Goodbye '09...Hello 2010!

Oh my, 2009 went by so quickly, its insane! I am usually not the type to make a resolution but I do like to make goals for myself each year. This year I would like to be more productive with my time and attempt to learn a few new talents (since I lack in that area). I only work part-time so I do have a lot of time that I feel I could use to my benefit and others. Here are my "be more productive" goals:

1. I want to learn to and actually play my guitar that I've had for at least 5 years...if anyone knows someone who is willing to teach lessons, please let me know... I'm ready!
2. I would like to do more crafty, creative things that I can make and give as gifts and/or display in our home...homemade is always better (and a little cheaper) so if anyone wants to start a monthly get-together to find some cute and fun ideas, and then make them... Count me in!
3. I've just decided that I want to learn how to speak Italian...dont ask me why, I just think it would be cool to learn a language and thats what I want to learn.
   Maybe someday...
4. Lastly, I want to learn how to and make quilts (especially once Amber gets home so we can do some together!) Any kind, but I especially love the patchwork ones!

Just wanted to share (I will more likely do them if I publicly list them) and I encourage you to make a few goals for this year! :) There's nothing like bettering ourselves and feeling good inside knowing you did it for yourself (and sometimes others too!). I'm thankful for all the people I have in my life that help me want to be a better person and for the love I feel from them! I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Ahh, the memories...

Over the last couple of days, Brandon and I have had a lot of fun looking up things on the internet that we remembered growing up...the good old 80's!! One thing we kept saying was "I wish we still HAD this stuff" because its so true how awesome it would be if we had them or could pass down to our own kids. But we can only think back on all the memories (which is fun to do too!) Even though we were both born in the 80's, we are 4 years apart and there are some things he remembers more than I do. I love how excited and funny Brandon is when he finds something and starts to laugh and tells me what he remembers about it! There's so many good memories!
We couldn't put everything, so here are just a few things we reminisced about and looked up on the Internet. And share any memories you have of any of these things...Maybe you'll get a good laugh out of them too :)

One Year Ago...

A year ago today we closed on our house!! It seems crazy to think it has already been a year since we decided to make the big move and become home owners! Wow, time flew by in our new bungalow and we are so glad we have this place to come home to. It's been a true blessing to be so close to our families, our friends, and both of our jobs. We have made new friends with our close neighbors and ward members. We are grateful to be where we are and to have each other!
May this home bring many more years and memories to come...

Fun in the Sun!

THE CLUBHOUSE IS FINISHED!

On Friday we tried out the pool at our newly finished clubhouse. It has a 3-4-5ft pool, a 15 person hot tub, and a cute little 1.5ft kiddie pool. It was nice having a warm day to swim before it starts getting cooler. I was watching Lola that day and brought Trey and Tye, and Traci with me. Also I colored my hair - dark! I am getting used to it and I do like it but I prefer being blonde.

Tye, Trey, and Traci

Tye, Lola and Me

sweet little Lola
I love how the floaties are 5 times bigger than her arms

Lola checkin out the fountains in the kiddie pool

Tye and Lola in the kiddie pool

After we swam we went over to the side of the clubhouse

where they have these treehouses that were so fun to play in

Tye, Traci, Lola, and Trey

Tye, Trey, Me and Lola

I love this picture!

trying out the fire pole

So embarrassing...

I don't have many embarrassing moments so this one definately tops them. Here goes. On Monday evening, I went on a bike ride with Brandon, my brother Chad, and my Dad on the beautiful Jordan River Trailway. On our way down to it we had to ride through some neighborhoods and then by a park. It was my first time - in a long time, being on a bike (non-stationary) and anyways, it was this narrow street and I was nervous being out in the road so I started to move over towards the curb and there's this part of the road that the asphalt wasn't quite flush with the gutter, it was a little jagged. And I go right for it and somehow I couldn't correct myself back and lost control and went straight into a mailbox. A hard-as-steel mailbox. Luckily there was a football team practicing right there and a van filled with kids that witnessed the whole thing. And too bad I was riding behind everyone so they didn't get to see it...But I got up, noticed I had some scratches and sped off, wiping my tears of humiliation. Chad was the first to turn around and see if I was ok, I guess he heard this crashing sound, and so did Brandon and my dad. We kept riding and got to the trail not too long after. I felt fine with a little bit of a nagging pain in my knee throughout the rest of the ride. I felt really stupid and why I didn't turn away from the mailbox I have no idea, it all happened so fast. On the way back we passed it and it was totally bent over. That was pretty funny. That was on Monday and I haven't been able to walk or bend my knee very well since. I have a bruise on my hurt knee, a bruise on my other leg and one side of my jaw, and some scratches on my jaw, wrist and knuckles. But I still think I won the battle ;)

More of San Diego

San Diego

We went to San Diego last week and had so much fun everywhere we went! We were there 5 days and went to all the fun spots like Seaport Village (3 times), Sea World, the zoo, the beach, Coronado, the Temple, and Point Loma (a national monument). Also ate at their favorite breakfast place Perry's Cafe a couple times, where the same cook was still cooking that they saw when brandon was younger, crazy! Brandon and his family vacationed there a lot growing up so we stayed in the same motel they always stayed in and did a lot of the same things they did years back. We decided to bring his mom, Kristie, along with us. She is very deserving of a vacation to her favorite place and it was such a joy to have her there with us. All their memories just flew back as we visited all the places. It is so beautiful, we love it there. It was a great, fun trip. We can't wait to go back again next year!

our first day in sunny San Diego, at Seaport Village

the amazing Coronado Bridge, view from Seaport Village

our favorite place Sea World, in front of the toucans

a cluster of palm trees, had to snap a shot


in front of the enormous jaws of megalodon,

an extinct prehistoric shark. pretty insane

holding a star fish at Sea World

the most amazing creature, Shamu show was my favorite

they are so beautiful, so huge and so smart. We didn't take

any pics at the dolphin shows, just watched, but equally

beautiful and smart, and so friendly. very enjoyable!

cloudy, rainy day at the temple but still beautiful of course.

its mine and brandons favorite temple, as you can see why!

mission bay beach on a sunny day, kristie was in the water

the entire time, collecting sea shells. we all had a lot of fun!

Check us out...

We were referred by our sales agent to be featured on the Garbett Homes website. So on Saturday the photographer came to our house and took about 50 pics of us. He wanted to get Charlie in the shot as well so you'll see how adorable he looks on the site. It was so funny, he couldn't stop laughing after Brandon picked him up and Charlie kept putting his nose in the camera. He kept saying, "oh this is great, he is so cool."
I love how it turned out on the website, they photoshopped the background and wrote a little story about us buying our first home!

Just click on the link and then on testimonials.
If you refresh it enough times our pic comes up on the home page.

http://garbetthomes.com/