I'm Feeling Down :(

I know this may sound really silly to some of you but I am feeling very down today. It's odd how some things effect me. The cause of my somber mood is due to the death of Heath Ledger.


I know! I know! I didn't even know the guy BUT I have always liked his work. Infact, he has been on my "favorite guy actor list" since I first saw him act in "10 things I hate about you", which I LOVED!! And then when he showed up in The Patriot with blond hair, I thought, "wow, he's pretty hot!". He's been in several other movies such as "A Knight's Tale", "Casanova", and the gay cowboy movie, which I didn't see. Anyway, I suppose this is my little tribute to him.

This Years Presidential Race :)

Here's my take on this years Presidential Race...

• Mormon......check
• Woman......check, check
• Black.....check, check, check

............................................................

Gladys Night for President!

............................................................

I think I may start making T-shirts with my new slogan.

Anyone interested in buying one?!? :)

"Are you sure?"

Yesterday I was sustained in my new calling as Relief Society President (it seems weird to be even typing that). When my Bishop extended the call to me a few weeks ago, I was shocked. I had a feeling it was coming due to some comments made to me but I couldn't understand how it could be. So after regained my composure and I was able to close my gaping open mouth, I asked, "Are you sure?", that's all I could come up with to say. And of course he said he was sure and so off I went to find my new counselors. After a short while I finally had my counselors, Ashley Hanks as my 1st & Jennifer Brimhall as my 2nd and my secretary is Amy Hampton (she was at the Ball's Halloween party-one of the single ladies, the gypsy). I thought I was going to pass out when I got sustained, I even told the Bishop to have some sort of cushion there for me to land on, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The "bad" part came when I had to conduct for the first time in Relief Society!! Talk about an idiot! I couldn't get my thoughts or words straight no matter how hard I tried. I am so grateful Ashley has to do it next week. Everyone told me I did fine but I know they were just trying to make me feel better about looking like a total fool in front of everyone BUT I'm thankful for their attempt to make me feel better. I have great friends and I'm thankful for them :) So, now the fun begins, YIKES...please keep me in your prayers!! :)

"Buddy" and his New Love!! (Dec 14th, 2007)

Our little guy found a new toy while snooping around the Christmas tree. My visiting teaching partner, Katie Stoddart, had given us a roll of wrapping paper that said something like "We hope your Christmas 'wraps' up nice". I thought it was a very cute idea!! Anyway, Gabe found the wrapping paper and wouldn't put it down. Here are a few pics of him and his new love :)




Isn't he cute?!? I thought this relationship would've lasted a long time, I mean, who would be silly enough to not want Gabers as a new love?!? But I have sad news, it only lasted this one evening and then is was over:( Better luck next time wrapping paper...I know the one for you is out there somewhere :)

Aaron Ball's Birthday Party...I Think He's Like 45 or Something :)

Catey threw a surprise party for Aaron's birthday on December 7th, 2007. It would have been a total surprise if Jacob (his little 4 yrs old) hadn't mentioned Catey buying balloons for someone's birthday but hey, it was a good try. The party was a lot of fun!

Here are the couples that attended the fiesta buena...

The man of the hour, Aaron, with his lovely wife Catey.

Bishop (Sterling) and his lovely wife Michelle.

Justin and his lovely wife Rheanna and their adorable little baby boy, Alec.

Steve and his lovely wife Ashley

Last but not least, Greg and I.

We all played pool, which was a lot of fun. I can't remember who the champions were ( I just know it wasn't Greg and I) so if you were present and remember who won the "pool showdown" please let me know :) Here are some pics. of us playing pool...

The birthday boy showing off his fancy moves. Now, if only he would have made the ball in the pocket :)

This is the "incognito" player. She convinced everyone that she'd never played pool before. Then she gets up there and blows everyone away. We were all dumb-founded. She had to come clean and informed us that she played pool alot in college.

Greg will not be happy that I'm sharing this pic (I always seem to have those of him, don't I?). This is a funny shot because he was just sitting there, posing for my camera, when out of nowhere Steve's cue stick smacked into Greg's cue stick causing it to smack him in the face. The picture was taken as that exact moment! Pretty good timing, I must admit!

After pool, these three guys started showing off their juggling talents. I was pretty impressed!!

L-R: Aaron, Steve, and Bishop

After pool and the juggling act we all settled into a game similar to Charades. I'm not fond of these kind of games but I went along with it anyway. We all made fools of ourselves and I've got pictures to prove it!!

Here's Catey shoving her fingers in her mouth and yet she still looks great doing it! Totally not fair!!

Here I am doing some sort of Egyptian type movement. NOT so hot!!

This is great... I love it! Greg is doing his "riding a pony" dance. Very sexy!!

Here's Rheanna trying to multi-task. Not only is she playing a game, she's getting in some exercise as well. Very good strategy!!

This is the last of my tons of photos from the party. This is the "bonding" shot. Steve and Greg were a couple of "twinkies". They both had on stripy blue shirts with jeans. They claimed it wasn't planned but I'm not sure! I'm beginning to wonder if they are starting a click. You know, "you can't be our friend unless you dress cool like us" kind of thing. HMMMMM...I'll keep my eye on them!

My Grandma's 82nd Birthday Party!

On December 1st, 2007, my mom put together a surprise birthday party for my grandma. It was a lot of fun seeing most of the family gathered together to celebrate the lady that started it all. My grandma turned 82yrs on the 5th of December. Here are some photos from the party.

The party was at the Old Spaghetti Factory. My grandma loves Italian food.

My mom, JoAnn, and her mom, Erma Gertrude McCrone.


Grandma blowing out the candle on her ice cream, which she wasn't suppose to have since she'd diabetic. She's not one for following rules such as, not eating sugar!!

Greg, Grandma, and Hannah. I am so glad that Hannah has been able to know my grandma. I hope Hannah has wonderful memories of her Great Grandma when she's older.

Me and my Grandma.

I had my cousin take a picture of me and my family. After she pushed the button, she started cracking up. I asked her what she was laughing about and she just showed me the photo. I too, then started laughing. For whatever reason, I guess Gabe just decided to put his finger in his nose at the exact moment she took the picture. Definitely keeping this one...I can use it as a blackmail photo when he's older :)

Our Trip to Temple Square (Nov. 26th, 07)

On November 26th, we went with the Hanks family to see the lights on Temple Square. It was pretty cold but it could've been worse. I know this post is really, really late but I am trying to catch myself up so I only have to post recent events :) Here are some photos from our fun night out!

Back: Oliva, Ashley, Steve, Gabe, Greg, and Celeste

Front: Jaxon, Caden, and Hannah

Little Gabe getting a ride on daddy's shoulders.

Caden, Hannah, and Jaxon trying to warm up in the visitors center.

Hannah, Daddy, and Gabe saying hi to the camera.

Hannah really wanted to be in every picture so when I started taking photos of all of the nativities, she insisted on being in a few of them and I couldn't resist :)

Hannah'a 1st Piano Recital

Hannah had her first piano recital on December 14th, 2007. The song she chose to play was "Silent Night". I know she was very nervous but she did excellent. She didn't even make one mistake. I was so proud of her! I'm glad she somewhat likes playing the piano (it depends on the day) because I think it's amazing that she can learn at such a young age.

Here's Hannah holding her book with the song she played. Isn't she cute?

Here is the video of her performance. She did wonderfully :)

AND THE WINNER IS...

Ok so I know that there are still 4 hrs to vote on the "radical couples" but I am going out on a limb and saying that we have a winner!!!

The winners are as follows...

1st place: Steve & Ashley Hanks
2nd place: Greg & Celeste Miller
3rd place: Justin & Rheanna Dow

Now I hope that everyone voted and not for themselves :) JK Congrats to the winners!! If I had some ribbons to give each of you, I'd do it but I don't. So pretty much all you get it is entry about your victory :)

Like, Totally Awesome...Fer Sher!!!

Read this post before you vote for your favorite couple!

We had a New Year's Eve party for some of our friends from our ward. We decided to make it a little funner by having everyone dress up in their best 80's attire. It was so much fun to see the "flashbacks" we all created. I took so many pictures but I can only put a few of them in this blog entry or else it will take me all day to get this posted. So, sit back and enjoy the ride...back to the radical & bodacious 80's!

Here is the photo of all the girls.

L-R: Erin, Catey, Rheanna, Ashley, Maryanne, Kammi, Celeste, and Michelle.

Here is a photo with some of the guys. That's my bishop in the front. He made sure to bring along his "walk man" for the event :)

L-R: Justin, Aaron, Sterling (Bishop Hunt-Front), Steve, and Greg.

Here are the photos I took of each of the couples from the party. I want everyone who reads this blog entry to vote on who the most "like totally radical" couple is. Please don't vote for yourself, that would be cheating :) So, here are your choices...

Erin and Reagan Bolli

Steve and Ashley Hanks

Kevin and Kammi Pyles

Sterling and Michelle Hunt

Justin and Rheanna Dow (no casting "look how cute" votes since they have their cute little baby Alec in their arms. I think that may have been a strategy of theirs)

Greg and Celeste Miller

(Greg won't be happy that I posted this photo because he looks like he's drank a little too much apple cider! But it was the only one I had of both of us together, so he'll have to deal with it)

And last but not least...

Maryanne and Aaron Holtz

(Our very own Jane Fonda and Aaron is the one with the blue duck-tail a little farther down in the post. So make sure you check that out!)

Now for some other random photos taken during the party. Like I said, I had so many photos but I think I chose the best ones that represent the night of "tubularness"!

Here I am in my nifty neon pink boots that I found at the thrift store!! They were huge on me but I just stuffed the toes with plastic bags and went on with my bad self!! I received many compliments on them. They were definitely worth the 10 bucks!!

Here's Gregory Lee with his hot pegged pants and his sweet pastel plaid shirt. In our photo together you can definitely see his preppy hair due better which seriously made him look like he was back in high school!! Totally funny !! :)

Here's Aaron's "duck tail" (at least, that's what our family called them. I know there are several other names for the famous patch of hair at the back of the head.) I think this was a great idea since he had no hair to work with. Kudos for the Holtz's imagination!!

Here's Ashley in her "totally awesome" outfit. I wanted to make sure and put in the other photo I have of a full length outfit.

Anyone for a little guitar hero?!?!

Here's Steve and Aaron playing Guitar Hero. Nothing like seeing your Bishop's 1st counselor and Executive Secretary dressed up like a couple of rockers. Aaron's transition was pretty severe since he's bald. It was somewhat strange to see him with hair!!

Here's Me and Ashley rockin' out! She totally kicked my butt on this game but then again, it was my first time playing it!! Greg and I thought about getting one for ourselves but then we came to our senses!! Our stance of no video games in the home helped us with our decision but let me just say, it was very tempting!! And I have to add that we just decided "for the time being" we wouldn't invest in it :) Maybe we'll keep it hidden in our room where the kids won't see :)

This is a good shot of my tu-tu outfit so I had to add this to the blog.

How about a game of Twister? It makes close friends get even closer!!

This is what the Bishop's Exec. Sec. thinks of him. Yes, that's my bishop getting sat on by Aaron. Games like this tend to create bonds that were never there before and that were probably never wanted :)

These two photos are of Kammi, Steve, and Ashley. I think Ashley may have gotten a little jealous of Kammi's attempt to hit on Steve. I was laughing so much through this round of Twister, I'm surprised the photos turned out!
Well, that's it for our New Year's Eve party. Make sure to vote for your favorite couple and I'll post the winner on here after the poll closes. Good luck to all those participating!!