Dear Blogger Friends and Readers (if there are any of you left),
I must apologize for my almost year of absence! Life has been busy, but mostly with work, Marc starting a new job (almost a year ago), and moving. We really haven't done anything I find to be blog worthy in that time. The last year has definitely been a roller coaster. We did got on a family vacation to San Diego this summer, I will post the pictures once I pull them from my phone. I promise to blog again soon! We have finally settled into life again and can plan fun things! In fact, I guarantee the fun we have planned next week will be blogged about and will redeem my self from my hiatus. Stay tuned! You won't want to miss it!
Mel
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
We Are Thankful For...
With Thanksgiving right around the corner and this month being one to reflect on our gratitude, we decided to make a list of some of the things that we are thankful for in our lives, some are silly, and some are more serious, but they are all things that we are grateful for this Holiday Season!
His:
A Wife That Cooks Good Food
Star Wars
Xbox
My R2 D2 Droid
Dogs
Food That Can Be Delivered
Lazy Saturdays
Breakfast In Restaurants
Kung Fu Movies
Toilets
Fresh Fruit
Swimming Pools
My Mission
That I Was Able To Find A Job In A Rough Economy
Brothers
Hers:
Rain
Pretty Flowers
Hot Chocolate
Warm Blankets
My Bed
A Clean House
A Dishwasher
A Washing Machine
A Husband That Likes My Cooking
Creativity
Music
Smiling Faces
My Dads Garden
That We Live In A Big City
Modern Medicine
Ice Cream
My Primary Class
That Marc Served A Mission
A Brother & Father That Served Missions (And Another Leaving Soon)
Clothes To Wear
Theirs:
Family
The Temple
Each Other
The Gospel
Scriptures
Education
Good Jobs
Our Home
Health & Safety
Eternal Marriage
The Temple
Each Other
The Gospel
Scriptures
Education
Good Jobs
Our Home
Health & Safety
Eternal Marriage
That We Have Nice Things
Time Together
Technology
Yummy Food
Modern Conveniences
That We Can Live In Arizona
That We Have Family SO Close
Freedom
People That Fight For Our Freedom
Our Country
Good Friends
A Car That Works
Hobbies & Talents
The Savior
The Prophet
Local Church Leaders
Holidays (Paid Time Off)
Good Books
Answers To Prayers
Spiritual Experiences
The Holy Ghost
That We Can Be With Our Families Forever
Tasty Treats
Missionaries
Family Vacations
And Much Much More...
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Summer Getaway...
This Summer we were lucky enough to be able to spend a week with my family at our camp in Maine! It was a crazy trip! We left on a Friday night and took a red eye, which we will probably never do again, and I will also say never wake up on a plane and eat airport breakfast for your birthday...Happy 24th birthday to me! Anyway, my brother who is in Idaho flew to Phoenix and we met him and flew to Maine with him. Even though we didn't get to talk, it was nice to have him along, and it wasn't until a few days before that we realized that we would fly with him. We had a a layover in Philly, then flew to Bangor Maine. After we got to the airport we got a ca to take us to get the rental car. We still had about a 2 hour drive to camp. It is pretty tricky to find, but we found it without any trouble! When we pulled up in front of the driveway, my grandma, sister and brother jumped out in front of us with balloons and sticks on their heads pretending to be moose! I didn't get any pictures, but it was definitely a sight to see!
My mom and grandma had made a yummy birthday lunch. We ate and opened presents, then we played in the water. Here are a few picts! I know this is a gross pic, but the water was really cold, we were a little chicken to get in and if we had the camera, the boys wouldn't throw us in! It is always hard for my to dive right in though, the lake is 80 ft deep right off our dock, yeah, that is scary, plus it takes me a bit to get over the swimming with wildlife, and eels thing, my parents would tell you some pretty embarrassing stories from when I was younger and too scared to get in, but we will save those for another time!
The Sunset was beautiful that night, here are a few pictures, but a big warning, I love the Maine Sunsets, so there will be plenty pictures of sunsets! Sorry some of the pics are dark, I haven't had time to lighten them up.
The first Sunday we were there was 4th of July. There is a little town about 40 minutes from our camp that we LOVE to go to on the 4th. They have a town party there is music craft booths, yummy food and beautiful weather. There is a lake that the town is built around. For the 4th people go out on the lake in their boats and crowd around the edges of the lake to watch. They take a boat out into the middle of the lake and set off the fireworks, they reflect off the water and are so pretty. I didn't get any pictures, I forgot my camera at the house, but believe be, it was beautiful and so fun! The weather was great!
The next day was my brothers last day before he went back to school so we went and hiked. The mountain we hiked is the one that is in the sunset pictures. Here is a play by play of our hike, it was pretty hot and took us about 4 or 5 hours from start to end, but this isn't a nice easy hike!
The next day we went to Bar Harbor Maine! We ate yummy food and had fun walking in the shops. We went and stuck our feet in the Atlantic Ocean. Marc called his parents because they were in San Diego playing at the beach and we thought it was pretty funny they were at the Pacific Ocean while we were at the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the country! Here we are with the ocean in the back ground eating our delicious ice cream. We went through blueberry withdrawals after that trip!
On the drive home we found an LL Bean outlet and couldn't pass it up! They had great deals and we each got some fun stuff! We decided we were going to stop at a fun ice cream place that we love on the way back. We had driven in two different cars, so my brother and sister came with us. We were a little surprised when we pulled up and my parents and grandma were there too. They stopped at the store on the way back and we went on ahead. As we were driving we saw a moose running along the side of the road. It got scared back into the woods but we sat and watched it for awhile.
We always have a work day at camp. Since so many families share it we all pitch in when we are there it make it look great! This last year a new cabin was finished on our land. There were a bunch of trees that had to be cleared so that the cabin could be built. My parents rented a wood chipper and we spent 8 hours clearing trees and plants around the camp. It was so hot that day! We took tons of water brakes and a lunch break but we were beat, and dirty! But since we were right by the lake, we jumped in clothes an all and that was the BEST part of the day! Here we are getting our much needed swim after working all day!
We had so much fun going out at night looking for moose in the boat and showing Marc around camp. Here are a few more pics of how we spent the evenings. The first pic is a loon that swam right by us. There was also a beaver that would swim around the dock at about the same time. It was so fun!
Here are a few more sunset pics and some of us walking across the train tracks. The train used to be how our family got into camp. They would stop and have to carry their bags all the way to camp. The train still goes through camp, but it doesn't stop anymore. The bridge is super scary, if you are like me and scared of heights! I made Marc hold my hand the whole way! I was so scared I would fall!
My mom and grandma had made a yummy birthday lunch. We ate and opened presents, then we played in the water. Here are a few picts! I know this is a gross pic, but the water was really cold, we were a little chicken to get in and if we had the camera, the boys wouldn't throw us in! It is always hard for my to dive right in though, the lake is 80 ft deep right off our dock, yeah, that is scary, plus it takes me a bit to get over the swimming with wildlife, and eels thing, my parents would tell you some pretty embarrassing stories from when I was younger and too scared to get in, but we will save those for another time!
The Sunset was beautiful that night, here are a few pictures, but a big warning, I love the Maine Sunsets, so there will be plenty pictures of sunsets! Sorry some of the pics are dark, I haven't had time to lighten them up.
The first Sunday we were there was 4th of July. There is a little town about 40 minutes from our camp that we LOVE to go to on the 4th. They have a town party there is music craft booths, yummy food and beautiful weather. There is a lake that the town is built around. For the 4th people go out on the lake in their boats and crowd around the edges of the lake to watch. They take a boat out into the middle of the lake and set off the fireworks, they reflect off the water and are so pretty. I didn't get any pictures, I forgot my camera at the house, but believe be, it was beautiful and so fun! The weather was great!
The next day was my brothers last day before he went back to school so we went and hiked. The mountain we hiked is the one that is in the sunset pictures. Here is a play by play of our hike, it was pretty hot and took us about 4 or 5 hours from start to end, but this isn't a nice easy hike!
The next day we went to Bar Harbor Maine! We ate yummy food and had fun walking in the shops. We went and stuck our feet in the Atlantic Ocean. Marc called his parents because they were in San Diego playing at the beach and we thought it was pretty funny they were at the Pacific Ocean while we were at the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the country! Here we are with the ocean in the back ground eating our delicious ice cream. We went through blueberry withdrawals after that trip!
On the drive home we found an LL Bean outlet and couldn't pass it up! They had great deals and we each got some fun stuff! We decided we were going to stop at a fun ice cream place that we love on the way back. We had driven in two different cars, so my brother and sister came with us. We were a little surprised when we pulled up and my parents and grandma were there too. They stopped at the store on the way back and we went on ahead. As we were driving we saw a moose running along the side of the road. It got scared back into the woods but we sat and watched it for awhile.
We always have a work day at camp. Since so many families share it we all pitch in when we are there it make it look great! This last year a new cabin was finished on our land. There were a bunch of trees that had to be cleared so that the cabin could be built. My parents rented a wood chipper and we spent 8 hours clearing trees and plants around the camp. It was so hot that day! We took tons of water brakes and a lunch break but we were beat, and dirty! But since we were right by the lake, we jumped in clothes an all and that was the BEST part of the day! Here we are getting our much needed swim after working all day!
We had so much fun going out at night looking for moose in the boat and showing Marc around camp. Here are a few more pics of how we spent the evenings. The first pic is a loon that swam right by us. There was also a beaver that would swim around the dock at about the same time. It was so fun!
Here are a few more sunset pics and some of us walking across the train tracks. The train used to be how our family got into camp. They would stop and have to carry their bags all the way to camp. The train still goes through camp, but it doesn't stop anymore. The bridge is super scary, if you are like me and scared of heights! I made Marc hold my hand the whole way! I was so scared I would fall!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
David and Goliath
I have to post this mostly because it was too cute to forget, and it was a few weeks ago!
I teach the 9 and 10 year old Primary class in our ward. We talked about Ruth and Naomi and it said to let the kids know that David that slew Goliath was the great grandson of Ruth. So, I asked the kids if they knew the story, and since we had a few minutes and would be learning that lesson in a few weeks asked if someone wanted to tell us really quick about the story. A boy raised his hand and said he knew, so I asked him to tell the class the story. The story went something like this " There was a little boy named David who was walking down the street and saw a lady selling beans..." (Do you see where this is going?) "He bought some from her and planted them, it grew a really big beanstalk and he climbed up it and there was a big giant that lived in the clouds and David killed him!" I did my best not to laugh, and told the boy that he confused David and Goliath with Jack and the Beanstalk, he then said "well they both kill giants, same thing"! Too bad he wasn't at church the week we learned the real story! I wonder how long he will go thinking that Jack and the Beanstalk is a Bible story?
I teach the 9 and 10 year old Primary class in our ward. We talked about Ruth and Naomi and it said to let the kids know that David that slew Goliath was the great grandson of Ruth. So, I asked the kids if they knew the story, and since we had a few minutes and would be learning that lesson in a few weeks asked if someone wanted to tell us really quick about the story. A boy raised his hand and said he knew, so I asked him to tell the class the story. The story went something like this " There was a little boy named David who was walking down the street and saw a lady selling beans..." (Do you see where this is going?) "He bought some from her and planted them, it grew a really big beanstalk and he climbed up it and there was a big giant that lived in the clouds and David killed him!" I did my best not to laugh, and told the boy that he confused David and Goliath with Jack and the Beanstalk, he then said "well they both kill giants, same thing"! Too bad he wasn't at church the week we learned the real story! I wonder how long he will go thinking that Jack and the Beanstalk is a Bible story?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Playing Catch Up, Marc's BIrthday!
I know we have been non-existent in the blogging world, but here are a few reasons why
1. My little brother's High School Volley Ball Team were playing GREAT! They ended their season 22-0 AND Arizona State Champs! We went to all the games we could near the end of the season and were there to scream and shout as the winning point went down on the court!
2. The same brother graduated from high school and celebrations were abundant!
3. Marc decided he wanted to go back to school, so I have been working full time and over time while he studies and goes through the application process to get a masters.
4. Summer vacations and swimming have kept us out of the house and off the computer!
5. Marc and I each celebrated our 24th birthdays almost a month apart, and between celebrating with both families, our weekends have been used up.
So, now time to play catch-up!
On Marcs birthday his parents, took us and his little brother out to lunch. Marc wanted to go to a family favorite Mexican restaurant, and we were so full! We had fun visiting with them though! Then that night we celebrated his birthday, just the two of us! I heard earlier this year that Bennihana, a super fun teppanyaki grill, has great monthly coupons. I signed up to get them and put Marcs name and birthday down thinking that if there was some fun birthday coupon I could use it! BEST IDEA EVER! About a week before his birthday I got an e-mail for $30 off a meal and dinner and the chef's table. I called and made the reservation and did my best to keep it a secret, I have a hard time surprising people because I like to see their reaction, but I kept this one. We got in the car and I drove so he wouldn't guess along the way. He figured it out before we turned into the parking lot, but he was so excited! We had been wanting to go but never had! When we got the menus they told us that their monthly special was a $40 dinner for two! It included, soup, salad, shrimp, chicken, steak, veggies, and rice all cooked on the grill right in front of us! It was SO tasty! Because it was Marcs birthday they brought out a half a pineapple that was carved to look like a fish with orange slices, lime slices and a cherry to make the tail! It was so cute, but I forgot to take a picture since there was a creepy little girl sitting by us that looked like she was going to attack it! They did take a picture for us and gave us a copy and emailed us one, so here is the only picture we have!
I felt pretty bad though, because I have made him a cake every birthday since we have been married and wasn't able to since I was working, but my mom made him a delicious German Chocolate Cake the Sunday after, it is his family tradition for just about every birthday!
We also celebrated with his family but there are 4 birthdays within a month, so we had one big party! We went to Ancala for a Delicious dinner then back to his parents for ice cream cake, swimming, and presents. Overall he isn't so sad about being 24 anymore!
1. My little brother's High School Volley Ball Team were playing GREAT! They ended their season 22-0 AND Arizona State Champs! We went to all the games we could near the end of the season and were there to scream and shout as the winning point went down on the court!
2. The same brother graduated from high school and celebrations were abundant!
3. Marc decided he wanted to go back to school, so I have been working full time and over time while he studies and goes through the application process to get a masters.
4. Summer vacations and swimming have kept us out of the house and off the computer!
5. Marc and I each celebrated our 24th birthdays almost a month apart, and between celebrating with both families, our weekends have been used up.
So, now time to play catch-up!
On Marcs birthday his parents, took us and his little brother out to lunch. Marc wanted to go to a family favorite Mexican restaurant, and we were so full! We had fun visiting with them though! Then that night we celebrated his birthday, just the two of us! I heard earlier this year that Bennihana, a super fun teppanyaki grill, has great monthly coupons. I signed up to get them and put Marcs name and birthday down thinking that if there was some fun birthday coupon I could use it! BEST IDEA EVER! About a week before his birthday I got an e-mail for $30 off a meal and dinner and the chef's table. I called and made the reservation and did my best to keep it a secret, I have a hard time surprising people because I like to see their reaction, but I kept this one. We got in the car and I drove so he wouldn't guess along the way. He figured it out before we turned into the parking lot, but he was so excited! We had been wanting to go but never had! When we got the menus they told us that their monthly special was a $40 dinner for two! It included, soup, salad, shrimp, chicken, steak, veggies, and rice all cooked on the grill right in front of us! It was SO tasty! Because it was Marcs birthday they brought out a half a pineapple that was carved to look like a fish with orange slices, lime slices and a cherry to make the tail! It was so cute, but I forgot to take a picture since there was a creepy little girl sitting by us that looked like she was going to attack it! They did take a picture for us and gave us a copy and emailed us one, so here is the only picture we have!
I felt pretty bad though, because I have made him a cake every birthday since we have been married and wasn't able to since I was working, but my mom made him a delicious German Chocolate Cake the Sunday after, it is his family tradition for just about every birthday!
We also celebrated with his family but there are 4 birthdays within a month, so we had one big party! We went to Ancala for a Delicious dinner then back to his parents for ice cream cake, swimming, and presents. Overall he isn't so sad about being 24 anymore!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Gila Valley Temple!
The Gila Valley Temple is doing their open house, the temple is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours away, my parents decided they wanted to go with my brother and sister, so Marc and I tagged along. We left about 7am and were home about 6pm, it was a pretty quick trip! We have some good family friends that live in Thatcher, the city where the temple is, so we used their house to change into our Sunday clothes. These friends wrote, choreographed, and organized the Temple Cultural Celebration that will be held before the Temple Dedication. They had all day rehearsals and since we had to run get the key to their house, we got to watch some of it! It was amazing!
There were a lot of people going through that day so we didn't really get to stop and talk too much. We were in and out in about 10 minutes, not including the 12 minute video before and our pit stop for cookies after! It was so beautiful! It will be a huge blessing to the people in the area to have a temple so close to them! Here are a few pictures outside the Temple. My dad took some of the family, minus himself, I'll post some of those as soon as I get them! Sorry about our squinted eyes, the sun was so bright!
There were a lot of people going through that day so we didn't really get to stop and talk too much. We were in and out in about 10 minutes, not including the 12 minute video before and our pit stop for cookies after! It was so beautiful! It will be a huge blessing to the people in the area to have a temple so close to them! Here are a few pictures outside the Temple. My dad took some of the family, minus himself, I'll post some of those as soon as I get them! Sorry about our squinted eyes, the sun was so bright!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I Need Ideas!
I love our ward. It is small. Everyone is so friendly! We know this is the ward we were supposed to be in. We didn't really like the apartments we moved into, but something was telling us to do it. We found out that the ward had been fasting for new people to move in. So here we are! I was pulled into primary within the first few weeks, so I don't really know too many of the women. Some how Marc and I keep getting asked to do things. For example, a few weeks ago we were asked to speak to the Young Women about preparing for the Temple, I used to be in Young Women, but I was TERRIFIED! We did really well, and had parents come up and say how their daughters talked about it after. Well, Sunday the Relief Society President called and asked if I would speak at the Visiting Teaching Conference on Sunday. Again I am TERRIFIED, but this time for very different reasons! I have been to the temple, I remember preparing to go through, I could relate to the subject. This time I can't. The topic they want us to speak on is from Elder Aoyagi's General Conference talk "Helping Hands, Saving Hands". I have only been able to have Visiting Teachers for 5 or 6 years, but my experience has not been anything to model after. I will admit, I have had times where I don't go, I have had companions who won't go and leave me to go alone, but I have never had Visiting Teachers that come like they should. I have always been under the impression that if other sisters take time to visit you, you should do the same. I do my part, but the other half is rarely fulfilled. I don't know how to talk on how Visiting Teaching has helped me in my life other than serving others, I have to talk on both. So, If any of you have stories of how your life has been blessed by Visiting Teaching can you share?! I promise I will not claim your stories as mine, and I also will confirm with you if I can use your story if it is something I feel I should share with these sisters. I know that some of your experiences may be personal and you may not want to share, I totally understand, feel free to share your comments on here, or if you would rather e-mail me at mliving at hotmail dot com. Thanks so much!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Return of my Malagasy Brother
My brother has been serving his mission in Madagascar for the last two years and came home on March 24th! We have been so excited for him to come home. The Sunday before he came home my sister and I made signs to have at the air port. He was scheduled to come in around 8pm, but a few days before he was supposed to come home British Airways went on strike. We were all a little worried about how that would effect his coming home. Well, they redid his flight plan and he came home about 8 hours earlier. Unfortunately, there were people that couldn't be at the airport with us, but our whole family was there. We have loved having him home and hearing about the life he lived with so many amazing people for the last two years! Here is the one picture I took at the airport, I was too excited and just wanted to hug him.
He has super white hair and has always been easy to spot, except when there were a ton of blondes getting off planes. We have so much fun with him! We will all be sad when he leaves to go back to school! I will post more pictures when I get them!
He has super white hair and has always been easy to spot, except when there were a ton of blondes getting off planes. We have so much fun with him! We will all be sad when he leaves to go back to school! I will post more pictures when I get them!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Babysitting & 100th Post
Finally after way too long this is my 100th post!
Marcs brother Ben and his wife Danielle went to the temple and asked us to watch Tyler. Tyler LOVES Marc! They dropped him off at our office after work and we took him to our apartment to eat dinner. Marc drove him in their car, they whole way he was pointing out cars and getting so excited. He calls Marc "ma" and would say it over and over until Marc acknowledged him. He immediately found Marcs stash of Sunday School treats and was too distracted by everything to really eat. We watched a little bit of Bolt, he would laugh so hard when when Bolt would do anything. Marc laid down on the couch for a little bit to watch the movie and his little buddy was right there with him.
He was so cute cuddled up to him. They are best friends! We love watching him and playing with him! Hopefully we can play with him again soon!
Marcs brother Ben and his wife Danielle went to the temple and asked us to watch Tyler. Tyler LOVES Marc! They dropped him off at our office after work and we took him to our apartment to eat dinner. Marc drove him in their car, they whole way he was pointing out cars and getting so excited. He calls Marc "ma" and would say it over and over until Marc acknowledged him. He immediately found Marcs stash of Sunday School treats and was too distracted by everything to really eat. We watched a little bit of Bolt, he would laugh so hard when when Bolt would do anything. Marc laid down on the couch for a little bit to watch the movie and his little buddy was right there with him.
He was so cute cuddled up to him. They are best friends! We love watching him and playing with him! Hopefully we can play with him again soon!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
My Valentines Present!
I have been trying to be really crafty and make cute things. So for Valentines Marc got me a sewing machine. I really want to learn to sew, I am not that good at all so if you want to give me lessons, I am willing to take them. I decided to make pillows for our couch. Marc helped me pick out some super cute fabric to use. I think they turned out really cute, I am working one a few other projects, but I am having a few problems with elastic! Anyway, here is a picture of one of the pillows, sorry it isn't a great picture. The fabric is a dark brown with tiny white polka dots!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Dining Table
For Christmas, Marcs Parents got us a gift card to Ikea. We have been needing a dining room table really bad, we sold our last one to my cousin before moving out here and our card table wasn't cutting it any more! Marc wasn't too excited to make the trip and he wanted me to get a table I liked so he stayed home while my mom, sister and I went. We enjoyed a delicious lunch before hunting for the perfect table.
There was a big sale going on that day, unfortunately, the table I picked was not on sale. It has a leaf that pops up from the middle, that makes for a HEAVY table. Luckily there was a nice man at the store that took care of loading it for us! The box was a giant octagon, and super heavy. Marc and I had to lay it on the railing and slide it up the stairs, I was so scared it was going to fall over the edge! It made it, and it was pretty easy to put together, so were the chairs! Here are a few pictures, they aren't great, but tell me what you think! Ignore the pile in the corner, we are still trying to figure out where to put things!
There was a big sale going on that day, unfortunately, the table I picked was not on sale. It has a leaf that pops up from the middle, that makes for a HEAVY table. Luckily there was a nice man at the store that took care of loading it for us! The box was a giant octagon, and super heavy. Marc and I had to lay it on the railing and slide it up the stairs, I was so scared it was going to fall over the edge! It made it, and it was pretty easy to put together, so were the chairs! Here are a few pictures, they aren't great, but tell me what you think! Ignore the pile in the corner, we are still trying to figure out where to put things!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Christmas and New Years!
I have some time off from work so I can finally get caught up on our Holiday adventures! We had all our presents under the tree the week of Christmas. Marc and I both can admit to peeking at our presents growing up, so we have to find really good hiding spots and both make an effort to not even touch our presents or we will start speculating. We were doing so good until Christmas Eve when I wasn't looking and slid on one of my presents. Mar freaked out wanting to make sure it wasn't broken. I felt the top of the box and it all seemed fine. Then my mind started working and I began guessing. He never would tell me, but I did get it right! We spent Christmas Eve being lazy and hanging around the house since work had been crazy the week leading up to it. We woke up and made homemade cinnamon rolls. We got a little creative, we used our flour mill and had whole wheat cinnamon rolls. One batch we added macadamia nuts and carmel! YUM! We made a trip to the store for Egg Nog, and that turned out to be a mistake! We got home and made homemade tomato soup for dinner, we had Martinellis Cranberry Apple Cider to go with it and watched Christmas story. We had fun making food and spending the day together. I was so excited I wanted to go to sleep so I could wake up the next day! When we went to bed I had a hard time falling asleep and ended up waking up and waking Marc up at 7:30.
The night before we took turns filling each others stockings. Part of Marcs went on the tree, so he filled mine then hid it under a blanket. I filled his and did the same. When we woke up we came into our living room and peeked at our stockings. Then it was present time! We took turns picking the present the other had to open. I had to wait for the last one that I had guessed and open it last, and I was right! Marc got me some pretty sweet Converse All Stars! He also picked out some great clothes for me! He loved all his presents too! I was really excited that he even liked all his stocking stuff! After cleaning up we headed over to his parents house. We ate pillsbury turnovers, a Chase Christmas Morning Tradition, and opened presents! His parents gave us, among other things, a gift card to Ikea to buy a dining table. I will post pictures soon! After opening presents we played wii and spent time together until dinner. His parents made a delicious Beef Burgeon! After dinner we headed to my parents. They had been in Colorado and got home early Christmas morning. We opened presents with them, we got Sonicare Electric Toothbrushes, talk about dentist clean! We had been wanting them for awhile and were grateful to get them! Thanks mom and dad! After that, we headed out to Chandler to visit my grandma and cousins there. We opened more presents and snacked on lots of goodies. When we finally got home around 11 we were beat!
We both worked the next week and didn't really get to celebrate our 2 year anniversary, hopefully we will before our 3rd! We had to work New Years Eve but got home around 5:30. We changed then headed over to my parents. They had a huge party and invited a bunch of people from their ward. The party stared at 4 but we got there at 6 and there were cars lining the street! My mom made BBQ pulled pork, my dad smoked a turkey, and someone BBQ'd Brisket. It was DELICIOUS! There were so many people there and I didn't know most of them, but it was so fun! My Aunt and Uncle were visiting from San Francisco so we spent time with them and their kids. We were so full. We spent the rest of the evening with my family. It was a crazy night too and we were so glad to come home and sleep!
On New Years day we went to Marcs parents for a feast. They made a ton of food and had everyone over. We love spending so much time with our families and having a little vacation time here and there! We hope you all had a great Holiday too!
The night before we took turns filling each others stockings. Part of Marcs went on the tree, so he filled mine then hid it under a blanket. I filled his and did the same. When we woke up we came into our living room and peeked at our stockings. Then it was present time! We took turns picking the present the other had to open. I had to wait for the last one that I had guessed and open it last, and I was right! Marc got me some pretty sweet Converse All Stars! He also picked out some great clothes for me! He loved all his presents too! I was really excited that he even liked all his stocking stuff! After cleaning up we headed over to his parents house. We ate pillsbury turnovers, a Chase Christmas Morning Tradition, and opened presents! His parents gave us, among other things, a gift card to Ikea to buy a dining table. I will post pictures soon! After opening presents we played wii and spent time together until dinner. His parents made a delicious Beef Burgeon! After dinner we headed to my parents. They had been in Colorado and got home early Christmas morning. We opened presents with them, we got Sonicare Electric Toothbrushes, talk about dentist clean! We had been wanting them for awhile and were grateful to get them! Thanks mom and dad! After that, we headed out to Chandler to visit my grandma and cousins there. We opened more presents and snacked on lots of goodies. When we finally got home around 11 we were beat!
We both worked the next week and didn't really get to celebrate our 2 year anniversary, hopefully we will before our 3rd! We had to work New Years Eve but got home around 5:30. We changed then headed over to my parents. They had a huge party and invited a bunch of people from their ward. The party stared at 4 but we got there at 6 and there were cars lining the street! My mom made BBQ pulled pork, my dad smoked a turkey, and someone BBQ'd Brisket. It was DELICIOUS! There were so many people there and I didn't know most of them, but it was so fun! My Aunt and Uncle were visiting from San Francisco so we spent time with them and their kids. We were so full. We spent the rest of the evening with my family. It was a crazy night too and we were so glad to come home and sleep!
On New Years day we went to Marcs parents for a feast. They made a ton of food and had everyone over. We love spending so much time with our families and having a little vacation time here and there! We hope you all had a great Holiday too!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Crafts and Such...
I know I have been a total blog slacker the last little while, but with good reasoning! I have been working like crazy and so has Marc. So, here is the update and some pictures to prove we are alive and well!
Marc and I really wanted to see the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple before things got too busy. We went a few weeks ago with his brother Ben, his wife Danielle, and their son Tyler. We had so much fun! It was pretty busy, but it was fun to walk around and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. We didn't get a picture of us together, but here are the ones we got!
When Marc and I first started dating up at school before his mission, he told me he wasn't really a fan of christmas, more the commercialization of it, but he doesn't even get excited for it. Well, before we got married, I made it a goal to change that, now that it is our 3rd Christmas together, I think I am finally cracking the surface! I made a big deal about making Christmas cookies for the Chase family christmas party, and I actually put up decorations in our house, I never did since we weren't home to enjoy them. I really wanted to make our stockings since they can be really expensive to buy. I wanted to knit them, but couldn't find a knitting pattern. I ended up making them very similar to the way my mom made all of ours years ago, this is how they turned out, what do you think? I owe my sister in law Whitney a HUGE thanks for letting me use her sewing machine and making sure I knew what I was doing!
I am planning on going back and getting more of this fabric after christmas to make a matching tree skirt for next year! All of this got me really excited to decorate. Marcs brother Ryan and his wife Whitney let us borrow one of their fake trees that they aren't using this year, and we really didn't have ornaments. So, I made some! It cost me about $5 to make all 35 ornaments, and I think they turned out pretty cute! Here are pictures before they made it to the tree!
I am pretty happy with them, and they look really good on the tree, just take a look for yourself!
No, the printer is not a gift, we just need to put it on the desk. Anyway, I have done all of this in hopes of helping my wonderful husband like Christmas just a little and the other day he tells me he is "SO EXCITED"! I think I have begun to get through to him! I even started a little tradition for ourselves, this morning after we got up I made homemade cinnamon rolls! What made them even better is that I used my wheat mill and made Whole Wheat cinnamon rolls, and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! We also made one batch that had macadamia nuts and carmel in them, delicious! We decided that we will make them every Christmas Eve! We plan on taking the rest of the day easy and enjoying this quiet day alone, tomorrow will be a crazy one! We hope you all enjoy the day! Merry Christmas!
Marc and I really wanted to see the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple before things got too busy. We went a few weeks ago with his brother Ben, his wife Danielle, and their son Tyler. We had so much fun! It was pretty busy, but it was fun to walk around and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. We didn't get a picture of us together, but here are the ones we got!
When Marc and I first started dating up at school before his mission, he told me he wasn't really a fan of christmas, more the commercialization of it, but he doesn't even get excited for it. Well, before we got married, I made it a goal to change that, now that it is our 3rd Christmas together, I think I am finally cracking the surface! I made a big deal about making Christmas cookies for the Chase family christmas party, and I actually put up decorations in our house, I never did since we weren't home to enjoy them. I really wanted to make our stockings since they can be really expensive to buy. I wanted to knit them, but couldn't find a knitting pattern. I ended up making them very similar to the way my mom made all of ours years ago, this is how they turned out, what do you think? I owe my sister in law Whitney a HUGE thanks for letting me use her sewing machine and making sure I knew what I was doing!
I am planning on going back and getting more of this fabric after christmas to make a matching tree skirt for next year! All of this got me really excited to decorate. Marcs brother Ryan and his wife Whitney let us borrow one of their fake trees that they aren't using this year, and we really didn't have ornaments. So, I made some! It cost me about $5 to make all 35 ornaments, and I think they turned out pretty cute! Here are pictures before they made it to the tree!
I am pretty happy with them, and they look really good on the tree, just take a look for yourself!
No, the printer is not a gift, we just need to put it on the desk. Anyway, I have done all of this in hopes of helping my wonderful husband like Christmas just a little and the other day he tells me he is "SO EXCITED"! I think I have begun to get through to him! I even started a little tradition for ourselves, this morning after we got up I made homemade cinnamon rolls! What made them even better is that I used my wheat mill and made Whole Wheat cinnamon rolls, and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! We also made one batch that had macadamia nuts and carmel in them, delicious! We decided that we will make them every Christmas Eve! We plan on taking the rest of the day easy and enjoying this quiet day alone, tomorrow will be a crazy one! We hope you all enjoy the day! Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thanksgiving and a Little Update!
I promise we are alive and well! We have been super busy. I have been working as a part time temporary artist for Marcs dad's company for the last little bit, but it is slow time now so I have this week off. I have been putting in about 50+ hours a week, hence the lack of blogging! So, here we go!
Thanksgiving was great! There was a bit of miscommunication in our Thanksgiving plans, so we ended up eating Dinner with Marcs family, and went for dessert with my family. There was SO much food! We were in charge of sweet potatoes and rolls and somehow we managed to mess them both up! The roll recipe was one my mom uses, it is the same bread they bring you at outback. You are supposed to use bread flour. I didn't have any and looked like crazy online, everything said it was ok to use all purpose flour, well, not if half of the flour is wheat flour! I have a wheat grinder and made my own, lets just say we ended up with very dense rolls. We stopped by the store on the way to pick up a few more just in case. As for the sweet potatoes, while I was working on the rolls Marc took care of them. We boiled, peeled, and cut them the night before, so I had marc make the marinade. The recipe is one his mom hand wrote when she was about 16, it took me a bit but I was able to decipher it. Marc on the other hand had a little bit of a hard time. I went to give it a stir and realized the sugar was really grainy. Our brown sugar got really hard when we moved, but I was able to get it soft again so I didn't know why it wouldn't dissolve. When I asked Marc he said he put in white sugar, well we needed brown. So we added that, then balanced it out with more orange juice. They were VERY orangey! We put them in the oven the put a few marshmallows on them, we decided to finish baking them at his parents. The pan was too hot to put the lid on, so we set them very level and steady in the back, not luck, when we took them out the marinade and warm marshmallow goo showed us how tricky it was and spilled all over the back! They still tasted wonderful, and the car smelled festive too!
After eating and playing boche ball we went to my parents to eat dessert! Let me first say, my mom is AMAZING! There were about 4 or 5 homemade pies! Lets start the list, Apple, Pumpkin, Chocolate Cream, White Chocolate Blueberry, and I know I am forgetting one...anyway, they were WONDERFUL! We spent a little bit over there and then came home. We both had to be at work the next day and were really full and tired. It didn't help that it got to 80 degrees that day, then cool off really quick! But can you explain to me how Thanksgiving was 80 then two days later it was 60?! Gotta love AZ!
Our apartment is coming along wonderfully. We have had some not so good things, but we got a great deal and are only locked in for a 12 month lease, so we know we can make it! We have almost everything unpacked. This apartment is bigger than our last one but a couple hundred feet, but has SO much less storage, I have a box of food in my dining area! We have a few ideas on things to do to organize a bit, but we may have to wait until the holidays! I promise I will get some pictures of our place up! We need to decorate for Christmas too, so maybe we will have two in one pictures!
This weekend is going to be super busy! Hopefully I will get some pictures of that too! We have our nieces 1st birthday, and the Chase Family Christmas party with Marcs extended family. We will be baking lots of yummy cookies this week, I can't wait for it to smell like the holidays! I am also making our Christmas Stockings, once I finish them I will have to post a picture! And, I promise we will be more fun!
My little brother is turning 21 tomorrow! He is in Madagascar on his mission and should be coming home in February or March. I slacked on getting him out a birthday and Christmas package, but since it takes 2 months didn't think there was time. We too this picture on our computer, but it reflects the image, so we wrote backwards. Here is proof too that we are alive and well!
Also, if you are in Phoenix and want an AMAZING FREE haircut let me know! I found a coupon for a free shampoo, cut, and style at a new Paul Mitchell Salon in Scottsdale. My sister in law and I went the other day, and I want to go again, I just can't justify spending $45! They gave me coupons for a free cut to give away, and for every 3 people I refer I get another free cut! The lather lounge is a dark room with soft music playing and a tv playing the aquarium thing, the chairs have back massagers in them and they give you a wonderful hand and arm massage while washing your hair! I had water with cucumber brought to me too! The guy that did my hair was awesome! If you want a great stylist, I highly recommend him! Let me know if you want to try it out! Check back soon for more fun stuff!
Thanksgiving was great! There was a bit of miscommunication in our Thanksgiving plans, so we ended up eating Dinner with Marcs family, and went for dessert with my family. There was SO much food! We were in charge of sweet potatoes and rolls and somehow we managed to mess them both up! The roll recipe was one my mom uses, it is the same bread they bring you at outback. You are supposed to use bread flour. I didn't have any and looked like crazy online, everything said it was ok to use all purpose flour, well, not if half of the flour is wheat flour! I have a wheat grinder and made my own, lets just say we ended up with very dense rolls. We stopped by the store on the way to pick up a few more just in case. As for the sweet potatoes, while I was working on the rolls Marc took care of them. We boiled, peeled, and cut them the night before, so I had marc make the marinade. The recipe is one his mom hand wrote when she was about 16, it took me a bit but I was able to decipher it. Marc on the other hand had a little bit of a hard time. I went to give it a stir and realized the sugar was really grainy. Our brown sugar got really hard when we moved, but I was able to get it soft again so I didn't know why it wouldn't dissolve. When I asked Marc he said he put in white sugar, well we needed brown. So we added that, then balanced it out with more orange juice. They were VERY orangey! We put them in the oven the put a few marshmallows on them, we decided to finish baking them at his parents. The pan was too hot to put the lid on, so we set them very level and steady in the back, not luck, when we took them out the marinade and warm marshmallow goo showed us how tricky it was and spilled all over the back! They still tasted wonderful, and the car smelled festive too!
After eating and playing boche ball we went to my parents to eat dessert! Let me first say, my mom is AMAZING! There were about 4 or 5 homemade pies! Lets start the list, Apple, Pumpkin, Chocolate Cream, White Chocolate Blueberry, and I know I am forgetting one...anyway, they were WONDERFUL! We spent a little bit over there and then came home. We both had to be at work the next day and were really full and tired. It didn't help that it got to 80 degrees that day, then cool off really quick! But can you explain to me how Thanksgiving was 80 then two days later it was 60?! Gotta love AZ!
Our apartment is coming along wonderfully. We have had some not so good things, but we got a great deal and are only locked in for a 12 month lease, so we know we can make it! We have almost everything unpacked. This apartment is bigger than our last one but a couple hundred feet, but has SO much less storage, I have a box of food in my dining area! We have a few ideas on things to do to organize a bit, but we may have to wait until the holidays! I promise I will get some pictures of our place up! We need to decorate for Christmas too, so maybe we will have two in one pictures!
This weekend is going to be super busy! Hopefully I will get some pictures of that too! We have our nieces 1st birthday, and the Chase Family Christmas party with Marcs extended family. We will be baking lots of yummy cookies this week, I can't wait for it to smell like the holidays! I am also making our Christmas Stockings, once I finish them I will have to post a picture! And, I promise we will be more fun!
My little brother is turning 21 tomorrow! He is in Madagascar on his mission and should be coming home in February or March. I slacked on getting him out a birthday and Christmas package, but since it takes 2 months didn't think there was time. We too this picture on our computer, but it reflects the image, so we wrote backwards. Here is proof too that we are alive and well!
Also, if you are in Phoenix and want an AMAZING FREE haircut let me know! I found a coupon for a free shampoo, cut, and style at a new Paul Mitchell Salon in Scottsdale. My sister in law and I went the other day, and I want to go again, I just can't justify spending $45! They gave me coupons for a free cut to give away, and for every 3 people I refer I get another free cut! The lather lounge is a dark room with soft music playing and a tv playing the aquarium thing, the chairs have back massagers in them and they give you a wonderful hand and arm massage while washing your hair! I had water with cucumber brought to me too! The guy that did my hair was awesome! If you want a great stylist, I highly recommend him! Let me know if you want to try it out! Check back soon for more fun stuff!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I Know, It's Been Awhile!
I feel like such a slacker, but I have good reasons! I started doing some work for the company Marc's parents work for, they need help during the holidays, and we moved into our own apartment 2 weeks ago. Between unpacking and working around 50 hours a week, I haven't had blogging time, but the unpacking is done, and I don't need to work for a little while since it is a slow week. Once we get our place decorated and feeling like home I will post pictures. We are alive and well and have not fallen off the face of the earth!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Weekend of Wedding!
This last Saturday my cousin Katie got married, in Salt Lake. I drove up with my mom, dad, sister and brother on Thursday. We stopped for the night in Page Arizona and I woke up to this wonderful view of Lake Powell!
We spent most of Friday driving. When we got in, we went to dinner with my cousin, her soon to be hubby, her dad and his wife, my aunt, my wonderful cousin Becky, and my aunt and uncle from Oregon. We went to a restaurant in Trolly Square called Rodizio. It is a Brazilian grill, and very delicious! It is also VERY expensive. When you get there you go to the salad bar. This salad bar had very limited green salad items, it is mostly premade salads, but they were all very tasty. While you sit and eat your plate of many salads they bring out all kinds of meat, marinated chicken, steak, porks, even chicken heart! They bring it out still on the giant kabob sticks they grill it on. Then they slice it with GIANT knives inches from your face! I was so full I just wanted to sleep! My parents decided to take a little trip to Temple Square, I am so glad we did! It was already a little after 6, so most things were closing down, but we still had fun walking around! Here are some pictures of us outside the Salt Lake Temple!
When I was younger my family lived in West Valley City. Our Regional Conference was held in the Tabernacle and Elder Monson, now President Monson, was the visiting General Authority. I don't remember that day, but I don't think I have been in the Tabernacle since then. My mom and I decided to peek in the windows and there were people in there doing tours! So in we went! While we were looking around a lady went to the front to demonstrate the acoustics of the building. I am pretty sure I take technology for granted because sitting in there I realized that Brigham Young didn't use a microphone! It was so amazing to hear her tear paper and drop pins and I was in the back! Those early pioneers were truly inspired by the Lord! Here are a few pictures in the Tabernacle!
We then got to take a tour of the Conference Center. Just one week prior to our visit, they were preparing for General Conference and the spirit was still strong! I have been to the Conference Center once before, but it was set up for the Choir I was so sad that I didn't get to see the pulpit. This time though, it was still set up from conference. It was amazing how strong the spirit was still! Here are a few pictures of the Conference Center, for journaling purposes!
There is this really cool statue sitting on a table in the entry way, I took a picture mostly to show Marc, but thought I would post it too! It is all carved out of one piece of wood! No paint , stain, or anything! This artist is amazing! What do you think?
This next picture is of one of our family's favorite pictures, it is kind of hard to see, but I am sure you recognize it! It is usually cut off when it is cropped to be small, but here is the full picture. Before it was hung in the Conference Center it was on display at the World's Fair, then rolled up and put in storage for 40 years before displaying it in the Conference Center!
The next day was the wedding. We all, well, the bride's family, were at the reception hall before the sun was up to decorate and set up for the reception. I won't out pictures of that up, none of us got ready, it was pretty scary! We all went out to breakfast after. My aunt, the mother of the bride, is a bawl baby and started crying then. We sent her home to get a little nap before heading off to the temple! Kaite and Bo were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. The Temple is SO pretty and the ceremony matched the happy couple! Here are a few pictures of us outside the temple, and the happy couple after coming out of the Temple.
After the reception my family decided to take a trip up to the Draper Temple since we could see it glowing in the night. Here is a picture of my wonderful parents outside the Draper Temple.
Finally our weekend came to a close. Here is how the car trip went pretty much the whole way, I read (two books to be exact), and my brother and sister slept! We also decided we needed to get out and stretch a little, so we walked across the bridge above lake powell, and my dad drove the car across. Here we are before making the trek across the bridge!
It was a great weekend and we had fun spending time with our family. But it was nice to get back home to Marc and get ready to move into our own place!
We spent most of Friday driving. When we got in, we went to dinner with my cousin, her soon to be hubby, her dad and his wife, my aunt, my wonderful cousin Becky, and my aunt and uncle from Oregon. We went to a restaurant in Trolly Square called Rodizio. It is a Brazilian grill, and very delicious! It is also VERY expensive. When you get there you go to the salad bar. This salad bar had very limited green salad items, it is mostly premade salads, but they were all very tasty. While you sit and eat your plate of many salads they bring out all kinds of meat, marinated chicken, steak, porks, even chicken heart! They bring it out still on the giant kabob sticks they grill it on. Then they slice it with GIANT knives inches from your face! I was so full I just wanted to sleep! My parents decided to take a little trip to Temple Square, I am so glad we did! It was already a little after 6, so most things were closing down, but we still had fun walking around! Here are some pictures of us outside the Salt Lake Temple!
When I was younger my family lived in West Valley City. Our Regional Conference was held in the Tabernacle and Elder Monson, now President Monson, was the visiting General Authority. I don't remember that day, but I don't think I have been in the Tabernacle since then. My mom and I decided to peek in the windows and there were people in there doing tours! So in we went! While we were looking around a lady went to the front to demonstrate the acoustics of the building. I am pretty sure I take technology for granted because sitting in there I realized that Brigham Young didn't use a microphone! It was so amazing to hear her tear paper and drop pins and I was in the back! Those early pioneers were truly inspired by the Lord! Here are a few pictures in the Tabernacle!
We then got to take a tour of the Conference Center. Just one week prior to our visit, they were preparing for General Conference and the spirit was still strong! I have been to the Conference Center once before, but it was set up for the Choir I was so sad that I didn't get to see the pulpit. This time though, it was still set up from conference. It was amazing how strong the spirit was still! Here are a few pictures of the Conference Center, for journaling purposes!
There is this really cool statue sitting on a table in the entry way, I took a picture mostly to show Marc, but thought I would post it too! It is all carved out of one piece of wood! No paint , stain, or anything! This artist is amazing! What do you think?
This next picture is of one of our family's favorite pictures, it is kind of hard to see, but I am sure you recognize it! It is usually cut off when it is cropped to be small, but here is the full picture. Before it was hung in the Conference Center it was on display at the World's Fair, then rolled up and put in storage for 40 years before displaying it in the Conference Center!
The next day was the wedding. We all, well, the bride's family, were at the reception hall before the sun was up to decorate and set up for the reception. I won't out pictures of that up, none of us got ready, it was pretty scary! We all went out to breakfast after. My aunt, the mother of the bride, is a bawl baby and started crying then. We sent her home to get a little nap before heading off to the temple! Kaite and Bo were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. The Temple is SO pretty and the ceremony matched the happy couple! Here are a few pictures of us outside the temple, and the happy couple after coming out of the Temple.
After the reception my family decided to take a trip up to the Draper Temple since we could see it glowing in the night. Here is a picture of my wonderful parents outside the Draper Temple.
Finally our weekend came to a close. Here is how the car trip went pretty much the whole way, I read (two books to be exact), and my brother and sister slept! We also decided we needed to get out and stretch a little, so we walked across the bridge above lake powell, and my dad drove the car across. Here we are before making the trek across the bridge!
It was a great weekend and we had fun spending time with our family. But it was nice to get back home to Marc and get ready to move into our own place!
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