Cake and Turkey (not at the same time)

I’d update our blog more often, but I don’t think people want to hear me complain about school and work. That’s all we really do except for special occasions. November brings two special occasions. First was my birthday. I share the same birthday as my adorable nephew, so to make me feel that my birthday was important, my wonderful husband, who understands me all too well, decided to make my birthday a week long celebration!


Monday I came home to find this. Streamers, balloons and a bed covered in chocolate hugs and kisses.

Tuesday, we were watching a movie and the doorbell rang. He got me flowers! With lilies ( I Love Lillies).
Wednesday was TacoBell. ( For those of you who know me well, know I love tacobell). I thought a picture would probably be unnecessary.

Thursday, I went to the bathroom and hiding in our bathroom cupboard were new movies!
Wes is artistic, and I have been begging him to draw me a picture, so that’s what I got Friday. And Saturday I got … a full length mirror! A nice one. You would laugh if you saw all the funny positions I had to get in to try and see what my shoes and pants look like together in a regular mirror! I spent Saturday and Sunday morning with my family. We celebrated with watching Harry Potter 7.2 and with cake and ice cream!
Sunday I got a delicious cheesecake from my in-laws to celebrate!

Next was Thanksgiving! Wes and I flew to Virginia to be with my sister, brother- in- law and my niece that we don’t get to see too often. We had a great time. Thanksgiving we cooked and watched football and just relaxed and watched my niece dance, play and just be so darn cute! Friday we went to National Harbor to ICE: Merry Madagascar. It was a Christams story with the Madagascar characters made entirely out of ice. It was -2 degrees to keep the ice from melting. It was awesome! People who do ice sculptures are very talented. It even had slides of ice you can ride down.
I love being with my family. It was a great Thanksgiving. The only thing that was missing was my brother who is still on a mission in NY. He will be here next year by this time. Below are pictures from the Virginia trip.








The semester ends in 2 ½ weeks… then Christams! Woohoo!

Where Does The Time Go?

So having enjoyed my free time this past summer, I spaced on updating my blog (for all 3 of you who actually read it) But I thought now things have settled down and we are back in school (hurray!… with a hint of sarcasm) what better time than right now.
So to start summer off, I sold my car. Since I take the train to work, there were not many times when we needed both cars. Now we can save up and buy a better one when we need it!
Wes and I both had to take one summer class, but we did get out a few times to enjoy the sun.
First we accompanied Wes’ sister, brother in law and our two nephews to Las Vegas for a few days. We got to walk the strip, and went to Mandalay Bay. James enjoyed a night at the Excaliber show and we got to hear all about it!
This is the only picture we took there. I’m still working on my goal to be a better picture taker.( And getting Wes to smile for real in pictures)
In June, my Grandma Hardy passed away. It was sad to see her go, but I know she is healthy now and with my Grandpa. My sister and niece were coming out here this summer, so they got to come a little earlier and spend more time with us.

Then came our annual Lake Powell Trip. Most of Wes’ family and my sister’s in-laws came with us. We had a lot of fun climbing really big hills, falling into holes in the rocks, pulling out those who fell into the holes in the rocks, and Wes’ favorite part, jet skiing.



The day after we got home, it was my good friend Alicia's wedding.

Then my niece turns 1!


After that, we got to relax at home for a little while until August. Wes’ younger sister got married in the Logan temple. It was a lot of driving, but it was a very beautiful day. I don't have any picture, though.
Now we are back in school. I am finishing up all my pre-reqs for my cap-stone class that I take in the spring and I start applying to PA schools this school year. Wes’ is still working towards a computer science degree. Besides that, there is nothing to report.
I have decided to decorate to our house, and make it less of a “temporary home” feel, so stay tuned for pictures on that.
I am also excited because it is fall! I love this season. The next 3 months are the best months of the year. All my shows are starting again. (Bones, Castle, and House) and it’s my mamma's birthday, my anniversary, Halloween, my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. It’s 3 months of parties! Happy Fall!

The Candy Man Can and Other News

The semester is almost over,(Thank Goodness!)and summer is coming. Wes has been job searching and will have 2 jobs this summer. First, he will be working at a chocolate store at the Salt Lake City airport. This is an awesome deal for me! All the broken or "unsellable" chocolate, comes home with my husband. Second, he has a part time job with a web company called Novell. This is very exciting news because, since he is studying computer science, he now has a "foot in the door" that will give him good experience, and he will be able to practice all the things he has been learning in school.
I will still be working as a waitress at CPK, but my good news is... The End is in Sight! Since I changed schools and majors 2 years ago, I basically had to start over. So, I have one class this summer, fall semester, than a semester with my capstone class and 2 others I need to complete my degree. So I'm happy to say that one year from today, I will finally be graduating! (After 6 years of school, it's about time right?) I had trouble deciding, when I transferred, between something easy and quick, or something I love and will use. I chose the later. I will have a bachelor's in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis in Physiology, and am also Pre-Med. So many options! I can become a doctor, a paramedic if I don't want to do Med school a PA or even a mother! Oh the possibilities! After 5 years of feeling I will never be out of school, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
SO this summer, besides a Lake Powell trip, Wes and I will be working,studying and spending time with our niece and nephews! Now all I need is for the sun to come out!

Bring on the Sun!

I enjoy the occasional snowboarding trip as much as the next person, but Wes and I have decided after a LONG winter (and living in a basement apartment) we both hate being cold. That’s why we are so excited that the temperature is going up and hopefully will stay up! The crocuses and daffodils are blooming in front of our house, and I don’t have to worry when Wes walks out the door with no jacket and shorts.
We are excited for next week (Spring Break!) That is, if we survive this week. Don’t ya just love how all the teachers pile everything on at the last minute? Although no plans are set in stone, four- wheeling down south is still an option for ways to enjoy our break! I wish I had more exciting news or pictures. Maybe next time! I hope you all are enjoying the warmth as much as we are!

Be My Valentine

I spent Valentine's Day worrying about quizzes and getting bad tips all night. (You'd think with all that love in the air, they would be nice to the server, especially when she tried so hard to make it a nice evening). Since Wes and I both hate crowds, we were both fine with going to dinner the following day. So I thought we weren't doing anything special on the 14th. I came home ( a little upset and tired from such a disappointing/ stressful night at work) to find this...

All my favorite treats spelling I <3 U, but that wasn't all! We got to sit on our new couch and watch a movie while I got an amazing foot rub. Complete with good smelling lotion.
The next night we got dressed up for our dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Before we left I asked Wes' to take a picture with me.( He hates being in pictures). After many attempts I still wasn't happy with any we had taken, so I asked for one more. He told me this was the last one. Here's how it turned out.

Not quite what I had in mind, but I'll take it. I had a great night with the man of my dreams! Happy Valentine's Day to me!

Little Bursts at a Time

I feel that in my life, I will have a period time where nothing exciting is happening, and then all at once it's non stop action. The past 3 weeks have been that action part. It all started with a Jazz game. Wes and I got to go out on a date. We ate good food and enjoyed a great night.

Then, another Jazz game, but this time there were a few more people than just Wes and I. My Uncle Chris had fun yelling degrading comments to the opposing team, even though no one could hear him. That just seemed to make it even more funny to him. James (3) and Elijah had fun dancing to the music, and my little sister had a fun time looking after all the kids, especially Adam.


The following Sunday, some cousins of mine and Wes and I went to my parents for dinner and black bottom cake to celebrate one of my cousins and Wes' birthday that were both coming up. I know Wes loved that the only candle my parents could find was a Barbie candle.

Wes' birthday was at the beginning of February. We said we weren't going to do anything big. I kept my word and didn't do anything big, but I did surprise him. I leave early in the morning and put his new shirts, that he already knew about on the table with a note, balloon and a drink he likes. He thought that was all I was going to do. Little did he know that I decorated the house while he was in class. After blowing up so many balloons, I was a little light headed.



And for Wes' birthday... we finally got a couch!

He wanted to go to sushi house with a couple of people, but I didn't get any pictures.
Then a few days latter, I got to see some old roommates again. We went to see the art exhibit down at the BYU art museum, followed but dinner at Chen's.

Then we watched the superbowl at my in-laws. The food was awesome, but I was disappointed by the commercials and half time show. Hopefully they try harder for next year.

Adventure is Out There!

The week after Christmas, my family went up to our cabin near strawberry reservoir to go snowmobiling. We had 2 trail snowmobiles and 2 high powered sport snowmobiles . There was a ton of snow. probably 3-4 feet of fresh powder. We had so much fun! Again I was not great at taking pictures.

Outside the kitchen window.

Outside our bedroom door to the upstairs porch.

Wes made a huge sledding trail and at the end there was a 4 foot drop off right into some nice powder to cushion the fall. We had to dig out our trampoline. It was so covered in snow the middle was sagging all the way to the ground beneath it. It took 5 people almost and hour to dig it out. Of course throwing snow balls at each other distracted us a little.My dad, Sean and Wes were all acting like kids on the snowmobiles, they were going off doing donuts and they never wanted to come inside.

The day we were supposed to leave it snowed all day and they closed the canyon we had to take to get home so had to wait til the next day and that's when our adventure began.

We got up at 6 so we could eat, clean the cabin and head down the 2 mile trail to the parking lot at 7. We packed everything and headed out. It was still snowing and you could not tell where you were. There was no depth because everything was white. A 1/4 mile in we hit 6-8 foot snow drifts that take up the whole trail. Even the high powered snowmobiles kept getting stuck. My mom took my sister and the baby back to the cabin until we could make a path to the car. We tried for 3-4 hours to get through. The men would get through the drifts start making a trail and then hit another patch of drifts again. I mostly watched Calysta and made sure she wasn't getting too cold. With the wind it was -5 degrees. Calysta and I ended walking most of the way. One of the snowmobiles froze and we couldn't start it for a long time.
You would try to ride through a snow drift and the machines would either flip over or sink and it would take 3 people to lift it out of the hole while another pushes snow in the hole so it wont sink again, and then we had to dig out the front. When most of us got to the parking lot we knew we couldn't get my mom, sister and niece out without help. The wind would erase our tracks after 20 min. It was cold and so we got a hold of a sheriff and eventually Wasatch County Search and Rescue (5 men each with their own snowmobiles) They went and got those stuck at the cabin. They got stuck too but they were more experienced at getting out. After an additional 2 hours Sean and the baby made it to the cars that I was keeping warm for them. He was really worried because my sister and mom had tipped 2x holding the baby and by the time he got to the cars she wasn't crying anymore, but it was because she was asleep. She was nice and warm and didn't know anything had happened. The rest were saved, and 7 hours later from first leaving the cabin we left the parking lot, with everyone safe. Wendy's never tasted soo good!



I wrote multiple blogs today so keep reading for the rest of our Christmas story!

Greetings from the Bronx

We got to talk to my brother (serving a mission in NY) for 2 1/2 hours Christmas morning. It was so great! He is just so happy and you can hear the change in him just from the way he talks. It was a great relief to my mom to hear him say he was safe and everything was well. A few days later we got a package from him. Along with pictures, we all got I heart NY shirts



I took this picture of Kelsey. She loves her tongue and she was holding her hand like she was making a sign. I thought it was cute.

I know he has only been out 4 months, but I still can't wait til my brother can be here for Christmas.

Family Photos

We had family pictures taken while my sister was in town. They were done by Wendy G. the same lady who did Wes and I's wedding. I think she did a great job. My brother was gone, but we needed a family picture with Kelsey. So here are some of them.

This is with my brother photo shopped in

A Much Needed Vacation

After a long and hard semester, Wes and I were both in need of a little time off. We had 2 weeks to re-energize, and enjoy ourselves. It started with my sister, brother -in- law and niece coming. I had called picking them up from the airport. I was so excited that I woke up about 5:30 am and could not go back to sleep ( their plane didn't come in til 10:30 and it was late). So we picked them up and went to my parents house to enjoy the holidays. At first Kelsey was overwhelmed by all the excited people in her face but she came around and loved all the attention and toys.

Wes and Calysta decided to build a snow fort, while the girls went shopping for clothes for family pictures we were taking the next day. This is what we came home to...

They dug a hole in the top and made a slide. Calysta was made to try it out and she got stuck. All that was sticking out were her feet at the bottom. I wish I had gotten a picture. It took 5 minutes or so for Wes to finally pull her out. (P.S. I tried really hard to get Wes to wear a coat).



We went to see my G-ma Hardy, she had never seen the baby either. We got to talk with her for a while. One of her horses, who is old, was not doing so well. He was having trouble walking. So my dad, my uncle Craig and Wes went to go see what was going on. The reason I am telling you this is because Wes' has never been an animal person, whereas I grew up always having a dog, and riding horses. It brought hope for me to see him interested in the horses, that maybe one day, he might let me get a dog. Cross your fingers! He even tried pitching some hay.

It was raining hard all day, and that night we found a surprise. The room my sister was staying in was just flooded with water. It was a huge ordeal taking everything out of the room, vacuuming up the water and ripping up the carpet.



The next day was Christmas eve. We spent it with Wes' family in Mapleton. We ate good food and watched our nephews open some presents and played with them.


Christmas was nice. Wes and I got some clothes and a camera so we can skype my sister. It was relaxing. We did a lot of the following...

Opened presents

Played Games

Took naps

Played with Kelsey.

It was an awesome Christmas. It was so fun to have everyone there (minus Creighton) We really missed him.