Car Show

In San Diego I had an epiphany of sorts... Even If I am not a fan of Las Vegas it is where I am living so I might as well try to enjoy it!

My first step was quitting my job... which I did... Next, was getting involved in the community!

Brent found a classic car show that kicked off our community events. It was free and actually pretty cool! Brent loved taking some artistic photo's.

Here is Brent's favorite car. A Shelby. There were 6-7 of these in a line and Brent would have been more than happy to take any one of them home!

Can you tell I was about to head to the gym? This is a classically restored Bug Van! It had wall paper and all the little doodads to boot! I could have crawled in and really enjoyed the ride!

Brent hates handing over his camera, but I insisted on getting proof that he was actually there too! What a stunning car next to such a handsome man!

Overall there was about 150 cars. Since it was free we were able to walk around and look for about 30 minutes before heading off to the rest of our day!

San Diego Part Three: Harbor and other

San Diego was such an amazing trip. Saturday night we went into a little cove place next to Sea World and had hot dogs and s'mores! Man Brody got good at throwing things into the sand! I am always surprised at how well Evelyn and Devin (Kara's kids) are at entertaining themselves!

The Hostess and Host! I really like this picture and you can just barely see Kara's 7 month Preggers if you look really hard!

Braden had to go to the bathroom and no one wanted to take him, so Doug and Blake taught him the way of the man... Pee on a Tree!

Sunday we relaxed and BBQ'd in the park. Church was a lot of fun too. I learned an interesting fact about the Portland Oregon. Ships will travel 100 miles in land to dock in the Portland Harbor because Barnacles can not live in Fresh water and will fall off. Ships save a ton of money, time and resources by making the trip to Portland to get rid of these free loaders.

Monday, the boys went snorkeling. They went into caves. I really wanted to go but would have felt really bad since Brent had already encouraged me to quit my job to stay longer. We met them at the beach and played! Doug and I again ventured out into the waves to go Boogie Boarding. I caught a few good waves but because of an under-toe we weren't really allowed into the best waves.

Doug then took Maren and I to see some Leopard Sharks. Apparently, thousands of pregnant Leopard sharks swarm this particular beach because they enjoy the warm water. While they remain there they can reduce them gestation by almost a full month! Maren is terrified of sharks so she stood back, but directed Doug and I to where they were congregated! I saw them, but I wasn't good with the snorkel mask. Doug actually touched one!

That night Maren, Kara and I went out to dinner and a movie. We saw Stupid, Crazy Love and ADORED it! Dinner conversation was great! I love listening to two women who have such fun, loving, stable relationships and am glad that others struggle with similar things that I do!

I am so grateful to Kara for inviting and hosting us for the entire weekend! She did so much work and made it look effortless!I wish that one day I will be able to plan such amazing vacations for family and friends!

SO THANK YOU KARA AND DOUG! I AM TRULY BLESSED TO KNOW YOU!

San Diego Day One: Boat Ride

After we got done looking around the Marina it was time for the boat ride! We went on the North tour which showed us all the Naval points. It was a fun ride but I couldn't hear to much of the tour guides explanations. It wasn't to important to me because I was really there to play with the kids and family!

Maren and Brody enjoying the view and wind. When we first got to the top deck there were several people taking up chairs and the outer edge. Luckily, Maren is a Type A personality and didn't mind asking some people to chose. The people who relocated were really kind and enjoyed looking and the adorable 4 kids in our group!

Blake and Brody. Look at how excited Brody is! When I saw him last April he seemed so grumpy but he was really delightful all weekend.

Kara Devin and I. Kara is 7 months prego and still looks absolutely amazing. She is also impossible to keep up with! I love Devin's face! It looks like he is being forced to enjoy himself!

After a while Braden and Evelyn were done looking at boats and buildings so I took them to the second floor and we danced. It was really fun playing with these two. Even better is after I was done dancing after 15 minutes they were more than happy to dance together!

The boat ride was a lot of fun. I always enjoy boat rides, it makes sense since they are water based! More to come on San Diego so stay tuned!

San Diego: Day One and Morning Two!

When Maren told me she was going down to San Diego to visit our cousins Kara and Doug, I just knew I had to come along. Man was it a wonderful weekend. Kara had everything planned out so I just had to be ready at the right time!

The morning after I arrived in San Diego we all went on a bike ride close to the air force base. It was a nice easy bike ride. I am really glad because I am not a rider of any sort. The views were really nice but I am sorry to say I didn't get any pictures. if you check out Maren's blog here, you can see the ones that were taken.

After the bike ride we went to the beach. I can't say this enough: I was meant to be a mermaid. Not only can I pull of the whole seashell outfit (I am just guessing I can), I just adore the water in any form! The kids had a blast playing. Blake and I built a sand castle and then Braden promptly destroyed it! He was very patient while we made it though.

Doug taught me how to find sand crabs. I didn't even know that there were such a thing, but now I would say that I can actually find them all by myself, although it took the better part of the afternoon to learn. I can't wait to show Brent how to find them.

Then Doug and I went body surfing. It wasn't very warm but the water felt fine after only a few minutes. I got tossed around pretty bad, but I would rather do it every day than live as far away as I do. Kara was such an amazing planner she has nearly convinced me to pick up and move just to be closer to her and her wonderful family!

That evening Kara hired two baby sitters so all the adults could go to the temple. I have heard that the San Diego Temple is considered one of the most beautiful, and now I understand why. We accidentally went to the Spanish session, so it was a lot of fun trying to get comfortable with the headphones!

Saturday morning we went to the Marina, where the was military statues everywhere!

Brody did not really appreciate our rendition of this one! Maren and Blake did a really cute interpretation but alas it was not on my camera.

Brody was so cute playing on these statues. It looked like he was going to flip himself over but he didn't really get to that point... luckily.

Evelyn and Devin must have been here before because they walked straight up to this handrail station and slide down. Braden had to have a turn! It was really cute!

There was a ledge, over the ledge is a rocky cliff and then water. Brody really enjoyed sitting on this ledge.

He tried to make a break for the water a few times but he would always look back as if asking "so when are you going to stop me?"

Walking back to the Boat I saw that there were little black crabs walking all over the rocks! How cute are they?

Kara really does have a knack for knowing all the great places to take visitors, she stays and amazing hostess!

Four Wonderful Amazing Years

Can you believe it?!?!? We have last Thursday was the 4 year mark for Brent and I. I am honestly astonished at how quickly these last few years have passed, and all the amazing opportunities we have had!

Before I get to how we celebrated I thought I would share my FOUR greatest blessings that we have received with since we were sealed in the temple FOUR years ago!

• Brent and I both graduated from Brigham Young University with our Bachelors
• Brent graduated from Brigham Young Law School with his Juris Doctorate, with no debt
• We have traveled to 13 different countries and two Continents, with no debt
• We have lived in two different countries and 4 different states

For our anniversary we decided desert was in order so we headed down to the strip. Max Brenner Chocolate Factory at Cesar's is where we decided to go.

Since we lived in Europe Brent and I have developed an obsession of sorts with Hazelnut, so when we saw there was a hazelnut milkshake we had to get it. It was REALLY REALLY good. They also had metal straws which I though was pretty neat. This is the best picture we could get of us together!

We also got churro's and chocolate fondue. The choloate was amazing but the churro's left something to be desired. I would have preferred they were a bit softer. The chocolate was so good Brent to a straw to it after we had run out of things to dip. I did this as well but I think the straight chocolate was to much for me.

Some people, however must really love chocolate because here is another item they sell. Talk about a chocolate injection!

After we finished desert we just walked around the casino. There was a really neat aquarium. Brent really loves stingrays, so this guy was his favorite.

From where we parked. Brent was hoping to get some more artistic photos of this view but none of them really worked out the way he was hoping.

Since we were travelling so much and I had classes to finish this wasn't our biggest celebration but it was nice to try something new and spend a little time together!

Utah Day Three: Sick on Sunday

My weekend had been super amazing so far, and I was ready to spend Sunday hanging out with my Aunt Patty and Uncle Bob + Family, but of course what happens? At 5: 30 am I start throwing up. I guess Brent woke up and tried to ignore me until he heard me calling his name and he finally came in and gave me sympathy!

While everyone else went to church I laid on the couch trying to not get to nauseous, and failing.

This is how I spent most of my day...

Despite me not feeling well, Josh (cousin) came over to dinner with his new fiance (Melissa). Here is Jenny, Megan, and Linda (practically one of the family) at the dinner table. I didn't get a good picture of Melissa and Josh. I am chalking it up to being sick.

I did sit close to the dinner table and enjoyed conversation. I can say this: Josh did well. Melissa is really great (they are on the other side of Brent). Melissa's family is from El Salvador (I think..?) and they own a restaurant in SLC. I am really excited for both of them and I am sure they are going to have an amazing wedding and a wonderful eternal marriage!

After dinner concluded, I faced the terrible reality: I was sick and needed to drive 6 hours home... My Aunt Patty (who let us stay with them, and babied me through out the whole ordeal) game me two benedryl and so I basically passed out in the car. I am glad Brent is such a good driver because I only remember waking up twice the whole drive.

A trip to Utah was exactly what I needed. Las Vegas is not my type of city so to break away and see/spend time with friends and family was a really wonderful opportunity!

Thank you to all the people who spent time, helped, talked to and just hung out with use while we were there! A special thanks to my aunt and uncle who are always so willing to let us stay with and monopolize their time! They really go above and beyond to make us feel welcome in their home!I feel so blessed to have such a haven of comfort close to Vegas!

Utah Day Two:Baby Shower Madness

It had been a mad two days up until this point and it was finally coming time to the whole reason I drove up to Utah! To throw a Baby Shower for one of my friends!

Here is the treats and decoration table! Notice the Diaper cake in the middle? I am still pretty proud of that. And it turned out to be a fun game. Everyone had 30 seconds to memorize everything on it. Only 3 people got that there was a bottle of sparkling cider in the middle. All of the guest said that it turned out really cute so of course I feel great for actually following through on making it!

The entire room! As per the norm, Brent was an amazing support. He put up with all my craziness through this whole situation. Primary rooms are so hard to decorate! They are just so utilitarian. I wasn't really pleased with how it looked but there was no time! We had wasted the day on much more fun activities than caring about how some streamers looked!

The soon to be proud parents! A shout out to Spencer for taking a normal picture. I am pretty sure Erica is pinching him because he is usually impossible to get a normal picture out of!

Instead of your normal games I tried to come up with ones that were less competitive and more collaborative and creative. One of the activities was to decorate a onsie in a theme relating to the family (travel, BYU, a mommy and a daddy onsie). Jessica and Jennifer did the travel one. They did an amazing job! When these two get together magic happens because they created a globe out of the entire onsie with rocket ships and planes on the sleeve and polar bears and penguins in the north and south poles! I am really hoping to get a similar when it comes time for me to have a shindig like this.

After the shower was over we all went out to Ice cream. Spencer, Phil, and Brent did join us for the desert party. I miss Macey's ice cream! $0.48 for an ice cream cone and somewhere to sit and talk!

Here is the group of girls I grew up with and remain friends today. Brent was making fun on me because I always sink down in pictures like. I can't help it if I am at least 6 inches taller than everyone else and don't feel like looking like a giant. You can't really tell here how much taller I am so go to the next picture...

Can you see it now? I am a lot taller. It isn't a bad thing but it is a thing so I shrink for pictures... I am almost certain if I didn't shrink we wouldn't fit in the same frame!

It was so nice to see everyone again. Jessica made this amazing Afgan for Erica. It was really adorable and I begged her for a similar one when it came my time, but of course I forgot to get a picture of it and that is a long way off!

Jennifer and I were talking about how we are all terrible at keeping in touch but when we are back together it is like nothing has changed, and we have been out of touch for maybe an hour or two. I really love these girls and wish that we won't end up all over the country... but I am sure we will end up all over the U.S. and the country will be more blessed for it!

Utah Trip: Day Two Afternoon

It was sad to leave the Carlson's but I was hosting a shower that night and so we had things to do!

Driving back from Midway we realized how much we missed being out and about in nature. Passing Bridal Veil Falls we just had to stop. Brent had been dying to use his camera to get some more "artistic" shots. This is a really slow shutter speed so it captures the waters movement.

The walk is really short (like maybe 1/4 mile) but it was super nice to relax and enjoy each others company.

In the water at the bottom of the falls

Brent is pretty proud of this shot, minus the orange dot!

Here is the little watering hole. The water was FREEZING!!! I got used to it because I kept my feet in the water.

Below the falls. Even with the huge camera this picture still works!



This is the last shot we got before leaving! Brent is so wonderful at taking pictures. I am really glad that he has super productive hobby!
A bench we found. I think it was made for cuddling! What a sneaky idea by the designer ;)
Brent looking manly! He likes to look off into the distance. You never know if he is thinking about the mystery of the world or spotted a grizzly and is about to wrestle him down with his bare hands.

Another artsy shot. I am going to have to choose a few of these and have them enlarged and hung on our walls!


It was great getting a chance to stop and just meander around the falls! Being out in nature was super relaxing and hope to do this more frequently.

Utah Trip: Morning of Day Two

After experimenting with the diaper cake, Kelly and Arvid were nice enough to let us stay the night! When we woke up, and the vacation continued by golf ball fishing! Kelly and Arvid's backyard is a golf course which means the little pond (and their house) are constantly being bombarded by golf balls!

Kelly said she loved fishing out the gold balls, and I didn't get it... until I tried it! For some reason seeing that little white ball, and then going after it is the perfect morning activity!

Kelly trying to teach me how estimate where the ball is!

Success! Once I got a hold of my first ball I couldn't be stopped!

Brent fished out a BYU ball! Kelly graciously offered to let us take the balls we rescued home with us. They have two huge bags full of them, but we thought they would miss their friends so we washed them and put them in storage!

For some reason, Kelly and I always knew we got along better than two people probably should and here's some proof that we are really alike! Our rings are reversed! I have a diamond with trillion sapphires on the sides and Kelly has a Sapphire with trillion diamonds on the sides!

Okay this realization might have been more to the random little things you notice when you are on vacation and don't have any other care in the world!

It was so nice to see Kelly and Arvid. I threatened to move back to Budapest more than a couple times and they were both sweet enough to pretend that they would love to have us there! I really miss these two!

Brent and I agreed that if we moved back to Utah when they were done travelling the world it would be like we have family right there! If you ever get the chance to meet these two and their family consider yourself a very blessed person! I know we do!

Utah Trip: Day One Evening

After a relaxing dinner, catching up and playing some games Erica, her husband and kids, and David had to head back to Provo. That is when Kelly and I got to work! I was hosting a baby shower for Erica the next evening and thought it would be so cute to make a diaper cake!

I saw one of these at a trade show that Brent's parents were at and I thought it was such a fun idea! It turned out to be super easy too!

First, roll size 1 (or whatever size you think is appropriate) from the bottom to the top and secure with a rubber band. I bought a pack of 92 diapers and didn't use all of them.

Second, get some sort of a platter. I found a 16" pizza pan at the dollar store that ended up being the perfect size!

Third, in the middle of the pan place a bottle of sparkling cider (for the parents to celebrate with at the hospital), the surround the bottle with diapers. We did it three diapers thick and it worked out really well.

After you have the shape secure the bottom tier with a rubber band. The repeat for a second (2 diapers deep) and third layer (1 diaper deep.)

You can tell we were taking this very seriously!

Fourth, after all the layers are created and secured around the cider with rubber-bands take some ribbon and tie it around the center of each layer.

Finally, decorate! Use bows, pacifiers, rattles, nail clippers, bottles, picture frame (as pictured in my hand,) and whatever else you think the new mom could use! Kelly had such a great eye for this! I was utterly helpless with the bows! She made 5 and I made a measly 1!

Final Product: Diaper Cake.

I think it turned out really cute! Some instructions said to cover the diapers with tissue paper so you couldn't see the print but I think the color actually complimented the overall look.

I also used it as a game at the shower. Everyone had 30 seconds to memorize as much as they could. Only three people noticed the bottle of cider in the middle! I really liked the diaper cake and plan to do it again!