Scratch the Link

Ok, the link idea wasn't flying, so I decided to create a blog for it instead. I need to "fix" it a bit. It isn't really user friendly yet. I hope it makes since.

Ladies...Start your Ovens!

I'm posting my Weekly Meal Options as a link. Some of you might have it, I sent it out to a few people a while agoe. I decided to make it more public, I've had some criticism for not trying to publish it or charge people for it, but I get a lot of great ideas from other people for free, so why not pass on some of mine for a similar fee. It really does save on time and money, and takes the guesss work out of dinner time. ENJOY!

The Music

I just thought I'd write a quick note about the seemingly random music I have chosen for the blog. Every song has a story behind it. For example; 'Earth Angel' and 'Unchained Melody' were my grandparent's songs. 'Can't Help Falling in Love' is Tyler and I's (although not the same version, ours is the Jon Schmidt version but I couldn't find it.) Obviously 'Mandy' is the song my parents named me after. I love music, all kinds, and I love how many memories can be attached to a song. Hopefully you enjoy!

A trip to Fallon

The Fair is...Fair

Check out the two-tone action!


I was the only one on this ride, Tyler had to practically force me to go on it. These rides just aren't as fun as I remember. I paid two dollars for whip-lash.

I thought maybe I would post some of the things we have done to our house so far, we refinshed this bathroom- we had to replace everything. Tyler built the sink cabinet from scratch! He even designed this super cool, pull out step for the kids to wash their hands...he is amazing I tell ya'.

Our Bathroom

Random Pictures of our family

Here are a bunch of pictures I randomly chose. We are always up to something...

One Sick Puppy

Our little Allie was pretty sick this week. She had a fever for 3 days! I took her in to the Doc, and they had to give her a shot to bring her temp down. That girl is one stubborn chica. Even when she is litterally too sick to walk, she fights taking any oral medication, and wouldn't eat or drink. I was so worried about her, but she is doing fine now. I swear she lost about five pounds. She is her own person, but we love her like it's nobodys business! Hopefully that strong personality will get her through harder days to come. We entered some of our veggies in the fair and they did really well. My canned goods only got 3rd place which is like telling somebody they weren't very good, but we'll give you a ribbon anyways. I'll try harder next year.

Another Summer

It is a little crazy to think back on this time last year. We had just moved to Winnemucca, Tyler was interning, I was pregnant...on and on I could go. So many things have changed for us in a year, it has been a very busy 12 months! 'Tis the season for canning! Our garden is starting to overflow with vegetables and I have canned quite a bit already, from plum jelly and syrup, to chili sauce and pickles. Tyler is in full swing with work now that school has started. I will be doing a joy-school with Allie this year. We are keeping things pretty basic, but it will be a good thing for her. She is extremely social and loves the interaction with kids. I am working with the Young Women in our ward now. So far, so good...It's quite a change for me since I've been working with the little children in Primary for so long. Bria is acting like a big kid already, I swear. She loves to sit and just grab at anything in her reach. She steals our food off of our plates frequently. She is still a wonderful sleeper, bless her heart. Allie has a new nickname. We call her "Templeton", you know, from Charlette's Web....the girl is such a pack rat. She creates little "nests" with the most random things. I find these nests behind couch cushions, carefully "packed" so that I wouldn't notice them unless I was looking. I also find them in her pillow case, the blankets on her bed, sometimes in a kitchen drawer, even once in a stuffed animal that had a hole in the neck. I have a feeling her and I aren't going to get along when it comes to cleaning her room when she's older. For those of you who know me well, I love organization, and despise clutter. Oh well, I should have known I'd be tested in this area-it keeps me humble.

More Updates

So I finally have pics! I am sorry it took so long. The girls have changed alot since I last posted. Tyler got called to be a Seminary Teacher, I guess that's what you get for saying you'll speak at Youth Conference. He's nervous, but excited to work with the youth. We are both learning the scripture mastery all over again. It was funny, we memorized them by listening to the songs, we looked like nerds in the car on our trip as we listened to them over and over again. Anyways, next year will be interesting.

A Long Time Comin'...

Since I last wrote we've had alot happen. Tyler and I celebrated our 5th Aniversary on May 3rd. We hiked up to a waterfall and Allie has been talking about it ever since. It has been a great five years. We went to Washington for Tyler's graduation; that was a great feeling. He got his Master's in School Psychology. We've signed on for another year here in Nevada, yes...we still like it. People ask that alot. If you've ever driven to California from Salt Lake, you know why they do. There isn't much out here, but we are happy. Tyler's parents are serving a mission in Spokane, so we got to visit them. My Aunt Tammy and Uncle Jim were also there. We got to see so many great friends, I'm glad we had the opportunity to go back. This last week I went on a mother/daughter getaway in Salt Lake and we ate at The Melting Pot. We were all in heaven, the food was so good. We stayed at the Plaza while our husbands took the kids. It was a fun night. Tyler and I went on to Blanding for his family's reunion. It was alot of traveling, but well worth it. I love Tyler's family. I think that was our last big trip of the summer considering gas prices. We may make one more trip to Idaho Falls, I guess we'll have to see.

Spring has Sprung!

Hey all. We had a great Spring Break. We just relaxed mostly and finished some odd projects. This last week Tyler went back to work and my Aunt stayed with us for her Spring Break. It was great to have her. It was like having two of me to do all of the work! We had a Pride and Prejudice marathon. 6 hours of Jane Austen, gotta' love it. Tyler was just grateful he didn't have to watch it with me. Allie is looking so big to me these days. She counts to 12 now, smartest girl ever I tell ya' (all parents think that about their kids, right?) Bria is so smiley and still sleeps through the night. Such a blessing.... Tyler and I are toying with the idea of starting a Dutch-Oven catering business. Just something to do while Tyler has the summers off. We don't expect to really make money off of it, but it would be something the family could do together. Tyler and I have had fun coming up with menu ideas and combinations. We'll see how it goes. We are going to Idaho Falls at the end of the month to visit my family. I'm nervous for the long trip with two kids, but I guess we have to do it at some point.