Happy Birthday, Beth!!

Just wanted to say, "Happy Birthday!" to my friend, Beth! We were nearly inseparable during Summer 2006...we did everything together! One night at Institute, I wrote Beth a little song...it's not my best work, but I think it turned out pretty good. Or not...but here it is:

Bethy-Lou...I love you.
You brighten my day when the sky is blue!

There is no getting over you,
You are a dream come true!
My heart swells at the thought of you,
I love you, my Bethy-Lou!

I really wrote this because she hates being called Bethy-Lou, so it's really in honor of the nick name that she hates!

Happy Birthday, Beth!

ps...The picture above is the paper I wrote the song down on. You can see that it starts on the left side and then the chorus is along the bottom! I found this as I was cleaning my room in preparation for the upcoming move!

Cookie Exchange!

Tomorrow at work we're having a cookie exchange! This required making 9 dozen cookies (plus a few extras for testing as the cookies were being made for quality control purposes, of course)...that's a LOT of cookies! I knew what cookie I wanted to make as soon as I heard we were doing this little exchange thing...Ginger Crisps! These are quite possibly my *favorite* cookie! Yes, I even had my mom make some and ship them to me freshman year when I was living in Nauvoo (I think she did this for me not once, but twice! She really loves me!)...they're seriously THAT good!! So last night, I spent nearly 5 hours cooking, baking and cleaning up my mess...the counter had flour all over it! Oops! Tonight I put all the cookies in bags and attached the recipe to them...super simple. They're all ready to go for tomorrow!

And because I'm soo nice, I'm going to post the recipe. And if you ask me to, I might even be nice enough to send some to you! We'll see though...it's kind of a crazy week. No promises...but ask and see what happens! Here's the recipe:

3/4 C butter flavor Crisco
1 C flour
1/4 C molasses
2 C flour
1 egg
2 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and molasses. Sift together dry ingredients. Add to sugar mixture. Roll in balls, then in sugar. Bakd at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Watch closely and pull out when barely done! (They're best when you pull them out before they start to crack on top!)

Enjoy!!

PS...yes, that's our sweet little 3 foot Christmas tree in the background that just chills on our kitchen table!

Park City with the Best Friend!!!

Erin and Spencer came down from Rexy for the weekend!! It was soo fun seeing her and Spency-baby! (Sorry Erin...I hope I have permission to call him that!) We braved the storm this weekend and went up to the outlets in Park City and got some Christmas shopping in and enjoyed a little Panda Express for lunch! Erin and I now officially have matching Fossil wallets...I bought mine a while back and talked her into getting the same one! I can't wait to see Erin again...next month I'm going to Rexburg for the temple open house! It's such a beautiful temple and it's been fun to watch it be built from the start! I can't wait!!

Haas Brothers!

Last weekend I went with my friend, John Hoyt, up to Primary Children's again to see our friend Tyler's baby who is still in the NICU. On the drive up there, John told me that Tyler's brother, Shane was also going to be there! Shane recently got home from his mission, so it's been a while since last seen him! I miss having the Haas family across the street from us...good times! It's been fun seeing friends "grow up"...as in get married, return from missions, have children, and so on!

Pictures from Thanksgiving!

I've been bad about downloading all the pictures from my camera to my computer lately, therefore all these little mini updates! We had Thanksgiving dinner the day after Thanksgiving at my aunt's home with her three children and all of their kids...10 all together!! The Otis clan keeps growing! After dinner, all the kids dressed up as pilgrims...so funny!
Here's Nat with her cheesy smile...this is what you get when you ask her to smile!The twins! They're so funny and so busy!!The Drewster dressed up as Batman!Love these kids!!

Little Beaner Update!

A few months ago, I introduced you to our Little Beaner. Well, a couple Sundays ago, we came home from church and it kinda smelled funny in our apartment (which, by the way, it not all that uncommon...and it's not our fault), so, Jac went over to the window in front of the sink and pulled the cord down that draws the blinds up so she could open the window. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but Little Beaner decided to wrap it's vine around that cord, so when Jac opened the blinds, the vine totally snapped off! Jac didn't notice what had happened and continued on her way doing whatever she was doing. A few minutes later, I went to wash my hands and had seen what had happened and started laughing...and then Jac came in and then realized what had happened and started laughing, too...both of us had tears streaming from laughing! I'm not sure why this was funny, but it was at the time! So...needless to say...Little Beaner is gone.

(The above picture is of Jac looking up at Little Beaner's vine wrapped around the blinds!)

Go See This Movie!!

What a crazy busy weekend, but tons of fun! On Friday night, I went with my friend, Heather, to see THIS movie...you have GOT to go see it! I was totally hesitant about seeing it after seeing a commercial for it and thought, "Can't Disney come up with new characters instead of recycling old ones?!" Heather and I were laughing the whole time and so was everyone else in the theater! Enchanted was soo worth the $8.50 to see it (ok...it was a bit much...I have a hard time paying that much for movies these days!)...and I came home and downloaded a few of the songs from iTunes from the soundtrack! For those who have already seen the movie will remember this dialog between Princess Giselle and 6 year old Morgan (everyone was laughing!):

Morgan: Remember not to put on too much makeup or the boys may get the wrong idea. They are only after one thing.
Giselle: What's that?
Morgan: I don't know. They won't tell me.

Go see it!! :)

I. Love. Craigslist.

Craigslist. It's really a beautiful thing! I first learned about Craigslist several years ago when it was first starting and remember thinking it was kind of odd, but I am now a believer! We posted our apartment on Craigslist on Monday night, and within 24 hours, had over 30 responses to our posting with people "very interested" in our apartment! Unbelievable! I was a little nervous when we were getting emails from people named "Bones" and "Princess Leia"...but it has all worked out and we'll be outta here on the 15th!!

Too cute, too easy!

This was too cute and too hard to pass up! This little DIY project was featured on design*sponge this afternoon...I was so anxious to get home from work so I could get started on this simple little craft! The possibilities are endless with something like this! I decided to keep it simple and stuck with the blues and greens in my ornaments. Click HERE to go to the post on design*sponge with instructions! Enjoy!


Also, for those who will be in the Provo area this weekend, there is a craft show (The Beehive Bazaar) this weekend at the Covey Center for the Arts in downtown. Click HERE to see some of the artists who are participating in the show...it's going to be fun!

University Parkway is NOT University Ave!

So...funny story...last night, my friend Nancy and I had planned on meeting up for dinner. She called when she got off work, and we decided that we were going to go to Bajio on University, in the little strip mall area next to the mall, kind of by Village Inn restaurant. On my way I went, to Bajio on University, only to wait for 20 minutes wondering where Nancy was. I called and asked if she got lost in the "snow storm" we were having, only to be told that she was also at Bajio wondering where I was at! Apparently, there are TWO Bajios, one on University Parkway and one on University Ave., both in strip malls, both by Village Inns, and both next to malls! Too funny! Next time we'll be clarifying University Parkway or Ave.!

Lazy Saturday Afternoon...

After the sleepover last night, I decided it was ok to just have a lazy afternoon! I'm catching up on typical Saturday afternoon chores...cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping...and catching up on some of my favorite blogs! In my reading, I came across THIS...such a cute idea for gift tags!

and ps...I there are several other cute card ideas as well as paper craft ideas on her blog...I think I might have another new favorite blog! :)

The Favorite Cousin!

It's true...I'm officially the favorite cousin. Atleast that's what Traci told me last night! Sorry Katie...Joe is Traci's second favorite cousin because he can make animal noises! I'm not sure where exactly you fit in line now as being one of Traci's favorite cousins. (Traci is my cousin Matt and Jen's 6 year old daughter.) After dinner at Trish and Cliff's house, Traci came and had a little sleepover at my apartment! We went and got a couple of decorations for my little Christmas tree, made some brownies, watched Hairspray, played with Polly Pocket, had brownies and ice cream, watched the news and danced to Christmas music! I don't think we could have packed much else in last night!

The last time that Traci stayed with us, we made a little bed for her right next to mine on the floor. Assuming this would be ok with Traci to sleep there again, we got all the same blankets out and got her bed all made up. But it wasn't. Earlier when we had been watching the news, there was a story about a little girl in Iraq who had been bit by a scorpion and died because of the bite. Apparently this story hit a little too close to home for Traci. Traci did not want to sleep on the floor because a scorpion could get her down there. The only way that Traci felt safe was by being on the bed with me...so the two of us, plus 5 pillows and 6 blankets all piled on my bed last night. Classic sleepover.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some classic Thanksgiving comics for your Thanksgiving afternoon enjoyment! Happy Thanksgiving!

Congrats, Tyler and Bonnie!

I met up with Carolyn Haas tonight to visit Tyler and Bonnie's new baby girl, Lucy! Lucy was born last night and is in the NICU at Primary Children's in Salt Lake...such a cute little baby! It's going to be a long couple of weeks til she's healthy to go home. We're thinkin' about you!!

Every Dad Can Do This: Part 2

Here's Katie's attempt at the whistle thing...with a little something extra at the end!

Dad....we love you. Lots and lots. Can't wait to see you next month!! :)

Every Dad Can Do This: Part 1

Tonight we had Katie and Joe and Jac's brother and sister-in-law over for dinner...it was highly entertaining! After Jac's brother and sister-in-law left, things got even sillier than they already were! The four of us were sitting around the table, and Katie started doing this little whistle thing that dad always does...except Katie couldn't do it! Joe said his dad can do it, and so can Jac's dad! Then we realized that none of us can do it, and it's a talent that only dads can do. So here's our sad attempt at doing the little whistle thing.

Oh...and ps...the best part of this video are the little sounds in the background coming from Joe...enjoy!

Sad Story!

Ok...so I really don't watch very much tv these days, but I do have one show that I've been looking forward to since season 3 ended this last summer. Beth and I would religiously watch Project Runway every Wednesday night for two hours....the first hour was the rerun from the previous week, and then the second hour was the new episode for that week. When we first moved into our apartment, we had Bravo, which I was thrilled about, but our cable situation has changed, and now we just have basic channels! I was hoping that Katie and Joe had it at their apartment, but no such luck. If anyone knows if there is a place online where you can download episodes...let me know!! I'm totally missing out. Sad story.

In honor of Smelly Danielle-y!!

I had lunch today with one of my good, good friends, Danielle! D and I some how managed to make it through the design program....lots of long nights and early mornings!! Danielle recieved her mission call a couple weeks ago and will be serving in the Cape Verde Praia mission, which is off the coast of Africa...I'm sooo excited for her! We didn't take any pictures at lunch today, so this picture is from when we were in New York City last year! If you know anyone who served in this mission, let me know!

Oh, and ps...we went to Costa Vida today for lunch...the pork quesadilla is way good!!

How cute is this?!

This little DIY project was featured on design*sponge today. But seriously...isn't this too cute? I'll admit...the shape isn't exactly my favorite, but you can do anything with this! I'm thinking that my corkboard at work might get a little facelift this weekend! Click HERE to visit the post on design*sponge!

Christmas Cards are in!

Just a little update on something I've been working on a little bit on the side...I've been working with a photographer, Kelli (who, by the way, has a *fantastic* eye when it comes to photography!) on Christmas cards! Click HERE to see the cards...I designed the last 10 on the list of samples...super simple, but I think they turned out pretty cute! Also, check out some of her current work on her blog by clicking HERE.

Monday, Monday...

...this is what I found this morning when I went out to my car! Sad, huh?


You don't realize how dependant you are on your car until you don't have it! Thank goodness for a good roommate! I'm also grateful for those times when Padre showed me how to change a tire on a car...those skills definately came in handy today! So until I get my tire fixed, my car is sporting the sweet "spare tire" look...pretty cute, I know.

I've been tagged...twice!

I've been tagged...twice...so I'm paying up with one BIG reply! Hope you're ready for this!

1. I'm currently teaching myself to write with my left hand. I practice everyday and I'm getting better! I've become quite good at signing my name left-handed, almost to the point that you can't tell if I wrote with my right or left hand!

2. I attended three high schools: El Modena in Orange, San Ramon Valley in Danville and Sehome in Bellingham. At the time I did not like the fact that we moved around, but looking back, it wasn't too bad...and it's been fun having friends from all over the place!

3. I do not like making my bed (right, mom?), but somehow when I make my bed in the morning, my day seems to go so much smoother!! I don't know what the connection is, but it always works that way! Go figure...you'd think I'd make my bed everyday...but it just doesn't always work out that way!

4. I've had 30 roommates...that's a LOT of roommates! I can say that I learned something from all of them! :)

5. I have been pulled over several times for various reasons...from not properly using my turning signal (it's supposed to blink for like 3 seconds before you changes lanes) to driving on the sidewalks at BYUI (I was just following a police officer and Danielle seemed to think it was a good idea!)...and I still have a clean driving record!

6. My favorite inside joke: "BONK!" Only a few select people really know what that means!

7. My favorite dessert: warm brownies with a good vanilla ice cream. Vanilla ice cream is my *favorite* ice cream....it goes with everything, but it's also good by itself!

8. About 5 years ago, I lived in Nauvoo for a travel study through BYU...it was one of the best decisions I've made! It was an amazing semester filled with tons of learning and fun! It's fun that my parents live close to Nauvoo now...I've made a few trips up there since they've been in the midwest. Church history has a special place in my heart!

9. My favorite concert that I've been to is a toss up between two: Goo Goo Dolls and Rascal Flatts. Last summer was the summer of concerts and it was tons o' fun!

10. I got a bus ticket when (I think it was) second grade for hurting a boy's arm that was sitting next to me. He told me I couldn't hurt him...but I showed him otherwise...

And one more for my tardiness! Actually, it's more of a confession...

11. I think it's been like two years since this happened, and hopefully I get all the facts straight. My roommate (I guess ex-roommate...she now has a boy roommate and a new last name!) Erin can be difficult to play pranks on...but we got her so good this time! We always joked around with being called on to say the prayer at a devotional at school, and one time, I'm pretty sure it was one of the Apostles coming for a devotional, we had a friend call and ask Erin if she'd say one of the prayers at that particular devotional. She said yes to the person who had called, but was still unsure about the whole thing and was sooooo nervous, so she went did some detective work and asked one of the BYUI Activities advisors, Sis. Fillmore, if she could find out who was saying the prayers. Sure enough, Erin's name wasn't on the program, but she was still disturbed at the fact that someone had called and played a little joke on her! Sorry, Erin...it was us....BONK!!!

I'm finally caught up on being tagged now...I would tag more people, but I feel like everyone has already been tagged, so I'm not going to tag anyone!

Oh...one more thing...day light savings...I'm not liking this whole getting-dark-at-6 o'clock business. I know it happens every year, but I was totally ready to go to bed at like 8:30 tonight!

Halloween Re-Cap!

Halloween 2007 came and went! I was totally hesitant about the whole dressing up thing...but it turned out to be a pretty fun day! We decided that we were dressing up for work, and I had no idea what I was going to be! My nickname at work is "Lucy" from the Peanuts cartoon because I say "good grief..." I have no idea why I say that, but I do! So I found a blue dress that worked as Lucy and a black wig...


Jac's department at work decided they were dressing up as the characters from the game/movie "Clue," so she dressed up as Mrs. Peacock...she looked amazing!


Almost all of the crazies that I work with dressed up! (Jeanna got out of it by being the "photographer"...) Left to right: me as Lucy, Brenda as Pat, Liza the Flower Power Girl and Josh as the big, bad, mean Biker Dude!


The morning Pebbles Inc. and Pebbles In My Pocket gang!


Halloween night, we went with our neighbors up to Salt Lake to a friend's "Hallapalooza Party!" Jac and I wanted a little bit of a costume change, so Jac became a Cheetah girl and I became an old lady! At the party, they gave away prizes and Matt won "Mr. Congeniality," winning a sweet purple plastic cell phone, while I won "Best Costume for girls!" I won a tiara and clip on earrings and I danced with the winner of the best costume for the boys...highly embarassing! At the end, he went to dip me and my wig totally fell off! I couldn't stop laughing! Just my luck...


The old lady and the Cheetah Girl!


Neighbors! Matt, Me and Jac


The old lady with her tiara...


Neighbors again! Me as the old lady, Matt as a Janitor/Ghost Buster/whatever you want him to be, Jac the Cheetah Girl and Jon as a men's bathroom stall!


Happy Halloween 2007!

Another Wedding!

My goodness! Things have been crazy busy the last few weeks! This last weekend, my cousin Nick got married, and so Katie, Joe and I took a quick little trip down to Farmington, New Mexico for the occasion! We met up with Madre and Padre on Saturday and had fun spending time with them! Nick met his wife, Heather, in Pennsylvania and she has a five year old daughter, Karisma, who is super cute! The following pics are from our little excursion!

Are we there yet?! I took a turn in the back seat while Joe drove...he's an expert driver when it comes to being cautious of deer!


Katie and me working hard at getting the luncheon all set up!


The Fab Three: Joe, me and Katie


After the luncheon, we had a few minutes to run over to the mall, and I couldn't pass this hat up! Mom and Dad both said it looked like a lampshade...don't worry...I didn't buy it!


Back to setting up for the reception! Katie is an amazing setter-upper of the chocolate fountain! She has the magic touch!


Not many people know this side of my dad...he's so cute!


Karisma on her best behavior!


Joe sporting his new brown shoes with his black suit...only Joe can pull that one off!


The girls...it was soo bright!


Katie and Ellie the dog...poor Ellie got stuck in the car all day long! Katie's face is *precious!*


The cake...which was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! The best layer was the poppyseed cake with orange marmelade in the middle...sound interesting? It's good!


The happy couple! Nick and Heather!


Sorry Mom, I think you're cute in this picture...it's your "You're kidding" face...classic! Love you!


Me with the boys...Rob (Rachel's husband) and Joe!


I think the next five pics are too funny...Karisma really got into the whole decorating of the car...she thought it was pretty funny to get their car dirty! She didn't really understand why people were wasting Oreos and wanted to eat all of them!






The Bowermans and Taylors...Joe, Katie, Me, Mom, Dad, Rebecca, Todd, Rachel, Rob and Emily!


Katie and I finally stopped at the Hole N''The Rock! Katie and I have driven by this place like four times in the past couple years and we always want to stop, and this time we weren't in a hurry to get back, so we stopped! We were always so confused as to where the hole was, but it turns out that the hole is just the part of the rock that a family converted into a house and lived there for several years...not quite as dramatic as we thought it'd be...but we can say now that we've been there! You can kind of see us pointing to the big "HOLE N''THE ROCK!"





Happy early Halloween! We're all dressing up for work tomorrow...I have a couple costume options, so we'll see what I feel like putting on when I get up in the morning! I will for sure post pictures!