The Pioneer Woman

Many of you may already know of her - but I have been addicted to this blog for quite some time. There are two blogs..."The Pioneer Woman" and "The Pioneer Woman Cooks." This lady is amazing. She's a city girl who fell in love, married a rancher and 11 years ago moved to the most beautiful place on earth. She is a photographer, amazing cook, and great writer. She has written their "love story" and posts sections once a week. You must check it out. The links are to the side of my blog. I love her cooking blog. She is making some of the most delicious Thanksgiving recipes right now. I have made a lot of her things and I LOVE THEM. Anyway - check it out and let me know what you think.

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and it has 2 significances. First, to honor all our Veterans and those that have served in the military. So, I am posting a picture that I found recently of my dad when he was in the Army in 1967 or 1968. I love you dad!

Also - today marks the 17th anniversary of Dave and I's first date. We were set up on a blind date by a friend of my little brother, Cody. Matt Heaps set us up (who is also Dave's sister's husband's brother - figure that one out!)

For our first date we went to Brick Oven Pizza with Matt Heaps and my friend, Jill Ortiz (Murdock). After dinner we went to the Scera park and laid blankets out and watched a movie on a T.V. and VCR they had brought with them.

I had been set up on about a million blind dates before Dave and - after waiting for a missionary who had come home and I didn't like anymore - I was planning on going on a mission. I had my papers ready to fill out but I met Dave that night and 1 month later we were engaged! I love you, Dave!

Holiday Treat

One of our favorite treats to make during the holiday season is "Sweet Chex Mix." It's delicious! We made some tonight. Here's the recipe...

Sweet Chex Mix

3 cubes of butter
2 cups light corn syrup
2 cups sugar

Big bowl (about 3 boxes full) Chex Mix

Here's how you do it...


Empty Chex mix into a giant bowl



Add butter, corn syrup, and sugar into a pan


Heat mixture over a medium-high heat and stir continually. When it starts to boil, set the timer for one minute and continue stirring.


Pour over the Chex Mix and stir until well mixed. Eat immediately and store the rest in ziploc bags to stay fresh!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. We set up a blog for him that you can check out at by clicking HERE.
We love you dad and hope you have a great day!

This is me and my dad when I was about 2 or 3. We were visiting my Great Grandma and Grandpa's house and I was deathly afraid of their dog. I think I still have a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) memory of this day!





This is my dad saying hello to Morgan Freeman in New York City (at the wax museum)



Dustin, Brittany, me, my mom, and dad at Serendipity in New York in May.

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!"

Many of you may have noticed the poll to the side of this blog. I want you to vote on your favorite Christmas movie of all time. I voted for "It's a Wonderful Life" but I was second guessing myself because "A Christmas Story" is really an all time favorite of mine as well.

Many of you know Dave's history and how - while working with the Sheriff's Department - he shot his eye out (from a ricochet bullet while shooting at a metal target). He has a prosthetic eye in his right eye. During his years at the Sheriff's Department he had many duties from Patrolmen to Detective, etc. His favorite job, I think was working undercover. He did that for 5 years. While you're undercover, you try to disguise many things about yourself - your appearance, your residence, and even your name. He was known, all those years as "Ralphie" and when he runs into some of his old buddies from the Department, they still call him that. Hence - the love for the movie, "A Christmas Story". And trust me - after hearing some of the the nicknames other guys had - he was thankful for "Ralphie."

P.S. My mom even has a leg lamp in the middle of her front room window and it's been there for years!

Weekend Date

For Dave and I's date night on Friday, we went and saw "Dan in Real Life" and I loved it. It was a great show - you'll laugh - you'll cry. You'll also thank your lucky stars you don't have a teenage daughter. If you do have a teenage daughter - see it anyway!



The girls in this movie reminded me of my girls - exactly! The oldest girl is Talbie, middle and teenager - Maddie, and the youngest is Emmie. It was freaking the resemblance in their personalities!

Dustin's Concert

Hey all,

For those of you that don't know my talented brother - I'm going to brag about him. Dustin has been playing the piano (and every other instrument) by ear since he was age 3. Dustin is 10 years younger than me and I remember when he was 3, he sat down at the piano and played the theme to "M.A.S.H" completely by ear - without a single mistake. I had been taking piano lessons for about 5 years at the time and I remember that I couldn't even plunk it out without a million mistakes.

Dustin has recored 3 CD's where he has written and sang all the lyrics, and played just about every instrument. He has had music on local movies such as "Single's Ward", "R.M.", "Church Ball", and many others. He's had music on commercials, TV shows such as "Extreme Makeover, Wedding Edition", and was beat out by Rob Thomas for the theme song to "Meet the Robinson's". He's done a zillion other things too.

Anyway, Dustin is opening for the band "Boys Like Girls" in a week or so at the Dee Event Center in Ogden. Maddie is excited because he gave her 4 tickets yesterday. She's not so excited because 2 of those have to be for me and Brittany!

Way to go Dust - we're so proud of you!! You can check him out at www.jerrytown.com.
or at www.dustinonline.blogspot.com

Flu Shots

Today has been a busy day already. We got up at 9:00 and got flu shots. First, we took the kids to their pediatrician and got theirs, then Dave and I headed to our Dr. and got them. We made a day of it with Brittany and Jared's family then went to breakfast afterwards.

I was surprised that Emmie was so scared because she is a novice at going to the doctor and having shots, but this really freaked her out, for some reason. Maddie ALWAYS freaks when it comes to shots so that was no surprise!

Brittany - a little nervous!

Christmas Music

So - I got in the car this morning to do the paper route and on 106.5 they have already started playing Christmas music. I LOVE Christmas and Christmas music but for some reason - it almost gave me an anxiety attack. I can't believe its November 1 and Christmas is around the corner!!