So Kentucky!!

We went to see the Nutcracker a couple of weeks ago. The girls really enjoyed it and I was surprised at how good it was. Well, a couple of little boys, around 8 years old, and their families were sitting in front of us. Both of the boys had mullets, BAD mullets. I couldn't help but think, "that is so Kentucky!" Josh and I joked that if only we had a pair of scissors we could chop off the mullet when the lights went down and then slide the scissors under the chairs in front of us. I'm sure the children would have been grateful, but alas we did not have a pair of scissors. My question is do you think the boys wanted their hair that way or did the parents force it upon them? Poor, poor children.

Six Things

I got tagged awhile ago, but it has taken me some time to think of six things to write about. So here are the ones I’ve (well with Josh’s help) come up with:

1. I hate talking on the phone. I’ve always hated talking on the phone even when I was a teenager. I don’t call and order pizza, I don’t call movie theaters, I usually don’t call to make doctors appointments. If there is anyway I can just get Josh to call instead of me I do it. That is why Josh is always the one calling and making plans. I think this phone phobia stems from the fact that I hate looking stupid and I’m always afraid of saying something stupid on the phone. I also think this is one reason I have had a hard time making and keeping friends.

2. I like Hillary Clinton. I know many of you out there will be shocked and dismayed, but I think she is a very intelligent, successful women and I am impressed by what she has done in her life. I also think many people out there who hate her know nothing about her. I am currently reading her book and I have to admit she has done a lot of good in her life. I also believe she would be just as successful, if not more so, if she had not married Bill Clinton (whom I also like). Along this same line, I am a registered Democrat.

3. I hate guns. My hatred of guns started when I was a kid and my dad came home from work and told me his boss’s only son was killed when a neighbor kid was playing with a gun and it accidently went off. I don’t want guns in my house and I never want my children to pretend they are playing with guns. Guns are dangerous and too many stupid people have them. To go along with my hatred of guns, is my hatred of hunting. Just one example, I just don’t understand how anyone could kill something as beautiful and graceful as a deer.

4. I am obsessed with the paranormal. I watch Ghost Hunters, a tv show on Sci fi, all the time. My favorite is Steve. It’s funny to me that he can hunt ghosts and yet be terrified of spiders, heights, flying, etc. Before I started watching Ghost Hunters I didn’t really know if I believed in ghosts, but after watching the show for a couple of years I will admit that I believe in the paranormal. My favorite episode is the one where they go to the Stanley Hotel and they hear a little girl say “hello?” and then laugh! Creepy!!

5. When Josh and I were dating we went camping at Flaming Gorge with some of Josh’s cousins. While there I jumped off a forty foot cliff into the water. It was fun, but I don’t think I will do that again.

6. As most people know, I love history. Most people don’t know (because I don’t think anybody really cares and I don’t like to talk about it) that I have one book review published in The Southern Historian and I have an article that I am working on getting published. Also, I am currently researching for a book I want to write about the Mormon experiences in Missouri during the 1830’s.

Well that’s my six things, nothing too exciting or spectacular. I am tagging Michelle Hawkes, Amy, Crystal, and that’s all I can think of.

Finally, I have a second to write a new post. Life has just been crazy busy the past month. I'll just write a few things that have been going on. About a month ago I was playing Old Maid with Camryn and some other people, and at the end of the game Camryn said to me, "I'm so glad we didn't get the Old Navy!" I had to laugh. Then a few days later, she said to me "Mom, can we play Old Navy?" You can tell where we like to shop. Camryn also said to us, "It's a lot easier to laugh when you are having fun." I can always count on Camryn to say something to make me smile.

Josh and I had our 8th anniversary. On one hand I can't believe we have been married that long but on the other hand I look at everything we have gone through and all the places and people we have met and I realize it has been eight great years. We started in a tiny basement apartment that only had windows that were like ten inches tall. It was quite the dump. For our anniversary we went to California, without the kids. I have to admit it was strange to spend three days with no children. We were walking along a pier and looking in shops and it was odd to not have to say "come back here," "put that down," "be nice," "no you can't have that," etc. It was fun and when the time came, I was ready to get back to my kids. What can I say, I'm a sucker for snuggles from my baby girl.

We had Thanksgiving in Utah with my family. It was the first Thanksgiving with my family since I was pregnant with Camryn, due to our years in Louisville. It was nice to be together again. Unfortunately, my brother-in-law and nephew both had the stomach flu. Thankfully, we didn't get sick.

Well, we had a successful Halloween. Alexis was Batgirl, Camryn was Supergirl, and Marina was a skunk. I have to admit they were pretty cute. It did not take long for Marina to realize that people were giving her candy and she really got into the whole trick or treat thing. Wed. night she was kind of on a sugar high. She would run around like crazy and occasionally let out a scream. I do love Halloween. A lot of people say Halloween is evil and we shouldn't celebrate it because of the association of Halloween and the devil, but whatever I think Halloween is great. Camryn's preschool teacher made a comment that I agree with. She said that Halloween is America's holiday to celebrate children and to let all children know how much we love them. (although there is a part of me that thinks every holiday is like that)

Back to the issue with Alexis and her friend. Through continued association with girl Alexis has pretty much decided that her friend is really not that great of a friend and the obsession with her is over. They are still friends, but Alexis has told me she doesn't want to go over to her friends house anymore. I think the experience has been good for Alexis because she has discovered what makes a good friend.

On a different note, when we went to Denver in Sept I was introduced to a new drink. Deanna told me about a drink she makes with diet Coke and dr. Pepper and now I am addicted. In our home we have named that drink "the Deanna" so whenever I want one I just tell Josh to go and get me a "Deanna." So thank you Deanna!!

Now that Alexis is getting older we are being confronted with different issues and it is kind of strange. Most of you know that Alexis is really friendly and outgoing so I wasn't too worried about her making new friends here, but I wasn't ready for her to be friends with someone who I didn't really like. Of course Alexis is only six and so are her friends so it's not like a really big issue, but this friend of hers just causes me a little bit of concern. I guess it's because of the mother. She seems nice, but she dresses like a teenager in really short shorts, tight shirts, etc. It wouldn't be that bad if she had the body for it, but she doesn't. The family just looks like the type of family that doesn't place much emphasis on values, morals, etc. Anyways, Alexis's friends seems to try and dominate Alexis and order her around. Also, she tends to tell lies. Well, maybe not intentional lies, but stories about herself that will make her seem cool. For example, Alexis told her that her Grandma lived in Utah and her friend responded by saying her Grandma had lived in Utah 100 times. Obviously that does not make sense. Anyways, I'm just concerned Alexis will learn bad habits from her friend. For example, her friend likes to hold her fist up to people and threaten to punch them and we have noticed Alexis holding her fist up the same way. I've talked to Alexis I guess now I just have to wait and see. On a different note, I was put into the Primary presidency in our ward. It was kind of a shock because I had been in Young Women for so long. I am nervous and excited at the same time. Josh just got put into the Young Men's presidency so we are going to be busy. To change topics once again, the other day Camryn was playing my little ponies and Marina walked up and took the pony Camryn had. Camryn looked at Marina and in a very dramatic fashion said, "oh, Marina, you disappointed me!" I had to laugh.

Great Weekend

We had such a fun, quick weekend! We went to Denver to visit some good friends. The kids had a lot of fun playing with each other. Alexis had a hard time leaving. She cried as we pulled away and continued to cry until I promised her she could write a letter to Miranda. Then she started to calm down. It broke my heart. Poor girl, it's so hard to see your kids in pain. I know it is for me at least. I wish I could just take her sadness away and feel it for her. But alas, that is part of being a parent.

On to a happier subject, we went to a natural history museum on Friday. Camryn loved the museum because she loves dinosaurs. She wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up and find dinosaur bones. It's so cute when she says it because she still has a lisp. On Saturday we went down to Colorado Springs and partied. We went and saw the Garden of the Gods, which is amazing. So here's some pictures from the trip, enjoy!

Here is Alexis with her future husband, at least according to her. He's the one in the middle. The one on the right is his older brother.

Here's the kids at the Garden of the Gods. They loved climbing all over the rocks. Thanks to Ron, Deanna, Scott, and Shelly for the great weekend!!

A Few Thoughts

So here's a new post. I don't really know what to say so I will say whatever comes into my head. Living in a small town is kind of a shock to my system, but at least the people in our ward are great. I went to a Relief Society Book Club a couple of weeks ago and there were a lot of women there and guess what they all read a book except me because I found out about it that day. I have to admit I wasn't used to that. It made me miss the dental school "book club." Anyways, I just felt really young there, not that all the women were older, but most were. It has been difficult for me to get to know people here because I feel so much younger and inexperienced in life. I don't feel I have anything in common with anybody. Especially since I miss the city and most of the people here hate the city. I'll get to know people eventually, it just takes me longer then most people because I have always been shy. I'm actually more comfortable talking in front of a group of people on a subject I have researched then one on one where I have to just come up with conversation. On a different note, I'm so excited for our trip to Denver!! It will be great to see friends and relax for a weekend.

I can't believe it but Marina just turned one. This past year certainly flew by. Seems like she was just born. I remember laying in the hospital with Marina next to me in awe at how tiny, and beautiful she was and still is. Well, we had two parties one on Saturday with my family and then one on her birthday, 9/11, with Josh's fam. She got lots of presents and loved her cake and ice cream. She hesitated at first with the cake, because she didn't know what we were giving her, but once she started she just dug right in!

We were outside pulling weeds the other day, and I looked over at Marina and she was walking around the yard so I kept pulling weeds not realizing a lady walked by with two dogs and Marina took off after her. It took Marina about fifteen seconds to make it across the yard and into the street. Josh was mowing the lawn and ran after her. Good thing cuz Marina would have followed that lady and her dogs all the way home. Marina loves dogs and cats. Whenever she hears a dog bark she stops whatever she is doing and looks around saying, "da un, da un!" On a different note, I need some ideas, our anniversary is coming up in November and we want to go somewhere fun, but we can't really think of where. We are thinking a three or four day trip so if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

This is Josh trying to make it back over the river at the Sinks in Lander. The Sinks is where the river goes under the mountain and disappears. The river comes back up about half a mile down the road. Where the river goes under the mountain it makes a cave and Josh decided to cross the river and see how far he could see down the cave. Of course, my brother in law, Brandon had to follow him and they both almost fell in. Brandon did slip and his leg got all wet. Boys, will be boys what else can I say?

1. Where did you meet your husband?

We met on Washington Blvd. in Ogden, Utah. I will admit it, I was cruising the 'vard at 1:00 a.m. on a Saturday night. I pulled up to a stoplight and Josh was sitting there in his eclipse. He asked me to race, and noticed I had a flat tire and asked me if I knew how to change it. I said no, so he changed it for me and then asked for my phone number.

2. What is the first thing you said to your husband?

Josh asked me to race and I said, "Are you serious? My Ford Escort against that?" He was driving a turbo Mitsubishi Eclipse and I was driving a very slow Ford.

3. Where was your first date?

We started our first date at the Pie Pizzeria where I ordered the biggest Coke they had. Josh later told me he was impressed that I wasn't being a typical girl by ordering water and a salad. Then we went to a Weber State hockey game. It was my first hockey game and I was hooked. I have loved watching hockey ever since. Then we went back to my house and watched a movie. I had a lot of fun and I believe Josh did too.

4. Where was your first kiss?

Our first kiss was actually on our first date. It was on a couch at my parents house. I have to take the credit as the one who initiated. I have to say that I think Josh was surprised because it was our first date. Of course, perhaps I should be a little ashamed because it was our first date.

5. Did you have a long or short engagement/courtship?

We started dating in Jan of 1999. We went out about three or four times then quit dating for a couple of months. Then we started hanging out together again in May. We started seriously dating at the beginning of June and we became engaged on Sept. 11. I remember because it was a week before my birthday. A lot of people think our engagement was short but I think it was just right. We were married on Nov. 4. So we were engaged for about a month and a half.

6. Where did you get engaged?

At my parents house. Josh had been telling me for a week he bought me something for our three month anniversary (I had never dated anyone longer than three months so it was kind of major that we were still dating). Anyways, Josh had called my Dad to ask for permission to marry me earlier that day. My parents at the time were at the racetrack and my Dad could hardly hear Josh so after Josh asked him a couple times he understood and although he was dumbfounded he gave his permission. So that night Josh gave me a package and when I opened it it was a pair of old shoes. Then he pulled the ring out of his pocket and asked me to marry him. We have the whole thing on tape, because my family was there. I have to admit I expected the present to be a ring.

7. Where were you married?

We were married at the Bountiful Temple. I went to the Bountiful Temple open house when I was around 11 or 12 and when I walked through the Sealing Rooms I thought they were beautiful and made a goal then to be married there. Josh didn't really care which temple so I got to decide.

8. How did the reception go?

The reception was fine. We had it at a church in Layton, Utah. The reception was long. We didn't get to eat hardly anything and we were both starving. We put chairs behind us in the reception line and had plates of food on them and when there was a break in the line we would grab a bite to eat. The only bad part was that I didn't get to eat any of my wedding cake. We cut the cake and there were more people to see and by the time I had a moment the cake was pretty much gone and so was the time. It was already an hour past our scheduled time and so we just left. But other then that our reception was great! We had a second reception at Josh's parents house in Lander Wyoming the next day.

9. How was the honeymoon?

The honeymoon went great. We went to Thermopolis Wy. We got married on a Thursday, had our reception in Utah that night, and a reception in Lander, Wy on Friday. Since we both were in school at the time we had to be back to Utah on Tuesday so we spent the weekend in Wy. We went to Thermopolis because it has one of the largest natural mineral hot springs in the world and it was close. Our first hotel was terrible. It was old, the remote to the tv had to be picked up at the front desk, there was no bathtub and the shower leaked out into the bathroom. We left after the first night and went to the Holiday Inn, which was much better. We plan on taking a second honeymoon for our 10th anniversary, a longer one.

Okay, I'm done. I'm tagging Michelle and Amy.

I'm back on the Internet. We moved into our house last week and did not get Internet access until a couple days ago and then we went camping on Friday and just got back today. Therefore, I have not updated my blog for awhile. I have been tagged by Jami and I will answer the questions soon. I want to find a couple of pictures first and that might take a couple of days.

As I mentioned we went camping. We went to a place called the Pinnacles campground. It was really pretty and the girls had a lot of fun. They loved that they could play in the dirt all they wanted. Marina would toddle around and fall down in the dirt and just lay there. Needless to say they were very dirty when we got home. On the way to the mountains Camryn wanted to know how the tent would stay up because mountains all lean. She didn't know how she would be able to stand up. She wanted to make sure we found a mountain with a flat top. Camryn is kind of a goofball. I woke up in the middle of the night Sat and Alexis was standing in the middle of the tent crying because she said her legs hurt and that she was cold. I told her to get back in her sleeping bag, because it was freezing, and she said she couldn't find it. Josh got up and put her back in her sleeping bag with a blanket. Well the next morning she had no recollection of what had happened. I don't know if she was ever really awake. We had a great time and it was nice to go and relax after unpacking (again) for a week.

Here's my little camping baby, who loved to eat dirt, rocks, and sticks!

Oh and here's a picture of my new kitchen. Josh doesn't really think I should post pictures of the outside of the house, for safety reasons. We are still getting the house organized and I think it will be awhile before that happens, but at least we are in.

Here's Marina proudly sitting in her toy. She emptied all the toys out and then proceeded to climb in all by herself. She thought she was pretty cool. She is getting big too quickly. She has started to walk and she turns one next month. We are doing good. It is time for school to start. Camryn and Alexis need something to keep them busy.

Here we are at Hell's Half Acre. It's 320 acres of crazy rock formations. It's a small canyon with caves, and twisting and colorful rocks. The movie Starship Troopers was filmed here. When you look down into the canyon it does look almost like an alien landscape. It is located between our house and Casper Wyoming. We went to Casper on Sat and went to the mall and did some shopping. We also went to a furniture store and looked around, because we have to furnish our new house! I'm excited to have my own home again. We all had a fun time going to the "city." I've decided there are some things I enjoy about living in a small town. For example, there is no traffic, no wait at the doctors office, and people at places like the bank know you and treat you very nice. But I still don't know if I could live in a small town forever. For now though, it's okay.

We went down to Utah last week because Josh had a conference in Salt Lake. We took Alexis and Camryn to Lagoon on Saturday. They loved it. Going places like Lagoon are a lot more fun with kids. They just got so excited over every ride and they really loved the water fountain that they could run through. Of course, they got soaking wet. Thanks to my Mom for watching Marina so we could ride the rides with the older girls. Well, here's a picture of Marina discovering flowers at my Mom's. She loved the flowers, but she still hates the grass, notice she is not standing on the grass. She also said kitty on Saturday. So cute! Her extensive vocabulary now exists of ma ma, da da, hi, and kitty. Sometimes I think she is trying to say thank you. Marina has also taken her first step. She will be a year next month. This past year has gone by so quickly, seems like I just barely had her. But I guess that's how it goes. So I try and remember to savor every baby moment, every snuggle, and every slobbery baby kiss.

Here's Alexis's birthday cake. I don't know whose more excited, Alexis or Camryn. Alexis is six years old. Her birthday was in June, I'm just a little behind in the blogging arena. It is hard to believe that I am old enough to have a six year old. I still feel like I did when I was eighteen. Who decided to trust me with children? That's what I'd like to know.




We went to the hot springs waterslide park in Thermopolis, Wyoming for Alexis's birthday. Alexis and Camryn loved the waterslides, especially because they could go down the slides with no help. Marina didn't like the pools very much, because it is a hot spring and the water tastes funny. I also think it hurt her eyes. Anyways, here is a picture of Marina and her cousin, Peyton, after a long day at the waterslides.

Well that's it for now. Hope everyone out there is doing good. We miss everyone!

So I'm going to really try and blog more. The problem is finding time and my baby girl wants my computer everytime I get it out. I'm back down in Utah, Josh is going to a dental conference this weekend so I used that as an excuse to say hi to family and get some school shopping done for the girls. We found a house!!! We think we will close on it by the end of August. I'm so excited to have our own house and not rent. The house we are in right now has too many problems to even list. Alexis and Camryn are enjoying taking dance. They got to ride on a float for the Riverton parade a couple weeks ago. Camryn said the funniest thing the other day. She sneezed in the car and said, "Mommy, I got blessings all over!" She said that because of course we say "bless you" when somebody sneezes.
So I tried to put some pictures on, but my computer is being stupid and won't let me so I will have to do that later.

So here's a quick blog. We have been at a family reunion all week so I haven't had a lot of time on the computer, but I have a couple of minutes to mention a few things. Most important Josh finally got his license!!!! Yeah! He had his first real day on Tuesday and loved it. It is still kind of unreal to me that we are really done. Other then that not much happening here. Marina wants to walk, not crawl. Alexis and Camryn are taking dance lessons, which they love and they just finished swimming lessons. I'll take some more time later to write about the family reunion and post some pictures.

So I haven't blogged in awhile, but I do have an excuse. We went on vacation to a cabin up by Ashton, Idaho and the internet just wasn't available. Our little trip was a lot of fun. I loved being back in the mountains. Anyways, we left last Tuesday and Josh and I went and saw Les Miserables with my family in Salt Lake City. Fabulous show, I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good musical. Then we went to Idaho on Thursday. The girls had a great time running around being dirty. One night we were sitting by the campfire telling ghost stories with the girls. Josh started telling one and halfway through the story Camryn just got up and fled. It took a lot of convincing to get her to come back. She said it was too scary. We drove back to Utah on Sunday and then back to our house on Monday. I'm about sick of driving. First we drive across the country and then we go on vacation where we have to drive. I think we must be crazy. Well, here's some pictures from our trip.

Marina the camping cutie. She loved being outside. Although she didn't like to sleep in the pack and play and ended up sleeping next to me the entire trip.

Here's the crazy girls at Mesa Falls. They thought the waterfall was beautiful.

If it isn't obvious, this is the whole family. We are at Mesa Falls. You can't see the falls but they are behind us and a long way down.

small town

Well, here we are in Riverton, Wyoming. We are currently renting, but hopefully we will have our own house soon. Yesterday we decided we needed a break after three days of unpacking, unpacking, and some more unpacking, and decided to go to Dairy Queen. I realized I was living in a small town when I noticed the sign on the door of the DQ. It said that they would be closed the following Sunday due to the high school graduation. I couldn't help but laugh, a restaurant closing for a high school graduation! Some of the employees had kids graduating but still.... I'm living in a small town now. It's kinda crazy to me because I never thought I would. Hopefully, I can adjust and get used to the lack of shopping and restaurants. It is nice that it takes about two minutes to get anywhere, there's always plenty of parking, and traffic pretty much does not exist. I guess there are the goods and the bads for everywhere. Well, we are doing good; the girls like the new house and the fact that they have cousins across the street. I'll post some pictures with my next post. That's all for now!

Goodbye

Goodbye, Kentucky! Goodbye to all the good and the bad. Goodbye to the humidity and the large insects. Goodbye to the terrible drivers and tiny roads without turn lanes. Goodbye to the smoke filled air and the lack of concern for health. Goodbye to our lives as students. Goodbye to financial aid. Goodbye to Thunder and goodbye to derby. Goodbye to those who started as acquaintances, became friends, and ended as family. Goodbye to the barbecues and "book club." Goodbye to the multitude of birds singing outside my window every morning and bunnies in the yard. Goodbye to the school system who cares nothing for physical activity. Goodbye to the parks on the river and the southern "y'all." Goodbye to our ward, the fourth of July party, the yearly Talent show, and the Derby Party. Goodbye my friends until we meet again. You will be missed. Goodbye.

Well, we had a great weekend down in North Carolina. The drive, however, was less then enjoyable. We left Thursday around five and didn't make it to our destination, Lake Lure, until 2:00 a.m. It wouldn't have taken so long except for the pouring rain and dense fog, oh and the twisty, turning, winding, curvy roads. Anyways once we were there it was fun to hang out with a bunch of friends and forget packing for the move. Camryn and Alexis had a great time playing with all the kids. I have to say those little girls are all the same as they dance, twirl, and play tea party. On the way home we stopped for dinner and Josh accidentally knocked Camryn's flip flop off and he said sorry. Camryn turned to Josh and replied, "it's okay, Daddy, Jesus still loves you!" It was pretty cute.
Today I spent the day packing, with Josh's help because he is DONE with school! I still can't believe it. When we moved here Alexis was only two years old and Camryn was three months. Now they are five and four, although they think they are 16 and 15. Alexis was standing next to me today and I noticed she went up to my elbow. What the heck?! She is going to be taller then me by the time she is 12, or maybe even younger. I guess that's the price I pay for marrying a tall guy. That's okay though he's pretty great.

We got the results for boards and Josh passed!!!!! Thank goodness he did or else... So everything is going as planned except Alexis has decided she doesn't want to move because she will be leaving her friends. It's got to be hard on her. Every year we have been here she has had friends move and now its her leaving. But alas we still have to go, sad as it may be.

First Entry

I finally caved and started a blog. I wanted to stay in touch with people because we are moving soon. So I've joined the blogging craze. I blame Michelle and Heidi. So here it is.