It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

No this is not a Christmas posting, but no worries it's on it's way. My family seems to make a really big deal out of Thanksgiving, bigger than Christmas. EVERY year we all go down to St.George, Utah and spend the weekend in my grandmother's historic pioneer adobe house. Dan and I always start the day out with our own little turkey trot, then the boys all go golfing and we get ready for dinner. After dinner there's a game of football in the front yard followed by either a night of games, hot tubing or going to see a movie. It's simply the most wonderful time of the year. I love the fall weather and leaves. I love going to lunch in the Cadillac. It was extra special going to the temple this year. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I realized my 91 year old grandmother is on my left and my mother on my right with my sisters on her right, but the tears quickly turned into laughter when my grandma leans over and says "This is kind of boring don't you think?" Hey, she's in her 90's and still going, you have to give it up, halla.


Mark I will always be THANKFUL to you for introducing me to this hottie!

Nothing beats leftovers, honestly they're better than the actual dinner.



The talent show
and games

That turned into a dance party with Stephen playing "Great Balls of Fire" on the piano.

It was nice to be able to have dinner with the Chudleigh's this year too! I know we are so lucky, two turkey dinners. We drove all the way into Salt Lake this year because Dan was really missing his family. We all went over the Peter and Brittney's house and had the Chudleigh feast. Cooking and decoration is art to this family and they're true artists! Every dinner is straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine! I hope Dan doesn't compare me to his mother, it would be impossible to even try!

Feeling the Fall?

We had an exceptionally warm October and November this year. I do miss the crisp air and the changing colors of the leaves, but going to the beach in late November isn't much to complain about. When the Santa Ana winds blow, we grab out beach towels and go! We love Utah holidays (UEA) , because we get lots of visitors.

Thousand Steps beach, good friends, and 80 degree weather in mid- November = an awesome Saturday!


Victoria Beach and Smores.

Livin in the LB

After living in Corona Del Mar for a year we found an awesome pad in Laguna Beach, just 6 miles South. So we said our goodbyes and made the move. It's always sad closing the door of so many memories for the last time, tear. We loved our nightly walks to the beach before dinner (well when Dan was home anyway), the farmers market, running through Crystal Cove and to Balboa Island.
But you know me, time for something new!

Laguna Beach is a dream. Honestly it feels like we're living in Hawaii but not on an Island. Everyone is so down to earth here, surprisingly I know, but we just came from Newport. I love all the canyons and beautiful colors. I wish I were an artist, it's no wonder they all live here. We have graduated from a studio to a 1 bedroom and now to a 2 bedroom! At first all the extra space was a little overwhelming and I wanted to go back to our little love shack. But it's amazing how fast you can utilize another bedroom. Plus now there's a place for all of you to come and stay!

Don't you love moving!

Our Bedroom, any suggestions?

The View!

Lake Powell

DGs are Hot!

So Mark gave me a call one day while I'm at the mall saying I should really come down to Lake Powell, tomorrow. No worries, I walk into the Apple store, booked my ticket, stopped by the house and threw a swim suit in my bag and drove to the airport. It was just what I needed. Dan couldn't go, sadly he had a busy week in school.

We had a great time and I couldn't ask for better company. Clay and Ashley were so generous to have us on their amazing house boat, it was awesome! Spending time with Aimes was much needed and so good to be with Heidi, Ashley and Sara. We were in the water all day and made dinners, played games, made a fire, hot tubing and BBQ at night. The water was glass. September is the PERFECT time to Lake Powell it up!

Thanks everyone for making this such a wonderful much needed very last minute vacation!
Mark you're the best brother ever!


The drive down was a blast. We stopped at the most random places. Colorado City is a must! All I can say is after traveling the Middle East and Europe this summer, this was the most interesting. Just go to the grocery store and pick up some candy, it's far more than you'll imagine.