Turkey Day

The Smith Family knows how to have a party. Our Thanksgiving Day celebration didn't disappoint. Elaine is an animal in the kitchen. Let it be known. She put on quite the spread. It was so fun to be all together. Rosemarie and Patti were here for all the festivities, and it was great to have them all here! p.s. the weather is perfect here. Yes, we did indeed eat outside :)

Linds and I with the classic hold the camera shot.

My Mac teachers :)

The traditional "apple turkeys."

The bro and sis's.

My lil' Kiley B. And by little I mean not at all...she's taller than I am.

Our Smith family Bocce tourney. I unfortunately lost miserably to Rosemarie in the first round. She's basically a pro bowler...

Thanksgibbing.

What a great Holiday. I love this kick off to the holiday season. It is so great that we have a day that is solely dedicated to gratitude. I feel so incredibly blessed right now in my life. I have the greatest family, that I get to spend a whole week with. I am healthy. I have the most incredible friends that are such a key part of my life. I have a great job that, as I have mentioned before, has come into my life at an opportune time. I feel like the way everything is going in my life right now is so divinely directed. Most importantly I feel so much gratitude towards my Savior. I don't know where I would be without the gospel in my life. It means everything to me. Even when I am feeling doubtful or discouraged, the grace of my brother, Jesus Christ, comforts me and gets me through. I truly do, believe in Christ.

I have already loved being here in Arizona. I am in love with my family. I seriously am the happiest when we are all together. They are so great. I could go on and on about the qualities that each of member of my family possesses that is unique and wonderful. But, just believe me, they are Great. With a capitol "G."

Last night we had our first annual "Ugly Sweater Party." It was so funny, and so much fun. We all dressed up and went to Gecko Grill for dinner, and then came home, had dessert, and played games. Good times. Here are some photos of the evening.

yessssssssssss...

I'm pretty DANG happy right now. I'm currently sitting in the Salt Lake International Airport waiting to board my plane to AZ. Yep, I can't stop talking about it because I'm pretty stoked about it. If you were asking if i'm stoked to leave the 25 degree weather I drove to work in this morning, the answer is YES.

Since my plane left mid day, and most of my possible ride candidates have already left town I was just going to drive and park my car...but Whitney found that out, and had a meeting up in SLC, so she was like...be ready in 20 mins and I'm taking you. I packed in 5 mins. Not a joke. I planned on packing last night, but got kidnapped by some friends until 2:30 AM. I am actually excited to find out what made it into my bag. Should be interesting.

We managed to sneak in a little Nordstrom Rack/Paradise Bakery on the way here. (Two of my favorites for sure...) I found some ADORABLE heels that were basically free ;)

We decided we're going to throw a banging Christmas party...more details to come on that for sure. I'm already excited though.

I flew through security with my carry on full of who knows what.

Tried not to touch anything here cause i'm pretty sure this place has got to be infested with the Swine. Gross.

Grabbed myself a Diet Coke.

Parked it here with my DC to wait until my flight takes off.

I'm Looking forward to shopping, eating, the first annual Smith Family Ugly Sweater party, games, etc. etc. etc. It's going to be awesome.

I'm SO Thankful for the chance to get to go hang with my fam. I'm sure there will be more talk of thankfulness to come...

80 degree weather HERE I COME!

Remember how I said I'd post some photos from Halloween sooner or later...well here you are :)

excited.

This weekend I...

Saw New Moon with my sister and some friends. (Pleasantly surprised...and got to see some adorable old friends.)

Went to lunch with the old chicka's of HP #25 (love them)

Had an amazingly relaxing Saturday.

Played with my new computer.

Went to the Truman/Kalai concert.

Had a Boyz II Men sing-a-long, should I be concerned that I still know EVERY word?

Stopped at Frogurt in Draper. It's basically my heaven.

Made south western crepes with my roomies.

Whipped up some zuchinni cookies.

All good things.

AZ 1.5 days. I can HARDLY wait. :)

This is a VERY good day...well, turned out to be.

You see that? Well don't look too closely, cause it's me makeup-less...in bed...looking all scrounged up. BUT, guess what else it is? It's a picture I took on my new computer. WAHOOOO! It's about time, seriously. For those of you who know me well enough to have experienced my old computer, you are silently cheering for me. When turned on it was hard to decipher weather someone was vacuuming, or if you were somewhere near the Hubble Spacecraft. Yes...it was loud, and slow, and rough. May she rest in peace. It was the computer I've had since I started college...circa 2004. Needless to say many a paper, itunes download, and youtube video later...she'd seen better days. SO, I finally decided it was time to upgrade to a Mac. Which made my day. Which was good, cause this is how my day went today.

5:00 AM - woke up. WIDE awake. Couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to hit up the gym.

7:00 AM - Home, showered, fed, readied...etc.

8:30 AM - Off to the gym to train...took alternate route than normal

8:35 AM - Pulled over by Jr. COP on said route for going 10 over in a 25 (oops) and ticketed. YIKES.

10:10 AM - More Work. Work. Work. Work. It was a crazy day for me today.

5:40 PM - Leave Work.

5:45 PM - Speak with Central Bank Representative who confirms that some fool in Brooklyn did indeed spend hundreds of dollars via my Debit card info. :(

6:00 PM - On my way to Mac store to purchase laptop.

6:10 PM - Decided just to go home mid-drive because I freak out about spending that much money.

7:00 PM - Talk to my mom who laughs that I didn't end up buying the computer I've been wanting FOREVER, and tells me to go back and buy it.

7:30 PM - Computer purchased :)

Yep. That made my day.

YAY for B-Bear

ooooh boy. I love this girlie! Tomorrow is Ben's 24th b-day! I'm so excited to celebrate with her. Benita and I have been friends for over 7 years and she has been the best friend I could ever ask for. We're pretty much family. I've missed her tons since she's moved up to SLC, but I've been able to see her and talk to her all the time which is great :)

Here are 24 things I LOVE about Benita...

1. She has a great laugh

2. She is gorgeous

3. She is beautiful on the inside too

4. She always thinks of others before herself

5. She is an extremely hard worker

6. She has a very strong testimony

7. She's a great example to me

8. She is my shopping buddy

9. She is my travel buddy...although we need to step up our game in that area

10. She gives great pep talks, and helps me do hard things

11. She humors me...and makes me think i'm funny

12. She loves her family

13. She doesn't hesitate to go after what she wans

14. She loves turbo kick

15. She enjoys target, diet beverages, and popcorn as much as I do

16. She is smart, and keeps up with current events

17. She makes a mean batch of Scotcheroos

18. She is adventurous

19. She loves all the same great TV shows I do

20. She is amazing with kids, and is going to be a great mom some day

21. She has a heart of gold and is very genuine

22. She remembers every detail about everyone...something I am HORRIBLE with...and reminds me when I forget!

23. She loves a good matinee

24. She is the bestest friend in the whole wide world.

I love you to death Ben! I know we'll be friends forever and ever :) Happy 24th!

catch up...

ok so...here is he scoop. Cause i'm sure you've all been dying to know... ;)

1. Halloween

I love Halloween. So much fun. I dressed up as my friend Jan Jorgensen. He gave me his Vegas Bowl Jersey to wear and even brought me some legit eye black stickers. Super fun. I also stole this picture from my sister's blog because my pics are all on my camera, and my camera cord is MIA. Too bad, cause I had some very cute photos...maybe later, I guess.

2. New Job

This past week was exhausting, but great. I am really liking my new work. I'll be honest upon walking in I felt like I was Anne Hatheway in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. It's an intense work atmosphere, but I've really liked it! I work with my roommate Whitney and our friend Sarah, so they have helped me a LOT. I really feel so blessed at how everything has turned out. I know I said his before, but I just feel like the Lord really is looking out for me.

3. No DVR

I miss DVR. I don't ever watch TV anymore. Aside from the biggest loser because my friends record it for me. Sad, sad, sad. Speaking of...Tracy? Yikes.

4. AZ in two weeks.

Yep, that is correct, two weeks from tomorrow I will be in AZ. Not that i'm counting down or anything.

5. Mama Cita.

My mom was here this past week for a quilt retreat, and I got to see her for a second or two. I just love her. She and my dad both are such amazing people, and I miss getting to see them all the time.

6. 80's week.

I LOVE 80's movies. This past week my friends and I have been watching a different 80's movie every night. The line up thus far has gone as follows: Big, Fletch, Teen Witch, Spaceballs, Footloose. Great films...can't wait for what else is to come.

7.Christmas Music.

I love it. I've already been listening to it. It makes me happy.

8. Today I worked from 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM. I'm exhausted...and off to bed.