c & l

December

2011-12-25T19:04:00.002-07:00

What a month.

As it draws to a close, I decided it was about time I got my own blog.

Thanks to all of you for following our blog for so long- so if you are interested in keeping up come on over to my new blog and keep up with all the happenings.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

Lots of Love,

Lanie

the socks

2011-12-10T14:58:00.004-07:00

First I need to say, I love my dilly's. I treat them pretty much like my children. Yes, on an occasion I have dressed them up but never regularly and always as a joke. Zira has a coat for when its really cold outside and she wears it outside, only when its cold out. I can honestly say I never thought there would be a day I would actually consider buying boots for my dog.

Let me explain, Nico likes to be outside. She likes sitting by the fence, in the dirt, ALL DAY. For what you ask? For the 19 seconds every few hours when the wiener dogs that live next door come out into their yard and go to the bathroom. When those wiener dogs do come outside, she goes CRAZY. Like in some sort of trance and its impossible to get her out of. I can occasionally lure her in with an abandoned from breakfast leftover waffle but its still tough. Once those dogs go back in, she waits, until they come out again. Yes, it's obsessive and frankly we don't know what to do. But what I do know is when she is barking at those dogs she runs up and down the fence, in the dirt, which usually contains mud. Every time we bring her inside we have to wash her feet of and I am tired of it. Enter boots.

I decided rather than washing her feet every time she comes in we get her some boots. I initially was hesitant that she would immediately rip them off so we did a trial run with some of my nieces socks and well it went pretty good. They eventually fell off and she was happy about it but really did good and I think after Christmas I am going to buy her some boots.

Oh Nico and your tube socks....

The other day Chris and I came down to our bedroom to find Nico snuggled in bed. It was quite hilarious- she is snuggled up with Chris' body pillow.

Here is Brownie. She is the Jensen's dog but she loves to hang out with us down stairs everyday while we are looking for jobs. She likes to sit on top of the couch cushion its so funny.

Tis the season

2011-12-05T14:23:00.002-07:00

The tree is up.

Its not feeling as Christmas-y here as I would have thought.

We don't get a whole lot of snow just little skiffs.

Its just ridiculously cold and windy.

I think I'd rather have the snow....

All I really want for Christmas at this point is a job.

Although all my laundry is done and everything is clean

my OCD is feeling satisfied- so now I need to get a job!

The Re-do

2011-12-01T08:41:00.006-07:00

In all the hustle and bustle of moving to Colorado I completely forgot to post about our

"Re-do Cruise".

Or "The Splendor Round 2- This time it's personal."

First off- we had T-shirts made. What started as a joke became reality thanks to my boss' husband who is a graphic designer. After hearing a little bit about our story this is what he came up with:

Which we of course all loved. We got them printed up and they looked so good! Little would be know that MANY other people would be on their re-do the same week as us.

I still have a hard time imagining this- we got a FREE cruise, go anywhere within 2 years and we got a dollar for dollar match of what was spent. And so many of us chose the SAME BOAT and the SAME WEEK as last year?!?! Are you all crazy???

Yes I believe so.

So for those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about right now .....

Google Carnival Splendor November 2010 for some light reading to catch up....

Anyway... everything turned out fine. It was really strange that first day walking back onto the boat and just walking around the boat again... in the light.

All and all it was a good time and we had a lot of fun. Once we woke up that next morning and we weren't being run out of our rooms by smoke a lot of the nervousness went away.

Here we are in the airport getting ready to fly to Long Beach so we can get on the boat. Don't we look so thrilled to be going on a free vacation???

So last year we spent oh.... 90% of the cruise sitting at this table. There is one emergency light that worked right above the table so we all huddled around it and played endless amounts of card games and just sitting.....

Our first day off the boat we spent in Cabo. We got to go to a really nice resort and spend the day on their private beach and eat lunch there. It was really fun and the food was great. (WAY better than eating the lunch buffet on the cruise)

Chris was not wanting to sit by me because I wanted to be in the shade and he wanted to get tan or something.... I don't know.

After 2 days in Cabo we went to Puerto Vallarta. This was where Chris and I went on our Honeymoon so it was fun to be back there and see it again. The water isn't nearly as clear as Cabo but I liked it more. We went to a private beach for the day. It was really fun. They had kayaking and paddle boarding, we all had a lot of fun. Oh and, mom was a little slow with the picture on this one so we had all turned around besides Telden.

So one day we are sitting in Bingo and I see this older couple a few rows away and I can just barely make out their T-shirts and I was dying of laughter. They were obviously on the boat last year as well and so my mom went and asked if she could take a picture of their shirt... It's kind of hard to read but this is what it says:

Top 10 Things that should never happen on a cruise ship:

1. Opening your cabin door to and seeing crew members running down the hall in life jackets and they were "300% sure it's not an emergency"

2. Using an ice bucket for a toilet

3. Taking a cold shower in the dark (I can relate, it was SO cold it sent you into shivers for an hour)

4. SPAM for breakfast, lunch and dinner

5. Cocktail hour is a mini-bar scavenger hunt

6. Blackhawk helicopter food drops

7. Entertainment is squeezing 20 friends into a cabin

8. Hear the words "Fireless Smoke" (that one really made me laugh)

9. Also "There has been a delay, the rescue tug boat has broken down."

10. Oh and "Your cruise has officially been terminated" on day 2 of 7

Of all the T-shirts we saw theirs really cracked us up. It was so funny because there were literally times we would be walking around the boat and one of us would say hey I recognize them.

Gotta love the towel animals. The elephant was my favorite.

This was the last formal night, Friday. We had gone to the lounge afterwards to see comedians. Overall the entertainment was Meh, one night there was a prop comic and he was hilarious other than that pretty lame.

But all in all is was a good re-do and it was nice to be with the family and see everyone before I went off to Colorado to be with Chris.

Honestly, I would be just fine to not go on another cruise ever again.

Just sayin.

freako

2011-11-27T15:43:00.001-07:00

Just had to share I finally successfully lured Nico (or Freako) into the house during a barking frenzy in the back yard with a chip.

Pretty excited right now.

Colorado

2011-11-21T17:29:00.003-07:00

Well its been... 4 days since I arrived here in Colorado. I actually really like it here. Only downfall- its getting cold! No snow yet since I've got here (I guess they don't get a whole lot???) But I like it. I've managed to get lost driving....every time I go anywhere. Multiple bloody noses... apparently coming from the Utah desert didn't prepare me for how dry it is here... and probably the higher altitude. But other than that all settled in!

A few pictures to see our new little apartment.....

Family Room

Hallway between family room and bathroom
Bedroom- good old humidifier trying to prevent more bloody nose incidents....

Between my clothes and Chris' clothes the built in closet was NOT enough room. So I required my own stand alone from IKEA. Not a bad price and with a little pairing down I was able to fit all my clothes... my shoes on the other hand... are shoved everywhere!

That's all really going on now. Just looking for jobs and getting ready for Thanksgiving. Can't believe the holidays are coming already!

that face

2011-10-30T20:34:00.002-06:00

too bad she has grown up to be a JERK.

But Nico I forgive you, look at how CUTE you were. Your first day home with us.

6 days

2011-10-30T20:25:00.002-06:00

I can't believe in 6 days we will be back on the Splendor. I know, I have that same feeling too. That's just asking for trouble is what I say. But either way, it will be nice to get back together with all the family again. And even better it will be good to see Chris again, finally. We are getting some awesome shirts printed up that my boss' husband designed for us which I will post once they are done, they are too funny! We are all going to wear them when we get on the boat!

I promise to bring back lots of pictures, hopefully none involving the coast guard or helicopters.

Bon Voyage!

neglect

2011-09-19T20:13:00.002-06:00

Poor little neglected blog... Doesn't get a whole lot of lovin' these days. I'm finding it a little challenging to be writing a blog about "the egberts" when 3/4 of "the egberts" live 10 hours away, and my life consists of an hour drive to work 9 hours at work and an hour home.

Well good news Chris finished the basement- talented that boy is- from the few little pictures he sent everything looks really good. Can't wait to get out there next week to help organize and make it nice!

I know you can really tell the superb-ness from this shot... but it was all I really had...

Also- for the 3 of you that look at our little neglected blog- thank you. I'm not always the best at getting around to everyone's and posting comments and staying caught up with everyone.

But I know you are there- looking, judging...... Kristina.....

55 days

2011-09-11T19:22:00.003-06:00

I must admit.. Anxiety has started to get the best of me a little as I printed out the boarding passes for our cruise That is coming in a short 55 days. Those of you who may not have read back in the archives of our lovely blog may have missed our cruise we went on last November.

Even if you missed it here, I'm sure you heard about it on the news, but if you need a refresher here is a story from USA today and some little video Chris took on his phone

USA TODAY November 10, 2010

sure miss them

2011-09-11T10:18:00.004-06:00

Chris has been gone now for 2 months... its still very strange that our only contact is on the phone. Chris HATES talking on the phone but has definitely made additional effort because that is pretty much our only contact we get in a day sometimes only a few minutes. It feels so quiet at my parents house without the dilly's too. When they were here I was able to bring them to work with me so its a little quiet there too. I found some pictures of the dilly-capades at work on my phone today they are pretty funny....

Nico didn't particularly like coming to work, it was confusing for her. But whenever the chew sticks came our she was fine. I was only able to bring her a few times to work before her and Chris moved.

This was her expression at me most of the time...

She hated being out in the open where people could see her so she would always hide under my desk. Luckily its a fairly large desk so I still had some feet space.

Zira also liked hiding under the desk. She would go under the section where the drawers were where there was no space and sit in my "paper to be shredded box"

Zira came with me to work everyday after Chris and Nico left and she did such a good job. She only was bad when the Fed Ex truck pulled in the parking lot- she would bark and go crazy and run up to the front door to wait for them to come in, once they came in she loved them. Something about the truck...

Zira ALWAYS wanted to sit in my lap. Sometimes while I was making phone calls I would let her sit in my lap. It was SO uncomfortable for both of us but she was just happy to be in my lap.

Sure do miss those Dillys. Can't wait to visit for my birthday to see them and Chris!

thinking back

2011-08-28T11:03:00.000-06:00

I was just laughing about this the other day while I was working on cleaning out a filing cabinet we had in our office. I realized it would not be practical for us to take the cabinet to Colorado so I needed to go through and clean it out as much as possible. While cleaning it I came across an unlabeled hanging folder with several envelopes in it. I pulled them all out and quickly realized what they were.

Chris and I did not have a long engagement. Right after we got engaged we decided on a date August 16th (I don't really know what that day and originally I don't know why it didn't work out) After one reason or another (I think some one in the Egbert family wasn't going to be able to make it) We changed the date but only after we had already made the date with the Temple and received our "confirmation of the date and time letter" in the mail. After the 16th wasn't going to work we changed it to the August 11th. We changed the date with the Temple without consulting anyone in thinking "It's our day they will make it for us". Soon after we had made this decision we brought up the date with my family. My dad (who is always easy going about everything) immediately said no to the date because it was the Mulligan (translation- 3 day golf tournament EVERY year at the country club- big deal. If you miss a year you get put down at the bottom of the waiting list and sometimes end up waiting several years to get back in the rotation to play again) My dad was not going to budge about missing the Mulligan but finally offered that it would be ok, he would just have to wait a few years. Of course knowing how much it meant to my dad we changed the date again. (My dad lives for summer golf especially the Mulligan how could I take that away from him? And when that certain someone is paying you are kind of obligated to please them at least a little right?) August 4th.... nope that didn't work either. July 31st... nope someone was on vacation. July 28th... finally we came across a day that worked for everyone and everyone was happy... Until we were thrown through a loop when our reception center told us we could get a substantial discount if we opted for a weekday- specifically Wednesday July 26th. So once again we called the Temple and changed our date.

I was laughing while cleaning out that folder and looking at each of the letters we had received and for some odd reason why after 5 years I had kept them all. It gave me quite a good laugh because I had completely forgotten the mayhem of all the date changing and rearranging that was being done clear up until the first of June it was only a matter of days that we had finalized the date before invitations were sent.

It made me laugh especially since this week was the Mulligan and my dad of course played and had a great time. So thanks to Dad, every year during the Mulligan we all have a little laugh about when life stands still for everyone because Dad is at the Mulligan.

what is done is done

2011-08-26T20:37:00.000-06:00

Today was a crazy day. We spent all day yesterday packing up the truck getting ready for Chris to leave. I felt like we were running from the beginning of the day all the way to the end. This morning Chris and Zira got in the moving truck and left on their journey to Colorado Springs. The sad thing is at this point they have still not got to Colorado, poor things!

I have the amazing opportunity of moving in with my parents. It was quite comical to bring a truck load of stuff and move into my old bedroom... pretty funny. For now this is how things will stay. Chris and the Dillys in Colorado and me here back in Utah. Right now its just what is going to have to work.

I am already anxious to plan my next trip out to visit.

Weekend Update

2011-08-21T09:55:00.000-06:00

First I apologize for the huge lack of updates.

Ok, so we are moving. Next Friday. Unfortunately we are going in opposite directions from each other. I have been working on packing up everything while Chris has been living in Colorado with his sister and her family {soon we will all just be one big happy family :) get ready!} finishing their basement that they have so generously made into an apartment for us. He's been gone for about a month and a half and flew in yesterday it was exciting to be able to see him again after our longest time apart... ever.

Friday Chris will be heading out with little Dilly {aka Zira, big Dilly- aka Nico is already a resident of Colorado. Thank you Jensen's for taking care of her while Chris is here, we know how she gets sometimes} and officially making the move to Colorado with all of our stuff.

What will I be doing? Well I am moving back into the Wiseman house (my parents are secretly very excited about this, I know it), into my old room in fact (feels kind of weird after 5 years) I am working and things are good on that front. Yes I will eventually be moving to the Springs (Colorado Springs) to join the family just not quite yet. I just got my new job in May and I really like it and it pays the bills so it seemed to make sense to continue for a while.

Things have been a little crazy trying to get it all figured out what is going where and what is all happening. A little hectic when your life is moving a state away and you are not. But in the end this will be a great thing.

Chris is preparing to start school in the spring and we are very excited for that. It was definitely a good move to do this option even though it wasn't always the easiest decision. Life has been quite crazy the last few years but this feels like a reboot. Its unfortunate it took 5 years to get to this point but we sure have learned a lot along the way and we have SO many people to thank for where we are. So many family and friends who have given so much for us to be where we are and for that we are ever so grateful to each and everyone.

The end to this winding road we have been driving for the past year came to an end yesterday with one small piece of paper in the mail. I could hardly contain my excitement when I opened our mailbox and saw it siting right on top screaming at me, I ran across the parking lot to our apartment to open the letter dragging Zira behind me the whole way. It really does feel like we get a fresh start which is exciting and kind of exhausting but all in all we are so grateful and thankful even despite the upheaval we have had the last year. Its good to be past this. {I have contemplated a large bon fire containing all the papers I never want to look at again- it would be a pretty great fire. I have several file boxes of them}My hope is that one day all of this may make more sense.

We can't wait to start a new life in Colorado with the Jensen's we will miss our family and friends in Utah but its good to know we will always come and visit.

moving update

2011-06-18T08:47:00.001-06:00

I guess I can finally say the moving plans, seems like it is official enough now.

Our lease on our place here in South Jordan is up end of July so we have been thinking for quite some time what we wanted to do. Chris decided that he would like to go to Colorado to go to school at UCCS and for the time being I will stay here in Utah and work. We are so lucky to be able to have Chris' sister and her family in Colorado be willing to take us in for the next while and help while Chris is in school. We are really excited for Chris to be starting school there and it will be quite the adventure!

moving

2011-06-12T21:34:00.000-06:00

Yes... moving again. Our lease is up end of July so thus we must begin packing again. SUPER!

lets go to the amazon...

2011-04-16T16:42:00.000-06:00

I think I may have a teensy obsession with

amazon.com

I love love love it

my most recent purchase

a stellar deal on a pair of these great jeans

love them!

{I am pretty sure the people that work in the office at my complex (fedex delivers to the office rather than leaving packages on any of the apartments doorsteps) think I am constantly online shopping. I don't really go shopping except for online and when you can buy things 60% off wouldn't you?}

Whole lot of nothin.....

2011-04-11T21:00:00.000-06:00

That's what we've been up to

whole lot of nothin....

karma chameleon

2011-03-30T14:51:00.000-06:00

When I think of changing I think of chameleons.

When I think of chameleons I think of the song "Karma Chameleon"

Why? I don't know....

I guess I've just always really wanted a chameleon....

Lots of changes and decisions for us this month.

Chris has made the decision to go back to school. I am very happy for him and he is also getting excited for that next chapter. He will start back up at UVU for the summer semester. Not sure what he wants to study yet... but there is still plenty of time for that! We are excited to start a new chapter in our lives. Lots of things are wrapping up for us and we are finally able to be rid of the past and all the great fun that has been for us.

Can't wait for the new exciting things to happen

and the challenges it will bring for us.

Ok I realize what that might sound like to some of you...

NO I am NOT pregnant... sorry :)

terrarium

2011-03-13T09:59:00.001-06:00

I saw this tutorial...last year....

on how to make a DIY terrarium

I have been wanting to attempt to make one but

need to go price out the supplies

Isn't that so cute?

Head over to Poppytalk to check out the tutorial

Anyone want to make one with me?

DIY Lamp

2011-03-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

We bought this lamp several months ago at Ikea

At first I LOVED the orange, but after a while I need some pattern.

So I made the 1 minute drive to Hobby Lobby to pick up some fabric and a poster board

Fabric was on sale so I spent less than $5

After a few minutes I now have a totally new lamp and I love it

And! I can easily switch out the fabric later since I used

removable glue dots to hold the fabric on the poster board

Honey the Horticulturist

2011-03-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

I decided I wanted to grow an herb garden.

I found a great herb garden kit

it came with everything you need.

I was worried that they would not grow.

I checked on them everyday while they germinated.....

But after only 3 weeks look at our progress!

I chose to grow Basil, Cilantro and Oregano.

Hopefully we continue to have success!

Oh and Chris calls me "The Honey"

so therefore I am now

Honey the Horticulturist.....

Check us out!

2011-03-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

We love our new custom picture we got painted.

Its our engagement picture from our wedding announcements

and one of the ONLY pictures of us that is.... well, good.

A huge thank you to Morgan she did an awesome job and we really love it.

You can get your own custom picture

at her Etsy store here

We're still here!

2011-03-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Nico loves the Pillow Pet my Aunt Cheryl gave us

My mom bought this stuffed snake for the Dilly's and they love they can run around and chew on it together

We adopted a Pot Belly Pig

Oh wait... thats Zira with her haircut

Shaggy Dilly

Nico thought she was so sneaky sleeping on the bed

Nico on her favorite chair

Ok it's been a while but we're still here

Booked

2011-01-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to prepare

Splendor

Round 2

November 6th

Bring it...

Really?

2011-01-01T09:16:00.001-07:00

Wow- I can't believe it's 2011!

I can't believe 2010 is over! (Not that I wish it wasn't or anything)

2010 wasn't the greatest year of our lives but I must say that we did probably learn/ "experience" the most of any other year that we have been married!

2011 brings a lot of landmarks for us this year

Chris will be turning 30 this month

In July we will be celebrating 5 years together

(little Dilly will also be turning 5 in July)

and I will be turning 25 in October.

Look at us all growing up!

Here is to a (better) new year

in hopes that maybe we can find a little piece of what we've been looking for.

Browsing

2010-12-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

I like to wander the internet when I'm bored

I found this.....

I want it.....

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

we had a great Christmas this year.

plenty of highlights....

Lanie- Evo

Chris- Playstation 3

Gingerbread House

Lots of Food

Wii Play

Good Times.

Thanks to all of our friends and family for an incredibly memorable Holiday season

We love you.

its coming.

2010-12-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Chris pointed out to me that he has wrapped

more presents under the tree for me than I have for him.

Yea, yea yea.

FIRST time EVER!

If only he knew what is in store for him under the tree in less than a week....

That's right- get out of here

2010-12-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

Dear NyQuil,

As much as I have throughly enjoyed our time together the past few days, I think it would be best if you left and took my cold with you.

Much Love,

Lanie

Pocket Full Of Sunshine

2010-11-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

I heard this song on the radio this afternoon

and made me remember this from Easy A.

It kills me every time.

I love Emma Stone. Seeing her makes me miss my red hair...

Oh Christmas Tree....

2010-11-27T14:48:00.001-07:00

I decided I really like Christmas.

Decorating is in my blood and I LOVE it.

I was pleased with the way our tree came out this year.

I think I may be going into a little bit of with drawls

from only having one this year....

Picture of the Week

2010-11-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

I love my Dilly's.

Nico has such a personality and taking pictures of her really brings it out.

I would describe this look as "look at me being so sneaky"

She knows to leave the tree alone and they do so good-

every once and a while Nico can't resist a little lick.

Oh no winter....

2010-11-23T18:50:00.001-07:00

Don't worry Dilly I will get you a coat like this so you won't be so cold outside on your little belly

I should probably not get a pink one because I am sure Chris would just LOVE that

Love Em

2010-11-21T14:30:00.001-07:00

I love these

I have them in Red and recently got the Cranberry Wedges

Seriously comfy!

I could wear them everyday

I would love to get a pair of the boots- Christmas maybe?

I love the burlap ones too......

Homecoming

2010-11-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

today was my first day back to work

and thanks to the girls at work my day went much better than i had originally thought

thanks guys! really made my day!

Cruising

2010-11-13T16:37:00.001-07:00

Here are a few more great pictures that Chris got on his phone

All those vans are the press- it was pretty funny to see them all gathering on the pier as we were pulled in. We were driving on the bus on the way to our hotel and there were several cameras filming us as we passed by

Here you can see all the press again- its funny if you can see on the balconies of the hotel on the far left there are cameras- you can see the lights from their lighting

The group of people standing in the blue were just a few members of the Coast Guard that came to our aid. It was really cool as we pulled in everyone was clapping and cheering for them.

Our escort into the pier. We had constant surveillance from the Coast Guard. Wednesday evening we started getting close to land in Mexico and out of no where a little fishing boat was heading right for us. We were all laughing watching it coming full speed towards us then all the sudden a black hawk swoops in right above the boat and leads them away from us. It was so incredible to think that all these people were watching out for us.

Another view of the Tugs

Wow this video turned out REALLY small- but you can see all the action that was going on around us from the moment they arrived on Tuesday till we got into San Diego Thursday

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part V

2010-11-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

Land HO! San Diego was definitely my favorite port of the trip.....

The Chihuahua right outside our window. The Chihuahua arrived Tuesday afternoon and pulled the giant ship all by itself for nearly 9 hours at a very impressive 4 knots!

The Black Pearl Dining room turned into a buffet line for dinner. We had plenty of sandwiches, salads and melted ice cream.

I had no idea there was so many ways to prepare a "salad" with vinaigrette dressing. We had salads for every meal and very meager sandwiches witch often time only had two triangles of "wonder bread, mayo and a very minimal amount of "meat". There was one time where my brother in law Josh got a sandwich that had two pieces of bread, mayo and tuna about the amount of maybe a quarter. It was really funny because it pretty much summed up the food situation perfectly!

And the last few days we had trays of melted ice cream that had vanilla wafers and pieces of bread in it! (Hey you got to give it to them for at least being creative!)

The Chihuahua and the Shitzu tugging us to San Diego

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part IV

2010-11-13T16:03:00.001-07:00

This was the view from sitting on our bed in our room. The Helicopter made 20+ trips delivering 60 pallets of supplies to us. It took hours to deliver all the supplies even when the helicopter was going straight from the carrier to the ship and back.

The Helicopter coming in with a delivery

Anyone feeling sick?

(these were posted ALL over the ship- it wasn't till a few hours later someone corrected the "D" to a"T")

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part III

2010-11-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

The Chihuahua (the little TUG that could) has arrived! (only 8 hours later than expected!)

A member of the Coast Guard walking around the deck planning for the supply drop

Chris said he was trying to make a scared face.... Hmmm...

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part II

2010-11-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday the Coast Guard boats arrived

Tuesday the USS Ronald Reagan also arrived- it was so incredible to see it so close! Not many people get this thing live in action so it was so amazing to have it so close that we could see the men on deck and hear their PA system.

The Coast Guard boat, USS Ronald Reagan and the Coast Guard Raft with several members of the Coast Guard who came and actually boarded the ship

Carnival Cruise to No Where

2010-11-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few pics of our adventures aboard the Carnival Splendor

Our first rescue Helicopter. They arrived Tuesday and we pretty much had consistent watching eyes till we got to the port.

The Helicopter circled the ship many times to check and see that we were all ok and to survey the ship for the best drop zone for our food delivery

It had potential....

2010-11-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well... I'm sure many of you at this point have heard about the "Carnival Splendor" cruise ship this week in the news. Wouldn't you know it- that was the cruise we were on? Talk about luck....

In case you HADN'T heard for some STRANGE reason here are a few news stories about our trip that definitely had potential to be great but ended not so great.

MSNBC

NY Times

**Update**

Many people have been wondering what Carnival is doing for the guests for all this. I just wanted to let everyone know that despite the VERY unfortunate events that happened this week all I can say is- Hats off to Carnival and their staff and crew. They did an incredible job making the best of the situation that was handed to us. They refunded in full the cruise, put us up in the Sheraton in San Diego for one night, offered free meals in the hotel AND meal credits in the hotel restaurant, adjusted our flight information home (we were scheduled to fly out Sunday when the cruise was supposed to get back but they adjusted our flights to Friday), they gave us a free cruise and many, MANY apologies. Don't get me wrong it SUCKED pretty bad but I am so impressed by the crew that worked themselves into the ground to do the best they good to make the trip as good as possible.

I am still a little wary of the idea of going on another cruise- the Egberts are pretty much cursed when it comes to cruises- but we will see :)

Separation Anxiety

2010-11-03T20:15:00.001-06:00

While we go on vacation Zira will be staying with Chris' parents

and Nico will be staying here

Nico does not do well on her own-

she is VERY dependent on the little dilly so to practice being on her own

I took her and Zira together yesterday for a "practice run" at the "Lodge"

After much coaxing I was told Nico ended up doing OK and Zira was fine

which was kind of expected.

The "Lodge" called me this afternoon politely recommending that maybe

Nico come on her own tomorrow to give it another try on her own.

I am feeling some serious anxiety leaving my child on her own in a strange place-

we have never left Nico and so the thought of leaving her for 8 days

gives me serious anxiety.

I quickly realized that I may be the one with separation anxiety.

9 days

2010-10-28T19:45:00.000-06:00

Oh, I've missed you.

See you soon.......

Wait... What??

2010-10-28T19:37:00.000-06:00

Today we had our Halloween party at work today. Now..... I am not huge on dressing up or really the whole Halloween scene but I did decide to dress up. I decided to go as Wenda- Waldo's girlfriend. I quickly realized that many people do not know who Waldo is let alone his girlfriend Wenda

It killed me (and my co-workers) to hear all the many guesses as to who I was from everyone all day long-

Olive Oil

A Who

Cat in the Hat

Christmas Elf

Candy Cane (?!?)

So if you don't know who Wenda and Waldo are....

Check it out......

Silhouettes

2010-10-19T19:00:00.000-06:00

I was so excited to get the silhouettes framed that my friend Dani made for us. They turned out so good. Thanks so much Dani we love them!

Irrational Fears

2010-10-10T09:10:00.000-06:00

When we first got Nico her name was Sissy. We thought that was a pretty lame name so we re-named her Nico. It didn't take long after having Nico that we discovered why her name had been Sissy. She is afraid of EVERYTHING! Its funny sometimes, but other times its just flat out annoying.

For my birthday my friends decorated my desk at work and gave me two big mylar balloons, in addition to a ridiculous amount of tiny heart confetti (thank you Amanda). We celebrated my birthday on Wednesday because Chris and I took Thursday and Friday off together. Well I didn't want to leave my balloons there so I brought them home with me.

Nico had previously had a fear of latex balloons but got over it once they no longer floated. I thought that maybe Nico would appreciate the big balloons and Zira well she doesn't really care either way. The second I walked in the door with the balloons, Nico was TERRIFIED! I opened the door and both the Dilly's came running over to greet me as they always do. It took about 3 seconds for Nico to realize what the balloons were and she went running as fast as she could, tail between legs and cowering in the corner. After teasing Nico with it for a while we ended up tying it around her neck after she was being bad to punish her. It was pretty funny and we still don't understand why she is so terrified of them.

For now we have locked the balloons in the spare bedroom so that Nico doesn't just stay sitting in the corner all day. Even though the door is closed she still won't sit by the door and walks as far away from the door as possible.

The Funk

2010-10-03T13:02:00.000-06:00

I was doing so well for a while with blogging.... then the funk came...

We are all settled into our new apartment and I REALLY like it here. The movie theater is in our back yard, Target and Harmon's are less than 2 minutes away and Petco is within Dilly walking distance.

It's hard to deny that I am still bummed about our house. The bank officially took back possession 3 weeks ago and last Wednesday the house was auctioned off at the courthouse in Provo. A part of me really did want to go to the auction just to see what it was like.... but, in the end I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. So our house is no longer our house, and thats ok. One step closer to being done with this crappy 3 1/2 year phase of our lives. Hopefully within the next 6 months all this will be over.

Sorry for a kind of depressing post.... just needed to say it.....

New Favorite Picture

2010-10-03T12:52:00.001-06:00

I was trying to get a picture of Nico stretching while she was standing on the arm of the chair {it was really cute}but.... right as my camera went to take the picture, she yawned, and her true colors were revealed.

creepy....

Fall

2010-10-01T19:14:00.000-06:00

Typically I don't decorate for Fall much but this year I decided I wanted to make a wreath. And a wreath I made- all from scratch (scratch? wrong term maybe....) I started with a grapevine wreath and ended 1 hour later with this----- I was quite proud of my doing.

Can't wait till November for Christmas decorating....

NOW I remember

2010-08-31T19:15:00.000-06:00

Ever done something that immediately after you remember why you stopped doing it in the first place?

I had one of those moments last night- about 5 minutes after I got out of the shower and unwrapped the towel from my newly at home colored hair. I stood and stared in the mirror- and thought to myself THIS is why I stopped doing this.

It ended up being a lot less "dark reddish brown" and more..... Eggplant..... Yes it's purple.

Apparently my natural color did not want to take to the color and never fully processed. So now.... I am left with purple roots and an all over purple tint.

Definitely could be worse but I now remember why I stopped doing my color myself years ago. And if the crazy color didn't do it for me- the massive clean up that was required in the shower following the whole experience was another not so pleasant reminder.

So..... just call me Grimace.

The Great Debate

2010-08-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

A month or so ago you may remember that Chris and I decided Nico needed a new collar. She had just gotten her hair cut and so her neck was much skinnier than it had been when I bought her last one. Chris just CANNOT stand it that we have 2 girl dogs and refuses to allow Nico to have anything girlie because she is his buddy. He tells me I can buy whatever color collars and leashes for Zira {because she is my buddy} but for Nico it cannot be girlie. Originally when I was going to the store I thought " I am going to buy Nico the greatest pink collar and there won't be anything Chris can do about it! " {insert evil laugh here}

Well once I actually got to the store I just couldn't bring myself to get Nico a girlie collar. I just knew how upset Chris would be. I didn't want to just get an ugly black or brown one- so I decided on red. That seemed like a gender neutral enough choice. After looking around the store I finally ended up with this great collar. I was excited because I finally thought I had found the one we could both be happy with. I was so excited to get home with their newly made ID tags and give them their new collars.

Not more than 10 seconds after Chris walks in the door that night from work he exclaims in disgust "WHAT?! You got Nico a girlie collar??!" I was shocked. Never did I think red and BLUE would be considered to be girlie.

I feel thats it's a fairly gender neutral collar- Chris on the other hand will NOT be convinced- he thinks its as girlie as we can get without bright pink being on it.

So we need your help to settle this debate........

Girlie Or Not?

Big Day

2010-08-28T09:10:00.000-06:00

Today is a big day for us.

Today is the day that we are getting cable.

WHAT!? What's that you say?? Cable??!

Yes...

it has been 2 1/2 years since we have had cable

You know what too-

I don't really miss it

Although-

I am excited to watch new shows when they air

rather than waiting a day or two for Hulu to catch up

AND....

I am pretty excited to get my HGTV on again :)

Happy watching

Oh Dilly.....

2010-08-28T08:37:00.000-06:00

Oh I love my Dilly's

Shadow Puppets

2010-08-18T19:14:00.000-06:00

The other night Chris and I were laying in bed and for some reason I got out his reading book light to see what Nico was doing. She has never been afraid of the dark before but when I shined the light on her and shined it away- she got kind of nervous. Well we were shining the light all around and then we started making shadow puppets with our hands. It only took like 5 seconds of doing this for Nico to become COMPLETELY terrified! She jumped up onto the bed onto Chris' head and was whimpering. It was pretty funny but also SO sad! I hurried and switched the light off and we both pet her and tried to calm her down- but nothing worked! She was so scared and was the entire night!

It has been 2 nights since the shadow puppet debacle and she has been skiddish ever since. The poor thing is so scared even when its light outside.

We feel so bad- what did we do!?

(Nobody needs a 60 pound whimpering lap dog)

Introducing....

2010-08-18T18:58:00.000-06:00

Our New Place!

Sorry for the delay in pictures we've been busy

And.... we are saving up for a new bed so when we get it I will post pictures of our bedroom

Well.... thats pretty much it....

Our Bedroom consists of a mattress sitting on the floor

The Spare bedroom consists of scrapbooking and treadmill

and other than that.... well nothin much!

The Dog Park

2010-08-15T09:43:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was quite the busy day for me and the Dillys

The other day driving to work I discovered an off leash dog park-not too far from my office.I was SO excited! The Dilly's definitely do get more exercise here then they did at the house, but they don't get a whole lot of dog socialization.

When Chris and I were living in Pleasant Grove-there were a lot of people around in our neighborhood that would get together pretty much everyday and hang out. Zira LOVED it- the park where we all met was right outside our place and Zira would always run to the window to see if everyone was out there. It was really sad leaving all her friends behind and I have been so sad that we cant seem to find anyone here who has dogs that can play with Nico and Zira. Well..... yesterday we decided to go check out the park. I was really nervous because they haven't had a lot of dog socialization in a while and so I was worried when I pulled up and saw all the really big dogs hanging around the gate. When we got out of the car they were of course frantic- new places are always challenging. I got them on their leashes and through the gates into the fenced area. Instantly we got swarmed by a few big dogs (including a great dane and a boxer which Zira usually hates) I was so surprised that they did just fine! No barking, no growling nothing! I kept them on the leash and walked one lap around the park just to get used to things. I was scared that the second I took their leashes off they would be out of there and I would never be able to catch them again! So I finally decided to take their leashes off- at first they just stood there staring at me- like they knew it wasn't supposed to be like this.

Nico paused for a minute then ran off after a big group of dogs playing with a ball and Zira started running around on the grass. I felt like such a proud mother my children were out socializing and weren't the worst behaved there!

We ended up staying for over 2 hours. By the time we left most of the other dogs had gone too and when we got home it was all they could do to get to their beds and pass out. A successful outing- I can't wait to go there again!

We're Back

2010-08-11T21:14:00.000-06:00

We're Back

{I know there are so many of you that missed us so dearly!}

Its been a while since I have posted- busy cleaning and organizing (I love it)

I am really starting to feel settled and I am really liking it actually. I really did imagine that I would be much more upset about leaving our house to come to an apartment 1/3 the size. But I am actually really really happier here. I love organizing and decorating so its been fun to play around with everything. I definitely don't feel like everything is done but I feel like we are off to a good start.

Thank you to everyone for their support during this interesting time for us. It is definitely not over yet for us- but the light at the end of the tunnel keeps getting a little brighter....

Overall things seem to be improving for all of us and we are all much happier here.

I am going to continue to post more often- I kind of like chronicling our lives and being able to show everyone who we are.

I will be back tomorrow with some pictures of our new place and how things are coming along.....

The New Place

2010-08-11T20:59:00.001-06:00

TA DA!

No Just kidding-

I finally got the fish tank all together.

Benny and The Jets really do seem to be enjoying their new place

We had a little mishap with the first tub I ordered

{Doll House Porcelain tub (Object A) + Granite Counter (Hard Surface B)

+ too much force putting object A onto Surface B= Broken

D'oh! Thank goodness for Ebay!}

but now they are up and running!

Whenever I get remotely close to being down on the floor Nico just jumps all over me-

quite annoying

The Dilly's were having a great time while Chris is hanging up the TV mount

I will post pictures of the place tomorrow

I finally feel pretty settled in and most everything is put away

Done and Done

2010-08-01T08:05:00.000-06:00

We moved!!

Yay!

The house is still in a serious state of disarray-

but as soon as things get all put away

I will post pictures.

Thanks so much to everyone

who came and spent the day helping!

waiting game

2010-07-29T08:24:00.000-06:00

Well... we found a place

{I am trying not to get too excited about it}

We are now just waiting.....

Waiting for them to hear back from all our references.

They told me to switch all the utilities over to my name

and get rental insurance and a copy as proof to them-

that's a good sign right?

I am getting SO sick and tired of waiting

{I am very impatient.... at times}

Everything is ready to go....

Family is all on standby ready to come move

I'm ready now!

Summer Cuts

2010-07-28T08:33:00.000-06:00

We finally got the Dilly's their summer hair cuts- its been so hot in the house with no AC that Nico is shedding like crazy- I finally had enough!

Nico is loving it- I am sure she was burning up all the time before

I have to go buy her a new collar today because she lost so much fur that even on the smallest hole it almost slides off over her head!

(Chris usually monitors me when I buy new stuff for the Dillys- they are both girls so I also go for pink but Chris gets mad because he doesn't want to walk the dogs with pink leashes and collars- I am TOTALLY going to buy a pink one today- and by the time he gets home from work it will be too late because I will throw away the tags- HAHAHA!)

Zira looks so goofy- she had so many mats in her fur

I told them to just shave her

We call this look

Stranger Danger

Because she seriously looks like a completely different dog when she is shaved

Here she is after her haircut

And here is Zira shaggy before the hair cut

Don't tell me that doesn't look like two different dogs!

I prefer the before picture- I vow I will be better at taking them to the groomers so she doesn't get as many mats in her fur and we don't have Stranger Danger roaming around for a month.....

Four

2010-07-27T12:44:00.001-06:00

4 years

I really can't believe its been that long

although..... some days it feels like MUCH longer

Despite everything over the years

we've made it this far

Here's to many more.

{ and all of you that who I am sure are wondering-

no we are no having kids anytime soon

so don't worry about it.

You'll know when it happens.

Just thought I'd clear that up :) }

still?

2010-07-27T12:39:00.000-06:00

I kind of feel like the universe may have another plan for me other than what I think I am supposed to be doing. Actually I am quite sure of it.

Stay

or leave??

I really wish someone would just tell me already- I am getting SO sick of trying to guess

I always seem to guess wrong

still looking......

2010-07-25T09:49:00.000-06:00

the search is still on

(in more ways than one)

I am trying to leave all the boxes intact

but it gets really hard because

EVERYTHING is packed

Clothes, Makeup, Food, Dishes, Cleaning Supplies....

Literally everything- so I have to keep peeking in boxes

the hunt is still on-

Chris goes back to work tomorrow :(

{although it has been somewhat fun being together-

just no fun activities so that really put a damper on things}

We did find one potential place

{I LOVE IT- Chris- not so convinced}

It's at the top of our budget

but good location

{right where I wanted to be actually}

and its

new

CLEAN

for now we are still looking

that unit doesn't come available till Wednesday

so we are going to keep looking today

and hopefully decide by tomorrow

wish us luck.....

Moving Day!

2010-07-24T08:32:00.000-06:00

Moving day has come and gone

and

we have not moved.....

All our things are packed in boxes

All our food, clothes- EVERYTHING

You see- we went to go do the final walk through on our new place

and- it was FILTHY, DISGUSTING, SMELLY, DIRTY

NOT somewhere I was going to live

We first walked through the place well over a month ago

somewhere between then and 2 days ago--

EWWWW

The landlord tried to get it cleaned up

its a lost cause- there is no amount of cleaning to get that cleaned

So.......

the search is on (again)

We are entirely packed

Chris has to go back to work Monday

We spent all day yesterday searching

Everything is dirty!

I mean yes I am a fairly clean person

but I mean COME ON!

JUST CLEAN THE PLACE UP!

We went through at least 4 places that we couldn't get out of fast enough!

A few others that just won't work for us.....

and back at square one.....

So we must find a place

(like today!)

So please if you know of somewhere

CLEAN

{ and allows doggies :) }

Please email me!

We are going to be searching all day today

and we really need to find something!

shalane.egbert@gmail.com

May the force be with us.....

{ before we kill something or each other }

feeling tired

2010-07-20T19:55:00.001-06:00

Packing/Organizing/Cleaning

takes it out of you.

but I tell you when its 87 degrees in the house

Well.... it sucks

I feel like I am going at a snails pace today

Luckily my mom, mother in law and Lisa (sister in law)

are gracious enough to come over to the hot box

on Thursday and help finish it all up

Poor Dilly's- I think they are dying of heat exhaustion

All they do is lay on the tile

Occasionally I spray them with water to cool them off

they aren't so convinced that I am helping when I do that.....

Good thing I have a week off work-

its going to take that long to recover

KSL

2010-07-18T09:48:00.001-06:00

At about 5:00 yesterday it reached 91 degrees in the house

It was seriously unbearable!

Both the dogs were getting over heated and throwing up-

it was so sad!

So me and the Dilly's packed into the car

for a drive with some A/C!

We drove around for about an hour

with the A/C on full blast.

By the time Chris got home from work-

both the Dilly's were on the verge of heat exhaustion-

and as for me- well I was in less than a good mood.

(fun site to come home to)

So we took to KSL to get a portable A/C unit-

I know you are probably thinking-

why not just get the A/C fixed?

Well our thinking was-

It's 7:00 on a Saturday night,

chances are we will have to pay extra

for someone to come out and look at it,

(Chris came to the conclusion that the fan was broken??)

Service Call, Parts, Labor- upwards $300 ish?

So we decided if we are going to spend the money-

why not spend it on something that we can take with us?

So we found us an A/C unit on KSL

for half of what we probably would have paid to fix our unit.

So now we are loving the A/C.

We have barricaded ourselves in our Bedroom

with our cold air-it's so nice.

The Dilly's are loving it too.

Thanks KSL for another successful purchase

yuck....

2010-07-17T13:59:00.000-06:00

I don't even like being outside when it's 87 degrees.....

a night at the park

2010-07-16T16:05:00.000-06:00

Lanie: "Oh good Honey, I put my camera in my bag to take some pictures on our walk."

Chris: "Oh ok"

*click*

Lanie: "Hmm, I really do not know how to use this camera. I can't ever get a good picutre- there are like 1800 different settings to choose from how am I supposed to know which one is best??"

Chris: "Just try taking the flash off, thats what your problem is"

Lanie: "Oh ok, oh right here ok perfect"

Chris: "And don't zoom in so much"

*click*

Lanie: "Dang- still no good"

Chris: "Try a different setting"

Lanie fiddles with camera, finally finding the "Outdoor" setting

*click*

Chris: "You turned the flash on again- here let me do it"

Lanie hands camera to Chris

Chris proceeds to fiddle with settings for a few minutes.......

Chris gives camera back to Lanie

Chris: "Ok now try it"

*click*

Lanie: "Its still not working....."

Chris: "Well stop zooming in, and (!?!) the flash is on again- what did you do??"

Lanie: "I don't know- I just want to take pictures"

Chris: "Here, I will do it"

*click*

Chris: "Let's just remember our memories ok??"

Lanie: "Ok"

officially done

2010-07-13T20:37:00.000-06:00

ITS TOO DANG HOT!

No A/C.

Even when I come home and turn the fans on and open the windows....

its hours before it cools down

Last night I swear even at midnight I was STILL dying....

I keep telling myself

10 more days.....

It's starting to make me have serious anxiety about the whole thing....

eeeks....

I knew the day would always come that we would eventually leave

I guess I just didn't think it would ever really come I guess.

Oh well.... I'm on temporary strike from packing.

I keep looking around the house and thinking

"Oh, now that would look really cool

smashing to the ground if I threw it out the upstairs window-

I wonder what it would really look like...."

stink be gone......

2010-07-10T15:30:00.000-06:00

there isn't really a lot I can say about this

a friend told me about it a few months ago- at first I laughed

I couldn't imagine that someone actually thought this up!

seriously- check it out

I got some a few weeks ago

no joke its works!

Benny and the Jets

2010-07-09T21:24:00.000-06:00

A while ago I got fish.

I don't really know why- just had a sudden urge to have fish.

It was almost like some sort of weird peer pressure

A lot of people at work have fish on their desks- so I decided I wanted some.

The first batch.... well.... we will leave it at "the first batch"

BUT

the second round has been much better- who knew paying $2 for fish got you a much more resilient fish! I have a little goldfish and a black moor. They seemed to do just great on my desk and they even survived the long weekend with no food (I know! it's sad!) At first it was great- they would just swim around and eat and it was quite entertaining watching them on long phone calls. I hadn't named them in fear their fate would be the same as Fat Fred and Gob their long lost relatives. But one day Telden (my brother) decided they need a name. So after much contemplation (not really- I was shocked even at how quickly he got the idea) the name was decided. My goldfish would be "Benny" and the moor would be "the Jets".

Everything was great at first! But after a while I couldn't stay on top of keeping their bowl clean! I can barely get MOST of my work done in a week let alone clean a fish bowl. So I decided Benny and the Jets needed to move home. My mom and I went to Petsmart and picked them up a fancy new fish tank with a handy cleaning filter (yay!). I have been staring at the tank for, oh, a week now trying to decide how to jazz it up a bit so that they can have a fun new home (since right now they are living in tupperware on the counter)

Well I finally found what I am looking for! Furniture- yes thats right furniture. I just got it ordered. It should be here from Great Britain in 2 weeks (they will just have to live without any furniture for a while). I also got some great "wallpaper" (scrapbook paper) to attach to the back of the tank and some great rocks to liven the place up.

I will post pictures as soon as I get it all together!

(I know random- I get bored at night while Chris is at work and lets face it decorating a fish tank- AWESOME)

cake pops- addendum

2010-07-09T21:19:00.000-06:00

OK- so I pretty much have problems with the whole getting my hands dirty. No really, I avoid it at all costs. I approach pretty much any "finger food" with the two finger approach, only using the 2nd hand when absolutely necessary. I don't know why- I just do. And (as most of the Egbert's I'm sure have learned by now) I ALWAYS have to have a napkin- I also do not know why but it's like my security blanket- JUST in case my fingers get dirty.

Any who- I have made cake pops twice now and both times I have just dug right in and used my hands. Yes- it works. But I am also wondering if any one else knows of a different method? I just use my hands to mix them all up and then form them together.

I was pretty much hating it the entire time- yes they are good and yes it's worth it in the end.

BUT- there has got to be another way!

cake pops and plastic totes

2010-07-09T19:37:00.000-06:00

Its another exciting evening in the Egbert house.....

Making cake pops for a bridal shower tomorrow

and thinking about packing more totes

I am starting to get to the point where I just want to throw everything into s stupid box

BUT- I am determined to be organized and not be kicking myself once we move

Honestly, I am starting to get REAL tired of it. I don't think that it has really been till like this week that I have really started to get tired of the boxes- I mean that pile has been in there since NOVEMBER. For real.

But for the sake of my OCD I will continue to sort, clean and pack my totes.

13 more days.....

I keep getting more and more excited to move which I am glad because I was worried that at this point is when the like depression would kick in- thank goodness it's summer or else I don't know how I would feel about it if it was dreary winter.

In the end it is still pretty sucky though, I keep seeing all these people buying houses or looking around for new houses and THAT makes me a little bummed- seeing we had/have a perfectly great house......

I haven't really gone into the details too much around here (mostly because I don't think that Chris would be very happy with it, because it....sucks) but I kind of feel like who cares anymore you know? Crap happens AND it wasn't our fault.

Wrong place at the wrong time.

Wrong industry to have a job in at the wrong time.

Bad timing.

BAD economy.

BAD.BAD.BAD.

Just bad all around.....

Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't.

But you know, despite the fact that after 3 1/2 years of fighting and giving up (nearly) everything we have for a house (a THING) that we really could/can live without.

I literally cannot imagine life without these experiences.

Someone once told me-

"most people say Trials Build Character- but thats really not how it goes-

Trials actually REVEAL the character that we didn't know we had"

That has really stuck with me.

As many times as we wanted to give up and stop fighting we really didn't.

I would never go back and change the past, I never would trade it for anything. It's been hard, DON'T get me wrong- but I am happy for what we have become together and all the many experiences we have gained from this.

It will take along time for us for this to finally be all behind us and I honestly can't imagine life without that added stress.

Most importantly I take away from all of this-

I have learned everything that I can live my life without and finally learned what was most important to me- and what I really needed.

the buzzer is ringing- time to cake pop it up.....

4th

2010-07-06T18:31:00.000-06:00

I will start by saying

I AM AWFUL AT TAKING PICTURES

I think it stems from the fact that my (wonderful) husband

has a seriously inability to take a "decent" picture

We had a good 4th (5th) though! Chris was able to get the day off which was great!

We did the usual parade with the Wisemans- which is always fun! Even though I must say this year- the parade- not so great. But we still had fun!

The 4th was also Zira's birthday!

Oh our little Dilly is getting so old- 4 years now!

I cannot believe that we have had her that long now!

Happy Birthday Dilly

Little Zira in our first apartment- 6 months old!

How cute! I miss this little puppy!

speaking of......

2010-07-04T19:14:00.000-06:00

speaking of goodies

I just found this recipe

I am a sucker for cupcakes

I think I will try these out next week

S'mores Cupcakes

cake pops

2010-07-04T19:03:00.000-06:00

My sister in law introduced me to these

I am in the process of making my first ones right now

I got my recipe from this site-

which is now one of my favorites

for all sorts of great goodies!

I am using Devils Food Cake mix

and Cream Cheese frosting

and dip in chocolate

Yummy!

lonely little blog

2010-07-03T19:26:00.001-06:00

I feel like our blog is probably pretty lonely. Some people may stop by and see it but for the most part its pretty quiet around here. Thats just how we are I guess. The last while has been challenging and we haven't had a lot of time to socialize with old friends and unfortunately some of them have probably gone. Truth be told I think we've just been waiting and time keeps passing by. I am feeling better and better as the move approaches and this beautiful house that we have lived in (enjoyed MOST of the time) has been such an incredible learning experience. I will share have to share the story another time as it is quite long and I know many of you do not know the details but I am sure many could guess just by reading back a while.

So for those of you who visit thanks! let us know so we can come visit you :)

3 weeks

2010-07-03T19:24:00.000-06:00

in 3 weeks from now

we will be moving

I am really getting excited now

and I am ready for the next chapter

SLANY

2010-06-30T20:43:00.000-06:00

ever wonder what your name would be if you were

a piece of furniture from Ikea?

wonder no more.....

Swedish Furniture Name Generator

for a good laugh

2010-06-26T08:04:00.001-06:00

Catalog Living

it gets me every time

eclipse

2010-06-24T18:16:00.001-06:00

Another pic of the food spread- which was so good!

these are the test tubes we had as seen above in the white bowl

each tube was filled with blood (pomegranate juice) and labeled by specimen :)

The gift bag table

we had nail polish, lip gloss and necklaces to wear for the night

Here are the necklaces I put together (thanks to Lisa's help)

they were double sided so people could choose their team

thanks to everyone who helped out to make it such a success!

eclipse party peek

2010-06-22T17:05:00.001-06:00

thanks to Brooke I got a few pictures of the party on Friday

more to come soon.....

Busy Weekend

2010-06-20T10:24:00.000-06:00

In addition to the party Friday night- I spent Saturday at Lagoon

I hadn't been to Lagoon in years- but we had so much fun!

I went with two friends from work and we spent the WHOLE day there

by the time we left we were walking so slow to the car.

At Lagoon they have the Sky Coaster which is the one they strap you into a harness, then strap you to each other and pull you up really high up a tower and you have to pull a rip cord to release once you get to the top. I had no intention of doing it when we got there, but my friend Kristina really wanted to do it and so finally I gave in.

We had to wait for 30 minutes in line then another 10 minutes after we got suited up. By that time we were both really really nervous (note: I was nervous the ENTIRE time).

Overall I am so glad I did it. It was so much fun. Kristal wasn't into it so she stayed on the ground and ate ice cream and watched us scream our heads off.

Here are a few pics

I especially love this one- We were flying by so fast it was hard to get a good picture

eclipse party

2010-06-20T10:21:00.000-06:00

Well I must say- the party turned out to be quite a good success.

I didn't take a lot of pictures on my camera

(and the ones I did get were blurry-

someone please teach me how to use my camera

because I can't ever get good picture!)

but my mom got some good ones

so I need to gather them from her and

I will post some pictures maybe tonight.

Thanks to all who came and I hope you had a good time!

favorites

2010-06-13T12:44:00.001-06:00

I love searching the internet for cool new things

Lately I have found some great websites thought I would share-

Land of Nod

Sister store to two of my favorite sites CB2 and Crate and Barrel

Its pretty much a kids store with lots of cool stuff

I really love all the storage containers- but if you have kids check it out!

Save On Crafts

In preparation for my eclipse party I searched the internet

for good deals on decorating and craft supplies

this site is great! I ordered quite a few things from this site within

recent weeks. And when I received an item that was broken- I simply

called them up and I had my replacement (FREE!) within 2 days!

Umbra

I love organization stuff and they have such great funky stuff!

I especially love the grassy organizer- I totally am going to get that!

Halo Heaven

A friend told me about this site last night- must see if you have a little girl!

Seriously incredible deals- makes me ALMOST

(keyword-ALMOST) excited to have a little girl.

(but not that excited to actually pursue it-

all I can say is Steph it better be a girl!)

Real Simple

My all time favorite Magazine- made into a

most wonderful website of anything you need to know! :)

My favorites are the new uses for old things-

its the greatest!

Hostess with the Mostess

If you are looking to plan a party

this is a go-to site!

So may great idea for any occasion!

The Container Store

I love organizing and cleaning

so it pretty much goes without saying

that this site is the greatest!

E.L.F.

Inexpensive, good makeup

Don't really need to say more.....

Check out these sites- and if you have

any favorites please leave them in a comment

I am always looking for new cool sites!

Happy Shopping!

House Hunters

2010-06-12T08:54:00.000-06:00

We found a place!

Nothing too fantastic

but it will suit our needs

(and our budget)

at least for the next year.

It's a townhouse in Draper.

I am quite worried

if all of our stuff is going to fit.

Stay tuned for the

Egbert Liquidation Sale

before we move next month.

Air Conditioning

2010-06-07T19:19:00.000-06:00

Can I just tell you how grateful I am for air conditioning?

Since day 1 ours has been, well lets say,

not quite as great as it should be for the money that was spent.

It mostly just blows "cool-ish" air around and not very well even at that.

I don't know what happened but I just turned it on

and it is blowing COLD air not just air.

Hallelujah.

We are currently dropping down from the 81 degrees it was when I got home

to a much more comfortable 74

YAY!

Let's all hope this is not just a one time thing......

early

2010-06-06T07:14:00.000-06:00

it's 7:00 on a sunday.

I would really like to be sleeping right now- but alas the dilly's needed their potty break.

weekends are always a bit of a challenge since the usual 5 am get up and go turns into 7 or 8 on the weekends. I've been up now for oh, half hour and they have been in and out 3 times already. Nico is currently trying to get to the neighbors new sprinklers (sorry guys!) with no success and so she is getting quite frustrated. Zira is just sitting on the porch waiting for the sun to come so she can lay in the corner and bask in its rays.

i've been looking for a place for us to live with really no success. It is getting quite annoying really. all i really want is a place of our own we can decorate and paint and have a yard. I would even settle for not being able to paint just a yard with a fence for the dilly's. I guess it may be just too much to ask for. it's funny- we live in a house now that we built, we designed, we paid for (most) of the things in here and yet- it feels like someone else's. in the year and a half that we have been here i have on many occasions wanted to paint a room, do something fun, but never felt like i could or should. it's weird. i guess that is a big reason we are so excited to get going to our new adventures. as i continue to look for a house it mostly just makes me more annoyed i am packing with no particular place in mind.

we are looking to go north (not to far, just closer to my work perhaps). we want a place with a yard and a fence, it doesn't need to be anything huge, just enough for the dilly's to stretch their legs. i'd love a basement for storage (of our 50 currently packed boxes i'd say about 1/3 is decorations i cant bare to separate with). 3 bedrooms would do if no basement, the 3rd could be for storage. besides that we aren't too picky, nothing dilapidated or too old, but having handy chris around sometimes works in our favor with landlords. we have the ability to fix things up and have in the past been able to take the expenses out of our rent.

blah blah blah

ready to move.....

carpets and chew sticks

2010-06-05T11:08:00.000-06:00

we got our carpets cleaned this morning yay!

I found a coupon in the val-pak for a great deal

and couldn't resist!

it almost didn't happen though-

stupid eagle mountain shut down the road to our house for a parade-

(mind you there isn't really ANY quick way to our house

its just the ONLY convenient way)

poor carpet cleaning guy got stuck

but after a little convincing got a police escort all the way

up to our neighborhood on the parade route

(we laughed about that for a while)

it smells so good- I love clean carpets.

I had to create a dilly barricade so the carpets could dry

they are hating it.

they can't wait to get in there and dilly it up

I tried giving them chew sticks

thought maybe they would forget about the pain

of not being able to run around on the clean carpets

It didnt........

Zira posted up on the rug by the back door

Nico was very upset to find her there already-

She finally made due with the landing

but didn't like it when i left her there alone

so finally i put a blanket down in the kitchen

she ran right over plopped down and ate her chew stick in a few bites

Zira meanwhile is still enjoying hers

As soon as they were both done

they went right back to whining by the barricade

I guess thats what I get.....

packing

2010-06-05T08:11:00.000-06:00

month 6

You may think-

"you've been packing for 6 months? shouldn't you be done by now?"

I literally started packing before Christmas last year

and I am still going at it.

it's been quite nice actually going slow and really organizing everything.

for the first move ever (this will be move 5 for us)

I am sure that when we do get where ever we are going-

we will be able to find anything we need.

I am also determined to not pack anything up and bring it with me

that I don't actually want or need.

I can't even count how many boxes I have taken to DI at this point

or the countless items I have given away

that I have been packing up and moving with us for the last 4 years.

for every 2 boxes i pack-

I try to get one box of "give away"

so far it's going really well.

box count:

I think I need to go get more boxes.......

can't wait

2010-06-02T20:30:00.000-06:00

just got our tickets today

I'm so excited!

funny

2010-06-02T20:00:00.001-06:00

ever have those days that everything just seems funny?

I saw a guy running (not jogging or walking but RUNNING)

in basketball shorts, polo shirt and flip flops (what? really?)

I couldn't help but just burst out laughing

after a long day it was just what I needed.

and then there was the guy at the drive up window who was able to throw out

Babe

Beautiful

Darling

Sweetie

and

Sweetheart

in a conversation with me that lasted less than 1 minute.

just because you hand me my food

that doesn't entitle you to talk to me like your girlfriend

weird.... but still made me laugh after I pulled away.

2010-05-31T15:36:00.000-06:00

ever feel like there is always someone watchin you?

I do.....

Another one bites the dust....

2010-05-23T11:17:00.000-06:00

This "indestructible" toy lasted less than a week

he held up a good fight lasting days longer then most other toys

if anyone knows where to find good, lasting dog toys let me know!

Its Official!

2010-05-22T14:26:00.001-06:00

We are moving!!

We don't know where to yet but-

if anyone knows of a place let us know!

stay tuned because we are starting the countdown......

Lazy Saturday

2010-05-22T14:17:00.001-06:00

Bunco

2010-05-22T13:05:00.001-06:00

Here is a sneak peek of what is to come for my Bunco party next month

I decided to do the theme for Eclipse since the movie is coming out the end of next month and since I have all the stuff from the New Moon party last year.

Here are the invitations I made for the party......

c & l

December

the socks

Tis the season

The Re-do

freako

Colorado

that face

6 days

neglect

55 days

sure miss them

thinking back

what is done is done

Weekend Update

*moving update*

moving

lets go to the amazon...

Whole lot of nothin.....

karma chameleon

terrarium

DIY Lamp

Honey the Horticulturist

Check us out!

We're still here!

Booked

Really?

Browsing

Christmas 2010

its coming.

That's right- get out of here

Pocket Full Of Sunshine

Oh Christmas Tree....

Picture of the Week

Oh no winter....

Love Em

Homecoming

Cruising

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part V

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part IV

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part III

Carnival Cruise to No Where Part II

Carnival Cruise to No Where

It had potential....

Separation Anxiety

9 days

Wait... What??

Silhouettes

Irrational Fears

The Funk

New Favorite Picture

Fall

NOW I remember

The Great Debate

Big Day

Oh Dilly.....

Shadow Puppets

Introducing....

The Dog Park

We're Back

The New Place

Done and Done

waiting game

Summer Cuts

Four

still?

still looking......

Moving Day!

feeling tired

KSL

yuck....

a night at the park

officially done

stink be gone......

Benny and the Jets

cake pops- addendum

cake pops and plastic totes

4th

speaking of......

cake pops

moving update