{Another reason I love March...}

This is what my mom got me already-except it's a pink trench coat!

I know the picture isnt that big But I love this shirt from anthropologie- I love spring clothes

My dream laptop a pink mac=heaven
Sewing machine- thats right I want to learn how to sew- some lessons would be really cool too

{As a kid I always remember being excited when it turned from february to March. My birthday was in March. My mom always got us a new outfit and we got to pick out whatever breakfast we wanted to eat-usually fruity pebbles- and my sisters did my chores- it was heaven. My mom always went above and beyond to make my birthday special. I always loved having it in March theres something about me my birthday and personality that all just go along with spring. I guess it was fate that I would be born on the first day of spring March 20th. I'm really really excited for my birthday this year. Last year my birthday consisted of me being in extreme pain-I delivered twins the following week. So I'm glad I get to spend my birthday doing something a little funner this year. And its the one thing I dont have to plan! So I've been thinkng about what would be funfor my birthday this year and I've been dreaming so here are some fun finds I think I'd love -I know some of them are just dream on bree- but what the heck they were cute so I thought Id share.}

Y is for...

{ The Youth in Midnapore Ward where I served in The Young Womens. This was one of the greatest things that couldve happened to me- I'd just moved from rexburg to Calgary and missed my younger sisters a lot. These girls helped fill the void. They are so special to me. I almost cry thinking about them. They welcomed me and made me feel so loved.

Never have I seen a ward where the YW are this close to all the girls and none are left out. Everyone loves each other. They all came to activities and it was so exciting to go every week. I miss planning activites and spending time with them and the amazing leaders that were my dear friends. I learned a lot from them and am so greatful I was chosen to serve these girls. I hope they always keep in touch with me.

So to the arrested potatoe gunnning experience-mollly and an orange-snipe hunt with rabies-reject sewers-taping the pizza box to the top of my car and driving around-making things out of cardboard-camp and raining gumballs-joseph smith encampment-singing in my car-jumping into glacier water for moola-thanks for the great memories girlies. I miss you a lot.}

I had two letters left in the alphabet for my alphablog figured I better finish it!

My Dad and lights...

This is my house in Utah. My dad always loves putting lights up and goes to so much work to untangle and put them up every year- we collected milk containers for months to do this. It gives christmas spirit to out neighborhood. I miss this a lot during christmas.

Christmas Questions...

Wrapping Gifts at TD Square 2006

BP Oil Christmas Party 2006

Dressed up to sing at a concert- 14-15 years old

Singing for a Christmas concert and I know the blue dress is crazy but it was for a show choir I was in. This was taken at someones christmas party we sang for.- I know I went through quite the awkward phase- I will almost never post pictures of myself pre college- I really went through awkward teen stage bad! Bad hair ect ect ect. So enjoy why you can! I'm doing this for my boys! and They better love me for posting my awkward pictures. So theres a lesson- ask out the awkward girls -they turn out great later- don't give up on them!

show choir another year

Stepahnie and I stealing chocolates before we brave the winter cold

Me and my best Friend when I was little Katie Marion- This is when I lived In Salt Lake by The U of U We were shoveling for santa to come.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I'm all about the paper- coordinating papers in the same color scheme- I really do like monochromatic colour pallettes- oh my heck I just spelled that canadian! AHHH I adore wrapping things- I volunteered wrapping downtwn while I waited for my work permit and permanent resident card- it was such a blast- maybe I'll post some pictures of that!

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. I know I'm weird But I have a hard time making dark green look good with my weird colorschemes- it bothers me and I like untraditional- so I have a white tree.- But I love the smell of real trees! I'd like to get a real one for the boys later on and have 2 trees my tree and there tree :) Brandon will understand this- He wrapped presenst our first year married in a paper that wasnt the right color- I was impressed he wrapped them- and I put them at the back of the tree! I'm so mean He asked me why and I told Hi I'm ocd about colours- it made him laugh- I KNOW PEOPLE I"M WEIRD! And dang it I spelled it with a u again.

3. When do you put up the tree?

After American Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?

The 27th Id do it the 26th but it's boxing day Canadian shopping holiday- google it for the real history. I guess it's a pet peeve of mine- I like to get it all cleaned up so I can decorate for new years parties

5. Do you like eggnog?

ewww gross- when I worked at country boy dairy they had an ice cream that was egg nog I tried that and still thought it was gross- my dad loves it and adds cinnamon too it

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

One year My Parents Filled a huge treasure chest with dress ups and had someone make me a custom princess dress- I still remember waking up that morning rushing upstairs and remembering it look like magic. I'd sit on the couch alone in the dark and stair at the tree and wait for everyone else to get up it was probabally like 4 am-good thing my parents are keeners and got it done early- my mom would have presents wrapped by july.- Also my dad built me a Dollhouse one year- it was beautiful with a working chandaleir and a garage- you could sit on the barbie house and slide down it. It was huge and bright pink

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No - and to be honest I'm ok with that- I'm not a fan of knick knacks- Id rather have a picture of the savior.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My dad-He's just hard and I don't know why- he already has every tool I can think of. What else do you buy a rocket scientist?

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Brandon- I guess I just know him well. He tells me what he loves and I make mental note of it all year long- I do that with everyone actually and ill shop all year long for christmas.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

hmm I don't know -socks - I don't wear socks and Lotion/bath stuff- a book

11. Email or Christmas cards?

Christmas Cards-ooh both I'm kind've getting into being green- Canada's getting to me recycling and all!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Home alone. I love the song somewhere in my memory from this movie I played it with handbeels when I was in Chamber Choir. Also I love A christmas story. Every chrsitmas eve as a kid my family would go out to chinese food because of this movie yummm and Miracle on 34th street is a fav

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

all year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

yes I admit it- not often though- I'm weird about presents I really take the time to think about if they will love it- even if it's small

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Jill Rea's fudge recipe cheese and crackers- different punches and veggie/meat trays

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

clear- they go with everything and all you have to do is change your ornaments if you get sick of them-also a big fan of the prelit tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Somewhere in my memory, Oh holy night, This amazing arrangment of God rest ye marry gentlemen. The forgotten Carols-I've been wanting to post a whole blog on this casue it would be too long so maybe I will tommorow.

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?

Travel

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

oh yeah dasher dancer prancer vixen comet cupid donner blitzen and rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

I prefer the star but I actully like to put weird things at the top feathers little poky things- like I said I'm not a fan for being traditional

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning

One on x mas eve from family and the rest x mas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

snow I really should have been born in California- I got separated from cori and emm

23. Best Christmas gift ever received as an adult?

A day at the spa from Brandon when I was pregnant last year- I went and cried during it because it felt so good to me - I hurt so bad. and they had a hole in the table for my ginormous twin belly- also Brandon got me my favorite skirt that I still wear to this day- and Mac makeup/brushes from debbie- coco motion from brooke and a trip to the dominican republic from Joel- wow people love me :) I'm very lucky

24. What I love most about Christmas? Parties

25. Family Traditions from year to year. chinese food christmas eve-baking cookies christmas eve- movie marathons- work parties- card tournaments

26. Did you ever go caroling?

yes I have lots of times- especially when you are in lots of choirs and performing groups- christmas is one of the funnest times and busiest to perform

27. Oh Christmas Tree! Who has the best tree?

My mom does amazing trees really shes incredible

28. Fat, Skinny, Tall, Plump Tree?

I like tall ones- its more about the color and the needles shape

29. Have you ice-skated?

Yes -I love to ice skate- I took lessons as a kid and they've come in handy Because My in-laws debbie and Joel Live on Lake sundance. They Zambonee it every winter because it freezes and we go skate on the lake- It really is magical they play christmas music and you just go skate in the backyard so cool- the first time I saw there yeard I freaked out. It was so beautiful

30. When do you unwrap your gifts? Christmas day

Because I heart Sarah's Blog

5 years ago...
*I was In a tap show Called Crazy for You- It's a musical- I was a Folly girl and basically danced the entire show- It was a blast! when you hear hundreds of feet tapping at the exact same time- there is no cooler sound in my book.
*I was driving my cute red 2 door cavalier- man I loved my car with the music pumped
*I was training my voice for chamber auditions and some folk song competitions
*I was teaching dance- ballet tap and jazz to 5 year olds and the show team for expressions dance co.
* I was studying for ap tests

5 things on my to do list today...
*Pick up Black and White Damask table runners for my event on friday!
*Give the florists the vase so they now how tall to cut my flowers so I can arrange them on friday
*Finish my vinyl Boards tiles and blocks - wrap them for the two craft fairs this saturday at auburn house from 10-2 and the 29th at mid sun community center from 8- 4- gheesh my house looks like a tornado went through it
*Exercise
*Go to pier one and spend my holiday dollars- see trish and cass- and put up my christmas stuff

5 snacks I enjoy...Well right now I can't eat much so...
*special k chocolate delight- it saves me!
*Cajun chicken
*Chicken noodle soup
*Broccoli
*Pineapple

5 places i've lived...
*Calgary (midnapore)
*Calgary (cranston)
Rexburg Idaho
North Ogden Utah
Salt Lake city Utah

5 jobs I've had...
*Dance teacher
*I worked at a dairy delivering milk and making bananna splits at Country Boy Dairy
*Waitress
*Scrapbook Teacher and Designer
*Visual merchandiser and manager at Pier 1
( I also wrapped presents for shoppers downtown while waiting for my canadian work permit)

5 things I'd do if I won the lottery...
*Buy an apartment in Paris
*Travel the world
*Build my dream house
*Pay for my kids college education
*Start up my company with a kick- get good advertising and an office- p.s I like the throw a prty idea too!

5 people I tag...
*Jodi
*Stephanie
*Sarah D
*Audrey
*Jenna

E is for...

Elementary school... My first day of elementary I got all ready in a red and white jumper with a cute little hat. I was so excited to go to school! We went and got my ears pierced and bought a brand new book bag. I was set! So we get in the car for my first day of school and we walk over to the outside of the school where all the kids lined up in a line for school to start. The bell would ring and the teachers would let you in...well my mom walks me over past all the big kids I felt so cool with my new book bag over to the kindergarten side where we see no kindergarteners at all! Oh no I was late so my mom takes me around through the main office to drop me off and when we get to the classroom nobody was there. We came to find out that kindergarten didnt start until the following week. I was devastated. I cried and cried and cried. The only thing my mom could do to get me to stop was by calling my grandma. She offered to take me for the weekend and we could hang out. She talked to me on the phone and told me it wasnt my moms fault and she made a mistake and it was ok to talk to her again. So there you go my first day of elementary. my mom and I still get a good laugh out of this one. Yay for grammy Beverley saving the day!

B is for...

Beverly Clair Smith Berntsen(purple is her favorite color) My amazing Grandma. I think about her a lot. She was very special to me and we were very close. I remember shopping with her the most and going to craft fairs. My grandpa would push her wheelchair and I'd sit on her lap we'd cruise shops. I felt so cool that my grandma had such a sense of style even though she was in a wheel chair shed bling out her jewelery and makeup. She always looked gorgeous to me. I remember her buying me a ballerina dancer at a minature show I still have it. We'd always dress up and act like ladies. Write stories and illistarte them.We'd always make centerpieces for every meal it didnt matter if it was mac n cheese. She loved parties and fabric beautiful things. She inspired me to become an event planner. She always focused on the details. I love her and miss her horribly. I feel like shes one person who really really got who I was. I hope she'd be proud of me today. She truly makes me proud. I'd give anything to go shopping with her. Beverly was born 9 July 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Theo Ellsworth Smith and Vera Clair Herndon Smith. She married her sweetheart E. Farnes Berntsen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on 4 June 1948. Survivors include her husband; sister, Vera (Ray) Emerson, Los Angeles, CA; children, Marilynn Berntsen, Salt Lake City, UT; Mark F. (Gayle) Berntsen, Rexburg, ID; Katie (Tim) Flanigan, Great Falls, VA; Suzy (Quentin) Price, Loveland, CO; Eric S. (Patty) Berntsen, No. Ogden, UT; 30 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Theo B. (Joyce) Smith and three young granddaughters. Beverly celebrated life, no matter what the hardship. She worked as a child and young woman to help support her family during the Great Depression, studying at night. At sixteen she survived cancer, and considered the rest of her life a bonus. We will remember her fine cooking, decorating, desiging and loving aura.
She worked in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Relief Society President, Primary and MIA. She was advisor to Kappa Nu Chapter of Lambda Delta Sigma at the U of U, and was known as "Mrs. Farnes" to all the Boy Scouts she loved so much.
Beverly was President of Hamilton Elementary and Roosevelt Jr. High, where she organized many amazing activities. She attended East High School and later the U of U.
She performed modern dance with the Shirley Ririe Group and also performed in ballroom dance groups. At thirteen she began acting in theater groups and continued to love theater all her life. She loved sewing, designing, making miniatures, doll collecting, and story telling. She was a voracious reader. Beverly loved family, Kelly's Grove, Parties, America and the American Flag. Don't you think this woman was amazing! I sure do.

A is for

ANNIE

Annie was the first musical I was in when I was 7 years old. I played the character named July. The one that says oh my goodness oh my goodness. I auditioned with the song from secret garden the girl I mean to be. Id practiced with my amazing vocal teacher Marinda Miller forever and was so excited when I got the part. It was so much fun and definatley gave me the theatre bug. I love community theatre. It was cool knowing people paid money to see me perform. I remember intense days of choreography/singing and doing rag dances twirling on the chandaleire. Playing speed and war with cards in the back till our cues came over the intercom in the green room. rubbing tons of makeup on to look like a dirty orphan It's an amazing musical and to this day whenever I hear the music I smile all over. I love the feeling of adrenelaine performing gives me. I miss it a lot.