So Grown Up

I had a realization the other day: I just might be growing up.
A few weeks ago we talked about what we wanted to do with our tax refund. I told Jared there was one thing I really wanted: a handheld vacuum. We decided that we would each get one thing we wanted with the money and the rest would go into paying off Jared's school loans.

Here's the beauty(and by beauty I mean my little Dirt Devil). I love how easy it is to clean up the couch cushions, tight spaces, and small messes without lugging out the big vacuum. Am I a nerd? Probably. But I am stoked about my Dirt Devil.

Disney On Ice

This past weekend my ma-in-law invited me to go to Disney On Ice with her and the grandkids. Eight of us piled into Missy's(Jared's sister) suburban and trekked down to Salt Lake. I forgot my camera so I took some pictures on my phone. The quality isn't the best.
On the way we stopped at McDonald's for lunch

Side note: this picture makes me laugh because McKinlee(bottom right) has a loose front tooth she refuses to pull and it makes her eat funny.

The show was pretty cute. The costumes cracked me up. I was amazed that people could skate in those huge outfits.



Check out Ken in this picture. We couldn't get over his plastic head.




This picture of Bullseye is for Jack Jack.

Barbie looked a lot like a real doll to me.

I took a little video to try to show what it was like

At intermission the kids all got snow cones in cute mugs. I took a picture of each of the kids

Chloe(aka Peanut) with Grandma.

Addy and Missy.


Dallin and Buzz. I have a special soft spot for Dal because he reminds me of Jared.


McKinlee and Jesse.
I realized afterwards that I didn't get any pictures of Taunia(who is the mother of Chloe, Dallin and McKinlee).
Afterwards we all went to Chuck E. Cheese's. I was the only one who had been there before and I'm probably the only who will return. The place was packed full of people-watching material and some of the kids were a little nervous about the giant Chuck E. Cheese walking around.
It was a long day but we had a great time!

Bloody Update

It's been a while since I blogged. Last time I talked about Jared's run-in with the vampire. This is a picture of the after effects, and it's not even the worst. Even now, almost 2 weeks later, it is sore and discolored. I guess this justifies the passing out and sickness.

A Run In With the Vampires

Well ladies and gentlemen, we've found Jared's weakness: donating blood. A couple weeks ago he made his first attempt and to put it simply, it didn't go so hot. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and I think he regretted it afterwards. After we got married, we realized he doesn't know his blood type so we figured he could kill two birds with one stone by donating blood.

I got a text from him informing me he had passed out after donating. After talking for a minute, he took me up on my offer to come take him home.
When I raced over to the school, I found him looking pale and uncomfortable(which may have been compounded by the two odd-duck girls he was sandwiched between). It took a few minutes to get his strength up enough to walk out to the car. I took him home and got him set up like my mom always set me up when I was sick. Poor Jerry!

Cabin Fever

This past weekend we went with some friends to a cabin in Island Park, ID. First, let me introduce the cast of this post:
Ryan and Sara Willmore

Ross and Whitney Mickelsen

Mitch and Analyn Sommer

Unfortunately, we got off to a rough start. When we first got there the boys were unloading the snowmachines and the girls were getting things settled in the cabin. Next thing we know, Sara discovers that one of the pipes burst in the bathroom and water is everywhere.

Shortly after that we blew a circuit and half the lights went out. Once we got all those kinks worked out we had smooth sailing.

Saturday morning we got up and had a big breakfast. Then we all went for a ride on the snowmachines(which led me to realize I forgot my coat. Ryan was nice enough to lend me the liner of his). Here we are, I think you can figure out who's who.

Coincidentally, Saturday was also Sara's birthday so we had some cake and ice cream to celebrate.

Sunday we all got up with the intentions to go to church. When we got to the church, we discovered that they only hold multiple sessions during the summer and we had missed their 9am Sacrament meeting. So we went home and vegged all day. 

That night at midnight(so the boys could say we weren't breaking the Sabbath) we went for a night ride.

Monday the boys went for a ride so they could do all their tricks and jumps without us girls to hinder them. We had a great time and I especially enjoyed all the beauty up there. My first winter in Idaho has been much better than expected!

Valentines Day

This year was our first Valentines Day together. I told Jared all I wanted was to spend time with him since he's spread extra thin these days. He surprised me by having his mom bring a present to work.

I had my eye on this jacket and he remembered and bought it for me a couple of weeks ago. My ma-in-law made me try it on and model it in the office(hence the red face).

After we both got off of work, we went out to eat. Jared took me to a place called the Relay Station in St. Anthony, ID. He thought it would be less crowded since it's not in Rexburg and most of the college students don't know about it.

After dinner, we rented "The Help" and relaxed at our apartment. It was fun to have Jared all to myself and just spend time together. We're looking forward to many happy Valentines in the future!

Hey, Good Lookin, Whatcha Got Cookin?

Nope, you're not seeing things, that really is Jared cooking. On weekend mornings he usually makes us breakfast. Normally he makes egg sandwiches. On occasion he gets really fancy and makes pancakes on the griddle. I especially like how he's barefoot in his suit in this picture.
Today this was the result:

Not one of his prettiest works of art but he didn't know I'd be posting it for everyone to judge.

As for the weekend, we went to Green Canyon Hot Springs with a few friends last night. It's a little tricky to take pictures while swimming(and I thought I'd spare you this time) so I had to steal one off the internet.