Holy Colee!

I missed most of American Idol last night because being with real people is better than being with pretend people. Now you know :P

This morning, I was supposed to be on a flight at 8:20. I am still one of those dorks who tries to be at the airport 2 hours early. Partly because I just like being able to take my sweet time, and partly because I worry about getting stuck in security. An 8:20 departure time meant that I needed to leave the hotel about 6 which means waking up at 5. So, I set my alarm... completely forgetting that my alarm was still in Mountain Time... Yeah, I woke up at 5:40 CST. I still managed to leave the hotel about 6:05... not so awake or prettied up as I would like to have been, but I got to the airport with time for breakfast... I love KCI and the 2 minute line at security.

My family enjoys a good murder mystery... but they enjoy it even more when they get to dress up and pretend we can act :) James and Heather gave me a murder mystery game for Christmas last year (don't worry, we're still going to do it in SLC, too). This is what happens when you tell my family to come in their 50s attire :)


Chubby Cheddar and Tiara Diamond



Chubby Cheddar and Bobby Sox



Ivan Spudnick, Tiara Diamond, and Barby Q



Johnny Angel and Peggy Sue



Dan Dragnet and his date :)


My Mom and Me :)



Our Cast

YAY for having something to blog about.... Ok, really I have some pictures to post from our murder mystery dinner, but I haven't up loaded them, so probably later this weekendish.... In the mean while you get
AMERICAN IDOL ala Colee

Jackie Tohn – I am sorry, I couldn’t stop being bugged by her pants long enough to listen to her

Ricky Braddy – I like him. I could listen to him for a while.

Alexis Grace – The song was a little too big… bit showy. She handled it ok, but not as good as they thought she did.

Brent Keith – lol, I think this song was written in Bear Lake ;) Seriously, do they sell White Rain in the real world? Do half of you even know what White Rain is?

Stevie Wright – the song was in the wrong key, or she was.

Anoop Desai – gawky and awkward on the stage, but pleasant to listen to

Casey Carlson – meh

Michael Sarver – missed it

Ann Marie – missed it

Stephen Fowler – better than California

Tatiana – needs to go… regardless of her performance, I am tired of her in general

Danny Gokey – I liked his auditions better than tonight

There has actually been some stuff going on, but I am officially terrible at blogging. Last Thursday Mom brought Mac and Cannon down and we went to the Jazz game. It was loads of fun. We totally kicked butt, and there were a slew of empty seats so Mac and I totally cut down and sat by the other 2... Shhhh don't tell.
The only bummer part is that because it was a late game, Goliath wasn't there doing the pre and post show. So we weren't able to get his autograph.
Friday morning we took the kids to the Draper Temple open house. It was beautiful. It is amazing to see how the most beautiful things from all over the world come together to make a simple and awe inspiring building.

After that I came home with everyone else. I am chillin in Dingle this week. Unfortunately, the internet is down, so I am still commuting to work... I am thankful for a hospital with free wi-fi... and tasty food ;)

What a good today as been:) Church was pleasant, as it usually is, and then I was invited over to dinner at my cousin Danaca's house. She is probably the cutest girl alive. Her parents are flying to London tomorrow to start their mission, 18 months as ordinance workers in the London temple. It was really good to see them and share the afternoon with Dana and Hev and Terrel and Denise. I truly should take more opportunity to spend time with the family I do have close.

Most of the day I have just been thinking about how truly blessed I am. The people I love are happy and healthy, and making choices that will make them happier.

It really is just a good day :)

So, I am a little late and a little early all in the same entry. There really isn't anything going on with me, but I wanted to make a birthday shout out!
Tanner, Dad, Aaron and Lindsay :) Happy Birthday this week :D I hope they are (or were) as fantastic as you are :)

It has been a relatively fabulous week. First, I started working out again - go me. I um, tried on my wedding dress... it told me it was time. So I guess, technically I first I tried on my wedding dress - 2nd I started working out again :) Then Wednesday night was dinner group, which I have missed lately. We've been a little sproradic over the holidays and people moving and such. Also Wednesday night, actually on my way to dinner group, I won tickets off the radio to see Adele. Thursday night Dav came into town on an overnight. I had missed his last trip or two because I was out of town, so it was definitely time to say hello. He misses me, he just doesn't really know it. And tonight! tonight I got to USE the Adele tickets that I won. I invited my friend, Lori, and we both just had a good night out. Yay for free concerts, plus, ADELE IS AMAZING. Sometimes when you see an artist in person you think, gee they must have a really good sound mixer. Not the case tonight. This girl was spot on and oh my goodness. If you're not familiar with her, you should be. Her album is called 19. I have been listening to her slightly longer than most of the US (or at least Utah) because she's British, and John had turned me on to her before I heard her on the radio. But, in all seriousness folks... she's worth the listen. She played tonight to an oversold crowd. She's up for 4 grammy's and besides all that - she's really cute. If I knew how to put music on here, I'd make it easy for you, instead I am just going to send you to itunes :)
Happy week :D

So, this week I got to come to KC for a few days, we'll call it a business trip. Ok, really it was a business trip, but I enjoying actually seeing the people I am working with so much it doesn't often feel like work.
I landed Monday evening a bit later than expected after some delays in Denver, but when I was going up to pick up the car I ran into my friends Benson and Ana from my SLC ward. I knew they were here, but hadn't planned on running into them, so it was a very pleasant surprise. The not so pleasant surprise is that the delays landed me in the middle of rush hour traffic... not a big deal, just time consuming.
We were staying at the Marriott, which is a lovely hotel, but for some reason my computer and their internet provider decided they did not want to play nice in the sandbox. Jason said to call it a vacation - 2 days with out email ;) I said it was the worst vacation ever :P I must admit, it did let me log on just long enough to pull out the part of my work that HAD to be done on Monday night, so fate did smile on me there.
It's funny though, because all anyone can talk about this week is how cold it is. At work, on the bus, in the lobby, at the restaurant, you can hear people referencing the termperature and what is to come. I am going to give it to them, it IS cold. It is COLDER because I am a dork and did't pack my big coat. But I am used to cold, and I didn't so much plan on spending all that much time outside - I forgot that nothing is close together on campus ;)

Today I am headed home. It was good to spend the morning learning new things, trying to get an idea of what is to come - and I am ready to get back to the balmy 38F that it is in SLC right now ;)

I know I am a little warped, but one of my favorite sounds is listening to the snow sizzle as it hits the monster powerlines outside my office.
It's been kind of a rough day, so I thought I would just think of something happy instead. It was snowing today - so the sizzle was the one that came to mind...

2009! really? So far this year is perfect :) We slept in - which as you know is my FAVORITE way to start the day. Then we went up to the cemetery and met all the kids at the hill. No, we don't play in the graveyard for new year's, but we DO play in the field next to it. It's the best sledding hill in town. Jared had gone up a couple days ago and plowed out the roads and built a track with some jumps for the sledders. It was fun to watch the kids trudge up the hill and somehow make it back down much more quickly than they made it up :) Hot cocoa and roasted hot dogs, and the wind didn't pick up til we were ready to leave - it was great.
Mom went with me to visit a friend tonight, and when we got home - the boys had put in the toilet she got for her birthday :) YAY for a toilet that works right!
Another happy thing is that John got a letter from the embassy. It wasn't the call we were hoping for, but it was a letter with another form they need filled out and instructions on how to set up his medical exam- PROGRESS! It has been feeling very stagnant as we waited and waited and waited for them to at least tell us they had received our application, so I am probably a bit happier than most people today :)

I still need to set new goals this year, though - any suggestions?

I, um, didn't so much get all my cards sent this year... So for those of my computer literate friends, I am sorry, but this post will have to serve as your Christmas Card.


Friends, Family, Countrymen :)

It is hard to believe it has been an entire year since I sat down to write this letter the last time. It feels like everything has changed and yet remains the same.
It seems this year was a year of firsts.
It was the first time mom flew over the ocean :) I was invited to go on a reward trip with work. So Mom and I were able to go to Hawaii! It was so much fun. We were able to attend the temple and go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, as well as drive around the island. I can hardly wait to go back and see everything else. There was just so much!
It was the first time I flew first class (for more than an hour) – also for work, but I went to the Philippines. I bought my first pearls and have now met everyone on my team. Being alone in an airport where English is an official language only by law, was quite an experience. The shopping was lots of fun, but again – SO MUCH to do. I definitely need to go back; maybe with less work to do.
It was my first time preparing for a hurricane and praying I am able to get out of town before it hits. I was in Baton Rouge the week before Gustav moved through the gulf. I have a new respect for the people who live knowing those storms are coming through every year and are able to stay and thrive.
I planted my first garden. I also learned a lot about snails. They ate more of my garden than I did, but for next year I am ready :) I know it is silly, but salsa made from your own tomatoes and peppers really does taste even better than normal.
Cannon sold his first pig. It was a good experience, that mom is pretty sure she never wants to repeat, but I am still pretty sure she won’t say no when he asks again.
It was the first time Mom and I have made jam - all by ourselves. If I must say so, it turned out most excellent. If we ever run out of it, we have even learned a few things to make it even better next time.
It was the first time I turned 30… and whether or not it will be the last has yet to be determined.
In September, Daniel and MinDee had their first baby. Cannon’s new little brother is Trayson. He is growing like a weed. :)

I must admit though, I guess my very favorite first this year is something that will only happen once. I got my first engagement ring! John and I will be wed as soon as the government decides to process our paper work. So next year is also set up to be a year of firsts and we are super excited about all of them!

May this season be one of happiness for all! Merry Christmas!
~~ Nicole

I am very blessed to have a job that allows me to telecommute. Because of that I have been able to attend a lot more things at home than in the past. This weekend I was able to come home to see my little sister Angelia's high school musical. This year they did Oklahoma, and Angelia was cast as Aunt Eller. I have never actually seen Oklahoma all the way through, so it was quite interesting. Of course she did a fabulous job :) And I am offering only a slightly biased opinion :)
Tonight I went to my family Christmas party. We had about 90 people there (we know because we did actually put a number on everyone as they came in.) It was great! Everybody brings a treat to share, and we get to catch up and chat and of course there are presents :) I had to miss last year, so I was super excited to get to be here this year. I must admit, I do miss going caroling like we used to, but it's just so nasty cold that we can't talk anyone into it any more ;) I still vote we bring back the chili and donuts!

Tonight is the night where I admit I am a DUMB GIRL. I went outside to grab the mail and noticed my tire was low. So, I decide to go quickly to the tire store before it closes... about 2 blocks from home the low tire is no longer low - it is FLAT, but I think the tire store is only 10 more blocks, so I will drive slow and be fine... well, about the place the tire store is SUPPOSED to be, the tire is no longer flat, it is a seperate entity from the rim. So I pull over and call the store and say, um, where are you? He says, we're 90 blocks south... So, the internet has the wrong address, but there is another store just 10 blocks east of where I am, so we call them. They can't help so we call another store that is not far. They can't help either. Finally they try to send me to the competitor when I say - but my tires are BIG-O, so I have a warranty. Then it clicks and they give me the warranty dispatch phone number. An hour later the AAA guy shows up, changes my tire, and sends me on my way. I now have to apply for reimbursement for the AAA fee, but even if it never comes, it was totally worth just not being stranded. I am such a DUMB GIRL.... shouldn't I be able to change my own tire?

Tonight I did watch, so I at least kind of now how he lowered the tire from under the truck, and I get the basic concept of lugnuts. Now... maybe I should figure out where my jack is and how it works.... I hate being helpless.

It's been kind of an interesting week. Wednesday I went home to attend my great uncle's funeral. It was a lovely service for a great man. I learned a lot about him, which is unfortunate that it takes a funeral to get to know people. I also learned that he and my grandpa also have a sister and another brother. The other brother has been gone for a while, but the sister is still living. Yeah, I have an aunt I've never known about. Families are an interesting thing.

I came back to SL on Friday, which means I missed Mom's Christmas party, but I did avoid the storm (thanks, Kel). The snow is beautiful. The thing about SLC winters is that they are really good about cleaning the snow off the roads. It doesn't always happen same day, but you can bet if there is 2 days with out snow, the roads will be clean.

Saturday night I was the fortunate recipient of Matt's extra ticket for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. It was amazing. We forget when we hear them on the radio or CD just how awesome the choir really is. They also brought in 2 special guests, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward Herrmann. Brian Stokes Mitchell was, wow. His voice was entrancing. I couldn’t not enjoy it. I had not been familiar with a lot of his other work, but I did know him from Frasier and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air… Edward Herrmann I knew from Gilmore Girls…. I watch too much TV…. ANYWAY… it was really a good good night. Good, like I am going to have to buy new CDs good. Thanks, Matt!

Mom hit her 100 mark today!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! My mom rocks :D

It can be done. I woke up this morning with 1 goal - FINISH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. I am here to testify that if you put your mind to something, it CAN be done :) I still have a little putting together to do, but the shopping is over. It's a really good feeling.

I totally spent yesterday as a tourist. Some of my family members came down to go to the temple with friends. They decided to bring down the kids to see the lights. So, I got to play tourist. We all met for lunch and then I took the girls to the zoo. Oddly enough, December is not as bad a time as one might suspect to visit the zoo. Of course, it helps that we STILL don't have any snow. I think their favorite part was the elephants and the monkeys. The elephants, just because of how "HUGE" they are, and the monkeys because they can pick their nose and eat it with out being told to stop ;) The penguins were actually really cool, too.
After the zoo, I brought them back to my house, because believe it or not, they wanted to see where I lived. Oh, I also made sure they saw East High - cuz, HSM ROCKS! (I have seen the first one - once... neither of the second or third)
We met the parents and went to the LDS church office building. I had never been up to the 26th floor observation deck, but it really is a pretty cool view. You can see the whole valley. There's a lot of stuff I haven't explored in the 4 1/2 years I've been here.
After dinner we hopped on trax - so now everyone can say they've ridden it (even if it was only 4 stops, round trip) and went to see where Channel 2 news is filmed. The kids got to be on TV, what more can you ask for??
We then went back down and walked around temple square. The lights are as beautiful as always. It amazing to think of the work that goes into making such a fabulous tradition for us, every year. My favorite part is the nativity scene on the north west lawn. It's short, and simple, and I've seen in a hundred times but it is my favorite message of happiness.
After the lights, we went over to the conference center. I have also been there a number of times, but I have never taken the tour. It was really cool to have little things pointed out as we looked at the artwork and were able to listen the Choir practice. Radio and CD are great, but nothing compares to listening to them live, even just practicing.
It was a super fun day for me. I wish I could find more excuses for them to come visit :)

After having about 15 people ask me if I was dying this morning, I decided to break down and go to the doctor. She sent me home with 2 inhalers, cough syrup and a monster antibiotic. And orders to go for a chest x-ray. The good news is the x-ray came back clear. The other good news is the inhalers actually let me breathe! It's amazing... After 2 weeks, I had almost forgotten what it felt like!

Every time I drive back to Salt Lake I keep thinking maybe one time something will be different. So far, not so much. Regardless, I AM back in SLC for a while.
I do hope everyone has had a fabulous week. I managed to go 5 whole days with only 3 pages and 1 phone call from work. YAY! Have I mentioned that I really enjoy that my phone doesn't work well in Dingle ;) I am not sure I am ready to go back tomorrow, but I do count myself blessed that I have a job to go back to.

It's been a great week at home. I must admit I spent the whole week being miserable and sick, but is there anywhere better than home for recovering?

Yay for home, Yay for holidays and Yay for blessings sometimes disguised as trials.

So, I am not sure if it is WHERE I am from or WHO I am from, but when I come home, I tend to find myself doing the most random things... (I still have not lived down telling my friends that I was churning butter.) Tonight, if you had called, I would have told you I was rummaging through old doors and then I ended up sitting in the shop pounding horse shoe nails OUT of rusty old horse shoes. Yeah.... I know you're jealous.

Tomorrow is my second and last day of work for the week - YAY for holidays!!