OHHHH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOSHHHHHHH

OK SO I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND JUST NEED TO VENT!!! WHO THE HEK WOULD TELL THEIR SPOUSE TODAY (( UMM YEAH IT'S WEDNESDAY)) "BY THE WAY HONEY, I HAVE TO GO OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEEK AND I LEAVE MONDAY." HELLO DID WE FORGET HERE I JUST STARTED A NEW JOB AND OUR "NANNY" WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY BIGGEST LIFESAVER CAN'T JUST ALTER HER LIFE AROUND MY HUSBANDS TELL YA WHEN I TELL YA LIFESTYLE!!

SORRY BUT SERIOUSLY AM I WRONG TO BE A TINY BIT UPSET!! IT'S LIKE, YEAH WE HAVE BY FAR THE BEST DAY CARE PROVIDER (ANGELA THANKS I WOULD BE 10 TIMES MORE STRESSED IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU).

BUT IT'S JUST NOT FAIR THAT I HAVE TO ALWAYS BE INFORMED OF THINGS ON A LAST MINUTE BASIS. I HAVE 5 MILLION KNOTS IN MY NECK AND BACK BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF TRYING TO WORK FULL TIME, BE A MOM FULL TIME, BE A WIFE FULL TIME AND BE A HOUSE MAID FULL TIME (ADAM HAS BEEN A LOT BETTER AT HELPING WITH THIS DUTY). I JUST WANT TO PULL OUT ALL OF MY HAIR!!

ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, NEXT WEEK HAPPENS TO BE OUR WEEK WITH LANDEN. HIS BIRTHDAY IS IN 2 DAYS, WE HAVE A BDAY PARTY HERE AT OUR HOUSE ON SATURDAY, LET'S SEE OH YEAH DID I MENTION I HAVE 5 BILLION KNOTS IN MY NECK AND BACK. I HAVENT EATEN DINNER YET AND I HAVE A MASSIVE MIGRANE. SO HERE ARE MY OPTIONS
1. I HAVE HIS FATHER KEEP HIM FOR THE WEEK EXCEPT ON FRIDAY!! (WHICH ADAM IS TOTALLY NOT DOWN WITH).
2. I JUST TELL MY BOSS THAT NEXT WEEK I WILL BE LATE EVERYDAY BECAUSE MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO DROP A BOMB ON ME AT THE LAST MINUTE.
MAYBE WORKING FULL TIME NEEDS TO JUST BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET BECAUSE EVERYTHING WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE I GOT THIS JOB, JUST IS NOT HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!

I JUST DON'T THINK HE THINKS AHEAD SOMETIMES. I NEED STRUCTURE. AHHWHWHHWHWHWHHWHWHHWHWHWHWHWHWHWHHWHWHSHHAHAHWAHHWHAHWHAHHWHWAHAWH

Ok I am done venting so now I better go to bed!! I will post an update on my week soon, if I ever get a chance to breathe, which I doubt will come soon!!

P.S. I still love you babe, but seriously!!!!!

Utah!!

So we just got back from Utah and I must say, I will be taking a break from road trips. Some of you know (obviously from the obituary I posted) my brother in law passed away on SEPT 11 of all the days. Geesh!!

Well, given the circumstances, this trip was by far the funnest trip we have ever taken to Utah!! Mostly because we spent the entire week with Trish and the kids and that has never happened before. We had so much fun. I just really wanted to try to take their minds off of everything and just let loose. So we did. We got into town last Friday night and stayed with Sean and Janelle until Sunday. Then we headed up to Tricia's Monday thru Saturday. Thursday night was the viewing and Mike didn't look like himself at all. It was kind of bitter sweet for me, but I know that Trish and her kids will be ok and they have so much love and support that things will be ok. Their 4 year old daughter didn't attend at all mostly because Trish didn't want to expose her to that and have that be the last memory of him. I agree totally. Well, little raegan loves Adam and it was so sad, but so sweet because Adam went into the basement with her to see what needed to be cleaned out and Raegan said "this is my daddy's office, but he won't be coming here anymore because he is at Jesus' house getting his head fixed." Then she said to Adam, "Adam I lub you, you are like my daddy now!" How cute is that. It was good for us to be there for them and after the viewing I thought what a better way to end the night then with some much needed goofiness!! So, I told Trish we are going to be goofballs and take lots of pictures. I don't think I had so much fun in my whole life!! Then, I had to get raegan to pose for the camera.

Friday was the funeral and I was too busy outside taking care of Krew because Adam was a pall bearer so I didn't hear anything that went on at all. Then we headed up to Logan for the burial and by the time we were done all I wanted to do was sleep. We went to lunch on Saturday and headed out at around 3 ish. Of course with a 4 mo old, we didn't make it so we stayed in Page and got home today. I am exhausted, but so glad we went. Here are some of the pictures from our trip!!

(all the grandkids and bros) (goofy nights)

(Whitney all grown up) (goofy nights continued...)

(and again more goofy)

In memory of my Brother in Law

Michael L. Rakes
Michael L. Rakes 6/25/1958 ~ 9/11/2008 Michael L. Rakes of Centerville, UT died on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at the U of U Medical Center as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic motorcycle accident.He was born on June 25, 1958 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, NJ, the son of Hershel L. and Sue P. Rakes of Logan, UT. Mike lived in several states growing up while his father had a career in the Navy. He graduated from high school in Jacksonville, FL and later from USU with a degree in Finance. He served a mission for the LDS Church in the TX. Dallas Mission. Mike worked for many years for the Salt Lake City Corp. as an IT Web Developer until his death. He was an avid Harley rider and loved riding with his wife and his numerous Harley friends. Mike also enjoyed participating in various charity rides throughout his riding career. He was a devoted husband and outstanding father, and was also a kind and devoted person to the many friends who knew him. Mike leaves behind his wife, Tricia Olson-Rakes, daughters: Kylie M., 20, Whitney K (Lewis) 13, son, Jeffrey, 10 and daughter, Raegan E., 4; his parents, brother, Stephen C., sister, Jennifer A., (Bordner) and Kathryn J. (Dang); nephews, Christopher, Conner and Seth; and his niece, Jessica. Funeral services for Michael will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, SLC, UT, where family and friends may call on Thurs. evening from 6-8 p.m. and on Fri. morning for one hour prior to the services. Interment: Logan City Cemetery. Please send condolences to the family at www.larkinmortuary.com In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to an education fund set up for Mike's children at any Mountain America Credit Union, under the name of Tricia Rakes.

COUNTING CROWS CONCERT!! Thumbs down :(

Ok I have to start off by saying, I was not even planning on going to the concert just because of Krew, however, thanks to the greatest friend in the world Angela, I was able to go. I don't think I am happy about that decision now that I actually went. To me and I am sure everyone we went with, it really wasn't worth it. Basically I went because i wanted to see Landens reaction to the songs he loved, but they only played 1. The rest were kind of crap. I think he was so wasted that he really just didn't care. The stadium was empty before he was even done. There were more people there for Maroon 5 then for Counting Crows. Anyways it was fun to get out, but i would have been much happier cuddled up with my little guy. I missed him and couldn't wait to get home to go to bed to wake up to his happy little face.

Landen got so pumped when Maroon 5 came on, then we had to wait about 45 min until CC came on, then he kind of got tired. You can't count on me came on and Landen was singing the whole time and everyone was watching him (I think they liked watching Landen more than the actual CC themselves). LOL well, it was worth going to see him all excited even over one song. I will post the videos and in that one, you can hear Landen singing in the backround. It was funny because before the song ended he kept begging us to take him all the way to the front of the stage but I told him they wouldnt let us. Well when everyone cleared out we went down by Janelle and Sean and I told Adam to try to ask the security guard if he would let them go down to the front and he did!! They were so happy but in the end we were glad to go home!!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING AND HOLIDAY DECOR

Yeah can you believe it, Christmas is right around the corner. I can't believe it's already been a year since last season. Well, most of you who know us, know that we live and die by this season.

We started a christmas lighting company back in 2005. We got really busy and had to start turning business away. When we moved to Arizona we prepared big time. We decided to have another person join in with us and it blew up. We love doing it and I get to use some of my interior decorating skills as some of our clients have me decorate their trees and the inside of their home. So check it out and if you are interested in receiving a quote, just email us and we will get back to you. Oh yeah and not only are we doing this in Arizona but we have now expanded to Las Vegas and Orange County. The address is www.britenitesaz.com

WE GOT HIM TO LAUGH AGAIN!!

The end was hard for me to contain myself because he would only laugh if I was really loud and obnoxious. I love it!!

More pictures of our beautiful little guy!!

I LOVE THIS LITTLE MAN!! He is just the most perfect baby, we definitely got lucky. But then again I am biased.

Thank heavens for Rainforest jumper!

Ok well we finally set up this rainforest jumper we got from my baby shower. So, I must say, he absolutely loves it. He normally can't last playing with any specific toy for longer than 15 minutes, however, he can play in this thing forever. Today I got most of my entire house cleaned (2800 sq ft.) and ALL of my laundry washed and folded before I had to lay him down for nap time. Other than that he seems to be doing ok. Although, around bedtime when we give him his bath, he starts screaming and whaling as if he is hurt and it doesn't happen until he has been in the tub for about 5-10 min. Any ideas? Adam claims he starts crying when he runs soap all over his body and thinks he may have a boo-boo that we don't know about that stings when soap gets in there. When I heard it yesterday (2 days in a row he has done this) I went upstairs, put his clothes on and he was fine, I thought he has just been that way because he is so so sleepy and we try to keep him awake until about 8, but these days we can't make it past 7 with him. He is fine during the day, it's just at bedtime.

New Video of puppies

The puppies are getting big, we got back from utah and they looked like they were on steroids. Their hair is starting to get curly too. Anyhow, we love them so much. They are now starting to eat food from a can and will be going to the vet this week for their first shots. They will be going to their new homes in a few weeks. Riley and Oakley are by far the quietest. Cooper is super obnoxious and just wants to play all day long. We have started the potty training process so hopefully they can get it down sooner rather than later.

HELP ME DECIDE!!

Ok I need help deciding on what template I should use next. On the side below friends links are 3 templates, please click on each one and then come back to my blog and vote on which one!!!

Thanks!!

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

So now that all my postings are caught up and it's well after midnight and my house is quiet as ever what a perfect time.

I just wanted to thank my family.

Claudia,
I can't even say thank you enough for this weekend. You did so much for us and I appreciate it with all my heart. Our relationship has come along way and I just want you to know, I really enjoy our talks about life. I love hearing about Roger and the things everyone did when they were younger. You have grown to become one of the most important people in my life and I hope we can stay that way. Krew wanted to thank you for his blanket. He is fast asleep with it now as we speak. I enjoy spending time with you and shopping with you. You have been such a blessing to me and such a great Grandma to Krew. I wished we could be in Utah forever!!

Janelle and Mr. Cancer Bum,
I love you two!! I have never had so much fun with you Seanathon!! Janelle, as always I love spending time with you. Thank you guys once again for clearing your schedules just to be with us every single day. You are the best.

Katie and Aaron,
Thanks for being there for us. I loved spending time with you two and Aaron I really loved getting to know you better!! But don't be mad that we won buzz word!! (as I am snaping my finger three times and shaking my head with ATTITUDE) LOL. that was so funny!! You two are a hoot!!

Jordan and Callie & Tricia,
We didn't get to spend much time together but thanks for coming down on Sunday to be with us!! Congrats on the new bun in the oven. I hope the sickness gets better soon.

Whit,
I love you, I love you, I love you!!! You keep your head up girlie and always stand for what's right no matter what!!! I miss you and you better text me a lot!!!! Oh and Krew loves you too!! I think you are going to be like Adam with the cousins, every one of them will love you and you will be their favorite!!

Brandon & Aimee- I am really sorry Adam didn't get to go golfing on Monday. I am sad we didn't get to spend much time with you and Aimee but we have to do lots next time we are in town. Titan is adorable!!

Lance- YOU SUCK FOR NOT COMING!!! I am so breaking up with you!!

Ok and anyone else I forgot thanks a bunch!!

BLESSING DAY

We had the blessing on Sunday and it was such and amazing experience for both Adam and I. Mostly because Adam usually doesn't get emotional unless it special or if he sees anyone cry. Then he does!! So,he started and didn't make it past the first part before he started to break down. He did such a great job.

We had everyone over after for lunch. Thanks Janelle for being the photographer once again. I am so glad some of our friends came. It was the perfect day!!

We just wanted to thank everyone who came, it meant so much to us to have everyone there. Our friends and family mean the world to us and we wouldn't have had it any other way.

Claudia, Grandma Johnson, Sister Bradford and anyone else that helped. Thank you so much for going out of your way to cook and help get the food prepared for this day.



The day was getting long so after everyone left Whit decided to stay the night!! I was super excited about this because it's been a very very long time since she wanted to spend time with me, probably didn't help that I use to be the biggest brat and don't blame her for not wanting to be around me.

So, we stayed up and played games and Mr. Cancer bum (aka. Sean) and I got in our goofy moods (only happens once in a blue moon) and I swear I always think that I annoy everyone because I am overly obnoxious. I was just excited to be there with all of them. So, we played buzz word and I don't think I laughed so much in my whole life. It was boys against girls and I especially loved it because Adam and I don't get very competetive with games, but oh my gosh I love seeing Katie and Aaron play. I really thought I was going to pee my pants because Aaron was determined to beat us and he was so serious about it!! Take a look for yourself he was concentrating very very hard. And of course I couln't leave out these funny glasses Claudia wore. They had lights at the ends!! Oh my such a fun night. So everyone left and Adam and I were laying in bed and I get a text from Adam's phone that says, "hey it's whit im upstairs and adam left his phone up here. Brycen and I are really bored and want to come down there and hang out." Of course I let them and we were up until about 2 am as I was telling them about their zodiac signs and what they mean. So much fun. It was very nice to hear Whitney tell me that she thinks I am alot nicer than before and she now likes hanging out with me!! I love you Whit and I am sorry if I have ever said anything in the past to hurt your feelings!!
P.S. the picture of Ryker and Quinn so funny. They gave them both swords and Quinn figured out how to fight with it before Ryker!! BYU ROCKS!!!!! No offense Mr. cancer bum

SWISS DAYS AND MORE FAMILY TIME

Saturday was so much fun. Adam and I slept in until 10 ( I love vacation) and when we woke up we took Brycen and picked up lunch and headed to Sean and Nells for a day of football for the guys and makeup, shopping and swiss days for us. We went to M.A.C for Janelle to use her giftcard and pick out some eyeshadow. She ended up getting my 2 favorites Cranberry and Georgeous Gold. Anyhow, then we headed up to Midway for Swiss days. I loved it!! There were so many things to look at I was overwhelmed and a bit anxious. So, I promised I wouldn't buy anything and I didn't. Except an elephant ear that Nell made me try!! Yummy!! We stayed about 2 hours and headed back. I love spending time with Janelle. She is so much fun and we love a lot of the same things so it was nice to have some sister time. We met up with Claudia too and I really had so much fun. After we left we went back to their place (oh but I have to throw in there we picked up Cafe Rio on our way back and I was so so so excited to eat my quesadilla) to eat and I couldn't eat it. THERE WAS 500 POUNDS OF CHEESE. AS IF THE GUY WHO MADE IT THOUGHT I NEEDED TO GAIN WEIGHT OR SOMETHING!! I am totally not over exagerating either, it was so gross that I was sassing about it and I am pretty sure I got on Janelle's last nerve so she made me the Janelle quesadilla (they are the best you should ask her to make you one) so so much better!! Thanks Janelle, you and your quesadilla's rock and thanks for putting up with my sassy bum!!

So, after all was said and done, I put krew in their bouncer and the cutest thing ever happened. I turn around to see Ryker standing up by the bouncer and had to quickly get my camera. He was doing his little froggy giggle so I thought for sure he was going to be cute with Krew. So, he climbed on the bouncer and peeked over the top and started laughing at Krew. Then Krew stared smiling and laughing and then 10 minutes later Janelle told me he likes to do that to suck on the bird. It was so adorable. I love him!!

UTAH FRIDAY NIGHT!!

Be prepared, I have a million posts so you can either bare with me and enjoy or not!!

So Krew was not about to let us get to Utah at a decent hour so we had to crash in Kanab and head out early Friday morning. We got there around 10 ish and got settled for a bit. We decided we will just hang since we had dinner plans that night.

6 oclock finally came and we went to dinner with our friends Andy and Star. We went to Tepanyaki (my most favorite place on earth) and had an awesome time. This was the first time I met both of them. Adam grew up with Andy and he would always tell me these cute stories of when they were younger and how much fun they had. Well it was my goal to get these two back in touch!! With a little help from Andy's wife, we made it happen. They are really fun great people with the most adorable little guy (still think he looks like his mama). Anyhow, we wanted them to come back to Sean and Nell's for brownies and ice cream and to catch up with Sean and Aaron as well. Time flew by so fast I wish the night never ended. So around 10 ish they had to go so their little one could get some sleep in his own bed. Thanks Andy and Star for hanging out with us, I am so glad we did it and can't wait to see you guys again.

Ok, so now it was goofy times with the Olson's. Katie don't hate me for posting this picture because it's by far my favorite. So, Janelle got this new camera and wanted to try it out. So as you can see from the picture, Katie and I were so goofy and I love the pictures ( I am only posting one of us being goofy, however, there were plenty more that I can't show or I will be killed jk). I had so much fun. Pretty much the whole weekend we spent with Sean, Nell, Katie and Aaron (or at least if they were not doing stuff that was previously planned before our arrival they were with us). It seems like us 3 couples are always together when we come for a visit and oh boy the times are getting more and more fun. A year ago I probably couldn't have said this; but I look forward to hanging out with them. I never thought I would be as close to them as I am and I already miss them. It's amazing what happens when you open your heart and just get to know people for who they are and not what they have done to you in the past. I am a much happier person that way.

Krew is growing up so fast...

Here are some random pictures of Krew over the last 2 weeks. We took a trip to Tucson and these were him happy as can be!! I just love him!!

PICTURE DAY!!!

Wednesday before we left for Utah, I had my parents over for malts and I promised Staci I would have both the kids over to spend the night and get them ready for school the next day because it was PICTURE DAY and she had to be to school by 7 and wasn't about to rely on her husband (aka A MAN) to get a GIRL ready for pictures!! Anyhow Yeah for me, I was up early and got Landen ready first (he woke up on his own) that was really hard let me tell you.
Then we went and attempted to get Demi up and it took about 20 minutes to wake her (good thing I was up early). Now I realize that she is not my daughter biologically, however, I love her like she is mine and you can't deny this face. How beautiful is she? They are both growing up so fast!! (I am typing this as I am crying yeah I am super emotional, I just drove 12 hours home with a sick baby and left a family I didn't want to leave yet). Anyways, I always go off on tangents, so I realize she is not my biological daughter, but I was up early, guess why? Because I don't have a daughter yet, I was so excited to play mommy to a daughter on this morning. I straightened her hair, put some makeup on her (where it counts in pictures so no need to be mellow dramatic and say "oh my gosh I can't believe you put makeup on her when she is only 6." Trick of the trade I learned in modeling and beauty pagents when I was her age. So, now I can't wait to see what they really turn out to look like. I also spent 20 min. teaching her the proper way to smile and what to do with her hair, so I am pretty sure if you ask her she will remember and do it for you because I made her do it oh about 50 times over and over again as I am pretending I am the photographer. Ohhh ok so now that I got all that out in one breath. Landen is a stud. He is wearing a shirt that matches one Krew has and he was so excited to wear it. Hopefully their pictures turned out cute, I stressed to them over and over again not to let anyone touch their hair and not to get all sweaty. We'll see how good they listened!! Then it was off to Utah..............