Family pictures

We FINALLY got family pictures taken. We have not had family pictures taken since makenna was born. Isn't that awful! I know, I thought about it a million times but didnt make it a priority. I am thankful that I was talking to Lisa at church and she mentioned her friend Lindsay that was going to be taking them. We had a good time taking them too! It was a freezing cold day and windy. So some of our pictures look like we are posing and really stiff but we were really freezing out behinds off! Some of them my hair is all blown but I don't care. I am happy that we did it! It was really early and really, really cold. Hope you enjoy them. Lindsay the girl who took them is coming back in April possibly so anyone who wants to book with her you can! We are planning on it. Her blog is piedpiperphoto.blogspot.com I think I have a link on my blog but I can't remember...
Let me know if you would like her info if you can't find her! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Happy Birthday Patty!

So the weekend after my birthday was my friend Patty's birthday. Her husband Al was busy planning a big surprise for her. I kept asking her so what are you doing for your birthday and she would be like...probably nothing. Well one night Al was on the computer working away planning it when she came up and was like what are you doing? He tried to be like nothing trying to divert her attention but it didnt work. She kept pressing and finally he told her. What she didnt know was that he had asked rob and I if we would want to be in on the surprise.
Al's big surprise was he rented 2 condos on the beach in San Diego. Patty went out a few days earlier then everyone else to visit with her family as they all live in California. Al flew in on friday night and we came out the next morning. He had told patty that the airline lost a bag of his and he had to go the next morning to get it. So after Patty's dad and Al picked us up from the airport I started texting patty saying are you haveing a great day. She was like yep taking a walk with Josie on the boardwalk. We went up to the condo and was admiring the view when I looked down and saw patty. I immediately backed up saying crap she is right there I hope she didnt see me. Well Rob took it upon himself to open the door and yell Patty. She looked up and was surprised. I just yelled Surprise! I was hoping to surprise her face to face or something but oh well.
We had the best weekend. Her family stayed in one condo and we stayed with patty, al and josie in the other. It was beautiful. The views were spectacular. We sat one afternoon admiring the wind surfers. Saturday night we went out with Patty's brother Bob. He and his daughter Erin came down that day. We walked around and had a very nice dinner. I think it was a place called the lampost district. It escapes my mind right now. We had a great time. Her brother Bob is great company too! We had a very nice brunch the next day before we came home. I had a great time and am sure that patty had a very special birthday! Who wouldnt with such a thoughtful husband right!

Girl's Trip to ?????

For my birthday I told rob that all I wanted was to go visit my oldest and bestest friend Monica. It had been quite some time since we had seen each other and so guess what...that is exactly what I got. Monica's birthday is a few weeks after mine and so I thought it would be perfect for both of us! I called monica up and we decided that we would go on a road trip. That we wouldnt decide where just go and drive. So I took off of work and off from family life and went to Ohio for a week. Can I just tell you how much I love it there. I havent ever been during the summer, but each time I go visit monica I love it! I love all the green rolling hills, small country life, cold weather!

So one of the days before we started our road trip, we drove over to Amish Country. I love it there! I had gone the last time I was there and it is right up my alley. I love all the country things they make! We again went to an Amish cheese house and sampled all the cheese they make. We walked up and down the roads going into stores
buying lots of fun things!

After long discussion and persuasion from our families we decided to make a plan. They didnt think that being like Thelma and Lousie would be the safest for us. So we decided to drive to Canada and go to Niagra Falls! We had so much fun driving and just being able to catch up. The one thing that I LOVE about monica is that even though years had past it was like we had never been apart. She and I know more about each other than I think anyone does. It is so nice to have such a great friend! We have known each other since we were 4 and have stayed friends ever since.

So after the long drive to Canada and crossing the border..we got lost (because it was dark) but don't worry we were able to navigate ourselves back to our hotel just fine. We both really hated the whole driving situation there. It was just dumb. You would come to a cross road and you would have no idea what road you were on because the street sign was 100 ft behind you. We were a little confused about the whole money exchange too. I had to call my friend patty whom I could call about anything (she is the smartest woman alive!) and have her explain to me in simple terms about what we should do. I am positive we got ripped off left and right because our dollar was less than theres. Oh well....we had fun eating out, driving around canada checking things out, getting pedicures in less than great circumstances and paying a fortune for them! We just laughed and laughed at that! The falls themselves are amazing! You just can't imagine how big they are and they pictures makes them look small. They are beautiful, powerful, loud and I am glad that I made the trip to see them!

On the way home we stopped and shopped! They have the best cheap shopping there. I took extra suit cases and they were completely packed! It was one of the best weeks of the year for me! Monica and her family were the best in letting me come and stay and steal their mom from them! Jenika even gave me her bedroom while I stayed! So thank you monica for helping me have on the of the best birthdays ever! And thank you rob for letting me go and handling things while I was gone! I loved every minute of it!









So one of the days we were in Niagra we decided to take a day trip back to the states and drive to Palmyra. So off monica and I went again driving enjoying each others company! I was especially excited because I have always wanted to go to the Sacred Grove. It was as amazing as I imagined. We had a cute little sister give us a tour. She was from Utah. I wish I would have taken her picture. She gave us a tour of the Smith home and told us some history. After she was done, all of us were teary eyed! The spirit was definately strong. They don't go with you into the grove they let you go and spend as much or as little time as you want. It was BEAUTIFUL! There were leaves everywhere on the ground with vibrant colors. You just can't imagine the color! So monica and I sat there awhile. I loved to finally put a place with all the stories that I had learned as a child! So thank you monica for indulging me and going...although I know she loved it as much as I did!










These are some pictures from Hill Cumorah. Monica and I started the hike up. Let me just say it was quite the hike. Not easy at all...so there I was trying to imagine Joseph lugging heavy plates. When we finally got the top we realized that we could have drove up there. We just laughed. We can always use the exercise and that it was! The pictures do NOT do it justice at all. Isnt it so beautiful!




Monica and I goofing around down by the falls. They have streets that are full of different entertainement things to do. The ripley's believe it or not, haunted houses, hershey store etc. We went in to the Ripley's believe it or not and it was kind of dumb so we didnt waste any more of our money.





A few pictures of us at the falls. The colors were beautiful and amazing to me! I have always seen the pictures of the reds and oranges and yellows but have never seen such vibrant colors!