Bad bad girl....

I feel so bad. It has been over a month since my last post. Life has been crazy and when I do get a few moments I don't want to blog. I just want to sleep!

some fun facts:

-Mom is running for Idaho State Legislature (District 11, Sea B to be exact). She will be an amazing representative, we just need to get her elected. Visit her website http://www.ronaleeforrepresentative.com/ to learn more. If you like me, you will love her because she is half the reason I am so cool (other half is dad's reponsiblity :) )

-I saw Blake Shelton in concert! I took my niece Kaylee for her birthday and my sister Stacey came along too. It was so much fun!

-I turned 28. Yep. That is right. I am that much closer to turning the big 3-0!! I took Thursday/Friday off. Mom/Dad were down in Las Vegas visiting some of Dad's friends so I spent most of it alone. Lexy invited me over for dinner on Thursday and I didn't think it was going to be anything special. I arrive and TJ has to tinkle so we chill in Lexy's front yard for awhile. I hear the door open but didn't see anybody. So I head up to the front door and just walk in. From behind the counter pops Emma, Wyatt, and Marlee yelling "suprise!" My sisters threw a family suprise birthday party for me. (BTW this is just one of the many reasons my family is the best.). Lexy had made German chocolate cake and pulled pork sandwhiches. Jana and Stacey arrived after they had gotten off of work. It was so sweet of them.

In addition to the sister suprise party, I dragged my sisters up to McCall for the night on Friday. We never get to spend times as just sisters. Kids and husbands are usually there. So my birthdya wish was having the girls come along. I initially wanted Mom to come but she was with Dad in Vegas. Friday I pick everyone up in the van. I was driving and Jana riding shotgun. We had Lexy with baby Maddie, Caitlyn, and Stacey in the back. We had Chinese in Eagle before we hit the road. What a fun time. We giggled, gossiped, and shared so much. After some misses, we finally get to the cabin and chill. When I was in Vegas years ago, I participated in a hypnotists show. Jana and I split the cost of the DVD so we would have a souviner. We haven't watched it...EVER. Unfortunately Jana remembered the DVD and brought it along. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as I remembered and we all had a great laught over it.

Because of all the kids we only stayed the one night. But it was a great night. I have decided it will be a yearly trip. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures except a pictured of the cabin as we were getting ready to leave.

I will update post with pictures soon.  I promise.

So far...

it hasn't been a good 2012 and we are only on day 2.  Saturday night was so-so.  I went to a small gathering and had an ok time.  What made Saturday suck was being pulled over by State trooper for running a red light.  Yep. I have avoided being pulled over for nearly 10 years and here it is.  I have been telling others that 2012 will be better than 2011.  But the stop did happen in 2011 so it is just my own attitude that sucked.  Looking on the positive side, at least I can say that the stop happened last year! 

Sunday wasn't as nice as I would like because my Seahawks lost.  Yes we ended the season 7-9...a losing season. There was a chance we could have pulled out a win but we fizzled.  The positive to Sunday as a great meal topped with a cookie dough blizzard.  yummy!!

But with the New Year, attention shifts to resolutions.  UGH!! Instead of setting a resolution I will ultimately break (like losing weight) I have decided that I am I just going to focus on ideas.  There will be no goal line...or no real accomplishment to be made.  My ideas are just things I need to think on and will put some effort into making the ideas happen.

Idea 1:  blog more. 
Yep.  That is right.  Spend more time on the internet and hope I do not get distracted by Facebook.  While Facebook is fun and sometimes helpful, it distracts me from my real purpose.  To learn more and blog more.  Even thought my following is few, I would still like everyone to know what I am up to.  Plus when I blog, I vent all the emotions I keep bottled inside and then I feel better.  For my overall health, I need to vent emotions more and bottle them less. 

Idea 2: be selfish.
I have decided to be more selfish.  I am always doing stuff for others and take care of myself as an after thought.  I rarely say no and then bottle my annoyance because I am doing something I don't want too. 

Idea 3: ORGANIZE
UGH!! The worst of them all but probably the most necessary.  The up coming year will be busy.  Work, school, politics (tis an elecation year) and possibly a business.  I need to stay on top of everything so the major things don't fall through the cracks.  I need to get a desk in order so bills and important docs are just strung helter skelter over my room.  I need to get an planner to keep test/due dates highlighted and on my radar.

Idea 4: limit shopping
This is for a couple of purposes.  By limiting my shopping, I will save for my house faster.  I will have more room in my cloest. I will have more time for school/work/politics because I will be home more. I also need to purge my current wardrobe.  I have a full closet, and 2 dressers that are unable to contain all I have.  To be fair, I wear two seats of clothes a day.  My work clothes and the jeans and tshirt I change into for home.  That doesn't include the gym clothes I use a couple of days a week or my PJs.

WOW!!  It has been 2 months since my last post.  While there have been ups, downs, and in betweens I shall post a few highlights.

I am surviving school.  I have made it through my first semester with a few bumps and bruises.Today I started my math final and will be registering for the spring semester.  WHEW!!  So glad the first step is over.

Lexy had her baby.  Little Miss Madison Marie.  She is a lovely and sweet.  Miss Maddie (as I call her) was born on October 1st. 

Thanksgiving was fun.

Work is going.  I recently had my revview with management and received 99.9% of praise.  I enjoy my coworkers and responsiblities.  Lately it has become a drag because people have gone on vacation.  Oh well.  In 2012 it will be my turn becuase I have to get ride of an extra 2 weeks vacation.

The End

After Ashton, we made it as far as Pocatello.  We spent the night in a hotel.  I was very concerned that TJ would mess in the room but thankfully that didn't happen.  We get up and head to Shoshone Falls.  TJ was ready to get out because right before we arrived at Shoshone, TJ went down to my feet and sat there.  WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!  Silly dog.

Here is Shoshone Falls.  It is larger than Mesa Falls but we only had a $3 car fee here.

I originally had some more stops planed between Shoshone and home but I was tired and ready to be done with the car.  As we were driving through Bliss it was amazing how many wind turbines there are!!

Afte we were home for a few hours, it was off to a Memorial Day BBQ at Lexy's house.  It was a great weekend and never would have happened without the sacrifices of our military.  Because of many paid the ulitimate price, I live in a free country were I can travel without fear.  I can worship how I see fit. 

Words cannot express my feelings for our military so all I will say is

THANK YOU!!

The beginning

This Memorial Day weekend, I took a road trip with Dad to go visit Gma Dalley.  Because I had a 5 day weekend, I decided to make pit stops along the way.  Dad originally was not going to come with me but that is how it worked out. He made the trip so much better. 

First start was Craters of the Moon.  It was WINDY!

Second stop was ERB-I in Arco, ID. 

3rd stop was Idaho Falls for dinner at Scottys and gas.

Final stop befor Gma's was a campground in Swan Valley.  It was still closed due to snow!!

Parade America

This is the float for Canyon County Republican Women/Canyon County Republicans.
Parade America is sponored by Exchange Club on held on Armed Forces Day each year. 

Theme:
America the Beautiful

Our float theme/banner:
Oh Beautiful for Heros..
who more than self their country loved
and mercy more than life.

Inspiritation:
Tomb of Unknown Soldier

The hours put into the float are too many to count but the pay off was great.
WE WON GRAND PRIZE!!
That is the 2nd year in a row for us.

The music was the 3rd verse, first chorus, and then Taps

The words were:
O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!

God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

It made me cry when it was all together with the soldier standing guard and Taps playing.

Just thinking about it makes me teary eyed so I am going to stop talking about it.  I think my feelings on the military are pretty clear.

Resolution...

I have found my New Years Resolution. Simply put:

Before you quite, try!!

Here's to new beginings..

So there are a millions thoughts going through my brain. A new year has begun.  The chapter titled 2010 is closed and the page has turned.  It is both thrilling and terrifying.

I really can't find the words to express what I am feeling so I will say that I do not have any resolutions.  I am simplying resolving to try. It will be a success as long as I have tried.  The outcome will not matter.

So what I am going to try to do is 1) learn to say no, 2) not care what others think of me, 3) read the Bible all the way through, and 4) be healthy.

Christmas Eve

Oh what a fun day we had!!  Mom had to work so dinner was a group effort. I made my first batch of rolls.  They aren't as complicated as I expected them to be.  We ate on time and were so happy that Rob came this year.  Everyone gave and received lovely gifts.  I believe the kids are the most spoiled kids in the world.  Everyone was really cooperative when I was taking pictures.  Below are just some highlights. 

Each family (top left to right), The Cardarelli's, Marrs, Gullicks,
Bottom left to right: Parents Linsenmann, Me, and The Petersons.



Gpa/Gma with all the gkids
two pictures because of facial expressions

Misc pics
top: chaos in action as we begin to open presents
middle: Marlee and Me
bottom left: confusion as present opened
bottom right: 99% of the grandkids

Emma, Marlee, Wyatt in front of Christmas tree.

 

Turned a frown upside down!!

Last night is exactly what I needed to turn my frown upside down.  My great sister Caitlyn hosted a little Christmas party for all the little kids. I raced home from work and picked up Brehdi. We finally arrived just in time for Brehdi to make a countdown Christmas tree. 

With that completed, it was time to make the gingerbread houses.  What a mess was made.  Marlee, Emma, Wyatt, Brehdi, Kaylee, Nick, Tyler, and Lily were all crowded around the table making a house.  Brehdi’s turned out really nice.  After that was over it was time to play.  Boy did the kids play. 

Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures but Caitlyn had her camera out so I will sneak a couple of pictures from her Facebook and post them here later. 

As Brehdi and I leaving, her gingerbread house fell apart!!  Sad that her dad couldn’t see it.  Thankfully we scheduled another attempt for Sunday afternoon.  It was nice to be in a happy atmosphere instead of being yelled at.  I haven’t been near family for over a week and it was making an impact.  Amazing how we take what we have for granted.

Bonus is today is Friday.  Just a few more hours to get through and then the weekend will be here.  Saturday will be a busy day.  It starts off with the Meridian Holiday Parade, then the Tuba Christmas concert in Nampa around noon, then babysitting Marlee, followed the Caldwell Nightlight Parade.  Early Sunday morning, I am driving my parents to the airport.  They will be in Iceland for the week.  What a great way to celebrate a 30^th wedding anniversary.  To go experience a new place together.

Since the 15th..

-YEAH!!  WE HAVE SNOW THAT HAS STAYED!! (and guess what...it is snowing today!!)

-Thanksgiving has come and gone.

-I had a pulled muscle and found out that muscle relaxers make me loopey.

-BSU LOST!!  Hell has frozen over!!  Stupid Kyle Brotzman missed 2...yes 2!!..field goals that cost us the game.

Yes I shed a tear.  It is so sad!!

-Seattle Seahawks lost (considering our trend that isn't surprising).

-Didn't go Black Friday shopping for the 1st time in years (thanks pulled/torn muscle)

-Saw Harry Potter and it was good (cant wait til next one!!)

-Boise Holiday Parade was a disappointment.

-Made Christmas candy with Lexy and Caitlyn

-Currently working from 830-700 and REALLY miss my old shift of 730-400.  Just 2 more week til I get to switch back.

-Training again at work after a year hiatus  (Training reason for switching schedules)

To my Mother..

This is my mother.  Today is her birthday.  I won't reveal how young she is because she will kill me.  But I love my mom.  There is no one like her and there never will be.  She is a woman of steadfast conviction, faith, humility, pride, charity, integrity, compassion, fortitude, and the most loving woman.

She loves God, family, and her country.

She has done so much in this world that will never be reconginzed.

But I reconginze her as the best mother and a best friend. 

Because these words are inadequete to describe my feelings and I can't express them any other way, I will just say 

I LOVE YOU MOM!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 

Boo at the Zoo

The trick or treaters...
Lily as Little Red Riding Hood
Marlee as a bumble bee
Emma as Belle from Beauty and the Beast
Wyatt as a dragon

The parents:

Jana and Wyatt

Lily and Ashley

Marlee and Lexy

Caitlyn and Emma

Chris and Marlee

Just some random fun pics:

Me trying to give Emma piggy back ride, a monkey, and funny line of goats.

The Office

Here is our office Halloween. The costume in the first pictures was the bearded guy in the 2nd picture. In the 2nd pictures we have me the hobo, feathered wtich Cheryl, Harley Davidson Karrie, gothie witch Julie, biker couple Penny (redhead) and Tim, devil Heather (with glasses in back) and our two clowns Darlene (big glasses) and Amanda (my supervisor in pig tails) and then Judie the french fries It was a fun time! Wish I had a pic of my entire outfite because it was pretty cool... oh well. maybe next year.

Lets start at the begining...

FRIDAY
I got of work on Friday at 5pm, which was earlier than I expected. I make it home by 530 which is great. Now I have more time to do some last minutes packing. Mom was supposed to pick me up at 6pm, however she didn't shows til 620. After loading up, we still needed to stop for dinner.  After a quick trip to Carls Jr we were on the road at 7.

We figured it would be a 3 hrs drive to Huckleberry Heaven. Thankfully there wasn't that much traffic and we made it in only 2.5 hrs. The only sanfu happened about 30 mins from our destination. I had the light on because it was dusk and in the mountains, it is dark. So driving along and I look at the dashboard, and it is black. I panic internally so I continue to drive. I slow down some just to be cautious. We pass under lights from a lumber mill and I see that I have gauged my speed correctly and are goin the speed limit. That made me proud.  (Just FYI...I accidentally hit the dimmer dial on the singal lever.  I thought the dimmer was near the vent on the dashboard.  I was wrong.  Sunday we found the dimmer switch and fixed my mistake.) 

We finally make it to the top of the mountain and honk the horn. Becasue we are camping in a different spot, that horn is signal to Dad to come get us. Works pretty well. We arrive at 930 and chill around the camp fire for awhile.

TJ settling in for the night.  He wasn't upset and there were other pictures but this one makes me giggle.

SATURDAY
I woke up around 730. I thought I would sleep in longer but oh well. I get up and have breakfast out by the fire. Love it. So warm and nice. Dad and I joke back and forth for awhile.

View first thing Saturday morning.

Mom rolls out of bed around 9am. We get dressed and Dad and I head for a ride. TJ comes along and does really well. However, I only can drive with one hand because I want to make sure TJ doesn't fall off. I need to jerryrig sometype of harness or box for him to ride in. We return to camp and have lunch an rig up a harness. It work pretty aweome. I have some lanyards that are clipped to TJ body harness. He only has enough room to stand. I was pretty proud of hwo we rigged it. We go on another ride and TJ loves it. He does love to bark at the horses we see along the way.

TJ and I testing the harness.

Back we go for lunch. After lunch we head for another ride but TJ didn't want to go. He would refuse to leave RV area. That is ok. We look him in the RV with food and water and head off. Mom comes along and rides with Dad.

We found a new campsite we will try next year that is next to a spring. We eventually head back and havea great meal of hobo dinner (aka tinfoil dinners). Mom and I want a Smores so we break out the marshmellow, chocloate and .... Where are the graham crackers? Crap we left them at home. We decided to experiment. Mom tried frosted animal crackers, I try Ritz and vanilla cream cookies. I thought the most successful was the Ritz. It brought the salty into the mix. Next time I am brining Oreos to try.

With desert over, we decided to watch a movie. Dad brought otu the laptop and table. It is pretty awesome watching Tommy Boy by the fire. I don't know if it was because I was tired or I hadn't seen it in awhile, but Tommy Boy is really funny!

We have to watch the last half in the RV because battery was dying but it was still a fun time. We head to bed around 1030. I must have been really tired because as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out for the count. The next day Mom and Dad kept teasing me about how quickly I was out.  Oh well.

SUNDAY
I get up around 700 and head outside with TJ. We are snuggling by the fire and I am ready to fall asleep sitting up. Dad is a sweetheart and takes TJ for a walk. I take advantage of the oppurtunity and DIVE back into bed. I snooze til 900. Mom never got out of bed until 9 and that is when we decided it was time for breakfast.

Dad playing with TJ before the walk

Mom makes waffles, bacon, hashbrowns. It was YUMMY!! Mom had put some butter in a bowl on Saturday so it would be soft to spread on the waffles. As we are eating we are trying to figure out where it went. She placed the sliver of butter in a bowl and placed it on the table on Saturday afternoon.

All of a sudden, Mom knows what happened. TJ ATE IT!! We look underneath the table and sure enough, there is the bowl. He ate it while we went on a ride!! Crazy dog!!

TJ sitting at the table for breakfast.  No we didn't give him his own plate and
no he didn't actually sit there while we were having breakfast. 

Over breakfast we decided to head home that day. We go for another ride and then have lunch and break camp. We leave around 430 and I am home by 7pm. It was a fun time.

TJ sleeping right before we head home.  Of course he would choose to be in the drivers seat.

See new post for more random pictures of the camping weekend.

Phuture Photographer

So I took a picture of Wyatt on Fathers Day. He asked to try so I showed him how and he was off like a rocket. I love the largest picture! It is my favorite. He has taken a total of 100 pictures. To be posted soon.

Fathers Day

I have the best father in the world.  No questions asked.  No competition.  Hands down.

He has kind, patient, loving, helpful, strong, resiliant, hard working, caring, intelligent, funny,

and so much more.  He is the man who taught me how to change my oil, and teaching me to driver a trailer.  He taught me how to drive a clutch and ride an ATV pretty much anywhere.  From his example I have learned it is not what you say but what you do.  He demonstrates through all his actions that he love me.  He is the first to help and the last to leave.  He isthe best.  Poor guy had to cook his fathers day bbq too!

Love how he is helping Marlee and Emma down the stairs and giving rides on ATVs.

Poor Wyatt showed up after Emma and Marlee left.  He was so excited to see them he started to cry they weren't there.

Kaylees birthday party

We celebrated my niece Kaylee's birthday this weekend.  They have a pool in their backyard so the kids had a great time playing.  It makes me feel so old that she is 14!!  I can remember when she was born!!

I am old!!

Jana's Graduation and BBQ

On Friday June 11th, Jana graduated from Treasure Valley Community College with a degree in (and I am paraphrasing/guessing) medical administration.  I am so proud of her!!  Juggling school, work, and family had been struggle sometimes but her work paid off!!  Congratulations to her!

Here is her during the ceremony

(her degree holder I took at a different time but thought it most appropriate here)

Family pictures after the ceremony

and brief highlights of the bbq. 

One suprise was our cousins Gena and Heidi and Aunt Bette showing up. 

Heidi and Bette live in eastern Idaho but came over for a visit because

Gena recently had her 2nd child, a girl named Lucy.

Farmers Market

Lexy, Caitlyn, and I are usually at the Farmers Market every other Saturday.  Nothing exciting happens, I just enjoy wandering through the vendors and Lexy always has to get hairbows for Marlee.  Everytime, the kids get a balloon from the same lady.  Emma is so cute when she hands over her money to pay. 

The photos above are from June 12th..  After the market we went and played at Lexy's house and the girls had fun outisde.  After naps, we went to Jana's graduation bbq.