Crazy Beautiful Life!

 Here is my re-cap of the last month of our crazy crazy life. On June 29th Alex and I got to go pick up Andrew after his month at officers training. We missed him so so so much!

Alex was so so so excited, can't you tell?

These two were so happy to be to gether again, they are best buds.

 Once Andrew came home we had two and a half weeks before the move so we made the most of our time in Cedar. We hung out with family lots and lots. We also got a new camera so we can take pictures again! YAY!!

Parker participated in a youth rodeo. We have a video of his steer ride but I'm not posting it because... lets just say it ended pretty badly. Parker had a perfect hoof print on his back following the ordeal.

We got rained out so we only stayed for the first two events, but it was a good time.

We attended the annual July Jamboree and car show.

 Alex liked looking at the cars but I think he likes people watching even more.

Alex chose this place to sit throughout the walk up and down main street.

Andrew's whole family got together for a little reunion, plus baby blessing, plus missionary send off.
It was so great to get to spend time with everyone. Some of the highlights were, temple trip with Andrew's oldest nephew Jordan, he loves that kid, Olive Garden, scavenger hunt and pinata for the kids and a day at the Cedar City reservoir for swimming, playing in the mud and a free kayak rental.

It was great being with family and with Andrew's family and my family helping us move our stuff out of our place, not to mention helping to clean the whole house, things went so quickly and were way less stressful than I was planning on. Thanks so much everybody!!!!! I don't know what we would have done without you all!

Our last hoorah in Cedar City was cute little Kynlee's first birthday party! I sure miss that little girl!

Kynlee started out by just wiping frosting on the floor, Alex decided they needed spoons to help them and he fed Kynlee more than he ate himself. Silly boy.

We are now busy settling into our new lives in Colorado, stay tuned for a post on unpacking and a White Coat Ceremony and life for Student Doctor Andrew Alton.

Moon House and trip to Moab

The day that Andrew left for training I hitched a ride down to Moab with Lindsay and Carson so I could spend a week hanging with them and my dad. It was nice to not be alone for a while during the time that Andrew is gone. We picnicked at the park and played in the sandbox and had a good time. For our Saturday activity we headed to some Indian Ruins called Moon House. It was a fun hike and the ruins were way interesting.

 There were dots like the ones behind us all over, they were counting something.

 More dots. This room also has a full moon and a crescent moon within that white stripe, but you can't see them in the picture.

 The doorways had rock decoration above them. A woman's touch?

 Such a cute kid!

 Alex loved running around and looking in the rooms with the flashlights. He was pretty nice the whole day even though we didn't get to go home until later in the evening because we ended up helping a woman find her 74  year old husband who had gotten lost that morning. He ended up hiking almost ten miles just trying to find the trail to get out of the canyon. Carson and his dad and my dad were the heroes of the day cause they found him and helped him get back to his wife. We ended the day with milkshakes. What a fun week at Grandpa's!

Kolob Reservoir

I'm a little behind but last month we went camping with Lindsay and Carson and Kynlee up at Kolob Reservoir.

 My two boys love camping! Alex loves running around and he loves to get dirty. Here he is having his first s'more, usually he just takes a bite out of most of the marshmallows in the bag before ever getting to the real treat.

 Ales showing us his muddy pjs.

 Alex loved playing in the tent, especially Lindsay and Carson's tent, he didn't like the tent when it was time to go to bed. He ended up sleeping way better than I did though.

 The pretty lake. We decided to walk around the whole thing, that ended up being about 5 miles. Alex loves the child carrier that mom and dad took turns carrying him in and he even got to take a little nap while the rest of us got our exercise. The worst part of the the trip were the mosquitos that tried to eat us alive, there were huge swarms of them all around the lake.
I love that camping makes Andrew so happy, sadly he didn't end up in any of the pictures. Last summer we didn't really get to go so we made sure to get some camping trips in before Andrew had to leave for Officers Training.

May Pinterest Challenge

 I thought the Pinterest Challenge for May was a huge success! Andrew didn't work much after graduation so I had lots of time to try new recipes and, which is mostly what I did. I attempted more crafts than I was able to finish so they will have to be featured some other time.

 This was my Mother's Day outfit inspired by this outfit. 

 I made Andrew these gifts for our anniversary after finding the pictures that you can see above.

I made corn dogs for dinner one night, I thought  they sounded so yummy and then when I made them, I remembered I am not a big fan of corn dogs, Andrew loved them though. I got the recipe here. As we were frying we decided to fry some other things as well, you know carrots and cheese, we almost did Oreos, but I was feeling too gross by then. 

This may be my new favorite dessert. It was so so so yummy!!!

 I've always wanted to try a crockpot breakfast casserole and, this one was so so so great. I only made half of the recipe and we had leftovers.

 I'm always willing to try new cookie recipes, this one was tasty, but it is one that requires you to chill the dough, so it for those times when you think "I'll be in the mood for cookies tomorrow," you know, if that ever happens to you.

Along with trying lots of recipes and attempting a few crafts over the last couple of weeks, I also (with some help from Alex) sent my camera through the washer, so yeah, some of these pictures are not my own. This smoothie was really yummy though and it was so great to have something other than the same old smoothie I make most mornings.

Maybe next time I do a challenge I will try some of the workouts instead of only recipes. But I did end up feeling super productive after completing all of these pins.

Graduation!!!

 My wonderful hubby graduated last weekend. After 5 1/2 years of taking classes at SUU he is finally ready to take the next step in his education journey. Andrew has worked full time almost the whole time he has been in school, he has also had a wife for the past 5 years and sweet handful of a little boy for 2 years. He has served in a bishopric and volunteered at the hospital and spent time job shadowing and doing research and devoted countless hours to service. Not to mention helping me out with any little project I came up with.  Amidst all of that he earned his bachelors degree in Chemistry, which is pretty much the hardest subject I can think of taking (I only made it through half of a chemistry class before facing the reality of the difficulty). I am so so proud of my wonderful husband. Good job Andrew!!

 Andrew, Carson and Zach!!

The support crew!!!!!! Megan, Lindsay and Courtney!

Pinterest Challenge!

Since being introduced to Pinterest I have spent a lot of time creating boards and pinning recipes and  crafts and cleaning tips and exercise routines and much more. I occasionally try a recipe or make a fun craft or gift, but I don't think the time equals out. This is a way for me to hopefully invest my time better.  I also don't want Pinterest to be a way for me to envy others and their great style, and beautiful homes and their wonderful talents, thus making me feel bad about myself. I want it to be a tool for helping me better myself and my home and family.

So here is my Pinterest challenge!!! My sister is doing it with me and anyone else who wants to try it. You choose 7 pins (or more if you want) and try to accomplish them in two weeks. This can be making a new recipe, trying a new work-out or even just wearing an outfit, anything will work as long as the inspiration comes from one of your pins on Pinterest. Document your efforts and blog about them after the two weeks. I'm excited to see everyone's posts!!

Crafting Bug!

I've had a major crafting itch lately, some of these I finished a while ago, but I am just getting around to posting them.

 Recipe holder I've been meaning to make for years. I love it!

It looks so cute on my messy counter (that I was apparently too lazy to clean off in order to take a picture).

Scarf and necklace holder that Andrew decided needed to be a shelf as well, he is great that way, now it is even more functional.

Two maxi skirts that I made myself last week. I LOVE them and they are way easy to make. I made one for Lindsay last week too and it only took me about 45 minutes. That included having to clean up after Alex a couple of times and picking out one seam because little hands changed the setting on my sewing machine. If you want one, or want help making one just let me know!

I still have the itch and lots of projects in mind so I'm hoping I can get a lot done in the next little while and hopefully get them on the blog.

Second Lieutenant Andrew Alton

Wendell wore his Air Force cap and you can see his flag in the background

Sorry the pictures are blurry, we didn't remember to take our camera so Andrew's Uncle Kelly took these on his phone for us.

Anyway, Andrew was commissioned into the Air Force last week by his grandpa Knudsen. It was such a special experience for us. You could tell Wendell was so excited to get to be a part of it and he was way emotional. He gave Andrew his Second Lieutenant bar, so that is what you see me pinning on him above.

We're excited for the next phase in our life, Andrew will go to officers training throughout June then we are off to Colorado and Medical school at Rocky Vista in July. Wish us luck!

Happy Easter!

 

Happy Easter! What a wondeful time of year! I always think my favorite time of year is Christmas and I love the snow but there's something about the newness of spring that makes me giddy :-) I'm at SUU right now, ready for a day of study but I wanted to take a minute and give thanks for the most important things in my life.

Most importantly, I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus the Christ. He lived a perfect life. The only being capable of doing so in the history of this earth. I know he truly lived, and that what we see now is not some exaggeration or myth of a mortal man that was good or even great. He is the son of God. He came to give everything for us. He succeeded in providing all of us here on Earth with the opportunity to change. Because of Him we can overcome our selfish and carnal wants and desires in order to live a better way. His way. Through his gift of the atonement we can become more like him each day, until one day we find ourselves bowing before his feet.

 It is my deepest desire that he will look upon me and say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I know he lives again. I know he loves me and everyone you and I know. And he always will. If we go to Him, He will see us though any pain or trial. Just as he came forth from the tomb, overcoming death itself, so can he bring us through whatever we need to experience to learn of Him and his ways, renewed in Him and ready for the next steps in our path back home.

 Next, I'm grateful for my beautiful bride! I know that through the power of God my wife and I have been joined not only in this life, but for all eternity. We have an enduring love that will carry on beyond the grave and no matter what happens, I know I will always love her. I know her. She is good and caring. I see her dedication to strengthening her relationship with God each day and I appreciate how she considers the needs of others around her. She points things out to me I never would have considered, and yet, which seem the most obvious and worthy options. She is a great wife and companion and a wonderful mother. It kind of blows me away how I can still look at her or watch her walk into a room and get butterflies. I love her so much! Thanks for being so great, Megan!

 I am so grateful for my little buddy! Being a father is somewhat like I expected, but I couldn't understand the depth of love I'd feel for this little guy until he arrived. For any doubters that say parenting is lame or life more "fun" without kids have no idea what life is all about. It is so amazing to take part in shaping this little guy as he grows. I love the things he says and the funny things he does. He loves his mom so much! He insists on giving her hugs and kisses often, sometimes for no obvious reason. A lot of times he'll look at her with a grin on his face and just giggle, and he loves to see Megan and I hugging. He giggles then too and usually runs up and asks to join in on the hug with the two of us!

 There is so much more in my life for which to be happy, but this post is already much longer than I originally planned so I'll just thank my wonderful family, friends, and everyone in between for being there for Meg and I. We love you guys!

Now, on to the Easter festivities!

 

We came downstairs first thing Easter morning to find a basket from the Easter Bunny! He loves Thomas the train and was happy to play with the book all morning (it makes fun sounds). Being a huge marshmallow fan, he immediately wanted to eat the frog on a stick.

 There was an Easter Egg hunt Saturday morning. Alex enjoyed putting eggs in the basket but he quickly became more interested by all the kids (and the parents) packed into such a small space and running around like crazy people scooping up eggs. He only ended up with seven eggs but he enjoyed himself and he got to meet the Easter bunny and even give him a high-five!

  Easter afternoon Alex and Mom went for a walk while Dad had the Easter Bunny come place some eggs for Alex to find. The city egg hunt was fun but the most of the parents went a little crazy and made it last about 30 seconds so this was a nice chance for Alex to take his time and enjoy the hunt. He liked finding the eggs, but his favorite part was definitely opening the eggs to find CANDY!!!




We also made cookies in celebration of the holiday. Alex is such a big help in the kitchen!

Here are some of the cookies. The ones that look good are Megan and Lindsay's. I frosted some also and Alex helped eat them!

Happy Easter! I feel so fortunate to have spent this holiday with my two favorite people!