Saturday, August 1, 2009

Describe your yard growing up

The first yard I can remember very well was from our house in Suisun, CA. The yard was pretty big considering it being in CA. The front yard was split by the drive way. As you are looking at the house the yard on the right was larger and there was a narrow strip of grass on the left of the driveway. On the left there were two pine trees growing in the grass, and on the right there was one pine tree. We had a planter box underneath the living room window which always had flowers growing in it, and down the side of the walk way to get to the front door we had geraniums planted there, on the left of the walk way along the side of the garage were some trees and bushes that were planted.
The back yard was very large as well. We had a deck that was just made out of wood when we first moved in, but later on my Grandpa came and built a nicer deck for us. Then not to much later we moved, but we enjoyed it. Along the back fence and along the back of the house we had planter boxes where we planted vegies for our garden. On the right of the yard we had a big bush. I can't remember what kind it was. Then on the left side of the yard we had a miniature palm tree growing. When we first moved in I remember having a swing set in the back yard, but eventually it rusted out and we got rid of it.
On one side of the house we made a chicken coop, and had chickens for a while, until they all died.
One of my jobs was to mow the yard. That was not one of my favorite jobs, but it taught me to work.

Name each aunt and uncle, and tell something about them!

Dad's Siblings

Vicki and chuck
Vicki was a horse lover. I think that is where I got my love of horses. She would envite us to their ranch so we could go camping, and horse back riding. She is my dad's only sister, and just younger than him. I think I'm a lot like her. She has a great sense of humor, and loves her family. She takes very good care of grandpa, and when grandma was alive she took care of her, and made sure we knew what was going on with them.

Curt and Suzanne
Curt is my Dad's youngest sibling. I remember going to their wedding. I also remember going to their house for thanksgiving one year. They live in portland oregon. While there we went ice skating at the ice rink Tonya Harding would work out at. Both Curt and Suzanne have big hearts. They were able to adopt a little girl, and they have two son's of their own. Suzanne is a fighter, she has fought breast cancer and is winning the fight.

Mom's siblings

Wally
He is mom's oldest brother. He is a wonderful example of Love, Charity, kindness, and many other Christlike attributes. There are way to many to list. After Grandpa died he took care of grandma. He would go to her house everyday, and when he couldn't get there he would call and make sure everything was good with her. When I would come up to visit with grandma, I always made sure I saw him too. He always makes you feel loved, and cared for.

Mary Ellen and Theron
I got to know them both pretty well while going to school at BYU-Idaho. They were like parents away from home. When we would leave to go home for the summer they would let us keep our stuff in their garage. Mary Ellen always remembered our birthdays when we were at school. One year she brought me an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen for my birthday. Theron was always there to help me out with my car when I needed it. And he alway got me a good deal when something went wrong and had to be fixed.

Karen and Scott
Karen is my mom's twin sister so I probably know her the best. I remember her coming out to visit us all the time when we were younger,before she got married. She is just like a second mom. Scott is quiet, but you know he is genuinly interested in each of us. I think they were made for each other. They have been through some really hard times, but they haven't let it get them down. And I think they are much stronger because of them.

Craig and Sue
Craig is my mom's youngest brother. He is quite the practical joker, and whenever he and Alanna or Jen get together there is bound to be a water fight. He is also a very loving, kind man.

My most embarasing moment

Growing up I have had many embarassing moments so it is hard to just pick one, so I will write about all of them.
Most of the homes I lived in while growing up were two story houses. I am not the most coordinated person on earth so stairs are a problem for me. When I was about 16 I decided I wanted to have a Christmas party and invite a bunch of my friends to come. Well there was a man in our ward that played Santa clause and my parents invited him to come and do Santa for it. I had invited the guy that I had a crush on and he came. Anyway, my mom had asked all of the parents of my friends to write a list of things the kids wanted for Christmas. When it came to be my turn Santa said that I wanted to have an elevator put in from the down stairs to my room so I wouldn't have to fall up or down the stairs. I was so embarressed that I took of running up the stairs and ended up falling as I did, right in front of the guy I liked.
Another moment I can remember was going outside to roller skate. I had seen the missionaries and I had a major crush on them. They had gone over to Carol and Gary's house to see them. Anyway, I liked to show off while I was roller skating, so I went to jump and spin in the air then land on the ground standing up. Well it didn't quite work out that way. I took off just fine, but when I landed I must have hit a rock, because I ended up skidding across the pavement on my knee. And of course the Elders saw every bit of it.
Another time was the January just before I got married. Mom had come out to finalize the plans for the wedding. Anyway, we drove to Matt's house where we were going to meet his Dad, and step mom so we could order the cake. The drive way was covered with ice and snow banks. Anyway, we got there a little early so we were waiting in the driveway. His dad pulled up in front of the house, and I went to get out of my truck. I hit and ice patch and fell under the truck.
I know I have a lot more, but those are just some of my embarassing moments. Hope that you enjoy reading them.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Discribe a family vacation

There are many vacations I remember going on while growing up. Several of them have been told of by my sisters. The experience we had with the racoons in our campsite was very cool, but we were not in a tent. We were in the back of the truck in the camper, and mom and dad were in the tent. I remember one time as we were getting ready to go down to the water we were all waiting on dad. All at once he came out in his swim shorts, socks up to his knees, and sandals. We gave him a hard time about how funny he looked.
I also remember going camping up at Vicki's ranch and camping by the lake. In the morning Dad and I would get up early and go fishing. We would catch blue gill and rainbow trout.
Another vacation I remember is going to yosemite, and other national parks. Some of these trips were only day trips, but they were fun because we got to spend time together as a family enjoying the wonderful world heavenly father has made for us.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

How Many Siblings Do You Have? Discribe them and tell a story about you and each of them.

I am the oldest of Four children. I have two sisters, and one brother.

Jennifer- She is two years younger than me. She has 5 children and sometimes I wonder where she gets the energy to keep up with them all. She has an inner strength that radiates from her soul. She know's what she believes in and will stand up for it at all costs. She is very smart. She is good at everything she does. She never does anything half way. She loves her children and will do anything for them. She is quite the example for me, of how I want to be when I am a mother. She is also a joker. Whenever she is around you know there is going to be a water fight, or a joke played on someone. She also likes to hike, camp, and play sports. I remember when we were in young womens, and going to girls camp together those were some of the greatest times I had with her. On her fourth year hike I went as a youth leader. This hike was a learning experience for all involved. My sister ended up getting hypothermia, and I just remember it being the longest night of my life. Hoping she would make it through the night.

Alanna- She is six years younger than me. She is very strong in her beliefs, and will stand up for them no matter what. She is a teacher. She knows what she wants out of life and goes after it. She doesn't let anything stand in her way. She is energetic, and a very exciting person. I remember having our Survivor parties while at BYU-Idaho with all of our friends, eating pizza, and having a good time.

Brandon- He and I are ten years apart and yet I think we are most alike. He love's to sing, play jokes on people, and make people happy. He is going to school to be a mechanic. He calls me at least once a week just to see how I am doing and to chat for a while. He takes his priesthood callings very seriously. He served a mission in France. He is also a wonderful father. I love to watch him with his son Isaac, and I can't wait to see how he will be with his next one due in Jan. 4 months before he got home from his Mission I got engaged, I was so excited, but I didn't want to get married until my brother could be there. So 4 days after he got home from his mission I got married to the love of my life. The day before the wedding Brandon and I went to the mall to pick out a ring for Matt. That was fun to have him there helping me.

I am so thankful for the strenghts each of my siblings have; they have made me the person I am today. I wouldn't trade the experiences that I have had with each one of them for anything in this world. I was gratefull that they were all able to be with me in the temple when I was sealed to Matt, and that I was able be in the temple for all of them as well when they got married. I have been blessed to be able to associate with them, and be part of their family.