so much has happened...

I haven't blogged in FOREVER! I know I say that with just about every post, but oh well. So many wonderful things have happened and I would love to blog about it...and I will, just not right now. I am extremely tired and I am still at work.

In due time my friends, in due time.

PERFECT!!! could not have done it better myself...

I hope all drug seekers watch this!

For My Best Friend!!!

I know I am late, but I guess late is better than never. Yesterday was my BEST friends birthday, and I am a BIG jerk and didn't call her. I meant to post this yesterday and I didn't so here it is today.

Why is Mandi my best friend...
she has never judged me

she is ALWAYS there no matter what!

she is a part of my family, even more than I am at times

She is supportive

she is beautiful in every way

she is a great example to me and everyone around her

she is a hard worker

she is passionate

she is driven

she is THE PERFECT definition of what a best friend should be

and she has a great love for the Gospel.

Mandi, I love you and thank you for all that you do! I could not have asked for a better best friend. Happy birthday!

Californ-I-A

Before we went to Cali we were able to spend time with Chris who is visiting Utah and we were also able to spend time with Mike's fam, which is always a great time! I am sad though, I am such a loser and did not take pictures at Dad and Sonya's house...I have been so bad about taking pictures lately...I will try to do better.

We left for Acton on Tuesday morning, Kenny was nice enough to take us to the airport AND pick us up! I love that man! Anyway, here are just a few pics from Cali, the rest are going to be on FB. It takes WAY too long to upload them on here...

OH YEAH!!! While we were in California we had SO much fun and between the 2 of us we gained about 15 pounds...SICK AND WRONG!!!! Besides stuffing our faces, we played basketball, kickball, capture the flag, had a cooking competition, played lots of other games, had Christmas and made WONDERFUL memories with the family.

The dark side and packing...

Next thing to blog about...So, I always complained about my roots when I was blonde...Mike suggested I go dark...so we went to the market (sorry Mandi) to buy some dye and he colored my hair for me...I LOVED IT! It eventually started fading, so we did it again, this time we picked out a darker color...and I LOVED IT EVEN MORE!! And better yet, so did Mike. Here are some pics of the new hair color and a few of us having fun while we packed for California. We hardly take pictures anymore, so we decided to have some fun....well we thought it was fun anyway...;)

Christmas at the Dexter's

I have a lot to blog about, so I will start with our fun Christmas in Springville. Mike was on call Christmas day and I was scheduled to work Christmas night, but I got called off. So, needless to say, we were able to spend our first Christmas together, just the 2 of us. We were bummed we could not be with our families, but it was SO nice spending time alone....here are the pics of Christmas at the Dexter's:

Visit with My Mama and Wes....

This last week, I got to spend a lot of time with my favorite woman in the world! MY MOM!!!! She arrived here on the 9th and left on the 14th. We had so much fun while she was here and lots of good talks. The last day she was here, we went up to see Wes. We both were looking forward to it, but we also knew it would be emotional. When we first got up there the whole cemetery was covered in about 7 inches of snow. We had an idea of where he was, but didn't know exactly where it was at. I go up there quite often and didn't think it would be that hard to find it...BOY WAS I WRONG! We did not bring shovels, but I had 2 window scrapers so we used those. We dug for a while and came across a couple headstones, but not his. We both said, "OKAY WES! Help us out a little!" The next one I came across was his. I was so excited. I started cleaning off the snow and I found a penny sitting next to his picture. My mom and I were so happy! We had a good visit while we were up there. It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous up there. We brought a plastic bag to put over his headstone, so it would be easier to find and so it would be easier to get the snow off of it. We also built a little wall around it to hold the bag down. My mom brought up a giant candy cane to put next to his grave site. When we were about to leave we threw a few pennies on it. Here are a few pictures of our adventure...

So..yeah, I am not REALLY a lumberjack, but....

So, we went down to Salina last weekend to visit Mike's mom, sister Rachelle and niece Gabie and Jeanette (one of his other sister's) came with us. It was SO fun to be able to spend time with the family. I love his family SO much and am so blessed to have such incredible in laws. Anyways, one of the reasons for going was to cut down some trees for firewood and to get ourselves a Christmas tree. I had never done such a thing before and it was SO SO FUN!!! I used Mike's chainsaw and he taught me how to cut down trees and Jeanette and I learned how to sharpen the chainsaw. Thanks Andrew for calling me butch. You are just jealous that you have never done it. =) jk. Well, it was a lot of hard work, but we were able to fill 2 trucks full of wood and get our tree!!! I hope this becomes a tradition for years to come. I am so thankful for Mike and all the opportunities he has given me. I have learned so much from him and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband! I love you sweetheart.

I am a lumberjack!!! Well, my husband is...=

Randomness...

I have not posted pictures in a while, so I thought I would just post a few from the passed few months...OK...so I apparently I haven't uploaded the newer ones from my camera, so ya'll will just have to live with these for now. Love you all!

Long time, no blog...

Alright...I am sorry to my 3 readers! I have totally been slacking in the blog department! So many wonderful things have happened this passed month. Here's to name a few: I had the opportunity to marry the most INCREDIBLE man! I had the chance to spend time with my family and best friend the week before the wedding and I have gained a WONDERFUL new family! Life is pretty incredible right now and I have SO much to be thankful for. The ONLY thing I have to complain about is not being able to see my husband on a regular basis. We are not even living together yet! IT SUCKS BIG TIME!!! Luckily, one of my SPECTACULAR friend, Tracey, is always willing to have a sleep over when I am in Orem and Mike is in Grantsville. I am not sure why I am posting today, but I just am SO happy and love my life! If you are down or having a bad day, just STOP being sad and remember to count your blessings!

Fun stuff...

Our weekend in Orem...

we had a happy playful weekend. we hope we continue to have these for many years to come. I got to teach shay some fishing techniques, and she showed me how to drive a golf ball. she made me the most wonderful fish tacos. finally I don't have to put up with my own bad cooking. It looks like the future is bright for both of us. -Mike-

Well, I was not expecting him to come out until Friday morning. I got a text from him in the early evening that said he was off!!! I was SO happy! He was nice enough to drive all the way out here Thursday night. So, Thursday night we went to the hospital so he could meet my co-workers. I was actually more nervous about him meeting them (and by them I mean Dirty South). He taught some of them how to start IV's...and Leigh Ann questioned him about everything....like I knew he would, he passed with flying colors. They all were very impressed with him and liked him so much! (but what's not to like?) So, Friday morning we woke up and headed to Riverwoods Urgent Care to meet my other co-workers. Again, they were all impressed and loved him. They are all so happy for us. It is nice to have the opportunity to work with such amazing people who care so much about me. After RUC we went to the driving range. Mike got to use my pretty pink driver. He actually preferred my pink one over the black boy one that was given to him. After the driving range we went to the market and got stuff to make dinner. We came back home and had lunch, watched Transformers (I fell asleep) and then we went to Deer Creek Resevoir and went fishing. I had not been fishing in like 15 years. It was SO fun! Mike taught me so much. There were so many fish out there! We didn't catch anything...=( well, we did catch some weeds!!! Does that count? We also had a rock skipping contest. Guess who won? Well, let's just say it wasn't Mike. =) He thinks it's because he gave me "the perfect rock" (we will let him think that) We came home after fishing and cooked. I LOVE to cook for people. I was SO nervous...it was my first time cooking for him. Now, it is Saturday and I have to go to work in 5 hours...=( Our weekend is coming to an end, but it was SO FUN! WAIT....it's not over yet! We are going to have sushi with Paige and Mike. So that will be fun. OK...enjoy they pictures....