Warning!!

"What a great mofning to finish decorating for Christmas... Won't the kids be surprised when they get home and see the house all fancy... boy, I'm really thirsty... I'll stop for a minute and get a soda... *^&$@^**!!!"

This was my train of thought this morning while I was merrily going about my day. Little did I know what was secretly waiting for me in the fridge. Yes, a soda bomb. Yes, it exploded all over my entire kitchen. Yes, I almost started to cry. Yes, instead I did what any good photographer would do , I grabbed my camera!! Now it is documented for everyone to see and enjoy. Hope it brings a smile to your face!! Morale of the story... don't drink soda in the morning!!

Xani's 9th Birthday!

Xani is growing up sooooo quickly. She is such an incredible daughter, sister and friend. She is probably one of the kindest people I know. I'm lucky to be her mother and have had 9 incredible years with her.

Little did I know that the candles that I grabbed from the drawer with the kind that DON'T blow out. They just kept lighting themselves again and again. It was great to watch her expression after she thought she'd blown hard enough to get them all out! Anyway... Happy Birthday, Princess Middle! Love you so much... Mom

Tasia - YW in Excellence

For YW in Excellence this year, the theme is "It's Black and White". I took pictures of each girl and changed them to b/w. We are putting them in a black frame with a white mat. Those will be the decorations for night. Each girl has been asked to wear b/w. The only color for the night will be some tulle the value colors that will run throughout the pictures on the tables. We have 35 YW with more coming in soon. It's awesome to work with these girls. They truly are chosen to come during the time on earth. Each one is unique, yet the exact same in their dedication to the church and it's teachings. I've really grown to love them.

Xani & Bri Pep Rally

Mothers are wise!

What My Mother Taught Me
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
2! 2. My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

NO GAS!!!

This is a typical site for the metro Atlanta area. The stations don't even post numbers because the gas goes so quickly. Today we spotted people lined up at the Chevron station. We jumped in line and waited 45 minutes to get gas. By the time we were finished, there was a line about 1/2 mile long. People were trying to cut in line, which really made Trey and I mad!! Trey got out and started "helping" people stay honest. It was crazy! "They" are saying the gas crisis will last at least another 2 -3 weeks. What the heck! Our government is so messed up. It also confirms a lot in my mind and soul!

Summer 2005

This was taken at Busath the summer we moved from Salt Lake City to Atlanta.

My sweet angels!!

I took these pictures a few years ago. I love how sweet and beautiful they look. These are some of my favorite pictures of them that I've ever taken.

Bri and Xani Cheer

Xani Horizon project (ELP class project)

This was a project that required Xani to create a caricature of herself that represented things about her. Here's the run down:

Hair - pom poms since she likes to cheer

Eyes - are dolphins her favorite animal

Nose - Musical note since she loves to listen to music and sing

Mouth - 'Dove' chocolate - She loves chocolate and like a dove she is gentle and soft spoken

Shirt - Book - she loves to read

Arms & Legs - noodles - she loves spaghetti

Hands & Feet - cats & dogs - more of her favorite animals

Face - Color blue - her favorite color

It turned out really cute!! She is so creative. It's fun to see her do these types of projects.

Freshman Cheerleading

Tasia is now cheering for South Forsyth High school as a Freshman cheerleader. She's having a good time getting to know new friends. She loves cheering!!
Each cheerleader got a football jersey to wear on game days. On the front is "War Eagles" and on the back is their name with "12" for class of 2012.

Camping Unicoi State Park - Labor Day

We enjoyed a great weekend camping in Unicoi State Park. We had a huge group. It was awesome. On Saturday we did a leisurely trip down the river on tubes. On Sunday we had a great Sunday service and did a short hike to Anna Ruby Falls. Sunday evening we had a talent/skit night. Never knew there was so much talent in the group!! We love our friends in Georgia!

American Idol Concert

I took Tasia to the American Idol concert. She was so excited. I had a blast just watching her!! It took me back to the days of Shaun Cassidy. I really thought I was going to marry him :). As far as watching the concert the best (or worst - depends on how you look at it) part of the night was our seats. We had the absolute worst seats in the house. But we also had the best seats in the house. We could see everything that was going on backstage. We watched Carly and Chekezie throw popcorn to each other to catch in their mouths, etc. Also, as the performers would come off stage, they came down a set of stairs that was directly in front of us.
Tasia and her friend Dani had more fun watching what was going on backstage than watching the actual concert.

Tasia had a total heart melt as David Archuleta came up through the stage playing the piano. She was practically in tears.

As he left the stage, Tasia waited...
Finally, she spots him. She started waving wildly calling his name. He looked up and read her poster. He gave her a wave and blew her a kiss. OK... she could have died and gone to heaven right there.
Look at the grin. After the concert, the "Idols" came out and signed autographs. Tasia got to see Brooke White...

... and Jason Castro...
... And David Archuleta!!!!! When he first spotted her, he got a big grin on his face and said "you are the one with the poster!!" They then had a little conversation. He stayed there talking to her for a while... long enough to sign her poster, three pictures, and her shirt. BTW, her shirt said, "Future Mrs. Archuleta".
Even though he was signing other things, he was still listening and talking to her.

She talked to him about doing a Stake Fireside in Georgia.
She also got to talk with his dad.
It was so much fun to see Tasia having such a blast.
Since the concert... David Archuleta accepted Tasia as one of his 'friends' on facebook. He also has a picture of her on his facebook. They've talked a couple of different times. Who knows, maybe he'll be my son in-law??? :)