Spring Golfing

Last weekend we went up to Boise & did the usual, lots of shopping & a round of golf... except this time golfing was a bit more breezy than last time! It started off a perfect day, then it started to sprinkle, but I was still good until we finished the first nine & went into the club for a quick bite to eat... that's when I realized how cold it had gotten! Vic was having so much fun that we finished all 18, but I was more of a driver than a golfer... but here is my good news: I improved on the first nine holes by 34 strokes!!! I went on this course last time with Katie (my sis) and yes, we were being a little silly, but still, not 34 strokes worth! Golfing is a lot more fun when it's not a "swing & a miss" every other time! haha!

Hosting HeidiLou

This last weekend I got to have one of my very best friends come visit & it was so much fun! Miss Heidi & her husband Will came up from Preston. If you don't know Heidi, you have to know that she is one of those friends that you search your whole life for. Conversation is always 100% easy, she's 100% unselfish, and every time you get done hanging out with her you feel good about yourself plus you get plenty of laughs in. (Will's a big help on that part :)
One of their better features is that... they are easily impressed with my hosting skills :) Heidi had to have a picture of my dessert Friday night so here we are!


We taught them how to play pinochle & got them addicted... YAY! I am excited to have another couple we can play way too many rounds with!!! We did however make it out to the park to play some badmitton & show off our mad skills! However, Will showed us all in ping pong later!


We went to visit the "Twin Falls" in Twin Falls & I was very disappointed to find out that there aren't really twin falls here! A really long time ago there was a flood that created another fall to the right of these rocks & that is what they named it after. BOOoo!

Saturday night, Will was impressed with my stuffed manicotti shells & got picture happy. We had fun acting out an "action shot", but as you can tell, Vic was not amused... he was way more into eating his cheese bread... which REMINDS me... I bought asparagus for this dinner & totally forgot to make it... PLUS, I went in our guest bathroom today only to realize that I had only one towel in there & I don't even know if it was clean. SORRY Heidi & Will! You'd think I would have thought of giving my guests fresh towels!!!! I promise I'll have clean ones out next time!

Relief Society Dinner

For Relief Society this last week they asked me to decorate a table. I didn't know what I was going to do, but luckily I already had bamboo plates & placemats so I didn't have to do too much! It turned out much cuter than I planned!

New Job!!!

Yipee!!! I am getting a payraise!!! Here are the best parts:
*Steady hours (salary pay)
*Increase in pay
*Only ONE mile from my house!... I totally plan on biking & walking to work!
*Only 2 hygienists for 2 doctors... hopefully this means not being permanently behind!

I am EXCITED! I am sad to leave my current doctor & crew as they are so sweet & have been so good to me, but..... money is money, right?! Wouldn't you want $1200-$2,000 more a month?!?! PLUS... I already know one of the hygienists that works there & my in-laws know both doctors & say they are great!

FLORIDA!

We just got back from Florida last week & it was AMAZING!!! I couldn't have asked for more PERFECT weather! It was 85, hot, and after 3 had a cool breeze so it wasn't too skorching hot :)

Our hotel was right by the entrance of Downtown Disney so the first day we spent exploring it & at night it was pretty romantic... no picture though!

Here we are in front of the magical castle at Disney World's Magic Kingdom

..Yes, I'm all sweaty & yucky after a long day in the sun... but I wouldn't change it!

Our trip was originally supposed to be like a second honeymoon that covered Valentine's Day, but I guess our family just loves us too much & decided to come along too! Our party went from two to EIGHT! :) It worked out good becuase Vic's family was fun and seriously... how romantic could Disneyworld get?!

There aren't many let downs there, but after this ride broke down & it took FOREVER waiting in line we expected it to be really cool & it was far from... but we got a fun picture out of it so that should count for something, right?!

One of the days we spent in Animal Kingdom & they had really good shows there. The Lion King one was probably my favorite. They had amazing singing, acrobats, dancing, and fun... a MUST for Disneyworld!... Not to mention that it was SO nice to get off of our poor worn out feet for awhile!

Tausha, Jessa, & Vic on the Safari ride.. it was cool how many wild animals they have there!

This is supposed to be like Indiana Jones, but I'd have to say that Indiana Jones beats it by mile, but here is a picture of 7 of us in the 2 front rows

I can't even remember where this was... animal Kingdom still?! It was fun, but

I wish we had a before & after of everyone! Everyone got SOAKED! Lucky me is the only one that only got half their body wet! :) I have to say that it secretly made my day better, Haha!

My absolute favorite show is Fantasmic. I think it is so great in Disneyland, but so much better seen in Disneyworld because there is an entire stadium just for this show!

I guess I was tired of taking pictures by the last day because unfortunately I don't have any of one of the best! We had such a fun pool area at our hotel and it felt so good to relax, read, & lay around the pool... my feet THANKED me!

AND FINALLY....... VALENTINES DAY!!!

We started the day off as a group in Hollywood studios, but then we parted at lunch time. Vic and I went to "France" in Epcot center & ate at a lovely restaurant.. the best part was that I got my favorite soup.. Lobster bisque... it is always to die for in nice restaurants! Here I am in the "streets of France"

We spent the most time on the pier of Italy, but I didn't get a pic :( It was one of those moments that you were taking in the moment so much that you didn't think to take a picture! It was perfect time of day, weather was great, & we had the italian pier mostly to our self for the hour we were there with italian slushies & ice cream in hand :) ...We had a mid-afternoon snacks & break in "Japan"... it was so totally fun to run around & be silly with Vic in all of the countries.

We planned on going to a romantic seafood restaurant for dinner, but then we decided that we really need to experience the famous "Planet Hollywood". It was a fun atmosphere with well presented fun foods... take a look at my drink & appetizer!

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!! Sorry I am a few days late, but we have been crazy busy!!! I hope everyone started the year off good & made good goals to make sure 2009 is a great one!! My talk last Sunday was on making New Year goals so I organized my goals ahead of time & I hope I get at least one perfect month this year!

For New Year's Eve we went to dinner & a movie with a fun couple from our ward. I was too gamed out to have another game party! Here is Vic & I at midnight... I know kissing... yuck! haha!

On New Year's Day we had a good sleep in, took down the tree, and then went SLEEDING! I love sleeding. I wish we did it more times each year! Here is our sleeding crew below:

...and here is Vic & his big brother crashing on their tube. Afterwards we..... you guessed it..... played games! haha, it was fun though :) Then we stayed up way too late watching a movie. The next day I was so SICK that I slept until 1pm! I sure hope I get over this cold SOON!

P.S. I uploaded pictures to the post below so make sure & check them out too!!!

Christmas Vacation

Wow, was this last week all a blur!!! Sorry for the long post, but it was just all so exciting!!! Read only the highlights if you need!!! It all started the day after my holiday treat party (posted below)
PICTURES TO COME!!!
Friday: Vic's brother's birthday so we all ate out & then played games at our house afterwards.
Saturday: We took treats to all of our neighbors for the first time this year & I didn't realize what a time consuming activity that was! Each neighbor wanted us to come in & talk for an hour! I felt rude cutting all of our visits short! We have the NICEST neighbors though! I am so happy to live in such a great neighborhood. Next, Vic & I invited Vic's neices & nephews to play in the snow, but their mom's said it would be too cold so we decided to play anyway without them! It was fun. We built a slide & a fort. Then that night we had a Christmas Party with Vic's mission buddies & their families.
Sunday: We had ANOTHER Christmas party for Vic's family! We didn't think we'd be here on Christmas so we had everyone over for games & treats.
Monday: I spent hours shopping for a family in need with 6 kids, then we spent the whole night wrapping all of their presents.
Tuesday: We delivered the presents to one grateful little family. (it was so fun, I can't wait to adopt another family next year!)
Wednesday/Christmas Eve: We played in the snow with Vic's sister Cindy's family then just the two of us went out to eat at Applebee's (one of my current favorites)... then we went over to Vic's parents house to watch a Christmas movie & games until 1am. The roads were so bad on the way home, we could hardly see 5 feet in front of us & almost ran into a tree that had blown into the road!!! Yikes (unfortunately it still clipped my car & left it's mark, but I'm glad it was nothing more)
Thursday/ Christmas: I loved having our own little breakfast & Christmas presents... plus there was no rush so we opened one present & enjoyed & looked at it before opening the next. I liked it done this way, but it did take us until 11am! Afterwards we went out to Vic's parent's house again for dinner & games all night.
Friday: I woke up sick :( ... but I promised myself Christmas I'd eat whatever I wanted because I was going to work out the next day so I worked out sick anyway! Then I went out to spend my Christmas money (I was very sick, but I had to get the most for my buck with all the sales!!) Anyway, I found this beautiful red coat that I am SO excited about! I have been wanting one like this forever! That night we had promised 3 nephews a sleepover so I wrote my talk for Sunday while Vic played games with them until late.
Saturday: I woke up even sicker, but I had 3 little boys to entertain so I forced myself out of bed & got them breakfast, played games, and then even went out in the snow for awhile! I made them lunch & then they got picked up by their uncle... THANKS Roger! I tried to recoupe & regain enough energy to go out to Vic's other brother's Christmas party. We played MORE games out there! They had dinner, but we had to leave early to go to ANOTHER birthday party! Happy Birthday to Justin! (Vic's best friend). It was fun & we played our usual rounds of pinochle and... we FINALLY won a round! Usually we stay at their house really late, but by this time I was just too exhausted (being sick & still running around everywhere)
Sunday: I woke up & couldn't even think straight so I slept for HOURS! I missed my talk that I worked so hard on, but my wonderful husband read it at church for me. I finally came out of bed at 2pm and felt a lot better, but still in pain so I took a pain pill from when I got my wisdom teeth out & I felt MUCH better! Enough that we still were able to make it to our backyard neighbor's for dinner... another fun neighbor/blessing! Then I finally got my own calling.... teaching 6 year olds in primary! I love that age & I am excited to start!
Monday: I CLEANED all day & organized every drawer & closet! Then had movie night :)
Tuesday: ANOTHER family Christmas/New Year party at Vic's parents house!
Did I mention we have ONE more party tonight at Vic's parents?!?

Holiday Parties Begin!!!

Last night I had our first party of the weekend. It was a Holiday Treat Party, where everyone makes 4-6dozen treats & then we all swap so we have a good variety for friends, family, & neighbors. It was so quick & everyone made such cute treats!! Here is a picture of some of them:


We all wrapped them in plates, tins, & boxes that turned out pretty cute. I can't wait to give them to our neighbors tonight! I so want to have this same party next year! I am e-mailing everyone recipes of all the stuff so let me know if you want to be added on to that list!

The fun really started when we started playing games afterwards. I mainly had girls from my church there since we are new & that is all I know! It was fun to get to know them better at a casual level... they are SO cute & fun! I have such a great ward & we are blessed to live in it as it really impacts my happiness! One girl, or should I say "lady" that inspired me was Marcie. She is 37 & she could so EASILY pass for 28! I couldn't believe it when I found out. I pray I will be outgoing, fun, & young looking when I am 37!! Hopefully Vic will keep me young because he is so much fun! :)
Last weekend I went home to help my mom after a surgery so I was finally able to see my girls, Ericka & Amber! They are BOTH pregnant at the same time again! I swear their husbands plan it that way (they are best-friend-brothers). Funny thing is Ericka gets another girl & Amber another boy! Here is a picture of us eating at Texas Rhodehouse, one of my favorite places to eat (and is NOT here in Twin)... I LOVED catching up. It is always a good time with these girls! I hope they don't mind me sharing their exciting news!!! :)

Sorry, this post is getting long, but I have to add two more things! This song was on a friend's blog & I thought all you mommies would enjoy it!!! So click HERE to listen.

Also I finally organized my blog friends to pull up to the top when they've been updated so I am excited to do better at reading everyone's cute posts. KEEP Posting because I love reading it!! Thanks, I hope you know I love every last one of you bloggy friends!!

Christmas is here!

I always know when Christmas is here because I never have time to watch my shows or get on the internet. I should be sending out Christmas cards at this very moment, but I had to catch up on all my dear friends first! I love reading everyone's updates & seeing pictures.

Last week we worked every day to get all the light up on the house (I'll have to take a picture later)... and to get the tree up & every room decorated with a little Christmas cheer. Vic thinks it is his crowning moment to be able to put the star on the top of the tree so here he is!

We feel so very loved to have had our friends from England come to visit us! (Vic actually lived with Matt for a couple of months after I moved home early.) They were here from Thursday to Sunday so we took them up to Island Park in hopes of showing them what real snow is like & snowmobile. Unfortunately winter has come late this year, but we did still have a little snow to play around in. Here is their cute little family in front of the cabin/by the lake.

We wanted to get out one day so we went to go find a restaurant & found Lakeside Lodge right by our cabin! I can't believe I've been going up there for 10+ years & never tried out this hidden treasure! The view was beautiful & all of the food was SUPER yummy plus I expected the prices to be high because of the atmosphere & good portion sizes, but it was great pricing so if you are ever headed to Island Park this is a great place to stop! (It is right before Bill's Island)

Vic & I dared to go out on what looked like thin ice so we took this picture, but Janita cut off the clear ice part... oops!

Our English friends left Sunday morning & we had a busy day Sunday with friends over for dinner, then over to our neighbors to watch the Christmas devotional & then out to Vic's parents house to plan Christmas time! Then yesterday we had an ADORABLE family from the ward that I've been wanting to get to know, invite us over for FHE and the lesson was on the true meaning of Christmas. We talked about the birth of Christ and one of the things that came up is how some people think it is overcelebrated when in all reality we should be having lots of "birthday" Christmas parties to celebrate this wonderful season to remember Christ. I love celebrating Christmas & there is no better reason to throw a party! I am so grateful for this special time of year & I hope everyone has their fair share of fun & also have time to serve others as Christ served us.

Tour de Galena House!

I FINALLY got pictures of my new house!!! A month late, but better late than never! Here is the front of the house. The backyard is a big blank carpet big enough to play soccer on! Landscaping that will be our spring project... Here is the Kitchen & Dining Room. This house came with PLUM purple walls in the kitchen. It looks 100% better painted to match the rest of the house! I should have taken a before picture of the color!! I LOVE having a big place to cook :) I actually have empty drawers! This kitchen has THREE large walk-in pantries! I was proud of myself for making my first picture collage above the sink (in bottom left of this picture):

Here is our front room. Vic is VERY happy to have a fireplace at last! I have to say this is my favorite room of the house. I LOVE the furniture we just bought so I put a close up picture in the middle of the coffee table.

The front bathroom walls were left white & I couldn't figure out what color to paint it so I decided to do an all black & white room. I ended up LOVING it!

...And now for the upstairs bedrooms!!

Beach Bathroom