Black Friday

Well at least it was black when I got up at 4:00 a.m. This was my first Black Friday extravaganza and I could think of only one place that I wanted to go... Joann's. Yes, I know of all the places Joann's was first and only on my list. So I got in line at 5:25 a.m with Mom Tobler to await the open doors and chaos awaiting me only 35 minutes later. We were the first 100 people in the door and therefore got a free pair of scissors. Whoopee! Flannel fabric was on sale for 1.29 a yard. Let's be honest that is a STEAL! So after fighting for a shopping cart I just started to grab fabrics for baby quilts. I got 6 different patterns and figured I had over indulged until I saw other peoples cart(s). that were piled 6 feet high! I couldn't believe it!! Luckily Mom Tobler was fast on her feet and got her dress form that she wanted and then grabbed us a number to get my fabric cut. We were the third people in line THANK GOODNESS! We were in and out of there in a matter of 30 minutes! I had a lot of fun and will be attending Joann's next year I'm sure. What a rush!

Gobble Gobble

For Thanksgiving I'm sure that's all we did! Jakob, Mom &; Dad Tobler and I headed over to the Palmers for Thanksgiving dinner as per tradition. It was so wonderful!! I was so distracted by all of the food (including Nancy's signature beans that she swears are super easy but I just simply CANNOT duplicate!) that I didn't take any pictures until desert! There was bonding as per usual. It's always fun getting together with relatives and share some laughter!

Nancy has (in Mom Tobler's fine words) a new 600 lb black baby. She got a baby grand and I am green with envy! I vow that one day I will have one but until then I might randomly show up to plunk away at hers (I'm not very good anymore).

We had a wonderful time and would like to thank the Palmer's for having us! I love this time of year! It makes me think of the things that I take for granted every day. I'm so thankful for my job. How many people can say that they have a job that they LOVE? In these trying economic times I am very thankful to have work and be able to help support our small family. I'm thankful for my dear husband who works SO hard and NEVER complains. He sacrifices so much to provide and succeed and I am very thankful for him. I'm thankful for a family who loves me for those far away and those close by. I always know that I have someone there for me and that means more than I can describe. For true friends who are dear to my heart and will be etched in it forever. I have come to not only like but love Vegas. I have grown so much over the past two years and I am thankful for the journey and the people that have shared it with me. Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Friends

There is a small part of me that cries when I throw away things away. Alright large part of me. I have a tendency of holding onto things either because I think that their nice (or could be nice in the future) or I might have a use for them in the future (usually the latter). Growing up, my mother threw away everything! At times she would have to repurchase things because she'd simply toss them in the trash with no sense of remorse. She has a firm "no clutter" policy. Clutter = trash in her mind and I must say because of this we grew up in a very clean and organized home. I remember being frustrated one day because she had thrown away a pair of my favorite jeans that were riddled with holes. As a result, I packed up a box of things I knew were at high risk of ending up in the dumpster and toted it over to my Grandmothers for safe keeping. These were the beginning of my hoarding days. I admit it I am a hoarder!! I would have to say I'm am organized hoarder however. If things are cluttered I get stressed, which is part of my dear mother showing through for which I am grateful. Everything must have a place for quick and easy access, but instead if throwing things away that are out of place I find a place for them. Which brings me to my dear slippers.

These slippers were well worn and falling apart and even though I no longer wore them, they had some sort of sentimental value to me. I love the ugly things! They have kept my tootsies warm for the past 6 years! After starring at them for two days I decided to throw them in the trash. I felt a sense of relief as first, accomplishment even, which was quickly replaced with the urge to race to the trash can and place them back into the safety of my closet. I promptly asked Jakob to take the bag to the dumpster so they would be out of sight, out of mind. I am proud of myself, even if this seems utterly ridiculous to most people it was an accomplishment in my minds eye. It is now time to conquer my closet. I still have clothing from when I was 12. Ridiculous. I know but a one bedroom apartment provides no room for "extras". The goal: narrow my 39 pairs of jeans down to 6. I'm almost positive I'm going to cry!

Overwhelemed with love!

I'm feeling SO loved today! Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes! Being 21 kind of scares me but it feels no different then being 20. Like I said last year, being married changes your perception of a few things, age is one of them.

For my gift from Jakob I got Cricut Expression! For those of you who don't know what that is it's a glorified stencil maker. Jakob pretty much bought me an x-box for women. You buy cartridges, plug them in, pick a shape such as a Turkey for thanksgiving card, tell it how big you want it and press cut. It's GLORIOUS!!

With my Cricut I can make cards, scrapbook and even cut vinyl! I'm so excited! THANK YOU WONDERFUL HUSBAND OF MINE!! Yes, I know.... he spoils me.

For my birthday dinner Jakob and I headed over to Mom and Dad Tobler's for steak dinner! It was so incredibly wonderful! Just look at how stunning that table is, not to mention the mouth watering food!! YUMMM!

As per tradition in the Tobler family everyone had to sit on my lap and tell me reasons why they loved me. This is something that we will defiantly be carrying on in our family. It's quite funny to hear some of the things you're husband comes up with!

And last but not least the cake. The quote of the night "I've never had this many candles on my cake before!" Only I was being totally serious! the van den Berge family stopped putting multiple candles on our cake when we were 8 only everyone was laughing so hard they couldn't hear me explain myself. It was a wonderful 21st birthday indeed! Thank you once again to everyone who made me feel so special on my birthday! I can't wait for my party on the 3rd!!!

Dear Santa &/ or Birthday Fairy,

I have decided what I want for my birthday and or Christmas.
The Cricut Expression

That is all, Thank you!

Happy Early Birthday To Me!

My parents wanted to celebrate my 21st birthday with me so we went to Capos Italian restaurant, only this time I wasn't so shy with the camera.

I love the atmosphere at this place. It's just so classic! Our back server (the one who pretty much did all of the work) was wonderful! He laughed and joked with us which made it seem not so mobster-ish hence the flash photography.

They're so cute. A word of wisdom: Ask the server how much the special is before ordering or else you end up paying $45 for a steak that wasn't exactly worth $45. Oops! We now know better! I had a wonderful time and I can't believe that I'll be 21 in less than a week!! Thank you Momma & Pappa! We love you!

Spoiled Rotten

This past weekend my parents got to come down and visit from Canada. It was a whirl wind of an adventure and we had so much fun!

There was LOTS of eating! We stopped at Costco and my parents were amazed at the selection at the food court. Our menu in Canada has pizza, hot dogs, and an ice cream cone, not nearly as exciting. Daddy and I had to tag team to finish his ice cream. Note my stunning hat! I love it!

We decorated...

... while others slept.

We had a mini Christmas since Mom had to carry her tile on so it wouldn't break I decided to give them their gifts a little early. Ho Ho Ho!

On Friday night Mom and Dad came to the Rain Forrest to see my mad twisting skills. They then rushed away to go and see Donny and Marie. Donny was the one who inspired my mother to join the church. She was the first one in her family of 6 to join and now all of her family and their families are members. All accept G-pa... but we'll get him eventually. ;) They said that it was a really great show.

While at Wal-Mart I stumbled upon some sweats for $5 a piece. Let's be serious you can hardly buy the material for that to make them yourselves. They now reside in our emergency kits. Yes we will look like convicts but everyone will be able to find us :)

Of course there was TONS of shopping!

We had so much fun! It was so nice to have some quality time with just my parents. I miss them dearly and am so thankful that they were able to visit. I love you both!!

Dear Life,

My head is spinning, please slow down so I don't loose what, all be it small, portion of my life I seem to have under control.

Thanks

Christmas Came Early

Jakob is now an official gun owning American. He got a Sig Sauer P226 for a steal of a deal. He's had his eye on this baby for quite awhile now and once I gave him the green light to purchase one, less than 24 hours later he had one in his possession. (yes this means that once we get settled down in a house I get a dog!!) I still do not feel comfortable holding it. It feels like a toy to me since I've never held a real gun before. The lethal thing bothers me. I'd probably just end up killing someone, like my visiting teachers, when they drop by unexpectedly. I will learn how to shoot it at the range however but I've decided that's the only place that I'll hold a gun. Merry Christmas love! (only a month and a half early)

AHHHHHH!!!

Me: Jakob, what is this thing on my face?
Jakob: That is a zit love
Me: A ZIT! I NEVER GET ZITS!! How long will it last?!?
Jakob: A few days.
Me: DAYS?!?! I'm never wearing face paint again!!!!!

For the record I never went through the I've-hit-puberty-and-now-my-face-looks-like-a-pus-filled-volcano stage. Certainly I was awkward what teenager isn't but zits, no way. I currently have 3 and I think I might die! I shall never paint my face again!!!

Sully the Scarcrow

Back home in Canada my mother made a baby scarecrow out of my little brothers clothes. Once Mom Tobler and I made our caramel apples I had to think of a place to put them. The basket I got at a yard sale (as you know I have a testimony of yard sales) along with the hay bale and pumpkins. All I needed was a scarecrow so I wandered over to D.I for some answers.

I got the coveralls and the shirt for 2 dollars each the bandanna I had left over from last years New Years party at the Wynn. I stuffed him full of plastic garbage bags (you know the ones that you save from Wal-mart and hardly ever use, ya those ones) and tied the ends of his arms and legs with raffia.

I absolutely love him. Jakob carved his little pumpkin head and I shoved a rolled up file folder inside his shirt to give it some support. And the best part is he's easy to store and I can keep him out until thanksgiving!!! It doesn't get any better than that!

Trick or Treat

We chose treats... lots of treats.

Caramel Apples:

To make caramel apples you'll need a candy thermometer and yes you can do it without it but you'll have to test it in a small bowl of cool water for consistency. Do yourself a favor and buy one. Other than that you'll need 1 can of condensed milk, 1/2 cup butter, 1 bottle of Light corn syrup and 2 cups of sugar.

The first time around I just put everything in a pot and mixed it together which apparently was wrong but we didn't notice any difference. What your "supposed" to do is combine the syrup and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Once sugar is dissolved alternate adding milk and butter in small quantities until used up. Really we didn't think it mattered. the first time around we also boiled it to "hard ball" temperature which was too hard. Batch 2 we stopped at "soft ball". Once you reach your desired thickness add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

We then transported it to a small crockpot to keep it warm enough to dip. MMMM looks sooo good!

Then you poke your apple and dip....

... roll in nuts and decorate with festively coloured chocolate.

Aren't they just gorgeous!?

Cake Balls:

I think since the time that I moved here 2 years ago I've made about 1,000 of these. They are just so simple and can be done in so many different ways! Step one is to bake a cake, any cake you want and let it cool completely.

Once your cake it completely cool find the biggest bowl you have and dump it in. Your going to break up it until it's nothing but crumbs. That's right, you heard me, destroy that beautiful cake.

Next you'll need jar of frosting. We have found cream cheese to be best but that is just a personal preference. No you cannot make your own frosting unless you want to battle with constancy.

Empty the entire jar and start mixing it into your now crumbled cake. Now is the perfect time to add chopped nuts or chocolate chips of you'd like. Chopped pecans are a personal favorite!

Roll it into relatively small balls (one bite is best) and freeze. From experience the cake ball will stay together MUCH better when you go to dip them if you freeze them first. Whip out that chocolate melter and away you go!

Like I said easy! Plus one box of cake goes a long way! Happy Halloween!

A Frightful Sight!

After a month of planning we had our Halloween party. It was full of games, laughter, food, fun and prizes!

As you might of been able to tell from my previous post I was Neytiri from Avatar! This was my first year that I had actually put thought and consideration into a costume and let me tell you, I had fun! Yes I did braid my own hair. I added pieces if yarn with beads and feathers though. It didn't take me near as long as I thought it would. The best part however would have to be my yellow contacts! Worth every penny!

My super hero husband! Easiest costume ever! We just had to buy the blue shirt from DI (which ended up being some young woman's camp shirt from 2004) and black hair spray for $2 at Wal-Mart. Note: If you find yourself using this spray for any occasion know that it will make a mess of your tub when you wash it out!

No party is complete without smoking drinks...

... mummy pizza's...

... & candy. This was a 400 fluid oz jar. Jakob and I filled it up for our candy count. Can you guess how many pieces are in there? Hint: Marah was way under!

We made Haunted Mansions. Stu (aka Knight in shining armor) took the trophy for Dracula's Dwelling. Let's be serious he had a bubbling hot tub.

The ladies! I love them all to bits! I couldn't ask for a better group of friends!!

Jack and Sally (aka James and Jenna) so stinking cute.

Marah the belly dancer and Courtney Maid Marion.

Stu & Courtney won Spellbound Set (Cutest couple)

The Phantom of the Opera set Chuck and Jess were a close second. Chuck did win the big jar of candy. There were 603 pieces. We cheated and added a bag of chips inside. So deceitful.

Ryan was runner up for best costume!

We had so much fun and want to thank everyone for bringing appetizers and desserts. (Or as I put in the invitation deserts). I can't wait for next year! I'm thinking we'll have to do a murder mystery dinner just to shake things up a bit. Happy Halloween everyone!!