New calling, new calling, new calling

Just as the headline reads, Abe and I got a new calling in our new ward.
We are the activity chair people for the Riverbend Ward. Neither of us have ever had this calling before so it shall be interesting. But hey we're excited. My last calling was in Young Women's and they sure know how to have fun so i'll just have to carry that attitude over. In the meantime, if anyone out there has some ideas that worked in their wards for parties and such let me know. Tips are greatly appreciated! Now that we have callings I really, really (fingers crossed) hope they don't ask us to speak in sacrament meeting. Or at least too hold out until the Leg Session is over.

Bad at updating...

It seems that I have been neglecting the blog. Ya, I guess those things happen. Especially around the holiday's. But here's what we've been up to for well over a month now...

Celebrating Thanksgiving at the Young's and then pie with the Johnson Fam followed by a game of touch football - team Edward v. team Jacob with team Edward prevailing ... thanks to my hubby who made a touchdown on a picnic table!
Next up... December a packed month

Freelancing at Fox 13 for Good Day Utah = many overnight hours and seeing this little raccoon at the station
Celebrating Christmas with some of the Alumni XI babes at Chili's
Hosting a Christmas Party with the High Schools gals

Opening presents Christmas morning in our new house!
Followed by breakfast and games at the Young's and then off to the Johnson's for Christmas dinner, games and watching "Julie & Julia."
Dec. 26... Johnson family talent show. Grandma J tapped dance, which was amazing! As for me, I was kicked out of the band due to the fact that my flute overpowered the singer. And Melissa is a fantastic singer.. she seriously is!!

Now onto ringing in 2010!!
New Year's Eve is also Father Johnson's birthday which was celebrated at Asian Star. Then we met up with friends at Mimi's Cafe and went over to Matt and Faroe's place for some talking and some bubbly.. Martinelli's of course.

As for January...
Abe and I road tripped it with his fam to Phoenix for some much needed relaxation.
But on our way down to the AZ we stopped off at Bryce Canyon
Here are some of the highlights in Phoenix...
Negotiating with scalpers for fiesta bowl tickets at the Cardinal's stadium... we paid $20 a piece in the lower bowl. Those same tickets were originally $250 a piece. I would say we did well!
Swimming, hot tubing it and playing tennis at JW Marriott
Going to a Suns v. Rocket game. I must admit i didn't know exactly who to cheer for since i'm not a Steve Nash fan, but I am a Grant Hill fan. So i cheered for the Suns. And they won!
Taking in Arizona sunsets!
Making a stop at the Mesa temple for a session, followed by a visit to the Waffle House.
Taking a tour of Thunderbird in honor of Abe's brother Thomas (who is going there) and his cousin Clay (who went there). In the pic you see Johnny showing his mad skills at jumping over water!

Also highlights from the trip.. a visit with Melissa and Mae and an intense game of Apples to Apples... and lunch with Grandma Young (all of which had no captured moments)
On our way home... stopping at Hoover Dam to see the new bridge

Now this is what we did just this last weekend.
Abe and I went to the Auto Show. We love looking at all the new cars. Even though it was a disappointment that BMW, Mercedes Benz and Nissan decided not to show up this year!

Now this is where i'll be for the next six weeks.
Starting Monday, i'm going to be the Majority Media person for the UT House of Representatives. The liaison between the media and the representatives during the 2010 Legislative Session. I'm a bit nervous, but excited to be employed for at least six weeks, and for this new experience!

Feeling blah

Let's see, what's new with me??
I'm still unemployed but I am freelancing for Fox 13 during the holiday's.
So, that means back to the life of sleeping in the day and working at night... in other words NEVER SEEING daylight and only sleeping w/ my hubby on the weekend. But hey at least I have that for a few more weeks and it is fun hanging out with the "Good Day Utah" gang. I must admit that I missed them, catch the crew 5 - 9 am... and hey you may get a glimpse of me in the background.

Full time employment is still always on my mind (making it hard to get into the Christmas spirit) ... job hunting is the worst (especially around the holiday's) ... I have now reached the one month mark of being unemployed.

On the hunt

I'm on the hunt for a new job. Unfortunately, I was laid off from my job on Friday the 13th (I know NOT too lucky) b/c of some changes in the office. It came as a total shock to me b/c I really enjoyed that job. So, while unemployment rates are on the rise i'm trying to stay positive that I will find something soon.

And since tomorrow is Thanksgiving I wanted to at least make a list of some things I am grateful for (you know to stay positive)... that Abe and I are healthy, we have two families to spend Thanksgiving day with, a temple session on Friday, Abe's new job, the BYU v. Utah football game on Saturday, and that we're now going to be going to our new ward.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!! ... now let's just hope that the pies and Lion House rolls i'm making for turkey day will turn out.

Rescheduled

Since these two decided that they are not coming to Salt Lake tonight and are now planning on coming in February...Abe, my sister and I are going to see this!! In just 1/2 hour New Moon will come to life ... can't wait!!

a welcome surprise to the day

Yesterday when I got to work and opened up my laptop a white piece of paper fell to the ground... I thought to myself... hmmm what is this? To my surprise my wonderful husband had written me a love note and hid it in my laptop for me to find in the morning. I love notes from Abe!! What a great way to start off the day. What was in that note?? Just stuff, for me and him to know. Thanks for the note sweets! You're the best! And since I know that he merely blog stocks "our" blog and doesn't contribute, I know that he will see this post and hopefully see how much I appreciate those lovey notes and continue to leave white 8 1/2 X 11 sheets of paper hidden somewhere for me to find.

It came & went & left some candy behind

Well Halloween season is officially over. I cleaned up the last of the cob webs last night... I guess that means I have to start dusting again :) But while Halloween was upon us Abe and I dressed up and had a good time! Because Abe says he doesn't like dressing up it was my task of finding him a costume. Since I couldn't find a knight costume Abe went as a three musketeer and I went as a Renaissance Woman. We celebrated the goolish holiday by... eating yummy homemade treats, having friends over, going to Abe's Aunts house... Going to my niece Nicole's friend birthday party dressed in our costume (okay so Abe missed out on that party... I know who wouldn't want to go hang out w/ 10 four year old little girls!??!)

And then we were planning on going all dressed up to our ward's trunk or treat but missed out on that fun b/c of a last minute invite to the 2009 Governors Gala... which I must say was fabulous!
And on Sunday we officially celebrated my niece Nicole's birthday. Here she is opening the globe that Abe and I gave her. She loved it... what a smarty pants she is!! She's only four and already asks where places are in the world. I just love that girl to pieces!