Moments That Matter Most

Sometimes we get wrapped up in things that we can't control and we forget the good things in our life. We need to remember what matters most to us in this world... the little moments that make our life great. Elder Neal Maxwell said, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity." We are here to learn, grow, develop, and then return to our Heavenly Father. I know I need to remember to find joy in the simple things in my life. I love this gospel.

Busy Saturday

Today has been pretty good so far. I am just finishing up homework that's due tonight. I went to the Museum of Anthropology today and helped out. It was pretty fun. My sister and brother-in-law are visiting today which is always a great time. Then we had an early dinner and now I am working on more homework and finishing up some laundry. It's a never ending cycle. I am exhausted but life is good. I am very thankful for everything that I have, especially my family. I am glad we love each other so much. This is a photo on my immediate family, but I love my extended family too! Have a great rest of the weekend everybody!

Family Friday

Today has been a full day to say the least! Early morning homework, Religion in Life, a trip to Kaysville, and more homework. I didn't sleep last night because I have a lot of homework to get done before midnight tonight and I still will have more to do on Saturday, but I took a few hours out of my day to visit my family down in Kaysville. I got to drive a car that has way more guts than my Gutless Wonder. The canyon just flew by since I the car didn't slow down going up the hills. Amazing. It was kind of a jerky ride though since the pedals are much more sensitive than the Gutless Wonder.

We got to eat at Jason's Deli. Delicious food and great company! I think everyone had enough soft serve ice cream to last them for a while, well, except for me since I cannot ingest dairy products without having stomach issues. I got to see my favorite two nephews and favorite two sisters. It was just a family filled day and it was great. I am exhausted though. I love how my nephew was holding his ice cream cone and he would lick it and say "it's told" and then laugh. He's a hoot.

Shredder Box

No, I am not talking about Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, I am talking about a paper shredder. Mom got a shredder for Christmas and it came in a nice box with corners that could puncture just about anything. One day while I was home, I was walking from the room where we opened our presents, and guess what I did? I hit that nice shredder box with the corners that could really injure someone or something with the outside of my leg. Let me tell you, it hurt, bad, real bad. I got a nasty bruise and it's still healing. Mom did the same thing and bruised just as bad. I am my mother's daughter. Pardon the poor picture, but I am pointing at the bruise.

Strange Weather

How ironic is it that it's RAINING in Utah and SNOWING in Washington? I find that quite funny. I actually fell asleep last night to rain hitting the roof. Utah is having a strange winter. Thanks for the photos of the snow, Dad.

Logan, UT

 University Place, WA

I've always wanted a skating rink in the backyard! Yep. That's freezing rain over snow. Ice ice baby!

Christmas Break

Here are some of the things I did over the break, in no particular order. It's a long post.

• Drove to Kaysville and then went to the airport to go to Washington.
• Finally got to eat Evelyn's Favorite Pasta at The Cheesecake Factory.
• Went shopping. (My mom and I did  a lot of this.)
• Slept!
• Ate yummy food.
• Went running a couple of times around Chambers Bay.

• Listened to the rain at night. 
• Had a great Christmas. 
• Spoke in church.
• Helped paint the tile backsplash of the kitchen.

• Set-up a wireless printer.
• Worked from home.
• Cleaned the office.
• Watched movies. 17 Miracles is a tear jerker, but it is a good one.
• Read books (The Hunger Games series again, The Power of Six {I Am Number Four sequel}, City of Bones, and some other random books I found at the house).
• Pretended that the forest near the house was where the first Hunger Games took place. (NERD ALERT!)
• Did laundry.
• Skyped with family.
• Enjoyed the New Year.
• Helped my mom with various projects.
• Took naps.
• Broke the same piñata for Christmas and for New Year's in the backyard instead of the garage. It took Tony and I three rounds on Christmas Eve to break it and it took Tony three swings to break it on New Year's Eve. I will post a video when I have a chance.

• Had interesting dreams.
• Enjoyed being away from real life for a while.
• Took Photo Booth pictures.

I hope everyone had a great Holiday season! Have a great 2012!

New Kids on the Block "Funky, Funky, Christmas"

I want to thank Tyler and Leslie for introducing me to this song. The 2:00 mark is when the funniest lines begin! 

Mannheim Steamroller "Joy to the World"

This is a good song. I also want to mention that today is my dad's birthday! He is a great man and I sure do love him!!! 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I hope your day is wonderful and full of joy.

The Double Tall Skinny Singers "(Just Another) Wet Seattle Christmas"

I couldn't resist putting this song on my list of favorite holiday music. I love Seattle. It's a great city. This song is edited though (there's a grunge music section taken out) it's not bad or anything, but just long. Growing up in Washington we didn't have very many snowy Decembers, but it usually rained. I love the Northwest!

Other News

Oh, I got my hair cut and colored finally (it's a medium golden brown if you can't tell). I guess it was a celebration of sorts for myself for getting through this semester. But honestly, I just needed a hair cut. 

Tony helped out in the kitchen the other night. I sure do love my brother. He keeps me laughing, especially when he's helping in the kitchen.

This situation made me think about Disney's Sleeping Beauty and when the Fairies are making Aurora gifts without magic. The part that what Tony did starts at 1:50 if you don't want to watch the whole clip.

Andy Williams "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

This is a great holiday song. And since I am ALL DONE with this semester, it's a pretty wonderful time of the year! Not to mention we get to celebrate Jesus Christ, which is pretty amazing if you ask me.

Bruce Springsteen "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

This one is for you Dad! 

John Williams "Home Alone Main Title"

The month of December is not complete until you watch Home Alone (which I haven't had time to do yet, but hopefully next week I will be able to). This is the main title from the movie, also known as "Somewhere in My Memory." 
I just love my family. Family is important and I would be lonely if I didn't have my family during the holidays. Be sure to be thankful for your family this season.

Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Dave and Leslie Boy! And Daniel!

It's pretty neat that my family has three generations of birthdays on the same day.

Love you all!

Here is a short (very short) list of why they are fantastic!

Grandpa is caring, happy, loving, sings, gives great hugs, etc.
Leslie is a great sister, friend, style icon, aunt, lover of all things Disney etc.
Daniel is a pretty awesome little man!

Raise Your Hand...

My nephew likes to play the "Raise your hand if you like..." game. Below is the video of him playing a special game of it.


Raise Your Hand... from Alli Brown on Vimeo.


Be sure to read the post below entitled, "I'm Getting Old," it has pictures. Thanks!


Oh, and if you don't understand him, he is saying "raise your hand if you like Jesus! And raise your hand if you like Joseph Smith!"

I'm Getting Old

Man, I am getting old. I have a hard time staying up past midnight now! And if I do stay up past midnight, I get sick or am grumpy. I spent the weekend hanging out with my younger cousins and brother. They have much more energy than I do. They are only a few years younger, and I did keep up with them, but I am utterly exhausted and I can't shake this cold I came down with. 


Let's start with Friday afternoon (11-11-11). I got done with my reading guide group thingy and met up with Emily and Caitlin to get bracelets for the BYU vs. USU basketball game that night. After we got our bracelets, we bought shirts that say "Y don't U kiss my A." 

Then we went to Rumbi for lunch. And following lunch we went to the mall. Caitlin, Emily, and I went in the Hurricane simulator, and came out feeling dizzy and sick to our stomachs. Such a weird feeling. Then we went back to Grandma Pat's for a little bit before heading to the Spectrum to wait in line for the game! We waited for a little less than two hours in line, but it got cold and we started playing all sorts of games. The game was loud and crazy and Utah State came away with a win! WOO HOO! Below are some photos of the cemetery we walked through to get to the Spectrum.

We went to Fredrico's for an after game snack and just had a grand ol' time. Finally, I couldn't take staying awake any longer so Tony and I went home. 


Saturday (11-12-11) was Tony's birthday! It was a fun day. It snowed (not so fun) and Tony went to the football game in it. He sported a garbage bag poncho. 


Later on, we went shopping so Caitlin could buy the shoes she found at the mall on Friday. After the mall, we headed over to Texas Roadhouse for a cousin party for Tony's birthday! It was fun and we made Tony get on the saddle. (I stole the photo from Caitlin since my camera died right when he saddled up).

After dinner, we went over to Grandma Pat's for cake. Then Emily decided she really wanted to go to the Fun Park to play laser tag. Me, being old and exhausted, didn't want to go, but luckily I did and I had a great time! Laser tag is really fun when you are play with people you know. I spent a lot of time laughing and screaming. We played boys versus girls. The guy told us not to run, but once you get in there, you can't help but run. Tony ran into the wall pretty hard. After we played for ten minutes (in boots I might add), we were all tired and sweaty. (Again, I stole the photo from Caitlin).

It was a fun night. Oh yeah, Caitlin won 40 tickets playing Deal or No Deal and used them to get those neon friendship bracelets. We went to Snow Hall and talked for a while and then Tony and I went home. It was so fun to hang out with my cousins, but I am just getting old because I am always exhausted.

On Sunday (11-13-11) we went to church and then ate a great Sunday dinner. Tony and I headed down to Kaysville for a sibling birthday party. I am so grateful for having my siblings in Utah and it's a good thing we just love each other. Overall, last weekend was busy, fun, and insane. And now it's almost Thanksgiving! I cannot believe it. Crazy!

Happy Birthday Tony!

Today is my brother's birthday. 


Here are ten reasons why I love him (although there are MANY other reasons besides the ones listed below)...

• He is witty.
• He is funny and reminds me of Jim Halpert from The Office.
• He comes and picks me up from campus almost every day.
• He sleeps over on campus to get a good seat for Aggie basketball games. (Well, he did for the USU vs. BYU game).
• He looks after me.
• He loves his family (even if we bug him all the time).
• He is a great uncle.
• He has great one-liners and is very skilled with sport-type activities (see photo below).
• He puts up with my endless questioning.
• He is my little brother and will always be my little brother, even if he towers over me and looks like he's my older brother. I will always love him no matter what.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER! I hope your day is great, and it should be since Utah State beat BYU last night in the Spectrum! GO AGGIES!

Have a Nice Trip? See ya Next Fall!

I couldn't help myself with that post title. It's punny. This is one of my favorite times of the year.

I've made pumpkin bars and apple crisp. And I only have a photo of the apple crisp.

I went to a football game with Grandma Pat, Tyler, and Leslie. We lost. But it was still so fun to go with them. And say "It's another Aggie... FIRST DOWN!"

We actually had a fall this year! Amazing. I got to go hang out with my seesters (and nephews) for Fall Break and it was fun! I bought some boots and we went to Gardner Village and looked at all the "tare me witches" and cute little shops. 

Dewey (not my nephew's real name but it's a funny nickname) didn't come with us, but this was his church outfit on Sunday. He was a happy boy! And he looks a lot like his older brother when he was a baby. Isn't he a doll?

It didn't snow until November and I got to see all the leaves change colors and drop. I got to help rake leaves and took some fun photos. This is the carpet of leaves in the backyard. It was a pretty cool sight to see!

I love these colors! And it's so fun to step on all the crunchy leaves. Fall is great.

 Oh, and Tony did a cool trick... watch below.

Leaf Jumping from Alli Brown on Vimeo.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

Today is my parent's 30th wedding anniversary. I am glad they got married because then they had an AWESOME family. Someday I hope to get married and have as many adventures as they do. They are great examples to me and my siblings. I just love my parents. So here's to you Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! I hope you have more adventures and continue to love one another! Thanks for everything you do. Don't you just love this photo? I sure do!

Congrats Nielsons!

I'm an aunt again! Emmett Thomas Nielson was born on Monday September 19, 2011. He has big feet and a perfect round head. He has less hair than his brother had when he was born, but it's darker. He is just precious and we all love him. (Thanks Les for the photos!)

 He looks like Dewey from Malcolm in the Middle. I'm allowed to say that because his Mom says it all the time.

What a precious family.

His big brother is slowly warming up to him.