For anyone who cares to see....

... pics of the inside of our house. Jeff's sister Kari took these, and sent them to me... so here they are!Our Bedroom
Kitchen

Living room/Kitchen (view when you first walk in)

Not featured: 2 EMPTY bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms! So... come stay with us... or live with us! We have plenty of room! :)

Thanks Kari for the pictures.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving Jeff's sister's husband's family had their family reunion, and they invited us to eat Thanksgiving dinner with them. It was so nice, and there were so many people we wore nametags.

Then on Friday's they came down to Leon Valley where we live and spent the day with us. It was a lot of fun. The kids loved Moe (she's getting big, huh?).

We always love spending time with family, and it was so cool to meet up with them way down in Texas!

Por Vida

In lieu of a full time job, Jeff and I have the oppurtunity to tutor at a charter high school in downtown San Antonio at a school called Por Vida Academy. Por Vida in Spanish means For Life, and some of these kids are taking that literally. For example the average age of ninth grades is 17-18, and the age of senior is anywhere from 18-28!

Anyways, these are the kids you do NOT want to meet in a dark alley. It has been an eye opening experience to say the least. In our attempt to better educate these thugs, we are recieving an informal education of life in the 'hood. An amazing and challenging education to say the least.

So... today at Por Vida, unexpectedly the principal announces that we are having a "fire drill". With no fire alarm going off, we herd all of the 200 student outside all the way to fence by the road, and then watch with all the students as 4 police cars roll onto the premises followed by 3-4 armed trucks, and a couple under cover cop cars, complete with dogs and everything. That's not really normal fire drill procedure is it? After almost 2 hours, and the alleged BOMB THREAT was over, they let us back inside. That's right, bomb threat. And talking with my teacher, this is apparently not an uncommon event.

Another source of motivation to keep looking for a job, right?

JENNNNNGA!

Okay, so we're dorks! But count those stacks! (33, I think). Can you beat that?

Grateful for...

Good friends. Our lives are made so much better by the people that we meet and associate and keep contact with. We are sooo grateful to all of our good friends everywhere, and for the oppurtunity to make new friendships here in Texas.

These are a couple pictures of ONLY A FEW of our good friends from BYU, many of which are now scattered thoughout the country.

Don't they make a GREAT couple?

Doesn't she look SOOO happy? I am so happy for my twin sister Natalie, and her fiance Dallas. We are so excited to be able to go to their wedding in December.

Here's Hoping!

So I wasn't going to post this until we are closed.... but I couldn't wait...

So here's hoping that we get to close on this wonderful home! Long story short.... it is a short sale, but we are lucky and they are letting us live here until it does close. Everyday we get more and more attached to everything about it. I will post pictures of the inside... when it is for sure. If I can wait that long. :)

Sorry for the dead grass.... it is slowly making a come back!

Mo' Money Mo' Problems

Meet our NEW lab/german shepard mix PUPPY Moe! Or Mosey, which is a bit more feminine. We call her both.

We got her from out in the country, and so the top picture is her first flea bath! She is the perfect dog. She is about 4 and a half months old, and she doesn't bark, and has a very docile yet playful personality. She is kind of a shy and scared puppy, which I am sure she will grow out of. There really is nothing like coming home to a puppy or dog that is SOO excited to see you. It makes all the work and responsibility worth it. We really do love our little puppy as silly as that may sound.

Wish I were at the Beach!

I LOVE everything about the beach. I wouldn't mind having a house where the beach is your backyard, wouldn't mind that at all. So, if any of you are tired of the endless sunshine and comforting waves and sand, and want to trade your beach house with me, let me know!!

This picture was taken at Huntington Beach while we were in California. It was a little chilly, and right after we were at this beach Jeff puked his guts out for next 12 hours! Poor guy. But while we were there we threw a frisbee, walked along the ocean, got our feet wet, built a sandcastle, and watched the sun go down. I love the beach!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

I spent my birthday in Disneyland this year! We went to California on our "move" down to Texas. It was my first time ever going to Disneyland, and it was all I had ever dreamed of. It was a pretty magical experience. Did you know that on your birthday you get FREE admission? Pretty cool!

This first picture is kind of funny and sad at the same time. Jeff got food poisoning from dinner the night before, and so he only ate saltine crackers and 7up, while I had a Carl's junior breakfast sandwich. What a sad face!


Jeff made me stand in line with all the 4 year olds to take this picture. I'm glad he did. :)


So this picture didn't turn out like I'd hoped. I loved the cool Mickey Mouse shaped balloons, and the ones that had the glowy things in them once it was dark. And so I wanted the balloons in this picture. Also another of my favorite parts of Disneyland were all the signs that Celebrate Today! I think that is a pretty significant little phrase. Life is so much better when we just remember to celebrate each day.





Here is the classic "castle" picture. We look pretty tired! That is what happens after 12 hours of NON STOP FUN! My feet have never hurt so bad in all of my life!


(MORE FUN POSTS TO COME... I just got our pictures, and want to spread the pictures out... b/c it takes so long to get each roll finished and developed)

Ahh, the complexities of life!

I'm sharing this little post not to complain, but just because I know that everyone can relate to something fairly simple becoming SO complex and time consuming. So enjoy this tidbit from our day:

So I have been looking and looking for jobs. Someone suggested to look at the Health Science Center here in San Antonio. So I did, and they have quite a few jobs that seemed worthwhile in applying to. So I start to apply and realize that I am required to have TX license to even apply.
So, I thought okay, kind of inconvenient but a fairly simple procedure, right?

WRONG!!!

We look up the DOT, and get the documents we need ready, look up the address, and go. Three hours later, we STILL are nowhere close to getting our TX licenses!

This is what happened:

When we get to the license place (after getting lost), we are informed we need to have our car Registered BEFORE we can get licenses.

So we go to get our Texas registration. And they inform us that we have to have an inspection.

So we drive down the road, and stop at the first auto place we see. We pull into the garage to get it done, and the inspector says that our brake light is out, and that we have to have that fixed before we can pass the inspection.

So we find an Autozone, and replace our brake light (in the rain).

As drive back to find the auto place again, our gas light comes on. So we have to first find a gas station and then fill up. (For some reason the pump won't take our plastic, so we go in and pay).

We go back to and get the inspection, and by then Jeff has just enough time to drop me off before he goes to class.

Lovely... guess I'll apply to those jobs another day... after getting our car register and then getting a license.

p.s. We are really loving it here in Texas. Just waiting for our film to be developed and then we'll share some fun pics.

Back to Analog!

Apparently, dropping your camera in sand means death for the lens. Seeing as this is becoming an annual event (dropping our camera, sand or no sand), we are saving our pennies until we can purchase the Olympus 8000 Tough (Yes Tough is the name of the camera), which is apparently the most durable camera out there.

Until then (which may be a LONG time) we are hauling this sucker around!

Jealous? You can purchase one on Amazon.com for 6.99!


It is really funny, because as long ago as 5-6 years ago, MOST people were still using cameras such as the one pictured above. But now, when we ask someone to take a picture for us, they act as though they have never seen anything like it.

This also means back to the days of limiting the pictures that you take, only taking 24 at a time (unless you carry rolls of film with you), and having to wait weeks (or longer) to see the picture you took.

I developed our film today, and to my suprise there were pictures from 2 years ago, right after we were married on there. I guess we took pictures on it while our camera was broken due to me dropping it the first time. :)

In two years, not much has changed:

Jeff still takes pictures of food,

and of me sleeping.

We still run, (although perhaps not in races as much as we did)



We still play games ( I must have won this game, juding by Lisa's sad face)

And we still take pictures in this exact pose:

Here's proof: (This picture was taken two days ago on our hike to the Salt Lake Overlook)

Wait a second! There is SOMETHING different. Can you find it? (Take a good look at the last two pictures) For a hint, it is NOT our attire, or the goofy flower behind my ear, or even the scenery. The winner gets one million dollars!

p.s. Sorry for our "fair-weather" posting. In texas the weather is fairer, so maybe there will be less delay in our posting.

We're Still Alive!!!

Hello amigos and familia,

Well, it's been a while since we've updated our blogo, mostly because not much has been going on this summer. I thought of posting pictures of me working overtime or Nichole looking for jobs, but who wants to see that? So, now that we've finally done something fun and exciting this summer, here are some pictures:

This last weekend we drove down to Lincoln City, Oregon in order to spend the 4th of July weekend at the beach with my family. Here we are just before starting the 15 hour drive!

One of the funnest things about visiting my family is the chance to play with all of the little kids. My dad does this thing every time he first sees my sister's kids when visiting, where he hides a piece of candy or something on his person and they have to guess where it is. One time he hid a snickers bar in his shoe! They were kind of grossed out.

We went to a parade with our neice Kaylee and our old Campus Plaza neighbors-Lisa, Alan and Maceyface. It was so fun to see how much Macey had grown since we last saw her and I have to say, I think I am her favorite uncle.

Here is Kaylee and Dallin. Dallin is wearing a pretty pink hat that Nichole crocheted herself! Believe it or not, I actually helped her with a fourth of one of the rows.

It was so fun to see everyone (minus my brother in law-Adrian) one more time before disappearing into the far off reaches of southern Texas. Who knows when we'll all be able to get together again. Hopefully not too long! Happy fourth of July everyone, God bless America!

Two Years!

Today we celebrate our 2-year Anniversary!

It fell on a Sunday this year, and so we TRIED to celebrate it yesterday...

Jeff made us a really yummy breakfast, and then we were going to go to the Salt Lake Temple, and then hike up in the foothills of Salt Lake. But just as we were going out the door to go to the temple, I looked at my recommend, and it had expired 2 days earlier! And then it started raining heavily for the next few hours. So that ended both of those plans!

So we basically just relaxed, started our fast and watched X-men 2 in preparation for the Wolverine movie (when it hits the dollar theatres). Still a great day!

Today, we went to our new ward, and loved it!

Then we went on a long, and beautiful walk:

We saw so many beautiful tulips,













We passed BLAIR street!!! And HAD to take pictures!




We happened to pass Wilford Woodruff's Farm,

This MASSIVE TREE, ( I am that tiny white speck in the bottom left)

And ended up at Liberty Park: Which is the most awesome park I've ever been to. There was a nice walking trail, a huge sidewalk for rollerbladers, skateboards and bikes, a Ferris Wheel, and a pool, tennis courts, an Aviary with beautiful birds, a picnic area, a pond with a bridge that goes to a little island in the middle of it, paddle boats, and even hippies that play drums.

There were lots of people walking their dogs, and this lady..... walking her iguana?????? I don't know... we didn't ask, we just snapped a picture!

And finally, passed by First Encampment Park on the way home




And Here we are at home, our new apt!

We love our little apartment in this cute 4-plex. We also love living so close to downtown, because there is so much fun stuff withing walking distance... as you can see from all the pictures!

We have had a wonderful day, and a wonderful two years! Here's to many more!

So BUSY to So BORED in one week!

Last week, I was so busy!!! And this week I have been so bored! Well, I have actually kept myself busy... but it's been a struggle.




What changed?




Well, everything, I guess!







I graduated!
(Never thought this day would come, and never EVER thought I would be as sad as I am!)

What a stud! If it weren't for him I wouldn't be graduating. True story!
This is kind of a silly picture. But I made her wear my hat, because if everything in her life had been as smooth as mine, she would have graduated that day also. She is basically wonderful! And my sweet Mom came! I was so grateful to have her there! I will never forget her sacrificeand support! Thanks Mom!

AND.............................

WE MOVED!!!

(Pictures to come)

It made for a crazier week, but we moved to Salt Lake, so Jeff no longer has to spend 2-3 hours driving! He did for a year, with little complaints! He loves the non-driving!

So I guess the Provo chapter of our life is closed. I feel like it is over too suddenly, but we are very excited to be here in Salt Lake, and excited about our future!

But it really is amazing how much down time I have. I am doing my internship still, but it UNPAID, and part-time, so I spend hours everyday looking for jobs. I had an interview on Monday, a group interview. 21 people for one position. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I know everything will work out, and maybe I'll gain some much needed patience in the process!

Hooray for General Conference!

We had a great weekend watching General Conference with my brother, Todd and my sister, Amy. We all really enjoyed the talks and caught up on a little sleep (especially Todd!).

Todd, Amy, and Austin Young

Playing a little croquet at the park after conference. Amy had an amazing comeback victory!

I sent out an april fools day email to my family saying that I would be having lunch with President Monson between sessions because I was in charge of cleaning the conference center. I think most of them believed me. I did however clean our church building and set up for Priesthood meeting. Like looking at a freshly mowed lawn, I love seeing the results of working hard to make a place look nice.