Temple Pictures

Need temple pictures? (Finished product looks 1000 times more AMAZING!) My friend makes these, I ordered them for my family for Christmas... Would make AWESOME wedding, baptism, birthday, just because gifts. Need her info, let me know. She lives in Spanish Fork, so anyone in UT, she is close. She can do anything, any colors, she may need a picture, that is not copy-written, if it is not a close temple though.
If they were not all wrapped I would show you what the final product looks like from the ones I ordered...  But the 2nd and 3rd to the last show the final products.  
Oh her website is chique design studios.  

Our FUN weekend!

It started out Friday, by Washington and I getting a calling.  Joseph's primary teacher.  We have the Valiant 10 & 11s.  (They are combined here).
 As soon as the Bishop walked out we had some visitors...
The Mendoza's...

Friends from Spanish fArk.

The 3 of us (adults) talked and the 5 kids played...

Then we went to dinner, we tried to go to Ponco and Lefty, but after a fully-full parking lot we ended up here...

Home, sleep, work for me, then since I miss this...

we went to the Cal-Poly vs. SUU game (thanks Saga)

Since the kids did not whine the whole time like last year, after the game and dinner we went here...

Washington: Berry something alone

Nicole: Oreo cream with Oreos

Joseph: Vanilla Bean with Kit-Kat and Twix

Ariel: Cotton Candy with Resee's Peanut Butter Cups (she loves that Yuck!)

Then church on Sunday.  They called us to our calling, after Joseph realized what happened, when we explained to him we were his teachers, he said "Man, I should have opposed".  No worries, we will only be his teacher for 4-5 Sundays.  (The ward is so big all teacher callings have 2 couples  teaching.)

That was our weekend

This weekend, the parents come.

The MAGIC of girls jeans...

Ok, maybe they were in the boys department, but to me skinny jeans are girls jeans! ...

So last Thursday Joseph left school with no friends, not one!  Friday and Monday was Fall Break.  Well Saturday we went to a football game, then out for ice cream then to Old Navy.  I have told Joseph may times I would not buy him girls jeans.  He bamboozled his dad into getting them.  Today he comes home from school;  he is now the most popular kid at school, 75 "women" asked for his phone number, his teachers told him not to worry about his grades the rest of the year, as they will ALL give him A's, etc.

If I knew girls jeans would make him the "cool kid on campus" I...  well...   ummm....  Maybe I will send him in a pink dress tomorrow?

(When I googled skinny jeans only women showed up... i rest my case.  I had to google men's skinny jeans to get this picture)

2 down, 2 to go, and life-in-general

This semester is already 1/2 over.  :)  I don't know how. I feel like it just started a week or two ago.  So that's good!  Mid-term's wise I have already taken two, they were the easy two though.  So 2 more, math and history.  Math, I'm a little worried about the test, but we have sooooo much homework in that class (which is do it and get the points type of work) and extra credit all the time, that I have 105% in that class.  :)  History, 40% is multiple choice, he has given us all the the questions on our notes, but 60% is essay.  We have the 3 questions we can choose from  but I can't decipher what language the big words are in. 
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The kids have decided lately, they like to be in trouble.  Joseph with acts and Ariel with her sassy mouth.  I think they are loving their rooms.  Ariel said she is tired of sitting on her bed.  I told her she could get a bucket and scrub her walls. (I don't know what she would be washing off since they were painted 4 months ago, but that is something to do, right?)  The TV on the other hand is getting lonely and mighty dusty.  Washington thought they needed some time out of the house yesterday and took them on a bike ride, they made it 1/4 mile before they complained it was "too hot" (it was 75*), and they were thirsty, and their legs hurt.  Ten minutes later they were back in their rooms.
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In September we had some friends come stay with us from Friday to Sunday.  Ten people and a puppy in our tiny little home.  That Friday night we bar-b-qued, went swimming and watched a movie.  Saturday I went to work and they went up to Zion National Park.  It was free park weekend, so the place was crowded.  Then we had Ecuadorian and Peruvian Ceviche.  MMMMM!!!!!!  Sunday had to be my favorite though, I didn't have to make pancakes, waffles, or french toast, since our guest took over the kitchen.  :)       Then this last week my sisters-ex-sister-in-law and her two kids stayed over at our house on their way to California.  For anyone who reads this, that is making that SLC to CA trip, remember we are now the 1/2 point and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when people come visit.  In the four months we have been here I think we have had 5-6 over night guests/families, most making the trip home.  So let me know, it's always good to see old friends and family.
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After trying to submit second sealing approval for 6 months in our old ward, we got everything turned in today in our new ward.  It took us an hour to fill everything out and write the letter.  It makes me wonder what the hold up was before...  Before we started asking for the paperwork in January or February, never got it.  We asked the bishop here 2 Sundays ago, he dropped it off that Thursday.
We enjoyed conference last weekend.  The boys enjoyed Priesthood while Ariel and I went shopping.  (her allowance was  burning a hole in her pocket).  But as always, we enjoyed the (second) best thing about conference weekend, conference potatoes.  Basically just cheesy breakfast potatoes (not hash-browns) with sausage in them.  We always had them growing up, I made them once 2 years ago and haven't been allowed not to make them since.

Our ward, still amazing.  Today 3 people (who know the kids somehow, 2 of Ariel's bus friends and 1 of Josephs friend's) introduced themselves to me, I met one of my visiting teachers (from the 3 of us all working and going to school we have never met, just phone calls and cookies), and two other people.  I can't keep any of them straight, but the welcome feeling is there every Sunday.  Ariel gave a talk today in Primary.  I was called yesterday afternoon, the original child had to go out of town.  I am thankful for primary talks being on the internet.  I don't know where the time would have come from to think of something for her.
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Other then all that nothingness, not much is going on here. 

cold...

Dear Cold,

I do not have time for you right now. Remember how yesterday morning we were friends, you were still following me around but not bothering me, what happened to that relationship? Remember how 2 weeks ago when Ariel had you I told you then I didn't want you? Then last week when Washington had you I reminded you to stay away, remember? I don't mind tending you if you will work for me or do homework for me. While you are at it could you go grocery shopping, clean the house and the cars both need oil changes and safety inspections, could you get that done?

Thanks,
me

So yes, sick has set in. School was missed on Thursday so that just means more make-up. Washington is good at taking care of things at the house though. I know when I get home today the house will be clean and dinner will be ready. :) Love that church is at 11:30 so I can sleep in tomorrow. But my head is not thinking clearly enough to make the addition/subtraction board, read about 75 pages for history and write 4 - 1 page papers, to write a 4 page paper about the word "reckless", and to make a postcard in a program (pages - mac) that will not convert to the program I need it in (presentation or something - word) (unless I trick it into converting, it doesn't like that though). And Joseph is gone at a scout 100 celebration thing, so Ariel will want to be entertained and Washington will want to wait until I'm home.

Not complaining, just overwhelmed by the mountain right now.

Long time no NOTHING...

So it's only been about a year and a half sine I have written anything in here. I just kept forgetting or not wanting to. ;) A lot has happened in that year and a half. Washington and I got married June 09, we went to CA in Aug, Then again in December for my grandmas funeral. Had some skin cancer on my nose, so had that removed. We moved to St. George!!! (we are NOT snow people and when it snow September to May, that's beyond too much white crap!)

We LOVE it here! Washington's (graveyard) shift at work was cut, school was out, and the people we rented from wanted to sell. It was the perfect time to just go. We are in an apartment that is about 1000 sq feet smaller then the house we were renting, no garage (we are renting one though) and no crawl space. It was hard to fit everything into the small space, but we did. The kids have loved that there are 2 pools, the big pool (it has a spa and its 5' deep) and the kids pool (beach walk-in, splash pad and only 3'5" deep). The ward is AMAZING!!!!! and HUGE!!! The kids went to visit their mom for two weeks in CA (her dad, aunts uncles, cousins, etc live there). Then my parents went to pick them up and they stayed there for 2 weeks. School shopping and Disneyland were the highlights. (Crazy kids don't like D-land though). They came home and school started the next Wednesday.

I started school for the 100th time 3 weeks ago. So I work 35 hours a week and have 12 credits. Somehow that has all made me less stressed. Go figure! Other then that not too much. (no callings in the ward yet - knock on wood) We are just enjoying life! :D

Feb

Not too much going on in Feb, but I was still busy.  The kids had to make their valentine boxes for school.  I got a picture of Ariel's, but not Joseph's.   Ariels theme was "Love bugs"  so we have a lady bug.  Josephs theme was "I Love America"  so we did a baseball.  (It's an American sport)  

Then Washington and I went to dinner for Valentines day on the 13th.  It was nice because we just walked into the restaurant and there was no 3 hour wait.  wooohooooo!  We went to McGrath's Fish House in Orem.  We loved it! 

Then it was science project time.  Josephs topic was "Your Teeth and What You Drink".  We took 8 teeth and put them in Water, Apple Juice, Gatorade, 7-Up, Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, and Mountain Dew.  The results....  Apple Juice made the root mushy,Gatorade made the tooth whiter but made the root BRIGHT LIME GREEN, 7-up tooth was whiter, Coke tooth was extremely BLACK, Diet Coke it was a very dark brown, root beer it was brown and Mt. Dew the tooth stayed whited but decayed.  The dark sodas and apple juice decayed the teeth the most.  

Next came my Grandma's funeral in Idaho.  Just my family went.  We flew up late Wednesday night and flew home butt crack of dawn early Friday.  So here is a pic of the 6 of us.

Then to finish off the month was Ariels baptism.  Here are a few pictures of Washington, Ariel and Joseph before the baptism (at their house).  

So from moving pictures 2 got lost...  oh well. 

So that was last month...

Ariel in her baptism dress and 2 of Joseph

Why cant this be easy to put pics in?   i tried to put these pictures on here one day for 4 hours and then said forget it!  so here they are now...   I took a bunch of Ariel in her baptism dress.  Joseph never likes to be in pictures and when he is he is making hand signs or funny faces...  so here are 2 good ones.  i would have had a few of him by the tree but as he was getting under the tree snow fell down his shirt and so he went inside.  

January Pictures...

As if december is not expensive enough, january has 500 birthdays...  

So here is Joseph opening Legos from my parents.  For his birthday he also go a girft card to build a bear workshop, he had a friend stay over and they watched a movie and we went out for pizza, and he also wanted to go see a movie, so we did that too.  His b-day was Jan 9 and he turned 11.  

The 14th is my good friend Zaneta's

Then Ashley's was January 16th.  I gave her the day off (she just studied and went to school - boring)  I took her kids and "my" kids to the Draper Temple Open House.  I remembered my camera case, but left the camera at home.  GO ME!  :)   Then we had a nice lunch at costco.  I love how you can feed 6 people, including ice cream for dessert, for only $9.50.  woohooo!  :)

Tomorrow is my little midget brothers.

Washington's is January 28th.

last is Ariel's on the 31st.  She will be 8 this year, so anyone in UT, come for her baptism (not that you know her, but for me.  It will be 28 Feb, I don't know what time yet...)

Also, here are pictures of the deadly icicles, and the snow after a few days of it melting.  

I thought i had pictures of Ariel making cupcakes - with the party set she got for Christmas, but it looks like they got erased...  i'll look for them another day.

hope all is well everywhere.

December Pictures

Why cant they make it easier to post thing and put pictures in?  i have been trying to make this work for 96 hours now(or so it feels like).  forget it!  here are december pictures...   

1. joseph excited for slippers - now he can stop wearing mine!!!  wooohoooo!!!!!!  :)

2. joseph with his guitar

3. on oh his many K'nex sets - i think he got 3 for Christmas...

4. Ariel made out in the "kitchen" department.  Pillsbury bake set,

5. Blender and shake maker 

6. Cupcake party set (makes good cupcakes) 

       other kitchen items include an easy bake oven and cupcake make

7. ariels bike

8. josephs bike

9. the tree and bikes

10. Here are the kids at the Provo Temple.  Joseph, Mauricio (Washington's cousins kid - he was visiting from Puerto Rico) and Ariel.

(now watch it not post....)  ok so here is Dec

  

time! whats that?

So here we go!

Nov 16 - I turned 21 again.  Day started out crappy but ended good

Thanksgiving - we went to my sisters house for dinner.  it was good

Nov 21-23 - we went to syracuse to visit our friends.

Sometime in here we got the first REAL snow.  i am sure i made a lot of people mad for driving soooo slow.  this was the 1st time i had ever really driven in snow. 

Dec 12-14 Syracuse friends came to see us

Dec 18 - Washington's cousins son came from Puerto Rico for 3 weeks - he is mostly staying with friends in SLC

Dec 20 - back to syracuse for the sons bday party

Dec 24 - up to SLC for christmas dinner with other friends of Washington.  kids opened some presents there.

on the way home I was driving - between sandy and lehi i hit a HORRIBLE storm.  i couldn't see 20 feet in front of the car. there was heavy thick snow and strong strong winds!  it took 45 - 60 minutes to drive about 10 miles.

Dec 25 - when we got back to Washington's at about 1 am the kids opened their presents - Joseph got a bike and guitar, then small things, legos, clothes, slippers (now he can stop wearing mine)  Ariel got a bike, easy bake oven, cupcake maker, build a bear workshop gift card, clothes...

Dec 28-31 - Washington's cousin came to stay with him.  We took him to provo and mt timp temples, a few trips to costco, the mall.  not too much since there was snow everywhere.  i hate this stuff already!

Dec 31 - We went to Syracuse it was fun but i was getting sick

Jan 1  - i woke up and i was sick sick sick!!!!!!! i just wanted to go home and go to bed.  it took 3 hours to leave!  i was CRANKY!

Jan 2 - i stayed in bed

Jan 3 - I had a "i want to go back to bed, i am not in the mood for life today" day

Then today  Jan 4 - guess what it is SNOWING again!  

there are about 500,000 other things but hey, i dont have internet and i havent had time to go to my sisters for too long lately.

hope everyone had a great christmas and wonderful new years.

8 things...

8 TV Shows I like to watch:

(when is there time to watch TV is what I want to know...)
1. ER (i've seen 1 this season)
2. Law & Order: SVU 
3. Medium
4. The Bachelor (good thing my sister tivos this - i might get to watch this season)
5.  CSI Vegas (havent seen it in forever though - is it still on?) 
6.  what else do i watch?

7.  not a TV person....
8.  i always watch the news...  to see if i an going to have to shovel the driveway again...  does that count?

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. Went to church
2. made omelets for breakfast
3. dinner was roast
4. used my new hair dryer - my old one broke after 10 yrs friday
5. Was glad i didn't have to shovel any driveways
6. almost slipped in ice in the church parking lot
7. washington fell asleep at 8 - so i put the kids to bed then went home.
8. read before bed

8 Favorite Places to Eat
1. PF Changs
2. XXX (I think thats what its called - its a Columbian restaurant in NY)
3. In & Out
4. Spaghetti factory
5. macaroni grill
6. California Pizza Kitchen
7. Mu
8. Rosies

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:
1. Washington's divorce to be final!
2. Getting married when ever #1 happens
3. spring
4.  better yet, SUMMER!!!!
5. Puerto Rico
6.  not being snowman white
7.  a snow blower  (that would be nice!) 

8. being done with school (but first getting residency so i can go back...)

Tag, anyone!

Picture Tag

Go to your 4th picture file and post the 4th picture. 

This was taken in Lacey, WA in Feb 2007.   It is of Pudget Sound when the tide is out.

I tag, Laurie, Jaqui and everyone else!  :)

Pictures as promised!

Here is what I got for my birthday, minus the kids room stuff...  (all of the living room and office furniture)

Basically, here is my house (that i don't get to live in yet)

There is Washington's room, Ariel's room, Joseph's room, kids bathroom, kitchen, dining room, office, living room (2).  We still have a few things to do with it, but not yet...  :)

Let me know if you need our address!  :)