Amazing Birthday Poster

I love my co-workers! Tomorrow is my birthday but I've taken the day off.. so when I got into work this morning I had my desk decorated with a Happy Birthday sign and Pink crepe paper, my favorite color.

I had to share my birthday poster with you guys because the pictures my friends at work put on them just brought many smiles to my face! (remember these are the actual photos on my birthday poster)

My idol! When great cartoons were on Saturday mornings! Remember Animaniacs? Pinky and the Brain? Awesome!

Who doesn't love My Little Pony?

The Goonies! The movie I was named from and the one I love so much! Sloth had to wish me a Happy Birthday!

Of course my recent obsession, Robert Pattinson.

Comment bubble was added having him say

"So, as discussed, I am not allowed to wish you a

happy birthday, is that correct?"

Direct Quote!

It's over and I'm sore!

Moving = Sore Body! It really shows how out of shape I am, when moving boxes/furniture all day Saturday has really taken a toll on my body. How weird is it that my fingers hurt? How does that happen? My neck, back, legs and arms are so tense.. I guess I really don't know how to use my muscles correctly.

Thanks to the family who did come out and help us move.. Jesse, Kalie, Kelly, Dad, Nancy and even Mom with her arm in a sling. Little Jesse even helped out with carrying some items to the trailer, but I think he had a better time playing in the mud. Thanks also to Erica and Joe's friends; Geoff, Chris and Wendy. It was great to have so many extra hands and it really went a lot faster with all of the help.

If only we had everyone to help us unpack! Just kidding.. we are pretty much done with the unpacking. Kelly was really excited and wanted everything done this weekend. We may do a lot of rearranging, but at least we have everything out of the boxes. We only have a few things left to unpack, mostly decor and spare bedroom stuff. We have yet to know where we are putting some stuff and we weren't able to hang any decor over the weekend.

I'm excited for this upcoming weekend. My birthday is on Friday, Kelly and I are going to Wendover to celebrate then we will spend the weekend doing house chores. Kelly spent most of last night in the backyard ripping up weeds and tearing down ivy.. He is SO excited to have a yard and can't wait to get started. While Kelly is outside this next weekend, I plan on staying indoors and taking down wallpaper in the kitchen, hopefully with Kalie's help.

It's been a really stressful and tiring weekend, but it's all worth it. We'll keep you guys updated!

Just wanted to say..

Just wanted to thank Kelly, Tiffany, Annalisa and Sody for the Congrats Card!! Thank you guys so much for putting up with me while I've been a mess! It means a lot to have the people I am surrounded by at work support me in everything that I do! You guys are the greatest! Love you all!

We've done it!

We've signed!! Yesterday I got a call from Joe saying that we needed to meet at the lender at 3:30 to sign our closing papers. What a relief! Our part is done, now whats left is to patiently wait for the sellers to sign their half and pray that we get the keys by the end of the day.

Paperwork wasn't bad yesterday. We went in thinking this was going to take 4 hrs of signing, but we started at about 4:15 and were out an hour later. We were all pretty shocked! I don't think I've signed my name that many times since I've been married. I told everyone that this was good practice for me. I mean I'm used to writing Hellstrom, but I haven't gotten the right signature yet.

Our mortgage guy Arni let us use his Mont Blanc pens for the signing. The were really nice to sign with and he informed us that we can buy our own Mont Blanc pens at Costco for a small price a $100. That's right, $100 for a PEN!! There is actually a fun story about how this pen came to be, but that's an entire new blog. :)



So now we play the waiting game.. Wait, wait, wait and wait. Judy (the seller) did inform our realator that they were going in first thing this morning to sign, but the funds and everything may not record until later on today.. So I don't think we'll really know until 4 or 5 this evening! I don't know if I can wait that long! We want the keys in our hands so that we KNOW it's done!


Other exciting news is that Kelly and I may have found someone to take over our lease at James Point so we won't have to buy out of it! We have the money if we have to, but if they take it over they'd be saving us a lot of money! Fingers Crossed!!

That's it for now! Trust me, I'll update you guys as soon as we know! Thanks again for all of the love and support from family and friends! It's finally here and we can't wait!!

a puppy?

For those of you that don't know, Kelly had a black lab named Rausco Bear before we started dating. Granny Goose (Kelly's Grandma Jerri) was kind enough to take care of him when we decided to move into our first apartment. But Rausco started to become too much for Goose and we had a decision to make. We moved into James Pointe because they allowed pets, but after the first few weeks of having Rausco in our small 2 bedroom apartment, Kelly decided that he deserved more than what we could currently give him. Unfortunately, no one could look after him until we got into a house so we had to give him up. It was probably one of the hardest things Kelly had to do, he loved that dog!

On a happier note, another advantage to getting into a home with a yard, we can finally have a dog! Falling in love with Kittie so fast surprised both of us being that Kelly and I are both Dog Lovers. But Kittie was the perfect "apartment pet" and has become part of the family. Although we love her, that isn't going to stop us from jumping at the chance to get a dog. Something that we've been waiting to do since giving up Rausco almost 3 years ago.

The type of dog has already been decided (Black Lab) and I would like to Thank both Joe and Erica for being okay with it. Our dog will be an outside dog, but compared to Erica and Joes little ones, Lab's can get pretty big. We have decided to get a female dog because they are more tame and don't get as big.

Kelly and I stayed up late last night just talking about possible dog names. Kelly can't rap his head around picking out a name before we get the dog, he has to see the puppy first. But I've been getting some ideas from co workers and online and I'd like some feedback.

Possible Names;

Luna - meaning moon in Latin. I like this because we're getting a black lab. The moon comes out at night, night is black.. get it?

Nellie - this would be short for Nelda, the previous owner to our new house. Pathetic I know.

Abbie - cute, right?
Ali - another cute one
Rubie - ???

Let me know what you think!

Ugh! Moving!

Yes, after reading Erica's blog, I decided to post something about moving. Let's just say, UGH!! I hate moving! That pretty much sums it up in a nut shell. Kelly and I starting packing this last Sunday and are almost done. Most of our crap can't fit in a box, so are apartment probably isn't as crazy as Erica and Joe's. Our kitchen, living room, spare bedroom and bathroom are all packed except for the essentials. We've decided to follow Erica and Joe's idea of eating on paper plates for this week. We've packed EVERYTHING in the kitchen except for 2 forks, 2 spoons, 2 knives and 2 plastic cups. We'll be using paper bowls and plates for our dinnerware.. However, what will we be having for dinner? All of our pots and pans have been packed!! We'll be living off left overs and anything that can be heated in the microwave! Yummy, right? Of course we did go to Burger King last night, because Kelly and I were just TOO tired to turn on the microwave! So much work, you know? :)

Now that most of our apartment is packed.. it's starting to set in a little. I actually got pretty emotional over the weekend about leaving James Pointe. Kelly just looked at me like I was crazy, but it's been our home for 2 1/2 years. Our first apartment we were only there for 6 months so we didn't settle in. James Pointe, it's been our first real home since we've been together. I am so excited to move out, but I still get a little emotional thinking about it. Again, talk to Kelly, Erica and Joe and they all think I'm crazy!

On to the actual "moving" part.. that I'm not excited for!! Kelly and I have moved twice in the past 3 years and we have a lot more stuff since our last move. Like I said before, our first apartment we didn't settle or buy any furniture of our own. So as soon as we moved in to James Pointe we bought a sleigh bedroom set, a couch, a recliner, washer/dryer, a desk complete with computer, an exercise bike that we never use and a BBQ grill. Yea, Kelly and I are NOT looking forward to this move. Luckily this time we will have a 23 foot enclosed trailer, courtesy of purchasing a home with Titanium Real Estate, and it won't be snowing. Last move it was snowing and we tracked water and mud into the apartment, not fun. This move we also have someone coming with us.. our cat Kittie. I'm excited to see how she reacts to some place new. Not only that, but how she reacts to living with two dogs. Everyone knows that Kittie is NOT a social cat, so we probably won't see her for the first few months of living at the new home. She'll stay hidden under our bed. It's been fun packing around her, she is so curious. She knows something is going on, she almost seems scared that we are leaving and not taking her with us.

I'm just glad that we will have the help of our entire family. Well hopefully anyway! The move is supposed to take place early Saturday morning. Moving heavy items back and forth would be much easier in the somewhat cooler morning. Erica and I both have Sunday and Monday off, which we plan on spending moving all of the left over boxes/junk and unpacking. Although we are used to going on a vacation or just relaxing at home for Labor Day weekend, I'm am happy to have a 3 day weekend to get all of this done, because we will need the extra time. Kelly and I still have to give James Pointe 30 days notice and we didn't want to give it to them until we for sure knew we were moving, so we will have our apartment until the end of September. That way, we'll have time to go back and clean up which will be nice.

As for keeping you guys updated, I do all of my blogging at work since we haven't been hooked up to the internet just yet. Erica and I will take tons of pictures and I will post them as soon as I get into work on Tuesday.

I look forward to seeing some of you this weekend with helping us. Kalie, don't think that your strong boys can get out of helping us! We need them both! Little Jesse needs to start pulling his weight. Also Jessica, we will be expecting Mike's help! Only if he is feeling better!

Thanks to everyone for all of their support in this big change, we love you!

Bittersweet

Okay so what is with them postponing the newest Harry Potter movie until next July? I think that is just crazy..

It is however a little "bittersweet" Although I'll be waiting for Harry Potter to come out, TWILIGHT has decided to take advantage and release on November 21st instead of December 12. 3 weeks early! I'm so excited!!

A friend of mine at work, Kelly, and I are a little obsessed with the movie lately. Robert Pattinson hasn't been getting positive feedback about him playing the role of Edward. I have to say, he isn't what I imagined, but could they really find someone to portray the true Edward in all of our minds/hearts?? I don't think so..

There have been some pictures and parts of the trailer where I question if Robert will do a good job playing him, but then again in some he looks amazing. I'm just going to go to the movie with one thought in mind.. "Book to movie films never get everything right!" I've heard a lot of people say they aren't excited to see the movie because it will ruin the book. That's why I'm going to the movie with the mind set of I've never read the book. So it won't ruin anything for me.

I just can't wait to see how they pull it off!

Here are some photos that my friend Kelly and I have found while at work. We think Robert Pattinson looks really good in these photos!

This is my favorite.. I know it looks dark, but I think he looks HOT!

Robert Pattinson (Edward) and Kristen Stewart (Bella)

This picture is Kelly G and my favorite, it's hanging in between our two desks.

Nice!

The Cullen family with Bella

Okay you can say that I'm pathetic, don't worry I will agree with you. I can't help but get excited okay! :)

Charlonian Tea Party 2008

As most of you already know, my little sister Jessica is on the Jordan High Drill Team, the Charlonians. Every year, right before school starts, the team gets together for the "Char Tea Party" This is an event that has taken place every year since the 1950's. Usually, this is a tea party for the dancers and their mothers. Luckily for Erica, Robyn and myself, they decided to open it up to sisters this year! It was held on August 13th at La Caille, an beautiful restaurant hidden by amazing gardens. This place is classy, valet parking and everything. :)

We started the day off with Dad taking pictures of all of the Charlonians and their families and then of the Charlonians together. Jessica quizzed me on all of the dancers names and grade. I am determined to know them all this year so that when they perform I will know all of them. Instead of just saying "Hey there is Jessica and um.. the other girls"

As I said before, La Caille is a very elegant very pristine place to eat. I had to have Dad remind me what forks/spoon to use first.

Our Menu

Salad; Romaine Hearts topped with a creamy dressing and shredded cheese. so yummy!

Entree; Choice of Salmon or Chicken. I chose the chicken, not a big fan of salmon. It was delicious! It came with red potatoes and brocolli, which my sister Robyn thought was absolutely divine.

Dessert; vanilla ice cream wrapped in a crepe, topped with cocoa sauce and powder.

Extra Treat! Chocolate covered strawberries made to look like tuxes. my favorite!

Following the delicious meal, we had a prize drawing where all of the dancers and their mothers were entered in. They got some pretty cool stuff. Nancy also brought cupcakes that were so delicious. They even had little edible stars on top!

I'm just so happy for Jessica because I know she is doing something that she loves. I swear every time I watch her perform it gives me chills because you can just see in her face that she loves to dance. Thanks to Nancy for allowing me to go and be apart of this experience. I'll probably never be able to go and afford La Caille, so I was so glad that I got the opportunity to try it.

Isn't she cute? I love you Jessica!

We pull of the hats pretty well I'd have to say!

Jessica, Aber and Qazia

Always have to have a funny face!

New Home

That's right!!

As most of you may have already heard, Kelly and I are buying a home with my sister Erica and her husband Joe. This is a very exciting time for us, but it can also be very stressful. Well stressful for me I guess! The other 3 are really keeping calm. There is so much to say and don't worry, I'll have many posts about the house as soon as we move in. I just don't want to celebrate until we sign our closing documents and the keys are in our hands. I'm just trying to keep my mind at ease.

If you'd like to read more about the house, please go to my Family and Friends list and click on "Joe and Erica" My sister has written a more indepth post. :)

Pine Valley News!

INFO ADDED: It was not Grandpa and Grandma Snow. :)

Hey Family! I don't know if any of you guys heard the surprising news about our home away from home, Pine Valley. A friend of mine came across this article and remembered I have family ties down there. It's pretty interesting.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10040208