Friends and Zumba!

A friend of mine asked if I'd like to join her in a Zumba class last fall. I looked at her and said, "why not!" I REALLY know that I need to get more exercise and this just sounded fun! So off we went! The class is once a week and we didn't always make it EVERY week but we did pretty dang good! Then this January it was time to sign up again and we recruited even more people to come and look silly! It was such a blast! We look like total idiots I am sure, in fact I am GRATEFUL that there are NO mirrors in the room we do it! Otherwise I may never do it again! I am just grateful for wonderful friends who make me laugh out loud all while getting healthy together! It's almost time to sign up again and I may have to do another round! Maybe this time I'll take it a bit more seriously and REALLY get a workout! Hahaha!

Prom

Carter went to his Junior Prom the first weekend in March with a friend here in our neighborhood who is also one of my Laurels! They had a VERY packed day that started at 7:30 in the morning! He picked her up and went over to a friends where their group was meeting up. Then they all climbed into a couple of cars and headed up to the Park City area where one of his friends has a cabin. They were able to enjoy the beautiful snow our state has to offer by going snowmobiling on their property there. It was Carter's first time doing it and he LOVED it, as did his date! In fact according to both of them she was the more aggressive driver! Honestly, I wasn't surprised! They had a lovely lunch at the cabin before heading back down to the valley to get into their spiffy clothes for dinner and the dance. Carter came home and relaxed for a while before finally getting in the shower to get ready. He picked out his Tuxedo, which was really cool, and looked awesome! He invited me to come with him (in separate cars of course) to pick her up so I could get some photos of them at her place before picking up her Mom to come with us to get group photos. They made a very cute couple! They looked amazing! We were able to snap some great photos of their group of 12 great looking kids before they headed out to Olive Garden for dinner. Then it was off to Rice Eccles Stadium at University of Utah for the dance. It was the first time they had been at a dance there and Carter said it was awesome! He really liked the venue and said the DJ was great. I am anxious to see their pictures because the pose they chose sounds....um....interesting! I'll try to post pictures of it on Facebook! After the dance they went to another friends house to watch a movie. All of the guys who planned this date had been working feverishly on a barn on the property. They cleaned out the loft area and added sofas and other decor along with a TV and DVD player so they could all go up there and watch the movie! The weather (sort of) cooperated given it's early March, but it was still quite cold! But they had fun anyway! It was a late night, but Carter said it was one of the funnest dances he had attended! I am so glad he had fun and was able to enjoy it with some of his closest friends! It's hard to believe the next Prom he will be attending will be his last.... yikes!

Keeping busy

It seems that all of us are always keeping busy! But here are a few more things that have happened this February!
I took Brianne to get her first ever facial! I will admit that it wasn't just "for fun". I wanted her to be better about taking care of her skin, especially on her face, since she is coming into that teen pimple time of her life. I was very impressed with her during her facial since they had to do some "extractions" and those can hurt! But she didn't even flinch! And she did learn a lot and has been washing her face twice a day since then and her skin is looking much better! I told her I would take her again before school this fall if she keeps it up! :) She and I also attended Ballet West together last night to see Cinderella. It was so fun! We enjoyed the ballet but also just enjoyed being together and laughing about the number 4, the intermission room (inside jokes) and driving through some crazy snow! It was a blast! I'm so glad we were able to go!
Will is becoming more of a teenager every day! This month he has started to make plans with friends! He's always had lots of friends but was never really the "go out" type. He was fine hanging out at home and just playing games with them on the XBox. But this month he went out with friends to see a movie and has planned another activity with his buddies for next week. I'm glad to see him finally getting out! (Carter was exactly the same way and now I can't get him to stay IN!) He also went in for an interview with the Bishop to get his Patriarchal blessing recommend. And I am thrilled that he'll be getting it when my parents are here so they can attend- which was his idea! He's so thoughtful! It's a big thing and I am proud of him!
Carter is my socialite! That kid is at everything and involved in everything! I've neglected to mention that he has been involved in a TON of activities at school- things like pep rallies, eating contests etc! He even helped film a promo video for Prom's Junior week! He's REALLY enjoying his time in High school and I love that about him! He's also out with friends on a regular basis and I love hearing about his adventures with them- some of them are pretty funny! He's already starting to talk about spring football but before that gets here he has a power lifting meet to do and we are VERY excited about it! We can't wait to see how he does! He's also gearing up for his first ACT test which is a little scary but I hope he goes in with confidence and does well. He also is going to Prom next week! Hard to believe it's here already! But I am glad he is going with Laura (one of my Laurels) who hadn't been asked yet and is a senior this year. Carter had asked another girl but she got asked by someone else earlier that same day so her parents told her to choose the first! He was bummed, but Laura is his friend and she just kept saying to ask her so he finally did! They will have a blast!
Chan also had some excitement this month! Yesterday he went up to Soldier Summit with his Dad, Mark and Gerardo and went snowmobiling! He hasn't gone in years and was really looking forward to it. We had a HUGE snow storm yesterday so there was points where it was whiteout conditions but they had a blast! The trail was about 25 miles long and they were up there most of the day. They are hoping it will become an annual tradition! The only bad part is that he is pretty saddle sore today! But he says it was worth it!
Hard to believe that February is almost over! Before we know it it's going to be summer again, which is fine with me because I am SO OVER snow! Here's to spring coming quickly!! :)

Stake Conference

We had Stake conference today and I have to admit I am not the best at attending. I always have good intentions, but the idea of being able to relax at home and not fight my children to sit in one place for 2 hours always seems to win out! However, today our Stake Presidency was going to be changed and since they have served for over 9 years and I LOVE them I had to go! I knew it was going to be amazing and it WAS! It was wonderful to hear from all of the men leaving along with their wives, but the most amazing part to me was hearing from the General Authority and listening to the process of choosing the new Presidency and them calling that new Presidency. The organization of the church is truly amazing! The spirit was so strong there today and I have no doubt at all that the men who were called were chosen by our Heavenly Father! What a wonderful blessing! I left there feeling so good and ready to start my week! How grateful I am to have the gospel in my life! And I am grateful my kids were there to witness it as well (even though they did gripe a bit). I'm looking forward to seeing what this new Presidency brings to the people of our Stake!

Love

I decided to put love as the post name because there is much to love about my life! Number one is my awesome hubby! He has jumped right in to his new job and even though he is still in the training area he has already begun to make a difference there! I'm so proud of him! He is such an amazing person and I am grateful everyday that I have him in my life! Second, obviously is my kiddos! Golly I just LOVE them! They make my life full and I love that I can be at all their activities! Carter had a big day this week at his workout. I went to watch and he was able to squat 320 lbs 10 times! And he had more in him, but John stopped him since he doesn't want him to over do it! Technically he is still recovering from his knee scope! He's such a strong kid! John (his trainer) can't even match his strength on a lot of the lifts he does and he played in the NFL! It's nuts! I'm super proud! He had a blast at the Sweethearts dance too! Tori was a beautiful and fun girl and planned a great day with a fun group. Carter is really enjoying the girl ask guy dances since he can just enjoy and not have to plan! Will just got done with another Snow Blitz. It's an after school snowboarding class and he did great this season! I'm so glad he enjoys doing that! He's the only one in our family who hits the slopes! I'm sure he'll be up a few more times with friends before the snow melts. I love watching him put all that gear on and walk away holding his board- it's adorable! His birthday is coming up and he will soon be ordained a teacher. My parents are coming out to participate and I'm thrilled and so is he! It will be a fun weekend! Brianne had her last Valentines Day party at school! She will be in middle school next year so this was the last time making a Valentine box, decorating cookies, playing games and handing out Valentines! It was funny too because she's not a huge fan of the school parties, but she was having a blast yesterday! Even her teacher had to tell her to calm down! Pretty funny! She won the contest for "most colorful box" and it was SUPER colorful! She has also come out of her shell a lot recently! She even went to the mall with a friend and let me drop them off! Yes, all by themselves!! This was HUGE for her and I was very proud! She also gets to attend New Beginnings this month and can hardly wait! It's going to be a super fun one since our theme is "Oh the places you'll stand" and is all revolved around Dr Seuss! Even the decor! She will be going into Young Women's this November and it can't come soon enough for her! They are all growing so quickly!

As for me, I had my first ever Bunco party at my house last night! It is such a fun thing to do and I enjoy all these women I have come to know from PTA, Bunco, church, etc and I love getting to know them better socially! It's good for me to be surrounded by like minded people and to be able to chat, laugh, eat, laugh and just enjoy each other! I admire A LOT of these people and so I feel it also makes me a better person by being around them and learning from them.

Life is sure moving fast and I am glad I can have this time to sit and reflect and write down our "happenings" because truly my family is my one true love in this life!

Big News!

Well the day finally arrived and Chan had his "unofficial" job interview last week. I say unofficial because he has known the people at this company for YEARS! He started working with them in 1998 when their family company hired them to put in new retail software. He has worked with them ever since, even helping them give tours to prospective clients in OUR stores over the years. They have told him MANY times over those years that they would LOVE to have him work for them, but he was very happy where he was. Little did we know of all the changes that were coming! So obviously, Chan approached them a few months ago and let them know he would be looking for a job and asked them if they would have something for him. They pounced, and after he finished getting the restaurants up and running, was able to sit down over lunch and meet with them to discuss options. He left there excited and waiting for an answer and got it within 48 hours! He is the new transitions analyst for Tomax software company! Its the job he REALLY wanted after lunch that day, and funny enough, that job didn't exist before! He will be the first to do it! I really believe that they looked at his skill set and his knowledge of their product and matched it to what they really needed in their company. He tells me he still has a lot to learn but is very excited to start and I am so proud of him! So once again we are on a new adventure in the job arena! Phew! Hopefully this will be the LAST for a LONG TIME! Also, just an FYI, the restaurants are up and running and doing very well! We are excited to see how that plays out as well and are looking forward to the many years we will have them at the SLC airport!

New Year Adventures

I have to admit I am still in a bit of denial that we are in 2013! I agree with most that Christmas seemed to whiz by and now here we are starting anew! But with a new year come new changes!

Chan is finishing out his last few weeks as being a consultant for our joint venture at the airport. The last few restaurants opened around Christmas and now they are just working on clean up and ironing out a few kinks. He's done an amazing job and has been non-stop so walking away is feeling a bit strange. However, he has an interview lined up for a new job and is anxious to see where it takes him! We'll see!

The kids had an awesome Christmas break so getting back into school wasn't popular! (is it ever?) But they've been great and getting back into the groove of things pretty well! Carter just went to MORP with a few friends this month dressed as old people! I am bummed I didn't get a photo, but I'm sure I can get one from one of his friends! Brianne started an art class on Wednesdays and enjoys it very much. Will was able to hit the mountain with his cousin and friend to snowboard! He is participating in the after school program again this year and wanted to go up and use his new board before then so he'd have a feel for it. So listen to this story.... while up there he managed to drop his cell phone on the slopes! Yeah, the new upgraded one he JUST GOT in November! Anyway, Dakota tells him he HAS to call and tell me so he grabs his phone, calls me, and hands it to Will. You can imagine the service isn't "great" up there so the call got dropped but I could tell by his voice that something was wrong. Those few minutes I had to wait to reconnect I was frantic thinking something awful had happened! But thankfully, it was just a lost phone and at that point I just said, oh well and I'd talk to him when I picked them up. I drove up to get them and brought them all home and as soon as I walked in my door at home my home phone rang. The caller ID? WILL's PHONE number! HUH?? I answered it and it was a man on the other end stating his daughter had found the phone on the mountain! I ended up meeting him at the base of the canyon to get it back and could not thank him enough!! Stories like this just don't happen anymore! It was such a blessing, especially given it still worked after being in the snow! I've never been so glad that Will's favorite color is red until that day! I'm sure that why she was able to spot it in the snow! Crazy right!

Flu season.... writing those two words is horrible enough without actually having to experience it! Our house has had some fun with it over the past few weeks! Chan had a sinus infection, which he still is having issues with since it's so cold outside! Last week I got in my car to take the carpool and it was 9 degrees! OUCH! I had an ear infection (my usual) but we've also had some nasty tummy virus going through the family too! I am SO over it! Here's to hoping it's almost done and that warmer weather is coming soon! I'll even take a 38 degree day at this point!

Carter's football banquet was this month as well. He was able to earn his Varsity letter in Football! HOORAY! Such a big milestone! And he's already begun working with his trainer again, John Madsen, to get ready for his Senior season. He's excited to be back in the weight room and his knee is feeling good. Since he earned his letter Chan and I took him to a local athletic store to order his Letterman's jacket. It was fun to go through each choice and help him put it all together. We are so proud of him and excited to see it but we have to wait about 6 weeks for it to get here! Hopefully he'll get to wear it before it gets too warm.

Will was asked to be the Deacon's Quorum President last week! Yay! He has been telling me for about a month that he felt it was going to happen and I am excited for him. It's a big job, especially given the new teaching curriculum, but he is so excited to do it!

Last night Carter was asked to the Sweethearts dance! And funny enough it was the same way he had asked someone to a dance! I love the way they do that here! It's a unique Utah thing I think! Anyway, he is excited and I love that he always ends up going with someone different :)

Brianne used some of her Christmas money and bought a new bike! It's a darling schwinn that is the cruiser style. It's bright pretty colors and big enough for her to grow a bit more! She LOVES it and even though it's been freezing outside she has gone out to ride it! I am happy she decided to do that because she had been riding Carter's old bike and this one suits her so much better! It's adorable!

As for me, well I have been in an all out war with mice. Yup, I said MICE! For some reason the people who lived in our home before us didn't seem to keep things as "clean" as you should. Also, the mice had set up some pretty comfy digs in a drop ceiling in our basement which we discovered not long after we moved in! YUCK! We did A TON of remodeling in our home before we moved in and cleaned up A TON! We have caught a lot of mice friends over the years, but in December since it got so wicked cold they were showing up again. GRRRRR! I am not joking when I say war because in one month I caught 7 mice! SEVEN! EWWW! Have you heard the saying with mice "where there's one there is three?" well it's TRUE! But I am happy to say that I think I am winning the war thanks to some traps inside and poison outside. Let's just hope I am done because it's just ICKY!! I have been cleaning like a FREAK!! Wish me luck!

I hope you new year has had some fun adventures too!