American Idol

I am a devoted American Idol fan. I was watching tv and a commercial came on that said American Idol will premiere on January 13, I got so excited. I literally got my planner out and planned so I could not miss one episode. On Tuesday this week there was a girl on named Anne Marie, I loved her. On Wednesday there was two girls I liked named Megan and Rose. This is the first year where I have watched every episode so far. I love the auditions, there is so much potential and some, not so much. Does anyone else have a desire to do nothing else in the hour the shows on? I can't wait for Hollywood week to start on Tuesday. Maybe this I might even vote.

Nerf Guns

So I am totally digging FHE. When you have awesome people to do this with, it's just so much better. The lesson was on "Let Him Do It with Simplicity" by L. Tom Perry. Check it out here. It was in the October General Conference, which would mean it was in the November Ensign. The talk was one simplifying our lives, really good talk. After the lesson, Rosann made a cake, it was so moist, so good. She put cool whip on top of it. I have never done that, but it was so good. Rob was in charge of the activity this week. So we went done to the lobby and had a Nerf gun war. This is a picture of a wicked gun. It's not one that Rob had, but look at it, isn't it cool. I want one of these. There was 5 of us playing, so 2 of us took turns going out of the lobby and counting to 20 before coming out and shooting the others before they could shoot us. We played for about 1 1/2 hours. It was a blast. Usually I don't like guns of any kind, but I loved the activity. By the time we were done I was so pumped up and sweating. Poor Rosann had a sweater on. She'll think twice the next time Rob's in charge of the activity. I am going this week to by a couple of guns from Walmart.

SnowBoarding

Our ward had a snowboarding/skiing activity on Saturday Night. Matt and I have never done either, so we decided to go. We rented our stuff from the WRC (Wilderness Rec Center) on campus. We were even able to rent snow pants from them. All I have to say is, this is a very expensive activity. Besides the price, it's a lot of fun. The bishop said there was about 35 people there from the ward. That is a good turn out for an activity. We all met at the church at 2:00pm and left shortly after. It took about 35-45 minutes to drive up to Powder Mountain. Pete Owen was kind of enough to show us how to snowboard. One of the first things he taught us was how to crash properly. Your suppose to fall on your knees, elbows, or on your butt; not on your hands, you could break your wrist that way. He was a really good teacher. We practiced falling, and I have to say I am really good at it. My knees look like the are rug burned. When I finally was able to stand up and go down I couldn't figure out how to stop, so I would just fall to the side and eat a lot of snow. Pete's wife Rosann took this pictures for me.

I love this picture.

After I biffed it, I got all tangled up. I couldn't stop laughing.

I am actually standing, look at me go.

This is at the end of the night, we were beat.

It so snowy there. The snow was coming down really heavy. Everyone kept on saying that it was the perfect day to be out. It was so much fun. If you haven't been this year, I recommend that you go.

Christmas in Sierra Vista

I know, I know, Christmas was almost a month ago. Yes I know I am a slacker. So Matt and I went to Sierra Vista, Arizona to visit my mom, my dad, my sister Rose and my brother Paul. We had a great time. We saw old friends we knew in our previous ward, hung out with my dad, went out to eat quite a few times, and played with playdoh. It was great. We flew out on Tuesday the 23rd and got back on the following Tuesday the 30th. On Friday after my mom got of work we drove the 7 and a half hours to San Diego to see my other two brothers Zion and Zach, my grandparents, and my Uncle and Aunt. Here's some pictures from the trip. This is the Garner Family. Matt, Karen, Courtney, Carson and Sydney. They were really good friends of ours when we lived there. They are getting ready to move to Hawaii. Jealous? So am I. But that's the sacrifice military families have to make. This is the Staley Family. Atleast part of it. Jim, Karen, and Davis. We haven't met Pax or Josh yet. Jim and Matt served in the Servicemen's Group together. Karen has been a good friend ever since.
This is my little brother Paul.
This is my Dad. Don't we look alike.

This is Matt playing Guitar Hero.
This is Rose's cat Lucy. She has the softest fur. She's like a rabbit. This picture doesn't show it very well but she's quite fat. One time we were sitting on the back patio and she's crouching down in the grass and starts to run and catches a bird in air. It was awesome. She might be a fat white chick, but she's a keeper.
This is my sister Rose and her dog Bowser. He is way hyper, but otherwise so darn cute.
My mom made this hotdog, isn't it awesome.

I made this pizza, I love Pizza.

Matt made this sailboat in water.

I didn't take very many pictures in San Diego and I am a little ashamped of that. The one at the top behind our name is from San Diego. It's at the beach in Coronado. It is such a pretty beach.

New Years Resolutions

I hate New Years Resolutions. I always feel that I never do well at them, so I just don't make them. Problem solved, right? No! Then I start to feel guilty about not trying to do better, and then I start to break out cause I'm worried, which make me break out more. Terrible, I know. Anyways, one of my ideas was to do Family Home Evening, regularly. I know, hard to do, without any kids, but we need to build this habit now... So we will be prepared when we finally have children. So our neighbors/friends Pete & Rosann, and Rob decided do do this with us. So far, So good. Yesterday we listened to the talk from Oct. General Conference "A Return to Virtue", by Elaine Dalton. Such a good talk, if you still have your Ensign it's on page 78. Check it out here. Afterwards, as an activity we played with playdoh. My idea. Totally worth it. Here's some pictures of the fruit of our labors.
Pete trying to fix Rosann's snowman, after he flicked it of the table.

Rob with his alligator thing, we weren't really sure what he was doing. Matt's house plant. It looks a lot like the one we have in our kitchen.

Pete with his Papa Smurf. Classic.

Rob's UPS truck. He doesn't know that Matt works for them.
Matt's open sign.

Ball and Bat. That concentration, priceless.

I have to say that was the best FHE we had. It was a lot of fun. Can't wait until next Monday.

Snazy new digs

These are Matt's new ROTC uniform. I think they were for Ranger Challenge. He was so excited about them. Look at him cheesing it up. I love him, he's my favorite.

Super Cute Neighbors

AnnMarie and Larry Harris

This was at a ward ultimate frisbee night. We had hamburgers, hot dogs and lots of chips. Only about 3 or 4 guys got up to play frisbee, the rest of us just sat around and talked. It was great a whole lotta fun.