South Dakota

I don't have all the pictures from my camera...but here our a few from the phone!

Alan & I had the great opportunity to go to South Dakota for my brothers graduation! Congrats Jake!

Let's just say that it was FREEZING cold there! But a very enjoyable trip! We ate..and ate...and ate some more!

We were able to stop & see the Winter Quarters temple. Too bad it was so cold we couldn't stand to be outside for more than a minute.

They had a cute display of gingerbread houses in the basement of the visitors center. Some people are so creative!

I hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving Break! I know I enjoyed ours, and didn't want it to end!

We hit the stores up on Black Friday! We really didn't need anything, but went for the adrenaline rush. My brother and aunt both wanted a TV that was on sale at Wal-mart. Alan & I got up at 3:30 to go over to Wal-mart. It was crazy there was no line outside, you could go inside and stand by the item that you wanted! So we thought we would be nice and go stand by the TV's for my bro and aunt. I texted my brother and told him that we were by the T.V.'s. He was like whatever, go back to bed. Me, still being a nice sister, well actually Alan stood by the T.V.'s until 5:00 and packed two of them in our cart. When I was just about to call my brother and tell him to get his butt to Wal-mart and pay for this T.V. I saw him and my aunt in the check out line with two T.V.s, doh!! All that for nothing, they got there at almost 5:00, and had no problem getting a T.V. Oh well, we went and put the 2 42" T.V.s back....I am thinking we should have kept one for ourselves!

One other story! We got home Saturday night, and I walked in our house and it smelled like something had died. I went everywhere searching for this nasty smell. The plants smelled like crap, the cupboards smelled like crap, the heater vent smelled like crap, etc. I finally noticed that Alan & I had stepped in dog crap and I was smelling my own feet! Grr..it was disgusting and all over our house! At least we got to use the new vacuum we bought!

Wordy Wednesday

Since I am rather bored....I thought I would do this tag that has been floating around!

HIGH SCHOOL

1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? Yeah a few guys
2.WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? My sweet Plymouth Acclaim, I kind of miss it! :(
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? Barely passed the driving part! No worries I am an excellent driver just can't parallel park!
4. WHERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? No, not at all! Far from it!
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? I doubt it!
6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? Sure wasn't!
7. WERE YOU A NERD? I would say probably!
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? Ha! Ha! NO

9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? No I was an angel child!
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG? Sure can! Forever and Forever in Tooele!
11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? Hmmm...I can't really think of one!
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? In "our hall" at the old school, or in the middle seat of a pickup truck my Senior year.
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? Tooele High School

14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? Purple/White, Buffalo
15. DID YOU GO TO HOMECOMING AND WITH WHO? I believe so, Robert
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU?Heck yeah, I loved that time of my life! I wished it away too fast!
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? The not so fun all night party!

18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY? Umm..was that Lagoon? If so, I stayed home.

19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? FFA I guess
20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? Eh..Yeah
21. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? Junior year-Lyle Senior year - Robert
22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR 10 YEAR REUNION? Umm..not quite sure, I'll decide when that time comes! I am guessing on eh NO
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? Sure didn't! I didn't have a job until my last year in college about!

Tuesday Tunes

I know you are all lovin' my Johnny Horton tunes, but it's time for a change!

1. I believe In a Thing Called Love by The Darkness

2. When I look into Your Eyes by Firehouse

3. Wake me up when September Ends by Green Day

These songs have a somewhat significance to Alan and I's dating life! But I'll spare you the details!

Tasty Thursday

This recipe comes from the Pioneer Woman. Alan & I quite enjoy it, and is what we WERE going to have for dinner last night.

It was our ward temple night for the 6:30 session. However it was also a Richfield Stake as well as a Nephi stakes temple night. I have never seen the temple so crowded EVER!

They had to call in on-call sealers to help with the people. A few of us had to wait for the 7:30 session. It was crazy! But it's a good problem for the temple to have!

Anyway back to the recipe. I made this for dinner last night and was going to pop it in the oven when we got home, but since we got home at 9:30 we did away with dinner and went to the Bishop's house for donuts. YUMMY!

Chicken Spaghetti

1 cut-up fryer OR 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-1lb. box of thin spaghetti
2 cans cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (I prefer chicken)
1 onion
1 green bell pepper
1 (4oz.) jar diced pimentos, drained (never have used these)
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp. Lawry's season salt
salt
ground black pepper
1/8-1/4 tsp. red cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Place chicken in large pot and cover with water, bring to boil and allow to boil for a few minutes, then simmer on med-low heat for 30-45 minutes. Remove chicken and reserve 2 cups of the chicken broth from the pot; set aside.
2. Add spaghetti to remaining broth in the pot and cook until al dente (do not overcook or the spaghetti will become mushy in the casserole). While spaghetti cooks, shred chicken breasts or pick the meat from the bones of the cut up fryer. You should have approx. 2 cups of chicken meat. Dice the onion and bell pepper very finely.
3. When the spaghetti is finished, drain in and place it in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken and cream of mushroom/chicken soup. Mix together then add the onion, bell pepper, diced pimentos and 2 cups of the shredded cheese.
4. Now add the Lawry's seasoned salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper (1/8 tsp is about right, especially if you're feeding this to kids). Taste the mixture and add salt if necessary. Now, add the reserved chicken broth one cup at a time until the mixture becomes stirrable, but NOT soupy (usually just under 2 cups). Place the mixture in a casserole dish (at least 9x13 size) and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Hopefully we can enjoy this tonight! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tunes

Every Tuesday I will let the blog world get a peek into my favorite songs. Yes, yes I know way exciting!

This Tuesday it will be dedicated to Johnny Horton. I was first introduced to Johnny Horton in Junior High in my history class. That's where my love for the Battle of New Orleans started...

My top 3 Johnny Horton songs

1. Battle of New Orleans
2. Comanche
3. North to Alaska

The songs are on my side bar for your listening pleasure! Ha ha!

Monday Madness - For Lack of a Better Post

No Pictures, Nothing Exciting, No Good News.

So I will just tell you what a great weekend I had as usual! Can you just tell that I live for weekends? I really need to change my attitude and live in the now, and enjoy each and every day!

Life for us gets pretty mundane. Go to work, lounge around or craft until Alan gets home, eat dinner, read, go to bed. Repeat next day.

This weekend we decided to go spend a night in Provo. Honestly who spends money to stay in Provo? I know we are stupid sometimes! So we got us a hotel, went shopping (didn't buy anything), and relaxed in the pool and hot tub that night. Ahh...it was so nice!

We woke up without an alarm the next morning. I just love that feeling! Headed off to a fabric store, then off to the Manti 2A State Championship game. It was a really intense game to watch, and was really entertaining! Kind of disappointing they lost, but still a good game.

We ended our Provo adventure by going to Cafe Rio, and Coldstone of course!

Lasik

I have to give a big THANK YOU to my husband.

He just called me to let me know that he set me up an appointment with Hoopes Vision to see if I qualified for Lasik.

CRAZY! We hadn't really talked about me getting Lasik, so it was quite the surprise!

Then the fact that he is willing to pay about $100 or more per paycheck for me to get it done! How sweet of him!

I seriously can't wait! I hope it all works out, and I am able to get it! It will be so awesome to be able to see the world with my own eyes! I am so blind I can't even read the big E on the eye chart!

Thanks Babe!

Pumpkins

We had an enjoyable Halloween. Basically consisted of carving pumpkins, trunk-or-treating, and watching a Snow volleyball game.

Here are some pumpkins we carved:

A Dolphin

Cinderella

Pirate Skull

Deer with a missing eye

Catch Up on Tags

THANKS CHELSEA!

1. Where did you meet your husband? We met at good ole' Snow College playing Nerts
2. How long did you date before you got married? Just about 2 years, with some breaks in between.
3. How long have you been married? 2 years & 10 months
4. What does he do that surprises you? Things such as: calling a craft store to see if they have something for my birthday, going into quilted bear and picking me out a gift all on his own, and random flowers.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? His arms or calves probably
6. What is your favorite quality? Selflessness
7. Does he have a nick name for you? You know, just the usual pet names, Baby Girl, Sweetheart..
8. What is his favorite food? Marinated turkey
9. What is his favorite sport? Football
10. When and where did you first kiss? According to me..it was at his house January 1--after a year of dating-- while watching the Fiesta Bowl, I think.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Vacations!! :)
12. Do you have children? Nope
13. Does he have any hidden talents? Not that I know of, but I am sure he does!
14 How old is he? 26
15. Who said I love you first? That would so be him!
16. What is his favorite music? Alternative, but I make him suffer all the time by making him listen to country!
17. What do you admire most about him? He is so patient and doesn't let things get to him, way forgiving, selfless, I could go on and on...
18. What is favorite color? No clue....green?
19. Will he read this? I doubt it, unless I tell him too!
20. Who do you tag? Whoever

This made me realize how much I don't know about him! HA HA!

THIS ONE FROM WHITNEY

8 TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH
Jeopardy
Wheel of Fortune
The Amazing Race
The Bachelor
House Hunters
Food Challenge
The News
Oprah (sometimes)

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Sizzler
Chili's
Applebee's
Cracker Barrel
Los Amigos
Hometown Cafes
Coldstone (not quite a restaurant, but oh well!)
Olive Garden

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY
Went to church
Got a new calling as a primary teacher for the 8 year olds, I am so excited!
Watched some football
Ate leftovers, spinach dip, hot wings, hot dogs, chicken, cupcakes....
Went for a Sunday drive
Went for a Sunday walk
Read 2 chapters of "Breaking Dawn"
Was lazy..


8 THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO
Halloween
The weekend (it's only Monday)
Christmas
Our anniversary
2:00
..........
..........
..........

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
Lasik Eye Surgery
Food Storage
Vacations are always nice
House paid off
A nice yard
Lots and lots of house decor
Some new clothes
........

Girl & Man Weekend

I always write about our weekend...same ole same ole! Sorry but that is the only time we do anything somewhat exciting to blog about!

This weekend was the annual "Girl Party" where my dad's mom's side of the family all gets together and does crafts and other crazy stuff!

Since I was going to be gone doing woman stuff all weekend Alan decided to go down to St. George and hang out with a buddy for a "guy weekend". Probably much needed for him!

He did what guys do...watch sports on the big screen, eat junk food, stay up until 3 watching movies, and whatever else guys do!

He however did go down to Zions, I was very jealous of that, since I love Zions!


I hope he had an enjoyable weekend, because I sure did! It was so nice to do some crafts! We made these aprons, I think they are so cute! I almost don't want to wear it!

I also made these pumpkins, which I just love!


So that's our weekend in a nutshell, now back to the grind!

Homecoming 5k

This past weekend was Snow's Homecoming. It is a fun weekend with all the festivities: pageant, parade, game, and dancing.

This year Alan decided to run the 5k on Saturday morning. It was quite chilly but Alan endured and ran!

Everybody missed a block or so in the course, so wasn't quite a 5k. Oops!

He did such a great job! Way to go Alan!

Cactus in the Wild

We had such an enjoyable weekend! We left Friday and went to Cedar City and stayed with my brother Jake. Thanks Jake & Nicole for letting us stay there!!

We went and watched Nicole & her dad Joe in the St. George Marathon. They did such an awesome job despite the downpouring rain! I am always in awe of people that run!

After the marathon we headed for Phoenix and got there just in time for the Snow College kickoff. It was sad there were more fans for Snow than for Scottsdale in their own home town! It was an OK game 35-7 I think. I just wish the weather would have been nicer in Arizona, it was raining most the whole game.

We were able to go to the Cardinals vs. Bills game the next afternoon. The stadium was amazing!! It was huge!! It had a retractable roof and was air conditioned! It was the life! It was so fun to be the atmosphere even though it wasn't the best game.

This was the view from our seats, not too bad actually!


After the game we just walked around the grounds for awhile. There was a Coldstone right by the stadium so of course we had to get some!

We then decided to go find the Mesa Temple. It was beautiful, and we were able to see the visitors center and talk to a sister missionary.

We then retired for the night and just chilled in our hotel room.

On Monday we made our way home. We decided to stop at the Grand Canyon since neither of us and seen it before. I have a goal to see the 7 natural wonders of the world, so here is one off my checklist.

We didn't have a lot of time since Alan wanted to be back for his class that night. I know we missed tons, but nonetheless it was beautiful!


It was a LONG travel home, but enjoyable rockin' out to some tunes! I am sure Alan gets sick of my singing, but oh well I was having a good time!

We ended up getting to Richfield right around 8:00 when Alan's class starts. We stopped at the USU center there just to see if by chance they had his class being broadcast, and they did! So he went to that and I just chilled.

But another great mini vacation!

Sweetheart's Day?

Did ya'll know that Sweetheart's day is on October 18th? I had never heard of such a holiday, but when we were browsing Wal-mart (what we do best!) I noticed Sweetheart Day Cards. Sounds like another way for Hal-mark to get more money, make up a holiday?

So Happy Sweetheart's Day in a couple of weeks! Make sure you celebrate!

Park City

After going to dinner with Alan's mom, we decided to go up to Park City for the heck of it. We ended up staying the night in a Suite at the Hampton Inn. It was pretty sweet, we could have lived there (kitchen, living room, jacuzzi tub). It was only 10 dollars more than a standard room, so we thought why not?

The next morning we woke up and headed up to go down the Alpine Slide, something neither us have done before! It was pretty fun!! The scenery was beautiful!
Alan also went on the Alpine Coaster, he said it was pretty fun! They also had a crazy zipline...but we will save that for next time!

We then took a drive up the mountains on our way home. The colors were absolutely beautiful! I just love fall time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!

Today is Alan's 26th B-day! Man he is getting old! He is home snoozing, lucky guy! He couldn't decide if he wanted cheesecake, a cake, or a chocolate donut for his "birthday cake". So I made him a cheesecake on Wednesday, then last night I made him a birthday cake. It was my first time using fondant, something I want to get better at! And today it looks like he'll get his chocolate donut!


I am all out of good ideas for his birthday...

His mom is taking us to dinner tonight for our birthdays, so that will be nice! Then we might catch a flick or something.

However we are going down to Arizona next weekend for sord of a birthday celebration. We are going to a NFL game Cardinals vs the Bills. Kind of lame, eh? Hopefully it will still be fun! Then Snow College is also playing down in that area so we are going to watch that game! Should be fun, and nice for a little get-a-way!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!!!

MY BIRTHDAY

I have to give a quick shout-out to my husband for making my birthday so great! He sent this beautiful flowers to me at work last Friday. I just love Gerber Daisies!

When I got home from work he had the house all decorated in balloons, banners, and cake with the candles lit!

That night we rode up to my parents house and had a Cookie Dough Delirium cake from coldstone! Man was it delicious!!

Then last but not least Ferrin got married on Saturday! She was such a beautiful bride! I just love weddings!

Congratulations Ferrin!!

Tag I am It!

8 things!!!
I've been tagged. Thanks Randi!

8 things that i am passionate about...
1. Alan
2. Family
3. The Gospel
4. Evolution (weird I know, will do a post on this later!)
5. House Decor
6. Learning
7. Clean house (sometimes!)
8. Crafting

8 words or phrases i use often...
1. I love you
2. How was your day?
3. What do you want for dinner?
4. Night. See you in the morning
5. Duh!
6. On Oprah today...
7. I am so cold
8. Are you serious?

8 things i want to do before i die...
1. Go on a mission
2. Be a camp host
3. Own a harley
4. Be on Wheel of Fortune
5. Be on Jeopardy (if I am ever smart enough!)
6. Have some children
7. Visit every temple in the World
8. At least every temple in Utah!

8 things i have learned from my past..
1. God's time table is better than your own
2. Everything doesn't happen how you have planned
3. Laugh at yourself
4. To look at the big picture
5. Don't care so much about what other people think
6. Don't wish away your youth
7. still learning....
8.

8 places i would love to go or see..
1. 7 natural wonders of the World
2. Alaska
3. Hawaii
4. All of Europe
5. Cancun
6. Back to the Oregon Coast
7. California Coast
8. Washington DC

8 things i currently need or want...
1. A new red rug
2. A huge black, white, and red picture
3. New couch set
4. Lap top
5. Washer & Dryer
6. New desk
7. A vacation
8. New clothes
Sad, I am a needy person, I could have went on and on with that list!

8 people i tag..
Just if anybody out there in the blogging world wants to do it!

CoLoRs

I seriously felt like a teenage girl again, getting all giddy to see COLORS! Woot! Woot! I seriously have been looking forward for this concert for literally months when I bought the tickets.

It was such an awesome concert, even Alan enjoyed it I believe!



This video is actually from last year..but oh well!

Someone's Junk = MY TREASURE

" Has there ever been a textbook series quite so fabulous as the Childcraft books?" I think not! I absolutely love these books! My mom so graciously gave me her newer set of them, which I still need to get a bookshelf for.....

This past weekend Alan & I stopped at a yard sale where I happened upon a couple of sets of these, so about 30 books or so. He must have KNOWN how much they meant to me, because he so willingly left to go get some cash, so we could purchase this FIND for a whoppin' 5 bucks. Wahoo....I am so excited with the find, I have been reading from them about every day! I just hope our kids enjoy them as much as I do! There is so much to learn in them, and they put complicated things in such a simple way! I love it!

Labor Day

Remember that IKEA shelf I loved so much! I FINALLY talked Alan into making me some, it actually didn't take to much convincing! I thought what a better way to celebrate Labor Day then putting my husband to work!

It's so nice to have our HUGE (j/k) movie collection in a more accessible area. Thanks Alan!

Reelin' & Grillin'

Last weekend we were able to go to fish lake with the fam! It brought make such great wonderful childhood memories of going up there every summer! Just to warn you there is going to be lots of BRAGGING in this post and NO FISH stories! Nobody was having much luck out trolling on the boat..that is until the best fisherwoman out there got her lure in the water!


I felt a huge bite on my line, so I started reeling in as fast as my weak arms could! Oh man I thought I was going to die, I almost had to have Alan take over the reel..but no then I couldn't claim it as my own. All I could think is this better be a huge lunker!! I think I was 60 ft down and this sucker was coming straight up from the bottom. My pole was basically bent in half! Boy oh boy was that exciting, seeing a 2 ft fish on the end of my pole! woot! woot!

This is my catch of the day!

Alan's catch of the day!

It's official...about 2 ft long, from the head to the tip of the tail