Christmas Fun with the little ones

This year has been a busy one. We finished off the semester and are busy working on our Grad School Portfolios.

This is our little 14" tree. I made it when I was 10 years old and it would sit on my window seat in my growing up bedroom. When Dugan and I don't feel like we have the time or money to do a big tree. My mother brings me my little tree. Every year Dugan and I get an ornament. Mine is the Barbie shoe and his is the "Where the Wild Things Are" Book. With the gifts for our nieces and nephews.

Here is our burning fireplace with our Christmas tree.
Dugan chasing Lucas and Colbert.
Colbert is very cute in his little Santa PJ's.

It also looks like he is having fun with his gift from Dugan and I.
Here is my best pal Emma helping make homemade Cinnamon Rolls.
I took these next few pic from my sisters blog because I don't have the pic we took on Sunday while celebrating Christmas at my parents home.

Liam on his Bike with a snowy driveway
Liam helping build a snowman
I have recently learned the love Liam has for water. I think he was sad when mommy said that they couldn't fell up the pool because it is snowing.
This pic was from when my sis and her family went to get there Christmas tree. but I just love Liam in this pic. He is so cute.
We haven't seen this two little ones for a few weeks but Katie and Jimmy are also very important to us.

We are so Lucky to have such Sweet little ones in our life that we can share Christmas with. We are also go blessed to have our wonderful Friends and Family that share there little ones with us.

SCHOOL IS OUT.... Love, Joy and Comfort is IN

Dugan and I took our last final on Wednesday. We have been up to school on Thursday and Friday documenting things and cleaning up but no stress there. We have had the most wonderful past few days. Yesterday I made breakfast, lunch and dinner and they were all eaten in the comfort of our OWN home. We cuddled on the couch with the fireplace burning and watched a movie. We went to bed just after ten. This morning we stayed in bed watching Julie and Julia till Noon. Then we went to Breakfast at this fun little local diner. Then went by the school to take a few more pictures of our models. D went to work for a few hours and I went Christmas shopping. Then we came home and had dinner and I wrapped a few presents. We are now seating together on the couch with the fireplace burning and about to have some hot chocolate. This really is the life. We still have lots to to do on our Grad school portfolio's, but we will work on them starting next week. We are totally in Love and are enjoying our wonderful break.

thanksgiving Part II

This post will be a quick one. On Friday I had to be to work by 9:30 am that would normally not be a big deal but considering I went to sleep after 3:30 am. I got to work and we were still busy. But I really enjoyed it. I worked till 4. I made dinner and then Dugan and I decided to go see the movie New Moon. I wasn't really planning on seeing it till it came out on video but Dugan and I were looking for something fun to do. Then we came home and went to bed so I wouldn't be tired for my 6:00 am shift the following morning. Well 6:00 am came Pretty Early. I was still in the I love work mood but I wasn't feeling good. I had been fighting a baby cold the past few days but Saturday morning it was bad. I only worked for about 5 hours and then came home and Slept. After my nice long nap I worked on homework for a few hours. I had a friends B-day party so D and I went to celebrate with her. On Sunday we went to hang out with our friends the Clarks who we hadn't seen since Halloween. We had another B-day to Celebrate with another friend so we went to do that and then came back to the Clarks so we could play a few games. Oh Man form 9:00 pm on I just kept wishing the weekend didn't have to be over but it was coming to an end.

Thanksgiving Weedend Part One

We have had a wonderful holiday. It started by spending all Wednesday evening in the Kitchen baking pies and rolls. I ended up with 1 French Silk Pie, 2 Pumpkin Pies and rolls. Dugan and I stayed up late hanging out. We slept in and then headed to my sister Ashten's house. When we got there Dugan found a nice little spot on the couch to kick back and watch football while my dad and I took my nephew Liam to the park across the street. We also decided to bring my sister's dog Shady to get her out of the house to let my sis, Chris (my bil), and my mom finishing getting dinner ready. We had a wonderful time at the Park. We got back a little before dinner was ready. We sat down as a family and had a wonderful meal. We spent a little more time together. Dugan and I had to leave because I had to work at 8:30pm. I know Crazy the mall I work at was opening at 9:00pm on Thanksgiving night. I worked till about 1:30am. After work I came home and woke up Dugan. We kind of have a tradition. We aren't big on the deals but there is something fun about being part of the madness. Dugan decided that it would be worth going to Old Navy because when you spend $20.00 you would get a free copy of Lago Rock Band which is a $60.00 game. We layered up in clothing and headed to Old Navy. We got there a little before 2am the store wouldn't open till 3am. We talked to the people around us. Most of them had come from ToysRus. At about 2:30am they handed out wristbands to for copies of free Lago Rock Band to the first 45 people. Once the doors opened at 3am we were in and out in less then 10 minutes. We went home and went to sleep.
To be Continued

My Little Mr. Mr. turns two

This is my little Mr. Mr. I am not sure where this came from or why I call him that but every time I tickle him I say My little Mr. Mr. Anyway aka Liam my adorable nephew at his Birthday Party.

He LOVES Cars

My beautiful little sis helping Liam blow out his candles.

Liam eating his left overs from his trip to Mc Donald's for Lunch and Auntie Char

Looks like Liam found my Fav pair of heels. I guess he is a fan of Jessica Simpson shoes too.

I think Red is defiantly his color

Here is my Papa Joggling. He use to do it with his black rolled socks when I was little. Who new dad would bring the entertainment.
We had a wonderful time celebrating the joy of Liam in our Lives. He is growing so fast and such a blessing in my life. I Love you my little Mr. Mr.

Will be Missed

This dear man is a Family Friend of Dugan's Family.

Obituaries

Damon Monson Faust

(March 16, 1963 - November 6, 2009)

"Everything is as it should be” is what our dearest husband, father,grandfather, son, brother, and friend would always say. Dr. Damon Monson Faust, 46, was killed in a tragic car accident on September 20,2009, while traveling with his wife near Reno, NV. Born March 16, 1963 in Salt Lake City UT. Damon married his beloved wife Barbara Coultas in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 1990 and later settled in Mapleton, UT to raise 10 children.

Damon was preceeded in death by father Delano (Carole Ann) Faust and sister Karie Leigh. He is survived by his mother Lani (Keith) Brown; beloved wife Barbara Coultas;10 treasured children: Anairon (Alissa), Alia (Doug) Rose, Augustus, Aspen, Amy, Aleta, Autumn, Ammon, Ailsa, and Aaralynn; six grandchildren: Celeste, Heather,Ava, Aiden, Finn, and Asher; brother Brett (Barbie) Faust; sisters Aleta Hallman and Cyd (Gene) Horne.

As a child, Damon was well loved and adventurous. He enjoyed cooking for his family, loved music and was a true friend to those closest to him. He was never one to miss an opportunity to gain wisdom and life experience.

After graduating early from Provo High School Damon joined the Armed Forces at age 17 and served his country in the Navy from 1980 to 1984.

While aboard the USS Saratoga he specialized in Fighter Jet Mechanics. Upon discharge from the Navy Damon attended Utah Valley State College and Brigham Young University. He later completed post-graduate work at Texas Chiropractic College where he fulfilled his life-long ambition of becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Damon loved the outdoors and was an award winning Dutch oven chef. He enjoyed life to its fullest and chose to be a father first. His hobbies always included his beloved children: fishing, hunting, four-wheeling and scouting with his sons, making homemade root beer for every Christmas,inventing silly songs for the little girls to dance to (Sister Power!,Side Saddle Rider, and For He is Full of Good Jell-O) and taking each daughter out on a “daddy daughter date” to have one on one time with him.

Damon was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many capacities including Young Men's Leader, Elder's Quorum President, Home Teacher, and Ward Mission Leader. When standing for true and righteous principals he was immovable and was ever watchful over and kind to the women and children in his life. He was a missionary to the core – always visiting with people and sharing his testimony with strangers and friends alike.

A “bucket list” was recently discovered which included some of the following: to serve a full time mission with Barbara, hike to the top of Mount Timpanogos, see all his children married in the temple and all his sons serve missions, rank in the World’s Dutch Oven Cook-off and run 10 marathons 4 of which he already completed. Damon and his daughter Amy won 1st place in the Carbon County Cook-off which qualified Damon for the World’s Cook-off to be held in March 2010.

We know every step of his short life was spent doing the things he loved. One of Damon’s most remarkable gifts was his ability to find the good in any situation. He lived his life drawing on a deep well of contagious optimism, and was known for his positive attitude and constant smile. His memory will be cherished until we meet again. "Everything is as it should be."

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday November 11th, 2009 - 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Wheeler Mortuary in Springville. Funeral Services will be held Thursday November 12th, 2009 - 11:00 am at the Mapleton Stake Center 970 N 400 E. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville.

Financial contributions are gratefully accepted in Damon’s name at: Zions Bank, Provo University Office, 1060 North University Avenue Provo, UT 84604 - (801) 370-4434.

Sharona in Stilettos

Sharona in Stilettos

My Alter Ego

Thanks to all my BFF and Family out there who sent me there e-mail address to add to my special bog list. My Personal Blog is http://sharonainstilettos.blogspot.com it is set to private so I must enter your email address in order for you to view it. Let me know if you have any problems seeing it.

I have many pairs of shoes but these three pairs of Stilettos are my current Fav I could wear them everyday. (I know I have a biases but I love Jessica Simpsons' shoes) What can I say I am addicted to beautiful and comfy shoes.

Ladybug was here

Dugan and I had a wonderful weekend in Park City for Halloween. We stayed in this REALLY nice place with two of our friends and had a wonderful Halloween night. We had fun dressing up and stayed up till 3 am so the morning came pretty early even with daylight savings but it was fun.

These two pictures were from our walk out Balcony.

To see how AMAZING the place was visit http://www.wgparkcity.com/photos.htm our room looked just like the pictures. The kitchen had dishes, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer to wash cloths, a HUGE Tub in the Main bedroom, a steam shower, Fireplace, ect....... Well you get the point. It was just what we needed. A fun little get away with friends. Thanks Jim and Carrie.

POST # 100

I was hoping post # 100 would be super cool and amazing. Which in some ways it is because I feel wonderful and Amazing.

If you Truly know me

I will still be posting on the Friendly Frehner's but I have started a Personal blog that will be for invited readers only. If you truly know me and would like to be invited to my personal blog you can post a comment with your e-mail address or e-mail it to me at my personal e-mail ctaysom@hotmail.com.

Luvs, Char

Life in the Fast Lane

It has been a little while since I posted but I am going to be better. Here are a few fun things I have been up to this past month.

Over Fall break we moved. I will spear you all the details but lets just say I have learned a few things. We started moving on a Saturday and finished on a Thursday. Starting Monday Dugan was working from 8-5 while I was home loading two boxes. Taking them down the stairs. Putting them on the dolly to walk them 200 feet to then take them separately up 3 flights of stairs. I repeated this a few hundred times by myself Mon-Wed. Don't get me wrong my wonderful hubby would get home from work and then he would help me till 10 pm or so. He was defiantly helping there was just a lot to do. We had some sweet neighbors to help us get the big stuff on wed night and I turned in the keys Thursday morning.

It would take me to long to list all the thing I learned but here are a few.

Lesson 1. I am a PEOPLE PERSON. I know surprise, surprise ; ) (after the first 3 hours on Monday I was already lonely. Thanks to my mom for keeping me from going crazy by talking to me on the phone.)

Lesson 2. Working out to P90X all summer made it so I wasn't sore at all (even with all the stairs)

Lesson 3. My HUBBY totally loves me. On Wednesday by the time he got home I was SSSOOOO SICK OF MOVING. I wanted to cry. Well guess what I was finishing cleaning the old apartment and he told me to take a few things over to the new apartment. When I got there I put the stuff I had taken over away and right before I headed back to the old apartment I saw these Beautiful flowers on the table. I started to cry. He said I did an Awesome job moving and what an Amazing women I am. SSSSOoooo Sweet.

This is the picture of my most recent completed studio project. It was a flying object that was inspired by my research on ladybugs. Which was also the inspiration for this years halloween costume. That's right this year I will be a cute little ladybug.
Dugan let me get this hat a few months ago. I LOVE IT!!!! (to say the least) It has been so cold the past week. I have been wearing 4 or 5 layers on the top and 3 on the bottom. I hate the cold but I love chances to wear my hat so as for now bring on the hat weather.

Well as for the past week. I am Happy it is over.

Luvs Char

Happy Birthday Rachel!

I just wanted to take a minute and mention why I am grateful for today. Today is one of my Best Friends Birthday. Her name is Rachel Kolb Valgardson! Some of you may know her and some of you may not. She has been a special person in my life. We are both very busy and don't live close enough to get together very often but she is such an example to me. Rachel has been blessed with many trials in her life. None of which she has ever brought upon herself. Some of these trials I personally would NEVER be able to endure what she has. She is strong, positive, talented, spiritual and loving. She is so easy to talk to and I feel I could tell her anything. I am so grateful that she is a part of my life. She has taught me so much and I love her! I hope and pray the best for her. Happy Birthday dear friend of mine.

This is a Picture that I took from her facebook because I LOVE IT!

Rachel and I on my wedding day!

(Pathetic that this is my most resent picture I have with her)

God Has Away

Wow!!!

Today at school there was a Lecture given about applying for grad schools. I know this would stress me out so I took a quick minute and read my Patriotical blessing before I left the house. Well like I had anticipated all the talk about Applying for Grad School is making me a complete wreck. After the lecture I went to the bathroom had a little melt down and prayed, not for anything specific. It was more like a little cry for help and comfort. I was so stressed all I wanted to do was go home and go to sleep. But like there always is in Architecture I had home work to do. I had to go and record my part of a movie a group of classmates and I are working on. Still feeling like things I love and are passionate about are a struggle and stressing me out right now. I pick up my video camera and head outside. The video was to show the detour someone would have to take in order to get into the Architecture building (we don't have an elevator or ramps you have to go all the way over to the Art building to take the elevator up). As I walked the slow tedious path the wheelchair would have had to take I glanced down at the time on the camera 12 minutes. I had emotion come over me. My Heavenly Father blessed me with humility. I may get a bad grade on a test or struggle with people from church but I don't have to take 12 minutes to get to my desk from the front of the architecture building. Have to wonderful lags that can walk upstairs. How Lucky am I?

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

I woke up this morning and it only took me a few moments to remember what was special about today. I have held a special place in my heart for this day. Every time the topic of September 11th comes up it instantly takes me to the place in my mind where I have a vivid picturesque image. This image will be in my mind Forever. I can tell you where I was and how I felt as if it happened yesterday. I haven't watched T.V. on September 11 since it happened. I know what I will see and I don't need to. I haven't seen any of the movies and I don't want any pictures. While Dugan and I were in NYC in July. As we were walking toward Ground Zero I saw this on the wall. The image that has been carved into my mind was there carved into a wall. This is where the almost 8 years of hurt, anger and sadness all came out. There was no way to stop the tears that flowed as I stood there on the sidewalk in Manhattan. It was the 3rd of July. I had just been to the Statue of Liberty a few hours earlier and the Celebration of our Nation would be the next day. This morning those feelings came back this morning as I let a few tears fall down my face as I thought about how grateful I am and I am so Proud to be an American!!! My Prayers are with every person that lost something that horrific day. God Bless America!

Squeezing in the Summer Fun

August is here

This is a picture of "midget" my little sister Ashten who I love sssooo much, and I at my brothers reception. I think it has been awhile since we have worn matching dresses but it was fun. I couldn't find jewelry to match the dresses so I went ahead and made it myself.  Go Me!

This is my tiny sil to be Melody and my brother William at there reception.
Dugan and I had a wonderful time at the Frehner family union. It was a fun day in the Sun.

In case you couldn't tell we are Swiss we come in two colors White and Red. I still have a tan from getting burned and I even had Sunblock on.
Dugan and I at the Utah Shasperan Festival. Every year the Taysom family meets and goes to plays together. I think you could say 16 years in a row is a Tradition. Dugan is a good sport and comes along.

I wish weekends were always like this

On Friday night Dugan and I went with our friends Jim and Carrie to dinner at "Tuscany"

If you would like to see how wonderful it is her is the website. http://www.tuscanyslc.com/

Dugan and I had The Chef’s Special Bruschetta in two ways totally Amazing. Then I got the Wood-Oven Roasted Filet of Salmon with Pancetta Pesto Crust and toasted Vegetable Couscous (best Couscous I have ever had) and Dugan got one of the specials that had Steak, Scallops and Mashed Potatoes. I forget what truly wonderful food taste like. Food can be so heavenly. Gourmet will never be inexpensive but It is worth every Penny.

After dinner we decided to go and see the dueling pianos. We were there for hours and it was so much fun. 

Dugan and I around Midnight

We are so Cute!

Purple and Pink is Pretty Girly!

The next morning came really early. I went to a Pilates class that Carrie was teaching (she did an Amazing job). After a wonderful class and a tight stomach. I headed to the Farmers Market alone. My fav. market pal (my little sis) was camping. So I picked up all my fav. things and headed home. D was gone when I got home he had two moves to help with, just part of being the Elders Quorum President but I got a few good hours of studying in silence.

Later my brother and his fiance just got in from Hong Kong and my parents my brother and Melody all came over. We had a wonderful time talking. This is a picture of my brother contemplating. If baby carrots are grown baby or if they are big carrots cut up. The confusing part is the core in the center of so many of them. So he was biting lots of them in half and examining. 

I have been cooking like a Chef the past week or so. Trying to get in the last few weeks of home cooked goodness before we are back in school and time to cook is little.

I made this yummy Shrimp and Scallops pasta dish. I haven't named it yet but I had fresh basil, tomatoes and linguine noodles from the farmers market that I am sure add to the wonderful flavors. I thought that the picture turned out pretty good.
After dinner I had the wonderful opportunity to get together with my sis and 2 of my cousins. 

We had fun chatting about life. I hope it doesn't take me another 5 years to see them.
Lucky me to have such a Fun weekend. Can't wait for the next one. Summer is almost over I have to Play, Play, Play so I can be ready to Work, Work, Work.

Leaving the State to Celebrate the State Holiday is a wonderful idea

It was a awesome holiday weekend shared with Family and Friends

Swimming

Carrie, Katie, Char

Rockband 

Jim, Jimmy, Dan, Carrie, Dugan

Happy cute kid

Lucas, Dugan

More Rockband

Jim, Jimmy, Sandra, Dan, Dugan, Dennis

New Friends

Emma, Jimmy

Playmates

Lucas, Katie

More swimming 1..2...3... CANNONBALL

Jim, Jimmy, Dugan

I found a new treat. Strawberry and Peanut butter M&M's.

We had fun making everyone taste them and guess what they were.

A sandwich in an M&M what will them come up with next. 

We had a wonderful time. Special thanks to our friends Jim, Carrie there kiddo's Jimmy and Katie. Dugan's brother Dan his wife Sandra and there kiddo's Emma and Lucas. Dugan's dad Dennis and Patty. Plus the most wonderful Hubby Dugan. Fun memories and RR.

Summer, Why are you Running away?

We made it home safe and sound.

I think someone pressed the Fast forward button of my life.

This past week has been flying by.

How do I find the pause button?

Happy 4th of JULY from NYC

In NYC the most popular thing to do on the 4th of July is to go to Coney Island and watch the International Hotdog eating contest. 

I know I can't believe my eyes either. Well I don't eat hotdogs EVER but when in NY you just have to try it. I guess one little hotdog wont kill me but you better believe I wont be touching one again for a long time.

What happens when you take a pretty sweet firework so and times it by 5 ships in the Hudson. The whole sky was filled for miles. 

D and I at our last dinner in NYC! It's been a wonderful trip.

This is where the Line begins.

Today we decided to go the main landmarks in NYC.

We started by going to the Statue of Liberty.

Dugan and I on Ellis Island. Wow! Look at that sky line.

This is Dugan's Fav building the seagram building

Going to Ground was defiantly the most emotional part of the whole trip. 

One of the many views from the top of the Empire State Building.