of these. I just wish I could afford them. You can check out a nice selection here. I really want a pair of these but I am not sure I could pull them off.

Fall is in the air and I think it might be time to get one of these! Can I tell that I adore M-A-C lipgloss and lipglass? Well, I just did.

Must Read

This book is a must read. I started and finished all 364 pages on Saturday. I couldn't put the book down and stayed up to the wee hours to finish it. Needless to say I loved it.

This is my sis Arianne. She just turned 11. I know its crazy that I have a sister so young but she is not the youngest.

You have got to check this guy out. John Chiara. There is a little video here that shows how he does his work and it is super cool. I found this (yet again) from the amazing Natalie!!

xoxoxoxox. You saved my life last night. Thank you Blue Bunny.

Cute Feet

I have just been fooling around with my camera and this is what I have produced. There will be more to come.

Jasmine Star (a fantastic photographer) just made my day. She left me a comment and needless to say I am beaming ear to ear. Check out what she said.

The first is a picture of a guava tree and the second is a papaya tree. These just grow crazy and wild all over Hana.

This is one of my favorite from out trip.

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

This is to fun and amazing. I found it here. Enjoy!

Angel
by Jack Johnson

I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me want to sing

She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home

She can make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You've gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause them angels will just keep on multiplying

But your so busy changing the world
With one smile you can change all of mine
We share the same soul
We share the same soul
We share the same soul

I got this idea from my dear friend Anna. I really love everything that Jack Johnson does. He is definitely my favorite artist. I love this song it is so sweet. You can listen to it here (you really should). Now I just need a man that feels this way about me.

I took these just outside of Dan's door (literally). He lives on a flower farm that also boasts about 30 avocado trees (talk about heaven), mango, papaya, guava, coconut, mountain apples, limes, orange trees, and white pineapple plants. They are all just growing like nobodies business and its all organic. Hana is a nice place to live. The draw backs are extreme humidity, roaches, tons of geckos, mosquitoes, and lots of rain but you can always escape to the beach. On a side note I have to say on of my favorite flowers has to be the hibiscus. There are so many different color varieties. My favorite colors of hibiscus would have to be pink or yellow with purple in the middle. I really wanted to get some good shots of plumeria too but they weren't looking to good.

Another one of my little cutie. Just chilln at the beach. She looks dreamy to me.