Mexico Cruise, Part 1

Jared and I had the opportunity to go with my family on a Mexico cruise. It was so much fun and I wish that we could have stayed on the boat for another week. Since there was so many thing and so many pictures I thought I would break this down into a couple different blog enteries.


Below is a picture of our room. It was really tiny and the bathroom was even smaller, but it was great for just the two of us. My mom told me that sometimes they fit four people in rooms this size.. that I dont understand. We were on Deck 2 and our window (port hole) looked right out over the ocean.

This picture is of the middle of the ship from Deck 9, which is where my parents had the family suit. In their larger room was my parents, Blake, Rachel, Chloe and Rachel's cousin Parri. There room was a lot bigger than ours so fitting that many people was fine. In the middle of the ship they had things like live music playing, a Ben & Jerry's ice cream stand, and lots of shops.
The next two pictures are of the little animals that our stateroom attendant made for us. Normally you get them every night but we only got three... one of them I forgot to take a picture. My favorite was the bird.

Cute little elephant!!

Jared and I dressed up for one of the formal nights.

As a treat we decided to get a couples massage during the first sea day. I had gotten massages before and was really hoping that we would get one. Jared had never gotten a professional massage. He loved it!!! That made me happy and hoping that we can get them more often. (hehe) This was the first time I got the hot stones massage. That was amazing and I would totally do that one again.

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

My grandma sent this to me and I thought I would share...

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

4. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

5. In the memo field of all your checks, write 'For Marijuana'.

6. Skip down the hall rather than walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify that your drive-through order is 'To-Go'.

9. Sing along at the Opera.

10. Five days in advance, tell your friends that you can't attend their party because you have a headache.

11. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream 'I WON! I WON!'

12. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling 'Run for your lives! They're loose!'

13. Tell your children over dinner, 'Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go'.

14. Pick up a box of condoms at the pharmacy, go to the counter and ask where the fitting room is.

Amazing Book Series

I started reading these books and I LOVE them!! I think I may like this series better than Twilight. I am so excited for the movie to come out next year. Below each of the books is a quick synopsis of each book.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making chioces that weight survival against humanity and life against love.


Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gales holds herat an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueld an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they cant prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

This book is coming out on August 24, 2010. I am so excited to read it! I have already pre-ordered my copy so I can start reading it as soon as possible.

Danville, IL Trip

This past weekend Jared and I went with my mom's side of the family to Danville, IL. My Grandma Sharon's family had a Family Reunion. We visited with family, I got some Family History information that I needed and we ate WAY too much! It was great to see everyone but we were all happy to get out of that crazy humidity.

Jared and I at The Beef House.

The whole gang with Aunt Amanda's parents.

Jared in front of one of the many corn fields. He wanted to run through it.

Me in front of the corn field. This is the closest I would get because....

These things were every where.

Family Reunion Set Up

More people at the Family Reunion.

Jared and I on an ATV that all the kids were playing with.

Rachel and I playing 'Washers'

Jared and Blake played 'Washers' with us.

My Grandma's Aunt Vikki had this little kitty. I wanted to take her home with me.

4th of July Pictures (some)

Jared playing ball with Jake.
Chloe holding baby Cooper.

My brother Blake and his fiance Rachel.

Jared and I

Jared and his mom.

Slot Car Racing.... so much fun!!!

4th of July Weekend

This 4th of July weekend was filled with so many things. We went to the beach, spent time with family, went to a 4th of July party, and went to Disneyland.

My cousin Christine and her fiance, Nathan, came into town for the weekend from Missouri. Thay haven't visited since our wedding over two years ago, so it was nice to get to spend some time with them. On Saturday, Jared and I took them to Huntington Beach. It started out horrible.. and didn't really get better. We got there and it was total June Gloom and it was FREEZING. We decided to wait it out and walk around the shops on Main Street and the booths that were set up by the pier. Finally the sun started to come out and we decided to stay at the beach. Jared was brave enough to go in the water, so he went skim boarding while the rest of us relaxed on the shore. Well, I was very stupid and didn't put on sun screen and then fell asleep. I was sun burnt from head to toe. It didn't hurt yet but I knew it was only a matter of time. We had lunch at BJ's on Main Street. Nathan and Christine had never been there, so we thought it would be fun. They loved it... especially the pizooki (spell?). Because of my sun burn I spent the rest of the day putting aloe on and taking baking soda baths.

On Sunday, my grandparents had a big 4th of July party at their house. It was fully of yummy BBQ foods and lots of fun things to do. They had a magician, small basketball video games, pinball machines, a ping pong table, and slot cars. The slot cars were so much fun!!! We had so much fun with all of the friends and family that were there to celebrate with us. Unforunately, I didn't take any pictures, but a friend of ours did so once I get those I will up load them.

Monday we met up with Nathan, Christine, my brother Blake and his fiance Rachel, at Disneyland. We had reservations for Club 33 that we almost didn't make because we got stuck on Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Thankfully, we got off the ride just in time for our dinner reservations. Dinner was yummy... of course, and we had so much fun with everyone!

Another Blanket for Cooper

My cousin's soon to be wife, Chelsea, asked me to make their new little one another blanket. I made on over a month ago for a baby shower present. I made it green and blue. Chelsea bought a cute car seat cover that is red and black, so she asked me to make another blanket to match the car seat cover. This is what I came up with. I thought I would try something new with this blanket. I bought a fabric called minki, which is used in a lot of baby blankets and pillows. It is super soft and I LOVE it!! I hope that little Cooper enjoys this adorable blanket!!