Halloween

We had the boys come over before Halloween and carve pumpkins. We ordered pizza like always and had a fun weekend. We went to the store to pick our our pumpkins and then to get supplies for sugar cookies. Chad and Kaelan opted for a more simple design while Gandon and I picked a picture out of the book that we bought. Taegon didn't like the cleaning part so much but sat down and drew up a picture and then designed his pumpkin by himself. I was so impressed with his artistic ability. All in all I think our pumpkins look great.

Fall and Family

Today my nephew Taylor was ordained a deacon. I am so proud of him for the choices he is making in his life. Chad and I decided to take a scenic drive to go to his ordination but we got lost and missed the whole things. Luckily we were able to catch up with everyone at the house afterwards. It was so fun to see my Aunts and Nieces and Nephews and my Grandma Adams. I was holding baby Brock when my Grandma decided she wanted to hold him because he was fussing and crying and I couldn't get him to calm down.

From the second I put him in her lap he stopped crying and just was the happiest baby there ever was. He was laughing and smiling at her for the longest time. She kept him happy and distracted until his mom was able to feed him and put him down for a nap.

It was such an amazing moment to witness baby Brock and his Great Grandma Adams play and laugh and have such a good time for those few minutes. It was something I feel a little bit honored to be able to witness. After we left, we decided to take the scenic ride home again and we were able to take some beautiful pictures of the fall colors and the amazing view. So I took some pictures and video so I could share with you. Enjoy!

Happily Ever After

One year ago today my handsome Prince Charming took me to the big white Temple and promised to love me for time and all eternity. I am one lucky princess living happily ever after.

I will never forget my feelings that day as I was surrounded by family and friends and I promised forever. I will never forget the importance of being a "forever family". It has brought so many blessings into our lives, even though it is just Chad and I right now, I know that our children are waiting to come down to us and that this was a commitment and promise that we made to them in the pre existence. I feel so happy that Chad and I were able to live up to that commitment and promise and that we continue to do so every day. Thanks so much Chad for being my rock and my strength.

Beads, Boys and Football

This weekend we had the boys over for a sleep over. I had a lot of fun and I hope they did too. Gandon and I made bead bracelets for his friends at school, while Chad and the other boys played video games.

Theses are the bracelets Gandon made for his friends.

Then Chad took the boys outside to play catch and to teach them about football.

When Chad came inside he wanted to teach me all about football in my terms (a.k.a. Girl terms)So he took my beads and laid it all out for me so I would understand. He even had a little brown one for the football. I thought it was too funny, but I completely understand football now. What a sweet and patient hubby I have.

(Green beads VS. Blue Beads and the brown football bead in the middle)

Taegon is 14

So this weekend was quite full of events. We had the boys come over to play and hang out. We made peanut butter bars for Taegon's birthday because yesterday he turned 14 (he does not like cake).

Wow, I can't believe he is already 14. I remember the day he was born and always being around when he was little. He lived with me or I lived with his family off and on for the first 12 years of their life. I remember rocking him to sleep at night and listening to the Linda Ronstadt Lullaby's CD. I remember his rosy little cheeks when we would play in the snow and his little buck teeth with his big cheesy smile as a little baby. He is such an amazing and talented young man now. He recently made the decision to become ordained a Deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so very proud of him for this decision and the decisions he makes every single day to stand up for what he knows is right. What a wonderful thing that is to know he is out there making good choices and setting examples to all of us. He is so creative and artistic. I see some if his art and think to myself "whoa, this kid is going to make a lot of money one day" He is crazy talented. Anyway, sorry to go on and on but I am just one proud Auntie today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAEGON! You amaze me every single day and I am so blessed to have you for a nephew. Thanks for teaching me so much in life. Love you with all my heart.

I know this is a little crazy, but my sisters gave me all their baby clothes when they were done having kids. So the other day I was going through all my stuff and found these socks of Taegon's when he was a baby. So this is one of his socks from when he was a baby compared to one of his current socks. I can't believe how much he has grown. I have a hard time letting them grow up. Maybe it will be a little easier when I have kids of my own. Then again, maybe not.

Organized

Um... Did I mention that I like to be organized?

(From this)

(To this)

Deep fried bacon dipped in chocolate

So last night Chad took me on a date to the Utah State Fair. We had a blast. We have been wanting to go to the fair for a few years but every time the fair comes to town, we are usualy too busy or don't have the money to go. Well this year we found ourselves with time and money on our hands so we decided to go. We doubled on a date with my parents and had a really good time.

We decided to do something a little different this year. We made an agreement that we would both try something we've never tried before. Weather it be food or rides or or whatever, it just had to be new.

So, we found this little booth that was selling a variety of deep fried foods and oh my it was amazing. They were selling deep fried bacon dipped in chocolate, deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and also deep fried twinkies and candy bars. We had both never tried any of that so we decided to go with the deep fried snickers bar.

It was eh... I wasn't necessarily impressed. I was actually a little sick after having a few bites. But we both had a few bites and then that was all we could take. None the less we did keep our promise to try something new. So there ya have it.

We had fun and played games also. Chad won me a super cute giraffe that we named "melman" from Madagascar. We had so much fun and I can't wait to go back next year.

Jayla J.

I would like to welcome to the world my newest baby niece Jayla J. Andreasen. She was born on labor day to the happy parents Jarin (my bro) and Martha (his girlfriend). She was 5lbs and 9oz. She is so very tiny and this is her in her new swing.

New Crafts

Hey guys, I've been crafting away (especially since my office has been remodeled). So to check them out head over to my crafting blog. Luxluxsloft.blogspot.com I'd love to hear what you think so feel free to leave a comment. And for all those who follow me privately I'd love to hear what you think too. No need to hide who you are, let me know if you are a fan or not.

Problem Solved

So I've been in a crafting funk. I love to be organized and know where everything is. I've been telling Chad forever that I want an organized office. So this last weekend he helped me fix my messy unorganized office from this...

Into this.

Now I am ready to craft like crazy. I've been making beaded watch bands and cards. Oh and I also made a dry erase menu board for my brother and new sister in law. Pics to come.

Our first

So since Chad and I have been married we haven't had the chance to purchase any brand new furniture. Almost everything we have is either handed down or purchased used. So, for a going back to school present Chad bought me this beautiful corner desk.

He came home from work and took me to the store to pick it out. Then he came home an we put it together. Even though he was so tired and usually goes to bed at 9:00p.m. because he works so early, he stayed up until 11:30 when it was finally finished. I was so happy because not only do I now have a place to study, but it was our first purchase as a married couple. I hope this desk is around for a long time and we have many years of use with it. It's the best going back to school present ever. Thanks Chad!

(Getting started)

(He is so tired)

(Folesome even helped)

How I feel today

(if I were to ever get another tattoo... don't worry I won't)

Surgery went well I guess. The doctor said that 2 of my stitches from last years surgery had torn through the muscle and there was also a burr (sp) that was on the top of my shoulder. They also had to re-locate a tendon in my arm that was being pinched in my shoulder socket. So after all this I have 4 small and 1 large incision (to add to the 3 from last year) on my shoulder. The biggest is about 3 inches long and it runs right along the crease of my armpit and boy does it hurt. OUCH!

Priceless Conversations

(Great Grandma and Grandpa Lloyd as newlyweds)

While we were up in Wyoming visiting Chad's family for the holiday we were able to visit with his Great Grandma Lloyd. It was so amazing to sit and visit with her. She is 96 years old and so very alert and aware of everything. She took the time to show us pictures of her family and tell us stories of when she was younger. It was so wonderful to have a small piece of history that day. She was so fun and very funny. I am truly honored that she took time out of her day to share with us her stories and time. It's not often that you get to just sit and shoot the breeze with your Great Grandparents. None of my Great Grandparents are alive but Chad has 2 Great Grandmothers that are alive and well. It was such an amazing day that I will never forget. Thanks Grandma Great. We look forward to seeing you soon. Love you!

(Grandma Great telling Chad about her brothers and sisters)

Also while we were up there, I mentioned to Grandma Lloyd that I work for Ancestry.com and she told me that when she was younger she had taken the time to fill out a bunch of genealogy sheets. She offered to let me take them and make copies so I could get my family tree built on the Lloyd side. It has been so amazing gathering all of this information and putting the pieces of of our history together. I've been able to build our tree like 6 and 7 generations back on Chads side. It's been a great summer project and I've officially been bit by the genealogy bug.

(Grandma Great and Chad)

Fireworks on the Fourth

This 4th of July Chad and I were able to go to Wyoming with his brother and sister. We met his parents there and had a blast. Grandma and Grandpa Lloyd live in Wyoming and they have several animals. It was so much fun to spend time with his family, many of we have not seen since we got married over 2 years ago. We sat around the fire pit outside and roasted hotdogs and smores and listened to country music while listening to Grandpa tell stories. I love my husbands family and I wish we lived a lot closer to them so we could visit more often. As it started to get dark there was a fire that started a few housed down. Chad's Grandpa is on the fire department so he had to rush down the road to help put out the fire.

Then when it got dark his Uncle lit off some fireworks and it was awesome. Since Chad and I have been married, we have never seen fireworks together. So this was a cool first for us. In order to see fireworks like this in Utah we usually have to pay or travel to a designated location because big fireworks like this are illegal in Utah.

One of the coolest things was as we were driving home that night, all of the town was still setting off their fireworks and it was so amazing to see huge fireworks all over the valley. I wish I still had my camera out so I could have gotten a picture of it. It was truly something I've never seen before. Next year we are planning on doing the same thing and I plan on being prepared with my camera.

The Boys are Back in Town

My nephews are back!!! My brother in law is in the military and had had to move a lot in the last few years. I'm very close with my 3 nephews and love being around them. They have lived in Virginia, Pennsylvania and most recently California for the last year. I've missed them like crazy and well... they are back in Utah. They are staying with us for a few days until their parents get here with all of their stuff.

One of the traditions we have when the boys are here is a burger-off. The boys like to compete with Chad to se who can make the biggest baddest burger. This time Kaelan and Chad put flaming hot cheetos and crushed red pepper in their burgers. They loved it. (not my cup of tea)

Usually after burgers I'll retire to my room or my craft room and then Chad and the boys stay up all night fueled on pepsi, candy and chips playing video games. Then I get up the next morning and make a big breakfast.

We love it anytime we get to spend time with our family and we love it when the boys come stay with us and we get to share our life with them for a little while. I am so blessed to be the Aunt to 8 nephews and 6 nieces with a a little niece on the way. I am not able to be a mother right now in my life, so I am very grateful to my brothers and sisters for sharing their children with me. They are such a blessing in my life.

Sad puppy

We had to come to my mom and dad's house today to do laundry because our dryer kicked the bucket yesterday. So they are on vacation in California and so they left their dog (Harley) with my aunts while they are gone. Well every time Folesome comes here he LOVES to play with Harley and today Harley has not been here at all. So Folesome has just been lying around and crying (yes my dog cries actual tears when he is sad) because his friend isn't here to play with. It was sad but so funny at the same time.

I love to see the Temple

Our new goal as a family is to try and attend the Temple at least once a month, but hopefully more than that. Tonight we were able to go to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple with my brother Justin and his beautiful wife Yvette.

It was so amazing as it usually is. The weather was so perfect and it was what I really needed. We hope to be able to take a Temple trip later this year and visit all of the Temple's in Utah.

We had great company too, we love spending time with Yvette and Justin, we all get along and always end up having such a great time.

We will hopefully have more trips like this in the future. I'm so grateful that I have a loving and wonderful husband who stay's worthy and holds the priesthood so that he can take me to the House of The Lord and we can do work for those who are no longer on this earth. What a blessing he is to me.