A Short Getaway Weekend

Last weekend Kendall and I were able to take a little getaway trip to Portland, OR. It was nice to getaway to relax, shop, and well eat! A little work too, for Kendall anyway. Kendall had an interview at the VA hospital in Portland on Monday so we went for the weekend to check out the area and just have fun. Portland is a beautiful city, lots of green everywhere and I love all the bridges over the water!

While we were there we decided to stay right downtown rely on the public transportation. First I have to say that the Trimet system (Portland's public trans.) is awesome! We had almost no problems getting anywhere we wanted. We took the Max (light rail) from the airport to downtown and took a bus to right in front of our hotel! The buses were easy to navigate if you just got onto the trimet website and typed where you wanted to go and it would just tell you what number bus(es) to take.

On the other hand, it IS public transportation in one of the hippie capitols of the nation! So you can only imagine what kind of people you run into using trimet. Starting right off from the airport we saw a woman with a mustache and sideburns, a family of dreadlocks (children included), a man hopping on asking for spare change in exchange for candy, and much more. The next day we even ran into a guy rolling his own pot on the bus! That's right, its legal there! So I guess we had a little bit of a shock initiation of downtown metro life, but it was still a great experience!

The lobby of the very modern hotel we stayed in, cleverly named the Modera.

This is the room we stayed in, I loved the big comfy bed and the fur blanket!


Kendall standing in the sky walk in Pioneer Place mall downtown.

We went to the Japanese Gardens for some "peace and tranquility", it was very beautiful but it didn't have very much color since it is still winter.


Here is a close up on one of the sand gardens.


Trying to do a self picture, doesn't always work out, especially on stairs!

Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Kendall and I had a good one hear at home. I have been sick the last couple of days with a nasty cough and didn't feel like doing much or thinking of anything to do at that. We made some coffee cake for breakfast (more like brunch, or even lunch!) exchanged valentines and then went to Macaroni Grill for dinner. We were lucky we didn't have to wait too long since everywhere most likely was the same, one hour wait at least! I love Macaroni Grill because you can color on the tables! The waiter always comes by and writes his/her name on the table upside down so Kendall and I like to practice our upside down writing (just in case we ever have to work there someday).

I have never been a huge fan of V-day, but I do like the concept of celebrating love. I AM a fan of LOVE! Lately I have been getting into scrapbooking and card making (more so now that I have my cricut machine from "I love you Aunt Suzie"!) and I decided to make some valentines day cards for my family. Although the majority of them got sent out late due to being in Portland and being sick (and whatever else I can blame it on) but its the thought that counts right?! Here are a few of the cards I made. I want to say a special thanks to Kendall for putting up with all my scrabooking stuff in the kitchen in "my corner", it really is just EVERYWHERE!



Happy Valentine's Day!

Food For Thought...

I feel a little monotonous in my life lately, and I have decided its not a good feeling. Most of the blame is my work I believe. I feel like I live there! I started working 4 tens a week, but after the first couple of months our group of three became two. So now its two of us doing the job of three and our boss thinks "it works this way." So now it has been about 9 months of between 40 and 50 hours a week (18 hrs overtime last pay period). Too much! Its been rough and doesn't help my personal life either. I guess its a good thing I didn't go to medical school! I don't know if I could handle crazy intern hours! I am just sick of finally getting home each day and not feeling like doing anything else. Some days I don't have time to do anything else when I get home after eight! So now back to the monotonous part, I do the same things day in and day out at work. I need something more challenging. I guess we'll see what the next year or two brings. For now I have to just figure out what I want it to bring!

Here is some more food for thought. I heard on the radio a few things to think about and I thought they were pretty interesting! If pizzas are round why do they come in square boxes? Why do we drive on parkways and park in driveways? Also, what kind of cheese is string cheese? It doesn't taste like mozzarella or American or even Swiss!

Funny Ad...Makes Me Laugh Every Time!

This is not a Superbowl ad (I didn't watch any, I know...crazy) but I have been seeing it quite a bit latley and it makes me laugh seriously EVERY single time! I thought I would share it with those of you who have missed out on it or just need a laugh for the day (feel free to watch it over and over again!) This is: T-Mobile Ad-A girl teaches her boyfriend a lesson for butt dialing her one too many times. Featuring the BlackBerry Pearl Flip from T-Mobile.

Nine Words Women Use

I got this e-mail the other day and it started a discussion at my work (all women I might add)! We all agreed with it almost 100%! So guys, husbands, fathers listen up...this is what we are all 'really' saying when we say these things! After all you are suppose to read our minds right?!

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half and hour. Five min is only five min if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and ownders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay: This in one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here- This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot'- that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'your're welcome'. That will bring on a 'whatever'.)
8. Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying...well, it's her way of telling you off!
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Well, its coming up on Valentine's Day and while I have never really been a fan of the holiday it has still got me thinking more about my hubby. I just wanted to write about some of my favorite things about Kendall to let him know how much I love him.

1. He makes me laugh. (Even when I want to be angry at him)
2. His beautiful green eyes, and long eyelashes I might add too.
3. He has a great smile, especially when he his truly laughing!
4. He is very smart. (Too smart sometimes :) )
5. He is a hard worker.
6. He has high standards and morals. (I really respect him for that)
7. I love when he tries to warm his feet up on mine at night. (Even though they are usually like ice blocks!)
8. He has a great sense of style. (Maybe better than mine?)
9. He looks really good in his church/professional clothes. (My favorite!)
10. He loves kids! (Babies too, especially his nieces and nephews)
11. He makes "the face"!
12. He is such a thoughtful gift giver, really puts the effort into the perfect gifts!
13. He doesn't like to watch sports on TV. (Love that!!)
14. Sometimes he tries to pretend he is Italian...very funny.
15. He sticks to his goals, its very important to him. (An example to me in that manner)
16. I love when he holds my hand, anywhere.
17. He LOVES his family. (And so do I! They are so amazing, all of them!)
18. My little sister Abby loves him, its pretty cute actually! (I have to fight for him when we visit)
19. He is loyal.
20. He is creative. (More so than me even, I get a little jealous!)
21. Sometimes when I work late he makes dinner so its ready when I get home. (I love that!)
22. He eats my food (and says he likes it), I am not a good cook whatsoever!
23. He loves fruit roll-ups! I think its funny! :)
24. He scraped all the ice off my car one morning before I got up! It was so nice of him!

These are just a few of my favorite things. I just want him to know that I love him dearly! He means the world to me! I love you babe. xoxo

Sun Valley, ID

Kendall and I took our first trip to Sun Valley, ID in December. My work had a party there and put us up in the Sun Valley Lodge for the night as well. It was so much fun to visit a new place and to be surrounded by my co-workers (I actually love them all! hard to believe, right?). I believe Kendall even had a good time as well :) My boss was very generous and put us all up in very nice rooms and took us out to a place called the Sawtooth for dinner (nice restaraunt). We even hit up a few bars till all hours of the night! (and by all night I mean midnight, and all diet coke of course).

We got there early Saturday so we could walk the town a bit (in 5 degree weather!) and see what Sun Valley had to offer. Of course Candace and I found the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. first! Yummy!

From Sun Valley 2008

Here is a look down one of the main streets in Sun Valley area (Ketchum, ID)
If it looks cold to you, it was! One of those its so cold your nose hairs freeze!

From Sun Valley 2008

Kendall and I on a GIANT chair we found outside a wood carving shop! I love the red cowboy boots too.

From Sun Valley 2008

This is Candace, one of the PT's I work with. She is one of those rare amazing people that you meet who just love life and look for the opportunities it has to offer! She has an infectious smile and such a warm personality! I LOVE working with her and she is also a great friend to me!

From Sun Valley 2008

Candace and I at dinner!

From Sun Valley 2008

Kendall and I in the lobby of our hotel. They had beautiful Christmas trees everywhere.

From Sun Valley 2008

The view out one of the windows in our hotel room! Look how beautiful it is with all the snow!

I Love This Show!

The Gosselin 10... Jon and Kate Plus 8
Jon and Kate Plus 8 is another little obsession of mine (Kendall's too even though he may not admitt it). I love watching this show on TLC! We have been watching for a long time now so I feel like I know these cute little kids. This show is SO fun to watch. I mean could you imagine having twin girls and sextuplets?! Less than four years apart! I think God definitley knows the people in this world that are capable of handling that kind of responsibility and watches over them. I don't think I could ever be in Jon and Kate's shoes and still live to tell the tale!

I am acctually reading their new book, Multiple Blessings, that just recently came out. I am enjoying it so far. Its amazing because Kate goes through her whole pregnancy with the sextuplets and there are some things I just can't even imagine going through. Then there is all the stuff you don't really think about like, 60 plus diapers a day, and 30 bottles and six baby carriers, six cribs in one room etc...!

The Kids!
Maddy, Kara, Alexis, Hannah, Leah, Aiden, Collin, Joel

This show is great when you are having a bad day or just need a little pick me up. Just imagine your life taking care of eight kids under the age of 8! It looks like a lot of work but also very rewarding. They have had so many people donate their time and resources to them its amazing! It is nice to know that people care. I love this cute "big" family!

Florida Vacation

More fun pictures from our Florida getaway! (aka Kendall's pharmacy conference). We had such a great time. It was Kendall's first trip to Fl and to Disney World. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the beaches so I guess that will be our next adventure! Thanks to our good friends Kami and Kyle for putting us up and catering to us :) We love you guys!

The Holidays in a Whirl!

Thanksgiving with the Cranes!

Christmas Tacky Sweater Party at Kristen, Katy and Steph's place!

By the way, Kendall did all the shopping for us for these cute sweaters! Good job hun, we could definitely have rocked the 80's in style!

I think we will wear these again Kristen's life size Santa present from her Granny! (for real)

Christmas with the Utah Youngs

Abby making our Christmas craft while the Texas Lighthearts were visiting us!

Eli and Carter making the little snowman craft. They are getting so big! I miss you guys so much! They really had some creative works of art going here

Carter, Abby, Seth, and Austin at the craft table!

Abby and Maggie making some Christmas cookies My adorable, not so little teenage sister (wow, still wierd that she is going to drive soon!) making christmas cookies. Does she look like this is what she wants to be doing? Shes a good sport!

I wanted Kendall to show me what he made since it was so cute. I think he may be mocking me?! He won the best snowman creation award though :)

Maggie and me in a kodak moment. Ariane, do you let her have Pepsi at home? She didn't want to put that soda down for anything! Gotta love the Koolaid 'stash' though :)

Abby got this Hello Kitty play tent for Christmas and she started to "live" in it right away! With ALL her presents inside, whether they fit or not!


Christmas morning in UT, we got SO much snow! This is my mom's cute ornament display on our porch!


Kendall liked playing with the boys DS, maybe Santa should have brought him one of those!

Christmas with the Cranes!