Easter fixings...

 Well Well Well... Easter weekend was definitely a triumph! Mom and I went to the Women's Expo and had a grand time, we both brought home games and toys and soaps and loads of free stuff. We had a wonderful time together. After the Expo we came home and mom procrastinated cleaning (which led to her not going to bed until 2am.) And I picked up my new hobby of decorating cupcakes! These were specifically made for our family Easter dinner on Sunday. Well.... In Mom's procrastination..... she decided (for the first time in her life) that she would actually DECORATE A CUPCAKE! I was astonished. My mother. Decorating cupcakes. Our whole lives we've had a 9x13 cake with vanilla frosting smudged on top. Maybe sometimes some sprinkles...but you had to add them yourself. I became determined a while ago not to put my kids through such atrocities. (I always wanted a Barbie cake. you know, the one that the Barbie is standing up and the cake is her dress? Yep. Never got it.) So I've slowly started learning to do crafty things... Hence... my recent cupcake obsession. Spencer left and I became a hermit... so in order to put that hermit-ness to good use.. I bake. :)  

This is Mom's first attempt at the grass....

 NOT TO SHABBY.... eh mom?!?!

 

Saturday was also Tyson's first PROM day! We were so excited for him!! This is him waiting for his buddy to come pick him up. He's so handsome! And definitely my favorite brother named Tyson!

 Alright... this was the finished assortment of eggs in the grass and bunny bums. They were so fun to make!

 In the midst of decorating, we made TyD and his "group" come over so we could see them in their get-up!
Yes.... we're THOSE people! Poor Tys. We also bragged about his piano skills... which made the girls insist that he play for them before they leave! hahahahaha. How embarrassing are we?!

 And....... Here are the rest of the cupcakes. Easter Eggs. So cute
The Egg is just a graham cracker that I cut into an egg shape. then frosted and sprinkled! It was super easy, just a tad time consuming. :)

 The finished projects.... there were more bunny bums... but they were eaten rather quickly.

 TyD wore his Prom attire to church on Sunday. He is seriously SUCH a stud.

 Hottie Hottie!!

 Easter dinner was a hit! Penningtons, Wilsons, and a two Dews came over! We had dinner, and then celebrated little Spencer's 13th Birthday! (finally a teen!) It was a lot of fun!!!

 Bonus... I have NO IDEA why..... but Ellie and Nathan have been ANGELS this week! Like you wouldnt even believe! So for proof, I whipped my camera out.
On Monday Elisabeth decided she wanted to do the dishes ALL BY HERSELF. awesome. She cleaned up every single dish from breakfast and loaded them into the dishwasher, and started it! I was astonished! Who is this 6yr old little girl..... and what has she done with the other one?? Whatever happened, I hope this helpful child sticks around a while longer. :)

 Nathan is recently ObSeSsEd with anything Superman. You cant tell in this picture but he's wearing a Superman shirt as well. Well, while we were roaming around the aisles of Walmart, Nathan spotted this hat, started SCREAMING bloody murder, and literally JUMPING in the cart! After I calmed down from a near to death heart attack, we strolled over to take a look at this beloved hat. He couldnt reach it (not for lack of trying..causing in a second heart attack) so I grabbed the hat, and put it on his tiny head. He immediately sat down, folded his arms, hunched his head down and started giggling. Occasionally whispering "Superman Hat".
Best $7 I've ever spent.

 

Spencer and I are moving into his parent's old house in Orem, so the other day I went over to check things out and see what all I needed to do before he comes home and we move in. (I forgot to blog about that...but Spence didnt pass his asthma test and the Navy said that they couldnt give him another job BECAUSE of his asthma... so they're sending him home. We get to start over.. find a job, go to school, etc.etc.) Well, Monday night I spent 5 hours cleaning top to bottom! Baseboards, walls, cobwebs, counters, kitchen cabinets, stove, microwave, fridge, and closets. I would have done the bathrooms too, but the house has been winterized... meaning no water. no toilet. no shower. nothin. So I'll have to wait for that one. But in the mean time..... there was a crack in the roof, causing water to fall down in through the living room window. It would leak every time it rained....and if you've been paying attention to Utah weather... Its rained for a week straight pretty much. Because of the water leakage... there was a 5'' crack in the wall right under the windowsill. So I youtubed how to fix it, went to home depot, bought some EXP foam sealant, joint tape/compound, and a sanding block. I climbed up on the roof and sealed that crack right up, then began sanding the crack in the wall so it would be smooth enough to put the tape over..

Well... instead of a tiny 5'' crack.... it turned into a 6x12 massive chunk.
But I sanded.....

 And taped

 And compounded....

 And waited! You have to wait for 24hrs, sand it and do it again...this has to happen 3-5 times. Great. I also wanted to PAINT before Spence got back! But Im not sure if that will happen... I recruited my wonderful mother, and we taped EVERYTHING and then painted 2 coats on all the edges, it took a while, but we made it! Then I decided I might want some before/afters of this project... So here are the befores...
Living room

 Living room

 Kitchen

 Front Door

 My shout-out to Spencer!

 Hallway 

 There were so many random holes in the walls... that my front door looks like it has the measles!

 

I am SOOO excited to be living here, and to get to have a HOUSE to decorate and play in and have fun in the sun! I love love LOVE projects, so Im SURE that once yard sale season starts, you'll be seeing a lot of remodeled furniture and crafty things. :) So stay tuned all you bloggers!

Weeks Four and Five

Week Four, not much happened, just worked and hung out with the fam. Mom and Tys went away for the weekend to visit Breen, Scottina, and little Lexi. I had to stay and work... so I didnt do much. Except for a WONDERFUL trip to Color Me Mine with my dear friend Kristen Roscher. She's lovely. and We had a very great time together. :) I'll upload my artwork later. But just know, that its fabulous.
Week Five, my darling friend Kari Ann Bitter and I took a ROAD TRIP to California!!! It was sooooooooooo lovely. :) And DEFINITELY helped in keeping my mind away from the fact that I STILL havent heard anything on Spencer...or where we're living... or whats going on... ugh. Well, it started with us almost dying in a remote village off the side of the freeway... 3 Gas Stations looked like this...

 What kind of Gas Station DOESN'T HAVE GAS?! I didnt even know that was possible! But it was. And all 3 of them were roped off just like this. Pathetic.

Well, once we FINALLY got to Cali, we layed out by the pool and just enjoyed the warm 70 degree weather. We did this pretty much every day. And then Wednesday evening we decided to get out on the town and grab some much needed sushi! Also, being the BEAUTIFUL kind spirits that we are (you have to add beautiful so people dont think we're ugly... hint. Momma Bitter), we invited Kari's younger siblings. Steve - master sushi eater. And Anne - master mess maker. Within 2 minutes of sitting down Ann spilled her HUGE glass of water all over the place... which means we got to have a "Caution - Wet Floor" Sign at our table. Good one Anne. ;)

 These are happy faces after ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI!!!!!!

 Our Very last roll of the night. We made it worth it. $12 for 4 pieces. but it was YUMMY!!! This was definitely the best roll ever!!

 Anne also had trouble with the chop sticks....
Oh Anne.

 Steve of course was a master.

 Little did we know, that was going to be the best bite of the night!!!

Well, after a wonderful evening out on the town.. we decided to make a day of it too!!! So Kari and I went to LA for the day, we enjoyed walking around the city, eating at a FABULOUS pizzaria on 2nd street, and finding a room FULL of Golden Buddah's in China Town. It was a great day! (We also hit a sale! 6 nail polishes for $5!! We'll see how long they last)

 After China Town we headed to a more peaceful scenery. The Los Angeles Temple. It was BEAUTIFUL! And such a different feeling than walking around the city. I LOOOVE that we have temples all around the world, And I love that no matter where you go, as long as you hold a temple recommend, you can go in and do ordinances! Kari and I did baptisms and it was wonderful!! I love the feeling I get inside the temple! And I cant wait to go with Spence!

 Friday was a beautiful 84 degrees!! So we made it our beach day. :) mmmm. it was perfect. I want to live on a beach for the rest of my life. I would always be happy.

 Pink Toes. (that was a China Town color.)

 Saturday we went SHOPPING. I bought those sunglasses, and the necklace that Im wearing, but you cant see what it is in this picture. Its a pocket watch necklace! I love it.

 NOW, for my favorite part of the vacation.... Kar and I started munching on some cereal... when we finally decided to get some bowls, I still had a handful...when I threw my handful of O's into the bowl... this is what happened!! Instant Smiley face! Oh man. made my day.

Excellent...

So today I went over to the Navy Office to ask a few questions about my dear lovely Spencer, and oh man, I got the best answers ever! You see, to even walk onto the base for boot camp graduation, your RECRUIT has to put your name on a security list weeks before, otherwise they wont let you even step foot past the gate! Well, Spence decided that boot camp graduation isnt that big of a deal, and he doesnt think I should go. HA! Which also means he did not put my name on the security list.... However, little does he realize, I have a military I.D. card. Which means I can get onto any base in the entire world just by flashing that little card!!! So BOOYAH! Im going to Chicago in T-29 days!! And nothing is going to stop me!!
Oh the sweet feeling of victory. :)

Happy 5 months!

Today is the 5 month mark that I have been married to my very best friend! He is the love of my life and I dont know what I would do without him! I love everything about this man!!! But here are some of my favorite things...

• He whistles every tune he hears... for the next 3 hours.
• He has one gray hair above his left ear, and he LOVES it. Thinks it makes him wiser.
• He loves country music, but mostly the OLDIES. can you say... Willie Nelson? (I just cringed a little)
• If I ever died he would marry Shania Twain.
• He thinks is the best dancer in Utah.
• He will eat cold cereal before and after every meal.. and sometimes he'll still be hungry.
• Mean Girls is one of his favorite movies.
• He showers and brushes his teeth two-four times a day.
• He hates kissy pictures.
• He looooves his bulldog Georgia.
• He refuses to wear jewelry. (except, now he'll wear his wedding ring)
• He is the slowest driver on the road.
• He would give anyone the shirt of his back.
• He gives me amaaazzzing foot massages.
• He loves my football player face.
• He gets hickeys faster than anyone I know.
• He can make chicken better than I can.
• He will do almost anything to get a grilled cheese sandwich.
• He thinks he's going to live til age 150. easily.
• He dances for me (in public) when no one is looking.
• He will lie to your face if he doesnt like the food you made. And he'll eat it all.
• Sometimes he'll cancel his whole day just to have a pajama movie marathon with me.
• He loves America.
• He will not watch a single Johnny Depp movie. Because JD hates America.
• He is terrible at any playstation game EXCEPT wii skiing.
• He doesnt want to let our kids watch TV. ha.
• He is terrified of flying.
• But he looooves road trips.
• He loves to play in the water.
• He is pretty much a pro at every sport. ever.
• He is my very best friend.

Happy 5 month anniversary Spencer! Thank you for being such a great example to me in everything that you do. I love you forever!

Week Three: General Conference, Cupcakes, and Alligators

 This last week has been WONDERFUL!! I got a phone call AND a letter from Spence, and he sounds like he is doing so well!! Apart from the asthma thing of course, but we'll deal with that later. In his last letter he told me, "I hope you're staying busy, working, hanging out, going out with friends, working out." Well. I am doing none of those things. Actually, I AM working, which I am soooo grateful for! But everything else.... well... Lets just say that after that letter I've decided to come out of hermit-ville, and do something productive with my spare time. So, my fabulous Aunt Jenica led me to this awesome cupcake book! Now, I am not a fancy baker, by any means. But this book is brilliant, it shows you step by step the easiest way to decorate cupcakes! Whoever thought of this is genius. I've decided to bake my way through the whole book before I even start on the second one. These are my delicious creations so far.

 

Arent they cute?!?! I just love them. This is what I did during Conference weekend. I LOVE conference. It is such a wonderful opportunity that we have to listen to the Prophet and His Apostles! I feel so blessed to hear them give me personal guidance! I just love that about conference. I think one of my favorite talks was Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk in the Sunday afternoon session. You can listen to it here. All of the talks were so wonderful, and I feel like there was a HUGE amount of service talked about. Through the temple, tithing, The Church Welfare Program, etc.etc.
So, my service this weekend was giving all my friends a sugar-overload! Thats right. I love love LOVE to bake, but then I find myself eating everything, so to stop the lbs from forming on me, I give treats to everyone else! It seems like a win-win situation to me! And I have yet to find someone complaining when I drop off goodies. In fact, I was actually treated myself when I went to the Savio's to deliver! My dear friends Katie and Mike Savio (and their beautiful daughter Eevie) were over at Mike's mother's house. Being only a block away from their own, I decided to drop the cupcakes off there. Well, what a surprise I received when they told me, in exchange for the cupcakes I was now welcomed any day of the week, and also... I could hold all of their pets. Including the Alligator. This is not a joke. They have a real. live. alligator. In their basement. So, Katie braved it with me and we went downstairs to hold the creature. As we were looking at it through the glass, Stephan's hand all of the sudden ATTACKED! I felt like I had just watched an episode of Crocodile Dundee. In one quick motion he lurched, grabbed the reptile (probably gave it a minor heart attack), and pulled it out of the water. After a brief lesson on how to hold him, I took command! He squirmed for a moment, but apparently I am the ultimate Alligator whisperer, because he calmed right down, and Im pretty sure he loves me now. So, after the absolutely necessary photos were taken (proof), we went to the other animals. They have an Emu in the back yard, 2 pythons upstairs (gross), hedgehogs, tortoises and a pony. This is my new favorite house. And Im definitely bringing my kids over when they're older. I mean, seriously. Who just happens to have a pet Alligator?

 

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for:

• My mom. She is such an amazing woman, and truly one of my greatest friends. I dont know what I would do without her. Especially right now.
• The Gospel. I love love LOVE that it is conference weekend and we get to hear from the Prophet and Apostles! What a wonderful gift we are given every April and October. It is a time to soak up every bit of information and guidance that we receive. 
• The Ellingers. Stephanie and Jake, for calling me and asking me to come back. And for Elisabeth and Nathan, for giving me a WONDERFUL distraction every Monday-Thursday. Without you kiddos, I dont know how I would 1.Pass these long 8 weeks without Spence. and 2.Ever be ready for motherhood. Elisabeth, you have taught me everything I will ever need to know, plus more. Thank you.
• Tangled. bought it on Tuesday. I've watched it 7 times already.
• Thursday's Letters
• The US Postal Service
• Digital Cameras
• Hulu
• Cupcakes. 
• Hello Cupcake! This book has brought me out of Hermit-ville, and given me purpose this week. (I do plan on buying the next book, Whats new, Cupcake after I finish all cupcakes in the first book.)
• Special K Strawberry cereal
• Smoothies
• Warm sun
• Tanning lotion
• Skype
• Kari Ann Bitter. She does such a wonderful job of entertaining me! Love you Kar.
• Family
• Sun dresses
• This nail polish
• Target always has just what I need
• Emilie Orton
• Amy Freeman
• Karli Martineau
• This book. I love the comfort it gives me.
• And of course, last, but DEFINITELY nowhere near the least. I am thankful for my husband Spencer. He fills my life with love and laughter, and makes me feel like a daughter of a King. (ie. princess)  He is kind, sweet, sensitive, hilarious, smart, sooooo sexy, hard working, humble, and by far the greatest man I've ever known. I love him with all of my heart, and I am so so so thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life with such an amazing person. Thank you for everything Spence. I love you Forever.

Changing Plans...

Spencer called me yesterday and told me that he failed his second asthma test. :( He has one more chance to take it on April 12, and if he doesnt pass then he can either come home, and not be in the Navy anymore.. or they'll give him another job.. which means No more Rescue Swimming... No more Florida.
We're praying for him that he'll somehow be miraculously cured of his asthma, but if not, then hopefully they'll offer him a job that he can be just as excited about. So for now... We have NO CLUE as to where we will be going in the next month or so... Any guesses?? Lets take a poll and see what everyone thinks! Anyway, stay tuned for more info.. And everyone have a GREAT Conference weekend!

Got them on my mind. :)

HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!?!
I want them for my very own, just running around my kitchen gabbing like this.
So fun

His years are 24.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!!!
Spencer is unfortunately celebrating being tortured for his birthday. :(
Now you may ask yourself  "why would anyone want to torture someone on their birthday!?!" I had the same thought, but aparently no one really cares at basic training, and some might even go out of their way to make sure you have a BAD day on that special day.. so. We sent no packages (he cant have food either. not even a candy bar.) no colorful cards that sing when you open them. Not even a colorful envelope. (actually, thats not true either. all my envelopes are pink. :) supporting breast cancer. hoorah) So today is a tribute to my one true love. I miss him more than I could ever say, and I cant wait for him to be back in my life.
I love you Spencer, Thanks for being my very best friend.

Week 2: Idaho

This weekend my wonderful Mother and I decided to go visit my sister and bro-in-law and my ADOOOOORABLE Niece, in St. Anthony, ID. Now, why ANYONE would want to live there, is totally beyond me. But we still love them, and therefore take the occasional road trip out to visit. We had a grand time, eating out at Costa Vida, having an all day movie marathon, and going to Church on sunday!
Well, lucky for us, my fabulous sister decided to drive down with us and stay for this week as well! So we are filling our canteens of babyness, laughs, giggles, poopy blow-outs, and cuddle time.

This last item is mostly for the benefit of one VERY lonely husband-less woman. aka.me. I have been doing favors right and left to earn cuddle time with.... not my niece, but my sister! It turns out, one gets very sleep deprived when laying in a bed by them selves. So for the first time in 2 weeks, I got 8 hours of sleep last night!!! That is probably triple what I usually get. So I am very happy today!

On the husband front, I've written multiple letters (all written last week), but I have yet to recieve a phone call or a letter. Im assuming that he is very very busy, in which case, no news is good news.
So..... I will keep myself very busy and just hope that I hear from him soon!

Thanks for all the support and prayers! We love you all.