My Mom

So, I started doing this post the weekend after my mom came, and then things started getting crazy and now it is almost a month later and I am just sitting down to try writing it again.

As you guess not too long ago I got to see my mom. That may not seem like a big deal to a grown-up but sense I never intend to grow up I was super excited because it felt like FOREVER since I last got to see her. It has really only been since July, so only about 2 months but that is a long time when the last time was only for like 24 hours and there were tons of other people around. But thing that made me the most excited was not only that she was visiting me, but that she was all mine. Sometimes I get a little selfish, and don't want to share, this would have been one of those times.

The weekend started out with my mom flying into a little airport just north of our house. It is really small, but I wont complain because this airport makes my mom's visit possible. Gaupo and I went and picked her up. It was really fun to have Guapo come because he is good company when I am not patient because I am too excited for something. We arrive just in time to see the plane land and I go and great my mom. Can I tell you that nothing is better than a hug from someone who loves you and is genuinely excited to see you. It is awesome. After landing, we went outside to the baggage claim area, which is just a roped off area where the people set your stuff. Finally we headed to our house.

My mom has only seen our apartment on a video we did for Mother's Day, so we gave her the grand tour. It took all of 15 minutes including a bathroom break, but it was still fun to show off my new place. After that it was time for my mom to meet my visiting teachers. We were having a brunch at one of their houses and that is where my mom got her first dose of the people I am surrounded by (this is a good group of people so a good thing). It was really fun to sit and visit and talk. Plus there was really good food. Oh, it was a delightful occasion. However, my favorite part was walking to and from my VT house. I love walking places, but Guapo not so much so we don't do it unless Guapo is in a good mood, but my mom is always up for it. Anyway the slower pace of walking allowed us to talk and enjoy the wonderful weather and scenery. Oh it was GREAT.

When we arrived home we just visited. We didn't do anything. It was perfect. For dinner, Guapo and I made Quesadias for my mom. She has never had ours before and they are something that Guapo and I really like. I think she enjoyed them. After dinner we went to Cold Stone. My mom loves Cold Stone, and we had a gift certificate and decided that this was the perfect time to use it. It was so fun to do something that my mom loves so much and doesn't get to do very often. After ice cream we came home and my mom headed to bed while Jason and I watched some Gilligan's Island. It a really good day. Simple, but that is just the way I wanted it.

Saturday, we slept in and then had an amazing breakfast. We had hash browns, eggs, and muffins. Just in case you don't like that we also had bacon. Talk about good, and hearty. After breakfast was all cleaned up we got ready for the day, and then head to Sam's. Waahoo!!! We don't have a card, but needed some important things, so my mom offered her assistance. We went to Sam's and tried samples, walked around the store, and bought our necessary items: brown sugar, Crisco, chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter. (If you haven't noticed those ingredients make something very important to my family COOKIES) After we went to Sam's we came home and after we put everything away my mom and I went to Michael's. I had signed up to do a fall center piece for the dinner right before the Women's broadcast that night. I didn't have anything fallish but wanted something which is why I signed up. So, my wonderful helped me find some cute things and we made a very cute center piece for the table, and we did it on a budget.

The center piece we did together.

When we came home from Michael's, Guapo was watching Earnest Goes to Jail, so after we were done building the center piece, finished watching that with him. After the movie, I got ready to go and my mom and I went to the Relief Society Broadcast. It is the first one we have ever been to together. We went to the soup dinner before and sat with some ladies from the ward. Then we listened to some great talks during the broadcast. It was so fun to be there with my mom. I felt so cool. Plus it brought back memories of when we went to my first Young Women's Broadcast together. It was really fun. Once we got home, we watched Rookie of the Year. 

Sunday we slept in, and went to church. After church, we came home and my mom and I talked while Gaupo took a nap. I also made cinnamon rolls. These are my new favorite ones. They are made with pudding and then frosted with a caramel frosting. They are so good. At about 5:00PM our friend came over and joined us from a scrumptious dinner of Pisola and cinnamon rolls. After dinner we played games. It was just a really relaxing Sunday.

Monday morning came all to fast, and after one last walk, which actually started Guapo and I on our latest adventure House Hunting, we headed to the airport. It is always kind of hard to say goodbye but it is easier knowing that just two months later you will be flying down to see her and other family again. I loved the time I got to spend with my mom.

My mom is wonderful. She is one of my best friends and is the best secret keeper beside Gaupo. My mom is one of my hero's because she has never given up on me when I am sure it would have been easier that putting up with me. My mom has always believed in me and always let me try even when it seemed almost impossible. My mom is also married to my dad who is also absolutely wonderful. Lots of who I am today is all because those two people fell in love. I hope that Guapo and I will be just as good of parents to this little baby as we have both had. We are so blessed to have so many great examples of parents. I love my mom and having her here was so fun, I hope we never stop having fun together.

The Little Things

So, this summer we have been growing a garden. It is Guapo and I's first, and lets say we have learned a lot.
Lesson 1: When you have a family of 2 don't plant zucchini.
Lesson 2: Just because it is an onion start doesn't mean it will grow well.
Lesson 3: Peas don't like the heat even if I do.
Lesson 4: Fertilizer, plants need it. Dirt is good for awhile but eventually they need something more.
Lesson 5: Tomatoes really do grow just look at this one.

Gaupo has been wanting me to add this picture forever, and this plant really is over 6ft. tall.

 

We have learned other lessons from our little garden, but mostly we have learned it takes practice to get things right, and it is really a blessing to watch things grow and to work together. Our garden has been a really good producer of tomatoes and zucchini, which the people at work have really liked.

Our other little adventure has been that we found out we are going to be parents! Yes, this is exciting and scary news. Even though it is scary we are very excited and being the people we are could announce it by simpling calling, or posting and saying we are pregnant, so below is how several groups of people found out.

The biggest group we told was the Facebook world. This was my status...

If you can't read it, it says" This weekend I baked delicious little cookies with a peanut butter surprise inside. I have been baking in my other oven for about 14 weeks now, and whats inside we are not sure, but we are excited to become parents."

The next biggest happened when we were in at Firey's homecoming. That is where we told most of the extended family and it came with sayings like this
   "...yeah I can't believe I am going to be an Aunt, but it is even crazier I am going to be a Mom."
   "...yeah when we start our family in March..."
   "...well I have to start looking bigger sometime, I am going to have a baby."
   "...Pop!" (this is made with hands at your belly going out as you say Pop)
Those are just the ones I remember, but all of them were dropped in the context of a conversation and most of our relatives had to do a double take on, what we had just said. It was very subtle, but everyones expressions were just great. So, thank you everyone for being happy and surprised, and catching the nonchalant hints.

The last, but not the smallest group we told was the group at work. Some background on this is that in my office have a purchasing board. On this board people write what they want me to buy by writing down the part number, a description, quantity, and who requested it. Then it is my job to buy it. So, to announce it at work I created a part number that fit our raw materials formula (3x4). The p/n was 313-2012. Then for the description I put a picture from our first ultra sound and the word baby next to it. Under quantity I put 1 and the requested by said Guapo and Adventure Girl. I posted it on Monday, because I share my office with the production manager and every morning all the people that work on the floor come in and have a meeting with him. At first they didn't notice, and then one person looked at my board, point and said "Whose is that?" I said calmly, "Mine." They of course thought I was lying. I said "No really that is mine." Then in true girl fashion they all squealed and made a huge fuss which brought everyone into our office to see what was going on. Anyway it was  perfect, and really funny. I am glad the secret is out it makes it so much more exciting.

The Board

Finally, the smallest group, but the first ones to know were our parents and siblings. I told my mom first just by telling her, and much to my happiness she was excited and almost made me cry. So, technically my mom was the first but everybody else got told through pillowcases. Gaupo and I followed in my brother's footsteps and decided to make something to announce our baby. We decided that pillowcases would be good. So, we painted big monkey heads on them and wrote in puff paint "Our little Monkey's (insert correct title Uncle, Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa)." It worked out perfect for my family because we were doing Christmas in July and we voluteered to do our present first. So, we had everyone close their eyes and then handed them out and then had them open them. My brother's reaction was the BEST. When he read it he looks at me and says "are you serious?" After nodding yes, he rushed over to me practically picked me up off the ground and gave me the biggest hug I have ever received from him. Yes it made me tear, but if the only time I cry are when I tell people I am pregnant I am doing good. Anyway, it was really fun to tell everyone and it was fun to think of all the ways to announce it, but needless to say " We are pregnant, and very excited."

This is a close up. I don't have the picture of the finished ones but all this one is missing is the words.

This is only a few that you can see, we made 14 of these pillowcases.

Firey and I-70

Last weekend I convinced Guapo that we needed to go to Firey's homecoming. She and I are really close and had our whole lives planned out together. Well as you know God has his own way to teach us the lessons we need to know, so about 18 months ago I got married and she left on a mission to Berlin Germany. While she was in Germany and I was married and in America we both had many grand adventures. All of them were unique to what we needed in this life, but because it had been 18 months since we had really talked I was a little nervous about seeing her again, because what if we had both changed too much.

Well as most people know, if two people are both doing what the Lord would have them do, then time is most likely not an issue and so it was with us. We were still the two talkative, giggly, and wild girls we have always been. It is true we have had very different experiences, but we have both had hard times, and blessed times, and had 18 months to care about others besides ourselves. Needless to say the time worp worked here and after a few minutes catching up, it was as if we hadn't really been separated at all.

Another great thing about that trip was I was able to see two of my sisters. We were able to surprise Vanilla by showing up at the place where she worked all Summer. She was so surprised and it was so fun to help her move out, and then into her new apartment. Vanilla and Dancer have their own way of doing things and their own place for everything, so I just sat in a place they told me would not be in the way and talked. It was actually really fun. I remember moving in oh it was always so overwhelming it made me cry. Anyway after being at their house for a little while we went out to meet firey.

Firey was staying at her parents house and was making peach and chicken curry. Oh my it was good, plus my Aunt made this wonderful bread to go with it. I love bread and this was really good soft, warm, fresh bread, MMMMM. Anyway while dinner was being fixed firey and I chatted about life and what was going on. It was great to have some time with just her. My sisters came out about 45 minutes later and we had dinner. After dinner we played on of dancer's favorite games, Just Dance 2. It was so fun. Even Guapo participated, granted he did it his own way and there was no convincing him otherwise, he still did it and did very well. After I started getting sick from bopping around and watching a huge screen we took a break. During that break is when my sisters decided they really should go get some food for the week.

Well, they invited me to go with them and we went shopping. It was so interesting to go shopping with them, because our desires are so different. They shop completely different than me and it is really funny. Even though it was different, I still helped them find what they needed, find good deals, and even find some nutritious food. It was a successful and fairly quick trip. After shopping we had to go back to their apartment and put the food away and grab clothes to spend the night.

When we arrive back at the house, I found Gaupo and Big S playing video games. Both were so please I was not about to break that up. So, I went down stairs and found Firey who was preparing her talk for the next day. That is when the talking really began. We began swapping the meaningful stories and moments of the last 18 months. It was so good to talk. Then Vanilla wanted everyone to watch the Dining Hall's music video so all of us cramed around a bed and watched a really funny, random, and interesting video of the dining hall staff. After that most people went to bed, but firey and I talked a little bit longer and then I went and took a shower. Then finally dropped into bed at about 1:30.

Sunday was a fun day full of church, family, and chatting. It was fun to see all of the Brady bunch and to go to church and just see everyone. Firey did a great job on her talk and the food afterwards was great. I ate way too much dessert and probably not enough real food. That what happens when you don't have parents to remind you to eat your fruits and vegetables. Anyway it was a really good day and I was really glad I didn't have to leave or miss it. Probably one of my favorite parts was when Uncle D and Aunt G stayed up and talked with us. We didn't talk about spectacular things we just talked and relaxed it was so nice. 

Monday we headed back. Most times when we travel we take I-80, but this trip home we decided to take I-70. I am so glad we did. It is so beautiful. There is rivers, mountains, cool looking towns, and not as much truck traffic. Also along this was is a place called Hanging Lake. We took some advice from people we think are pretty smart and went on the hike. It is an approximately 1.2 mile hike at a very step incline. However, almost anyone can do it, you just have to take your time. I love it! The water was so clear and pure, and the waterfall just amazing. It was absolutely awesome. The only other things that happened on that trip were that we bought our first couch and desk, and crashed when we got home. I honestly could not have planned a better weekend, I absolutely LOVED it!!

This is Hanging Lake pretty and amazing!

This is behind the falls. ( I am trying to get Guapo to come closer but I think he is allergic to water and he wouldn't come, I wasn't even really getting wet and I had NO intentions of getting him wet.)

This is as close as I could get him to come, but aren't we just so cute together.

Running

Yesterday I was running home from work, and was amazed at the freedom. It took me back down memory lane. There was a time when jogging 1/4 of a miles was almost more than I could do. If I really set my mind to it I could walk for a little while and then run again, but usually once I stopped it was hopeless to start again. Needless to say my running freedom has not always been in existence. So, this is how the story goes...

My Sophomore year of high school I was on top of the world. I was set to start on the JV basketball team. I had good friends, I was athletic, and school was going great. Well on Christmas break my family went skiing. While skiing I took a nasty spill and broke my collar bone. Well, my dreams of starting JV were shattered for at least this year, and my athletic look slowly evaporated into stumpy lard, because of my eating habits. 

To spare you the horrors and depressions I felt of deciding to go on a diet, and my pants not fitting, etc. I will just say I am not the super cute person I am now. I decided this must change, well my stick-to-it-iveness didn't stick long, but luckily sports started and   I started to lose weight and it worked out , but the summer after my Freshman year of college is when the real challenge came. I had to run, by myself, for no other reason than to just run. To add to the pressure my family was running a 5k that July.

 I decided that my high school sporty sisters were not going to beat me at the race, they might be close but they would not beat me. So, I ran three miles almost everyday. Guess what? I did win and that summer is when I developed the ability to run.

Since that pivotal moment, I have done a lot of running. I have almost ran through 4 pairs of shoes and run several 5ks, but more importantly I have developed a real love for running. I enjoy it. When I run and do it regularly I feel peaceful instead of like thudding Pillsbury dough girl. Anyway, I decided to write this because yesterday while running I felt so free and I remembered how good it felt to run. It felt good to remember that even though there were a lot of days I wanted to give up, and a lot more times when it just seemed I couldn't do it, I have. It took hard work, and determination, but I did it. I can run AND enjoy.

Too Much To Tell

So it has been FOREVER since I have blogged, and whenever that happens it means that a lot has happened, and then I have to decide what to write about. Well, I have been thinking and thinking of what adventures I should tell...

Should I tell of the Fourth of July, when we went to Green Acres, and Gaupo's family witnessed me driving a tractor for the first time in their lives. I actually like driving tractor, but shh they might make me do it if they know, but here is a picture to prove that yes I can drive a tractor. Though this tractor was ridiculously easy compared to the old Ford tractor we use at my home. Well, since we are on the topic of that weekend, I should also mention that we had a glorious time. Guapo had the time of his life driving tractors and loading hay. He really likes it, I don't know why it is kind of scary business, if you stack it wrong it topples over and you get in trouble. (I hate getting in trouble) However, Guapo loved it he looked so much at home and in control it is always so fun to see.

Guapo coming to tell his wife she is amazing.

Nah, I don't think I  will tell that story. Maybe I should tell about our 24th of July weekend trip...

On the 24th of July we went to a family reunion on my Mom's side. Oh boy was it fun! We went boating, had a variety show, swung from a giant swing, accomplish multiple ropes courses, played minute to win it, and had amazing food. Reunions are so fun. If you want my definition of it a reunion is when a bunch of family who know how to have a good time, get together and have over 24 hours of solid fun. They laugh hard, love a lot, and help each other. Everyone works together to pull it off and everyone is sad when it is over. They are usually happy to go home and sleep in their own bed, but saying good-bye is just so hard. That is what I can a reunion. The fun times didn't stop there, all of my family then went up to my home away from home and had a weiner roast, which for those of you who don't know is when you roast hot dogs over a fire. Then we had Christmas in July. My brother and his wife are having a baby so they wont be there for Christmas and Gaupo and I need to spend at least one Christmas at Green Acres. Anyway it was a fun filled night, but we all crashed hard. Too much play, not quite enough sleep.

Nah, that is not really the adventure I should tell either. Maybe I should tell about this past Saturday...

Yesterday was a SUPER Saturday, meaning we used it all up. It started with sleeping in. For those of you who don't know what that is I will explain. It means you stay in bed whether asleep or not until  at least 8:00 if not 9:00 or after. I think noon is ridiculous personally, but some people think that is what sleeping in is. No matter the time it means you rest in bed until later than you usually get out of bed by at least an hour. Okay, after we did that we had breakfast, of Guapo's homemade zucchini bread, and an egg. Oh it was so good. Then we finished Guapo's paper and went to the Fair. Boy I thought other fairs were small but this was super small, but it was still fun. My favorite part would be going to the Farmer's Market afterwards, and filling a bag as full as we could of produce for $10. Guapo and I aren't much for getting totally ripped off so I will tell you that bag was FULL. After that we did our first week of shopping and got way to much food. I really hope it lasts awhile. After shopping we came home and made one of our favorite meals--Biscuits and Gravy. Oh Guapo makes good gravy and I make good biscuits. After dinner was cleaned up we watched 'The Italian Job' which I actually liked, and then took a shower and went to bed. Now you will read this and think how could that have taken all-day remember Guapo and I are world's longest Grocery shoppers, I am worlds best stroller  and looker, and we slept in and had homework.

Well, looking back it looks like I caught you up on the big adventures. I will try to do better so you can know more about the little things like special projects at work, funny jokes, ultimate Frisbee, and Cub Scouts, but all in good time. Thanks again for reading more notes from Adventure Girl. Until next remember just call if you want to know what I am doing everyday. hehehahehe

Memorial Day Weekend

So, Guapo and I have been having so many adventures one right after another that I forgot to blog about some of the fun ones. None the less, I am back to tell you of some of our adventures.

Probably the funniest and best one happened on Memorial Day weekend. Guapo and I had Fri-Mon. off and we decided we would go camping. We prepared carefully, by having a general idea of where we wanted to go, and having bought proper camping equipment that we deemed necessary to make this Memorial day a success. About 1 or 2 in the afternoon on Friday we left our house towards the Mountains. We drove through Lyons and then snaked around the St. Vrian Canyon. It was beautiful. The St. Vrian River was running, and the trees were green, and the sun was shinning. It was beautiful. After about an hour and fifteen minutes later we found a great little campsite that was off the main road about two miles. The people that were camping quite close to us weren't too bad , but they had jeeps that they had made to go crawling, and one kid I swear he was only like 12 was trying to climb the hillside with it. I was for sure he was going to roll it a couple of times, but he didn't, and he also never made it up the hillside.

Anyway, once we picked our spot we set up camp. We had camp setup by about 3:00 and we both looked at each other like 'now what?' Neither of us are used to having camp set up and ready to go before dinner, but we decided to take a hike up the mountain. I love hiking and Guapo was a good sport to come with me and keep going every time I said lets go to those rocks, then to the tree, and finally to the other rocks. Anyway it was so fun to just be in nature. The trees were beautiful and it was rather peaceful, and best of all there were no buildings.

After enjoying nature we climbed back down, and started to build a fire. This would not seem like a big deal to anyone but us. However, last year the fire is how our camping trip started to go down hill. Last year Guapo used like a whole notebook worth of paper trying to get a fire started, and I was like 'oh my goodness I married a guy that can't build a fire without boy scout water.' Needless to say I was not happy last year when he built the fire, but like I mentioned before this time we had better tools.
So before we built the fire we went and collected a lot of fire wood both big AND small pieces. The we used the knife and the axe to make shavings, and we remembered newspaper this time. Any way check out our one-match-no-boy-scout-water fire for this year.

Yep pretty sweet, huh. We even had it bigger than this at times. We loved our fire we played in it all night long, and it kept us warm when we were by it, and it did the next great thing. It cooked dinner.
Our original plan for dinner was to have hot dogs, but we had so much time that we decided to do our tin-foil dinners. So, first we constructed them, but cutting up everything and then wrapping them. We each made our own, which if you had seen them you could totally tell. Jason's was circular, and just wrapped by squishing the tinfoil around it till it looked like a giant tinfoil hamburger patty. Mine had need seems, and was folded into a nice rectangle with everything all sealed perfectly. We then moved the fire to one side of the pit and cooked them. It took us about 50 min to an hour to get it cooked till we thought they would be done and check it out.

As you can see Guapo was very pleased with them. That grin and closed eyes means delicious. (I actually think he didn't want his picture taken. Surprised, I wasn't) These tinfoil dinners were the best I have ever had. The potatoes and carrots were soft, and instead of using hamburger we used brats. Oh, it was sooo good.
Well after dinner just visited and chilled, or got hot since for the most part we played in the fire. We had a dessert of somores and pudding. Ummmm. Well after trying to wait until we could see the stars which was like 9:45PM we decided to go to bed.

At first, I couldn't sleep. My body parts kept falling asleep, then my head got cold, them my face, then my feet, then I had to go to the bathroom. I am pretty sure I have NEVER had that much trouble sleeping while camping. Anyway, about 12:30 I am making enough noise trying to get comfortable that I wake Guapo up. (oops) He asks if I am okay, I say yeah I just can't sleep. So he gives me his jacket to put under my head. (what a great guy huh). After he gave me his jacket I promptly feel asleep. About 30 min later Gaupo says " Adventure Girl, I think we need to get out of here." I ask why. He says that he is afraid of getting stuck because it is raining and the dirt road we came in on was kind of washed out already. So, at 1:30 in the morning we pack up all of our gear in the rain and drive home. Once we get home we have to shower so we don't get the bed dirty. Finally at about 3:00AM we drop into bed exhausted.

So yes, we got rained out of our camping trip, but it was 20,000X better than last year. Guapo says he will never camp on Memorial Day weekend again, but we'll see. We ended up having a lot of fun on Saturday, even if we were home.
Another adventure we had was kayaking on Monday with some of our friends. I will just say Gaupo and I had a great time. I was like always soaked, and Guapo like always was dry as a bone. See opposites do attract and boy am I glad.

Notice who is winning. (Don't ask who won)

See we work well together. (At least if we like circles)

The PERFECT Day

Yesterday was the perfect day. It all started with sleeping in. Lately, I have been getting up at about 5:30 to go to work because we started working nine hour days, so we could have every other Friday off. Consequently, mornings come really early for me. Anyway with everything at work and having to get up early I was so ready for the weekend and to sleep in, so I did, and it was deelightful. After sleeping in, Guapo and I had a very simple fairly good for you breakfast. After breakfast we went to spend our wedding money. We are going camping on Memorial Day weekend, so we decided we would get some much needed camping stuff. Well, after searching for what we needed at Target, we ended up with only the axe, and water jug we need, but also walked out with our new grill. It is AWESOME!! After shopping at Target we went grocery shopping, and then stopped at WalMart to pick-up the rest of the camping stuff we needed. This included a tarp, and an air mattress. The air mattress isn't really for camping, but so people (like the ones that read this blog) can come visit us here and have a place to sleep, that is not on the floor. Once we got home is when the real fun began.

First we opened up the grill and assembled it. Then we had lunch. A fantastic lunch of egg salad sandwiches and finished off with mallows roasted over our new grill. (We wanted to make sure it worked) After lunch was all cleaned up we opened the next package-- the air mattress. So, that is how our living room camping trip began.

We pulled out the tent, and popped it up in the living room and then put the air mattress inside of it and aired it up. Then we look at places to camp next week, until Guapo got tired. He took a nap while I sent off some much needed emails. When Guapo woke up he gave me a treat. We went to the park and threw around the Frisbee for awhile. It was so great. The weather was sunny and warm with a slight breeze, but not bad, and it was just perfect. Then we went to one of the members of the bishopric's house and I received my calling--wolf cub scout leader. I know nothing about cub scouts so this should be interesting

Then we came home and Guapo decided that a grilled brat was exactly what he wanted. I didn't want something that greasy so I had grilled chicken and boy was it good. We then had it picnic style right in front of our tent, so fun. After we got the grill all cleaned up and showers taken we made the air mattress up and watched Casper the Friendly Ghost and spent the night in our tent, in our living room. Doesn't that just sound like a great day. I thought it was perfect. Mainly because I spent it all with Guapo and got to do everything I love and usually never get to do. Well, that was my fantastic weekend.

This is us in our tent on the super comfy air-mattress.