Raylee's "Colors of Christmas" Preschool Program

My parents were so nice and watched Mr. B and Ray while we were in Vegas and then brought them back to Payson Sunday evening. Brett and I got home Sunday night too and the next day we got to all go to Raylee's Preschool Christmas program. This little diva has been singing up a storm at our house and has been so excited to perform on stage. Last year she got a little stage fright...actually a lot of stage fright and refused to sing at all, but this year she was the star of the show. She was the cutest thing I have ever seen...belting out the songs with the biggest expressions on her face. She was so happy to have Grandma and Papa there too. Raylee's school then served dinner after the show and had Santa come visit all the kids...it was a great night!

Vegas Baby

Since Brett and I had our 10 year Anniversary back in November we decided to wait and really celebrate with a trip to Vegas for the NFR (Nation Finals Rodeo). We were lucky enough to scoop up a great deal on Groupon for a two night stay at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, two tickets to Cirque de Soleil Mystere and spa passes for an awesome price. Our friends Justen and Tawni decided to come to, so the 4 of us left early last Friday morning and made the fun drive to Vegas. That night we headed off to meet up with some of Tawni's friends who had free NFR tickets for us. Not only did we get free tickets, but they also had a stretch Hummer limo waiting for us...it was so cool to ride up to the rodeo in style (this was after walking/running (in high heels I might add) all the way from Treasure Island to Mandalay Bay! The NRF was AMAZING, as usual, and afterwards we met up with some more of our Payson friends (Lani, JR, Jerry and Kathy)for a post-rodeo show with Donnie Gay and Joe Beaver who are the NFR announcers. We got to see a lot of the cowboys that competed in the rodeo and I just had a blast laughing at Lani...she's one of the craziest, funniest girls I know.

The next day we hit up the Cowboy Christmas expo and I purchased my first pair of boots...yup that's right, this girl is going country...well sort of! I think Brett is more excited about them than I am:) Tawni and Justen decided to hang around the expo (literally all day) because they were in cowboy heaven and Brett and I headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Brett was craving Mexican food...shocker!...so we head over to the Venetian to eat at Taqueria Canonita. It was such good food. Afterwards we walked outside to find the Venice Winter Wonderland in full swing with an ice skating rink and all, so we got a picture with some of the people dressed up. We then headed back to Treasure Island to watch Mystere. It is my absolute favorite of Cirque de Soleil shows and I even though it was my second time I still left amazed. Those acrobats are so talented and incredible to watch. After the show we met back up with Tawni and Justen at Gilley's for a fun night of laughs, dancing, bull riding and more laughs! It was a great night and we didn't get to bed until almost 5am.

This pic is of me with some new long hair that both Tawni and I purchased at a kiosk while shopping at the outlets. It's the craziest thing you have ever seen. It's called Sizzle hair extensions and it comes in a single piece with over 100 grams of hair that is attached to a fishing line, which is then placed on your head. It totally adds thickness, volume, length and may just be what I need to keep growing my locks out:) I have never ever in my life had long hair and it's just crazy to see how different I look...I kind of like it though:)

Winter Happenings

Don't need the mall to see Santa...we just head to Bob's Western Wear!

I absolutely love this pic because Raylee just kept cuddling right into Santa Clause...she couldn't get enough of him.

All bundled up and ready for the Payson Electric Light Parade to start.

My Little Picasso

Coloring, painting, writing...you name it my little artist loves it. I love that Raylee loves all those artistic things because I don't have an ounce of that in my blood. She also begs to do homework with Bradock every night, so now I have worksheets for her too. I hope this love of learning and artistic ability continues with her for life:)

Nothing but Laughs and Goofiness

Bradock, Raylee and their friend, Lilly Mann having a blast on the tramp. Oh and you better believe I joined them after snapping these pics. All I want to know is how in the world did I used to spend hours jumping on the tramp as a kid because man it sure is tiring...it probably doesn't help that I had three little ones that kept tackling me. Too much fun though:)

We had an awesome and very fun Thanksgiving week. Actually the Sunday prior, my brother and Meggan came up to our house to spend the night. Meggan had to leave on Monday to get to work, but Justin stayed until Tuesday and then we drove down to the the valley together. I love spending time with my brother and am always bummed that it's so limited, but that doesn't mean we don't have a total blast. Tuesday night we stayed at my mom's condo and the next morning the kids, my mom and I had a fun little walk/drive through my mom's good ol Senior community. Bradock and Raylee just love riding in the little kids golf cart.

Thanksgiving morning Rachel, my brother, my mom and I ran in the Mesa Mi Amigos 10K Turkey Trot. Rachel and I took turns pushing Rachel's little girl, Kyndal, in the jogging stroller. It was so fun to run with Rachel again...it has been forever and I swear time flies by when you are just chatting away. That afternoon, after getting cleaned up and food prepared (I brought "clean" sweet potato casserole and roasted veggies) we headed over to my Aunt Tammi's condo's club house for the Thanksgiving feast. It was so fun to see all my Aunts, Uncles and cousins. It was a great time and afterwards we headed over to Brett's Uncle Jack's and Aunt Jen's house to say hi to the Flaherty gang. Of course the kids had a blast with all the horses and puppies. It really was a great Thanksgiving and after doing this 30 days of Thankfulness I have sure realized how truly blessed I am. I have so much in my life that I too often take for granted, but I truly feel very, very thankful!

Nothing like a little horseback ride on Thanksgiving.

The kids have added a new item to their Christmas list. Seriously though Uncle Jack's lab puppies are pretty darn cute. Now that we actually have land for animals I am kind of up for expanding our little funny farm. As long as the animals aren't in my house and I don't have to clean up animal crap I am totally cool with them:)

I absolutely love Black Friday...well more like black Thursday now. The craziness, adrenaline, shopping madness and deals galore just get me so giddy. Mindi, Kiley, Matt, Brett and I hit up Walmart to score some awesome deals on TVs and a few other needed...ummm wanted items. After scoring those deals I left the group to head to Target. Who goes Black Friday shopping for slippers?! This cold weather chica...even convinced the sister-in-laws that they needed a pair in every color. 15 pairs total!!! These are by far my favorite slippers and since I wear slippers everyday I can never have enough pairs. 

Junky die hards ready to get some great deals! After hitting up Walmart and Target Thursday night I was up bright and early Friday morning...5am to be exact...to hit up the deals at Junkie Trunk. Of course I wouldn't have done it without my bestie and fellow Junky Lover, Rachel. They didn't open until 9am, but because of our early bird eagerness we scored a fun gift bag priced at $100! 

Friday evening we headed home, so we could get a bunch of chores done on Saturday and be ready for Sunday. After getting our Christmas tree and and decorations all set up we busted out our box of Christmas books. The kids are even more excited for nighttime story time now. I absolutely love Christmas...mainly because I love giving gifts. I get so excited to find a really fun or special gift for someone and to see their reaction when they open it up. We have a crazy December coming up, but I just love this fun holiday season.

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 2: So very, very thankful to have such amazing friends! To all the lovely ladies in my life (old and new) you have made me better!!! XOXO

Day 3: Vain I know but oh so thankful for an amazing blow dryer and flat iron to manage my crazy, fuzzy hair! I promise it is worth every penny to buy nice hair products. My babyliss hair dryer is by far my most favorite dryer I have ever used. I have been recommended other flat irons that I might try out once my chi reaches its last leg.

Day 4: Thankful for a home and land that my kids have room to run, play, have animals and explore with very little worries. I am learning to really love this small, but beautiful mountain town that we now call home

Day 5: So thankful for the power of knowledge and the opportunity I have had to get a good education. It has been almost 8 years since I received my Bachelors of Science in Food and Nutrition Management and it continues to be an ever-changing, evolving science. It is one of my biggest passions and I feel blessed to share it with others. Hopefully, someday, I will get my Masters in Public Health and help my brother in his desire to impact the world in small, simple steps:)

Day 6: So thankful I said "Yes!" to this sexy man 10 years ago today. I still can't believe we have been married that long. When we were dating my mom told me "Donnie, don't let that one go because you will never find a better man"...I love when she is right. I never planned to get married as young as I did but I knew I just couldn't let him go. It hasn't always been perfect but I never look for perfection. I only look for those things that make me happy...and this man make me very, very happy! Happy Anniversary to one of the kindest, most hard working, good looking, loving men I know...❤ Ya Babe!!!

Day 7: Thankful that I have never had to go without food. I definitely take this for granted but I know it is such a blessing to be able to walk into a store and know that I have hundreds of food options. Not a lot of people in this world have that privilege.

Day 8: Thankful for music. One of my biggest pleasures in life and seems to help with any mood I am in:)

Day 9: Thankful for the gift of reading and good books. It doesn't matter if I'm laying in bed sick, soaking up some sun, waiting in a long line or for an appt or cozied up on my couch you will always find me with a book.

Especially after being bed/pjs bound the past few days. Grateful to finally be feeling a little better and back to being normal again.

Day 12: Thankful for sunshine. After getting some snow and very chilly weather this weekend I am happy to see the warm, shining sun today!

Day 13: Thankful for beautiful, fun parks that my kids and I get to enjoy when the weather is as perfect as today!

Day 14: Thankful for these two awesome people in my life! My parents have been and continue to be such great examples of hard work, service, love, sacrifice and teaching me you are never too old to follow your dreams! I am grateful that they are not only great parents, but great grandparents too

Day 15: Thankful for days where I get to run to the valley, go to a few appts, run errands and hang out with family/friends completely kidless!!! Love my kids but days like these make me a much better momma:)

Day 16: Thankful for such a great mother and father-in-law. They are the hardest working people I know and are spiritual giants with very big hearts. They raised their son to live the same and I'm thankful to be married to him. They are also awesome, fun-loving grandparents!

Day 17: So thankful to have completed the James Wilson workout program today. I did his first 12wk program and loved it so much that I went on to do his second program for a total of 24wks! I could go on and on about how awesome he is and his workouts, but I will just say that I have gained so much more knowledge about nutrition and exercise than ever before. He helped me prepare for a photo shoot in a healthy, natural way and I couldn't have been happier. I am thankful for all his advice and support and can't wait to start it over with Brett in the new year:)

Day 18: Thankful for adoption. It has given me the blessing of motherhood that I otherwise would have never experienced. I am particularly thankful for two birth mothers that decided to endure the hardship of pregnancy and then entrusted me to give their babies a life they knew they couldn't. I respect their courage and sacrifice to fulfill one of my biggest desires:)

Day 20: Thankful for technology! Especially for the awesome groupon I bought for the company, ScanMyPhotos, who took 500 of my old school pictures and put them on a DVD for me. Now the never-put-together scrapbooks can finally get done:)

Day 21: Thankful for my awesome brother-in-law, Chance, for taking our family pics once again! Can't wait to see them:)

Day 22: Thankful to spend this morning running with these crazy 10Kers!!!

Day 24: Thankful for all my beautiful nieces and nephews. I know I'm biased but they are all pretty darn cute and each one brings such different but fun personalities and talents to our family. My kids just love their cousins and I'm thankful they all have such a good time when they are together!

Day 25: Thankful that "it's looking a lot like Christmas" at our house!

Day 26: Thankful for eyelash extensions! I have had them for about 2.5 years and it is a must-have! I no longer use mascara and now my blonde lashes always look done up. I highly recommend Ashley Tenney, @lovemesome_10e she is awesome!!!

Day 27: Thankful for the gym. It's my stress reliever, my sanity, my muscle building friend, where goals are set and achieved, where personal bests are crushed, a place of familiar faces and a place that has a lot of my sweat, blood and tears...literally!

Day 28: Thankful for Brett's career. After 9 hard school years (undergrads and then dental school) Brett's lifelong dream to become a dentist came true. As a family we made the decision to leave our city life for a small town that has been the best move we have ever made. Brett's desire to provide affordable, family dentistry became a reality when he purchased his first practice in June. We are so blessed with the love and success that the people of Payson have given us and because of that Brett will be moving into his newly purchased building that is currently undergoing the necessary construction to be completed early next year. I am so proud of Brett and his hard work and passion that has provided not only for our family, but the amazing Payson community.

Day 29: Thankful that all 27 of my chicks are alive and getting so big! They love the new chicken run that Brett just completed and are enjoying sunbathing outside. Can't wait for spring/summer to finally see some yummy eggs waiting for us.

Day 30: Thankful for everyday that I have to live, experience, laugh, cry, love and to enjoy everything life has to offer. That includes every trial, challenge and hardship because of those I am a stronger, better person. I know a lot of things in life don't go the way we plan them to but I firmly believe that we always end up where we need to be and that there is a much bigger and better plan for us.