I SLEPT IN A TIPI

I slept in a Tipi!

It was like going home.

In case you forgot I am part Indian

So this is how "The BIG One" (aka turning 30) went down.

Ready?

I refused to go to work on my birthday.  Why mix and/or confuse celebration with Hell?  Clayton kept asking me what I was going to do?  Soak in the tub and read a good book of course.  Oh and I might clean out that war zone mess of an office that hasn't been touched in more months than I care to divulge because it's embarrassing.

MONDAY: Clayton informed me that he was doing something special each day of the week for my birthday.  In addition to the daily back rubs I was promised?  Yep.  I'm a lucky gal.  So after dinner on Monday we were cleaning up the kitchen and as I got ready to go upstairs to get ready for bed I grabbed a stack of bills and tax documents that needed to be filed in the aforementioned nuclear war zone of an office.    I opened the office door fully prepared to see our old dvd player occupying the chair where I would sit to file the documents and it wasn't there.  It took me a full 4.5 seconds to realize that the office was restored to its former state of cleanliness that we saw when we moved in.  I let out a big "What the...!" and Clayton came running and yelling, "No, no, no!  You weren't supposed to go in there.  That was Friday's surprise!"  In my defense he DID see me grab the stuff to file and he KNOWS that the office is where the filing is done.  Guess it just didn't click.  I didn't care if it was Monday's surprise or Friday's surprise.  I was just happy to see it clean!  Anyway I proceeded to get ready for bed and opened up one of our drawers and discovered Monday's planned surprise.  New Tweezers!  This is probably not exciting to anyone but me.  I have wanted some new ones for quite a while and these suckers really know how to pull out hair.

TUESDAY: Remember how I said all I wanted to do was read a good book and soak in the tub for my birthday?  Well Tuesday's surprise was these two books.  Apparently my husband does pay attention to all my rambling about stuff.  I have been talking for quite awhile now about reading The Hunger Games.   

WEDNESDAY: I was in the bathroom washing my hands when Clayton came home this day.  He made me shut the door, placed something down on the floor and then told me that I could come out.  I came out to this...

ps. Am I the only one who has too look at a calendar every time I have to spell Wednesday?  Speling is Hard!


THURSDAY: Clayton and I always have lunch at my office on Wednesday's.  However, he had appointments on Wednesday this week and couldn't make it, so we moved our lunch date to Thursday.  When he came to lunch he asked me if I would promise to use and take full advantage of Thursday's gift.  Ummm...ok.  He opened his bowl of cereal (yes...cereal...) and there was a key to the Tipi Room at Anniversary Inn.  After I squealed with excitement I informed him that it was pretty sick that he put that key on the food he was about to eat because we all know what the people who handle these keys go to Bed & Breakfast places for.  Anyway I was very excited.  Please know that I always get weirded out when people post pictures Bed & Breakfast rooms they have stayed in.   Makes the word "gross" slip off of my lips a lot.  HOWEVER, it is only appropriate that I post pictures because I. Am. Indian.  In case you forgot. 

FRIDAY(the actual b-day): Friday the alarm went off at 5am and that was when we really decided to celebrate my birthday by not getting up to run.  Happy Birthday to ME!  Clayton still had to work for part of the day so while he was at work I did exactly what I wanted...Read and Soak in the tub.  Not going to lie...it was very nice.  Except for when the maid came in the room at 11am because she thought I was already checked out.  awkward. 

Later in the day I got this...

Very excited for our forthcoming Ukulele jam sessions

That night we went to Takara for some B-Day sushi and mochi ice cream.

SATURDAY: I honestly can't remember what we did.  I know that we mooched off of the sample people at Sam's Club, ran a bunch of errands and swam laps at the pool.  Oh yeah Clayton also got a hair cut and doubted my ability to stay awake during the movie Star Trek.  I think that his actual comment was, "I think it is so cute that you think you can stay awake during this movie." Guess who stayed awake and who didn't.  Heidi = 1, Clayton = 0.  Nice.

SUNDAY:  The family herded themselves to Trenton to celebrate the January birthday's of Me, Clayton, and Tydon. 

For some reason Kace got the months mixed up and thought that this was his birthday month too.  We spent the rest of the day watching football, playing Loaded Question and telling Cort that we had no interest in buying a size 18 wedding dress or "fine" china (I tried to tell him that just because it said 'Made in China' didn't mean it was 'Fine China'). 

Thanks to everyone for their birthday calls, texts, cards, wishes, etc.  Special thanks to my husband who put forth mucho effort in making not just my birthday, but the whole week special.  Love you!

ps.  The back rubs lasted 4 days and then he decided to buy me a back massager!

WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?

Did you hear?

I did.

On NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

I like Brian Williams.

He is funny.

Any way back to the topic...

Did you hear that the Zodiac Signs have changed?

Apparently the "who's who" of the star world have decided to up and add a 13th sign.

It is all kinda confusing...

Some say it happened because... "The Earth is in a completely different spot in relation to the sun and its equatorial alignment than it was 3,000 years ago."

 huh?

Other's say, "alignment of the stars were changed by a month because of the moon's gravitational pull on the Earth."

rrrriiiiiiggggghhhhhttt.

And then some say it has changed because of "wobbles in the Earth's axis"
I don't really care about all the jib jab.

All I care about is that the sign I once new and loved is no longer mine.

Not that I take stock in that kinda thing.

But...

Where I was once an Aquarius who was...

friendly, honest, loyal, original, inventive, independent, Intellectual (ok maybe I was never an Aquarius...), unpredictable, unemotional and detached...

I am now a Capricorn who is...

Practical, Prudent, ambitious, disciplined, patient, careful, humorous, reserved, pessimistic, fatalistic, miserly, grudging.

ok so maybe Capricorn is a better fit for me.

Goodbye Aquarius!

It was fun while it lasted.

p.s. there is still debates on whether this Zodiac sign change is true

On a related topic, MY BIRTHDAY is not quite yet, but last Sunday I celebrated it at the McMurdie house.  They fed me one of my favorite meals (steak, sweet potato, berry salad, veggies, rolls, brownies, and ICE CREAM!).  I also got these Creme Brulee roasted almonds that were amazing!

Aubri made me a 30 year-old birthday crown.

Brady is the butter connoisseur.  When he can't get it into his mouth he tries to absorb it in through his skin.

Chloe helped me blow out my candles

Hadlee made me a birthday card

I think she knows that I like BYU.

Chloe printed the off of the computer for my birthday.

Not sure what it is...but I love it because it is totally a Chloe thing to do (much to Nana's dismay).

It was another grand afternoon at the McMurdie house.

THANKS TO ALL...Love you guys!!!

ps. If this Zodiac is change is all true Clayton has moved from Capricorn to Sagittarius.

For those curious souls out there here are the new signs

Capricorn:  January 20 - February 16

Aquarius: February 16 - March 11

Pisces: March 11 - April 18

Aries: April 18 - May 13

Taurus: May 13 - June 21

Gemini: June 21 - July 20

Cancer: July 20 - August 10

Leo: August 10 - September 16

Virgo: September 16 - October 30

Libra: October 30 - November 23

Scorpius: November 23 - November 29

Ophiuchus: November 29 - December 17

Sagittarius: December 17 - January 20

CHUCK-E-CHEESE

I know, I know I'm on another post roll...

If you would have told me a month ago that I would be spending my Saturday afternoon at Chuck-E-Cheese I would have laughed in your face.  Why in the world would I want to eat at a place where the mascot is a mouse?  Mice and restaurants are never a good sign.  Also not a good sign?  Seeing the economy sized hand sanitizer the the moment you walk in the door.  But when your adorable nephew has his 4 year-old birthday party here how can you say "No"? 

Kace was pretty good on the Jump rope game, but I was better:!

The picture I FORCED Ty to be in with me.  Doesn't he look so happy to be held by his dear (crazy) Aunt Heidi? 

Checking out all the loot he can buy with his tickets...

Kace and his tickets...around the neck over the arms, behind the back...

I was awesome at Deal or No Deal.  Rachel was even better than me.  Kami was just awful. 
"Hey Kami...remember when you listened to me twice and lost both games?"  That was funny, huh!?!

Rachel tried her hand at Clayton's favorite game and didn't do so well.

Clayton on the other hand ROCKED THAT GAME.

Part of party

The other part of the party.

(Rachel don't be mad that I put this picture...it is hilarious)

Clayton's favorite game.

Again ROCKING the game

Rachel and Kami trying to live in their HS basketball glory days.

Everyone (except Kace) gave our tickets to Tydon so he could pick out a stellar prize.  So what did he get for 1000 tickets? 

TWO SUCKERS!

He wanted one for him and one for Kace.

Isn't that sweet!!!

One day I hope I have a kid just like him.

I went in feeling clean and left feeling like I had the swine flu all over me, but that is a small price to pay for spending time with little Ty guy.

please pass me the Clorox...

TRAVEL EXPO

SO we went to a Travel Expo in Layton on Saturday and now...

* our kitchen counter has piles of brochures of places that we will most likely never read about and will stay there hogging counter space and collecting dust for approximately 5.2 weeks

* spring fever has hit me B.A.D and I want to get out of this inversion trapped valley and T.R.A.V.E.L

* I keep getting junk text messages from vendors because I entered drawings to win free stuff at their booths. 

* I like Sub-Zero even more because they gave away free samples and they were big.

* We have lots of pens, note pads, and fun sized candy bars

* I WANT TO GO ON VACATION

SHE SAID WHAT?

Once upon a Friday night we...

went to California Pizza Kitchen (or CPK as the waitress called it) with these fine folk...

watched the Jazz crush the Cavaliers from the best seats in the house...

(can you see all the jealous spectators behind us?)

had a picture taken that made me look high...

(sorry Josh I hijacked the pic from your face book page because let's be honest...it is hilarious)

finished up the cold night eating frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf...

and...

It. Was. Awesome.

THE BIG ONE

Ok so I was browsing the Internet on turning 30 and I ran across a few lists.

9 Things to Know Before You Turn 30 and Top 10 Things to Do Before You Turn 30

I figured that since Clayton is already 30 and I still have a few days I would use him for these lists.

So...without further ado here we go

9 THINKS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TURN 30

1. Life is SO not about you. Pretty sure Clayton knows that. He lives it on a day to day basis. He is one of the most selfless people I know. He would much rather give that receive. Gets it from his father. In fact sometimes he gets annoyed that his dad won't let him do something for him, but then he can't figure out why I get annoyed when he won't let me do something for him. He is constantly trying to make me happy whether it be from folding the whites (I hate them with a passion), to giving me the last bite of something we are sharing, to opening my door for me in the pouring rain, to giving me the better treadmill to run on, to letting me put my oh so cold feet on him at night. The list could go on and on.

2. Credit Cards Are Dangerous. I am proud to be married to a financially smart man. Clayton and debt do NOT go hand in hand (with exception of mortgage of course).

3. Stuff Will Never Satisfy. See #2. I have never known him to go buy the latest and the greatest something or other. Even though we do like to purchase things that are fun and entertaining he knows that true satisfaction and happiness come from the Gospel.

4. Save Now While You're Young. He his a financial advisor who is helping us and others plan for the future. Enough said.

5. You should probably read more. This he should probably do. The last book I saw him read (besides text books for school) was The Da Vinci Code. That was on our honeymoon. However, he frequently reads THIS BLOG (hahaha), Sunday comics, stock reports (exciting), and Salt Lake Magazine.

6. Pay Attention to What You Eat. Clayton is very health conscious. We both are (or try to be). Doesn't mean we are perfect. Weekdays are better than weekends. Still a work in progress. Oh yeah and cupcakes are a weakness.

7. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others. Speaking of work in progress... Is it human nature to do this? Cause it is hard not too.

8. Get Used to Saying "No". Lots of times I ask him if I can get something and he says "If you want to." Sometimes I do it just to see if he can tell me "no". I'm thinking maybe tonight I will ask him if I can get a Yacht.

9. Maintain Close Relationships. One of the reasons that we are still here in Utah is because of family. Clayton loves both of our families and likes to be close to them. He realizes that the most important things in life aren't possessions, money, or career. One of the most important things in life is family. Life is too hard and short to do it alone. He once told me that a big draw to marrying me was my family. I feel the same about his family. Clayton also expresses regret that relationships with his high school friends have drifted. So if you are a HS friend call him!

*****************************************************************

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU TURN 30

1. Drive a wickedly cool car, even if you have to rent it. Does Subaru count? Of course it does! Just to be sure I called him at work to ask him and he said, "Our car" with a duh tone. Oh yeah he has also driven his Dad's 1966 GTO...in the Cache Valley Crusin' no less.

2. Date against type. Not sure that I can answer this one for him. In the beginning did I think he was my type. Not really. Did he think he was my type. Probably not. Was a sports fanatic who watched football every Saturday something that he looked for? No. But we had fun together and kept coming back for more. Now that we together I can see that we are totally the same type in many, many ways. Of course we have grown into the same type as well.

3. See the world. I'm changing this one to See the United States. It is no secret that we LOVE to travel. However, most of our trips are beach oriented. We go where the water is and that is usually Hawaii and California. Hawaii will always hold a special place in our hearts. Clayton has been to Hawaii (the big island), Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Together we have been to Florida (including Key West), Bahamas, California (north and south multiple times), Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho (wahoo) and that is all I can think of. We have explored Utah so much in the last year and have really come to love (even more) this great state we live in.

4. Live in a cool place. he lived in Hawaii for 5 years. Enough said.

5. If you're going to drink a lot, do it when you're young. Does Gossner boxed milk count?

6. Take risks with your job. Clayton was forced to take a career risk in 2008 when La-Z-Boy Tremonton shipped out to Mexico. So far Edward Jones has been working out nicely...not that it hasn't been extremely hard and mentally exhausting. Rewarding though? Yes.

7. Do something physically adventurous. Ummm everyday with me is adventurous! JK (kinda) How about skydiving in Hawaii, swimming with sharks, scuba diving, and kayaking with a shark.

8. Take your parents to dinner. If they would ever let us pay we would. So Harry and Shira when do you want to go out for dinner?

9. Do volunteer work. Was a missionary for 2 years. Often doesn small acts of service like shovels our neighbors driveway and their sidewalks. He is often helping others with noticed and un-noticed acts of service. One thing that impresses me was when he was called to be ward maintenance/facility representative (AKA Ward Janitor). Man how I didn't like that calling of his. I complained numerous times, but did he complain once? No.

10. Use this decade to go to extremes. This decade we want to hike the Napali Coast, scuba in the Great Barrier Reef, hike the trail to Mordor (I detest Lord of the Rings, but love to hike), ride an elephant, snorkel on the coast of Niihau, walk on the Great Wall of China, finish a triathlon, see the running of the bulls in Spain, see the sun rise on Haleakala, stay up until midnight at least 4 times, and more will be added to the list in the days, months, years to come.

Here is to a great 30 years and many more to come!

THE BIG 3-0

30

Thirty

Treinta

Trente

Trenta

Dreibig

Deg ar Hugain O

Tigapuluh

Thanks to Google Translations I (and you) now know that all those words above mean 30.

So yup a few weeks ago Clayton turned the big Tigapuluh.

Congrats to the C-man.

He was not excited. At all.

Not that I blame him because I will soon be Deg ar hugain o in a few days.

Crap!

So here we are at his birthday dinner at his family's house.

muy buena (I'm getting into this foreign language thing).

Roast chicken, veggies, mashed potatoes, rolls, AND Clayton's Special Cake.

Excellent.

The party continues with a "Minute to Win it" game.

Try to move a cookie down your face and into your mouth only moving your facial muscles.

I. Dare. You.

Jessica HadleeClayton Brady, Aubri and Hadlee Oh and I did it on my VERY FIRST TRY!

But was anyone there to document it?

No, of course not.

******************************************************************

Later in the week was the actual birthday.
He said all he wanted to do was relax.

Well...that is exactly what we did.

So why to I feel so bad?

I made him a oven roasted, cranberry turkey sandwich and we watched "Knight & Day"
Brandon came over later and I think that made him happy.

He got more shoes.

We now have shoe storage (similar to food storage).

Oh and a white dress shirt, protein shake mixes and a coupon for ...

more SHOES!

the dress kind...the first pair was casual shoes

Oh the anticipation is just killing him

Can you feel it?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAYTON

ps. I don't think Trente will really be that bad.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2011 WE...

Spent the ENTIRE day like this.

From 9am -12 midnight we sat here.

Reading, watching tv, computing (is that a word?)

Getting up only for bathroom breaks and food.

I'm not sure if I even brushed my teeth that day.

I KNOW I didn't comb my hair or wash my face.

That application of deodorant is also a question.

TMI? Sorry.

Clayton said that we should spend every New Year's Day like this.

So we never want to do it again for the rest of the year.

2011 can only go up from here.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2010

NeW yEaR's EvE 2010

We had the family come over to our house for New Year's Eve this year. This accomplished a few things...

1. freezing everyone out making them to never want to come back (notice how in the pictures people are wearing COATS inside our house)

2. actually kept Clayton and I up until midnight without having to set the alarm clock.

3. kept mom and pops up until midnight by not changing the batteries in our wall clock causing them to think the time was 10:30 all night long

4. allowed me to make and decorate sugar and gingerbread cookies because it was one of those things I wanted to do during the "season" and never got around to it

5. helped us get rid of our Christmas treats that we were getting fat from eating (somehow we ended the night with more treats than we left out...hmmmmm)

6. we got to see the girls Brandon has been hanging out with by enticing them with free food, mucho laughs (ok so we think we are funny they probably didn't) and just freaking awesome company...they stayed for the food and left. geez.

7. realized that Iron Man cartoon movies can provide hours upon hours of entertainment for little kids.

8. bought sparklers for the FOURTH OF JULY. If it is 12 below no one will want to go outside to light them on New Year's.

DECORATING COOKIES

Tydon (when he wasn't watching Iron Man)

Pretty proud of my homosexual cookie. Why is it gay you ask? Easy! Only homosexual's wear sparkle pants!Kami and Erik win for the most cookies decorated. Clayton wins for most violent cookie. That red tipped cookie pointed at the cookie man's heart is an arrow Mom worked very hard on her house!

ps. notice the coat. Funny how a 31 year old's cookie is decorated the same as a 3 year olds!

again notice the coat! The cookie decorating group (minus pops) Ahhh...here he is working hard on his...
cookie man with ... long toenails! Sick! Besides the game of Things we played another game where you had to pick out the person who was telling the truth. 5

4

3

2

1

HAPPY NEW YEAR!