New Decor

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.  After many stops at many stores, such as Hobby Lobby, Target, Garden Ridge, World Market, and Kohl's, I finally found what I was looking for at Pier 1 Imports!  I converted my kitchen from maroon/green/dark yellow to dark blue and tan.  Pier 1 had everything. I was surprised because Pier 1 has such pricy merchandise, but the rug I got was $5 and then these place mats, napkins, and napkin rings were cheap too!  It looks so good.  

    

I am SO excited the weather is getting nicer.  I can feel the humidity stickin around!!  I just want to go picnic and play volleyball and go hiking-- wherever it is that you would hike in Texas.  If anyone knows of any fun hiking places, let me know!!

Alright, Paxton is sitting here singing Blink-182 and beat-boxing while patiently waiting to watch LOST.  He is such a silly boy, he makes every single day interesting. I love him!  Anyway, I'm anxious to watch LOST too, so SEE YA! 

Suggestions...

Does any one have any suggestions on good STORES to buy cute kitchen place mats and rugs and decorations. I REALLY want to change the colors of my kitchen to like a dark blue. I've looked around Target, Wal-mart, and Garden Ridge whenever I've been there. I thought maybe Hobby Lobby might be good. Any other cool little shops or stores that I don't know about? Or have you seen anything cute like that anywhere? Let me know! I'm actually going shopping after work today, so HURRY-QUICK- SUGGESTIONS!

So Pax and I started watching LOST last night. We watched the first 3 episodes of season 1. They were good, and weird, and scary. Anyway, we're pretty excited to keep watching them. We're watching them off of abc.com. They have all the seasons and episodes online. The only con is that you have to get up every 7 minutes to push CONTINUE. They STILL have little commercials, but not nearly as long as on TV. So, that'll be fun to get into that show. I don't really want to start any more shows, and there aren't really any good ones out there anyway. They're all pretty trashy.

Alright, that's about it.
Love ya, bye!

Update

Quick update of our lives. I've realized that since we have no babies/kids to talk about, we just talk about ourselves. Now that may seem selfish, but there's no way to avoid it. What else would I talk about? Politics? Celebs? How corrupt the world has gotten? That is something I realized this past week while at Chris & Heather's. Chris mentioned that we can't even watch some commercials of certain shows, they're so bad and inappropriate. I've thought about that and noticed all the different images and trends the world is trying to make us believe is cool and something we should strive to become. It's really sad that there are people out there that look to celebrities and the media to figure out how they want to become. I worry for my own children and I just hope that I can raise them to be their own individual person and personality. It's scary to think how much worse the world is going to become when my kids are growing up, and the power of the temptations that will come their way. It makes me want to get my kids here and start raising them soon, before it gets too crazy! Does anyone think that ever? :)

This past week Paxton only had to work 40 hours, versus his required 50 hours during the busy season. The client at which he is working didn't have enough work for him to do to put in those 50 hours. I really really enjoyed having my husband home by 6pm and not 7:30 . This "busy season" isn't as bad as I expected, and Paxton feels the same. That's very fortunate for us.

We also went to a Dallas Stars hockey game, thanks to Curt Anderson for inviting us. It was SO much fun as usual. And there were plenty of fights to enjoy throughout the game. Unfortunately the Stars lost 1-2, but those fights made up for the loss. We got the biggest fight on video. Once I figure out how to get it on our computer, we'll post it.

I am enjoying receiving emails and letters from Katie on her mission. She is in Ohio now. She has been sick lately, but is still being blessed with missionary opportunities. She is so excited to get out and start the work, and is determined not to let her sicknesses slow her down.

We are both hangin in there, working and playing. Same old.

Maybe I'll post a pic or two, once I take one. And I'll get that hockey fight uploaded soon too! Til then, take care.

Very Late Update

So I know this is a little late to talk about but I was going through my pictures on my camera and came across this picture...

.. a pic of our first course, Strawberry Avocado Salad, for our Valentine's dinner.  What we decided to do for Valentine's dinner was look up some yummy recipes online, pick up the ingredients at the store, and cook at home!  It was such a great idea, versus going out with the crowds, PLUS it was delicious and cheap!!!!  Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of the main course, Grilled Chicken Bruschetta, but you can imagine by the name of it!! We also made seasoned baked potato wedges. Yummmm!

Last week Pax & I made the Grilled Chicken Bruschetta for his family and they loved it!!  Because I've seen people post yummy recipes on their blog, I thought I'd share my super great recipe finds as well!

Strawberry Avocado Salad

2 Tbsp sugar                                       

2 Tbsp olive oil                                  

4 tsp honey                                        

1 Tbsp cider vinegar                      

1 tsp lemon juice

2 c. salad (I prefer spinach leaves)

1 avocado - peeled, pitted and sliced

10 strawberries, sliced  or however many you want!!!

1/2 c. chopped pecans  or however much you want!!!

*Whisk together the sugar, olive oil, honey, vinegar, and lemon juice. Set aside.

*Put salad in a bowl, top w/ sliced avocado and strawberries.  Drizzle w/ dressing then sprinkle with pecans.  Serve!

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta

1/4 c KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, divided

4 small skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 med. tomato, finely chopped

1/2 c. mozzarella cheese (I used a mozz/asiago/romano mix that was GOOD)

1/4 c. chopped fresh basil (I used basil leaves that works great too)

*Place large sheet of heavy duty foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. *Marinate chicken in 2 Tbsp dressing for just 10 minutes.  Grill chicken until thoroughly cooked through.

*Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining 2 Tbsp dressing.  

*Top chicken evenly with tomato mixture.  Close lid and let sit for 2-3 minutes.  Take off grill and serve.

Ok so Super easy recipes that can be displayed really well and makes the plate look pretty!  Try it out!

Not much else really going on.  Paxton is out at Hole 3 or 6(can't remember which ?) behind our apartment practicing his shot.  It's getting warmer here!  I thought I would be excited, well, and I am, but today I've just been so HOT all day.  It's miserable.  And it's only 73 degrees!  Man am I gonna have a rough time this summer.  Actually I am really excited to be able to play volleyball outside, go on walks, swim, and other fun things you do in the summer!  I'm ready to soak up the sun!  I need it! 

Address & things...

Ok for those of you dying to get Katie's contact info for her mission-- here it is!  

Sister Myers

MTC Mailbox 149
OH-Col 0305
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah  84604

As you can see she will be serving in the Ohio, Columbus mission!  I received an email from her the other day and she is already loving it in the MTC.  She loves to be thinking, eating, talking, breathing, and living the gospel and loves the Spirit that accompanies her 24/7.  She is loving the studying and has already been called as the coordinating sister, to report to the Branch President every week and coordinate the sisters with the elders.  Her companion is a girl from California.  After Katie told me her name and where she was from, I put it together that her companion's cousin and I were roommates at BYU-Idaho.  And that old roommate's great uncle served with my Dad!!!  How amazing is that!  What a small world it is.  It's just really exciting because my dad has been wanting to get in touch with his old companions; we were just talking about that 2 weeks ago while I was at home, and now he will be able to contact him.  What a blessing Katie's mission has already become to our family.  It truly is amazing the miracles and tender mercies the Lord gives to those who serve Him and their families.  

Not too much else going on in our lives, just eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, blah, blah, blah.  But I am excited the the days are staying lighter longer and the weather is getting warmer.  It's almost perfect weather everyday.  

Well, 'til next time...

Visit Home in Idaho

(( Warning: Long entry. I posted 3 entries ))

Well I'm back from snowy, cold Idaho.  It was a lot of fun though.  It was so good to see my whole family together.  Although it was just for a weekend that we were all together, we had so much fun.  Everytime we get together we just sit around talking and laughing.  Our family is SO loud when we get together. haha.  All of the girls' laughs are so loud and when we all get together we just sit and laugh and it just blasts the roof off.  We can't help that everything and everyone is just so funny.  Anyway, we got together for Katie's farewell, and then earlier this week we took her to the MTC and dropped her off for 1 1/2 years!  She was really excited and nervous.  We all said our goodbyes after the video in the MTC and cried and exited out of our designated "Family Exit" door while she went thru the "Missionary Exit" door.  Ohh I already miss her so much.  She's going to be such a wonderful missionary.  

On our drive to Provo,UT I had to take pictures of the mountains, seeing how there is no scenery that even compares to that in TX.

At the MTC, dropping Katie off.  If you look closely at her name tag, she has a neon orange sticker AKA the "dork dot" because it's for all the newbies in the MTC.  hehe.

 Here's a family pic of all my brothers and sisters.  I had a couple, and there was always one or two people that were blinking, talking or looking away, but oh well.  

What a hott missionary she is.  hehe!  She's so cute.

Bye Katie, I love you and miss you so much!  

Nieces n Nephews

While in Idaho I got to see my WHOLE family including all of the nephews and nieces (( except one family of kids- which i missed so much )).  It was SO good to see all the kids and see how BIG they've gotten.  They grow so fast and are all just so cute!  It was fun to talk to them and see the next stage they've moved onto.  My oldest nephew is 15 yrs old and will be 16 in May!  He'll be driving!  Eeek!  How scary.  They're just growing up so fast- I hate to miss any of it.  :(  I have 21 nephews and nieces and I learned on my trip there that I will be an addition to that count this summer!  It will be a sibling of this little guy below! :)  Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of all my neph/nieces, but that doesn't mean I love them any less.  

This is McKay.  He has 2 older brothers Logan and Duncan.

This is Marshall and Andrew- cousins.  There are about 3-4 boys around the same age that LOVE to play with eachother.  They're all gonna be good buddies all their lives.

Above is little Calvin.  Last time I saw him he was a little baby.  He's a little boy now and cute as ever!

Below is Logan, the older brother of McKay from above.  I just LOVE is long curly hair.  Ohh he is just adorable!  He and all his brothers have such a distinct personality- they're all so silly.

A few of the older nieces here.. Taylor is actually my 2nd cousin (left), then Mikayla covering her face and then Megan on the chair.  They are all good girlfriends too, and are growing into beautiful young women.  I love to see them get older and mature-ya know- get out of that awkward stage.  Man these girls look so cute, compared to me at that age.  I still hadn't grown into my body and face- I just looked so weird and ugly. hahaha.

McKay again- saying "cheeeeeeese"

Ashley and Jordan here are TWINS.  I think they're 5-6 years old ? ?  They were in a bad mood.  I think they were leaving to go home and didn't want to leave all their cousins, so they're sitting by the door pouting. haha.  Jordan was a good sport when we asked him to smile for the camera.

Eliza and Megan again.  Eliza is my cousin though, not a niece.  

Here is Cody, Ashley and Jordan's(the twins) little brother, with his daddy Nathan.  He was being so funny.  I would say 'Cody smile- say cheese' and he would just wave at the camera.  Then when I took the picture and it flashed, he'd give the biggest cheesy smile ever. I eventually got the big cheese smile on camera. You can see both pics below. haha-- he is so cute.

Marshall and Luke are buddies- they were checkin out the seagulls flying over the river outside.

Here are just a few, i just had SO much fun seeing all of them and playing with them.  We already have so many and only half of our family has started their families.  Oh what a joy our family reunions will be in 10 years! 

Playin in the SNOW

There was so much snow in Idaho it was unbelievable!  Amazingly when I was there, a lot of it had melted.  I saw pictures from a few weeks before and it was piled up so high!  When all my fam was in town I didn't play in it because we were busy visiting.  Once they all left I got on the snow clothes I could scrounge up and went snowmobiling and wrestled in the snow w/ our dog Daphne.  It was so fun and pretty cold.  Luckily the sun was shining!

These boots and snow pants are my dads!  Haha.  There were no other boots or pants in the house.  I was determined to go snowmobiling and playing in the snow, so I slipped it on!  You can see how HUGE they were-- not that my dad is huge- but you know...!

I didn't want to wear my coat I brought or else it'd smell like gasoline, so I, again, borrowed my dad's coat. . . . and gloves. haha!

This is my parents backyard-- the Snake River.  So beautiful.  ANYWAY, the snow in the backyard came up to my knees.  It was so fun, running around with Daphne.  I would trip because I'd try to run ontop of the snow, then fall through down to my knees! haha- it was funny to see Daphne trippin over the snow.  SO FUN!  

Goodbye - Hello

Hey guys.

Well I just want to tell everyone the excitement in my life right now. I am going back home to Idaho in less than 5 hours!! Katie is going on her mission- and I've got to see her off!!! So I'll be staying for about 5 days. I just can't wait to see all the family, nephews & nieces. I've missed you all so much! We'll be taking family pictures- not professional, but since everyone will be there, we decided we'd take some group pics. Too bad Pax can't be there. :( But we will miss him SO SO SO SO much. And I don't how I'm going to take it with Katie leaving. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I'm going to miss her so much.

Anyway, change the subject before I cry.

There is nothing TOO exciting going on in our lives right now, except for me leaving for a few days. We stay busy with work all day everyday, come home, cook dinner, do laundry, run errands, mutual with the youth, watch Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien - which is my favorite late night show, play on the computer, and play basketball here and there. Just day to day stuff. But we're so happy. We love our apartment. We love our ward. We love our family. We love our friends. We love the Lord. We love eachother. That's all you need right?

Well sorry for the lack of pictures, but soon enough there will be some pictures posted from my Idaho trip. I'll be sure to get pics of the SNOW for all you Texans who haven't seen one flake this season!
And for those who haven't had the most hilarious and joyous experience of watching Conan O'Brien, well you must do it. Especially before the writer's strike ends(which is soon), because Conan comes up with his own monologues, skits, and the whole thing- and it's just hilarious. He's so goofy. His goofy red hairdo, his tall skinnyness, his facial expressions-- so funny.

They're Watching You...

Dang, that guy can dance!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Well, since it's Mom's birthday I figured I would go ahead and make a video for her. After much thought, I came to the conclusion that nothing could be better than to make a video of what she does best... Dancing!! (Make sure your volume is up!)



By the way, Mom is probably going to kill me for putting this on our blog. Ooops

Joke of the Day

Husband Store
A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!
There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch . . . you may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. .
On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.
The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.
The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking.
"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.
"Oh mercy me" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!" Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.
Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Homemade Applesauce

For Christmas my mom gave me a homemade applesauce maker and a Home Canning Basics Kit which was supposed to include this huge pot, jar holder, jars, jar remover, a recipe-type book, and a few other things.  When I go to open the kit box, all that was in there was the pot and the wire jar holder!!!  I actually didn't realize anything else was supposed to be in there, until i talked to my mom during the applesauce making process.  She told me to use the jar remover thing, and I didn't have it!  That's when I found out mostly everything else was missing!  So weird.  She bought it new at the store--- how can it be missing?  We still haven't figured it out, but I still went ahead a made the applesauce.  I improvised by using hot dog tongs and plastic salad tongs to get the jars out of the hot water.  It still worked.  Anyway, I made applesauce last Saturday.  I have 13 little jars of applesauce and 1 tupperware full ... well now it's almost gone. It's just SO YUMMY!  We experimented with a few batches and added cinnamon!  Yummmmm! But no sugar was added, which is a plus.  It really makes a good sweet to eat after meals- ya know- because you always have to end with something sweet!    

Here's the cool applesauce maker.  You put the boiled, soft apples in the top and turn the handle on the side.  Applesauce oozes out while the peel, core, and seeds come out the end!!  It really is amazing.  And FUN!  I asked Pax if he would help me cut the apples b/c we had like 40 apples.  And he wasn't too willing because it was "my project", but once I got to grinding the apples in this machine, he was more than willing.  I just reminded him it was "my project", so he didn't get to do it that much.  I let him try it out and see how much fun I was having.  hehe
Aaaaaaand, the final product!  I think I can do this every year.  For sure!

Shout out to La Jolla 104 Girls

Hey Girls-- Look at this jacket.  Does it look familiar to you?  ...  Think about our apartment ...  the furniture ...  

Yes, our beloved Couch that didn't match any color we tried to decorate with.  

When I wore it for the first time, I thought, I'm wearing our couch from college!!!  haha.  I figured out though, it goes well with dark jeans. The purple we had looked cute though anyway.  haha.  Just thought ya'll might appreciate that!  Awww, look at those hotties!!  

Miss everyone!!

Time for Change

Due to the overwhelming requests to create a new post; I decided to post a pleasant picture of the Andes Mountains so viewers of our blog no longer have to look at my "sick", "nasty", or "I just threw up" molester stache.  Sorry for the inconvenience and enjoy the view...

Molester Mustache

So, about a week & a half ago Paxton was shaving his face.  He was almost finished when I walked in and saw that he was shaving his chin and was moving on to his mustache.  I said, "Ohhh, I wish you would've kept a goatee."  He goes, " Oh, too late."  At the same time we had the brilliant idea of just keeping his mustache!  So he did!  And he has kept it!  We have gone to his mom's house, his aunt & uncle's house, shopping several times with this stache and gotten many odd and curious looks!!!  We both believe that little kids have a natural instinct to just get as far away as possible from him when they see him.  He just looks a little too much like those child molesters online.  Especially with that tricky look he always gives the camera. 

Christmas 2007

Well another year has past!!  This one went by WAY too fast!  I can't believe it's already been almost one year since we've moved to Texas.  Another 3-4 months and it's been a year.  

As usual, we had a great Christmas, spent with Paxton's mom and her fiance Steve.  We spent the weekend before Christmas at their house just hanging out.  On Christmas Eve, we went out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant, as tradition.  Then as part of my family tradition we read the Christmas Story. Below is the Christmas book that I made.  It turned out really well.  I am trying to find other projects like that that I can do!  It's so fun.  

Anyway, we woke up Christmas morning around 7:30 and started the opening of gifts.  From the pictures below you'll catch a glimpse of what the morning was like.  We had such a great time over at Ann & Steve's house, we didn't want to leave.  Can we move back in!? :)  haha.  No, but thank you for letting us stay and eat all your food and take over your house for a few days.  We had a really great time and a great Christmas.  I really love this time of year, taking a break from everything and spending a couple weeks with family and friends and reflecting on the birth & life of our Saviour.  I am so grateful for all that Paxton & I have been blessed with, and especially grateful for how blessed we have been with the move to Texas.  We both have great jobs, a great home, great ward, great friends and awesome family close by.  

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

We love you!      

This is our little Christmas tree in our apt.  We didn't have enough room to get a big one, and we actually prefer this one anyway.  There are already ornaments AND lights on it, and it's easy clean up!  If only they made 10 foot fiber optic trees!!!

Ann gave us the pleasure of a Nintendo Wii!!!!!!!  We were both shocked and amazed when Paxton opened a huge bag with the Wii, games, and accessories inside!  What a treat it's been, and I'll let you know Ann, we will be working on our rules and limits to playing it,... eventually. hehe

Ann got a Cowboys jersey of her favorite player.  Go Romo!

I got a gift card for new running shoes, which was desperately needed.  After a quick trip to RunOn, I came home with these bad boys! They're great; very comfy, and on top of that, they're cool lookin!

This is the Christmas Book that I made.  I bought fabric, ribbon, and stuffing, and hot glued it all together! Turned out great eh?

Thanks again for all that ya'll have done for us.  We are so grateful for each of you and your kindness and love you show for us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

I received this email from a lady in my ward at church. Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a small town in Nebraska.  Logan listens to this Christian Radio station broadcasted from Houston,TX.  He called the radio station distraught.  His words have wisdom beyond his years.  It made me cry.  Very touching. It sure gets you in the spirit of Christmas.  Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Meanwhile, Paxton is working late tonight.  It's 7pm and he's still not home :(  He should be soon.  He is so busy again, studying away for the next CPA exam in January.  He's such a hard worker- I love it.  

Oh, yet again, Paxton is leaving town for 5 days.  This Sunday the 16th he'll be going to New Orleans for another audit.  He gets back Thursday.  So if anybody wants to hang out, give me a ring:)

I am staying pretty busy.  Just occupying my time with working, reading, working out, baking, and Christmas shopping.  I also have a few little projects I want to work on, but one requires a sewing machine.  Hmm-- Sarah??  :)  hehe.  

I'm so excited that it's actually getting cold here.  It's almost Christmas-- so it's about time it starts dropping below 70 degrees.  It was actually 42 degrees today!!!  

Well, that's about it.  See ya!

We Got Elfed!!

So has anybody found themselves developing road rage since they've moved to Dallas??  I know I have.  I think I've always been a pretty fast driver, and well under control.  I just hate getting behind stupid drivers!  Grrr.  And "stupid drivers" to me is defined as SLOW DRIVERS.  There is a Toyota minivan that lives in our apt. complex and they leave around the same time I do for work.  And it just so happened that the other week i got caught behind this wretched minivan 3x in a row!  Ugh!  And then tonight I was driving w/ Paxton from Fort Worth and it was getting pretty busy on Hwy 121.  I was trying to weave in & out of slow cars and i was getting so frustrated when everyone was putting on their brakes!  I mean- Why were they slowing down on the highway!  Then I remembered we were comin up on the stop lights.  Who has ever heard of stop lights on a highway!??!?!?!?  So weird and annoying.  Whew!  Oh well, I get over it.  Paxton said that he thinks I've gotten more road rage since I've moved to Dallas.  My response was- I just have more opportunities in Dallas to get road rage.  Idaho- there's not a lot of traffic.  I guess I just have to learn to live with it, cuz it ain't gonna get better!
This is a pic of me on our way to Texas from Idaho-- this is a road rage pic of me- i look annoyed- and gross-- don't mind that part . :)  But do mind the snow in the background!  Ohhh how i miss the snow.  I dont know about you, but it just doesn't seem like Christmas time when the sun in shining and it's 60 degrees outside.

 

On a lighter note, my brother sent me this fun link of... well something.  I can't explain what it is- i want you to check it out for yourself.  But his was personalized, and now here is ours!!  I just absolutely loved it! Hahaha!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1167535069

Hope everyone is having a great time getting ready for the holidays!  I've already gotten the few Christmas decorations i have out and up in the apartment.  I made a quick stop at Hobby Lobby to get a few extras.  It's so fun.  Now i'm trying to figure out what Christmas goodie to make for my fam, friends, and neighbors.  Any good recipes/ideas?

Who are these guys??

Hey this is Paxton doing this post.  Abby usually does them so I felt like I should let everyone know that I was doing this one.  Okay, so I was looking at the pictures that we took from when we went to Six Flags the other night, and I couldn't help but comment on these pictures:

In this one Jeni looks like she was posing for a magazine photo shoot, Brian looks like he just stole something and he got caught by the camera, you can't really see Eric, and Garrett just looks silly.  I wonder why Jeni and Garrett weren't walking closer together?  And last, why does Kathleen have so much cash in her hand?

This is actually going to be the cover of Eric Rawlins new album.  It will be released in January 08'.

Anyway, I thought some of you guys would enjoy these pictures as much as I did.  We really had a lot of fun that night, thanks guys!!!