I was TAGGED!

Ok Kristen, this is for you! I was tagged by my friend Kristen a while ago... haha So here are 6 things you might not know about me.

1. I have been playing the piano since I was 4 years old. It's weird thinking I can remember back that long, but I do. (haha ANG!) I remember seeing a man playing a black grand piano on TV and told my mom and dad I wanted to do that. I started piano lessons very soon after! I have played in competitions, and took from a private instructor in college. I'm playing a musical number for church on Dec. 23rd, and I think it's a really beautiful piece.

2. I was a Phoenix Suns ballgirl when I was 13 until I was 15. My dad helped me fill out the application, and I went down and interviewed with about 250 other kids. It was an ABSOLUTE blast! I was able to meet and rebound for many of the players including some of the greats: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordon, and MY MAIN MAN - Charles Barkley. (I was in love with him! ) Charles was SO nice to us, and so was KJ and Danny Ainge. My dad had season tickets and so he would bring me down to the Arena 2 hours before the games. I had to go to all 41 home games each season and our jobs included rebounding for the players, passing out free stuff to fans, and wiping the sweat off of the court when players would fall during the game.

3. I travelled to Jerusalem, Jordan, and Europe during a 33 day trip in college. It was the trip of a lifetime and I'm so incredibly grateful that I was able to do it. I saw the tulip fields in the Netherlands, Petra in Jordan, the Trevi Fountain in Italy, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Crown Jewels in London and much more! I will always remember that trip as long as I live.

4. I am the oldest of 5 kids and have 3 sisters and 1 brother. My family is my life. My sisters are my best friends. I don't know what I would do without them - Angela's big heart, Ashlee's sense of humor, and Annie's laugh & smile.

5. I love make-up, and love doing other people's make-up. I did my make-up for my wedding, and most of my bridesmaids'. I've done it for some of my friends weddings and Ashlee comes over often saying, "I'm going out, can you do my makeup?" haha I'm a detailed person, and I think that's part of the reason I'm fascinated by new colors and applications.

6. Here is a list of some of my favorite things! Mint chocolate chip ice cream, mexican food, Arbonne lip gloss (I have to have it on at all times!), TEETH!, home decor, looking at model homes, going to the movies, getting my hair done (thanks Chels!), Pepsi, laughing with my sisters, being with friends, milk chocolate hersheys with almonds, my red faux fur blanket - it's the warmest, being with the people I love - my family.

Ok, so now I tag 6 people. Angela, Jana, Chien, Misha, Anne, and Adrienne. You know who you are! Blog about 6 things people don't know about you, then tag 6 people. It's pretty fun learning a little more about people!

Kelly Clarkson

This is WAY over due! (Thanks Sheri!) My BFF/BFL Chelsi and I went and saw Kelly Clarkson a couple of weeks ago. She is one of my FAVORITE artists, and I think she is amazing. In my opinion, she is the best American Idol artist to win, and nobody can top her. She wrote most of the songs on her new album, and she sang a gospel song that was unbelievable!! She sounded awesome live! We had such a fun time - just us girls.

Masque Us

Last week the Ellsworth's sent Dane off to the MTC... :( Bittersweet for their family - Adrienne asked if I would stay with the girls and Grady for a couple nights just to give them peace of mind that someone else was there. Well, knowing that I'm a huge scaredy cat at night, I got Jason to come with me. (Thanks Jason, you're the best) Marisa, Audrey, and I did a masque. It's my favorite Arbonne masque. Your skin feels so soft afterward! So of course Jason HAD to take a picture of all of us. We had fun and stayed up way too late! Audrey sang to Grady every night before he went to sleep. She has such a pretty voice. I love these girls - they have a special place in my heart. And seriously M and A we have to go rollerblading soon!

My Jason...

Last week on Thurs. we had a really great enrichment night - everyone brought soups, breads, and desserts to share. It was touching listening to stories of gratitude and traditions. Well I had signed up to bring Jason's mom's famous apple crisp. I think it is to DIE FOR. So I worked all day, and came home to make it. About a month ago, I bought an apple peeler corer slicer at a Pampered Chef party but hadn't gotten it out of the box, so Jason didn't realize I had a new one. Our old one broke last year, and since then when I make apple crisp, I have to cut, slice, core, and peel by hand. So I tried to get the Pampered Chef one set up, but just couldn't get it so I just said, forget it, I'll just cut them all! Well, about 4 apples into it, Jason walks in with a Bed BAth and Beyond bag and pulls out a new apple corer peeler slicer! He looked at the one I had on the counter, and I looked at the one he had in his hand and we both started laughing! He said he had thought about me having to come home after work and cut all those apples, and thought he would be nice and get me a new one to use. What a sweet heart! He set up my Pampered Chef one in about 30 seconds, and the rest of the apples were done in about 3 minutes. So needless to say, someone will be benefiting from this neat gadget around hmmm, Christmas time?? hee hee

P.S. If you've never used one of these bad boys, it's so worth it! And the Pampered Chef one is fabulous....

Blogs - I love it!

I just had to write a quick post about how much fun blogging is! I'm officially addicted, and my most favorite part is reading other people's blogs, and looking at everyone's pictures and ideas. I am AMAZED at how beautiful, talented, and special my friends are!!! I LOVE that I can keep in contact with people that I don't get to see very often, everyday if I want. I'm finding that I try to give myself a time limit, "Ok Drea, only 30 min. this time" but like I know many of you have said, it turns into a lot longer! But, it makes me happy so oh well. I am getting so excited for the holidays and am having fun planning for Thanksgiving. Can't wait - 11 days and counting until Jason's parents arrive. I miss them so much.

SO, WHY DO YOU ENJOY BLOGGING?

Oh Will

Look at this cute little ball of fur. I was doing stuff around the house today, and it's unusual for Will not to be in the same room as me. He stalks me when I'm at home - he has to be in the same room as I am. So I called him and I couldn't find him. Finally, after calling his name a few times in our bedroom, I heard this little "hhhmm" sound coming from what I thought was the corner. Well I saw this little white paw sticking out from under Jason's side of the covers in our bed! (Notice how the bed is not made... haha) I ran to get my camera, and I guess he was so tired that he didn't move. Will's my little kitty boy and I love him even though he's a brat sometimes! He's definately part of the family!

Naughty Jason....

Jason was very naughty on Saturday. He broke my number one rule of this family..... NO SUNBURNS! Ever since I was 12 years old, and had the worst sunburn of my life at Seven Peaks in Utah, I vowed I would never get burned again! And so I pass that on to my husband as well and to our future children who will have no pigment in their skin whatsoever - but I digress. So when Jason and I were dating, he got burned a few times, and wasn't so good at putting on his sunscreen. But he has gotten so much better since I have helped him be more educated (hee hee) about the sun and the damage it can do to us pasty white people here in Arizona. The rule was set a while ago that if you get sunburned during golf, you don't golf the next week. Ever since, he has not been burned. HOWEVER.... on Saturday I came home to this adorable face. He said he didn't have his Arbonne sunscreen in his golf bag and just couldn't bare to put anything else on his face. "I couldn't put mineral oil or animal parts on my face!!" (he's a smart man!) How could you enforce the rule with that smile?? I love this boy!

Tinkerbell and the dog

Shawn found a kitty friend...

Pretty Kayla as Tinkerbell

So cute! Brother and sister on Halloween

Look daddy, I'm almost as big as you! And I'm only a year and a half old!

I love cupcakes!

Oh Bubba! There's never been a cuter puppy dog!

Pretty girl!

Look at my Tinkerbell makeup everyone...

More Halloween pictures, I know, but I had to put them on the blog. Seriously, has there ever been cuter kids??? One of Kayla's favorite movies is Peter Pan, and she can recite most of the movie, so she was a PERFECT Tinkerbell. And Shawn LOVES animals, so it was fitting for him to be a dog. I love these kids! Great job Ang on the costumes and makeup!

Alexandra the Flamingo

I think this is my favorite picture - daddy and daughter laughing!

Alex and her daddy

What a cute family!

I love the side view - you can really see the beek (is that the right spelling?)

Jenn and Jay took Alexandra to a historic farm and downtown area where they have family functions and festivities. Everyone had a great time! Even though we weren't there, it's so great to see the pictures!

A Hard Week...

Ok, so this week has been rough - since mom has been out of the hospital, she has been at home in bed for over a week now so I have still been helping out with grandma and grandpa Bates who have had a rough time lately too. We just found out that they will have to move out of their rental house soon because the people that they are renting from are going through a foreclosure and have to move back in to their rental home. What a mess!! We have moved grandma and grandpa 3 times literally in the last year - very stressful! We are praying that they can sell their house in Prescott so they can buy the rental house from the people so they can buy something else. Does this even make sense?? It is sooo late and I can't believe I'm still up, and I have to work tomorrow! I've had a little trouble sleeping lately, but am trying not to be too much of a worrier! Anyway, hopefully good times will come again soon.....

I have several things to look forward to coming up, so I'm trying to focus on that:

1. Kelly Clarkson, 20th row!! November 20th ( see picture above)

2. Seeing pictures of Kayla, Shawn, and Alexandra in their Halloween costumes... CAN'T WAIT!

3. Mom and Dad get in from Iowa November 20th - so excited!!!

4. The Holidays - my absolute favorite time of the year!

5. Going to see Wicked in LA the day after Christmas with Jason - he's officially obsessed and we both are really excited to see it!

See I already feel better. Whenever you get sad or down, just try to think of things that make you happy. It always helps me.

Alexandra at the pumpkin patch

We were so glad to get new pictures tonight of our niece in Iowa, Alexandra! Jason's sister Jenn and her husband Jay live in Des Moines and they took Alex to the pumpkin patch and an apple orchard today. We can't believe how big she looks! And that red hair is adorable! My favorite picture is the one of Jay and Alex and how they both look like they are in the the middle of a laugh! We sure do miss our family in Iowa. The last time we saw mom and dad, and Jenn, Jay, and Alex was last Christmas. We had a lot of fun, but wish we could see everyone more!!

Jenn, send more - we love to see new pictures!!!

Mom

Well today we had a scare with my mom. I worked at my dad's office today and my uncle called me and told me she had been rushed in the ambulance to the ER because she was vomiting and was so dizzy she couldn't stand up or do anything. They admitted her, and even though she couldn't put up much of a fight, she didn't want to be admitted. They are saying it's a pretty nasty case of VERTIGO, but are still running some tests. I feel bad that she is at the hospital all by herself tonight. But, my uncle and Jason gave her a blessing, and it was a neat blessing. I'm grateful for the priesthood and what a peaceful feeling it always gives me. It really helps me to feel comfort. Mom, I know you'll be ok, and I'm thinking about you tonight. I love you. I'll see you tomorrow.

Kayla & Shawn

So when we were in Vegas last weekend, I caught the cutest moment between Kayla and Shawn. Kayla was acting a little high maintenance (probably because her momma wasn't there) and so I settled her down with a snack, some yogurt. She wanted me to pull her hair back in a ponytail, so I did that, then she sat down at her little miniature table. She was so cute eating her yogurt by herself with her mini spoon, then food lover boy came over and sat right next to her and just watched her. She looked at him, then started feeding him her yogurt! It was the cutest interaction I've seen between them. So anyway, here are some pictures of the incident.

PS. The blue bear blankie thingy that Shawn has, is something that he cannot sleep without. He has to put the bear's head in his mouth to fall asleep - Angela has replaced it 3 times with new ones, because they all smell so bad.... like mildew! It's the funniest thing!

Las Vegas

After such a busy week, I'm finally writing about our eventful weekend to Vegas! We watched Kayla and Shawn and I have to say, I was worried that now Jason does not want any children. But, everyone keeps saying that it's different when they are your own! Ha ha We went out Saturday night, and mister 'night owl' himself stayed out with me until 1:15am! I was so proud of him! We went to the Rio and had their awesome buffet - I had basically 1 thing - Crab legs!! They were delish! One of my favorite foods. Then we went to Bellagio and saw the fountains and this was my first time seeing it. It was amazing! The song that the fountains dance to was "Con Te Partiro" which is now the song that you hear when you go to our blog. This piece of music is so beautiful, it took both of our breath away. Since we got back Jason has been playing it throughout the house!

We had a guy play a Richard Marx song on his harmonica for us - he was great! (Right Here Waiting For You) We saw the gardens at Bellagio which are unreal!!! Then we walked over to Caesar's Palace and watched all the crazy's going into the Pussycat Dolls Lounge - that was fun.... Anyway, we had a blast, and here are some pictures.