Make a Smilebox slideshow

So this past Sunday I got to have Rachel over while her parents and brothers all took off to tour Washington D.C. I love my time with her... now that I work I don't get to spend the time with her that I have spent in the past with the older kids. So I had no idea that Rachel likes complete and total undivided attention, I have always had the other kids that buffer that desire of hers... Its like being with a mini me! So after a great discussion of where in my small apartment she would sleep it was decided that she would not sleep on the floor but would cuddle with me! OH NELLY, my pillow became hers and the queen bed of mine became a twin as she layed right at my side... I was constantly being smacked in the face and the noise of her hitting my head board was a constant. So I learned that Rachel time is fun but so is my single time! I really need nights like that to remember that its fun to be JUST NICOMI! oh and her favorite saying is Lets GO and she isn't the shopper that doesn't mind walking each isle repeatedly without realizing it and pointing it out while waiting for my prescription to be filled for a stinkin' hour and half! But I did get to paint her toes and when I put on my mascara she wanted to wear some too, so being the great auntie that I am she sure did get to wear it. So watch out world my niece will be a complete knock out, she already can give a mean sultry look!

my latest project!

This has been my 2 week project... the walshes were moving some stuff to texas and asked me to make a slip cover for this couch. I have to say this being the second time to make a slipcover I am pretty impressed... I did have to rip out the whole thing a couple of times and there are still some flaws but I got it done and LOVED the outcome. I was literally stapling the bottom when the movers came but over all I love it!

I love my grumpy!

This weekend was my Grandpa's 90th birthday and we had a party! When my mom suggested this we all envisioned a family party... kinda boring because we do this every week, but what started out as a small party turned into a large party. We had a couple cousins come in from alaska and a cousin come in from florida my great aunt and uncle came in from Toole Ut. Lots of people that my grandparents go swimming with came and church members that they have been in the same ward forever with came to celebrate! I was amazed to see the group that came, it made me realize that I am not the only person that loves this man! My mom made us all get up and say who we are and a story. It made me smile that so many people had so many stories and experiences with him!

some of the stories/moments that stuck out:
~he taught me the value of hard work.
~he took me out fishing and made my cousin sick out on the rough water and then refused to come back in after she had been puking all morning... something she has never forgiven him for!
~my other cousin told us about the time she was visiting and her dog was hit by a car and had to be put down, she was so sad and went out and sat by the tree in the back yard and my grandpa came out and just held her and let her cry on her shoulder. That has always been in her heart everytime she has mourned she remember his comfort and words.
~my brother knew that when he came to Nevada that he would spend the next week under a car hood working.
~my sister in law said that she is amazed that my grandpa can build any tool that he needs or come up with something that can fix something
~we remembered that my grandpa lit his dads Gas Station on fire by a Torch by accident when he was little!
~Remembering the story of his dad getting irritated that he was always in the way while he was trying to repair cars that he hung him up on a nail in the wall by his suspender straps!
~My personal one was the best day of my life. he woke me up, told me to get ready and took me to Sea World. We threw away my grandmas sandwiches!!! As the day progressed it started to rain. We were sitting at shamu and it was just starting to really come down. My grandpa nudges me and says look. I looked down at this little old lady running to get out of the rain right when shamu was coming around the corner! it was awesome to see the wave come over the rim and really soak her. We sat there and giggled! the sparkle really came into his eyes with this one! He came with me on the ride that was there. It didn't have a line so we ran like little kindergartners to get back to the front of the ride. We went like 4 times because we had so much fun!
~another moment that made me laugh was when Kim and I were visiting from our apartment down the alley. For some reason we were talking about deodorant and the kinds we used. My grandpa says "I use the rock" and stuck his armpit in Kims face so she could smell him. It was awesome because it seemed so outa character for him but the best part was watching Kims shocked face as she didn't know what to do!

The cousins met up with us and we went to Natti's for yet more food. It is amazing to be able to get together and laugh as a family! I am thankful to be a part of this amazing group of people~

Thank Goodness TODAY IS DONE!

Yeah to the right to stand up and to vote the way we each choose! I am thankful to live in a country that can choose who we want to lead... I am also thankful to have the opportunity to vote in this exact election! I got up and hurried down to O.B. to vote afraid that I would be stuck in long lines, walked right in and voted the way I felt was right. I also want to remember this election for years to come... Not necessarily the canidates but the issues and how it feels to be an American right now. I am scared, feel unsure, feel like my free agency and the way I want to live is under direct attack, wonder, amazement that in all likelyhood the first African American is going to hold office as the leader of the free world... That is freakin' cool. It proves that really anything can be done. But that same line is absolutely terrifying... Rights are easily taken and that is the feeling that scares me. I am curious to see what the future will hold for all of us... I do know that I can make a difference and that I also need to make sure to get out there and help to make the world around me better. Who knows just what will be achieved in the next day, the next year, the next 4 years... But here is to Ride of a lifetime!

It's Great to be Auntie Comi!!!

The weekend was spent with my nephews!!! Jake wanted to cuddle in my bed which would have pushed us over the edge... Literally! I sure did pull out my oh so comfy air mattress and the best sleeping bag ever and showed him how truly comfortable it is... Then put on Transformers and turned off the lights! it was around 11:30 when we started the movie... I was fading really fast and everyone knows that movies are the best in the dark that late at night!!! I turned to look at Porter and saw that his eyes were closed, he was OUT!!! Jake however could outlast anyone with all his limitless energy every once in a while would say COMI... which would startle me awake and I would say Of course I am still awake! The final time I said you know I think its time for bed!!! We got up in the morning, after a night filled with Porter plastered to my side. (who does he think he is sleeping in the middle... he's not Nicomi!) I told him he was an oven and that I was sizzling, he jumped on top of me and I would say SIZZLE, SIZZLE... which would make him laugh! Jake showed me his skills on the Wii playing Star Wars ALL DAY! We did go for breakfast and then played some more Wii... Finaly Porter claimed boredom and got into his board shorts for a swim in the inviting pool in the back yard!!! Jake went right in... i asked him how cold it was and his response was "its pretty cold!" everytime he would take a step in. Once we were sufficiently frozen the war of splashing started with us using kickboards as shields and then the 3 of us tried to float on one floating bed... Porter the smallest almost drowning Jake and I made me laugh! We came back and enjoyed some popcorn until I was called into work. You know I wouldn't trade anytime that I have with them for anything in the world! Its great to be ME!!!