Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest

My work had an Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest.... yes, of course, I was really looking forward to this. Christmas is not one of my favorite holidays, but I'm always in the mood to dress up especially when it's in the name of old lady Christmas dazzle. I thought I had found the perfect little Christmas vest from K-Mart until I heard that another person at my work had the same one. Diana so graciously let me borrow her beautiful Christmas sweater so I wouldn't have to be caught at the party in the same outfit!! Now wouldn't that be embarrassing! The whole day was a lot of fun. Thanks again, Diana!

Figure? What figure??
My cotton turtle neck was so nasty!


A festive group picture of everyone dressed up!

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

We congregated again this year at, yes you guessed it, Rodizio Grill for a Christmas party with our friends. We had such a fun time pigging out on really good food. I think my favorites were the mashed potatoes and alfredo pasta. I'm not such a big fan of all the meat they bring around, but it's fun to try some of it. Shannon made me a really cute necklace and gave me some vinyl lettering for our bedroom. Neil gave Paul the Boston Legal series. We haven't seen any episodes so we're excited to see what all the hype is about. We have such great friends that take really good care of us.
Merry Christmas!!

Aren't we a cute bunch!

Mike & Shannon
The Party Planners


Kasey, Joe & Orson


Neil & Harold


Merry Christmas!

"Sketched" Portraits

My friend at work brought me one of the coolest pictures I've ever seen. One day when I was walking by, he snapped a quick picture of me. Of course, I said something like you better delete that ugly thing and didn't think another thing about it. A couple weeks later, he showed me a really cool feature he had used on it to make it look like a drawing. I love it so much that I had him take a couple more. This probably isn't something new, but I was blown away.

I was pushing a cart in this picture


I think this picture makes me look young


Sitting at my desk

We're Thankful for Pedicures & Pilgrams!

What a busy time at our house. After waiting over two weeks for our carpet to ship and get installed, we were down to the wire. We had family coming to stay at our house for Thanksgiving and the carpet was finally finished the Monday before Thanksgiving. But our work wasn't done. We had to move all of our furniture back in its place. It took us three nights after work organizing, putting furniture together, and giving some away. It felt like moving, but it was well worth all of the hard work and time. To reward ourselves and relax, we went and got pedicures. Our little piggies felt so great after!

AaaHhhh!

We had the pleasure of spending Thanksgiving with the Campbell's this year. We had fun eating, playing frisbee golf, watching the Utah & BYU football game, and making quilts for LDS Humanitarian Services. Glynis was also very patient and taught me the basics of crocheting. I'm still learning, but hope to one day be as good as her. We had such a fun Thanksgiving weekend!!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thankful for You!


We brought our boys turkey from the restaurant


Setting up the quilt


All ready to tie


Almost done!

Home Renovations

After almost five years of saying "we're going to do it", we finally did. Most of you have probably heard about or seen our tiny bedroom closet. It wasn't impossible, but it definitely wasn't ideal to say the least. So, we cut a hole in our bedroom wall and built what should have been there in the first place, a BIG closet! It had its stressful moments of trying to "get it just right", but it was all worth the many trips to Lowes and living in random places in our home for a few weeks. I think we were successful because all of our clothes fit!!

Goodbye Old Closet - We Won't Miss You!

Putting holes in the Wall


Hello New Closet - You Look Beautiful!


Paul's side of the closet.
It's almost done expect for counter tops and a stackable washer & dryer


This is where the old closet used to be


Our new comfy bed
After five years we finally have a bed frame

Snow!

I think Steve is the only one in our house who doesn't mind the snow. In fact, he loves it! Whenever we let him outside, he'll run around a get snow all over. Too bad he can't shovel our driveway!

Wading In Waders!

Paul was able to get ankle deep in the river one last time this year. In November, he and his brother Steve went to Richfield to take advantage of the fish filled lakes down south. Here are some pictures from there fun filled guys weekend.

Fisherman For A Day!

Lookie, Lookie Steve Caught a Fishy on His Hookie!

One Year Older!

I can't believe it, where does the time go? Another year has come and gone and my handsome husband has turned 30. He's had some time to get used to it because his birthday was on November 2nd. I had planned to throw a party with friends and family (against Paul's will), but our house literally got turned upside down at the same time because we started our new closet (stay tuned, I'll tell you all about it!). So, Paul agreed to let me throw him a mini party when things get back to normal. He did, however, get the gift of his dreams... I call it his girlfriend Paulette because she has managed to steal a lot of his free time away from me. Who knows, maybe he'll figure out how to make me some earrings with that thing! Happy Birthday, I love you!!

"Paulette"
Paul's new fly tying tool

Halloween Costumes by Me

Well, I did it again. It always seems like I'm going crazy at the last minute trying to finish my Halloween costume, and this year was no different. I decided I wanted to be a flapper, and all of the flapper costumes I found online or in stores were a little too revealing to wear to work. So I went down to my local Jo Ann's and got some of the most sparkly material I could find and made my own. I was able to get two uses out of it at mutual and work.

Halloween Bunko

Diana hosted a really fun Bunko this month. In the spirit of Halloween, she had us all dress up and had spooky food!! It was awesome!

To keep things simple, I dressed up as a Punk Rocker. I know it's not very creative, but it was still fun to put on a crazy wig and tight pants. For Halloween, I will embarrass myself.

Just Married!

Our good friends Joe and Kacey finally tied the knot!! We are so happy for them and can't thank them enough for inviting us to their wedding. I always love to see a groom who is totally in love with his bride! Paul and I couldn't get over how perfect Joe and Kacey are for each other. They had such a cute wedding that represented the best of both of them.

In true Canepari style, we were also treated to an awesome lunch at the Lyon House.... we love those Lyon House Rolls!!

Congratulations, Joe & Kacey!!

Megan, Paul, Neil, Shannon, Mike, Odie, Harold, and Jake


Chris, Odie, Neil, Jake, Joe, Mike, Paul, and Harold


Shannon & Megan
We're Excited To Have Another Wife In The Group!


Shannon Looking So Cute!!


Mike Snuggling With His Rolls!


Harold Looking A Little CrAzY!!
We Love You Harold!!


Sam & Paul
These Two Were Roommates When I Met Paul


Making Sure They Leave In Style
Chad, Mike, Paul & Odie

Happy Birthday Floraly!

Our adorable friend Floraly invited us to her birthday party. We always have so much fun when we see her and her husband, Pedro. She had lots of yummy food, and Paul had fun challenging whoever was willing to a game of ping pong. Happy Birthday Floraly!!

Our Cute Boys

Paul was mowing the lawn the other day, and Steve and Dave were watching him from under the fence. Paul was able to get a cute picture of them sticking their noses as far as possible under the fence.
They are so funny!

Modest Is Hottest!

If there is one thing that amazes me about church houses, it's the gym. Most of the time, a church gym looks like a standard, old gym. But get some women in there, and it's amazing what they can turn a gym into. By the time we were done with our gym, it was set for a fashion show. We had a red runway going down the middle, seats lining the runway, fashionable clothes, and a million pink boas everywhere. It looked awesome! I hope all of the girls had a fun time at our Modest Is Hottest Standards Night. I know the leaders did....

We wore wacky outfits to discuss
the different ways we can be modest


Trying on the fashionable clothing
Thanks everyone for your hard work and help!!

Triathlon Fun

I did it, I finished my first sprint triathlon! I say first because I'm hoping it's not my last. Overall, the whole experience was really cool. I had so much fun training, and I learned a lot of new things. I have to give a BIG thanks to Kara for helping me. She is the greatest training partner ever!!

The race started out with a 75-meter swim. It was changed at the last minute, literally, from a 750-meter open water swim. I was so disappointed. After months of preparing to take on the lake, I felt like I could do it. I'm determined to someday do an open water swim during a competition. After the swim, I ran 1-mile back to the transition area. From there I completed a 13-mile bike ride. Had it not been for the generosity and shear luck of having another stranded biker in the right place at the right time, I would have probably been out here. My stupid bike chain came off, and I have NO idea how to put it back on. I can now see how necessary it will be to know how to put on a chain and change a tire for my next ride. A few minutes after it came off, a lady with a flat tire came by and helped me put it back on.... what a relief!! The bike ride had a grueling climb that had my buns and thighs on fire. Good thing I had Paul, Jaime, and the dogs half way through the bike ride to cheer me on. After the bike, I did a 5k run. I think the run was the hardest part for me. My mind was playing with me, and I really wanted to stop and walk. Crossing the finish line made it all worth the hard work!!

It was such a great journey from beginning to end. Here are some of the new things I experienced:

• Swimming Laps
• Treading Water in a Lake for a Long Time
• Wearing a Swim Cap
• Wearing a Wet Suit
• Getting/Ridding a Road Bike
• Falling on my Road Bike with my Feet Still Clipped In
• Using Yankz Shoe Laces
• Riding a Bike on the "Monstrous" Bacchus Highway
• Writing Numbers on my Arms and Legs with a Permanent Marker
• Wearing a Timing Chip
  
• Running while Drenched with Water
  

Here I am riding my bike
I don't have many pictures because my camera battery died


I finished in 1 hour 32 minutes!!

Murray Youth & Family Triathlon
September 7th

Kara and I also participated in the Murray "Mini" Triathlon. We mainly did it to get some experience under our belts before our big day at Daybreak. The race was a 75-yard swim, 6-mile bike ride, and 1-mile run. Some of you may have noticed the ugly, scabby wound I have on my knee. I got this beauty at the Murry Mini. Between hurrying and not being able to see very clearly out of my goggles, my foot caught the edge of the pool and I ate cement. I don't recommend tripping in your swimming suit in public.


Ready to Rock!


Swimming


Biking


Running

Finished!!

My Battle Wounds