Winter Wonderland

We started the weekend off with our first Christmas Party for this year. We had a blast playing games with the gifts. We started off trying to play the game where you read the story and pass the gifts as it says... the kids were very confused. They kept following them around the circle and unwrapping them as we passed. It was hilarious.

This is what the children got. They loved them but....

Why buy them toys when they can play with the boxes!

 

Snuggie... be warm in a blanket and still have your hands FREE. There was electric tooth brushes in there too.

 

Foot massage thing and a facial hair trimmer.

 

Yes I finally got a jewelry box... now I can take it all out of my suitcase. Casey got a gift certificate for the movies!

But best of all was the laughter!

Thanks for a Great Party!!!

.... Then there was snow!

 

It was beautiful today. I took Hercules on walk this morning after being trapped inside all day yesterday he really needed it. He had tons of fun running in the snow. Even though it was as deep as he is tall. They are saying we got about 16 inches in this storm.

As we were walking back I couldn't help but notice all the people out shoveling. It wasn't just their side walks, it was there cars. They were all trapped in. I laughed when I passed this guys and thought too bad for him.

Well little did I know....

 umm.. ya my car is in there somewhere. I just know it!!

Maryland just doesn't know what to do when it snows. Everything was canceled!! Even our church activities!

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

Somewhere in the recent history of our adventure in MaRyLaNd, the National Aquarium of Baltimore had a $1 day.

Casey was so excited for this... Sometimes he enjoyed it more than the kids... and then there were the points where he was extremely glad that it only cost us a dollar.

This used to be a very large fish.... and stands as proof that we have friends with us here. :)

The picture just doesn't give this wall justice.... Trust me it was cool

I caught him playing with my ear.... weird! (we were waiting for everyone to catch up)

Baltimore Harbor from the bridge thing we were on. It was actually snowing! I thought I would never EVER say this... but I miss the snow!

And last but not least. My favorite part. The Dolphins!

The aquarium was fun, but everything is always more fun when its CHEAP! The Harbor was pretty one of these days when the weather is pretty we will go down and take some good pictures.

Hey!! Can I Get a DiEt?

Dear Diet Coke.... Well its actually Pepsi, but Coke has the better name.... anyway, Dear Diet Coke. It has been 7 days 8 hours and 23 minutes since I last tasted of your sweetness.  Your taste is so delicious and satisfying. I already miss the feel of your soft bubbles running down my throat...  but it is not right to have this much control over my cravings. I want brownies, cookies, candy, chocolate anything but do they bring the satisfaction that you do? NO.  I have come to find out over these 7 days 8 hours and 23 minutes that nothing, NOTHING can come in your place. And one day, yes one day I will win this battle with my hubby and we can be together once again. Until then. Goodbye!

P.S.... I've got a plan for today. It wont be long. If you could just wait 4 more hours. I could hold you in my arms. Wish me luck!

Wow 25!

Casey is now 25!! I took him to dinner at Red Robin... if there were a Cafe Rio here, we would have gone there, but since Maryland is lacking in that department he settled for Red Robin. I love him so much. I hope he had a Happy Birthday. (he should have because they Jazz are playing).

Since I didn't really give any particularly special gifts this year I thought I would try to make it up by giving him 25 reasons why I love him so much. So baby here it goes, enjoy:

 I {LoVe} ....

1. How You are an Honorable priesthood holder

2. How You love me with all your heart

3. ... The way you say my name

4. How you can be content just BEING with me

5. I love the way you hold me

6. Even the way you laugh when I randomly start crying.

7. I love the example you are to me.

8. You make me want to be a better person

9. Your sexy green eyes

10. I love your passion (even if it is for the Jazz)

11. Your laugh

12. Your voice and the calming reassuring words

13. How your style is better than mine

14. How you keep me in Style :)

15. I love you

16. I even love how we fight

17. Watching you play with Hercules

18. Your personality

19. Your AmAzInG smile!!!

20. How giving you are

21. I love the spirit you carry with you when you enter a room

22. How you carry me through the good times and the bad

23. I love how you never stop trying

24. I love that you are my best friend.

25. I just love you for eVeRyThInG you are!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Casey.

{HaPpY tHaNkSgIvInG}

This year we found ourselves without the familiar laughter, games, and gatherings of our traditional Thanksgiving celebration. Instead we found comfort in the friends we have on the East Coast. We all left our families to experience this adventure. Our feast was held in the church gym, with a little table decorations it was almost like home. Turkey, Grandma Jessop's stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, and best of all different flavors pies is what filled our tummies.

This year I am so grateful for My FaMiLy! I've missed them very much. I've grown to be very thankful for the Sunday evenings we used to spent at my moms (miss those a lot). Thankful for the silliness of my brothers and sisters. Thankful for the support and love my family shows. Thankful for the phone.... so I can talk to my friends and family whenever I want. Thankful for the relationships I've developed with the in-laws. I am thankful that Casey and I have had this opportunity to move away. (although I'm almost positive this wont be a lifetime thing.) I'm very grateful for the gospel and the strength it gives me. Last but not least I am Thankful for my wonderful Hubby!!!

 

 

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Rolling with the Punches

Life in Maryland has been different. It still feels like a vacation... one that I can't go home from. It rains so much here, and it seems to do it a lot on weekends. I don't like it much on the weekends or any time but especially the weekends because it interferes with exploring the sites. Today is rained so long and hard the streets were flooding. The grass is always squishy, and on top of that... It makes taking Hercules potty a really big pain, cuz we always have to dry off the wet and muddy dog. Speaking of Hercules, He has gotten pretty big. His winter coat has come in. He is fluffier than ever... either that or he is just getting super fat.

 

We haven't found our own place to live yet. We are still living in our friends basement, but its so nice to come home from work and have dinner ready for us. Nicole takes care of us really well, so well I think it will be hard to for us leave.

Row homes are very popular here. Its almost all you see as you drive down the street. (other than trees) These that we live it right now are nice because there is a private beach. Its a cute little community. I got this picture on one of the NOT rainy days. It doesn't look like this very often.

This is the private harbor. People go crabbing off of this doc. That's what we were trying to do, but didn't have any luck. Still haven't had a chance to try the crab, but it was fun trying.

Being in property management has its perks, we have collected some cool free stuff. Like a floor lamp, a tall IKEA shelf (still in the box), A recliner with cup holders, a couple rugs, and a 5 drawer dresser. I like free stuff. It made the move cheaper!! The only thing we have bought since we got here is a TV (along with the NBA League Pass)

DC Temple

 

I'm not sure why they call this the Washington DC temple. Its not even in DC, its in Maryland on the outskirts of DC. It took us about 45 minutes to get there. We were going to tour some of DC as well, but of course it was raining and we weren't in the mood to get wet. It is a beautiful place. Much different inside than the temples in Utah that I have been too.

 

 

Ya know something about humidity I didn't think of before we came here.... It makes hair SUCK!! Oh ya and it also makes me break out. Never had a huge problem with that before, now I can't seem to get my face to clear up. I never can get my hair to stay how I like it. When we left the house to go to the temple my hair was extremely curly. As you can see not so much anymore!! 

As for now that is all I have, we will work on doing more exciting things so that I can keep the posts coming

Baby

A couple weeks ago our friends ward threw our friend a baby shower. I tagged along since we couldn't really justify a shower for just the 3 of us girls out here. This is what I made and Nicole helped me with the supplies. Its my first diaper cake. Its not too shabby if I do say so myself. I had lots of fun making it that's for sure.

She had a great turn out considering she has only been in her ward for 3 months. The decorations were beautiful.

And last but not least... the mom to be. If you ask me she doesn't look like she is ready to have that baby, but she had the little girl the next week. She is super cute.

Happy Halloween

Created by Steph: The best pudding I ever had!!

I'm so proud of myself this Halloween. I was actually festive. I usually skip out on the whole dressing up thing, but this year Casey and I had a chance to go to Mo and Steph's ward Halloween Party. It was fun. We met a lot of people, saw a lot of fun costumes and had  A LOT of treats. We probably gained 5 pounds this weekend with all the good food we had. Our costumes were on short notice. We only decided to dress up a few hours before the party started. So our costumes come from what we had at home. I'm sure it doesn't surprise anyone what Casey decided to be. I'm sure half of you already guessed it. YUP he was a jazz fan. The only reason it worked for a costume is because we are on the East Coast and people out here don't even know what the Jazz are. ha ha.

#1 Jazz fan right here.

 

80's

 

Moana, Teagan, and Steph

He's just too cute to keep the pics to myself. He loved the Hat.

 

My food contribution. I know its not festive or even in season, but I was craving it. Love Fruit Pizza

 

They actually made tons of these for the party, so we took some home.

Home at Last!

Day 5: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Pasadena, Maryland

Miles: 256

Departed: 12:30 p.m.

Arrived: 5:00 p.m.

This morning we tried to visit the Steelers stadium, but there was so much construction and so many detours that Casey lost his patience. So we settled with driving past. Pittsburgh was pretty. It made me fill like I was in the mountains. The roads are all confusing... but I think its the same here in Maryland. Must be a back east thing.

When we arrived we were greeted with a nice dinner. Everyone we are going to be working with came over to mingle. It was fun. Until we find a place to live we will be living with Bj and Nicole. I am excited to finally be here. It will be an interesting adventure. I'll be back to work on Monday training in my new job! yay!

Almost Home

Day 4: Champaign, Illinois to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Miles: 487

Departed: 11:00 a.m.

Arrived: 7:30 p.m.

We are almost to our new Home. This week has gone by way too fast. Here I was thinking driving across the country would really suck, and now I'm enjoying it. Its so cool to see all the different states. If we would have had some more time today, we would have stopped in a part of West Virginia that we past through. We came around a hill full of rich trees, there was a city/town on the river. Not sure what town it was yet, but I'm going to find out because it was BEAUTIFUL!! Casey and I both want to go check it out. I have never seen anything so pretty before.

Through this trip I've come to the conclusion that Utah has no Idea what a RiVeR is. Utah calls a river what states out here call creeks.I now believe there are no rivers at all in Utah.

jAiL...BzzzZZZ

Day 3:

Part 1; Des Moines, Iowa to Carthage, Illinois

Miles:196

Departed: 10:00 a.m.

Arrived: 1:00 p.m.

Every since we left Rapid City, SD there has been an extremely annoying buzzing sound. It would only get worse the faster we drove. We would try to drown it out with the radio, but still could not get over it*....

Today on our way to Carthage we stopped through Nauvoo to see the church history sites. All the tours were full, so we just did our own. It was so pretty! I had fun seeing where Joseph and Emma were buried. The Mississippi River is crazy big. It shouldn't be called a river, more like a lake to me. After Historic Nauvoo was the highlight of my day... {Carthage Jail}.

...*When we arrived in Carthage I had an idea of what this BzzZZzz was!! I told Casey we should try tightening one of the straps to the rack and tying it down a little different. I am a GENIUS. It worked! Now we no longer have to hear that BzzZZzz.

Words cannot do this place JuStIcE! Here are a few picture. Something I did not know was that after they were done using the building as a jail, people actually lived it in. People even lived in it when it was a jail. I dont know about you, but I would never want to live with inmates!!

Joseph Smith's Mansion

 

 

Nauvoo Temple Steps

 

 

Temple Grounds

 

Outside of Carthage Jail

The Dungeon

The room of the Marterdom

The hole in this door is from the actual bullet that killed Hyrum Smith

Part 2: Carthage, Illinois to Champaign, Illinois

Miles: 167

Departed: 4:30 p.m.

Arrived: 8:00 p.m.

Nothing too special about this particular part of the day. Lots and Lots of CoRn fEiLdS as far as the eye can see. The one lane road in this part of the drive made it go by a lot slower.

Hercules saw his first bunny. Yeah that was a bad time to not have a leash on him. He took off. He wanted that bunny so bad... I wish I had a video camera once again, but then I guess if I had one I probably wouldn't get it out at the right times anyway. :)