Day One Hundred Fifty-Nine-What do you get when...

you have snow covered roads and a stupid person behind you that doesn't know how to drive??

You get this...


and this...

and this...

dont' worry and this...

Day One Hundred Fifty-Eight-One Dead Car

While we were in Vegas, Julie was using Doug's car and it died! The alternator went out =( So it was stranded up by Thanksgiving Point at a gas station. Tonight we drove up there to see if Doug would be able to jump. It didn't work. We ended up just leaving it there for another night.



BEST THING OF THE DAY!!! I opened up our work out DVD's and guess what come flying out of the container?????????? DOUG'S original wedding ring! It is FOUND!

Day One Hundred Fifty-Seven- LONG Drive Home

Doug and I decided to go to church with the Vance's before we drove home. Guess who sat by me during sacrament meeting? That's right, my little Coltito!

Anyway, after church we headed to the lake by the Vance's house and we got to take their family pictures for Christmas. They are such a good looking family and we got some really good pictures, even if it was SUPER windy. Before we hit the road, Rob packed us a lunch and some snacks for the road. (I'm telling ya, I have the best aunts and uncles ever!)

We were able to stop in St. George for a little while to visit with Doug's friend Reed and his cute wife Lisa. It was so fun to visit with them. They are so warm and welcoming. I don't know them very well but as we talked, I felt like I have known them my whole life.

Once we hit the road again, the drive was great, only for another 30 min. Then all the cars slowed WAY down. This is the view we had just north of St. George...


As we drove even farther north the weather and roads got worse. It ended up taking us 2 hours to get from St. George to Cedar City. Not very impressive. Then we didn't end up getting to provo until 12:45am. We left Vegas at 2:30pm. LONGEST DRIVE EVER. I know the drive to California is just as long, or longer, but your not driving 15-20mph the WHOLE way. I seriously thought we were going to die. The roads were bad and people were driving way too fast for my comfort. I eventually had to close my eyes and try to sleep. Doug did a great job at driving in the bad conditions.

Day One Hundred Fifty Six-The Game Day We All Wait For...

Before the game today Linda took me to get my hair cut. Nothing major, just some layers. I love my hair now!!

Today was the BYU vs Utah game! Doug watched it over and grandma and grandpa's house because the Vance's didn't have the channel it was one. Doug and I watched the game while Jared and Colton played. Everytime Doug would yell or clap the boys would run out of the other room to see what was going on. When ever I talk about this game I get really heated so I will just say a few things. Utah got way too lucky in the last few seconds of the game and the officials don't know the difference between a fumble and when some one(UTAH)steels the ball once someone's(BYU) knees hit the ground. I will say one thing I HATE HATE HATE about Utah is their fans and football players. After the last kick was blocked the Utah players were getting in Mitch Paynes face and pushing him.

Okay, no more talk about the game and how much I hate Utah.

After the game that night we relaxed around the house with everyone and watched The Ringer on the Vance's living room wall.

Day One Hundred Fifty-Five-Black Friday

This black friday rocked, just like last year. It all started at about 12am. Kenzie, Cassie and I went to Old Navy and midnight. We had to stand in line for about 10 or 15 min before we got in. The store was crazy packed and clothes were EVERYWHERE!! I got two pairs of jeans on sale and so I was happy. We went home and slept for about 3 hours and then got up and got ready for Target and the rest of the stores.

We went to Target at 4am, this time Linda was with us. We all did really well at Target. I got the movies and games I wanted and Linda was able to get the boys jackets and some other Christmas things. After Target we headed over to Walmart and Radio shack. Walmart compared Target was not good. Walmart was crowded and smelly and just not as nice as Target.

Then off the mall at 6am! We shopped at the mall till we dropped at 11am. We went in so many stores, waited in 45 min lines(TILLEYS), and just had fun being goofy and tired together. We all left with tons of bags, which is always good. By the time we were done, our feet were sore and we were pooped. Black Friday this year was definitely a success. (Sorry for no pictures. There was a rule this year of no pictures of the tired women)

When we got back to the house my black Friday shopping was NOT done. Doug and I ran to Office Max to get a $150 printer for $60. Then I had him take me to another store to get the brown boots I wanted. Finally when we got back to the house we were able to rest just a little before we headed out of the house again.

Tonight we went to the Mall that is just south of the strip. It was a big play area with a maze and the little boys LOVE playing there. So we all went to get out of the house. It was fun to watch all the boys run around and play tag in the maze. Doug even joined in on that action.

Here are some picture from the outside mall we went to...

Day One Hundred Fifty-Four- THANKSGIVING

The Vance family really knows how to do Thanksgiving right.

This morning after getting ready we went bowling as part of a tradition they do. We went bowling at Sun Coast Hotel and Casino. This a Hotel that is just down the road from the Vance's, so it's not on the strip.
Jared got a little tired waiting for everyone to be ready to leave...

After bowling we went to their buffet for our Thanksgiving meal. What a great idea for Thanksgiving. Plus this buffet had all the Thanksgiving food plus much more. I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional food so I ate some Chinese and Mexican food. I was very satisfied.

After we were stuffed to the max, we went to see Tangled. It is one of the cutest cartoon movies I've seen in a while. I would highly recommended it to anyone.
Before the movie started we played in the arcade for a while...




More pictures to come soon. I just need to get them from Linda's camera =)

Day One Hundred Fifty-Three- VEGAS DAY 1

Can I just start off by saying I just LOVE the Vance family??? I'm SOOO blessed to have such great cousins and a way cool aunt and uncle.

Today we had the opportunity to go see Jared at his school play for Thanksgiving. He was the cutest little Indian I've ever seen. The short play was out side and it was FREEZING outside. Poor little kids. Anyway, Jared rocked his part and did so well.

After the play Doug and I decided we would drive down to the strip to walk around some of the hotels. I love the way the Bellajio decorates for fall and Christmas (I've seen both). These pictures are the decorations for fall.



Okay so Doug and I aren't the wild type of people, but today we took a little walk on the wild side and gambled just a few dollars in a slot machine while at the Bellajio. Doug did most of it and good thing because.....WE WON 5 DOLLARS!!!! We were super excited and HAD to take a picture of our winning ticket thingy they give us. After we won, we felt so stupid because we had no idea what to do with it. We walked around like amateurs (which we are proud to be). Finally we found an ATM like machine where you stick the ticket and out comes your winnings! We could definitely tell how people could get addicted to gambling. Winning is so much fun. Luckily we had good self control and stopped while we were ahead.




That evening we just hung out with the family. We had a yummy dinner by Linda and then we played pictionary. Weird thing is Doug and I have never actually played the game of pictionary, like with the board and everything. I was on a team with the best player there...Colton(he is my 8 year old cousin and my best buddy).

Day One Hundred Fifty-Two-Getting out of Provo

So today we left a day early to get out Provo before the "blizzard" was supposed to hit. I got off work early and when Doug got home we hurry and packed the car and hit the road. Well lets just say we ended up leaving early to beat a "blizzard" that left 2 inches of snow. C'mon weather people step it up a bit.

Anyway, this is our beautiful view as we drove between Cedar City and St. George...


So this evening when we got to the Vance house only Tanner and Brandon where home. Everyone else was somewhere else. Linda had the two little boys with her. Linda was driving home and Colton says to her " We need to get home because Doug is there and he causes problems." Then Linda said something to him and Colton said, " Mom, you don't know Doug like I do."
Gotta love cute Colton. Doug is trying to convince him to go to BYU. Right now he wants to go to SUU where his sister Makenzie goes. I love watching Doug interact with Colton and all the kids. It's so fun!

Day One Hundred Fifty-One-Can't wait to get out of Provo...

Tonight we prepared for our trip to Vegas by going to the library to check out a book on tape and some CDs to listen to. I love that at the Provo Library you can check out DVDs! Can you believe something better than Red box(It's only better if you don't mind watching older movies)?

Day One Hundred Fifty- "We are Family yes we are..."

This is what it looked like when we got out of church today...

So what is Doug lucky enough to do?? ...brush snow off the car

Tonight we had some family over for tacos and to play a game. It was a lot of fun spending some time with the family we live so close to in Provo but almost never see.

Day One Hundred Forty-Nine-Last home game

I was a little excited today was the last BYU football home game. I was only excited because it is getting way too cold for me to be standing outside for 3 or 4 hours. Here are a few pictures from the game. You'll notice Nathan in one of them...he is staying with us for the weekend =)
Mari with her two favorite men =)

After the game Doug and I went to Jessica's birthday party. Jessica does this game every year where we have to answer questions about her and see who knows the most about her. Well this year I got in second place, which is the best I've ever done on these. I was really excited!

Here is a picture of the girls from the Nard now all in Provo

Day One Hundred Forty-Eight- We love us a good date night

Tonight we went out to dinner and got a red box movie to watch. We love getting red box movies on the weekends.They are seriously the best things ever. When we rent a red box movie we usually like to make popcorn and then lay in bed and watch the movie. These type of date nights are the best.

Day One Hundred Forty-Seven-Couponing

Tonight Mari and I went to this really awesome couponing seminar thingy. It was really helpful and now I'm on this big couponing kick =) Thanks for telling me about it Mari.

Day One Hundred Forty-six- Only 3 weeks left...

OF SCHOOL!!! But who is really counting right?? As much as I like school, I couldn't be more excited to have a 2 week break.

Doug and I are looking forward to spending some time at this beautiful place...

and with lots of family! Can't wait to see everyone.

Day One Hundred Forty-Five-Doug's Training Meeting

Only in Utah would Doug have to go to a training meeting at the church on how to use a snow blower. Our ward's elders are in charge of clearing all the snow off the sidewalks on Sundays before church.

Day One Hundred Forty-Four- Doug's Wedding Ring

So Doug lost his wedding ring after a short 2 months of being married. We have looked EVERYWHERE for it and it never showed up. We finally went on ebay and bought him an identical ring for 9.99 with free shipping. Today his ring came in the mail =) What a happy day!
Now people will know he is married!! =)

Day One Hundred Forty Three- Knitting

Tonight Doug and I went over to Aubrey and Brock's place for dinner. After a wonderful meal Aubrey made, she taught me how to knit. I was so excited and I love it!!! =)

Day One Hundred Forty-Two- Date Night

Tonight was our Date night. We used our Trafalga passes and Doug got to hit some balls at the batting cages.

Next we used a coupon we had and went out to dinner Terra Mia, an Italian restaurant Orem. We both had a yummy pizza and then the best gelato we have ever had.

After our yummy meal we went to the mall and just walked around and people watched. It's nights like these when it reminds me how grateful I am to be married to my best friend!

Day One Hundred Forty-One-BYU Basketball

Tonight Doug and I went to the BYU basketball game. Guess who they played?? Fresno state!!! Sorry Dad and Grandpa but the cougars took the bulldogs to the pound(no I did not come up with that one on my own...that was all Doug). It was a fun game but Fresno just got killed.


The game was a white out. Everyone wore white and had white pom poms to cheer with

My Cousin Jordan and I =)

This picture is for you daddy and Grandpa

Day One Hundred Forty- Thursday Night

This is the picture I took of Doug and I as he sat with me tonight and watched Grey's Anatomy with me. What a stud!

**Happy birthday to one of the great sister and Best friend....Valerie! I love you sissy!**

Day One Hundred Thirty Nine-Your Hot and Your Cold...

As I get colder everyday, Doug stays the same. This causes some problems at night when I want to cuddle because I'm cold and he is hot and wants NO blankets on him. Doug is always good and cuddles with me for a little bit though. Today we solved the problem. I have 2 extra blankets on my side of the bed. There is a blanket on top of the sheet under the comforter AND I have a blanket on top of my side of the bed. Now we are both happy at night =)

Day One Hundred Thirty Eight- Squeaky Clean

Doug and I spent part of tonight cleaning the house. Doug is such a trooper, when I don't want to clean the toilets, he is right on it. I'm so grateful I have a husband that is willing to help clean the bathrooms and toilets. I'm the luckiest girl ever!