Thanksgiving Trip!!!

This year for Thanksgiving we went up to Salt Lake to be with Cason's mom. All of his sister's their families and his brother were there. It was tons of fun and loved being together with everyone. Although the weather was freezing it was a great jump start for the holiday season!!!

This was my first time seeing the lights at temple square. They are gorgeous!!! I couldn't believe how many were up.

At temple square before the lights came on!!!It was fun to have all the family together. This is the first picture besides Carli's wedding that we were able to get everyone together!!!

All the boys

The Thanksgiving Feast!!!
Ella was stealing everyone's Jell-O

I love this picture of Ella and Cason.

We stayed at the Marriott across from the temple. It was freezing. Luckily they had a huge fireplace in their lobby!

This video is hilarious!!! After Thanksgiving dinner all the family went BOARDING!!! (Cason really wanted to snow board but unfortunately...there was no snow). So a box and a steep hill had to do. All of us were laughing SO hard. Ella on the other hand cried because she thought that her daddy got hurt! (Sorry you'll have to watch it sideways)

I didn't know if I'd get a chance to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that it is full of good company, good food, and good times.

Peek-a-Boo!!!

One, Two, Three...JUMP!!!

Here I am!!!

Ella has been thinking that it's been funny hiding in her ball bin! It will be totally quiet (so of course I go looking for trouble) and pop! There she is!!!

Ella with Santa!!!

We tried to be really good this year and get Ella's picture with Santa done early...We prepped her by showing her Santa on Saturday when we were at the mall. She even gave him a high-five! I thought for sure she'd be o.k. (maybe I was a little nervous). This is the only picture I could get! I think I might have tramatized her forever!!! She was not happy. Needless to say, we left with this one picture on my camera, I didn't have to pay for a picture package (which is a very good thing), Ella with puffy red eyes, and of course "Hot Dog on a Stick" lemonade!!! I would say it all turned out O.K.!!!

Yard Work!!!

On Saturday...Aaron and Cason worked on our backyard!!! It really needed it. They were out early and got to work!!! The yard turned out really nice. They planted me some nice daisies and got everything trimmed. They did a great job!!!

My nice kitchen sissors!!!

Who do I look like?

I thought for sure she would look more like Cason!!!

She is totally her daddy's daughter!

Yay to my HONEY!!!

Yesterday Cason passed his Series 7 test. I'm so proud of him. He's been working and studying so hard. It's been very nerve wracking and he's lost a lot of sleep over it. Anything he does...it's done 110%. I'm so lucky to have him in my life. Last night we went to "The Melting Pot" to celebrate (thanks again Cami & Chris). Yummy food...especially the dessert... if you've never been there it's definitely a place you've got to try!

Before Cason got home Ella and I had some fun writing on her front and back. The writing would have been better but she kept squirming because it tickled. Ella was very proud at showing off her new "tatoos"

"Good job dad"

"I Love YOU"

I'm a winner!!!

We went to Peter Piper Pizza today with Missy and her kids. It's always tons of fun getting together. This picture seemed priceless. We stood in front of the same game...I pushed the button...Ella grabbed the tickets...and grabbed the tickets...and grabbed the tickets. She didn't care about anything else. Then it came time for the prizes. The only thing she wanted was a candy bracelet!!! How do girl's know these things?

Hard Day at Work!!!

This week I've been working at my dad's office. Today...after lunch, Ella decided she'd had enough. My dad keeps a bed here for his puppy and now...for Ella.

What's in a name!!!

I got this idea from a friend. I thought it was hilarious so I had to try it out!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME:(first pet & current car) Pepper Jeep
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Snickerdoodle

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME:(first initial of first name, first three letters ofyour last name) A. Swi
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal) Yellow Monkey

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, city where you were born) VerDon Las Vegas

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Swiam

7. SUPERHERO NAME:(”The” + your 2nd favorite color, your favorite drink) The Red Raspberry Limeaide

8. NASCAR NAME:(the first names of your grandfathers) Verdon Edward

9. STRIPPER NAME:(the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent,favorite candy) Vanilla Butterfinger

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother’s & father’s middle names ) Ann Gerard

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Vandinter Vancouver

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring Daisy

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Strawberry Skirty

14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Cereal Pine

15. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Traveling Snow Tour

6 Interesting things about me!!!

Leesh...sorry this took me so long! I finally decided to do it after I was tagged again. O.k. so here goes!

1. I am sooooo anal when it comes to taking notes or jotting things down. If it doesn't look neat...I'll do them over and over again until it does.

2. I change furniture around constantly...(I get that from my mom)...it can be bedroms, furniture around the house, and I'm the worst with my classroom. My kids from last year can tell you!!!

3. I love reading the newspaper. Give me a magazine, I just look at the pictures...a newspaper...I'll read it from front to back!

4.When I paint my nails, I peel the polish off over and over and will just repaint them until I peel off the polish again.

5. I collect children's books! (I think that comes with teaching). I love it!!!

6. This probably goes along with all girls...I have "Girl's Just Want to Have Fun" memorized. I can never watch it enough!!!

K!!! So now I tag...Missy, Michelle K., Carla, Melinda, Carli, & Cherine