williams

Disneyland!!!

2011-12-09T10:04:00.001-08:00

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

2011-10-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-24T20:31:00.001-07:00

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!

2011-04-10T17:05:00.001-07:00

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

2011-02-07T18:57:00.001-08:00

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.

HOOKED!

2011-01-22T07:48:00.001-08:00

That's right...this is my friends truly is a "Bountiful Basket"

I decided to see what all the buzz was about and now I can see....and taste it.

Here is how it works if you want your own laundry basket of delicious healthy goodness.

1: Go to this site: http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

2: Create a login

3: every monday starting @ 12:00pm and going till tuesday @ 10:00pm go to the site and login...then on the right hand side of your screen you will see the little basket that says contribute now.

Click that. (make note if you wait till tuesday to contribute your location of choice might get full and you may have to choose another pick up location.)

4: Then you will select your different baskets.

The conventional basket is required in order to buy additional items...it is $15.00 and is what I have pictured above.

Then once you have that selected that you can add more things to it.

This week I added the 5 loaves of 9 grain bread for $10.00, but they also have

asparagas cases, granola, variety of herbs, tortillas etc.

5: somewhere along the line it will require you to choose a pickup location.

Which there are dozens just in utah county alone.

Make sure you choose your pickup time as well, usually 8:00 or 8:15 am is what they offer

6: Click check out, this is where you will enter your credit/debit information. and print your confirmation page.

7: Then that following saturday you will pick up your order at the location you chose and the time you chose.

8: make sure to bring a laundry basket or box...something Big!!!! cause its a lot of food.

Then Enjoy!

Note of you don't pickup your basket in a certain time frame..it will be donated and if there is an item in your basket you know you wont eat, you can choose to donate just that item.

And you don't have to do it every week.

But each week has different produce and each week it rotates with all organice produce as well.

Dec 16, 2010 8:43am

2010-12-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

Dec 16, 2010 8:43am

Thankfulness

2010-11-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Since I know I won't have time to blog next week, I better do it now.

My list of thing I love/ am Thankful for (in no particular order except for #1).

First that I actually get to spend my Thankgiving with my Hubby

That I have semi decent cooking skills and I get to host Thanksgiving Dinner.

My Furry Four Legged Children who are laying beside me snoring as I type, wearing their fabulous winter sweaters. They keep me happy.

Gilmore Girls on DVD

A house that is big enough for all my friends and family to gather.

A car that gets me where I need to go safely.

My Young Women Girls.....all 4 of them.

The peace that I find in crafting a decorating. Very relaxing for me.

A working furnace to keep me warm.

Lots of wonderful family and friends

That I get to put up Christmas Decorations in 7 days.

My Heavenly Father

My Husband (who has recently discovered some mad cooking skills).

My Job: Yes I love my job and I am very thankful that I consider the people I work with to be family.

Sour Cream and Onion Pringles. YUM

DR. PEPPER...My one true friend whom I never go a day without.

Bacon, strawberries, corn on the cob, spaghetti, and watermelon

Los Hermanos/ Cafe Rio

Wal Mart (it's so close and convenient).

The smell of the Holidays.

Babies ( I love them...not always thankful for them.)

500 thread count bed sheets.

Memories.

Family Vacations.

Temples.

Bubble Baths.

HGTV.

Twix's

Everything/ Everyone that makes my life, happier, easier, healthier, better!

Fam Pics

2010-10-24T11:29:00.001-07:00

school pics

2010-10-14T20:29:00.001-07:00

I took my niece and nephew's school pictures, since the cost the have the school do them is outrageous.

They turned out pretty fun. Note to self. Never take pictures at the af amphitheater on a sunday evening...holy families taking pictures...

Just a fun side shot, we couldn't pass up the massive hay bales.

2010-10-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

Always a good reminder....Money cannot buy happiness, it is brought on by family, the gospel and good friends. Remember an attitude of gratitude, and express our thanks everyday. especially to those we offer it to the least.

Pres. Monson

October 2010 Conference

Boo!

2010-10-01T20:05:00.001-07:00

Im a mean old witch with a hat,

And I ride on my broom with my cat,

and my shoes are pointed, and my chin is too,

So you better watch out cause I might scare you.....

BOO!

HaPpY OcToBeR!

P.S. if any of you need birthday ideas for me....I have just the thing....

Only my absolute favorite disney movie ever!

Where to Start?!?!

2010-09-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am playing catch up. Thank heavens for 3 day weekends, so I can have a sunday night to do nothing!

Life hasn't been too eventful this summer. Kind of a bummer. Just busy. The ups and downs of my work required a few lay offs to take place, so I am now doing quadruple duty...I am the events manager, wedding consultant, florist, janitor, launderer (spelling?), etc. Oh and add another semester of school on top of it.

Grant and I have been insanely busy, both together and apart (with our opposite schedules.)

Grant recently applied to transportation, which if he gets it, means NO MORE GRAVEYARDS. We will finally be on the same schedule...so please pray with me that he gets it.

We finally got the backyard fenced.....YAY. And the doggies love it.

Now we are just waiting on the staircase and need to finish the landscaping along the fence, which is mostly done.

Were crazy busy and look forward to the next few weekends together. In the future...Hopefully a much needed Vacation!

Booooo.....on Me!

2010-08-23T14:17:00.001-07:00

I just got my laptop back, and I promise posts are coming! Please be patient!

I'm back!.....and so is Grant!

2010-06-10T19:12:00.001-07:00

Well....where to begin. Lets just say the last couple weeks have been nuts. I feel like I have been running a marathon for 14 days straight. It started with the craziness of getting everything ready for grant to come home. Finally I just had to realize that he is a man, and he really wouldn't be paying attention to how clean the how was when he came home.

Grant got home from an 8 month tour in afghanistan on the 29th of May, right in time for Memorial day weekend.

He had a few days off, so my work kindly did the same for me, and allowed me to spend some much needed time with the honey....some much needed time running errands all day long.

Most of the family was at camp williams, all the ones that could make it.

My parents, Grant's mom, Grants sister, her husband and her kids (one of which-Kate-Grant met for the first time), and my sister and brother in law and their kids.

We were told to be to Camp Williams by 9:45...thinking I would be smart, I decided to get there about 9:00 thinking they would actually show up on time.

11:45 the buses finally rolled in, and they piled off the busses. You would think they hadn't seen their families in months.

This one says it all, I have no comment.

Thank Heavens for No teary face pictures!

So enthusiastically excited to be home.....................................................................................
....................................................................
................................................................
.........................................
.Because

Little did he know that this bad boy was waiting in the garage for him!

Welcome home love...you deserve this.

Merry Christmas.....In May?

2010-05-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

What better day to come home to a belated christmas present on my porch than today....with snow all over the ground, you would think that it was christmas time again....dang that mother nature, and snowing on my freshly planted petunias! Oh well, this certainly made me feel much better.

A little rhyming poem, from my boy who is almost home (guess who he gets his talent from!)

Kelli

you know this isn't really

the kind of thing I do,

to sit and write my feelings

I have because of you.

and though I'm always thinking

about you all the time

this poem was hard to think up

and harder still to rhyme.

I love the way you love me

I love it that you care.

I love the way you help me,

Pick out my clothes to wear.

I love it that you hold me,

and keep me warm at night.

I love that you forgive me,

When i'm wrong and you are right.

I love that you're responsible

I love that you are mine.

I love the way you roll your eyes,

when I get out of line.

I know that there are millions

of things that I could say

Just know that I love you

in every single way.

I know you know I love you

I tell you time and time again

but sometimes things are nicer

to have written down in pen.

I hope this doesn't make you cry,

my simple little poem

it's only meant to comfort you,

whenever your alone!!!!!

Thanks to Brittney for making the poem even cuter by turning it into a scrapbook page, and delivering it.

It made my week that will already be awesome, even better.

and fortunately I won't have to be alone for much longer, but for the next few nights, this will definitely keep me company on my bedside table.

My Last weekend....alone!

2010-05-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

Technically I wasn't alone this weekend...after spending the day with my siamese twin (seeing letters to juliet), Kelby came home with me and we had a little sleepover.

Then sunday night they came and picked him up, and we had ourselves a little party!

Since Heather and Kevin cancelled their camping trip for this next weekend, so they could be here for a special little homecoming...I decided to bring the camping to them!

Rignt in my own backyard!

The worlds most "perfect" smore, right here. Delish!

mmmmmmmmmmmmarshmellow!

a bit chilli, but we didn't mind!

if it doesn't get all over the place...it doesn't belong in your face!

YUMMY!

Big....Smoky.....Bite!

I have a feeling this thing will be used a LOT!

2010-05-19T14:34:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had butterflies SO BAD, you feel like you have done a million crunches everyday for the past week, and you just want to dance you are sooooooooooo excited!!! That is how I feel.

Except my stomach will clearly show you that I have not done a million crunches.....:)

2010-05-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Happy 25th Birthday Grant!!!!!!

Love: Kelli, Kip, Remy and Neco

So Close....Yet so far.

2010-05-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Oh to be holding this up in 20 something days!!!!!!

Yay for websites who let you make welcome home soldier banners for FREE!!!!!

Finished....!!!!!

2010-04-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Finals are finished....done...over...out of sight, out of mind!!!!!

Lets just hope my fancy schmancy new specks really made me as smart as I look!

Child Number three.....meows!!!

2010-04-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

It would be breaking tradition if I didn't buy a new pet everytime grant left the continent....he needs to come home to some sort of a surprise...last year a second dog, this a cute little kitty....Who's name is still questionable.

I am thinking Marley, but I am open to suggestions.

He is just starting to warm up and play, and we just conquered a few stairs a few minutes ago...but after two or three he gets worn out and cries to be carried the rest of the way.

He loves to give himself baths, which is fine since I have bathing cats....no bueno experiences bathing our cats when we were younger. So this little man is going to be strictly indoors only, so those frequent trips to the tub will hopefully be less often.

And boy is he a tiny little thing. That is in comparison to my hand, which is right next to him..no optical illusion here...and speaking of optical....check back in a week or so to see my new specs.
I am going to the eye doctor tomorrow for the first time since 8th grade.

However he won't be little for long...he is half persian, so he will be a monster when he is frull grown...look at the size of those paws.

So this little guy best behave while I'm gone. Oh and the doggies...they are pretty curious with him, however he is not so welcoming to them. All in good time you will be friends whether you like it or not!!!!

Almost there!!!!!

2010-04-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry in advance, this is a pictureless post. More for my journaling side of things. So for those who don't like to read, you may want to skip this post. And again I apologize in advance for probably posting about nothing but a joyous homecoming that is approxomately 6 weeks away.

Now that a lot of the "depression" of this deployment has worn off and the excitement of him coming home has settled, I can't help but think of everything that has happened because of/during this deployment.

First of all, I guess you should all know, that when Grant was a teenager, he wasn't the most active member of the church. It wasn't until his first sunday at boot camp that they made everyone attend sunday service, no matter what your faith. Well Grant being who he is went to church, and to hear his reflection of that sunday always brings tears to my eyes. He has always told me that that was the first sunday that he really realized that he had a testimony, and that he wanted to serve a mission...from then on he was 100% active.

Well like 90% of utah valley mormons, Grant and I met in our singles ward, and had it not been for that first sunday in boot camp, I never would have met him that first sunday back from his mission, he never would have been blessing the sacrament that day, and I never would have been sitting a few rows back looking at him saying to myself "i'm going to marry that kid whoever he is"...Dont' laugh, I really did think that. Kind of creepy how the lord works.

Anyways, so I really can't hold a grudge against the marine corps for temporarily taking him away from me, since it was really them who brought us together....and my good looks and charm.

I think of where I was this time 2 years ago...planning a wedding, about 2 weeks away from him coming home from his first deployment in Iraq, getting so excited to take my bridals and having the worst butterflies in my tummy.....well here we are two years later and the butterflies are once again there. I love knowing that even after three years together, I still get excited at the thought of seeing him...although who wouldn't be excited to see their other half after 8 months. I seriously cannot wait.

I think had this deployment not happened, I would have never gone back to school, we would have never saved up the money this quickly to finish our landscaping, I would probably be pregnant by now, and I would have never learned how independant of a person I can be.

While he has been gone, I have been in charge of ALL THE FINANCES, and call it bragging when I say, that not a single bill has been forgotten or paid late, our trash has been put out every thursday night, our cars have had regular oil changes, our savings account has had constant additions, I have started being a lot better with coupons and menu planning, I have definitely had a reason to get my chubby A$& in shape...cause who wouldn't want to look smokin hot for their hubby. I really don't want him to come home and ask if I have gained weight...not that I have, but we all know how good Grants memory is, our house has stayed cleaner and more organized than ever...it won't be like that for long. But no matter how independant I can be....there is still that one person missing....and I only have approximately 46 days left before I will be back in his arms and he will be by my side every night...except for the nights he has to work of course,

Oh May, please come fast.

Sincerely impatient wife!!!!!

2010-04-02T22:27:00.001-07:00

7 and 1/2 weeks my friends.....7 and 1/2 weeks! I hope I can remember what he looks like when I see him again!!!! :)

2010-03-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

If any of you did not have the chance to watch the most hilarious, Japanese Game show videos you have ever seen...You are in luck, because I moved them to the bottom of my blog page.

I will probably leave them there FOREVER so I can watch them whenever I want to laugh so hard that I almost pee my pants.

My New Ride

2010-03-21T09:11:00.001-07:00

What does H-E-A-T-H-E-R spell???...Trouble with a capital T.

We went to the home show yesterday and decided to hit up target afterwards to find some stuff for her kiddies easter baskets, and somehow we wound up over in the bike section, and we saw this beauty.

Grant and I have both wanted bikes since we have all these fun paved trails by our house, and she said I should get them for Grants birthday, but I just couldn't leave the store without her yesterday....

HERE SHE IS!

My New Beach Cruiser....the sales tag said her name was Lulu, so that is what I call her.

When we got back to my sisters house my neice saw the basket and bell and wanted one really bad, so we ran to walmart and kmart trying to find one, because they were closer than target, and we found some at Kmart, and we even found these awesome license plates.

my super cute bell...if only it looked super cute..."ting ting, ting ting"!!!!!

And My basket. Perfect for those my phone, wallet, keys,
or even groceries for those quick trips to walmart....Just kidding!

We rode bikes all night last night, and now my behind is really sore, but
I STILL LOVE HER!!!!!

And just a side note, you know that spring and warm weather are here when I look out my window in the morning and see this floating in the sky!!!!!!

Window Makeover!!!!

2010-03-19T19:19:00.001-07:00

Giant "Peeping Tom" Window before.....

Cute window private window with curtain after!!!!

I have become such the handy woman lately. Grant will be so impressed...and glad he doesn't have to do it!

nothing to blog about

2010-03-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

So since my life is so completely boring for the next 12 weeks or so...yes thats right we are now counting in weeks, not months, weeks, it makes it sound so much closer, I decided to amaze you all at how productive my day has been today....

I woke up at 8:00, which for my day off is astounding...then I went outside started doing yard work, I literally picked up about half of a 5 gallon bucket of doggie doodoo (mind you that it hasn't been picked up since novemer, and about a quarter of a bucket of stupid deer droppings...disgusting. Then I proceeded to get my front flower bed all raked out since my wonder tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are starting to bloom. Then I braved my roof (with the help of my wonderful neighbor boys) and took down my christmas lights! Then I pulled out all of my old garden lights, so I could get new ones, since the old ones were broken and cheap.

Then it was off to home depot, walmart and work. I was only at work for about an hour...not much accomplished there, Then I went to home depot, and got a 4 shelf unit so I could organize my garage, and some lava rock to do a fun project on the side of my house, then off to walmart...for the third day in a row...I used the garden entrance so they wouldn't think I was living there. Got a few things, and some peony bulbs to replace my dead, fungus infested boxwood bushes....yay.

Then...yes there is more, I came home, assembled my shelf, swept out my entire garage...my mother would be so proud, put the shelf in place and got everything clean and organized... then I tried to mow my lawn, by tried I mean I couldn't get the lawn mower to start, so we just gave it a good fertilization with my new fertilizer spreader I got today too. Then I swept off my front porch...again proud mother, and put out my new welcome mat......Then...whew I'm already tired just thinking about doing all of this again......then I started on the north side of the house, laying down my brick to form a flower bed thing, and filling it with the lava rock, so it will be a rock bed instead of a flower bed.....then, I realized that I didn't have enough rock, so I went back to home depot, got more rock, a fun hose hanger and some spray paint, then I came home, put down the other rock, and decided to spray paint my planter pots a fun green, and while those dried, I put in my new hose hanger, that just sticks down into the ground. By then it was 7:00 at night, almost 12 hours of yard work....then I came inside, took a shower...a very long hot shower, and started my laundry, i'm now on load 5....way to go me!!!!!

I Am Awesome!!!!!!

2010-03-05T22:27:00.001-08:00

So if you haven't heard, 2 marines from Grants company were killed in Afghanistan this week....two in one week. The lord really does work in mysterious ways, but I also know that he does answer prayers. Its a lot to deal with, knowing your husband is sitting over, watching his friends get killed, and knowing that he must continue on the next day as he always would. I sit here and I watch the news, and you can't help but wonder, if there will be another next week, and who it might be. I have never been so desirous of a phone call, and my love must know me a little too well, because he always seems to call at that precise moment at which my emotions practically overtake me. Mere minutes before I had just gotten off the phone with my 7 year old nephew, who literally cringes at the idea of one of uncle grants buddies getting killed, and trying so hard to be strong. He asked me if Grant was safe. I quickly replied yes, not knowing if my answer was true, and I hoped and prayed that he would call so I could know for sure, and low and behold he did, not even 5 minutes after I got off the phone with Kelby. I promised Kelby that I would call him as soon as I heard from Grant, and to answer my question...He is safe, but he still needs prayers, desperately. I told Kelby that the only way to keep Grant safe is to constantly ask Heavenly Father to keep him safe. I hope and pray everyday that the lord will answer our prayers and that in about 10 weeks he will have those boys safely back on american soil.

So for the sake of this little boy, please pray that Uncle Grant and all of his buddies make it home safely!!!!

2010-02-27T22:20:00.000-08:00

Is it considered an affair to have an extreme crush on a celebrity????

I sure hope not! Cause I could look at him all day everyday.

I think Grant kind of looks like him...don't you think

P.S. "when in rome" super cute movie, and it will make you love him even more!!!!!!

New Blog

2010-02-18T21:41:00.000-08:00

So I have decided to start another blog about crafting...my passion.

Just fun ideas and how to's.

Feel free to check it out!

parttimecrafter.blogspot.com

V-Day!!!!!

2010-02-16T10:43:00.001-08:00

7,100 miles away and he can still manage to get me flowers for Valentines.

Thanks Bryan and Brittney for bringing them.

They certainly brightened my day sunday when I came down with the flu and was puking non-stop.

Oh how I miss that boy!!!!!! : ) : ) : )

Fatty McFatterson

2010-02-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

So I took the puppies (they are still puppies in my book) to the vet yesterday for their checkup, and I just have to annouce that my Kippie that is only supposed to weigh between 15 and 30 lbs, has officially been deemed ...HUGE, Weighing in at a massive 33.2 lbs, and my 12-15 lb Remy has now currently blown off the charts coming in at 19.2 lbs. whoa friends...I think we need to bump our walks to twice a day, and the best news is, is the vet said chances are they are still growing since they both barely a year old.

Yea chubbies!!!!!

P.S. Were hoping that a trip to the groomers next week will forgoe our need for a diet....Just kidding they aren't over weight, but they are extremely hairy, and since this picture is a few months old, it doesn't do them justice.

Slumber Party!!!!

2010-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was an exhausting one...so exhausting it has taken me two days to recoop, so I can blog. It all started friday night. I watched my sisters kids for her, for her and her husbands anniversary. Since it was the weekend, I figured to just have them sleep over and I would take them home saturday afternoon. My sister called me earlier in the week about some things, and somehow she wound up with all of my old barbie stuff loaded in the back of her car to bring to me, and have paige play with them. I forgot how much stuff I actually have.

Paige and Kelby had a ball playing barbies...yes I said Kelby. A seven year old boy was playing barbies with his sister. Somehow though he managed to stay out of every picture I took. He would only play with the ken doll, and at 9:00 on friday he wanted to go to walmart so we could get Ken some more clothes. Unfortunately the vicious snow storm kept us home. But we managed.

Paige even made the perfect Barbie family.

What three year old wouldn't want to play with this stuff?

Once barbies were done they decided they wanted to swim in aunt keke's "pool". Once again, barbies joined them.

Doesn't she make such a pretty bride?

After a long night, and a long morning of shoveling snow on saturday, we finally made our way back home. I was informed that if I wanted to go Ice fishing with them, when I dropped them off, to bring my gear.

So I did...unfortunately I didn't bring enough.

For as warm as it was, you sure can get cold fast.

Unfortunately Kelby got a little too cold, too fast, after falling through a hole and getting soaked all the way up his legs. Mom quickly ran him home to change and was back in a flash...good as new.

Poor little Paige froze her tootsies off, and was ready to go home in the blink of an eye.

Too bad we didn't even get a bite.

When we got back, we had dinner and paige asked if she could sleep over again. I saw no reason why she couldn't, and since I had monday off of work, I figured to have her stay the whole weekend.

So off we went back to my house...but not before making a stop at walmart for groceries and a few "Other things" pictured below. She is a girl after my own heart. I couldn't resist all the cute barbie stuff. I was so excited to go home and play with it. Me a 22 year grown woman, excited to play barbies.

Just for Kelby we even got another Ken doll and some clothes for him.

On Sunday we went to church, paige came to nursery with me, and then we came home and made chocolate chip cookies.

They were delish.

I realized I hadn't gotten the mail for a couple of days, so I took paige out to check, and low and behold what did we find.

A postcard from Uncle "Nat", that had been mailed almost 2 months ago and finally got here. It was off of the back of an MRE box. God bless the genius who thought of that. He wrote is on Thanksgiving day, and I didn't think I would ever get it. We assumed that the post office just threw it away, seeing how ridiculous it looked.

It was like gold in my hands though. Nothing to brighten my day like a piece of cardboard.

Sunday night was spend being lazy, watching t.v., and of course makeovers.

Paige is a wonderful beautician...don't you think. She especially liked my cream blush.

I call it "Indian tribe plum"

Paige just looks like the little girl from willie wonka who blows up like a blueberry, except she looked more like a raspberry.

Then I had the brilliant idea for paige to jump on the couch cushions while I cleaned the house up a little bit.

Whew what a day. By 9:30 she was all tuckered out, and so was I.

Monday we woke up and spent the day, going to all of my favorite stores for paige to see.

First was "Dear Lizzie" one of my favorite boutiques, that just makes me happy to be a girl. The next was my new favorite clothing boutique called "Sexy Modest" Everything is under 50.00...even their awesome jeans. and the last was "Bliss Photography and boutique" Paige loved that store. The sweet lady brought out all of her Gems and let paige pick out a gem to make a necklace with, and of course she picked the biggest, most brightly colored, rhinestone heart she could find and said..."dat one."

Thanks for the fun filled weekend Kelby and Paige.

Christmas.....finally!!!

2010-01-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

So big surprise, I like everyone else am just getting around to blogging about Christmas. It's not that I haven't had the time, just not really the desire, but here you go.

Christmas eve started down at Grants house, sorry no pics of that.

We opened gifts early since I wouldn't be able to make it down Christmas day.

We go everything from crafts for the house, aprons, nu skin, car emergency kits, and more.

Then I ventured over to my sisters so we could make our traditional trip to brick oven. I can't really say tradtion seeing as how we traditionally have one more person present.

A couple months ago, I decided to con my sister and her kids into sleeping over on Christmas eve. Seeing as how many of their presents get stored at my house anyway, I thought it very convenient on both of our parts. And I offered to do all the wrapping.

Fortunately they agreed, without much coaxing, we even invited the giant yellow lab Otis.

We had a full house.

We got back from dinner to find our yearly christmas eve gifts from santa sitting on the couch. The sneak really is watching us, and knew we would be at dinner. Poor little Paige wanted to put her jammies on before opening her present, but was a little distraught when she realized no p.j's were packed for her.

Aparently she hasn't caught on to the tradition yet.

Awe, but Santa came through and knew that mom and dad might forget pajamas.

After a rough night of musical beds, the kids finally fell asleep around 7:00 on christmas morning, only to be awoken an hour later to open presents.

Santa really had come, and had covered my entire living room with boxes, bags and bows galore.

He was even kind enough to remember that kevin had asked for sweet green headband to keep his um.....hair... out of his face.

I too was blessed with many of gifts, that I was kind enough to buy myself, with the exception of a few surprises that my sister helped grant out with, after I supplied the money.

I bought myself my beauty I have been longing for, and bless Costco for having them on sale...my kitchenaid.

I also hit up a huge sale that american crafts was having on scrapbook supplies. Needless to say I am set for life, and Heather was kind enough to wrap.....mind you that was not everything you see pictured, it was minus a few more bags, and I even went back for more.

Once again santa got his yearly fix of cookies and eggnog and barely left a crumb, we even sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn. Unfortunately our roof is too steep for santa to land on it.

The rest of the day was spent being lazy, and getting ready for everyone to come over for dinner. Paige had about 5 costume changes that day, all of which to the different pajamas she got.

Christmas was a blast, but also exhausting. Thank heavens for the many helping hands of family to make light work, and to make good company.

P.S. What would Christmas day be without a little Christmas Vacation on the t.v. in the background.

Only!!!

2010-01-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

Only 6 more car payments, 6 more mortgage payments, 6 more gas and electric payments,5 more bags of dog food, 3 major holidays (possibly 4) St.pattys, easter, memorial day, and possibly the 4th of July, 2 more changes in the weather, 1 session of conference....And He will be home.

Counting the Days

2010-01-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

How blessed be the day when I have him back!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtau8xt3ws0

Until then, I am eternally grateful everyday, that my family is and always will be protected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyXYot6wHuE

Happy New Year.

2010-01-01T11:17:00.001-08:00

HAPPY 2010......THAT WILL BE A PAIN TO GET USED TO WRITING.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO LOOK BACK AT MY GOALS LAST YEAR FOR NEW YEARS AND SEE HOW MANY I ACCOMPLISHED SO HERE THEY ARE, FROM DEC 31, 2008 TO NOW.

Our Goals For 2009
1. Find more time for each other.

(I GUESS THAT THIS ONE IS KIND OF OBSOLETE RIGHT NOW. MAYBE NEXT YEAR...OR SHOULD I SAY THIS YEAR?)

2. Be paying a mortgage instead of rent by the end of the year, and maybe buy a new car if the budget allows.

(HOORAY WE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED THE BIGGEST ONE ON HERE.)
3. Get the guts to quit my job and go back to school.

(I DIDN'T EXACTLY QUIT MY JOB, BUT I THINK BEING PROMOTED WAS GOOD ENOUGH, AND SCHOOL STARTS IN 6 DAYS. YAY ME.)

4. Make the preparations to start a family

(I THINK THAT GRANT BEING GONE MAKES ME WANT A FAMILY EVEN MORE WHEN HE GETS BACK. FORTUNATELY BEING DEPLOYED MAKES THE FINANCIAL SITUATION MUCH EASIER THAT WE WILL BE SOMEWHAT READY, AND ALL OF MY ALONE TIME REALLY HELPS ME MENTALLY. YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO PREPARED, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU CAN EVER BE REALLY READY!)
5. Be better at emergency prepardness and get more food and money put away.

(NOT TOO BAD. I HAVE DONE VERY WELL AT THIS.)
6. Go on a vacation

(TOTALLY FAILED... HOPING OUR TRIP TO HAWAII WHEN GRANT GETS HOME WILL PAN OUT. WE WILL DEFINITELY NEED ONE BY THEN.)
7. Exercise a LOT more

(MAYBE I HAVEN'T DONE IT A LOT MORE, BUT EVEN DOING IT IS BETTER THAN NOTHING, AS LONG AS MY PANTS KEEP GETTING LOOSER I'M HAPPY.)
8. Be more savvy shopper, (cut coupons more, look for more sales, etc.)

(I GUESS I'VE JUST BEEN LUCKY WITH SALES, BUT THE COUPONS HAVEN'T BEEN THE BEST AT.)
9. Try not to be so anal about cleaning (sorry mom for calling you a clean freak, looks like you have worn off on your daughters)

(WELL WHEN YOUR HUSBAND IS GONE AND YOUR HOME ALONE, WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO. I DON'T THINK ITS EVER A BAD THING TO BE TOO CLEAN.....RIGHT?)
10. Put a limit on Grants video gaming, thus the find more time for each other.

(I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THIS, BUT I WOULD RATHER GRANT BE HOME PLAYING VIDEO GAMES THAN BE IN A WAR PLAYING REAL FIGHTING GAMES. I WILL NEVER GET USED TO PASSING THE COMPUTER ROOM AND NOT SEE HIM SITTING IN THERE.)

I'm impressed, I have accomplished more than I thought. Now for this year.

1: Be very optimistic

2: Be persistent in school and do everything possible to not quit till I get my degree.

3: Definitely take that long awaited vacation.....to Hawaii.

4: Really spend more time together....even if it means taking night classes together and doing homework together.

5: Continue to save lots of money....but also to know when to spoil ourselves at times, and hopefully finish our yard.

6: Continue. to exercise...gotta have that smokin bod for Grant and Hawaii. Only 6 months to accomplish it.

7: Definitely do what makes me happy....try to start scrapbooking again or other crafts. I really need to devote time to myself.

Thank heavens we can always set new goals and not just at the beginning of the year. I'm sure my list will continue to grow everyday. I can't wait to see what we accomplish this year.

Farewell 2009...Hello 2010!

Happy New Year.

8 year olds....too funny!

2009-12-21T20:41:00.000-08:00

I had a funny conversation with my next door neighbor tonight. She is 8, and is such a cutie pie. She makes me laugh. Anytime I am letting the dogs out, she will hear me yell at them and open her bedroom window and hang out and talk to me. Such a character...anyways the conversation went something like this.
Me: what are you doing for Christmas this year Emma?

Emma: Going to my grandmas house...she lives in lindon. Do you believe in Santa Clause?

Me: (thinking that she believed in him) Of course I do. Why?

Emma: I don't cause I totally saw my mom putting the presents under the tree one year. You must be pretty crazy to still believe in him at your age, cause you are pretty old aren't you? I bet your older than my mom and she is in her fortys. You don't even have any kids home anymore.

Me: Um.....hmmmm.....Yep I am pretty old, but I haven't even had kids yet. I guess I won't lie...you mom and dad are santa clause. Well I better go inside, my dinner is going to burn. See Ya.

Teach her to call me old. I will give her credit, her mom is gorgeous and does not look forty at all, she doesn't even look thirty, so I can see how she can get confused. Silly Emma.

2009-12-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

I..SNIFF....HATE...SNEEZE...COLDS.....COUGH COUGH!!!!!!

Funny Pictures

2009-12-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

So do you ever go through your pictures and find some that just crack you up. Well I sure found some pretty funny ones, that I don't think I ever blogged about.

Please Enjoy!

My oh so attractive husband. I have many a stories to go along with not only these ridiculous glasses but also his dress blues. Lets just say, that after some wild dancing at our last marine corps ball, we have to have a fairly severe split stitched back up, and the sides let out. I don't think that he will be getting so "low low low low" anymore.

Hahahahahahahaha. Oh boy. So when we were living in our apartment in P.G, one morning turned out to be very interesting. I was getting ready in the bathroom and I could hear this really weird banging on our bedroom window. I didn't think much of it, since the kids upstairs would always throw rocks and balls down the window wells. Well it continued for a few more minutes, until I heard this wild screeching noice. I went and opened the blinds and found.....a freaking rooster. Well after a call to animal control, we got he out and returned to our neighbor who lived behind us. Needless to say, that was not the last time that dang thing was seen or heard in our yard, or window well.

Silly Kippie, never leave your puppies unattended while putting laundry away.

This one just makes me laugh. It's my friends little sister and her friend, and I saw the friends face and about peed my pants. Oh boy.

Start looking through your old pictures. You never know what you will find.

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

Once again Thanksgiving is upon us, and I don't even know where to begin on all the wonderful blessings I am thankful for.

Most definitely number 1 on my list...my family, parents, hubby, sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews, dogs and guinea pigs.

Our beautiful home that truly is a home and not just a house. It's amazing how quickly a house can become that, and how warm and safe I feel pulling into my garage each night.

My amazing husband, and all that he does for me, even when is half a world away.
The oh so special early morning phone calls Grant and I get to have, just so we can talk about how boring yet busy our lives are. I wouldn't trade those precious moments for anything.

My desire to still be a mother...even after dealing with 20 three year olds every sunday in nursery.

Someday I will be writing that I am thankful for my children, but until then, I definitely thankful for my four legged children and for them always making me laugh, and keeping me company

My Job, even though it completely stresses me out, and sometimes I want to strangle everyone there. I will never find another place to work, that feels almost like a second home and a second family.

My wonderful friends, even though I don't see them very often, I still know they are there.
P.S who ever reads this, we need to get together sometime!

The food that is placed on our table each night, whether it be an actual meal, or a bowl of cereal because I'm too lazy to cook, it's such a blessing to have.

The t.v and radio to fill the silence of my home while grant is gone. It gets pretty quiet around here.

The gospel, the blessings of tithing, my visiting teachers, my nursery kids, the comforting power of prayer, the knowledge in the scriptures.

The blessings of the temple and my ability to look out my window each day and see the timp temple, and remind me of my wonderful covenants, and the power of knowing that my family is forever.

The air that I breath, my health and strength, (even while fighting this yucky cold, I am still much healthier than a lot of people).

For this time of year, to remind us of all of our wonderful blessings, to spend with family and friends, and to know that each year, we are given more and more.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

Jello Anyone?

2009-11-25T20:11:00.001-08:00

So I was given one food assignment to make for Thanksgiving....Jello Salad! Who is their right mind could screw up jello salad?......ME!

1st attempt (Kelli's thoughts) "I don't want to put in yogurt because I don't have any, it will take way to long to make, and seeing as how it's 7:00 in the morning, I really don't want to run to the store". So I just made the jello without the yogurt and this is what it looked like.

mmmmmm mmmmm. Don't you just want to eat a big ole gob of that? I sure did...delish.

Needless to say, that attempt ended up in the garbage.( oh and if you can't tell, there are three different jello layers in that. Raspberry, Orange and Lime.)

Aaaahhhh, but behold, attempt number 2 (with yogurt) has succeeded, after a second trip to the grocery store for J E L L O....it's alive!

The Griswolds

2009-11-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here are my christmas pics.

And FYI, My christmas lights really aren't red and blue, although that would be very patriotic, they are the LED lights and they just look blue in the pics.

2009-11-14T21:20:00.001-08:00

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Oh I love these things.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/osxc7uZcV5x7IKy9

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/oTMC3A9j3XzEHimJ

2009-11-14T20:31:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy these wonderful renditions of some of my favorite Christmas songs. I know I know, you never knew that our family was so talented!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/sbd4N8WUUoXjvyBX

Open House!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Fall Open House

Come check out lots of fun gift ideas for the Holidays.

Parade of Purses

Scentsy

and Crafts for your home and holidays

This Saturday Nov 14, 2009

1:00 to 3:00 pm

10357 Tamarack Way

Cedar Hills, UT.

Most items will be on hand.

Take your findings with your or feel free to order for all of your friends.

Speaking of friends, bring one and recieve a free gift.

P.S. Lots of yummy treats too.

Come and enjoy!

New Dining Table

2009-11-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

Yay for new dining tables, that seat more than four people, and that you thighs don't rub on when you sit in the chairs. I love it! Who would have thought that of all the places I looked that big lots, yes big lots would have come through with flying colors, For half the cost of all the other ones I have seen.

Dinner Anyone?

2009-11-04T10:15:00.001-08:00

This is to inform you all, that I have changed my playlist and you will be hearing nothing but Christmas music when you look at my blog up until the end of December, and that I have taken down fall decorations, and I have put my Christmas Tree up. I have never been so anxious for it to get cold and snow in my life. If any of you would like to Join me in welcoming Christmas early please do so, now knowing that you would not be the only crazy person out there.

Thank You!!!!!

longest post ever.

2009-10-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of weeks I know. But I've been busy getting lots of stuff ready and done before Grant got home. But now he is home and the ten days has flown by. I can't believe sunday is almost here and we have to say goodbye again for another 9 months. We have been so busy since he has been home. Going nonstop here and there and seeing everyone we can possibly see in a ten day time period.

(sorry no pics of the homecoming)

We started thursday morning off with Grant calling me around Nephi, telling me where they were at and that he had some bad news, I haven't seen my husband in 2 and a 1/2 months and he is an hour away from home, what could possibly be bad....Well maybe the fact that he had just been pulled over driving his friends jaguar (mind you the friend was with him, they were taking turns driving) going 36 miles per hour over the speed limit on the freeway. He is deployed, the cop will let him off right???? WRONG. Exactly $490.00 dollars later his ticket is paid off. I wasn't as pleased to see him walk in the door as I thought I would be. Maybe the state didn't ban his license, but I sure did.

Later that day we went down to my sisters house. My nephew Kelby who turned 7 wanted nothing but for his Uncle Grant to be home for his birthday, and because Heather and I are mean and heartless we told him he wouldn't be home. That way Grant could be a nice big birthday surprise. Kelby had no idea, that when he got home that day, he would find uncle grant hiding in his bed. His excited giggle made it all worth it. We took him out to go pick out a birthday present and to dinner at Artic Circle.

Friday was spent doing yard work and running errands, and Kelby's birthday party that night.

Saturday we went to Grants house and had breakfast with his fam and played games, and later that night went to pirates island again with kelby and his fam. Hands down, totally beats Chuck e cheese by a mile. Pretty dang good food, and not just pizza(although their pizza was really good.) They had Jack Sparrow wandering around our tables checking on everyone, seeing how the food was, and he was even swaying as he walked...probably a little too much rum.

Sunday was spent with my fam for my birthday which was monday. It's amazing how old 22 can feel. I can already feel the arthritis coming on.

The presents were great. My sister Robyn made me a Snuggie, yes the things I always make fun of I always turn out to love. It really is a genius idea, Gardner Village Gift card from Lisa, Ed and Kaitlyn, Ipod Shuffle from Heather, Kevin, Kelby and Paige, Money from mom and dad (went towards my sewing machine), And a necklace and the entire series of friends from Grant.

Super cute house decor from Grants fam, and lots of Nu Skin products which I love from them also. Thanks Everyone.

Monday Grant made me stay in bed, and he made me breakfast. I must say, I was completely inpressed. It was delicious!!!

Berry Crepes (he made the crepes from scratch), eggs, grapefruit and Orange juice to help with my cold and flowers. I did have to help a little bit. I had to raid all my craft supplies to find silk flowers that he was determined to have, and help him clean up so plastic that melted to the stove, but other than that, he did an amazing job.

we just ran errands, stopped at Garner village so I could use my birthday certificate, Grant informed me that he was a little baby hungry as he helped me pick out som fabric to make some blankets with my new sewing machine, unfortunately that ship won't be sailing for a while once again thanks again to the awesome war in Afghanistan, and I officially became a Scentsy Girl. (Note I will be holding my launch party on the 14th of Nov, More info to come.)

The rest of the week has flown by, seeing friends and just sleeping in late. I have had all the time grant has been home off from work. It's been wonderful to just lay around and do nothing.

We will all be sad to see him leave again, especially his puppies. Kip and Remy have loved having him home, they follow him everywhere. It will be a sad awakening when they have to listen to mean old mommy again.

Anyways, I'm sure more posts will be coming again soon. Thanks for all the awesome birthday presents and everyones thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them everyday.

2009-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

I love rainy conference sundays, I love having a house that is clean and smells good, I love that Grant will be home in 11 days. LIFE IS GOOD!

2009-10-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

13 Days

2009-09-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

17 More Days

2009-09-27T19:18:00.001-07:00

18 more days!!!!!

Dress up!

2009-09-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

Since my life is so completely exciting right now, I decided that I would take my sister Heather up on her text she sent me today, and go to Target for a little retail therapy....for my dogs. Seeing as how I have no children, I have to buy halloween costumes for someone right? Well I already bought mine, but what good is my costume is my "children" don't get to dress up either. Well I fixed that tonight. no more Kip and Remy, say hello to Pumpkin and Turtle.

The best part is they totally love wearing them.

Puppy makeover!

2009-08-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was a pretty traumatic day for both of the dogs. Remy got fixed and Kip got groomed. Needless to say, Remy is a licker and has been banished to wear his ridiculous collar for the next couple of days and hates it. I have to listen to him whine and carry him everywhere because he keeps running into everything.

Kip just plain looks hilarious. When I asked to groomers to cut most of the curl off and just make it look clean I had no idea he would come out looking like he did. He totally looks like he should be in the dog show. I really miss his curly maniac affro hair. At least it grows back.

This is Kippie before!

And here is Kippie after. Don't laugh. I think he knows how ridiculous he looks.

P.S. This is my favorite thing that Kip does. He goes and sits on the bed in the guest bedroom and sticks his head through the frame and will look out the window for hours.

No More Fishbowl!!!!

2009-08-18T21:06:00.001-07:00

Hooray. We have blinds. Finally. We no longer live in a fishbowl. Thanks to my bro in law Kevin for installing them. They look awesome, and my house now feels like a home and not a display case for all my neighborhood to see.

Thanks Kevin and Heather.

Goodbye for Now!!!!!!

2009-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

One goodbye down, one more to go. Grant left today for San Diego for three months before it's off to Afghanistan. My heart is empty and so is my house. So quiet and lonely, but fortunately no one to see the many tears that I will shed over the next year. I look forward to so many things for when he gets back. Our trip to Hawaii, him starting school, being able to start a family....so many things to keep me going. I miss him so much already, and it breaks my heart to see how much my niece and nephew miss him too. Poor little Kelby loves his uncle Grant so much, and has such a special bond with him. I think it hurt me more today to see him crying than it hurt me to say goodbye. I wish little kids could understand, but at times, their lack of knowledge is what keeps me comforted. Nothing helped me more today than my little three year old niece telling me "it's ok keyee (that's how she says Kelli), don't cry." I will enjoy spending more time with them while Grant is gone, just to keep me company. Such an emotional day, but at least we have wonderful pictures to remember it.

Even the boys (yes my dogs are my children) were sad to see daddy go.

They love their uncle "Nant"

It was a good day for pictures, Grants eyes were open in all of them.

Cute family. Thanks Guys for keeping me company today!

We love you Nant, and we miss you so much!

L.Tom Perry

2009-07-31T22:27:00.001-07:00

This is the first time that Grant has actually given me a picture and told me to blog about it. Sorry it is kind of blurry. I was at work today when I got this text message, and low and behold it's a picture of Grant and L.Tom Perry. I thought it was really cool. He came to give their company a blessing before they leave on Sunday. It's so wonderful to know that we have the prayers of our incredible church leaders helping to keep these boys safe.

One Year Already?

2009-07-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

My how the time flies. We have already made it to a year. This time last year, I was utterly exhausted, dead from the summer heat, starting to remove my perma smile, wondering who many of the people were whose hands I had been shaking all night, and sitting in the bathtub at our hotel room with a washrag over my face, trying to shake the common cold, (that just so happened to stick around our entire honeymoon), and wondering what our life would be like. Well.....here we are a year later, yes still together, and still very much in love, some days we are newlyweds, and others we are a bickering husband and wife who has been married for 60 years. I never thought that a year later, we would.....

Be Homeowners paying a mortgage on a beautiful home!

Being mommy and daddy to our two very spoiled puppies.

Be paying a new car payment.

Getting ready to start another year long deployment.

Having the geat jobs that we do.

Still not have done anymore schooling. (we will finish, we will finish)

Be without a child on the way (really I didnt think we would make it, but I kept telling people we would, so to you I say "told ya so".)
Have been primary teachers to 5 and 6 year old, sunbeams, and now currently the nursery leaders.

Have made time for as many dates as we have.

Be spending so much time apart ( we have spent more nights sleeping away from each other than we have together since we have been married....seriously) Got to love working graveyards, and drill weekends.

Still be as much in love if not more than we were a year ago.

Because Grant is being mobilized on monday, we didn't have a lot of time today to have an amazing anniversary planned. We spent the day in a sweltering room, surrounded by fellow marines and families, listening to briefings about insurance, college, financial planning, blah, blah, blah, and no offense, but they got the most boring people to talk about them too. Then we came home, took a nap in our once again sweltering house because our A/C is retarded, got up, went to dinner at red lobster, and walked around the mall for a bit, came home ate our cake, (which was delicious might I add), and now my hubby is in bed while I blog.

Here is a few pictures of our evening adventures.

Our food at Red Lobster was delicious, and our waiter was awesome!

Yummy Yummy cake. I was impressed. So moist and good. Yes that is Grant not so happy about being up since five, having done and physical fitness test, sitting through boring classes, and then going to dinner. He was a trooper.

Thanks love for a wonderful Anniversary, maybe next year we will actually get each other gifts or cards, or actually plan to go and do something. I'm just glad I got to have you here.

I love you.

Grant and Kelli Williams

Est. July 18th, 2008!!!!!!!!!!!

One year down......Eternity to go!

A YaRd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

We finally finished.......sort of! We at least have grass and a sprinkler system. A fence, back patio, staircase for our deck, and a larger driveway are still to come, but all in good time. Grant and My wonderful dad have been working their tails off on the sprinkling system, and today we got our sod and got it all laid. It looks magnificent, and now kip and remy don't need to go lay on the neighbors lawn cause they hated our dirt so bad. Hooray, and my house doesn't look so drab and ghetto.

Here are some before, middle and lots of afters.

Overrun with weeds and gross rocky dirt

smooth, and ready for grass

Tada!!!!!!! Look how much fun the boys are having!!!

swimsuits

2009-07-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

I noticed that the moment I became married, I all of a sudden became very uncomfortable with particular swim suits. Even though I still felt my body was bikini wearable, I just hated them. That's when I was so excited when I found Lime Ricki swimwear. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM. I have bought 2 swimsuits from them this summer and love how they fit. They have the cutest styles, and the colors don't bleed, and they don't come unstitched like some of those other utah based modest swimwear companies. They are a little pricier but totally worth it. Nothing more than what you would pay at your regular department store though. So if any of you are in need of new swim wear check them out, and they also have awsome sales at the end of summer.

These are the two that I bought this summer and LOVE!!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its here again. I first have to apologize for all the pictures and second for forgetting my camera at the parade so we have no pictures of that, and third for the sound on the videos, it really wasn't bad, it's just what you get when you record it on your phone, but what a day we had. We started the morning at our ward breakfast at 8:00, we hurried and scarfed our food and flew down to provo to get to the parade. After spending a lot of useless time in traffic and trying to find roads that weren't blocked off, we finally made to our destination. Seeing as how we were too late to find a spot on the street, my sister was kind enough to let us come watch it from her salon windows right on University Ave. Air conditioned building, no crowds, it was perfect.

After the parade we made our way down to Mapleton for our nephew Colin's first birthday party. Lots of yummy barbecue and presents.

Finally we after the party we ran home, freshened up, and grabbed our stuff and once again made our way to Provo for the Stadium of Fire. Jonas Brothers here we come. They had invited all of the Marines in Grants Company to the concert and to sit on the field. It was free so I figured why not. I didn't realize how many Jonas Brothers songs I knew. The fourth of July is my favorite holiday and no matter who comes to the stadium of fire, I still love to go. There is just something about being in there watching the dancers, seeing everyone wave their little flags, watching the best fireworks show on earth....and the jets. My heart pounds in anticipation for those mere 3 seconds of watching those fly over.

Part of getting in Free was the boys had to come in Uniform. Fortunately Grants barely fit him. No pant splitting incidents this time.

I never get tired of seeing these boys in uniform.

These two are inseparable. And they loved the fireworks. I have never seen two little kids sit so still.

They looked so patriotic and they loved waving their flags. I can't believe how big they are getting.

I always wanted to be one of these dancers, they look so cool when the field is full of them!

The giant flag that they used to pull across the entire field during the national anthem. They retired it right before the fireworks. It was amazing to see. It brought tears to my eyes to see something so beautiful come to an end. I love our flag and everything that it stands for.

Our group, once again together.

Ahhhhh. FINALLY. I love them.

Shedaisy did awesome!

drum roll.........The JONAS BROTHERS!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH.

I have never heard so many little girl screams in my life. I will admit they did do a pretty good job. I was impressed and glad that we came.

The whole reason for coming. The worlds greatest fireworks show.....at least that I have seen!!!

Finally I just have to brag. Our friends were selling t-shirts at the stadium, so we dedided to go see them before the show started. We walked to the end of the portal and there was a HUGE crowd of girls and parents screaming. This lady said we couldn't get through because this was where the Jonas Brothers were coming out at. So we turned around and went out another exit, and low and behold about six feet away from us, a door opens and guess who comes out. Thats right, about 20 cops and the Jonas Brothers. I wish had taken my camera, but take that suckers, I didn't even stand in a crowd to see them. It totally made my day to see my idols. hahaha. J.K. But I did want to go rub it in that lady's face. That Joe Jonas is soooooo HOTT, and they totally sang their song about Taylor Swift. It was pretty funny.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I hope next year is just as great!

The Church is Full of Surprises

2009-06-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog is definitely true to it's name. Last week our bishopric called us in to give us a calling. When they asked for both of us to come in, I knew right away that it was primary. "Great", I thought, we are pro's at primary and I was so excited to see what class we were teaching. When I asked our first counselor, (who's wife is also the primary president), he looked a little puzzled and was like, "I'm not sure, but I think it's an older group." He was sneaky. Later that week Grant got a call telling us that the class we would be teaching was a little group called NuRsErY! Oh boy. I thought. Well he was right, it is the older group. Our nursery is split into ages, so fortunately we have the older group. Well once again, today we got yet another surprise. Not only are we in nursery, But unbenounced to me, we are actually the Nursery Leaders.....oh and the couple who was in there today, it was their last sunday.....and there is another couple who is "supposed to be called"......but it might just be me and Grant for the next couple sundays! Fortunatley all the kids in there are really well behaved, and they actually want to learn, and participate. And best of all, I have a new best friend. Her name is Lucy, and she just so happens to be the daughter of the primary president and our oh so sneaky first counselor. She is pretty stinkin cute, and I'm in love with her blonde curly hair, and she loves to go everywhere I go. Anyways, this post is sounding a lot more negative than I wanted. I'm actually really excited to be in there, and get to know all these little kids, and it will keep me busy while Grant is gone. And who wouldn't love spending two hours of church eating snacks, sitting on the floor playing with dolls, reading books and singing primary songs. I think Nursery and us will get along just fine!!!!!!!!!

Let the countdown begin.

2009-06-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Let the countdown and the blubbering begin. One month from tomorrow the good bye's start again. Last night we found out that Grant is being deployed two weeks earlier than planned, so two days after we celebrate our one year anniversary I ship my dear husband off to Camp Pendleton for three months before heading to Afghanistan for another seven. I should be used to it by now right? Think again. I don't think I could ever get used to it. We're working our tails off to get everything accomplished before he leaves, and still trying to find some time with each other. Between working full time, taking care of our children, (a.k.a. puppies and piggies), and trying to get our yard done (thanks Daddy for helping us. We really really really appreciate it.) It seems as though we're running non-stop. I try to stay positive and see the bright side of things. He may leave two weeks earlier, but that means he gets home two weeks earlier as well, which means he might even be here for anniversary number 2. Let's hope that one will be a lot better than this one. All of our plans for this year have pretty much been shot, once again thanks to the oh so unorganized marine corps. Thanks Boys. But as long as we get to be together I don't care how many dumb classes we have to sit though, about insurance, and not shaking the baby you get back from war, yadda yadda yadda. We don't need fancy hotels, abba concerts, trips to park city as planned. We just need each other.

What a week!

2009-06-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

What a crazy week this has been. All I can say is I can't to go camping and have a break. For starters we got another new puppy so Kip can start to mellow out and have a friend while we are at work. Next we have getting ready to buy a new car, I just didn't think that it would happen as fast as it did. I called the guy told him what we wanted, he went to the auctions and BOOM, four days later we have a vehicle sitting in our garage. Grant comes home tonight after being in Morocco for a month training and tomorrow I start my first official day as the Events Manager at the Northampton House. It's a bittersweet moment. I hate seeing Dawn leave because she is like a sister to me. I see her more than I see my own husband. Literally! It will be hard to walk into work each day and not see her sitting there at her desk, but I know she will be a wonderful mother to her new baby and I am really excited for the change. I hope I do well. Other than that we have just been hanging out and taking everything in one day at a time. A much needed vacation is definitely in store.

Meet Remy, Kips new best friend.

Quite a difference in size! don't you think?

The cutest little old man face on a dog I have ever seen.

My beauty. My 2009 Ford Escape. Four wheel drive here I come.

So many buttons. I don't know what to do with them all.

Lots of room to grow.

I love this car. It's the perfect size, and the color is growing on me, and I love how it drives.

Seeing as how Grant isn't home yet, I have no pictures of him, but for sure will get some. Only a few hours left.

NeW cOuCh!

2009-05-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

Hooray We finally got our new couch today. I love it. It's huge and it takes up our ENTIRE living room. I am so glad though to have our other couch and loveseat with the most annoying slip covers out of the way. Don't get me wrong, I loved the couch I just hated always having to adjust the slip covers. But slipcovers no more.

BEHOLD!

It's huge, and sorry about Kips behind. He was in practically every picture. He thinks it's his new play ground. He really does love it.

Doesn't it look comfy? Once again, that is my oh so inappropriate dog.

My favorite is the "reading nook", and kip loves being able to sit and look out the window. It's his new habit.

2009-05-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Grant!

Just My Kip and Me.

2009-05-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

So here I sit. Ten o' clock at night, home alone, blogging with my kippie. Not that I have that much to talk about, but it gives me something to do right. Grant has been to Africa almost four days and still has about 26 to go. This is going to take forever. These four days have already felt like an eternity. It doesn't help that I can't talk to him really either, other than texting, since a phone call costs approximately 3.00 a minute. Sheesh, but from what I have heard Morocco is very plentiful in their deserts and......Hookers, yes you heard me right, aparently it's the sister city to Vegas and all of it's street walkers. A little uncomfortable for the poor guy who is surrounded by fellow marines who seem to have no trouble taking them back to their rooms at night. Me on the other hand, my bed is empty. Kip has quickly taken over sleeping on his daddys side of the bed and see no problem waking me up at six in the morning to take him potty (that was grants responsibility mind you, that has now been passed on to me). And at the rate Kip is growing, there won't be any room for Grant in the bed when he gets back. My furry little friend is LITERALLY doubling in weight every three weeks when we take him to get his shots. Whoa friend, easy on the milk bones. On the other hand, he is learning some pretty cute tricks. He shakes hands, lays down and plays dead, and of course the typical sit, but not so good on the stay. We're working on it.

Me on the other hand, well I have been keeping busy with work, cleaning, shopping and discovering new grocery stores. My new fav, The Sunflower Market. FABULOUS. The best produce I have ever seen, smelled, tasted, and the best priced. I also am fond of the fresh pastas you can buy and put in your freezer. YUM. I recently decided to spend my saturday doing what Grant hates most. Cutting my hair. He does however like the blonde, so I thought I would make it a win/ win for both of us. I get the length, and he gets the color. Unfortunately all he has seen of it so far is the oh so high quality pictures that my camera phone takes. Being on two different continents sucks. I do hope all is well there with him though, and that he will have somewhat of an enjoyable time. I love you and miss you Grantie Poo. Oh and Happy Mothers day to all of you moms. Someday I will be one.

Well for now, goodnight, I am off to share my bed with my furry four legged friend!!!

Just My Kip and Me!

Here we go again!!!!!!

2009-04-30T22:55:00.001-07:00

Here we go again. One year ago tomorrow this picture was taken. I had him back with me, and now I have to send him off again for another year to Afghanistan? Are you freakin kidding me? Why does the government want me to hate them so? Why do they make the war so hard to support? Why do they expect us to be so willing and eager to ship these boys of to who knows what kind of dangers, and when we complain they call us unpatriotic. Who the heck do they think they are? Am I bitter? YES! Am I angry? YES! Am I scared????? COMPLETELY! But I will do it again, because he is my husband and I support him for better or for worse, for near or for far, for one year or for 100 years. LOOK OUT OSAMA BIN LADEN!!!!!!!

When life hands you lemons.......

2009-04-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

I will do my best to write this post and keep my emotions inside but I know that it won't happen. I feel like I have been handed a lemon grove and am expected to make lemonade, but imagine I have no sugar in making this lemonade, how bitter will that taste? Probably not as bitter as I feel right now. I would rather drink bitter lemonade than go through another deployment. The worst year of my life was spent with Grant being away in Iraq and Now were being told that the second time around might be coming sooner than we thought. When Grant got home from drill last night, he informed me that there is a pretty good chance that they will be heading out mid summer for another year long deployment, and I just don't know if I can handle another one. I'm afraid of the unknown and the fact that it would be Afghanistan this time and not Iraq can't help but make me wonder, is it more dangerous or not. I don't know what to expect and It's tearing me apart inside. There is nothing more spiritually and emotionally draining, than knowing the one your supposed to be with for Eternity, could be leaving and could possibly never come back. I know I'm supposed to have faith but I don't understand why the Lord makes it so hard. I know I should be supportive and I certainly try my hardest, but nothing is more difficult than keeping thoughts of being a 22 year old widow out of my mind. I respect and admire those women who have chosen to go through this year after year for the rest of their life. But I've had my share and I"m asking for NO MORE! I guess until we find out for sure all I can really do is fall to my knees and beg for my Heavenly Father to keep him here, and if that isn't the case, I will do my best to be as supportive as I can be, find the lessons to be learned from this experience, surround myself with family and friends and be grateful my husband has chosen to serve his country.

New Happenings!

2009-04-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

So nothing much exciting has been happening lately, but I just really wanted to blog. Grant is still at drill for the weekend, but hopefully should be getting home any minute. YEAH. We are counting down the days till he leaves for Africa for a month for military training. 11 days to go and counting. Fortunately I'm used to being alone most nights since he works graveyards. The joys of being a marine wife! Our house is coming along quite nicely. I pretty much have everything in it's place and decorated. I have started my training at work for my new position, and we just hired the new consultant who will be taking my spot. I love her to death, and I think she will do an awesome job. My Kippie is growing up so fast. We almost can't call him a puppy anymore since he is getting so big. He is my baby right now and it makes me so sad when the vet tells us how much weight he is gaining. He is going to be one big doggie. For being only three months he already weighs 12 pounds, and they say most cocker spaniels get between 15 and 30, We think he might be closer to 40 or 50. It's probably from all the garbage and literally "the poop" that he eats. I call him my goat. Grant is getting everything ready to start school this fall at UVU, poor kid isn't excited to be a 24 year old freshman, but he is ready and willing to take on the challenge. We're loving our new ward, and are glad that we aren't the only newlywed couple that doesn't have any kids yet. Someday they will come. Fortunately for now though, we each have our baby hungry moments at different times. Until then, our "children", house and our jobs will continue taking all of our attention, time and money.

New House!!!!!

2009-04-13T18:52:00.001-07:00

So here they are for those of you who wanted to see the house. Sorry I was too lazy to actually clean it before I took pictures, but you get the idea. Enjoy.

I'll be completely honest, I actually forgot to take a picture of the outside, so this a pic I took on the computer, from the google maps image, (but this really is our house!)

Once again too lazy to put the pictures in order, so we will just start with this one. This is the guest bedroom (a working progress), but coming along rather nicely. (and yes I have a bed frame for it, but it's at my parents, so air mattresses have to do for now.)

The guest bathroom. There is a tub/shower, you just can't see it. Grant still doesn't understand why the bathroom and bedroom have to match. DUH! Because the same guests will be using them.

The view of our bathroom from the master bedroom. I love our room.

The glorious walk in closet, that can actually fit all of our clothes. I know it's totally cliche, but in our apartment, we really did have a tiny closet and we had to use the coat closet and the spare bedroom closet to fit all of our clothes.

Our tub and shower, and my make shift curtains till we get blinds. (I guess technically they aren't makeshift, cause they really are curtains, they just aren't being used as a scarf like they are meant.)

Our bathroom, with it's his and her's vanities. LOVE THEM.

Our bed and part of the window.

The magnificent laundry room, with new washer and dryer, which I love. (our dryer plays a little song when it's done drying, it's so cute, and I love have the giant deep sink in there too, great for cleaning up doggie messes.

I love our staircase and this giant window that is above it. It lets in so much light, and I can't wait to put garland on these bad boys at christmas time.

The dining room and a sort of good view of the deck.

The living room, once again, blinds are on their way. Curtains work though for now.

The selling point of the whole house, besides the view. THE KITCHEN. How could you not want to cook in this.

And lastly the view. Absolutely gorgeous. You cant really see it, but we have an amazing view of the Timp Temple, it's so pretty at night when it is all lit up. We can pretty much see from the point of the mountain down to Orem. It's gorgeous. The lake is beautiful at sunset, we can pretty much see over the mountain into eagle mountain. It's amazing, I never get tired of looking out the windows.

Finally this has nothing to do with the house, but I just have to brag about how sweet my hubby is. About a week ago, he asked if we were going to get each other anything for easter, and I told him probably not since there were a lot of things we needed to get for the house still. Well a while back, my blow dryer started going on the fritz, and he said I could get a new one for easter, and I just thought, sweet I will just go buy one after I get paid that week, but aparently he had different plans. Saturday night I was getting ready for bed about 11:30 and was saying how excited I was to go get a new blow dryer for easter. He was a little worried. When I went to climb in bed, I asked him if he was coming and he said in a little bit. At about 1:45 in the morning I heard him come climbing in. The next morning which was Easter, I had gone downstairs to let the dog outside, and when I walked into the kitchen I found this. He was in big trouble. I ran upstairs told him how bad I felt for not buying him anything, and he said he wanted it to be that way, and then he asked me if I had found all of my eggs. Confused, I asked what he was talking about and he told me he had hid easter eggs all over the house for me to find. SO FUN. I LOVED IT. Anyways, long story short, he had called my sister, asked her to get a nice blow dryer for him, since he didn't know what the heck to buy, and waited till I fell asleep saturday night, so he could put the basket together and hide the eggs, which explains the 1:45 bedtime. What a sweetheart. And yes he even took the time to go pick out the basket and buy all the candies that were in it. Such a CUTIE.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

We'Ve MoVeD!!!!!!!

2009-04-09T19:23:00.001-07:00

FINALLY, the hellish ordeal of buying a house is over. Grant and I have finally found, bought and settled into a place to call home. After ups and downs, and this house and that house, and this document and that document, the process is finally done. We found a beautiful brand new home in Cedar Hills that was repossessed from the builder, so we got a killer deal and it was brand new, never been lived in. It's up on the east bench so we have an amazing view. We have so much more space now, and it's so much more quiet, with the exception of the neighbor kids always coming over to see Kip. We absolutely love our house, and since we have so much work to do to on landscaping the yard and finishing the basement, and having so much room to grow, I think it's safe to say that we will be here for a while. I have pictures to post, but not enough time tonight, seeing as how my washer and dryer just got delivered today, so I have mountains of laundry to do. But I promise they will come. I have had so much fun decorating it.WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT HERE!

Raggety Ann

2009-03-30T22:36:00.001-07:00

And here is Raggety Ann having too much fun with those easter candy eggs that turn your lips colors. Apparently she missed the mouth.

Emo Family

2009-03-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so I really am bored. Here are some more. This is what Grant and my sister Heather and nephew Kelby would look like as an emo family. So special!

Emo Kelby eating a banana. I tried to make him look more like a monkey but it didn't work .

Morticia Adams on drugs.

Hubba Hubba. My little emo hubby.

Who's next. I know you all wanna see what I do to you. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Bored.

2009-03-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

So since I have nothing to do lately except sit in my empty apartment and wait to close on our house, I thought I would take some make up tips from my sister in law Kirsta's blog and give some family members a makeover. Sorry if you wanted a makeover and you weren't a part of this round. I can't find my camera (which I assume is packed) so I just took some face shots from my phone and worked my magic. Please enjoy.

My niece Paige is obsessed with Ariel right now, so I figured I would make her Ariel

I have been thinking about going dark and perming my hair. What do you think, oh and giving myself crazy looking eyes.

My bro in law Kevin used to have a mullet in high school, but little did you know that he was also a drag queen back in the day. What a hottie.

Don't feel bad all of you who got left out, there is more where this came from and I'm sure you will all have your turn very shortly.

One More!

2009-03-10T20:13:00.001-07:00

Okay, so i'm mildly obsessed. But look at him, wouldn't you. My sister just sent me this, and I feel so much better to see that he is having fun. See you tomorrow KipKip

MeEt KiP!!!!!!!

2009-03-10T19:24:00.001-07:00

Say Hello to Kip.

Our newest member of our family. Since we are buying a house, Grant and I really wanted to get dog, so that I will have company while he is in africa for the month of May with the Marines. We had no intentions of buying one this soon,(before we have even closed on our house mind you), but we looked online and found this little beauty with all of his siblings for dirt cheap, for being a pure cocker spaniel. We called the owners up and they told us we could come over right away and see them. It was love at first sight, and we both knew we had to have him. But neither of us wanted to choose which one, so Grant put each one of the boys in his hands, mixed them up, and told me to pick a hand, and low and behold, Kip became ours. He has been such a sweetheart so far, and Grant is in love with him. He never had any pets growing up, so we started small with the guinea pigs, but his baby is his true pride and joy. He is almost six weeks and is clumbsy as ever. Unfortunately since we are still in our apartment, we aren't able to keep him here with us,( SADDEST DAY EVER.) But his serogate mother (A.K.A my sister Heather) has offered to keep him at her house to we move in a few days. He will be treated well with his new best friend (otis the GIANT yellow lab) and her oh so loving children, who have already found a place for him in their hearts. Thanks Heather and Kevin.

What a traumatic first night home. The poor thing was tuckered out just from the car ride. Unfortunately he didn't quite make it to his bed in time.

He was so not having the picture taking. He found that cowering with his daddy would comfort him.

He even has a best friend with his stuffed tiger, (which he will not sleep without)!

SO CUTE!

Kind of blurry ( sorry). But you get the Idea how cute he is.

He truly is our baby, crying in the middle of the night for us, making me worry if he is still breathing, potty training, etc. He will be quite the challenge, but we are up for it. There is nothing I love more than the bond you can form with a pet, and even though we have only had for less than 24 hours, he truly is already part of the family.

New Home..........Again

2009-03-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have posted this before......oh wait I have. So after withdrawing from our contract on the townhouse, Grant and I immediately started looking at houses and had an offer in on one by the next day, and today we got that oh so wonderful call saying that it had been accepted. Hopefully the second time will be the charm. We are both so excited and since we are kind of pros at it now, we will be able to close in TWO WEEKS, since our loan is pretty much finished, we just have to change the amount and have it appraised. Unfortunately I don't have pictures, and the ones of it online aren't letting me copy and paste, so you will just have to wait to see the finished product. And I kind of think that posting pictures before we actually closed may have brought us bad luck last time and I'm not about to lose this house. Now that we have all of these extra rooms to fill, the only thing we have left to do is have a baby............NO were not having one................for a long time. But when we do, it sure will have a cool house to come home to. Can't wait to have you all over for a party.

Jesus no longer wants us for sunbeams.

2009-03-01T16:20:00.001-08:00

Today was such a sad day. We, actually I taught our wild bunch of sunbeams for the last time, while Grant was at home in bed. He had a long night at work. Such a sad day. I never thought I would see sunbeams make me cry, but when they sang "if you're sad and you know it say goodbye" in sharing time, I lost it. The poor little three year olds couldn't figure out why their teacher was sobbing. Of course they had no idea what was going on, and when I told them we wouldn't be their teachers anymore and that they would have new ones next week, they didn't really seem to care. I guess that's kind of a good thing. I'm not going to lie, they were totally a pain and out of control at first, but I have grown to love them like my own children, and looked forward to seeing them every sunday to see what wacko comments they would say during the lesson this week, or who would be the stripper in primary, who had the runny nose, and who forgot to cut their apron strings that morning and couldn't stand being away from mom and dad. I'm going to miss seeing them every week, and I wish their new teacher good luck, whoever they may be, but I know that they will do a great job. For now though, Jesus no longer wants us for sunbeams. Hopefully we will have a calling just as fun in our new ward (where ever that may be.)

Waiting, and waiting and waiting some more.

2009-02-28T09:23:00.001-08:00

So I feel like I have been riding the roller coaster of a lifetime these past couple of days. We decided to get the help of a family friend who is an amazing realtor and big surprise, we found out that our contract with our townhouse was missing a lot a legal documents. So we quickly decided to withdraw from our contract 1 day before it expired and start looking somewhere else. Our landlords had mercy on us and granted us and extra month and fortunately our realtors (the good ones) found about 50 houses for us to look at. We didn't even make it through the first seven before we found something we absolutely loved. Technically the first house was the one we loved but we decided to keep our options open. So they are all up in Cedar Hills (above P.G and Highland), and after seeing all of them we still kept coming back to the first one. Well of course seeing how beautiful it was inside we found out it already had three offers and the bank would accept one more. Well the news gets better. Two doors down, there was another one with the exact same floor plan, and only one offer. So that night we rushed back to the office, put in an offer on both, so if we didn't get one, we would still have the other. Well the bad news is, is that we didn't get the first house, but the realtor for the bank (mind you all of these properties were foreclosures fromt the builder, so they are brand new, never been lived in) has been helping us to get our offer above the other so the bank will choose ours. For the some reason the way the other offer is working, it wouldn't give the bank realtor a commission, so he has been sweet enough to cut his commission with ours so we have more to put towards the house and less to have for closing costs. We do know that we are a couple thousand above the other so we are playing the waiting game till monday to see who they pick. I didn't realize how uncomfortable I felt about our townhouse until we were contract free, now the problem is though is getting our earnest back. We are totally in the legal right for it, but they are just putting up a stink about giving it back. I know our very experienced realtor will have no problems getting it back, were just playing nice though till we let her wrath overcome them.......Sucks for them. So we will keep you posted on everything as soon as we find out (not that you really care though). We have never felt so good about something. Even Grant is stoked about this house, and he isn't one who gets comfortable with spending that kind of money, but he is in love with it. I hope that is a good sign.

My need to vent!!!!!!!!

2009-02-25T20:16:00.001-08:00

My oh my, had I known that buying house would have been this much of a challenge, I probably would have thought twice about it. What a horrible day it has been today. Lets start from the beginnning. About two months ago grant and I decided to buy a way cute townhouse that was brand new. We fell in love with it, put in an offer and thought it was smooth sailing from there. Well with two weeks left in our apartment and till our closing date we started to worry that we wouldn't be closed in time since the appraiser was taking forever to come. (NO BIG DEAL RIGHT?) WRONG. Oh no the appraiser decided to wait until monday, yes monday six days before we are supposed to be moved out and closed, and he has the nerve to appraise it for less than the asking price. What does this mean you ask? Well for starters in means that our loan won't go through unless the price of the house is brought down. The seller refuses to budge on the price, so here we are with three days to go and we are right back at square one. What do we do? Who in the H. E double hockey sticks knows. So we have decided to beg at the mercy of our landlords to let us stay for another month in hopes we will find a new house to buy, that appraises at that price and that we can move in. In the mean time wish us all the luck you have that our landlords haven't found new tenants yet, that we find a house and that everything works out. So Pay no attention to the pictures on the blog about our new house. I'm just so gosh dang ding darn sucker punchingly angry that I could just curl up and cry. I JUST WANT TO MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Husband Tag

2009-02-24T18:28:00.001-08:00

So nobody tagged me to do this, I just haven't had anything to blog about. So here is a little insight about my hubby, his habits, likes and dislikes.

Full name: Grant Wayne Williams
How long we've been married: 7 months and 6 days
How long did we date: 5 months before we got engaged and 1 year five months and two weeks till we got married.
Who eats the sweets: We Both do...alot.
Who said I love you first:Grant did, I was dropping him off at his house one night and we had only been dating like three weeks and he said in a joking way,"I love you kelli," I thought he was kidding so I didn't say it back and then he said, "this is where you say I love you Grant." So I then said it back. hahaha. What a weird night.
Who is taller:Grant
Who sings better: I would say Grant just cause I think i'm horrible.
Who is smarter:Definitely Grant in book smarts, but we are both pretty high on the street smarts.
Who does the laundry: I do most of it, but he helps fold it if I ask him. He doesn't dare put it into wash or dry though for fear he will do something wrong.
Who pays the bills: Who knows. We just put our checks in and pay whatever comes, but he makes more so he probably pays more. I am the one who usually sits down though and writes out the checks and makes the account transfers.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed:If you are actually laying in the bed then the right side would be me.
Who mows the lawn:Fortunately our landlords right now, but soon to be the HOA, so neither of us.
Who cooks dinner: Unless its hamburger helper, mac n cheese, or ramen noodles, I cook it, or we eat out when I get home late, or don't want to cook.
Who drives: Both. He drives his car, and I drive mine.
Who admits they are wrong: We don't really fight but we are both stubborn so I don't know. Usually we just let it blow over and get over it.
Who asked who out first: Technically I did, but he claims he was getting up the guts to call me that same day.
Who wears the pants: It's a team effort, we both do. But usually he can't say no to me.
What does he do that surprises you: It's Grant, he never ceases to surprise me. I love coming home and seeing the bed made. I was really surprised when we were first married at how clean he really is for a boy. And the occasional flowers are always a surprise, but my favorite was my valentine he sent me while he was in Iraq. It was a letter he wrote and he had bought a digital picture frame and downloaded pictures of his deployment. I loved it so much. I cried reading the letter and I just watched the pictures over and over again.
My favorite feature on him: hmmmm.......I really love his butt chin, but I also love his hands. Great for holding and giving back rubs.
My favorite quality he has: Hard working, social, humorous.
Does he have a nickname for you: Mostly Kelli and Kel. He's not really a pet name type person.
His favorite food: I'm not really sure. He really likes chicken enchiladas, but he isn't really picky, he likes everything.....almost.
His favorite sport: He's not really big into sports. He played Hockey in high school, and sometimes plays basketball with friends, but fortunately for me the only game he has ever watched on tv is the superbowl.
Our favorite thing to do as a couple: Lay in bed and watch the seasons of our favorite tv shows. Right now its arrested development. We like to eat out alot, and just wandering around the mall.
Does he have any hidden talents: He can play the guitar pretty well, he does really well at pretending to be a petefile, (so good it kinda creeps me out when he makes comments while i'm getting dressed.) He has a sense for decorating too, oh and he has an extreme talent for attracting gay men to him....NO LIE. We have stories.
What do you admire most about him: His love and devotion to his family and friends. His determination. His willingness.
His favorite color: He claims its periwinkle (now the gay thing makes sense right?) Blues and greens though if he is wearing it.
How did he propose: In a way I would only expect from Grant. He came riding up on a fire truck in the fourth of july parade, wearing his cami's (he was on leave from his deployment, so 4th of July was perfect) and asked right in the middle of University Ave in Front of thousands of people.

What a wacko. If it wasn't for the glasses I might find him attractive in this picture.

What I've learned.......So far!!!

2009-02-19T20:47:00.001-08:00

Hard to believe that two years ago today was mine and Grants first date, and yesterday we celebrated being married for seven months, and I can honestly say I have learned so much in the past two years. Whether it be about marriage, life, cleaning or food, being with Grant really has been a learning experience for both of us.

25 Things I Have learned

1. Toothpaste and toilet paper does not last nearly as long as it did when I had my own bathroom!

2. The bed is always warmer on his side.

3. No matter how much I complain and whine, he will never give up video games, (might as well get used to it.)

4. My lifetime calling will consist of doing the laundry and putting away the clean dishes. (He does wash the dirty ones though.)

5. Wait at least 5 minutes before going into the bathroom after him, his ameoba he picked up on his mission did him no good.

6. The only way I can get him to go see a chick flick, is if I go see one of his movies.

7. He gives a mean foot rub.

8. We are both content to spend the weekend at home and go to bed early and watch a movie, than go out to eat, and party all night.

9. He will always complain about having to be in pictures.

10. He will eat anything I make and loves it, with the exception of asparagus, which is good cause my cooking skills haven't expanded that much.

11. I will never get tired of smelling him when he comes home from drill. (He reaks but I love it, it might just be the way he looks in his camis too.)

12. Seeing how he plays with kids makes me so excited to see him with our own SOMEDAY!!!!

13. As sarcastic and annoying as he can be sometimes, he happens to be pretty gosh darn romantic....at times!

14. Never tell Grant to do something, cause it won't get done....ask nicely and he will be more than happy to help.

15. Friends are a part of the family....no matter what.

16. Just like all men, he will never understand my need for decorating, but he will put up with it.

17. He never complains about when I spend money, (not that I spend it on frivelous things that often.)

18. No matter what, he never gets embarrassed.

19. Showers are always better when taken together......and it saves water.

20. The way to a mans heart is through his stomach, the way to grants heart is through a stick of toll house cookie dough....and a pan of chicken enchiladas!!!

21. Valentines day is a ridiculous holiday to both of us, but a good excuse to eat out.

22. Lysol wipes were invented by women to clean up after men......Great Job Ladies.

23. When we are old and gray and can hardly walk, Grant will still open my doors for me, as long as he has the strength. (He does this by choice mind you.)

24. Humor will always be present where ever he is at.

25. Whether it's seven months, two years, or fifty years, he will always be the perfect match for me!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Disney Style

2009-02-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

So My sister Heather celebrated her 30th birthday this week, and so we decided to throw her a birthday bash Disney style. They are taking their kids to Disneyland this weekend and wanted to tell them at the party, so it became a Disney party to remember.

A birthday cake that truly spelled "Celebrate"

Yes we all had Mickey and Minnie ears that I made and everyone had to wear them.

I didn't know if she would be able to blow out all of those candles, but she sure fooled me. It looked a little straining though for her. Hahaha. Just kidding Heather!!!!!!!

I spend the afternoon trashing my moms living room with balloons and crete paper galore.

Kelby and Paige who were so excited to wear their new sweaters to Disneyland, (not I don't think they had a clue what was going on, and I don't think Kelby believed he was really going either.)

They were more excited about the balloons flying out of the box, than actually hearing about where they were going.

Nothing like getting a bunch of One dollar bills for your birthday. And YES I did make her open all of her presents wearing those three fingered gloves. It was quite the task.

She is so excited to go see Mickey and Minnie, she could hardly contain herself.

Grandpa and Kaitlyn seemed pretty content to just chill and wear their stylin ears.

What a surprise, a box full of balloons. Wahoo/

30 years old, and doesn't look a day over 20, and speding her birthday in the most magical place on earth. Jealous? Why yes I am! I know it won't be as much fun without me, but I still hope they have a blast. Give Mickey a kiss for me.

CrAfT NiGhT!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

So Grant has started his official shifts at the prison which means that several nights a week, I am alone from six at night till six in the morning. What do I do to stay busy you ask...........CrAfT NiGhT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been so productive these past couple of nights. But our new house will sure be pretty dang cute when we actually get to move in, (grrrrrrrrr stupid loan processors taking forever. hopefully by next week though.) Take a peek at my beautiful creations.

Thought I would make some cute decorations for our kitchen.

I love the colors.

So our front door won't be so lonely for spring and summer.

Everybody needs a message board with things that need to be done. I was So proud of my paint job on this. And I made the lettering with my cricut. (amazing machine)

Grant and I both agree our future bedroom has a lot a space that needs to be filled.

This is just the start of my work. (since I can't find the right stuff to buy, I make it myself)

My favorite part of my day, was when I got home from work tonight and found this stuck in the keyboard of our computer. I love that boy!

And just a reminder to you all, High School Musical Three comes out in appromimately 4 days, 2 hours and 26 minutes. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!

SPRING IS ON IT'S WAY!!!!!!!

2009-02-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

So today my mom and I went shopping to celebrate her birthday yesterday, and since we both have such fun new spaces to decorate (our new house and her remodeling and redecorating), we decided to spend the day meandering around Gardner Village, Tai Pan and Rod works (most well spent day ever). When we got to Gardner Village this morning we saw the cutest little pack of ducks, and it practically made my day, when it made me realize how close spring is and how much I LOVE IT. All the stores had cute Valentines and Easter decorations that I wanted to buy so bad, but I'm trying this new thing when I shop called self control........and I also forgot the credit card so that kind of put a damper on things also,.......but the good news is, is Grant said I could go back up this weekend and get what I wanted since we both get paid. YaHoO. But to all of you suffering from winter blues, cheer up because SpRiNg Is On It'S WaY. Until then, take a trip to Gardner Village and visit the ducks, and I promise it will make you feel better. Hope you had a fun day mom cause I sure did. Thanks for going shopping with me, and a note to all of you blog readers, the cafe inside taipan is DELISH!!!!!!!!!

Recipe Wednesday

2009-01-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

Meatball Sub Casserole

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons chopped green onion

1 tablespoon seasoned bread crumbs

1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

1/3 lb lean ground beef

6 slices french bread (baguette 1/2 in thick)

2 oz cream cheese softened

2 table spoons mayo

1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning

dash of pepper

2/3 cup shredded (part skim) mozzarella cheese divided

1 cup spaghetti sauce

1/4 cup water

1 garlic clove minced

In a small bowl, combine the onion, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 1 in. balls; place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 400* for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink. Meanwhile, arrange bread in a single layer in an un greased shallow 3 cup baking dish. Combine the cream cheese, mayo, italian seasoning and pepper; spread over bread. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of mozzarella cheese. In a bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce, water and garlic; add meatballs. Pour over bread. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered at 350* for 25 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

ENJOY THIS WARM DELICIOUS GOODNESS ON THESE COLD WINTER DAYS.

Recipe Exchange

2009-01-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

So this blog is for my sister Heather who has started to post recipes on her blog, in hopes of getting more in exchange. So Here is your dinner for tonight sis.

Hurry Up Chicken Pot Pie

(Thanks to Paula Deen)

Filling

2 cups cooked chicken cut into 1-2 inch chunks

2 hard boiled eggs (optional)

1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 10 0z can cream of chicken soup

1 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

1 1/2 cups bisquick

1 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350* degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 casserole dish with cooking spray. Combine all filling ingredients and pour into casserole dish. combine bisquick and milk and pour over top of filling. Top with melted butter (do not stir in to topping, this is what makes is buttery and flaky). Put into preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 min.

TIP: I recommend putting the casserole dish on a cookie sheet covered in tin foil, while baking to avoid a mess when the filling sometimes boils over a little bit (Not something that happens often, it just bubbles and tends to explode a little while baking.)

I love this recipe cause it is so much healthier than those frozen pot pies and tastes even better. You can also substitute any of the vegetables that you wish, (green beans, frozen carrots instead of fresh, broccoli, etc). One thing though that I suggest you try, that my family loves, is eating pot pies with a side of cottage cheese, sounds gross but tastes excellent, and top the pot pie with a little ketchup.

YUM. Hope you enjoy and I will try to post more yummy recipes.

It's Final

2009-01-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

So I have been waiting to get the final ok that we got our house before I posted pictures, and.........tada. Today we got the phone call we have been waiting for. They accepted our offer. Woot Woot. So exciting. We chose to put our offer in on the model home so that we wouldn't have to wait an extra three months for another two car garage unit to be built and they accepted it. Now we will be in by the first of March. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I find myself laying awake till two and three in the morning trying to decide how I am going to decorate all of that extra space. Grant can't seem to understand how hard it is to choose what colors to decorate the guest bathroom in, yes that is right I said guest bathroom, and not just one, two guest bathrooms. yes it has two and half baths. That is two more toilets than I even know what to do with, a walk in closet the size of our bathroom now in our apartment, which is pretty good size, but to have a closet that size, and don't even get me started on the master bedroom and bath. Just the shower could fit about ten of me in it, of course we would be a little cramped, but who cares, and not only that, a nice whirlpool tub, and yes there is more, TWO SINKS, I will no longer have to brush my teeth and see grants facial hair trimmings clinging to the sink, now if there was only another toilet....oh wait there is. And since we are getting the model home, we also asked if we could keep the brand new front loading washer and dryer, and the brand new side by side fridge, and they said yes. Those toilets will come in handy soon, cause I am just so excited I could almost pee my pants. I feel like singing the pull ups commercial "I'm a big kid now." It's amazing how grown up you feel when you realize you are going to have a mortgage to pay, but what better time to buy, than when the economy is crappy and the buying market is great. It will be so nice to have a place to call home. I love our apartment, but it is quickly getting too small, and not necessarily the quietest place with 5 homeschooled hoodlums running around upstairs. Here is the best part though, it is only about 5 blocks from our apartment now, so still in P.G., really close to the freeway, grocery store and work, and It has a pool, hot tub, fitness center and an HOA who mows the lawns and plows the snow. Isn't that great. We can't wait to be moved in. Hope you all will come and visit.

This is our master bathroom, with the tub, double vanity and walk in shower. LOVE IT.

This is our bedroom, It doesn't look it very much, but it is huge, and you can see just the start of the walkin closet.

My very own laundry room, and check out the washer and dryer...MINE

The super cute other bathroom upstairs, I want to buy that wreath from them, what do you think?

The living and dining room.

The marvelous kitchen, a little smaller than ours right now, but lots of cupboard space and plenty of counter space.

The view to our front door. and no none of the furniture is ours. I absolutely love this place and can't wait to have parties there. Everyone is invited.

"Officer Williams"

2009-01-10T21:16:00.001-08:00

So on Jan 8th, Grant graduated from the correctional officer training academy as one of the top ten in his class. Yes Grant "Mr. doesn't have a serious bone in his body" graduated in the top 7 for test scores, the top 5 for physical fitness, and the top 10 for overall academics. I was so proud of him. The last three months sucked, but they are finally over. His training consisted of getting up at 5:00 every morning monday through thursday, driving to salt lake, and then sitting in classes, doing physical training, testing, going to the prison and working with the actual prisoners, doing strip tests, forced cell entries, and even being sprayed with pepper spray (that was a horrible week trying to recover from that), and then getting home at about 7:00 each night. Anyway, he did such a great job and as much as he hated the schedule, he never slacked off. Hopefully soon he will be able to transfer to either the prison S.W.A.T or Transportation and finish the training that would technically make him a cop, until then though, we will just cross our fingers that he doesn't get assigned to the womens prison. He said they are vicious and disgusting, and of course he would probably get fired for the snide remarks he would make to them.

Grant decided to grow a disgusting mustache for his graduation, so that he could look like " a legit cop", I just think he looked like a legit petefile.

This picture just makes me laugh cause 90% of the pictures that grant takes, his eyes wind up being closed.

This is Grant getting his diploma and being sworn in as an Officer in the Utah State Dept of Corrections.

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!

New house, New house, New house, yay for new house!!!!

2009-01-08T13:55:00.001-08:00

So to fill you in on our lives lately, Grant and I have geen looking at buying a town house, well after much looking, we found one that we fell in love with, and today we took the first step. We put in an offer. AAAAAHHH. It was so scary. I have never seen that much money at one time, let alone be willing to drop it on a house in about 5 seconds flat. It feels so good, to be one step closer to being a homeowner. A little nerve racking, and a lot of buyers remorse but I think that we will be really happy in the end. Now we just have to cross our fingers for the weekend and hope that they accept our offer. Hopefully we will be having a house warming party in a couple of months, and you are all invited. Wish us luck.

P.S. ours would be the end unit that is kind of a beige color, definitely not the red, yuck. Isn't it cute?

December 2008

2009-01-05T20:48:00.001-08:00

So I finally got my pictures up of Christmas and what not. We had such a busy December between me doing all of my events, Grant being in training 50 hours a week, getting christmas shopping done, wrapping, spending time with family and going on dates, we certainly had our hands full.

These are just a few of the MANY Decorations that I put up in our apartment. Grant thought our apartment itself looked like a Christmas decor shop when I got done, But he too agreed that he was sad to see it come down. Our house feels so empty now.

The weekend before Christmas we decided to get a bunch of friends together and venture up to temple square to see the lights. For starters it was FREEZING COLD, by the time we got there, we only had about twenty minutes to walk around before they closed the temple grounds, it was way crowded, but in the end we had a nice warm dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.

These were our christmas presents that we got for each other separated into individual piles like my parents would do when we were growing up. It was a long day. The kids upstairs in our apartment decided to get up at about 5:30, and low and behold their parents decided to get them a wii. Well of course they then wanted to play it right away, and seeing how logical contractors are, they decided to build their family room (with surround sound) right over our bed room. Needless to say, Grant and I were not to thrilled to get up that morning and start our day.

After we opened our many presents, we braved the snowy weather and headed for Mapleton at 9:30 in the morning and spent the day with our parents (fortunately they are only a block apart). We opened presents at Grants moms house, then went to my parents for breakfast, then back to Grants moms for lunch, then home to our house for an hour or so, then back to my sisters in American Fork for Dinner. Whew. What a day. I think next year we are sleeping in and making our families come to us.

We were really excited to Give my parents their gifts. We all went and got a family picture done of the kids, spouses and grand kids, and then each family got an individual picture taken as well to give to them. They loved them. I think the one tradition that I am excited for thanks to my sister, is to buy matching sweaters for my kids for christmas, so all of the grandkids can match.

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and it was so great to be together for it this year. We loved spending the time with our families. Thanks for the all the great gifts, and good food. Cant wait to do it again next year. 360 days left and counting.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR.....WELL TOMORROW, BUT HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE.

I can't believe it's already been another year. It's amazing how the older you get the faster time flies by, and how things that happened a year ago just seem like yesterday. Grant and I have been married almost SIX MONTHS already... Holy cow, and this time last year we were only two thirds of the way through his deployment. Two new babies were born into the families, Grants sister had a little boy in June and my sister had a little girl in september and they are already growing so big. We're staying busy and the time just keeps flying by, no chance to slow down. Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye, (and yes I will post pictures, but once again my computer is being retarted and won't let me download them, but soon). I'm almost scared to think of where we will be this time next year, hopefully we will be as blessed as we have been this year. We had tithing settlement this past sunday, and being a newlywed, I can honestly say we would not have been able to make it through some months had we not been paying out tithing, and the lord has blessed us so much for that. We love teaching primary and are so excited to see who our new kids will be. Our new year will be busy, and we have so much we wish to accomplish.

Our Goals For 2009

1. Find more time for each other.

2. Be paying a mortgage instead of rent by the end of the year, and maybe buy a new car if the budget allows.

3. Get the guts to quit my job and go back to school.

4. Make the preparations to start a family

5. Be better at emergency prepardness and get more food and money put away.

6. Go on a vacation

7. Exercise a LOT more

8. Be more savvy shopper, (cut coupons more, look for more sales, etc.)

9. Try not to be so anal about cleaning (sorry mom for calling you a clean freak, looks like you have worn off on your daughters)

10. Put a limit on Grants video gaming, thus the find more time for each other.

We hope you all have a Happy and Very Blessed New Year and that we all may succeed at our goals. We hope to keep all of our friends and family close and to find new friends in the process. We love you all.

HAPPY 2009

Widowed!!!

2008-12-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

So once again, for one weekend each month I am widowed, thanks to the Marine Corps. And I got to thinking tonight, when I got home and saw that my house was still clean, and Grant didn't have his video game stuff scattered all over, or his dirty gym clothes hanging on the back of the couch, I realized, that as much as I love having my house neat and tidy, it's only neat and tidy because Grant isn't here to mess it up. So I decided that I would much rather have him home and have all of his crap to clean up, than to have him gone, and be bored in my clean house. Yes I do have hot rod to keep me company now, and yes he does give me plenty to clean up as well, and yes I am very grateful for all that Grant does when he is at drill weekends, keeping up on his training....But I would much rather crawl into bed at night, tell him to move over cause he is hogging the entire thing, listen to him snore as he tries to fall back asleep, and have his twitching leg kicking me in the shin. He drives me nuts, but boy do I love him.

This picture is way old, but it gives you a good vision as to why I prefer him home. Look at him.

We're expanding

2008-12-07T20:43:00.001-08:00

So Grant and I have talked about adding to our little family for while now, and so we finally decided to take the plunge. NO we're not having a baby, or at least not a human one that is. We have adopted our first official pet.....A Guinea Pig. Don't ask us why we chose a Guinea pig, cause I have no idea why, we just did, and we love him. Grant wanted to name him Hot Rod, so Hot Rod it is. We love his high pitched squeals he makes when we take him out of his cage, we love his fluffy fur, with all it's cow licks, that won't go down no matter how hard you try, we love how he plays peek a boo in his little log we have for him, and we love how like any pet, he eats his treats so fast hoping he will get more. We love having his company when we watch movies at night and he sits on our laps. He is perfect for us right now. Grant is so excited because this is his first pet he has EVER had, and he takes such good care of him, and spoils his "little buddy", so much. We love our Hot Rod and hope he sticks around for a while.

He was a little shy and scared his first night home.

Look after a few days, he finally started coming out of his plastic igloo to say hello.

He even plays peek a boo in his little log.

I bet a real baby wouldn't be able to fit in the palm of my hand.