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 :)

Texas Friends and Wedding Receptions

Another crazy weekend has come and gone. Thursday night we went to the Doctors office since Jace has been fighting a cold for 2+ weeks now. He fought me for awhile on insisting he is and I quote, “Like a rock…” Well the rock finally agreed he felt like crap and needed some meds so we got him some antibiotics for a lung infection. Its been helping and hopefully he will be all better by tomorrow for Lake Powell. After the doctors we ran up to my mother-in-laws house to help her get things ready for Carly and Jake’s wedding (Jace’s step sister) that was Saturday.

This was Jace arguing with me that he didn't need to be at the doctors office...in the end I was right though.

Then Friday night I was able to go meet my long lost Texas friends Juls and Jess LaRue for dinner. Jess is moving to Portland and her sister was driving up with her and since they were stopping in Salt Lake, we were able to go to dinner. We laughed and talked for hours about how much fun we had growing up and what we were all up to now. After dinner they came to the house to chat with Mama Jeans (aka my mom) and dad. It was really great to see them for a little bit. Then Saturday morning and afternoon was crazy. I ran to Costco to get ready for our trip and also tried cleaning the house and getting the trailer ready. Then that evening we went to Carly and Jake’s wedding reception which turned out really beautiful.

Juls and I Friday night

Jace and I at the wedding 

Jake, Jace and Jedd (can you tell they are brothers...)

Sunday we went to church and worked on getting more stuff ready to leave tomorrow for Lake Powell. Jace’s dad and older brother Jaren left Sunday so will go down Tuesday night to meet up with them. It should be a nice relaxing break hopefully.

New Truck, Babysitting and Game Night

So Wednesday night Jace was looking online and found a post for a Ford for sale. He has been talking for a little bit about either putting some money into his current truck or just selling it and getting a different truck. So Thursday morning we went out to Murray to check it out, long story short Jace ended up getting a new truck (not really new-it’s a 2008). So if anyone is in the market for a 2004 Dodge dually, ours is for sale. It’s been a really good truck and runs like a champ, the exterior just could use a new paint job. Check out the link here.

Jace's new truck 

Thursday was also my brother in law’s birthday so we offered to watch the kids while his wife took him to the Jazz game. It’s always fun watching the nephews. We had corn dogs for dinner-very healthy I know so I made them eat carrots and grapes too. Then they wanted to play out in the dirt and in Jace’s new truck. After playing in the yard and a good clean bath we watched Puss and Boots that I had rented for them, secretly Jace and I had been wanting to see it, so it was a good excuse to watch with them. It was lots of fun watching them!

Not sure what this pose is Owen is doing... 

The boys loved climbing all over the truck

The boys crawling in the dirt

Then Friday I went to lunch with my brother’s girlfriend, Kami. It was great to go to lunch and chat with her. That night we went over to Jake and Marci’s for some yummy cake Marci made. Saturday of course Jace worked in the garage all day while I cleaned, did laundry, hit the grocery store and some errands. That night we went over to our friends the Cowdin’s for dinner and a game night. They taught us a new game called Nertz which I loved! It was lots of fun to get together with some of our awesome neighbors and get to know everybody better. Sunday was a typical day going to church and having dinner at my mother in laws. The weekend defiantly went by too quickly!

Noah really enjoyed the cupcakes Sunday night!

Haley and Mike Wedding!

Thursday March 8^th was my good friend Haley Roybals wedding. It was great because I was able to go in the temple with her and Mike to watch them be sealed. It was really great to listen to their sealing just 2 days after Jace and I had been sealed. It was a beautiful wedding and she looked amazing and they both looked so happy. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and then had a delicious luncheon at the Lion House. They played a wedding video at the luncheon which was great and then they had a fabulous reception at Oakridge Country Club. I’m so happy for Haley and Mike and that I was able to be apart of their special day. It was also great to see everyone from high school and college that I hadn’t seen in awhile. Congrats Haley and Mike!

Coming out of the temple. 

(Left to right) Bridget, Whitney, Taryn, Hela and me (some of the bridesmaids) 

Carly and I! I miss that girl!

The bride and I at the reception. 

Jace and I at the reception.

Quick Weekend Recap

This past weekend was again a busy one. I took the day off from work Friday since I was hosting a bridal shower and needed time to get everything ready at the house and run to the store to get everything I needed. Friday night we didn’t do much, Jace just helped me frost cupcakes and we watched a movie at the house. Then Saturday was the bridal shower. (See post here).

Sunday was pretty busy we had church then went to my parents ward to see my dad and little brother Ridge speak. They both did really well. Ridge is so funny. He asked us afterwards if he looked taller because he was standing on his tip toes the entire talk! He said his calves were burning but he just fought through it because he wanted to look taller. That kid cracks me up! After church we went up to my mother-in-law Janalyn’s for yummy dinner.

Now we’re back into the work week but last night was fun since I went to a Food group that has started up in my neighborhood. It’s fun because once a month everybody gets together and brings food to exchange recipes. There was lots of yummy food and it’s fun to get to know everybody better.

Haley Bridal Shower

This past Saturday I hosted my good friend Haley’s bridal shower and I believe it was a success. It was quite a bit of work but lots of fun to see everyone. My good friend Whitney was nice enough to help out and brought a sandwich platter from Costco that was yummy and my other friend Stephanie brought a huge veggie tray. Then Bree brought chips and dip and Bridget brought some cupcakes so thank you to everyone who helped contribute and I’m sorry if I forgot anyone.

I took Friday off from work so I would have time to run around and get the house and everything together. Jace was also super sweet and helpful in getting stuff together. He cleaned up the front porch and even weeded the front garden area that was looking pretty rough from the winter. He also stayed up Friday night frosting Strawberry cupcakes with me. I had read on Pintrest somewhere (I can’t find where I pinned it now to give credit to the source so I’m sorry…) that if you put the jar of store bough icing in your mixer and just beat if for a little bit, it will make the icing fluffier and double in size. I decided to try it and it was amazing! I hate using store bought icing because it’s so stiff and dense and impossible to spread but after I mixed it up a bit it was really light and smooth and so easy to work with. Would defiantly recommend trying it out.

The shower was right at noon so we had sandwiches and a bunch of appetizers and desserts. I just used Strawberry out of the box cupcakes (since the theme was red, white and pink). They were pretty good and I was excited about the icing trick! I also made some yummy apple dip and spinach dip along with the most delicious cranberry punch. Its so easy and everyone always likes it. I found the recipe here. Its a great holiday/party drink.

The Spinach dip recipe is one I’ve posted before here. Same with the Apple Toffee Dip. This stuff is delicious!

Then after everyone got some food I passed out questions that Haley’s fiancé Mike had answered earlier for me. It was fun to hear Haley and Mike’s answers. Then Haley opened up A LOT of lingerie and some cooking supplies. Then everyone chatted for a bit and filtered out. It was great seeing everyone and lots of fun to get together. I’m excited for Haley and Mike to get married in just a few weeks!

The party favors

Heart shapped teaspoons 

Setting the table up

People getting food

Waiting to open gifts

Whitney and I! 

Taryn, Bridget, Whitney, Haley, Hela and me (from left to right) 

Texas Roadhouse Winners!

This past weekend was a busy but fun one. Thursday afternoon I received a call from an unknown number and when I answered it, it was Texas Roadhouse in Bountiful. Jace and I had gone there earlier last week for Valentines and while we had been waiting we both filled out a drawing for “Dinner and a Movie Goodie Basket for Two!” I didn’t expect anything out of it mostly just something to pass the time while we were waiting. But surprise we won! To make it even crazier that we won, they asked me on the phone if I knew a Jace Packard. When I informed them I was married to him they said they had drawn his name first and called him but since he never returned their call they drew another name and it was mine! What are the chances the only 2 we put in there would both be drawn?

Bad picture, taken with my phone in a parking garage...But I wanted a picture of my prize before Jace opened the basket to steal the candy for the movie.

So Friday night we went and picked up the basket and headed out to Salt Lake to meet our friends Kody and Sabrina for dinner and Blue Iguana. It was good to go to dinner and catch up with them since they don’t live by us anymore. Saturday we did our typical clean the house day but I did a nice deep clean of the house (dusting base boards, blinds, touch up paint everywhere, etc.) since I have a bridal shower for my best friend Haley coming up this next weekend. Jace was nice enough to help me with everything even though I know he doesn’t care like I do :) That night we went to the Gateway to see “This Means War” with Reese Witherspoon. I loved it! I thought it was super cute and funny and I also love anything she is in. We also stopped by Z Gallery and I got some early birthday presents. A floor lamp that I actually want to put in my bedroom but looks good in the family room for now along with a new center piece to go on the coffee table. To make it even better they were both on sale for over 50% off! I love things even more when they are a good price.

On our way to our Saturday date night.

Sunday we had church and then went to my parents for dinner. My mom is out of town so my dad cooked steaks. They were delicious! Then we just hung out for a bit then came home and watched Greys Anatomy (it killed me Jace made me wait for him…) This week will be a busy one but it should be fun!

Weekend Update-Facials, Brio, Birthday Parties...

So this weekend was pretty busy but very productive and fun. Friday night after work Jace and I ran to the gym then came home and got ready to go to dinner with my roommate from college, Stephanie and her husband Ryan. We went to Brio in Fashion Place mall. (We actually had our wedding dinner at Brio-down in the Vegas location though). We try to get together as often as possible with them and were going on 2 visits in the last couple months so were on a roll right now! Anyways we had dinner with them which was yummy and good to catch up with them, wish they were closer to us!

Stephanie and I at Brio (notice my new emerald green pants I got this weekend-I love them!)

Then Saturday I got up and went to my friend Lindsey Cowdin’s down the street who dose facials. I’ve never had a facial before but it was amazingly relaxing and wonderful. I will defiantly be making it a regular thing! I would highly recommend Lindsey to anyone interested in getting one themselves. Then I ran home did some cleaning/laundry and got ready to go to a baby shower for a lady in my ward. After the baby shower I finished cleaning the house and Jace and I finished up the mirror project (talked about in my last post). Then we went to a birthday party for Kody our friends who use to be in the ward but moved away L It was good to see them. Then Sunday we had church and the superbowl of course. We went to my bosses’ house for a big super bowl party he had which was fun. Then we came home and Jace worked on some laptop work while I continued to work on this project (its taking awhile I know I’m slow…) I also caught up on my Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice for the week which was a must and now I’m ready for the new week. Don’t have much planned for this upcoming weekend but glad we had such a fun and busy one this past weekend.