Why I haven't posted about Forks yet.

First off I have so many wonderful memories and stories to tell about my magical trip to the exotic town of Forks, Washing and subsequent visits to Port Angeles, Aberneen and Seattle, that I just can't seem to focus to put it down in to writing. Here's a Post from the Forks Forum concerning our visit:

Twilighters take Forks tour

Contributed photo

Salt Lake Twilighters Anonymous, or SLTA, toured “Twilight” locations in Forks and the West End last week. The group of 25 visitors came to town from Utah along with 35 other Twilight fans who arrived from all over the nation. Many of the ladies only knew each other through connecting on the www.twilightlexicon.com Web site, which is considered the best fan “Twilight” Web site in the world. Once in Forks they were able to meet face-to-face. Some of the ladies design and produce Twilight-themed clothing and jewelry that has Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s approval. The group said they loved visiting Forks and the West End and are planning a return visit.

Secondly this week has been a complete rush of activities. The day after I returned home from Forks I had to fly up to Boise, Idaho on a business trip which really wiped me out. Then I had TONS of work waiting for me at Jacobsen. Going on vacation is never easy especially when it's around the end of the month.

And finally, Breaking Dawn was released to the public for sale at 12:01 am on Saturday August 2, 2008. Concurrent to it's release was an appearance I made being interviewed at the Kings English bookstore the day before the release. If you missed the early morning show on Channel 2. I'm sorry. But just know that I won the prize for being the fastest trivia answerer in the West (Apologies to my SLTA ladies who joined me that morning. I hope I didn't poke your eye out in my excitement to be the first one to answer the questions).

So if you need a little reading material you can always click this Salt Lake Tribune News article and you might be surprised who's quoted there.

Parker from 101.9 The End is a fan of mine

Parker from 101.9 The End KENZ is asking Stephenie Meyer fans to send him an email telling him why they are the best fan and should be chosen to be his guest interviewer on July 29Th when Stephenie Meyer will be on his show.

Here's his response to mine.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Parker
To: Danylle Utley
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:06:59 PM
Subject: Re: Stephenie Meyer - you don't need to look any further I am your guest Interviewer



damn you really are psychotic about this


Edited 8/05/08 -- sad to say but the Interview with Stephenie Meyer never happened, So I never got chosen. Oh well I had a great time in Forks, appearing with KingsEnglish on Channel 2, and reading Breaking Dawn. Expect to see a blog about Forks soon. I just have to get back from LA (I'm going to see Stephenie Meyer and Blue October.)

I'm grateful for laundry

After having spent countless hours washing, drying, and folding practically every piece of clothing and linen in my house, I can truly say I am grateful for Laundry.

I'm grateful to wash Bath Towels... because that means I'm clean, my daughter is clean and my husband is clean, and it also means we have just enjoyed indoor plumbing and hot soft water.

I'm grateful to wash Dish Towels, Rags, and Table Cloths... because that means we've had wonderful food to eat and a beautiful kitchen to prepare the food with modern appliances like stoves, ranges, and microwaves.

I'm grateful to wash clothes... because that means I don't have to be naked. Work clothes indicate financial stability. Play clothes means we've just shared some wonderful memories with family and friends.

I'm grateful to wash bedsheets and pillowcases...because that means I've had a soft place to lay my head and sleep, in a safe and comfortable bed.
Since this is beginning to read like one of those forward emails you get to bring you good luck if you pass it on, this Epiphany of laundry came after a wonderful day and a half camping and boating with some dear friends of mine.

The Utley, Young, and Hardey families caravaned down to Yuba Lake to enjoy an evening under the stars roasting marshmallows, avoiding snakes and eagerly awaiting the next morning to play on the lake's beach and tubing behind the boat.

This marks the third weekend in a row that Brett and I have set up our tent, and I can proudly say we are quite the experts at it. In fact because this is the third weekend to be camping we thought we had all the basic covered. I was so impressed with how quickly Brett & I packed up the boat and the Durango with all of our stuff and even had room to spare, that little did I realize I forgot some of the basics like: band aids, firewood, roasting sticks, and a life jacket for one of the kids.

Fortunately for us we survived a night in the wilderness even without some of the comforts of home. And really the kids just wanted to be in their bathing suits and playing in the lake that they couldn't be bothered to sleep in their tents anyway. I'm so grateful to the Hardey family early risers who woke with the rising of the sun to capture the beautiful sunrise above. I just wish the sun didn't have to rise quite so early. The Youngs and Hardey's may be early risers but the Utleys are not. They must have been so bored waiting for us to get out of bed.

I'm glad Christie was able to capture this happy picture of Brett.

Oh to be young again and happy and content to play in the dirt and in the water without a care in the world.

The Hardeys brought this fantastic raft that we all enjoyed playing on. Sammy and Nate had a great time cooking in the easy bake oven and Sammy has the sun burned arms to prove it. I promise I did apply factor 50 sunscreen multiple times that day.

and here's a picture of Reagan anxious for her turn in the boat and behind the tube. And Speaking of being towed behind the boat on the Tube, I had the great opportunity to pull and subsequently dump Jeremy, Scott, and Cami. Christie held on pretty good but told me to cut the engine before I had a chance to work my boating magic on her. All of the kids even begged and pleaded to be the next in line for their turn so that must be a good sign of everyone having a good time.

Unfortunately as all good things must come to an end or if that doesn't fit then for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Given all the wonderful memories we had there were also a few sad ones. Like when Sammy fell on the gravel and scraped her knees a few tears were shed. Or when Reagan jumped in the water a little too early in the morning that she got chilled before the sun came up. Kyle stepped on something sharp on the beach barefoot and started bleeding. Scott apparently was bit by a bug and that hurt.

any poor poor Cami see the before picture? she's happy having a good time

but in this picture she is not having such a good time why? because apparently my boat driving skills are not that great and while I was able to pull Christie up on one ski on her first try, Cami pulled her hamstring when her legs did the split underneath her as she was trying to get up on two skiis. Her pain was so unbearable she couldn't put any weight on on that leg. I'm so sad she got hurt, and wish her the best in her recovery.

There must be opposition in all things and how can we know the good if we have not experienced the bad? If and when we get to enjoy another boating trip with our friends I hope we have a little less fun so we can experience a little less pain.

(Pictures courtesy of Christie Hardey)

Family Home Evening

I haven't posted much current stuff lately because...A)it feels like we've been on the go 24/7 and only have time to check emails and the Twilight Lexicon News Page.... and B) our camera has bit the dust and no longer provides pictures of a high quality to illustrate life as it gets captured in the moment.

For instance today's Family Home Evening Adventures began when I returned home from work to find four dozen miniature cupcakes ready to be frosted. (Thanks to Grandma for the patience in cooking a full cake box into Samantha's miniature cupcake pan) See how lovely the final product turned out? Samantha and I had a great time frosting, sprinkling, and licking our fingers.


Brett was surprised with a special birthday treat from my Aunt Leesa and Aunt Lynette. (Pepsi and Hot Wings with Blue Cheese dressing) Now that I didn't have to prepare dinner I started a fairly complicated project of making my own homemade strawberry jam. Reams had a great deal on a case of Strawberries I couldn't resist. See the results? 13 beautiful jars of homemade jam. um mm delicious.



While I was in the kitchen Brett was out in the garden weeding. If only we could get the vegetables to grow as successfully as all that red root. Anyway here is a picture of Brett watering the garden after the weeding.


In the meantime Samantha entertained herself either swinging on the swing set or pretending to be a puppy. Here's a picture of her rolling on her back the way Abby and Jager do.

And this picture is of Samantha playing Catch with a Frisbee I threw to her.


So if you wonder why we haven't posted more daily events it's because of the above results. Don't expect pictures of our Uintahs 4Th of July Camping trip where Brett fished to his hearts content. We watched a beaver swim in the river. We hunted for our very first Geo Cache Treasure, and hiked the Trial Lake Falls trail with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Rusty, Aunt Jenn, Brady, Aunt Karalyn, and Skyler.

Oh yes and my nephew Chase was blessed on Sunday. Alas no pictures to report. Good times with Family this past week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT

Usually Brett celebrates his Birthday camping with his family up in the Uintas. Unfortunately this year Brett had to be a responsible adult and save his vacation hours at work so he doesn't get to be in the Mountains until tomorrow. So I'm posting a few previous birthday memories to help ease the sadness of not being there right now.


Brett loves to be in the outdoors. Fishing is by far his favorite pastime not just in the summer for his birthday but year round. He'll hardly ever pass up an opportunity to catch those stripers down in Lake Powell's warm waters, or drilling ice holes for winter fishing when Strawberry Reservoir is frozen. Brett also loves golfing, bow hunting, and anything involving live plants and dirt. He is a wonderful gardener and should have gone into agricultural science and forestry instead of communications because of his green thumb.

Brett is a wonderful husband and father. His little girl is of the utmost importance in life. He loves it when Samantha says or does the craziest things always commenting: "that's my special girl" with a little tear in his eye.

Brett is a big tease, and he's always looking for ways to get you to laugh. He's also the peacemaker in the family and hates confrontation. He may talk big but he really does have a soft heart and can't stand it when others are sad or unhappy. All in all I'd say I'd picked a pretty amazing guy to spend my life with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT

I've Been Tagged

I've been Tagged by Cami

How to play this game of tag. Post these rules on your blog. List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Joys
1. My husband and daughter
2. Girl time with my friends
3. Making others laugh

Fears
1. I fear Sammy will grow up as on only child, everyone deserves a sibling to fight with.
2. I fear being a bad parent, one who's too lazy to teach my child correct gospel principles
3. I will never be released from my Stake Calling as Sports Director

Goals
1. We just remodeled our Kitchen and Living Room so I'm going to hold off on goals for other household improvements for a while and just enjoy what I have.
2. I've set a goal to finish reading the Book Of Mormon before August 2, 2008
3. It's my goal to never be the reason Samantha is Tardy for Kindergarten. I'm going to have to wake up much earlier in the mornings now, and I'm practicing this summer.


Obsessions
1. Anything related to Stephenie Meyer, look at my curio cabinet and you'll see what I mean.
2. Washing Hands
3. I'm obsessive about the way Ketchup and Mustard should be applied to my Hot Dog Bun.

Random Facts
1. I have an outie belly button
2. I overcame shyness and the fear of embarrassing myself in public
3. I love slippers

I've tagged Jenny, Nycole, and Annette.

Which Disney Princess are you?
This is who I am: Would you have guessed it? I sure didn't.

Edited 6/17/08 Brett just finished the Quiz: