Summer has now begun

A few weeks ago we said our farewells to good ol' Provo. We now live in South Jordan.  It has been a great move as we have been closer to family and been able to spend lots and lots of time with them.  We are excited to spend more time with them before we make the big move down to Houston Texas. 

Here are a few photos on what we have been up to

Calvin Rocking out, i think he'd be the cutest punk rocker ever.

Celebrating my dear friend, The Becsters Birthday 

Daniel is GRADUATED. and this is the lovely German Chocolate cake I made him. (his favorite)

 Rocking out to the Beatles at the South Jordan Days Festival with the family. 

Family Photos with the Stephens..... more to come 

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids. Can you spy Calvin?

 Spending the weekend with the Stephens family and Celebrating my sister-in-laws Wedding Day. I found my new dream home. 

Summer Salad Relief Society Activity, fun to be back in the family ward again.  

 Playing with Cousins Maggie, Berkley and baby Lucy who came up from Arizona. These two are only 2 weeks apart and Calvin is a tank compared to Lucy.

 Playing outside as much as we can.  The last picture shows Calvin's personality perfectly. Love this boy.  He is growing up way too fast and I am loving every minute I have with him. 

 

race after race

Over Memorial day weekend Daniel and I had a great accomplishment. 

We both participated in Holden's annual Triathalon without one time of swimming or biking the entire year.  I at least have been running, Daniel well let's just say he ran up and down a basketball court almost every thursday night for mutual. 

It was a lot of fun with great company (The Stephen's Family) 

Lots of great food and of course 

a Great workout...

( I still have to get pictures from my sis in-law)

The following week Kelsi and I and two of my friends from high school had one Dirty Nerdy Adventure as we raced  in the 

DIRTY DASH 

It was mayhem, millions of people participated, even gorillas.

there were so many people that i felt like i was at a water park waiting to go down instead of water slides mud slides.  

Some examples of the hurdles we had to do

Jump over 5 ft walls with snow machines spraying water at us as we hopped over = sprained ankles

mud pits, swamps, 10 ft hay bells etc. 

Ya we were on Channel 2 News later that night. 

http://www.kutv.com/news/features/local/stories/vid_839.shtml

Here's the link to watch us. Kels has a great one liner :) 

I also got to spend some time with Shelby the day before she left.  We soaked up the sun at the Pool. It was Calvin's first experience going swimming. He loved it.  It was a fun but sad day as I realized shelbs would be leaving me. Sure miss my sista!  and of course her hubby and adorable boy.  (wish we got a pic of all of us)

Steph's bridal Shower

So a couple months ago my dear friend Courtney Richards and I threw a shower for our dear dear friend Stephanie Sampson > which now is Christensen . I have never thrown a shower for anyone before . . but I had a lot of fun doing it. I decided I love throwing parties and I would love to be a party planner or a wedding planner because I love decorating and thinking of new creative ideas and two eh hem I wouldn't have to use my own money to get all the stuff :) ha..

  Ever since I was little I have had a passion for decorating, I used to say when I grow up I want to be a Fashion Designer or Interior Designer.  But since those options were a little more pricey for schooling I stuck to a Public Health degree, that doesn't stop me from decorating though.

The Theme: 

"Firsts as Mr. & Mrs. Shower"

The invite said to help Stephanie and Andrew out please bring a gift to celebrate their first . . . .

Ex. Summer Activity, Honeymoon, Cleaning Day, Laundry day

Steph's colors were Creme, Salmony color, and grey.

The food was amazing, it made some beautiful pictures and 

very HAPPY Bellies.

Game: Stephanie's First Times Questionaire, if you'd like a copy of the questionaire let me know.

(I had others planned but didn't have time to play them.) 

 Red-Apple Sangria

Ingredients

 2 quarts fresh apple juice (from 16 red apples, cored but not peeled), plus 1 apple, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 6 lemons), plus 1 lemon, thinly sliced

  1 quart fresh orange juice (from 10 oranges), plus 1 orange, thinly sliced

 1 bottle (24 1/2 ounces) sparkling white-grape juice, chilled

Directions

In a pitcher, combine the apple and lemon juices immediately after juicing to keep the apple juice pink. Stir in orange juice; cover, and chill. Just before serving, add grape juice and sliced fruit.

The Hosts of the Shower.

Happy Wedding! 

Graduation

This Past weekend, Kelsi, my dearest sister and I graduated from 

Utah Valley University. 

We both were in the same department College of Science and Health. 

Kelsi graduated with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation and 

I Graduated with a Bachelor's in Public and Community Health. 

It has been a fun voyage and we both have learned great things.

So what's next you wonder...

Well I am a stay at home mom and love it 

but someday I would love to become a Wellness Coach and in the far future someday do International Health. 

As for Kelsi well you'll have to ask her. 

Kelsi and I planned on sitting next to each other but I had a good friend that wanted to sit by me as well so when we came to our seats there were not enough for all three of us and in the hurried situation we were in we couldn't get someone to trade Kelsi spots in time... so we were separated.  When it was time to get our diploma, Kelsi being the smarty pants, waited for me so she could walk after me.  

Here's to a great Education and great Sister to Celebrate this momentous Occasion. 

My Good Friend Natalia. We met at UVU and became instant besties, she's like my twin but not look alike twin. And of course my Lovely sister kelsi who we will forever be besties (sorry sis but your stuck with me)

This picture has great significance.  A long time ago before we even were in college I think it was when J.D. first came here he took a picture of us on his phone riding the Wolverine, so of course we had to recapture that moment as graduated sisters. 

This past weekend was very eventful and fun. We got to celebrate with Brandon and his lovely family for his Graduation.  During church this past Sunday and even throughout the week I kept getting thoughts of I need to serve more, but how and whom could I serve? As I reflected on this throughout the week I knew that when we serve more our thoughts are more centered on others and not on ourselves, thus we become less selfish with our time and selves.  I knew I needed to serve more because of this reason.  In my prayers I would ask My Father in Heaven to grant me opportunities to serve those in need and recognize those opportunities.  Thus the opportunity came.  I was sitting in the chapel after Relief Society being one of the last women out, when a sister in the ward came over and asked a few of us that were left if any one could possibly give an elderly sister in the ward a ride to her Dr. Appointment. At first I hesitated, but as a few moments passed by I recognized this as an opportunity for me to help serve someone in need.  I called her later that week to confirm her appointment and she was the sweetest thing... Nancy is her name.  She couldn't remember what time her appointment was and so she said she would call me back and let me know if she still needed to go or not, and concluded with But if there is no appointment we could go to lunch or something.  This made me smile and think.... She must be dying to have visitors.  The appointment came and on Friday we took off to her appointment.  She talked and talked the moment I picked her up that she forgot to tell me which way to go.  Instead of being a 2 minute ride it ended up being a 15 minute ride, but I am ever so grateful because I learned a lot from that sweet dear lady.  She told me she was going to pay me money for gas which was so thoughtful of her to offer, but I told her that I was the one serving her and that she did not need to pay me, but she insisted and told me that how grateful she was to me for volunteering to take her.  Nancy went on to say how not very many people are willing to give up there time especially with a happy heart and told me I was an angel.  Not in the least bit, I am just trying to help out.  With how much she expressed her gratitude for such a small thing made me realize how important it is for us to take the time to help someone in need no matter the situation and as sweet Nancy said "the angels in heaven will be smiling down upon you for your service."   

I hope as you get those promptings to help someone in need, whether it be visiting a friend, lending a hand to help someone bring in groceries, start up a conversation, etc. that you will heed those promptings and I know you're lives will be touched by those you serve and you Will receive more promptings and service will become apart of your life.  As we serve remember to love and not to worry about the other things you have going on that day but to enjoy the experience you are receiving.  

For the rest of the weekend my dearest friend and past roommate, Karina, came down from Idaho to visit.  It was so good to see and be with her as is has been a very long time since we last saw each other.  We stayed up at Daniel's parents and played at the park, caught up on life,  and went to Thanksgiving point.  Her darling boy Parker is full of energy and life.  Karina has always been such a good friend of mine and no matter how long we are apart from one another, when we get back together it's like we have never been away.  She is a great mother and a friend I know I will have forever.  

 The first time Calvin swinging.  Nice and chill... the wind blowing through his hair... nothing gets better than this. 

 Parker has such a fun personality... It was fun to play with him and see him tease his mom. 

 The beautiful tulips at Thanksgiving Point. It was so nice to get outside and to think Tulips staying beautiful without a snowstorm destroying them...ahh amazing. 

 As we played all day in the sun, my first time this year I  got a little red in the face but I don't regret my decision at all. 

 Ready .... Set... GO

While we played daniel worked and chopped down trees.  Dad recruited him to work over at the Marquis Offices.  

On Monday Daniel, Calvin and I had a one full adventure... just the three of us.  This doesn't happen very often so I soaked up every minute of spending my whole day with my two favorite boys. We went to Provo Canyon and went for a walk. went to Make-Out Point or also known as Squaw Peak, threw a frisbee in the parking lot. got Macey's king kong Ice cream (are favorite) movied it up, and used our gift card to Olive Garden Daniel won from March Madness (which we found out we won't be going to a restaurant with 3 for awhile) haha

Now it's back to the grind. Only one more Semester left till Daniel is finished with SCHOOL.. Hallelujah!!!