WELCOME TO MERN'S WORLD

Paxman Photography

2012-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favorite pics the Photographer took at Preston and Chelsies wedding. He is a friend of mine and does an AMAZING job. Check out his site here

http://paxmanphoto.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!!

Lyman Wyoming reception

2012-01-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

Chelsie is from Lyman Wyoming so her and Preston had a reception there. Her family is SO NICE and enjoyable to be around. They put us up in an amazing cabin and had us fed at all times and showed us a ton of new card games and such!

BFF Christi recently moved to Provo so she picked me up at the airport and came with me so we could hang out. It was fun to see her again and to get the feeling that just cause she is a Utard now she is still normal and we can still see each other.

They did the respectful cake eating. I like that.

Mom and her family. I love when she gets to see them cause it isn't often. She is a trooper to be so far away from them all.

Check out Brighton on top of the ladder doing work! Charming the ladies! He has my heart.

We had to get a picture with my most famous cousin!! :)

After the reception we played games at the cabin. It was a mini Mep and a lot of fun to be around everyone and not be around a campfire. I wish I had a picture of the whole group but I didn't get it.

While we were there Grandma had a nasty fall off the steps. :( It was really scary. She didn't even cry! Later, after she had driven home to Rexburg she went to the doctor and turns out she has a broken hip! She is one strong women!! She is healing okay as far as I have heard. Mom is up there now taking care of her and Grandpa. She will be there for 2 weeks.

Airplanes like shooting stars

2012-01-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

Preston and Chelsie had a wedding reception in Wyoming. I flew out with Tyson and Kim and the kids. It was the first time the kids had every flown. Annie and Jensen were terrified. Jensen ended up loving it in the end. Annie never warmed up to the idea. I asked her why she was scared to see what she was thinking. I was amazed at how smart she is. She was worried that the captain would get lost, or that we would get blown out of the sky and crash. She is so smart.

Laughter a day... keeps the doctor away.

2012-01-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

I love these girls. They keep me laughing.

Everyone needs a good nerd in their life.

Projects

2012-01-22T21:33:00.001-08:00

I have been working on projects at home lately. Sort of a New Years goal to be more productive and spend time doing things I enjoy. This plate rack is something that I have been wanting to paint for a good 6 months. One night I got to it. Yes, it was about midnight, but some things just can't wait any longer. :)

Whats on my mind this morning

2012-01-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

I hate peeling an orange...only to find that it is sour.

A friend at work brought me a milky way just cause he knows they are my favorite... it's the little things...

If i never had to wake up to an alarm clock I would smile more.

I should smile more despite having an alarm clock.

I can't wait to hear those 5 words....This is all for you.

New Years hike 2012

2012-01-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

I have had a tradition for the past 3 or 4 years to hike on New Years day. I think this may be the first tradition that I have started on my own that isn't a continuation from what my parents have taught me.

I like that I have my own.

This year I went to South Mountain. That's where I went last year but this was a different hike. I went with Sarah Buckley, Tori Wadsworth, and Kristen Hauck. It was a beautiful day!

After we tried to go to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Carolinas. They were closed *LAME* . so we tried going to LOLO'S for chicken and waffles. There was a line OUT THE DOOR and we were starved so we moved on to the next destination... LA TOLTECA. OMG it was amazing. I guess Tori used to go here when she was going to Dental Hygenist school in Phoenix. It was a lot like the Ranch Market, but more of a restaurant. They had a bakery in there as well.

New Years is the perfect day to try new things and go out on a limb. SO I got the Cubana Torta. It was to die for.

There was some egg in there. Pork. Guacamole lettuce. Ham. I don't even know what else. but it was pretty darn amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone!

I don't know what this face is, but it looks like I am a little overwhelmed... and I was!

Here's to a year of more hiking!!

Glued right here

2012-01-12T07:23:00.001-08:00

Sometimes,

When I am feeling creative....

It's REEEEEEALLY hard to stay at work.

I want to be home.

Painting.

Cleaning.

Organizing.

Re-doing.

HAPPY

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2012-01-01T17:45:00.000-08:00

It is time for a new year. After Preston and Chelsies wedding we stayed in Eagar to ring in the new year. It was a house crammed full with 2 dogs, 2 babies, 5 kids, and 11 adults with more visiting at times.

Mom and Dad

Buddy, Sara, Chloe, Max, Beau

Tyson, Kim, Annie, Jensen, Brighton, Ridge

Mary Ann

Lindsey, Robyn, Nala, Keiara

Dallin

Keldon

Kathy Koin and Bandit Joined us to ring in the New Year.

This year Dallin had a firework stand down at the bookstore building so to drum up a little more business we took our fireworks down and lit them in front of the store. It was a lot of fun. At the house everyone took a turn at playing Just Dance on the Wii. Mom put together a wonderful left right game which was a lot of fun. At midnight we rang in the new year with an amazing firework show. And then we crashed at 12:45 haha.

I traveled home today, January 1st. I painted a little bit on my house. I am working on all the baseboards and the door frames. I haven't been very good about being on the ball with improvements. I need to work harder at it.

Tomorrow I will go on my traditional New Years hike. Kristen and Sarah are going to come with me and we are going to do South Mountain. They had planned on hiking Camelback. I couldn't help but just laugh. No way am I in shape enough to do that. I have done it once before when I was in the best shape I have ever been, and IT WAS HARD. Sadly I am not even close to that now. So we will do south mountain and hope for something a little harder in 2013. :)

Preston and Chelsie Haws December 30th 2011

2012-01-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

The long awaited day finally arrived. Ooookay well maybe it wasn't long awaited.... He just got home in July for crying out loud!!

Preston haws and Chelsie Martin tied the knot. They were married In the Mesa Arizona Temple at 9 am.

I waited outside with Mallory, Elly, Lindsey, Robyn, Dallin, and the kids.

After the sealing we headed to Eagar for a reception that night. The cultural hall had been set up the day before and it looked beautiful! I didn't get enough pictures.

VEGAS

2012-01-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

Is it January first already? I can't believe it. December went by in a whirlwind. On to the next month we shall head! But lets finish updating December. Christi and I hopped into her car only days before Christmas and headed to las Vegas Nevada. It was time for the ASU Boise State football game at the Las Vegas Bowl and we didn't want to miss out.... Or rather she wanted a good excuse to meet her boyfriend in Vegas. :) At any rate we went and had fun.

We stayed at the Stratosphere. I hadn't ever stayed on that side of the Strip before so it was a different experience. We also used Valet everywhere we went! OH IT MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE. We weren't tired and grumpy from walking so much.

From the top of the stratosphere. It is the tallest structure this side of the Mississippi!

Christi and Dave waiting to go to the game. ASU got TRASHED :(

The bellagio is the best. It was fun to see it at Christmas.

This polar bear was made out of carnations! It was incredible and smelled amazing.

At the game! Why is it boys always pull this?

Christi wanted to show off how cute she looked.

It was a fun trip! Each time I go to Vegas I am reminded that I have no desire to go back again. BUT I am sure I will end up there again....

CHRISTMAS 2011

2011-12-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas 2011! What a great holiday it was! We spent the weekend at mom and dads house AND THERE WAS SNOW! It was a white christmas after all. Since it WAS a white christmas I didn't need to watch the movie. ;)

Those in attendance this year were Dallin, Thomas (mom and dads foreign exchange student), Preston and his Fiance Chelsie, Lindsey & Robyn with their 2 dogs Keiara and Nala, ME, and Mom and Dad. Mom just had foot surgery 2 days prior but she was doing well. Dad had both knees replaced over the past few months but he is healing. It was nice to have him home for the whole holiday and not have to worry about his work schedule. The bookstore is sold so we had nothing to do but enjoy our time together... oh, and cook and clean and wrap and more cooking.

Saturday, whish was Christmas Eve, we did the traditional progressive dinner, caroling, left right game, and nativity presentation. It was quite a big group this year!! Some of the Willis Haws clan was there, Lawana and Clint, Robert and Marci, Alicia, Shamane and Tony, Michelle and Ryan, and Brett, we also teamed up with the Turley Crew. Aaron and his family, and Carolyn and her 2 kids. I wish I had pictures of all that!

As always, the girls that stay at the house get matching pajamas.

TADA!

DON'T BE JEALOUS!

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MASQUERADE

Our adorable friend Dave has to move back to Utah :( so we had a going away party for him.

I had never throw a masquerade before so why not try it! Dave is someone who would appreciate a good ol masquerade.

Mern and Ryan

We went to dinner at the Cheesecake factory with a few guests to jump start the evening.

Troy, Sarah, DAVE

aren't my friends adorable?

Brian, Ashley, Ryan

Brain, ??, Jakeb, Sarah, ??

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MADRIGAL DINNER.

The first weekend in December is always the RVHS Madrigal dinner. I think I have attended it for my last year, at least until they change up the program a little bit.

I invited some friends along, as always. We stayed up at Grandmas house and enjoyed the small town weekend.

Dallin and some of his friends that were in the show. They did a stellar job!

Dave and Christi raided the andes mints off the tables.

Thomas (foreign exchange student) mom, Me, Preston, Dad.

Christi, Mern, Ryan, Sarah, Dave, Kristen

Breakfast at the new resaurant in town, Trail riders. I wasn't that impressed with it. Nothing beats Boogas.

I almost feel adultlike.

2011-12-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

Here is my new old house! I love it.

There are some changes I want to make but all in it's own time.

Front Yard

Back yard. Plenty of room for entertaining!

Front room. I love the shutters

Kitchen.

The Dinning room is across from the kitchen. I like that it has it's own little cubby. It's not in the way of the house.

The formal room.

Back patio. I can't wait for monsoon season. :)

This is a goal that I have been working on for a few years so it feels awesome to have it accomplished! On the other side of the stick it is a bit overwhelming! I am excited that I won't have to more for a long time. I am excited for all the new things I will learn! Like how to install door handles, buy new doors, paint cabinets, deal with home owners insurance, etc. :) But hey, I can do this!

MEXICO

2011-12-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

People say it isn't safe to go down to Mexico anymore. WELLLL don't believe everything you hear in the news people. I felt safe there. But then again, don't believe everything you read online either... ;)

My good friend Dave had a Birthday, SHOOT HOORAY! He had never been to Mexico so a special trip was planned just for him. We scared up some friends to join us and had a great time. The condos on the beach are SO nice and so affordable! I wish I had taken more pictures. Now that I think about it Dave put some of his on my computer so I will have to add those later.

Dave, Troy, Ashley, & Sarah

Kristen, Lexi, & Mern

There are some awesome restaurants on the beach that are delightfully good for seafood and other traditional dishes for the non seafood lover.

SHRIMP CEVICHE on da beach!

lets find out together, shall we?

2011-07-14T20:54:00.001-07:00

I have this friend that I have never met. She doesn't know we are friends. It's more one sided. I follow her blog. I love her words, her thoughts, her feelings, her ideas. Well she wrote something today that helped me. She usually does. Her words come out in a way that I feel can help just about anyone. She makes me love words and their usage, it's a skill that I don't posses. So I stand from the sidelines and admire. Our situation is a little different, but the idea is the same. Here is what she was thinking today...

i will get married when i meet the man i want to marry. you're not him? no worries, let's have our wine, enjoy it, and why shouldn't we have another date?

i am not in the business of looking for a husband. i am just trying to live a life, fully and deeply.

how can i answer the question of what i want when asked on the first date? because really the question is what i want with you and i hardly know you-it's only the first date! what i want is to find out.

to find out, what i want, with you.

i want to live my way into the answer.

and lets find out. together, shall we?

Isn't that great? Would you like to be her friend to? She will make you feel right at home. Check her out here... http://or-so-i-feel.blogspot.com Thanks Meg.

The best for last.

2011-07-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

These lyrics are amazingly perfect. Life can hurt sometimes, but you can't be afraid to play. I'm taking the chance.

Wait, do you see my heart on my sleeve?
It's been there for days on end and
It's been waiting for you to open up yours too baby, come on now
I'm trying to tell you just how
I'd like to hear the words roll out of your mouth finally
Say that it's always been me
That's made you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and that you never want more
Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue
But you'd save the best for last
Like I'm the one for you
You should know that you're just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me
You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me
Why is it every time I think I've tried my hardest
It turns out it ain't enough, you're still not mentioning love
What am I supposed to do to make you want me properly?
I'm taking these chances and getting nowhere
And though I'm trying my hardest you go back to her
And I think that I know things may never change
I'm still hoping one day I might hear you say
I make you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and that you never want more
Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue
But you'd save the best for last
Like I'm the one for you
You should know that you're just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me
You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me
But, despite the truth that I know
I find it hard to let go and give up on you
Seems I love the things you do
Like the meaner you treat me more eager I am
To persist with this heartbreak, running around
And I think that I know things may never change
I'm still hoping one day I might hear you say
I make you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and that you never want more
And we'll say all of the right things without a clue
And you'll be the one for me and me the one for you

JUNE?!

2011-06-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already the end of June! I feel horrible that I haven't been on here to blog since March! It would be okay if I was going well at writing in my personal journal but I haven't been. Thats time of my life that I will never remember! My memory is awful and if I don't have the documentation then it's gone. :( boo hoo and hopefully lesson learned. Hopefully I have more time now as well. I was working a 2nd job a few nights a week and even though it wasn't much it seemed to take me away from a lot of things that I find important. I love the job and sad I had to quit but such is life. Now I am back and will have time to take care of business. :)

Need your input

2011-03-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

While in the break room warming up my lunch I was asked by a woman "are you married?" My response was "ummm, no" "oh okay!" she says "I was wondering how you always have time to decorate your cube, craft, and cook those meals! I barely have time to go home and fall asleep at night"

QUESTION: Does getting married make you incompetent? What does being married have to do with the fact that I cook, craft, and decorate? haha. I didn't know what to say to her. So I smiled and said "well I use a crockpot and cook while I sleep."

BBQ

2011-03-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY bought a BBQ grill. It has been on my list for quite sometime. You want to know why I never bought it? Because I was afraid I would blow it up. I was afraid to turn on the gas. I was afraid too much gas would come out and I would open the lid and it would explode in my face.
Well life is all about facing your fears?? Consider them faced in the face! :)

HIKING 2011

2011-03-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

I love hiking. It really does make me happy. I don't understand how some people don't like it. There is something special about knowing that you conquered a mountain. That you walked up the FACE of a mountain. You left your sweat and tears on that mountain. okay so maybe not that extreme, but I do love it. :) It's the fresh air and the crickets chirping. The good company makes it amazing as well. I love my friends. Pinch em by the cheeck great aunt style.

This is how Dave gets to the hike. haha . Poor guy was a good sport about riding in the back.

Firehouse Subs

2011-03-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

Have you been there? EVER?

It's my favorite sub place in da world.

I used to think subway was cool but i was DEAD wrong.

First best thing is the way they greet you when you walk in.

WELCOME TO FIREHOUSE.

They yell at you when you walk in the door. It's a little overwhelming at first but it grows on you.

Then instead of 6 inch or 12 inch they offer 8 or 12! 6 was just never quite enough for me.

Thennnnnn they have a entire gallery of hot sauce. every flavor. my favorite happens to be Womens Scorn.

SO TRY IT IF YOU HAVEN'T!!

MAKE HASTE!

To future Mern

2011-03-21T22:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Future Mern, There are a few influential choices you will make in your life. Some of these you have already made and many are yet to be upon you. I know you think you have a good head on your shoulders, but looking back at some of your choices it appears it wasn't always as straight as it needed to be. Sooo looking towards the future I am sure this may be the case again. Sometimes when wrapped up in circumstances we don't see the full picture and need to rely on the wisdom and love of others. You know what I look forward to? A Priestood member inside my home. ohhhh how I am excited for that. Not just so I can hold the priesthood, wink wink, but so I can have it easily accessible. I want to be able to wake up in the morning with morning sickness and ask my husband for a Priesthood blessing. I want to be calm when my baby burns his hand because my hubby has the power to bless him. When my son gets the Priesthood I want to be able to trace that back to HIS EARTHLY FATHER, not some other man. That other man may still be an important person in my sons life, but it's not his Daddy. The man he thinks is the greatest thing in the world. I think you had a small idea of the importance of this when you were dating that boy when you were 23. He was such a nice guy, fixing your car, making you feel beautiful, always being thoughtful. He never went to church with you though. He didn't even want to. Maybe he would have if you asked him to, but would it last? Staying with him would have been more of a gamble than you are required to take. If he is meant to get his life on track it will happen, and it's not up to you to help him get there. If it's in the cards for him his Heavenly Father has a plan for him. SOOOOO don't ever regret that decision to move on. Never feel hopeless that since you didn't take the opportunity with him that you are destined to live with awesome female roommates for the rest of your life. Your Heavenly father has a plan for you and it will be perfect and wonderful in it's design. You just have to trust, and have faith, and WAIT. Love, Present Mern.

GO GO GO

2011-02-07T21:36:00.001-08:00

I am going and I am lovinnnnng it. I am just waiting for my face to break out from stress and for my shoes to fall apart. I will be the first one to tell you that I am not particulary fond of schedules. A free spirit maybe? Well I am diggin this busy schedule. It is wearing me down a bit but it feels good to be busy and productive. I have tried really hard to stick to a schedule and make sure to schedule in time for fun. Fun like game nights and cute boys and camping. CAAAAAAAAAMPING. sigh. Friday. Just make it till friday. You can do it, you can do it you can zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It is happening again

2011-02-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Is it possible for winter to make one feel claustrophobic??

I am feeling it.

chest collapsing

hard to *gasp* breathe.

sweaty palms. drip drip

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell.

You know those endorphins that are released with the anticipation of a grand trip? They get stronger and stronger the closer the date arrives. The air feels different, the sounds sound different. ahhhhhh. I crave it. That is my drug. I need an intervention from my anti-drug.

I don't need this adventure to happen right away. I don't have time for it in my schedule right now anyway. It just needs to be planned. penciled in. on the horizon. just give me a little taste.

It has come out of hiding.

2011-02-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

THE CAMPING COUCH.

I had thoughts that maybe it needed to be burned. Maybe it wasn't worth storing in the garage. UH HELLO MERN WAKE UP! You love this couch. Don't be a sell out. So it will stay and we will have many more adventures together.

This time it came to the drive-in to watch The Yellow Hornet, or something like that. We invited Chuck along for company.

Too bad he can't keep his eyes open.

Let's try this again.

Nope, Still can't

CHUCK, Quit doing this >_<

And finally we got it right!

Ta Ta For Now

Thanksgiving

2011-01-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Just before Thanksgiving mom had a little too much excitement. She had a stroke and was flown down to Mesa to get the best possible care. It was a long 2 weeks but as you can see she had plenty of good company. We have so much to be thankful for this year. She is doing great and recovering well.

DRIVE IN

2011-01-01T22:43:00.000-08:00

I love love love the drive-in movie. Don't tell my secret to anyone, but sometimes I go by myself and cuddle up with a blanket and watch a movie. not this time though. This time Christi went with me. we had gone just a few weeks before with a group of people and it just turned into a disaster so we decided that less is more.
As I was getting ready to go I remembered I happened to have 2 pairs of this Amazing Christmas Pajama. haha so i forced Christi to wear them. Memories memories.

And like always we took the camping couch! :)

We watched unstoppable and it was INTENSE. Such a good movie.

Thatch-nasty trip.

2011-01-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

Katie got married in the gila valley temple so I headed down to attend. I wouldn't miss supporting that lady for the world. She is such a sweetheart.

I stayed the whole weekend and got to visit Lovely Natalie. She is so sweet. She gave a great lesson in RS while I was there. She is the Relief Society President in her college ward. It was such a good lesson on self worth and virtue.

Halloween 2010

2011-01-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

We wanted to do something different for Halloween. We aren't so much into the big halloween groupie parties. We headed up to Grandma's house to chill, enjoy the fall colors, shoot some guns, and watch movies.

While we were there we went to the Halloween carnival the high school choir puts on. It was fun and really put us in the halloween mood.

Who doesn't love winning a slinky??

Matt you are such a stud.

Dallin dresses as a whoopie cushion. He was going to get a fart machine but then we reminded him he could fart on demand. What a talented little boy.

He let me help him in the fishing booth for a bit. :) Making little kids dreams come true one stupid toy at a time.

Jakeb and Matt dominated the cake walk!

Getting the awful face paint done. lol. When she asked if she could practice her butterfly on me I was imagining something a LITTLE smaller.

Zac Brown Band

2011-01-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

Can I just say that Zac Brown Band is WAYYYY better than Brad Paisley? OMG it was a fantastic concert. I am starting to like the lawn seats at cricket pavilion. Nothing like stretching out on a blanket on the grass and listening to jams with good friends. Keara and Daryl Greer came down from Eagar.

It was fun to hang out with Keara again.

Whitney was the one who inspired that we go to the concert. She is a gem from St. Johns, please, don't hold that against her. :)

Whitney and Josh. Aren't they the cutest!!

Zac himself

The brown band.

SEDONA

2011-01-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a sunset in Sedona. :) For Trisha and Brynn's birthday we went to Sedona to spend the night and do a little hiking. Well we got a lil lazy and didn't hike but we sure saw some pretty country and left very relaxed.

UHHHH has anyone ever notice how tall I am? Am I freakishly tall in this picture? lol. Look at that beautiful country behind us.

It's pictures like this that I can't wait to look back at when I am in my 60's. I think I will be taken back to all the wonderful memories that I have filed away in my mind. Arizona sure does make me happy.

See that lil white dot in the sky? Thats the moon. :)

What a great picnic we had.
I am pretty sure we fell asleep right on that picnic bench.

ring ring. this is Mern calling on my banana phone. I just wanted to invite you to Sedona next time we go! We would love your company. Ta Ta for now.

BRAD PAISLEY

2011-01-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

Daruis Rucker

Mern, Ryan Allen, Christi Killian

Ryan happened to be at the same concert as all of us and came to visit with us. I have so many great memories of Ryan

Nothing like a cowboy at a country concert.

Front: Brittney, Shelby, Becca

Back: Mern, Christi

BOWLING

2011-01-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

I am finally digging the idea of bowling. Back in the day I went bowling with my family. I am talking about years ago. Dallin was a little kid. Soooo Dallin ended up getting a better score than I did and I just never wanted to go back and get humiliated like that again. There is also the idea of sticking your feet in those shoes that who knows who has sweated in and then putting your fingers in the bowling ball where.... ugh you get the picture. But it was a fun night and now anyone is invited to take me bowling ANY time. :) Now there were other peeps there with us but lets just say they werent worth mentioning.

not 300 anymore

2010-10-11T15:21:00.001-07:00

Okay whitney.I get it. You are tired or stalking me and getting no results. I guess I should post something. But the question is what? For so long my blog has been a play by play. Merns travels. Its fun and I don't regret it but I think I need a little more emotion and thought on here. A little more depth. I don't have a computer at home and don't feel comfortable bloggin from work anymore so I will need to figure something else out. I am doing this from my phone and it's like the text message that NEVER ends. Imagine that. I hope all you peeps are well. I still read your blogs and sent warmth and happiness your way! MUAH!!

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300th post! WOW

2010-09-16T08:54:00.001-07:00

I miss the days of cookie parties. I was reading about my cousin Mal at college and her cookie parties and random parties with boys. sigh. those were the days. So what am I going to do about it? Have a cookie party! Invite random people over and have a good time, just not this week. This week is too busy. :)

Camping @ Big Lake on Labor Day

2010-09-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Almost heaven....

ummm....

Just checkin out the fire. haha.

wait, are we wearing matching underroo's? why yes, yes we are. haha

Going on a ride looking for some good fallen wood.

Dallin has a new hobby. Photography. He is really good at it and just scored some BLUE ribbons at the state fair. Well he wanted to get some good shots of my truck going through the puddles. I think he was positioned a little too close to that puddle. haha.

Mom and Dad! HUGS

Just beautiful

Enjoying the camp fire.

i know why i feel jipped.

2010-09-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

its just a normal day at the mall. your walking through the hallways either on a mission for the perfect camel colored jacket for fall or just sauntering through looking at whatever catches your eye. all of a sudden you are bombarded by a sales person! eek! you know the ones. they ask you how your day was or compliment your shirt. ones you respond you are done. they want you to try their product. the product that you shouldn't live another day on this earth without. how could you possibly have lasted your life this long without it!???
have you ever bought something from them? i know i have. you know what? i kinda felt jipped. was it a bad product? no. was it a fair price? mostly. but it was how they got me. like it was one of those games at the carnival. the ones that look so fun but is rigged that there is little chance you can win. you know the product at that carnival game is crap because they stand there begging people to play, and people do for some strange reason. they play knowing they are giving their money away. so kiosks at the mall might be more successful if they weren't begging like a carni.

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Camping in Payson on Labor Day

2010-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

Jakeb, Zach, and Travis put together a camping trip at the Tonto Recreational area over labor day. Christi and I stopped for the night on our way to big lake. There were a few other peeps there but I didn't know them. It was fun.

Cuddle to stay warm!

more thumbs up for good camping. yes her bed completely deflated in the night but oh well, my cot never lost its air. haha.
In the morning Jakeb made a grand breakfast that fueled us for another fun filled day at big lake with my family.

Camping on MT. Lemon

2010-09-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Jenalee moved to Tucson for a job. She loves it and wanted us to come visit and meet her new boy. :) We did a little camping on Mt. Lemon and then helped with a stake service project.

Christ, Cornel, Jenalee, Juliann

A horney toad! I remember catching these when we were little! When I say we I mean my brothers. I would never touch them. ew. This one is just a little baby!

Cornel would get closer to it than we would.

we are so goofy and thats what makes us so fun.

take one wrong step and off the cliff you go.

Such a pretty makeout point. I mean look out. It's at a girls camp so just a lookout.

I love my feet. they take me so many great places.

Happy Birthday Brynn-O

2010-09-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Trisha threw a great party for Brynns GOLDEN birthday. :) Robert put together an amazing video of all Brynn's closest friends. It was legit.

Mern, Antonio, Jilario, Nic, Robert

I talked the partiers into playing the bag game. It was EPIC. haha

Good memories.

JOHN MAYER

2010-09-07T11:19:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun going to John Mayer. It has never been a secret that Sister-In-Law Sara would leave Buddy in a heart beat for John Mayer... haha jk.... but seriously.... she just might..

Here she is with her ticket.

Trisha and Brynn went to. They ended up ditching their seats and sitting with us in some empty seats.

Lindsey and Robin were sitting on the lawn. So we were all there but in different places!

Owl city opened for them. They are not so good in concert. They had some seriously ridiculous dance moves.

not joking this picture is not planned. She was seriously screaming like that when John hit the stage. haha.

He is just so beautiful.

Oh I wish I was that guitar....

Did I say that out loud???

2 thumbs WAY WAY up for a good show.

Cricket Pavillion in the middle of August makes for a HOT show. A really really hot show. But as you can see it didn't effect our enthusiasm! :)

Camping and fish hatchery

2010-09-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

A group of the coolest kids in the valley got together for a small one night camping trip up to Tonto Recreation area. We stayed the night and the next day headed to the fish hatchery and then to box canyon.

Matt, Jakeb, Josh, Whitney, Amy

Matt, Jakeb, Cash, Ashley, Josh, Whitney, Amy

So many fish! They had food fore sale for a quarter. You could feed the fish! Fun for kids.

As you went up the hill to the different ponds the fish got smaller and smaller.

Cash dominated some fish.

okay so they were already out here dead but so cute right?

Suicidal fish. RIP.

JAKEB. Don't touch the fish.

Didn't get any pictures of box canyon. Mern, water, and camera's don't mix so better safe than sorry. :) Very cool spot though. Didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked but I can't wait to go back!

VIOLIN LESSONS

2010-09-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am LOOOOOOVING my lessons. I was taught so incredibly wrong growing up. well maybe I wasn't taught wrong but I wasn't taught right either. I hold my violin wrong, my thumb is in the wrong place. my bow hand has amazing skill that I never knew it had because I wasn't holding my bow right! grrrr. so now I get to re-train myself. what fun. I have much to work on. I am doing scales and learning how to play in 2nd and 3rd position. I was never able to in school because our orchestra was so small that we had 1 girl who played all of that stuff and I got stuck with the 2nd and 3rd violin pieces. Those were the easy easy ones. I never complained though because that meant less practicing for me. SCORE. So things I am working on this week

Holding my bow correctly
Keeping my thumb lower on the kneck
Bringing the thumb along to 2nd and 3rd position
G and D scales

The half hour lesson FLEW by. I couldn't believe it. My teacher, Christi Porter is amazing. She is a teacher for a middle school and a ton of fun. I also loves that she compliments my musical ability a million times in a lesson. She better since I am paying her to. haha

peace.

And we're off!!!

2010-09-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend. Yippee... Labor day means camping. It has for the last many years. In fact I met my first boyfriend on a camping trip over labor day weekend. Lets see if this weekend can meet that high standard!

Tonight I am headed to Payson to camp with some friends. There should be about 20 of us there so I am really excited. I don't think I will pitch my tent but just sleep in the back of my truck. Saturday morning I will hop up and head up to THE REAL GODS COUNTRY. (yes Chuck I am talking to you. Pima is second best.) Mom and Pops and little brother are going to be waiting for me to head up to Big Lake to chop down some timber trees. Gotta stock up for the winter right? I want to learn how to use a chain saw this weekend. Maybe I will make a deal with pops. I will do your grunt work of moving the logs into the truck if you will teach me how to massacre a tree. Deal?

Just things on my mind.

2010-08-31T15:21:00.000-07:00

HI HI HI! I have missed blogging!! I haven't because things are pretty intense at work right now. I want to make sure I am doing the things that I should be doing, (and I don't have a computer at home.) Lots of changes. Hopefully for the better!! They are changing our performance evaluation process but they haven't said exactly what we will be graded on, just what we won't. So we are all in limbo and things are completely different than they were when I was hired 4.5 years ago.

The past few weeks have been good. I have done some camping, crafting, cleaning, practicing, laughing, enjoying, and running.

I was pondering about my Grandma haws the other day and her life and how amazing she was. Everytime I went to visit her she was cleaning, baking for someone in the ward, canning, pulling weeds, reading her scriptures, quilting, knitting. She was always in the service and it hit me that the things she actually enjoyed doing were things that she should be doing. Things that helped her progress and help others. Thats where I need to get with my life. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing these sort of things but I also enjoy watching movies for hours on a saturday. I enjoy reading books that have no meaning other than to entertain me. It's these types of activites that I choose to do most often and I need to work harder at aligning myself with the path that my grandmother chose. As I write this I reflect on my mother as well and she is the same way! Always serving, always reading and studying and working and progressing. Sure she watches tv in the morning but its a morning scripture study through BYU. It's information on current political issues. I have been epicly blessed in my life to be surrounded by amazing women to teach me the way that I should be.

This says it just about right.

2010-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

So we live out in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you
We'll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand
Just me and you
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Drive until the city lights
Dissolve into a country sky
Just me and you
Lay underneath the harvest moon
Do all the things that lovers do
Just me and you
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever beand ever be
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
All we need is love
We're free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
So we live in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

East Mesa Institute

2010-08-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Yep. I have started it up again. It's been a journey. Institute is interesting. The goal is to never miss a week*. Ever. In my adult life I have NEVER completed an entire institute class. sad right? Not even when attending Eastern Arizona. It was too easy to sleep in, nap, lay around, play. sigh. so many fun things to do in those days.
So this is it. My first one. I will complete it.

* I will however have to miss if I ever go watch one of little brothers football games. They are only on Thursday night and seeing him sack a few is very important to me as well. :)

El Rey Cafe

2010-08-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we crawled into a magical white box on wheels and went to globe for dinner. Why you ask? Because we can. And because it was half way for us and our buddy Chuck. I have been wanting to check out a mexican place there for a while so this was the perfect opportunity. El Rey Cafe. I have heard it is amazing. and it is, if you like butter and cheese. Lakes of butter and mountains of cheese. it rains butter and cheese in this place. never in my wildest dreams, no make that nightmares have I thought of making mexican more fattening than it already is!! WOW. ANYWAY......

Little miss hottie midget killian, Mern, Clinton

The sunset. Isn't arizona amazing? All the colors and palm trees? I love it. My favorite sunsets are in Arizona and Mexico.

Did you know there is NOTHING to do in Globe? Well take this as your warning.....

August

2010-08-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

Where were you last year at this time? August. One year ago. If you think back on it, I bet you will remember the activities you were doing and think, WOWWW that doesn’t seem like that long ago. I can’t believe it has been a year already. That’s what happened to me today. I was reading back on my blog for August 2009. That was fun to do and makes me grateful that I keep this blog. It’s not everything I want it to be, but its more than nothing. So looking back to last year and looking forward to next year I wonder where I will be. What I will accomplish in the next year. What will be my success and failures. I have some goals, and a few different strategies. With a little luck, and a whole lot of prayers, and just a spoonful of sugar, all will be well. :)

The big surprise

2010-08-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

Wellll.... I have decided to do it....

I once played the violin.

I played it for 9 years.

I haven't picked it up in 6.

If I never pick it up again I will have thrown away 9 years of practice.

So I have been looking into private lessons, community orchestras, etc.

In church, when singing hymns, I practice getting familiar with what finger is put on what string for that note.

I thought I had forgotten, but I haven't.

I am eager to work on my talents again.

Freedom

2010-08-13T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am ready for it.

I love the feeling of freedom, and i love the feeling of being in control. This is a problem in the mornings when I drive in to work with the windows down. The curly hairs on my head are free, and I am not in control of them.

Camping this weekend. I bought a little grill to go over the fire. Then i bought raspberry pepperjack chicken hotdogs. They sound epic. then Bacon. pancakes. eggs. cobbler. Does anyone else love camping just for the food?? mmmm

I also bought a frisbee. and glowsticks but not the hammock that I wanted. We leave at 4 and 4 can't come fast enough.

I love my Grandpa

2010-08-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

I have the coolest grandpa in the entire world. Just the name Earl Jensen sounds like greatness!

Lake Lake Lake

2010-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Just for the record. Saguaro lake is pretty awful right now. Since tempe dam is broken they aren't letting any water out. The water levels are getting so high that it has washed all the trash from the land into the water. There isn't that much beach available.

Other than that its great! We had a fun time. Packed a picnic and spent a few hours out here after work.

Naomi slade, Clinton, Christ, RJ, Tom
Clinton and Christi
If she bails on me and gets with this boy she will be in so much trouble. I am sick of making new friends. sick.of.it.
Jakeb may marry my jetski. He likes it that much.

The sunset was amazing. The water was just as pink as the sky.

Look at those fluffy clouds! Just amazing.

Pizza and Margarita's

2010-08-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

I used to plan parties all the time and I don't do it enough anymore!! Here was my attempt at a party. :)

I got these super cool glasses in Mexico and it's fun to be able to use them. As you see here Clinton knows how to drink from it, and Christi doesn't. I always knew he had a drinking problem.

Julie, Tyler, Elena

Jenalee and Mern.

Sometimes my camera does the whole blurring thing and I don't understand why! grrrr

The girls

What is happening here? It must have been the drinks.

We are SUCH rockstarz. I love my girls!

OKAY JUST FOR THE RECORD THEY WERE VIRGIN DRINKS.

All good things must come to an end.

2010-08-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning started out with the 24th of July parade in Salt lake. It was the longest parade of my life. Mom promised I would see the prophet, so I went. Does that look like the prophet? nope. It wasn't. It was elder Uchtdorf.I was a little dissapointed but 3 popsicles later I was feeling better. IT.WAS.SO.HOT.

All the floats were REALLY cool and detailed. The one with tarzan was pretty hot. and i meant tarzan was really hot. I want to keep him under my bed.

The whole Haws clan was there. Some even spent the night out on the lawn to ensure that we had a place to sit. Thank you thank you! They have dedication that I did not.
Michael Wiltbank came to visit! What fun! It's been a while since I have seen him. We used to play and help each other keep sanity when I was living in Provo.

We had RED for the family color. It's not just coincidence.

We snuck away from the family reunion festivites for half the day to go to LAGOON. You all remember how much I love rollercoaster rides don't you? sigh. This samari ride was amazing. It will make you lose your sushi for sure.

Lindsey's hair always looked amazing after riding wicked. haha it was great.

After LAGOON we met up with the rest of the family and Doug and Stashia's pool house to have a dinner and Uncle Jeff's Beading. Then family meeting and visiting. It's always so fun to catch up with everyone.

This is my mom and my travel companion for 2 weeks. Thanks mom you were a great co-pilot! Thanks for bringing your map! Don't you all love our matching Miley Cyrus bags? Be jealous!! :)

After a fun 2 weeks it was the least I could do to show mom how to add more oil into her thirsty lil car. GULP GULP GULP

And I thought I would leave everyone with this epicly epic epicness. HAHAHA. Isn't she great??? I love my mom! We always have "good times"

Mom headed back to Idaho and Lindsey, Danielle, and Nana Goat headed back to Mesa. We drove all night and were all glad for a shower and a nap.

PARK CITY

2010-08-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

On the right was the alpine slide. the left was the roller coaster and the Zipline. Favorite would have to be the zipline. I just love the feeling of flying free.

Mern and Keldon for the rollercoaster. These carts were SO FAST. The man said, There will be a point when your brain tells you you should break and slow down. What I want you to do is ignore it. Just push it out of your mind and press down fast to go faster. It's fun, and you won't die.

Good ol Rhett sporting my Miley Cyrus bag, Annie's bow and great glasses.

Shamane, Cass, Rhett, Lindsey, Keldon, Mern, Danielle, Katie(?)

Cass, Nana Goat, Katie, Mern

To ride the rides you had to ride the ski lift up. It was so calming but took longer than we wanted.

These are the little carriers for the alpine slide. Unfortunatly these CAN and WILL fly off the track. 2 of these slides are so dangerous that after this season they will be taking them out. It's way fun though!

Mern and Jensen.

Brett, Mitch, Uncle Jeff

The view

On my way up the rollercoaster.

Mom and I on the coasterLets see, in this picture you can see Lindsey,Adam, Dorie, Greta, Kayden, DeAnn, Marjann, Mona, and mom

The night before we played mom, lindsey and I stayed in the Ski lodge. My cousin Tara works there and got us a room. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. THAT WAS SO SWEET.

There was a pool table in our room!! :)

Phyllis, Adel, Grandma and Grandpa came to check out the room. It was so nice! There was a hot tub on the balcony. When you turned on the water for the tub the water came FROM THE CEILING. The TV came out of a secret spot on the nightstand. It was great.

Some of Mom's familys friends. They have been friends for many years so they met up for lunch in Salt lake before we headed to Park City.

This is for you VALDORIN

2010-08-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

A day at LAGOON.

I love this place. Every year we would go to MEP for our family vacation. Most years we would drive by LAGOON and beg and beg and beg to go. It only happened once. But who can blame 2 parents with 7 kids. The odds of 1 of us getting lost was about 100%. I only say that because it's happened to us more than once. twice that I can remember. ANYWAY. Now that I was an Adult. Had some free time. and always make good choices, I chose to go to LAGOON. We had some of the meppers with us and had a blast. It wasn't too hot. there is a water park inside. Many fun rides. During the week the lines aren't that long. it was an epic day.

Here are some of us that went. Abby, mason, LuJean, Conrad, friend, Mom, Me, Val, friend. Tyson and his family showed up a bit later.

The cliff hanger gets you SUPER wet. There is something about being hung upside down and shot with a fountain of water.

These are the faces of 3 people scared for their LIVES....

haha. Val, Riley, and I did the SKYCOASTER. Basically they take you 60 feet in the air and drop you head first towards the ground. :)

We wore these super fun suits.

I think this is where she is telling us to look up and not look down so she could adjust our foot thing

up and away we go.

See that little dot all the way up at the top? Yeah, thats us!!! HOLY COW

The feel of falling was unlike anything i can describe. I really felt for a second that I might die!! that the cord wouldn't catch us and we would become one with the pavement.
But we didn't and we had a great time. I will do that again any time any where.

In the middle of the day we spent some time at the water park inside. They have a lazy river and shade and plenty of slides to play on.

Annie and Jensen showing some love. So cute.

The first boy

2010-08-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

I was going through some of my OLLLLLD emails. I found this one that I had sent to a friend. It broke down how I got my first boyfriend. I thought it would be fun to document it.

MERN: You are as cute as I remember

Jake: Cute enough to date?

Mern: Define date

Jake: you know...go out

Mern: Define go out

Jake: like on a date

Mern: Just 1 date

Jake: Ya or more

Mern: or more....like boyfriend

Jake: Yes silly. well ?

Mern: okay ya sure.

haha. you would think I was like 12 but sadly I was 23! It's all good though. I have always been, and still am, WAY behind when it comes to boys.

Just around the river bend.

2010-08-04T07:32:00.001-07:00

I have a surprise coming....

But I don't want to post about it until it happens

But its something that will make me happy

and it's something that will be hard

and most importantly....

And it's something that will be epic.

Any guesses? :)

So I feel

2010-08-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Despair is knowing the more I am around others, the more I want to be around you.

Days in Preston ID

2010-08-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

One night while staying in Preston I talked Grandma, Mom, and Phyllis to have a pajama party on the lawn with me. It was great! A little chilly but it was welcome. We watched the footage of Sarah's wedding over in Egypt.

Grandma passed out. I don't know how she didn't fall out of that chair.

Grandpa has the coolest bike. That is the front view of their house. Beautiful.

Doing work in the kitchen.

We visited the peppridge farm company.

Here we are showing off our loot. They sell cheap cheap products depending on what the factory made the night before.

Aunt Lujean, Mom, Aunt Phyllis

Malinda, Grandpa, Jeralin, Grandma

CASPERS ice cream factory. They sell cheap ice cream. :)

Mom, Phyllis, Kim, Mern, LuJean, Annie, Jensen, Tyson, Brighton, Conrad

THIS folks is a famous DI. Some people *cough cough charles* don't understand the amazingness of this DI. But it is famous. In this DI Napolean Dynamite bought his AMAZING brown suit. It is full of many treasures.

Treasures like this.... This wedding dress....

Mom and Aunt Phyllis gave it a try. Isn't Aunt Phyllis a beautiful blushing bride??

I just knew I would find a new camping couch... for $10!!! lol. This one was too big and who needs another camping couch when the one I have is JUST PERFECT. If you need a cheap couch this is the place to go.

THE FARM.

Grandma and Grandpa Jensen live on a dairy farm. Grandpa's Brother and his son Bryce run it. I love the smell of this place. Who likes the smell of cow manure mixed with earth and grain?? this girl. It smells like summer vacation.

I showed Annie and Jensen how to run down the rows of cows and make all the cows pull their heads in from the gate as they eat.

Jensen and Tyson

Annie with fresh pea's out of the garden.

Playing in the fruit room. I remember many good days playing up here with all grandma's toys.

more of MEP

2010-08-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Here is the view from Uncle Jared house. How great is that!?

After MEP we went to the dam park and had a picnic. Lil Annie had some chocolate on her nose that made her look like a lil pig. so cute.

Here is all who attended, for the most part.

Another view of our campground.

Annie fell in LOVE with Aunt Phyllis. Now we are all in love with this lady but Annie took it one more step. She said, You are my 4th grandma. She said, grandma jensen has a grandpa, grandma haws has a grandpa, grandma nicols has a grandpa but you don't have a grandpa. I guess she didn't take a liking to Uncle Adel. lol

The sea of Red.

A classic in our family. You aren't a good baby until you are able to do this.

Jensen was lovin on that candy jar. lol

Cute lil Cadence. This is Lisa and Brandans girl. What a doll.

I love em

2010-07-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

More to come on Mep because I want to get that all documented for history sake but I just found this great information about one of my favorite things right now.... Mushrooms

I have found the best shrooms at the olive bar @ safeway. Have you tried that bar out yet? It's mormon approved! It's my favorite bar for a friday night. Garlic olives, teriyaki mushrooms, antipasto salad. The possibilities are endless. :)

Misconception: Mushrooms are a low-calorie food with little nutritional benefit.
Why they're good for you: They may be 90 percent water and have only 18 calories per cup, but mushrooms are getting serious scientific attention. Laboratory reports and animal studies show that compounds in mushrooms may do everything from bolster immune function to suppress breast and prostate cancers to decrease tumor size. And now, Penn State researchers find that mushrooms, from the humble button to the giant portobello, harbor large amounts of an antioxidant called L-ergothioneine. The scientific buzz is that fungi, for the moment, are the only foods that contain this compound.
While scientists work to figure out how these findings will translate to dietary advice, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy mushrooms. Clare Hasler, Ph.D., a well-known expert in functional foods and executive director of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California, Davis, points out that mushrooms offer a healthy helping of the blood pressure-- lowering mineral potassium. "Most people might be surprised to learn that while orange juice is touted as one of the highest potassium foods, one medium portobello mushroom actually has more potassium," she says. "And five white button mushrooms have more potassium than an orange."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/06/cl.healthful.foods/index.html

MEP 2010

2010-07-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am just getting these posted. If all goes according to plan I will be back later to put some details and captions.

Our trip up to MEP.

2010-07-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

This year MEP was in the Palisades. In Idaho, near the Wyoming border. I think it was near Alpine Utah. The place was so great and beautiful.

Here is a recap of our trip up. We left wed at noon and drove all day and into the night till we reached Aunt Dories house.

Mom and I drove my truck up and followed behind Tyson and his family.
no trip to mep is compelete without Jerky. This is the best energy drink known to man.

We stopped for lunch in Kanab and went to a park. It was great! the best grass and fun stuff for the kids to play on.

Thursday we woke up and Aunt Dorie made us breakfast. She is ALWAYS so sweet! Thank you for letting us crash on you!! (and thanks for gifts wink wink.)

Here we are in some town in Wyoming buying all our groceries. Isn't Jensen a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

Mom bought a box of fatboys and we were all going to have one. Well Kim didn't want and the kids couldn't have the sugar. Tyson and one and mom and I had to take care of the rest. lol. they were melting. the ox was in the myer. what diet???

Needles California Jetski Trip

2010-07-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well it was FINALLY time for our jetski trip to Needles California. I had never been so I didn't know what to expect and that made me really anxious. so I packed EVERYTHING. It's a disease. BUT it's a good thing I did. Lots of people needed lots of different things and 98% of the time I had what they needed. We rented a little cabin for 75 a night and stayed 3 nights. 12 of us went and we had a great time and made new friends.

Mern and Jenalee on our way.

Nope, this isn't where we stayed. PSYCH. They have all these amazing houses lining the River. I.WANT.ONE. They have moviestar written all over em.

This is where some people stay..And here...are you paying attention to detail? They are amazing houses...

AAAANDD This is where we stayed.

Its a nice little place.

nice beds. plus some peeps on the floor.

The bathhouse

here is our amazing beach

Here is our amazing view from our front porch

There is ACTUAL sand.

Here is my first accident with the ski.... oops.

Good thing Jayrod knows how to fix big oops like this.

This is where we would eat our food.

We hung out at the beach all day and all night. It was cooler by the water. Needles is probably the hottest place in Arizona.

We played catch phrase A LOT.

Jakeb Chelci, Jenalee, Abbie

This is where we slept.

Mern and Jenalee

Abbie, Mern, Jenalee, Chelci

Eating 3rd meal with the boys.

Who knew glowsticks were so much fun.

crashing on the tubes at night.

Jakeb was OUT.
McDonalds on the way home. BJ made a $5 sandwich out of 2 $1 sandwiches.

They slept, I drove.

Me navigating us home safely.

4th of July part 2

2010-07-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

okay so where did I leave off??? singing in the church choir. thats right. then 2 more hours of church. amazing testimonies on how thankful everyone is to be free. Max refusing to go to nursery,max needing to go potty, max begging to go to nursery. home again home again jiggity jig.

I got the front yard decorated all cute with red white and blue and we had a wonderful picnic! shishkabobs, grilled veggies, pasta salad. warm apples with sweet greek cinnamon yogurt dip. We had lots of family stop in! Aunty Carla, Meisha, Amber, , Dwayne and Royann.

Keara Greer came over to visit and ended up staying all night!
Buddy and Sara packed up and headed back to Mesa.
That night we all had SO MUCH FUN playing games and hanging out. Us kids decided to sleep out on the lawn under the stars. We stayed up all night laughing, wrestling, doing the macarana, scaring off a bobcat, tickle fights, Singing BLUE by Eiffel 65 and Barbie girl by Aqua (what the random! haha), and trying to learn how to shake booty like a black girl. I failed at that one.
Poor mom and dad heard everything through their window and didn't get much sleep. Thanks for not storming downstairs and shushing us for we were creating fantastic memories. at 5 we decided we should get some sleep. too bad the sun comes up at 8!! grrrr so it was up at 8 and time to clean the house, pack up our stuff and hit the road back to Mesa.

And that was the 4th! It was a goodie. I wish I had a camera so I could add pictures because there was plenty of family there to photograph.

Reportings on the 4th

2010-07-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! It is always so nice to get out of town and head up to the mountains. My home country. Where my heart lies. My heart is so happy as I travel up there and drive through town and round the corner onto school bus. This time I was headed up to celebrate our countries freedom and participate in a family reunion. As soon as I arrived into town I headed to the bookstore to visit Dallin. It's also tradition that I stop in Show Low and pick up a lil Ceasers pizza for him. (he isn't spoiled at all.) I rush home to change out of my mesa clothes that consist of thin material and shorts. I throw on my sneakers, jeans and longsleeves and head up to Haws park for a cookout. I could just taste the biscuits and gravy and hamburger patty. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW THAT TRADITION STARTED? Was someone all out of buns so decided to just have the patty????? I am not complaining, because I love it, I am just curious. It was fun to see everyone. Even if we didn't get to talk and catch up it was just nice to see all the faces and all the lil families growing. I hadn't seen some of the bloomfields in quite sometime!!
After dinner I had scheduled a hair cut so ran home to shower and then off to Natalie Allreds house! It was SOOOOO good to talk to her! I have missed her ever since she left the evil land of UoP and moved to God's country. We had a great time walking down main street, swinging at the middle school and talking about recent happenings in our lives! Good things are in store for us, RIGHT? :)

Saturday morning everyone woke up early and went to Haws park again for somebreakfast. Everyone but me that is. I slept in. yesssssss. Then I went to safeway. bought a jimmy dean breakfast bowl, some goat cheese, grapes and crackers. I was set for a great weekend.
The parade started at 11, so naturally we had to get there early to save our spot in front of the book store. I don't know if this is normal for other places of the world but people start setting up their chairs the DAY BEFORE. I always laugh and wish I had the guts to move their chairs here and his chairs over there and those ones to the other side of the street. How amazing would that be? I know there are some crazy kids in Eagar so WHY hasn't this been done yet??? If anyone ever decides to do it PLEASE invite me along. The parade was amazing, as always. I love standing to watch the flags go past. It lasted a good hour. Buddy was having his 10 year reunion so he was on a float. He threw TONS of candy to all the kids in front of us. It was raining sugar and the kids started going crazy.
After the parade its tradition to pile into the car and head to Aunt kathy's house for chili and homemade break. OMG it's delicious. I think this is where I started liking chili beans. It seems everyone in town is invited and there is always enough bread and chili. Each year there are new faces. The wind was pretty intense and kept trying to blow the canopy over. Uncle Willis and Aunt Kathy would just stand there and try to hold the tarp down. I think the whole canopy and us were about to be translated like the city of Enoch! I guess there is someone in my family that isn't perfect because we didn't quite make it off the ground. Whoever it is, you aren't invited next year.... jk jk. but seriously.....

Here is Chloe dancing out of the sunroof.

Max crashed out!
Dallin and I on our way to somewhere.

(originally I posted this saying this was Preston and I! haha oops. he was not there. Don't worry, he is still in Alabama enjoying the mission. :))

After lunch we all headed home for naps. Some of the reunion peeps, the Bloomfields and the Millers headed up to Alpine for go-carts, fishing, and lunch.

After naps and before the fireworks Dallin took me on a 4-wheeler ride. I thought it was going to be great.... okay well it was great but he took me DOWN THE JUMPS. Okay no big deal right? no big deal for a person who doesn't have a scar on their toosh from the last time a boy decided to take her down the jumps and then she found herself STUCK TO A TREE. This was the first time I had done this sort of thing since then and I will admit I was screaming bloody murder. Dallin lost his hearing I am sure.

FIREWORKS in Round Valley are amazing. They get better and better every year. This year the Brown family invited us to watch them with them. Mr. Brown is one of the hotshots so we got VIP parking with the hotshots families. It was amazing and Tyrells mom made homemade root beer and popcorn. yummmmm. It's a mess to get out of the fireworks and usually takes a good 20 minutes, but it's worth it! You can never tell when the finale is because it's so good the entire time!

I was surprised at Max because he was terrified! He kept asking if we could leave and was crying and said he didn't like it and that he was scared. poor little guy is so sensitive.
It was nice to chat with mom and dad after the fireworks. Buddy and Sara went to the dance and Dallin went to play with his friends. Mom, Dad, and I got to chat for a bit.

Sunday was church. I sang in the church choir. I swore every week up until the day I moved out of my parents house that I would NEVER, EVER sing in a church choir again. I caved. I will have to tell this story later....

There is so much more to report but this is getting quite lengthy! What do you expect for the greatest holiday of the year in the best town of the country??? DEAL PEOPLE!

Last but not least here is cute cute little Rae Rae!! :)

Happy 4th!

2010-06-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing and I am loving every millisecond of it!! So what if it's a blazing 107 outside. It's the small price we have to pay to live in this amazing state.

I am VERY VERY VERY excited for the 4th of July. I am excited to go up to Eagar. I am excited that I am from the best town in the country. Everyone up there is so amazing and the celebration there is like none other. I am dreaming of the parade, pancake breakfast, rodeo, fireworks, chili beans, sunshine, and water balloons! Oh and I can't forget hamburgers and bisquits and gravy at Haws park! That brings back SO MANY memories of my childhood and the important people in my life. My parents, grandparents, Aunt's, Uncles, Aunt Dorothy. It's them who have made me who I am today. I am so proud of that heritage! They worked hard and served hard. They loved all they came in contact with! That is what I am going to celebrate this weekend! The fact that we are able to be free and live the lift that we want. We are able to be the person that makes us happy and befriend those around us. ALL BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY. Who knows how long it will be free? I want to enjoy it while I can. I see a major part of this country not living righteously so at any moment God can take that blessing away from us.

So who else is ready to PAR-TAAAAY the free way???

IT HAPPENED!

2010-06-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

I have been waaaaiting for this. I didn't know exactly how soon it would happen and I have to admit it is a lot sooner than I had planned. This is something that happens in everyones life. It's a natural occurance. It isn't something that is earned but it sure does make you magically happy.......

I SAVED $27 per month on Insurance for turning 25!!! YAHOOOO

no i am not in love. If you thought it was that you don't know me very well and you lose......

Happy 25th!!

2010-06-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well it has happened. I have turned 25. 1/3 of my life is over. I really can't believe it. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to feel about it but I feel good. One thing is for sure, I am not where I thought I would be at the age of 25. I gave up the dream of married with kids and a suburban years ago but at 18 thats where I thought I would be at this point. Now I can say I am kind of thankful I am not there. The experiences I have had and the lessons I have learned are priceless. Granted I have missed out on learning many things from not having a husband and kids in my life but I still have plenty of time to learn that.

I thought I would have a degree at this point but sitting here today, I am not sorry I don't have it. Sure I have my associates but can't think of anything I would like to have a Bachelors in. I wish I wasn't so tied down and I have to admit that I am not really tied down at all. So why do I feel tied down? IDK. It's my gypsy heart I guess.

At 18 I never thought I would be able to run a 5k. Never thought I could survive in the corporate world. Never thought I could actually travel to Egypt. Never thought I could be a Relief Society teacher.

BUT I DID

I am excited for the next 5 years! I still have many things on my 30 before 30 list to complete. Some require a companion so we will see if that happens but a great deal of them require just me and my love for adventure.

BRING IT ON.

The festivities

2010-06-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

First things first...Cake for breakfast at work. Does it get better than that? YES IT COULD. BAD way to start off a day!! haha.

Then the sisters took me out to lunch @ Joes Crab shack. CAN I SAY AWESOME? It was a fun place and the lobster and shrimp is amazing. Sure its a little weird to crack the legs of the crab and rip the meat out of the legs. Did I feel bad when I tore the legs off the shrimp before I ate it? maybe a little. BUT ITS SOOOO GOOD.

Let's get crackin shall we??

Trisha and Brynn with our lunch. We fed four of us with a meal for 2. Portions are HUGE.

Lindsey getting ready to attack the poor creatures...

WORD.

Who wouldn't want a crab leg mustache???

Brynn with our bucket of legs and trash.

I love my sista's!!

Thanks for lunch! It was amazing!
oh, but there is more... Dessert!

yum.

AFTER WORK Lindsey and Elicia took me out for a pedicure. We had girl

Can you guess who's foot is who's?? I think my foot looks like my moms.

Then we went to Elicia's house and ate Costa Vida and checked out wedding pictures. Here is her daughter Addison with my birthday hat on.

I got home to Flowers from Kara and Philosophy from Juliann. Thanks roommates! It made my day!! :) I always want flowers for my birthday and never get them so it was very good!

Me and my birthday balloons! Very fun to get these.

On the flowers were little cards with little things about me..

fantabulous

clean

pretty

important to me

etc.

It was very sweet.

I have wanted to try philosophy for a long time so this was great!! It smells amazing!!!

Last but not least I got a visit from Julie S and Meagan B! It was fun to chat with them. I wish I would have got a picture!! Roomates make the best friends for life!!

Payson Party!!!

2010-06-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Christi Killian invited us all up to her cabin!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! :)

We had a great time! We played Sardines in the dark, watched movies, played games, swimmed, laughed, danced, and ate cheese. Does it get any better??? I submit that it does not.

Lindsey and Jakeb were pretty serious about this game of Chess... I think Lindsey won. Thats right. She rocks.

Charles grilled some dogs and we ate out on the balcony. It was a beautiful night! pretty splendid.

OH What to say about Clinton. He is just Clinton. Quite, loud, funny, random, brave. It's pretty amazing.

Jenalee rocks my world! She is SUCH a girl. She is the girl I never was. It's fun to hang out with her.

I LOVE CHRISTI! She made some BOMB salsa. It.was.epic.
Mern & Charles

Here is everyone relaxing. I told them to do a funny pose, looks like only 2 got the memo... HAHA

OH LOOK. Charles does smile.. Who knew. (hi Charles ;) )

Nice rack. Hello Dear, I love you.

Sister Jammin on the guitar. Isn't that a beautiful fireplace?!

Roommate Juliann came. She is fun to hang out with! Adds a little spice to any party.

Hanging out the first night. Check out Clintons pajamas. We were all left pretty speechless.

Those things are amazing.

Sadly thats all the pictures I have. My camera broke.

I.HAVE.THE.WORST.LUCK.WITH.CAMERAS.

We were there 2 more days and many epic things happened. Hopefully I can get pictures from Christi so share with you. :)

It was the BEST birthday. Each year they get better and better. A wise man once told me that there isn't a way to pick a specific favorite year. They just build upon each other and get better and better.

Life is just one great big marinade.

MERN Wakeboards.... sort of....

2010-06-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Well I have tried to conquer my fear....of wakeboarding. It always looks so intense and I don't know if I have enough core strength, or arm strength, yada yada yada. Well it was time to try....

I start out smilin..Then I am screamin

I don't know what this is...kinda cool though.

At the end I am still smiling. I didn't get to a full standing position. I tried about 10 times. I got a killer blood blister on my hand and was sore for the next 4 days, but I TRIED. I will try again, and I will dominate. :)

TAPP

2010-06-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun time at TAPP. That stands for Ted and Pats Posterity. We rented an SRP house on the cliff and enjoyed the nice weather, sun, and water. Great food, fun games, many laughs.

We celebrated Dallins birthday. He got some weights from Tyson and Kim.

Grandma made clothes for the girls barbies. They played for hours.

She is growing UP.

The suns game was on. This is Brynns suns face.

and dads SUNS face.

With all this help you think they could have won. Sheesh.

Max trying to be like Uncle Dallin.

okay so he is just a little stronger than me....

Okay so I am not really this weak...

honest.

California girls. Crazy.

Everyone watching the SUNS game. Did I mention how they lost??? grrrr

Chillin on the boat.

keeping out of the sun.

Fish and Brynn

I was impressed with Sara's MAD surfing skills.

Dallin learning to surf. I couldn't quite let go of the rope yet but he did great.

Naps are a MUST at TAPP. Just be careful where you nap. You never know where the camera will be...

And you never know who will jump on you when you nap.

You could say my family is a fan of games. I don't enjoy them all the time but most do.

I did try to play a game. Ticket to ride. I was on Christi's team. I got kicked off Christi's team. haha. Oh well... better luck next time.

The niece's and nephews, minus Brighton.

They are getting so big!

Jensen, Chloe, Annie, Max.

Check out the view!!

Brynn and Brighton! How cute is that!

My friend Christi came and stayed with us for a day! It was fun having her! She is such a sweetheart and has some mad wakeboarding skills! I love a friend that will just jump right in and have fun with the family. I didn't have to entertain or make sure she was okay. What a keeper. Now I just need a male version of her.

Lil Jensen.He is a heartbreaker. So Sweet.

Dallin in the hat I got him.

The Mural

2010-06-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

This year at TAPP (Ted and Pat's Posterity) Trisha and Brynn had a FUN idea to do a family mural. An Expression of Art. The whole weekend we were able to draw, craft, glue, scribble, and create. memories, stories, or just about us. Something funny would happen and sure enough a few hours later someone would sneak over to the mural and add it to our history. It will be hanging in my garage if any want to come admire our art. :)

Here is buddies boat that shuttled us around the lake everyday.

Here is Brynn smaking her head on the water, HARD.

Mom brought fun kits to make necklaces.

Who in the family DOESN'T love peanut butter M&M's?

We went to church in Tonto Basin and here are the kids representation of it.

Dad's poem... Good thing mom is in charge of writing the poems for all the special events........

I guess you could say my back was a little sunburnt.

I tried wakeboarding for the first time and got a killer blood blister. My mouth really was open that wide in surprise.

In the corner you can see the score of the Sun's game. :( We spent some wild nights in the front room yelling at the TV.

Sara's sun. We got PLENTY of sun.

Grandma was clearing off the beach and the Palo Verde Tree attacked her from behind.

Um, can we just say that Christi CANNOT throw straight? haha. She has many talents, but throwing a water bottle in a straight line isn't one of them.

We ALL drive Toyota's. It was the joke the whole reunion that someone in our family must be a Toyota car salesman. Christi shows up in a Toyota too! Rockstar.

Here Are all the pieces together! I hope this is a tradition that lasts! What fun.

Where was MERN all weekend?

2010-06-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

2010-05-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Growing up we would always giggle at my dad because when he concentrates on something he sticks his tongue out. I always that that was kinda weird. A little different looking.

I am just like my dad... but I don't stick my tongue out. I make spit bubbles with my tongue. I have noticed it recently. When I am cleaning, when I back the trailer up on the dock, when I am concentrating.

Spit bubbles! Who knew.

So Puuurrrty

2010-05-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

Michael Buble

SLEEPOVER!! :)

2010-05-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Jensen and Annie came for a sleepover a few weeks back. Aunt Lindsey did too!

We had pizza for dinner that was bigger then they could handle!! :)

Brighton was there for a bit but didn't stay the night. He is just a DOLL!

Annie wanted to show me all her tricks from gymnastics.

BREAKFAST! Mini waffles and strawberries.

Jensen likes them plain? What kind of kid is this? I was ready to dump on the sugar and send him home like a good Aunt should!

The Lake

2010-05-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

It's not just a play time,
It's a bonding .
My time with Mother Earth

A moment when she can kiss my cheecks
and tell me I will be beautiful forever.

A moment when she can brush my feet
and remind me to take care of my health.

A moment to heal my soul
a reminder that to fix anything I must fix myself first.

So I must go, often. For there is wisdom there I need.

~mern

CINCO DE MAYO

2010-05-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Remember how this day was forever ago? I guess I am just a little bit behind. It was such a fun day though. I love celebrating anything that has to do with the hispanic culture. How did I celebrate? Quesadilla for breakfast. taco bell for lunch. chips and salsa for a snack. Authentic taco's from The Ranch Market for Dinner with friends. Zumba dancing. Friends hadn't ever been the The Ranch Market. Jenalee thought she was going to get mugged. haha. Thats silly to think that. The people there are amazing. Don't be scared of what is different.

Jenalee, Stuart, Matt,Roommate Tori

Weekend Madness

2010-05-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Congrats Brynn-O

Graduating from ASU has got to be the coolest feeling. :)

We had to pay for parking in coins. I was able to find $9 in coins in my truck. lol. Trisha had to spot us the other 3. $12 for parking is uncalled for.

I handed the coins to the parking attendent and he said, you have got to be kidding me. I said nope. Sorry, I wasn't expecting to get raped in parking fees.

-------------------------------------------------------

SATURDAY.

I didn't take any pictures at the lake because we all know how much luck I have with camera's around water. We took the Ski out and it was THE BEST lake day I have had in 2 years. the swells were HUGE and it seems every yacht on the lake was out. THANK YOU TO ALL YACHT OWNERS. They make the best waves for me.

We had to stuff 4 peeps in the back seat on the way home.

Abbie, Jenalee, Ashley, Mern

If going to the lake isn't enough fun for one day you can always go home, shower, and go to fuddruckers for dinner.

And then to the movies to watch Ironman 2.

We were out till after midnight.

The best part is we all made it to 8 am church. :)

Thats dedication peeps.

These girls are awesome, they all came to listen to my relief society lesson just cause they knew I was stressing about it! HUGS

Boys are Awful

2010-05-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Boys are Awful

Annabelle Lucy is my very best friend
She lives at the end of the street.
We meet on the way to school each day
And after it’s over, we meet.
Then we ask our mothers for an afternoon snack,
I walk her home and she walks me back,
Or we ride our bicycles round the block
But most of the time WE TALK.
And what do we talk about?
EVERYTHING.
Annabelle Lucy’s real gold ring,
Secrets we have that nobody guesses,
People and parents and party dresses,
Annabelle’s cousins poodle pup,
The things we’ll do when we’re both grown up,
What games we’ll play when the weather turns hot
And Annabelle talks about boys A LOT.
“my!” says Annabelle,
“Aren’t boys awful!
I’d hate to be a boy.
I would rather be a waffle
I’d rather be a toadstool,
I’d sooner be a squirrel,
(If I had to be anything except a girl),
Or an ant from a whole big hill full of ants
Than an awful old boy in corduroy pants!
“boys!” says Annabelle, giving a giggle.
“they can’t stand still
They can only wiggle.
When they meet the friend they are fondest of,
They push him off the pavement
With an elbow shove;
Whey wrestle on the ground till they almost smother,
For that’s how they know they like each other.
They pull peoples arms half out of their sockets
And they think dead mice are to carry in pockets.
“Boys are different as they can be, “
Says Annabelle Lucy, “from you and me.”
Their ears are enormouser,
Their shoes smell fishier,
The mud they fall in is always squishier.
When they see sad movies, sitting in a crowd,
The never cry,
They laugh out loud.
If you’re playing princess
In gold-paper crowns,
They won’t be courtiers,
They want to be clowns.
They want to be commandos with secret whistles
Or painted Indians or guided missiles.
They treat every day like an April fool
And they step on your feet
At dancing school.
Annabelle isn’t afraid of boys.
If one of them ever shows up,
Or happens to pass us after class,
Annabelle turns her nose up
And walks right past them, tossing her curls,
Whispering “aren’t you glad we’re girls?”
For “girls,” says Annabelle, “are smarter than boys.”
When girls are noisy, it’s a nicer noise.
They comb their hair and they tie their laces
But boys only wash the middle of their faces.
In fact, what they hate the most is soap.
They don’t like dolls,
And they won’t jump rope.
They’d never change clothes if they had their choices
And they run downstairs
At the top of their voices.
“Do you know a boy named Tommy Tripp?
He sits behind me in penmanship
And he’s so awful, it’s hard to believe.
“like, just for instance, he’ll joggle my sleeve
When I’m making Q’s
With those funny squiggles.
Then he’ll laugh and laugh
Till my whole desk jiggles
Or else he’ll jerk on my ponytail.
Once he handed me –UGH!
A snail, all crawly and slimy.
I didn’t speak to that horrible boy one time that week.
Some of the girls in the other class say
That Tommy’s handsome in a sort of way.
He can walk on his hands
He doesn’t scare
They LIKE that carroty colored hair
And he’s very good at arithmetic.
But ooh, that Tommy! He makes me sick!
For honestly, near as I can tell,
He’s bad as the rest,”
Says Annabelle.
Now Annabelle Lucy is my very best friend
But I cannot pretend to know
If she always means what I think she means
Or the other way around is so.
But I can figure the answer soon
For listen what happened this afternoon.
It was over at my house.
We’d eaten our snacks
And Annabelle and I were playing Jacks.
I was doing my Eights with a knuckle-knock,
When a boy came wandering up our walk.
His ears were enormous
His sneakers smelt fishy
He’d stepped in the mud where the mud was squishy.
His hair was red, the carroty kind
But Annabelle didn’t seem to mind.
When exactly as though in front of a grandstand
He turned a somersault, he did a handstand,
Then chewed on a grass stem, green and juicy,
“Hi there, Tommy” Said Annabelle Lucy.
“Hi!” said the boy, as bold as brass.
“How you getting on in division class?
Since I haven’t got anything else to do
Maybe I could help with a problem or two.”
(he was swinging his arms like a metronome.)
“if you’re going my way I’ll walk you home.”
And can you imagine? What do you think?
Annabelle didn’t shudder or shrink,
Or turn up her nose, or glare, or frown,
But put her ball and jackstones down
And giving a sort of a happy skip,
Away she sauntered with Tommy Tripp!
When I told my mother just now about it,
She smiled and said that she didn’t doubt it.
She says there are times
When it’s perfectly lawful
For girls to consider that boys are awful,
Until quite suddenly, you look twice
And notice that “awful” seems rather nice
“and any minute,” she told me, “…well
You’ll notice it, too, like Annabelle!”
How odd! I wouldn’t believe it ----
Quite------
Except that my mother,
Is generally right.

AMEN

2010-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on! And doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

EAGAR WEEKEND. again.

2010-05-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

okay, holy 4 1/2 foot snake!! EEK! You can see in this picture that I am TRULY scared of it. The best part is, THE SNAKE WAS DEAD. haha. They freak me out so much that even as a dead specimen they still creep me.

Here is mema in her sexy truck! Isn't she a Betty!

I WUV my Wittle Bruvva! :) We have a GREAT time. After I left he texted me "MaryAnn, Thank you so much for coming up. I LOVE IT! This was the best trip ever." Isn't that so nice!

WE helped Keaton move a bed. haha. This would be perfect for the drive-in.

They are SO cute!! No they aren't dating, but I would be okay with it if they did!

I got to spend the day with My Bestie Keara Dee! We had so much fun. We went to sonic. We bought bracelets from this little boyscout outside Alco (yes). We made THE WORKS bombs. We moved a bed. We went for a drive. We bumped some jams in the sexy truck. We went to St. Johns for El Camino goodness.

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?! I love this about Eagar. You have to stop and wait for the circle of life. Real chickens. Have you watched food.inc yet? It's disturbing....

GO DALLIN! You SEXY! :)

For all you men out there, keep up your caterpillars!! We don't like it on you just like you don't like it on us! COMPRENDE?? :)

Might i request you all get pedicures too? I am just sayin......

I LOVE this pic. :)

HOLY WIND. haha. They don't call it the windiest city for nothing. There were trees blown down. Barns torn apart. sheesh.

best Buds. You should have seen them jump the fence. It was pretty amazing.

Saturday night there were AMAZING stars so we laid out some cushions and blankets and watched. I think I counted 7 falling stars. I miss the stars.

Sunday we were blessed to speak with Elder Haws on the phone. :) He is doing GREAT! If you would like to read his letters you can check out his blog on my sidebar. Lindsey is great about keeping it updated with his letters and the pics he sends home.

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

I just have to wonder, How did I get so damn lucky??!?!?!
I LOVE MY MOTHER.
She is Classic
She is beautiful
She is fun
She is spiritual
She is smart
She is sensitive
She is funky
she is happy
She is political
She is considerate
She is creative
She is spontaneous

MUST I GO ON??
I feel so blessed to be one of her children!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Lake Trip DOS '10

2010-05-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

KareBear and THE MERN out on the lake!

She means business when she gets behind the throttle!! :)

Dr. Chris Salvino for Congress...District 5

2010-05-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Are you in District 5?? Are you Republican (okay that 2nd question should have just been stated, are you awesome? because that's what it means to be Republican. :)) Do you want an actual fence to be built along our southern border? Would you like to find out how to change our healthcare from a Doctors point of view?? Then please check out http://www.drchrisforcongress.com You will LOVE it. :)

Teresa

Whitney stalker face.

The Zach and KareBear

If you like what he is up to feel free to join us Tuesday and Thursday night to make calls and get his name out there. :) We are making the magic happen.

Calling all fair weather fans!!!!

2010-05-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

IT'S PERFECT FOR THE DRIVE-IN! Scottsdale 6 drive-in is always a good time and ALWAYS a good idea. Especially if you have a couch to throw in the back of your truck!! WHAT IF your couch actually ROCKS as well?? OH MAN. Can you handle this?? haha. It was fun. Our movie choice was crap though. For $5.50 you watch two movies and noone cares if you sneak panda express in the theatre. :) We watch The Bounty Hunter and The back-up plan. Both were just average. If you are looking for a good romantic comedy you can pass on these two. If I had to choose which one was better I would go with The Bounty Hunter. Maybe The back-up plan wasn't funny because I have never been pregnant? idk But JLO going through a trash dumpster in Heels looking for a pillow is a little far fetched, I don't care how psycho your hormones make you...
We had a great time though! Jennalee, Christi, Jakobee, and Mern.

Why do I love feet pictures so? I bet if I went through my computer I would have AT LEAST 50.

2010-05-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Have you had trouble cleaning your house lately??? I know the solution.... MAMBO NUMBER 5. Just put that song on and you will have your house clean in 3 minutes!! Seriously if that song doesn't get your butt off the couch then NOTHING will. LOL. I am addicted. One time in highschool we were driving that amazing 87 chevy suburban out to Haws park for a litte dance party and listened to this song over and over and over and danced like Michael Jackson could only dream about. It was epic. Hearing that song last night too me baaaaaaack. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back.

This week we had a siblings dinner. (Thanks for getting it together Trisha) I wanted to take pictures since we don't do that much.

Buddy and Sara were in town for the weekend. I think we see them more now that the live in Cali then we did when the lived in Queen Creek. Weird right??

Lindsey and Chloe.

Trisha and Brynn

Can we take a second and notice Annie and Jensens legs??? haha. AWESOME. So adorable. And Jensen's little hawk going on.

We are hoping this will be a monthly thing! No reason we should be too busy for family.

FIRST LAKE TRIP OF 2010

2010-05-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

IT WAS EPIC. I didn't get many pictures just because of last year and my lack of luck with the camera near water....

Buddy and his family took their boat out early early. Trisha and Brynn went with them. Lindsey and some of her friends came out with Christi, Jakeb, and I. It was a good time and I can't wait for many more trips. BRING ON THE TAN.

ONLY 3 SHORT WEEKS TILL ROOSEVELT.

But here is Christi and I hanging out on the new tube that Lindsey got for the Jetski.

Here we are being cool on the tube.

What the crap Christi, why are you pushing me off?!?!

HOLY CRAP THAT IS COLD. The water was freezing and I went ALL THE WAY under. not fair.

So what do I do?

Here goes MERN trying for revenge.

Uh, this girl knows how to handle a tube. And when I say this girl I mean Christi, not Mern.

I could not get her off that thing for the life of me!

I eventually had to give up. pathetic. Good job Christi. You should have been a bull rider.

Don't you love her swim suit?! Adorable!!

My thing for feeet..... I love em.

Making Politics happen

2010-05-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Here is our fearless leader Zach. He is kind of a big deal. okay, he is REALLY a big deal. :) He is the Assistant Campaign Manager for Dr. Chris Salvino for congress. He is running in district 5. VOTE FOR HIM. :) We volunteered one night, and i hope to again in the future, to make phone calls to registered Republicans to get the word out. It was a fun night of Politics.

I am not really sure about Jakeb right here.... He is CREEPY and i would never leave him with a small child. He brought doughnuts. Not ANY kind of Doughnuts. CELESTIAL doughnuts. the top of the pyramid doughnuts. Krispy Kreme. sigh.

Kara did work! She was so nervous but did a GREAT job.

Yeah this is Whitney. LEGIT. I meet her FOR THE FIRST TIME and she say's, "I know who you are, I read your blog."

ummmm. creepy!! haha. We are cousins. I never knew. She had quote of the night when she said

"I went to Sams club to get the Wii fit and I come out with a box of Creme Puffs. WHO DOES THAT." haha

Whitney, you are now on the blog that you stalk. Congrats. I know this is a big dream come true for you. You may take a bow.

"well i hope you choke on your cheerios"

My ear was so red after!! It was redder in real life, I swear.

2010-05-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2010-04-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

Annie Marie Haws turned 4!! I can't believe it! These little ones are growing up so fast! I am so blessed to be their Aunt. Annie had a Princess party and had all her friends over. They all wore their Princess dresses and played fun games like Magic Carpet ride!

Here is Mr.T on his magic carpet.

Haven Baker!! She is such a doll. Check out those baby blues!!

Lindsey, Mom, Spencer.

Little Phoenix is so big!

This baby is so precious. She just cuddled right up and sucked on my necklace.

Grandma enjoying her little Grandson Brighton Glenn Haws

Annie opening her presents. After each present she was so good about saying Thank you! She was pretty spoiled and got lots of fun things!

look at all the PINK!

What a Silly Billy!

Here is Prince Jensen. Look at that bow tie! haha. He is so sweet.

After the party her and her cousin took their dresses off and used the magic carpets as towels to sun bathe. How adorable! haha. Who taught them to lay outside like this?Kimmmmmmmmmmmm?

A funny thing that happened at the party, Lindsey was holding Brighton and Dallin was sitting next to her. She said, Dallin, want to hold your nephew? He looked at her and said, uh thats not my nephew.

HE FORGOT LITTLE BRIGHTON WAS EVEN BORN!

He has been pretty busy with his play and tour and baseball so we will cut him some slack. He is also getting prepared to go to Washinton D.C. to that National Scout Jamboree with Pops. Boys get to have all the fun. :)

ps... My Birthday is coming up.... Its the big quarter of the century day!! Older, and wiser too. :)

I am an ADDICT

2010-04-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

There is something about a picnic that just makes me happy! Maybe its the sunshine, or the good food, or the soft blanket. Roommate Tori decided it was time for a roommate picnic so Sunday after church we headed out to the park!

Everyone forgot their glasses so luckily I had enough glasses in my truck for EVERYONE to havea a pair! The best part is they matched their personality!

We even let Muchkin come.

Roommate Julie Ann Made hummus and it looked like baby poop but tasted soooo good. we had to take a picture.

Here is our Munchkin! What a good dog.

I love my roommates! They are vastly different and I like that. The longer I stay single the better wife I am going to be! I have learned to live with multiple personalities, so I could even marry a skitzo.

I have learned to clean the house, work all day, and be welcomed home to a dirty house that i get to clean before I go to bed.

I have learned to share.

I have learned how to listen when all I really want to do is go to my room and sleep.

It's great! I plan on staying single much longer because I have more to learn!

The 39 Steps

2010-04-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Last night we headed to Gammage to watch what we thought was a musical. Turns out it WASN'T. It was a play with a cast of 4 people. It was entertaining but not ENOUGH to keep us there past intermission. We had a good time though. It started out out with eating dinner in my car with Lindsey and Christi. We spilled HUMMUS in my TRUCK. Can you imagine how much that stinks? oh man.

Check out this nifty green car. we matched. On the front was a license plate that said KERMIT. haha

Christi taking out the trash.

Lindsey and her bum

BEWARE OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. DON'T JUDGE US. You know you have done it too.

I always stop and visit my boyfriend when I go to gammage. This time hew as hanging out with the progressive chick! I can't believe he is cheating on me with HER.

Looking for something fun to do tonight?

2010-04-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Been to the drive-in in Scottsdale lately? TONIGHT is customer appreciation night. ITS FREE! Gates open at 6 and movie starts at 8. They are going to have

Face painters
Live band
Train
Obstacle course
Bounce house and slide
Games for 25 cents
$1 nachos

Movies are Alvin and the chipmunks the squeakel or 2012 or Twilight new moon. PLUS they have a double feature so they will be showing another movie after the first one.

It's located on the 101 and McClintock. Phone number is 480-949-9451 so you can call and get the info straight from the horses mouth. :) IT'S CASH ONLY IF YOU PLAN ON EATING 10 ORDERS OF NACHOS LIKE I DO. :)

HATCH A BIRD EGG!!!

2010-04-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Birffffday to Lindsey!!!

What a cuty patooty!

Annie and Jensen came with Tyson and Kim. Trisha was also there. I was so busy making sure the table was stocked I didn't get pictures of everyone. :( I need another me!

BRYANT ROOMMATES

ROOMMATES

RJ came. He didn't know her but always wants free cake.

BLOW

Her sooper cool Unicorn cake.

The party was EPIC.

ROOMMATE!

2010-04-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

This is roommate Tori. She helped me make some grub on sunday. It's called, Leftover Casserole! haha YUMM. It is kind of like Funeral potatoes, just different.