Christmas with the Sartains!

The Sartain kids, this is Jamie's troop. There is Aidan (4) Sydeny (2) and Baby Brooklyn (7 months)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Okay so Saturday morning, the day to sleep in...not really in my book. Because the day that I have nothing planned, I wake up at 7:30am!! So I am lying there and I hear what I thought is rain. Me being from land of rain only, I didn't think any different. Brenton gets up a half our later and looks out the window, and low and behold there is 2 inches of snow on the ground. Random, here is a nice picture of what was outside our apt. Some of it is melted now, but it was a pretty snow day!! Just thought I'd share my snow with those without it!

The Macy's Day Parade

I love this about Thanksgiving, and I have no idea why. I mean what is so great about watching gigantic balloons being walked through a street that is thousands of miles away, and watching singers very badly lip sing to their newest hit??? I mean really, we all know you are faking, why don't they just play the song over the speakers while the stars waive???? No idea. But I am not hater I still love it! Brenton said that they didn't do the parade thing....well now he will. I hope he likes it, because this is one tradition that I am not about to give up. Nothing else is good on, except for the football games, which I would rather poke my eye out then watch the football games.

I wish everyone the best of Thanksgiving days! Gobble Gobble Gobble!!

Ahh, the Thanksgiving Post!

Okay so I have seen a many of my fellow bloggers posts of what they are thankful for. So I feel that I should contribute so you all know what it is that I am thankful for. I will do it two different ways, my gal pal Sheena had a great idea on her blog, and that was thinking for hidden things that I am thankful for, you must inquire within to understand!

What I am Thankful For:

• My Hubby Wubby who "gets" me!
• My Job, because without it I would just be bored.
• My family far far away. (I am not thankful that my family is far far away, I am just saying that my family IS far far away...sorry mom!)
• My health
• Any casting director that still puts gorgeous guys in the chic flicks!
• Yasmin! (haha)
• Chipotle finally making it's way to Utah!
• My In-Laws who love me no matter how much crazy I bring to the family

The Hidden Things I am Thankful For:

• Knots in my back, because I have an excuse to get massages
• Britney Spears making a comeback, it gives hope to all crazies who want to be somebody someday.
• Cell phone bill being too high, because that means I talked to those I love.
• Having to fill my car up with gas twice a week, because that means I am staying busy and out of trouble!

Explaining My Music

Okay so I have made my play list special. If you will notice that some of these songs you recognize from a movie. That is the theme of this play list....songs from movies..you may recognize some you may not. Some are completely obvious because the lyrics say the movie title. So Enjoy!!!

Halloween

Okay so the makeup was awful, but it was so much fun. Brenton was Frankenstein, and it was scary at times, he could really pull it off.











I am a scary witch. We pretty much had one face paint and thought of what we could do with it. But I do like the hat with the wig! What Brenton gets to look forward to in 40 years!

































So here we are eating our Vampire dinner. It was so good. My sister is awfully creative, and the kids just have so much fun. Here you can see how Kathryn just loves her Uncle Brenton, they all do!!






Kathryn just about had it, she was done being funny for the night, she wanted food!



Amy was Big Bird, it took some talking into to get her to put on the mask/hat or whatever that thing is.
My sister Jen, her date for the night was a chocolate cup cake monster, her hubby had to work so the monster had to do. Yet another wonderful idea from Martha Stewart!

The boys were Vampires, but by this time, they just looked ill. They loaded up on candy and were very good at sharing.

What I'll Do To Serve Others

Okay so this is how the story goes. I usually get denied when it comes to donating blood. My iron is usually right below the cut off. Well a while ago, I found myself above that cut off so I'm all about donating. Brenton is not a fan of needles, which when he gets an I.V. stuck through his vein, I don't blame him. So I talked to him and he agreed to go donate with me. So we went last week. We get there and it's not too bad, the people who do the first screening and blood work, they were brand spankin' new. It took forever just to get through that part.

So I was done first and I was sitting waiting for someone to come and get me. So this guy comes and gets me. I looked very carefully to see how efficient he worked, if he took a long time to do simple things. So anyway, he seemed to know what he was doing. So he starts looking for my vein, and he finds one So he finds the vein, and it's in my forearm, it's not in the crease where everyone else has poked me before; now I should have known that this wasn't a good idea, but I didn't say anything. So I am sitting there anticipating the needle poke. And I'll tell you I have been very lucky with the people who jab big needles into my arms. I have not had one bad experience. Okay so the guy jabs me and it hurt. Not enough to scream out loud but enough to say "ouch" inside my head. Then the pain wouldn't go away. At that time, Brenton came in the chair next to me and I just started praying that the guy doesn't stab Brenton like he did me.

So I am sitting there and it's still burning, and Brenton has this scared look on his face, mind you he hasn't given blood ever!...okay so then my machine starts beeping. It's been probably 4 min. He had been coming back over and looking at the needle point, I just kept hoping that he wasn't going to take it out and stab me again, I have heard those horror stories. So the machine is beeping and I ask if I am done. He said no, and that it was beeping because the blood flow had slowed down. So he goes, "I'm going to see if I can help the blood flow" and at that point he starts moving the needle around. Now for all of you that are cringing right now, it wasn't that bad. It actually didn't hurt at all, except for the pain that was already there. So again, I just kept hoping for him not to take the needle out and stab me again. Well after a bit of moving the needle around, he looks across the room and calls for someone to come over.

So this other guy comes over. He takes a look at things and asks if it hurts where the needle is . I told him that it was a bit sensitive. He looks around a bit more, and tells me that he thinks that I am starting to clot. He said that he is going to try and fix it to get the blood moving again. So he too proceeds to move the needle around and pushes on the outside of my arm. Now my great husband next to me is getting ready to be poked, and I was just about to ask the other guy that has come over to rescue me, if he would do it. But I kept quiet and Brenton was poked. He says that it didn't hurt for too long, a min or so, I told him that it shouldn't have hurt like it did. This guy, his name was Chris, he says that it has clotted and it has "gunked" up the needle so there is nothing to do but call it a day. He took out the needle. Then he proceeds to tell me that I am probably going to swell and bruise, so he is going to get me an ice pack. I can see already that I had started swelling and it still hurt like the needle was there. I am all wrapped up and sitting next to Brenton. Oh this guy Chris also happens to be in Brenton's math class, so he chatted it up with us for a bit. My arm is killing me. I took Brenton for an ice cream because he was such a good trooper, and I got myself one to, to help me mend my poor body. We got home, and my body was on shut down mode. I pretty much passed out that night, with my poor arm hurting as it did just the same, and I can't bend my right arm. So the next day the bruising started. As you see below, the bruising just got worse and worse. I think these pics are 3 days old. Anyway, I am healing nicely now, but I thought I would share the experience. I want everyone to know that I am going to go back next time I am eligible to donate. I am not deterred from donating. It's a challenge for me to beat that blood iron percentage!!

It did keep spreading as the days went on, it was a good thing that it's cold over here and I can wear long sleeves!

The needle point you can kind of see in this picture. There is that dark purple horizontal part of the bruise. Right below it towards the left of the pic, you can see a circular area with no bruise, and then a dark dot....that is where he got me. That is very low from where they usually collect my blood.

Wow I have really white arms!!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I love this video! In the beginning of Oct, we had a little family get together here in Utah. It was so much fun. I had my sister Jamie and her three kids stay with us, as well as me Mum and little brother Jake. All 8 of us had a great time in our little one bedroom apt. Well this was Saturday morning with a little game of hide and go seek. I had to get this on video because every time that Sydney would be it, it just made us all crack up!!

Alright Alright Alright

Well for all of those who have harassed me, here is my blog for Oct. It's so sad, once the fall term started it seems I lost all control of time. Well okay lets see a nice quick update on what has gone on with the B-man (Brenton) and I! We started school way back in Aug. This term we have decided to do a bit of an experiment and take some classes together. We have a film class, a biology class and a biology lab. So Brenton is wiping the floor with me in Biology Lab. He studies just as much as I do, if not less, and yet 100% on every quiz that we take. And his reasoning...he remembers it from high school...and even then it was SOPHOMORE year!! I am so proud of him. I have however, been able to get even out the points in our Biology lecture. Our Biology teacher...wow I wish I knew his name...well he is amazing. In a not so amazing way that is. When I walk out of his lectures it takes me a while to figure out what it was that I was to get out of that. We figured out that we can Ace his tests by only using his study guide, so we don't go as regularly. That decision was made after we both fell asleep in his class. Now when we go, we pretty much listen to how many times he says the word, Literally. I take a tally I think last time we checked it was 26 times in an hour and a half class....it usually goes with..."And you will die...and I mean that...LITERALLY"

Other then that we are just getting through our days. My whole family, brothers and sisters and mum, all got together a few weeks ago. I get so caught up in the excitement that I forget to take pics. I will have to get some from my brother and then I'll post more. It was so much fun. All but one sister who lives here in Utah with me, are all in California. I didn't think I would get to see them until Christmas, but luckily my cousin had a baby blessing, so they all came to support. It was a great weekend of laughs and mom's cooking. Poor Brenton, he is really starting to see the craziness of my family.

Oh in between that time, Brenton's little sister got married. That was fun. I will have to post some pictures. This event was the first time I wore a dress in years (other then my wedding dress)...Brenton was so proud of me. Since it was a monumental occasion, I will post it so others can see!

Well that is it for me, I hope the reading was good. There are no pics but I will get to some later, I promise! I still need to dec out my apt with my Halloween decorations that I have sitting in my living room. :) As tigger would say TTFN (ta ta for now!)

Bear Lake

On our big camping trip we decided to spend it half camping and then the other half at the lake. This is Bear Lake, it's gorgeous lake that is half in Utah and half in Logan. Brenton has many memories of this lake. I have been wanting to go, but this is all melted snow water, so it doesn't warm up until Aug. So Aug came and we made a day of it. It was so much fun. We were on the Idaho side. Along with Jaron and his family that went camping with us, Brenton's Mom Jeana, brother and his wife Kenyon and Mer, met up with us. Sadly to say I don't have many pictures to document the lake due to the fact I was in the water the majority of the time. This water is blue of blue. I suggest that everyone go there at least once in your life.


This is a shot from the road. I am told this lake is about 20 miles wide!

The Brenton. This is after our long day in the sun. I made sure we slathered on the sunscreen, luckily for us we did not get sun burned, but it would have been so easy to do. The sun was bright that day!

Okay so the cows. We're driving from our campsite to the lake, it's about 15-20 min. And usually in the mountains I'm used to seeing wildlife...deer, rabbits...whatnot. But not here, in these mountains there are just random herds of cows. They would just be standing right in the middle of the road, usually when you would come around a sharp corner. Luckily for us, Jaron had a monster truck and a great eye for animals, so he cleared the path ahead of us.

Here we are getting ready at our campground. Faythe just loved posing.

While the parents were breaking down their part of camp, Brenton was showing Wyatt the way of the flex. He didn't quite get it, but I'm sure it won't take him too long.

Brenton and I before we headed home.

Camping at St. Charles

About two weekends ago, Brenton and I got a major camping bug. For Christmas, Santa brought Brenton a tent, but we just haven't had reason to get it out. So finally we just said we're doing it. Brenton's older brother Jaron and his wife Candice had the bug too, so with the 4 of us, and their two kids we went a camping! After work on Friday, Brenton and I headed up to Weston Idaho, to meet up with Jaron and fam. From there we drove about an hour and a half to get to this great spot, St. Charles. We got there pretty late at night, but it was camping so it was all good. Since there was a fire restriction, we could only have a fire if there was a proper and designated fire pit. It was getting too late, and so the place that we found, sadly enough did not have the fire pit, so we did without..but it was still great.


Saturday morning Brenton and I were in charge of breakfast. Since Brenton's family is serious when it comes to camping, his brother had all the great gadgets for a good camp out. Brenton made some rockin' pancakes and eggs.

Here is our great camping space. In the chair is my sister-in-law Candice.

Brenton being the morning person that he is. Woke up at the butt crack of dawn. He was very patient and waited as I awoke an hour or so later. I still wasn't ready to get up, but he was getting tent crazy, so I put on my shoes and we went for a little hike. Brenton found a trail that led us to a little creek. It was a really nice place.

Okay so my little Nephew Aidan, this picture is for him. Last year, he had done something wrong and when he was being corrected he got this pouty face. Then he just said, "I'm sad, I'm lost in a forest" Wow..it was amazing, no one ever knew where he got that from. So that was last years phrase, "I'm lost in a forest" (he also started "I'm lost in a forest, I'm afraid of lobsters..love that kid) So again, Aidan, this is for you...We're lost in a forest!

Haha...yeah camping!

Cute little Wyatt. He is a firecracker, to say the least. He was directed by his parents to bring pants camping, but the stubborn that he is, settled on shorts. It wasn't until the sun went down did they regret not bringing pants. He found himself a stick at this point and was using it for a sword.

Ahh..Ms. Faythe. She is too cute. She was helping us put our tent up. She LOVES the camera, and has just the perfect smile and pose.

The First Anniversary

Yeah we made it! One full year. On Sunday we celebrated our first anniversary! It was a great year and we had a lot of fun. I think time stops after you get married because it just goes by so fast. Here are some things that occurred in our first year of marriage:

Brenton started school~Jazmine stopped school (don't worry mom I'm going back in 2 weeks)~Brenton left Washington Mutual and moved to Fidelity and LOVES it~We got to play mom and dad to my niece and nephew for a whole week~We bought our first Christmas tree and $100+ later we had Christmas decorations~Jazmine turned 23~Brenton's brother Dallanleft for Iraq for a year in June~My brother Jared got married~ Brenton turned 23~My mom graduated with her Master's Degree..go Mom!~ 2 nieces and a nephew were born~We had 4 trips to California to get the family time fix~We were Primary Teachers for 5 year olds~Moved to new apt~Jazmine chopped her hair off!

Well that is really all I can think of for now. Most of the real exciting things happened to other people, but since we know them, it counts!

Here is just some fun pics of what we did throughout the year.

Here is our official First Anniversary picture. We had a great relaxing weekend in Salt Lake. We took Friday off and had a whole day date. We went out to dinner and movies and just had a great time.
Here is my handsome husband. He is just way too cute!!
Yes it still fits!! I love my wedding dress, and this is the only time that I felt it okay to put it back on. I love it so much more, I missed my dress. Please ignore my hair, I am claiming a shadow that makes the big poofy-ness...I swear.
This is us at the zoo. We went to Hoggle zoo with Brenton's parents back in June. I haven't been to a zoo since I was a wee little kid, so this was very fun.
Okay so the Hoggle zoo borrowed a white alligator from New Orleans. No it is not an albino alligator, it is a white alligator which means that it has color in it's eyes, but his skin is white. Apparently, some researcher found a nest of 18 white alligator babies, and since their skin will get very sunburned and they standout really bad, the researchers put them in zoos. It was cool, but sad. This poor guy didn't have much room to play in, he just sat in his little pool of water while everyone starred at him. :(
Ahh the Brenton man and Giraffes. So this pic makes it look like the giraffe is coming out of his head, but fear not, it's just my poor camera skills. These guys were so cool. You could go into a building and on the second floor and be eye to eye with them. One of them got real close and a guy was able to touch it!!
Here is me at the temple with the in laws. Brenton's little sister Kaitlan went through the temple for the first time, and this was the first time that I got to go through the Logan Temple. In the back you can see my evil brother in laws suffocating mama Jeana (Brenton's mom). She has a thing with private space and the boys just love teasing her.

Santa Cruz. I know I have already posted it, but it's worth a mention. Our first trip to the beach for the year. Well actually, so far it's the only trip to the beach.
Whale watching. My poor nephew in the back was SO seasick. I think by this time, he had snapped out of it, but we were already headed back to the dock. He is so cute with his little turtleneck.
So this what happens when you get too eager to see the sun. Brenton and I were SO sunburned. We spent about 3 hours out in the sun and Brenton was so kind enough to document this moment for us. It took him about a week to not be red. We learned our lesson!
Everyone can remember our first move as a married couple. We absolutely love our new place. If anyone is moving to the Sandy area, I suggest this apt. They really make their tenants happy. One morning, Brenton and I were driving to work, and right as we pulled out of the complex, two employees were stopping cars and were passing out breakfast to those going to work. They gave us a box of juice, trail mix, and a yogurt. It was so great..so come be our neighbors it's fun!
I realized that Brenton and I don't really take pics together. Here is one of only a few. It's not our best picture, but I figured since I don't have many, I can't be picky. We are at his brother Dallan's B-day party. His brother has since been shipped out to Iraq. He is in the Marines, and so he left early June and he'll be back June of 2008.
Oh look another pic of the cute couple. I think this pic has already been posted too, but it's just too cute. So us being all snuggley up in Monterrey Bay,California.
This was the first trip we took in the beginning of the year. Brenton is the man when it comes to my nieces and nephews. They just love him!!

The Wedding

So my older brother Jared and his new wife Lindsey were married in the Sacramento Temple on July 15th 2007. It was such a beautiful HOT HOT day.


Okay so here is the beautiful couple! They are cutting the cake! Yeah cake, that actually sounds good right now.
Here are my adorable nieces . Sydney is in the yellow, Anna is the flowery pink dress and Hailey is in the solid pink. They were so great, and they just couldn't stop the dancing.
Oh the groomsmen! My silly brothers Jon on the left and Jake on the right. They are so funny. They were real happy that Jared choose Black to wear on a nice hot June day.
My beautiful sisters. Jen is in the blue to the left and Jamie is in the red on the right. It's funny because I have always been told that Jen and I look alike, but then when they see pictures of me and Jamie, people tell me they can tell we are sisters. But Jen and Jamie are definitely different. Either way, they are beautiful ladies!!!
Me and my Mama. I think in a past life my mom was British because she LOVES wearing hats. I think she looks so great with her white hat! Me and my mama, she is so cute!
I figure this is about the married couple, I should put in more pictures. It's so great to be a part of weddings, especially when it's not me stressing! They are such a cute couple, and the red was just so pretty, don't you think?