January Instagram Style…

Wonderful Scripture to go with my theme for the year, “Miracles”

Took Jasper shopping in Cabela’s…he hated it! Learned our lesson!

Lots of snow

Made this vinyl sign for our bedroom with my silhouette\

Got fun mail in a care package. My family and I have this little book full of random vintage papers, cards, and randoms and we write little notes to each other in the book wherever and then send it off and they have to go searching through it to find your message. It’s been a fun thing to pass around.

Jasper just being cute.

Lovin’ this song right now…

Found this little jem from Pandora! Sure loving it right now :)

Comments…

I’ve decided to disable comments on my blog, not because I don’t like reading your comments but rather so that you don’t feel like you HAVE to comment, rather you can just read and catch up on our life with out feeling guilty or pressured into writing comments. If you want to write a comment to me you can always Facebook me or email me. I really have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments, I hope no one takes offense to me doing this. But this blog is more for me and journaling purposes so I’d rather you just read and enjoy seeing what we’re up to.

I may change my mind in the future but for now this is how I feel. Love you all and hope you will enjoy seeing what our FUTURE brings! Can’t wait for all the exciting things to come!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider…

This little spider sat out on our back porch for about a week and then “down came the rain and washed the spider out”….literally :) It rained for 3 days this week and now our itsy bitsy spider is gone. 

 

Creating, Crafting and Fall Harvest…

This last weekend we went to a Fall Harvest Party at Neville’s. It was so fun, we had homemade root beer, homemade donuts, and homemade frozen cider. Thanks for the good time and the yummy food!!

Here’s the delicious donuts and the cook her self…Erin! I got the recipe from her because they are really oh so good and they are gluten-free! So click here to go to the recipe!

So I have been crafting with friends lately, it’s been a fun way for us to get together while our hubs’ studies. Here are some of the recent projects:

Not the best pictures to show but they are REALLY cute…I promise! We got instructions from The Idea Room click the link if you want to join the Fall Craze of Fabric Pumpkins! http://theidearoom.blogspot.com/2009/09/fabric-pumpkins.html

And the next project is the Birdie Sling:

Love the fabric and how large it is! But do you think it looks too big for me?

Ellen Show, Memory Walk, and our dog’s new name…

I went with some of my friends to the Ellen Show on Oct. 19. It was so fun! Shonee, AubRee, Sarah and I got to go. We did A LOT of dancing… like during every commercial break! Ellen stopped and danced in front of us too!! Lauren Graham, One Republic, a 4 year old hip hop dancer and Mary Murphy from the TV series “So You Think You Can Dance” were on. I hope to go again and maybe win something cool next time! It was such a blast! Thanks for letting us use your extra tickets Shunae! :)

On Oct. 17 The Student Spouse Association participated and donated money to the Memory Walk a nation wide program to aid in the research of Alzheimer's. We had a pretty good turnout and it was fun!

So we finally decided to name our dog…Jasper.

He’s quite the little guy and we already love him! He has a funny personality. Just a quick story about him. Neal took him out to go potty the other day and gave him a treat, when he went again Neal tried to give him another treat so Jasper took it and put it in his mouth but wasn’t chewing on it. Neal waited for like 30 sec. and then turned away and as soon as he did Jasper spit out the treat and pushed it away and was trying to shove grass on it to hide it. He must not have wanted Neal to feel bad that he didn’t want the treat. Pretty smart dog!

Surprise!!

This last weekend I was able to go home and surprise my family! It was so fun! Neal’s brother Nephi picked me up and drove me to my parents house. I rang the doorbell and they were so surprised! It was the best!

It was a short trip but I crammed a lot in. I got to see my new nephew Kolbin, visited Jayden’s grave, was there when my dad got set-apart as a bishop, got to see my sister’s new house which is being built (so fun, they’ll move in the end of October), got to visit my in-laws at their new house in Driggs (which is beautiful), and brought home our new dog--he's a maltipoo! We still don’t have a name for him so we welcome any suggestions! A big thanks to my cousin Stephanie for giving us the dog and to my grandparents for taking care of him until we could bring him home!

It was a great weekend and I am so glad I was able to go. I want to give a shout out to Nephi and Megan for driving me back with the dog! Thank you so much.

Wish I would’ve taken more pictures but here’s a few!

My dad was the stake clerk for 10 years before he received the call as Bishop. We truly know Heavenly Father called him to this position for a reason and are so proud he is a worthy priesthood holder. Dad, you are a wonderful example to your family and we love you so much!

This was when I rang the doorbell and my mom answered the door!


Our dog with his new toy...this is the most active we've ever seen him! :)

Reflections of Christ: Another Testament

So the guy that did Reflections of Christ did another project about the Book of Mormon. He is a very talented photographer. Hope you enjoy! Here is the video...

Concert and Beaches and Surfing…

We were able to go to Huntington Beach with some of our friends two weekends ago.

Larson’s, Richardson’s and Neville’s--It was a lot of fun. So Neal went body boarding with Paul and a little while later asked if he had had the car keys the whole time because he found them in his pocket. So how amazing is it that Neal was able to keep the car keys in his pocket while body boarding?! We feel so lucky we didn't lose them. The automatic door opener didn't work until it was all dried out :)

This past week we were able to go to a free concert in the park…way fun! We went to the one in Placentia but there is also one in Fullerton and Brea. Here’s a little taste of the music we enjoyed!

On Friday we went to Huntington to watch the Surfing Championships. It was really fun to watch…pretty amazing stuff! The waves were BIG too. Supposedly some storm from Tahiti made the waves that weekend particularly high. Some reached 25 feet.

This weekend Neal’s friend he grew up with Jacob Hartley was visiting some relatives (The Stout’s) who happen to be in our ward, so we met up with him and his wife and her family and went to lunch on Friday at The Hat and Dinner at a Peruvian restaurant Saturday. Neal had a blast reminiscing with his buddy!

Toon Town and some Randomness

TOON TOWN: We went to Disneyland tonight and got to visit Toon Town. It was fun and Mickey even gave me a kiss on the hand! He must secretly have a crush on me! :) We saw where all the cartoons live and also went to Tomorrowland where the Innovation center is. It was pretty amazing...it had all the newest technology.... WOW---really AMAZING stuff!

CHURCH CALLINGS: So Neal and I both got new callings at church recently. Neal is the new Elder's Quorum President and I'm the new Primary Pianist.

FLAT TIRE: I got one yesterday. As I was driving to work I noticed it sounded weird and thought maybe it was just a rock in the tire. When I was driving out of the parking lot after work it sounded really weird so I got out and sure enough the right rear tire was FLAT. I called Neal and our good friend Aaron dropped him off after helping put the spare on. Thanks Aaron, we owe you! We took it to Big O because we had just bought new tires in October and this is what they found. . .

CRAZY right?! They couldn't fix the tire because the hole was too big so we had to get a new tire but luckily we had tire warranty and only had to pay $30. Blessing for us!

TRIAL FRAMES: Neal got these for school and is pretty excited. What it does is it has all these different prescriptions people's eyes might have and once they figure out what prescription you are they have you try on the trial frames to see if it corrects your vision.

Life is Wonderful. . .

BECAUSE #1:We got an early Christmas present from Mom and Dad Guymon and I couldn't be more excited. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

These beauties....were purchased from Craigslist and got used immediately after purchase---- with all the mustard mishap :) (Sorry, only Mom and Dad Guymon will understand that!) I can't believe how much simpler life is now having them in our apartment!

BECAUSE #2 We met up with Jessica and Eric Strebel, some of our best friends from Idaho, on Saturday. We went and hung out at the Long Beach Mall with them before they flew out to go back to Idaho. It was a short little visit but well worth seeing them!

Us and the Strebel's
(Notice they look all tan because they just got back from a cruise...don't mind my pasty self)

BECAUSE #3 We decorated for Christmas and can listen to all the Christmas music we want! It's my favorite time of the year AND we get to go home in 2 weeks!

Life truly is wonderful....

Tag...I'm it!

I was tagged by AubRee

So I'm supposed to say 5 weird things about me. . .

1. I have an unrealistic fear of deep water. I think it has something to do with SHARKS! I just hate not being able to touch in water...which is only about 5 feet for me !

2. I have one arm shorter than the other, and I use it as an excuse as much as possible :)

3. I have a weird thing with numbers. When I was younger I would look at the time and see what it divided into. (Example: if it was 9:27 AM I would think 9 goes into 27-- 3 times) I also used to count my steps to 10 and then start all over again...it got really annoying and I'm glad I'm out of the habit.

4. I didn't like playing with barbies very much when I was younger but I was forced to by my older sister Holly!:) I always told her I would play and then when it came around to it I didn't feel like it. But she would always tell MOM that I had said I would play so I would have to. But when we did we would sometimes make barbie dresses out of paper towels.

5. I am a true born nerd...I admit it! I have been collecting the state quarters and I used to collect porcelain dolls when I was younger.I love to read too!

I tag anyone who wants do this tag and:
Chris
Erica
Ashley R.
Katie
Amy

PROP 8 PASSES!

We went out and voted on November 4th and got to experience it California style. Our voting location was at a house up the road. It was in their garage with electronic ballots. I thought at first it was touch screen but....nope it was a knob that you had to twist until it highlighted what you were voting for. After I figured that out and felt stupid for trying the touch screen approach it was very fast and simple. Barack Obama is the new president which wasn't too much of a surprise. Neal and I were most anxious about Prop 8. We didn't find out the results until the next morning and it passed by only 400,000 votes. It's crazy here still, the No on 8 people are still protesting and walking streets with signs and all sorts of things. But this is the 2nd time it has passed here so it better not get overturned!

Prop 8

A Personal Message from LISA WEST

As we are all keenly aware, the election is just days away. It is quite possibly the most important election of our time - especially here in California. Sadly, the Prop 8 issue has been emotionally charged and downright ugly at times. But in these remaining days, it is vital that we "take the high road" and keep spreading the truth about what will happen if the marriage amendment fails. The polls are close, but our cause is just. Keep these FACTS in mind:

1) California law already provides same sex partners with rights and benefits similar to those it provides to married couples.

2) A California domestic partnership is a legal relationship availabe to same-sex couples; therefore, no one is being discriminated against.

3) Proposition 8 - the marriage amendment will take NONE of those rights away from same sex couples.

3) True Christians and other reasonable citizens are tolerant and respectful of all people no matter what their chosen lifestyle and wish no ill will toward any individuals or group of people.

4) This issue is not about civil rights - it is about the sacred institution of marriage which was instituted by God.

5) The term "civil rights" is exclusive to "equal protection under the law". Same sex couples already have equal protection under the law without redefining the meaning of marriage.

GET OUT AND VOTE NOVEMBER 4th!!!

I also thought this was interesting!

Quote by Superintendent O'Connell:"Prop 8 has nothing to do with schools…Our schools aren't required to teach anything about marriage…"

FACT: California Education Code (EC) 51933 specifies that school districts are not required to provide comprehensive sexual health education, but if they choose to do so, they shall comply with all of the requirements listed below.

…Instruction shall encourage communication between students and their families and shall teach respect for marriage and committed relationships.(http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/se/sexeducation.asp)

FACT: According to a study posted on the California Department of Education's (CDE's) website, 96% of California school districts voluntarily provide classroom instruction under the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act (Education Code,§§51930et seq). That study states:

HIV/AIDS prevention education and sex education are nearly universally taught in California today. Ninety-four percent of surveyed schools provide HIV/AIDS prevention education, as is mandated by law, and an even larger number, 96%, provide sex education despite having no requirement to do so.


Here's Neal running door to door (I just walked) putting up little door hangers for Prop 8. We did that 11/1/08 for all the people who were still undecided what they were going to vote. I think the goal was to put up 3 million of these today all around California.

Randomness Tag...

I was tagged by Judy--who is like my second mom--Love you!

Random #1: I got to babysit little cute Eva the Diva last week (October 15) while her parents The Neville's went to the temple. It was so fun and she was a great baby! Don't you just want to squeeze her?! This is the only way I could get her to drink her bottle...at least it worked right? Random #2: I am working on a new project...I'm going to make a headboard for our bed. My friend Sarah had one and I really wanted to make one. Here are the instructions if you are interested. I won't be finishing it until November but I'll show you the finished product. I promise! This is the fabric I decided to do to add a little color to my room! I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Padded Headboard
Measure width of bed frame; determine desired width of headboard. Queen size bed = 5’

From lumber yard (Home Deport/Lowe’s), purchase:
1 - 4’x 8’ sheet of ¼” plywood
1 – 4’ x 8’ sheet of foam board insulation (I used 1 ½” thickness)
Lumber Yard will cut sheets to the size you need.

From fabric store, purchase:
Quilt batting (twin size bed)
Upholstery fabric (60” wide). For 5’ queen size headboard = 2 yards

Other supplies:
Staple Gun/staples
Hammer

Assembly:
Open batting up. If there is enough, double batting so there are two layers. Lay flat on floor.
Centered on top of batting, first the foam board insulation; then the plywood.
Bring batting up and over the edges to the plywood; staple into plywood.
Repeat process with fabric. Lay flat; center headboard on the fabric; wrap over edges and staple into plywood.

Random # 3: Super Saturday Crafts. Just thought I'd post the cute things I did at Super Saturday.

These are tiles just stamped and then colored in. I am using them as decorations but they can be used as coasters too! I also did these wood blocks in fall colors with the saying "Give Thanks" I think they turned out pretty cute.
Random # 4: We got into Bond Housing! We are moving on Nov. 15th and it will cut our rent in half! Whoo hoo!!!! It's in the same complex we are in now just in a different apartment. Moving is a pain but it's definitely worth it for 1/2 the rent!

Random # 5: Neal's parents get to come and visit us for Thanksgiving! We are so thrilled to see family! They will be here for a week! I'm sure it will help with the homesick thing. Can't wait to see you Mom and Dad Guymon!

Random # 6: I'm a nerd. When I read books,that I really like (TWILIGHT for example), I get lost in them. I don't want to put them down and I lose my desire for food, sleep, and getting up to go to the bathroom is a pain!

Random # 7: Neal and I got a flat tire on Wednesday and had to get new tires for our car...talk about a dent in the pocketbook. But it was time for new tires anyways! Just a big pain and feels like a waste of money. Especially with our money being tight! Oh well, we still love life and each other.

I am tagging AubRee, Sarah, Shonnee, Jill, Jackie, Kira, and Candra