Where have I been?

(I wrote this blog back in May - but didn't post it because I was going to put pictures in. I guess I will post it now - pictures to follow)

Where have I been? I have apparently taken a break from being a good blogger. But I am back and ready to share so much of my life with you that you will just be bored to tears!

Last week Matt and I took a trip to Southern California. We had been planning the trip for a while, hoping to take it during the break between Spring and Summer semesters up at the U. While we were planning we found out that my parent’s were going that same weekend. We decided it would be nice to share a trip with them, and so we booked the same hotel and flights. My sister Val decided to come to. Now the party was on.

We flew out on Thursday night. It was an uneventful flight. We have started to fly Jet Blue whenever we get the chance. They have substantially more leg room than other airlines, and I love the DirectTv in the seat. I know I sound like a commercial, but really, it is nice. When I booked the flight I did the trick (which I learned as a reservations girl) to take the window and the aisle seat. See, it is much less likely that someone will choose to sit in the middle seat unless the flight is full, and if someone does take that seat, they will be happy to switch for the aisle or window so we can sit by each other. As it turns out we lucked out and the seat between us was the only open one on the plane. Ahhh – comfort!

We arrived at Long Beach Airport and my parent’s were there to pick us up. We made a quick stop at the grocery store to get some provisions for the week then we were off to our hotel. Travel really wears me out – even the short trip to CA, so I was happy to go to bed.

The weekend was great at Disneyland. The weather was perfect and it wasn’t too crowded. On this trip I was really having fun playing the Toy Story rides. I loved Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear. For those of you who don’t live at Disneyland- both of these rides allow you to interact with the game by shooting at targets and getting a score at the end. So it is like a ride and a video game in one. Lots of fun!

Matt recently turned me into a pin trader at Disneyland. I am too big of a wimp, so I only trade with Cast Members – because they have to trade with me. Matt uses it as an excuse to talk to new people. I use it as an excuse to get big shiny pins! Oh yeah – I am that cool.

One of the nights we were at Disneyland Matt’s friend Scott drove down and spend the evening running around with us. I should have taken pictures, but I didn’t. Oh well. We had fun, even though we waited in the longest line of the vacation for Tower of Terror. Oh – I love that ride.

We came home on Monday night. I never like the trip home. I wish it didn’t take so long to get from Disneyland to the airport, and then from Long Beach to SLC, then from the airport to the car, and from the car to home! If I have to come home I just want to be home!

This last weekend was Memorial Day. We spent the weekend working on house stuff. We bought a kit to make new screens for our windows (since we didn’t have any when we moved in). Then we worked on trying to fix the broken sprinkler system. (our lawn died while we were on vacation – so that rain this weekend, yeah, that was for me to save the lawn).

Monday we went to my sister Chrystie’s house for my nephew Daxton’s birthday. He turned 1. He is the cutest little guy, though he doesn’t like me much still. I took my turn hold my niece Corby. She is a sweet little thing. We ate and played and then came home and tried to finish the sprinkler repair. Good news and bad news on that front. Good news, we fixed the valve, bad news, now we can see where all the other leaks are. Oh dear!

You can now look forward to blog after blog of house repair stories. I bet you are excited!

Spring Fever

I haven't posted in a while and that is because we just haven't been up to too much. We have been working in the yard at our house. It is starting to look respectable, and that is good. We now have more lawn than dandelions. We had to kill a few giant ones in the back, but I think we finally have it under control. We were lucky and ended up with some pretty flowers growing in the front. We have some really big tulips and some bleeding hearts. Very nice. There are still new plants coming up all the time, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

(One of my many tulips)

I decided I wanted to become a better photographer, so I have been trying to take pictures with Matt's fancy camera. Hopefully someday I will be able to take nice pictures, bear with me if there are lots of pictures that are slightly out of focus and such until then. Also forgive me if I seem to be taking too many pictures around you. I know I don't like to get my picture taken, but eventually pictures of flowers get boring.

(More tulips)

Last week I was getting over the worst cold. I had a really bad cough and couldn't talk or laugh without it ending with me doubled over trying to get my breath. Luckily it cleared up and I am feeling much better. I was a little sad that the cold kept me inside when the weather was so nice last week. Isn't that how it goes. I don't get to be sick on rainy days.

Friday of last week we drove out to Sandy to go to Matt's friend Spencer's wedding reception. It was very nice. I had met Spencer a couple times. He was part of the group that we went on our 2nd date with. Ahh, the memories.

Saturday we did some work on the yard and then we went on a double date with Matt's Aunt Voni and Uncle Bill. We had dinner at Union Station and then went to the comedy show at Wiseguys. I always feel nervous when we invite people to go to comedy with us because I never know if the comedian will be funny or not. Yet I feel like we are vouching for them somehow by inviting people. Luckily the guy was OK, so I didn't have to feel too bad.

(Union Grill, where we ate dinner)(Back of the Ogden Union Station)(One of the trains on display)

Sunday was Mother's day! I was lucky enough to be in charge of Sharing time in the primary. That was a good time. Then I taught my primary kids and we made origami hearts for their moms. I tried to find a pattern for origami flowers, but they were all too hard for my kids. They had trouble with the hearts, but they ended up looking nice. I hope all the moms loved them.

After church we took a nap then went down to my parent's house. My sisters and little brother were also there. We had a good time. My dad cooked dinner on the grill and it was good. We watched my niece and nephew play outside and talked and talked. Good times.

(My Niece Arden, Taking a break from playing)(My nephew Daxton, giving me a look that means I am NOT one of the 6 people he likes)(Arden in the middle of a spin)

Then we hurried home and got there in time to meet Matt's mom who was on her way back from Bozeman. We were happy to spend some time with Matt's Aunt Amy and her kids (they are the cutest boys) for a minute while they took a break from driving. We spent some time with Bev (Matt's Mom) before she went back to Sandy.

It was a really good weekend and I am loving this spring weather.

I know it is late, but I want to let both my mom and Matt's mom know that we love them and we are so glad for all that they have done and continue to do for us. Thanks Moms! We love you.