Christmas Par-Tay

So I am sitting in the lobby at our hotel in California waiting to see if my brothers can find the Phase 10 cards.  They went to go search in the car.  And I in the meantime decided I could spend my time wisely online.  So here is a picture from our Annual Girls Christmas Party.  Thank you to Alisse for hosting and planning along with Megan.  The soup bowls were amazing (thanks to Kelli) and the games were fun too.  I love watching Stacie play games especially the hat, gloves, wrapped present one. 

Christmas was great!  Steven's entire family of 29 came in town and he really does have such an awesome family.  I didn't take pictures and I am kicking myself right about now.  My family and his family had a barbecue Christmas Eve and we all had a good time.  My brother Dallin LOVES his family and thinks he now apart of the Jones Crew.

I am in California right now with my 2 bros and Mom and their friend Rick Hale.  We went to Six Flaggs and we will be leaving back to Arizona tomorrow morning.  Pictures will soon follow.

California is an hour ahead so even though it is 11:06pm here, it is midnight in Mesa and my eye lids are closing as I type these words.

Goodnight.

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I am OFFICIALLY on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe.  It is no secret that these are my favorite cookies to make but I have made almost a dozen different recipes and am never fully satisfied.  I am looking for the perfect crispness and not that cake-like cookie.  I don't like that at all. And is the secret butter or crisco; brown sugar or white sugar or both?

 But then I know there is a certain way to make the recipe than mixing everything at once.  What is your method and if you have a recipe you would like to share with EXACT ingredients and directions, please share and I will announce which is the perfect chocolate chip recipe.


You can even leave your comment as "anonymous" if it is a secret family recipe or you are afraid I will ended up thinking they are absolutely horrible.  Just kidding!

Didn't Know I Would Be So Entertained...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bring It Huskies!

I can't believe it!!  Mesa High actually made it to the state championship game.  We made it to the playoffs in the hardest region in Arizona which is a major feat in and of itself and then went on to beat Red Mountain, Brophy and Moutain Pointe in the playoffs when we were bet to lose all 3.  Take that you Arizona Republic football people!  I am so proud of Dallin and his cute little team.  Well they are not so little!!  Dallin decided to come play football after 2 years of swim and started as QB by the 2nd game and has dominated ever since.  But he has an amazing offensive line and a rock solid, tough defensive line.  Without those 2 things, this would not be happening and I couldn't be happier for him.

Back during the passing league in June and July, all the boys would wear a yellow shirt with the #7 on it.  I didn't understand what the heck the 7 meant so when I asked Dallin he said that the #7 is the exit number at the Arizona Cardinals Stadium where the State Championship Game is.  In my mind I was thinking, "well goodluck with that since Mesa High hasn't been to state since 1992."  And that is the year Dallin was born.  Kind of funny.  Anyahoo...wow was I a non-believer.  They not only made it to state, but they get to run through Exit #7 next week in the State Championship game vs. the Hamilton Huskies.  I may be a nervous wreck through the whole game.  Oh well.  Bring it!

Seattle Trip #2

Steven and I went to Seattle over the weekend because he had an interview.  And I of course decided to tag along.  It is funny because when Steven and I first started dating, he mentioned how he wasn't the biggest traveler...well this is like our 4th trip together in 6 months!!  You know how I love my vacations. 

And we had so much fun and I really do love Seattle.  What a clean and beautiful place!! 

Here we are at a pizza place in downtown Seattle.  We were trying to find a Quiznos but went the wrong direction and found this instead.  Nothing like little hole-in-the-wall places. 

Our sweet rental...

I seriously love the ice cream cones at McDonalds and then to have it dipped too is just amazing. 

At the Seattle Temple.  

Space Needle

Pike's Market Place

Seattle Aquarium

Steven met with the CEO the day before his interview for drinks.  I thought this was funny because "drinks" to us means water but for Steven possibly apple juice.

On the day of Steven's interview, I just cruised downtown Seattle.  And I love downtown Seattle.  It is so clean and busy and there is a lot to see and do. 

 The company loved Steven (of course) and has contacted him since we have been back in AZ but he just doesn't feel it is what he needs to take advantage of right now.  We were both kind of hoping he would love it but that's okay.  It still is a fun place to visit and there will always be more opportunities. 

Steven had flowers delivered for me to my room while he was gone at his interview.  Such a cute guy!!  I knew I couldn't take them on the plane so I carried them around everywhere until we had to leave.  

But we missed our flights because of an accident on the freeway and had to get 2 rooms at the Red Roof Inn.  I thought we were going to get shot while we were there.  But at least it wasn't the Seattle airport to sleep in so I was grateful.

But it was such an awesome trip and I realize more and more that even though I love my family dearly, I don't have to live in Mesa and raise a family in Mesa.  There are so many wonderful places to raise a family.  I was surprised while we were in Seattle because it never rained but was overcast 3 out of the 4 days we were there.  A couple at the ward we went to said that is a myth about Seattle.  Everyone thinks it rains constantly when really it doesn't.  It is overcast a lot but doesn't rain as much as you would think. Being from the valley of the sun, that is WAY different then Arizona but kind of a nice change of pace too.  The last day we were there it was bright and sunny and just beautiful.  

Can you tell I was hoping Steven would love this new company??  haha.  But He needs to love where he is. He is the one going to work everyday and running the business; not me so I am perfectly fine with visiting Seattle again.

I Actually Did It!

This is proof that I actually cut my hair.  I have to say it feels so much more healthy and easy.  Sorry for the up close and personal shot...

Looks like I went with B...

And this is kind of fun...A lady that Steven had a meeting with a few days ago knows John McCain and his wife personally.  So today, much to Steven's surprise, he received a book signed by John McCain to Steven all personalized and everything.  It is pretty ligit!  Now...John McCain wasn't my choice for the Republican nominee but still kind of cool.  Steven was pretty excited. 

Another funny story...so Steven and I decide last night to list 20 things that we are grateful for and then we will read our lists to each other.  After about 20 minutes, Steven reads his first.  His title of the 20 most gratefuls is : The ABC's of BMP (that's me).  So he goes on to list all the things he is grateful for about me starting with A, B, C, and so on.  I think this is so sweet and then I get to thinking...I didn't do that.  I just listed 20 things I am grateful for... Did we have a misunderstanding??  He wrote all these 20 things he is grateful for about me and I listed to live in a free country, and fiber bars, and water and luckily...he thought it was pretty funny.  I re did a list with all my Steven gratefuls.  It was very easy to come up with.  I will post it in my Thanksgiving post. Isn't that funny though??  Steven did...thank goodness.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all...happy eating. 

Adventures With Steven

Steven and I went to the fair last Saturday. I haven’t been in years and I forgot how white trash it is. JK. No but we really did have a lot of fun and we even went and saw Kelly Clarkson in concert.

Check out this cow's tongue...weird...but we had to take a picture.

Here she is folks...

And then that following Monday, Steven took the day off work and we drove up to Payson.  We ate at this real nasty restaurant and went bowling.  I know we could have done those two things here but it was nice to get away and it was an excuse to spend more time together.  And he had this whole day planned for me and it was so adorable.

When I said nasty...I wasn't kidding.  Take a look at the meat...HELLO

This is a funny story.  So we go up to get our shoes and the lady asks us what size so I say, "I am a 9" and the Steven says..."Same".  I about died.  SAME!!   I HAVE THE SAME SIZE FEET AS MY BOYFRIEND?  This can't be right.  So as I was putting them on much to my relief, they were 2 sizes to big.  All of the shoes ran in mens so I had to get a 7 instead.  It may only be 2 sizes smaller, but I will take it!

But when we got back to Mesa, we went and at at Rubios and then watched a movie.  It was the perfect day!

This past weekend we drove to New Mexico to see the BYU vs. New Mexico game in Albuquerque and then drove to the Farmington, Aztec area so I could see where Steven grew up.  The game almost gave Steven a heart attack but we pulled it out (barely) and the seats were super sweet.  It was kind of cold but we stayed plenty warm.  And I have to say that the New Mexico stadium is really cool.

We left really early Saturday morning so we had to take turns driving and resting...

And we bought a horrible set of speakers at Walmart to watch a movie on my laptop. 

And here I am sleeping again...But the trip was so fun and we were able to stay with his sister's family.  Well Lindsey wasn't there since she was in Utah but we stayed with Kyle and their 4 kids.  It was quite the circus and a lot of fun.  It was nice to meet so many people that basically helped raise Steven and just to be where he grew up.  And all the old ladies in the ward would say, "Now you hold on to this one...don't let this one go..."  Yes...I know!

And this one has nothing to do with our trip but I just think he is so cute!

It's Time

A

B

I have been thinking about cutting my hair for a really long time. It did take me 3 years to get it back to my normal length after I lossed it, so you would think I would have this huge attachment to my long hair. Well…I don’t and I am tired of doing it all the time and then I get lazy and pull it back in a bun and I just feel like I need a change of pace. Now which one do you like better? The layered look or no…The only problem is I usually part my hair down the middle but Hilary is so good at what she does that we can figure it out. So take a vote….A or B…

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Now I understand this post is almost a week late since my lovely Mother’s birthday was the 11^th but better late then never…right!

Anyahoo, it was my Mom’s birthday last Wednesday and it was a great day. We helped Rachel with the kiddos and then we all went and saw “This is It” and I have to say it was really good. I have never been a huge Michael Jackson fan but after seeing this movie, I would have paid good money to see him in concert. He really was a musical genius and just seemed really down to earth and humble. Moving on…we then went to Red Lobster for dinner and had cake and ice cream back at the house.

I love my Mom for so many reasons. And I am who I am today because of her. But here are a few of the reasons I love my Mother:

1. She loves the Gospel and has a strong testimony. She has always been the rock in our home and always fulfills her church callings to the best of her ability.

2. She has the most amazing work ethic. If you want something done…you call Carol Parker.

3. She loves and supports us kids and would do anything for us.

4. She believes in us and wants the best for us. She has always been pro-education and was my #1 fan through school. One time I called her when I was up at school crying and telling her that I was dropping out and coming home and she said, “No you are not. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.” And well…I did graduate from college.

5. She is a great listener.

6. She has a great sense of humor.

7. She can pretty much do anything. It is pretty amazing actually.

8. Nothing like Mom’s cooking

9. She is so good about birthdays and holidays and making things just really special for us kids.

10. She has sacrificed her whole life for us.

Sure love you Mom!! Happy Birthday!!

Nixon Banks Shumway

Baby Nixon Banks Shumway was born yesterday at 5pm weighing 8lbs and 7 ounces. He is the most perfect human being in the world. I just love him and can’t get enough of him. I use to think that newborns can sometimes be kind of strange looking, but not this baby. He is perfect.

Crazy enough, Dr. Guzman let Alan deliver Nixon. I am not even kidding. Dr. Guzman has delivered all of Rachel’s babies and Rachel just loves Dr. Guzman and he has become a really good friend to her and Alan. So anyways, Alan was right there doing everything he was told as the doctor was just leaning over him directing him in what to do. I did attend the delivery and it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. When I started to see his head, I didn’t quite know it was the head and then all of a sudden, his head just popped out and then his shoulders and this tiny human. It was so amazing. At first it was a little strange seeing my sister this way (I am not going to lie) but then I thought…well that is going to be me someday so oh well.

He is trying to be very modest in showing that he is indeed a little boy…

This is Dr. Guzman. I didn’t picture him to be so young looking. He was telling us that he delivers about 45 babies a month and has been practicing for almost 8 years. You do the math…

Bonding time with his favorite aunt…

I have to say this was one of my favorite parts of my whole experience. Baby Nixon is having his ABR hearing test. It is his Auditory Brainstem Response which basically measures responses from the hearing nerves and the brain. I have seen this on video in some of my classes so it was fun for me to watch in person.

It was fun to see Kaden and Jack’s response when they saw the baby. And here is the cutest video of Kaden with Nixon.