Random October Family Pictures...

Tyler, the best and funniest kid ever!! Isn't

he adorable?

Me and the love of my life!!

My wonderful Mom and Sister!!

Me and the greatest Dad anyone could ask for!!

Amanda, Adam and Me!! Aren't we such a cute Family?
I love you guys!!

October Fun!!

Lexi, Brooklyn and Tyler at the pumpkin patch!

Tyler and Brooklyn (Cher's daughter) on the hay ride!
(Wouldn't he make a GREAT big brother?)

All of the girls in our SCARY costumes!!

Amanda, me and my Mom in our witch costumes.

Tyler as the Grim Reapor
(He is all about being scary!)

Taylor as Fred Flintstone after an
overdose of rogaine!

Me in my witch costume! (Big HAT)

Stephanie's Quirks

My friend Mary tagged me and I am supposed to list 6 of my "quirks". So here they are:

1. I can't stand things to be left out. I have to have my house in order, even if it's late and I'm super tired, I will make sure everything is put away.
2. I can't go to even the grocery store without my hair and make-up on. My family will never let up on me about this, but I say... Get over it, you know how I am already!! :)
3. I have to have lines straight. If a blanket is out where I can see it, then I have to have it folded perfectly straight. Anything like that... Lines on the couch, and the pillows have to line up and sit perfect... I know I know!
4. I count things over and over... Like the granite tiles and lines around my fireplace, I count them everyday and the numbers have to end up on an even number. I count anything in squares basically. I know it's strange!
5. I (like Mary) can't stand to have drawers or cabinets left open, IT DRIVES ME NUTS. Even if it's just a little bit, they have to be shut all the way in every room.
6. Finally I am to the last one... I have to have the doors locked in my house all the time and the blinds are always closed. I'm not sure why, so don't ask. Yes I know and accept that I probably have some OCD issues... Hey at least I can admit it and you'll always have a clean place to sit!! :)

15 Years...

Well I can hardly believe it myself, but I have been with Nu Skin now for 15 years!! WOW!! I have so many great memories. In fact Nu Skin is where I have met SO many wonderful and great friends including my best friend Cher and also the love of my life who is now my husband, Taylor. I also met the love of my sisters life, who is now her husband, Shaun. For the last four years I have worked in Human Resources and I ABSOLUTELY love it!! I feel so lucky to work with such wonderful people everyday, they make work seem like something much better than just work. I know I have the worlds best boss, Denice Jones. There are so many wonderful things about her I don't know how to pick out my favorites! She has taught me SO much and allowed me to use my full potential. She has helped me to develop skills and knowledge that not only help me in my career, but in my life. Friday (Oct. 3rd) she planned a surprise party to celebrate my 15 year anniversary. It was a lot of fun and a total surprise. My department as well as some of my greatest friends from Nu Skin all came. We had chocolate brownies and ice cream with chocolate topping and as if that wasn't enough, Cher found the Air Supply greatest hits Karaoke!! Yes that's right!! So we had a blast, singing the 80's favorite love songs. Thank you to everyone, it was a perfect party!!! Here's to 15 more!!

Me and Taylor at the party

Me and my sister singing "Makin love out of nothing at all"

Me and Cher at the party

My friend Burke singing his heart out to his Air Supply favorites

Cher, me and Jeff singing Air Supply Karoake

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."

September 23rd is my Best Friend Cher's birthday!! So I wanted to celebrate her life, because she means so much to me. There is not another woman on this planet who knows me as well as Cher, who finishes my sentences as well as Cher or who accepts and loves ALL of my flaws as well as Cher. We have been through so much together. In fact she actually deserves credit for Taylor and I finally getting together and the happiness we share everyday. She has been there for me through my darkest days and celebrated with me through my brightest days. She is a perfect example of what a "Best Friend" should be. I would not know what to do without her in my life. I feel so lucky and honored to call her my BFF. Cher is the most loving, generous and giving person. There is a certain comfort knowing no matter what happens in my life, Cher will always be there for me. If I were to write about all of our memories together, this BLOG entry would go on forever. So I will end it with a simple HAPPY BIRTHDAY and tell her... I love you girlfriend!! I celebrate your Birthday as one of the greatest days ever, because without it, I would be without you. You are an amazing person and you inspire me. Thank you for being the Best, Best Friend!!!

Wasatch 100 2008

For as long as I can remember my Dad has been involved with the Wasatch 100 Mile Endurance Run and for the last 20 years he has been the race director. So that being said... For as long as I can remember I have been involved in the Wasatch 100 too. The Wasatch 100 takes place every year the first weekend after Labor Day. Approximately 230 runners run through the mountains of the Wasatch front. It's starts Saturday morning at 5:00am and ends at 5:00pm on Sunday (36 hours). Now I would like to say I have been one of those crazy people running and finishing 100 miles, but no, not I, instead I hold a different title. I do however have different family members who have ran and finished including my Aunt Lynda, my Cousin Krista and her brother Jake, (both are Lynda's kids) and my hero, my brother Adam as well as some great friends. So you ask, what is my title? Well it's the "Finish Line Time Keeper". Each year I tell people I have the "100 miler this weekend" and they always think I mean I am running it. As if running 100 miles compares to having to stay up ALL NIGHT, in a comfortable sleeping bag and lawn chair, with a nice toasty heater. I mean that's much more difficult, right? Well that's how I make it out to be. That taking finish line times all night, without any sleep is the "real" accomplishment. Perhaps I just needed to make myself seem more important and more significant than those actually running the race. My sister has been my partner ever since she was old enough to help me and not annoy me. LOL Honestly it's been so much fun over the years and we have so many great memories. I think in the last 20 something years the only time one of us wasn't there was when we had babies... She's missed more than I have :)

Well for the last 10+ years the race committee has given an award called "The Spirit of the Wasatch". It's an award that has been given to runners and non-runners and volunteers and just anyone who has been involved in the Wasatch 100 and made some kind of positive contribution or impression to others. My favorite, or most memorable was the year it was given to a woman who doesn't have one of her legs. Her husband runs every year and just before he crosses the finish line, this 50 something year old man picks her up and carries her across. She is an inspiration to everyone and has the most positive attitude. Never letting her struggles in life show or get her down. Instead she is supporting and loving all of those involved in the race and cheering for her husband running his two legs across 100 miles of mountain terrain. What an amazing couple and inspiration they are. So this year the award ceremony starts and I am sitting by my sister, laughing because I am delirious from staying up all night taking finish line times (didn't want you to forget). Suddenly it's time for "The Spirit of the Wasatch" award. Yes finally the time I've been waiting for. Well as I'm listening to my Dad talk about the award, I start to have this feeling that something seems a bit different... I hear him say "I had nothing to do with this" and "this year it's going to 2 people" and I can hear him start to get emotional... And just before he says it, I know he means me and my sister... "Amanda Kearns and Stephanie Davis". I was in complete shock. We were actually getting the award for all of our years as the "Finish Line Time Keepers"? So we REALLY were noticed and somewhat important after all. WOW!! Everyone clapped and cheered and it was a very humbling and emotional moment. It was such an honor to share it with my sister too.

So now that I have the award for the "Finish Line Time Keeper" I guess maybe it's time to try for the "measly" award of running 100 miles...

My first time being "TAGGED"

Ok my friend Mary Tagged me, so here is everything you never needed to know about me!! :)

What is your full name- Stephanie Davis
Nickname- Steph, Punk, Sweetheart
Coke or Pepsi? PEPSI
Song that resembles your life- I Dream in Color
Milk or dark chocolate- Milk Chocolate
Big mac Or whopper- I guess Big Mac, not really a burger gal!
Beach or Mountains- Yeah Mary me too, BOTH!! I love going to the beach, but I LOVE being in the mountains too. Vacation on the beach, but live in the mountains!!
What kind of shoes are you wearing- Bare foot
TV or Book- Book!
Favorite store- Wow, that's hard... Probably The Buckle
What was the last thing you ate? Joe Vera's chips and salsa
Clean freak or total slob- Clean Freak!!
Do you wish on stars- Not usually, but I make a lot of wishes
Ever been stung by a jelly fish- No
Best cartoon ever- Alvin and the Chipmunks
What scares you- Losing those I love or that something will happen to them. BEARS!!!
Favorite doughnut? Just one??? Well Krispy Creme glazed with chocolate on top!!!
Been to LA? Yes many times
Least favorite veggie- Tomato
Dreamer or doer- Both
One word that describes you- Impatient, Yep me too Mary!!
Name of your first friend- Michelle Carter
Night light or completely dark- Dark
Believe in love at first sight? Attraction at first sight!!
Best toppings for a pizza? Cheese, peppers and pineapple
Ever owned a goldfish? No
Potato chips or french fries? I unfortunately like both, they look really good on my butt!!
Who should play you in a made for TV movie? I have no idea
Spender or Saver? Both, but I spend much better!!
Butterflies or dragonflies- Butterflies in "real-life" but the dragonflies on paper are so cute!
Which ONE would you like to do the most- Skydiving, rappelling or scuba diving? I have done all three and loved them all, but sky diving was definitely the most thrilling!!
Fearful or fearless? I think I am both, depends on the situation
Bully or bullied? Definitely bully. Not intentionally though, people just FEAR me!! LOL
Glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? Oh this just completely depends on the day!!!
Ever sent to the Principal's office? No
Social butterfly of wallflower? Social Butterfly, but I am sometimes a wallflower, I CAN be shy.
Secret keeper or blabber mouth? Secret Keeper (most of the time :))
Shift or Automatic? My jeep is an automatic, but I love to shift!!
Worry wart or worry free? Both
African safari or bicycle through Europe? African Safari
Ice cubes or crushed? Crushed
What do you like on your burgers? Cheese, ketchup and mayo
Bikini or board shorts- I wear both!
Favorite kinda cookie- Home made oatmeal chocolate chip, with a big glass of milk!!
Best Commercial- I can't think of one...
Word or phrase you say a lot? "I'm serious" or "oh please"!!
Favorite flower- Tulips are my favorite and I love daisies and most wild flowers.

First day of school

Well it's that time of year again... That time of year when staying up late and sleeping in is something of the past. Unfortunately I still went to bed late and got up early, just like every other day, but for the new 4th grader in our home, the early nights and early mornings will take some getting used to. I still can't believe Tyler is in 4th grade. Where has the time gone? I remember when he was first born and I couldn't even imagine him being able to eat a hot dog!! Now he is growing up so fast and turning into quite a "little man". So far he loves 4th grade and reconnecting with friends he lost touch with over the summer. He also loves his teacher. It's fun to see how much he is learning and how far he has come, but sad to realize how fast it's all gone by. He needs his "Mom" less and less, because he knows more and more! I tell my friends I don't have to know very much, because I have one of those kids who knows everything!! I am so lucky to have such a great little boy and for the opportunity to share the life he lives, laughs and loves...

Know when to say when...

Well, I'm sad to say that my career as a co-ed softball player has come to an end. Even though it's something I truly love, unfortunately the game is not loving me back, well not the bat anyway. Our first game was three weeks ago and when I got up to bat for the first time, I STRUCK OUT!! That is something that I haven't done since I was a child. I was humiliated beyond words, but I still felt positive that the next time would be better. Well the next time up was a bit better, I walked. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but definitely better than that long walk back to the dugout to face my team. So for the week after I analyzed over and over in my head why I struck out. I had nightmares about it even. It suddenly was consuming me... Well last week's game was undoubtedly one of the worst nights of my life... Three times I got up to bat and three times I struck out!! WHAT IS THAT? WHO DOES THAT? Suddenly I am the person on the team that everyone dreads... "Oh no, not her up again". Yep, that's me, the dreaded. So after last weeks game I vowed to be done and not return to the field again. Well after some persuasion from Taylor, my friend Burke and some other friends I had told about my "problem", I decided to give it one more shot. After work yesterday Taylor and I went to the ball park and he threw at least 50 pitches to me and I hit nearly everyone of them. Then before the game Burke pitched to me and I hit all of those... My confidence was starting to come back at this point...

The first inning went by and I didn't get up to bat, but the next inning I was first up. No pressure I thought, just a nice easy hit right behind short stop and my "slump" will be over. It's now my turn to bat... I knew all I had to do was keep my eye on the ball and swing the bat!! So I did exactly that... Well except for the swinging the bat part!!! I watched the perfect pitch go right by me and I stood there like a statue, not any part of me moving. "STRIKE" that stupid umpire yells. So I tell myself it's OK, I have one more chance (only 2 strikes in co-ed). So again I'm ready and the perfect pitch comes right past me and in disbelief I hear "STRIKE". I knew the swear words were coming and the "swear jar" I had brought was about to be in need of MUCH more that the .50 cents I had put in there before the game even began. I believe I owe it $10.00. Well the night didn't get much better, the next time up I did have a great hit, but unfortunately it was caught, and then of course my last time up was another wonderful strike-out!!

So I have decided it is now time to know when to say when... Enough of this. I am hanging my head down low and saying goodbye for now. I am too competitive to put myself and my team through anymore anguish. The mental block in my head is the winner here, unfortunately. So... So long co-ed softball. Some may say I am a quitter and to that I say... Yes I couldn't agree more!!

Bear Lake

For well over half of my life, my family has gone to Bear Lake every summer. It's something we all look forward to from the moment we get home! There's just something about it far beyond words. If you've never been, I highly recommend putting it on your life's "to do list". Of course I think it takes us all a year to prepare ourselves for living together as one BIG happy family under the same roof. :) Actually despite the few arguments and outbursts it is really so great to all be together. This year was absolutely WONDERFUL. The weather was perfect all week and the kids honestly played from sun up until sun down. My Dad made a great point... He said Bear Lake is the worlds best babysitter. Where else can kids play on a sandy, white beach, swim in water bluer than the bluest sky and boat to their hearts content? I don't think he was speaking only about the kids though. If my Dad had only one day left on this earth, he would gather his family and take us all to Bear Lake. Thank you Dad for all of the wonderful memories you have given our family at Bear Lake and for the generosity of taking us each year. Here are a few pictures of our family livin, laughin and lovin at Bear Lake...

Bear Lake Memories

Oh yeah we still got it!!

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After a week together and we are still all

smiling and hugging. The whole family in a

BIG Bear Lake Bear Hug!!

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Mom and Dad hanging out on the boat.

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The man-made pool the kids made on the beach.

Makaya, Lexi, Kaden and Tyler.

.

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Nothin' like chillin on the beach with the one ya love...

Tyler showed us all up on the wakeboard!!

Tay tearin' it up on the wakeboard...

Trends...

Sooooo... I have REALLY hesitated to post a BLOG. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe because I figured it was just the "trendy" thing to do and I didn't necessarily want to be like everyone else; afterall my Mom always said... "Stephanie you just beat to the rhythm of your own drum". I used to think that was a "bad" thing; however now I can take comfort in the fact that sometimes my "drum" is all I have to set me apart from the rest...
But then, I started reading some of my friends blogs and my sisters blog and suddenly I wanted to be like everyone else!! I wanted to share this life I'm Livin, Laughin and Lovin...