Thanksgiving Break *part two*

I'm really slacking on the blogging...sorry! On Thanksgiving day Adam and I had dinner at the Neilsens house (yum!) then went to the church where my family had their Thanksgiving dinner. It was weird having two thanksgiving dinners/get-togethers because this was our first Thanksgiving married at home. We stayed at the church for a while and played lots of fun games, took pictures, ate some good food (aka: ham...its a favorite). Here are some pictures of all the girl cousins. Aren't we cute?! :D I love all of them and loved seeing them again!

*Yes, we HAD to blow kisses at the camera*

After staying a while we went back to the Neilsen's house and had some pie and played some games...guess how many pies Momma Neilsen made? Well, take a look and prepare to be amazed...

12!!! Yes, you counted that right :D 2 I think were made by the Coffmans: our adopted family that we love.

The Coffman family brought TONS of ads so we could find the best deals on Back Friday. I have to say, I've never shopped on black friday so I was a little excited to see what all the hustle and bustle was about. Never again. We got up at 2:30 I think, and all headed to Old Navy and Walmart. I was so shocked at how long the line were. I worked at Old Navy for a year and had to work on black Friday once and remember the long line inside the store but holy moly I never thought so many people were crazy enough to stand outside at 2AM just to save a couple bucks. Seriously, I think the most people saved was just a couple dollars. I got nice work out pants for 10 bucks but honestly I could have gotten that price any time of the year. Oh well, it was definitely worth the experience...plus I got to go with people I love. But I will never do it again. I don't know how people do this year after year.

Wal-mart is where I saved the most. I bought a few good movies for 2 bucks. Who can beat that?

*Lots of Leftovers*

My cousin Tyler flew in for the weekend and I was so happy to see him. I lived with him in my first year of college in Arizona and it had been several years since I've seen him. We have lots of fun memories together. We would often stay up late talking, he would set me up on lots of blind (unsuccessful) dates, every Sunday night we went to OJ night (orange Julius) at a friends' house, every week we would go play foursquare. Don't laugh...you would have loved it. Tons of people would show up, there were fog machines, and we even had t-shirts made. Yes, I still have mine :) So does Tyler. We would go to lots of baseball games, he and his brother introduced me to Lacrosse...so fun to watch! He introduced me to alternative music and got me hooked. We have lots of memories screaming at the top of our lungs to weezer haha! Anyways, I could go on and on about the memories we have and the memories I have from Arizona. Including his down syndrome cousin Sunni who I fell in love with...and still remembers me!

This weekend was a really special one for my brother Christopher. He was given the Melchizedek Priesthood which now allows him to perform blessings among many other wonderful things. Holding this priesthood enables him to receive the temple endowment and to be sealed to his eternal family. The night he was blessed with the Melchizedek Priesthood...my cousins' daughter JuliAnne was blessed and Christopher was able to be a part of that blessing. What a wonderful experience for him. Chanelle and I couldn't help but realize Christopher is growing up way too fast and isn't that little buck toothed kid anymore :D I was crying like a baby.

Thanksgiving Break *part one*

Okay...so I have TONS to blog about but I first have to say how grateful I am that we were able to go home for Thanksgiving. We both had such a fun time and were so happy to be home spending time with family. The drive went great! We were certainly being watched over because we were told it was going to be pretty bad. We left at 4am on Saturday and got in at 5ish...just in time for our stake conference at 6. I was so happy to see my family I could have cried! My sister Chanelle had to work WAY too much while I was there so I wasn't very happy about that. She works at costco...I hate costco now :) When we go home for Christmas I'm hoping she won't have to work that much.

We did a lot while we were home!...

~All the girls got together to make holiday treats~

*Pretty Chanelle making Pies*

*Making Pecan logs= Diabetes logs*

*Chocolate Turtles*

*Wrapping homemade caramels*

~We played lots of games (mostly Rock Band). Adam and I love that game so much!~

~Lots of the family got together to play football~

*BreAnne being sexy*
*Cool lookin' shot of Adam and Daniel*
~Enjoying the beautiful fall leaves: It was fun to see some fall. In Idaho; fall has come and gone right before my eyes. Theres already snow here!~

On Thanksgiving my family (moms side) got together at the church and had some delicious food and fun games! Look how beautiful we decorated...thanks to my mom and her sisters. They are all so talented!

Oh! And can I just say how much I love the child that I'm holding in this picture. Little Brooklyn is so darling and I couldn't get enough of her! Also, note that I'm sitting with the kids. Can we just say how much I love kids and that I can't wait to have my own? There were so many adorable kids at home for Thanksgiving...and I wasn't the only one that couldn't get enough. Who can pass up a cuddly naked baby? I thought so.

*Look at this girls' beautiful face!*

It's hard having both our families just a block away from each other, but I wouldn't trade that for the world. We stayed a few nights at my in-laws and the rest at my house. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my 2 siblings that will be leaving on their missions soon. These 2 siblings will be amazing missionaries!!

p.s. You like the new look of the blog? I love the snow effect! I saw it on a friends' blog and couldn't resist.

FINALLY!

So I finally got a job at a daycare! I'm working pretty part time, but being an herbalife distributor is also a part time job. My old job also wants me back (movie gallery). Not sure what to do. Adam got laid off at one of his jobs (sand blaster) so this is perfect timing for me to get some jobs. We are certainly being watched over. The daycare job is going good. Half of the children speak Spanish so I haven't a clue what they are saying. They love me though so that makes it all worth it! This day care is at a womans' house and it is pretty disorganized. I want to help out as much as I can, but it isn't my place. I want to take over sometimes (is that bad?). I think it's the 'teacher' in me that wants everything organized and wants every child to learn a new thing every day. She acts like she appreciates me 'taking over' sometimes but I'm thinking it would be annoying, so I need to work on that.

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Last night I went to a step class...holy moly it was hard!! It was my first time going to a class and I hated & loved it. The step class instructor is amazingly fit and knows what she is doing (well, let's hope so). We were doing some crazy moves at one point and I couldn't memorize it fast enough so I was getting SO frustrated. Finally I got it and it felt great! We did this step class for an hour straight and only stopped a couple times to get weights and jump ropes. I think I will be going to this class every week from now on. By the way...last week I lost another 2 pounds!! Wahoo!! I'm so excited. Let's hope this continues, especially when I go home for Thanksgiving (good thing I don't like pie!).

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My sister-in-law Anna came over a couple days ago to help me put up our Christmas decorations (don't hate me). I was just too excited to wait and really really wanted Christmas to last longer this year. Last year it felt like I only got to enjoy our cute decorations for a short week. Thanks for helping out Anna! I'll show pictures of all the cuteness when it's normal to have Christmas decorations out ;)

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I can't wait to go home! I've been listening to Pandora all day. My favorite station right now is Michael Buble' Christmas. Every time I listen to Christmas I think of home (especially because right now I'm listening to a Jim Brickman song) He has such beautiful music! Adam and I are taking off tomorrow morning at about 4am can you believe it?! We are taking a few girls home with us and I just can't wait to see these beautiful faces!! *and many more*

P.S. My cousin Brittiny got married today and I'm so bummed I couldn't be there. If I could have I would have been there in a heart beat. Adam had a stinkin' project due today so we couldn't leave any earlier. Congrats Brit!!! I love you to pieces!!!

*Sister Pedersen*

Yesterday my sister Chanelle got her mission call!!! I waited and waited and waited until I got the phone call that she was about to open the letter. Finally at about 11pm I got that phone call. I could barely hear because SO many people were over at our house awaiting the city in which she would be called to. I come from a very big/loud/fun family so you can imagine when we all get together how crazy it is. Finally she started reading the letter and...found out that she will be serving in Jacksonville, Florida!!! I'm so happy for her and can't wait to write her letters and hear about all the things she will experience. She will be departing January 27th. She has such a strong spirit about her and is an all around great person. She will be a fantastic missionary and I can't wait to see her and spend time together over these coming holidays. I'm going to miss her like craazy!! Last night was very bitter sweet for me. I was extremely happy for her, but sad that she will be leaving. I cried myself to sleep and couldn't help it. I was just so sad that she was going to be leaving me for a year and a half! Chanelle and I have grown closer over the years and I love her more than anything! I realize that she will be leaving home to serve the Lord and I am so proud of her for making that decision. The same month Chanelle will be reporting to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) my brother Christopher will be turning in HIS papers to serve a mission. I keep telling Adam this is another perfect reason why we need to start our family: So I can have something else distract me because having my two close siblings gone will be really hard for me ;)

Chanelley and I have so many great memories together and I was going through some pictures today and just found way too many cute ones to just post a couple...so here are a BUNCH of pictures of my sweet sister and I. I love you Chanelle and support you 110%!!

*We took these pictures when we were making a music video together*

*At one point she jumped on my back in the video and pulled out a huge chunk of my hair. We still laugh about that*

*What girl doesn't have one of these pictures?*

*Nauvoo, IL*

*Utah 2009*

*2003: Yes, I was a blonde in high school*

*Summer 2008*

*Our cousins wedding reception 2008*

P.S. I will be dedicating a blog just for Chanelle while she's on her mission. I will put up pictures, e-mails she sends back home, mission stories she has and lots of other fun things. I'm wanting to do this so when she comes home from her mission I can put together an easy scrapbook of her mission.

Shooting pumpkins with my punkin

Isn't that hat fun? I feel dorky with it on, but I like it at the same time. I also love my purple gloves. They both certainly kept me warm.

Our pumpkins were rotting so we decided to take them shooting. It was freeeezing outside but lots of fun! I love going shooting...definitely a new fav. Here are our victims of fun for the night:

*2 pumpkins, milk jugs filled with water, rotten potatoes, and used boxes*

We filled each pumpkin with the rotten potatoes and had some fun! :)

I know I say it almost every post but my husband is so handsome! His hat made me laugh too. He has a matching outfit for when he goes hunting.

P.S. What is with all the guys checking them selves out at the gym? Seriously, every day I go to the gym the guys are glued to the mirrors. Today I got a kick out this one guy lifting next to me. He rolled up his sleeves and flexed for the mirror. Seriously? I understand why there are mirrors at the gym...to help with posture and several other things yada yada yada. I still think some guys go too far :) and I get a kick out of it.

Herbalife

So I have been doing HERBALIFE for 3 weeks now and have already lost 10 pounds! I'm so thrilled and want to shout it from the rooftops. Even though you can't really tell that I am losing weight I feel great and that makes me so happy! This company has been around for over 30 years and is known world wide. I have confidence in their products and hope to spread the word. Last night Adam decided to go to the gym with me. He is an animal. Even though Adam is tall and thinner...he was probably the strongest one in the gym last night. He was doing 400 Ibs. on his legs and it didn't phase him. Other (more bulkier) guys were doing 200 max. On every other machine he would do the maximum the machine would let out. I always knew my man was strong...he can lift me for crying out loud! That's saying a lot :D

Adam and I have finally decided (after lots and lots of thinking and praying) that we are going to be distributors for the company: Herbalife. We are really excited and *a little nervous*. This will mostly be my job because Adam already has 2. Like I've said before...I'm going to school very part time so I have lots of free time. I have a second interview today for a daycare position. She said she's really interested and it's between me and another girl. We'll see! I'm really motivated to be a part of this company and hope to see a positive outcome...and income :)

Over these next few weeks I will be hosting a couple *shake parties* which is basically introducing & tasting some awesome products and helping people become more aware of their overall health and what they can do to improve it. It's going to be fun and hopefully really motivating. I will do one here in Rexburg and one in Medford, Oregon over Thanksgiving break.

I'm sure a lot of you think I'm crazy for doing this, but It feels right. I feel good about taking the products so I feel comfortable selling them. By doing this I will be even more motivated to have my own weight loss story. But, Ultimately, I really want to help others and be a good motivator for others.

In other news I am listening to Christmas music already. I know. Sew me. I can't help it. SheDaisy is a must around this time of year so I've been listening to them. It makes me so happy! Adam thinks its too early (I secretly do too, but I'm not going to admit it :D ). For now I'm going to turn up SheDaisy and enjoy the freezing cold weather outside from our warm and cozy apartment.

My husband is so cute!

We finally have a bed. Thank heavens!!! Thank you all for your advice. I was surprised at how many e-mails I got about where we should look for a bed. We found one off of craigslist that ended up being 60 bucks! That price included a box spring and bed frame too. Yeah baby!! We had been looking for a while and finally found an amazing deal. Its in really good condition and is MUCH better than an air mattress. You tell me...which one do you think would be more comfortable. Please excuse the messy room :)

My friend Michaela let me borrow her sewing machine to make some pillows. The one my mom gave me won't work for some reason so Adam helped me try and figure out what the problem was. He looked so funny trying to use the sewing machine I couldn't help but grab a picture :) Yes, we used our new bed as a sewing table.

p.s. I looooove all the light our apartment gets. Our bedroom has a couple windows and I love letting all that natural light in. Everything is so much purtier!

* You can tell he's laughing in this one*

So here are the before and afters of the pillows I made: I think they turned out pretty good. It would certainly have helped to have my own sewing supplies though. That is something on my Christmas list. Thanks for letting me borrow yours Michaela! These pillows are ones my mom gave me. They were getting lumpy so I decided to cover them with some cute fabric (fabric for $1 at DI).

*You think I like the color red?*

*I loved putting the buttons on the pillows, not sure if I'm in love with them yet*

I'm not trying to be dramatic but I felt like I got SHOT IN THE LEG!!!

A couple nights ago I woke up at 3am screaming bloody murder!! I hadn't had pain like that since I was in High School. Okay, let me back up. In high school I would get HORRIBLE Charley horses in my calves...weird I know. I would wake up screaming in the middle of the night until my mom would come in and rub them until the pain would subside. This was an ongoing pain *once a month* =) my sister Chanelle would also help me get up and walk it out. I'm not trying to be dramatic but it felt like I got SHOT IN THE LEG!!! haha (okay, that was from a movie: baby mama). Anyways I hadn't had that pain since high school so when It came back I forgot how it felt. Poor Adam woke up to me screaming and yelling "You need to rub it!!!" He first thought I was having a nightmare. Than he thought I was crazy and someone stole his wife. He had no idea because I never told him about my mean Charley horses. He helped me out as much as he could but he had to get ready for work and leave at 4am. I just walked around our small apartment for a couple hours, looked on line for help, drank lots of water, took some pain killers, and *tried* to go back to sleep. I remember when I was a teenager and would try to go back to bed and the pain would come back. I stayed up for hours praying and praying that the pain wouldn't come back. It was so frustrating!! I was exhausted and kept stretching and rubbing my legs. I finally got a few hours of sleep when Adam came home from work and snuggled with me. The rest of the day Adam and I couldn't stop laughing at how much of a baby I was. Yes, the pain was really really bad...but Adam was afraid our neighbors were going to call the police haha! I was so embarrassed when I remembered how I reacted. Oh well. The night before I was on the elliptical for a while at the gym and did a lot of leg weights...it probably irritated those muscles. My body is still getting used to exercising every day.

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So like I've said before...Adam and I have slept on an air mattress since being married (Almost a year and a half! Yikes!!) and we are certainly feeling it. Our neck and backs ache all day long. Well, a couple nights ago we found a stupid leak in our bed, so every morning we wake up practically on the floor= annoying and kind of funny. A part of me actually likes the feeling of it deflating (because it feels like we are sleeping on a love sac) haha...okay...just sort of. Did you ever have sleep overs on a trampoline? We did all the time as kids, and this reminds me of it. So maybe that's why it's kind of fun for me. We have been looking for a mattress and can't find one in our price range. We have e-mailed a few people selling on-line, but they won't e-mail back. So for now we are going to try and enjoy our sleepless nights on the *trampoline*.

Nerdtastic!!

Our weekend was a lot of fun. Friday our ward from church had a Halloween party. There was some good food. Homemade root beer, pizza, and yummy looking pie (I say yummy looking, because the bite that I had wasn't yummy). I made an apple pie and was very proud of myself. I had only made one other pie and it didn't turn out. Adam got off work a little later than we planned for, so we had about 15 minutes to make up a costume. We decided to go as nerds. We had so much fun dressing up and couldn't stop laughing. See for yourself. I dare you not to laugh. Adam looked so funny and was all ready to go...until we realized there was something missing. His hair in the back needed to be stuck up. So heres my funny Alfalfa :)

*and here is nerdy Darla*

*At one point I told Adam I didn't want to wear the "Kick Me" sign. His response was "Shanna, nobody likes to wear the Kick me sign...take one for the team." haha I thought that was hysterical.*

We had a really fun night. We met up with some friends and loved looking at the different costumes. So many of them were so good! We played rock band for a while...man I love that game!! I could play that forever. Adam and I were really surprised when the bishop said we won the costume contest. We looked at each other and just laughed. We won 2 movie tickets. Woot Woot!! The bishop said "We decided to choose you two...because...well...we just feel bad for the nerds" haha We didn't put any money into our costumes...and it payed off!

*Twue Wuv*

That night we dragged our air mattress out to the front room and watched the fugitive. I love that movie so much! It was a fun night. Halloween wasn't as eventful, but we did had some friends come over and drop off some treats...one of which was Jordan and Michaela. Their son is adorable and I loved holding him. He was a cute Lion for Halloween and was so cuddly, I loved it! and I want one! :) I stole this photo from their blog...It's just too cute not to share. See what I mean by cuddly?

So I finished this a little while ago, but I had to share the end result. Happy Halloween!!

Work it!!

So I got back from the gym about an hour ago, showered...and I'm feeling a little sick. I am praying that I don't get the flu. That would be terrible. I'm also praying that Adam doesn't get the flu. Adam felt pretty bad today so he has decided to sleep in tomorrow and skip out on his 4am janitorial job. I don't blame him. In other news my workout today was awesome. The 4 other girls I have been going with lately all decided to go swimming and not tell me, so I was on my own. No biggie though, I actually enjoyed it a lot more on my own. Probably because there has been times when I would slow down on the elliptical for example; and they would yell at me to "keep going!...and speed up!". It's a little embarrassing...I end up laughing.

I actually never realized how competitive I am until tonight. It is so motivating working out side by side with someone teeny tiny, than someone my size. I laugh at myself now, but earlier tonight I was so determined to go farther and be better than this tiny girl on the elliptical next to me. I don't know if it's my insecurities that push me to do better than her, or my competitiveness but throughout the workout I kept looking at her resistance, stride, and angle. How stupid is that?! Like I said, I can (and am) laughing at it now. When her resistance was 5 I was a 7. When hers was a 8 mine was a 10. I never got passed 10 :) I was so out of breathe at that point. I usually only do about 30 minutes on the elliptical, than 40ish minutes on the bikes and/ weights. I have felt so good lately, and met with my coach before working out. She gave me some good advice and some great motivation. She and her husband really wants Adam and I to be distributors for the company that partners in this "biggest loser" competition. Its called Herbalife. You can learn more about the company Here. Rebecka in my coach. Her husband grew up on a farm in Mexico and, I think, would totally get along with Adam. They want to take us out to dinner sometime and discuss some business opportunities. I'm not sure yet. This company is known around the world, and is the largest nutrition company in the world. I'm not using any of their products, but most the people in the 'biggest loser' program have and have already lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Crazy! This picture was taken when Adam and I went miniature golfing the other day. The place is full of glow in the dark lighting, and neon lighting/spray paint. It was fun! *probably because it was free!* ;)

It has been freeeezing here in Idaho. I know it's only going to get worse and I'm not ready to embrace the cold yet. I love you fall, please stay a little longer! When I'm done working out I feel great! And then I walk out to my car. So I'm sweating from working up a sweat, I go outside and feel the freezing cold smack me in the face...so I turn up the heater in the car. I only got a few minutes of the "Man! That was a good workout!! I'm superwoman!" feeling. No happy medium=stupid :)