Illinios

What a fun trip, we visted the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago (it is free!)


We also went to check out the Sears Tower. The top floor was closed, but they still took tours part way up. Weird.

We went to the museum of science and industry. This museum is HUGE! There was a submarine inside the building in addition to many other displays. I probably could have stayed there a few days to play with the toys, watch the movies, and read the displays.

When the Turner's showed up we had to go look at all the big green things inside the headquarters of John Deer. (Wait I am a Turner.)

Then we went to Nauvoo. It was fun to see where Joseph Smith walked and lived. One of my favorite spots was a grove of trees near the temple where the prophet taught the saints. We also got to go to the temple in Nauvoo, it is beautiful. Then we went to Carthage jail, where the prophet died.

Then we got to see the house that Steveo grew up in, he remembered it being bigger.

It's Friday

It's not even 10:30 in the morning and already I have done more than I do in some days. I slept in until 6:30, showered, got ready, ate a wholesome breakfast, drove 20 miles to work, taught a calculus class, had a checkup with my midwife (everything is good, and I am scheduled for my ultrasound in May to find out if junior is a little boy or girl) and I got a filling at the dentist. Yippee. How can I top a day of math, doctors and dentists? I guess maybe my weekend will top it. I get to spend it on an army base. (Steveo is driving bus and I get to go along.) I’m most excited to eat in the mess hall and sleep in the bunks.

Visiting Dad

We got to go spend the weekend with Dad in Utah. It was fun; we spent most of the time outside. We hiked up the mountains behind his house, the boys went to the top but Jamie and I stopped to throw rocks. We also played Frisbee golf; unfortunately Adam has all the photos. While playing I realized that there are a few people in my family who might not know how to count (not naming anyone in particular) because when I thought they should report scores of 8 they reported scores of 2 or 3. It was a fun time and if Adam passes the photos along I will post them. Oh, and Dad would be disappointed if I didn't mention the food. We took dad out to the Mandarin for his birthday dinner, it was delicious. We also saw Tera and Joel's new baby at the basketball game. She sure is cute.

Weddings

Congrats to Ryan and Pam!

Congrats to Cody!

Bun in the Oven

Yes, it is true. Steveo and I expecting a baby near the end of August or beginning of September. We are excited (and I am willing to admit, a little bit nervous)! We have been to two checkups and everything is going well. The midwife didn't give me an exact due date because she thinks that it makes family nervous. (She told us to tell everyone Labor Day, hehehe). The first checkup we got this ultrasound, the baby was kicking its little gummy bear legs like crazy for the photo shoot. The second checkup we got to hear the baby's heart beat.

New Couches

Here is the latest addition to my house decorating. More than anything it adds to comfort. That old couch that we had was not very comfortable and definitely not as nice looking. We got a good deal on them, so I am pretty happy.

Ugly Cupboards

Well, I have been saying that I would do it for quite some time, but I never did, but Steveo did! He framed in around the 4 cupboard doors and added magnetic white boards and bulletin boards. I know that this is not that exciting, but I am happy to have it done. It looks nice and it serves a purpose.

Midnight Rexburg Run

Sunday night Steveo and I had our favorite math friend Jono and his cute daughter Amelia for games and a movie, while Kami was working at the hospital. Amelia was on her best behavior and everything was going nice. After the movie (Muppet's Christmas) Steveo told Jono that he was going to make him a plate of Christmas treats. He pulled out a knife and started cutting the caramel that he had made earlier in the day. I guess that it was not quite working how he wanted it to so he pulled out a 'better' knife, a pizza slicer. Next thing I hear is, 'Oh, I might need stitches, what do you think?' Then Steveo and I were running out the door leaving Jono and Amelia to lock up. (Sorry Jono) We drove to Rexburg in the whiteness and went to the emergency room. Everyone was really nice, even though I heard them laughing about the story when they didn't think that we were listening. The nurse that helped was from Raymond (Steveo's hometown) how weird is that. Steveo left the hospital with 10 stitches in his left thumb and a dinosaur wrapping. Christmas fun!

I'm Married

Well it happened.

I loved it and I love him!

It was a perfect day.

My husband was stunning.

(He looks hot in a tux)

Friends and family were present.

Old friends, new friends, and friends that I did not expect to see.

Thanks to all who helped, who came, who thought, who cried, who shared, who cared.

You are the ones that made it special.

I'm Engaged

So, it finally happened, the day that little girls dream of.I found a guy who makes me happy before I knew it I fell head over heels for him. To catch some people up, Steven Turner and I have been dating for over two years. Most of our relationship has been a distance relationship, spanning betweeen Rexburg, Logan, Washington and occasionally Canada. This January when we both started new jobs, me in the math department at the college and he at 'the site" we finally began the part of our relatinship that allowed us both to be in the same state. (This may have been a relief for some of the friends who I neglected throughout the long distance relationship, because I tried to spend every spare minute that I had from grad school with him.) I definitely enjoyed being in the same town, it is fun to see Steveo almost everyday, even if it is for just a short time. (He has to go to bed early because he gets up at 4 to go to work.)
On June 24th, Steveo and I went for a bike ride out east of Rexburg. We stopped and hiked around in a field of flowers for a bit on our way to a rock wall. We spent some time climbing up the rock and exploring the area and the wildlife (which included a skunk). The sun was setting and the colors were amazing. On the way back to the bike, Steveo huged me and asked me to marry him. He will tell you that I didn't answer him until he got down on his knee. I guess that you figured out that I did say yes and that I am excited to start this crazy planning adventure with him.
Steven Turner, thanks for being such a great and amazing man. You make me smile. I'm glad that our lives have crossed and that we have decide to take this step together. Thanks for putting up with me and my weird quirks. I'm excited to start a new life together. I love you.

I'm Home

I made it back from Alaska. I loved it. I can't wait until I can go back. I don't have any of my pictures with me but I thought I would tell you about the animals that Adam and I saw on the way up. I kept myself busy by recording them. Remember this is just the drive. It doesn't count anything that we saw after we got to Anchorage.
We saw:
hawks - 5
goose - 4
swans - 5
elk - 153 (plus 2 elk farms)
antelope - 50
cows - 4064
horses - 43
deer - 26
crane - 1 (plus 1 orange one)
dogs - 3
ravens - 6
grouse - 1
ducks - 4
seagulls - 54
big horn sheep - 31
coyote - 2
small white birds - 240
donkeys - 3
moose - 8
buffalo - 67 (plus 1 farm)
cat - 1
flamingo - 5
willow ptrmigan - 2
caribou - 20
warm H2O fish - 10's
robin - 1
bear - 3
fox - 1
porcupines - 4
eagles - 8
swans - 5
rodents - 2
roadkill - 13
I know it is quit the list, but it was quite the trip. I'll post more about the activities and some photos later. I know that I still need to write about the first 4 phase of the summer vacation (Bahamas, Miami, Cruise, and Adventure Home) Maybe I'll do that someday.

Vacation Photos

More Vacation Photos

Ugly Tie

I did a search on the internet for ugly ties and was not impressed. Maybe it is because I live in a world where I see them all to often. Any opinions on ties? How long should they be? Should they expire and have to be thrown out after a certain time? Is it okay to have cartoon characters? Are flowers ok? How about pink ties? Should crotchet ties be acceptable? I know my opinions, what are yours?

Important Points

Katie joined the blog train so I guess that means that I have to update my blog every once in a while. Well, let's see, I have about a quarter of a year to report on. What should I mention?

I cut down a Christmas tree,

saw the lights on temple square,
learned how to make beenies,
got my master's degree at Utah State,

moved back to Rexburg, got roses from Steven and went to a hockey game with Katie and Allyson. Yep, that's about it. Guess I am set until at least August.

Lagoon

So my dad won some ticket to Lagoon, he gave them to me in the middle of the summer but I decided to procrastinate and we finally used them on the very last day possible. Kaynie met us there and the whole Asay clan came along.

I have to include words like 'initial acceleration' and the picture of circumference cause I like math, I can't get it off my mind. He he he.

The highlight of the night was the new ride, it is called Wicked. We all laughed so dang hard, because the initial acceleration caught us by surprise.