Mormon Bloggers

Another update installment, oookay? The beginning of summer is always a blissful time for me. I love the newness of the weather and all the events that come with it.  After I returned from Utah, Sister graduated!! Then she moved home for a bit to work in a salon before our trip to California. The first day she was home, we went on an 8 mile evening bike ride along the river by our house. Divine.  Read More →

We celebrated our first Anniversary just the other day! Since we were in the small town of Wheatland where the luxurious hotels are sparce and the we were already living in the motel 6 we decided to be all ‘north face’ and go camping! Judge all you want on whethere this classifies as a fun romantic anniversary or not- but you know we handled it- it was both fun and romantic! We drove to Hartville, which is a little historic town in Wyoming for dinner. It was so fun, and Jeff claims it blew Ruth’s Chris out of the water! And then we went camping, and it was too dark to set up a tent… so we decided to sleep in the car and I got realy cozy with all the buggis! It was so pretty and an experience we will never forget! And we also set the car alarm off twice! Once at 1:00 AM and couldn’t find the keys and again at 7:00 AM. Yay for wake up calls! We drove home and stopped for yummy breakfast on the way!  Read More →

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TO US! It is crazy to think how it has already been one year! But when we think back on everything, we realize we really fit a lot in actually. And learned a lot. Our wedding day was our dream come true. Honeymooning in DR We Moved into our First apartment first time ever living away from home- besides Jeff’s mission (doesn’t count). And besides my semester in the ChiO where I paid to sleep at my parents house. … I’m sorry I only have pictures of the bedroom. Weird I know- we’re getting uber personal and intimate. Of course we went to St. George. It’s like a rule if you live in SLC you have to go to S.G. once a year. Self explanatory. But we went to the fair in SL and in Ft. Collins. Most importantly though- my fav! The Zoo came back to Shivers. I’ll be honest I never liked candyland- it was gross how they had all that old candy on the wall, and the train never fit in. But the zoo is so cute. I started eating... Read the rest of this entry »

A year ago today, I was packing for my honeymoon in the dark. My wedding was at my house, in my backyard and the power was out. For 12 hours. A truck had pulled down the power line. I was in hysterics. My friends came over to see me- I cried, Jeff’s family came over- I cried, If anyone mentioned the power being out- I cried. I packed a little bag to get ready at a friends. I also went to bed at 2 AM, woke up at 4 and went to check on the power and found people sneaking in my swimming pool, Thought they were stealing wedding decorations. It was a rough night. But I woke to power the next day and thank goodness it was the night before and not the night of.  Read More →

Today is the 24 of July, the day we members of the LDS church celebrate the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.  In church we sang pioneer songs, and heard talks about the pioneers.  Later this evening, we traveled to the temple and walked around the grounds which I think is a great way to commemorate the day.  Read More →

Wow, it’s been too long since I’ve written!  The Fourth of July is past, and Cassandra’s baby shower is coming up! On Saturday before the fourth, Brian and I worked concessions for the city’s Fourth of July event.  It was fun because we were done by 8:30 and got to watch the concert and the fireworks.  It was such a fun date and we ended up making money instead of spending money on tickets!  I discovered that the event is much more fun when I am not wondering if I got my money’s worth.  Ha ha. Monday, the Fourth, was planned and perfectly carried out by Brian, the ultimate Fourth of July afficionado.  First we went to the good old neighborhood breakfast at the church pavilion.  Next we braved the parade.  You may think it’s almost impossible to find a spot to watch the parade without camping out the night before.  Well, it is almost impossible, but not for Brian.  He dropped us off near the end of the parade and drove... Read the rest of this entry »

“I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which loom ahead,  our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will triumph” -Cordell Hull, Secretary of State 1933-1944  Read More →

The other day, it was Jontathan’s birthday and he is 21 years old.  Today we are having cake and ice cream in celebration.  Jonathan has been busy hurting our ears with his cap gun, messing up our shed with his throwing knives, and getting Thomas in trouble with fireworks.  Ha ha. Everyone will be here to celebrate today including Brian, Matthew, Miriam, Katrina, Thomas, and me.  In addition to that, he got a card from his Grandma and from Cassandra and Emerson.  Yesterday Brian and I took Jonathan to lunch at Braza Express where we had a fun time stuffing our faces with tons of meat.   Jonathan’s birthday gifts so far include money from me and Brian, fireworks and jerky from Thomas, and a cap gun and caps from Katrina.  If we could give Jonathan anything in the world, Brian would insure that he would have enough money to go as far as he wants in college and a car.  Katrina would give him whatever bass guitar and high tech equipment... Read the rest of this entry »

When we think of the Fourth of July, images of fireworks, flags and barbecues come to mind. It’s also a great time to talk to our children about the founding of our country and why we celebrate Independence Day. As we teach our children about America’s independence, we can help foster an attitude of gratitude for those who have sacrificed for our freedom.  Visit the Library  Your local library has many picture books about the Fourth of July and the Founding Fathers. Listen to Patriotic Music Together Visit a Historical Site, if Possible Start a Conversation With little children, explain that we celebrate America’s birthday on Independence Day. As children grow older, talk to them about what independence means. Read and Discuss the Declaration of Independence Together Rent a Movie about an American Heroine or Hero Find Fun Fourth of July Activities Help children make a flag out of construction paper or felt while talking... Read the rest of this entry »

I cry when the flag goes by.  I try to stop, to hold it in, but the tears escape every time.  I still love parades like a little kid, and that is the reason why; a community joined together in reverence to salute the essence of what it is to live in our country. Sunday I attended the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service in Provo, UT.  My family and 15,000 of our closest friends gathered together for 90-minutes of independence-focused singing and dancing.  One of my favorite songs is the Armed Forces Medley.  I only have one relative that ever served in the military and he never speaks about it.  It is touching beyond description to watch as members of each branch of the service stand proudly to receive the recognition they deserve.  I love to watch the eldest veterans and their wives and their generations of family.  And I especially love to see our current or recently discharged soldiers standing at full salute with all the seriousness upon their faces... Read the rest of this entry »

2011 06 23 Sunday was Father’s Day and I hope Brian had a good one.  We bought him steak for dinner and gave him some framed and matted WWII stamps that he saw at an antique store in Oregon and wanted.  I also made him a special treat, which is becoming a Father’s Day tradition around here.  The treat usually has cake in it because Brian loves cake.  The first year that I tried to make him a special cake was a disaster.  It was a round, two-layer lime cake with lime glaze frosting and for some reason the top layer did not want to stay together.  We had to hold it in place while we sang “Happy Father’s Day To You” and as soon as we let go, the cake split in half and each half slid off the bottom layer in separate directions.  He called it his earthquake cake and it tasted very good and since the taste of food takes total precedence over looks in this family, I considered it enough of a success to try again. The next year, I made him a tres... Read the rest of this entry »

Wives out there:  How many of us are banned from buying our husbands tools, ever? I am sure that this scenario is VERY familiar: It’s a special holiday and we want to get our man something he would like for it.  ”Hmmm…” we ask ourselves, “What would he like?”  Well, men like tools right?  They like to fix things, or learn to fix things.  It’s in their genetic makeup.  So we pop on over to Wal-Mart or Shopko or some other cheap store to check out the manly aisle of tools.  After all, a screwdriver is a screwdriver, right?  You are totally thrilled when you find a fifty piece set on sale for 20 bucks!  Can’t beat that! You take home your prize, wrap it, and can’t wait to see his face when he opens it and sees that he is now 50 tools richer all thanks to you and your brilliant plan. You never saw it coming when he opened it, furrowed his eye brows, blinked a few times, then frowns.... Read the rest of this entry »