~Ode To Jazmine~

Today we mourn the loss of a very close family member. Jazmine has been in my family for about 3 years now...and what a 3 years it was! She was the fastest and best looking member of my small family and we will miss her dearly. Jazmine was tragically taken from us Friday morning while she was doing her only job of driving me around.







Goodbye Jazmine...we love you and will miss you. Our lives will not be the same without you in it.



Love your good and faithful owner,


Laura Perry

~Thanksgiving Weekend~

This year for Thanksgiving we spent it with Randy's family. Yes...this meant that we took the relatively long drive down to Emery County. My in-laws are so awesome! We had a great time hanging out with the family, eating fantastic food, and just relaxing for the day. We had to drive home that night however, since Randy had to work all day the next day. Needless to say I'm not a huge fan of Black Friday, but we made decent money so I can't complain. Saturday I went shopping for Christmas stuff. We finally got a tree this year...last year we didn't have time to decorate since we were both working 12 hr shifts. Sunday we put up the tree but after we were done, we both felt like the tree was missing something, perhaps more then one thing. I really like our tree, but it needs something more. Any suggestions? Any would be welcomed. :)

Monday I took my first and last business trip to Texas. This will be my last as I have finally quit my job and will be leaving as of the end of the year. It's gonna be crazy trying to tie up all the loose ends but I'm really excited to try something new. Texas was fun, it snowed while I was there, after being told that it would be like 70 degrees...I think the cold weather likes to follow me. ha! I got to have dinner with my uncle who I haven't seen in like 3 years so that was a lot of fun. I got lost like 10 times because there aren't just normal streets in Texas, they are all freeways. It was a good time. I came home Thursday night and was so glad to be home. I hate being away from the husband, and my life here. Plus, Texas is full of cockroaches and they're gross. I'll take my few spiders and box elder bugs any day of the week.

~Birthday Fun and Update~

So it has been a while since I've posted so I'll have to do a quick update. A few weeks ago, Randy got some free tickets to a play, and with it being very last minute, I had to skip work to go with him. It was good though. We ended up going out to dinner and then to Hale Theatre to see Curtains. Since Randy's work sponsored it, almost everyone who works there got free tickets. It was pretty sweet. Free date night...what more can you ask for? The play was pretty good, and we had a good time spending some time together (since those moments have been few and far in between lately). For those of you who don't know, I did finally close my brother's condo (yippee!) and what a relief that was. This was seriously the hardest deal I've ever had as far as trying to get it to close...it was just one road block after another. But he likes the place and all that jazz so in the end it was worth the wait.

Last week was Randy's birthday. yay! So on Sunday we went over to my parents house and had our family dinner and then Randy's family party. It was fun, even though Randy doesn't really like the spotlight being on him. :) Since his birthday was on Saturday and he can't take Saturday's off, I decided that we should take Friday off and spend the day together. It was a lot of fun. We ended up going to see New Moon...what a good husband, taking me to the movie I wanted to see on his birthday. ha! Randy had finally watched Twilight like 2 weeks ago, and said it wasn't that bad (say what? it was awful!) so I didn't feel too bad dragging him to New Moon...I think he was actually excited about it. Or maybe he's just a good pretender. ha! After the movie we went home and played Soccer on his new PS3...Yeah...I bought the soccer game for me and the football game for him so imagine my surprise when he liked the soccer game better. :) Anyway...that's what's been going on in the life of Laura and Randy. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!

~Adoption~

One of my best friends found out a little while ago that she wouldn't be able to have children. Although this completely devastated her for a time, her and her husband have pushed forward. They have quickly done everything that they needed to do in order to adopt a child. I am so excited for them. Although I haven't been adopted myself, I have a strong belief in adoption. It allows those who can't have children themselves be able to still enjoy parenthood. I know a few people who have been adopted and I've seen how it has changed their lives. I know that Julie and Lance will change the lives of the children that they adopt. Right now they are in the process of just advertising, so they can hopefully find a child in need soon. If anyone who reads this blog knows of anyone who is thinking about giving up their baby, please let me know so I can pass the info off to my friend. You can also take a look at their adoption blog at
http://lanceandjulieadopt.blogspot.com/


Lance and Julie are also having an awesome giveaway to promote their adoption cause! Make sure to enter their giveaway http://lanceandjulie.blogspot.com and thanks for helping their cause!!!

~The First Snowball~

So...every year Randy and I have a competition on who can get the first snow ball. This all started last year when every day leading up to the snow, Randy told me that he couldn't wait to peg me with a snowball in the face. Well...one night we were about to go to bed and Randy was refusing to take the dog out to go pee. Reluctantly, I took the task...only to my surprise to find a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. My head starts plotting the best way to get the "first" snowball and I realize that Randy is upstairs...getting ready for bed. So I take the dog back inside, snowball in hand, and sneak up the stairs. (mostly I'm not very good at sneaking as I was giggling the whole way). This however didn't tip Randy off...he just asked what I was laughing at. I walk into the bedroom where I find Randy, not suspecting a thing, and I peg him with a cold, wet, snowball. Randy was so surprised and mostly upset that he didn't get the first snow ball. So this year, he vowed to get me before I got him. Tuesday evening, I come home from work only to find snow on the ground. The plotting begins. I call him to find out where he is and discovering that he was close, I decided to be a "good wife" and take the dog for his nightly walk...the whole time thinking to myself, Randy will go into the house, not suspecting anything...and I'll get him once again! We usually just walk him around the block, but by the time I got done with that, I noticed that Randy was still not home...so the long walk we took. As I'm on my way home from this long walk, I see Randy walking towards me...and only one thought crosses my mind...SNOWBALL. I take off with the dog in a mad dash, trying to get as far away from Randy, as quickly as possible. The mad dash worked, as it left Randy standing there, wondering what the heck I was doing. By the time he figured it out, I was long gone. I ran home, put the dog in the kennel, got my ammo, and hid behind the house, waiting for the unsuspecting husband to return. 5 minutes pass and still no sign of him. I start to wonder if he's coming back at all. But I wait. Few minutes later he appears, snowball in hand (as am I), but I realize I no longer have the element of surprise. He throws his snowball at me and misses, giving me a free shot. The snowball flies through the air towards him but alas, he evades it by less then an inch! So much for the first snowball of the year...but we sure had a fun time trying to get each other. I'm so glad to be married to someone who is just as big of a kid as I am! :) Hope everyone is enjoying the snow!

~Chinese Obsession~

As most of you probably already know, there was a very long period in my life where I absolutely refused to eat Chinese food. Mostly it came from a horrid food poisoning experience from Panda Express (which technically shouldn't even be considered Chinese food). However, in my quest to find another relatively fast food restaurant, I got a menu in the mail for a little Chinese place called Lucky Star. Feeling in the mood for some sweet and sour chicken, I talked my husband into trying this place out, even though I myself was feeling kind of reluctant. Long story short, this is by FAR the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life. In high school I used to drive up to Ogden to eat at another good restaurant called Maple Gardens, and I never thought I'd ever find a place that I liked better. However, Lucky star has far surpassed any Chinese restaurant I've ever eaten at. So for that last like 2 months, I have eaten at lucky star at least once a week. I know...this is not good on my budget, but for some reason, nothing else sounds as good to me. And it's not just the sweet and sour chicken that's good...I have started to order the most random things on the menu...things I don't even know what it is, and they are delicious to say the least! So...if you're looking for some super fresh Chinese food, and enough of it to feed you for like 3 meals, come up to Herriman and we can go to Lucky Star! :)

~Good Times~

So I'm at work yesterday, and my boss comes in. We talk for a little while, and then we start having this video (you tube) competition. I showed him Natalie's video of the little girls singing the star spangled banner...and he showed me this. I'm not sure which of them have more talent...but this is pretty funny. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9-CS2v8wcc&feature=related

~Weekend Getaway~

So...the last couple of weeks at work have been ridiculously stressful. It has gotten to the point where I'm not really enjoying my job that much because of all the drama that's going on. Well, I pretty much had a mental breakdown and told Randy that I never wanted to go back. Randy, being the sweet husband that he is, suggested that we get out of town that weekend. Since we had a time share, I suggested bear lake. We called them, and of course they didn't have anything open for like 5 weeks. Not quite what I wanted, but it will do. So I continued to go to work, just looking forward to our weekend getaway that was a few weeks away. Well, fortunately the time went quickly and last weekend we were able to go up and spend some much needed time together. Randy decided to take Saturday off, and I took monday off, so after my class on saturday, we packed and left for bear lake. It was so nice to be able to not worry about work, or life for a little while. But just so everyone knows, if you want to do activities in bear lake, like water stuff, or hiking caves, etc...you need to go before Labor Day, otherwise you will have no such luck. We got there and everything was closed for the summer. But we didn't mind. We drove to the beach and skipped rocks. I know this sounds kinda lame, but it was actually very entertaining. Monday we checked out of the condo (which, by the way, was bigger then our condo and WAY nice) and drove to Tremonton. My sister in law is building a house there and since I sold her the land, I figured I should go and see the progress on the house. It was pretty cool, and was really good to see her again. After eating dinner with them, Randy and I were on our way back home, to reality. :) Anyway, it was a great weekend and I'm so glad that I was able to spend some much needed time with Randy.

Chillin on the couch

A cool view

Searching for the Perfect Rock

Randy and me in shadow form

~Remembering~

As I'm sitting here at work, it dawns on me that today is the 8th anniversary of an absolutely terribble day. Eight years ago today thousands of American lives were lost. Back then I was a Sophomore in high school and I'm not sure I truly understood what freedoms I had that were trampled on that day. I remember playing a soccer game that day, and the skies were quiet, something I didn't realize until my parents pointed it out. I of course was too busy playing, however, during the 4 hours they sat there, not one plane flew over head. Shortly after 9/11, my soccer coach shared an article with us that has stayed with me throughout the years. It was probably one of the most motivating and liberating articles I've ever read. Luckily I'm a pack rat, so I was able to find it after all these years. I'd like to share that article now. I know it's a little lengthy, but trust me, it's worth reading. I still believe what is said, I am an American, and I will fight for my rights, and I will fight anyone who tries to take those rights from me. Enjoy.


"We'll go forward from this moment"
by Leonard Pitts Jr. of the Miami Herald

"It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together. Let me tell you about my people.
We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae-a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse.
We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though-peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.
Some people-you, perhaps-think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals. Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world.
You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before. But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice. I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not.
What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future. In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined. You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn."

~Bring on the Snow~

So I have to say that last winter was about the hardest winter I have ever endured. Even though we had an awesome vacation right in the middle of it, I couldn't help but think that spring couldn't come fast enough. Mostly I blame this negative attitude about the snow on the fact that last year Randy and I weren't able to buy season passes to brighton. This being the case, we didn't go at all since I don't want to spend $50 for a pass when I only last about 2 hrs. However, that was not the case this year! So while everyone is complaining about the snow, I will be shooting off mountains enjoying winter once again!We bought season passes 2 years ago, and I have to say, it was the best thing I've ever done. I was up on that hill once a week. It made winter so much more bearable! :) However, half way through the season I lost my pass(mostly I thought it was stolen until I conveniently found it the following June). I think it's because I probably would've broken my leg and had a cast on my wedding day :) ha! Anyway, I'm super excited for the fall weather, but also for the awesome snow. I can't wait to be able to use my pass! :) So all of you who hate winter...I only have 2 words for you... WINTER SPORTS! It will seriously make you look forward to the bitter cold months! :)

~Note to Self~

So...I've always been the independent sort who hates having to have a guy do anything for me. This has been especially true when it comes to Car issues. However, for some reason, a girl can't walk into an auto shop without feeling out of place, or like she's being taken advantage of simply because she doesn't know enough about cars to not be. Mostly I think this is ridiculous...however, it has happened to me more then once. So a few blogs ago, I went on a rampage about getting a flat tire on the freeway...blah blah blah. So...3 months go by, and about 6000 miles later, and I go out to my car, and low and behold, my rear tire is flat. Now...I know that on Friday, that tire was fine, and since I hadn't driven since then, It simply went flat in my garage. Logic tells me that that means that all it needs is a little air, and probably nothing more. So Randy and I run to walley world and pick up a WAY too expensive little machine that pumps up your tire using your cigarette lighter. It takes us about 5 minutes to get the tire up to the PSI level it needs to be at. We then decide that we should take it in at get the tire patched, or whatever needed to be done. So I'm driving down the road and Randy's following me and suddenly (after only a mile or so) he calls and tells me I have to pull over. I do, just to find that my tire is flat again. Luckily we pulled into a gas station so we go to the air pump and pump it back up again...however, doing this blows a HUGE hole in my tire and about 10 seconds later, the tire is completely flat again. Long story short, we get a tow truck, go back to BIG-O tire, only to find that the dumb sales guy before was selling me piece of crap tires because they were in my price range. So...for all you people who DON'T know...Each tire has a mile warranty on it, the more miles, the more expensive, but the longer they'll last. So I had 20,000 mile tires on my car (CRAP), and all I had to do was spend an extra $20 a tire to get 40,000 mile tires that would last TWICE AS LONG!!! So..when buying a tire, ask what the mileage warranty is on that tire. DO NOT get the 20,000 tire, even if its the cheapest cuz you'll end up replacing it every year and for a measly $20 more, you can get twice the mileage!

~Temple Open House~

So, a couple of weeks ago, Randy and I had the opportunity to help serve in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open house. It was a absolutely great experience, however, since ours was the last shift, we didn't get the chance to actually go through the temple. Well, I can always count on my mom. :) A few days later, she called me and told me that they had tickets and that we were all invited to come. yay! So Saturday, after a very long day, my family, except my brother who couldn't make it, met at the temple for the open house. It was a lot of fun seeing my nephew light up when he looked at it. My brother-in-law taught him who lives in the temple so now when you ask him he says "Jesus." He's so cute! Anyway, we're going through the temple and everything is just gorgeous, I loved the star shaped chandeliers. They were absolutely gorgeous. Gehrig did really well through out the whole thing. But when we got to the sealing room and sat down, he started to get a little antsy. At first my mom was holding him and he was wiggling, so she set him down so he could look around. About 10 seconds later, he's on the alter. We immediately grab him and tell him No. But, he has quite the will power, so a few minutes later, and he's on the floor again, just looking at the areas he's not supposed to get on. He's already been yelled at once for the alter, so he steers clear of that and creeps up on the white carpet that is right next to it. He takes a step, looks at me and I shake my head No...then he looks at him mom, who also shakes her head No. Takes a step forward, hesitates, looks both directions again, gets a huge grin on his face, and jumps! Now...I know this is supposed to be a quiet moment, but I couldn't help but laugh. I just couldn't believe the grin that came across his face before he did something he knew he wasn't supposed to do! It was so funny! Anyway...I'm so glad I got to be there with my family. The temple was awesome, I hope everyone gets a chance to go and see it.

~Scuba Diving and the 4th of July~

So...most people that know Randy know how much he loves to scuba dive. It is one of the few physical activities that actually excite him. After we got back from the Bahamas and he went scuba diving with his dad, it's been non stop pressure from him to get certified and go with him. For a really long time I refused to get certified because mostly...I'm terrified of water. ha! Not so much of being in the water...but being under the water. If I could have my nose plugged there would be no issue...but since I can't...it seriously freaks me out. But, I have to admit, I was rather jealous that Randy and his dad had so much fun, and I wasn't there to share in it. So...Randy has agreed to help me conquer my fear of water and I agreed to get certified (This will be a picture of me one day! ha!). We didn't have any plans for the 4th, mostly because any holiday is a work day for Randy...but such is life. He wasn't supposed to get off work until 7pm, which pretty much shoots the sugar house park fireworks idea. So...we just planned to stay home and just hang out. However, Randy got off a little early, and with it being extremely hot, we headed for the pool. Luckily, (with it being the 4th and all) the pool was practically deserted, leaving me to figure out how to swim without the fear of being mocked by little fearless kids. Randy thought I did really well. He was like "your not hyperventilating or anything!" Yeah...not on the outside! Anyway, after about a hour and a half in the pool, I was able to go under the water and not freak out too bad. So...I'm thinking this certifying thing will be easier then I thought. But then again...3 feet is WAY different then 30. :) After my swim lesson, we went back to the house and watched a movie. Then we started to hear some fireworks go off and Randy got all antsy. I told him that I had some fireworks in the car (they had been there for like 3 years) that he could light off, since we couldn't really afford any this year. Next year, Randy decided that we're going up to Wyoming and spending like $300 on real fireworks and blowing some stuff up. ha! So...all in all it was a pretty good weekend...I conquered my fear, and Randy got to light some stuff on fire. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

~All In The Bones~

Ok...so summer is hear, which means that the majority of shows are over and doing their re-run phase. As much as I love summer, this doesn't give me a heck of a lot to do when Randy is at work, and I'm at home. A few weeks ago, I let my sister-in-law borrow some of my TV on DVD, including Lost, and Supernatural. So...I figured it was time for her to return the favor. One of her favorite shows is Bones. So...having nothing else to watch on TV, and some of the seasons that I will watch not coming out til the end of the summer, I asked if I could borrow them. Well, I didn't know what I was getting into. I've seen a few episodes here and there but they've always been on when another show that I like was on. Well...I'm totally hooked. In like the last 2 weeks, I have finished the first 2 seasons, and unfortunately I don't know anyone with season 3, and I don't have any free money to buy it. But this show is SO good. It may be the fact that David Boreanaz is one of the main characters (who I secretly have a crush on...and is possibly one of the sexiest men I've ever seen...don't tell Randy!) or it may be the fact that the show is so entertaining. I'm gonna go with both. Either way, I'm going crazy not knowing what happens, and the online videos are only of season 4, which I don't want to watch until I've finished season 3. So...I'm just gonna have to break down and buy them (ow, ow...twist my arm). Anyway, if you're bored this summer and are looking for an entertaining show, Bones is definitely one of them, and you get some eye candy as a freebie. :)

~When it Rains...it Pours~

So...I've been slightly annoyed at the weather the last couple of days. It seem to me that any time I get a day off, it showers me will rain (instead of a much preferred sunshine). Although I like the rain...I'm certainly ready for some much needed sunshine. This weekend, there was something going on with my dog...Sunday we woke up at like 9am (which, by the way, never happens because Dexter always has to go out before then). So...I'm thinking that he just decided to do his business in the house. However, that wasn't the case. Randy and I came down the stairs and Dexter immediately came and laid down in between my legs. I was confused by this...normally he's not calm when we first get up...he wants to play. So...we take him out to do his thing, and try to feed him when he comes back in. Dexter comes over to his food and just starts yelping...like he's in excruciating pain. So...like most dog parents who don't have a clue as to what to do, we start to examine him. Nothing out of the ordinary but he's being very protective of his tail. He's a very happy dog and never until Sunday have I seen him tuck his tail under his legs (unless he was in trouble or something). We decided that we'd take him to the vet first thing Monday, as we needed to get him some overdue shots anyway. Well, by Monday morning, he was acting normal again. No more yelping, his tail was in the air, and he was just as rambunctious as always. We took him to the vet anyway, who told us his weird behavior wasn't a big deal, gave us the shots and some stuff for his ear infection (which was WAY too expensive). All in all, glad there wasn't anything seriously wrong with him, but the vet trip was way more then we could afford. Randy and I have been trying to get out of debt as quickly as we can, so of course on the tough months, we have to fork out more money! So this morning, I wake up to a very rainy (and rather depressing) morning. Like I said...I usual like the rain, but I just want sunshine for a little while! Randy had dropped the dog off at my mom's house so of course, I start worrying that Dexter is outside getting soaked. I call my mom to make sure he's still dry and my mom tells me that it's not raining anymore and that the sun is coming out. This brightens my day a little...perhaps the rain is over and done with...yay! So, I get ready for work (which took longer then it should of...) and left my house. The last couple of weeks, driving my car has not been a fun thing...the alignment has been off and has made it difficult to drive. Yesterday I decided that I was going to take it in on Wednesday and have it realigned. So...I'm driving down the road, almost to work when I pass a car and a diesel truck. As I do so, I hear something hit my car, rather hard, like the sound a rock makes when it hits the door or something. And I think to myself..I sure hope that didn't leave a dent. I get off my exit and continue to drive. As I slow down for the light, I wonder to myself if the object that made the loud noise went under my car as opposed to the side of my car, which puts my tire into question. No...if it hit my tire, I would've felt it. I keep driving. As I pass state street, I think, I should just turn here and take my car to Big-0 just in case I did do something...No...I'd feel it by now if I did. So...I'm on the street that my work is on, and I turn, Now my car feels really wrong! So what do I do? Not pull over of course...I'm way to close to work. I turn into the parking lot that my work is in, and the final turn was the eye opening one. I hear my rim pretty much scrap the ground. Ok...there's no way my tire isn't flat. So..I pull over, and low and behold...a flat tire on my front driver side. What to do now? I call Randy...he's the first person I think of since my dad was at work...but he doesn't know what to do either. I call Big-O and ask if they tow and they told me they didn't but gave me a number to a towing company. Well...towing a car is expensive. So I called Randy back and asked if we had Road Side Assistance on our insurance plan. Luckily we did so that was one less thing that we had to pay for. I got my car towed to the Big-O and asked them to fix the tire (hoping a patch would do it), and to align my car. Well...they don't make patches big enough for the slit that was in my tire. It looked like someone had taken a pocket knife to it. So...the guy comes over and tells me that I have to replace it and that the tire is expensive. I ask "like $100 expensive?" (that's how much I paid for the last one). He says..."no...like $150 expensive" then he tells me that I can't just buy one...because they're a different brand then the others, buying 1 would throw my car out of alignment (which is what got me in this mess to begin with). So...two and a half hours later and a crapload of money that I don't have...here are the lessons I learned. #1. Don't try to get out of debt...because crap happens that forces you back into it. :) #2. DO NOT put off aligning your car..as you may get a flat tire and not realize it...then there's even more money down the drain! #3. When you have the distinct impression to take your car to Big-O instead of work, go to Big-O. (I'm just kidding about lesson #1). Hope everyone's rainy weeks hasn't cost them as much as mine has ;)

~The Happiest Place on Earth~

For years I have been taking family vacations to California, mostly to go to Disneyland, but visiting with my family down there was always a bonus. Well, for the first time in 23 years, I wasn't ready to come home. I have found that since I've been married, Vacations are just that much better. The last couple of years that I've gone to Cali, I've spent every night on the phone with Randy, and I found myself texting him all day long, waiting for the vacation to be over so I could see him again. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my family, and love love love Disneyland, but there's something about going with your spouse that makes a vacation so much more enjoyable! This was my nephew's first time going to disneyland and it was great to see how much fun he was having. But it was also great to be spending a week away from work with Randy! We flew out to Cali on Monday (my sister didn't want to drive with a 2 yr old...and I was so glad!). We spend monday just hanging out and visiting. It was Randy's first time meetin my extended family that didn't make it to the wedding, and mostly, he fit right in. My cousin has 2 girls that just attached to Randy. It was pretty funny considering the fact that Randy really doesn't like kids too much. :) But he was amazing with them. It was really fun to see...even though I was secretly laughing at him! Tuesday we went to Sea World...which by the way...is WAY overpriced!! I paid the same amount for 1 ticket at Sea World as I did for a 2 day pass at Disneyland! Ridiculous! But whatever...Randy got to see some sharks so he was happy. ;) We went on quite a few rides (they put rides in for the little kids...they were kinda fun) and we made the girls sick on a spinney ride...yeah...Randy was in charge. After that they didn't trust going on any ride with him (which is probably why he did it!). Wednesday we got the chance to go to the San Diego Temple. It was so awesome! I absolutely love that temple and after going though it, I love it even more! That afternoon we went to the beach. It was cold and not the beaches that Randy and I are used to...Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, etc. but it was cool. We walked the beach and just had some alone time (which was few and far between with those little girls) :) Thursday and Friday were Disneyland and California Adventure...they were a blast. I made Randy go through the Tiki Hut...simply because he hates it but has always told everyone how awesome it is and that they have to do it very first. It was pretty funny! But Gehrig and the girls thought it was a blast. Unfortunately they closed my absolute favorite ride at disneyland, (Peter Pan...yes, I am 23 yrs old and my favorite ride is still Peter Pan) so I couldn't take my nephew, or my hubby the first time they were there with me...and that was a bummer. But we did buy a tribute to Peter Pan, and it's going to be hangin up in my house very soon! I'll post pictures when we get it framed and everything. Friday we did the whole California Adventure thing. It was a good time. I love the Tower of Terror...but for all of you who have only been to the California one...let me be the first to tell you...the Flordia one is SO much better! I told Randy I'd take him so he could compare...so it looks like we're going to Disneyworld! :) (not til after Italy of course). After we were done with all the rides, we went to Tony Roma's for dinner...yes...they still have Tony Roma's, just not in utah. We got some delicious ribs...it was awesome! Saturday was a pretty lazy day, mostly we woke late and then packed and had to go to the airport. All in all, it was a pretty fun little get away. I'm glad I can finally say I've been to Disneyland with Randy!

Yay for Shamu!

Dolphins do cool tricks!

This is the ride we got the girls sick on! :)

My Favorite Temple!

What's going on? (standing in line to see Mickey)

It's tough to be a bug...especially wearing these glasses!

Mickey's Car...yup, we rode in it!

~One Year~

This weekend Randy and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary...I know...crazy how fast time flies. Anyway...it's been a great year to say the least! But...I can say that I'm really glad that we got married last year and not this year (mostly the weather was amazing last year...and this year it was a bit cold...). We both decided to take a day off and spend the time together. I have forgotten how nice it was when we both worked at RC Willey and had the same days off. In the morning, we took our dog to my mom's who doggie sat for us so we could enjoy our day. Right after that we went to the temple and did a session. It was amazing...I can't say that I've had such a great experience there except for the first time I went though and of course our wedding day. It was awesome and I think it really just relaxed both of us. After that we went home and just lounged around for the afternoon...we had lunch and then stuffed cake in each other's faces again (pictures to follow). Most people said that our wedding cake would be gross after a year and it'd be all dried out and stuff, but I have to say...it was SO good!! We had our top layer a pumpkin chocolate chip cake with chocolate frosting in the middle, and of course the fondet frosting on the outside. The fondet was seriously our saving grace. It kept the cake so moist it was absolutely delicious! Of course, the fondet was not nearly as good for smashing as it was all dried out and crusty. :) Later in the afternoon, we went to the cheesecake factory for dinner. It was delicious! And Randy finally found something that he liked enough to go there more often...yay! We went to dinner right about 4:45, expecting a long wait like usual...but we actually walked right in and sat down. I can't say that's ever happened for us (we were there opening night and it took us 4 and 1/2 hours to get in). After dinner we went to see Phantom at Hale Center Theatre. It was really good. It wasn't Andrew Lloyd Weber's version so it was different but I'm glad that now I can say I've seen both. After that it was back home and back to reality...but I can say it was a fantastic weekend and I'm so happy to be married to my best friend!

Randy bought me 1 rose since it was our 1st anniversary

After I shoved Cake in his face...

He got me back...and he's had practice. :)

The makeup kiss...

~Speeding Ticket~

Ok...so I know it's been a very long time since I've blogged so I have some catching up to do...So here you go. Alright...back in december I got in a car accident. Mostly it wasn't my fault, it was a very snowy day, and the roads were EXTREMEMLY icy and there weren't any plow trucks. So I'm driving to work and am just outside our neighborhood when I arrive at "deadman's curve" (we named it that after the accident). I see like 4 cars off the side of the road so I slow way down...enough to stall my car, even though I was in 1st gear. I press on the breaks but alas, nothing happens. I continue to slide and realize I have a decision, I can either run into the barrier in front of me, or I can try to turn and likely hit a car that has already slid off the road. I decided to take my chances with the barrier. There wasn't hardly any damage done to my car (mostly because I was going like 2 miles an hour...), but I was stuck due to the ice patch that I was on. I called Randy, who didn't answer because he was walking the dog and didn't bring his phone. I had a few people offer to push me out, but feeling guilty about making them stop, I declined their help, telling them that my husband was on his way. Well...after standing there about 5 minutes, a much needed snow plow drove by. Six minutes after that...here comes a cop. Now...this cop has pulled me over before (like over a year prior for running a stop sign). He proceeded to ask me what happened and then told me that he saw me driving and that I was going to fast (ok...then why did it take you 15 minutes to get here???). Randy finally pulled up and pushed me out. I was just about to leave when the cop stopped me to give me a ticket for speeding too fast for conditions...what?!? Ok....I don't think you get this...I STALLED my car in 1st gear! Do you know how slow you have to be going to do that??? I told him right then and there that I was going to fight it, and proceeded to do so. The First court session took place the end of Feb...and I was under the impression that it would all be resolved that night. However, after pleading not guilty, I was required to come back in the middle of April. By this point, I was just ready for it to be over...it almost wasn't worth fighting anymore. However, my trial date finally came and I showed up to the court room. I was kind of nervous because I knew the cop was summoned and would be there. However, after waiting in the court room for 45 minutes, I went into the office with the D.A. and was told that the cop hadn't showed up. We then went to the judge and asked for a dismissal...YES! The judge granted it and I was on my way. All in all, I was glad that I didn't have to face the cop and super excited that I didn't have a ticket on my record! :)

Lovin the Bahamas Mon

Well...We're back...and not to thrilled about it! :) We have decided that we're going to move to a tropical island and get away from all this snow and coldness! For some reason this winter has been much harder to endure then the others. That may be because we usually going skiing quite a bit, and that always makes the snow worth while. However, this year, we couldn't wait to get away from it...but unfortunately, that meant that we had to come back sometime. The Bahamas was Awesome! I didn't quite enjoy it as much as Puerto Rico (I don't think anything will top that...except for maybe Italy...I'll let you know) but it was much more relaxing. The whole island is like on a different world where time doesn't matter and "their are no problems mon." When we first got there, I thought the island was not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, mostly I thought it was way too brown to be considered "tropical" but as the week wore on...the island started to grow on me. Monday and Tuesday we ended up renting a car and since the bahamas was originally settled by the british, you drive on the left side of the road. I thought Randy was going to kills us numerous times, but apparently our time isn't up yet! :) Monday we went to a beautiful part of the island called the Garden of the Groves. It was amazing. Now this is what I think of when I think Tropical Island. Tuesday Randy's step mom and I just hung around the hotel and relaxed while the boys went scuba diving (I'm much to clausterphobic for that and Heidi really doesn't like the water that much either). Randy had a great time though and I'm glad that someone else was there to face the sharks with him (I'll post pictures when I get them developed). Wednesday was another relaxing day but we did go to the beach and then to the Island fish fry...now don't be mistaken...the fish fry is like the biggest activity on the island. Everyone goes and the locals are there until about 3AM. Mostly I think these activities are more for those who are big partiers...for those of us who don't drink...they kinda get boring after about 2 hrs. :) Thursday we went Kayaking in these awesome mangro trees. It was absolutely beautiful. We ate lunch on the beach that Pirates of the Carribean was filmed, and then went to the caves where the first inhabitants of the island were found. It was pretty sweet! Friday we were supposed to do more kayaking and some snorkeling but our trip was canceled due to the weather...Lame! But all in all it was a fantastic trip and I can't wait for the next one! :)

This place was called the International Bazaar and it was once a big touristy place before the hurricane

Just a great sunset on the beach

The Garden of the Groves

Another beach we went to...just at the right moment

Randy's Parents Kayaking

The beach that Pirates of the Carribean was filmed on

The caves of the Island

~A lil' about Randy~

Ok...so I was tagged and incredibly bored at work so here you go :)

1. Where did you meet your husband?
RC Willey...where dreams really do come true! :) I spent the first couple of months at work fighting with everyone who told me that we were perfect for each other...It irritated me that people were telling me who I should date. :) But...I can't fight the RC Willey curse (there's like 5 or so couples that met and got married just in our store)

2. How long did you date before you got married?
A very long time. I was really indecisive and kept breaking up with him, but it just didn't stick...he's just too cute to stay away. We dated on/off for about a year and a half, then got back together in June and were married the next April.

3. How long have you been married?
9 months and a few days... :)

4. What does he do to surprise you?
Every once in a while he'll leave work early and go home and clean the kitchen. I love it when I don't have to do that.

5. What is your favorite physical feature of his?
Can I really choose? I really like his eyes and his smile (when it's not cheesy).

6.What is your favorite quality?
He has this stress free way of life. He doesn't worry about much because he doesn't think life is for worrying, he thinks it's for having fun. He's such a kid and always knows how to have a good time.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Lauwa (the way a little kid says it when they can't pronounce their "R"s)

8. What is his favorite food?
Anything you put in front of him really...ha! He really likes pork chops though.

9. What is his favorite sport?
Football

10. When and where did you first kiss?
Our first official date? We had free passes to Lagoon and doubled with my brother and his friend. After we came back to my apartment and watched the Phantom of the Opera. After that he decided that I put the moves on him so he'd take it to the next level. :)

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Pretty much everything. We really like to watch movies and cuddle on the couch. I'm not sure if that's his favorite but it's probably mine.

12. Do you have children?
Nope...Randy thinks that kids get him sick, which isn't entirely untrue. Every time for the last 3 months he's been around his nieces he's gotten the flu. :( One day we will, but I'm not mature enough yet. :)

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
He's super good at being obnoxious in stores by singing at the top of his lungs (off key mind you) :) But he's really good at getting me to talk. I was never really one to say what I was thinking to anyone, especially if I thought it might hurt their feelings or I was hurt by something, but I can tell him anything.

14. How old is he?
30...he's an old man, but he still acts (and looks) like he's 20 so I guess that makes up for it.

15. Who said I love you first?
This is always an argument. He says that I did, but in reality, he said it like 6 months before I did. I wasn't ready for it so he only said it once. When I decided that I was going to marry him, I knew that I had to be the one to say it.

16. What is his favorite music?
Anything that's not country :)

17. What do you admire most about him?
His strength, not in a physical sense, but he's so good at not letting things get him down. He's also really spiritual. He never does anything for anybody else, but will do it for himself. He's one of the most genuine people I know. He's also very trusting of people and tries to see the good in everyone. He will always go out on a limb to make sure that his friends are taken care of. He's also very sweet and makes sure that I get the things I want. He tends to put me before himself and I hope he thinks the same about me.

18. What is his favorite color?
Uh...honestly, I don't know. He's never really said. He looks the best in Green and Blue though.

19. Will he read this?
Probably not...he thinks that blogging and facebook are a waste of time (he'd rather be playing video games).

20. People I tag...
Stephanie, Mindy, Amanda,

~Why I love Utah in the Winter~

Can I just say how much I love Utah in the winter? It is absolutely beautiful. So the other morning, Randy was being lazy and didn't want to get up with the dog to take him outside. This meant that at 7AM I had to get up and dare the cold morning air. However, I'm SO glad that it was me who had to. It was a crisp morning, like usual in December. The snow was fresh but the skies were clear and the sun was begining to rise. It was the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. It helps that Randy and I live on a bench overlooking the valley and all the pretty mountains covered in snow. As soon as I walked outside, I knew this was a photograph moment. I ran inside as quickly as I could and grabbed my camera and starting snapping shots. As time went on, the sky got brighter and more beautiful. And this is just some of the photos I took...Needless to say, This is why I love Utah! All in all, I couldn't be mad at Randy for not getting up with the dog when I got to witness something as beautiful as this morning was. I couldn't even be frustrated that I couldn't get back to sleep. It was a great morning! I love this last photo because you can still see the city lights in the valley. I love where we live!