NAE & MIKE

One word

2012-02-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

What is one word that best describes me?

2012-02-04T18:15:00.002-07:00

This weekend I decided to come home and see mom and dad. Well I offered to bring one of my sisters kids with me, and the only one she offered was little Emily, 2 years old. I said sure whatever. So we packed and were off. She did great the first half of the trip talking, watching out the window, listening, reading books, eating snacks, perfect back seat rider you could ask for!
We were driving along and we saw a train, I said, "Emily look at that long train!" I saw her look at it and she thought it was cool! Then I heard liquid and I thought she spilled her water she was then drinking. I looked back (with the help of my other rider Melyssa) she said, "uh oh" I said, "oh no did she spill her water?" She said "no she threw up, and oh there she goes again." A few seconds go by and she says "oh there is more. oh no here you go." Poor Melyssa was helping Emily throw up in the ONE bag we had in the car. Luckily, we were just hitting Glenns Ferry and I took the exit and stopped as well and as fast as I could right off the exit and she had just finished throwing up and we stopped for about twenty minutes to clean up as best as we could so we could hurry home and be in more comfortable settings if she needed to be sick and/or throw up again. Luckily we were able to clean up Most of the mess. And thankfully I am a boy scout and prepared and had wipes and Germ-X in the car! ;) we drove as fast as we could to get to my mom's house to clean up ourselves, and wash our hands and clothes, and the car.
It was an eventful ride, but fun. Just remember it could of been worse!
I feel so bad for my friend Melyssa that was riding with me and had to deal with that. I hope she was able to get thoroughly cleaned up when I dropped her off.
Poor Emily has been so lonely (asking for "Lila" aka older sister Lydia to play with),and bored and sad and homesick this weekend. But she is still having fun and being spoiled :)
She can't wait to get home and see her mom :)

Taxes

2012-02-04T16:46:00.005-07:00

So tax season is upon us, and I always dread doing my taxes. And wish I could claim more people and things to get WAY more money back, but I guess I can't complain too much; at least I don't have to PAY taxes.
So Turbo tax; fast, easy, free, get more money back, etc. etc. right?! not with my luck! stupid thing!
It wanted to charge me an extra $29.95, so some crazy total of about $57.92, but wait I thought it was FREE?? I was pretty upset so I found their number on the website and waited on the phone for about 25-30 minutes to talk to some girl with a southern accent that spoke fast and said "ok" in every sentence. annoying. THEN when I finally got the answer I needed out of her, the phone call got disconnected!! Told you, just my luck; no good luck ever for me!
I'm not sure if I will be using turbo tax again, BUT it did give me extra money I otherwise would not have gotten back, but not a ton to make that much of a difference.
I swear I have the worst luck in the world! I never find amazing deals!! :(

Needless to say I finished my taxes and I sure hope I get back what it told me I would be getting. My luck I won't. This year has already started out crappy.

Happy taxes everyone! Hope your luck is better than mine!

2012-01-20T19:46:00.002-07:00

I don't understand!
why? and why?
I'm such a failure. to me and everyone around me. sorry.
All I need is my love :)

Why...

2012-01-06T21:51:00.004-07:00

Why is there no snow? (not complaining)
Why am I so poor?
Why do I have so many crafty ideas? I love accomplishing things with my hands.
Why am I doing this?
Why do I have a great family?!! :)
Why did I do that?
Why do I love music so much?
Why do I wish and need to do that SO bad?! Looks like I have a few goals this year!
Why am I always cold?
Why am I so shy?
Why do I love being social yet being so shy at the same time?
Why is someone always better at something than me?
Why do we always have excuses?
Why do I judge myself so harshly?
Why do I compare myself to celebrities and other family and friends?
Why do I love kids so much?
Why do I love my nieces and nephews SO much?
Why do I have a need to keep in contact with everyone I meet?
Why do I not do this or that?
Why do I want to help every suffering child I see or meet? I want to volunteer and/or adopt suffering children from around the world.

I would love to do this and that and that and that....etc.
I have several goals for this year and I hope I can accomplish them all; well most of them.
I have a yearning to learn and accomplish a few things in my life and I just hope this year I can get started on those few things. I just wish some things didn't get in the way or that accomplishing them you never ran into problems, boy, wouldn't that be nice. I wish things could go as we planned. But we have a purpose in life and Heavenly Father has a plan for us and it works out perfect in the end.
I love my life and love my family and friends!

Happy 2012 :)

2011 Christmas

2012-01-01T21:28:00.003-07:00

This year I was able to have a few days off work and go home early before Christmas. I left wed. morning (Dec 21) and came back to Idaho Falls a week later (Dec 27), which felt so good.
I promised myself that I was just going to go home and hang out with my parents and other family, and my best friend, and just have fun and do a few crafts. because usually I manage to make a day full of appointments of this and that.
Wed. I got home right when mom was getting off work so we hung out at home that night and waited for dad to show up after work. We caught up and just relaxed.
Thurs. I slept in, then got dressed and put on my blue and orange! made one small needed appointment. came back home and cleaned and organized my messy room; all day. That night we went to my Uncles for a fun family get together for the BSU bowl game! GO BSU BRONCOS!!
Fri. slept in again. then mom and I hung out again and baked, did a little shopping. Later that night we went to my grandparents house for the Ward family Christmas party. We were able to have a few of the cousins from college and that live a little farther away be there; but we were still missing almost half the family! My younger cousin was asked to put together a little program and she did a great job. Her and her little sister played the piano and violin. my other younger cousin read the scripture story of Christs birth. We also had the Elders say a few words and sing a Christmas duet for us (the Elders live in my grandparents basement). The little cousins also acted out the nativity. We were also privileged to hear some fun Christmas memories from my grandpa's childhood. It's always fun to hear how things were 'back then' and how my grandpa grew up :) We ate yummy food and chatted and laughed til late :)
Sat. hung out with mom and dad. For dinner we were able to have my little brother over and my older brother and his pregnant wife over for more yummy homemade food!! Mom, dad and I stayed up later than we should of watching movies and anticipating Santa's arrival.
Sun. we kind of slept in. Got dressed. ate breakfast. Then slowly made it to the living room to open gifts. Since it was only the three of us that morning we were able to take our time and enjoy our gifts. It took us about tow hours. We then realized what time it was and hurried to get ready for one p.m. church and enjoyed meeting people in my parents new ward and listening to the Christmas program.
Mon. mom and I had to run to the store to get a few needed things. When we got home I quickly got my new sewing machine out and started my first project! It took me The Whole Day!! It took longer than I thought it would, but I had so much fun!! I actually love sewing and can't wait to make SO many things on it!! By the end of the night I was realizing how much more I had to get done; packing etc. before I wanted to leave by 10am the next morning. That night I think I was up until 3am making sure my project was done enough so take it back with me. but heck you mine as well finish it. so I did.
Tues. morning I had a tooth appointment. But that appointment lead to another a very unexpected one. but then realized, again, I had so much to do before I had to leave. All day Tues. I did exactly what i promised I would NOT do...appointments. I was running all across town trying to get and do last minute things. Right before I was to leave I looked down and up and down and up again, reading my oil change sticker, and thinking, yep I HAVE to get the done before I drive four more hours...so there goes another hour!! I did not leave until 3:30pm Tues. but that is ok. Safety and preparation is better than being selfish. I made good time back to Idaho Falls. I had to work the next two days up in Rexburg, so I had to get up Early. But it turned out to go very smoothly.
All in all I had a great relaxing Christmas, hanging out with family and friends and mom and dad. I sure missed everyone I was not able to spend it with and or see.
Love you!
(sorry I was too lazy and just having fun spending quality time with everyone that I didn't take a single picture)

2012

2012-01-01T21:07:00.003-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I first have to thank everyone; family and friends, close and far; who made 2011 a great year!
This new years was a little different from last years...I was tired by 8pm, but some how managed to stay up til about 12:30am. I was watching a Red Box movie and was not paying attention to the time, until my sister looked at her phone and realized the new year came about 20 minutes prior. We said Happy New Year, finished the movie then zonked to our pillows; because of course this year church is at 9am. we barely made it.
Today I had my day planned out: church, eat finger food, nap (a long time), dinner, sleep.
Well, like always plans never go liked hoped. So it ended up like: church, finger food (all afternoon), sewing project while watching two church movies, put my Christmas decor away, clean room, more unnecessary finger food, and play with the kids all in between. Still a productive day, I guess. I just wish I would let myself take naps. hopefully some day.
I'm thinking this new year has some good things in it! :)

Christmas List

2011-12-22T15:16:00.003-07:00

Dear HoHo (as my niece would say),

All I want for Christmas is a Southwest flight back east!!
and a little something else very special to me :)
Love,
Lanae

Meridian, ID Temple

2011-12-19T22:59:00.004-07:00

I heard the GREATEST news EVER today!!
Today the location of the Meridian, ID temple was announced;
The new Meridian, ID Temple will only be a few short steps from my house in Meridian!!
I am so excited to be able to walk to the temple when I want and see the temple every day through the windows from my house!!
It is the greatest feeling to know that we have the Lord on our side and that we have been so righteous, and are blessed to have this sacred building just a few blocks away!
No words can describe what a joy and blessing it will be to watch the temple being built and realize it is practically in my backyard!!
I love the temple and can't wait for all the exciting events to take place during the building process. I can't thank the Lord enough of how happy and joyful and what a blessing this is!!

Here is the link of the announcement and location:
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/61848/Site-for-Meridian-Idaho-Temple-announced.html

(My house is at the bottom of the screen/map)

Our Christmas Tree

2011-12-15T20:48:00.007-07:00

Remember how Mike and I bought a Christmas tree like three weeks ago and I decided it was too late to put it up?...Well...I finally decided it wasn't too late to get out and put together, and decorated it with all my new ornaments!! :)

Star placement

Tree without ornaments...

My pretty Christmas tree all decorated

Mike was not able to help me put together and decorate the tree because he was/is SO BUSY with finals this week :(

(Sorry about the ugly, scary look I'm presenting. I had just taken out my hair etc. and was in the middle of getting ready for bed when I decided to start).
Gotta love the random time of day you decide to start tackling projects.

Letters..

2011-12-15T20:42:00.003-07:00

DEAR SANTA,

(we wrote letters to Santa and put them in the North Pole mailbox at Macy's)
I love seeing the kids so excited around Christmas time with all the fun things they get to do and all the fun service we get to participate in :) I love kids!

Sleigh bells ring...

2011-12-15T20:35:00.004-07:00

The other day the next town over was offering free hot chocolate. free photo booth pictures. free visit with Santa. and FREE sleigh rides!! We, of course, jumped on that deal!! And had a blast!!

It was a gorgeous cold winter warm day (yep you read that right)

Sarah and Emily LOOOVED every second!!

All Bryant wanted to do was sit up front with the 'real cowboy' (because he is a cowboy too, duh)

And the rest of us enjoyed it too! :)

Our sleigh ride

GirLs...and boys....

2011-12-15T20:29:00.004-07:00

My nieces lOOve trying on my shoes.
I had just bought a few new fun pairs of shoes and they just had to try them on, of course! :)

My newest nephew is learning at an early age... He is growing up SO fast!

and friends depart...

2011-12-15T20:16:00.004-07:00

A few weeks ago Mike and I were going shopping. We had gone to Walmart first to look for what we needed and they didn't have it! (I thought Walmart had everything!??). He decided it was too cold to walk to Albertson's (right next door) to look; so we hopped in the car and drove two car lanes over and parked again. We got out of the car and Mike had something stuck to his foot. He kept walking thinking it would come out. But he kept walking and it kept staying. He turned around and looked at me and said, "This bag is stuck in my shoe! and it won't come out!" I immeditely burst in laughter and couldn't stop!! In the middle of my nonstop giggles I said, "WAIt, Wait, I HAVE to take a picture!! Hold on a second" He walked slower while I bust out my camera and tried to take a picture. I decided it wasn't good enough and Had to take another one because this bag was just NOT letting go!! He finally bent over and took the bag out.

We shopped and found what we needed. As we were walking out the door the bag that used to be his best friend was still waiting at the door for us. We literally had to jump over the bag so it would not latch onto either of us!!

Mike laughed SO hard with me! :)

P.S. we still have NO idea where this bag came from and how it got stuck to his foot and how we didn't notice until he got out of the car!!

Christmas cheer

2011-12-09T18:39:00.002-07:00

Ok it's almost Christmas and I have not bought or made anything off my shopping list. I'm in big trouble. Good thing Santa produces miracles! (love that man!)
Last year I think I was finished by October/November. And it felt good. This year not only was I done early I knew what I was getting everyone. And they were sweet gifts! This year.....nothing. no ideas. not as much time. not as much money. Yet Christmas is only days away!! HeLp!
I still need gifts for my parents. Mike (the one I'm stressed out about the most). and my oldest brother.
Anybody have any ideas?!?! I desperately need help!!

I also thought this year I needed a little extra Christmas spirit in my room, so I had my brother Justin pick my up some white Christmas lights from Home Depot that I strung around my window. But if you have lights you can't stop there, you need a tree too! So last weekend I asked Mike to take me to Walmart so I could buy a tree. We found a tree. Then we decided you can't just buy a tree. So we looked for some ornaments to match my cute tree. We searched for the 'perfect' ornaments, and finally spotted to cutest red and silver ones. Well you can't just buy a tree and one package of ornaments. You need a star too. The silver star was the perfect match for this cute little tree :) But Mike just couldn't let me go with just one small box of small ornaments. He led me to another aisle of cute ornaments and picked out some hanging glittered snowmen. But you can't just have two kinds of ornaments. He also picked out a matching red string of shiny garland. He was then satisfied. :)
(I have not yet had time to put together our beautiful Christmas tree) :(

Hope you are enjoying this Christmas season :)

FHE

2011-11-25T23:18:00.003-07:00

A few weeks ago for FHE we were making 'friendship' bracelets. Without knowing what the other was doing we mach a 'friendship' bracelet for each other...
I made for Mike (and the rule was we had to wear it for one full day; and he did!) :)
Mike made for me (I wore mine for two weeks) :)

I think we think alike ;)

Hot or Cold?

2011-11-25T22:59:00.005-07:00

To sum up the story real quick...My niece LOVES the sun. she doesn't quite 'understand' that in the fall/winter even if the sun may be shining it is NOT hot outside.
October came and before it got too cold outside, with possible snow fall, we decided to decorate for fall etc. Well on this particular day the sun was shining just enough that she assumed it meant running around in a swimsuit and a sprinkler...she is quite an odd duck. We let her go out and see how long she would last. She lasted wAAy longer than we expected, haha. jokes on us, huh?

She is also the one that goes outside in the snow looking like this
slip on shoes. rolled up pants...

A little bit of China

2011-11-25T20:35:00.016-07:00

Wow I can't believe it has been two months since I last posted! Man how time flies.
Earlier this year one of my students from China moved to California to attend college. He really wanted to come visit Mike and I and see how we lived in Idaho (because he had heard all about it in China when we talked), and see my hometown. We decided that coming in August for two weeks would give us plenty of time to see and do a lot of fun things! We were ALL (my family, my nieces and nephew, etc) excited for his arrival. Little did we know that Mike would have to work more than we thought and that my sister would have her baby a week into his trip; so the two days leading up to the baby's arrival and the few days after were CrAzY!!

His English name is Chris and this is just a glimpse at our adventures...

He arrived on a Wed. and he spent the next few days staying with Mike and hanging out with his roommates and experiencing "the college life".
The one thing Chris wanted to do while in Idaho was see Yellowstone and Old Faithful. I asked him to look up popular site-seeing spots he might want to see and he FELL in love with old Faithful and Yellowstone. We promised we would take him anywhere he wanted to go...So come Labor Day weekend we packed up our camping gear, food, and anything else and off we went!
The Beautiful Tetons

We got in late but Chris was enjoying every second of real camping with the real preparations to go along with it :) He was such a trooper. Chris cut our fire wood, Mike and him put up the tent, while I made tin foil dinners :)

The next day the agenda was anything we could find... firstly, of course, with Old Faithful! Then moving on to stinky geysers, walking, waterfalls, wildlife, adventure after adventure, lots of laughter, seeing a cowboy for the first time, and ending the night with no room in the Inn...
waiting for faithful Old Faithful to erupt

walking...
walking?
Geysers

still walking and enjoying our sight seeing...

Waterfall

WILDLIFE
mama and baby dear resting in the grass
Buffalo taking his sweet time

We worked our way back through the park to Montana and West Yellowstone, and there we found no room in the Inn...

We checked EVERY SINGLE hotel there was, and not a one had A room. So we traveled back to Rexburg to the Sand Dunes, 3am, and slept under the stars next to our fire, until the coyotes were getting mad, circling us and howling...So we jumped up, grabbed our sleeping bags, smothered the fire with sand and left! We drove to Mike's at 5am. I slept in the car til 7am then drove home. I couldn't drag myself out of the car to the house twenty steps away so I rolled over and slept in my car until 8am. Then I went to the house and knocked on the door and they let me in. I showered. Told my sister the funny story[ies] then crashed all afternoon.
The next day was Monday Labor Day, so we all jumped in the car again (cleaned up and replenished with sleep) and drove to Jackson Hole, WY to spend the day :)
Welcome to Jackson Hole, WY

When we were satisfied, we hurried back down to Blackfoot for Chris's very first rodeo!
YEE HAW!!

Chris had also never shot a gun before. Lucky for him Mike has two guns and Idaho is just the place to do some target shooting. He did amazing! :)
This is the sign to the entrance where we like to go shooting...
...LOL it makes me laugh every time

He was a natural

Time was getting closer for us to do/see a few last sites. The weather was still really nice. Mike had to work so I took Chris up to see the windmill farm...

It's so pretty up there! and the windmills just keeping going!

Girls Night

2011-10-08T21:49:00.005-06:00

Saturday night home alone and what do you do?
girls night by yourself! :)

For all my Kentucky friends/family

2011-10-07T17:58:00.003-06:00

A little Lexington ... in Jackson Hole, WY :)

October

2011-10-07T17:44:00.003-06:00

Welcome to October!
Monday it was about 83*

Then Thursday we get this! :(

MY TRUE LOVE

2011-09-27T20:33:00.003-06:00

LOVE
I could look at this picture, on the top of my blog page, all day!
and these :)

Love you babe!

Sand Dunes

2011-09-19T21:07:00.005-06:00

My brother in law Jake promised the kids a sand box this year...

Which means we played in the sand and then Jake stole buckets of sand to take home to the kids sand box haha yes I'm a tattle-tale ;)

Shooting

2011-09-19T20:39:00.008-06:00

Mike loves to have fun and make people happy and laugh :)
He has bought a few guns for himself this summer break and just had to get two Gilly suits...

Mike took me shooting (I love shooting) with his new gun and his friend Blaine

JUST SAYIN'

Family Reunion 2011

2011-09-19T19:59:00.005-06:00

This year for our Ward family reunion my Uncle Joseph and Aunt Diane were in charge and they they planned many fun things!
One night we went to Starlight Mountain Theater to see, How to Succeed Without Really Trying. Oh man was it FU-U-NY! it's just one of those shows you just watch and say, "oh my gosh,... really? Seriously? Did you really just say and do that?" (sorry i did not take pictures) you will just have to trust me and go see the show yourself.

On the next day we went to the Idaho Stampede Rodeo, YEEHAW! :) I LOOVE rodeos!

I come from a pretty big family. We take up a lot of space when we go to public, so... we had a very big section at the rodeo and laugh a lot :)
So our big family was sitting on the front section and right below us walked by and stopped two of the rodeos cowgirls and what do you know they were signing autographs..and so we told all the girls and boys to go get autographs...lol
so here are three of my cousins getting their autographs

and my nieces and nephew...kayelynn...and Lydia

And of course Bryant was the first boy in line and loved every minute of it! :)

July 2 - 4, 2011

2011-09-17T12:03:00.009-06:00

Mike's cousin got married July 2nd in the Salt Lake Temple and we were invited to attend the luncheon after, so we made it a day trip and drove down to Salt Lake. We got there about an hour early so we walked around Temple Square and did a little window shopping, before the luncheon. The luncheon was in the Joseph Smith Building and the food was SOO good! (maybe also because we were so hungry), I also got to meet some more of Mike's relatives that HE and I have never met :)

July 4th morning we went up to Rexburg and found the perfect front row seats and waited for the parade to start and LOOVED it!! :)

I was so amazed at this giant shopping cart! I had never seen it before, I thought it was pretty cool and such a good idea! And these men....the men that work at Chevron....they make up a dance every year for the parade; Amazing! This year they did Grease Lightening! It was so hilarious and Very Well done!

Lydia and Emily sitting in the road enjoying the parade.... priceless

On July 4th this year Mike surprised me with taking me to Craters of the Moon!
We both had not been since we were really little. So needless to say we were Really excited and just enjoyed our time there and with each other :)
We wanted to see everything, so we started from the beginning and began hiking...

Having so much fun TOGETHER on such a warm sunny day! :)

Its just so hard to find just a few pictures of our fun adventure
(I just love taking pictures and I have a hard time explaining our wonderful adventures)

LOL :) I love this

Love :)

And then of course on the way home we had to stop and eat at the Pickles Place in Arco, ID :)

true love :)

After arriving back in Idaho Falls we went straight to the "greenbelt" and waited for the fireworks to start...We had THE best seats! :)

This was our view...we stopped on the bridge and the fireworks shot right in the middle of this picture with the Temple in the background :)

The best fireworks show I have seen in years!! The noise was so loud it was perfect! :)

Happy Fourth of July (Our favorite holiday, for a few reasons ;)

Wedding

2011-09-17T11:58:00.003-06:00

My best friend since 5th grade got married in Idaho Falls Temple and I was able to attend!
It was such a good wedding! Congrats Seren!

Melanie's baby shower

2011-09-17T11:51:00.003-06:00

Our office threw Melanie a baby shower

Spring semester

2011-09-17T11:43:00.003-06:00

Spring Semester I went to every soccer games of Mikes and he did such a good job!
GO BABE!

Staff Party Jan '11

2011-09-17T11:27:00.004-06:00

Every year Dr. Elison give us girls access to his cabin for the weekend and we just have a girls night/weekend :)

Thanks! It was so fun!

Christmas and New Years 2010

2011-08-13T11:52:00.018-06:00

This Christmas 2010 Mike invited me to his house with his family out in Kentucky! I arrived late Christmas Eve night. Mike woke me up and whispered to me he had a surprise for me, "Good morning babe, I have a surprise for you,...You get a white Christmas!" He was so excited to tell me and show me! I was excited to see it too! :)
I'm the kind of person who has to shower right when they wake up before they do anything. So before we walked over to his brothers house for gifts and presents I had to shower. We walked over there (two houses down), and the twins had already opened some of their presents and were having so much fun, and we immediately started joining in the fun! His family is the best! they were handing me gifts left and right! They got me pajama lounge pants with a matching scarf, a basket from Longaberger, Mike gave me a diamond heart necklace, and a few more fun gifts! It was the best Christmas ever! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

I stayed in Kentucky until Jan. 1! It was so fun to be there for a week and celebrate Christmas and New Years with the best family ever!! :) (except mine of course).

During the week we had hit and miss with the things we wanted to do. Some of the things we wanted to do were not open during the holidays :( but luckily some of it was outside so we got to just walk around the grounds and look. We had a full, busy, fun week! We watched horses race, went to museums, hung out at the house, stayed up late, went to a Christmas light show at a horse track, went to the Kentucky Derby museum (Churchhill Downs) and got a tour of behind the scenes and track! I had a BLAST in Kentucky!!

Here are a ton of pictures from my stay; I'll try to explain as I go... :)

I made Mike and I matching stockings
This was my white Christmas

Boys...
we had fun being lazy

Daniel Boone and his Fort, just outside of Lexington, KY

I try to put Mike in charge of the camera most of the time because he is more talented at getting better pictures than me :)

That little cat gave us a tour of the site since it was closed

This little house must be where the cat stays; his mansion

Inside the house; fireplace And picture!!

Keeneland Race Track
located just five minutes from Mike's house and across the street from the airport entrance

Keeneland "survives" by holding/hosting local horse auctions and uses that money to stay open and operate. It only holds three races a year.
Keeneland is the race track they filmed the movie Seabiscuit

Standing on the race track

Me standing in/on the Winner's Circle :)

A few things at the entrance to the race track

The girls bathroom.
you walk into this,

then you turn and see this

This bathroom totally did not match the rest of the building.

After we gave ourselves a tour of the track we walked into the gift shop and asked if there was anything else we could see, and they told us the jockeys practice at 6am till about 10am or 11am. We decided then we wanted to come watch them practice the next morning.

Deb got a new vacuum for Christmas but there had been a mess and the vacuum died. (wasn't as strong sucking up stuff like it was advertised. So she took it back and got a new vacuum. And this is what you get...

Later that night we (Mike, me, his mom and the twins) decided to go to another local race track and drive through and see the Christmas lights. After the lights there is a little museum to walk through then outside there are little vendors with food, drinks, and rides!! :)

MY DREAM RIDE
Camel rides!!

Now I just need to ride an elephant

We all shared that bag of kettle corn
Since the twins were with us we spoiled them, we kept them up all night, let them be crazy, and let them eat as much kettle corn as they wanted. We got home super late and gave them back to Aaron and Amanda, hehe opps, I hope they don't hate us.

The next morning we woke up super early to watch the jockeys at Keeneland practice

These horses are so fit and PRETTY!
they practice everyday. Jockeys can't be taller than 5'1" and weigh more than 110lbs. they have strict rules.

We dressed for a very cold morning and a very cold morning it was.

Louisville Slugger Museum

Largest bat in the world!

My studly man :)

We got to hold a Hall of Famers baseball bat and we had to wear the special white gloves.

We met a few famous past baseball players; kind of

Love...

If you are ever back east go to the Slugger Museum! It is so fun for all ages and very informative! Don't forget to take the tour of how they make bats! It's a very small factory but you walk right through the middle of the factory watching them make it all! SO COOL!!

Just a few sites from driving through town...old buildings mixed with modern buildings, and a hospital...

Shaker Village

This is a another very neat place to visit! The Shakers are a very unique group of people

The twins were just having too much fun :)

Shaker Village Volunteers sewing rugs, pillows, etc

Love

On the way home from Shaker Village, we decided to take the other part of the circle route and we ran into this...
Just a dream :)

Resting, playing or helping, boys are always "doing" something

CHURCH HILL DOWNS
Home of the Kentucky Derby

I am facing the stalls that the horses wait in. And the alley right behind me in the picture is where the horses and jockeys enter the track.

These are the stalls that the horses and jockeys wait in and get their final checks before entering the track.

Venetian Way, the name of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby in 1960; the name of the street that Mike's parents live on.

And of course Secretariat!
His name is in gold because he is one of the few horses that have won the triple crown

Behind me on the last picture is the finish line.

A mock finish line near the back entrance of the museum

Inside the museum playing :)

We could have spent Hours in that museum!!

Our weight changed a little bit over the break...

My turn to ride

Merry Christmas

LOVE xoxo

Winter 2010

2011-08-12T20:54:00.008-06:00

Now that I have explained why and how far back my pictures date back to. I'm not sure I want or will show all those old pictures for lack of time, yours and mine, and space And because I know you would much rather see the newer pictures!! :)

I'm just going to start back in December 2010; Mike and I were anxious to go snowboarding and decided to drive to Salt Lake to enjoy the Utah powder, we drove to the hill...it was closing in one hour. so we went to our second choice the hill that was right before the first one, and what do you know... it was closing in one hour. We decided Utah hills are lame and drove back to downtown Salt Lake to have our selves a nice fun night on Temple Square. We were not dressed for the occasion as we were in our snowboarding attire, so excuse the attire:

On one other occasion while trying to find the right road to the ski lift just outside of Pocatello, we surprisingly ran into two moose on our "wrong" road (men don't lost). We were about one or two car lengths away from them, but they were kind of scared from the sound of the car, so they kept running.

Sorry there a few other little things that happened between all of these but I just don't have time or space to bore you with some of them. I'm just doing the FUN, HAPPY, EXCITING highlights.

Mike surprised me with tickets for the dedication to the new BYU-I Center on campus. President Bednar and Elder Nelson were the church leaders that came. It looks EXACTLY like the Conference Center. It was a very good meeting and fun to be apart of.
It looks like we were kind of far away but we were actually only one section behind the reserved seating.

Shopping at midnight on Black Friday in Idaho Falls

The line was already wrapped around the building by 12am at Best Buy and they didn't open til 3 or 4am. The last picture is Target and they opened at 5am, I think. Some people are crazy!! It was SOO COLD, as you can see people at Best Buy had tents, chairs, sleeping bags and blankets they were covering their heads with, and even mini stoves they were cooking food from! Some of them even had a car in the parking lot and were taking shifts sitting in line and in the car. Man were they prepared! (or they had done this for many years and figured out how to do it).

Catch up

2011-08-12T20:48:00.004-06:00

Ok, so I have been Really bad about keeping my blog updated. Mostly because I haven't been able to get my pictures off my camera to my computer! And because I really wonder if people read or look at my blog. But Mike came over the other night and helped me!! So...today is the start of something exciting! hehe Blogging :)
I also have to admit I have pictures from um, well...Halloween! AH!! so if you read this make sure you read down and look at all the new posts! :)

P.S. I LOVE MIKE

Summer '11

2011-07-15T20:38:00.002-06:00

Well it's been over a month this my last post and i have been saying to myself i will do that tomorrow when i get home from work. Then tomorrow comes and it's 6pm and i am just not in the mood any more. so i promise myself tomorrow after work, and again, and again....you get the point. So i logged on tonight after a long fun day at the water park with my niece and decided i needed to do something on my blog; at least let you know im thinking of you and knowing i need to update it so you can all see why i just haven't updated and why i am so busy!

The days pass so fast and some days i wonder how i got through the day because i barely remember how it went.

As soon as finals are over next week i should have more motivation to get my blog updated. Mike is helping me update my computer so all should be well in a few weeks; because again, next week is finals! :( can't wait for those to be over.

I have so much to update and am so excited to get it all up and get that nagging bug i have off my shoulder (which would be my own self).

2011-06-10T22:13:00.001-06:00

Sorry! I'm trying to redesign my background and layout. I hope to have it done soon!! I know it looks terrible! If you have any suggestions or would like to help me let me know, please!! I have NO IDEA what I'm doing or how to do it so...it will take me a long time, sadly. Sorry again, and please bare with me! thanks!

WICKED

2011-05-16T21:02:00.000-06:00

On other news this last weekend was SO amazingly fun!!
Mike and I drove over to Boise to see the famous Broadway show WICKED :) We woke up very early to be able to get to our 2pm showing. Mike has never seen the show before so it was a huge treat for him, and of course he, and I, LOVED it!! We had the amazing opportunity to sit on the second row and we both watched the jaw dropping performance with out blinking or flinching! AMAZING PERFORMANCE!! What a great weekend with the one I love and making his day!
We were only able to be in Boise for the day and it was SO worth it! Mike spoiled me while we were there and we just had a blast during our road trip! :)

Mike anxious for the show to start :)

Minutes before the show started!

Intermission...we were in aww, SO in love with the show, and each other!!

Tender Mercies

2011-05-15T21:11:00.000-06:00

It has only been a week since going the the temple and it has been such a blessing for me. I have noticed many 'tender mercies' in my life and I just have to say a little prayer and thank the Lord for everything :) For other obvious reasons, it gave us another reason to celebrate; Mothers Day! I love Mothers Day and I love that we get to set aside a specific day to show our mothers how much we love, and how grateful we are for them. I love my mother and know she does and puts up with a lot to keep our family going. She works very hard and I appreciate all she does for me! :) HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM :)

May 7, 2011

2011-05-07T18:26:00.000-06:00

Temple Day

Rexburg, ID

Today marks a major mile stone and accomplishment in my life and I am so grateful I was able to spend it with all my family and siblings at the temple (I was only missing one sibling, and I sure missed them!).

I am so overwhelmed and blessed and happy to be clean and righteous to receive this marvelous and scared blessing. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful I feel :)

I never thought at this time in my life that I would be doing this, but life throws curve balls and I think it was the perfect time to do it! I just can't wait for the/my other major goal/accomplishment in my life. Greater days are ahead and I can't wait to share them with the one I love the most!

I owe a huge Thanks to all my friends and family for the love and support they have given me through all this and the patience they have had to deal with, haha :)

I have a greater testimony of many things and am so excited about the path of life I am heading.
Words can't even begin to describe how happy I feel (even though I may not be showing it), and how at peace I feel. I am just trying to soak it all in and enjoy my time with family and the spirit that I have with me. May we be strive to Choose The Right and visit The House of the Lord often. I love my family and my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.

my siblings and their spouses

my parents and I

Pre Temple

2011-05-06T16:19:00.000-06:00

Thank you to all who have and are supporting me accomplishing my goal and going to the temple. I have loved the road and am getting excited to participate! Today is a busy day getting last minutes details done and bought.

Love you all and hope you have a great Mother Day weekend!

How Great...

2011-04-26T19:54:00.000-06:00

Check this out! :)
She is my FAVORITE singer! I hope some day I can meet her :)

Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill

How Great thou art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=player_embedded

EASTER

2011-04-25T18:47:00.000-06:00

HAPPY EASTER BABE

I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the Easter basket I made and all the fun cute things in it! stupid me!
Despite my stupidity, Easter was a great day and we had a blast! We attended church (great ward), made BBQ chicken dinner together, and exchanged our Easter baskets :) PERFECT DAY!

I managed to get a picture of a few of the things I put/made to put in his Easter basket...

Going to WICKED!!!!

Going to Nauvoo!

And of course everyone needs a little Easter candy

Happy Easter babe! I love you!

2011-04-17T10:07:00.001-06:00

YEAH

Today is the best day, the best day of my life!!

He's here and I am the luckiest and happiest girl in the world!!

I love you babe!

Work week...

2011-04-14T18:33:00.000-06:00

Wow I am So glad its the weekend! I worked a normal work week, but boy am I tired! I think it's mostly because I am So excited about this weekend and just want/ed it to come SO fast! and it's finally here!
I have had an interesting week; it kind of started last Friday. 4:50 AM ring, ring; got a text from the doc to ask what we were wearing to work and mentioned we could wear jeans to work. Hello! im sleeping! haha, I didn't text back and waited til I actually woke up to answer, but then Melanie and I decided to just wear what we were going to wear and take jeans to change into in case everyone else wore jeans. Well after all the confusion was figured out we jsut wore what we originally wore. Sunday I taught primary on sunday and it was an easy fun lesson (on the word of wisdom to five year olds :) ), early monday morning Courtney had her baby!!, tues-work, wed, drove 10 min to Rexburg to work but got another call to actually work in Idaho Falls, so I gladly turned around and drove back to Idaho Falls to work for the day. Thursday I found myself dozing off at work when i was supposed to paying attention to what the doc was telling me to do on the patient "we" were working on. Today was Melanie's last day in Idaho Falls!! :( Man i will miss her! Thursday's are now my Favorite day of the week at work because I get to see Melanie!!

I can't wait for this weekend to see THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD!! ;) Love you!

Temple Announcement

2011-04-02T13:42:00.000-06:00

I love temples!

In case you missed the announcement;
This morning in General Conference President Monson announced three new temples!

My hometown of Meridian, ID, as one of the announcements, is now getting a temple!

I can't wait to see it all happen and attend the many events of preparing for a beautiful temple!

I love Meridian, ID and am always proud to say I am from Meridian, ID!

April Fools

2011-04-01T22:07:00.000-06:00

Happy April Fools!!

Hope you all tricked your loved ones and had a quick trip to the bathroom from it! I know I did NOT! I had to do too many errands today; since Friday is my errand day :(
I had a few good ones in mind but the right things were just not in place for things to happen, sadly. Better luck next year I guess. I have never really been a huge prankster or big fan on the receiving end, but I try to play along with it. There is one that comes to mind:

Mike and I were in China teaching English and my students knew it was April Fool's tomorrow. I woke up worried what might be in store for me. Walking to class I told Mike I was quite nervous about the day. My mind was racing on what they might do; the whole class not show up for class. write something in Chinese and have me try to say it. I had No idea. Well I get to class, and by this point I was in a grumpy mood because I did not want any prank pulled on me in china by my students; LOL; so I stood in front of the class and the first thing I said was, "I do not want any pranks pulled on me today. I am not in the mood for them. sorry." I could tell they were kind of upset, disappointed and surprised, because we had become close as students and teacher at this point and they thought I would handle a simple prank. Well I kept teaching but kept a close eye on a few certain students. As the class kept going I kept looking at this one girl in my class and thinking, she is not in this class. I swear she is in my wed. only class. But again I just kept teaching and reminding my self I don't know ALL of my students names quite yet, so maybe I'm wrong. so i never said anything to the girl in case I was wrong. But they had the look and thought they got me. LOL! Still to this day I don't know if I was right or wrong because I never approached anyone about it. I was too embarrassed to ask!

The next class I was for sure I would be getting tons of pranks! So I had to really prepare myself! Class started normally and by the time our break came it was going smoothly. Then after break about fifteen minutes before class was to end one of the kids (one of the "problem" kids) said he was sick. I told him if he was sick he may leave and go home. He just kept sitting there. (because again I did not want a prank pulled on me). then he took a drink of water and bent over and 'threw up' on the floor!! everyone turned around and looked at him then looked at me to see how I was going to react and/or say/do. Again, all i said was if you are sick you can leave. A few people laughed, so I could tell it was a joke, but still wasn't sure because man, this kid was good at acting. so I let him do his thing and see how it all played out. Finally we all caught on and it was a good laugh!!

(The boy sitting next to Mike was the "problem" student-the good actor)

April Fools Day!!

let me know what you have done, or have received today or in the past on April Fool's Day!!

GrEaT nEwS!!

2011-03-27T21:27:00.000-06:00

I LOVE to see the temple, I'm going there some day.

To feel the holy Spirit, to listen and to pray.

I LOVE to see the temple, I'll go inside some day.

I'll covenant with my Father, I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young,

This is my scared duty!

Mothers...

2011-03-26T16:06:00.000-06:00

To all of you moms out there!

"I don't like this!"
"I'm not going to eat this!"
"Gross!"

Yep we have all heard it and experienced it!
Last night was my first personal encounter with this. No, I am not a mom, (almost am) but might as well be).

I received a fun cook book for my birthday last year and just have not had a chance to dive into it and cook something. Well last night I finally decided I was going to try something new. I found, what sounded like, a very yummy totellini pasta dish; made with alfredo and pesto sauce. I ventured out to the store to buy the one ingredient I did not have for it; Pesto sauce. I have never cooked with Pesto sauce, so when I went to the store I was not exactly sure what I was looking for or even what it looked like! Yes, go ahead and laugh at me. But I finally found it! Little did I know it was green! (Like I said...). So now, looking at this green sauce I was about to purchase for dinner; and make the kids eat; I got a little worried. But assured myself it was too late, that it was part of the recipe and it will all turn out!

I came home and started making dinner, it was loookin' gooood!
Once I added the pesto sauce I got rEALLy worried, but once again, assured my self of the same things.

We set the table, and the kids were asking, "what's for dinner?" I told them it was a very yummy pasta recipe I made. And...here it comes....
"Gross!"
"I don't like that!"
"I'm not going to eat it!"

As mothers (or not) we assure the kids it IS yummy and that they have to at least try it. And they will probably like it! And then again, we heard it all again!....

Well turns out most of them DID NOT like it, but I made them eat it anyway. (we can be so mean sometimes). Some of them even tried the 'plug your nose' trick...and what do you know? They ate it all gone, PLUS some!! (Love that trick ;)

But deep down my feelings were hurt. But I had to remind myself that they are kids, and they really don't know what they like. But I liked it, so it wAs a hit!

P.S. Notice there is no picture of this wonderful meal I made. Well....because...it really did not look as good as it taste,....and....I changed the recipe a little (also why it didn't look quite as appetizing.) But I PROmise you it was very good and I will be making it again (maybe not for a little while, so they forget about it).

One thing on my mind

2011-03-23T21:40:00.000-06:00

There is only ONE thing I want! And if you know me well you know EXACTLY what that is!!
and well, this one thing, and one 'dream' is coming true!! I just got the news Sunday night, and as of last night it is actually feeling real!
I only have to wait a few more days (hopefully) and I will be the HaPPiesT girl ever!!
It's hard to know how this adventure is really going, as the power is out on this One thing. So patience is all I have to go by, but again, there is only ONE thing on my mind and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

yes it's real. it's living. it's hoTT! it's yummy. it's my passion. it's my life.

It's COMING!!

Sunday...

2011-03-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

Well Saturday night I went to bed feeling great! I had my lesson planned for Primary and was ready to start a new week.
Well by two am I was tossing and turning like crazy! Things were not looking good. By 2:45 am I jumped out of bed, ran up stairs to the bathroom and spent an hour enjoying the view of the previous days dinner and lunch. Oh yeah...
When that hour was up i grabbed a bowl and went to sleep on the couch so the bathroom was nearby. Luckily I did not have to enjoy that site again. Although by about 10 am I had to run to the bathroom again and almost literally throw my nieces out before they got to enjoy the same site. Luckily it got stage fright.
I spent the rest of the day on the couch. And sadly did not get to teach the lesson I had prepared.
Sunday night came and I was still not feeling well; sore, weak, fever, headache etc. So I called into work SICK. Let me just give you a little history; I have NEVER EVER called sick in to work!! I felt guilty and like I gave in to peer pressure or something. But really there was no way I could have gone to work! That really takes something to your body. I am SO glad I called in SICK to work. (It's just so weird to say that).
I spent all of Monday on the couch, and didn't shower until, oh....4pm! yikes! I have never done that either!! (We all know there is a first for everything.)

Saturday...

2011-03-23T21:09:00.000-06:00

Saturday March 19th.
Woke up. EaRRly.
Drove into town.
Paid a dollar and got a giant permanent green X on my right hand; to watch elementary kids (one including my great nephew) warm up for a wrestling tournament, that would begin in 40 minutes.
Twenty minutes into it I had to walk a block around the corner to get spiritually uplifted by the one and only Sheri Dew and her dear friend Sister Wendy Nelson (President Nelson's wife). I stood in line for about 20 minutes, with a mean girl behind me. When they finally opened the doors at 9 am I calmly walked to the Third Row and sat down. I mean because really who wants to sit in the front row and look like THAT girl. So I settled for third row.
Sister Nelson spoke first and she did an amazing job of telling us how to just be us and be proud of being that crooked tree in the forest of straight trees. She of course added humor and made it very enjoyable :)
Sheri Dew spoke last and when she got up to the podium plainly said she did not have a talk prepared. (and of course we were thinking, What the heck you are Sheri Dew and you don't know what you are going to talk about?!?!) But knowing and reading Sheri Dew books we all know in a few minutes she will be on a roll! And that she did! She elaborated on Sister Nelson's talk but also talked about being us and not joining in with the crowd. She showed some funny videos to prove it and prove how one person or even a small group of people can influence us.
It was a very healthy feast listening to these two wonderful ladies!
As I walked the one block back to the wrestling tournament it was starting to get quite blizzardy!! but I enjoyed the fresh air. As i walked in the front door to the wrestling tournament all I was welcomed by was a guy yelling at many other guys/couches etc. saying to not talk to his wife like that and to never say those things again...but remember there was A LOT of profanity thrown in there! I watched for a second to see if i needed to walk out, but noticed what it was and just keep walking....
By two pm I was home and enoying the rest of my Saturday relaxing. What a day!

Happy Valentines Day to the ones I love...

2011-02-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

I made these for Mike and his mom for Valentines Day! :)

I love you!
xoxo

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

2011-02-13T21:11:00.001-07:00

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

MICHAEL

I love you and can't wait to see you!

XOXO

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!

VS

2011-02-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

I WILL be getting these shoes one day soon!
They are SO cute!

1000 miles

2011-01-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

It speaks for its self..... :(

I can't believe I have driven a 1,000 miles!!

Mike

2011-01-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Mike makes me smile and laugh! I love him!

Home

2011-01-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

I miss Boise!!
We get gorgeous sunsets! This is a beautiful sunset out my front door, on September 14, 2009

Nieces

2011-01-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

My nieces are so funny!
This is Lydia just sitting downstairs watching tv in her pajama's.

This is Sarah who just went to the bathroom at a Public Restroom, and walked out of the stall and had no idea what my sister and I were laughing SO HARD about!! LOL

2011-01-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

One of my gifts this year for Christmas was a fun package of flower making; origami, from Mike's sister. I knew my nieces would love it too, so about two weeks ago I busted it out and made a bunch of flowers with them! They loved it!

Ho Ho Ho

2011-01-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my mom one day on the phone and right before we got off the phone she had to tell me one more thing! (and she was very excited to tell me...). She had me for curiosity for sure! So continued to tell me that this year my dad was asked to be Santa at their ward party!! LOL oh dad. I bet he was excited but nervous. So my mom sent me some pictures of him getting ready for the big night! :) I love you dad!

Creative

2011-01-25T19:19:00.001-07:00

This year for Christmas I wanted to surprise mike and make him and I our own personal stockings. It was so fun and easy to make them! I love the way they turned out!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a safe New Year!
I sure did! I was able to spend about 10 days in Kentucky with Mike and his family :) We watched horses, played with the twins, went to a few museums, went site seeing, played with the twins, watched horses, opened gifts, watched movies, went out for ice cream, and more; I mean we had a blast! I just love Mike and his family so much! :) :)

I am waiting to receive all my pictures, sorry I don't have them now.

Thank you to everyone who gave me gifts!!

Christmas shopping...

2010-12-05T23:14:00.001-07:00

I found the best Christmas present!!
But I can't exactly tell you what it is in case a certain someone stumbles upon my blog before Christmas, sorry.
But, I will tell you, I was SO excited to open it when it came in the mail...

OPPS! LOL

WHO IS THIS???! I DO NOT KNOW!!

They sent me the wrong present!!

I HAD to laugh when I opened the package!!! LOL LOL

Birthday Bash 2010

2010-12-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Mike!
I try to do something fun and clever for Mike's birthday, but this year I didn't have a ton of money, so I had to be a little more creative. This is what I came up with; I put it on his apartment door. His roommates were jealous ;)

I also took him to the local Museum of Idaho; Decoding DaVinci was the theme this term. It was a very fun, learning experience about DaVinci and what he invented, helped invent and tried to perfect. Part of the museum was hands on so you could see how it worked. We had fun!

2010-12-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

I know you all know about the Shade clothing company.
Well they were having a going out of business sale. It started EARLY and a lot of items were only $5, so of course I got there a few minutes early and started shopping and just started grabbing clothes. By they time my friend Courtney and her sisters and mom got there I had a bunch of clothes but they also grabbed and grabbed! After we think we got everything we want/wanted we satt down, tried on and tossed out. So...this is our pile!! :)
Girls love shopping! ESPECIALLY cheap sales!

Kelsey was our lovely model

Cars

2010-12-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here are a few examples of cars you see in Idaho...

Monster truck in the middle of the mall

Stretch bug limo at the bank

Four wheeler at the pump getting gas

(Sorry this one is a little harder to see)

Pink Lady

Dune buggy in your front yard

Fall 2010

2010-12-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Since I live with Terressa and her five kids I see, hear, and experience some fun, crazy hilarious things!! Ah, the joys of kids. Here is a small example of what I saw one day...

Kayelynn decided to sit in the laundry basket and play; it was pretty funny because she is just not like that.

More with the kids...
Kayelynn and I with pom pom's on our heads :)

Lydia pretending she is sleeping in this baby crib.
But she was just too cute and fit perfectly!
Oh Lydia...

Since being in Idaho Falls I have done some fun things; some I would never do back home, or just some things I never did do because I had no one to share it with or any one who would enjoy it.

I started working at Elison Orthodontics the last Monday of September, so by the time Halloween came I had only been working there for a month and they informed me that they dress up for Halloween and that I have to dress up!! (this is one of those things I NEVER do). So they decided they wanted to dress up in 80's, oh man seriously?? but they kept telling me that yes I had to dress up...Crap! So two days before I was to dress up I went to the DI during my lunch break and found a shirt to wear and decided that was as far as I was going to go. Well that night I went to Walmart and found some sweet earrings that I had to get to go with my outfit. This is how I looked...

I also found this sweet Halloween dinner recipe for Halloween and HAD to make it! I made mice, eye balls, and then made some pile of...stuff...
The kids thought it was gross and didn't want to eat it, but we made them try it and they actually really liked it!

I was pretty excited and happy how it all turned out!

Catch Up

2010-12-03T21:25:00.001-07:00

I just have to say I'm sorry I didn't post as many photos as I was hoping. My computer ran out of memory so all the pictures are on Mike's computer and I just can't use his computer all the time; aka school, so I apologize. But maybe i'll sneak his computer one of these days and add more, so be on the look out!! China was amazing and beautiful, most of the time. hehe

When I got back from China I just wouldn't do long distance again. I decided I wanted and needed to be close to Mike; long distance is hard! So I searched and searched for jobs in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Rigby, etc. Finally after about a month of searching I had some interviews and found an amazing job as an Orthodontic Assistant in Idaho Falls! I work at Elison Orthodontic in Idaho Falls and love it! The doctors are father and son and they are very nice and fun! And the whole staff is all very nice and friendly! I am so grateful and thankful I have a wonderful job with wonderful people!

I live in Idaho Falls with Terressa and it's so fun! I love my nieces and nephew and they have built me a room in the basement, they love me :)

Working and living in Idaho Falls is so nice, because I get to meet new people and make new friends and live with family, but most of all and most important it's so nice to be so close to Mike and see him more often!!

We have done a lot of fun stuff together and I LOVE it!!

When I was in Meridian searching for a job Mike was in Seattle waiting to be in his friends wedding, so he could finally see his parents, in Kentucky, after getting home from China.
So this is him at the wedding

And this is his fohawk mullet he tried to get while in Kentucky!

C H I N A

2010-08-21T13:15:00.000-06:00

On the plane to China :)

Well as most of you know Mike and I moved to China this year for a semester to teach English! We have been back for a few weeks now and are pretty adjusted to American life; for the most part. We started off in Hong Kong, going to the Hong Kong Temple everyday doing baptisms as a group, there was about 20 of us; that was a very neat experience! We then headed into 'real', Shenzhen, China and had some crash courses on teaching English (ESL training). After being in Shenzhen for a few days we all headed our separate ways to each of our schools. We taught at college kids at the Hunan Institute of Engineering. Our students were a blast and hung out with them a lot and they loved it and we loved it! We were always busy; being in competitions, or going to watch out students in singing competitions, model competitions, fashion shows, graduation, etc. We didn't get to do a whole of traveling during the semester. We worked five days a week, so it was hard to go anywhere over the weekend. We did have two days off during the semester so for one of those trips we went to the Huanshan Mountains aka the Yellow Mountains we all hear about when people talk about China Mountains. It was an AMAZING view! We camped on top of the mountain, then woke up early to watch the sunrise! GORGEOUS!! We then finished hiking all the way back down the mountain. For the other day we had off during the semester we went to a nearby city to buy the famous China dishes. They were all made in the city and they were pretty cheap. One of my students lives in that and he invited us over for dinner and his family had bought me a gift! His mom and him bought me a hand painted China vase! It's gorgeous!
After we were done at our college we traveled up to Beijing over the fourth of July and saw all the famous sites there; Tian anmen Square and watched the soldiers raise the flag during the sunrise, Forbidden City, saw Chairman Mao's body, Summer Palace, hiked the Great Wall, camped in one of the towers and watched the sunrise! went to an acrobatic show. We had a blast in Beijing! And of course LOTS of shopping and bargaining!! I am a pro! :) Ask Mike!! When we got back from Beijing we had found a new job for the month of July in a near by middle school (about 6 hours away), so we had to hurry and pack up to move the next day. We had a blast with them too! Little kids are so fun, happy, and just too cute. It was really hard to not bring all of them home with me! No, really, it was.
After our last city, Cili, we headed up to Shanghai. We took the train and rode it all night and arrived the next day at about 4pm. We found our hotel and immediately went out to see the city! We only had that day to see Shanghai but we saw more than we were planning. We saw the famous Bund, and all the big buildings. We went to the top of the famous tower, which took about 2 1/2 hours of standing in line! After that is was about 11pm, so headed back to our hotel. We really wanted to see the World Expo in Shanghai, but when we found out our train ride and what time we would be getting in we knew we would have to pass that up :( But that's ok, we enjoyed what we saw WAY better! :) We had a blast!
In the morning we packed up and called a cab and took it the airport to head back to America! The cab cost about 150 yuan which is about maybe $50!! But we were not about to try to lug all off our seven bags on and off the train at 8am on Monday morning in the middle of Shanghai.
So we made it home and we loved our time in China a learned a lot!!
Here are a few pictures of what I have on my computer:

Downtown HONG KONG

Over looking HONG KONG

Me over looking Hong Kong

Just having fun :)

Just having fun at Big Buddha/Pnong Ping

Eating in China / Famous shopping and bargaining street in Hong Kong

Me in the shopping street / housing above shopping street

Laser night light show on the Hong Kong Harbor

More on the Hong Kong Harbor

Goofing around on the streets
trying to spell CHINA with our bodies

Purple ice cream (aka UBE ice cream; gross)

Hong Kong Temple

Eating with chopsticks :)

Shenzhen, China

Dancing and playing pool with the locals; Americans!!
Walking the street of Shenzhen. Our first real chinese meal

This is where our first meal was and how the eating area was set up

Cute girl riding this bike while we were all playing pool
Karaoke-we always drew a huge crowd

Fresh Sugar cane on the street; for about one yuan (about ten cents)

CANADA

2010-01-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

After eating lunch and visiting Lynden, Washington, we headed across the border and had a BLAST in C A N A D A!!!!!

WELCOME TO C A N A D A

Canada is a little different...lol

When we went to Canada we went to Costco and bought some Kinder Eggs. What are Kinder Eggs?!?! was my thought!!! Well they are hollow chocolate eggs with a prize inside! When we came back to the border to come back to the US, they asked us if we had any Kinder Eggs, we had to say yes, so we had to pull forward and get out of the car and go inside. His aunt is the one who bought the eggs, so she had to fill out paper work. Then she had to decide if she wanted to keep the chocolate or prize because the US will not let you bring back something that is apparently a 'choking hazard'. OH! and get this!! they made us go back Across the border and dispose of which other one we didn't want to keep. So we at ate SOME of the chocolate, threw the rest away, and had to come Back to the border. We had to pull forward, again, get out of the car, again, and they had to search the car, again, to make sure we didn't bring any more Kinder Eggs back! CRAZY "rules"!!

Aunt Sally thought this was so funny, so she 'teased' the border patrol about sneaking the chocolate in...

Thanksgiving in Washington

2010-01-01T11:07:00.001-07:00

This year I went to Seattle for Thanksgiving! I had a blast!!! I love Mike's family!

Checking out the store/deals we have to hit in the morning!

Black Friday all the girls go shopping!! We left at 5:30AM, got some of the door busters, then headed to the mall. Then we do a drop off at the house. We then headed up north for some lunch and some fun shopping in a Dutch town, Lynden, Washington! We had a blast!!
The girls

That was some good chocolate!

I think I ate too much at Thanksgiving dinner...LOL
or maybe their scale is a little off!! lol

After a long day of shopping; the girls eating dinner at Spaghetti Factory

Grandma Coomer found a new hat for herself! Her ears were cold!
I love grandma!

Bowling

Our drive home

Boy, were we rich LOL

Halloween and Mike's birthday

2010-01-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

So I'm really behind; Sorry...But in all fairness I have been busy and it is some good busy...Enjoy!

Mike's parents came to Rexburg to visit him for an early birthday present, we had fun going to the Haunted Mill in Sugar City. It was cold standing in line for over an hour, but as we went through it we were laughing because his parents are so funny!

The next week was Mike's birthday, Nov 5, so I surprised him and showed up at his house when he got home from school! He was totally surprised! We hung out that day, but little did he know I had a surprise party planned for him the next night and had people coming into town from Boise to come celebrate!! I had to lie quite a bit that night and he was starting to catch on that I was lying, so I had to call my sister and have her save me and tell me I had to come home and babysit for about an hour. But all I did was go home and change and pick up the decorations, then head back to Rexburg. Then much to my surprise he showed up at her house to pick me up and bring me back, but no one was home!! So he called me and asked me where I was so I totally had to lie and now he was getting really angry! But I just had to hold on for a half hour and it would all come together! So I had a plan on how to get him to the lounge, I told him I had girl problems and needed to go the lounge and that I wanted him to come and wait for me....LOL

Priceless; Shaun singing to Mike...look at Mike's smile!!! :)
I LOVE YOU HONEY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!!
I LOVE YOU!

Conference 2009

2009-11-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

I had never been to Conference and I really wanted to go this year, so Mike was happy to take me and we had a BLAST! Conference was so good! We snatched two tickets from the street corner and walked right in! The ushers told us to sit close (the Plaza) so we walked close and other ushers asked what and where we were going then stated that someone told us to come down here so they let us in!! haha. We sat in the second section of the Plaza! We were way close and I was just mesmerized by everything! I want to go all the time!! Thanks Babe for taking me! I love you!

(we sat a few rows back from where the lady in white is standing!...)

After Conference we roamed Temple Sqaure, then headed to the Gateway Mall and ran into Mike's friend from Washington, that now lives in Rexburg as well, and they didn't know either of them lived there!! Their daughter Brooklyn stole my boyfriend!

Cheating right in front of me!! And loving it!! LOL

Birthday

2009-11-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

For my birthday Mike came up to the cabin with us for the weekend and we spent some wonderful, fun, relaxing times together as a family!
Riding go carts!

Our last day there Dad took us for a drive, showed us a bridge and Mike and I took a walk through the wild side, LOL, but we really did take a walk through the water....

Welcome to Rocky Bar, ID

Population: one...maybe a few more...
Speed Limit: 7 MPH.....LOL what kind of speed limit is that?!

Rocky Bar, ID is for sale; Only $800,000!!!

A little farther down the road; Watch out for those Alligators in the river!!

September 09

2009-10-12T17:58:00.000-06:00

Labor Day weekend was so fun! He came here and I took him to a few cool places around town; paddle boats, table rock, Ann Morrison park, Albertson park, train depot…we had fun!
Boise Train Depot

Paddle boats

We stoked this crane for about a half hour. we tried to get him to do something and I think finally he was tired of us watching him and getting close to him, so he turned around and made his territory known.

Table Rock

Kathryn Albertson Park

Then when we came home Mike made me a yummy cookie

I love you babe!

Post Seattle drama

2009-10-12T17:47:00.000-06:00

So while in Seattle, and every day since I have been dealing with the purse drama and trying to get everything figured out and replaced! The next day after the stolen purse his parnets went out and bought me a new camera and phone!! But don’t get me wrong the trip was SOOO fun!! We did So much fun stuff! I also had some days to see Seattle!!
The thing that is the hardest for me to deal with right now is my purse being stolen and the heart ache and frustration it is causing me!! It is VERY emotional for me. I have had a few break downs. Just dealing with it period, and knowing that we know who did it. And the police have chosen not to take any further action to catch them. And the frustration of replacing everything, changing bank accounts, getting lifelock, getting a new social security card. Calling to cancel all cards that were in my purse, etc. It is such a hassle. And just the thought of wondering why and how could they even think to do that to someone?!! They broke the car window and stole my purse! They had no shame!! So it’s been very hard emotionally and mentally. I’m trying to forgive but it’s really hard. But because of the gospel I know that eventually (hopefully sooner than later) they will be judged and charged for their wrong actions! So Mike has been helping me and ‘coaching’ me, but it’s very hard for me. So I guess that is my challenge in life right now.

Seattle 09

2009-08-28T16:32:00.001-06:00

This summer has been fun! Not a whole lot of traveling this year but I did just get back from visiting my boyfriend and his family in Seattle/Everett! I had a blast!! I ended up staying for ten days! I flew in Thursday night, Aug. 13, after work and we rode tripped it home Sunday August 23rd. What a blast! The day I got there, Friday, morning he had to go to the mall to buy Mariners/Yankees game tickets for that night! We were in in the mall for about ten minutes, and when we came out his driver's side window was broken and my purse was gone!! I immediately called my mom to rush to the bank and get my account and cards canceled! By the time she got to the bank they had already used my card to buy gas! So our plans got delayed/post poned for that day. We spent the remainder of the afternoon on the phone and talking to the police and the mall security. Later that day we found out that they had tried to use my card at an ATM, and a casino, but all times were denied! We caught them just in time! BUT we still have not caught the two men who stole my purse. Seattle is known for major theft and I am/was just not used to that! So the remainder of the trip I had ZERO money, and I was very aware of people around me! Now that I am home I am Very cautious, but I know Boise is safe. Good thing I only had about two dollars cash in my purse; but I lost, my new wallet, my sunglasses, my phone, camera, drivers license, all cards in my new wallet, and most of all my miche purse!! I WAS MAD!! I am so sick to my stomach and I feel violated that anyone could do that! What a way to start a vacation huh? So watch your purse! hehe. Now I have since changed all my bank accounts and canceled all other cards I had in my wallet! And have also since gotten Lifelock! Seattle is a very beautiful place, very fun, and very historic! I loved Seattle! Thanks Babe! I LOVE YOU!
(there are SO many pictures it's hard to choose! but I'll try to give you the best ones...)

Mike and I at the game

Mariners vs. Yankees!!

Mike :)

Friday was a messy day...But Saturday, his parents felt bad and were mad themselves about the purse, so they took me to the store and bought me a new phone! They are so sweet! Then we headed to the family beach house on the Hood Canal! The whole family was there! (It was actually a work party, hehe, he tricked me, ok well no he didn't he told me...) So we did some yard work, then had dinner, by then it was time to head back home. Sunday we went to church, and that was fun! That night he took me to St. Mark's church for a very cool performance by some guys singing some scriptures, then, a 20 year old boy played Bach on the organ! He was absolutely amazing!! He had only been playing the organ for four years!!

Looking at Seattle from the Ferry

On the Ferry

Coming home from the Beach house

Monday was a good day! :) We did a lot of cool things. We slept in! hehe. He then had planned for us to go to the Boeing Factory. Which in right there in Everett! So we show up and we climb on a bus and it takes us over to the actual Boeing Factory, our tour guide took us to the 747 planes, 777 planes, and the 787 planes! WOW! now those are big planes and very high tech! And, very educational! I would love to ride in one of those some day! Our tour guide was so cool! We kept joking with her and playing games with her! The Boeing Factory is the largest building by volume in the world!!! We walked away enjoying our experience! When we got home we needed to take the dog to "doggy day care", so we drove about an hour to drop him off, and on our way home we decided to stop and get a bite to eat, so we stopped at Armadillo BBQ, but of course you need dessert, so we grabbed an ice cream cone in a little famous ice cream shop in Duvall! It was so good!

The Boeing Factory

We love our ice cream cones!

After all that we went bowling for FHE that night! But we left a little early because we had had a long day. By the time we got home his brother was at the house! His brother came to town from Kentucky with his twin boys! They are so cute!
Wednesday was a calm, low key day. We went to brunch, did a few errands. Then the detective called us and the bank called us, so we figured out more stuff about my purse and what not. That night we just hung out and watched a movie.
Tuesday we had a BIG day planned!! His parents took us to Tillicum Village!! What a treat!

Grandma with the twins! :) / Mike's parents

Aaron and one of the twins. / Welcome!

Having fun just after arriving

Aaron and Amanda and one of the twins / the "wonderful" clam soup they fed us when we first arrived...

They cooked our Salmon right in front of us over the fire! YUM! It was so good!

After dinner they put on a show for us!

What an amazing show!

I told you we found things to "do"...mike found HIS todum pole and I became a tree hugger!! haha

Having fun! / Gorgeous flowers!

We love to jump!

Us!

I LOVE the ocean and beach!
That's me! haha/ I love lighthouses :)

When we got back from Tillicum Village we walked up to the Pike Place Market and walked around, we found some cool things to see and "do"...and right before we left he walked away and came back with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers for me!!

...I don't even know what to say or think.... / Kiss the pig!

The famous gum wall behind Pike Place Market....

It was lOng! / Look at that yummy window ledge!
It's like candy land!

Yummy!

The gorgeous flowers he bought me! / Uh Oh! Good or bad thing??

Swimming at his Aunt's house / Mike and Aaron wanted to throw me! / Spencer loves his cousin Mike!!

Thursday we did everything that we were supposed to do on Friday. We started at the Space Needle. The Space Needle is so cool! We spent about an hour on top, just enjoying the view, and taking lots of pictures! We then made our way to the EMP (experience music project); now that is a cool place! You can make your own cd, your own song, learn tons fo instruments and even learn how to scratch records, and etc. It is SO informative, and educational! You should check it out! We then headed straight to the science fiction museum! Talk about Star Wars, Star Trek, Matrix, etc. everywhere!! If you are a fan of any of those this is the place for you! It's about three levels and it is cool! From there we headed to the Pacific Science Center; we first decided to go see a 3D IMAX movie, "Under the Sea". It was only about 45 minutes long, but it was very good; and no mike didn't fall asleep, haha, and no I didn't start dosing off. I had never seen an IMAX or 3D movie so it was very cool! After the movie we explored the three or four buildings of F.U.N.!!

Fun at the Space Needle!

US

I told you we had too much fun at the Space Needle...

I think we are going to quit our jobs/school and join the circus!

Space Needle / EMP

Inside EMP / tower of musical instruments

It's two stories high!

Dancing for the crowd!!!...(ME!) hehe / Science Fiction Museum

Circus here I come! / World's Largest electric guitar!

From the Science Fiction Museum and 3D movie we headed to the Pacific Science Center and had lots of fun there!! In one of the buildings there was a Butterfly Exhibit!! It was very cool!!

Mike and the funny mirror
Let's just say when I hung from the bar I stayed on twice as long!! :) LOL
Hang test = FAIL!

Flexibility is not his thing; again beat by a girl! And it's his girlfriend!! LOL
Flexibility test = FAIL!

Don't let the buzzer go off!! Just like Operator!
Buzzer test = PASS
Balance test = FAIL!

He didn't even know I walked away!
Concentration test and ignore the girlfriend = PASS

Nutrition test = FAIL!
Stress test = FAIL!

Looking good test = FAIL! LOL

BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT

After the butterfly exhibit, we had fun and took silly pictures. We then headed to another building with more fun science things/toys to play with! :)

High Rail Bike! SO FUN!

Mike loves his motors and I love rock climbing!

I love being a kid again, and, well, Mike wasn't feeling so hot that day! :(

More fun outside at the Space Needle!

Water Fountain!!

Walking to the car

After a fun filled day in Seattle, we headed to the Beach house! It was the just his family; and it was the twins birthday Friday so we celebrated their birthday their! It was a very fun and relaxing day and a half at the beach house. Friday afternoon his grandparents showed up for a little bit to say hi and hang out.
Mike singing to the radio

Riding the Ferry; while the sun is setting...

Getting ready to race Aaron across the Hood Canal

Off they go!

Waiting for them to get back...

What are you looking at?! I'm looking at you beautiful!

Here they come, they made it! About an hour and a half later!

Boy do they look TIRED

We then took a nap and cooked hot dogs for lunch...YUM!

Then comes the BBQ/bonfire and playing with the grandparents and twins!
Making the fire, and eating the hot dogs and s'mores...

After the beach house his grandparents wanted to take us all out to dinner; also for the twins' birthday! They took us to Applebee's and the twins loved their food and their ice cream! :)

After dinner we wanted to go to back to the Space Needle; to see it at night :) Aaron and Amanda decided to come with us, but they are not seen in any of these pictures...

After experiencing the Space Needle at night, and going to the famous park to see the Space Needle, we headed off to the Giant troll under the bridge! And boy is it GIANT, u-g-l-y, and disturbing; yet funny and way cool/fun!
Mike picking his nose...

Me getting stuck in his nose...

LOL!! Having too much fun! I LOVE YOU BABE!!

Fourth of July '09

2009-07-08T23:11:00.000-06:00

For the fourth of July my friend Courtney invited me to come to her husband's family's cabin in New Meadows! My friend Mike was in town so we went up early Saturday and hung out at the cabin and relaxed. We then rode up to Riggins area and found a few good rapids in the river to raft! So we unload and load up our rafts (full of patches, that might not float all the way down; so they say) and we head down the river! The first round two rafts went down and Mike and just watched...haha. The second raft flipped on the first rapid...scary! haha. I then decided I wanted to join in the fun! But made sure I told my raft I did not want to flip over! They agreed, and off we went! We made it with our filpping!! Riding over a class four rapid, we decided we wanted to ride the next rapid! That one we ended up going through it backwards!! As soon as I noticed this i stood up and turned around (because I did NOT want to fall out!!) We made it!! We then got out and went Again! The second round same thing, we started going backwards and side ways and two people from our raft fell out! But I stayed in! I held on for dear life so I would not fall out! (I now have some battle wounds/bruises to show off on my chins and behind my knee! they are U-G-L-Y, but cool! haha) But since two of our people fell out we missed out exit, we were trying to get them in the boat before we hit the next rapid! we got them in and had to hurry and paddle to shore! We ended up in the rocks and bushes which made it difficult to exit, so the other raft came over and helped us and we all climbed this rocky hill barefoot. It was so fun!! (pictures coming later) The last time they went down I didn't go, and they decided to all fit in one raft! They made it down the first rapid and their raft went flat!! HAHA!! so they had to climb out at another difficult spot and come find us! (we would pick them up with the car at the exit). HAHA It was a fun filled weekend! After we got back to the cabin we all took a little nap, then headed to McCall for fireworks on the lake! We were all looking forward to these wonderful, amazing fireworks! Well we missed the first five minutes trying to find a spot to park, then as soon as we found our fron trow seats next to the lake....the grand finale was going off and we turned and all looked at eachother, and by the time we looked back at them, they were over!! WE WERE MAD!! But now we laugh histerically about it! It was/is a weekend to remember!!

Driving to McCall with Mike

Mike and I exploring downtown New Meadows, Idaho

Let's all go to Cowboy Church!! :)

Driving in the car...

Mike and I-in New Meadows

Mom

2009-07-08T22:58:00.000-06:00

Mom's arm is healing very well! She goes out with dad at least once a week to ride! They are quite the biker gang! They love it! They have found their new hobby that will continue into retirement! :)

From this...

To this...

LAGOON

2009-07-07T21:54:00.000-06:00

Father's day weekend my friend Courtney and I decided we wanted to go to Lagoon! So I invited my friend Mike from Rexburg and she brought her husband and we headed out! We met my friend Mike in Utah, so we (I) had a few extra seats in my car, so Shaun's (Courtney's husband)s brohther decided they wanted to come as well so we all piled in the car and headed to Utah!! The road trip was so fun! We took turns driving and it made the trip go by a little faster. We ended up sleeping at Shaun's uncles house in the hills behind the temple in Bountiful! Amazingly beautiful home! The night we got there we went swimming in their pool that has an amazing slide! It's almost a straight vertical fall! (kind of like a mini lagoon waterpark in their backyard!) It was so fun! Although Courtney ran me over with her skim board and burned my back! hehe good times! (oh yes! you go down the slide on a skim board to go faster and to go farther! Or you can go down double and it works fun that way too!!)
Utah was so sunny when we got there! We were all excited to go to Lagoon and play in the water?! Well when we woke up it was a little over cast, but we were still determined to go! By the time we got there it was raining, but Shaun was not leaving!! hehe, he came to Lagoon to have fun and play in the water!! So we wouldn't let us leave, so we rode all the rides we wanted to, some of them twice and it was fun!! You couln't even tell it was raining! We had a blast! Well as we worked our way to the other side of the park, it started raining harder but that was still not stopping us!! So Shaun dragged us to Rattlesnake Rappids and we had to have fun! Boy was it fun! And COLD!! but we sure laughed a lot!:) As the day went on it kept rainging, but we were still riding! One ride that all the guys talked me into was the human sling shot!! YIKES! I told myself I would never ride that ride EVER! But here I am strapped in the ride, with Mike, asking them all why am I doing this?! and told Shaun, the things I do for you! he talked me into it! As soon as it shot me in the air I of course screamed!! But....it was soooo fun!! It is now my FAVORITE ride!! We all rode the human sling shot, except Courtney, we loved it! After that we wanted to ride the Samari, but the line was slow, we stood in the line, in the rain, for thirty minutes before getting on the ride!! (yes that many people were still at Lagoon in the rain!!) We loved that ride so much we got back in line right away and got on much quicker the next time! After we left the park we were all so wet so stopped at the store to get some dry clothes. We then headed back to the house to get warm, and get ready to drive home. But of course Shaun's brothers wanted to go out on a 'date', so we had to wait for them to get home before we left, well they didn't get home until 12:30am, so we decided not to leave and that we would leave in the morning! We were all so exhausted and tired, so I think it was a good move. We had a blast and had another fun road trip home in the hail and snow and rain!! YEP! What a trip to remember!!

Ok, so they may not be the most appealing pictures...

They had wiggle cars! Ryan and I might have been racing each other through the kitchen
Ryan-Shaun's brother

Matt
Shaun's brother

Courtney Shaun

This just might be the most hideous picture!

Ryan driving us home safely; through the crazy weather!
Although we did almost die!

Boise Zoo

2009-07-05T21:14:00.000-06:00

When Terressa came to town this last time I took the three older kids to the zoo! They had a lot of fun...until is started pouring on us! But that wasn't going to stop us! Bryant and Kayelynn wanted to leave and get inside but Sarah was just loving it! she splashed in the puddles and enjoyed every minute of it! Although she was scared to enter the zoo at first because there was a big staute of a monkey -I believe-but Parker picked her up and showed her it wasn't scary and she was ok after that! These kids love animals, they were just sad that there wasn't a zebra or elephant. Oh well.

The found the 'elephant'!!

They loved the black bear! And Sarah loved showing Kayelynn what she thought was cool or what she thought she look at!

They also loved watching the Tiger walk around and come close to the glass!

The giraffe was another favorite! He was so tall!

Cute kids!

Look at the prairie dogs! LOL

I don't know why they looked scared, because they loved this giant lizard! hehe

Giant turtle!

As you can tell it was pouring at this time and they were loving it!!

Sarah was so exhausted by the end of the day! What a fun filled day!!