Murder Mystery Cruise

Jodes and I had SO much fun at our friend's Murder Mystery Party! Jody's character was Ethan Cruz, the charming and wealthy executive. And I was Phoebe Abuelos - the contestant eliminated from Top 5 on the Cruise Ship Pageant. As I was deciding what to wear to dress for my part, Jody kindly reminded me I have a gleaming pant suit that screams Send me to Emerald City in the back of my closet. Perfect. No looking needed. The pant suit was a hit. Jody adorned himself with lots of man jewelry - also a hit.



The Girls



The Boys


And this, by far, is my favorite picture of the night. Ben ran across the shot - as we all said Cheese!


I, and two others, solved the mystery. Phoebe was on her game that night!

Out and About...

I recently had the opportunity to speak with the Miss Orem Contestants about interview and public speaking skills. I always enjoy helping out, when I can, with the Miss Orem Pageant. I have so many fond memories from my days as a title-holder. I *loved* speaking to school children, during my year as Miss Orem, about the beauty of differences and celebrating our abilities.

And below is the story I filed on Saturday for 2News.

**Click Here to Watch - Top Story -

Thanks to Daylight Savings and Vernal being 3 1/2 hours away from Salt Lake City...I rolled into my driveway at 3:30 a.m. When I got home, all the lights were on. That's because poor Jody and Gracie had been throwing up the majority of the night. So sad! Little Gracie was so paranoid about throwing up in her bed (again) that when I went to check on her to see if she was asleep...she had a small plastic garbage can over her head! I should have taken a picture... but I didn't know whether to laugh or start crying for her!

One extra day...

It's Leap Day!

A day that only comes once every four years. And that got me thinking...what would I do with these precious extra hours? Vacuum the floor, snuggle a little longer with my babies and reflect. This February, Jody and I celebrated seven years of marriage.

Seven Years Ago, you could have told me; Jody and I would have two healthy little girls, would freeze up north in Montana for three years, buy three different homes, live (and even function just fine) without a microwave or dishwasher in our first house, laugh harder than we did when we dated, cry more deeply than I thought possible, and love at a level that 7 years ago...I wouldn't have been able to understand. It would have sounded epic then...but much like skipping to the end of a good novel - it would have just been words. The past 7 years with Jody as my other half - have been amazing.

Butte, Montana is not really the Newlywed Capital of the Nation. But off we went. We bought our first home. All 700 square feet of it. It didn't have any storage space - but that was okay. We didn't have much to store. The bathroom could only hold one person standing...unless of course the other person was standing in the shower. It was a humble home...but it was ours!

On this unique day, I am making a commitment to live each day like it is a bonus 24 hours! Life is what we make it. So let's make it glorious! I warmly smile at the path my life has taken. From the bumps in the road to the charming and unexpected detours...Today has been a day for me to look at the progression of the past seven years.



The video is going to have better clarity if you don't watch it on full-screen. :)

I Love You to the Moon and Back...

Valentines Day rubbed off at our house. Love is in the Air!

Cupid's Day was fun. Before helping my high-schoolers write and produce the Pride TV segment, I had them play "Doughnut You Know?" A game I created, where in order to win a doughnut...you say something genuine and nice about the person whose name you draw out of a bowl. The students gave sincere compliments that they otherwise most likely never would have vocalized. No one was distracted on their phone or talking to their neighbor...they were just boosting up one another. It was fabulous. And then I got called down to the front office. Jody had sent me Beautiful Flowers!! He is so thoughtful. That made my day!

After teaching, I helped at Gracie's Valentine Pre-school Party.


Passing out Valentines, a puppet show and eating heart-shaped cookies. These darling kids were in heaven!


And who could forget this little love bug?

She needs a Heart Day Shout Out too. Speaking of hearts -- she has won mine...but also gives me daily heart attacks by climbing on furniture, attempting to swallow small objects and breaking all electronic devices. Ha! She makes up for all of the chaos with her hugs and snuggles.

She has been holding still like a champ while I blow dry her hair. What a good girl! Sienna just had her 2nd haircut. The stylist took an inch and 1/2 off of the back to create this A-line bob. It suits her.


Papa & Grandma Wiscombe and Uncle Michael dropped off some valentines for us too!!


That night, after I read Gracie her bedtime story, she squeezed me tightly. "Mom, I love you to the moon and back." It's one of those moments where you close your eyes and try and remember everything about that split second. What a lovely end to a sweet Heart Day!

Costa Rica

Passports renewed - Check. Bags Packed - Check. Lots of Hugs and Kisses for the little ones - Check. And Jody and I were off to Costa Rica.

This was an incredible vacation! The first place we stayed was the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort. Costa Rica has volcanic black sand on most of its beaches. In Guanacaste, the sand is white. Both were brilliant and beautiful.


We saw a large amount of the country during our week's stay. In order to see so many sights - we spent hours and hours riding on this tour bus.




Best Nachos Ever. I'm a little nostalgic just looking at this picture.





I met this friend at the Animal Refuge we visited.


This is our mud bath. (Apparently good for the skin.) It was all natural, so when it was all said and done - we didn't smell too good!

Jody and I played Frisbee on this beach. Such a fun day!!


We celebrated Jody's Birthday while we were in Costa Rica. We hung out with an interesting crowd that day.


We saw dozens of crocodiles, and they were all about 16-feet-long. Yikes.
The locals name them. Meet Osama.


And his cousin: Tyson.


With the lovely tropical weather, we kept forgetting it was December. But the locals did some creative decorating to get us in the Christmas Spirit!!


We went horseback riding - getting a better look at Central America. We'll give my horse the benefit of the doubt and say he was having an off day. We took the detoured route. (Through lots of off-trail bushes.) But eventually I met up with the rest of the group at the Zip-Lining Platform. The Zip-Lining was SO fun!


I had such a wonderful time with Jody. The scenery in Costa Rica was unreal! This was a business trip for Jody, and I was lucky enough to come along. It was a bit surreal to be on a trip without the littlest members of our family. Every time we left our hotel room, I felt like I was forgetting something. "Do I have the diaper bag? Where is the extra pacifier...or fruit snacks?" The girls were definitely on our minds! Thank you to our parents for watching our little ones so that this trip could happen.

2News Live Report - "Parker's" Closing

Below is the link to a story I reported last week. What a tribute to this Mom and Pop Shop...to see people waiting in a 2 hour line. My dad grew up in American Fork. Parkers was a part of him - just like it was for so many in that community. As I spoke to those standing in line to get one last taste, it was abundantly clear that Parkers was much more than just a Burger Joint. Parkers was an example of the American Dream. A small Drive-In, three or four employees working a regular shift, some great food and a whole lot of heart!!

American Fork Drive-In "Parker's" Closing - Connect2Utah.com

Fascinating Four

Gracie celebrated her birthday in November! (And yes, I realize it's January. But better late than never. And this post is really more about growth - rather than an age mark.) Gracie had a very eventful year as a three-year-old. She started preschool, took a dance class, became more acquainted with the time-out step, made us laugh with her silly comments and made us happy with her love for music and others.


I went with Gracie on her field trip to the Corn Maze and Farm. She has made many new friends in Preschool.


Gracie had a Butterfly Themed Birthday Party.


Gracie was really excited about her homemade butterfly cake with the crooked smile! :)



The highlight of Gracie's party was FREEZE DANCE. The kids really liked it. And yes, that's my child yelling, "Party like a Rock Star!" Not sure where she picked up on that one. I'm pretty sure I don't use that phrase on a regular basis...or ever. :)



I have often heard people talk about the "terrible two's". Everyone I have spoken with who has had a three-year-old will tell you - that stereotype is off by a year. Three is challenging. It's a time when little ones are pushing limits to see where their parents stand. They are gaining independence and learning so much. It's humbling to know as a parent, I have the ultimate chance to mold Gracie and encourage her in a positive way. When Gracie was 3 1/2, we took a trip to Disney World. This video describes PERFECTLY the roller coaster of a three-year-old. So Happy. So Upset. Watch it. To the End. (fyi - Gracie was not scared of that ride. She just decided half-way through the 40 minute line she wanted to be somewhere else. The tantrum began. Hitting, kicking ~ please tell me your children have had these moments too ~ and as you can see..it didn't end well.) I think she will look back and laugh!



We sure love our Gracie Girl. She has such a vibrant personality. She also knows how to push buttons. Recently, she was having a button-pushing day. I was SO frustrated. She was doing everything to disobey or do the opposite of what I needed and was asking of her. Finally, I told her I was going to say a prayer. She was being such a pill; I fully expected her to start clapping or yelling or doing something disruptive. But she did just the opposite. She folded her arms, bowed her head and was quiet.

"Heavenly Father, I am frustrated. Will you please help me to know how to be a good mother to Gracie. Please help me to handle this moment...because I don't know what to do."

We said Amen. I felt better.

And then a little voice asked,

"What did He say Mama? What Did Heavenly Father tell you to do?"

Big blue eyes staring at me, and my prayer was answered.

"He told me to...love you lots and lots."

Instantly she was in my arms. She hugged me. And she was a different little girl for the rest of the day. And I was different too...better even. My children make me better.

I love being a mom. However, I know I can't be a good mom without daily help from up above. I am excited to see what age 4 brings!!

The REASON for the SEASON

It's such a lovely time of year. A time to reflect on the miraculous birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. And now being a mother of two...I am even more in awe of Mary. What a faithful, humble and devoted mother. During this Season, Jody and I have been asked to pray for many families who have received difficult news: a mother diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer, a newborn baby fighting for his life in the NICU and families who wonder if they have the means to feed their little ones for the upcoming week. There are so many struggling with obstacles. It's heartbreaking. It makes the rush to buy that perfect gift seem quite meaningless...doesn't it? The kindle fire, the bigger and better TV, a new wardrobe...all just things. Things that we can't take with us when this life comes to an end. When I return back to teaching school after the break - I'm sure many of my students will ask what I got for Christmas. I've thought about my response during my reflection of the Season.

"This year I received more time to spend with my Family, Good Health and a loving Heavenly Father's Mercy."

And those are my most treasured gifts.

Heavenly Father gives us hurdles to test our ability to Come Unto the Savior. It's okay to struggle. In fact, that's why we're here. And along the path of growing pains - we discover joy in giving to others, and we learn of our Savior's genuine love for each of us. 2011 wasn't perfect for our family - but life would have no purpose if it was perfect. There were, however, many perfect moments. Moments that carried us through to the next adventure. I am so thankful that our Savior Jesus Christ came to this Earth in such humble circumstances. So meek and mild...only to go on to Save all Mankind. How Blessed Are We!

Glory to God in the Highest * Peace On Earth * Good Will Toward Men.

This Season I made pounds and pounds of Candy Cane Fudge.

We saw the lights at Temple Square. Gracie has been telling us since her birthday that "She wants to go to the Temple Square to see Jesus."


We went. And it did not disappoint.

In our Family Christmas Pageant, Gracie played an Angel. Gracie really enjoys meeting new people, singing in front of people...she's just not shy at all. So when she told me she wanted to sing a song during the Christmas Program, I wasn't surprised. And Phew! I was worried she might need a microphone during her song. Ha! :)



The girls got some darling matching hats from Grandma and Papa Tait.




Gracie performed at the mall with her Preschool. Here she is with her teacher Miss Molly. She adores Miss Molly. In fact I often pretend to be Miss Molly, when we are home, so that she will listen to me.


May your Christmas be Magical and Bright!

Baby's 1st Haircut

Sienna had her First Haircut on November 18th. Her bangs had grown so long that they were hanging down in her eyes. She munched on some cheerios during the cut. She didn't wiggle as much as I thought she would!

Baby...err..Bunny Steps.

She's off to explore the world - this time on two feet.

CC looked so cute in her Bunny Costume for Halloween. I had to get some shots of her walking. {And it's super timely since she has a hint of a Frankenstein Walk going for her.}