Update

We got to go to Splash Amarillo last week. It was the day before my friend, Meagan left to go back home so the boys took off half the day and we had a lot of fun for a few hours. This place is like a mini version of 7 Peaks. Our favorite was the 'U' shaped slide that we called the taco. This is also the slide (at 7 peaks) where my brother, Cam, said the famous line, "if we die, oh well." Then we went to bahama bucks afterwards. It was such a fun day. 

Just to show you a little bit of what Amarillo is like everyday... Luckily there is no humidity so it doesn't feel too much hotter than that. 

The wives and I went to the Amarillo Zoo on Saturday. There are 5 of us wives and one of them has twin little girls so it was fun to see their reactions to all the animals. The snakes definitely freaked me out, as always, but the Nemo looking one was pretty cool. This zoo was only 3 dollars, so we weren't expecting much. It was more like a zoo/farm. Along with the lions, tigers, and bears (we didn't see the bear) there was also horses, sheep and a bison. We went to lunch afterwards. 

We finally made it to the last Harry Potter movie and got to see it in 3D. It was such a great movie and I am so sad that they are completely over now! 

This has been my new hobby as of lately....

Amarillo by Morning

For those of you who don't know, we moved to Amarillo last Sunday. The team that was here before left and there was still a lot of great area. Brad's manager thought they would do well, and they have. However, the area is not as fun as Houston and our apartments are not as new. Since there was another team here before us, we took over their apartments and they did not get cleaned. They were pretty nasty so we spent all of last Sunday cleaning it. 

These might possibly be my new favorite things!
Love Bahama Bucks!!

I need to give a shout out to Brad. He got his best week ever last week. His boss gave him an incentive and told him if he could get 12 in one week, (he's never gotten more than 9) he would give him a mountain bike of his choice. He did it!! I'm so proud of him. He has also never gotten more than 3 in a day and he got 4 on Saturday. He is one amazing man and I love him. 

Sunday we had the coolest thunderstorm ever. Have you ever tried to take out a picture of lightning? It's not as easy as it looks, but it is easier when there is lightning about every 5 seconds. We got some pretty sweet pictures before it started pouring. 

4TH OF JULY

Since today was like a Saturday for the boys, I had some extra time to make a few desserts. My friend, Meagan, and I went to watch a lazar/water show at a nearby park. Since it is so dry here, and there have been too many fires, they were not allowed to do fireworks. I was really bummed, because what's the fourth of july without fireworks?! But I guess I can count the lightning the night before as our fireworks show. We went a few hours early and sat on our blanket and talked. It was fun to catch up with her, since she has been in Logan for a few weeks. The boys were able to get off early and made it in time for the show. However, it was a major let down. No water, just lazars flashing to music. Needless to say, we only stayed for about 5 minutes. We came home and had pancakes with strawberries and blueberries. 

Picture a little blurry :(

Birthday Weekend

I had such a fun weekend. For those of you who don't know, my mom and I share a birthday. We have never been apart for our birthdays and this year was going to be the first. So I decided to come home and surprise her. It was so awesome and we got her good! Kylee picked me up from the airport since she had an appointment in SLC anyways. Then she dropped me off at All About Kids so I could visit there for a bit. I miss it there so much. My dad picked me up on his way home from work and Jake did his job of getting my mom to go downstairs so that I could come in and hide in the closet. Kylee told my mom to get her camera (which was in the closet) because she had some questions about the camera she had just bought that is similar. My mom screamed and didn't know what to think for a minute, but she was so surprised and happy. 

I came home the day after my dad's birthday so my grandparents came over for a little BBQ that night. Friday we spent the day just mostly hanging out. Kylee has been planning a surprise party for my mom for a while since it is her 50th. I helped her frost some cookies at my Grandmas that night while my mom was having a sisters party. (She thought we were babysitting for the Hess') We spent Saturday morning making some cute cards, then watching a movie. I went to Zeppies with my friend Amy. Did I mention I love that girl? It was fun to catch up with her. My parents, sister and I played some fun card games Friday and Saturday night. 

Sunday was the big party day. We went to my grandparents for dinner and then my dad blindfolded my mom and drove her around for a bit so we could get to the park before she got there. Kylee did such an amazing job with the whole thing. It was a milk and cookies theme, since that is what my mom is known for.  We played a few games including: who knows Lee best, guess how old she is in each picture and, how many cookies are in the jar. Kylee really went all out. 

My mom was very surprised and loved the whole thing. She even didn't mind the mixing of family, and if you know her at all.. you know that is a big deal! I still cannot believe she is 50 years old. She does not act or look like it at all. She is one amazing woman and I hope I can be just like her one day. I held cute baby Dane the whole party. :) I missed him and he has gotten so huge in the last month. It was such a fun night, and I even got to open a few presents when we got home even though I had already done that before we left. Happy late Birthday to the best mom in the world! 

Monday morning we woke up to these cute signs in our yard. They were mostly for my mom, but I thought they were cute. I love sharing a birthday with my mom and I was glad to be there to take our traditional picture by the happy birthday banner. :) 

We went to the gateway to shop for a bit before they took me to the airport. 

Since I was getting in at 6, Brad said he wouldn't be able to pick me up because he would still be working. So, I had arranged for another wife to pick me up, but then Brad really came and surprised me. It was so great and I loved being with him again. We stopped by the mall and he bought me some new running shoes. I love them!! We went home before going to get dinner and he had decorated our apartment with streamers, balloons and a sign. He even bought me a cute little cake. It was so cute and such a fun night. We got chinese food and ate it at our house and watched a movie. It was such a fun birthday weekend. 

Houston Zoo

One Saturday, we had a baby shower for one of the wives out here. Everyone brought some yummy food and we had fun playing games, eating and hanging out. We can't wait to see your baby girl, Taiya!

We had a BBQ at the pool with our Vivint team on a Sunday. It was fun to be able to hang out with everyone, and eat some yummy food. 

We had our friends, Nate and Meagan, over for dinner before Meag went back home to work. We have a lot of fun with them and that night was a night to remember! 

I gave Brad a haircut on Sunday- a first for me. I don't think it looks too bad, hopefully! 

A few of us wives wanted to go to the zoo. We found out that it was free the first Tuesday of every month. Score! There were only four of us that went, and Lindsey's two kids, but we had a blast! 

These were some of my favorites. Look how cute those baby elephants are!

Aquarium

        Last week, we decided to check out the Downtown Aquarium in Houston.  It was a pretty cool one, although aren't most aquariums pretty similar? Well, this one had 2 white tigers! Brad didn't believe me when I showed him the pictures and he just said, "those are fake". I assure you, however, that they were real and they were awesome! One was sleeping in the back the whole time, but the other one was up walking right next to the glass. My other favorites were the black and white polka dotted sting rays. They also had sting rays that you could touch, but I was too chicken. Maybe next time. It was so fun to see all of the little kids reactions to all the fun animals. 

      Here are a few more things that I have done to stay busy. I've done a few craft things, but without a ruler or a scrapbook cutter, it is not as easy as it may look. I accidentally left my calendar at home, so I just decided to make some. I also made some fun cards, just for the fun of it. One of the wives out here, Hayley, taught me how to crochet! A few others were learning as well so we had a crochet night one day last week. It's been fun and it keeps me busy. I'm making a blanket right now, but it's taking forever! And, of course, I always make sure there are cookies in the freezer. :) I take after my mom. 

    I haven't been having too much good luck with being injured this week. Monday, I started getting these little bumps. They started behind my legs but then moved to all over my legs, arms and shoulders. I really could not figure out what it was or what it was from. I finally came to a conclusion that's from the sunburn that I got last week, I guess I am just not used to getting sunburned- since that was my first time ever. Kinda weird though. Then also on Monday, I burnt four fingers on my right hand from touching a pan that I did not know was hot. It was pretty bad and I had to hold on to an otter pop all night. Tuesday I cut up my leg because my computer was falling from the couch and my hands were full, so I tried to kinda catch it with my leg- not such a great idea I know. On Wednesday, we woke up and found ants in our bed! Gross! I was itchy all day and finally when we were getting ready for bed, Brad looked at my back and found about 15 bites all over my back. We had seen a few ants on the floor by my side of the bed the night before, and now we have seen them all over our room and by the front door. Something needs to happen with those darn bugs! They are no longer my friends.

      Here is Brad in his lovely orange Vivint attire. On Monday, he got to choose a 50 dollar prize for getting 3 sells between Friday and Saturday and he chose a helicopter. He's been having a lot of fun with it.

Texas!

After 27 miserable hours of driving and 1,550 miles away from home, we made it to Manvel, TX. The drive was actually not too bad, except when we were in a terrible rainstorm just two hours away from Manvel. 

Brad's good friend from high school, Cami was nice enough to let us stay the night at her house in New Mexico. We got there around 6 so went to dinner with them, and for ice cream. It was so fun to finally meet her, since I had heard so many great things about her. :) And it was nice to be able to take a break from driving and have somewhere to spend the night. Thanks again Cami and Zane! 

   Our apartments here are way nice. We love them, and we love the area we are in. We have a washer/dryer, huge bathroom, two bedrooms, an island in the kitchen and a dishwasher! We also have two pools and a fitness center that we can go to. There is a cool pond/fountain in the middle of all the apartments. I really enjoyed walking along the trail that is around it, until they put up this sign (see next picture). I was not amused.

     I have been spending most of my days working on the three online classes I'm taking. It gets stressful at times and sometimes I wish I didn't have to worry about school during the summer so I can just relax, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. When I'm not doing homework, I usually go to the pool, find something new to cook, write thank you cards, (I'm almost done- if you haven't gotten one yet, I'm sorry, I know it's taking me forever!) or get on the internet- which we just got yesterday and it has been so nice! I have also hung out with the other wives quite a bit. They are all so fun to be around and I can't wait to spend the rest of the summer with them. We've done a few different activities including: going to the park and shopping, watching biggest loser and american idol and going to the movie "Rio". On Saturday night, we had a pizza party after the boys got home. Brad thought he was pretty cool balancing the pizza boxes on his head. Sunday night we decided to have everyone bring any breakfast food they had and have a big breakfast for dinner. We ended up with pancakes, hash browns, bacon and tons of eggs. We were shocked when we ate almost all the food.

     After church on Sunday, Brad and I drove down to Galveston to go to the beach. It is only an hour away and we were only there for about a half hour- just long enough to get some good pictures and say we had been. I'm glad we went, even though there were tons and tons of people, because Brad and I probably won't go again- with Sunday's being the only days he has off. I'm hoping that if I go back on a weekday, it won't be so crowded.

    Brad has been doing so great with selling. He had a hard few days last week, but this week he has gotten at least one sell everyday. I'm so grateful for him and his willingness to work so hard. He is one amazing man and I am so lucky to be married to him. Love you Brad! 

Easter/Arizona/Family Pictures

I know many of you are dying to hear and see pictures from Texas, but I need to do a quick catch-up first.

EASTER:

We had a fun filled Easter. The Saturday before we spent the day babysitting until their parents came home Sunday afternoon. We took them to church with us, which was a handful, but fun. That night, we had a progressive dinner with the Skeen's, Searle's, Bundy's, Peterson's and Erikson's. We started at my parents with an appetizer and a dice game. Then we headed out to Carol's preschool class (since she had baby chicks) and had the main dinner and a few fun games. Finally out the the Skeen's for dessert, easter egg hunt and the Royal Egg Joust. It was a great day!  

ARIZONA:

We had a fun few days in Arizona a few weeks ago. It was the weekend right before finals, so it was nice to be able to take a little break from school before studying our brains out, and to get out of the silly Logan weather. We stopped in Ogden to watch Cam's baseball game before making our 8pm flight. Friday morning was Brody's graduation, then we went to lunch and to the movie, Soul Surfer. The girls went shopping after at Charming Charlie's and then to a Diamondback's game and Ky & Brod's for cake and ice cream after. On Saturday Kylee came with us to go to Mesa while Brody stayed home with his family. We went to the Mesa temple first. I always love going to new temples and that one was especially cool since I was born in Mesa. We coincidentally ran into Jordan and Jake on our way in as they were on their way out, so that was fun! We did sealings, which I had never done. We visiting the Frost's and the Hoffman's afterwards and then went to Tia Rosa's with Paul and DeNae. It was a short trip, but definitely worth it!

FAMILY PICTURES:

We were able to all get together one last time before everyone left for the summer to take some family pictures. I think they turned out pretty good-- good job Stacie!

The 4 couples.. haha well thats how the boys feel anyways.

I love my siblings

Some family favorites