The Hendos

stealing photos

2010-07-16T15:36:00.002-06:00

Just ya know, stealing photos from Natalie's blog. Thanks Nat! Here is a brief recap of Girls Camp. It was excellent, 2 days up were perfect, Nat was a good car companion, loved the cold weather, loved the YW. EXCELLENT TIMES!

SPAM MADE ME DO IT

2010-06-05T11:24:00.004-06:00

So don't have time to argue with blogger, so this is how it goes, reverse order. The title is fitting to this post. I have grown quite tired of the viagra spam comments that keep getting left on my blog, thus a quick and random post for a 2 fold purpose 1) stop the spam 2) let you know i'm alive and well. So below is a photo of McDoverton. More on him later, well actually her, but anyway he/she is the dove who lives in our palm tree in and has babies and she's cute and i watch her and love her/him. It's complicated. Natalie, my dear sweet Bergette had a GOLDEN BIRFDAY PEOPLE!! So we celebrated. Here is the photo I owe you Nat, sorry it's like forever ago. LOVE YOU MUCHO FRIEND!

Oh and no she didn't turn 16, those were just the candles she got.

Then for Spring Break my fam gathered in Park City for a fun filled long weekend. Jason and Lauren blessed baby William. Oh yeah by the way LAUREN HAD A FREAKING DARLING BABY!!!! His name is William and he is the first grand baby and we are all obsessed. That's pretty much what you need to know.

Here is just one close up of the little doll. More to come, like a lot more.

Then it was my birfday, my 26th birfday. It was awesome. Fun, food, friends and fabulous-ness!

Sure do love my Esteban

Michelle, my business partner, tricked me into coming into the store and then gave me a cupcake and a cutest cute bracelet. Below is said cupcake.

SUSHI WITH SANCHE, best lunch ever!

So that's a glimpse into my life the little last while. I'm happy, busy and loving it! TA TA FOR NOW.

Pete Came to Play

2009-11-15T19:42:00.004-07:00

My brother Peter came down to San Jorge to play for a weekend. We pretty much ate a lot and hung out with the beasts, per Peter's request. Please click on this pic and enjoy the awesomeness that is mia's freaking ridiculous face, you see we were taking a photo with a digital camera, mia hates technology, thus this face.

Down at the river with the beasties. Lucy thought it would be appropriate to do a sand nose dive, go figure.

Halloween madness

2009-11-01T19:43:00.003-07:00

This Halloween was extra special, you see we are hosting the other canine cohorts of the Stowell family here at Casa Henderson until the middle of December while my parents galavant about the country/world. They are transitioning into their Santa Barbara house, and travelling a lot until December, thus Mia the Boston Terrier Pug mix, aka designer breed Bugg, and Lucy, the old and sort of grump-tastic Newfoundland are living the good life in the desert with us. Cleo wanted to be a Hawaiian girl for Halloween, she looovveedd it.

Our darling pumpkins

Oh uh and Mia, she wanted to be a pumpkin too.

cute things

2009-10-23T17:48:00.002-06:00

These photos are too cute not to post. This is Porter Bergquist, he belongs to our friends Natalie and Aaron, aka the Bergies. He and Cleo are in love.

celebrations continued

2009-10-23T15:43:00.012-06:00

We went to vegas last weekend to party with Mike & Heidi, and party we did. We shot guns, ate at the Bellagio buffet, and went to Cirque De Soleil's O Show, so weird and so amazing. Here are the photos:

october celebrations

2009-10-11T20:22:00.020-06:00

Hello everyone, i'm not dead. I have been busy starting a business (more on that later) and also haven't had many photos to post until now. So conference weekend Emily & Ryan and clan came down to san jorge. We had lots of fun, sorry heidi, not as good as you are at taking pics, but we got a few cute ones. Below Taylor is getting ready to hook these wild beasts up to a carriage, so she can be a princess in her very own bullmastiff drawn carriage.What fat heads Cleo and Terra are, and look how cute tiggy taylor looks between them, i think this is my favorite pic of taylor ever.Here Tay is working on her best Cesar Milan.One big cyber high five to anybody who can file through their hendo blog photo memory and figure out what these colorful play things are that kept jordan, taylor and kate occupied during conference. I'll give you a hint, they were not meant for the below purpose.Cleo models what is closer to their intended purpose

We hung out, played games, attempted a puzzle, had a fire and s'mores, delish!

Cute family

Steve and Katers, we still might steal her and call her our own, don't tell ryan and emily

Then the birfday celebrations began. We went to uber yummy and filling Brazil Steakhouse for a birthday eve celebration with our partners in crime the Bergquists. Aaron and Steve both served missions in Brazil so this restuarant holds a special significance for the Bergies and Hendos. We always joke that if we were to bring anybody else here it would be considered cheating.

The tradition in our family is that we do breakfast in bed on birthdays, well steve thinks that's messy and complicated, which it can be, so in honoring the birthday boys request he got breakfast at the bar.Steve worked a half day, we met for delicious Capriottis thanksgiving sandwiches for lunch, i headed back to the coal mines, and from what I'm told steve played the wii and chillaxed most of the afternoon.

Then we went to the driving range, this is the only part of the game of golf i enjoy, i like hitting things hard, so that works for me.

Could he be any cuter? If there were a contest for hottest barely turned 30 year old, steve would win, like without even trying.

Happy 30th to my best friend.

... and the celebrating is continuing through october, don't even worry, you know how we do. next weekend we are hitting up vegas to do some more celebration station!

The Happy Travels of the Hendos

2009-08-10T20:33:00.025-06:00

The happy Hendos are BACK! We have returned from our fabulous travels. We went to New York for my older brother Paul's wedding, then I hit up the sweet Chi-town for some good r & r, shopping, eating and family time. After those trips i went to work for 2 days then headed up to the mountains for Girls Camp. Needless to say it's been a great few weeks, but I'm glad to be home to my boo and my punkins (steve & cleo for new readers). While in NY we celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Time has flown. We celebrated in the best way i can really imagine, we got gussied up, dined at tavern on the green in central park, and strolled lots and lots around the park and beautiful NY. I kept saying over and over how happy the night was making me, being in a big gorgeous city with my honey on a beautiful summer night was pretty much the pinnacle of happiness for me. Steve even got me the pricey perfume i had hinted at, and i love it! 4 yr anniversary = successSteve had never been to New York, and although I lived in Connecticut as a kid, and have been back since several times, I really wanted to do some of the fun touristy things, most of which I don't remember doing so it was great. We went to china town, the Brooklyn Bridge, wall street, lots of parks, ground zero, saw a show at Lincoln Center, ate lots of nummy food, oh how glorious it was. Below is a photo of Steve enjoying some coco milk. Steve talks about this stuff all the time, he used to have it in Brazil on his mission. He was excited when we were in China town and he found a street vendor who had it, he promptly purchased said coco milk and took a happy sip then offered the coco delight to me, and it was VILE!!!! He just laughed at my bitter face and mentioned that it could be an acquired taste. Real funny, for him at least. Brooklyn Bridge, ignore our soginess, especially mine. We were out in the rain for like 2 hours, but pretty much loved it, you see as desert dwellers it's not often we get to sing in the rain, thus was soaked it in.Rehearsal dinner at Angelo's Pizza. The one right next to the David Letterman show. I've seen many shows where he goes over there of shoots over there, and also the pizza was wonderful.So fun to reunite with my old North Shore 1st ward friends Lauren and Logan, both of whom live in NY now and have been Paul's buddies over the years as well. We have been homies for a while, in fact many of the hilarious and awesome things i say had their beginnings with these 2. They are funny people and i like them. So then Paul and Allison got married!!!!!!!!! If I could put like a size 819 font exclamation point here I would. I know I joke a lot, and rarely say serious things on this blog, which is how i like it, but really being in the temple with my incredible older brother Paul and my new sweet sis in law Allison as they were sealed to one another was touching and wonderful. I love my family so much, they are a strength and a joy in my life. To see Paul so happy and in love has been the best thing ever.

Look at what a babe he snagged. Here are some things i love about Allison:

1) she could sue you (really she's a lawyer)

2) she is tall (5'10 i believe)

3) she loves paul

4) she loves paul enough to see past mine and julia's antics and still join the family

5) she can boogie (she and paul danced like crazy at the reception, it was rad)

6) she's a STOWELL NOW!! WOOT WOOT

There are so many words i want to say about this photo, i'll just list them. Gangsta, bodyguards, looking hott, dc never did me wrong, look how hott steve is, central park i heart you, stoopid flats ate my feet, we look good.After the ceremony we walked from the temple through central park to the boathouse where the reception was. If you have never been to New York, i really strongly recommend you go. My absolute favorite time to be there is the fall. You could go for a week and spend all your time in central park, but you should really go for longer and shop, and eat and sight see to your hearts content.Aside from the bride and groom, my little bro Peter was the total MVP of the wedding. He was on freakin fire. He had me laughing the entire time. I don't know when he got so funny and cool, but i like it. By the way he'll be a freshman at BYU in a few weeks, any body with cute sisters, cousins, friends in provo, you should tell them to find him, cause he's the bomb. Below you'll see he and my dad mock fighting, pretty common occurence in the Stowell household.

Seriously?!?!? I've trained him well

Aww the siblings with the bride and groom.

They were so darling the whole day, and let me reiterate what excellent dance skills the showed off.

Mom and Pam, trouble making sisters. Love these 2 women mucho The girls and pops, do we look like sisters? Cause most people don't believe that we are whenever we're out and about and mention the blood relation

Peter and Rex, a deadly combo (secretly i think they are hilarious)

The happy couple leaving, honeymoon to Italy, wowzahThen they were filming a movie in our hotel lobby the day we were leaving, oh yeah that's Rachel McAdams and ....FIDDY CENT ... can't wait to see that bizarro movieJason had all these foodie places we went to, this place was called something about a papaya, can't really remember. Their main dishes were smoothies and hot dogs, strange but wonderful. I don't know if you can tell but I totally loved NY. From one great city to another. I hung out in the sweet Chi-town for several days after our NY excursion. Juice took this pic, but I love it so much i had to share the most wicked awesome sky line from the most wicked awesome city with you all.Mia monster rocking a cubs jersey

Mother and daughter, can you see the resemblance? Like I mentioned before i shopped, ate, rock band-ed, slept, played with lucy & mia, chillaxed and just had some great fun in Chicago with my fam. One night we went to this crazy cool show called Cavalia. It was kind of like cirque de soleil with horses, so i was totally mesmerized.

These are outside the "big top" where the show was. It made me miss riding, maybe i'll start back up.

I even got to see my ya ya's while home.
And baby Matthew. Laura and Andy sure did make a darling little baby child.Maggie, Laura & Matthew, Rebecca and me. We missed you Ann. So good to catch up and talk and laugh, every time we get together it's like nothing has changed. We are the same silly, weird girls we were in high school. Great summer trips!!

The Vegas Special

2009-07-05T18:31:00.005-06:00

Steve and I headed down to the vegas last saturday to help celebrate Steve's brother Mike's birthday. While the boys did boy things like shoot stuff, Heidi and I went shopping, man we had a ball. That town center mall is pretty sweet, h & m really makes any place pretty sweet if you ask me. Then we had a super fast but yummy dinner and hit the show. Phantom was wonderful. It's been tied for all time favorite musical in my book for a long time, along with Cats, so obviously I enjoyed it. Once again I was hot, but it was worth it, we had a fabulous time Mike & Heidi!

Aww brotherly love, sort of. Why is it that boys don't hug and smoosh together uber close like girls, it's really unfortunate, they are missing out.

Heidi and I, yeah we got fake eyelashes from MAC, yeah they were awesome.

The chandelier that tried to crack my head open.

That's the second time I've used that clutch, i'm desperate for more places to wear it, because i heart clutches, makes me feel like such a fasionista.

uuhhh what happened

2009-07-03T18:53:00.001-06:00

I tried to be cool and download a new background thing for my blog and I think I broke it. Anybody out there good at fixing what I broke so i can have a cute shabby blog like everybody else??!?!

Stan got hitched

2009-06-28T22:40:00.007-06:00

Below is a picture of my dear sweet Christy. Her face and overall excitement pretty fairly sums up how I felt about my entire stay in the great state of Texas. I had the best time ever, I pretty much want to just hang out with my girlfriends all the time and get our nails did, eat texas shaped waffles, bust up rental cars, talk about buffalo speedway and the bum bum dance and a lot of other awesome things that we always do when we're together. I enjoyed la Tejas for 5 days. These 5 days included a wicked awesome trip to Schlitterbahn, just look it up, it's real and incredible. It's a giant water park in Galveston, fine holiday fun, also shopping, pie eating - 2 time, mansion hopping etc. etc.. Also WEDDING FESTIVITIES!! Which in fact was the "purpose" for this trip. So my friend Kristin, we all call her Stan, married Jason Anderson in the Houston temple and it was hot and awesome. So hot, I can't even talk about how hot it was, I almost melted at least 16,743 times. These pics are from the bridal luncheon the day before the wedding, this was one of the mansions we endured hanging out in.Cute southern tradition numero uno: the bridesmaid cake had charms for each of us to pull out of it, then they told our fortune based on the charm we got. Mine was a spicy hot tamale, the fortune for which was a hot romance in my future, uhh duh haven't you even seen my husband.

The happy couple, Houston temple = very pretty, but hot

oh my gosh it's like eating a pixie stick to see how sweet the above photo is, this pose by the way is not for the faint of heart, very difficult, many years of weddings to master

Stan was the hottest, in both ways. The poor thing, she was a trooper though.

Can you guess what this facility is used for during business hours?? I bet you can't ... doesn't it look glorious
cute southern tradition numero dos: umm grooms cake, need I really say more?!?! I mean those are real old fashioned Dr. Pepper bottles full of real DP, and then the "cooler", cause naturally that's what they are in with the ice and such, the cooler has Jason's alma mater on it (with which he is totally obsessed with, good luck Andersons if your kids want to go anywhere but there). You have to click on it to see the uber incredible details.
This is my second favorite photo of the trip, just look at J-Dawg (my friends hubby). He's toasting youYay for weddings and the AndersonsYeah and those certainly are cropped white cowboy boots that Stan certainly wore to the reception.

Then they drove away in a sweet Nissan Z. (That too is the answer to my previous question to you bloggy bloggers, the reception was held at the Nissan dealership for which Stan's dad is a manager)

It seriously was a glorious weekend, good times, excellent memories, really hot.

Flour Tag

2009-06-26T14:01:00.003-06:00

A few tuesdays ago the Beehives (the group of youth I'm in charge of) were in charge of organizing the joint young men/young women activity. The Beehives have been begging me forever to play flour tag, and so since i'm the coolest leader ever we went with it. We played capture the flag flour tag style. As you can see everyone wore black and had a nylon full of flour, and you tagged people by hitting them with your flour sack. It was chaos, fun, and fabulous. I couldn't believe how many youth showed up, usually we have like 30 or so on a good night, this night I counted at least 48, apparently word spread. Here are the hilarious pics, I especially enjoy this first one of Terica, she's pretty much the coolest.

I am in this one, i believe my face is being covered by victorious excited arms.

Cleo's Birthday

2009-06-04T18:32:00.002-06:00

My dear sweetheart Cleo turned 3 years old last Thursday. She spent most of her celebration of her birthday doing this: She is a professional sun bather, she could put anyone anytime to shame. Later in the evening she decided to put on a birthday bow, you should have seen her use her little paws to tie that bow, quite impressive especially considering she has not thumbs. She's my purdiest.Now you may look below and say, wow Audrey you really gave your dog cookies, aren't you a vet tech, shouldn't you know better? To which I say, bet you didn't know that those are homemade dog cookies, in the shapes of dog houses, paws and two sizes of bones, bet you didn't know that I was that obsessed with my dog. Well now you do, and yes that is a cold hot dog cut up and placed on the dog cookies as a garnish.Here is the birthday princess devouring her glorious birthday goodies in an un-princess like manner. Oh how I love her.

In other news, I'm gearing up for an awesome and somewhat busy summer. Next week I go to Houston for my last college friends wedding (slow tear streaming down face). Since it is the last wedding we are making it a little bit of an extended girls trip so I can fully enjoy my really awesome girlfriends. Shortly after sinking that moollaahh into airfare to houston, i decided I was on a roll and booked our tickets to New York, where my older bro Paul is getting hitched in July and then I was like I haven't quite spent enough money or gotten enough time off work so I'm going to go ahead and stop in Chicago for the week after the wedding and chill with my fam damley some more, after all they miss me greatly. Really I'm super super excited, I so need a chance to go home and hang out with my family. And after that it's girls camp then it's practically september which means a cooling pattern is around the bend and i'll be ok. Vote for Cleo every day at becauseanimalsmatter.com, just do it, don't ask me any questions.

I can hope

2009-05-06T17:33:00.000-06:00

Cleo better live at least this long
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30596398/?gt1=43001

mother came to play

2009-04-12T20:07:00.004-06:00

Last week my mom was in town to play with me. We had the best time ever. We sewed, we shopped, we ate a lot, we hiked, we got hot rock massages, we even drum roll please ... went to the gym! Basically I have the coolest mom ever and so obviously we had a ball. I so so badly wish we lived closer, chicago and st. george just aren't quite close enough. Anyhow here are the fantastics pics.

We made this totally amazing tablecloth. Yeah, we made it, ok mostly mom made it but i totally learned and watched and soaked in her awesomeness.

So we obviously had to set up our Easter place setting, so precious.Seriously, isn't it sssoooo sweet.

We hiked at Zions.Had amazing meal after amazing meal. I heart my mother, she is the bomb!

archie & bowling

2009-03-29T16:32:00.004-06:00

Yes that's right, Tori and I hit up the David Archuleta concert last Tuesday. It was INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! I heart archie!!! Seriously Tori and I had a ball, between the insane 12 year olds screaming at a decibel i didn't think possible to seeing one of my old lady clients from my clinic in the row behind us, it was so funny and entertaining.

Had to also share this incredible moment in Steve's life. Friday we went bowling and well don't adjust your eyes, that is his score indeed. JEEALLLOOUUSSS???!?!?! He was on freaking fire. He is strongly considering quitting the appraisal business and going pro.

Succession of excellent weekends

2009-03-29T15:29:00.004-06:00

Two weekends ago my freaking cool sister Julia came down from the BYU to play with me, she even brought her also very cool roomie Sarah. Juice and I have a very, very special relationship, when we get together, steve just kind of sits and watches us and our insanity. Anyhow here is all the rad stuff we did.cleo does this every time juice is around, ssooo weird.we found this super secret and super sweet slot canyon at zions, i had never been in a slot canyon and neither had juice or sarah so it was pretty much mind blowing.After some in depth research and phone calls i determined i was indeed allowed to have a fire pit in my backyard. To celebrate this new information we of course broke in our new fire pit. It is wonderful, i think it may have changed my life, i know the s'mores did that night.
Then last weekend we drove down to Palm Springs, which is in the California desert. We met my little brother Peter and my parents down there. We watched tennis at Indian Wells, finally i feel like I get tennis, well maybe this time I just cared enough to get it. It was the semi-finals of this tournament so we got to watch the best players in the world, it was quite interesting. Also my mom and I got some girl time together, we shopped, ate and talked a lot, which was ssooo very much needed on my end. P.S. The shopping in palm springs = crazy good.Here we are near death from heat stroke at tennis, it was only like 85 degress but sitting in the hot sun for several hours made it feel approximately 850 degrees to me. Still it was awesome, I just had to take shade breaks.Dinner at my ffrraavvorite restaurant P.F. Changs. I heart you p.f.!It was another great weekend, i really needed it. Quick break, retail therapy, family time, a visit to mr. chang's and I was so much better off!

1/4 century

2009-03-16T21:17:00.005-06:00

25 i mean really, what is that number? Actually i like it. I've found in the last week since turning 25 i have written a lot more poems, gotten a lot more respect, gained great perspective on life, solved several world issues, gotten a lot hotter, grown emotionally, and have increased my general awesomeness. Really, not much has changed, but for some reason i really like 25. Following you will see how glorious my birthday was. My b-day was last monday, steve took me out to a fancy dinner Saturday night, then to the sweetest concert by the Heritage Choir, it was all love songs, naturally i loved it.Wicked awesome flowers my honey got me.

Then on my actual birthday he continued the Stowell family tradtion of breakfast in bed, he made me crepes, Cleo was pissed because i only shared 1/2 crepe with her and also she thought it was very disgusting to eat in bed, i told her not to judge me, especially on the 25th anniversary of my birth.I got to lunch with some hott ladies .. seriously we look gooood. And only because Porter is cute and charming and totally flirted with me he was allowed to the ladies lunch.

This is how Cleo felt about the balloons i brought home from lunch at Red Robin, complete misunderstanding and fear, what else is new.
My most wonderful beehives came over and played with me.
They even brought me gifts: a fish named DC after Diet Coke of course, a 12 pack of Diet Coke, lip gloss and an awesome poster ... they are totally the best, heart you girls!
Steve and I hit up Brushfire Pottery for a fun b-day activity and to get our creative juices a flowing, this was the end result.Then Steve made me dinner, with the cute apron and all. Filet mignon, peas & potatoes, spinach salad, and yeah he made me a cake.
I mean can't you tell how much more distinguised i look blowing out candles now that i'm 25, it's a world of difference, i know.
My birfday presents, this hott scarf and turqoise necklace and earrings. Also another year he puts up with my obsession with Cleo.
It was a wonderful birthday. I totally felt all the love, so thanks to everyone who loves me, i love you all back, A LOT!! And don't you worry i'll continue to blog about what might be my best year ever!

so cleo

2009-02-20T16:31:00.002-07:00

this clip is so cleo. please watch and laugh hard at the awesomeness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjoFAlDB6vQ&feature=related

2 babies + 1 wedding + 1 bridal shower = euphoria

2009-02-18T18:56:00.007-07:00

In addition to valentine festivities last weekend, I went up north for my fabulous friend Rachel's wedding. All my hott ladies flew in and gathered so we could party. We took the chance to throw a 2 babies and a wedding shower for fanny and buff who are due in may, just 3 days apart, and kristin who is getting hitched in june in texas (can't even wait to post about that cause it's going to be such an awesome trip it will knock all your blogger socks off). THE MADNESS! It was fabulous and i thank my lucky stars every day for these wonderful girls.also fanny is having a girl and buff is having a boy .. this picture will be on the slide show when their babies get married in 25 years.we hired a stipper ... ha ha ha a joke .. that is christy's hubby chaselook at that, two of the hottest baby mama's everrach & chad february 13 2009 ... congrats!look at that dress, it was marvelous. she looked BEAUTIFUL

i heart weddings. so much so that with this last one of my close friends getting married in june i'm considering having steve and i renew our vows this summer on our 4th anniversary, so we can have another wedding/awesome party. is 4 years too soon?

i heart my valentine

2009-02-16T10:51:00.002-07:00

for valentines this year we took a stand to the mediocre restaurants in st. george and had our own fancy dinner at Le'Hendersons. The chef cooked some beautiful filet mignons, twice baked potatoes, and salad. This loveliness was followed by ...CHOCOLATE FONDU! Steve cooked it all for me while I happily read my US weekly on the couch. It was splendid.Then we took a photo, and cleo such the ham decided to be in our romantic valentines photo, she totally posed, it was uber funny. This is take 1 of the fondu photo, i kind of love this picture a lot. makes me laugh.awww so precious. steve really was happy, that's his i'm so happy i could scream face.

What would you dooooo for a Klondike bar?

2009-02-16T10:37:00.004-07:00

Last weekend Steve went on the Klondike with the young men. OH MY STUPIDEST THING IN THE WORLD! On the Klondike you drive up to some snow bound mountain in the middle of nowhereville and promptly dig yourself a snow grave to "sleep" or die in. I don't even get it. Steve knew he would be cold so he layered himself to oblivion. Upon arriving home the next afternoon, shockingly alive, he stripped his layers. It was too funny to watch. I believe he said he had 8 layers of shirts and 6 of pants. No klondike bar is worth this, maybe a diet coke, but never a klondike bar.

winter blues?!?!

2009-02-01T20:00:00.009-07:00

I think not! Just haven't had much to post but even I'm bored with my blog. So here are the things I have been enjoying lately ...

that's me erin and ang playing BUNCO!! Seriously that's a real picture, we look good. So who knew rolling dice over and over would be so fun. I made some friends, ate some mexico, and even came up with my signature bunco role.

getting my gym on like britney. i too wear my sunglasses in the gym. (and sometimes at night). Steve and i are using up our last couple of weeks at rezults in BUFU! We switch to the washington rec center feb. 26, so so excited. The rec center is approximately 4.2 minutes from our house versus rezults being 20 minutes. The rec center has tv's on every piece of equipment, that's pretty much why we signed up for it, that and the distance thing, but mostly the tvs.

Hanging out with this beast. She is pretty much really pissed in the second picture. Probably because i told her to lay off the oreos.

watching this totally ridiculous but fabulous show(the bachelor). it's a complete guilty pleasure and after every season i vow to never watch it again, but alas it sucks me in every time.

-Doing a lot of young womens-ing. Gotta get New Beginnings together like stat

-Having a lot of fun with crazy drug side effects!

-Chillin like a villain. January seemed to go by so wicked slowly for me. I've been busy but it's just been a long month. Probably a lot of that has to do with a little project steve and i are working on, but regardless i'm quite pleased it is now february. HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY TO EVERYONE TOMORROW!

Our Christmas Vacation

2009-01-04T17:10:00.010-07:00

So we went to Hawaii with my family for 7 days over Christmas. Everything about the trip was over the top amazing. My family pretty much rules and so I truly would be happy to hang with them anywhere but Hawaii was especially awesome. There are 9 of us now, with myself and Lauren both married to one man each,, to clarify. We are a big, boistrous, loud and hilarious group, and I'm so so lucky to have them all. Enjoy the pics. p.s. once again blogger and i are in the depths of a mind game so the pics aren't in the correct order, i got over it, you can too. Hike down to a black sand beach.

Don't we look hot hiking?!? Lauren's head is about to explode in this picture, explode from worry/concern overdose to the brain. I mean really check out all those signs. My favorite is "Do not approach the monk seals" and the picture on that sign is PRICELESS. Like keep your distance from these giant blubbery masses, they may be inclined to log roll you when awakening from their slumber. Serious injury will be incurred from monk seal log roll, beware. *actually being the animal aficionado that i am, the truth which i do know to be true is that these big fat seals can be psycho aggressive if provoked, so i would recommend not poking them.

People hike down to this beach and build these rock sculptures to honor the gods.

Steve being Jack Sparrow or something, really just showing off his rock sculpture and his hottness.
Steve & Jason's creation, quite impressive boys, nice rocks.Whenever we are all at a beach Paul and Peter, my brothers, always always skip rocks into the ocean, so many times on these vacations my mom and sisters and i or whoever is around just sit and watch, in that moment i always get the chance to take in what is happening, the people I love that I'm with, the beautiful location, it's always a great part of our trips.
The whole fam damley!Steve surfing on the swing.Chameleon i see you!Peter the sand monster. Usually we bury him in the sand on our beach vacations, he is now 6'2 and that would just be too exhausting, we're too lazy these days.
HA HA MAHALO, HA HA HA HA HA!! Wait don't you get it? I guess you had to be there.Volcano National Park, A REAL VOLCANO -- EEEKKKK!!! Last time it erupted was 1986. It was cool to see all the vents from the molten magma (austin powers anyone) below. Dinner at some yummy resaurant, best chicken picatta ever, mark my words.

Sunset Chrismas Eve. This is at Hapuna Beach, our favorite, we went back like 4 or 5 times.

We brought the Wii, and boy were wii glad! Ha, but really my family is obsessed with mario kart, every night we played. And maybe once when it was rainy. Bring your A-Game if you want to play at our house, i don't mess around. Also this afternoon Steve opened up all sorts of new glorious lands in mario kart world, so wicked sweet i fell in love with him all over again.

I gave steve Dance Dance Revolution for Christmas, uumm it's really funny.

No wonder he wanted it, he is a dancing machine. I think he missed his calling as a back up dancer, for now I suppose appraising will have to suffice.

My dad took us on a tour of some of the crazy amazing hotels, this is at the Hilton. I have never seen such a grandiose hotel.Sunset ... i'm even jealous of this picture.

The Hilton had its own dolphins, like they lived there.

Son in laws and a fake waterfall, what's up with steve being all Derek Zoolander, he knows no other way i suppose, except the way of ridiculously good looking male model.

We heart the Barlows. Especially when Jason wears his Bears shirt and we get unsolicited restaurant advice as a result. GO BEARS!

GORGEOUS BEACHES

Can you spy the sea turtles?

A ba-gillion ants taking away a dead chameleon/gecko (still debating about that). Too cool to not take a picture, don't act like it's that gross, or just get over it cause it's awesome.

Christmas morning breakfast. Take note of Jason's santa hat, his great loves include Christmas, the U, and of course the Stowell family.

Could they be any funnier. Lauren likes her water with no ice and to wear sunglasses inside cause "it's so bright".

Father: "Mele Kalikimaka, check out my wicked sweet new black sweatsuit, that's right i match my 2 sons and 2 son in laws, i am not ashamed, not only am i not ashamed but i think i look hott"-he really did say hott with 2 t's.

Now this is a gecko no doubt, these little critters came out every night and chilled by the lights. I loved them, tried to bring one home to Cleo, that did not go well. beach time Scuba Steve We flew in and out of Salt Lake so that we could spend New Years and a couple more days with Steve's family. Taylor and I got along smashingly!
We even got a chance to go out to dinner with some of my lady friends and their spouses. We missed you Mans & Gavin, but we're glad you aren't dead.

My sisters have some more pics of our helicopter ride and other fun goodies, so stay tuned! Mahalo - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

HAWAII

2008-12-20T22:23:00.003-07:00

Hey people, guess where I'm going in 2.5 days ... see below and drool:

MELE KALIKIMAKA!

Thanksgiving '08

2008-12-12T16:59:00.006-07:00

This year Thanksgiving was at our house. A large portion of the Henderson family joined us. Great times, great food, fine holiday fun!

Kate sitting on Ryan & Emily's pup Terra, yes she is Cleo's daughter, Terra not Kate.

Settlers of Catan i loathe you.

Heidi & Me on a hike at Zions.

The boys and their parents. Madison and Jordan playing nice.

My nieces and nephews are cuter than yours!

quit your whining

2008-12-08T20:16:00.002-07:00

There has been some whining about me not updating my blog for a couple weeks. Well since I have nothing new to share with my loyal readers, here are some oldies but goodies. Just a few, maybe i'll add some more, if you're lucky!! Graduation from BYU, sister Lauren, Grandma & Grandpa Daines and me

Christmas Eve pajamas, 2005 edition.

My 20th birthday, look how short my hair is and how excited i am about that adorable cake!

Fall girls trip to Logan.

ha um another girls trip, i don't even know what to say. These girls are simply marvelous. My roomies/sisters from BYU, minus Buff, where were you Buff, oh wait maybe you were still in high school in Canada, yeah this may have been our freshman year, yes it was cause my face is different.

HELLOOOO KITTY!

2008-11-21T12:20:00.005-07:00

My brother Paul's 30th birthday was on Monday. The friday before there was a fabulous party held in his NYC apartment in his honor. We lived in Japan a long time ago and in Japan, as many of you may know, this giant pink kitty is kind of a big deal. This is HELLO KITTY! Paul got way more hello kitty in his life than he bargained for mainly because of his 2 younger sisters, Lauren and I, who quite enjoyed the kitty of hello. There was an amusement park devoted to this feline, which we frequented back in the day, and basically everywhere you turned in Tokyo you see this kitty and her little friends.

There is the background, and if you knew Paul and the rest of my siblings it would be even funnier, but regardless this post should knock your socks off. So for this milestone of birthdays my siblings and I had all been racking our brains for a brilliant idea, he is very difficult to buy for, mostly because things he needs he just buys and beyond that he is not really interested. Oh men, you have it all wrong, but that is neither here nor there, but perhaps the topic of another post. WE SENT HIM A FREAKING HELLO KITTY BIRTHDAY TELEGRAM!!!! How amazing is that? How brilliant and hilarious?!?! And I guess what made it even funnier, I got the report from one of Paul's good friends, is that the guy in the Hello Kitty costume was this odd Nigerian guy, who didn't speak great English, and kept trying to get awkwardly close to Paul. Aahh birthdays and weird gifts, there is nothing better.

mmmm boots

2008-11-06T13:24:00.002-07:00

um, can my secret sugar daddy santa somewhere out there buy these scrumptious boots for me for an early christmas present, and by early i mean so that I can wear them to Robyn's wedding 3 weeks from this Saturday?

Halloween

2008-11-02T18:27:00.003-07:00

This year our neighborhood decided to have game houses during Halloween, I think there were about 10 houses that had little games the kids could play while trick or treating. We hosted one of the games - The Spooky Eyeball toss. It was so fun to sit out on our porch like old people in our Canada chairs (thanks buff) and interact with all the kids. Fine holiday fun! Me and Cleo, and Tori and her springer Birdie, who was a cowardly lion at work on Halloween.

Aint she the purdiest?!?!

Forgot to put these up around Steve's birthday. I held a gun for the first time. And can I just say, I think it's a little insane that they will just give you a real gun with real bullets and just let you out into their little range. Perhaps that's the city girl in me, but I find that slightly psycho. Regardless, this was wicked fun. We went to a shooting range in Mesquite and shot clay pigeons (side note: i was really hoping these "clay pigeons" would be in the form of cute little ya know clay pigeons, alas they were not). I super sucked while Steve rocked it. I'm a little more afraid of Steve now.

Steve was thrilled that he could wear his heinous construction orange hat.

BEEN TAGGED ... it stung a little at first

2008-10-27T21:47:00.003-06:00

ABOUT MY SWEETHEART

*What is your husband’s name: Steven Jared Henderson (other aliases: Hendo, Estebe, Ststststeeven James-matt cope you better read that and laugh out loud)
*How long have you been married? 3.25 years
*How long did you date? 11 months including engagement
*How old is he? 29
*Who eats more sweets? me, steve eats the crappy candies that your ortho used to give you
*Who said I love you first? him
*Who is taller? him
*Who can sing best? obviously that's a tie
*Who is smarter? street smarts (and cred) me, book smart him
*Who does laundry? we each do our own, he is very particular about folding and so very early in our marriage i said something to the effect of "listen you crazy man with ocd, if you are going to be a folding nazi ..."
*Who pays bills? me
*Who sleeps on the right side? estebe
*Who mows the lawn? him, as if i would ever touch a lawn mower, i'm actually insulted by this question
*Who cooks dinner? me
*Who drives? him, unless we need less than 294 minutes to get somewhere
*Who is first to admit they are wrong? me, which is funny because I'm wicked stubborn but I would rather admit that I am wrong first so we can not be angry at each other
*Who kissed who first? steven james, he said connecticut then kissed me
*Who asked who out first? him
*Who wears the pants? it depends on the pants, red leopard stirrup stretch pants would be me, but high rise acid wash jeans would be him

i tag emily henderson, heidi, emily russon, christy, buff, fanny, mans, samwise yeah how do you like them apples

Dogs + Halloween = Wicked Sweet

2008-10-25T12:25:00.003-06:00

prepare yourself

2008-10-19T22:43:00.001-06:00

... for this sweatshirt in size XXL on Cleo in the near future.

Ode to Steven

2008-10-06T16:33:00.006-06:00

Today is the 29th birthday of my dear hubby Steve. Here is a top 10 list of why i love him ever so much:

10)His ability to fall asleep in any position, any place, any time astounds me.

9) His patience with my daughter Cleo. Even when she dug up a hole* in our brand new backyard, the ink on the check still fresh, he didn't even kill her. (*by hole i mean large crater,)

8) His awesome hair ringlets and fine behind

7) In order for him to go from a stand still to running he must move like a locomotive, he get his arms going in motion, soon after his legs start chugging, it's pretty sweet, if you haven't seen him run you should ask him to next time you see him

6) He is an exceptional listener. When we very first started dating it was one of the first things that really hooked me. All the other millions of boys I had dated (ha) weren't nearly as good of listeners, but he listens so intently and asks such thoughtful questions.

5) He eats everything I make for him with a smile on his face.

4) He doesn't whine when I pick up and skip the country, even when my whole Stowell family is at our house and I leave, he still doesn't even whine, that really happened, and it probably will happen again some time.

3) He is hot

2) He works real hard for the money. But really, he does work hard to provide for me and my habits.

1) He puts up with me and HE LOVES ME!

... AND I HIM!

Happy birthday bubbahz. I love you and look forward to many more fantastic celebrations in the years to come.

best song EVAH

2008-09-30T18:54:00.003-06:00

Have you even heard the new song by T.I. and the fabulous Rihanna "Live your life" because it's going to blow your mind! If you are not prepared for a life altering moment do not go here, but if you are, join the club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnM7WdLihKE

JEALOUS!?!??!

2008-09-21T17:57:00.007-06:00

Here is a list for you all:
1) 2 cousins hitched
2) porcupine attack
3) new calling - Beehive Adviser (so thrilled btw)
4) temps cooling (also so thrilled)
5) long road trip
6) puppy on extended visit
7) NASCAR
8) Rise and Shout

JEALOUS?!?!??! that's for you Juice, and you too Jason.

I took a leave of absence for the month of August, it was lovely. Juice, Lauren, Mother, Odette and I hopped in the car and drove to Santa Barbara and met up with my brothers and Dad. We had a stupendous vacay and look forward to many many more trips there. About 6 years ago my parents bought a house in Santa Barbara, which thrilled all of the Stowell clan. Santa Barbara is a totally amazing city, it's charming, extremely dog friendly, and beautiful. There are tons of great restaurants and splendid shopping. I'm infatuated with this city!

Elephant seals, very fat and weird, and I love them.Funny huh?Shabu shabu ... mmm in my belly.Juice and I at Will and Rachel's reception.The happy couple! Married in the Oakland temple.My best cousin, Marjolaine. I have so many hilarious memories with this mischevious girl, she's wonderful.We drove from Santa Barbara up to Oakland for Will's wedding then drove from Oakland to Salt Lake. It was quite the loop. We made it to Bear Lake finally and had a great Stowell reunion week. Here we are playing deadly spoons. THAT GAME WAS TOO FUNNY. Here is a glimpse: Mother said to Father "Come on David, put your big girl pants on!" OH MY GOSH FUNNY!Then Jason and Steve got the weirdness fever too. I was just taking the above picture and right after I did Jason got all wicked cozy and close to Steve and put on this huge grin, then Steve felt awkward and we all laughed because it was funny. Then we went to Park City and enjoyed some Rocky Mtn. Chocolate Factory, apparently the owner of this company lives in Promontory where my parents are building. P.F. Changs guy and Rocky Mtn. Choc guy watch out, Audrey Henderson is about to be your bestie at Promontory!Emeri and Jason got married. Check out the amazingness that is her dress. I expected nothing less of her by the way. Then we had an unexpected puppy stay at our house for a bit. This is Ryan and Emily's pup Terra, formerly Helga from Cleo's litter. Look at her tongue, I mean really.
Cleo was all like relaxed and what not and then ...Terra attack. Cleo loved to hate her. They got along really well but sometimes Cleo was so over it.Then Cleo v. porcupine. I'll let you determine who the winner was. So sad. I had left work early a couple weeks ago and decided to take the creatures to the river. Cleo and Terra and I were having a marvelous time when they found this burrow. It was up on the side of the bank and there was a tree and like shrubbery or some crap in front of it so I couldn't see what they were doing. They kept coming in and out so I figured they were fine. Then after a couple minutes Cleo was not coming out. I peer through the shrubbery to see porcupine cleo face!! eekk! I had to coax her out of the burrow, she thought she was in trouble because I was whigging. When I finally got her out she just froze, thus I had to carry all 95 lbs (yes she gained 10 lbs, freaking puppy food) as far up the river as I could. After I couldn't carry/drag her up the river any more I had to poke her bum with a stick to keep her moving. Mean while Terra is trying to bite at Cleo's quill face the entire time. It was not awesome. Fanny - remember when we were on the phone and I was like I've gotta go Cleo's being weird, yeah that was right before I looked in to find QUILL FACE! Anyway I took her to my clinic, we sedated her and pulled out over 200 quills. Poor Cle.

That entire night she was down for the count, enjoying her drugs. As soon as I got her home Terra cuddled up right next to her bed and stayed there. It was so darling I almost teared up.
Last weekend we went up to the BYU/UCLA game. My dad was in town for the weekend. We dropped Terra off with Ryan and Emily last weekend too. P.S. THE GAME ROCKED, BYU RULES!

Last night Steve and I went down to Vegas to play with Mike and Heidi and the girls. They moved to Vegas in July and we are thrilled to have them so close to us. Mike got tickets to this NASCAR race. The people watching was my favorite part, yeah the cars went really fast, but I much preferred to eye all the high quality peeps around me. It was fun, pretty much everything we do with Mike & Heidi is fun.Check out two of my adorably neices, Madison on the right, their friend in the middle and Mckelle on the left.
Fast cars, fabulous fans!This was taken last week. Steve and Cleo always keep me laughing.

sweet vacation

2008-07-29T17:56:00.006-06:00

Steve and I headed to wicked sweet southern California for a much needed vacation. We stayed in Oceanside, just north of San Diego. This vacation was both a celebration of the end of the puppy chapter as well as a celebration of being married buddies for 3 years! By the way time really does fly. Also I think this vacation really brought home the point of vacations and we realized how necessary they are to living a happy life. Thus, more vacations for the Hendersons.Beach time, heck yes.

San Diego zoo elephants, I want one.

We went to Old Town, which was charming and adorable.

We drove up old highway 101, which obviously was the old highway that goes up the coast. We stopped I think in Cardiff by the Sea to watch the sunset, it was almost too amazing.
Gorgeous Hotel Del Coronado, on the adorable island of Coranado. I think we are going to buy a house there as soon as I find that million dollars I misplaced.

long overdue update

2008-06-27T12:36:00.013-06:00

As I'm sure you all can imagine our life has been quite hectic lately. Last weekend I was in Chicago for Laura's wedding and a puppy delivery. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I was in Salt Lake for my friend Christy's wedding and also to put a pup on a flight to Denver, and drop a pup in Eagle Mountain and Lehi. Last night Wallace's family came to pick him up and I have 2 families coming tomorrow to pick up pups and one Sunday. By the end of the weekend we will be down to a meesely 4 puppies, one of which is sold but cannot be picked up for a few more weeks. So we only have 3 more to sell! This whole experience has been much more emotional for me than I had imagined it would be. I have decided I simply have too tender of a heart to have puppies. I have grown so attached to these pups, and how is this for pathetic as I sit and write this tears are forming in my eyes. I have loved every moment I have had with these pups and it has been very bittersweet to see them go. The families that we have chosen to buy pups have been the best so that makes it a little easier to let go. Enough rambling on, enjoy the pics. I had the day off today and I finally for the first time in about 2 months feel like I have caught up.

This is all the pups, minus Howie, in the back of my jeep heading to my clinic for check ups, vx etc. They treated the back of the jeep like a wrestling pit, the noises I heard coming from the back of my car were unreal.

Wallace and Cleo "sharing" a bone. Cleo is so patient with kids and babies and her puppies when they play with her stuff, I've never heard her growl at another living thing or even act sketchy like that, she is the best dog.

Laura and Andy got married June 21 downtown. It was a gorgeous wedding. Laura looked amazing and it was so so great to be with my old buddies.

So fun to get all fancy!

Rebecca, Laura, Ann, me and Maggie, great friends.

I brought Howie to Chicago with me last weekend. I was headed to Chicago for Laura's wedding and it worked out that a family bought him from Illinois so along came Howie for the plane ride and a couple of seriously fun days in Winnetka.

Howie and Mia meet, hilarious situations ensue. Lucy barely tolerated Howie's presence in the house. Lucy did not appreciate it when Howie tried to um succle her.My dad totally loved Howie too. It was pretty funny to watch Dad oohing and aahiing over Howie. My mom and Juice and I just sat and watched him and of course took pictures to document the occurence of Dad Puppy Love.
Mia and Howie were too funny to watch play. Howie completely loved her and would wag his little bum around as soon as he saw her. They were in love for that short weekend, a love that will never be forgotten.When it has not been blistering hot here in the desert the pups love to go out in the backyard and play. They are so cute when the all play together and reak havoc on the yard. I love them even when they are bad, in fact I might love them more when they are bad because they make me laugh.

Love the action shot, these 2 are the most feisty and have always picked on each other, it's pretty funny.

Wallace and Steve. Wallace was our tank, the biggest of the litter.

Bachelorette party for Laura in Vegas. I'm so glad I got to play with my old friends Maggie and Rebecca from, it was fine holiday fun.

Pups attacking Cleo, she is such a good sport.
Daphne sleeping in the food dish.

Steve bought a new car and as a result this one is for sale, it's a wicked sweet KIA Optima, excellent fuel economy. Any takers? Seriously though, somebody buy this from us right now.
Cleo and Odette having a good old time romping around the family room.

Sometimes when I do things Cleo doesn't approve of she sits on me too Poodle, don't take it the wrong way, she just has to regulate from time to time. (those pathetic little gray legs are part of cleo's favorite toy, Poodle) These pictures are of Tori's springer spaniel Birdie playing with the pups. At first she was mighty afraid of the little gremlins, then she decided that she loved them, the feelings were mutual.
One of the weekends Steve was up north working my ladies from work came over to keep my company and rock out on Guitar Hero. It was glorious! Christy is amazing at the guitar especially for an old lady.
Christy and Tori in deep deep focus.
Mom & Milton.
Memorial day this year was a Stowell girls weekend. We shopped, we dined, we played with pups and even got a hike in at the Lava Caves. It was such a fabulous weekend that we decided every year a Stowell girls trip will take place. If our brothers marry cool enough girls we may invite them, we'll see.

Lava caves are very dangerous, only for experienced hikers like Steve and I.

Grandma and Grandpa and Pam came in the beginning of the weekend.

(this was the first day of weaning the pups hence cleo's nastiness)

warning: cuteness overload

2008-06-08T22:16:00.003-06:00

Fanny & Braden visit

2008-06-06T11:07:00.003-06:00

Fanny and Braden came down last weekend to play with us before they leave the wonderful state of Utah. We had a fabulous time playing with pups and at Sand Hollow.

101 Bullmastiff Puppies

2008-06-01T10:32:00.003-06:00

eye opening experience

2008-05-14T13:07:00.003-06:00

Pups eyes have opened, here are a few shots of the little creatures.

Bryce got hitched!

2008-05-14T12:22:00.005-06:00

Last Saturday Steve and I made the trek to Vegas for Bryce & Julie's reception. On the way we bought a new car. Actually we had planned to go down in hopes to end the never ending search for a new car for Steve and to hit the reception. Our friend Bob found us the newest addition to our family, our sweet honda accord. Ok, it's not a child, but we do like it a lot, it's a vast improvement from Gia the KIA. Perks to the new car are as follows: I can actually use it as a vehicle when I need to (no I could not drive the KIA because a)it sucked and b)it was a stick), and it has all the fancy upgrades you could ever want, including butt warmers, for all those cold nights in the desert. Anyhow, I'm quite pleased with Steve's new ride. Back to the wedding, Bryce Stewart, my fabulous old friend from my days at King Henry got married last Saturday. The reception was fun, check out Julie's awesome dress. Not only did I get to see Bryce, but my other wonderful long lost redneck friend Kent Breard, lucky me! It really was a great night, it made me miss the college days and also made me want to plan a reunion of sorts. Enjoy the pics!

Bryce & Julie, so sweet

AUDREY SANDWICH, by far and wide the best sandwich around, Bryce on the left and Kent on the right.

The grand exit

puppies puppies puppies

2008-05-03T19:56:00.003-06:00

1 DOZEN PUPPIES!

2008-04-29T17:14:00.003-06:00

Well the blessed day is here. Cleo had her puppies starting at 5:45 am and ending at 12:20 pm. 6 gorgeous girls and 6 gorgeous boys. I was sure she was done at 10, I started to clean, wash towels, change her bedding, I even started to eat breakfast, which was actually lunch, then she just popped a couple more out and completely took me by surprise. She is hands down the toughest and most amazing dog ever! She is such a good mom too, she loves her little dozen. Enjoy pics and get excited because I'm probably going to update the blog with puppy pics 5 times daily.

please note

2008-04-27T22:19:00.004-06:00

Friends and family please note that Cleo has created her own blog, with a little guidance from me, after all I am the one with opposable thumbs. Her blog is: www.cleosbullmastiffpuppies.blogspot.com. She wants you all to tell anyone you know that may be interested in a puppy to check it out.

AN UPDATE: Cleo is exceedingly lazy and flipping enormous as of today. She is due this week, Thursday to be exact. Cleo consistently gives me the stink eye to let me know how peeved she is about this situation. I will update the blog as soon as the pups arrive!

CLEO'S BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

2008-04-03T22:13:00.001-06:00

Cleo is ssoo preggers! She wanted to tell everyone and the best option she could come up with was this t-shirt. She ironed on the letters herself. Such a craft mom to be she is. She will have puppies around May 1. Come one and all to see the glorious-ness of the pups!

Whirl Wind

2008-04-02T20:51:00.001-06:00

The title of this post is Whirl Wind for good reason. I have been all over this state as well as Nevada and Calfornia over the past month and a half. Since the first weekend of March I have not spent a weekend in my sweet home. Although it's been madness and mayhem, it has been great. I have been to 2 temple weddings, 2 bridal showers, 1 bachelorette party, 3 receptions, Easter dinner, Henderson dinners, and bred my dog. I'm kind of tired. Also we are leaving for Chicago for a week on Saturday. Which will be supah relaxing for me, thank goodness.

I have been reminded over the past several weeks how lucky I am to have these places to go in the first place. I'm so lucky to have the best friends one could ever hope for. A family that means the world to me, and I'm even lucky enough to have the best dog in the world. So here are all the pictures from my wonderful life, enjoy!

Easter dinner at Pam & Wynn's. My parents, Peter & Julia, Grandma & Grandpa, Pam & Wynn and Cleo and Steve and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner in Salt Lake. We even were able to throw in an impromptu family picture.
Oakland Temple on the day of Emily and Jason's wedding. It was a gorgeous day, windy and chilly but wonderful. THE RUSSONS!! I heart them.
The reception was mexi-fabulous! The Haycock's know how to throw down the party, Mariachi band and all.
The blushing bride and I. Don't you think it looks like she's thinking about In-N-Out coming to St. George, yeah me too.
Tiffany & Braden, ahh the Balls, i heart them immensely too.

Look at all of us hotties. We really have got this wedding thing down pat, as I said to the photographer at Fanny's wedding, this aint our first rodeo if you know what I mean.
My 24th Birthday. Steve is wonderful. 24 roses for my 24th, and he made me this wicked cool card. He even entered female mecca and the male awkward town of Roberts Arts and Crafts to purchase cutesy stickers to put on my card. He vowed to never step foot in that crap hole again. Also he made me dinner.
My Fanny-Pak!

Presidents Day weekend, our niece Kate & Cleo fell in love.

Cleo seriously has a crush on Kate, I think the feelings are mutual.
Cleo and Harley. This is Cleo's boyfriend, they are in love. They were in love 7 times in one week.
Cleo thinks his spike collar is hot, that's why he wears it.

2008-02-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

So get this for freaky, it fully snowed in St. George Utah, about 2 inches actually stuck. It was madness and Cleo was feeling the madness, she pretty much went APE upon seeing the snow, as exhibited below.

Cleo runs fast when she knows not what else to do.
palm trees and snow, awwkward
This past Sunday we were all about the snow fever and went for a drive up towards Cedar City and Cedar Breaks. There was a ton of snow up there.
Cleo again loved it.

Isn't she majestic.

i heart cleo

2008-01-25T17:13:00.001-07:00

Some funny pictures of Cleo I thought I should share:

she is really into dramatic lighting

Christmas and New Years in Chicago

2008-01-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Steve and I spent a nice long Christmas vacation in Chicago this year. It was snowy, cold and marvelous. Mom and Dad really know how to take care of all their chilluns. Below is Steve and at the Field Museum in front of the best T-Rex ever, literally, Sue. Mia is a Bugg - Boston Terrier/Pug cross. Isn't she amazing? We all love her immensely. Below she is sporting the traditional Bugg Christmas attire, santa hat and kimono.

Look how well she rocks that hat. Go Mia GO!
Lucy our Newfie also was feeling mighty festive. I swear Julia and I walked outside and she had this wreath on her head.

Then Mia did too.
Excellent dinner spot care of Jason, Lauren's husband. I think the place was just called Smokes, or something similar. It was wonderful food and good times all around downtown. After dinner we went to Jersey Boys, also good times all around.
Happy Birthday Dad. 55 YEARS YOUNG!
Christmas Eve dinner with Robyn, her man friend and family.

Beth's Wedding

2007-12-02T20:55:00.001-07:00

Beth & Brenan, Novemer 23, Cardston (freaking cold) Alberta CANADA

Fanny and Braden (i so heart them)
My favorite part of this photo is Rachel's face and Emily's too. Sorry ladies, it had to be put up.
Between luncheon and reception we made a quick trip to the grocery to stock up on Canadian delicacies such as Ketchup Chips and Wunderbars ... and then promptly ate them, and may I say A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I would like to start bringing Kethup chips into America by the ton. Could someone please make that happen? That's what I want for Christmas.

... also isn't Emily hot in her polka dot dress and checked shoes.

Fanny really tried to catch that boquet, but so did everyone else. Check out Emily trying to block Rach.

Turkey Day

2007-12-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving was absolutely marvelous. I got to enjoy the best of both worlds, in two countries - imagine that! All my family flew in to spend the holiday in St. George. We had a truly delectable turkey dinner and shortly thereafter I jumped in Mario and headed for the airport to ship out to Canada. My very close friend Beth, a Canadian, got married the day after Thanksgiving in Canada. So when I say I got to enjoy the best of both worlds what I mean is I was lucky enough to be with my best friends and my family.

Just chillin like villains on the turkey day. Cleo thoroughly enjoyed all the attention. She was told she was and I quote words from THE David Stowell's very own mouth "She is the prettiest dog I've seen".

Family photo, Cleo looks like she is ready to eat Peter up. Peter, Julia and Cleo on the floor, and from left Dad, Mom, Lauren, Jason, Paul, Steve and white pasty calves, I mean me.
After the amazing Beatles Love show in Vegas. On the tail end of the trip we hung out in Vegas. I met everyone there on Saturday afternoon after flying back from the Canada.

Mckelle's Baptism/Emma's Blessing/All around good times with the Hendersons

2007-12-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

We are so glad we got to spend time with Mike and Heidi and girls. It was so great to see Mckelle get baptized and Emma blessed. Can't wait until they all live closer! My sisters-in-law, Emily to my left and Heidi to my right. I can't begin to express how grateful I am to have them in my life.

Our neice Mckelle who was baptized that day.

Apologies for the "Stagnant" Blog

2007-11-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

My deepest apologies for what I was told is a "stagnant" blog by my dear sweet friend Emily. My excuse is valid, we got a new computer and have been messing with it and getting it up to speed up until now. So don't worry Emily the blog has returned in full force.

Here is Halloween, isn't it fabulous? Cleo unfortunately is too large for normal costumes, maybe next year I will get wicked productive and make her a costume, it's unlikely but it would be awesome huh.

Steve's 28th!

2007-10-14T21:18:00.000-06:00

Steve turned 28 last Saturday, Oct. 6. Julia was at our house for the weekend to help celebrate. We made amazing pumpkin Sprinkles cupcakes, Sprinkles is this uber trendy cupcake store in L.A., they sell their cupcake mix at Williams Sonoma. I highly recommend these cupcakes. Happy Birthday STEVE!

Cleo was really excited about the festivities.
Julia and her creativity, she crazy and I heart her.

Weekend in the UC

2007-09-29T17:37:00.000-06:00

Last weekend we went up to Provo. We got together with my old roommates, and some other friends and all their men. It was so great, I have the best friends ever.

We spent a gorgeous morning up at Promontory in Park City.

Cleo's Nightly Ritual

2007-09-29T17:26:00.000-06:00

Cleo at Night

As of late Cleo has adopted this new and interesting sleeping habit. Every night when Steve and I start getting ready for bed Cleo happily slides under the bed and begins her long beauty sleep. We chuckle every night when we see one or many of her appendages hanging out from under our bed. She is so odd and so fabulous!

Labor Day with the Hendersons

2007-09-29T16:58:00.001-06:00

For Labor Day the Hendersons came down to sunny St. George. We had a great time hiking, and eating, and watching adorable Zach and Kate.

Cleo's first experience with a baby ... she's a fan, as is Zach obviously.

Travels to the Far East

2007-09-16T20:11:00.000-06:00

My travels to Asia were sensational. We started in Japan, moved on to China and ended our trip in Hong Kong. These pictures are in reverse order since the blog tricked me, but it still works. Paul, Julia, my mom and I spent 2 weeks seeing the sights and living it up. Enjoy the greatest hits photos! Since Hong Kong was under British rule until 1997, the one child policy is not in effect there, thus these adorable twin girls.

This is the apartment my parents brought brand new baby me home to.
The Junks of Hong Kong (Junk = Sketchy Boat)

Amazing down pour .....didn't slow the Stowell girls shopping spree
Shang Hai
Take note of the names of the dishes.

My mom and Paul have very fond memories of this ferry, the Star Ferry. This ferry got you from the mainland side of Hong Kong to the island.

Shuz Hou (not sure of spelling), my favorite smaller city.

WHITE STONE FACE!
We took a river cruise down the Yangtze River, these are the famous gorges.

Julia and I were confused.

"Please buckle in your beverage" .... good idea flight attendant, one can never be too cautious with their most precious items

The Forbidden City

The Great Wall

This entire temple was covered in real gold leaf.

Bamboo trees

Above is a Japanese fish market at approximately 4:30 or so in the morning. Paul and my mom thoroughly enjoyed some very very fresh tuna rolls and other questionable sushi.

I was so lucky to experience something so great with people I love. It was so great to come home to Steve and Cleo, I missed them and I'm pretty sure they missed me.