New Years Eve 2010

I was so happy that Erin and Tyler and their kids were stuck in Utah for several days due to the huge storms back East. That was perfect timing! Erin and Tyler were able to spend New Year's Eve with us. Erin, Jessica and Debbie hosted the family party and they did an AWESOME job! Erin and Jess did a lot of research on the New Years Traditions around the world. Did you know that birds are BAD LUCK? Did you know that if you eat orange slices and grapes at midnight that it gave you GOOD LUCK? Because birds are bad luck, the loser of the games had to sit in the chair with birds hanging all around them, and they had to wear a boa of feathers...check out the pics...Grandma Shirley was the BIG LOSER! :)
We had fun playing games, eating, and drinking these awesome fruity drinks Erin made for us.

Jessica came up with a FUN game that I think should be a NEW TRADITION! We had to play CHARADES, acting out the HEADLINES from 2010. Some were hard but we got all of them I think. We got one point for guessing the right headline and another if we could guess what month it occurred. That was more difficult. We also wrote down 3 RESOLUTIONS and had to guess whose they were.
My mom came up to spend New Years with us and then spent the night at my house. We had so much FUN!

Oh yeah, the funniest part of the night was when Grandma Shirley started dancing like Lil' Wayne! Oh my gosh! When she grabbed her crotch and started doing the nasty dance I thought I would die LAUGHING! I had to have her do it again for the video camera. We were just not expecting that and it was just HILARIOUS!

What a Great Year 2010 Was!

It's hard to believe that 2010 is coming to an end. As I reflect on the past year I feel truly blessed! I have had a wonderful year jam-packed full of fun! I will recap the year this far for it has been a full of firsts for me:

1. I became a mother-in-law to the best daughter-in-law EVER! Mikell has been such a sweetheart to me! I love her to pieces and I am so glad she is part of my family.

2. I went on my first cruise! I cruised with my mom, sisters, aunt, cousins, and friend, to the Eastern Carribbean where I also tried lots of firsts including eating lobster and zip-lining in a rainforest, etc.. I will post more pics at the end of the blog.

3. I had a hysterectomy...my first and last :)



4. I said the prayer in Sacrament Meeting without memorizing it first...only because I spaced out that I was supposed to give the prayer until I saw my name on the program! This is very frightening to me, I thought I would die! All of my friends in the audience gave me the thumbs up as I walked back to my seat!



5. I went to Tuacahn to see the Best play yet! We saw Tarzan one night and Cats the second night. I loved Tarzan and didn't care for Cats but it fulfilled something for me cuz I have always wanted to see it and now I can say that I have :)

6. I went on the most AMAZING trip with my mom to New York! This was the best trip ever! I LOVE spending time with my mom and to spend a whole week with her on a fun and exciting trip was the BEST! I can now cross this off my Bucket List! We also had a blast spending time with Erin and her family. I was totally spoiled on this trip! I  posted alot of the pics of all the fun we had. They are located at the end of the blog. Please take a look at them...just keep scrolling :) I also bonded and fell in love with Jackson! I miss him just thinking about him :)

7. I went to Lake Mead with my kids and Bill (my Ex and his wife and kids) and had a SUPER DUPER time boating!

8. I flew to Phoenix to throw a surprise party for my FAVORITE Aunt, Joyce! The look on her face was priceless! What a fun time we had with my mom, sisters, and many cousins we haven't spent time with before. We went to Sodona while we were there also.

9. I went to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving and it was my first time making the whole Thanksgiving Dinner. Bill fried the turkey and made the best fruit salad. I did everything else. It was exhausting but it turned out good. We had a great time together!

10. I have always wanted a pie thrown in my face and Bill made that wish come true...now I don't need to repeat that. Once was plenty and I can cross that off my Bucket List :) Pics will follow later!

11. I have found a new hobby, or more like OBSESSION with COOKING and BAKING and I have spent way too much time browsing the internet for awesome recipes and fun treats to make. I will post some pics of the creations I have made.

12. I had a successful year at work with both Elections turning out absolutely wonderful and having plenty of poll workers, whis is always a MAJOR stress factor to me!



13. I found out that I am going to be a GRANDMA next year!! I cannot believe it! Zach and Mikell are due to have a baby August 6, 2011.



14. I had the BEST Christmas EVER! Had such a great time with Ashley, Zach and Mikell. I also did the dinner for the ADULT Christmas Dinner this year and it was DELICIOUS!!

15. I have increased my testimony this year as I have re-read the Book of Mormon, attended Institute, and have served as Relief Society Secretary. I have increased my love for my Savior, my family and friends and have a great peace in knowing that I am doing my best to live the best life I can.

This year has been full. I am truly blessed to have been able to travel as much as I have, more than I ever have in my life and I will keep those wonderful memories and experiences I've had close to my heart. The best part is not where I have gone, but who I have been with. I love my family so much and I pray that this next year will be just as rewarding!