Palm Trees, White Sand, & Clear Blue Water

"Palm trees are growin and warm breezes blowin, I picture myself right there.."... Thats what I thought of as we boarded the plane to Cozumel, Mexico. We left at 1am on September 3rd and flew from Salt Lake to Atlanta and then From Atlanta we headed to our final destination. We stayed at Park Royal Resort and it was amazing!! 

There were 3 pools, 2 of which were the infinity pools! I wish I could have one in my back yard! 

(If you can tell, it looks like the pool continues into the ocean... So Cool!)

We spent lots of time in the water!! It wasn't extremely hot, and not too humid either, but the water was amazing!! 

Skylar spent a lot of his time at the swim up bars and bringing me drinks while I soaked up the sun!

 The views from our balcony were breath-taking!! I would be one happy person if I could wake up to that every morning..

Our room was on the 8th floor up! Loved it! 

The second day we were there we went out snorkeling for like 4 hours! It was amazing!! I will have to put those pics up later - i don't have them right now. We went to 2 different reefs and saw so many creatures! Sharks, Baraccudas, sea turtles, star fish, the "dory" fish, clown fish, etc.! I soo wanna do it again! However - Skylar learned his lesson and he now knows to put sunscreen on before we leave the hotel room.. he was fried. I felt bad cuz it was only the 2nd day.  But... either way it was a blast!

We rented a scooter 2 different days. On day one we went into town to the local shopping market and enjoyed walking around and attempting to speak spanish the best we could! We took our friends from Brazil with us that day! They helped a little bit with the communication part.

Christiani and Christiano are the friends from Brazil! They were really fun and it was fun to learn a bit of Portugese!

We made friends from all over! Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Nevada, and of course Mexico!

There was a show almost every night at the resort! And if there wasn't a show, there was Karaoke. Skylar had to blow in the conk shell (i think thats what its called!).. and he won the contest and won that huge bottle of tequila! He was pretty excited! 

The food was DELICIOUS!!! We had Mexican, Italian, Oriental, Caribean, and many other types!!

All I have to say is.. yummmmm!!

We were a little obsessed with all the cruise ships that port right by our resort!

It was sooo awesome to see how huge they really are! I can't wait to be on one myself!!

At the end of each day I was thrilled to watch the sun set! All of the sunsets down there are breathtaking!

I love the sand as well!! I couldn't get enough of it on my toes!! 

It was such a fantastic trip. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to go be with Skylar and to enjoy a different culture. I can not wait to return to the beauty of Cozumel, Mexico!

I Love You This Big...

Just yesterday Skylar and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. The day started off with Skylar bringing me breakfast in bed, which was blueberry pancakes and juice! It was YUMMY!! Then off to church we went. Then lunch time came around! Sky had made a super delish roast with red potatoes and carrots! It was sooooo Delicious!!!

We had the cute "wine glasses" filled with dr. pepper!! haha.. it was sooo fun!!

And Yes.. we even had candles! So romantic!!! lol.. It was a wonderful day!! 

Then we got creative and decided to make ourselves some funnel cakes!! For the most part they worked,

but we  definately need to perfect our skills!! 

Obviously they need a little bit of help!! lol.. But soon enough they'll be perfect!!

Then as I was pondering the other day about marriage and how exciting it is to be able to spend Eternity with my Best Friend, I was thinking about the little things that make a marriage fun and long lasting.

We have this paper on our fridge that we got in church a while ago and its been there ever since. Its a good reminder.. It says... -

"Happiness in marriage is not something that just Happens. A good marriage must be created in the art of marriage. The little things are  the big things.......

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I Love You" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted.

The courtship shouldn't end with the honeymoon, it should continue thru all the years.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is not expecting a husband to wear a halo, or a wife to have the wings of an angel.

It is not looking for perfection in each other. 

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right partner, its BEING the right partner.

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

These are good reminders for all of us! I'm so glad I married Skylar and I have him for Eternity!! I couldn't have asked for a better husband and I look forward to the many fun and adventurous years ahead of us!! 

ITS OFFICIAL!!

Yes.. I am now officially a COSMETOLOGIST in the state of Idaho!!

These 2 pieces of paper are the finalizing to my thoughts that I am DONE!

It feels wonderful!! I am excited to begin this new adventure and be on my own!!!

Wahoo!!! Come see me for your beauty needs!!!!!!

Contact me at 208-569-3645

And then there were SIX.... for Eternity..

This last weekend I had the privilege of going to Salt Lake City for a Sealing of a wonderful family.
Skylars Aunt and Uncle, Holly & Tyler, adopted 2 sweet little girls and had them sealed to them for time and all eternity.

The feelings that I had in the temple were undescribable. The spirit was so strong and I had, yet again, a huge confirmation that Families are Forever with the power of the priesthood. It is such a wonderful thing to be able to experience this blessing. I am so thankful that my parents raised me with the gospel and that they drilled into my head that the temple is "the only way to go" when getting married. I have alot to owe to them and to my Young Women leaders, as well as family friends and adopted mothers. I am grateful that I made the right decision to hold a temple recommend and that I can go every chance I get. This sealing was so powerful and so amazing.

 

These two little girls are soo adorable. They are so polite and so friendly and have jumped into the family so smoothly. They were abandoned my their parents just about a year ago. An older lady either found them or knew their parents had just left them. (I'm not exactly sure). Out of the kindness of her heart, she took the girls in and kept them while she called the police. The police came and took them, took them to the foster care offices, and there they cleaned them up somewhat. Not too long after that,

Tyler and Holly were able to receive them both as foster children. After having them for a while, they felt the need to adopt them and take them as their own kids, and add to their family. So the adoption process began!! And just a few short weeks ago, the adoption was final and we all got to experience this wonderful day filled with love and joy when the family of 4 became a family of 6 for time and all eternity! And have been spoiled!! But they deserve it because its stuff their parents never could give them. It is truely sad where they came from and their background, but what a blessing for Tyler and Holly.

It is amazing to me to know that Aubrey and Ashlie comprehend the fact that they now have an older sister and an older brother so fast! Kids never cease to amaze me at how smart they really are.

This is Ashlie. She is 4. She's a bit shy to begin with, but once she knows who you are, she's all about havin' fun!

This is Aubrey. She is 2. She is so energetic and not shy at all!!!

And then there were FOUR kids!! And they all get along like normal brothers and sisters!!

 Chandler is enjoying having younger sisters to play cops and robbers with, (that is if he can convince them to play)!

Ashlie kept telling me she was going to the temple someday, and singing parts of the song,

"I Love to See The Temple." Aubrey would kind of mumble it like she knew exactly what she was singing! It just made my heart melt!!

They are best friends!! Always have been and always will be!!

And they LOVE having a big sister!! They love to make Kayla play dress up with them, and house, and think she is the coolest thing ever!!

Now they are a family forever!! And we couldn't be more excited to welcome these 2 beauties into the family!!!! Thank you Holly and Tyler for letting me be apart of such a special day!! It is one I will never forget!

DONE DONE DONE!!!!!

WOW!!! The last year has gone by.. well looking back now I'd have to say FAST! But there were times when I never thought it would end! But the good news is that I finally
GRADUATED from beauty school and I passed both of my tests!!
I had to go to Boise on June 13 to take a 3 hour practical exam and I was about to pass out like 5 times during the test because I was soooo extremely nervous!! But when it was over I knew I passed and I was so relieved to have it over with! Then today.. yes just this morning I took a trip to Pocatello to take my written test. It was 110 questions and I totally Aced it!! I just had to share the goo d news! Now I can start working and making money!! I'm not sure  where I'm going to work yet.. I will keep you posted!! But as for now.. I will be using my moms salon in her house for the clients that need me now! I'm so thrilled to be DONE!! It has been a very long journey but I have had one awesome support group and they all kept telling me I could! It reminded me of the train story where the train kept saying "I think I can, I think I can, I Think I Can!!!" And I DID!! Its crazy to think that I will never have to go to school ever again (unless I choose to)... I am so glad I am done and I can't wait to get to work!!

Lets Play Catch Up!!

I went on a crazy, spur of the moment drive on March 20th to see my Skylar. It was his birthday that day and I felt bad we couldn't celebrate. So.. I packed up my things and headed for North Dakota. It was a 9 hour drive that was long and boring, but went smooth. I was soo excited to see him! We spent the night in Williston, and had to get up at 5am so he could go back to the rig and turn in his paper work. So not much sleep but worth the drive to see him for a day! I also was privileged to meet his co-workers. He also got to open a couple of his presents that I had packed along for the trip! He was thrilled!! He got some Oakley sunglasses and some summer clothes! He has been begging for his sunglasses so I finally broke down and got them.. and of course- while I was at it, I snatched me some as well!! And we rock them everywhere we go!!

Since then Skylar got a couple of breaks to come home. He had a week in April he was allowed to come home. And then his bigger break started May 3rd when he showed up at home at about 3 am. I was thrilled!!! While he was home he had the wonderful opportunity to get his wisdom teeth out! oh how he was overjoyed! just kidding... he did not love it at all. But we were able to take a trip to Utah to see some family and spend time together! He was home for about 2 1/2 weeks then left again on May 22.

And since then I have been back to Utah 2 other times. Once for a Hair show with my wonderful mom in Salt Lake. Which I loved!! I had a blast and learned some new interesting things! and then the girls (my mom and my 2 sisters and I) took a girl trip to Utah to see my uncle from Denver and his family. Along with visiting other family members we haven't seen in a long time. It was a good get away and fun time to spend with the sisters.

Our Crazy but FUNtastic Life!

Ok.. Its been way too long.. Thanksgiving was a long time ago!!
So.. here is a look at whats been happening since then!!

Ann and I hit the stores early (we left at 3:30 am) on Black Friday! There were a few things we were

after but didn't end up with hardly anything on the list- just a bunch of socks from Fred Meyers and some random items from other places! But thats alright it was a blast and I'm sooo ready to do it again!



Me, my Mom, Lyndsi, and Kaesi went to the Jon Schmidt concert that was in Rexburg. We are huge fans of his. He is absolutely AMAZING!! The concert was great! I loved how he interacted with the audience! I can't wait to go again! To listen to one of our favorite songs click here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtVBJDPs6k

And for another one of our faves click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCFzEOQqTOg

Then we had an updo contest at school!!

Definately one of a kind updo!

Yes.. popcorn is a favorite of mine and has great inspiration!!!

I had an awesome model to work with and she was up for anything!

Thanks Shyenne for helping me out!! Our updo took 4th out of like 65 others!!

I was impressed and the judges loved it!

I got crafty and made this for my sister in law Kylie for

christmas. She just did her whole room in the red and zebra theme!

Soooo cute!!

And I made this set up!! It was super easy and soo fun!

And a simple decoration for the Christmas season!

We got our christmas tree all up and decorated! It was a real tree cuz I love the

smell of them!!

I have decided next year I'm going to do a themed tree.. Just not sure

what the theme is going to be!! :) 

Christmas Eve we went bowling with my family at Fat Cats in Rexburg!

It is now a tradition of ours!

Sooo much fun!!  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Sorry.. no pictres of christmas! BUT... it was great!!

We enjoyed spending the day with lots and lots of family!!

 Then New Years was upon us. We headed up to West Yellowstone the Thursday

before the New Year to spend the weekend riding and playing in the snow!

The roads were not great on the way up but Friday this is what it was like as far as roads go.

 This is how the day was Friday riding... It was ooober cold but sunny and

sooo much powder and soo much fun to play in! We stopped at the Trout Hunter

for lunch and got the dreaded call that Skylar was to head back to work on the 1st of January. :(

So we made the most of the days that were left for us to be together before he headed back.

Then came January 6th... and one of my favorite childhood friends and best friends, Jenny, got married!

She was a gorgeous bride and her and BJ were extremely happy! The whole day was amazing!

 

Since then.. I have been watching and playing with my favorite little boy Emmett!!

He just makes me so happy and I love every second with him!! I love watching him

grow and start talking a whole ton. He is such a busy boy and it takes alot to keep up with him,

but I totally enjoy it! As well as spending time with his parents a few nights a week. I owe them alot

for keeping me entertained while Skylar has been gone. They are great!!

Sorry for the long post.. My new years resolution is to be better at keeping this updated and not having to update 2 or 3 months at a time..!!