Merry Christmas to all.... And to all a Goodnight!!!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We sure did. We got spoiled. And pictures to come, here is a quick run down of the past week,

Tuesday we had my grandmothers funeral, and if you remember, it was a blizzard, snow was coming in sideways! It was freezing. I did take some pictures, but maybe they are too personal to put on here. The funeral was nice, I actually said the obituary and life sketch! Uhh for those of you who don't know, I NEVER EVER speek in church. So that was a HUGE accomplishment for me! And I think I did rather well!!! We also sand Silent Night, that song will never be the same, and we also sang Away in a Manger. We also did a DI run... read why below

Wednesday Christmas eve!! This day we kinda woke up exhausted from our week with Grandma. But we were having a huge family party tonight, so I was running all the errands for my mom for food and stuff. And getting some last min. gifts, because I hadn't even thought about gifts since last wednesday... and our dinner started at 6. (Last year my sister -in-law Angie decided to come in a "Christmas Sweater 80's style" so we all decided to pick up on it this year. We all got into our sweaters and vests and had a very nice Christmas Sweater Christmas Eve dinner! It is now a tradition.


After dinner, Santa came. He comes every year, and brings everyone a gift. We all take a turn sitting on his lap



and after that usually everyone with kids go home, and those of us with out kids, stay and play games into the wee hours of the night. Sam got Monopoly and we decided to play that all night, when I say all night, I am not joking. He and my brother Spencer went to bed at 4 AM!!!

Thursday CHRISTMAS!!!! We woke up, and drove down for breakfast at the Steele's. Yes, we drove in the blizzard. What should have been a 20 min drive, was now an hour and a half, and we ended up late.... I got stuck TWICE!! It was so scary, they didnt end up plowing the roads until about 130, so we were getting more and more snow on the roads. It was so scary to drive in. I hate driving in snow. We got a great gift from the Steele's.... Food storage, which we will need to start adding to. Oh, on the way to the Steele's Sam stopped at grabbed Omini so he could spend some Christmas with us as well. And we had Omelet's for breakfast, played some games, then decided we better head home, because it was still majorly snowing, and we didnt want to get stuck in another HUGE snow storm. So we got home around 4 which is opening gift time at my parents. So we all gathered in the living room, around the Tree and we take turns opening gifts in our stockings... I got great lotion and shower stuff, and then we open our other gifts. Sam and I were so lucky, my parents got us our VERY OWN COMPUTER!!! So Sam has been setting that up the last two days!! We all got an outfit from my grandma's... Thank you! Then after opening gifts we eat our traditional peach pancakes! They were delicious. While we were all playing with our new games and gifts and toys, it started to snow, and before we knew it, My brother Scot and family got snowed in! They live about 30 min up north, and it was a blizzard. So they slept over, and we had fun and watched a movie!

Friday We woke up, and there was so much snow, that we decided to go sledding. I didn't go, I just wanted to relax. Then they came back, and we decided to go see a movie. After the movie, it was time for Sam and Omi to go to the Jazz game that I got them tickets to go to. That game was a lot of fun, and Sam finished setting up our computer!

Whew, what a week! Today is Saturday, and we are just going to be taking it easy today, and maybe play some of our new games.

I hope everyone had a very nice and safe Christmas. I hope we all thought a little bit about what Christmas really was, and remember the special gift we all got soo long ago.

Merry Christmas to all..... and to all a goodnight!

Catching up on December

Here is some pictures of things we did in December. We went to the Live Nativity down in Alpine. It is a really cool experience.

Abi and Kaylee


Taylor and Jack (Jack is in the black ski mask)


Sam and me on the Sleigh ride over to the place they put on the whole Nativity


Mom and Dad on the hay ride as well....


So at the live nativity, they have camel's, and they had "roman's" riding around on horse back, looking for Baby Jesus. They have a place in a barn where you go around and look at stuff they used to do back then, how they made shepherd crook's, they made clay pots, they had weaving baskets, they had a girl weaving a blanket, they also made bread that was in a little oven... that is where sam and I got our picture taken


And some animals


And in another barn, they had Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. With carolers singing out side the barn door. It was so magical and beautiful. All the kids ACTUALLY thought it was baby Jesus, it was so great to see their face.


Then we took our picture outside the barn


Then we rode a horse trailer on the way back to our cars, and here is some pictures of that...


HAHAHA Sam and Scot are big nerds!


We also went to Temple square to look at lights
Taylor HATES getting his pic taken!!


All the grandbabies


Everyone had to take their picture wearing this hat... Its Richie's from the mission



US!!



All Because Two People Fell In Love.....

Passing away

Today has been a sad day for me and my family. This afternoon at 3 my grandma (who has lived with us for 4 years this passed thanksgiving) passed away. It was very sad, yet happy. Now she is no longer suffering and she is with her husband that she lost a year and a half ago. She had demensia, and was pretty much bedridden for the last year. Since I live in my parents basement, I have had to opportunity to take care of her, when my mom needs a night out. I have gotten really close to my grandma with her living here. Well, her and my grandpa, its sad they are both gone now. But they are so happy where they are, and we are happy they are there. We just miss them while we are here, but we will all be together again soon.

Festival of Tree's

So yesterday (friday) me, my mom, my sister rachel, and my niece Kaylee went to see the festival of tree's. I love going to see all the tree's, and the different kinds that people make up. There is always some beautiful tree's, and it is just so fun to be there. This year, they even had a few Twilight tree's! Lol! So of course I had to take some pictures of it. And there was even ginger bread houses, and of course in Utah, someone had to do the temple, and then there was also twilight houses. And a huge castle, take a look!

This one is made out of glass!


Cute Gingerbread tree...


Twilight Tree 1... sorry kinda blurry, I was trying to snap a pic in a hurry before someone got in my way, cuz it was so crowded. Wait it is every year!


This is the Cullen Christmas tree, this one acutally made it in the news here! lol
sorry, its blury too, people were pushing to see this tree...


That's all the tree's I took, and here are some pic's of the Gingerbread houses...

This is supposed to be a twilight house...


Take a look at this huge castle!!


This is one I took for sam, his idea of Christmas!


The SLC temple!


This one is supposed to be downtown NYC Times square, notice the twilight poster on the side of that building!! LOL

family pictures part 2

These are our "stevens" family pictures. The ones are of my lil Steele family, and the other one is of me and my siblings. I had one of my whole family, but it was too big of a file to put on here. 

Thanksgiving, and Vegas

We had Thanksgiving a few days early, and celebrated my fathers birthday, and here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner, and of Vegas!

Thanksgiving, with a plant in the way, I wonder who the photographer was!


Off to Vegas, for my little sister Beka's soccer tournament, and some fun!
We played catch at half time of Beka's games, and they threw me the ball, and let me join in... If you know me at all, I am NOT I repeat NOT athletic in any way, shape, or form. Uhhh, check out my throwing stance. Do you think they would draft me for the NFL??


One of the nights, we went out on the town...

Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful time of the year, that you can just sit back and think about all the things you are thankful for. Just to name a few, I am so thankful for my wonderful husband. He does so much for our family, and he is just awesome. I am thankful for my mom and dad and siblings. We get together every other sunday, and we have made some special friendships that go beyond being siblings. I thankful that Sam and I both have job's right now. A lot of people are getting layed off but we both have our jobs. I'm thankful for my sister Rachel who is my employer. That she has a job, and she can pay me! Also because I have the best job. I absolutely love my niece and nephew, and the one she has comin on the way!!! I am thankful for our pet Toa. He has brought so much love and happiness into our little family. I am thankful for Sam's son Omini in our lives again. Its great to see how much he has grown and how fun he is. 

We had our Thanksgiving last sunday, along with my dad's birthday, (even tho my dad's birthday was yesterday) and it was fun to be around the family, and hear what they are all thankful for. So today, we are actually headed down to Las Vegas for an adult trip. No kids allowed. So we'll be sleepin in and stayin up late! And going to my little sisters soccer games in between! But we are excited to get out of town. 

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. And tell your spouse or family how thankful you are for them! I am also thankful for all of you reading my blog, that means that we are friends and family. And I love and appreciate all that you guys do for me and my family. Love you all!!

CRAZY WEEKEND!!

My weekend started on Thursday...

We started by celebrating my cousin, Emily's, wedding by having a dinner at my mom's. Most of my aunts and uncles were there and we hosted Emily's new in-laws. *Fun fact* The maternal grandfather of Emily's husband, Michael, served his mission (in Africa) with my paternal grandfather. My grandfather passed away while my dad was young. I never met him. It was fun to hear stories and see old pictures.* Anyway, it was a delicious meal and good company. I went down at 9:30 and stood in line with my hubby, no he didn't see it, he was just so kind to keep me company till my sisters could arrive. The rest of my sisters finally made it (Steph included) trickled down to the theater later that night. It was a mad dash into the theater, way to go Steph for knocking people over and elbowing a 13 year old out of the way. We got really good seats!!


The movie was fabulous! I am not going to give an entire synopsis here, but I can't wait to see it again. I got home at 2am and had to be to work early. I was groggy, but it was worth every second.


Friday...

Now here is the really sucky part of my weekend. I had 10 tickets to the Celine Dion World Tour. We have had these tickets for A YEAR!! The concert was SUPPOSED to be on Friday night at 8. She cancelled the concert because of a throat infection. Here is the really terrible news. They rescheduled her concert for a Sunday in February. I am so upset that I can't even think straight. I am still searching for a place on her website to complain. Who schedules anything for a Sunday in Salt Lake City??? Ugh.  

So I had to finish making those pages for Emily's reception, see side where I make the advice books. I have now made 6 of them!!! And I had to run them down to her house in Alpine, mind you I live in SLC which is like 30 min away. I am hauling butt, because at this time, it is 415 and at 440 she needs to leave for the church to get her dress on, and get pictures taken before the reception. So I finally get there, I also went to do her nails too. When we were done, my aunt wasn't quiet ready, so she's like Sara, please take her to the reception place and do up her dress. Which was a corsett back! What THE! I don't know how to tie those!!! Anyway, I took her and did my best to make it tight and the bow sure did look great. Mind you I am not ready for the reception, because I wasn't expecting to take her to the reception place, any my family was meeting back in SLC for dinner before we all headed to her reception together. So I book it home. I make it in the door at 605 dinner was supposed to be at 6. but my mom and sister in law angie waited, then we drove together. I seriously changed into my dress in 5 min. Then we ate and went back down to the reception! 

Saturday...

GAME DAY!  First Sammy played an awesome joke on my mom, who is a BYU fan, but only because she did her nursing school there, and then she thinks its funny when her and Sammy battle it out. Actually on thursday, the day of my cousin emily's family shower, my mom and little sister stuck BYU stickers all over our cars, those of us who love the UTES! anyway, sam didnt' get to go to the reception last night because he was working security, and when he got home, he stole my mom's phone, and we have this pen that sings the Utah fight song, so he recorded that onto my mom 's phone and then at 2:30 AM he was sneeking into my parents bedroom and it scared my mom. she woke straight up. And sam was in the middle of his army crawl thru my parents room. And my mom was like Hello? Who's there! My mom was scared to death that someone had broken into our house and was in her room. It wasn't funny then, but I just sit and laugh now! anyway, he slid the phone under her  bed and ran downstairs into our part of the house, and he hurry's and jumps into bed. It woke me up, so I got up to go to the bathroom, and i hear people walking around upstairs. I was like do you hear that. someone is walking around up there. I had no idea what he had done. So I brush it off, and go back to sleep. Well he set his alarm to wake up every 30 min, and he would call my mom's phone and it would go off full blast under her bed. It was funny, so none of us had very much sleep that night. Then we got up all early to go to my cousin's sealing in the SLC temple, and my mom's phone was still going off. It was on vibrate lucky enough. Then after that, we came home and got ready for the game, because  Sammy, Jeff (my bro in law), and me and my cousin Zac, all got tickets to the Utah game. So we had to leave part way thru my cousin's luncheon to make it to the game. We were in Alpine and had to drive all the way to the Utah stadium. We made it just in time! It was so much fun to be there. After the game I sure did go down and jump on the field. It was awesome. And Sammy is "in" with the Whitingham family and so we got to go into the press conference right after. It was such a great game. 

Sunday

This was my dad's birthday and Thanksgiving. Both were early, my dad's birthday was yesterday. So after church we came home and were making the Thanksgiving dinner. I was in charge of Jello and stuffing. The whole dinner turned out really well. And my dad loved having everyone there for his birthday! Then right after that Sam and I had to go on a transport together. We went to San fran that night and slept over.  

Monday

So after we got done with the work, we ended up in St George. So we went to visit Sammy's cousin Ryanne! And she was such a great host, and thank you Kristin for dinner! It really was delicous. Anyway we also went to Twilight again. I love that movie. And we just hung out with her and her family all day.

Tuesday

We went to lunch at a great poly place there in St George. And then we finished working and went home! We got home so late! It was such a crazy weekend!!!! I felt like that weekend went on for about a month! 

Now we are just relaxin and can't wait to go to Vegas on thursday!!!

Twilight!!!

I had the utmost pleasure to see twilight last night! It was so awesome. It was a lot better then I thought it was going to be. Sometimes the movie after a book, is not so good, but this movie was so good. I personally thought that Emmitt was  by far more hot then Edward, and Edward is supposed to be the most beautiful thing! Anyway, I got to the theater at 945, and I was the 3rd person there. I was holding the line for my family. Then they trickled in and we had to wait on the floor until 10:30 till they let us line up on the stairs. So pretty soon, a lot of high school kids came and totally waited like a foot in front of the stairs, and when we were standing there I got yelled at! But so they cut us in line! no fair! anyway, we still got the seats we wanted, and we needed 6 in a row. But we had to wait on the stairs from 1030 until 1130. And it was just me and Beka on the stairs, and we were wondering how we were going to save 4 seats! Then my older sister Rachel, told the natzi lady at the bottom of the stairs she had to go to the bathroom, and then on the way back, she got in line with us. Then the same happened with Steph. She "went to the bathroom" and got in line with us!!! So now there was 4 to save 2 seats. It was so exciting! Anyway, the movie was great, I wont say anything here till more people have seen it. But it was great, and I totally want to see it again. 

TICKETS

I just got my tickets for Twilight. There was 10 tickets left, and I got 6 of them!!! I am so excited to go. The movie better live up to my expectations! I know it wont have everything, but it better have all the good parts. I am excited to hear Bella's song!

Twilight!!

Does anyone know if you should buy tickets ahead of time or just show up the movie theater earlier in the day to buy tickets?? Anyway, I am so excited for it! I can't wait to go to the movie. All of you Twilight fans, I have the song from the book, the song Edward made up for her on the piano. Scroll to the bottom of my blog and look up my songs, it is the last one. I just downloaded it. I personally love it, and I think that it fits exactly right. Tell me what you think!?! 

SAVINGS

So like I have said before our friends from down south the Tonga's have got us started on this coupon kick. It is a website, called pinchingyourpennies.com. you can find the link there, you go there, and sign up. Its for free, and then you can get started. You can find the store near you, and print out coupons, but you do have to do your work too, For the last month, Sam goes on Sunday's to a gas station and he buy's 3 newspapers. And we sit together and cut out coupons, and I put them in a divider. So this past Saturday, we decided to make our first trip. We went to the website, then went to screaming deals by state, found utah. then you look at the "threads" and you can click on the different stores, we usually shop at Albertson's.  So we look for a thread about albertsons, This past week, there was a HUGE sale there. So we went and printed the coupons on the products that were ALREADY on sale! So we took our coupon's and headed to the store. We did all our shopping on the 10 for $10, or 5 for $10, or whatever, then you have coupon's and get it for even more off!!! It was awesome, needless to say, we went and had 2 shopping carts and before they rang up our coupons, it was 350.00! WHOA, then we gave our coupons, and out the door..... Are you ready??... its huge.... We paid out of pocket, 150.oo, with our coupons we saved 200 dollars! holy cow!! We do have cereal and cake mix coming out our ears, but we got soup, febreeze, gogurt, pizza rolls, and lots of stuff. It was awesome. I am sorta starting my food storage with this. Its awesome. If you want to learn to do this, leave me a message. And we can talk! For those of you out of state, it works for states other then utah, you just have to find your state when you go to screaming deals by state. It seriously saves you so much money. You will be standing there giving coupon's for what feels like an hour, but it is all worth it!! 

Utah VS TCU

This was one of the most AMAZING games!!! The score was 10 to 6 for TCU. And in the last 2 1/2 min. of the game, the Utes finally got it together, and made a touchdown. If you didn't see the game, it was a "Blackout" game. We all wore black to the game... all the Utes fans. And it looked really cool! I am so glad we won! Here are some pic's the game!

Sarah, Toby, Sam, and ME


Sara in the midst of it all!


Sam and S.Smith

Spider Man Fights Cancer 2

My neighbor boy who has leukemia was on the news last night. Here is the clip....spiderman. It is so sweet. We are having a 5K run tomorrow, if anyone can come and help support. Or just look at his website here. It is gut wrenching and so sweet at the same time. Please help this family out!!

whats this about

I found this on the KSL website. And it actually scared me, and now I'm thinking I'll go private. I dont want anyone to find out about me or my family. I dont feel threatened now, but what will happen in the future?? Read this little part I found on the website of how people are just pretty  much throwing out information. I post a lot of pictures of my niece and nephew, and of things that are going on in my family, countdowns, and pictures of me and my hubby, things about his work, and stuff like that. ummm yea I pretty much will go private now....  But I am really torn. I love just looking around at people i went to high school with and look at there blogs, or friends of my friends, and see how people scrapbook stuff, and other things people are doing, but this seriously makes me RE-think this whole thing...READ THIS

I would like other people to read this and tell me what they think about this. Does this make you want to go private, or just not post things that are private?? I dunno... But I want this to be like a journal and I dont really want to hold back, so I guess I might have to go private. 

Moving Home!!

So this past weekend, acutally we were told on Halloween, that

KEVIN AND KAYLENE AND BOYS ARE MOVING BACK!!!

We are so excited. They are moving back somtime in november. I can't wait to live closer to my sister in law. We are really close friends and sisters and now this will make it even better. I am so glad the boys will live near and that they can see their cousin's more often. I am so excited for you guys!!!

A Tragedy

When I was younger I had the most amazing Young Women's president. She was so easy to talk to, and so much fun. She moved away right after I got out of young womens, and turned 18. She moved to Alpine. It was sad when she left. I have since seen her and her family a few times. For my wedding, for my neighbor's wedding, when my friend Amy came home from her mission, and lastly, when my dear friend Heather passed. We sat next to eachother. Then I get the news.....
From the Deseret News website

LINDON — A rear-end crash on I-15 turned deadly Friday night in Lindon.
A car slammed into the back of a semitrailer while heading south at about 8:30 p.m.

The car's passenger, Lindsey Sandstrom, 16, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The car's driver was flown to University Hospital with critical injuries, said Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Steve Winward.

According to the police report, prior to the accident the vehicle had suffered mechanical problems that caused the car to swerve into the adjacent lane, where it collided with the semi.

From the KSL Website
Fatal accident shuts down southbound I-15 near Lindon
October 24th, 2008 @ 11:15pm
(KSL News) All southbound lanes of I-15 near Lindon were shut down for a few hours tonight as police investigated the scene of a fatal accident.

The accident happened around 8:00 this evening. Police say a Honda Civic was headed southbound when it slammed into the rear of semi truck.

The passenger of the car died at the scene. The driver was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.

Police do not yet know a cause for the accident.

This is all a shock and a terrible tragedy to happen. What ended up happening is, Lindsay's sister Kaylee was driving, and all the sudden the car started shaking, and flew into the next lane, which had a semi in it. And the semi ran over the passenger side of the car, (which Lindsay was sitting in) and killed her on impact. The eye witness that saw the accident stopped, and her and her husband ran back to the car, and held Kaylee's hand till the Paramedic's came. They had no clue that Lindsey was in the car as well. Because the wheel was on Kaylee's arm, they couldn't see into the other side of the car. Meanwhile, Their father was returning from a motorcycle trip down to Moab, and their mother went to go pick him up at a friends house. (the mother was my dear Young Women's president, and great friend, Tami Sandstrom) She was at home waiting and waiting for the girls to arrive home. They never came, so she decided to leave and go to get her husband Mike. She went to get on the freeway which was closed due to the accident. So she went around, by the time they got back, there was a sheriff and their bishop waiting for them at their home to tell them the news. It was so sad, and very tragic.
Kaylee, the driver, was in critical condition but has since come home. The first words out of her mouth were, I just killed my sister. What a sad thing to think of. It was not her fault, but she totally takes blame. Needless to say, I have a funeral to go to on thursday, and see my dear friend again. I feel so horrible for their family, I pray and hope that Kaylee and the family will be okay, and make it through this tough time in their lives. I love you guys...

Lindsay Dawn Sandstrom

Lindsay Dawn Sandstrom 1992 ~ 2008 Our sweet Lindsay returned into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father and awaiting family members last Friday night as a result of a terrible car accident. Lindsay started her mortal journey on April 18, 1992 in Salt Lake City, joining her parents Mike and Tammy Sandstrom and her sister Kaylee (who she literally and figuratively has always looked up to). She lived in Holladay until 2002 when her family moved to Highland. Lindsay attended elementary schools including Crestview, Legacy and Freedom. She attended Mountain Ridge Jr. High and was currently a junior at American Fork High School. Lindsay was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a firm knowledge that she is a daughter of God. Her mortal life was a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and she confidently shared her testimony with everyone. She was an excellent student and challenged herself with honors classes. She especially loved seminary, choir, and child development. She often developed close friendships with her teachers and she in turn, wanted to teach children. Lindsay always loved performing and was a confident speaker. She was the organizer of many shows, play school, tea parties and dress ups. A hug and a kiss were always available from Lindsay and her relationships knew no bounds. Lindsay had a special love for children and they were drawn to her. She had a way of seeking out the lonely and down trodden and buoying them up. Lindsay had a sweet tooth and could always be found with candy and had plenty to share. She was a talented pianist and loved music. She loved spending time with family at Lake Powell, the Elba Ranch, Park City and Pinto. She loved working at Liberty Land (the rides, the kids and co-workers). Her warm infectious smile, bright eyes and kind heart have captured and influenced so many. She loved friends and they loved her. It was easy to love Lindsay. Lindsay is survived by her parents Mike and Tammy Barker Sandstrom, her sister, Kaylee, her brothers Connor and Parker, her grandparents John and Judy Sandstrom and Ruel and Kay Barker, many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins that she loved dearly. Lindsay was blessed to belong to an incredibly committed, supportive and loving extended family. Lindsay will be sorely missed. She is separated from us all for a while and we know she is doing the work of our Heavenly Father. We know there is a plan that allows families to be together forever. Our family will hold on to this belief until we are together again. Lindsay Sandstrom memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo. Gifted funds can be designated for the family or, in lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to benefit the AFHS preschool, seminary, and choir programs in Lindsay's name

Our newest family member

So last friday Sam and I were just out doing some errands and we had some time to spare. So I said, lets go to the humane society and see if there is a dog that speaks to me. (I was thinking I wanted a dog, a small dog mind you!!) So we walk in, and I am just wandering around, and Sam got a phone call, and headed out. I was still walking around. And then I saw it.... a German Short Hair. Which my husbands favorite dog. I came out and was like Sam they have a German Short hair. He IMMEDIATELY wanted to see it! So I say, hey, I think they let you take them outside. So we went and asked. And we got to take him out. And he was such a good dog! He is 2 years old. And we decided to put him on hold and Sam, Toby, Sarah, and I went to go buy some birds to see if the dog would point. (its a hunting thing) so we came back the next morning, and brought the birds. And sure enough, he pointed right away! It was great. And the good thing was, he was only 40.00 dollars with tax and everything! It was great, and one of my BFF's Emily, had a dog kennel which she isnt using cuz her doggie is trained. So we borrowed that. And right after we got him, we had to put him in there, cuz we had to go to the U game! WE LOVE TO SUPPORT OUR UTES! When we came back, my parents had him out, and they really like him too. And the is AWESOME with my niece and nephew, he never barks or jumps on them. He'll lay down and let them pet him. He lets my nephew lead him around by his ear. We picked out a name... its Toa. (toe-uh) it means Warrior in Samoan. He is already responding, and doing great. Here is a pic


He's not really a puppy anymore. He is about up to my knee. If you want to meet him, come on over!!