Accomplished

Ok, so remember that thing

that I was practically undestined to accomplish?

After many, many obstacles,

I accomplished it.
It took me 3 days of preparation.

I worked my little guts off til about
1:00 in the morning for 3 nights.

I spent countless hours on Google,

and read hundreds of blogs.

And here was the end result...

I was asked to make this cake by one of the girls that used to my in my Young Women group. She is turning 16 and sent me a design of the cake she wanted. I had never done a multi-tiered cake, and I've never done a fondant cake.

After making 5 batches of frosting, 9 batches of fondant, and a total 6 cakes, I learned tons of new things. But I also learned something about myself.

Sometimes, I don't see the end result in things. I get flustered and irrational in the moment. I need to step back, take a break, remember why I'm doing things, and focus on what my goal is. And let me tell you, seeing the look on that girl's face was worth every moment of feeling frustrated and "undestined" while making this cake.

I am extremely proud of my accomplishment.

Undestined...

Have you ever felt

that you were not destined

to do something?

Have you ever tried

to accomplish something,

only to have almost everything

go horribly wrong?

And you lose tons of sleep

over this one thing?

And no matter how much

you plan, you wonder

"How in the heck

will I pull this one off?"

Yeah, me too.

Eastern Idaho State Fair

My cousins and I decided to go up to the Idaho State Fair this year. It's held in Blackfoot, ID which just so happens to be where my mother is from. Nate couldn't come, so I was brave and drove up by myself. Ok, I wasn't really by myself because I conned my little bro into coming, but I've never driven 3 hours one way with 2 kids in the car. They actually did really well. Nelson really was a big help. I haven't been feeling the greatest the past few weeks and I have been having a hard time holding Halle, so Nels was constantly holding her and pushing the stroller for me.

We had tons of fair food (I skipped my diet for a day. Who can resist fair food?) We ate Tiger's Ears which is fried bread smothered with cinnamon and sugar. MMMmmmm.....

And I had a Grizzly Burger. What's a Grizzly Burger, you ask? Just look at the pic below. It did not disappoint.

Ava felt the urge to do some gymnastics during lunch. She was so cute, I just had to get a picture. She seriously stayed here for 5 min.

My grandma and grandpa came to the fair with us. I loved watching Ava and Halle interact with them.

We saw the cows. Nelson didn't like the smell at all, and kept his nose plugged the whole time we were inside, but I loved watching everyone get their cows ready to show. They bring the cows over to a station and they blow dry them off and they spike the hair on the back and they even spray paint them. I called it "Cow Cosmetology". It was really intriguing.

Ava was too keen on turing her back to the cow why I took the picture. Hence the look on her face.

We tried on cowboy hats.

And I just love getting caricature's of my kids. I just adore this picture. I love the eyes because I think the artist really captured the look that Halle gives.

And the real reason we went to the fair was to see the races. We spent 4 hours just watching the horses race. (There was tons of down time in between.) I can't even begin to describe the excitement that goes on during the races. You just have to be there. My grandpa was tickled pink when Ava went and started talking to him. I just love this pic.

And of course, we put a little money on one of the races. We each pitched in $2 and picked what horse we thought would win. Nelson ended up winning a whopping $7 total (my grandma only pitched in $1). He was pretty happy.... I just hope this doesn't start some sort of gambling addiction. :)


This is the end of the Indian Relay Races. Those are by far the best to watch because they ride bareback! It's just amazing to watch them fly on and off the horses in just a split second. They have nothing to grab onto except the horses' mane. This is the winning team. They won a whopping $35,000! Now that's a nice chunk of change.

We had so much fun going and we'll definitely be going back next year. I drove back that same night, and was simply exhausted, but it was sure worth it.

3rd Time's the Charm

I love, love, love, love, love, love, LOVE going to concerts!!!

There's just something about seeing musicians perform live that makes my blood go crazy! Here's a quick run down of the concerts I've been to....
Dixie Chicks
SheDaisy
Air Supply
Peter Brienholt/Ryan Shupe
John Schmidt
Keith Urban (twice)
Matchbox 20/Alanis Morisette
Stix/Def Leppard

Celine Dion

AND

Mr. Mayer. John Mayer that is. I have been to him 3 times.

The first time was in 2004 when he toured with Maroon 5.

Then in 2008 he toured with Brett Dennan and Colbie Caillat

and then I went this past week!!

He is such an amazing artist

and I go CUH.RAY.ZEE. at his concerts

. I tend to scream insane things (we won't go there....).

I just love the way he works the audience

and how he performs the songs we all know and love,

but they're completely different because he goes off and just jams.

He also gives a lot of credit to his band

and lets them have solos in turn.

Needless to say, I live it up!! So, here are some pics.

I actually didn't take a lot because

I didn't want to be too worried about the pictures I was taking.

I just wanted to enjoy the concert!

Me and Andrea. She's one of my best friends.

Lead singer for Owl City

One thing I loved were the stringed instruments. I guess I am a little partial. :) But these 2 chicks just jammed and when they weren't playing, the got up and danced. I'm pretty sure they were 2 of the coolest girls ever!

Ahh.... what a magical site to behold.

I love that he always talks to the audience.