Happy New Year (+ holiday fun)

What a fantastic holiday break!! 

I had about two weeks off from my job and Jared had a week off, so we got to spend quality time with the family. Score!

This was the Christmas year that my entire family was in town. Talk about AWESOME party. All 10 kids (and spouses and children) gathered for a week (+ more for some) of total fun. I really love the holidays-they are so magical!

By the way, I dragged several of the fam to the fitness classes I teach, so if any one of them looks like they're in pain in these pics, they probably are/were ;)

I found little Santa!

Jared's first, real Swiss fondue!

Swiss cookies!!!! YUMM (find recipe HERE)

New Pajamas! My parents gave us all new matching Christmas jammies (it's tradition!). Thanks you guys! We all love 'em--especially the boys, and how hot they get  ;)

me and my favorite guy :)

isn't my nephew adorable?!

I got a PINK foam roller!! THanks to my fabulous husband! Thanks babe :)

Rolls on Christmas Day -a must. Recipe HERE

It was such a great holiday!

And the New Years was fantastic too:

We did gift exchanges,

Went to the Zoo and Science Center and Ice skated.

Sister love:

The two of us at the zoo:

And much, much more.

Fun was had by all. Hope you've started your New Year's off well :) If not, then come join me at this website and I can help ya out.

Also, VOTE for me (here's the blog post explaining how)--this is the last week to do so, and you can do it every day! Woot.

Thanks!

Because YOU love me.....

........You can VOTE for me!

You're so lucky :)

I was chosen to be in the running to receive a grant with Team REFUEL, the elite athlete and fitness enthusiast team who drinks chocolate milk to refuel after a hard workout.

I drink chocolate milk after every intense workout and it has changed my life. Seriously. I believe in the science behind it all, and have felt it in my life. If you care to read more about my experience, read my story with chocolate milk!

So, if I get enough votes (because of all of you awesome people)....then I would be a part of the team and would win a grant ($$$) that would go toward my half Ironman race in 2012. 

You all are the bomb diggity!!!

Go HERE to vote. You can vote EVERY single day until January 15, 2012!!! (and it might even work in different browsers--that's like 4x/day. Just sayin')

You can either type my name into the box, or click "individuals" category to find me. I am in a backbend in the photo. Just click my picture to vote (see above shot)

And tell all your friends.

You guys ROCK. Happy voting for the next 3 weeks!

Happy HOLIDAYS!

Thanksgiving In UT

We had a fabulous week in UT visiting Jared's family for Thanksgiving! It went by so fast and was stuffed with activities, food, family, fun, and some rest :)

Ate some homemade cookies on the flight. (Recipe HERE)

Spent the day before T-day baking!! (I love doing this with all the women. SO fun!)

After a quick 6-mile run, we got to work and made the feast.

My contribution:

Recipe found (HERE)--used by all the women in my fam.

The table was fun and festive:

I love Thanksgiving! It all gives us time to slow down, really think about our many blessings, and spend time with family. I adore my in-law family and we all had a blast!

Crazy shenanigans at the table ensued:

After a filling and delicious dinner we all went on a walk:

I miss the mountains!! A lot.

Then planning for Black Friday began.

I am NOT a Black Friday shopper at ALL, but Jared's sister and bro-in-law were all about it. His parents went to. Crazy people.

I value my sleep too much.

Even over a good deal. Hah.

we ate pies too, but I was too busy eating ice cream to take pics

After T-Day we did crazy shopping (amazing deals!! I <3 DI in Centerville. It is awesomesauce), gathered tools and beads, and crafted.

My in-laws are all very creative, artsy, and really skilled in making anything from skirts to elaborate jewelry. 

I am NOT talented in those things at all, so when I get around these lovely ladies I soak it all up....and attempt my hand at it as well.

the earrings and necklace I made!! I MADE that. Well, I sort of did it, my SIL and MIL helped a lot!


My time spent doing these art crafts reminded me of how little I know about doing DIY projects....and that I like them IF I am in the mood. Hah. Usually I want to be running around, motivating people--so it is very unusual to find me quiet, in a chair, working on tiny beads. It definitely uses a different type of brain power and I must admit, can be oddly soothing!

During the later part of the week we ate turkey leftovers:

Visited my FAV restaurant:

my food on the left, Jared's on the right. Mine was huge! Just the way I like it.

Can YOU guess where it was??

Oh YAH.

On our last night we did one of my favorite things to do in SLC during the holidays : Visited the lights on Temple Square!

for Lara. Know what it says??! :)

Ahhh German. Love :)

They had paper lanterns all over with different holiday phrases in various languages. SO cool.

HAPPY Holidays!! I LOVE this time of year.

It was a fantastic getaway--thanks Perkins for hosting us!!

P.s. To get even more into the holiday season, watch/read some of what we listened to last night. I love focusing on the TRUE Christmas spirit. 

Movie Date

I went on a date with my husband and my little sis to see the newest Twilight movie.

Don't judge.

We had a fun time.

Sara LOVED it. 

I thought it was hilarious and super slow. But the 2nd half was pretty decent.....for the Twilight movies. But everyone knows when they go to such movies that it isn't going to be Oscar material.

The husband saved seats so Sara and I could hit up some ice cream.

And chess.

Sara pretty much schooled me. We laughed a lot that night :)

It was super fun to be out with 2 of some of my favoritest people!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's to wishing YOU all a very Happy Thanksgiving from us!

from T-day 2010

And from our cute turkeys.....I mean nephews:

pics from T-day 2010

Here's a list of what I am grateful for (found on our health/wellness business website's blog) Enjoy!

Birthday Celebration

I have had an awesome birthday! Thanks to you all for the texts, calls, emails, Facebook messages, and notes. You all sure know how to make me feel special!

Excuse the outfit/hair--had just walked in the door from teaching Zumba.

homemade carrot cake!!

ready for a date at Brio--yumm.

I love birthdays! Thanks to all for making it awesome.

And a huge thanks to my amazing husband who is simply fabulous.

Fall Leaves

I love Summer most. But I do appreciate the pretty Fall leaves.

In other news, my husband is a total gem.

The check tire pressure *light* came on while I was driving to work, and he immediately pumped more air into the tires when I got home. 

Oh the manly things I SO do not mind turning over to him!

stake conference --excuse the gross hair

He fixes things, and I eat ice cream.

Our marriage works really well ;)