My Celebrity Look-a-Like

So I was looking at my friends blog and it led me to this website where you can determine which star you look most like - Julia Stiles was mine! I thought this was pretty cool. If you want to check it out - go to http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/tryFaceRecognition.php?morph=1

A Wonderful Weekend

Hi again! Just wanted to share some fun photos of things that happened over the weekend. Friday night Mark and I went to dinner with some of our friends (Zemps and Svancaras) - we went to Coasta Vita - I had never been there, and I really loved it!

Afterwords we went back to the Svancara's house and carved pumpkins (which was the first time Mark and I have carved pumpkins together - so that was exciting) and then played games. We had a great time!

Then on Saturday we went to our ward's trunk-or-treat/chilli cook off event. It was so fun seeing all the kids in their costumes!

Today the Primary did their program. I must say that Drea and Christine (and the WHOLE primary) did a fantastic job!! I got goosebumps so many times! They did great!!

What a wonderful weekend!!!!

Yummy "Tummy" Fruit Dip

Here is the recipe for my family's fruit dip. It is delicious!!!

This is the easiest fruit dip in the world! You take one package of cream cheese and mix it with a jar of marshmallow puff. (I use a mixer to get it really fluffy).

Then you add 3 -5 teaspoons of frozen orange juice (or to taste). This gives it a little bit of a kick. I think it would probably be really good to use any frozen drink - like passion fruit or something like that! I will have to try it! Hope you enjoy!

So today is the first time in my entire life that I had to call in sick! I have relized that I am really not missing out on much while I am at work. There isn't anything on TV, my neighbor hood doesn't magically come alive, and worst of all, Mark isn't home.

Preface to my staying home today...

Sunday Mark and I were a little late getting out the door for church. I put on these super cute wedge shoes that mark had bought me (the drawing really doesn't do them justice! ) and run down the stairs. As I am running, I noticed my knees felt funny. I didn't think anything of it - maybe it was the shoes, whatever, right? Well Monday morning I wake up and my right knee is swollen! What?!? What is this?? I go to work, stay at my desk as much as I can, and figured I would sleep it off.

Well, here comes Tuesday morning, I hit the alarm like 7 times, and finally throw my legs off to the side of the bed. I go to stand up - and just tumble right back onto the bed. After the inital pain subsided, I look down to see that my knee caps turned in to "squish". Again, not wanting to break my perfect record at work - I get ready and head down the 17 stairs to the garage. OH MY GOODNESS!! What was happening to me? It was crazy painful! I made it through a few hours of work and gave up on trying to be tough about it.

Needless to say - my doctors appointment didn't give us a lot of information - the swelling was too high to really see what was going on. All we know is that I'll have to have an MRI to see why my knees are filling up with fluid. But hey, they are doing better today, so I have high hopes that whatever is going on - I may be able to "sleep it off" tonight!

Tonight's Book Club

Tonight I am hosting our ward's monthly book club. I am a little nervous because guess what we have read the last two months!? Last month was Harry Potter, and the month before that it was the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer!

Let me just tell you that Harry Potter night was like stepping into Hogwarts! They had a picture area set up where you could have your picture taken. (When I get mine back, I will post it! ) There was dry ice, Bert's Jelly Beans, home made root beer, and we even got sorted into our own houses! I mean, come on, it was pretty rad! And I pick a book about a dog??

Just kidding! I loved the book! I am predicting that it is going to be really fun. Because the book is about this crazy (but lovable) dog, I asked everyone to bring a picture and/or stories of their dog/pets to share with everyone. I CAN'T wait for that! I think it will be funny!! Plus! I made tummy fruit dip! I'll let you know how it goes!! :)

My Favorite Ice Cream

Excitement overwhelms my soul!! You will not believe what happened.....

Mark and I are driving home yesterday from running some errands when I asked him to stop by Safeway really quick. We are walking past the end cap for the frozen section when I saw it! I literally stopped and dropped my jaw!! There it was, all shiny and in its packaging, just staring right back at me!!!

It is the Safeway brand of Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream. (Only out for the Holidays) Don't think I'm crazy, but this is my FAVORITE!! We discovered it last year....probably the end of December, beginning of January. And it was only out until February when they all went on clearence. (I should have stocked up). The thing I love about it is that there are these little gingerbread cookies - probably the size of a quarter - but they are soft! It is heaven in your mouth. I really am not much of a gingerbread person, oh! But this is good!! We LOVE it as a float with ginger ale. YUM!! If you are up to trying a new kind of icecream - I would reccomend it!!!

This years downfall.....it is 5 Weight Watcher points per 1/2 cup!! So my little half gallon container better last me till my next birthday!!

I made a baby!!!! (Don't get too excited!)

My mother is so talented at making porcelain dolls!! We grew up making our own - it was our mother/daughter time that we always had. Sometimes we would even submit them to the State Fair and other little events like that!

This one is Claire! I made her while I was engaged. I had been in Colorado Springs for an internship with Pulte Homes for most of our engagement, so when I came home I only had about a week or so before we got married. While Mark was working I would just go to my mom's shop and work on her. Isn't she cute?

Life got pretty crazy after I got married. I was finishing my last semester of school and then we immediately moved to Arizona - so I never finished her. So about a month or so ago my mom called and said that she had sent me something....I was so excited when I opened the box and it was Claire - all finished - and in this adorable dress. She's my baby - until I have one of my own! :)

Tissue-Inspired Beard

Okay, long story.....

About 3 weeks ago, Mark was fighting this terrible cold. I was out in the living room working on some crafts and Mark was doing his Calc homework. I saw him get up several times to go blow his nose - which I thought nothing about....until probably the 5th time he comes out like this!!! I about died!! How many shots of Nyquil did he take?? I know my husband is pretty crazy - but a tissue mustached cowboy?

Well, needless to say - I honestly think that day sparked this "grand" idea that he would grow a beard. So it has been about 2 and 1/2 weeks or so - and it is pretty full now. He loves it. It takes a lot to get used to - especially when it is in the "scratchy" stage...

New Gym Partner

Well, after vigorous research, I have finally found a new gym partner.

It seems as though everyone I know has an iPod, and I always thought, "What's the big deal?" - but as I have been trying to loose weight, I have realized that they really do come in handy - especially to take my mind off the feeling of my lungs exploding!! (I hear that is supposed to go away sometime soon! :) haha!

Mark and I bought the little guy over the weekend and had a lot of fun putting a bunch of songs and videos on it! We even added an episode of Heroes!! That is our favorite show right now! It is amazing that such a tiny little thing can hold so much!!! (I know - I am about 5 years behind on being amazed - but hey! Whatever!!)

October General Conference

Yesterday concluded our semi-annual general conference for our church. I really enjoyed listening to all of the people that spoke - I learned A LOT!!!

I have always loved conference time - especially the few times I have been able to get tickets to the conference center to watch it live. I remember the last time I was down there was when Mark told me he wanted to marry me!! Since then it has always sparked fond memories, and the beauty alone of temple square often makes me speechless.

This picture of the Salt Lake Temple has been one of my favorites since I set me eyes on it!! I loved the weathered look - and how it makes me feel like I was there years and years ago!

My Beautiful Sister Kendi

October 11th will mark the 4 year anniversary since my sister Kendi passed away. It is hard to think about it period, but when I do - it feels like it was a year ago....maybe two years ago....but not FOUR!! We miss her dearly, and we think of her often.

Kendi and I are exactly 1 year and 2 weeks apart. She was born January 3rd, 1983 and I was born January 17th, 1984. Because we were so close in age, we were often in the same Sunday School classes. She went to a different Jr. High than I did because the special education department was more advanced and could take better care of her. We did however, go to the same high school, and we both graduated (with Mark of course) in the class of 2002!!

Head Start on Holidays

Mark and I had some pictures taken up in Scottsdale. We haven't had any pictures taken in almost two years, so we thought we'd get a head start on Holiday cards....since Arizona doesn't look much different between October and December!!

We are so very excited to travel back to little 'ol Pocatello in December for Christmas. Last year we were able to go home for Thanksgiving, which was great, but we are anticipating cold nights, warm sweaters, good food, and company of our loved ones!!! Only 2 and 1/2 months to go!! Wow, that is pretty depressing when you think of it that way....

As we have started thinking about having our own family, we've reflected on some of our favorite holiday traditions. One of my favorites on the Rushdi side is that every year the siblings all draw names for Christmas gifts. Then on Christmas Eve night, we all get to open our sibling draw gift and a gift from our parents, that coincidentally enough, for the last 23 years of my life has been pajamas!! I always feel cute and cuddly as I anticipate Christmas day!!

On the Starr side, they always have a really nice Christmas dinner. Mark comes from a family of great cooks (especially desserts!) so it is always nice to have that time when their whole family gets together!!!

I found these pj's at isn'tthatclever.com. Super cute matching pj's for mommy and baby (not that it would benefit me) but they are $135.00!!