Christmas Partay

Ben and me

Ben played the guitar for his coworkers who sang their own rendition of
"The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Gingerbread Houses Galore

My roommie and her friend Chris

Brandon and Rach

Up close of the AZ inspired hogan, gum drop cacti, gum drop AZ flag, and desert landscape.

Ben and me

9 Years Ago Today

9 years ago yesterday
I left the MTC and
I arrived in the foreign land of Houston Texas,
where I'd live for the next 18 months.
I met my mission pres and his wife.
I was blessed to have 2 trainers whom I'd 
love and admire in so many ways.
I was also introduced to the torta.


9 years ago today
I attended church in my new barrio.
I didn't understand much of what was going on
{in Spanish},
but I was thrilled to be there.
I received besos
{from hermanas that I didn't even know}.


Today, 9 years later,
I have been reflecting upon
those experiences I had.
I am so blessed.
I am so grateful.
The experiences I had
and the people I met
while I was in Texas
forever changed my life.
There's seriously not a day that goes by
that I don't think about those experiences.


Most importantly,
9 years later
I still have a testimony of
my Father in Heaven, 
who knows and loves me,
That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World
and he paid the price for you and me.
His church has been restored again.
We have a living prophet
who leads and guides us.
The Book of Mormon
teaches us more of 
the plan of happiness
and how to return to 
our heavenly home
to live with our
families forever.

Happy Howl-o-ween

voted most "Batt-iest" at the

First Annual Dixon Pumpkin Carving

{carving courtesy of Benj}

Happy Howl-o-ween!

Privatizing

I've decided to make my blog private. Please leave a comment, Facebook me, or send me an email if you'd like an invite.

I'd love to have you follow along...

"Someday, when you know who you really are, you will be sorry you didn't use your time better."

Henry B. Eyring was First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a
fireside address that was given at Brigham Young University on 4 May 1986.

Redd Aunt

I'm officially a REDD aunt!

I'm in love!

Beach Bummin' It

Enjoying the sun, beach blown hair, and sound of the waves.

I haven't gotten so much Vitamin D in a long, long time!

Such a fun, relaxing week!

He's an Esquire...almost

Steve's graduated from Law School


Me and the graduate

Me and my not-so-little bro

High fiving the baby...
a daily ritual

The proud parentals

The sisters

Dad and his girls

San Fran

Pier 39

me, Rach, Heather, and Christine.

The movie start and his 2 sistas.

Pier 39

Claim chowder and sour dough bread bowl

Ghiradelli Square

Baker's Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge

Lombard Street...after a long drive to find it !
We made it!

I try to make it to "the James" or "the gym"
at least a few times a week.
I typically go right after work
so I take my workout clothes with me
and leave 'em in the car...all day.
Lately, said clothes have been
extra warm
{like they've just come out of a hot dryer}.
There's nothing like changing into fresh, clean clothes outta the dryer...
on a nice cool night.
Although not so much when you're already
sweating bullets just walking to the car.
I guess it's officially getting to be summer!
Oddly enough,
I love it!
Bring on the heat!

Leprechaun Love

I was thoroughly disappointed that I didn't find a four leaf clover yesterday, but this morning

when I went to leave for work I was surprised to find
a chalk message on my driveway!
What a pleasant surprise!

Translation: We've been searching for your pot-o-gold all day today and couldn't find it!
Happy St. Patty's Day!

Though my little leprechaun friends didn't find my pot-o-gold

I felt like gold and brought a smile to my face!

What a LUCKY girl I am!

Heck, I get to spend my night with my man!

Mental Health Day

I've been running myself ragged the last little while.
It seems like my life is full of work, work, and more work
which makes me a little LOCO!
I declared Monday as a
MENTAL HEALTH DAY
best decision ever!

My roomie Anne and I on our desert hike

The beautiful AZ desert

A view showing the ...
"Phoenix is over there" arrow

We got back late morning and decided to go to a
SPRING TRAINING baseball game.

It was a full day in the sun and was
JUST what I needed

Ben got tickets to see the NHL Coyotes play and

he took me! :)
I had never seen a real hockey game in real life

so it was especially fun!

I love 'em!

Ryanne's Wedding

Rachel and I got to go to home to
one of my favorite people's wedding...

and spend an extended weekend with the parentals and Bryan a while back...

Rach, the Bride {Ryanne} and me

L.A. Temple

The happy couple

It was so fun to be there.

I especially loved seeing how much her hubby

a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y.

ADORES

her.

Laundry Room Face Lift

I've been wanting to put cabinets in my laundry room for a long time.

For Christmas my dream came true...

and while we were at it

I decided to add some

{color}, too.

Before...

During...

After...

Much thanks to Santa and Santa's helpers

{namely Rach and Brandon}

I love it!