BAPTISM

What a BEAUTIFUL day this was! I still can't believe Kylie is this old. But, the baptism was wonderful. We had a large turn out which was nice for Kylie to see how many people care about her. We owe so many people that helped with this day! Allison made her dress - Rennie, Mignon & Esther brought food - Nikki & Jackson gave talks - and the list could go on & on. A HUGE thank you to everyone! It would not have happened without all of you. Heaven knows I'm not on the ball enough to pull something like that off by myself.

Now for the funny part (in case you weren't their)...

A few days before the baptism Erik's mom was telling us about how she had to be baptized 3 times because her feet kept coming up. After the second time her mom yelled out, "stand on her feet!" So, what happens to Kylie? Yep! Her feet came up - even though we prepped her to bend her knees. So, what do I do? Yell out, "stand on her feet!" In the end - it only took 2 times to get her baptized. Silly kid!

Anyway, all in all it turned out lovely & hopefully I'll be better prepared for the next one!

KYLIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE!!!

























I can't believe she's 8. Time certainly flies by so fast. I am so proud of her - especially today for the choice she's made to be baptized. She's such a blessing to our family & we love her smile. Not to mention her crazy personality. There's definitely never a dull moment in our home! We LOVE you Kylie!!

SWEET NIBBLETS!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

How cool is this?! I didn't even half to sit in line all day. I found out yesterday that you could get tickets early at Fashion Square Mall, so I was totally their to get my tickets! Then, I show up at 3:00pm & it wasn't even packed! (I'm so glad I didn't wait in line all day like I originally planned.) I'm not sure they even gave away all of the tickets. We were probably only 20 feet away from the stage at the most. So AWESOME!!!! I especially love that you're able to take cameras to concerts now.


But, the coolest part was the fact that I won a Meet 'n' Greet pass from their fan website!! (You all laughed that I was a member, but membership has it's priviledges.) So, I got to go backstage before the show along with another 14 GGD fanatics & stand in line to get a picture with them. It all happened so fast that it was almost silly, but hey! It was still cool. We stood in line & when it came to our turn we were allowed to enter the tent they were standing in. Then, you stand there like an idiot not knowing what to say as you shake their hands & say "nice to meet you, I'm Melanie". (Hey! At least I didn't cry like a teeanage girl!) Then, you hear - "OK, let's take a picture". Then, I stood in between Robby & John with my arms around their backs & their arms around mine & smile! (Mike was standing next to John. In case anyone knows or cares.) They are suppose to have the picture online for me to buy soon, but it's not up yet. But, you know I'll be checking on that every 5 seconds at least!


Anyway, to the great Goo Goo Dolls - it was a great show!! I still can't believe that all happened to me who never wins anything!!! And in ending always remember......

"You have become....BEAUTIFUL!"

RUBY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!!!

OK - so, I'm a day late. But, I didn't have time to look at my blog yesterday. So, here it is a day late!! My little sis RUBY (aka Robin) turned 24 yesterday!! CRAZY!!! She'll probably kill me for putting this picture up of her, but I LOVE it! Here's the story behind it...

When Erik & I went to visit here in August (WOW! Has it been 3 months already? NUTS!) we had so much fun. Luke & Rennie came, too & we had a blast. Well, upon waking up the first morning we were their E & I decided to go for a walk before anyone woke up. When we came back from our walk we heard someone playing a Ukelelie. (I don't know how to spell it right - sorry.) We both stopped & looked at each other & thought how cool that was, but yet crazy. People in Hawaii really just sit around & play the ukelelei? Why yes they do! Then, we turned the corner & saw our very own Ruby was the one playing! I was so impressed - I had no idea she knew how to play that thing. It was so cool.

We love you so much Robin & can't wait to see you for Christmas!! Also, thanks again for the fun trip - much MAHALO!!!!!!! It will be hard to top that one.

RAMBLE

I sometimes just never know what to write on this & then hear "Why haven't you updated your blog?". So, in an effort to update my blog - I'm going to ramble. Life is, of course, busy right now. With the holidays, planning a baptism, etc. We are just insane at our house right now. I've even found myself not enjoying putting up my Christmas tree & haven't even enforced my Christmas music & movies ONLY rule! What's wrong with me?! (Don't answer that - that's just way too easy of a target!) I just get overwhelmed WAY too easily & I think that I'm not enjoying the season yet because I'm just so far behind that I'm scared for it to really be here! (Wow! That was deep for me!)

But, I did get excited yesterday when I heard on the radio that there is a FREE Goo Goo Dolls concert coming up next weekend!! WOOHOO!! You know I'm there. I don't think Erik's too excited, but Johnny here I come! I did verify on their website (Yes, I am a member of their fan club/website - long story, but it's true!) that it was true. So, if you can't find me next Saturday it will be because I'm camping out at Scottsdale Civic Center hoping to be one of the 2,000 people that gets to get into this great event! I can't wait!!!! So, if anyone wants to camp out with me - let me know. Erik wouldn't mind going to the show, but he said he'd drop me off early in the morning to sit by myself in line because he doesn't want to do that. What a weirdo!! (By the way, this picture is one I took at their concert in July 2006. I love it! Johnny singing "Better Days".)

Well, as you can tell, we are just the most exciting people! But, there you have it, an update!!

PICS

I am forever indebted to my sister Allison! Because I am so impatient & was unable to find a dress - she so politely agreed to help make Kylie a dress for her baptism when I asked her. Little did she know that it would turn into a HUGE project. She's such a trooper & it looks GREAT!! She even made the CUTEST necklace that Kylie just had to use with it. I just need to permanently add on the ribbon I got. (It only got to be safety pinned on for pictures.) Well, I wanted it done so we could take pictures & get announcements made & mailed out here soon! (Watch out Shelley - I'll be ready for your help next week!) So, here's a few of our favorites:

Erik's favorite:

KYLIE's favorite

MY favorites:

This last one's for you Allison since you talked about how much fun she would have twirling in this very full skirt!

DRESSES

As crazy as this is to me I am preparing for my daughters baptism. I still can't believe she's going to be eight, but here we come! I'm having a heck of a time finding a white dress for it. I really need to get it figured out this weekend, so does anyone have any ideas for me. The only place I've been able to find some at are bridal shops & they're EXPENSIVE!!! So, any help would be lovely!

JUST BECAUSE

I've noticed lately that I'm not very good at posting pictures with my posts. Except for random ones I get off the internet. So, I decided to just post a couple for fun that noone has ever seen even though they were taken awhile ago.

I love this picture of Jadyn blowing bubbles. I want to squish those cheeks!!!

I love this picture, too. This is our niece Ciara that Kylie just thinks the world of. They're 2 years apart, but you wouldn't know it when they're together. They're the same size & could almost pass as twins. Such beautiful blue eyes on these two. They even have some of the same mannerisms. It's too dang funny to watch them together. We love you Cici!

CRAZINESS

OK - as we all know by now if you've ever read my blog I am obsessed with the "Twilight" series. Well, since I read the series of books 3 times in 3 weeks my husband told me I needed to try another one. So, I ventured out & read yet another book! (Oh no! I am just like my mother!! - I love you mom!) He told me to read one of his favorite John Grisham novels - "The Testament". So, I did. He told me I would love it because they go to Brazil & since I've been their then I could relate. But, really, it took me a week to read it & I forced myself to finish it. I just couldn't get into it. I'm not giving up on the reading thing yet, but I'm probably going to give up on John Grisham. Way too slow for my taste. I'd way rather watch his movies - which I love them - & have them be done in 2 hours. I'm going to try the Harry Potter series. I think I would like those - total mindless fantasy & completely rid of any reality! Totally my speed. Which, I won't get my hands on those until my mom brings them to me at Thanksgiving, so I guess I'll have to read my books for the 4th time until then.

I'm having a hard time concentrating as I write this. My neighbors are BLARING music that I can hear in my house. I've never heard a thing come from these guys in the year & a half that we've lived here, but I can hear them tonight. But, the funny part is that they are total gothic people (Yes - they even had a real coffin in the bed of their truck yesterday.) blaring Korn, etc. But, now that the screaming music is over it has switched to Backstreet Boys, MC Hammer, even Vanilla Ice! How hilarious is that? I can only imagine what is going on over their.

Now back to my story, so it wouldn't be in my obsessive nature to not leave you with a little blurb about my books. (Don't worry - I promise this will die down soon!) But, my awesome Dad emailed me this article about the author & just had to share!

Stephenie Meyer

VETERAN'S DAY

One of the things I love about Kylie's school is that they have a flag ceremony every morning. The kids get to watch the flag raise up, say the pledge & sing "God Bless America" every day. How lucky are they?! On Friday they had a special flag ceremony to honor those that are & have served our country. They do this every year & also for Memorial Day. They always have a breakfast beforehand that the kids can bring their military friends & family to. Last year Erik's dad went with Kylie. (He served in the army.) He was unable to go this year & Kylie was performing with the school choir. So, Erik & I went to flag ceremony to watch her. I went to the Memorial Day ceremony when Kylie was in Kindergarten, so I knew what to expect. Even still, there is nothing like listening to the kids sing every anthem for each of the military divisions & watching those that have served in those divisions stand for their song. It tears me up everytime. I have so much respect for them & what they have endured! It always brings an added meaning for the holiday coming up. I hope everyone has a safe & enjoyable holiday & may we always remember those that fight so that we have the freedom to enjoy flag ceremonies!

LITTLE WONDERS

Since I'm such a baby these days - here's another video that makes me ball my eyes out everytime I see it. LOVE this movie - it has such a good message!

LITTLE WONDERS

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney

ISSUES

OK - so we know I've go issues! And if I haven't convinced you to read the "Twilight" series yet - then, here's another attempt. As we learned previously I finished book 3 in 2 days staying up EXTREMELY late on Sunday night. So, I decided to give myself a break Monday. But, I was going CRAZY! So, I had to start all over again on Tuesday. I reread "Twilight" - that's right a read it again. Finished it for the 2nd time tonight & LOVED it even more. You learn so much more the 2nd time around. You've got to read them if you haven't yet. I'm actually shocked that most of you that I know haven't read them. Some of you have even requested to borrow them from me, but to be honest - I don't know if I can part with them! It may be awhile if you wait for me. Trust me - it's worth the investment! In fact, Target has them on sale right now!

For those few of you that I know that have read them: have you been on Stephenie Meyer's website? Well, you know I have! She has a book from Edward's perspective that she's working on (it's merely a side project, so no deadline for a publish date) that you can actually read the first chapter of. It will be a complimentary book to "Twilight". VERY COOL! It answers so many questions. It almost makes it worse being able to read it. Just another thing to try my patience that is non-existent! Anyway, here's a link if you'd like:

Midnight Sun - Chapter One

TALENT

When I was in St. George the other week my stepdad showed me these videos on youtube & I just had to share. I was so totally blown away at these & really - if you don't ball your eyes out while watching these I'll think something is wrong with you....

(Just so you are prepared these videos are all around 5 minutes long.)

Paul Potts First Audition

Paul Potts in the Semi-Finals

Connie's First Audition

Do you still have goosebumps while you're reading this? If you don't then you might be closer to our beloved Edward than you think - which would bring up a whole other fascination! I love watching Simon's face on their first auditions. He's so annoyed as they walk in & then genuinely shocked when they start to sing. I love it!! Paul Potts will be giving Andrea Bocelli a run for his money!

ECLIPSE

Well, I finished the last book. All 630 pages of it in another 2 days! "Hi - My name is Melanie & I have an obsession problem!" Seriously, I loved these books & I think I'll go nuts waiting for the fourth book to come out. A whole year from now!! I might have to find out where she lives & lock her in her room until it's done. I'm just too impatient for things like this. Anyway, I absolutely LOVED these books & I'm going to read them again now. Hopefully, I can control myself enought this time around that they won't totally consume my life. We'll see...

P.S. - "A" I might need that hammock after all! I hope you draw my name! heehee

NEW MOON

OK - I'm not OCD Or anything - J/K yes I am! Just so you all know I finished "New Moon". It's the second book in the "Twilight" series. Also, it's 560 pages long & I finished it in 2 days. "Obsess much?" Why yes, I DO!!

TWILIGHT

Who says the universe can't be altered? Today I did the unthinkable....

For those of you who know me know that I don't read. Infact, as much as it pains some of you to hear, let's say I may even loathe to read. I think I've read maybe 2 books in the past 15 years. But, after being told numerous times to read "Twilight" I finally gave in.

Now, I've also been told to read the Harry Potter books tons of times, but haven't given in. There's already movies made of those. Why spend weeks reading when you can finish a movie in 2 1/2 hours? I know books have a lot more detail, but to me, that just doesn't make sense.

Well, I actually read "Twilight". Yes, I read it all the way through. Let me just say that I was obsessed with it, in fact. I started it on Sunday & finished it today (Wednesday). That's an amazing feet for me. 500 pages in 4 days. Well, I absolutely LOVED it!! So much so, that I was at Target today & noticed the next 2 books in the series were on sale & had to buy them. So, book 2 begins tomorrow! If you haven't read these - even if you don't like to read ("A") - you just HAVE TO!!! They're wonderful.

Those of you that have read it - let's just have a moment of silence for Edward & you can't tell me you wouldn't love to have him run his nose across your cheek bone!!! You know you love it...

Here's more fun info: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html

In fact, one of you (& I won't say who in the event of mobbing by others) even has the ability to get me a cool present...an autographed book of "Twilight". heehee Don't forget at your next family outing!

DOWNTOWN

We had a fun day hanging out in Downtown Mesa today with my sister Stephanie! We tried to get Allison to come, but she was a party pooper - WE LOVE YOU "A"! Anyway, whoever would have thought that Downtown Mesa would be so fun? It's got a lot of fun shops, statues, etc.... The girls trying on cowboy hats at "Blossoms".
We're not used to pictures at all in case you couldn't tell.

COLD

I'm up in Utah right now visiting my mom & it is FREEZING!! It's definitely fall here. But also keep in mind that if it's below 70 degrees it's just too cold for me. If you want to see my mom's ridiculous house go to this link:
http://www.buysmarttoday.com/parade_25_07.htm
Not to brag by any means, but it's crazy!!! It's a nice place to come to for a little break.

Jester'Z

I've not been very good at blogging lately - life just gets so busy! But, I had to tell something fun we did this weekend. It was my bro's B-Day, so we took him to Jester'Z. If you've never been their before - you've got to go. SO DANG FUNNY!!!! (Jess - next time you come we're totally going their!) Now Fall Break is coming - YEAH!! So, a road trip is up ahead... Until then, here is a pic of my favorite Jester...
P.S. - The guys name is KLOR. Yep, KLOR! If you want more info. on this fun stuff here is the website: http://www.theater168.com/.

TAGGED

I've never been tagged before - I feel so special. Thanks Heidi! Well, It's actually been taking me a few days to think about what I could write about me that's interesting. I think people pretty much know most of these things about me, but here it is anyway....

7 Facts about me:

1. I have a weird issue with toilet paper rolls. Yep! That's right - toilet paper rolls. When I place them on the holder the toilet paper has to fall behind the roll against the wall. If it comes over the roll away from the wall I get anxiety! Which is funny - I learned later on in life that my Dad has the same issue only the opposite. So, whenever we go to each others homes - WE SWITCH THEM!!! So, if you noticed yours is switched & you realize I was at your home - it was probably me!

2. I actually prefer candy over chocolate. (Except for certain times of the month.) I know weird. Allison's probably dying right now, but it's true. I love tart things. And, oh how I love hot tamales!! Even though, as sad as it is, I actually can't handle the sugar like I used to. (Yes, Lydia, that means I can no longer eat a whole carton of ice cream in one sitting anymore!) And, as sad as this may make some, I actually no longer love PEACHIES like I used to. I just never had the heart to tell anyone.

3. I absolutely LOVE Extreme Makeover Home Edition. This is by far my favorite TV show! Which I have many. But, I love how they always help people who really need it. I ball the whole time. My favorite one so far is the Hawaiian family from Logan, UT. If you haven't seen it - look it up! It's the best - so amazing!!

P.S. - The season premiere is this Sunday & they go to Hawaii!!! I'm so all over that one!

4. I could not live without my phone. Everything gets put in my calendar in my phone. If it doesn't - then I won't remember it. If I ever lost my phone I would be devestated!!! Litereally, you'd have to put me in a home...

5. I am in no way a DRAMA QUEEN. Ok, I know you're all laughing at that one right now because I TOTALLY am! And I wonder where my kids get it from? Oh yeah - ME!! I'm so dramatic & a total WO IS ME type. But, I'm trying my hardest to change that. It's actually been a trying summer for me & I'm learning a lot & the fact that my overdramaticness (Is that even a word? It is now!) never helps!

6. Another thing I love is Christmas. So much so that for the whole month of December my kids are not allowed to watch anything but Christmas movies. We're also only allowed to listen to Christmas music in our house! I know that's wrong, but I love it. And by golly, my kids will learn to love it, too. Actually, they get just as crazy as me, so they don't care that I do that to them!

7. I know this may come as a shock, but I have some OCD tendencies. (Jess, you're going to love this one!) I do everything in patterns. (Don't ever watch me eat M&M's or skittles - it'll make your head hurt!) I count up to 5 in my head at all times. As I walk I count by 5's. Let me try to explain: While walking in the mall I take 5 steps on the dark tiles & then 5 steps on the light tiles. Make sense? I always walk close to the lines, so you'd never really know I'm doing it. Now try & magnify that 100 times into every aspect of your life!? I don't know how to explain it or why, but it rules my life. I constantly create words out of other words as well. You know the old games you'd get in school where you'd get a phrase & see how many words you can make out of it? Yeah - I do that with almost every word I see. Hence, another reason I don't enjoy reading. Too many words to stress about making into other words. What can I say - my brain is a mess!!!

8. I know - technically there's only suppose to be 7 things, but I'm adding an 8th just for fun. Which this should be a big shocker since I'm adding an 8th one, but I'm sure you all already know this one. I DON'T LIKE BREAD! Why that's so strange for people I'm not sure, but I'm not a fan of bread or flour products. Such as: any bread of course, pasta, tortillas (even though I live off Mexican food - corn tortillas for me) pizza, etc.

Well, that's me & now I tag (since I have such a huge list to pick from - sorry guys) Allison, EmmaLee, Heather & Rennie. Now you guys do this & tag 7 people if you can - you just can't tag me back. My list is small, so you guys are the lucky winners!!

TOFW

Yes, I was a geek & asked Michael McLean if I could take a picture with him! I had so much fun at Time Out For Women & I was lucky enough to go with some of the girls I love. It was wonderful & I can't wait until next year. It's definitely worth the effort to go.

Blog World

Nothing too exciting is happening at our house right now. We're just ridiculously busy with everything. But I'd thought I'd share my fun story for the week. I like to just browse peoples blogs & look at their friends & it's funny to me to realize how small the world gets through the internet. It makes me cautious of things. (As if I wasn't a freak enough about "stranger danger"!) But, I love it because I'm seeing what people are up to that I haven't seen or talked to in years. In fact, I got a random comment on one of my posts from a good friend of mine that I haven't talked to in almost 10 years. And she was even in my wedding. That was so fun!! I thought no one would ever really see my blog, but I'm being proved wrong. I feel bad it's not more exciting for people. But, we're just so busy! Oh well! Such is life. To all of those that I haven't talked to in FOREVER that may be looking at this - I hope all is well!

HAIRSPRAY

Finally saw this movie this weekend & LOVED it!! Whoever thought this movie would make me literally laugh out loud? John Travolta was histerical. If you haven't seen it yet I would strongly suggest it. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD just so I can see the outtakes!

Dance Defined

Nothing too exciting is happening at my home right now! Although, my friend EmmaLee & I started our little dance studio this week. If you're interested in dance check out our blog for times & info. It's under my list of blogs I visit (or stalk) as Dance Defined. Hurry quick - we're going to start getting ready for our Christmas show soon! I know that sounds crazy - Christmas is only 3 1/2 months away, so we've got to get to work.

HOT!!

Ok - I've lived here almost my entire life & I've never been bugged by the heat. But, not true this year!! I'm so ready for summer to be over & I hate that it feels like it will never end.....

I guess it doesn't help that the AC in my car doesn't work very well. So, I'm just miserable everytime I have to go somewhere. Woo is me, woo is me.

Cutest Sister

OK - this is what happens when you have one of the world's cutest sister's! While I was teaching tonight my husband went over to Jack & Allison's house to help Jack out with iTunes. So, what does Allison do? Watches (or plays as she so nicely put it tonight) with my girls. And what do they do? Oh, not play games or or read books (that one was also for you Allison), but they bake cookies & scrapbook. (Which my kids love!!) If you don't know Allison - see her blog - she's one of those that always looks cute, her house is always perfect, has the cutest craftiness & you just want to smack her! Really - we love her & here's what she helped my girls create tonight...



Love these!! We're going to add more fun photos & save them forever! You're the best Alli!!!

My BEAUTIES

Since I might have some people actually looking at this - I figure I should probably have a little more to look at. Since I'm a proud Mama here's some pictures we took recently of my gorgeous beauties. Originally, it was suppose to be a photo shoot for just Jadyn since we don't have nearly as many pictures of her, but we ended up doing both of them as well. We took them in my Mom's backyard that is just an awesome place! Perfect for pictures!

HAWAII

OK - I'm a newby to this & since I keep being told to do this - here it goes! E & I just got back from a FABULOUS vacation to Hawaii! We were lucky enough to go with my brother & sister-in-law & meet up with my sister who lives their! Who also has all the hook-ups & made our trip awesome!! We love you Ruby!! Here's a few pics...