My Mom

This is more for journaling purposes than anything else. My mom passed away yesterday morning and it was a bittersweet time for me and my family. We're sad because she's gone, but happy because she's not in pain anymore and in a better place. I am so thankful for the gospel and the knowledge we have that there is life after death and that because of Christ and the Atonement and Resurrection we too can live again. I don't know how people who don't have this knowledge get through the hard times... this has definitely strengthened my testimony of the gospel and of the temple and the ordinances performed in there. I am so thankful that I had one of the best moms. As I got older she became one of my best friends and always knew what to say in any given situation that just somehow made me feel better. She was one of the best examples of service I've ever seen. As long as I can remember she's always been helping out somehow whether it was taking in meals when others were sick, or giving people rides to whatever appointments they had that day, etc. I never heard her complain. She would always say "treat others the way you want to be treated" and that's how she lived her life. She truly emulated charity, the pure love of Christ.

Preschool Nativity Program

Daddy and Shyanne in her donkey costume.

For Shyanne's preschool they did a Nativity Program including some Christmas songs. I didn't get to go, since I was sick in bed, but Nathan went and said Shyanne remembered her part and said it when it was her turn and did such a good job. Way to go Shyanne!

Our Newest Member of the Family...

For awhile now Nathan has been drawing sketches of a solar water heater that he wants to build and today we went out looking for the things he needs to build it. After going to a couple of places we finally found the store we were looking for, or so we thought. They didn't have what we needed, but they called another location and reserved what we wanted. During this time we were looking around the store and found some rabbits. We thought they were so cute so we held them and... yup that's right we are now the proud owners of a brown and white bunny Shyanne affectionately named "Brownie". She is so excited to have her! On the drive home all she talked about is how she is going to take really good care of her and play with her.

What Do YOU Want For Christmas?

A couple of days ago Shyanne and I were in the car running some errands and listening to Christmas music when I heard one of my favorite songs. I started singing along and when the song was over she told me that she now wanted a hippopotamus for Christmas. I had to explain that unfortunately a hippo is too big for Santa to put in the sleigh :)

"I" is for igloo

When Shyanne comes home from pre-school she always has a paper w/ her of an activity they did or letter they are learning. Monday was no different and just to make sure she really pays attention (I'm sure you know the attention span of a 3 yr. old) I ask her a few questions about her day. The conversation went like this... Me: "What is this new letter you're learning in class"? S: "It's the letter I". Me: "Oh what's this a picture of"? S: "An igloo"! S: "Mom do you know where igloos are found"? Me: I didn't really want to go into a long explanation about the North Pole which would of course lead to Santa, then Christmas, etc. So I said "There are some in Alaska". Which I believe there are. Shyanne's response "No mom igloos are up at the North Pole"!

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-BOO

This year Shyanne reprised her role as Cinderella. She could hardly wait for Halloween to come so she could go trick-or-treating! We went around our block and the next and by the time we came home she was tired, but not too tired to eat candy :)

Pumpkin Patch

Shyanne petting the cow. Don't worry about the sign they didn't bite :)

Petting the horse again.

I thought this one was a weird animal to have on a farm, but there it is an ostrich! Oh and please excuse the dirt or bug on the lense in this picture.

The kids got to pick some veggies and the parents got to take some home too!

Shyanne and her buddy Dylan. This is the boy who has a crush on her :)

So True

Your Hair Should Be Brown

You are an intelligent, well respected person. You are very confident. You take yourself seriously, and other people take you seriously too. You are a good leader, and you can be trusted with someone's life. You motivate people well, and you command respect easily. You are competent, successful, and organized. You can't stand chaos. Some people mistake you for being cold, calculating, or elitist.

What Color Hair Should You Have?

New Blog

I have started a new blog in an attempt to get some new delicious recipes from friends and family. If you have any recipes you would like to share feel free to go to the blog it's www.foodfindz@blogspot.com and post. Or if you just want to try something new check it out. I am still new at this and am trying to work out the kinks so if you have problems posting let me know so I can make sure I added your name to the list :)

THIS IS PRETTY COOL

Sorry if this video is a little grainy, but hopefully you get the idea. We saw this grass on one of our stops and it literally closes up when you touch it- check it out. Shyanne loved this and hey who am I kidding so did Nathan and I. We did this for about 15-20 min. I know, I know we're easily amused :)

Day at the beach

Shyanne being silly

Being silly again

We had so much fun this day! We went to the beach with my BIL's, SIL, my niece and 2 nephews. The waves were a lot bigger and harder today so Shyanne just stayed on the beach and played w/ her little cousin who's around her age. She found this swim mask in their bucket of sand toys and asked me to put it on. As you can see she kept it on the whole time and had the cute little imprint of the mask on her face after we took it off :)

Lei Making

Stringing Plumeria flowers

The finished product

Happy customer!

Flowers of Hawaii

This is a Plumeria flower. They usually make leis out of them.


I think this is a Hibiscus flower.

This one I think is called a Hollyhock.

This flower looks pretty awesome. Our friend, Duane, told us it is the Passion Fruit flower.

Random Ramblings about Fall

I love all of the seasons, but I think if I had to pick one Fall would be my favorite. The hint of a cool crispness in the air and the leaves changing colors to bright reds, yellows and oranges. Sigh... now if only I lived somewhere where this actually happens! I want to see and feel what Fall is like in other parts of the country especially back East. But, I digress... along w/ the cooler temps. and colors I love the decorations of the pumpkins, scarecrows, etc. and knowing that the "holiday season" (to me it's Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas) is coming soon. What is your favorite season?

Pre-K Crush

Shyanne started preschool last week and is 1 out of 2 girls in the class along with 4 boys. So when I went to pick her up today her teacher, Miss Erin, told me that she had to have a talk with her and another boy named Dylan about kissing. I've been told that he is a very affectionate kid and kisses and hugs everyone. I was totally fine with that and even thought it was cute that he has a crush on Shyanne. According to his mom he thinks that she is a "cute girl" w/ "pretty hair". I did have a talk with Shyanne when we got home and told her that it's okay to hug, but not kiss. Good thing I picked her up and not Nathan ;) I called him on the phone later and told him and he started laughing. This isn't supposed to happen for like another 12-13 yrs!

The rules: List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 Joys-
1) Being w/ Nathan, Shyanne and my family
2) Right before or after it rains smelling the rain w/ the dirt in the air (weird I know)
3) Being the Primary Pianist

3 Fears-
1) Nathan or Shyanne dying. I know I'll see them again it's just that I'd miss them so much!
2) Having someone break into our house while I'm there and Nathan's gone and having to use the gun.
3) I'll admit it I'm still a little scared of the dark. I have a very active imagination and always scare myself w/ scenes from movies, etc.

3 Current Obsessions/ Collections-
1) Scrapbooking
2) Learning how to sew
3) Getting our garden started

3 Facts About Yourself-
1) I am one of those people who know tons of useless bits of information
2) I love sports
3) I love cooking (I just need to find some new recipes)

3 Goals-
1) Get back in shape
2) Get the house clean
3) Read scriptures and attend the temple more often :)

Let's see I'm going to tag Launi, Ammanda, Sara, Tasha and Sariah

Adventures in Motherhood

So I have a headache and am trying to get some sleep and Shyanne wants me to get her some milk. Ok so I go and do that and as I'm pouring her milk I hear water running and I'm thinking oh she just went potty so she's washing her hands right? Wrong. She comes running out of the bathroom telling me her potty's water is spilling all over the floor. Well it turns out that a whole tub of bum wipes is no match for a porcelain toilet. I'm sure I'll look back on this in a couple of days and laugh, but not right now.

I'm Not Surprised

You Belong in 1983

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

It also was probably the best decade for music!

Hawaii 2008

For our family vacation this year we went to the Big Island of Hawaii again. It helps that half of Nathan's family lives there so of course we have to go and visit :) Nathan took tons of pictures during our stay but these are some of my favs. This is the first in a series of posts.

This is taken where the highway ends (literally) North of Kona. Don't the different blue colors in the water and lush green surroundings look amazing?


This is Akaka Falls and is the tallest waterfall in Hawaii. It is a mere 420 ft. drop.


For those of you who have never seen a green sand beach this one's for you. This beach is located on the south point of the island and you have to have a 4WD vehicle to get there.

Mayo Look-alike Meter

This is a lot of fun and really cool everyone should try!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family tree charts - Geneology

Take the Quiz here!

Memory Lane

Everyone needs to play....

Everyone needs to play...This is Fun!
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

4th of July

Our view of the fireworks and incoming storm :)

Our beautiful baby girl right before we got dressed to go see fireworks!


We didn't do too much for the 4th of July since Nathan still had to work :( But, we did go and see fireworks! Shyanne was so excited she kept asking when daddy was coming home so we could go and see the fireworks. I'm glad she was so excited because the last 2 yrs. she wasn't so thrilled. Anyways we got all set up for the fireworks and there was a storm moving in so the wind was blowing and it was lightning like crazy! We waited over an hour for the fireworks to start and as we were about to leave they finally did! I don't remember if it rained that night, but the next Sat. we had the biggest monsoon storm it was so awesome!

Thoughts on the Fourth of July

Since tomorrow is the Fourth of July I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the country we have to live in. I am amazed at how a rag tag "army" (I use the world loosely because I don't think anyone was really trained in the art of warfare) was able to defeat the most powerful nation in the world. Hearing the different accounts, especially the one of George Washington riding across the battle field and not getting shot even though his cape had bullet holes in it, gives me goose bumps and reminds me that the establishment of this country was all part of the Lord's plan. He gave us this country, the "Land of the Free", so it would be possible to again establish his Kindgom here on the earth. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for these things and so many more.

Birthday Party at Peter Piper Pizza

We celebrated Shyanne's 3rd birthday w/ Nathan's family by going to Peter Piper Pizza! They have the best pizza in the world! We got an awesome deal on a birthday package and Shyanne hit the jackpot on 2-3 different games and won over 100 tickets on her own! I think the total haul for the night was over 4,300 tickets (thanks to Nathan and his bros.)

This was the first thing she saw when we came in and she had a blast riding it.

Shyanne

Three years ago on April 21st at 4:59 p.m. I gave birth to our beautiful little daughter Shyanne. I can't believe that she's already 3 and going to be going to pre-school in Sept. and primary next year! We love her so much and can't imagine life without her! These are just some of my favorite photos... I love this picture- it's her 1st week home and she looks like she's smiling
She's about 6 mos. old in this one and just got to the top of the mountain with daddy