Going Private

The time has come! I have dreaded doing this for so long, but it is finally time that I take my privacy into consideration. As I looked through the 30 some odd followers I have with our blog, more than 90% were complete strangers/not even american. It concerns me what reason they would even have to follow us and the comments I have been receiving from followers for sales purposes is enough to turn this thing private right now. I debated just deleting the blog since I rarely update it, but so much of our lives has been documented on here and I love to go back and see how far we have come. So without further ado...March 1st is the day. If you would like to continue reading my very occasional posts and I know you in some way or another, please leave me a comment with your email and I would be happy to invite you. I am excited to see any stalkers who make themselves known. Again, If I am certain I do not know you, I will not add you. Thank you for your consideration

Disneyland!!!

For Christmas this year, My parents wanted to a family vacation before they leave on their mission. With 4 grandkids, Disneyland was the winner.

It was Mine and Grants first vacation/getaway since our honeymoon 3 1/2 years ago.

Since airfare has been outrageous, we decided to carpool with my sisters family. So we rented our big ole caravan and went on our way.

We decided to leave a day early and stop in Vegas and Hoover Dam and bum around for

the afternoon before driving through to Barstow.

We had never been to Hoover Dam before and they now have a new highway that goes over the dam. Yikes. I kind of had to hold my breath while we drove across this.

The water table was really low. You can see the ferry out there that does rides.

You can still drive over the Dam itself but it was so busy, since it was a Saturday, that we didn't get out and walk around.

Both Grant and I have never been to the Actual Strip before.

That was an....Interesting experience. My Sisters 9 and 5 year old became very cultured that day.

We did manage to hit the Water Show at the Bellagio. I have never seen it at night, but it looked pretty cool during the day.

We hit the coke store and the M&M store. Both of which had more sugar on display than all 6 of us could eat in a lifetime.

Grant and I decided to try a little coke from around the world.

Many of which tasted like a horrible concoction of cough syrups.

Others tasted like sprite, and pina coladas.

At first the kids thought this was the real Statue of Liberty, so we decided to humor them and take their picture.

Sunday we finished driving into Anaheim and pretty much just bummed around that day.

Back in January Grant and I were watching Diners, Drive ins and Dives and saw this place on there and have planned on eating there since. And Boy was it worth it.

They had the Yummiest salad with pumpernickle croutons. By Brother in law ordered their eggdrop soup which was delish. Grant Ordered the Dolmarey (I think that was what it's called) sauce on his pasta and that was tasty, and I ordered their alfredo and linguine and hands down the best alfredo I have ever had. The portions were HUGE and my pasta was served with a spoon that was about the size of my palm...literally. SOOOOO GOOD Though!

Monday, the Fun and Craziness began.

Disneyland is the best at Christmas time.

These Girlies have Grandpa wrapped around their fingers.

I don't know who these 2 goons are. They had on these wacky minnie ears followed us onto the teacups and took pictures of us. I decided to do the same and to see how they liked it. They look like they are having so much fun.

These princesses were inseparable for 3 days and walked around the entire park holding hands.

Crazy Paige decided she wanted to ride splash mountain 3 times in a row.

They had no choice but to put her in front so we could get a good picture of her.

Grandpa and Grandma with all the grandkids

"We've got MINNIE!!!"

This curly top spent the entire trip pointing to EVERYTHING and asking "Was Dat?". I had to document her inquiring about Minnie.

"And GOOFY!"

This Christmas Tree has got to be at least 50 ft. tall.

And the Castle, all decked out in it's Christmas best.

Robyn decided to ignore the sign saying pregnant women should not drive bumper cars. Apparently it didn't apply to her.

The Grizzly Rapid Riders.

We were having too much fun, and I guess that is Illegal in ToonTown.

Our last night there.

It is true what they say though, you definitely need a vacation from your vacation, because you are just so worn out.

Traditions

Sorry, this is a no picture post, but I need some input. I just received an email from our Relief Society about an upcoming activity regarding Family Traditions around the Holidays. It got me to thinking about my family traditions. We really don't have too many that I can remember and I would love to start creating some new ones with Grant and I for our family. So I need ideas. What do you do for Traditions around the Holidays. These are the ones I could think of that we have done.

Christmas Morning CodFish for Breakfast (Sounds Crazy, but it's so good).

We used to always have a family party on Christmas Night, but that kind of dwindled over the years.

Christmas Eve Pajamas

Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork

The Traditional Trip to Temple Square at Christmas Time

Of Course Thanksgiving Dinner (Rotating between families)

Banging pots and pans on New Years Eve.

We really didn't have any traditions on New Years Day.

I love the simple traditions. The Pajamas was always my favorite. No need to keep them holiday oriented. One I will definitely start when we have kids is the birthday plate, Whoever's birthday it is, they eat off of the decorated birthday plate for each meal that day.

I can't wait to read your suggestions. And please even strangers are welcome to comment, however, nothing inappropriate please.

Thank You!

Fall!

Yesterday We couldn't help but take advantage of the beautiful weather and view from the front porch...before the downpour of rain that is.

The leaves are starting to change in Mt. Timp Hills above us and I couldn't resist to snap a few photos.

The patches of yellow and red and orange are so beautiful right now.

In the spirit of fall, I have my niece and nephew spend the night on Friday. We spent Sat Morning pulling out my front flower bed and getting it cleaned up and ready for fall.

After Hitting McDonalds for Lunch, we ran to Walmart for a few things and decided to get a few pumpkins to paint. I love painting them, because they last so much longer and you can display them the whole month rather than a couple of days right before Halloween.

The Breezy afternoon was perfect and pleasant. And when the pumpkins ran out, they painted the plates they kept their paint on.

A laid back, easy going day. My Favorite.

I blogged

Can you believe it? I actually blogged.

I apologize it has been awhile.

We really haven't up to too much. Our Summer has been sadly kind of boring.

However the last few weeks have been fairly eventful that I figured they were blog worthy. I hope you do as well.

First is my pride and Joy.

A while back I saw these amazing frames from a company called Organic Bloom, and when I researched them and saw the cost ($45.00 for a 5x7 frame)...I about croaked.

So I did what I do best and got crafty. I found these unfinished wood plaques in all different shapes and sized from Hobby Lobby and decided to paint them and make them my own.

The Center frame is of course from Ikea (I'm pretty sure that 90% of america owns this frame), that I painted white.

Some of the pictures are still a work in progress, I'm missing a couple pics of some nieces and our new nephew that I still need to get, but other than that, I love it and am so happy to have it done.

Grant had to go to the Zoo for one of his classes and since we don't have kids yet, we decided to borrow someone else's, so we didn't look so out of place. So we gave Grants sister and brother in las a break and took their two oldest kids, so they could enjoy an afternoon with the new baby.

I was a little nervous going from no kids to chasing 2 toddlers all day, but they were sooooo GOOD! I so impressed. They were so content to just stay in the stroller and see all the animals.

little K's favorite was the Giraffes. She would rub her neck and say that "Giraffes have long necks" Then she just started laughing when I told her they had blue tongues.

My Favorite is always the elephant and I was so surprised to see that baby Suri (I think that is her name) is still a baby. She is still tiny.

They didn't want to cooperate and see what size gorilla they were.

Typical Grant...can never look at the camera. K looks a little unsure, but I assure you she was so happy all day long.

We have been busy as usual with work and school. I am now on the hunt for a new job, because my current work has been sold and the new owners are not keeping on any of the staff, so Oct 15th is my last official day. So needless to say, life has been a little stressful. I have been working from home since the business sold, which has been soooo nice. I have accomplished so much, since I technically only have to work when a bride calls.

My Entire house has been getting decluttered, the basement has been organized and my food storage and emergency preparedness has improved by leaps and bounds.

My cooking skills have been put to good use, and I have made dinner from scratch almost every night since I am home. We have come across some yummy new recipes.

My afternoons are spent with the Mr. before he has to go to school and it has been wonderful.

I have been doing yard work and massive cleaning.

I know it can't last forever, but it has been kind of nice to have a break and catch up on chores..especially since I'm still getting paid the same.

We are always running and we are very much looking forward to our DisneyLand Vacation in November...and crazily enough. I am really excited for the Holidays, because for the first time in 5 years, I won't be working 60 hours a week from the week after Thanksgiving to the Week after New Years.

That is pretty much it for now. Hopefully I won't be such a stranger to the blogging world and update again soon.

Happy Fall!!!

Moments That Matter Most

When my life is super duper boring at work, this is my secret. I love watching these (Mormon Messages on Youtube). I don't know why this one hit me so hard today, but it did so I thought I would do a quick blog post and share it with all of you.

Thought it was a great message for this upcoming Fathers Day weekend. I hope you can all spend it with family and friends that you love and create your own "Moments that Matter Most"!

Farewell

Farewell Frieda Focus!!!!

I will never forget our wonderful memories together. The hot summers with the windows down and the music blaring. You did a great job in helping me land my wonderful hubby...all the nights of driving past his house and all and driving us to and from our dates.

May you keep your new family as safe as you kept me!

Whoa!

Has it really been over 2 months since I last blogged.....? I wish i had a good a good reason as to why I haven't, other than just being SO busy has really put a damper on my desire to.

Well since the semester is winding down and I don't have a TON of homework to do, I figured it was time. Since G and I are never home together, there isn't much to blog about, but I found a few things as I searched through my camera.

With the help of my brother in law, we put up crown moulding on the main floor.

.

I pretty much love it

I decided to try and get crafty again. I only got so far before I ran out of eggs, and was running to the bathroom to throw up...bad batch of spaghetti.

I swear I always get sick on sundays when G is at work, so I get so bored.

And lastly the mangies finally got a much needed grooming. They are so cute when you can actually see their eyes.

• How can you say no those "big browns".....I can't!

Remy's little rat tail. Well, thats it, but hopefully not for another 2 months.

Yummy Basket

This weeks bountiful basket was full of yummy goodness.

Strawberries, bananas, canteloupe, broccoli, red peppers, a whole bag of pears and potatoes, spinach, celery, apples, cauliflower and tomatoes.

This pic just made me happy on a cold snowy night.

I took it a couple of weeks ago when we all those amazing sunsets several nights in a row.