Hawaii

We went to Hawaii back in August for Rick's sister's wedding- and I'm just finding the time to blog about it. It takes forever to upload this many pictures! But better late than never. It was a fun week(when I wasn't throwing up) and Victoria's wedding turned out beautiful. Here's a few of the highlights of the week:

Rick checking in with the office in the morning. If only he could work from Hawaii every day!
Both families stayed at this beach house just outside of Kona, HI. It was nice and big and spacious.
It wouldn't be Hawaii unless you woke up to find this kind of visitor has climbed in your window in the night!
The White family at a Black Sand Beach where we briefly stopped to see the turtles and have a break from the long car ride.
Rick and I took one afternoon to go to a beach by ourselves. It was so relaxing and quiet. Good job on the beach find Rick!
We found these turtles in the sand holding hands! I didn't pose them- they actually held hands for a long time! They were soul mates- in love! We took a picture to take back to the bride and groom to be. I thought it was precious. Haven't I heard somewhere that turtles mate for life?
Don't mock the flimsy straw hat- it came with the beach house. I found it in the basement as we ran out the door to the beach. But it kept my face shaded. I'm so over getting sunburned so you can check out those white legs and pregnant belly if you want to, but at least I never burned and peeled!
The happy new couple- meet Victoria and Dirk Bahoravitch. Ya, the Hawaiian sealer had a tough time with that last name.
The temple grounds were beautiful at the Kona Temple. Victoria's pictures turned out pretty from the temple.
Dinner that night was at a nice resort in a private set-up right on the edge of the beach. We watched the sun set, took more beautiful pictures, ordered fancy food with weird names, cut the cake, and enjoyed the evening. This will be my new happy place in my mind when I have to go the dentist.


It wouldn't be a complete trip for me if we didn't fit in one afternoon of shopping. There were great stores in town, and a fun sea-side restaurant where we had soup and salad. I got a new shirt, necklace, shoes, etc. I call it a success!
The last day we went on a boat ride to snorkel. The boat was tiny (inflatable with an engine), and really tested my pregnant stomach that day. By the last day I had thrown up in the plane, the car, the house, the roadside, etc. so why not the boat right? But I did manage to get out and snorkel. Rick was using his great hunting eyes and spotted this whale. Our driver took us right over to it. I could literally reach out and touch it (if I dared!). The whale was longer and bigger than our small boat. The captain got on his radio to tell his comrades, and before we knew it- it- there was quite the fuss all up and down the coast. Good spot Rick!

It was a great trip, and I hope to have pictures back soon from the wedding day/family beach portrait session. Thanks White's for including us and being patient with my less than fun stomach ;)

Fall has Come and Gone

For UEA Break this Year, the girls went to St. George while the boys were golfing in California. We went to Tuachan twice and saw Grease and Thriller. We shopped plenty, and even checked out the Women's Expo- found some great treasures!

I love the outdoor theatre at Tuachan- and it was beautiful fall weather- "not too hot, not too cold: all you need is a light jacket!"

This was the first time Jordy and Carter had seen Thriller- and they really liked it. They even brought live camels out on the stage during the Egyptian dance. I had never seen that in Thriller before. Carter came out with all sorts of new dance moves to try all over the hotel room!

We also drove down to Beaver last weekend and picked up Scout from hunting school. I have sure missed him! He has grown tall, and has so much energy! But I love that he has manners now. He doesn't jump on Rick and I anymore, and doesn't tug and pull the leash when I walk him. Rick is impressed with how many pheasants he finds every night out in the fields by our house (they are out hunting as we speak..). We are also excited to have him be better around kids. For a puppy- he's doing very well. He will be so nice by the time baby boy White comes! Yesterday Rick says to me: "Scout's a boy, and we're having a boy. Won't it be great when I can say Me and the boys are going to the Hardware Store!" Ya honey... that will be great. Take them both and be gone for awhile :)

We had a good Halloween dinner with some friends, and got quite a few trick-or-treaters. This was the extent of my dressing up. My room mom ordered one of these shirts for me. She is having a baby girl (named Ali!) in January and her little skeleton baby had a bow. I got quite a few laughs out of it.

Good News...

So I'm just realizing I haven't posted in two months! Ugh... I have been not feeling my best. I'm lucky to get through work and attempt to keep up on my wifely duties (thank you Rick for your help!) But the good news is: SURPRISE!!!! We are having a baby- due March 15!

This was our 12 week appointment. We go in soon to find out if we are having a cowboy or a cowgirl, or as Rick is saying: a buck or a doe? Any guesses? I just want a happy, healthy baby. This little tyke is going to have plenty of friends in the neighborhood!

Summer was fun!

Summer Fun

I hate to say that it's time for me to head back to a new school year. I've been slow to post this summer- it's been quite busy! I worked a little for my Dad, taught Tennis for Farmington City kid's program, babysat friends kids for a few weeks while they were out of town, and even had time to slip in a few short trips. Here are a few of the summer highlights:

Bowling in Park City is free after 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights! Who knew! Got to love Utah Weather- snow the first week of June.

I went with Rick on one of his business trips to Las Vegas in June- and met Spongebob (mostly I thought this picture would get me some mileage this year in kindergarten). I am so happy to lay by the pool and read until he's done at 5. Then we went out and celebrated our two year anniversary. We must be creatures of habit because we went to the same California Pizza Kitchen that we did last year in Vegas for our anniversary.

Another repeat- had my birthday lunch at Cheesecake Factory. It's just too good to branch out! And I'm so excited for the one in Farmington to open soon.

Played with my dog a lot. Walked him every morning! Rick is good to do a walk in the evening. I love when the doorbell rings and it's the neighborhood kids that say "Can Scout play?" I say: "Sure! Take him on a long walk and wear him out! Then come back and I'll give you a popsicle!" SO worth the money in a bag of popsicles!

We attended the 4th of July Parade in Park City with our good friends the Bushmans. Lots of floats and messages about "Saving the Earth" and "Going Green"- and they didn't throw any candy! Good thing the company was fun and the people watching ever entertaining.

Riding horses in Park City was so fun! I haven't been on a horse forever! Thanks to our good friends Hillary and Jake for hosting and providing the trusty steeds that were very rider friendly. Rick feels he is a cowboy at heart and had a great time!

Rick can always find time to get out the spotting scope and look for deer. We saw quite a few on this ride in the Ranger. We made sure we were back in time to watch the Park City Fireworks.

Witnessed a great fire work show in our friends neighborhood. They were nice to invite and share with us. This is my absolute favorite little buddy Lincoln and Tosh! So fun to be with you guys!

We took Scout on his first camping trip to Fish Lake. He loved every minute of it! We fished in the marina- if you look close enough Rick does have a little minnow on that hook!

We attempted to teach Scout to swim this trip, but no luck. The water was way too cold! Instead he hung out in the grass on the shore where he could watch from a safe distance:

Went to Bear Lake for a Gray Family Reunion. Enjoyed boating, beach time, games, golfing, reading, crocheting, cooking, and lots of good eating! A well organized event.

(My dog is confused- he thinks he is a lap dog. Which is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable the larger he gets. I guess the carrying him around in my shirt when he was little gave him the wrong message about what hunting dogs do. Rick wants him to lay on the ground by our feet. Scout wants to curl up in my lap on the camp chair. He goes to so much work and wiggling to get himself up there- what can I say!)

Dominican Republic Sewing Trip

I just got back from the Dominican Republic on a Humanitarian Trip. We went for a week to teach ladies down there how to sew. I packed a sewing machine in my suitcase, fabric and supplies for my project, and a few clothes. No room for blow-dryers and curling irons in that suit case! So keep in mind this was a humanitarian trip when you are looking at our hair and (lack of) make-up. We had a great time and felt like we left the ladies with a skill and machine they will continue to put to good use.

Late night arrival: The Branch President showed up at the airport to pick us up. 3 women travelers, 3 large suitcases full of sewing machines, 3 small carry-on suitcases, 3 purses, 2 non-english speaking Dominican men, and 1 small Jetta. Do you see a problem?

They kept assuring me it was "no problem." So here is where I rode for an hour on top of one of the suitcases. Now just imagine 2 more women getting in this back seat with their carry-ons and you have one not-so-spacious ride.

First Days of Sewing (in the church with no Air Conditioning. Fans only):

My new Dominican Sister: Mildred. We're working on our first project: an apron. Notice how cute her yellow shirt is....

Aprons are done! What a miracle with our lack of Spanish and their lack of English.

Next project: Scripture bags. I like this project- it was mine last year because it's simple! Sew up the sides, add some handles and pin a flower on the front. Walah!

Dinner at a Beach-side restaurant that night:

When you are in the Caribbean, dining on the beach, you have to order Lobster! This was huge, delicious, and worth every Peso I paid!

My mom, me and her friend Karalee Olsen at the restaurant. What a beautiful view!

Back to sewing. Next project was a little girls halter top sundress with shorts and matching flower headband. They loved the head bands and flowers.

We also made skirts, little girl pillow case dresses, hot pads for the oven, sewing machine covers, and t-shirt dresses.

We then took a day off in the middle of the week to go to the beach and sight see a little bit. We went to a resort on the other side of the island that was very beautiful and nice. We ate at the lunch buffet, had frozen pina colada drinks and sat under our cabana. This was my favorite day!

They were shooting commercials on this beach when we were there. Some of the models were sitting in their chairs drinking the beverage of choice down there- Cola Real. Some were running through the water while the cameras followed them. The boys were in heaven.

I am by no means as attractive in my bathing suit as a model- but you need to see how clear and warm and beautiful the water is in case you are planning a beach get-a-way any time soon.

A miniature monkey on my head at the beach!

Back to sewing! On the last day my sweet Dominican sister wanted to give me a gift. She handed me a package she had wrapped up in Christmas paper (all she had, I guess). When I opened it, I found her yellow shirt from the first day. She had take it home, hand washed it with a scrub brush, hung it to dry (many of them don't have washers and dryers like we do), and then even ironed it for me before she folded it up nice and wrapped it for me. She literary gave me the shirt off her back! I was so touched that I felt like I needed to wear it that day to show her I appreciated it. I put it right on over the 3 layers I already had on. Heavenly Father blessed me not to be hot in that sweaty, humid sewing room that day. She was the sweetest sister and gave me something she knew I had commented that I liked.

The ladies worked so hard to prepare us a lunch the last day. It was many traditional dishes that I could not identify that I was positive were going to make my sensitive stomach upset. I ate everything she wanted me to, made yummy faces and hand gestures, and again I was blessed to turn out ok.

All the Dominican Sewers from this year and last, and all American teachers. What a fun group and a good time. Glad to be back home safe and with my modern comforts.

My New Buddy

We got a new puppy! We have been waiting for him for awhile- and he was finally ready to come home last week. He is a German Short-hair Pointer, and has been a great puppy! I like that he keeps me company when Rick is out of town, and he definitely keeps me busy. He loves to follow you around right on your heels and curl into your lap whenever you sit down. His name is Scout... take a look.

Doing what puppies do best- Chew! Beware of your shoes around him. We are learning not to leave things sitting out.
Rick can't wait for his hunting buddy to mature and go to hunting school. He's already teaching him commands. Scout did his first official "point" the other day. Too bad he was locked into the soccer ball and not a bird, but at least Rick feels like he has that hunting instinct.
Carter is so excited about him. He always calls to see if "I need any help with the puppy?!" Carter has been off track so he came up for a sleep over and to play with Scout while I played my morning tennis.
When it gets cold he gets pretty whiney. With all this lovely rain and cold lately, he has been spending some time in my sweatshirt. He crawled in there on his own one morning when I was out weeding the flower beds, and made himself quite comfortable. I"m going to miss this young sleepy stage when he's too big to fit in my jacket! For now, we're just enjoying him.