Canyon's Home....Yippity Skippity!

Canyon arrived home Monday afternoon and our whole family was over the moon to see her little face. HB told us all that in honor of her arrival home we were having her favorite meal.....bananas.

I can not believe how much I missed this little stink. Here are some pics for all to enjoy.

Enchanted-I really was

This movie started out just like any other great Disney movie. In animated form with the hero and heroine about to meet. At this point I thought I was in so much trouble because I had dragged my father to this and I had visions of him poking his eye out.

But from the moment it went live action it in every way lived up to it's name. Enchanted indeed.

Amy Adams was so sincere in a role that just made me want to be nicer to everyone. The comedy was spot on. When she sings for some animal friends to come and help her in real life the only ones available in New York City are vermin. They do in fact heed her call and it makes for a very funny part in the movie. The movie just felt so sincere. I loved every minute from start to finish. I say run don't walk to partake of this lovely movie. I would definitely add it to my collection and plan on seeing it again this very week!

'Tis The (Movie) Season

One of my favorite things about the Holiday season is the opportunity it affords to catch up on movie watching.

I kicked off the season a bit early by going to see "Dan In Real Life". Kathy, Devry, Mallory, Lexi and I went off to the Wynnsong and partook. I really liked this show it was funny and sweet and sad all at the same time.

Thanksgiving Day the Utah Arnett clan is planning on hitting up this little gem.

If you haven't seen the previews I suggest you check it out immediately. It looks like such good fun and I can't wait!

Here is an excerpt of the conversation just had by HB and myself in regards to the above:

HB: This movie has been out for a long time. Isn't it at the dollars? Ella Enchanted.

Me: No Dad it's not Ella Enchanted it's just Enchanted.

HB: What time? 7:30? I can't go, ASU and USC are playing. Do I have to buy Lexi a ticket?

Me: Dad Mom will want to go and I'll buy Lex a ticket

HB: Hmmm someone may need to come and pick up your mom.

Me: Just buy the tickets.

I love the Holidays! I seriously do!

Thanksgiving The New Fashioned Way

Thanksgiving for our family this year will be quite small and intimate. Only 10 of us. Penee decided that maybe we should forgo the usual homemade fare in favor of someone else doing all the work. So we threw out some ideas; Provo Marriott, Mimi's (Lexi and My choices), Chuck-a-rama (HB's choice). Well we made our reservation last week at Mimi's. Hooray, now Lexi is not going through with her threatened boycott and is celebrating with us.

Here is what we will be having:

Holiday Turkey Dinner

• Corn Chowder, French Market Onion Soup or Chicken Gumbo
• Caesar Salad or Chilled Green Salad
• Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast or Tender Dark Meat
• Cornbread Stuffing with Celery, Onion & Sage
• Homemade Mashed Potatoes
• hipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar & Spice
• Fresh Steamed Vegetables
• Cranberry Relish
• Fresh Baked Carrot Raisin Nut Bread
• Warm Baguette
• Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream, Rich Chocolate Mousse Pie or Mimis Bread Pudding

Random side notes- Going to a restaurant ended up being very fortuitous. Penee spent the weekend in the emergency room with Kidney stones and who knows when they will pass. The last thing my dear mother needs is to be worried about a Thanksgiving dinner.

Random side note 2- As we were a little late to the reservation party, our official reservation is at 10:30. I figure we won't actually be eating until around 11:15. Still a little Thanksgiving brunch never hurt anyone....right?

Feeling the Love

Within the last month I have committed to going to a Singles Ward. Up until this point I just didn't feel like I quite belonged there (translation: wasn't ready). Within the last few weeks not only have I been attending, but turns out I'm really starting to enjoy it. I met with the Bishop to renew my temple recommend and had a very lovely conversation with him in the process.

The week I got a calling on Sunday and went Visiting Teaching yesterday. I have to be honest that at times Visiting Teaching has felt like a chore. After doing Visiting Teaching last night I have to say that I truly feel very blessed. My Visiting Teaching partner is truly delightful. We spent the whole night talking and laughing. The girls we visit were so enthusiastic and I felt uplifted and refreshed for having gone and done it. I guess just overall I'm really feeling the love and I'm truly grateful.

Celine-the greatest singer in the world

Today I'm listening to "Taking Chances", verdict....... loving it!

This Weekend

This weekend I had the distinct pleasure of attending Wendy Allen's baby shower. She and Justin
are having a baby girl here in a month or so. Connie, her girls and Daughter-in-law all made some delicious Danish pancakes, bacon and sausage for the party. See how happy Kristen (the Daughter-in-law) and I look both to be there and to partake of the deliciousness?

After the fun party I went to check out a few Condos. For those of you who don't know I'm thinking about buying a place. Just something very modest, but it's still very scary!

Also Canyon Rose leaves today to go up to Idaho to be with her Hardman Grandparents and her own parents. Because we probably won't get to see her until maybe Christmas I took some photos of the mischievous little imp.

Here she is performing her favorite activity, rifling through my purse (she knows I always have gum).

Here's a cute one of her and aunt Lex.

Happy Monday everyone!!

Pics at Gardner Village

Yesterday turned out to be the perfect day for some Gardner Village fun. The weather was perfect and so was the company. Kathy, Devry, Jaxson, Penee, Canyon and I all loaded up in the Pacifica and headed out around 10:00. We headed straight for the Christmas Shoppe and all decided that if that was the only store visited the trip would still have been well worth it.

Penee and I found this delightful collection of whimsical reindeer called the dash away collection. I might have bought Penee one of these delights but which one is a secret and I will leave it for another post after the gift has been given.

We ate at delish Archibald's and of course hit up the candy store, Sweet Afton's. Here are a few pics from our day.Lindsay and Canyon enjoying the fine weather.

Kathy and Jax loving the ducks.

Gardner Village

The past couple of weeks have been a bit stressful. In order to destress and decompress I am taking tomorrow off. I'm hoping to sample some of the delights that can be found at Gardner Village. Click here for a list of their shops. Don't the names alone make you want to visit?

I'm most specially interested in The Village Christmas Shoppe and their yummy restaurant Archibald's. Let's all go! Want to come?

Random P.S. -Special thank you goes to the webmaster at Gardner Village who understands that it is in fact still fall, and does not feel rushed to skip right past Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone had as much fun on their Halloween as we did here. Here are some picture highlights.

Cutest of All the Little Pigs- Canyon Rose

A Super Superman- Joseph

Rah, Rah Sis Boom Bah- Sadie Rosie

Shepherd Family- Danny, Jaxson, Stacey