The craziest, biggest sale I've seen lately!

Hey everyone! If you didn't already know, I'm a huge Osh Kosh fan. They seem to last the longest for my kids! If any of you like a good deal and you love to shop for years in advance...then you can't miss the Osh Kosh sale going on right now! I went on Friday to the one in Draper, then up to Park City on Saturday (I know, I'm crazy!) but it was well worth it. They have all of their winter on clearance - all marked down like crazy (coats, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, vests, sweatshirts, hoodies, snow boots, gloves, hats, anything winter!) Then they take another 30% off the lowest price, then you get a 20% off your purchase of $50 or more. It's absolutely crazy! I seriously bought clothes for Avery & Hank for the next 3 years of winter...so when you see Hank wearing the same cute striped shirt until he's 3, just remember that it's probably not the same shirt. I pretty much bought 3 of everything! It was so fun! I think it's going on until the end of the month - but obviously if you're serious about going, you might want to book it up there since it's a clearance sale! Good luck & happy shopping! ;)

An Answer to Prayer

This entry is probably more serious than you would ever expect from a sarcastic person like myself, but I thought a 'spiritual' blog was needed!

I had an interesting day today, waking up feeling underslept and overwhelmed with just everything. I pretty much had a crappy day, and at lunchtime I told Avery that we needed to bless the food. We both sat at the table and I started the blessing - first I blessed our lunch and then I started asking for guidance, patience, support and help with Primary and everything else going on in my life. I finished the prayer and took a bite of my sandwich when I heard the doorbell. I reluctantly got up and answered the door, still chewing my lunch and thinking about how I could deal with my feelings of anxiety! Then I opened my door and saw a close friend standing there. She was holding a 6 pack of Diet Coke and a cute card. It's amazing how fast a prayer is heard, isn't it? Later this evening, as I drove into my culdesac, I was surprised to see a member of the Bishoprics car in my drive way. He came by to offer me a blessing. I'm just so thankful for people who are in tune with the Spirit. I have felt the love of my Savior through these kind acts of service and love. I'm just so grateful to have had these experiences today and I already feel 'relieved' about the stresses I have felt lately.

Live in Las Vegas - Miss America!

This is Miss Utah - Jill Stevens. My sisters and I drove down to Las Vegas for the Miss America pageant and watched Jill compete for four nights! We had so much fun! Jill was voted as "America's Choice" by the public - winning by 1,000's of votes! We are so proud of her. Winning the "America's Choice" made her #16 in the Top finalists. She didn't win the Miss America crown, but hey at least the nation was all rooting for her! ;) We love you Jill!

Nicole, Ashley, Me and Wendy

This was our third time going to the Miss America pageant. It's definately a fun event - lots of short dresses, crazy people and 'old and young' cleve! I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to watch the pageant live just as I dreamed when I was a little girl!

Me, Ashley, Jill, Nicole, Mom and Wendy

Our fun-filled trip! We got to Vegas on Monday. The first preliminary night was Tuesday. My mom (as many of you know) is the Executive Director of Miss Utah so she was in meetings a lot of the time. The Miss America board was offering seats on the risers on the stage. My mom requested 4 seats so each preliminary night me, Wendy, Ashley and Nicole got to sit up on stage (my mom had pretty good seats and wanted to sit in the audience.) It was so cool!!!! We also went to the trade show and to a Miss America breakfast where we could meet the former Miss Americas and Lauren Nelson. They are all so gracious and nice. Lauren is very sweet. We had backstage visitors passes and we got to go back and meet all of the contestants and talk with Jill. She is so awesome - so real, so normal. On Tuesday she was very upset with herself because she stumbled a little on her on-stage question but after many people (not from Utah) came to tell her that she was their favorite, she felt better. On Wednesday she was a whole new person. She stumbled in her swimwear too but looked amazing. She also did everning gown that night and probably won it.

On Thursday she did her talent. It didn't go as well as hoped but she did great. On Thursday night after the pageant, when we were waiting for valet I saw Clinton Kelly from "What Not To Wear." Can you believe it? It was so awesome! He was way nice. On Saturday night, we arrived a little late to the pageant. It was like cattle trying to get into the auditorium. We finally got in just in time to hear the girls announcing themselves. We were bummed when she didn't make top 15 but we knew she was the 16th contestant. I just loved her reaction! How great were her push-ups too???? I just love her. Of course we were sad to see her eliminated but what a way to go. After the pageant, we went backstage and we had a build a bear for her with army fatigues, a crown, and a blonde wig. She also had a dogtag on with "team GI Jill" on it. She loved it.

Here's Jill and her GI Jill bear with my sister, Ashley

Yes, finally another blog!

Well...I guess I'm living up to my own expectations with not being the 'blogger' type! I guess this might turn into a once a month thing! Oh well - it's good to fill you in on what's going on with the Vernon kids!

Avery is still the little mother in the house - giving orders to both Rich & I, and of course Hank. She loves going to pre-school twice a week and then 'gym school' on the other days! The other day she asked me, "Mom, are we going to be late?" as we drove to the gym early one morning...I guess I've said those words a time or two in her lifetime! It's funny what our kids pick up on! For the past couple of weeks, she has been coming into our bedroom and sneaking into bed with us around 6:30am. Sometimes I send her back to bed, if it's too early - but other times I let it go and she gets to snuggle! Yesterday morning, she said "Mom, I want to be with you forever." It was the sweetest words I'd ever heard! It's funny because about a year ago, when Hank was just a newborn and taking up most of my time, she told me that she wanted a new mommy...so I'm glad that she loves me again!

Hank is walking around like crazy and going up and down the stairs - on his belly! Anytime someone lays down on the carpet he thinks it's 'wrestle time' and he'll tackle anyone! He's 13 1/2 months now (who's counting) but he's at such a fun stage. Lately he's been doing this parakeet sounding scream. I seriously don't know why he does it. It's the highest pitch noise I've ever heard. When he does it in public (by the way, it's so embarassing) everyone turns and looks at us like he's being tortured or something and it's so weird to hear such a 'girlie' scream come out of a kid named "Hank the Tank." It just doesn't fit! All in all, he's healthy and growing up fast - gosh those 3 cups of Lucky Charms that he eats a day are really paying off.

As for Rich and I we're just getting ready for the Holidays - trying to get Christmas cards out, just barely put up the tree last week and still haven't decided what we should get our parents! Sound familiar? If any of you have ideas...please share!

We hope all of you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2008 be Great!

I finally did it!

Hello Everyone!

I'm not necessarily the 'blogger' type, but when it took me almost two hours to create an email with pictures of the kids to send out and then hotmail told me that it didn't go through...I got a little frustrated! So I'm going to try the blog thing, and we'll see if I actually keep it updated! All I really want is to show pictures of the kids, I'm sure none of you really want to hear my life story...so here it goes!

Here's the latest picture of the fam! Thanks to my big sis Amy for taking them. They turned out great and even Hank's giving us a little smile!