Turkey Day!

This year we were lucky enough to get two Thanksgivings. We started off at Grandma and Grandpa Brown’s house the Sunday before and boy did we have a feast! My Grandma Brown is seriously an AMAZING cook and absolutely loves doing it. Every time we go over for a family party, Christmas, New Years or any event in between, you could feed an army with her food. It was fun to finally get to spend a Thanksgiving with the Brown family and I hope this becomes a yearly tradition. I will happily enjoy two Thanksgiving feasts every year!!!

My cute Grandma and IMike mashing some potatoes!My mom's yummy turkey and her shocked and surprised face!

Nate and ArelieKris making a missionary project for TysonCousin timeLook at that spread, and that was only half of it!Take One
Take Two, Aaron is a special soldier :)
Wednesday night we headed down to our annual Thanksgiving destination, St. George. This year it was just my mom, Rod, Mike and I and we had a great time on the ride down as well as in our condo. Isn’t that right “my friend”? Thanksgiving morning we woke up early and began making the rolls and noodles and then headed over to the annual Seegmiller Thanksgiving 5K. My mom and Rod started this about 5 years ago and it’s a fun way to see everyone and get some exercise for the day. We then spent the rest of the day gorging ourselves and hanging out with the fam and of course watching the Seegmiller Talent Show. I love the traditions we as a family have and that we still all get together for Thanksgiving. It keeps us all close and I hope we continue the yearly get together for many years to come. I didn’t take ANY pictures from the Seegmiller family Thanksgiving so instead here is a recipe for the rolls I made. They got rave reviews and were super easy!

Butter Rolls

1 Tablespoon instant or quick rising yeast
1 Tablespoon Sugar
½ cup warm water
½ cup cooking oil
1 cup warm water
½ cup sugar
3 eggs
5 cups flour
¾ teaspoon salt
butter, melted

In a large bowl, soak yeast and sugar in ½ cup warm water. Combine oil and 1 cup warm water. Stir into yeast mix. Add sugar, eggs and 2 cups of the flour. Mix with mixer. Add salt and 3 cups flour. Mix well with a big spoon. Cover and let rise three hours.

Roll out on a well floured- surface, about ½ inch thick. Cut with a pizza cutter, fold over and place in a pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Bruse the inside and top of rolls with butter if desired. Let rise ½ hour. Bake at 350-375 degrees for 20 minutes or until brown on top.

I like to cut mine out with a biscuit cutter, dip one end in butter and then fold in half because that’s how Grandma Seegmiller did it but whatever works for you!

Friday Mike and I decided to venture out on Black Friday, a tradition Sariah and I started a few years ago. Sariah didn’t make it down to St. George this year (such a bummer!) so I dragged Mike with me and surprisingly he was a great sport. I think it’s because he loves good deals as much as I love shopping. If you have never done Black Friday, it’s an interesting but fun experience and as the years go by, I learn more and more about how to get the biggest bang for our buck.

We started off at Wal-Mart (they always have the best deals and offer home and electronics) hoping to get a laptop I desperately need for work, but got there a bit too late and missed out on it. My mom needed some things for my brothers and I needed some kitchen items so we stayed and shopped. I ended up with a crock pot, an electric hand mixer, 2 Pyrex pie tins, a card table, a Pyrex 9x13 pan with a cover and carrying kit all for under $60.00! Although we spent an hour in line checking out (Wal-Mart was NOT organized well) it didn’t damper our bargain spirits and we headed over to Target. Once we got to Target we decided not to brave the line that wrapped around the entire store and ditched it for Best Buy, hoping to find a laptop there.

Best Buy was busy but extremely well organized so we jumped into the line for computers hoping to get lucky and find a laptop. To our surprise, we found out two laptops we wanted. I guess Best Buy hands out tickets for their “hot” items and if they are not used by noon on Friday, they allow you to purchase the items that are left at their Black Friday price. The only downside is you have to wait in line since it is first come first serve. Mike and I really wanted this one laptop that was “ticketed” but decided to buy our back-up laptop just in case they ran out before we got to the counter, knowing we could return it. After buying the back-up laptop and a computer monitor for our desk top ($99.00!) I braved the line and waited an hour and a half until noon came around crossing my fingers that people wouldn’t redeem their tickets. We ended up lucking out and getting the laptop we really wanted! Whoopie! I am anxiously awaiting Christmas so I can finally use it and can feel it starting at me from underneath the tree everyday! I can’t wait until I can finally work from home!

We had a really successful Black Friday this year, so much so that we couldn’t fit all the stuff I bought in the car home and had to get Donnie and Dee to take some back for us (thanks guys!). I seriously can’t wait until I have kids and can go shopping for them because it’s such a rush to find a great deal and know you can give so much without completely breaking the bank!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and Black Friday too! Now onto Christmas festivities!

Utah Football Season 2009

I was incredibly bad at taking photos this year at the Utah games but we once again had a great Utah football season and can't wait until next year! I think we might spring for some actual seats next year though. Here are some of my favorite pics from the games...

Annie and Justin got some tailgating lot passes so we found Steve and ate some yummy food with him, TJ and Sam. Thanks Albrechts!Steve is actually a really really good cook.

The Albrechts!

Annie and I

Brr... it was a COLD season.
Trying to get Ed to smile. Wasn't happening.
Justin in Cole's chair with his sippy cup :)

Mike, Combe, Bart and Justin

This year there was a game on Halloween, which happens to be right around Cole and Justin's birthday. Annie being the great mom and wife that she is, had Banbury Cross donuts make these super cute docunts that said Happy Birthday Cole and Justin. They were a HUGE hit and so adorable and tasty!

Isn't Cole the cutest??I just adore this picture.

Miss Annie and baby Cole Cole was really intrigued by something and really wanted to show Uncle Harm.

Can't wait until next season!!!

Colors of Life!

For the past 10 years, my family and I have been attending The Sharing Place's annual fundraiser, The Colors of Life. As I have gotten older I have participated in various ways from making an art piece which told my family's story and how Sharing Place helped us to putting together a "love basket" in my dad's memory to being on the COL committee. This year with Aubree's wedding being the weekend after COL, I decided I couldn't be on the fundraising committee but I gladly offered up my basement and spent many Saturdays assembling auction baskets. About a month before Colors of Life was to be held I was asked to be the guest speaker at the event, and I was beyond flattered. Even though I am petrified of speaking in public I joyfully accepted. If conquering my fears will raise money for The Sharing Place than I am always in.

The date of the event I was beyond nervous because I didn't know how to convey how much my dad's death has changed my life and how The Sharing Place saved my family and I in just a few short minutes. I was stressing big time but as I was practicing alone in my car something or someone came over me and I broke down in tears, yet still kept talking. At that point I realized I just needed to speak from my heart and the words would come. I went to the event, enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere, yummy food, and bid on a few items but mostly relished in the support I had not only from The Sharing Place staff but from my amazing family and dear friends who were all there for me and this cause that is engrained in my existence. As I got up to the podium and began to bear my heart to a room full of people I hardly knew, I looked at my mom who had tears streaming down her face and I lost it. All I could think as I tried to compose myself is, do this for her, do this for your rock, do this because without her, this program and her love, you would not have survived. I finally composed myself and as I did, that same feeling came over me. I began to speak and while I have no idea what I said, I know I was conveying what I needed to. When I was about to lose it again, I looked over to my other strength, my amazing friend Chris and the family The Sharing Place brought into my life, and his face gave me the courage I needed to finish. When I was done speaking, I looked around the room and saw tears running down cheeks of people who didn't even know me or my story before tonight and as I stepped off the podium, I was greeted by hugs from my friends and family as well as complete strangers. It was truly an amazing experience and taught me so much about myself, as well as my loved ones and the ability for strangers to change your life and it will be an experience I don't soon forget. While it was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done, I am beyond glad I was able to conquer my fear to express what The Sharing Place has given to me and how the help of everyone in the room would allow other grieving children find their way out of the dark into the light again.

Although this evening was full of emotion, Colors of Life is seriously such a good time! This is one event I never miss and each year it just keeps getting bigger and better; not to mention it raises over $80,000 for The Sharing Place and a grief outreach program for children who are unable to attend The Sharing Place. Now THAT is amazing and something I am proud to be a part of! Thanks Mom, Rod, Mike, Cathy, Hannie and Ryan for coming out and enjoying this memorable night with me! Wouldn't have been the same without you. Love you all!

Yummy Food!

Me and my amazing mom.

Me and my incredibly wonderful friend Hannie.

The wall of hearts. The kids make these in group.

Auction time!

Matt and Rod The Sharing Place logo that local artists made and were auctioned off.

Miss Cecilie and John

Stacy did an amazing job with the love baskets this year!

Miss Stephanie and her guest!

I think this picture is breathtaking.

The thingamabobs! Way to add color to everyone!

Mike, his mom and a friend from church.

My parents. DTSB bidding away! Chris and another guest!

The Baileys. Ryan and Han.

The Colors of Life committee always takes funny pictures at the after party. Last year was big lips, this year mustaches!

Congrats!

I just wanted to congratulate two of my favorite, most stylish, fun, supportive and beautiful girls I know, Annie and Rachel on expecting! They are due just three months apart and are both having baby boys! I can't wait to meet these two babies and I am so excited for you both! Congratulations again!!!

09.26.09

On 9.26.09, one of my very dearest friends married her soul mate. It was a beautiful wedding and it was such an honor to be a part of her special day. Aubree and I met in gym class in the 7th grade after she moved here from California. She loves the story of how we met because I told her she could sit next to my friend Megan and I and then I immediately asked her if she liked Britney Spears. We have been great friends ever since and I can't wait to see where life takes us. Here are some pics of her perfect day! Love you Boobs!

Getting Aubz ready

Glad Katie knew how to tie it!Putting on the garter, such an honor.A stunning bride. I just love this picture!Aubree and her dad walking down the aisleLoved her trainFirst Kiss!This picture is so Aubree :)The bridesmaids and best friends till the end.Me and my BoobrieThe entire wedding party GQ!The happy Ferguson Family!

Terence, Kyler, Ryder and AubreeAubree got us tthese great bracelets with out names and her wedding date engraved and a beautiful card. We were all in tears. They were a perfect gift!

Funny pictures!The bachelorette staple kiss face!After the boys did it to Aubree, we had to return the favor.Such a beautiful couple.So lucky that we are all such great friends. Made the wedding that much more amazing!

Laura, Katie, me and KendraThe centerpieces were beautiful!Loved her cake too!Me and mah Faux Nephew KylerWe have all been friends for SO long! Mike was amazing this entire night. He videotaped the entire thing and made sure Aubree and every bridesmaid was taken care of the whole night. I really do have one amazing man.
Cody caught the garter! I absolutely adore this picture!

I just love this girl.Baby Boo Boo was so tuckered out by the end. Just love him though! The girls of the wedding!
"Dancing the night away!" Ring a ding ding!
The Fergusons in the limo!

Thanks Aubree for such amazing memories. Everything from the engagement party, to the bachelorette party, to the wedding to the months of planning in between are memories I will cherish forever. I love you and am beyond ecstatic for the happiness you have found with Terence. Love you so much!