O Christmas Tree ...

... so after almost four years of marriage, and five Christmas holidays together, we finally put up our first tree! On Monday night, Jim surprised me with this beautiful tree he got from a local boy's group ... It was so fun putting the lights and the ornaments on it for Family Home Evening ... Then yesterday when I got home, the whole house smelled like a pine forest - it was awesome! I'm loving it ... ... John and Sharon (Jim's mom and dad) will be here on the 18th, so we're tying to be festive this year. It will be really fun having them as we only get to see them once or twice a year. I just hoping they don't freeze! Last week it was 80 degrees in Florida ... so they're in for quite a surprise. Yikes.

... Bozeman or Bust!

... On to the next adventure! We're pretty grateful and humbled by our tremendous blessings ... It makes my eyes well up with tears to think that within a few months, Jim will be starting a new job - doing what he loves - and we'll be able to drive to Idaho Falls in just a few short hours ... We've prayed for this for a long time.

Our trip to Bozeman on Friday was pretty sweet. Coeur d'Alene was supposed to have 4 to 6" of snow on Thursday night ... and much to our suprise, and as an answer to lots of prayers, the storm had taken an unexpected turn south - and we only received a skiff of snow. The roads were pretty bare and our six hour drive to Bozeman in below-freezing weather was better than we could have hoped for! Jim had a wonderful meeting with the fire chief and the chief told him that he'd hand-picked Jim (and a few others) out of 80 applicants to join the Big Horn Fire Company ... it's a private, federally contracted fire department. With all of his teaching and training experience, Jim will be one of the leads in the department. I'm so thrilled for him and excited for this wonderful opportunity ... Montana, who knew? ... we'll keep you posted.

Thank you all for being so supportive to Jim and I. Your words of encouragement and your prayers mean so much to us! Thank you, thank you ... thank you! We love you all very much.

Woo-hoo!

I'm so excited! We hired a new designer! I met with him last week and offered him the job this morning! Yeah! I know this isn't a big deal to everyone else ... but I can't tell you how relieved and excited I am to have some help!?!?!? His name is Ben, he lives in CDA with his wife and he is really nice, very easy going guy. He's only thirty and has got nine years design experience in print and he showed a great portfolio. Aahhhhh .... he starts the Monday after Thanksgiving ... so now J and I can come down and actually ENJOY the holiday weekend with our fabulous family! Woo-hoo! Whew ... there is SO much to be thankful for ... and this is pretty good start!

To follow suit, I'm also very grateful for:
1. Mom and Dad ... I don't know what I'd do without their words of never-ending encouragement and unconditional love. Words can't express how very grateful I am for my family, for my upbringing, for the truths that were taught in our home growing up ... in the crazy world of today, I am so thankful that our family is a strong, united front against the evils of modern day. I love watching my brothers and sister teaching their beautiful children these same important gospel truths. As everything life can quickly change ... I am so grateful that the things that remain CONSTANT in my life are my family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It isn't by chance that we learn through the gospel of Jesus Christ, that we have the opportunity to be with our families forever ... How beautifully the two intertwine one with the other.

2. Missionaries ... we had the elders over last night and had a great talk with them. I am so grateful for these young men and women who serve The Lord. What a tremendous example of selfless service. With Nate coming home this week, I've thought alot about missionaries and the families of missionaries. It makes me want to open my home to them often and treat them how I would hope Erin, Cami, Mark, Eric, Rod, Adam, and Nate (and so many others!) were treated while on their missions - especially throughout this holiday season. I hope everyone will keep the elders in mind in the coming weeks and maybe even make them a little holiday treat or just thank them at church on Sunday ...

Okay, that's enough from me! I hope no one dozed off while reading - if you did - I'm sorry but I'm sure you'll get over it. I love you all! Have a wonderfully cozy, warm and happy weekend.

Once a Year ...

... you get to dress up like a complete idiot and get a way with it!!! So Jim and I took full advantage this year and dressed up for our ward's trunk or treat ... I found a couple of wigs on my lunch hour, and the rest just happened ... good times. Jim aka "Youse don't know Jack" cracked everyone up ... and none of the primary kids knew who I was ... they were wondering why I knew their names ... when I told them it was 'Sister Nottingham' ... they giggled, and asked me if I was supposed to be a 'drama queen' ... that made me laugh. It was fun.


Yup ... it's Jim's own beard and eyebrows ... he touched them up some black face paint to have them match the 'fro' ... now that's dedicating yourself to the part ... ha ha ha. I couldn't stop laughing ... when he put on the blonde wig, I couldn't decide if he looked like "Dog" the Bounty Hunter or a caveman version of Fabio ... Hmmm ... he's a purty man ... hee hee.

Autumn in Coeur d'Alene ...

... Thought I'd finally post some fall pics for you ... most are taken from our front yard - looking down the street in three directions (we live on a corner) ... half of our front yard is pine needles, and the other half is maple leaves ... it's pretty funny ... in the photo that shows the pine needles, you'll easily be able to see where the neighbor had just raked her lawn. THERE IS actually green grass under that, but you'd never know. Ugg. That's what we'll be raking for FHE tonight ... serving others, er, I mean helping ourselves. Anywhoo ... and then our entire back and side yards are the orange leaves you see on the side of the house ... I can't complain though - having shade in the summer time is something to be most grateful for ... and I don't mind raking. Sure feels good when it's done! Too bad y'all can't come up and jump in our piles of leaves ... I think there's enough to bury the ENTIRE family!!!

Ham & Swiss Mustard Bread

Hey guys ... I finally made this again this weekend - I posted a cooking time, temp etc ... to finish out the recipe Kim found for me ... thank you, thank you! It really only took about 15 minutes prep time and baked up really nicely ... you could use turkey too, or whatever! Pretty yummy on a cold day, or an easy dinner to make 2 (two) if you have to take someone dinner.

Okay Dad ...

... this one's for you ... ha ha ha! How do you like me now!?!?!?! Dad's been teasing me for a while now that I never post any pictures of myself on the blog ...

Sweet Baby Boy ...

UPDATE: The 'baby' is now officially named "Conor James" ... what a sweet name ... we love it! Not that we're partial or anything ... hee hee ...

He's finally here! Woohoo! I can't wait to hold this sweet little boy. Congratulations mommy & daddy ... Papa Reu, Papa Bill, MaLyn and 'Bette' ... and all of us aunts and uncles ... number 11!!! He's our little tie-breaker! What a cutie pie ... thanks for letting me 'borrow' the photos mom and dad!

Family Photo ...

Okay, just a few more! Here's the one of ALL of us that were at the fun run that day ... it was probably the only time that day that we were all in the same place at the same time! Thanks for such fun memories for Jim and I ... it was our first race day with the kids.

Family Fun ...

Here are some more fun photos that hopefully you haven't seen ... some from the fun run, and some from the pizza party later at mom's house ... what a FUN day!

Random Photos ...

Heya family! It's about time I posted these pictures. I know that everyone already posted theirs from the 'Fun Run' ... but here are a few more that maybe you haven't seen? There are some pretty cute photos of the kids in here. Love you all!

Conference ...

... what a tremendous weekend. We don't live close enough to the 'Conference Corridor' to receive the broadcast over TV or radio ... so we're pretty grateful that www.lds.org offered a live feed of the sessions. It was a great weekend watching/listening over the computer ... and just so you know, the BYU website offers audio files of all the talks ... listed by speaker. I've been listening to them at work for the past couple of days.

I've just felt the overwhelming reassurance that Heavenly Father knows each one of us. He loves us. He knows our struggles and our heartaches. The Lord hears our prayers and even as He will answer - in His own way and time - He has given us the incredible gift of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. I am so very grateful for this tender mercy. All will be well ... if we'll but obey His commandments and keep the 'perfect brightness of hope"... There is no room for fear. All will be well.

I love you all very, very much. Keep the faith!

4 Things ...

Okay, Kimi tagged us all to do a different 'set' ... of four this time ... hee hee!

Jobs I've had:
Shopko - in High School and College ... I needed in-state residency, what can I say?!
Clinique and Esteé Lauder ... seriously a fun, no-brainer job. Loved it.
Graphic Designer ... (Melaleuca, I.F. / Nutraceutical, Park City / Valley Media, Salt Lake City)
Art Director ... (Learnframe, Salt Lake City / Keller Citizen, Fort Worth, TX / Yoke's, Spokane)

4 Places I Have Lived:
IDAHO ... Boise, Idaho Falls and currently Coeur d'Alene
UTAH ... Logan (born there when mom & dad were in school, and I went to school there too!)
Salt Lake (Oh my: Holladay, Ft. Union, Sandy, Murray, South Jordan and Lehi-all in 6 yrs.)
TEXAS ... Gainesville and Denton
WASHINGTON ... Spokane - does living at work count, ha ha ...

4 Favorite TV Shows:
Grey's Anatomy
That 70's Show ... cracks me up.
Jeopardy ... nerd alert!
Brothers & Sisters

4 Places I've Been On Holiday:
Vermont in the Fall
Florida in the Humidity
Georgia ... georgeous
Hawaii ... loved snorkeling at sunrise - no one else around ... heaven!

4 Favorite Dishes:
Mom's Swiss Steak
Jim's chili or goulash ... SO yummy.
Tortilla Soup
Ryan's Pizza!

4 Websites I visit:
Worth1000.com (Photoshop contests - hilarious!)
Apple
Family Blogs - of course!
Metro Creative Graphics

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
Anywhere but here ... at work. Eek.
At lunch with my mom and my sisters! (Olive Garden sounds yum Kim!)
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
On a road trip with Jimmy ...

Jim's '5 Things' ...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Living in Keene, Texas, going to school and volunteer firefighting.
2. Working at Barnes and Noble during the day ...
3. Attending Fire Academy at night.
4. Was studying for Fire Exam ...
5. Lots of fishing and flirting ...

5 things on my "to do" list today:
1. Go to Costco to get bottled water
2. Build 17 exterior window frames
3. Call Fire Chief in Driggs ... for the weekly 'check-in'
4. Water the yard
5. Take a shower

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Beef Jerky
2. Funyons
3. Mt. Dew ... do the dew.
4. Milk Duds
5. Bagel with cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon), capers and red onion. Awesome.

5 songs I know the Lyrics to:
1. 'Dust in the Wind' - Kansas
2. 'Back in Black' - ACDC
3. 'Turbo Lover' - Judas Priest
4. Anything by Garth Brooks
5. Anything by Lynard Skynard

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Start a foundation for middle-class white people ... ha ha.
2. Start a wilderness program for wayward kids
3. Buy a home in Jackson, WY and Fort Worth, TX (okay small homes-ha!)
4. Travel Europe ... From Scandanavia (Our homeland!) to the southern tip O'Africa
5. Buy a yacht to be kept in the Puget Sound ...

5 Bad Habits:
1. I swear too much.
2. I drink too much caffeine.
3. I hate doing housework.
4. I play video games too much.
5. I leave piles of change all over the house.

5 Things I would never wear again:
1. Louvered sunglasses ... don't ask.
2. White, woven loafers ... aka Sunny Crockett Sandals ...
3. Kangaroos ... (shoes with velcro)
4. Tighty-Whities
5. Peg legged jeans

5 of my favorite toys:
1. PlayStation 2
2. iMac
3. Knife collections
4. Gun collections
5. Compass

5 Poeple I tag:
Everyone's pretty much been tagged ... c'mon bros.

5 Things ...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Living in Sandy, enjoying my new found freedom!
2. Working in Park City designing labels and magazines
3. Dating three guys at once ... hee hee.
4. Spending WAY too much money on shoes and clothes ...
5. Spending lots of time at Des' house

5 things on my "to do" list today:
1. Make it through the day ... ha ha.
2. Grab new product and take photos
3. Get Ad proof to stores by 3PM
4. Get more cough drops on the way home
5. Go to bed early

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Gala Apples, but they have to be crisp!
2. Almonds
3. Anything chocolate, or anything dipped in chocolate
4. Sugar-Free Popsicles. Grape and cherry are my favorites.
5. Sunchips ... they're even good dipped in chocolate.

5 songs I know the Lyrics to:
1. The Primary Songbook!
2. Lots of 70's and 80's stuff ... eek.
3. "What a Wonderful World" ... my favorite.
4. Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest ... ha ha.
5. "Summer Lovin" ... Grease ... doesn't everyone??? Haha.

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Take the entire family on a fun trip somewhere ...
2. Well, we could move WITHOUT new jobs ... ha ha ha ...
3. Visit Jim's family more often.
4. Buy lots of children!
5. Travel all over ...

5 Bad Habits:
1. I always say, "I'm sorry" ... even when there's nothing to be sorry for?!?!?!
2. I don't know how to delegate ... aka ... I'm a control freak.
3. I'm not the most patient person in traffic. I'll just leave it at that.
4. I'm OCD ... I have to recheck all locks and make sure lights are off and things are unplugged.
5. It doesn't matter if I get up early ... I still push it until the VERY last minute to get out of the house in the morning ... it's ridiculous.

5 Things I would never wear again:
1. "Mom" jeans
2. Plastic earrings that match my outfit
3. Blue mascara
4. Sweaters with personality ... e.g. sweaters with snowmen on them, hearts or any kind of seasonal 'shout outs' ...
5. High-top tennis shoes with multi-colored, glittery laces ... 'LA Gear' anyone???

5 of my favorite toys:
1. Jim
2. iMac
3. iPod
4. Digi-Cam
5. Brookstone foot massager ... heaven.

5 Poeple I tag:
1. Mark
2. Eric
3. Ryan
4. Rodney
5. Jim

Grandpa Mel ...

I hope you've read Kimi's beautiful blog about Grandpa Mel ... Saturday night was such a special night ... to go and see grandpa and be able to hold his hand and gently kiss him on the forehead. How grateful I am for those precious moments. Erin offered an amazing prayer on behalf of all of us ... There was an amazing calm, peaceful feeling in grandpa's room. Those who are on the other side of the veil are very close by, attending our sweet grandpa ...

As I looked through some of the photos I have of grandma and grandpa, I thought I'd post some that captured some pretty amazing moments.

Their wedding day ...
Grandpa at his college graduation ... with Grandma Ernestine and little Orkell.

... grandpa with little Melvin Reuel ....
... with Kelly and Dad ...
... horsin' around ... ha ha.

... what a good looking couple!!!
... Our greatest examples ... we love you so much grandma and grandpa!

Grrr ...

It was so fun to see you all this weekend. What a special trip! I'll post lots of pictures soon, but I wanted to post one of Jim that one of his fellow counselors took while he was up in the Montana wilderness this summer ... in all of his bearded glory ... hee hee. I love it! Gorgeous ... and the sunset isn't bad either ...

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy ...

I love you sweet Jaxon ... I miss you so much. I miss your bright, blue eyes and your never-ending hugs. You are my heart. Love, Tare Bear

Eight years ago, sweet little Jaxon was born and changed all of our lives forever. I miss him so much and can't wait to see him again. I know we're all thinking of him today (and always) ... I am so grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever. I feel so blessed to be a part of our eternal family ... I love you all bunches and tons.

Seattle ...

We went over to Seattle this weekend with some friends of ours ... and we had a GREAT time! See some of the fun stuff in the next two posts ... it was, appropriately enough, raining ... which was a welcome relief from the heat of the past few weeks ... the shot above is the view from our hotel room ... and here's my cute Jim, sans beard, relaxing ... I'm so glad to have him back!

Pike Street Marketplace ...

... One of our favorite places ... those of you who've been there know what a fun melting-pot of crazy people, colorful flavors, sights and smells Pike Street Marketplace is ... it's quite fun place to people-watch ... Lots of local artisans that come and sell their wares ... it's such a unique experience every time we visit. Some of the shop stay the same ... which we're grateful for ... as Sotté Vocé has the best Basil Olive Oil and Peppered Balsamic Vinegar we've ever tried ... we have to grab a couple of bottles every time we visit ... here are some pictures we took in the market ... check out the gorgeous flowers ... amazing.

The old buildings line either side of the street ... all have beautiful flowers over head ...

SO many visitors ... fresh fish, fruits, etc ... kind of like a farmer's market on steroids.

Check out these peppers ... I've never seen anything like them .... such vibrant colors ... in long strands and in wreaths ... to be used fresh or dried for decoration ... they were dripping with rain ...