UpdateS

I have a confession: I'm internally torn about blogging. I like looking at everyone else's blogs, but I often feel like I should be doing more constructive things with my time. And then there is the fact that we don't have kids ... and its pictures of people's kids that are always the most exciting, so I feel a little silly. But my mom told me to update. I can't say 'no' to my mom. So ... here is a list of updates as of late:

First: Christmas. We both had a few days off and it was a big debate as to what we should do. Between weather, money, timing, etc we could come up with no clear answer. My dad says "indecision+time=decision." We ended up staying around here. But it was pretty great. 3 families from our ward had us over for dinner right in a row. Plus, on Christmas the Lehr's set up their projector screen so Tyler could watch the Lakers game with a real sized Kobe. We were very grateful for everyone that fed and pampered us. (they really did)

Second: We are turning in to old people. I got awesome craft stuff for Christmas and Tyler was thrilled about his gifts that will be helpful when he has to "live off the land." (and his nose hair trimmers)

Third: I know our house looks sparce. My mom sent us some Christmas decorations and I made a few, but I actually loved having a very simple Christmas.

Fourth: The week prior to Christmas I was 'a little under the weather' to say the least. I hadn't felt that bad in years. Anyway, I now think I am caught up on every non-rated-R redbox possible. Who doesn't love redbox?

Did I mention it was 70 degrees on Christmas? One reason I wanted to move out here is because I wanted to be warm. Sunday was in the 80s. I'm lovin' it!

Fifth: Continuing with the last post. I have been reading quite a bit. My sister-in-law, Jenn, recommended "Marley and Me." So, I read it (actually listened to it), and then Tyler and I went to see it last Saturday. Caution: its about nothing. Its about a life kind of like any of ours (referring to people I think may read this) and I loved it. (the book more than the movie of course). But if you like action ... its not for you. If you could love a movie where there is no climax of conflict and you like dogs ... this one is for you. (By the way, I couldn't help but think of my Holly-dog, making everything all the sweeter ... except she was a very GOOD dog)

Sixth: We do not have a TV. I really enjoy it actually. Tyler REALLY wanted to watch the Ponsietta Bowl. We decided to go to Buffalo Wild Wings (40 cents on Tuesday nights) to watch the game. The wait was longer than that little boy could handle. I thought I saw tears brimming in his little Robin-hood eyes. So ... we broke in to our friends' house and reaped the benefits of their TV and cable. Really ... yanked their screen out, climbed through a little window and over the furniture. (Thanks Marina and Steve) And BSU didn't even come through for us. :)

Okay ... last ... (are you bored yet? maybe I SHOULD post more often): We went to Raleigh for the day. We have only been to Raleigh for the airport and the temple so we haven't really seen it. Its pretty awesome! The capitol area has its own little smithsonians. Free ... and really impressive. We went to the natural history one. It was pretty incredible. They have huge fossil whale/shark dinosaurs hanging up, and one of those butterfly rooms that even had a sloth in it, and big snakes and the works. And the dead sea scrolls. I think those things follow me around. It seems like wherever I travel to they happen to be in that city. And I've still never paid to see them. They were in seattle last time I was there, I think they were in NY when I was there. Just strange. We also went to an old farm plantation place and a giant mall. One thing I love about this area is all the cool old houses. This one is less impressive than some, but it is the one from the farm.

Thanks everyone who made Christmas great (we were spoiled).

down time

so ... this week i worked 2 whole days. thats right ... 2. tyler has started to bug me about picking up more hours. i will ... eventually. anyway, my classes ended last week and tyler actually DID work a lot so i found myself with quite a bit of 'down time.' the downtown library here is a pretty rad place. as far as architecture and buildings go. i got myself a card and i managed to fly through 2 novels already. knowing that i will have more down time coming up over the next month and a half at least i need some recommendations for 'best books ever.' i just finished 'persuasion' by jane austen (rice family- aren't you proud of me?) and ' forgotten fire' by adam bagdasarian (historical fiction about the holocaust ... a topic i find fascinating). anyway, i know i have plenty of blogging friends with opinions on books. let me know some of your favorites!

goodbye optimus ... hello lizzardy

... and another beautiful North Carolina picture I took ...

my new hobby

i made tyler drive me around for a couple hours yesterday morning just so i could take pictures of the beautiful leaves and trees here. when i got home i discovered photo editing. now, my pictures aren't great, but i was hooked all night. here are a couple of my favorites:

On Sunday we went to the Zoo. Steve was able to come too. It was a really fun morning. Look how cute my husband is! (The picture below ... not the hairy one above).

We drove home the extra long way through Shenandoah National Park. We had really been missing the mountains. Its so flat here, I get excited when I see a hill. Anyway, It had been worse recently because its fall when the mountains are the prettiest and its hunting season and my dad kept talking about going on hikes. So, we drove home through the apple-ach-ins. They were beautiful! We went on a hike to a waterfall and I don't know if the picture does it justice, but there were bright red vines climbing all over the trees. It was pretty awesome.

Wshington DC ... Day 1

Our friends, Marina and Steve, invited us to DC with them for the weekend. Unfortunatley, we (Tyler, Marina and I) played all weekend, but poor Steven had to work. We didn't really have time to go see all the sites, but we did run around trying to see everything we could.
Natural History Smithsonian.
Thats me up there near the top of the steps. This is the national archives building that holds the constitution and the declaration of independence and such. And the Magna Carta which was cool. Just a small reminder (and a little joke) ... "No Flash Photography."
This is in the mall in front of the castle.
Theses are the never used doors to the archives building.

We were exhausted by the end of day 1.

Hoopz Wins I Love Money

And we (mostly me) can quit being obsessed with the show ... until the reunion airs.

Pitt County Fair

The bitter with the sweet: While looking at baby pigs (so cute) Tyler informed me I could never have a pet pig. I think I can wear him down if I keep showing him how cute they are in this picture. We also toured the village of yesteryear. While in in the school room my husband quickly found himself in trouble in the corner. (No, he has not joined an extremist group since the move). Our friends Steve and Marina also found a seat in the schoolroom.




Tyler and I were not so proud of our shooting. Maybe the best part of the fair can never be understood when explained. You would just have to see it it: Chicken Man. Chicken tamer/Christian motivational speaker. He compared Jesus to a fuzzy white chicken he put in a pot labeled 'chicken stew.' He also wrote and performed a rap about Jesus and chickens. Very interesting ...

Pirate Party

So we live in a town of about 60-70,000. Apparently, some radio DJ once dubbed it G-Vegas. When we heard this we thought it was some sort of joke. But its not. There is a G-Vegas magazine and cars have it and here is the proof. The college has the reputation of being quite the party school, but more so in it's history.

Thats not really what this post is about. Its about the party that is occuring. The Pirate Party. My nephew, Shawn (and I think I may have spelled that wrong already making me feel bad) is turning 2 and hes going to have a Pirate Party. Because the college here is the ECU Pirates, the hideous things adorn the town. Here is a sample of the Pirate Party town we live in. And Happy Birthday Shawn!

I Made a Wedding Album

I'm nearly finished putting together a wedding album. I thought it would be kind of cliche to put wedding pictures up now, but I was looking at some friends' blogs wanting to see more of their pictures, so here our some of ours. (these are my favorites at least):

Yes ... I really did have a blue cape. And I just love the look on our faces (esp. Tyler's).

These are in no particular order, but these are my girls.

This one just makes me happy.

This is my cute nephew Seth, who I think I loved before Tyler because he became my best buddy at a family reunion.

They're a close family?

Our beautiful cake made by Jennette.

More Family!

My family ...

... and my new family.

I'm a little vain. I just like how the dress looks.

And some couple-y pictures.

I hope I said thank you to those that helped with the wedding. I really appreciated it. If not ... thank you and I now owe you big time!