More Alex

Maybe someday I'll have one of my own instead of blogging about my nephew, Alex. Until then, smiley Alex will have to do. He may be wearing blue, but this kid is a Utes fan (his jacket is red, I swear!)

Additional Twilight Pic I Stole From Joy's Blog

My shirt says "Cold Hands Are Hot" if you are having trouble reading it. Dang, we're hot!!

Tired, so tired.

Really cheesy vampire books apparenly make really cheesy vampire movies.

At least I got to hang out with my awesome sister.And all these people.

So while I'm sleeping off my Twilight hangover, Collin is spending the day outside painting the shed.

So Sad.

I bought this coat online last week: I was just informed that it was BACKORDERED!

Don't they know it's COLD outside...

and that I need it now?!?!?

My Dog is Still Fat. And Grumpy.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... Brady?

While flipping through Collin's pictures of the Scout trip last weekend, I came across this one and couldn't quite wrap my head around what was going on. Did Malachi fall? Is Brady flying to his rescue? Wait, Brady can fly?

Then I realized it was taken sideways. Shawnee may beg to differ, but alas, Brady is not SuperMan. Would have been a lot cooler if he was, though...

Painting My Nails Red

I painted my fingernails red the other day. Now every time I look at them I think of the lyrics from Alice In Wonderland "We're painting the roses red."

A Familiar Sight

Collin doing homework on his laptop.

How is it possible...

that I was able to find food that expired BEFORE we moved into this house lurking in the back of my pantry?

On an unrelated note, does anyone want some tuna that may or may not have expired in Jun 2005?

On a truly unrelated note, my friend just gave me some good news that might turn into really GREAT news. Here is hoping for some really great news. Love you!

Make That 3.

So, apparently I was tagged 3 times in the last week. Sharolyn tagged me as well! These tags (shaking my head). But I love them!

I was tagged with an identical tag a few weeks ago. So this time around I am going to answer these questions about Collin (without his input).

TV Shows: (this one was made a lot easier due to the DVR tag, thanks Jenn)

Man vs. Wild

Roughin' it Outdoors

Austin City Limits

Law & Order

The Office

30 Rock

Fringe

Bones

Things that happened yesterday: (Collin works for the state so he had it off, LUCK-Y!)

Played with our dogs

Pulled some weeds

Leveled some gravel in the backyard

Went to the grocery store

Painted the backdoor jam (it was peeling)

Went to lunch with some friends he used to work with

Made some popcorn

Watched "The Son on Rambow" (GREAT independent flick, I highly recommend it)

Places he like to eat:

McGraths

Cafe Rio

Chilis

Applebees

Betos

El Matador

Subway

His mom's house

Things he is looking forward to:

Finishing his master's program

A shed (it's being built Tuesday!)

Going to Washington DC for our anniversary (yup, that is where we decided to go, neat, huh?)

Next years hunt

Owning his own fishing boat (someday...)

Fridays

Having children someday

Seeing ME everyday (at least he'd better)

Things on his wishlist:

Some new really amazing gun

Some new really amazing fishing pole

Time to just relax

Again, his own boat

A wife that had a shorter "honey do" list

A riding lawnmower

A snowblower

An iPhone

For all those who know Collin how well do you think I did?

Now I tag your husbands (yes, everyone's husband). Enough about us.

Tagged... Twice

I have been tagged by my sister, Jenn, to list in order my set recordings on my DVR. So here they are:

1 The Office
2 Grey's Anatomy
3 Bones
4 SNL
5 The X-Files
6 Prison Break
7 House
8 Austin City Limits
9 Big Game Fishing
10 Offshore Adventures
11 American Idol
12 Law & Order
13 30 Rock
14 Scrubs
15 Roughin' It Outdoors
16 Man vs. Wild
17 Psych
18 Fringe

I was also tagged by my friend, April:

*Two names I go by: Rachel, Mrs. (My last name)

*Two things I am wearing right now: Comfy socks, a jacket

*Two things I want in my life right now: My basement finished, a kid of my own

*Two things I did last night: Made cookies, laughed with Collin

*Two things I ate today: 20 pistachio nuts, cheerios

*Two of my favorite drinks: Diet Coke, milk (they cancel each other out, right?)

*My favorite thing to do with my right hand: Hold Collin's left hand

*Two favorite positions of the sun: Sunrise and Sunset

*Two favorite things to do in the fall/autumn: Decorate, Wear jackets

*My favorite article of clothing: The jacket I am wearing

*My first disappointment: The lie that is Santa

*Movie line that is always stuck in your head no matter what you do to get it out: "Luck-y!" ~Napolean Dynamite

There ya have it. What do you make of that? I tag Gretchen, (if you aren't busy having a baby), Kandace, Tara, and my non-blogging BFF, Emilie C. (get a blog already, this can be your first post!)

For all you Twilight fans:

Click on this link. It is flippin' hilarious!!

http://movies.msn.com/movies/galleryfeature/lost-twilight-script/?GT1=28127

Only 7 more days until we can all run screaming like junior high girls to the theater wearing t-shirts that say "cold hands are hot" or "Team Edward" or, my personal fave, "real men sparkle" while our husbands stay home (most likely asleep because come on, 12:00 am is sort of the middle of the night) wearing t-shirts that say "Stupid Addictive Vampire Books." But who cares about them when we have this (see below) to look forward to?

What will your t-shirt say? What scene (or scenes) are you most looking forward to seeing recreated?

Traveling Girl

Your Travel Personality Is: Easygoing

When you travel, you're looking for a lot of downtime. Vacations are your chance to recoup. All you need is a scenic spot and plenty of time on your hands. You'll figure out the rest. You're not one to make lots of plans when you travel. You just follow whatever path seems right.

What's" Your Travel Personality?

Yeah, that seems about right. What are you?

Stare Hard

While scrolling through my pics trying to think of something to blog about I came across this one. I'm not really sure why I would have taken this pic. She isn't doing anything other than staring at me. Maybe that's why I took it. Stare on, Marley, stare on...

Time and All Eternity Is the Best!

Collin and I are about to celebrate our 6th year anniversary this January but can't decide on what to do. We kind of want to fly somewhere but don't want to spend a whole lot of $$. Any ideas?

Thanksgiving Already? Are you Serious? Hide, Turkey, Hide!

Yep, it's almost Thanksgiving, And not long after that, Christmas. I love this time of year. It just seems to come faster and faster, though. One minute I'm cleaning up after the 4th of July and the next I'm being assigned what to bring for Thanksgiving (rolls and a vegetable dish).

Probably the Last Fish, Too

This picture is from last summer. It is the first fish I ever caught. Actually, it is the second fish I ever caught. Collin didn't realize that the first fish I caught that day was THE first fish I EVER caught and threw it in the water before I could hold it up proudly. Oh well. I don't like fishing anyway. Whenver I go "fishing" with Collin I might as well say I am going "reading" because I never fish. I remember after Collin took this picture he said he was so proud of me in my Cabela's t-shirt and a Sportsman's Wharehouse hat while holding a fish I caught.

Something Like That

It is National Blog Posting Month. The goal of this is to blog every day of the month. I am going to try and do just that (even though I missed the 1st). Won't you join me for the rest of the month? We'll get to know each other SO well. Let's see how fast my creativity runs out (like it did today, because I can't think of anything else to blog about.)

NONSENSE!

This post is inspired by my quirky friend Jessica's post. Leave a comment on this blog with just the word you are asked to type for verification. That's all, just the crazy, messed up, nonsense word you are asked to type.

Lazy Dogs

The election is over... but for some reason...
I don't think these guys even cared.

They both love this bed but won't sleep in it together. So they take turns. Silly dogs.

Congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama

Um, Not Fair

Collin waited until the last minute to vote. I went with him to keep him company thinking that he would have to wait in line AT LEAST as long as I did when I voted early last week.

He was in and out in under 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES!!! So not fair.

Today is the Day!

VOTER PAMPHLET

I've never been this involved or excited about an election! Don't forget to vote!

Remember:

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.

[T]here never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.

-Susan B. Anthony.

Rachel and Alex Photo Shoot

My sister, Jenn, and nephew, Alex, came over after we went for a walk with Jen. While rolling around on the floor Jenn took some pictures of us. Even the dogs got in on the fun.

Ya just can't NOT love this baby.

Halloween

This year for Halloween we hung out with Jen and Zach. They went all out and dressed up like, um, Jen and Zach. (Way cute hat, though, right?)

Collin and me. What do you think of his magical floating teeth? Ha ha. He was eating a well placed Dum Dum.

The highlight of the evening: my sister dropped by with her pet dragon who happened to look a lot like a little baby boy I know.

A hunting they did go.

Yesterday Collin and his dad took off at 4:30 in the morning to hunt pheasants in southern Utah. Yeah, I don't understand it either. So far this fall these guys have taken on elk, fish, and now pheasants. Oh yeah, they're tough.

I Stood In Line For An Hour Today...

so that I could vote.

Violation

If your eye sight isn't quite superhuman enough to read the letter in the picture above let me sum it up for you. Apparently we were sent a notice of violations on the weeds in our backyard on September 9th (hey, they block legacy from our view) and being the horrible citizens that we are we ignored said notice (they didn't exactly say that in the letter, but I could tell by the tone of the letter that is what they meant) so they sent another notice that I found today resting on my doorstep (not in the mailbox) when I got home (figured the mailman must have put it in the wrong box). Problem is, we never got the first notice. Yeah yeah, I'll bet they hear that all the time. I tried calling (they are only open until 4) and as I listened to the recording telling me the scant few hours in which to call, I noticed something: even though the letter was in regards to our lot and had our names on it, it wasn't our address on the envelope! I felt vindicated (even if we do have weeds). So, community project anyone? Saturday, 8:00, I'll serve lemonade!

Elemente

This shop is really neat. Jen and I swung by this afternoon and perused the goods. It's a consignment shop full of really fun retro stuff. I loved it but didn't spend any money.

Things That Happened Over the Summer that I Didn't Blog About

-I read some really great books (you wouldn't know it by checking out my goodreads page. One social site at a time seems to be all I can handle. I have a neglected MySpace page out there as well).

Three Cups of Tea

The Thin Place

Brave New World

Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

Those were the good ones. I read a lot of other really not so good books. But, as the ward book group will tell you, me liking 4 books is actually quite amazing.

-I have ridden my bike or walked on the Legacy Trailway at least once a week since July (I know, it didn't open until September. We are trespassers. Arrest us.) It's a really neat trail.

-We used our trailer... twice. Sad, huh? Well, I was there to use the trailer twice. Collin took it Elk Hunting, but I don't count that. Poor trailer. Sits on the side of the house 50 weeks out of the year to be used a grand total of 2. Next year...

-I went and saw Mama Mia with my friend Emilie and really enjoyed it. That was a fun movie. Or as Emilie would say, "the best movie ever." She is so funny.
-Went to a surprise birthday party for Joy's husband, Chris, and learned that silly string should be cleaned off walls immediately.

-Conspired with Jen to get healthy. This was probably the smartest thing I did all summer.

-Fell in love with a little boy named Alexander James. Cutest baby. Love him! Love his mom (my sister)!

It was a great summer. I'd probably do it again.

Getting My Geek On

I just found out that although the recent cinematic release of a little show I LOVE called didn't do so well they are apparently up for giving it another go. So, about 3 or so years from now, I might see an X-Files worth waiting year after year for (cause the last one was an "eh"). If the next one doesn't have any aliens in it I want my money back. I really will ask for my money back. Think about it: adjust for inflation 3 years from now I'll probably be paying $12 for my ticket. Plus dinner with my fellow X-Files friend Emilie (and Sharolyn if she has moved back by then), I'll be out around $40. There had BETTER be aliens. Am I right guys, am I right?

Related note: Cannot WAIT to see the new Star Trek movie next May. I saw a preview for it and kind of sort of forgot I needed to be breathing. FYI, Collin is not this geeky. Before me he'd never even seen Star Wars. STAR WARS people! AND he thinks that Gandolf is Harry Potter's Headmaster. Tsk tsk. That boy cannot keep his science fiction/fantasy characters straight. He'd probably beleive me if I told him Cardasians stole Frodo's ring and threw it into a goblet of fire found on Tatooine. (Picture of Tatooine cause I know how how much my BFF Emilie likes pictures) ------->

I tried to throw a Twilight reference in there but couldn't think of one.

I'm Not Jackie Kennedy

My mom, sister Jenn, and nephew Alex went to lunch and then shopping today. I am not a fan of shopping but I am a fan of my mom, sister, and nephew so it was a great day. I learned something about myself, too. When I tried on this blazer at J. Crew:Jenn and Mom told me it was "too Jackie Kennedy" for me. What? "Too Jackie Kennedy?" How can something be "too Jackie Kennedy?" Why can't I wear something "too Jackie Kennedy?" I didn't get it. Literally or figuratively. I did get some really cute pants and an argyle sweater, though.

*UPDATE: So, in reaction to this post, Jenn called me and said "You're too "granola" for Jackie Kennedy." Whatever, I shave my legs.

The Results are In

Oso's Before Picture (He's just big boned!)

Oso can't help it that he's fat. He weighs 30 pounds and should weigh about 16 pounds. He was tested for Hypothyroidism and (no surprise here) it came back positive. He has to take medication and should, within a month or two, "be a different dog." I don't care, we're still going to call him Oso. Stay tuned for his "after" picture.

Gone Fishing

Collin and his dad, Gerrit, spent the day fishing. Lucky ducks. (Lucky that they got to spend the day doing something they enjoy, not the fishing part. I am not a fan of fishing). He claims they caught over 20 fish but only brought home 2 pictures as evidence. And for all I know it could be the same fish.

Collin, pointing at his fish.

Gerrit, just holding his fish.

These guys love to fish. They'd fish every day if they could. Even during winter. They are die hards. No matter how stressed they are when they go fishing they come home relaxed and happy. It's like therapy for them... only cheaper.

Don't Forget

I have a really great long term memory. I can remember obscure facts about events that happened in junior high. Not just "Hey, remember when we all had a sleepover at my house?" more like "Hey, remember that time we had a sleepover in my backyard and we made s'mores in the microwave and Joy had her cup upside down when she tried to get water from the water dispenser in the fridge and then Melissa told us that scary story about the Click Clack Man? I think my fingernail polish at the time was navy blue." True story.

But when it comes to remembering to take my lunch to work or to get Sprite at the gorcery store, I'm useless. Enter this:

It's a magnetic white board with the cutest vintage butterflies on it and a helpful little sign above it that says, as you can see, "don't forget." I love it. It's the last thing I see before I head out the door. Perfect place for grocery lists, checks to deposit, and mail to be sent.

A Semi "Seriously So Blessed" Post for Collin

While taking a "scroll" down memory lane via my blog I noticed that I rarely mention the most important person in my life. I've got posts about our family, the dogs, my friends, our kitchen, but not much about the guy I vowed to spend eternity with! Collin. I mean come on, this blog does say "Collin & Rachel" at the top, shouldn't it be about Collin & Rachel, not just Rachel? So I tagged Collin but I am going to answer the questions for him:

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your hair? Brown
3. Your skin? Manly
4. Your Mother? Selfless
5. Your favorite thing? Rachel
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? Diet Coke
8. Your dream/goal? Family
9. The room you're in? Kitchen
10. Your favorite meal? Dinner
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where you want to be in six years? Secure
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Dramatic
15. Muffins? Sure
16. One of your wish list items? Family
17. Where you grew up? Woods Cross
18. The last thing you did? Drove
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your TV? Off

11. Your pets? Dogs
22. Your computer? Laptop
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Hurried
25. Missing someone? Nope
26. Your truck? Tough
27. Something you're not wearing? Hat
28. Favorite store? Cabela’s
29. Your autumn? Hunting
30. Like someone? Lots

31. Your favorite color? Blue
32. When was the last time you laughed? A few seconds ago
33. Last time you cried? Never
He might have answered some of these a little differently, but this was my perpective. I love Collin and am really grateful for him. My life with him is closer to perfect than I ever hoped it could be.

Tagged.

Jen tagged me.
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1 Happy Sumo
2 Texas Roadhouse
3 Olive Garden
4 PF Changs
5 McGrath's
6 Chilis
7 Applebee's
8 Subway

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1 I got to work at the time I wanted to get to work. I shoot for 8 but don't usually end up sitting down at my desk until 8:30.
2 I got into a discussion on the importance of flu shots with a coworker. He thinks just because he's never had the flu or a flu shot that flu shots are a crock. Is it bad to actually want this guy to get the flu just so I can say "told ya so?"
3 While on a conference call I didn't realize I was being asked a question. I didn't get suspicious until it was really silent. My fears were confirmed when someone asked "Rachel, is your mute button on? We can't here you." Oops.
4 I waited for 30 minutes for a guy to come look at Collin's cello. He said he would be here at 4:30. He never came. Jerk, I hope he gets the flu too.
5 I got stuck in traffic on Redwood. The dogs were in the backseat barking like mad at the construction guy holding the stop sign. Gave me a horrible headache.
6 Spent $250.00 on Marley and Oso at the vet. $70.00 for routine vaccinations and a checkup, $180.00 for a thyroid test on Oso. Apparently it's not normal for a "miniature" Schnauzer to gain 5 pounds in one year. "Don't worry," they told me, "if it is his thyroid the medication isn't that expensive." They also told me the test wasn't that expensive...
7 Watched House. Well, most most of House. I have to close my eyes when they do those really gross shots of blood vessels bursting or hearts stopping. Ew.
8 Went to bed before 10. I think this may be the first time in weeks.

8 Things I Look Forward to:
1 Snow
2 Collin finishing school
3 Starting a family
4 The Office, Prison Break, The Fringe, and X-Files recording on my DVR
5 Books to come in the mail (I just got Sarah Vowell’s new book The Wordy Shipmates)
6 The election GO OBAMA!
7 Christmas
8 Losing 20 more pounds (I’ve already lost 30!)

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1 Sweaters
2 Season Premiers on TV
3 Halloween/Thanksgiving Decorations
4 Pumpkins
5 The way the heater smells
6 Allergies aren't quite as bad
7 General Conference
8 Reminds me that winter is right around the corner (I LOVE winter)

8 Things on my wish list:
1 Children
2 A finished basement (Collin has promised me it will be done in time for Christmas... we'll see)
3 Sugar free, fat free, calorie free chocolate (they can do it with butter. Have you tried "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray?" They need to get those guys working on chocolate.)
4 A Big flat screen TV (I know, it's usually the guy who wants this)
5 A finished backyard
6 Lasik (probably won't happen, I am too freaked out. But it they can figure out a way of doing it without touching my eye, I'm in)
7 Unlimited Barnes and Noble shopping spree
8 Unlimited Tai Pan shopping spree

8 People I Tag:
1 Jenn
2 Joy
3 Cori
4 Sharolyn
5 Debby
6 Linda
7 Anna
8 Tammi

Hanging Out

My mom, Joanne, and sister, Jenn, stopped by tonight while Collin and Jenn's husband, Brett, were at school. After taking a walk on the trailway behind my house, we came back and made dinner.

Jenn was kind of worried that her baby, Alex, would get cold on our walk so she bundled him up really well. Doesn't he look like Ralphie's little brother from a Christmas Story? (Totally can't wait to see that movie. It's one of my favorite parts of the whole season).

The 3 of us,trying to get into the frame. I just realized we all have the same chin.

My mom and me.

I love my mom and sister. They are two of my best friends in the world. They have always been there for me and I am so grateful I have them!

Walking In a Winter Wonder Land

Look what we woke up to! Snow! I love snow. Winter is my favorite season of them all. I've always looked forward to the first day of winter and here it is, in all it's freezing cold glory. Brrr. I kind think of winter as the season that didn't care what anybody thought about it. Summer seems to be kind of a wussy season. Other than heat it doesn't do much else. Kind of a one trick pony. Now winter, there is a season that keeps you guessing. Will it snow? And if it does will it be wet heavy snow or light fluffy snow? Will it snow like this all night or taper off and melt? The only thing I absolutely HATE about winter is driving in it. I'll take a day of driving in the summer over winter any day. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go find my scarf and mittens!

I Sure Will

A few weeks ago the church issued a letter reminding us that "[a]s citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future."

You can register in person until October 20th. Voting day is Novemeber 4th! My calender is marked. I am so excited to vote!

Collin's Elk Hunt/Rachel's Girl's Nights/Cello for Sale

Last weekend Collin and his dad went on their annual Elk Hunting trip. They left Friday and came back Wednesday. While they were gone I had a series of girl's nights. But since he took the camera, the only one to be recorded for posterity was the debate night (last post) because Joy and Em brought their cameras. The first night I went to dinner with my sister Jenn, her baby Alex, and our mom. We went to the Texas Roadhouse out in Kearns. Saturday night, while Jenn's husband was at Preisthood Session, Jenn and I loaded Alex up and went to the grocery store. I don't think I would have taken a picture of that even if I did have the camera. Monday night my wonderful mom-in-law took me to dinner and a play at Roger's Memorial. It was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Tons of fun. Although night after night of girl's nights were fun, I'm glad to have him home again.

Collin and his dad's Camp Collin's dad's elk. Collin didn't get one this year. Better luck next time!

P.S Collin is selling his cello. He bought it after he got home from his mission in 2001 thinking he would take it up again (he played in junior high on a rented cello). He has finally given up hope that he ever will. Anyway, he's listing it on KSL for $175.00 if anyone is interested.