January 2009

This is how our year started...

Jan. 1
Took Christmas Decorations down...the house looks bare...need more stuff to decorate the place...one day!!

Jan. 6
Kenny I celebrated our 5 year anniversary...I always wanted to celebrate it in Hawaii...that didn't happen...instead I asked Kelsey Nixon from The Next Food Network Star...I have the hook ups...thank you Katie and Christian for sharing her...anyway she came and helped me...well I stood around...prepare a dinner...this was all a surprise to Kenny. He fell in love with Kelsey while we watched the show. He had always wanted to meet her when he found out that she married Christian's brother. Anyway, she made an amazing meal...it was Salmon, pita bread with Pesto, roasted asparagus, and an apple betty. VERY VERY GOOD!! Then after we ate we went and saw Seven Pounds. Thank you to both parents for watching the kids!!

Jan.9

Start of our week long deserved VACATION!! We drove to St. George late Friday night and stayed with my brother Sean and his wife.

Jan. 10

Got up and met my grandparents and Sean and his wife, and my brother-in-law Alex for breakfast at Village Inn. It was nice to see my family that lives in St. George. After breakfast we drove to Las Vegas and had lunch with Kenny's sister Tara. After a visit we headed out on our destination...Gilbert, AZ...we went there to visit our old neighbors...The Carnavales. It was the LONGEST DRIVE. Abi and Jax ...well, Abi was driving me NUTS!!! We borrowed a portable DVD player, but that did not keep her entertained...LONG DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!! We finally made it to Gilbert about 8:00 this night. We visited...set up our room for the week and crashed for the night.

Jan. 11

Got up and went to church with the Carnavales.

I can't remember what else we did, probably just relaxed.

Jan. 12

We attempted to go to this place called Schnepf Farms when we pulled up it seemed dead...is this going to be any good? We then found out that they are closed on Mondays...bummer...will come back. We then drove across the street to this place called Queens Creek Olive Mill. That was more fun then I thought it would be. We went on a little tour of the building and grounds, and got to taste test different olive oils, spreads, and breads. This is a must stop if you are in the area. I learned so much about olive oil it was very interesting, and I just kept thinking how Kelsey would love this place. Kelsey was on my mind since she was just at my house earlier in the week!! We went back to the Carnavales and waited for Emerson to get home. We ate really good food all week thanks to Jennae...we saved a lot of money by not eating out, and by staying at their house. THANK YOU Jennae and Emerson.

Jan. 13

Not that great of a day...I found this place that looked like it might be fun on the Internet. It is called Park of The Canals/Botanical Gardens. VERY DUMB. Well, we did get to see different plants and cactus that grow in Arizona, and we did take a walk on a very dry desert trail...waste of time...wouldn't recommend it as a tourist attraction. I can't remember, but we might have taken a walk to the park by the Carnavales house...we did that several times...when exactly I don't remember. They live in a nice neighborhood with stores near by, and Emerson kept trying to convince my that he had a Realator waiting to meet Kenny and I to show us some houses. Jennae and Emerson...I do love having you as neighbors, but Arizona...not my cup of tea weather for the summer :)
Jan. 14 After being bummed from the day before we decided take a drive to a place called Tortilla Flats. This was very fun, very small town if you want to call it that. It is a ghost town, and the pop. is 6. Yes, the people who own the town are the only ones that live there. Very fun, they even get mail delivery there. Check out their website...it will make you want to visit. A lot of history packed in this little town.

Jan 15

Well we went back to Schnepf Farms hoping they would be open this time...we really wanted to take the kids here. Nope...they would be opened tomorrow...we were going home tomorrow. Kenny talked to one of the owners and he said that we could just go in and let the kids play and look around. This place is AWESOME...it would be really fun to go to if it was open. Tons of fun stuff to do. None of the animal were out, but we got to play in there playground area, and go check the place out. They even have amusement rides. We will come back when we make another trip. Next time though we will make sure they are open. Later that night we went to dinner at Organ Stop Pizza. That was fun we ate pizza while this lady played the organ. It was very fun and different. The last stop of our Arizona trip with the Carnavales was the Mesa Temple. Abi was so excited to go. She thought that she was going to get married and get garments. It blew me away when she told me she wanted to get garments. We were talking about going to the Temple earlier in the day, and she tried to pull my shirt down and tell me she wanted to get garments at the Temple. Funny thing is I have never sat down and talked to her about garments. I hope that she will always have the desire to go to the Temple...I hope I can teach her well enough. Anyways, Abi loved the Temple, and it was nice to take her there.



Jan. 16 Well it is time to leave Arizona...we had so much fun with the Carnavales. Emerson had to work every day, but Jennae was able to join us in all the fun we had. Hopefully next time Emerson can get time off work, so he can not be stuck working while we are out having fun. On the way home from Arizona we stopped at the place called Out Of Africa
This place was AWESOME. THIS IS A MUST SEE. We got to feed a giraffe and a camel. We also saw a ton of animals up close...I mean right out of the bus window close. It was so neat. After that stop we drove back to Las Vegas to stay the night with Tara. We went to dinner with Tara and Raleigh, and then Raleigh drove us down the strip. Thank you Raleigh and Tara!!

Jan. 17
We got up and drove to St. George. Our plans were to just have lunch with my sister Kellie and her family, and then go home. Well, time got later and later, and we decided to stay the night at her house. We didn't come home like we had planned. If I would have known we were going to stay I would have stayed in Vegas longer, and maybe done a little shopping!! Thanks Kellie and family, we had fun staying with you.
Jan. 18
We drove back home. It's nice to be home, but I hate being back to reality. Back to life. It was such a nice vacation. I did not enjoy the long drive though. Maybe next time we can fly...probably not...too expensive...especially because Kenny doesn't want to pay for Abi to fly.
Jan. 19
Jax got his first haircut...his first haircut on his 10 month b-day. What great timing!! He did okay for a minute...then he hated it!! Oh, my little guy is so handsome. I can't believe how much hair I cut off. Thank you Aunt Holly for taking the pictures of your handsome little nephew!!











Jan. 20
Had Enrichment tonight. We did a Banana Split Relay. We didn't let anyone know that we were going to do service by cleaning the church. It was fun, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Thanks Balmoral Ward Sisters. You are great!!
Jan. 21
Went to a burial service for my sister Stephanie's little girl. Such a tiny little casket. Such a sad story. Steph I hope things get better for you. You are in our prayers all the time. Especially because that is the only thing Abi wants to pray for.

The rest of January
Stayed busy with hair appt., Kenny worked and went to school, Abi went to school and dance, and Jax just growing up!! Getting into things, and learning new things!!
What a fun filled January...great way to start the year off!!