Pretty

by Ang

Yesterday I had a bad day. I was swamped at work, yet didn't get anything done. I wasn't feeling good. And just feeling a little overwhelmed with everything. So on my way home from work I stopped at Trader Joe's to pick up a few groceries and decided to buy myself some flowers or something to cheer me up.

I bought this:

I love orchids, but have always been intimidated by them. I hear they're hard to keep alive! I'm going to try my best though, and if it dies, well, it was only $8.

So tonight I'm going to sit at my desk, enjoy my orchid, and work on my research paper.

Guess what it's about?

First Things First

By Amy Ive been back for a week from Scottsdale Arizona. It was a amazing trip. I shook Reba's hand. As in the cute red head with a amazing voice. But before I blog about that I have to tell you about my husbands sister Tara. She married Gustavo on March 11th. We were so sad not to be there but four tickets to Ecuador would have buried us in debt. Thankfully her mom and step-dad were able to go. I downloaded all these pictures and now I can't seem to move them around. So this is all backwards! This is their wedding day. She looked beautiful!!!

I love this picture of them. I think it's my favorite. It just sums up their life so perfectly.

Doesn't she look so happy?

My mom-in-law and Tara.

Gustavo and his family own a store.

Their living room. Nice view!

The outside of the apartment.

Tara's kitchen

And a washer and dryer!!! This is a huge treat for Tara because most families don't have them.

Before the actual wedding they had to be married in a civil ceremony. So they were kind of married twice. I don't understand all the rules to this but here is a picture of them after the civil ceremony.

Holding the official document

This was during the ceremony

I thought this picture was cute because this was the sweatshirt Gustavo wore when they picked up her parents at the airport.

We are so happy for both of them. Just wish they weren't so far away!!!

I'll try to blog about the AZ trip in the next few days. However there is something wrong with my computer. I'm using my hubby's plus all of the wedding pictures were on his anyway. Mine says it can't connect to Internet Explorer. Great. Also when I was uploading these pictures on the blog it said we have use 95% of our storage space on the blog. Not sure what that means but I'm guessing we should be expecting a huge headache in the future.

Random

by Ang

I have a couple of blog posts in the works, but I just wasn't quite ready to post them tonight (no pictures, etc.)

So you'll have to put up with another random post from me.

*I've discovered that my handwriting is much neater when I use a pencil. I have no idea why.

*I stepped on my boy kitty tonight by accident and he SCREAMED. I mean, really screamed. Don't worry, he's fine. I felt terrible though. He got extra treats tonight. He doesn't need any (he's the chubby one), but I couldn't resist.

*While we were in Paris, we almost got the police called on us. Over a laundry issue. Laundry. It's a story that I don't think the three of us have told anyone. Nor will we!! :) It's our little secret.

*Also in Paris, we seen the same man on the subway like 3 different times. It was a little spooky. Was he following us? He looked like a bird. We called him the bird man.

*I miss Paris.


*I took the dog for a walk on Sunday. This is our favorite place to walk:

I can't wait until the golf course greens up a bit!

*Our bird feeder is a big hit:

They're very cute.

*I bought a hat on Saturday:

My fair skin burns easily, so I need a hat for the summer. I am soooooo not a hat person though, so it will take me a while to get used to it. My husband bought one too. He, however, is a hat person and wears his proudly!

*Saturday night we ventured outside to see the super freaky big moon. This was the best picture I got with my little camera. I was mostly surprised at how bright it was:

*My allergies have been worse than ever these past two days. I guess I am allergic to Juniper. And whatever else is blowing around here.

*Speaking of allergies, my Benedryl is making me tired and I'm going to bed now. :)

By Amy

Here are some pictures of the latest party that I threw. It was really fun! Basically it was for our congregation to show their appreciation for our pioneers. I had some help....





She's really my daughter. Didn't I tell you this? I actually have three girls.

This may or may not be their biological mother. Actually she's my sister. I have two. And we even have the same hair color!

Gift bags for the pioneers and pictures of them.

Everyone enjoying all the great food!

Oh here are my other two girls! I had them when I was really, really young. Same hair.

Playing B-Ball

These ladies are involved in a serious game of.....not sure.

This girl is definitely mine. I kid you not!

And of course this one. She's been mine since the day I met her.

I wouldn't recommend messing with anyone at this table. They play a brutal game of dominoes.

And these two are sworn enemies.

And this here is my right hand man. I could never have planned this without his support.

I'm going to be traveling with the boss again. Leaving on Wednesday for sunny Scottsdale. See ya when I get back!

Random

by Ang

*This is my new best friend:

We’ve been using it more and more. Last night I used it to make chicken soft tacos. Tomorrow night my husband is making 'Kickin' Chicken Chili' in it. It is so nice to come home and dinner is ready! All it takes is just a little prep work the night before or the morning of.

*I was reading a magazine last night and was so excited when I found this recipe:

My mom used to make these when we were kids. My brother and I would sit on the kitchen floor and watch through the oven door as the pancake slowly baked over the sides of the pan. I’m excited to try it myself!

*Spring is almost here! This past weekend we bought flowers, bird feeders, and a few other miscellaneous things to get our outdoor areas ready for spring!

*He is feeling better:

A couple weeks ago he got a nasty scratch on his leg (we’re not sure how it happened because he never goes outside). Anyways, it got all infected and swollen, so the vet had to lance his foot to let it drain (ew) and he was on painkillers and antibiotics for a couple weeks.

He’s fine now though, almost 100%. He’s started hissing at the dog again, begging for food (he’s chubby), and he’s earned his title of ‘troublemaker of the house’ back. He’s a stinker, but we love him. We always tell him ‘it’s a good thing you’re cute!’. We’ve also been calling him ‘Howdie’ lately. His name is Howie (or Howard when he’s in trouble), but when my younger nephew was 2 or 3, he couldn’t say ‘Howie’, but he could say ‘Howdie’ so that’s what he called him. Ever since I told my husband that story, that’s what he’s called Howie. Howdie.

*She is feeling better too:

She has leukemia, but she’s a trooper and is putting weight back on and doing well on her medication and vitamins. We hope she’s with us for a few more years! (She’s 14). She is definitely the sweetest cat in the house.

*My husband rocks. He has been helping out so much around the house – doing laundry, cooking dinner two nights a week, and just being generally awesome. AND he brought me Starbucks today at work. I love him!

*I’m halfway done with my class! It’s going well. I’ve written 3 out of my 5 essays, and right now I have a 96% in the class. Yippie!

*We are traveling a lot this year and I am so excited. Alaska, Nebraska (in the fall!), and Mexico (also in the fall). I am so excited…plus my sissy and the fam are coming to see us this summer! This year is very exciting. :) One of the things the hubby and I wanted to do a lot of is travel together. And we’re off to a good start I think!

*And finally....I have the BEST wallpaper on my phone: