Babysitting the nieces

The few days before Christmas, Sara had to go back to work and asked me to come down early and baby sit Chloe. Then Megan (Jose) wanted to go out of town and I agreed to baby sit Kylie. I was very nervous at first. Having no kids of my own, I was a little overwhelmed at the prospect of two. But everything went really well. Kylie ADORES her cousin. Everything was baby Chloe this and Baby Chloe that. It's so cute. Ky and painted our nails, black and red alternating and watched about every Disney movie ever made. Some of them twice in a row. I realize if I ever have kids of my own, this will not work. But she isn't mine and I get to be the cool aunt...

Snow in St George

What? It's snowing in St George?

This week, it snowed in St George and actually stuck. From my understanding, it only happens every five years or so. It was kind-of fun, except Casey was supposed to fly in that night and his flight diverted back up to SLC. So...another night alone :( I took some pictures as proof. Enjoy.

Weber State, Weber State, Great, Great, Great!

The football team did really well this year and even made it to the playoffs. Casey and I met up with Joe & Nate Dallimore in Missoula, Montana for the the quarter finals. It was a completely surreal enviroment. Those are true fans. The stadium was packed, they actually cheered with the mascot, everyone wore school colors. It was incredible. The student section was chanting "F--k you, Weber" which I found hysterical. Although we lost the game, the experience was so much fun!!! It makes me excited for next season.

Oh Christmas Tree...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

I love everything about it. I love the sensory overload of it all. I put all my Christmas stuff out the day after Thanksgiving (much to the chagrin of Casey). The longer I have to enjoy it, the better. I especially love my Christmas tree. It is so me; eclectic, sparkly, fun, well...you know...I thought I would share some of my decor and a few of my favorite ornaments. Thanks as always, for checking in on what is going on in our lives!
I bought when Casey & I were living in Atlanta.

Casey & I got this in Oregon on a Madsen Family vacation.

Last year after the IVF didn't work Casey took me to a little town in Wisconsin to escape reality for a while. He boutht me the bird ornament at this store...I swear I have never seen so many christmas ornaments...

A Vegas Thanksgiving

This year Casey and I spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Vegas with Sara, Chris & Chloe. We had a great time. We all drove in Wednesday night and met at our friend Brad's house. Brad has a condo there but was in Ogden with his family. He graciously let us crash at his place while he was gone. Thursday morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast out, then came back to shower and get ready. Sara and I went shopping at H&M and the Gap while the boys spent some time in the sports book. The girls spent a little too much money I fear. Damn that Central Michigan...they win that game and our trip would have been paid for...anywho...Then we went our to eat at Lawry's Steakhouse. They had the best Thanksgiving dinner. It was absolutely delicious. We all went our seperate ways the next morning. We had a great time. What a pleasure to have a no hassle, no drama, no clean-up holiday. I'm tempted to do it every year.

My Twilight Weekend

For those that don't know...I am a HUGE fan of the Twilight book series. (And unless you live under a rock, you are probably aware the movie came out this weekend.) I was lucky enough to get to go twice. My best friend, Angie, God bless her, scored me a ticket to the midnight show on Thursday night with her family. It was an experience to say the least. 30 year old women reverted to 12 year olds, squealing through out the entire movie; giggling, screaming "I love you, Jacob" at the movie screen, just plain silliness. At least it was memorable. Then on Saturday night I got to go to the movie again with my niece Maile, Wendy, and Wendy's family. It felt like a completely different movie the second time around. It wasn't quite a cheesy. I don't know if it was because I knew what to expect or if it was the lack of squealing thirty somethings that did it. But it grew on me the second time around. (Did everyone else catch the Hitchcock-esk cameo by Stephenie Meyer?) I had a great time enjoying the movie with my dear friends. What a great weekend!
Angie, me, Michelle, & Marsha

Angie's sis in law, Lisa (L) and her friend Holly

My darling niece, Maile and me (She's so cute)
My vampire friend, Wendy sucking my blood
Did you notice my Team Edward shirt?

Grand Canyon Stop Over

Grand Canyon

Casey and I took a road trip to the Weber State vs. Northern Arizona football game. It was a really fun game. They usually are when you win. On the drive home from the game, we made a slight detour and went to the Grand Canyon. It was the first time I had seen it. It was certainly beautiful and awe inspiring. But I was done after about 20 minutes. As much as I can appreciate the beauty in mountains, for me, they just don't compare to the ocean. I can look at this canyon that has looked pretty much the same for I don't even know how long and see the beauty. But I could never sit for hours and admire it like I can with the ever changing ocean. I am really glad we went. And as always had a fantastic time on the road trip. I am so grateful Casey and I travel so well together.

Aunt Janice's Birthday

Aunt Janice's Impromptu Birthday Party

Sara & Chris asked my Uncle Mike to bless Chloe. So the night before the blessing, Uncle Mike & Aunt Janice, Dad & Holly, Sara & Chris, and Casey & I went out to dinner downtown at Lou & Mickey's. Since Janice's birthday had only been a few days before we had the waiter bring out some birthday cake and sang to her at dinner. We had a really good time at dinner. I adore my aunt and uncle. It is always so nice to get any time with them I can.

NYC with the Sinful Six

September 19-22 we enjoyed a four day weekend with our dear friends, Mike & Emily Crowton and Joe & Wendy Dallimore. We had an incredible time! Quite possibly one of my most favorite trips we have ever been on. We did it all...the boys did a Yankee game on the second to last game in the old stadium while the girls took in Hairspray, shopping, dinner in Little Italy, Wicked, the Staton Island Ferry...the list goes on and on and on. I have included a re-cap courtesy of Joe, who has a way with words...enjoy...

Friends, to me, there is nothing better after a wonderful trip to do a quick recap via e-mail, so everyone can weigh in. For our recently completed NYC adventure, I'd like to present some awards:

• Poorest Dental Hygiene Award: the lady selling ½ priced tickets in front of the Marriott Marquis. It was like a train wreck and not even the non-dentists could look away. When homeless people have better teeth than you do, it may be time to give up on the theater scene and try something else…something that Casey astutely noted by declaring peddling discount tickets to morons from the Midwest would likely be his least favorite occupation in the entire world.
• The Perfect Night Award: for the brilliant insight of all involved parties in sending the women to the theater and the boys to the ballpark, preceded by large amounts of pasta. Does life get better than that?
• The You Can't Escape Who You Are Award: Casey Madsen for finding obscure Weber State personnel in the deep recesses of the Newark airport, flying standby of course, which is about right for our athletic department.
• The "Did You Think To Bathe Today?" Award: Mulberry Street, lower Manhattan. I haven't seen that many people packed into one place since the football field filming scene for 3 o'clock High in '87. I think I've seen my last San Gennaro festival. I'll award myself a runner up here since I actually didn't bathe 2 of the 4 days we were there.
• Most Memorable Yankees Fan Award: the Marlboro Man with respect to Jockey Boy. The pot-belly, the 70's hair, the homemade t-shirt. Runner up goes to the bitter guy sitting behind us for his obvious jealousy of said Marlboro Man ("What's he doing now!?! He's taking a victory lap!! He's just a loos-ah, living in his muthas basement"…after he said that the tenth time, I wanted to ask him: where do you live sir? Even money he lived in his mutha's basement as well).
• Beached Whale Award. To our shirtless friend on the rock in the Park. If that was his final destination, we may never know, but whether he lived or died, he appeared to be a man of healthy appetites who was enjoying/enjoyed the journey (sort of like when Kramer correctly identified George as a portly fellow who craved .
• Biggest Understatement Award: Michael Crowton for the statement, "I don't really like musicals"
• Most Memorable Dance: Wendy H. Dallimore for her reinacting of wrist-flipping George Wendt in Hairspray. Runner Up: George Wendt for the actual dance.
• Most Surreal Moment Award: 6 Train (green line), 2 a.m., Saturday morning. When do these flipping New Yorkers sleep. 99% of West Haven is asleep by 10 p.m. The only people up at that hour where we come from are the farmers who are starting their day.
• Most Misguided Food Decision: Joe Dallimore and the do-it-yourself popcorn. The power of the butter should not be put in the hands of the people. Luckily, like with every other ailment faced, Emily had pharma supplies to help. Runner up: Mike's decision to purchase the boxed donuts. Runner, runner up: carrying milk through the streets of New York in the middle of the night, not only did it probably look ridiculous (grown men carrying milk in a cup), it was probably a health hazard of some kind.
• Best Named Retail Establishment: Shoegasm. Dr. Crowton nearly had a couple of shoegasms himself on this trip.

There would have been several other awards given, but I didn't have all the specifics (e.g. The New Yorker Award would go to Katie for her brusque conduct toward cabbies, but I had no first-hand knowledge of said event or a good quote)….I'll look to you people to help me finalize the list. I welcome all contradictions, additions and subtractions. Great times my friends. Can't wait for next year! Joe

The Animals in our Life

Our girl, Shadow aka Stinker
Chipper Jones or Buddy Boy

Animal Lovin'

We are pretty lucky to have really cool animals in our life. It's funny how each one has a personality all their own. Casey and I have 2 cats who are our children. Shadow is a gray and white domestic short hair and Chipper is a gray Blue Russian. Shadow who we call Stink or Stinker is so much like me. She totally had a mind of her own and is only going to do what she wants to do. She loves to cuddle and can be a bit demanding at times. Chipper is a stray we picked up when we lived in Atlanta. We call him Buddy usually and ironically he is a lot like Casey. Really mellow, comes when called, he'll cuddle to but only only his terms and when he is in the mood, he is such a sweet boy.

We also have a lot of extended "family". My sister, Sara, and her husband have two Japanese Chins, Yoshi and Suki. Since we spend so much time in San Diego we have gotten pretty close to these two cuties. When I am in town, Suki definately sleeps with me in my bedroom down there. They are such fun dogs. My mother in law, Lorrie, has a beautiful King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Boo Radley. What a fabulous dog. He is a total lover boy and requires lots of attention and rubs. We feel pretty blessed to have the additional love of animals in our life.