Utah

In July, Nic and I were fortunate enough to fly to Utah for a family reunion. We learned that neither one of us do well under stress. I booked all the flights, so if something went wrong it was pretty much all on me. Then on top of that, I only had a paper driver's lisence due to finally changing mine over. The security didn't like that too much. However, we made it through where Mama Jo picked us up in Salt Lake City. This was my first time, so I was so excited! My first impression of Utah was not dissapointment, but it just wasn't exactly what I was thinking it would be. I still loved it though. The weather alone would make me move there.

We stayed with Mandi and Thomas and their two kids, Elli and Jackson, and loved it! Thanks so much! Nic's family is wonderful. I really couldn't ask for a better family to marry into, I'm so blessed! We can't wait to go back!

Utah

I really could not get over the view there. This is at the Bee's baseball game!

We also had the opportunity to go to Park City, where the winter Olympics were held a few years back.

On our way up with Holli and Abe to do the Alpine slide. They were so much fun!

Utah-Lagoon

We all went to the theme park Lagoon, and like everything else we did, it was so much fun. Little Drew!

This is the crew that braved the Rattlesnake Rapids.

Nathan was a hoot, he was determined to stay dry throughout the entire ride.

There are no winners on the Rattlesnake Rapids, only wet losers

Utah-Golfing

So this is the view we had during our golf outing. Breathtaking right? I thought so. We had to be on the course by SEVEN! What happened to vacation? Just kidding. It was actually chilly out there, it was pretty great.
There were millions of gophers on the course, and a fox!

We were paired off with Erin and Barrett, and they were a blast. Erin is quite the pro!

And I...I killed a gopher. By accident!! I cried for the next two holes!

Needless to say we ended the 18th hole with smiles. I also learned that Titleist is pronounced TITLE-LIST not TIT LIST.

Utah-Temple Square

At the end of June, Nic and I were able to fly to Utah and during that time I was able to go to Temple Square for the FIRST time! It was truly amazing to see all of these magnificent buildings that I was only taught of growing up.
Sunday morning we were able to go to Music and the Spoken Word at the Conference Center. The music was beautiful, and being the in Conference Center was so weird, I've only even seen it on T.V.

The temple was so breath taking! Pictures do NOT do it justice.

Yet Another Cooking FAIL!

Can you guess what this is???

Well, I'll tell you. A couple weeks ago Nic and I went to eat at Tiff and David's for dinner. I offered to bring dessert. Dinner was wonderful! We had Tacos, which are always a hit. Then it was my turn. I decided we would have Fruity Pebbles Treats! They are SOO good, and easy to make (supposedly). So we start with three simple indgredients:

-Butter

-Marshmallows

-Fruity Pebbles

After melting all the butter and marshmallows, I put in eight and a half cups of Fruity Pebbles, and it did not look right at all. After asking for some assisstance, Tiff came to the rescue!!! She did a quick run through of the directions, and found a critical error. The recipe called for eight HALF CUPS, not eight and a half cups. So really it called for four cups of fruity pebbles.... WHAT? Luckily I had an extra bag of marshmallows, and poured pretty much the whole bag in to try and salvage our dessert. It ended up as a multicolored blob which looked a lot like vomit.....BUT still tasted great!

The moral of this story is to follow the directions, even if they are a little ridiculous.

New Toy

If you hadn't noticed we've been posting much more pictures! It's because of my birthday present! It's SO cool! It's shockproof, waterproof, freeze proof....pretty much indestructible. I would definitely recommend this to anyone! It's called the Olympus SW Series Stylus Tough.

Darts and a Shirley Temple

After the River, we all got together again at a little place called Faulkners for a friendly game of darts. So much fun! Nic and I were on a team...I think it's safe to say we're both a little too competitive. Needless to say we didn't win, but we were great sports.

He was dancing to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Shake it!

Me, my lovely cousin Ashley, and my new friend Jaimie!

Floating Down the River-Part 2

For the second time this week were were able to float the Comal again! This time we went with my cousin, Ashley, and her fiance Eddie, among more new friends!

Did I mention it was crowded? But Great!

We were all a little dissapointed about the weather. With highs of 95's all week long with not a cloud in sight, we expected the same for floating. Not a chance! It was pretty breezy, cloudy and only got to 80. But with good friends and food... we made it! We've decided to float as much as possible this summer! Any takers?

A Wonderful Suprise

Last weekend I had the most wonderful suprise! Some family friends moved to San Antonio, and were very sneaky about it. They've been in Korea for some time, so I had no idea they were even in the states. They tried to suprise me at church sunday morning, but I just happened to be in another ward for my nephew's blessing. What are the odds?! Anyhow, after a few phone calls and a lot of excitement, we were able to finally meet again after FIFTEEN years!

So we went Dairy Queen after a very yummy dinner...and check out these bathrooms. Yes that's all one room, and no the door didn't lock... Nic had to stand guard for a tick.

Love you Scott and Vickie!!

Floating Down the River

Last Monday we traveled to New Braunfels to float down the Comal River!

Did I mention we have an underwater Camera?

Aidan pretty much spent all of his time in the water.

A Blessing and a Birthday

This past Sunday, we had a blessing for our nephew, Owen
A Birthday! ( ME)

And Papa Jo even did a dance...well sort of... : )

Blood Pretzels

A few months ago my mother told Nic that I make great pretzels... And I did, about four years ago, once. He's asked several times for me to make them, and always reminds me of what my mother said. Today was the day.
I couldn't find the recipe I used four years ago. Shocker. Instead I just found some random one online. The cat got a little too curious which made tempers flare. Then while cutting the dough, my thumb was sliced in the process. Nic and I sat in the kitchen debating if we needed to get stiches for a few minutes, we decided not to. After slapping a band aid on I went right back to work, I had a reputation to uphold.
About thirty minutes later we pulled the pretzels out that I literally poured my blood into, tasted them, and dissapointment set in. They just weren't good. Thanks mom! (Just kidding!)

As for Nic and I, well we're doing pretty darn good. We just passed our six month mark last week, so I guess that means we're doing well. : ) The first few months were definately an adjustment for both of us, but now things are starting to get really fun. We love our apartment, and we both love our jobs. Nic works all the time... But I'm not complaining, or at least I try not to. When he gets home he always smells like grass, a little sweat, and now with spring, fertilizer....or in other words, a horse. It's starting to grow on me though.

Adventure Play Date

The first play date was over at Mamma Jo's house with Aidan and Brinn. Braydon was so excited about going and kept talking about his "new friends". The excitement stopped and his shyness kicked in at the front door. So for about thirty minutes there wasn't much interaction, just Aidan pulling out every single toy for them to play with. Too sweet! Caleb did find the piano, and they both banged on that for a little bit, but then the real fun started... Aidan pulled out a fly swatter and was chasing the flies around the house. That's how they bonded....and yes, there's an actual fly squashed.

So for the next play date, that's the first thing they went to! Who knew fly swatters could be so much fun?

Adventure Inflatable Wonderland

My first week nannying we all went to Inflatable Wonderland, and if you've never heard of it, you're missing out. At first Braydon (who is two and a half) didn't want to do anything but play with the toy cars. Caleb (who just turned one) was happy as a clam playing on the mats. I was a little dissapointed at first, but soon realized they were having a blast. However, after another little boy starting playing on the bouncy slides, Braydon decided it wasn't so bad. They had so much fun, and so did I! We're definately going back.

Caleb

Braydon with his cheesy smile...