Family Night

Phillip got home today at 3:00 so we packed up our mountain bikes and went out to Usery Pass! It was a blast! We did the Blevins Trail which was 3 miles and it was actually a great trail! Some parts were a little hard and the sand made for a great workout, but we had so much fun! I'm already sore! We got a few pictures as the sun was going down.

Congrats Peter & Amber!!!

It's official! She's here!

Meet Chloe Fjeldsted

Born 1/18/08 at 2:12 am

Weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 1/2 inches

Busy Bee

Yesterday I spent a good part of my day making my cousin Peter and his wife Amber gifts for their new baby due VERY soon (I need to mail this off today in fact). I made her a boppy (with pockets of course), then decided to color coordinate and match the rest of the gifts, so I made a blanket, burp rag, plus that cute see through paint can that I tied matching ribbons along the handle and filled it with socks and bows that I made a few months ago. These aren't the best pictures, I just took them as fast as I could so I could box the gift up.

Stuck In Flagstaff {Snowed In}

On Sunday morning we left Logan to go back to AZ during a terrible snow storm. It was so bad we had to take an alternative route because the canyon was too dangerous. My little brother was two hours ahead of us, but he decided to go through St. George instead. The storms were hit and miss and in random areas. As we got to the point where we needed to decide whether we'd go one way or another, we decided to go the way we always go that is a little shorter, but we knew we'd be chancing bad roads. We felt pretty good about it, but as we got about an hour outside of Kanab, Phillip fell asleep and the roads were completely snow packed. I was SO terrified as I was only able to stay on the road by watching the posts on my right and when I found random tracks that were mostly covered by snow. Phillip woke up just in time as a car went off the side of the road and he helped them get back on. After 40 miles of that, the roads turned great! It was dark as we got closer to Flagstaff, and the storms began again. It got a little too scary for us and Phillip called his boss and said we were going to stay there for the night. Let's just say we had to dig our car out to see if it was ours...and it was so bad we stayed another day! So we were stuck in Flagstaff for 2 days, but it was great because we were able to get a head start on our new semester for school since it started Monday. Just so everyone is aware though, we LOVED the snow!

Goals & Resolutions

Okay, so if any of you know me, I'm a goal setting kind of gal. When the new year comes along Phillip and I have a little tradition of going out to lunch and taking our planners and discussing things we'd like to work on and figuring out a plan or schedule. I've set a few lofty goals this year and my sweet husband is there to encourage me along the way. My mind is always going a hundred miles a minute and I am always coming up with ideas or projects and it drives the people around me nuts! With that said, I want to follow through with more of those crazy ideas! One of the ones that has been on my mind for a few months is finishing the cookbooks I promised everyone years ago. I've taken forever on this because I've changed the design and how to store them over a gazillion times. I have come to the conclusion that I need to simplify my life and just do it! When I started putting my "what's for dinner" on the side bar of my blog I got a bunch of comments and emails. That got me going even more and I am in the midst of collecting all my final decisions and I'm going to set a goal to complete them by March (hopefully this semester will allow the time). With that said, a few of you asked for my grocery list that I have on an excel spreadsheet (this will be included in the cookbook on a disk so you can add your own items also). I have one little problem...it was on our laptop and I hadn't converted it to my new Mac yet, when the hard drive crashed and yes, I lost EVERYTHING, sigh. I am going to put together a new one as I did have one printed out. I was also asked a top ten list of our favorite dinners. This could go a million ways (easiest, yummiest, quickest, etc). I will just list the top ten that come to mind alternating pork, chicken, and hamburger:

pork chops in asparagus
poppy seed chicken
meatloaf

spinach lasagna

cream cheese chicken
tacos or taco salad

country style ribs

chicken enchiladas

cream of mushroom patties

cabbage stew

So I'm a total dork and can't figure out how to attach the recipes, so if you want them before I get the cookbooks done, then just email me at nayskers@hotmail.com .  Ask me questions, or give ideas.

Here's to a new year, with new goals and plans!  Good luck and best wishes to anyone who set resolutions!

Convention Sign-Ups

To all my scrapbooking friends...I don't know if you noticed, but the sign ups for April convention in Mesa are January 9th. This year I reserved 2 hotel rooms. Classes are already posted if you want to see what's available go here. Let me know if you want to stay at the hotel so I have a head count as I always have something up my sleeve! Can't wait to see what everyone is going to take! Email me with any questions nayskers@hotmail.com.

Back Home

We made it! We're finally home! We pulled in late Wednesday night and have wasted no time taking care of our ever growing list of to-do's while we are here for a few days. Of course I got the after finals stress cold/sore throat and am trying to not let it slow me down. We've had a few set backs as far as our time schedule goes, but we're just gonna roll with it and accomplish what we can. It is VERY cold here! We're loving the 12 inches or so of snow that we got last night. It truly is a winter wonderland! We have the dreaded Christmas shopping to do down in Ogden tomorrow, but we're excited to just be in Utah where the snow makes it feel like it's really Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas

This is so funny!!!

Mac Anyone?!

This is a really random, shameless plug to sell my mac. I just wanted to start with friends and family before I post this on ebay or craigslist. Back on May 18th I purchased a mac mini and I fell in LOVE! I could pretty much bare my testimony about how awesome macs are (especially for scrapbookers and kids). I didn't even turn it on until the end of August when the semester was about to start. The mac mini rocks because it is SO tiny (see pictures). The best part is, you can use all your old PC components like the monitor of your choice, or keyboard, or mouse. Here's MY problem. I need something a little more portable. I need to make an upgrade before next semester so I thought with Christmas coming around, I'd do a quick post. A few things. It isn't the brand new Leopard program (although I was told it's about $150 to upgrade). If I sell it to a family member or a friend I will leave my Photoshop Elements ($80 - which rocks because it is SO user friendly and I can do everything and anything I need to with pictures), and Office ($150), and Quicken ($60) on since it's already been downloaded. So on to the asking price...dun dun dun! Just kidding. I am asking $599. It's awesome though and I'm not getting rid of it because I want to. Again, I need something more portable. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! nayskers@hotmail.com

FINALS

Lots of Dr. Pepper, take-out, snacks, pajamas, no sleep, stress...we'll emerge in a few days!

Christmas Photo Shoot

It was a success! I wasn't able to book an appointment with Sarah because she is one busy chicka, but my aunty Pam did awesome! Here is a sneak peak at the photos that will be included in our Christmas card this year!

Sinterklaas!!!

So as some of you may know Phillip's biological father is from the Netherlands. We have loved sharing the Dutch traditions, especially Sinterklaas. On December 5th we leave our wooden shoes out and Sinterklaas leaves little presents and treats. Since we were down here in Arizona and weren't really prepared, I figured we weren't doing it. Little did I know that my darling husband had a plan up his sleeve.

When I woke up I found a new pair of shoes stuffed with M&M's and the new Taylor Swift c.d. But they weren't just any shoes...they were bowling shoes! And of course there was a card to accompany this surprise. It said:

"You are invited to a royal 'ball' on the eighth of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven at eight o'clock. As my princess and invited guest, you must wear your magical princess slippers in order to attend this ball. Remember that unlike fairytales, your magic does not end at midnight, but lasts as long as you believe."

Okay, can I say that I just love this man!

Fresh & Easy

I've gotten a few emails from friends and family asking why in the world we are here in Arizona still and what is Phillip doing exactly. Here's the short version! He is working for the company he used to work for before we got married. They needed someone down here in Arizona to sort of "be in charge" of all the new "Fresh & Easy" stores going up in the state. We happened to be down here for my scrapbook convention and Time Out For Women. What we thought would be a few days of helping out, turned out to be 27 stores later! Since we've been here (September 12) he has done 6 stores. That kind of gives you an idea of how much more work he has to do. What about school you ask?! No need to fear! We've been able to do our last semester online, along with our next one.

On to the stores. They are so cool! Here is their website: www.freshandeasy.com. Four of them open up tomorrow morning (12-5-07)! I'm telling you, their prices are totally comparable, with a much healthier approach. I could go on and on about how rad their philosophies are and how much I heart their packaging (clean and simple), but I will let the press release do the talking! Go check them out!

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Brendan Wonnacott
Office: (916) 554-3466
Cell: (310) 384-3833


FRESH & EASY NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET ANNOUNCES DATE FOR FIRST STORE OPENINGS IN ARIZONA

GROCER SET TO OPEN FOUR STORES IN MESA AND CHANDLER

PHOENIX, Arizona – Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced today the grand opening date and locations for its first Fresh & Easy stores in Arizona. The first four grocery stores are scheduled to open on Wednesday, December 5.

• Main Street & Ellsworth, Mesa
• Brown Road & Recker Road, Mesa
• Alma School Road & University Drive, Mesa
• Alma School Road & Elliot Road, Chandler

At roughly 10,000 square feet, these neighborhood markets are smaller than the typical supermarket to give customers a faster, easier shopping experience. In addition to offering a range of fresh&easyTM private label and national brand name products at low prices, Fresh & Easy also offers customers a selection of fresh, prepared meals.

“We are thrilled to bring our neighbors in Arizona fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices,” said Tim Mason, Fresh & Easy CEO. “Our stores in Southern California and Las Vegas have been very well received, and we look forward to serving our new neighbors here in Arizona.”

Fresh & Easy has gone to great lengths to ensure all its private label products contain no added trans fats, artificial colors or flavors, and use preservatives only when absolutely necessary. Deliveries will be made daily to each store to ensure all products are as fresh as possible.

Each Fresh & Easy store will employ approximately 20 to 30 people. The company interviews on-site at each store location, aiming to hire from the local neighborhood. Fresh & Easy intends all store employees will work 20 hours a week or more, and be eligible for comprehensive healthcare and other benefits. Entry-level positions will pay well over the minimum wage, starting at $9 an hour in Arizona, and offer a potential bonus of up to 10%.

As part of the company’s promise to be a good neighbor and steward of the environment, Fresh & Easy has committed to build LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings, recycle or reuse all shipping and display materials and use environmentally friendly trailers to transport food. The company also invested in California’s largest solar roof installation on its distribution center in Riverside.


About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is a local, neighborhood store committed to providing customers with fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices.

Fresh & Easy is a company of Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer and one of the world’s leading international retailers. Tesco operates over 3,200 stores across 12 countries and employing more than 400,000 people.

Tesco’s success is due in part to delivering a consistently strong customer offering on every visit and every transaction, and by focusing on the company’s core purpose: to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty.

No Hubby {Sigh}

So my hubby went back to Utah for the weekend to do some painting and install some shelving in our office. I am so incredibly grateful that his company was willing to fly him home so that he can utilize a free weekend before finals. I tried to make the best of my Friday night by hanging out with this crazy chick I like to call my best friend Sarah!


I tagged along with her to her wards Scrapbook Enrichment Activity where I busted out all 106 of these bad boys!



I have to say it feels great to get them done, but I'm a little disappointed in myself. I always have them 100% done (addressed, stamped, and stuffed) so they are ready to mail December 1st. I haven't even scheduled our photo shoot with Sarah yet and today IS December 1st. Oh well.

Today I spent the ENTIRE day packing up our belongings here at my moms and cleaning, organizing, and labeling her house (she has been begging me and with my obsession/OCD it was about time)! Phillip's company is putting us up in a hotel for the next few weeks and we will FINALLY being going home (can we call it home since we've lived there maybe 2 weeks and we've been here for 3 months?!) the 15th! Now for an update. There are 27 of his Fresh & Easy stores going up and he's only completed 6...which means we're coming back. We are so blessed to be able to take another semester online through Utah State so that we can live here. For all our friends and family, we will be back the 2nd of January and we're still working out the kinks for a place to live (they may just get us an apartment for 6 months or so). I promise to keep everyone posted.

Tomorrow I plan on chillin' with my dad and his family. Then I'll probably scoot on over to my grandparents house where I will stay the night and hang out with my aunt Sherlene and watch chick flicks! Then Monday morning my hubby will be back in town! Is it just me, or do the weekends fly by all too quickly?!

Go Suns!

Phillip's boss called last night and asked us if we wanted to go to the Suns game. We said sure... especially when it was on his dime! Phillip's dad came along too (he also works for the same company). Even though the Suns lost (sigh) it was a great game and the entertainment was awesome!

Go 49ers!!!

Remember those tickets I bought my husband for his birthday?! Well the long awaited day finally arrived! We had so much fun and the game was so intense that it made the win worth the adrenaline rush! The Cardinal fans weren't too happy, but we sure were!

Black Friday Shopping & The Wedding

So I totally know that today is a very important day for my mom, but hello, it's Black Friday! My awesome husband is always game to pull an all nighter and fight the crowds with me. Literally we got an hour and a half of sleep, and were up and in line by 5:00 am! We got everything we wanted at Target (yeah) and then we rushed over to JoAnns. All the really cute fabric was taken (by a lady who got 277 yards of flannel), but I still snuck in a few cute things! The ladies were jealous because my husband would grab things as they were putting them down on the counter and he'd scout out who was getting what cut when if I liked the print. He did this with me last year and was such a sport for standing in line. Gotta love him! He even surprised me and got me a new tote for my sewing machine! We hit a few other places and made it just in time to help start putting up the decor for the wedding! No naps for us though. We rushed home and I quickly threw together a sign in book for the reception. We made it to the wedding with only minutes to spare, but we were there nonetheless! Everything turned out beautiful! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Cronin!

Thanksgiving

We had a nice, but stressful Thanksgiving. There were last minute wedding preparations, but we had it all under control as the boys all enjoyed a little football game at Candlelight Park. We went to my grandparents house where the first of the wedding guests had arrived! Dinner was yummy of course and I am so grateful that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

Bachlorette Party!

Me, my mom, and my sister in law Jen had a blast this afternoon celebrating my moms last day single! We went to Gecko Grill for lunch, but the highlight was getting pedicures! I forgot to get a picture of us at the salon, but I love this one girl Holly who is super talented and always does such a nice job! They got french, but I went bold and got red for the upcoming holidays!

Thanks Beth!

My amazing and very talented friend Beth made me this super cute bag for my birthday (sorry I'm posting it over a month later)! I love it! You're the best Beth!

Projects, Projects, & More Projects

We've got projects galore going on at our house! I've been madly trying to finish baby gifts and Christmas presents as the holidays are quickly approaching and people are coming into town. Here are a few sneak peaks!

This is for my brothers family (they don't read our blog so I can post this):


Here are a few baby bows and socks I did for my cousin:






I also made my first ribbon rag for my cousin Kristin, along with my traditional boppy and blanket:


















(picture of boppy and blanket will be posted later)

Congrats Jonathan & Kristin!!!

It's official! He's here!
Meet Tyler Lee Rogers!
Born on 11/7/07 at 9:40 pm
Weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and 21 inches

Hot Date!!! {Details}

Okay ladies, don't hate me, but I had this REALLY HOT DATE tonight! Literally! He was a hunk of burnin' love! Yes my man was a toasty 102.4! My hot date included serving a steaming hot dinner of soup and juice, juice, and more juice! As I placed ice on his head with a cool cloth to quench his burning love for me, he never let go of the remote! I love my thoughtful and romantic husband! He plans the best dates! =)

Sick & Tired

Our Halloween was loads of fun (said sarcastically) because Phillip had a really high temperature! We ended up having our traditional soup in pumpkin bread bowls, but calling it a night after going and seeing Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. After giving him medicine to knock him out, I finished these bad boys in the wee hours of the night (thank you Kristin, who is on strict bedrest until she has baby boy Rogers, for helping do the bows and stuff the invites)!