Old Friends

James and I have always been very fortunate to have good friends around. It has been hard to hang out with them the last few years because we have moved so much. We always manage to stay in touch and get back together once we get settled again and this year is no exception. We have been able to catch up with some old friends of ours that we haven't seen together since their baby was born 10 months ago. We met Kory and Melanie 2 years ago in our old ward and didn't seem to find the right time to hang out. But we finally got together and had dinner the other night and a very excellent dessert. It was nice to catch up, plan new things, and see their little guy. Thanks for a fun night and laughter you guys. Kory Melanie and Jayden

(p.s. I stole your pic off your blog hope you don't mind)

VaLeNtInEs!!!

Happy Valentines Everyone!!

Well I don't have any pictures to post because James took down my decorations before I could get one. But let me tell you a little about our Valentines day/dinner. James and I don't ever seem to have very good luck with Valentines, since the beginning. We don't ever get to go any where really or do any thing or at least not the way we plan it ,however, I still try every year. So this year I decided to try my hand at Venezuelan cooking. Now I know James was just being nice because he knows how hard I tried but I know it doesn't compare to the cooking down there but he said it was "fantastic". I just had never attempted to make anything like that and I know he misses some of the foods down there so I tried. It turned out OK I guess, I made empenadas, plantains, ceviche salad (the rich ate this), and a Venezuelan walnut drop cookie (maybe I can post a picture of these I still have a few). I cooked for a hour and half trying to make it nice with candles, decorations and a mood but in about 15 minutes we were done eating and that was that. Now I know James is not a romantic guy but I thought he would have at least brought home 1 flower because he was at his brothers all day (so I was at home by myself with the dogs all day with no vehicle to go anywhere). No flowers, no card, no candy (which is good I can't have any) no special date, no surprises, nothing. I thought at least 1 measly flower would have been nice. I guess there is always next year.

(p.s. I can't complain to much he did take really good care of me the next few days when my back started to give me problems. Thanks babe I love you!)

Happy Birthday To ME!

Ok I have to blog about my birthday because James does not blog so here it goes. I had a good day that started out a little rocky but what birthday doesn't. When you get older birthdays become just another day at least that is what my mom use to say but now I believe her. I turned 26 which was a little scary for me because I am only 4 years from 30. Now I know 30 isn’t old but it just means you are not in your 20's any more. Its hard to age gracefully I think but it still happens no matter how you do it. Just enjoy what you can when you can. I do have to say I was quite surprised to learn how many people remembered my birthday. I had friend’s text, email and call that I don't even talk to on a regular basis remember. When you think it’s just another day but other people really make it a great day. I have to say thank you to everybody who took the time out of their day to wish me a happy birthday. I have to give a big thank you to my husband for taking me out to dinner so I didn't have to cook and I was able to come home and have a nice relaxing bath. He really tries to make me feel special. Also my mom, sister and bro, they are the ones who always make me laugh and enjoy life just a little bit more even if they can't sing on tune. (I really really really like your songs they made my day) And the final person I have to say thank you to is my sweet grandma (as I am writing this I am getting teary eyed) who has always helped take care of me and become one of my closest friends. She works so hard but on my day she took time after a long day at work to bring me some beautiful flowers and they could not have come a more perfect time. I was having a rough day at work and a long one at that but those flowers just changed my whole attitude. She forgot the card but still drove up to Idaho Falls on her day off today to bring it to me. She is one of a kind lady that I will cherish forever. I love you grandma Thanks again for making my day just a little brighter. Thanks every one for making it my special day. Another year and one closer to 30!

My flowers from my grandma!

A New JOB!!!!!

However, in the midst of all the craziness James managed to get a job and we couldn't be more happy. It is quite a story, we had Dish installed at our house on Tuesday December 16th, he dropped off his resume to the place that installed for us on Wednesday December 17 and that afternoon they called with an interview time for Thursday December 18 so he went in and a few hours later had a job, they wanted him to start on December 19. It sure was a whirl wind but man a BIG blessing, because not only does he have a job but he has a job he gets to stay home for. No more summers. (I hope) We are so excited we can't stand it. All James talks about is what he gets to do this summer and I'm not sure if it has hit me completely yet because we have never spent a summer at home together since we have been married. So yeah for us!!! We are starting the new year off right.

All crammed into ONE!!!!

OK!!! Here it goes I know it has been FOREVER since I last blogged but man the holidays keep you busy. I am still playing catch up as I am sure most of you are as well so I will cram the last 1 1/2 months into one post so here it goes :)


First Thanksgiving
What a BLAST!
My family came up and stayed with us for the week and I love every minute of it it was crazy but lots of fun. They came on Early Thanksgiving morning like 2 am (my bro had to work but he wasn't going to miss out on coming that night to have more time to hang out with his cool sis. I don't think my mom and sister minded either) So early in the week to make things worse we got our basement framed (hallelujah, one thing down 5 billion more to go) we also painted up stairs had furniture delivered all while I was working and trying to maintain a house for guests. Any way the week went fairly smoothly I have to say for all we did. Thanksgiving Dinner at my house(first time ever so cool but lots to do), day after Thanksgiving shopping (of course), Thanksgiving Dinner with my whole extended family WOW it was fun, family pictures and of course staying up late to hang out and play games, ooh and my cousin came home from his mission and my other cousin (in the same family bro and sis) was getting married the next week. Welcome home Brady and congrats Kyle and Kim (you guys are cute). I also can not forget my Grandparents or second set of parents, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations grandma and grandpa I love you very much you have been a great influence in my life and wish you more happy years to come.



So here we are already into Dec and I was still not finished with decorating or shopping. The rest of the month was spent trying to get ready for Christmas all while cramming in Birthdays for James' family (like 500) OK not really 500 but it really is 12 I think (James included). Family came to visit (James') and we went to my mom's to do our early Christmas with them. Then back to Idaho to do Christmas work and New Years. Lots of late nights, fun, laughter and running from one place to another. We were happy to see James' family and this year we were all together again. It is so fun and nice but by the time we are done we are so worn out we are glad its over. It was so crazy that poor James didn't get his Birthday until the morning of the 24 his birthday is the 23rd. I still tried to make it special but with everything I just didn't get a chance to do a cake or wrap his gifts (believe me I had a whole day set aside to get ready for it but somebody else had plans in store for me instead). I hope he doesn't hold it against me for too long.



New Years had to be the best we put all the kids downstairs to sleep while the adults played games, ate, talked, ate, laughed, ate, made fools of ourselves and more eating. When you get us all together we just don't know when to quit we were together every night for 2 weeks. I know overkill but when you don't see family all that often you take full advantage of it when you can.Finally James and I have been able to sleep but man our house is a nightmare (DON'T COME OVER). I hope everybody’s Holiday's were as sweet and as pleasant as ours were and if not there is always next year. If we didn't get a chance to tell you Happy Holiday's sorry for the delay. Here's to the new year and a good one at that.