Happy Birthday Matthew~

Matt, You light up my life.... Okay that's all the sap you get.

Yesterday was a wonderful end to a fabulous weekend for Matt. On Saturday, Suzanne took Matt on a date to Lagoon and he said he had a good time.Apparently they looked at half dead Llamas? That's really all I heard... weird. They came back early though to hit up Seven Peaks that evening and they were closed! So Matt and crew went Disc Golfing instead. Will and Kristin got him a new disc for his birthday, he was VERY excited about that. Also, my parents called and told him to pick up his present from them at Home Depot. They got him a circular saw! Power Tools and a New Disc? Can life get any better? I submit that it can not! Two of his favorite things!!! He was showing me all these cool things about his saw on Sunday morning. Thanks Mom and Dad very thoughtful of you! I have been wanting Matt to build me a bed frame for a while and we haven't had the proper tools so between Christmas and Matt's birthday he has everything that he needs thanks to my Dad and Mom! Now if he could just find the time :) He does want me to start looking at styles so that is a good sign!

Sunday morning Matt did a little studying and then played his guitar for quite a long time. He loves learning new songs. While he was playing Jordan called to wish him Happy Birthday. They chatted for a while. Jordan and Michaela were off to Omish country though so he couldn't talk long (cant wait for that post guys) then Matt went back to playing. Church snuck right up on us! We got to church and heard wonderful talks on the World Wide Leadership Training that was back in Feb. Also we learned about faith and agency all very good lessons. After church we went over to the Maxwell's house. They planned a birthday party for both Matt and Jeremy (my cousin Bobbie's husband) It was so nice! Complete with ice cream cake and pumpkin roll courtesy of Kristin. The food was yummy and the company was great. Thank you so much Maxwell's for doing that, it was awesome to see everyone and hang out. Shawn, Suzanne's boyfriend fared very well for the first time meeting a chunk of the family! After we left the BBQ Matt and I got home and started talking about different things. At one point Matt said something really funny (I cant even remember what it was!), I started laughing so hard I couldn't breathe and I was crying it was so funny. So it made Matt start laughing... I think we were laughing for about 5 minutes straight. My abs were hurting by the end of it! We always have a good time together, I am so glad that I married Matt we are never bored or get tired of one another.

Matt got to decide the movie for the evening, so he borrowed Hitch from Kristin and Will. As always it was a good entertaining movie. During the movie Nate, Matt's older brother, called to wish Matt a Happy Birthday as well. He also told Matt they are come down to visit next weekend with new baby Dallin. We are so excited to meet the little guy! Matt loves to hear from his family especially on his birthday and is so glad that they remembered. He has such a connection with his brothers, it's awesome to see.

All and all it was a busy weekend and LOADS of FUN and SUN. Thanks again to all those who made Matt feel wonderful on his birthday and through out the weekend. He was one happy camper! :)

4th Annual!

Hey all, just thought I would let you know the day is set!

http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=10867

Turn in your sign up sheets soon! My mom, sisters, and sister-in-law go every year!

Whelp It's Official!

4 things:

1# Biggest Loser with the family starts today. I know I don't have much, if any, weight to loose but I would like to get into better shape! I am using this as motivation to work out consistently and not eat junk!

2# Matt got 101 out of 100 on his calculus test last week. This is the first time in his middle school/high school/college life that he has aced a Math test. He studied really, really, hard and nailed it! Yay for him. He was so excited that he put it up on the fridge like his mom used to do in elementary school. It was funny to see how proud he was. He working really hard on straight A's this semester! I am so glad he cares about school and puts all his heart into it.

3# I went to go see a dermatologist yesterday! I have this little problem called acne. GROSS I always have. In times passed I have always been able to use Accutane but since I am married and I am of child bearing age I am not allowed to take it (I wouldn't want to because it really messes up your kids if you get pregnant on it). The dermatologist was WONDERFUL and has me on 3 different medications, 2 topical gels and an oral med that I have to take morning and night. We'll see how it goes, she said hopefully in the next 2 months you wont even know I had it!

4# is the big one MATT GOT THE JOB!!! We were so excited to hear the news last night. It felt like forever! He is talking to them today to get more details. We are so happy and think that this will be a great move for Matt. Definitely a better fit for him and his career opportunities. Hopefully this will open more doors for him and his future.

Weekend MANIA!

Whew What a GOOOOD WEEKEND! I love summer weekends can I say that enough?

Friday night was Strawberry Days Rodeo, which was awesome! Jason, Suzanne, Kristin, Matt, and I went. While we were there we saw Kelly my cousin who was I think the 2nd attendant for Miss Pleasant Grove. Dont ask me why i felt it was so important to put my head so far back but Kel looked so cute that I had to post it!She came and sat with us for a little bit and then informed us that since she is royalty she gets what ever concessions she wanted for free! We had all ready bought some but Suzanne couldnt eat any because of her Gastroperesis. She was pretty bummed. We kept telling her to just take one bite but she was good and never did. So Kelly got us about 6 strawberries and cream for free! YUM I love that stuff it's pretty much melted ice cream with fresh slices of strawberries. Matt only ate 4 (he cut way back from last year) and he was okay(least year he had some ummm intestinal issues ha ha). Jason was very cute with the rodeo he liked the cream more then the strawberries!Oh and every time someone came out riding a horse (boy or girl) Jason would say. Its a cowboy! I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Saturday Matt, Suzanne, Jason, Sierra, Kristin, and I went to Seven Peaks for the day. It was so warm and I soaked up some sun for sure! Even to the edge of a little burned but its not bad today at all. We played in the water with the kids and went on a couple of the tube runs and rides. Here is Matt going down the watterslide. He LOVES them and I HATE them so I am a very good watcher :)

After Seven Peaks, Kristin made us a YUMMY dinner of Chicken Alfredo and Jason was CRACKING Matt and I up by making faces in the pot sitting in front of him. He is such a funny little boy. After dinner Matt and I met up with the whole Maxwell clan (minus those Cedar City Huntsmans) and the Gundred's for "Get Smart" I thought it was HILARIOUS. Man, good flick. Probably one I would buy. If you don't want to see it in the theater as least rent it. It's good for a few laughs.

Sunday I had a meeting in the morning and got a phone call an hour before church that I needed to teach because Sam (my beehive advisor) was so sick! I hurried and put the lesson together and taught. We heard great talks on obedience from a family that is actually moving out of our ward today! How is that for stress! Anyways after church I made this chicken for dinner tell me what it is, I don't know.

I first put some chicken seasoning on the chicken breasts and started to grill it up then I decided I didn't want plain chicken so I put some Bulls Eye BBQ on it. Then after grilling for a minute or two I decided to put some bacon and cheese on the top but the cheese doesn't melt on the grill so then I baked it to melt the cheese. It was so juicy and flavorful. Is there a name for Grilled BBQ chicken with bacon and melted cheese on top? If not I am a genius! ha ha

Anyways Matt had a chat with his younger brother Braden and he has decided that he is going to stick around Medford and just work rather then working and going to school while living with us before his mission. We worry about him, but he is a good kid so I think either decision was okay for him. Plus he can keep my father in law company for one more year before he officially becomes and "empty nester" like my mom and dad! Party right?

Whelp More to say tomorrow... until then enjoy that Syrup Yummm a video and everything :)

P.S. Congrats the Trish Michael and KK for the new addition to their family, little Kejia Dawn was born on my mom's birthday. Cant wait to meet her :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here are 47 reasons why I love you...

(well I hope you are turning 47 I thought you were turning 46 Maybe you are? Correct me if I am wrong)

1. You are MY mom

2. You are my friend

3. I was upset in highschool when you would wear my clothes but was secretly proud that you could fit into my clothes in highschool

4. You come to visit

5. You look just like ME

6. You think of others before your self

7. You taught me how to read

8. You taught me how to love my own family

9. You taught me to voice my opinion (I had enough opinions for both Suzanne and I)

10. You help me cook

11. You always have such good ideas

12. You are so independent

13. But at the same time you are not

14. You show a good example of service to me

15. You taught me how to clean

16. You taught me how to just plain throw old stuff away no need for clutter

17. You came to all my soccer games

18. You came to all my softball games and were even my coach one year!

19. You could sew anything I needed like a cover up for that dress my sophomore year

20. You Laugh with me

21. You help me be a better YW leader

22. When you see a good deal you tell me about it!

23. Since I hate shopping you take the pain away by doing it for me :)

24. You love my husband

25. You love my husband (I thought that alone deserved 2 because of the stuff he put you through)

26. You always encouraged me to go to college.

27. You helped me develop a love of sports.

28. You let me ride my bike next to you while you were running when I was a kid.

29. You put up with planning my wedding even though I was SORT OF a brat. Not a big one just a little one.

30. You can take uhhh constructive criticism

31. You don't look like you are almost 50 (just had to bring that up)

32. You have always gone to church

33. You have ALWAYS fulfilled your callings to the best of your ability

34. I cant remember a time when you didn't have time for me even though you had 5 kids!

35. You not only had me but you had my twin sister

36. You showed me to love my family more then my friends (Family comes first!)

37. You sure no how to throw a party!

38. You never made me finish my plate

39. Boy do you make some dang good chocolate cake!

40. You love YOUR husband

41. You listened to Disney movie music with us and you liked it!

42. Mellow gold what more can I say

43. You taught me that its okay to "Laugh WITH someone not AT someone"

44. Even though we still laugh about that time you passed out in the DR, you weren't laughing sorry..

45. You took us to see everything as kids, Rodeos, Hawaii, Giants Games, Museums, Library's, Church History sites, The caves, you always said we should go and see everything we could!

46. You somehow know everything about being a mom

47. You taught me how to be a mom someday!

Sweet! Thanks!

Matt's cousin's wife Melissa, whom I call my own cousin because lets be honest that is to hard to say all the time, made this COOL header for me! I hear you need photoshop to make them. I need to look into this photoshop because it is awesome what she can do with different pictures and things. A big THANKS MELISSA! Your time is much appreciated. Not only by me but now by all of my avid blog stalkers out there as well! :)

Sunshine and Summertime!

I LOVE summertime. It is my most favorite time when it gets warm on the weekends and instead of having to find something to do, there are so many things to do that I cant decide! This weekend Matt and I (and all other who want to join us) are going to Strawberry Days Rodeo on Friday night, Seven Peaks, Going to see Get Smart, Matt might go up to midway or where ever for a Frolf tourney, and so on. Usually its just one event. Now its 3 or 4 to choose from!

So if anyone is down with Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove we are going on Friday night, Mutton Bustin starts at 7 I believe. We'll be there a bit sooner. Then I think Saturday will be a day of Seven Peaks (Matt and I along with the Wu's and Suzanne have season passes so if anyone ever wants to tag along, there are 16 $ passes at the PG Maceys) and I think that evening after dinner Matt and I will be going to see Get Smart. That show looks hilarious! Anyways so if anyone wants to jump on the Summer fun train let me know and we'll plan to see ya'll!

P.S. I know I haven't had pictures in a while so I'll take plenty this weekend for you guys i know you have been DYING to see pictures of us.

Special Edition Matt Post

This is long, but if you have ever realized your life has changed without you even recognizing it, you may have empathy

Mickie and I had an entertaining ride home from school yesterday when I realized all these things.

Disclaimer: The following story uses a fictional day to portray real events.

I woke up late, quickly finding whatever source of clothing which would facilitate my needs of getting dressed the fastest. Only I forgot the clothes police was now waking up to ask the famous question. Are you really going to wear that? Her quizzical look told me she didn’t like the un-ironed shirt I pulled from the supposed clean pile of laundry, the mismatched socks, and pants which I have had since my mission. I bought the pants back when my waist was about two inches lower, so now that I wear my pants around the truly created waist, they avoid any shoe contact and hover around the high ankle. But in order to avoid any further looks of unbelief, I quickly respond as confident as possible, “Yep,” and B-line it for the exit. At work, it can be fairly exhausting talking to people who, I’m not sure how they function from day to day, yet they insist our math is wrong and they “deserve” more retirement money. So, when lunch break comes it should be such a relief. I usually do homework or work out at lunch so it can be quite interesting when I do join the others in the lunch room. I find myself sitting alone at a table and watching 8-10 co-workers crowd around one table. I think to myself, “you know those tables should have a maximum occupancy of 6 people, I see a potential danger for fire hazards. Also, I wish they would stop taking chairs from my table, where are my pretend friends are supposed to sit.” Work continues on and soon it’s time for school. I try to get to the campus a.s.a.p. but traffic must be filled with blind and deaf people, because the light is green, I’m yelling at the car in front of me to go, yet, we still sit there. I finally get to school late and now I’m on a dead sprint in my wrinkled shirt and tie, and I can feel my high water pants brushing my shins. If that’s not embarrassing enough all the sudden my strap breaks on my back pack. I dare any of you to try looking cool walking into class late, shirt halfway un-tucked, wearing one strap and holding the other. And that’s when I realize, life is great right now, I’m just glad I don’t have kids to constantly remind me of how un-cool I am.

These are all things I have recognized in the last week. My wife gets a kick out of it; I just don’t know how to slow it down. I’m sure I’m on life’s natural course to getting old, but if someone could give me a heads up on, at what age socks and sandals becomes fashionable, I think I might be better off preparing for that now. Nate and Harvey I’m sure you feel my pain.

Editor Mickie's Note: I want to let you all know this is not because I am unwilling to buy Matt new slacks and make sure his shirts are ironed, he just hates shopping and gets dressed so fast in the mornings that he wont let me "help" him pick out proper attire.

Got everything done

~We went house looking with Suzanne

~Saw the movie "Jumper" (okay not great entertaining)

~Saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (it was the new one the worst western we have ever seen)

~I went running

~We went disc golfing at Art Dye and Will was AWESOME

~We dropped Will off to get his new scooter

~ We went to Seven Peaks and got some SUN!

~ My mom is in town :)

~ We went to the driving range and hit some balls

~ We watched "The Bucket List" (it was pretty good)

~ We took naps

~We went to church and heard wonderful talks on Fathers

~We rode Wills new scooter around the neighborhood

~We ate a yummy steak dinner at Kristin and Wills

~ We watched Hercules

~ Matt watched the NBA Finals game and the Lakers won 2 more to go right?

~ We called our Fathers to wish them Happy Fathers Day and couldn't get a hold of either! Ha ha

So there you have it re~ cap of the weekend it was BEAUTIFUL weather and Matt and I really enjoyed ourselves.

NBA Finals

So can you guys believe it! The Lakers LOST last night? Matt and I got home from school then Matt went to go play basketball up at the Stake Center like he usually does and I headed off to the Clubhouse to work out. Well Matt comes over to the clubhouse about 20 minutes in and says the game is on so no one is up at the church to play! I said huh flip it on and it was a GOOD game. Okay I kinda want to see the Lakers win and I kinda want to see the Celtics win... SO whoever wins I am okay with. I like to see a good series. Can you believe that call on Kobe at the END though? Totally hosed to momentum and it was SUCH a Ticky Tacky call. I thought it was LAME ohh and that one center of the Lakers that didn't cover when Allen blew by the guy guarding him and was going to the hoop... he was pretty dumb too. Well lets hope the Lakers make Finals history and come back right? That would make an exciting series! On to the weekend and warm weather~!

P.S. this post was just for you will please don't classify this one as a "drive-by"!

I dont know

I have nothing to say. Nothing exciting, no pictures, no anything. Matt woke up in a good mood this morning though maybe its because he got to wear jeans to work today. Funny how a little thing like that can change his mood. Anyways until tomorrow.

It's not official

But we are close, Matt's interview went well yesterday so Matt thinks he has the job. We'll probably know more later this week or even today. Paul (our home teacher) sat in on the interview this time so it was nice and comfortable for Matt. We are very excited for this move, Matt loves investing and finance and this is what this company is all about, helping people learn. Yes is it a bit of a sales job which is just fine with us, but lets be honest what job doesn't have anything to do with sales.

Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, love and support. We have felt it through this process.

Thanks again Paul and Tonii for helping us out so much! We owe you guys dinner! (or at least some free babysitting :)

Other then that its cramming for mid-terms and (for me) finals. I took block classes this semester so it wouldn't cut into my YW Wednesdays too much. Next semester I am hoping to swing some early morning classes so I can be home in the evenings. We'll see how it all goes.

I am ready for warm weather and hoping Matt and I can hit up Seven Peaks this weekend, anything over 75 and we'll be there (shivering but there)

Three Things

Three Things worth mentioning happened yesterday.

1. Matt had his interview for Investools yesterday. He chatted with his interviewer for about 40 or 50 minutes. He said he feels it went well, I am thinking so too because now he has another interview today with the specific department that he will be working with hopefully. Matt is feeling really good about the company and the growth potential he has there. His interview is later today so tomorrow I can tell you more details!

2. When Matt came to pick me up from work he said that something was wrong with the car. The vibration was really bad so I thought I think we need new tires. Matt wasn't completely convinced so I thought I would call the expert and ask. "Dad what would make the car wobbly do you think it could be the tires?" (this is on the way to the Murray campus so Matt can drop me off at school) "Yeah it could be the tires have you had them balanced properly?" "yes about a month ago and it is really wobbly now" "Sometimes if you hit a curb it can knock a weight off and make your tires out of balance even in a month" (by now we are to school we drove on the freeway that was fast wasn't it ha ha) Dad says " Look at the tire and make sure you have enough...." At this point I interrupt "I think I found the problem Dad I can see a bunch of wires on the tread of the front right tire" " That means your tires were under inflated and not rotated properly" "Yep I don't think the guy before us ever balanced or rotated the tires..." " Well thanks Dad :) " I showed Matt and he took off to find the closest tire shop. We dropped about 350 bucks yesterday buying new tires. BUMMER But I have been saying for weeks that I thought the Malibu needed new tires. Too bad we didn't have the luxury of calling around to get a good deal! I am glad Matt even made it to a tire shop! It was about an 8 inch slab or tread missing.

3. Cindy my boss is about 7 and a half months pregnant. She has season tickets to the Hale Center Theatre. The seats there (apparently) are VERY UNCOMFORTABLE for a pregnant women. So she gave her tickets to us! Yippee! So after the new tires were on Matt picked me up and we went over to see the play. It was a cool play "The Curious Savage" Its about a women whose husband dies and leaves her 50 million dollars. Her step children don't want her to have it so they try and take it but Mrs. Savage spends the money how she wants to. The children don't like that so they retaliate by putting her in a crazy house. As the play goes on it shows how sane the people inside are compared to the money hungry children outside of the institution. Sorry not a very good 3 sentence synopsis but you get the picture. Matt and I love going to plays and enjoy the time we get together.

Now it's mid term time! Yikes! Back to the books and work!

Weekend

This is one of my favorite colors! I have never seen the dessert have actual color so I thought I would snap a picture.

Matt had a friend in town this weekend, Ryan. On Saturday they went bunny hunting. Ryan has come up a few times and gone bunny hunting and never seen one. Well when we went out this time we actually saw one. Matt was shooting like crazy but poor Ryan's gun jammed! Dang! Matt didn't get the rabbit but he was dang close. Anyways after walking for a little while longer Ryan comes running out of the bushes shooting at something. Matt and I turn to hear him saying something about a snake. So Matt tells him to stop shooting and he found the snake, it was a little garden snake well not little about 3 feet long but it wasn't going to do anything to Ryan. Ryan hates snakes though and he was pretty beat up from Ryan's first rampage so Matt said well put him out of his misery. So Ryan went to town yet again. He wouldn't go within 6 ft of the thing even after it was dead because he doesn't like snakes so much. But he had me snap a picture he was pretty proud of himself.

After hunting Kristin made BBQ ribs that were really yummy and we went (where else) Disc golfing to finish off the night.

Also on Friday Matt and I went and saw Kung Fu Panda. We were cracking up! But let me just say we think Jack Black is really funny and we enjoyed the animation. If you don't like Jack Black I don't think you will think it was as funny as we did.

Sunday Ryan went home and we were bored so we had everyone over for dinner (Will, Kristin, Jason, Sierra Bug, Suzanne, and Shawn) I made one of the only dishes that I know how to make well, A pork roast. I leaned how to make it by accident but its tender and juicy every time!

Teaser: Kristin is posting pictures of this new "beau" of Suzanne's. We REALLY like him, he is very laid back but will tell you want he wants. Not obnoxious at all! :)

Investools

Matt wanted me to tell everyone he is interviewing for a new job on Monday. The company is called Investools. They sell products to help people invest their money wisely. They also teach classes on investing and so on. At least that's what I think they do. He heard about the company through some friends of ours in the ward and they have been more then helpful with the process (Thanks Tonii and Paul!). Paul actually works there so we have a bit of an "in". Paul loves it there and this is what Matt obsesses about so might as well do what you love! Matt is currently getting his degree in Finance and they have a lot of the same perks that his job has now like tuition reimbursement but they offer more reimbursement then his current job! This means Matt can go year round (like he has been but we have been paying for 1 semester) and now we wont have to pay for it! The location is way closer to our house (at the intersection of I-15 and Bangerter Hwy) then where he works now and it would be a little bit of a raise! Prayers would be appreciated We'll be on our knees for sure :) Thanks guys! Let keep our fingers crossed.

investools.com is the website if you guys want to check it out.

Why are Matt and I so boring?

I have decided Matt and I are boring people during the weekdays. We both get up at 6:30, Get ready I drop Matt off at the bus stop (to save gas) then I go home finish getting ready and go to work. Matt works until 5 I work until 5:30. I pick Matt up at Trax then we head off to school. We study and do homework until about 8:30 or 9 then head home. We eat something then talk about our days then its shower time and in bed. HOW BORING! Thank goodness for weekends when we can have time to clean the house, do laundry, and work on other things besides school or work!

Speaking of cleaning last night, I was cleaning up because Matt's friend Ryan is staying with us for a couple days and I almost stepped on a spider about the size of a half dollar on my kitchen floor. UHH I got the heebies bad, normally I can just kill them but since I almost stepped on him it grossed me out! Plus I think its the biggest spider I have seen in our house. So I put a cup over it and waited until Matt could get home. He threw it out side then stepped on it, it crunched even! Yuck! It was brown and hairy! So I sprayed down our house again with our spider ant killer stuff. Hope it works! I was jumping all night if i felt the slightest sensation on my skin. I should have taken a picture but it may have grossed you guys out too!

Anyways after today its party for the weekend! Yippee! Not the usual mundane
Monday-Thursday.

Weekend Time

We had a really fun weekend! Busy but packed with fun stuff! The weather was WONDERFUL!We went Frisbee golfing on Saturday morning at Creekside then we went over to my cousin Conner's indoor arena football game. (He is the one on the end of the line there) They won and Conner played great! We took him home with us and we played tennis for an hour or so then Matt and Conn went swimming while I loaded all the family pictures onto my computer with Suzanne. I forgot to burn myself copies of all the pictures so I could bring them to work and develop them woops ohh well. After that Suzanne left to go pick up a friend and go home and Matt and I dropped off Con then headed over to the Real soccer game. They played the San Jose Earthquake (the worst team in the league) and they WON! Real is only one game ahead of them : ) It was a pretty good game. A couple PKs, yellow cards, flopping, and nice goals all make for an enjoyable evening of Soccer! This Wednesday I am going to preview the new venue in Sandy where will be playing later in the season. Sunday we just bummed around and did just about nothing. It was so nice! ( well nothing beyond church, reading lessons and such) we watched the Newsies though. I don't think I have ever seen that all the way through... pretty entertaining but different then I remember.

Oh and for all you blog stalkers wondering how I track you, I use Google Analytics really easy to use. Look it up! Chrissie who do we both know from Madrid Spain?? hmmm mystery. OH and Sheri you pop up on mine from Vernal not New York so I knew that was you :) ...


Whelp I gotta get to work! Until tomorrow~