Jazz Game Suite

So, last night was Jordan's work banquet. It was really nice. We stayed the night at the Little America Hotel downtown (can I say the commute to work was great?! Only 7 minutes and I was there!!). The dinner was wonderful and it only lasted a little over an hour. Jolene, Jordan's boss, gave us some Jazz tickets that were comp-ed to her from the Coca-Cola vendor. So, we decided to jump on trax and go to the game since it was only an hour in. We got there and were told to head up to the Suites. Wow!! We got there and there was food galore! (We were already full from the banquet), sodas, juice, waters, etc. And, we had really neat seats! We came at half time, so we caught the later part of the game. The Jazz lost to the Spurs by 3 points, but it was still an exciting fun game. I hope we can go back to the Suite sometime!

Stake Musical

Well, the Stake Musical is going great! For those of you who've forgotten, or are new to my blog, I wrote the show. I am also the director, my sister-in-law Anna is the music director, and we have two sister's in my stake who are professional choreographers who are doing the show.

We started choreography last Saturday and let me tell you it was so neat!!! Everyone is so excited for the show and are having a blast! I can't wait till we put the entire show together. Here are some pictures of what has been happening so far:

This was our first cast read through and these are our leads sitting at the front of the auditorium.

Here is Anna leading the music. You go girl! It's not easy teaching 70 people how to sing!

This is our Lucy, the low self esteem, nerdy lead who changes who she is to be accepted. Come and see the show and you'll know what I mean.

Here are Sevil, Lucy, and Levil. Sevil and Levil are trying to convince Lucy to see the beautician witch to change her into someone acceptable and popular. These two evil characters are a hoot!

Here are Lucy and Gaston, who was given a love potion to make Lucy believe he was in love with her and changing herself made her popular and "everything" she wanted to be.

Here is a video of some of the blocking and dancing. It isn't too long, so enjoy! Remember, this is really rough right now and we're all learning. All of this was taught on Saturday.

Root-Canal

So, I had a root-canal yesterday. Yippee and all that jazz! (JK, it wasn't anything to be excited over!!) Luckily the tooth was already dead, so I didn't have any real tooth pain, but man o' man did my gums hurt! I had an abscess on the very back molar on the right side and after I had the root-canal I thought I was about to die! I was in so much pain! I didn't go back to work (minus the 1/2 I was there and then rushed out) so that in and of itself tells you how miserable I was. But, I decided the only way to stop the pain was tor relieve the pressure (pain drives you to do crazy things!!). I will leave the explanation at that, but know I feel 100% better today and the only pain I feel, which isn't pain just soreness, is where he gave me my shot. So, whew, I am back to the pain free, care-free Natalie everyone loves. I promise not to bite your head off now that I feel better--not that I was that mean before. Richard--I wish you luck on your root-canals. My endodontist is great, but sometimes pain can't be avoided.

Praying Baby

Well, I've been working on praying with Sarah, whether it is family prayer or praying over a meal or personal prayers at night. I've come to realize babies, in general, know a lot more than we give them credit for. So, I thought it was time we started including Sarah in our praying time/circle.

On Saturday, after Stake Musical Rehearsal, I came home and I was absolutely tuckered out. So I ordered pizza and called it good for dinner. I put Sarah in her highchair and told her to fold our arms, it's time to talk to Jesus (Sarah knows who he is so I thought it was better to relate prayer to Him right now instead of Heavenly Father). Sarah crossed her arms, it was so cute!, and I corrected her into folding her arms. She then bowed her head and began saying, in her own language mind you, her prayer. It was so cute!! I then said a prayer over the food and then congratulated Sarah on "praying" herself. It was so adorable! I wish I would've had my camera running just then. It was the most precious thing you've ever seen!

5 Year Anniversary!

Well, Jordan and I have officially been married and survived the last 5 years all while still being in love. But, by looking at this picture you'd say he loved the dog more than me, huh. JK, I caught this picture one morning and I couldn't resist the photo op!

Hmm, I think that is a some sort of milestone in today's day and age, wouldn't you say? Jordan told me last night that he wants to take me on a 7 day Alaskan cruise in May!! Yeah for us!!! I am so excited to go to the one state I've never been, but always have dreamed about! If I had a choice I would live in Alaska for part of the year and then come back to UT for Alaska's dark season. I love the mountains and the ocean and it is all mixed together in Alaska!

Missouri Pictures!

Jordan sleeping at the Denver Airport on the way to Kansas City, MO. He doesn't look too comfty, huh?While Jordan was sleeping, Sarah was on the go. I was walking around the airport with her in Denver for a while before Jordan took her for walks. It was cute, fun, and exhausting!!

We got to Kansas City without too much of a delay in Denver (they had to wait for the cleaning crew to show up, so our flight was delayed 30 minutes. As soon as we did, we talked a little and then I was off to bed with Sarah. The next day we went skeet-shooting and Sarah found a new friend! I wasn't sure of the dogs name, but Sarah called him "Daisy". So, I think that is his new 'adoptive' name.

Here is another adorable, one of my favorite pictures of Sarah Marie, my little angel!

Here is a picture of Lincoln (Sarah's cousin), Jordan, and Sarah all reading together. Isn't that just adorable?! Well, I couldn't take just a picture of Jordan reading with the kids, so here is one of Rob and the kids.

Sarah and Lincoln got along well and by the end of the trip they were finally sharing (well, sort of). They are really cute together!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Lincoln. This was taken at the Steamboat Arabia Museum just outside the entrance. Cute, huh?

We can't forget Isabella either. So here are some pictures of her and her and Sarah.

I have plenty more pictures, but I can't post them all here. But, these are some of my favotires from the trip. (Rednecks use a stroller as a gun rack...) The second is a picture of Sarah and Jordan asleep at the Denver Airport on our way home. Precious, huh!

Christmas Pictures! (Finally)

Auntie Roo, cousin Abby, and Sarah reading a book at the Harris Christmas Party.

Sarah was a bunny (since it was either that or a cat) in the manger for the Christmas Pageant.

Sarah opening gifts at the Harris Party. (Isn’t she cute?!)

Anna putting bows on Sarah’s head Christmas Eve.

Sarah on Santa’s Lap at the Harris Christmas Party.








Jordan Christmas morning…doesn’t he look chipper?!

Same to be said about Anna on Christmas morning…she looks like she is in pain!! I guess 6am is a little early, but hey, I am up earlier than that every work day of the week!

Sarah opening gifts on Christmas day.

Jordan helping Sarah open gifts Christmas morning.

Sarah got a rocking horse from Santa!!

Look at all those gifts! Too much if you ask me, but hey, Jordan went a little overboard (as always!)

Jordan helping Sarah at Nana’s open a gift Christmas Day.

Sarah got a 4-wheeler from Nana and Bompa!

Sarah giving lovies to her little baby Nana gave her.

Sledding at Green Canyon with Mommy, Daddy, Bompa, Daisy, Chubbs, and Auntie Roo.




Daddy sledding with Sarah and Daisy barking encouragement (or rather just being annoying!).

Bompa sledding?!

Auntie Roo! My camera was doing something a little odd in the bright sunlight, but hey, it makes her look like an angel.








Sarah in a Santa hat. Isn’t she cute?!

Missouri Trip

Well, Missouri was a blast! I was so glad we flew instead of drove!!! Especially this time of year when the Midwest is known for their sudden ice storms. But, the weather for the most part was beautiful. We flew in, Jordan, Sarah, Lynette (Jordan's Mom), and I on Dec. 31st. It was late and we made it to Rob's home just before midnight. So, we celebrated quickly with some snacks and such and then (for me and Sarah) it was off to bed.

Lincoln and Sarah met each other the next day. Lincoln just wanted to kiss Sarah, but Sarah wanted nothing to do with kissing boys!! That's my girl!!! They both, by the end of the trip, learned to share...well, a little anyway. Isabella is so precious. She is so content and well mannered, even for being 4 months old. Her temperament reminds me of Sarah when she was little. Just glad to be there and to have people to love her. Cute little thing!!

I have pics, but my Mom has my cord at her house, so I have to wait to post them until then (sorry!!). But Lincoln and Sarah both had fun running into Lincoln's room, reading books, playing with stuffed animals, and just toddling around together. It was so cute and fun! I am glad they get along. Oh, and Sarah is only a hair, literally, shorter than Lincoln. Talk about a family destined to be tall!!!

The next day we went skeet-shooting. It was great. I didn't do to well, but hey, I wasn't used to Rob's gun and that is my excuse and I'm sticking to it!! We put some ear plugs in Sarah's ears, covered her head and ears with her hat, and called it good. Sarah tagged along and spent the day with Uncle Rob, Da-da, and ma-ma shooting. It was great. It was cold, but fun.

The next day we went to Rob's Auction house in Kansas City, MO. It was really neat! He has two back offices, public bathrooms for when he holds live auctions, a kitchen area for a caterer to come in, and a large open area to hold several people bidding on items. It was really neat! After that we went to an authentic Greek restaurant and ate. Sarah chowed down their homemade pitas like it was going out of style! Lincoln decided he didn't want to eat, but sleep instead, so we hurried and ate and rushed back to the house for the kids to take their nap.

On Saturday we went to the farmers market downtown, or close to it, and went to the Steam Boat Arabia museum. It was so neat!!! This steam boat sank in 1896 with a full bed of cargo. No one died, but one mule didn't make it off before the boat sank. Since steam boats used a lot of lumber to operate, the people would cut down trees along the shoreline. Over time the river changed course and the Steam Boat Arabia was no longer under the Missouri River, but somewhere deep underground under a farmers crop field. In the 1980's some adventures sought out to uncover the steam boat and find the missing 400 crates of Kentucky's finest Bourbon. It only took 3 hours to find the boat. It took another 3 days to mark the outline of the boat with flags above ground, and then it took a month to uncover. Once this was done, the farmer gave them 4 months to extract everything they could because he had to plant his crop in the spring again. So they took everything they could, including dishes, canned pickles, buttons, beads, cast iron kitchen supplies, nails, chewing tobacco, pipes, etc. However, they only found a whopping 27 cents. They assume everyone back then would've carried their money with them when they abandoned ship and somehow only one person packed their money in their luggage. If you have time to check it out someday, do. It was so neat!! They have the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the nation.

Sunday we hung out and just relaxed. Reggie and Dixie, Rob's stepbrother and his wife, came over with the kids and had some cream of broccoli soup I made. We chatted for a while and then they took off. We packed and got ready to leave because we had to wake up early on Monday to catch our flight. So, all in all, it was a fantastic trip.