Convention Week

USANA 20^th Celebration Convention week is over. Its always a ton of work and crazy long days but it always seems to be fun none the less. It was a big event this year with tons of new announcements and an exciting iPad giveaway to every distributorship at Convention and all full-time employees. Since Convention was Wednesday thru Saturday last week I was pretty much downtown most all week working.

Wednesday wasn’t a crazy long day so I came home and played outside with my nephews while Jace worked on the RZR. Thursday was the awards night so it was a long day but I did get a chance to grab some ice cream with Jace late Friday night and then Saturday after everything was over Jace and I went to The Pie to enjoy date night together.

Dinner with Jace Saturday night after Convention

Bubbles with my nephews! 

The Pink Heretic Logo on our RZR :) 

Friday we had rock delivered to build a retaining wall in our backyard so while I was working Jace was busy at the house working on getting this together. Most of it is in and he will probably finish up by the end of the week! It will be nice to get 2 big projects for the house done this year (RV Concrete pad and Rock Wall).

Ice cream Friday night

The rock pile

Jace working... 

We have a Rooster in our backyard these days?? 

I took the day off yesterday to get caught up on cleaning the house, laundry, grocery shopping and everything that I let slip for the last 2 weeks between Youth Conference and Convention planning. I’m glad both are behind us now especially since Fall Semester starts back up next week and I’m ready to focus on school and hopefully be done with it soon!

This is what happens at Convention... 

Lunch on Saturday with Allen (my work brother) and Paula (my work momma)-shes going for a kiss if you cant tell :)

Youth Conference and Park City

I’m a little behind but last week was a little crazy and this week only gets worse with my work Convention. It will be fun but a lot of work and crazy busy. But last week was Youth Conference. Jace and I were in charge along with another couple to get everything together/activities, etc. It all turned out great which I’m glad and relieved that its behind and now I can focus on Convention.

Youth Conference was Wednesday thru Friday afternoon at Crystal Hot Springs. We got home around lunchtime and Jace ran into the shop for a little bit while I unpacked, got laundry going and started cleaning the house and catching up on emails from work. We ended up going to see Total Recall that night and grabbed some dinner. It was nice to relax a little that night. Then Saturday morning I finished cleaning up everything around the house and then meet my friend Megan from my old ward and Yearbook (yes we were awesome nerds like that) for lunch (which could almost have counted as dinner since we chatted for about 4 hours). It was great seeing her and I’m excited for her to move closer J hopefully soon!

In Park City for the day 

Saturday night we worked in the yard and went to the grocery store (it was awesome) and grabbed Chinese food. Then Sunday I had a work party to help with in Park City so we went and did a little shopping at the outlets and headed up to help get stuff ready for the party. It was a great turn out and everything worked out well (which is another relief to have done). So now it’s onto the craziness of Convention. Wednesday to Saturday night will be nuts and then next Monday I start school back up…I think I’m ready for fall and Halloween and all the holidays to come because I’m done with summer. It’s been way too busy to really relax so I’m hoping things slow down a little this Fall! Also I got Instagram finally so you can follow me on brookeannp.

That Famous Preston Rodeo!

This weekend was The Famous Preston Rodeo weekend! I’ve gone every year since I can remember. My parents both grew up in the Preston/Weston area and my grandparents are still around there so its always fun to go up there this time of year. This year was especially fun since we had so many people with us. Jace and I headed up Friday afternoon and meet up with my parents and little brother Ridge, my Aunt Sharon, my brothers girlfriend Kami and her sister Taylor, my cousin Nicole and her boyfriend Scott and my grandparents! We went to dinner and then headed over to the Rodeo. Its such a small world and we ran into tons of people from Farmington that I knew. The Rodeo was tons of fun (my favorite was the bareback horses, muttin bustin-if you’ve never heard of it they put little kids on sheep and let them loose-its hilarious, and bull riders).

Taylor, Kami and I heading to the rodeo. 

Jace and I at the Rodeo.

Saturday morning we got up and had a yummy breakfast then headed to the river to float down it on inner tubes. It was fun having a large group going down the river. After floating the river Jace, my little brother and I went over to the sidewalk sales where I introduced Jace to the best beef jerky around (Papa Jays). We walked around and then went back to my grandparents to hang out. We headed over to watch the parade and get some candy-Jace really loved the tootsie rolls! After the parade we grabbed some dinner and then walked over to the carnival for some rides! For being a small town rodeo/carnival they have some of the best rides I’ve ever been on. We went on a few and then I started to feel a little sick (maybe that Mint Oreo shake wasn’t a good idea before the spinning rides?) We said goodbye to everyone and drove home late Saturday night since we had early church we needed to get to.

Everyone after floating the river. 

At the parade.

Sunday we headed to church than came home and took a nice long nap. We did a little yard work and then went over to my mother-in-laws for dinner. My hilarious nephew Owen apparently put this on and wouldn’t change for dinner so he hung out most the night in this. It was awesome!

Captin Underwear!!!

After dinner we went home and finished up a few things around the house and outside then relaxed before bed. It was a great weekend and I’m already looking forward to next year J Also one last note, I’ve started another blog for fun that you can check out here.

Movie Event, Sand Dunes and Chocolate Caramel Cracker Bars

Another crazy weekend has come and gone. I don’t even feel like we had a break this weekend but it was fun none the less. Friday night I was in charge of an event for my office. We rented out a theater for The Dark Knight Rises movie for some of our departments as a thank you event for all their hard work. It was a little crazy getting everything worked out for tickets, concessions and such but it turned out to be a great event. I ended up LOVING the movie. I thought it would be good since I liked the last one but I think this probably just made it into my top 3 movies I’ve ever seen. Would definitely recommend seeing it; also have to mention how sad I am for all the families affected by the shootings in Colorado so terrible someone could ruin such a great movie for so many people. But the movie ended up being out at the South Jordan District Theater so my parents came with us and we grabbed some dinner before the movie. We didn’t end up getting home till 1130pm that night and since we were going to the Sand Dunes for a quick day trip Saturday morning we didn’t get to bed till close to 130am. Jace had to finish up a few things on his RZR to be ready for the morning and I got food and a few things going like laundry since we were going to be gone all day Saturday.

Saturday morning Jace got up nice and early around 5am while I slept till about 6. We finally got on the road between 8 and 9am. About 5 minutes outside of Tooele we got a flat tire on the trailer. We ended up making it into Tooele at a Les Schwab where they swapped the tire onto a different rim. It ended up probably adding a couple hours to the trip down there so we got to the Dunes around 1 in the afternoon. But it ended up being a good day down there since nothing broke! It was pretty hot most the day but still fun. We ended up coming home around 8pm and then cleaned up and grabbed some dinner at Chili’s then went home and crashed.

Jace and I in our RZR 

We ended up having a big burst of wind at the dunes and the shade tent didn't survive despite mine and Bonnies attempt to save it. I just had to laugh at how messed up the frame looked ha. 

Sunday morning we had church nice and early so we dragged our butts there then came home to relax that day. Some neighbors of our were trying to get ready for sod Monday morning so Jace ended up going over there with our tractor to help level stuff out. Helped make it go a little quicker J I ended up making some Chocolate Caramel Cracker Bars Sunday afternoon that were super yummy!

Chocolate Caramel Cracker Bars

Allysa Billhorn-Via Taste of Home Magazine

Ingredients:

1 tsp. plus ¾ cup butter, cubed

45 Club crackers

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

½ cup packed brown sugar

3 Tbsp. light corn syrup

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Line a 9 in square baking pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 tsp. butter. Arrange a single layer of crackers in the pan. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, brown sugar, corn syrup and remaining butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to maintain a low boil cook and stir for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and evenly spread a third of mixture over the crackers. Repeat cracker and caramel layers twice. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the caramel; let stand 3-5 minutes or until glossy. Spread over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chocolate is set. Use foil to lift bars out of the pan and cut into 3-inX1-in bars.

I thought these were super easy and yummy, the perfect mixture of sweet and salty.

This picture doesn't do them justice but they are super good!

I ended up bringing this over to my parents since my dad’s 49th birthday is today Monday July 23^rd and he had to leave town today so we celebrated his birthday yesterday. We had dinner with my family and my good friend Alyssa whom I’ve known since I was about 6 from Texas came to visit! It was great to catch up with her and everything going on in her life. We ended up just hanging out and then played some Wi games. It was entertaining to watch everyone competing with one another. It was a long weekend but great and now back to another busy week.

Weekend in Vegas and Truck Seat Covers

Well this weekend was very nice and relaxing! We went down to Vegas Thursday afternoon just Jace and I to spend some time together. I know we already get a lot of alone time considering we have no kids but it’s nice to take a trip just the 2 of us sometimes so we can actually enjoy this brief time in our lives while it’s just us 2. So we got down to Vegas Thursday night and just had dinner then checked into the hotel. We stayed at the M which is South of the strip. We love staying there because neither of us really care about being on the Strip and they have an awesome pool.

Friday was rainy and crappy weather so we just went shopping most the day. Jace was awesome and even endured a painful hour (seriously) of me debating in the Steve Madden store which purse I needed. We also meet my cousin Jake and his wife Lindsey and their cute 3 kids for lunch. It was good to see them and catch up for a bit. We also ended up seeing The Amazing Spiderman since the weather was a little crappy. I was a bit skeptical that it would be that amazing but I surprisingly liked it a lot. It also helps that I really love Emma Stone.

Saturday was much better weather so we hung by the pool most of the day, seriously some good people watching there. That night we went to dinner and walked the Strip and just hung out. It was fun to spend time with Jace and have no house/yard projects or work to distract either of us. Sunday we drove home me happy with my new purse and some fall clothes and Jace happy to come home to his new truck seat covers. So Sunday he spent most the night putting them on and they ended up turning out really well. So hopefully now the truck won’t have any more problems!

Walking around the Strip 

Attempting to take a picture in the wind...

Of course we stopped and watched the Bellagio fountains 

 Hanging out at the pool

Sunday we drove home me happy with my new purse and some fall clothes and Jace happy to come home to his new truck seat covers. So Sunday he spent most the night putting them on and they ended up turning out really well. So hopefully now the truck won’t have any more problems!

Seats before-cloth 

Jace putting the seat covers on and the final results

BMX Bike Races and Olson Family

This past weekend was one of the first we’ve been home all summer it felt like. Friday Jace and I went to an early dinner at Chili’s then went over to the BMX track to watch Jake and the little nephews race around the track. It was pretty awesome watching Owen and Noah (almost 4 and barely 2) race. They both loved it. Especially when Noah got a trophy and Owen got a goodie bag.

Jace and I watching 

The Big Wheel crew ready to race  

Noah racing-I love how big brother Owen is running ahead the track to show him where to go

The last hill for Noah... 

Noah with his trophy! 

Noah with Aunt Brooke and Uncle Jace and his trophy!

Owen on the first hill 

Owen did awesome 

Jake racing

Noah ready to race some more 

Love how sweaty he was from the helmet 

Owen and Noah together 

Pretty sure this little boy ate 1/2 a bag of the taffy

Owen with his mom after the race.

Saturday was busy since I had a bridal shower in Provo that afternoon. So the morning was spent cleaning and doing laundry then I headed down to Provo for Hela’s bridal shower. I’m sad were going to miss her wedding but excited for her!

Everyone at Hela's bridal shower

After the bridal shower we had a “mini” family reunion with Jace’s cousins on the Olson side of the family. They were all headed down to Lake Powell for the week and decided to stop by his mom’s on their way for some dinner. We had some delicious food and it was great to see and catch up with everyone.

Most the Packard and Olson cousin's and spouses.

Sunday we had church and just relaxed which was nice to do. I’m excited that this Thursday were heading down to Las Vegas for a long weekend. Its kinda a ½ anniversary since our real anniversary is 5 days after Christmas we never end up going out of town since were spending it all with family so we try to do something in the middle of the year just the 2 of us. Considering we got married in Vegas it seems appropriate to spend our vacation together there J

Lake Powell

This past week we were down in Lake Powell with Jace’s family. It was a lot of fun to be on the lake all week and be with all the family. Jace’s older brother Jarren from Washington and his family all came which was great since we don’t get to see them often and then Jake and Marci and the boys were with us along with Jace’s dad and step-mom. My little brother Ridge even tagged along. It was a great week!

Jace and I on the boat 

This cove we found 

Jace 

Noah and Marci swimming

My crazy hair doesn't look as cute as Noah's does (see picture below) 

Ridge 

Ridge, Jace and I on the hike to Hole-in-the-Rock

Half way to the top 

Yes I hiked this in flip flops 

Jace and Davis 

Jace, Gavin and Davis 

Noah stole my hat and sunglasses

Noah and Uncle Jace 

Jace, Noah and I 

Jace trying to get into the tube 

Finally got in

Jace's tube ride

Jace stole his nephew's robe 

Owen chilling on the boat