UNITED WAY'S NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR RESPONSE

As you may know, I work for United Way, and this is a new campaing we have launched to help those in our community that may be struggling and in need due to the current economic crisis.

United Way of Salt Lake is taking a proactive role in response to the serious challenges presented by the current economic crisis by coordinating donations of cash and products to distribute to our community's frontline nonprofit service providers. These increased resources will not only shore up those families and individuals who are struggling during this difficult time, but also create hope for a brighter future for us all. We are calling on individuals and organizations to get involved to help our neighbors from falling into further crisis.

If anyone is interested in helping or would like to contribute, you can click on the picture above and it will take you to the United Way website, or just let me know and I can direct you where to go. We are trying to reach our goal of 5 million dollars in cash and goods by December 15. You can help by organizing a product drive in your family, church, neighborhood, school, social group, office, etc., or by making a financial contribution. It is so easy to get involved, and the effects will reach more than you will ever know.

In my job, I have seen the effects of this crisis more closely, and it is just heartbreaking. It makes me realize how blessed I am in all aspects of my life!

A Look Back at Fall

My life has been a whirlwind lately, and I realized that now that Christmas is around the corner, I never posted anything about our Fall activities. But, now that I am home ridden with a nasty cold, I finally have some much needed time to rest, and blog! I have not had a cold this bad ever in my life, but that did not stop me from doing my Black Friday shopping at the outlets in Park City! Which is probably why I am not getting any better :) The plan was to go at midnight with my sisters (a new tradition we are starting) but i did not even get to attend! I had to go the next morning. Halloween and Thanksgiving were wonderful...both full of family, friends, and FOOD! My waistline can attest to that! But hey, its the holidays, who cares!Here is a look back at the past few months...

The cutest niece and nephews in the world!!!

Juno and Bleeker at my friends party...being pregnant is going to be so weird!!!

Polygamists at Andrew's friends party...so ulgy!!!

My first attempt ever at making a pie...including the crust! It was a peach streusel pie and I have to admit that it was fantastic! We ate the whole thing in one day! For thanksgiving I made a berry streusel pie, also pretty delicious. I love baking!!!

Pumpin seeds, with a cajun twist!

Our happy pumpkin

GO UTES!!! What a great game by the way! I was the only U fan in my home the day of the game, but I prevailed!!!

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

This past month has been insane for Andrew and I...with the market flip flopping everyday, and my big event at work, The Power of Your Purse, we needed a break from everything. So we packed up and headed to Las Vegas with my friend Cassidy and her husband Matt for a few days. The weather was gorgeous and we were able to really relax and enjoy! We layed out, did too much shopping, and ate A LOT! But for some reason we were never able to get ourselves to a nice restaurant. We planned on it and even made reservations, but for one reason or another we never quite made it and ended up eating at places like Taco Bell and CPK...places we have here in Salt lake City...We are very original. One thing I love about Las Vegas is seeing all the fabulous hotels. After working for a hotel I have a better appreciation for them. Some of my favorites are New York New York, The Venetian, and Mandalay Bay!




New York New York



That's amore!



M&M World...Andrew and Matt really wanted to buy these jackets :) Hot stuff!


We went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay and it is awesome!!! If you are even remotely interested in fish and the ocean, you have to go. There were so many crazy sharks, gigantic turtles, and this big tuge thing full of jellyfish! Did you know that jellyfish do not have a heart or brain?

Check out the shark above our heads!

Cassidy petting a stingray!

It's a Boy!!!

I would like to introduce you all to the newest member of our family...NORMAN!!! Or Stormin' Norman as he is sometimes called. We got him about two weeks ago and he is already growing so fast! He is about 10 weeks old and loves to bite/chew everything in sight. He hates his leash but is learning to love his daily walks, and he is learning to conquer stairs. Sometimes he will do the Superman down them on his stomach when he gets going too fast, but his clumsly legs are starting to catch up to his body and he is getting much better at it. We now have a small glimpse of what being parents is like! Here are a few of the pictures so far...



Brand new puppy!


Learning how to deal with his leash


First bath! He actually really likes the water. I cant wait to take him swimming!


Isabel and Norman


I love this look, his little face is so cute!



All tuckered out and taking a nap with dad

Angel's Landing - Zion's 2008

Andrew and took a much needed weekend getaway to Zion's National Park. It is GORGEOUS! We climbed Angel's Landing which took us about 4 hours round trip. It was not just your nice saturday stroll, it is quite intense, but worth every step. There is one point where it is so steep and narrow that you have to hold onto a chain to get up...I know I know, I live dangerously!

View from the top!


The view was amazing from every direction... from one angle it is red rock,
and the other it is white.


Once we got to the top I did not wan to come down!

These two show the narrow section where you have to hold onto the chain



The city of Sprindale is known for their magical berry...the bumble berry. So how could we visit without having a slice of bumbleberry pie and vanilla ice cream? Quite world famous!

Wedding Bells and Fireworks in St. George

For the 4th of July weekend we went to St. George for Andrew's friend Cade's wedding. There were about 20 of us that made the trek down and stayed at his friends place in Leeds. Never a dull moment with this bunch of boys! It was blasted hot so most of our days were spent in the pool . Cade and Kim were married on the 5th in the St. George temple. It was my first time in that temple and it is so gorgeous. It is a smaller temple and has so much history and character. Here are a few snapshots of the trip...



The St. George Temple, Levi and his Uke! , BBQ!!!

A few of the girls , All the boys...except the groom!

Volleyball in the pool, The boys at the temple

Smith & Morehouse...Adventures in the Woods!

Andrews family goes camping every year at Smith & Morehouse. They have been going there for 30 years now with a few families from their neighborhood. This year we were only able to go up for a night and day but it was worth it! We went fishing early in the morning and I caught five fish (dont worry...we let them go)! I was also able to show off my incredible canoeing skills, seeing that I was a canoe instuctor...ha ha I know, funny huh...but I really was! I have a mad J Stroke! Andrew's niece and I caught fish at the exact same time and his brother snapped this shot right before my fish freaked out and tried to get in the canoe!

Andrew is quite the mountain man. He is great at chopping wood. Me on the other hand, well lets just say I should stick to my day job. I barely made a dent in the log...and the ax swung back and almost chopped my leg off!