Family Christmas Party

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with the Justice Family!

Grandma Blondie was nice enough to rent us a cabin for the weekend and the family went up to eat, spend time together, play games and play in the snow.

All the grandkids were there and opened presents! It was very exciting for them. Aubree loved playing in the snow. She couldn't get enough!

For those of you who wish to see the pictures or download the pictures go to http://thejusticeleagueblogpictures.blogspot.com/
where I have put all the pictures I took. There are instructions on how to download the picture you want. Take them all or just a few or just browse through and see all the cute Justice kids!

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving...

We spent Thanksgiving at my mom's house...I love her food! I just thought I would list some things that I am thankful for...after all that is the reason for the holiday...although pie is a close second...the rest is in no particular order...

1. My Husband (See last post)
2. Aubree-she is so smart, funny and sweet...I couldn't ask for anyone better...
3. My mother, who really is my best friend, who I can always confide in...
4. My dad, our family's comic relief and who you can always count on...
5. My "little" brothers, they are the two funniest, good looking, talented boys I know...
6. The Justice Family, who let me be apart of them...
7. My friends, especially Emily who despite the years still is the best listener, I would need a shrink without her...
8. My dogs...seriously they are like really furry children...they are the best!
9. My house, my car, my job, my husbands job...

10. I am thankful I have so many things to be thankful for...some little some big, all blessings...

I hope that all of your Thanksgivings were as wonderful as mine! Happy Thanksgiving...

Justice...Tim Justice

Tim and I went out on a date on Saturday to see the new James Bond movie...It was a good movie but the best part was spending time with my husband whom I love...He can make me laugh and he can drive me crazy...I won't get too sappy on you but I feel pretty lucky to have him. Here are a couple reasons why...In no particular order...

1. He makes me breakfast, lunch and dinner (and it is always delicious!)

2. He helps around the house.

3. He ALWAYS puts the toilet seat down.

4. He gets me a blanket when I am cold.

5. He is a great dad and a funny uncle.

Going for the gourd.... (Get it? Olympics and Pumpkins!)

This last weekend we had Aubree. We decided to go up to the Olympic Park in Park City and take a tour. We saw the museum (Aubree loves museums), the bobsled track, the Nordic jump and other ski jumps, it was pretty amazing. The top of the Nordic jump was so high it almost made me nervous. Aubree also went on the zip line there, she wanted to go on the steepest zip line in the world but she wasn't big enough but it is something she is looking forward to when she is older.

Aubree in a bobsled...
Aubree enjoying the fresh powder...
Aubree keeping the Olympic torch alive...

Aubree wanted to carve pumpkins for Halloween so my mom helped us find a pumpkin carving contest up at the condo. Tim of course had to help Aubree, I have put Tim in charge of any activities that require the use of a giant knife. We went with a classic pumpkin design...

Tim and Aubree with knives...Watch out!

Scary!!!

A Second Spring...

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -Albert Camus

It is fall! It is my favorite season! I love that it cools off...no more blistering heat...the leaves are beautiful as they change...Thanks to Emily I had a chance to walk up into the mountains on a little hike to see the changing foliage...

6 Quirks

Stormee tagged me and asked me to name 6 Quirks of mine...Here goes...

1. I have this horrible habit of biting my bottom lip...

2. I only chew on a half a piece of gum at a time...

3. I can't leave the house without wearing high heels...

4. I do my makeup in the car while driving...

5. I can't stand crushed ice...

6. I absolutely can't abide people scraping their teeth on their forks while they eat...

2922 Days Old...(That is 8 Years!)

Last weekend we celebrated Aubree's 8th birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies, it seems like just yesterday she was wearing Winnie the Pooh sweatshirts and pigtails. We tagged along with Breezee and Stormee to Lagoon and then had cupcakes and presents. It was so much fun to see our friends and family.

All things Golden...

One of our summer adventures was going to the Golden Spike Museum. My parents, two brothers and Aubree all headed out to Promintory Point to see it all. It was interesting but not something I need to do again anytime soon. The most fun part of the the trip was singing along as a family to oldies music and watching my brothers bust out some awsome dance moves. Here are some funny pictures from our fun day.

Zac & Nate
Aubree & a Train
Aubree the Conductor

My mom, dad, Aubree & Me
Aubree & Nate being crazy
Us by the Entrance Sign
Aubree Where the rails met...

Golfing, Boating & BBQ

We had the opportunity to head up to Pineview Reservoir for the a few days. Matt & Breezee were kind enough to invite us! We had a blast. We went golfing, boating, and ate BBQ! We also went swimming and played volleyball. It was so fun, I haven't played volleyball scince Jr. High. The condo was beautiful and so was the scenery. It was nice to get away from the city for a few days.

Aubree's favorite part was jumping into the lake, I loved wake boarding for my first time (I got up on my 3rd try!), Tim loved the golf! Aubree rode on the tube twice and though she was scared she kept wanting to go again. Tim and Matt went on the tube and got dumped off 3 times, much to the amusement of the rest of us.

Of course we got to hang out with cousins and family which is always the best. It is a shame we had to come back. All good things must come to an end I guess...

Swimming at the pool!
Tim & Matt about to be dumped...

In the car.
On the boat.
Breezee & Tan
Aubree and Tim
Tae wants to go faster...

PS. I hope you like our summer mix of songs...

In the Swing of Things...

We have become a family of golfers. Aubree and I just got our first set of clubs yesterday and took them on their maiden voyage today! We golfed a par 3 course (just the right size for us beginners). Tim has been an amazing teacher, I am so lucky that he is so patient with me.

Aubree is taking her first golf lessons next week. She is pretty excited although I think she was most excited to get her very own set of clubs.

Today was the 4th time for me and the 3rd time for Aubree..but I feel a hobby in the making. Plus it is something we can do together as a family.

It was a little hot today...it is July after all...but we are having fun all the same...I told you there would be more summer adventures coming...

Mine Oh, Mine!

Today me, my mom & Aubree went to the Kennecott copper mine. You can see it from space! Basically it is a giant hole, but a giant hole that Aubree had never seen! Aubree also loves rocks and so she enjoyed the museum. My mother and I enjoyed seeing all the household items we use everyday that have copper and other minerals.

Aubree got $5 from my dad to spend at the gift shop, she bought a $1 rock and horded the rest. Always the frugal business woman, she came home and tried to get Tim to give her a $1.

We of course have a picture of Aubree next to the big tire, looking down into the mine, standing in front of old mining equipment, posing like the statue, and as Emily can tell you...you can't go to a tourist spot without going into the gift shop and taking pictures of you wearing their stuff and then not buying it. Just one of our summer adventures...Watch out there will be more to come...

Be Prepared? Well I'm no boy scout...

I haven't been camping in a while, probably 2 years. I haven't been camping to a place without bathrooms, running water or fire pits in about 10 years. Last night...on a whim...our family went camping. We were roughing it! We drove up to a canyon somewhere near Toole (see I don't even know exactly where...we were just flying by the seat of our pants you might say) and found a spot in the woods and camped. We brought a tent but no tent poles. We brought a Dutch oven but no coals. We brought a lighter but no wood. We brought a truck but not enough gas. Let me tell you it was an adventure!

Wondering where the pictures are of this adventure? Well I didn't want this too well documented. We had a nice time all things considered. We roasted marshmallows and the dogs ran around like crazies. Now, I am tired and need to sleep. Have you noticed that when you camp you don't really get to sleep?

Happy Father's Day...

I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful father. He has taught me so much, he has lead by example. My dad is sometimes VERY opinionated but I have learned that everything he ever tells me to do is because he loves me and I love him too, so I at least consider his proposals. My dad's great qualities are: he is smart, funny, optimistic, a great manager, a great friend, makes EXCELLENT BBQ, has some wicked dance moves, is always willing to help, generous, and compassionate. So today on the day dedicated to fathers I would like to say...I love you Dad! Thank you for always being there for me.

I also am lucky enough to have a wonderful husband. He is an amazing father. He doesn't have the chance to see Aubree everyday but she is always on his mind. He makes the most of every chance he has to see her, and never fails to make her laugh. In all the time I have known him, he never misses a weekend to spend with her. He will move heaven and earth to that he will never miss a weekend. Tim loves being a father and that is one of the many qualities he has that made me love him.

Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers out there!

Congratulations to my brother in law Mike on his very first fathers day!

Summer Vacation for Brianne...

So I put in my 2 weeks notice last Monday. That means my last day of work is Friday! Aubree is excited! Tim is excited! I am excited! I would like to go back to school and get my master's degree to become a high school English teacher, but for right now Aubree and I are going to hang out this summer. I haven't ironed out the details but I am looking forward to a change! I also need to hire a replacement so if you know someone who needs a full time job I know a place! Adios Prudential!

Seattle 2008...

I haven't updated the blog for a while sorry...I did go to Seattle May 16-18th! It was so much fun! I went to visit my friend Kathryn! Emily wanted to go and she invited me so I said yes and we did so much fun stuff: Ferry Rides, Shopping, Eating Clam Chowder, Going to the Beach, A Mariners Game, Hiking to a waterfall & you can't go to Seattle without seeing the Space Needle! I also saw my cousin Andrea and her son Quentin who I haven't seen in years! All in all it was a great weekend! Plus it didn't rain once! What are the odds?

Space Needle

Waterfall Hike
Safeco Field-Mariners Game
Seattle Center
Ferry Ride
Beach
Also for those of you keeping track it is almost June! Aubree is coming for the summer today! We will have plenty of adventures to keep you updated on!

Almost a Tulip Festival but Not Quite...

We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point this weekend. Let me tell you...It was a totally let down. Maybe I was imagining fields of tulips? Maybe I was expecting too much considering it was called a "Tulip" festival? Apparently there were just a few flowerbed with tulips in them. Aubree, my mom and I were all bummed about the lack of tulips. I guess you have to try and see things for yourself but now I have warned you all...the Tulip Festival is not so much a tulips festival as a great way to waste $10 bucks each.

Aubree saw this lighthouse and said, "Wow, just like the mini golf course. I have always wanted to go in one...This is my dream come true!" I took a picture before she was knocked over by the wind but it was a pretty cool light house.

Aubree, by this time of the day, was so sick of taking pictures she could hardly stand it.

I would say, "Aubree smile!" and she would grimace at me. I figured we had to take some pictures by the Tulips since we were at the infamous Tulip Festival. Any Pictures you see of use by Tulips literally are the only tulips we saw the whole day.

It was also so windy...so if you see our hair blowing about in the wind it is amazing that we weren't blown over.

The waterfalls at Thanksgiving Poing are definitely pretty.

We also ate some sweet roasted almonds like you get at Christmas time and walked around the gardens. We had a nice day but all in all I wouldn't recommend going to the Tulip Festival.

Kid's Say The Darndest Things & For All The Parrot Heads...

This past weekend we went to Emery County to see my brother in law Chris for his birthday! Happy Birthday Chris! Tim and I brought the dogs and Mike & Tiffanie brought their dog Hugo (You can see pics of him on there blog to the right). Hugo ran in circles and my dogs did their best to catch him but they were no match for Hugo's speed. We also saw our friends Beau and Mel and their little girl Leyla! (You can check out their blog by clicking on the link on the right). Leyla asked me the most unique question I have been asked about my dogs. She looked up at me with those big eyes and said "What color is your dog's poop?" I gave her my most honest answer...that I will not share here with you but it was pretty cute they way she asked it. I also saw my other nieces and nephews and they are the best nieces and nephews anyone could ask for! Luke (the youngest) thought chasing Max was the funnest activity of the day. It was so nice to go down to Emery because we don't get a chance to do it very often.

PS. I added another song to the playlist!

Southern Cross: Originally this song wasn't sung by Jimmy Buffett but that is the version I chose because not only are my sister and brother in law Mike & Jenny huge fans but because they gave Tim two tickets for his birthday the first fall we dated and Tim and I went down to Vegas to see it! It was so much fun that we did it again last fall. This is one of Tim's favorite songs and so this is for all the Parrot Heads out there!

Every Song Has a Story...

I wanted to add music to our blog but I didn't want it just to be random songs so I compiled a list of songs and each one has a story...

Jammin': Every since Aubree was about three we would "Jam" in the car. We would put on Bob Marley and bounce our heads up and down to the music and jam. Every time we hear it in the car we stop what were are doing and start Jammin.

Elephant Medley: When Tim & I first started dating he would want us to sing this duet together in the car. I didn't know the words so I had to look them up on a lyrics website so that I would impress him with my skills.

Seven Nation Army: As Tim & I have found out Aubree loves rock music. "Rockin Music" as she calls it. She loves this song...She doesn't know the title but simply asks to listen to "The Stripes" and then she rocks out.

If I Had a Million Dollars: We drive to Vernal a lot so we are always in the car. We put this song on a CD and we sing it as a family. Aubree & I sing the first part and Tim the second. Then we come up with a ton of crazy things that we would do if we had a million dollars...nothing that's cruel of course...

American Idiot: This is one of Tim & my favorite albums. Aubree has been enjoying it to. She calls it "The Green Band." She once asked us to explain the lyrics to her and we got into a deep discussion...She is so smart!

See You Again: Okay, so what little girl doesn't like Hanna Montana? Even Aubree likes it and I have to admit I like it too. The funniest part it that I was in the car one day with my brother Zac and he admitted to liking this song. I told Aubree and she still laughs about it.

Beverly Hills: Apparently Aubree really like Weezer. She wanted to listen to this song and we didn't know which one she was talking about. We had to go through every song on the CD til we found it. She refused to listen to any other song until she found the one she was looking for...she is so stubborn!

Our Song: So I like country and I quite enjoy Taylor Swift's album. I think this song is so cute and at first Aubree refused to listen to it cause it wasn't rock...but I convinced her in the end and now she can sing almost all the words!

Say It Ain't So: We have been playing Rockband at Matt & Breezee's house. This is one of the songs on the game. Tim & Matt both sang it but Aubree did the best. She actually knew almost all the words and the tune and did a great job...she made us all look bad. It is one of her favorite songs.

Imagine: We have been trying to convince Aubree that just because a song doesn't have so much bass you feel like you are getting a massage that a song can still be good. Slowly but surely we have convinced her of the genius of the Beatles.

So those are some songs that we listen to in the car and I hope you like them too!

Vernal Utah, Home of Dino Land USA...

This weekend we had Aubree and due to the fact that she hates driving in the car (Tim and I don't love it either) we decided to spend the weekend in Vernal to save us a drive.

We got a hotel room, went swimming, went out to eat, hung out and watched movies. We had a great weekend!.

Aubree got her Easter candy from Granny B and she was really excited about the yummy Reese's Eggs. She wanted to give a big Thank You for all the yummy goodies.


We spent Saturday afternoon golfing! Well Aubree spent Saturday afternoon driving a golf cart and I spent it holding on for dear life! Actually Aubree wasn't too bad and she had a blast. She drove the whole way and was utterly bored when we had to stop and watch Tim and Kelly Golf.

She has offered to drive a golf cart for anybody who is interested. So if you need a golf cart driver you know where to go!

Tim was the only one who golfed. Can you Imagine Aubree golfing? That club is bigger than she is!

She did help by taking the flags in and out of the holes. I gave her a lesson on who Tiger Woods was and why golf was a quiet game.

She still didn't like it as much as actually driving the golf cart.


This is a picture of Tim swinging on the first hole of the day!

He has only been golfing a few times this year but he really does enjoy it. The weather on the course was nice...a little windy...a little cold but that didn't stop us!

His friend Kelly, from Huntington, came with us...He lives in Vernal now. Kelly did golf better than Tim...Oh, well...

Now I love bowling as much as the next guy but let me tell you that after 3 games of bowling you are pretty much finished. We killed some time at the bowling alley on Sunday before we dropped Aubree off. Aubree didn't use the bumpers and did a great job. She kept getting better and better each game. Tim and I got worse and worse each game.

Four games and 2 1/2 Hours later we went to McDonald's and killed another 2 Hours there. You will get sick of McDonald's after about 45 min. Aubree enjoyed it all of course! All in all a great weekend! We couldn't ask for anything better.

A little brother...Not Jell-O Jigglers...

So I was born on March 21st...The first day of Spring! On my 7th birthday I got the best birthday present ever...a little brother! So instead of a party with pizza and Jell-o Jigglers my mom was in the hospital and I had a party at Hardees. Nate and I have loved sharing a birthday! We get 2 cakes, 2 parties and 2 birthday dinners!

This year we went out to sushi and had Nates cake (that is the first picture with Me, Zac & Nate). My mom makes a pretty amazing German Chocolate! Yummy!



I wanted Oreo Dessert for my birthday. It isn't exactly a cake. It is more a frozen delcious treat. I can't eat it without thinking of my Grandma Lois. She made it all the time. Nate and I are also trying to con my mom into making COTTAGE CHEESE DUMPLINGS! I know the Himle's are sighing with happiness at the very thought...I know my husband, and most of the in-laws, are gagging at the thought...Oh well.

So that is my birthday update! Love ya!

No...I wasn't shot at...

So this week I had to pay to get my back drivers side window replaced in my car. Take a good look people that is an expensive window you are looking at. I was doing 75mph down the freeway when something flew up and shattered my window. One second I had a window and the next nothing! Just a pile of glass on the floor of my back seat. I was shocked! So I pulled into the closest Nissan dealership and left it there to get fixed.

I called the highway patrol just in case I needed to file a report and the oh so smart patrolman told me that with the change in weather it was common for perfectly good windows to spontaneously shatter. Now maybe I am crazy but I have never heard of such a thing. I have heard of chipped windshields cracking in cold weather, but a perfectly good side window shattering into thousands and thousands of pieces. Let me just say I am not feeling secure knowing this patrolman was allowed to carry a firearm.

When I got to the dealership I inquired if spontaneously shattering windows was common. They laughed and say no. I must have gotten hit. My adorable husband was worried that I had gotten shot at. For the life of me I can't think of anything I would have done to make anyone shoot at me. So thanks for your concern honey but I think it was a freak accident.

So that is my story about how you can be driving down the freeway and hundreds of dollars later you can walk out of the Nissan dealership with a brand new window and your husband worried that you have been shot at!