Thanksgiving

I blew out of town on Wednesday last week and didn't do a proper Thanksgiving post. So I will do it now. I am thankful for:

1. My relationship with my Father in Heaven, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
2. My parents. All four of them. I have four of the best role models I could ever ask for.
3. My brothers and sisters. I have the most fun with them and some of the most important experiences with them.
4. Temples. I love going to the temple every week.
5. My friends. I have AMAZING friends.
6. The memories I have of my mission. The experiences I had and the people I met there have changed me forever.
7. My health. I didn't realize before this year how thankful I am to be healthy as a horse!
8. That I have a job.
9. My car, Beyonce.
10. Bandaids.
11. Duct tape.

Jordan and Miranda's Wedding

Jordan and Miranda-Jayne got married on Saturday, November 21. Talk about a gorgeous day! The weather was absolutely perfect. We had tons of family in from all over the western states. Jordan has always been one who focuses on his relationships with people. Especially family. He jsut cares so much about family.

Jordan joined me at BYU for my last semester. We had always been close, but he really became my best friend during that time. Since then, we have stayed super tight. I am so happy that he has met his sweetheart and has started his own family.

The wedding was beautiful. They were sealed in the east sealing room in the Saint George temple. He is the fourth generation to get married in that room. It was packed. There were 100 people in all. It was the coolest. Although it was squishy, it was nice to see so many people there whom I love, and with whom Jordan has kept in close contact. It was what I want heaven to be like. Jordan and MJ looked so happy. Perfectly happy.

Coming out of the temple. They looked absolutely amazing.

The parents of the newlyweds

With Jordan's family

Perfectly candid shots just tickle my funny bone. So many great things about this picture.

With my best bud Jordy-Pants.

The luncheon was delicious, the reception was beautiful, and it was a great party. Congratulations you guys!!

Ice Age III

I promised my little sister I would spend Monday evening with her watching a movie. We ended up going to the sticky shoe, more commonly known as the dollar theater, to see Harry Potter VI(which I loved). Well, we waltzed into the theater and realized that it had started at 6:10 and not 7:15 as it was listed on the internet. Sad! So we went to see what else was playing. Since Ice Age was the only movie playing that was really suitable for kids, we went to that one. Worst movie ever. I think it ranks up there with Land Before Time XIV. Yeah. I think my sisters enjoyed it though, so I guess it was worth it. But don't go see it!

New Moon

So here is another post where I admit I joined the club and was one of the crazy women in America. I went to see New Moon. The 12:01 showing. The night it came out. I just have to say that it was awesome. So much better than Twilight. And it made me waffle from Team Edward. I mean, that Jacob guy is just so freakin cute. There is the cougar in me coming out again... But seriously. Hottie. Movies will always better when they are made with more money and a director that can actually direct. Sure the acting still isn't great, but at least the effects are better. And I will have to add pictures later. For some reason my computer is throwing a tantrum and won't let me do it right now.

Bloggity blog

I have been told that my blog is ugly and that it needs revamping. Well not ugly, persay, but un-interesting looking. This post is just to say that I am too lazy to change it. So there.

A Scene From a Holiday Commercial

I drove down to my brother's house in Cedar Hills last night. When I walked up to the door, I saw the sweetest thing in the world. It was like there should have been a camera crew on this room. Picture this. Alan was sitting on the couch talking to my sister Marilyn. Jenny was sitting on the couch just opposite with my little buddy sitting in her lap and she was reading to him. It just melted my little heart! After taking in the scene I tapped on the glass and Jared jumped down from Jenny's lap and ran over to see me through the window. He had the biggest grin on his little face. When Jenny or Alan ask him who loves him, he answers "Amahnda" (I love how he says my name). I love being the favorite Aunt ;)

Hobbies

I had my brother as a captive conversationalist on Saturday on our way to a top secret photo shoot to surprise my un-surprise-able mother. My Mamo is one of those people who will tell you she likes something, like she is hinting that you should get it for her for her upcoming birthday, or Christmas, or Mother's Day, and the next thing you know, it's sitting in her front room complete with lighting and placard. She's a difficult woman to shop for. So, I decided that we kids could update the photos she has up on her wall. So, I got one of my high school besties, Lesley to take some photos of us. You can find her work here. She's fantastic, really. I really love her style. I couldn't stop laughing while we were with her, except for when she told me not to, because I am good at doing what I am told. Anyway, I thought it was a really thoughtful gift, and a good idea for you people out there who have un-surprise-able people in your life. And if you use my idea, you should use Lesley too. You will love her.

Anyway, back to the captive. We were talking about hobbies. It seems like everybody has a "thing." Like music, or photography, or skiing, or soccer, or cooking, or gaming, or Bunko, or book clubs, or myriads of other "things." We were trying to figure out what our "things" were. Turns out, we don't have one. When people ask us what we like to do, it's hard to say. We like games occasionally. We like sports events occasionally. We like hiking occasionally. But what we really love is doing things with people we love. It doesn't really matter what it is - watching basketball, doing crafts, sitting there doing nothing. Doesn't matter. We thrive on our time with people we love. That's our "thing," I guess. And it's a little weird and can be maddening for some people. But that is just who we are. I'm glad Spencer is like that. I think that is why we have gotten along so well for our whole lives. I'm glad that is something he can't really change in himself either. I wouldn't want him to change it for all the rice in China. And there is a lot of rice in China!

The Chickens are Restless

I realize I didn't post anything from Halloween. But we had a great time. Check out Alana's blog for details. It was by far our best party and photo-op ever. You will find it here. And you all have Lauren to thank to have just a word to click on and not the whole link! Thanks Lauren!!

Bangs.

I got my hair cut by my fabulous hair dresser sister Alana. I just got a trim but then added some layers so I wouldn't have hippie hair anymore. Umm, pretty sure my hair feels super short. Like pixie short. But it is still like ten feet long. Weird. And I got my bangs trimmed. I decided that I am a girl who definitely needs bangs. I feel like a new woman.

The Pioneer Woman and My BFF

I tend to be an overplanner. I think it is something that runs in my family. Just the other day, Alana grabbed Shawna by the shoulders, shook her, and yelled "Shawna! Stop overplanning your life!!!" It was a terrifying moment. Well, last night, I double booked myslef. But I didn't really know had until it was too late. I had planned to meet up with my brother, Paul, and his wife, Courtney to start watching Lost. But first I was going to go to a little book signing downtown. I figured I would be about an hour and a half. How wrong I was. I ended up not going to Paul's house at all, which made me really sad. I found myself surrounded by a huge crowd of crazy women. And I was one of them.

A few weeks ago, my BFF asked me to go to a little booksigning. No big deal. Sure. She sent me the link with the information. As the time got closer, I figured that I better read something about this lady I was going to go meet. Just so I wouldn't look like an idiot when I went and met her. I went to her blog. And I got sucked in. You can get sucked in too.

The Pioneer Woman

Anyway, I read her love story all day at work. And then I decided that I wanted to meet her too, cuz it was just that good and she was so dadgum cute. Somehow, I wrangled my little brother, Mason to come with me. Oh yeah, it was because we were going to go to Paul's afterwards. We left my house at 6:10, parked, and were met by six hundred crazy ladies. The signing didn't even start till 7:00.

See? It says 7:00.

So we bought a cookbook and headed over to the mass of people in the gallery next door gathering to wait for her to come in. Women are crazy. Crazy, I tell ya! We were all crammed in a little room packed wall to wall with people. We were lucky enough to actually get in. Because of firecode, they had to turn people away so they couldn't hear her talk about her book and blog. But we got to. As we walked in, they handed us a signing ticket and said it would be about an hour and a half wait. Mine had big O on top. I later learned that groups would be taken in according to the letter that was on the signing ticket. O! I hate the letter O!

So Ree the Pioneer Woman, aka the Author, came in and talked. I was too far to the back and side of all the crazy loud women to hear anything she was saying. Oh well. Then we were told to git because they were closing the gallery and to not even think about trying to sneak into line if we didn't have a letter A on our signing ticket.

That's her. This was taken by my giant of a brother and zoomed way in through window they had in the wall.

So Mason and I scrammed after we took a look at all the art and discussed what we liked and also our hatred of some of it. Apparently, we needed some enlightenment. So we went next door to Starbucks. The line was loooong. Long and filled with crazy women who wanted to get their cookbook signed by a famous blogger. When we finally got to register, we placed our order and they were fresh out of all the creme base stuff. Lame! So, to compensate for our long wait, she told us she would give us steamers on the house. Now that is what I am talking about! Mason is a giant luck charm! So we drank that and went for a walk and an hour and a half later they were on F. I never did like that letter. So we went back to the car and talked some more. And then I got tired. And Mason got hyper.

Apparently I am good at posing like I'm asleep. And Mason was excited.

About an hour and a half after that, we went to check again what letter they were on. J! I loathe that letter these days. And mom called and was getting a little upset that Mason wasn't at home yet. We should have just gone to Paul and Courtney's during the wait time, and I wish I had, but I didn't know how popular and friendly this woman was! So, rather than have Mason be in hot water with my parents, I raced him home. Then I came back and found a close parking spot. Score! And then I walked up to the bookstore and the conglomeration of cookbook crazed women had disappeared. There was noone standing in the yard. In the course of the 30 minutes that had passed, they had flown through the rest of the alphabet and I missed my stupid letter O slot. So I got in the back of the line and then they shut the door behind me. Five minutes later and I wouldn't have made it. I would have been more than a little miffed. But then Ree's mother-in-law came to the back and just started talking with us. She was way great. And tired. By this time, it was passed 11:00. So I wasn't miffed at all. I was dead last in line.

This is the mother-in-law. The mother of Marlboro Man.

So, I was standing by some pretty intense fans. Some drove up from Saint George to meet her. And they broght her cuppy cakes. That was sweet. But, I for one, wouldn't feel comfortable giving a chef baked goods. I'm just saying is all. Then I found out that some other girls flew in from San Francisco. Um, I get obsessive. But I don't think I get that obsessive. Anyway, half an hour later I finally reaced her table. She was absolutely adorable. She seems to me to be someone who doesn't recognize what a success she has become. And I like that. I like that a lot.

I finally made it back home at about 12:00. So much for some little booksigning!

A Great Date

I was going through my emails and I found one I wrote to my BFF over the summer. Hope you enjoy!

I just have to say that I usually really don't like first dates, but this one was highly amusing! I couldn't keep myself from laughing - the whole time.

Ok, first of all, he is really cute. Seriously. Cute. Second of all, he is stinkin dang 24. I know, I know. I went to BYU. I guess I am destined to be a cougar! Just kidding. I am seriously kidding. Anwyay, so Sheila* (my cousin) and her husband Rusty* (Grady's cousin - Grady was my date) set everything up. Sheila texted and said they were going to be a little late so I was prepared for that. They came in his car, a two door Tahoe (and yes the two doors come into play later in the story, so keep your hat on :) ) a half hour late, 6:30.

Well, for the date we were going to go down to Utah lake, have tin foil dinners, and go fishing. Well, Grady didn't have a fishing pole so we had to go to Walmart and get him one along with bait. Way to be prepared guys! So the boys were in there for like ten minutes. Well, then we had to go get wood from their work (they work together). They have a bunch of wooden crates and watching them try to break them apart was so freakin hilarious! First of all, Rusty was wearing flip flops and him trying to break the boards with his feet was just killing me as his wife was right next to him demolishing a crate with out any trouble. (They are both like 90 pounds too, so that added to the hilarity). Maybe you just had to be there. Well, half an hour later, we are done with the wood and we have to go to Grady's house to get some more stuff and when he comes out we drive away and realize that we didn't have anything to light a fire. So we stop at the gas station before getting on the freeway.

So finally by like 7:30 we are finally on our way down to Utah Lake. Home free, right? Wrong-o! We get down to Utah Valley and end up getting lost trying to find the shore... Meanwhile, 90 pound Sheila is in the back seat getting hungrier and hungrier and grumpier and grumpier. Forty five minutes later we finally make it to the shore! We jump out of the car and immediately are attacked by swarms of about a bazillion bugs! Luckily I brought a hoodie just in case. I had the hood tied up and I looked so great and was sweating like a maniac. Anyway, we got the fire built and the boys put their fishing lines in the water. I didn't want to because of all the dang bugs.

So then Sheila and I put our dinners on the fire. Sheila's and Rusty's were nice and flat, perfect for cooking on a fire. Well, Grady had made ours. They resembled a mini football. And when I say mini, I mean a huge one. It was going to take forever to cook! So here I am trying to get away from the bugs, standing as close as I can to the fire to keep the bugs at bay, in my hoodie sweating my guts out wearing a shirt underneath that is very susceptible to "tacos." Good thinking Amanda. Sheila and Rusty's dinners were done and I told her to go ahead and eat, otherwise, I don't think she would have recovered :) So Grady and I are waiting for our dinner to be done while Sheila and Rusty are sitting on their camp chairs hovered over their food so the bugs won't get into it. Well, Grady and I decided to eat in the car because I was sick of having bugs fly into my head. So he got a box and a really really thin sheet of wood and made a little table over the console of his car. Our food was FINALLY done so we grabbed it, ran to the car and opened them up. Holy cats, it smelled delicious. After I had a bite of potato, we hear Rusty yelling "Let me in! Let me in! I can't take the bugs anymore!" (Enter: the part about the two doors) The bugs were thinner on my side so I jumped out to let him in. Letting him in let in several bugs, so that was kind of annoying. I ate another bite of potato. "I hate it here! I wanna leave! We should take our stuff and eat where there are less bugs!" (That was Rusty)

So Grady and I said that we would take down camp if Rusty would hold our food. So we handed back the table with our food very precariously perched on top of it back to Rusty in the back seat. Sheila hadn't minded the bugs so much, she was still outside making sure she was getting enough to eat. So Grady and I jump out, pull in the fishing lines, and then we hear Rusty knocking on the window. "Sheila! Sheila! Come in here and help me!" Turns out, Rusty did NOT like the bugs in the car so much so he had taken off his hat and started swatting them. Well, his hat got caught on the corner of our "table" sending our food flying all over the front seat. So Sheila was a good sport and took care of that mess while Rusty was sitting in the back seat holding what was left of our food. Finally we got everything back in the truck and the fire put out. We dove into the car and took off. Well, Rusty started freaking out because he could feel the juices from our tin foil dinners dripping from what was left and onto his pants. So he yelled at Grady to pull over so he could throw it out the window because there were bugs in it anyway. So Grady finally pulls over and Rusty chucks it out, looks down, and realizes that his pants were perfectly clean. Thanks a lot!

So Grady, starving as he was, decided that we were going to go out to eat. The clock struck 10:00. So McDonald's it was! We grabbed some food, ate it at Rusty and Sheila's and he dropped me off at home. Seriously, it felt like a "Meet the Parents" kind of night.

Anyway, I know this was very detailed and you probably didn't care THAT much about it. Oh well.

*Names have been changed to protect the, ahem, innocent.

Cookie cookie cookie cookie!

It's 10:00 in the morning and I just ate two cookies. Yes, lefteover cookies from the Halloween party. And they were delicious. And now I feel sick.