Congratulations Chris & Danica

So my little brother is getting MARRIED!!! and her name is Danica, tell me how funny that is! I am really excited for them. Danica is so much and will be a great addition to our family!

Happy Birthday Sweet Jayci!

I can't believe that my baby is one today. I am so excited that she is growing, is happy and healthy, but at the same time I am so sad that she is no longer a "baby". I was going through all my pics to put together her video (see below), she was just so small, and loved me to just cuddle with her.

We have had a fun couple of days. We had a birthday party for Jayci yesterday with both sides of the family. We just did a cake and opened presents. Jayci sure didn't dive into her cake like I thought she would, it took my brother "finger painting" her face with frosting to get any on her. I must have a little miss priss on my hands! Thank you to everyone who came, and for all you do for Jayci! Today Danaka and I took Jayci to get her pictures taken and went out to lunch, we then came back to the house and had dinner and opened a few more presents!

Here are pics from today, but if you keep scrolling her video is on here, warning, it is 14 minutes!!! ***I am having getting troubles getting my video to load, it might be too big, I will keep trying***

GO COUGARS!!!

Yes, I LOVE BYU and love football... The TRUE color will prevail tomorrow.

Just 'Cuz I like it....

Girlie Wisdom!

1. A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

2. One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

3. My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4. The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5. The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

6. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

7. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

8. Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

9. I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my shorts.

10. Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

11. Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!' .....Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

12. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

13. I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

Way to Go Danaka

Danaka got a 3.958 on her report card. I am so proud of you. You worked so hard. Keep up the great work.

Tag I'm It

I've been tagged by Angela....I think more so that I will update my blog!

8 Favorite T.V. Shows:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Greys Anatomy
3. Wife Swap
4. John & Kate plus 8
5. Snapped
6. So you think you can dance
7. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
8. American Idol-

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Sizzler
2. Red Lobster
3. Tepenyaki
4. Hakata (North Carolina)
5. Texas Roadhouse
6. LaCai Noodle House
7. PH Changs (Scallops, double pan fried noodles and lettuce wraps)
8. Cafe Rio-

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. Walked my dog at 6:45 a.m.
2. cleaned my house
3. cleaned my garage so I can finally get my car back in there
4. took down the trampoline
5. Took Danaka to get her hair cut
6. Went to the movies where Danaka was, after I got the accidental text from her stating that "I am going to get caught", will share that story soon.
7. Worked on Jayci's video
8. Slept!

8 Things to look forward to:
1. Jayci's b-day
2. Danaka's volleyball game
3. Holiday dance performances, I love watching Danaka perform.
4. Christmas
5. A new year
6. Gas dropping even more
7. Jayci walking
8. Danaka's 2nd term grades....

8 things on my wish list
1. Health and happiness for all of my family
2. To be debt free
3. Compaionship...
4. to lose at least 20 more lbs
5. For Danaka and Jayci to have happy simple lives!
6. A more organized house
7. New Carpet
8. For both of my kids to receive a great education-

8 people I tag:
1. Amanda T
2. Tiffany
3. Amanda B
4. Jenny
5. Melissa S
6. Kristy
7. Angie
8. Alison

November 8th

Saturday November 8th was my dad's birthday. We had such a great time, we went to PF Changs for dinner... their scallops were the BEST! We then went to Desert Star for some fun, wasn't the best play there, but still fun to be with everyone.

My dad is one of the greatest people that I know. He would do anything for anyone and I am so blessed to have someone that will help me with anything that I need, from house things, to helping me with the girls, or just a listening ear any time I need one. I love my dad so much and and so grateful for the relationship that I have with him. I hope he knows how much I love him, and how I could not have gone through the things in my life without him.

I love you old man, even though you are a Ute Fan.....We will see who the real team is on Saturday.

Halloween FINALLY!

Yes, I am behind once again. I have used all my spare time in completing a video for Jayci's birthday next week.

We had a good Halloween, I was worried because Jayci had been sick all week, but thankfully was feeling good on Friday. Danaka decided for her last year of trick or treating she would be doing it with friends, not mom, but that is okay!

Jayci my sweet Kitty..... Isn't she the cutest ever!

Danaka was a Jabbowockeez. They were the winner of "America's Best Dance Group" on MTV. (the first and only good season)!!! We loved watching them. Before the hunt for costumes I told Danaka her full costumes days were over. I know I am such a mean mom!!! I personally liked it. We had a blast watching them!

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a great Halloween....

My favorite halloween pic of Danaka. This was back when we were in North Carolina...I will post pics of this year tomorrow.

11 Months!

1 year ago yesterday this was my sweet Jayci

And this is her now....

I can't believe my little Jayci Jo is 11 months today. Time flies. It is crazy to think that next month at this time my baby will be 1.

RIP Stuart Little

I know that you were worried about my little friend, I have mixed emoitions in letting you all know that my little friend Stuart passed away last night. Good-bye my friend, I am glad that you got two traps worth of peanut butter as your final meal.

Don't I Wish it was Stuart Little...

Okay, so I am posting this because a blog is not all good right? So last night I pulled in my drive way and noticed that my cat was having some fun on the porch with a little visitor that I will call Stuart Little. It doesn't bother me as long as he keeps his "toys" away from me and actually it is very nice that in the five years that I have lived here, have never had to worry about mice. Well noticing that there was no way to get in my back door without interrupting game time, I tried to call Danaka to tell her to come open the front door (I had left my house key for her), she being the great daughter that she is, thought that I just needed her to come help me get things out of my car, so what does she do, she opens the back door and Ozzy (that's my cat) runs in the house with Stuart in mouth. I still don't know this is happening when I am standing on my front porch trying to get Danaka to come and open the door, well when she finally does she has this look of, of, of "Oh Crap"I opened the door. I walk into the back room and see ozzy swating around stuart. Me being so brave jumps on my kitchen counter with Jayci and calls, who else my dad. He comes down and as soon as he opens the door Stuart runs behind my entertainment center and has not been seen since, well at least not by me, Ozzy sat in the same spot for about 3 hours last night, and the peanut butter in the trap disappeared, but we still have not captured him.

I am a little freaked out, I have 2 traps set and wear my shoes all over my house. I even put my shoes on my nightstand last night just in case.

Please pray that our little friend soon goes to Heaven, I can't handle this anymore.

I will keep you posted.

To my friend...."Stuart, come out come out where ever you are...don't you want some yummy peanut butter!"

Bump, Dig, Spike????

CONGRATULATIONS DANAKA! Danaka made her Jr High Volleyball team. I am so proud of her. It will be fun to learn the sport, and I have a lot of learning to do....I have never played volleyball, so this should be fun. I am sure the best part of this for her, is i have no clue so I will just have to sit back and watch :-) I look forward to watching her play.

GREAT JOB DANAKA! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.

This Is The Place...

Okay, before I get in to our day of fun, I just have to share this funny story. For whatever reason I enjoy doing hair. Since Danaka thinks "She's too old" for me to do her hair all cutesy and Jayci doesn't quite have enough I love when my nieces come and stay with me, perfect time to do someones hair. Anyway a couple months back I had the girls and I did Kandace's hair. She told Angela that "I really like the way Mindi does hair, but sometimes it just hurts", I must put the ponytails in a little too tight! So Saturday I was getting Kandace ready I was trying to keep that in mind. I made sure the ponytails at the bottom were very loose. Well Ms. Kandace being her funny little self, looks at me and says "I would really like my hair better Mindi, if only I could look down". I guess I still had the ponytails a little too tight. I promise to work on that, but it does make for a funny story.

So this past Saturday, I was able to take Danaka, Jayci and my 2 nieces to "This is the Place Heritage Park". I had never heard of it before, but every year around the middle of October - Halloween the kids can dress up in their costumes,(we opted not to, because the girl's costumes were way too hot, so Angela found these cute, cute Halloween shirts for them to wear instead.) and go trick or treating to different parts of the park. They have arts and crafts, a corn maze, face painting, pony rides and halloween stories told by a not so scary witch :-). We had a great time. I love being able to spend any time I can with my nieces and my girls. Hope you guys had as much fun as I did. Thanks for a great day!

Tribute to my girls

To My Sweet Sweet Girls....

I love you both from your head to your toes,
I love you in your jeans and t-shirts and oh so much in ribbons and bows.

I love watching all the new things you do
Everyday the two of you teach me something new.

I love watching Danaka and little Jayci play
and oh how it melts my heart with a book on the floor you lay.

My sweet angels as each day passes and I watch you grow
I know this is the greatest love that I will ever know.

To Danaka and Jayci....you two are my world and there are days when life seems tough, but all I need is a smile or laugh, a mommme or mama and everything is perfect. I feel so blessed to be your mom and I hope that you will always know just how loved the both of you are. Thank you for making my life filled with more joy and love then I ever thought possible.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner

I don't really know why I am posting about this, but I guess because I decided there are great perks to being in a small town and I love having traditions. Yesterday was the annual Spaghetti Dinner. For those of you that have never been you have certainly missed out, and you must make plans to go next year. For those that have gone am I wrong in saying it is so YUMMY!!!

Not only is the spaghetti the best ever, thanks to Coloissmos sausage and sauce, but it is so fun to see the same faces every year! It seems like no matter what time you go, the same fun people are always there.

It is so neat to see the support that people give each and every year. So many people lined up from 12-7, yes even with the snow this year, there were just as many people as usual. We have been going to this every year since I can remember, but my mom and dad were talking yesterday and they went before they were even married. My gramps had lots of friends that lived out that way, so the tradition began it has probably been almost 40 years that my parents have gone.

I can't wait until next year, just another reason to love fall & the month of October!

Turner Girl Update!

Wow...it has been a very busy and fun few months. Here is just a few things that we have been up to....

- Danaka started Jr High....Wow my baby is in Jr High. She wasn't as nervous as I thought she would be. I think the way that they introduce 7th graders to Jr High is great. They do a 7th grade back to school night, where they can go with their parents, walk around the school to find all of their classes and their lockers. The 7th graders actually start school on Friday. It is just them and they go to all of their classes, meet their teachers and just get a feel for the school. I so wish they did that when I started. I think it would have eased my fears! She really has adjusted well, ad I couldn't be prouder of her.

- Annual Labor Day Homestead Trip. For the last several years on Labor Day we go up to Midway to stay at the Homestead. We go to Swiss Days and just hang out. We always have a lot of fun, and it was so nice to just get away, even if it were just for a few days.

- Girls Night Out to the State Fair. We had a great time. I took the girls and went an enjoyed a night at the fair. Jayci had a great time looking at everything. She absolutely loves her stoller so it makes that so easy. Danaka enjoys all the rides, one ride she went on, I had to put my head down. Those rides SCARE me....I just think they are put up way too fast, but that may just be the over protective mother in me. She also loves the bungee ride they have. They get harnesed in and get five minutes to jump and flip and just have fun.

- Yummy Yummy Greek Festival....For those of you that have not ever been to the Greek Festival down town, you must go next year. It is such good food, very much worth the wait and the money.
I feel like for the first time since Jayci was born my life is in a great rountine. So hopefully that means that I can update my blog at least once a week if not more.

The girls are both doing great.
Danaka is a typical Jr High girl. She is dancing again this year, and is, I think enjoying it more than ever! We had to make some changes this year, and they seem to all be working out. I am really looking forward to watching her grow in dance again this year!

Jayci is growing like a weed. It seems like she went from newborn to baby over night. She is into everything, she is crawling, she is talking. It is so fun to watch her, but I can't believe how fast everything has gone by. She is almost 11 months. I can't believe this time next month I will be getting ready for her first birthday.

Gramps!

Today marks 15 years since my "gramps" died. It is crazy to think that he has been gone longer, than I knew him here on earth.
My "gramps" was an amazing person. He was so involved in everything that we did. He was at all the dance performances, softball, baseball, basketball football games (the list could go on), that there were.


There are so many funny stories that we all tell about grandpa....one of my favorites was he always would tell us grand daughters when we said something that we shouldn't or were sneaking around the corner to watch his old war movies with him that"pretty little girls don't do that".


We were talking the other day about memories of staying at my grandpa and grandma's (nana's) house and the distinct smell of Old Spice and Aquanet hairspray that would flow through the house when my grandpa got ready to leave for work. It is amazing that the mind can still recall that exact smell, and you swear that you can smell it.


My gramps was Sheriff of Salt Lake County for years. We had so many opportunities to be in parades and other things with him. I also got to be in a "Buckle Up" poster with him and my cousin. I can still remember that day, our new t-shirts, meeting the other kids that were going to be in the poster with dad's, uncles and grandpas. I remember getting to spend a lot of time with him that day. And by the way not to distract from the post.... but to my aunts and my mom if you are reading this...I need a copy of that!



I was thinking back to his funeral, and I remember the one person that spoke stated that he remembered a time that my grandpa was interrogating someone and the other person sitting by his office door, waiting to go in was so scared listening to him that he peed his pants...but when my grandpa walked out of his office, he just smiled and acted like nothing!!



My grandpa was a hard worker, he love to hunt everything he could, he loved to fish, but I think he loved spending time with his family the most.


As time goes on, I wish more and more he were here. I could use his strength and knowledge on so many things in my life. I could use another 1lb meatball, instructions on how to fish, and the big bear hugs with his scruff that he use to give. I know that he is with me and that I will get to see him again, but today proves that the heart never really heals, it just learns how to go on.
Here are just some pics of my gramps and things he enjoyed doing. I love you gramps.....

Update Coming Soon

I PROMISE!!!! Where has the time gone!

Girls Camp...

So Danaka had the opportunity to attend Girls Camp for the first time. I think that she had a great time. When I asked her what her favorite part was "Getting to start a fire with my knife..." Do I have a pyro on my hands?????

The girls do some crazy things now, I had heard it before, but I figured it was just that set of girls, but then Danaka told me that they used the ash from the fire to brush their teeth??????? WHAT ASH, first of all that is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard, but to think that it actually works. She didn't believe me when I told her it was just an illusion. Your mouth goes from completely black with ash to normal Clean, of course it is going to look white. Crazy Girls.

Girls Camp isn't exactly rough camp anymore, Danaka was only about 30 minutes away and had cell phone coverage, I think I talked to her a total of 15 times it 2 days, which is fine with me. The best phone call was "Hi Mom, I am standing behind my tent so I don't have long to talk, just wanted to say....." She is a nut.

Well Ms Danaka hope that you had a great time. Jayci and I are glad that you are back home.... We missed you!

Pictures at the Park

I thought that it would be fun to take the girls to Murray park and take some pictures of them. They both change so fast, and for some reason it has really hit me the last little while. I don't know if it is the fact that Danaka is going to Jr High or Jayci is almost 9 months...I am not sure, all I can say is that everything is going by too fast. Anyway enough sap for now, hope you enjoy some of my favorites. Thanks for a fun night girls!

Now that Elementary is Over...Where are you going?

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!

For the past 3 summers my mom has gone to California for a school for her job. This year, they did a big graduation ceremony, so we all went to cheer her on and congratulate her on a job well done, and then go to Disneyland! It was a huge 3 years, from 2 presentations that took about 1000 hours, to each summer being 240 hours to studying for 3 huge tests. You did a great job and we are so proud of you.

A little about our trip, we headed out on Wednesday afternoon. I drove down with my dad, Danaka and Jayci. We drove to St George and stayed the night, then met up with Angela's family Thursday morning and headed to California.

Thursday night was the graduation, the Friday it was off to Disneyland well actually California Adventures. It was so fun to see Danaka there, even though she now knows that the Princesses are not real :-), and Jayci, oh sweet Jayci. She did great, the car ride down all the moving around. She did love the characters though, she did her famous wave. We went in to one of the shops and this sweet guy gave Jayci a TinkerBell Pin right off his badge. Thank You to who ever you were in the Flight Shop!

It was a fun couple of days. On Sunday we drove in to Vegas to break up the trip a little. Have you ever heard of a 6 year old winning it big in Vegas....well Kandace has. Little Kandace decided on Monday morning to search through the bible in her room and low and behold, there was a $100.00 bill in there. What a lucky little kid, "I am rich, I am rich", is what we heard the rest of the day!













Well over all it was a FANTASTIC trip. We had a great time. Thanks mom & dad!