New Year's Eve

We went low key for New Year's Eve this year. Stu and I got together with Hyrum and Emily for a night of good eating and playing games.

To make this New Year's special we decided to get dressed up to go out to dinner. Dinner was at Tokyo Sushi where we ate ourselves to death. The great thing about sushi is that you never have that "I am going to pop" feeling since it is so light.

After dinner we went to Emily's house to play games. We ended up playing Scene It till 1:30AM. We stopped playing for the traditional ball drop of course.

Overall we had a great night.

Christmas Time!!

I love Christmas. As I get older I think I love all the excitement building up to it more then the actual day, but love getting presents.

This year with Stu's surgery we were not sure how much traveling we would be doing, but Christmas fell 2 days after his surgery and everyday was better than the previous day and he felt ready to get out and see family.

We decided to hold our own Christmas at our house before heading off to see our parents. We got up around 7:30AM and started opening presents. I was excited to give Stu all his gifts. Since I had bought all my gifts the excitement of opening my own gifts was not as much fun. Stu and I traded off opening gifts. He got a lot of what he asked for. Video games, UofU stuff and movies. I got my Sex and City seasons and a glue gun. Even Blue got a toy for Christmas. Right before we were done opening gifts and getting ready for the stockings Stu told me to go look under the end table for 'something' hidden there. I went over there and there was a small box for me from Blue and Stu. I sat down and opened it up and much to my surprise there was a camera inside. I had wanted a camera so bad but knew we didn't have the money-plus we had a camera that worked just fine. But my cute husband listened and got me one anyways. I was so excited! In my stocking was all the accessories for it. No wonder he made me wait to open my stocking gifts. He also wrapped them over and over so I would not try and peek (He knows me too well)

Sarah opening up her camera

Blue playing with his Christmas toy

Stu opening gifts. Blue wishing they were for him ;)

After we got our Christmas done we headed to my parents house. Everyone but my mom was sleeping so we got them all up and opened gifts. We were spoiled at my parents house. Stu got more video games to play and I got some scrapbooking organizers. I got my Paris postcards professional framed (I have been waiting years for this) and Stu got a gaming ottoman. Blue even got Scooby Snacks.

Stu opening up his gaming ottoman. Now we can 'hide' all the games and our entertainment center will not be so cluttered.

Sarah with her Paris postcards. They are finally framed!!

After Stu took a nap at my parents house we headed to the Reeder house for presents. We were sad to know that everyone already opened their gifts and Stu and I were the only ones left to open gifts. Again we were spoiled. I got my much needed tank tops and some really cute gloves. Stu got another game (do you see a pattern here??) and a really nice puffy vest. We stayed for Christmas dinner and had some yummy food.

Sarah opening her gift from Melissa. Melissa put together a poem and pictures of me to hang in our room.

Stu and another video game. I think he will be good for awhile

Our Christmas was awesome! We are so blessed to have so much, I wish we were made of money so we could give more. I think giving is WAY more fun than receiving. Some day we will be in a position where we can give a lot more and see the smiles that always follow.

Stu's Gallbladder

Stu's gallbladder removal surgery was a success. We had to be to the hospital by 7AM on Tuesday to check in. Since Stu's surgery was going to be at the UofU hospital and I work there, I asked him if he would mind if I worked while he was in surgery. I might as well get some things done while he is under the knife. The surgery went well and there were zero complications. The worst part (for me) was waiting for Stu to feel good enough to go home. There was a snow storm coming and going all day and I wanted to get him home during the 'going' stage. We finally left the hospital around 1:30PM. Another difficult part was driving really carefully so I would not hit any bumps in the road. This turned out to be harder than I thought. You don't realize that the road you always drive is full of pot holes, till you are trying so hard not to hit them. We finally made it home just in time for Stu to loose whatever he had left in his stomach. We got him to bed and he slept the rest of the day.

On a more upbeat note: Karly Stu's sister got engaged yesterday the 23rd. It was quite the party at our house. Stu's mom and dad came out to see Stu and Karly and Mike came over to show off her ring. Everyone was in our room sitting on our bed (good thing we have a king). We are so excited for Karly and Mike

*The picture above is to illustrate just how small the gallbladder is compared to the liver. The gallbladder is really more of an 'accessory' that aids the liver in the moving of the bile- so not really a critical piece. Stu is grateful it is gone, although he wanted to keep the stone to make a necklace for me. Thankfully he forgot to ask the doctor before surgery and the stone was sent off with the gallbladder.

Christmas Tag!

1. Wrapping Paper of Gift Bags? Gift Bags all the way. I HATE wrapping gifts. They are pretty to look at, but they just get ripped open and discarded. Bags you can re-use.
2. Real Tree or Artificial? I love the smell of real trees, but artificial are a less of a fire hazard.
3. When do you put up the tree? This year the day after Thanksgiving. I am a firm believer to give Thanksgiving its time and then you can start on Christmas celebrations.
4. When do you take the tree down? Soon after Christmas-definitely before the New Year.
5. Do you like eggnog? NO WAY! Too thick and it has a funny taste
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sweet Valley Twins series books
7. Hardest Person to buy for? My mother. When I ask her what she wants "I don't know". How do I buy "I don't know???"
8. Easiest Person to Buy For? Anyone that gives me a list
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I do, I have my eye on one that is about $300 for the whole set...someday maybe
10. Mail or Email Christmas Cards? It is way more fun to mail. I LOVE getting mail, especially at Christmas
11. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Honesty...I can't remember
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation and White Christmas. My family watches White Christmas every year on Christmas Eve
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Present? I don't think so...
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything...that is the problem
16. Lights on the tree? Of course. I love the tree's with lights already on them so you don't have to worry about stringing them up each year.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? I love all the Christmas Songs
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Our family is close by so we only have to travel 10 min to spend Christmas with them
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? You know Dasher, and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitson and Rudolph??? Now I can't remember the song since U2 is being played in the back ground...dang it.
20. Angel on the tree top or a Star? Star! Its my favorite shape
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When I lived at home we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve, now that it is just Stu and I...we wait for Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Parking
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? I love all colors and ornaments-the colorful ones ;-)
24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? Anything
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Since I bought all my gifts this year I am excited to get my Sex and the City series.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Anyone
27. Who do you tag? Alison, Michelle, Sunny. And anyone that wants to! (Most people tell me they don't like tags...well ba humbug to that statement ;-) )

9th Annual Marshall Christmas Party

Every December since my best friend Kristie got married to her husband Sean, we have put on a Christmas Party. This year was the first year I took pictures at the party. Unfortunately the party was held on a day when a big snow storm came in. We were worried not a lot of people would be able to come, but as it turned out...a lot came. This year the party was a little more lay back. It was the 1st year we had the party in the Marshall's new house so we were all able to be in the same room. (At the Marshall's old house the kitchen was upstairs and the guest usually hung out downstairs). We decided the food would just be soups and everyone brought desserts. We held the annual $5.00 pass around gift exchange and of course the golf game. This years winner won an iPod Nano. After the golf game everyone had their name put into a hat for the remaining prizes. Stu won the Star Wars trilogy and I got a 20 lbs (okay maybe not that big) bag of Mike N Ikes. Over all this years party was a huge success.

Good fun, good food, good friends

Some of the gang

Friends at the party, having a good time

Cute Michelle Harden before her golf putting round

Sarah getting ready to putt

Aaron Emrazian was the golf winner

Kristie and Sarah

Virginia

We are back from our Virginia trip. A lot of people have asked me "What's in Virginia". "Family" I tell them. "Family????" Yes family. About 4 years ago I had a business trip to Virginia and on route I met Ron, Nancy and Randy Rodgers. I begain asking the Rodger family about the state and where I would be traveling that night. It was strongly recommend that I do not travel that night to Lexington since the area was through a switch back road through the mountains that were full of deer. So upon landing in Lynchburg VA, I went to get my rental car and... they were closed (The airport is really small) so I went to call the hotel in Lexington to move my reservation down to Lynchburg and all the hotels in town were full (due to a lot of conventions that weekend) so Nancy told me "There is always room at the Rodger house"- so I went home with them. This started my 'birth' into the Rodger house.

Stu and I had been back to see Ron and Nancy in August of 07 but with his last semster starting in 09 we knew if we didn't make it back in December on school break it would be late summer 2009 before we made it back.

December in Virginia was awesome. While it was snowing in Salt Lake we had about 50's everyday except for one. Stu and I were able to see Appomattox (the place where the treaty to end the Civil War took place) and go to a Christmas Program at a Baptist Church. Ron and Nancy took us to their house on the Greenbrier Estate in West Virginia. The Greenbrier has so much history. It was a beautiful hotel both inside and out and the Rodgers house was equally as beautiful. Ron and Nancy took Stu and I to many wonderful restaurants and spoiled us rotten. We were grateful they let us make them dinner one night. :) We were also blessed to get to know Lana more. Lana is Ron and Nancy only daughter. While at the Greenbrier we got to take a ride on a horse drawn carriage, tour the bunkers, go bowling in the private bowling alley, have tea during the daily "high tea" in the grand ball room, and eat a ton of good food.

Stu and Sarah in front of the McLean House where the treaty was signed to end the Civil War

Inside the McLean house- the parlor where the treaty was signed

Nancy, Sarah, Stu and Sheila at the Baptist Christmas concert

The front of the Greenbrier hotel. Isn't it beautiful??

Poinsettia trees are a signature tree during Christmas. Picture was taken in the front lobby at the Greenbrier hotel

Don't you love the colors?? Hot pink and black. Most places were hot pink and neon green

Stu and Sarah in the grand ballroom

Lana, Sarah and Stu after we went bowling

West Virginia- picture taken from the Rodgers front porch

Sarah, Stu, Nancy, Ron and Randy at the Boonsboro Country Club

Sarah with the Rodger dogs, I am holding Lucy, Baron is the brown Australia Sheepdog, and Maggie is the black dog

Quick Update on the Reeder's

Here is a quick update:

Stu has completed finals and passed all his classes. I finally get to see my husband! YEAH. To celebrate we are leaving tomorrow (December 11th) for Virginia. I have 'family' out there that adopted me a few years ago, so we are going to spend a week with them. We are really excited because we get to tour through some Civil War battle grounds and visit their house on the Greenbrier estate located in West Virginia. Blue is spending the week with Grandma and Grandpa Reeder and Aunt Karly. Should be an adventure for him

My sister in law (Karly) is getting married on May 15th to a really nice guy name Mike that just got back from him mission in Ireland. They are really cute and we are so happy for them.

Stu needs to have his gallbladder removed. He will be having that done over the Christmas break so he will be ready for his last semester at school. This means the removal will take place on December 23rd-- so Merry Christmas to the Reeders.

Just a few things that are happening. We will post again when we get back on the 19th!

Black Friday

Okay so I am not as crazy as some Black Friday shoppers. I don't camp out for a deal, I am not even the 1st person in line. I show up when the stores open and pray for the best. This year my mom and I decided 5 am for Smith's Market Place would be where we started. We showed up and the line was quite long. Luckily we only had to wait in the cold for about 5-7 min and the doors opened and the people started to file in. 1st order of business was electronics. I wanted to get the new Music game for Wii. Electronics are ALWAYS crazy and this year was no exception. I weeded in and out of people to the Wii games and saw the game I wanted. There were only 3 left so I did the lean over as far as you can even if that means leaning on someone to get the 2nd to last game. WHEW...
As I was heading to the board games (buy one get one free) I saw a movie I wanted to get...$6.50 was all it was so I picked it up. Now this year my mom and I decided to forgo pushing carts and baskets so we brought our grocery re-usable bags- much easier to carry so I added the movie to my bag. To save you all the details, when I checked out (with quite a lot of stuff I might add) I didn't realize that movie fell under the ads I had in my bag, so when I beeped when I walked through the electronic device at the exit, no one came to see why so we walked out. It was not till about 10 min later while my mom was getting gas at the Smith's that I realized I had beeped because of that movie. I had stolen a movie. I felt terrible. I told my mom what happened, ran back to the store so I could buy it. I picked up another movie so I could use the $4 off coupon and left with not only my stolen movie but another one I wanted (Stu can give it to me for Christmas) and off we went.
Next place we stopped at was Target. It was also crazy because a good majority of their movies were ranging from $3.99-$5.99 so my mom and I stocked up. Much to my dismay, the movie I bought at Smith's was on sale for $8.98 at Target so I bought it thinking I could take the 1st one back to Smith's and get a refund (which I did).
Shopping was great today. I was up at 4AM and got a deal on almost everything I bought. I usually end up buying stuff for me (all those great deals) but this year I actually got presents for other people.
I spent the rest of my day cleaning my house and organizing everything to make way for all the new presents we would be getting for Christmas. I love Black Friday!

Turkey Day

Stu and I spent Thanksgiving with my family this year. Surprisingly my mother wanted to cook. I know that sounds funny but my mom is a nurse and when I was growing up she always worked Thanksgiving so most Thanksgivings were spent at the hospital cafeteria or on the rare occasion she didn't work we would go to Denny's or some place like that so she would not have to cook. Well this year, she wanted to cook. Personally I am cool with someone else cooking like Denny's, etc. Because if I am not cooking then I have to help with the after dinner dishes, but it was important to my mom so Stu and I tried to stay positive about it.

Stu had to work for from 8-12 on Thanksgiving and I was put in charge of making the rolls. For those that don't know me very well, I don't cook. So I thought, "rolls...this should be easy" wishful thinking. My rolls came out flat as pancakes. They were nice and round while they were baking, and the heat just flatten them right out. I should have used Rhodes rolls then I would not have had this problem, but whatever. Stu got home, we took out the hot flat rolls, loaded up Blue and headed to the parents house to drop them all off.

Family tradition in my house is that we see a movie on Thanksgiving. This year I chose "Four Christmases" because it looked funny. I hated the whole movie. Stu like it but I hated it. I was so embrassed by the content of the movie. Everything was sexual bases, and I am there with my family, it was terrible. After the movie we headed home for dinner. To pass the time while the turkey finished cooking we played the new Guitar World Tour for XBox 360. It was way fun, a lot of cool songs!

After dinner was cleaned up the ads came out. Yes...my mom are Black Friday shoppers. We found some places we wanted to go to and started to make the list. To be continued on the next post...

The family after our Thanksgiving movie

12-0 The perfect season

Utah vs BYU Rival Game

November 21st, 2008 4:00 PM

So this was my first Rival Game at Rice-Eccles Stadium and I was really looking forward to it. Since I had seen the movie Twilight again early that day, we were running really close to missing kick off. It seems like every time I go to the football games we miss kick off. When we arrived and realized that kick off still had not happened we quickly hurried to our seats. As we were climbing the stairs to our seats, Stu pointed out the 4 jets flying overhead (which was really awesome) and it made me really excited to be at the game.

The game got underway, and I know that almost everyone reading this watched the game so I will not bore you with the details. But it was close- at one point BYU and Utah were tied, but Utah pulled way and won 48-24. Of course the stadium exploded. Good thing it was not close or else I might have peed my pants for sure. I can now say that I have experienced a rival game and I do not need to go again. I have heard that those brave souls (BYU fans) that come the the Utes house are paying for some ridicule. Okay that's fine it comes with rival games I guess, but when it gets down right rude, that is uncalled for. We had 2 BYU fans sitting a few seats in front of us and some Utah fans (drunk fans) sitting behind us were throwing stuff and saying some really terrible things to these fans. Stu stepped up and turned around telling the Ute fans that was not cool. Then they turned on Stu calling him a disloyal fan. Then when I glared at them I was called a 'Beach' (insert the correct swear word here). OH..I was so embarrassed to be a Ute fan with fans like that, treating others so callously. The girl next to Stu and I left to get some food (we thought) but she went to get security to calm down those guys and it did help. But those BYU fans still left at half time. I was ashamed to be a Ute fan I must say. So...1st and last rival game for me.

The final score

Ashley and Sarah at the game

The fans rushing the field when Utah won

"And the Lion feel in love with the Lamb"-Edward Cullen

Twilight premiere!!

Tonight at 11:59PM- me along with a billion other screaming women will get to see the premiere of the movie Twilight.

Our tickets had been purchased for about a month. The shirts arrived in plenty of time and the weather outside was beautiful (not that the weather mattered much but still I wanted to make that note). With the movie starting at 11:59 PM Liz and I decided to get our group together at 9:30 PM for some appetizers and some pre-twilight bonding time. We met at the Sky box; 10 women and 2 guys in a room FULL of guys watching sports. Good times. After our appetizers were devoured, we headed to the movie theatre. Inside the theatre it was INSANE. I have never seen so many people in one place to see the same movie. Of course everywhere you turned you ran into a Twilight fan and even on occasion you would seen one lone man with his Twilight girl looking for the nearest exit. Stu wasn't looking for the exit, he was looking for the nearest couch to catch some shut eye before the movie.

We arrived with about 45 min before the start of the movie so we did what girls do best, take pictures. Here are a few shots of the night:

Liz, Mom Royall, Sarah & Leah in their Twilight shirts

Twilight Girls: Liz, Sarah and Leah

Leah, Sarah, Stu, Trevor & Karly

Now the report: (No spoilers included)

Overall I liked the movie. It is hard to cramp a 500 page book into 2 hours and I did leave wanting more. With that being said, I think the movie was well done for the budget, time constraint and weather problems they faced through out all of filming. I liked it so much that I will be seeing it again on Saturday with some other friends that did not get to see it at midnight. I think the movie is worth seeing to anyone that loves the books. Just keep in mind, 500 pages into 2 hours, some things had to be adapted or deleted. A side note, when we got of the movie around 2:30AM the movie theatre was still packed. I forgot there was a 2:45AM showing. Now those fans are INSANE.

And my favorite shirt I saw tonight:

"Twilight Girls are HOT!!!" You know it!!

Into The Woods

Tonight Stu took a break from studying and we went to the theatre. We were able to enjoy the play "Into the Woods" at our local Hale Theatre. We were joined by my mom, sister Leah, brother Cannon and our long time neighbor Christen Hunwick. The play was quite funny. It is a spoof on Fairy Tales and the main character we came to see was the witch played by the oh so talented Erin Royall Carlson. Erin did a FABULOUS job playing the witch. She had humor, singing and seriousness all mixed up into one. Over all we had a grand time at the theatre!

Sarah and Stu
Leah, Christen, Cannon and Mom
Sarah, Erin and Stu

Twilight

Ladies and Gentleman-I am not obsessed by Twilight. More like excited. Just because I am seeing the long awaited movie at midnight the day it opens and again on Saturday the 22nd does not mean that I am obsessed. Just because I bought a shirt to wear to the premiere does not make me obsessed by this book/movie and just because I have posted a count down to the movie does not make me obsessed. I just wanted to clarify that straight up.

Excitement: 1 week from today a bunch of crazy girls ranging from 10-65 and two boys (yes Stu and his brother are coming because they both LOVED the books) will be staying up late to watch the movie Twilight. If you have not read the books you should-Its all about the vampires.

Black out

Utah vs. TCU-Black out game

Stu and Josh

Today #8 Utah hosted #12 TCU at home. The game was an evening game. I had given my ticket to one of Stu's best friends Josh. I knew that Josh would appreciate the game more than I and besides I had tickets with my mom to see Jekyll & Hyde at the local community theatre.

Lets start with Jekyll & Hyde. AWESOME! I can't wait to see it on a professional stage. The music and story was beautiful. I found myself falling in love with the characters. All the main characters has the most beautiful voices and they made the cast. If you get a chance-this play is a must see.

Lets finish with the Utah / TCU game. As I mentioned it was a black out game. The Utes unveiled their new black jersey's. Most of the time a Ute fan would wear red since red is the primary color. However, the University of Utah colors are actually white, red and black. So the fans showed their support by all wearing black.As told by Stu-
The game was very emotional. Neither TCU or Utah seemed to be able to pull ahead. Defense dominated the game on both sides. But the real winners came out on top. The evening started out cold and TCU had the 1st score of the game with a field goal. The mood lightened somewhat after the first score but the fans continued to energize the team. By half time Utah was 3 and TCU had earned a touchdown earning a total of 10 points. In the third quarter Utah posted another field goal which brought the score to 6-10 which led most of the Ute fans to think that winning would be cold day in hell. But it seemed to get colder with about 2 minutes left in the game. TCU botched 2 field goals and Utah ended up scoring a touchdown which meant it really WAS a cold day in hell :) TCU tried to stayed in stay in the game, but Utah intercepted the ball which ultimately meant the game was over. Cold but over enthusiastic fans rushed the field to congratulate the team with the games end. Utah won 13-10 making Utah the outright Western Conference Champions (Yep thats right BYU fans...OUTRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

The final score

The fans rushing the field

The final moments of the game..

R-R-R Matey

The pumpkin we (Stu) carved on Sunday was starting to look really sad and droopy, so Stu decided to carve another pumpkin just in time for Halloween. We call him R-R-R-Matey. Looks pretty cool huh?

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Today Stu is 26!!! I wanted this day to be extra special because he turned 26 on the 26th. I think over all the day was good.

We woke up and went to church. It was the primary program and of course the kids are adorable so the program was a hit. We then headed over to Doug and Tiffany's for the annual pumpkin carving party. Luckily the weather was nice (last year it rained). Stu was our master carver and carved the SCREAM mask.

Stu, Kyrie and Josh carving their pumpkins

The Reeder Pumpkin. Don't SCREAM!!!

After pumpkin carving we headed up to Stu's parents house for Stu and Melissa's birthday dinner (Melissa Stu's younger sister's birthday is 3 days before Stu's). We had a yummy dinner and sang "Happy Birthday" to both Stu and Melissa and then Stu's opened his presents. All Stu wanted for his birthday was a flat screen TV. Since he 'really didn't want anything else' buying gifts for him were hard. But overall I think he made out well with all the gifts he got.

Stu asked for a 12 pack of Mountain Dew. He got a 36 pack instead

Stu and Sarah celebrating his birthday

26 things you (may) know and love about Stu:

1. Stu is a Scorpio

2. Stu is the oldest of 4 kids

3. Stu has 1 brother and 2 sisters

4. Stu loves to mountain climb

5. Stu has climbed Mount Reiner in Washington (an active volcano)

6. Stu wrestled in Junior High

7. Stu loves to tease

8. Stu always knew what he wanted to be when he grew up and he is still working on that goal

9. Stu has excellent work ethic and works so hard for our family

10. Stu favorite color is blue

11. Stu is a huge University of Utah fan

12. Stu was a 'woops' baby (thank goodness he was)

13. Stu was engaged once before but never got married

14. Stu has been skiing since he was 3

15. Stu loves the Denver Broncos

16. Stu is an awesome cook (he gets that from his mom)

17. Stu is a freak about germs (funny since he works in the medical field)

18. Stu loves the History Channel or anything that he can learn something new about

19. Stu built his own computer (he is a wiz at electronics)

20. Stu loves video games and action movies

21. Stu is a fast runner (comes in handy when he is running from the cops ;))

22. Stu is a loyal friend and would do anything for his friends

23. Stu wanted to get married in his chacos (they are like sandals)

24. Stu would love to live in the mountains and live off the land (I told him I need a mall)

25. Stu loves anything pumpkin

26. Stu is the love of my life!!