Life

The last little while has been quite the whirlwind for us. We moved into town last weekend and are still somewhat is boxes. The house we moved to is a lot smaller so we are trying to figure out how to cram in here. I am very thankful for this place to live however. We now have a dishwasher and the whole house is newly remodeled. I am a couple of blocks from work now and won't be spending as much on gas. Mostly, its a place that I think we can be comfortable having a new baby in.

Speaking of babies....I have another ultrasound tomorrow, but on the first one the doctor is 85% sure that we're having a girl! I'm so excited. She has been moving around a lot lately and it is fun to feel. I also think Joe is starting to get more excited, even though he was wrong and its not a boy. He thinks he might have to go out and buy a shotgun now though....


We were in a stake play this weekend. It was a liken play about the first Christmas. Joe and I were Mary and Joseph and we had some singing parts. I was pretty proud of myself for doing this play because I have been so nervous about singing in front of people for the longest time, I'm no Broadway star by any means, but I am trying to use the talents that I have been given. My parents , Aunt Deanna, and Katie were able to come to the show last night. I'm glad that they were able to come.

This next week we are on to continuing to put our house together, ward party with Joe playing guitar on Wednesday, cleaning the church on Thursday, and I have to speak in sacrament next Sunday.

Things have really been going well for us and we are so blessed, I just wanted to say how really thankful I am. I have been thinking about things a lot today because my cousin Lindsay's husband was killed in a work related accident today in Oklahoma. He was a really good guy and helped Lindsay through some really tough times. My heart and prayers go out to her, her family, and his tonight at this very difficult time. Sometimes the unthinkable happens and you can't understand it, but I do know that Heavenly Father is a merciful God and that somehow this will all work out. It still isn't easy. I love you Lindsay and Tyson. I hope you know how much we all love you.

Here's your pic Abby and Katie

The picture is bad - blurry face and terrible lighting, but this is all you're going to get. Here I am at 18 weeks. I have to say I really don't like taking pregnant pictures, but I suppose I should anyway.

I have certainly been feeling better and in 2 weeks we'll have an ultrasound. Hopefully baby cooperates and we can see if it's a boy or girl. Joe is still sure its a boy. I think he might be surprised. We'll see....

Tribute to Rufus

We had to take Rufus back to Grandpa's house for the winter. We will miss that goat. We didn't know that a goat could have so much personality! Here he is standing on top of his igloo.

Oregon trip

At the beginning of this month we were able to take a little trip to Hood River. We were able to stay in the castle in Husum, Washington for the last time. It's being sold and I'm glad we got to visit one more time. We didn't get to see much family - it was a pretty quick trip. I was able to go shopping with Aunt Sue in Portland which was a lot of fun.

Here's a picture of the rescued bald Eagle named Ferguson at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles

Aunt Sue, me and Maxi right before we left - in Mosier

Maxi again - she is a great dog and it was fun to play with her - we were sure missing Ginger

Happiness

Last night and this morning were great, even though I felt really nauseous all day yesterday and woke up with a kink in my neck this morning. I wasn't able to go to the dinner for the relief society broadcast yesterday because I wasn't feeling well, but I watched it online. It made me feel better about a lot of things and helped me to not feel so down. Also Joe made dinner for me, which he has been doing a lot of lately. He really has been taking care of me and I appreciate it. Life certainly isn't perfect for us, but we are so blessed. I really do have an awesome husband who helps me out in so many ways. I am a much better person today because I married him. He helps me to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt -and also helps me to not easily take offense.

I know I'm rambling, but I'm going to continue to do so. I was excited to go to church today because I felt too sick to go last week. I woke up with a really bad kink in my neck and didn't think I would be able to go this week either. Joe helped me to get to sacrament meeting though and I'm so glad that we did. It was the primary program today and they did a great job. I really felt the spirit throughout the program and am so glad that they do it every year.

We also have some great news - I'm pregnant- almost 11 weeks now which explains the not feeling very well right? Things are going well so far and we are really excited, but also scared out of our minds! We know it won't be easy, but it will be worth it and we are excited to start this new part of our lives.


Also Joe and I will be in our stake Christmas play in December. Joe isn't that excited about it, but he'll do a great job. He kind of got roped into doing it since he was one of two men to show up at the audition. He had just come to offer to help with sound. I guess he learned his lesson! He is playing the part of Joseph and I will be Mary. We both have singing parts and I'm excited and nervous about that. I'm glad Joe has been encouraging me to use my singing talent and I am trying to work on being ok with it.

I loved the talk in the broadcast last night that Elder Uchtdorf gave. I especially like the analogy about the golden ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I want to enjoy what I have now instead of waiting for my magical golden ticket to arrive, and I think I can.

I'm starting to get excited for fall. The leaves are turning colors up here and everything is beautiful. The weather is awesome today. Thanks for reading my ramble!

1st catch

Last Monday I didn't have to go to work until 1:00, so we went fishing for a bit behind our house on the Lemhi river. I got my first real catch - one that stayed on the line long enough for a pic! Of course it was too small to keep, but that's ok with me.

latest finished project

I finally finished this project that was meant to be done last Christmas time. I think it turned out pretty well. Also my parents made this awesome bench for me. I love it!

baby birds

We had a nest of baby birds in our apple tree. A few days later they were gone... hopefully they had just flown away. They were cool to see!

camping with.......

My parents! Yes that's what I said with my parents- which was most definitely a first. I don't know how she did it, but Katie convinced them to come. I think it helped that it was only for one night! Unfortunately Nate and Abby weren't able to make it and we missed them!

We met up at Birch Creek and camped the night there. When we got there Katie and Adam had dinner just about ready and it was very yummy - scones and cheesy chicken dutch oven stuff. Joe made breakfast in the morning- breakfast hash - potatoes, cheese, egg, sausage, and onion. I was thankful that it turned out well because I was nervous mom would hate it - but it didn't end up being as cold or as smokey as I thought it would be. (Here in Salmon we have a few big fires and there is a perma- haze going on).

Saturday we packed up and went on a drive to the Gilmore town site. Then we went up to meadow lake and fished a bit. I caught two tiny fish that promptly made it off my line. I think Joe caught about six or seven little guys, none of which we kept, which is really okay by me. Mom kept feeding this chipmunk hamburger buns.




We had a good time and I think mom might actually agree to go again next year! Go HERE for more pics.

The Johnson's

Katie and Adam were able to come visit us a couple of weekends ago. It was fun to have them stay! We did some fishing on the Lemhi behind our house and Adam caught quite a few! He was pretty excited to say the least and was even able to keep one of them which we grilled.

Katie went to a few yard sales with me on Saturday- there was nothing good, which is what always happens when I take someone with me. We also went to the Lemhi County fair. I thought that was fun because I actually knew quite a few of the people who had things on display there. We got scones and waffle cones there.

We tried to go to Hayden ponds but they are still doing construction there, so we went up the road a way. Joe and Adam fished and Katie and I read our books. Then we had a hot dog roast.

It was great visiting with the Johnson's and I learned that I kind of like fishing - but still don't like eating the fish.

If you want to see some pics from this visit go HERE.

Visit to Kimberly

In the middle of August we went to Pocatello for Matt and Brielle's wedding reception and then to Twin for Kyle and Tysha's wedding. Both of these events happened on special days for us. On Friday August 12, Joe turned 32! Then Saturday the 13th was our 6th wedding anniversary. Needless to say we didn't really celebrate either on the day they really happened because of all the goings on.

Rachel and Seth are living at Jon and Connie's for a couple of months while Seth is in transition to the Air Force. Then they will move to Texas. We got to see our newest nephew Simon for the first time which was exciting. He is a sweet little boy. They also blessed him while we were there.

This picture is really bad - especially the sticking up part of my hair, but I had to put a pic of Simon in!

Jonas had been nipped at by two little yippee dogs a couple weeks previously and was therefore terrified of Ginger most of the time. He did a complete switch around on Sunday though and couldn't get enough of her. Ginger has a knack for making friends!



On Monday before we left we went with Rachel, Seth and the boys to Shoshone falls. The water was higher than I've ever seen it this year.

Crazy picture

Joe took a bunch of pictures of Rufus and Ginger battling it out. They really are friends most of the time, kind of like siblings actually. This picture he got is so awesome!

Billy Goat

My grandpa is pretty funny. We went down to Idaho Falls for the 4th and ended up coming back with my grandpa's goat to help us mow our lawn. He didn't have a name before but Joe dubbed him Rufus. Ginger is liking to chase him around (only because he's on the chain and can't get to her - She's pretty chicken). I think she better be careful or else she is going to get one of his hoofs. Uncle Gary said that grandpa was getting sick of moving Rufus around, but I think it is because Rufus butted grandpa in the backside one too many times. Rufus no longer has horns because of this bad habit :-) Hopefully Rufus proves to be a good lawn trimmer!

latest project

I finally finished these socks this past weekend! It was fun to learn how to make them and I think they turned out pretty good for my first attempt!

Dad's visit

My dad came up to help us prune the trees in our yard a few weeks back. He is pretty much amazing! My dad is an expert on pruning since he grew up helping and working in an orchard in his hometown in Oregon. Joe thinks its crazy because dad doesn't use chain saws or anything, just his loppers and a hand saw. I was glad to get to learn a little bit about pruning from him.

Two views of our branch pile...

There are a lot of historical sites around this area. I'm trying to learn a little bit more about all of it because its pretty awesome. My dad and I went on a drive before he went home and we saw the remains of the walls of Fort Lemhi. Here is a plaque that is in front of it. Fort Lemhi was a Mormon mission, and would have been the first settlement in Idaho had they not had to abandon it. This area also is where Sacajawea was born and part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

I think it is awesome that I can stand in my yard and look at the Bitterroot Mountains - which are part of the Rocky Mountains and the continental divide. And if I look behind me I see another beautiful mountain range - the Lemhi. I love to stand outside my house and just listen to the sound of the Lemhi river running right behind me. This place is so beautiful!

Here's a mountain bluebird we saw on our drive. I don't think I had ever seen so many wild animals in my life before I moved here. I see pheasants frequently on the side of the road on my way to work, sand hill crane, antelope, deer, moose, elk, eagles, hawks, and countless others all the time.


I think its safe to say that I've fallen in love with this place. I don't know what the future holds or how long we will stay here, but for now I am going to try to take in as much as I can.

Hours of cheap entertainment

This is what we did a lot of on Saturday... watch Ginger play in the sprinkler. It was quite hilarious. She didn't get tired of it very fast, and neither did we!

Easter Weekend

No one really has to read this post, its going to be long and kind of rambling. Its mostly just so I get it down. I am finding that my blog is turning in to my journal. I am much more likely to do this than write it down on paper. And I really want to get some scrapbooking done, but I haven't for a while, so its my scrapbooking too.

This Easter was a little different for us. We were going to go to Kimberly, but I had things going on in this neck of the woods, so we're holding off on Kimberly for a while.

Friday night I drove to Idaho Falls. I hung out with Abby and mom a bit and then picked dad up from the Salt Lake Express stop at 12:30 A.M. My poor mom was trying to figure out how she was going to be able to stay up and get him so I offered to do it. The next day I went to my cousin, Christie Call's baby shower. It was at Uncle Gary's house. Christie is the cutest pregnant lady! She is going to be a great mom. They are naming the baby Lynnli Dene. She got so much stuff at the shower! I made a knitted bib for her. Anyway, it was fun to see family there and chat a bit.

After the shower I drove back to Salmon with grandma and grandpa Stucki following me. They came up because Lindsey's husband Tyson got ordained to be an elder at Stake Conference today. They got to see our house, which they liked, but Grandma wasn't too impressed with Ginger. Every time people come over Ginger turns in to a slight nuisance. She doesn't jump on people as much as she used to, but she gets so excited and can't contain herself - kind of how I was when I was little and visitors came to the house....

It was neat to have stake conference on Easter Sunday. I really enjoyed the talks - which were mostly about how we can find happiness and how we are meant to be happy. It was special to be there for Tyson's ordination and to sit with my grandparents. I love them so much and am grateful for everything they do for me. They really are wonderful people and I'm so glad I have been able to be a part of their lives.

Later, we opened the Easter bags that mom sent up with me. That was fun! I love it when she does cute things for us! Then we just hung out, not doing too much. It was nice to have a relaxing day. I am glad that we get to celebrate the huge sacrifices that our Savior made for us every year. I am so thankful for all that He did for us and have a testimony that He loves us. I hope everyone had a great day!

Fun in Stanley!

We were invited to go to Stanley with some friends last weekend. It was a good time and cool because we were going to the cabin that we stayed at on our honeymoon. We got to be pretty lazy which was nice. I got to shoot a b-b gun for the first time and wasn't too bad at it. I played a new game - 99 or bust. We made ice cream in a bag, watched some movies, had a camp fire in the snow, and spent time with some awesome people. After I got back I felt thankful to live in Salmon instead of Stanley since there was still 4 feet of snow on the ground!

On the drive back we saw a guy by his truck on the other side of the river trying to put a spreading fire out with a shovel. We tried to see if we could get over to him and couldn't so we stopped by some people walking in Clayton and asked if they could call someone about it. Anyway, as we were driving we saw about 5 forest service firetrucks go out and an ambulance. We will probably never know what happened, but we sure hope that guy was ok. It was strange to see a fire so out of hand at this time of year.

And pictures!

Here's the cabin

This is where we stayed - the Bully Barn on a couple of cots because Joe couldn't bear to let Ginger sleep by herself. He's such a softie! Anyway it was still nice and warm in there. Ginger had a great time playing with the boys and in the snow!

Ice cream in a bag

The camp fire area that Ken and Kristina dug out. A lot of work!

I'm so glad that they had us up there. It was good to get away for a bit even if it was still winter where we went. I had been feeling a little jealous because my parents and Katie and Adam went on a cruise to Mexico, and Abby and Nate went to Arizona that same week. We still had a great time!

A fun drive

Yesterday we went on a drive to Haynes Creek. It was about 5 miles from our house and very pretty. Ginger had a blast playing in the mud. We really live in a beautiful place!

A great day!

Wednesday was my 26th birthday. I feel kind of old, and yet not - because I know Joe will always be older! :-) Love you honey! Anyway, they spoiled me at work. I got there and they had balloons all over the walls and happy birthday signs. I celebrated with the boss' wife because her birthday was the week before. They also got us flowers which are beautiful. We had pizza for lunch and Bonnie made us a cake (angel food with an amazing chocolate pudding frosting). They gave me some presents which I will post a picture of.

My Room...

The front desk

The cake


My presents

After work Joe and I went out to dinner at what we thought was an Italian place called Ungaretti's . In fact it used to be all Italian, but they are getting away from that for some reason... Anyway, we got hamburgers which were really good, just not what we had expected. I also got an Italian soda. We then went on a drive. It really was a good day!


This is a gift that my Aunt Sue sent me. It contained a card, some P.E.Z. candy and dispenser, and this toy for Ginger. I think it is funny that Ginger got a toy for my birthday! She loves it!

What I've been up to this week...

I got a lot done in the craft arena this week. First, I finished a silly project that I decided to make for my mom. The washcloth says, My Mom My Friend. Pretty cheesy!

Then I made this owl bib for a lady in my ward who just had her third baby named Bridger. I know it's kind of hard to tell it is an owl from the picture.

Tonight I went to a jewelry making party at my boss' house (It was his wife's party). It was a girl's night out and I had a lot of fun! I'm so glad Stacie invited me! So here are the pics of the two necklaces I made. It was so nice to get out of the house!!

I already had the earrings and I saw the pendant thing that matched perfectly so I had to make a necklace!

Joe bought me some earrings for Valentine's day at World Market in Bozeman. He knew these earrings were huge, actually the smallest he could find at that store, but they looked really cool. Anyway, the earrings hung down to my shoulders and were kind of heavy so we both decided I needed to do something different with them. I think its perfect now! The original earrings were like the pendant in the middle but without the green pearly beads. Joe is glad that I can now wear them!

So things are going pretty well for me. I've been trying to get more involved in things. I have the day off on Monday and am going to check out a quilting club to see what its like. Next Saturday I am signed up to learn how to knit socks at a class at the local quilt shop. I'm really excited for the class.

I also just wanted to write this down for my own memory's sake. My dad's father, my Grandpa Bob, passed away about a year ago. Today my dad was able to do his baptism, confirmation, and inititory at the Idaho Falls temple. I think that it is pretty awesome he got to do that. I also read some of my grandpa's papers, that my dad complied and they just really touched me. My grandpa was an awesome man. He had a really great idea called positive potential which involves changing your negative emotions in to positive emotions. I don't think he had everything right with his theory, but I am glad that I can learn from what he learned. Depression was something that ran in his family and I think that he was able to overcome that with his positive potential. I want to be more like that - to see the positive and be happy instead of dwelling on the negative. I am thankful to him for passing his experiences on so that I can benefit from them in my life. I love you Grandpa! There is power in positive thinking!

No more hamsters

I feel kind of bad that I forgot this on my last post, but unfortunately it got kind of forgotten with everything else that happened this weekend. We found our other hamster Pearl dead yesterday. It looked like she died in her sleep which is good. We sent her off down the Lemhi river like her sister. She was over two years old which is old for a hamster and I'm sure she missed her sister after she died.

We will miss having hamsters, but I think we are done with them. They just don't live very long and you can't play with them very well. Also it is easy to forget to feed them. We are glad that we had them, especially when we lived in apartments. Anyway, I just wanted to put this tribute to her on here because she was a good hamster - I know this all sounds very corny and all, but we loved her.

visitors

This weekend my parents, sister Katie, and her husband Adam came to Salmon to visit. I was so glad to see them! We had a good time, or at least I did. We mostly just hung out. We went on a couple of drives. Mom and dad took us out to dinner at the 28 Club which I really like. Dad and I made breakfast scones this morning and "the girls" and I made Fettuccine Verde and cheesecake for lunch. The visit ended too fast, but it was good. We didn't have too many problems with Ginger while they were here. Unfortunately mom and dad were woken up by a mouse in the wall and dad came downstairs to sleep. At least it wasn't crawling on them I guess... Anyway I'm just glad that they came. I love you guys! I wish Abby and Nate could have come too!

I got my first bountiful basket today. It had pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, blackberries, apples, bananas, broccaflower, asparagus, green beans, roma tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. I feel like I'm forgetting something... but I really do think this will help with the grocery budget. I had know idea how many people do this either. My basket was #86 and I think there were at least that many more after me. I think I'll keep doing it!

Ginger keeps growing. She is fully recovered from her spay surgery last month. She is teething right now and has no more primary front teeth, which is nice because those things are so sharp and pointy! We have fun figuring out new ways to play with her. He new favorite toy is a piece of Joe's old jeans. We are also trying to step up the training. We have to get the jumping up on people to stop. She is really pretty obedient though. She can catch the toy we throw to her and she likes to play fetch even though she likes to play keep away when she gets over to us with it.

Playing with her new favorite toy

She has fun trying to get it off her neck - its quite hilarious to watch!

I know some of you, well actually probably most of you will think this is weird, but I just have to say that I have a fascination with teeth, which is why I clean people's teeth all week. I just had to take a picture of one of the teeth Ginger lost. They are so cool - way different than people teeth. Anyway, its just a picture - I threw the actual tooth away, so you can think what you want. If you didn't already know I was strange then you don't really know me.

Well, this must be all for now because I need to work on my sunday school lesson for tomorrow and maybe take a nap!

Mom's scarf

I made this scarf for my mom for her birthday. She is getting it late so I figured I would post it on here so she can see it! I hope you like it mom! I just want you to know that I love you and am so thankful for everything you do for me. I couldn't ask for a better mother. Sorry for all the grief I've caused you over the years. You deserve a wonderful year in 2011! I'll get this to you as soon as I can. Love you!