HUBBY TAG

SORRY I look like a dork in the pic.

Well I have been tagged by a few different people. I think I have done this before, but I can't remember and so I figure you probably don't either:) so here it goes!

Where we met: This is an interesting one:) James used to hang out w/ my sister (Kati) well maybe he dated her, I can't remember and we just don't talk about it as you can imagine it's kinda a crazy situation. LOL So any how after he got home off his mission we got reacquainted @ Taco Time!

How long we dated before we got hitched: We started dating/hanging out in June 1995 and got engaged on November 4, 1995 and got married March 15, 1996. So you can do the math:)

How long have we been married: It will be 13 yrs. on March 15th and we have been sealed together for for 10yrs. on September 25th.

What's my favorite feature about him: James has beautiful BIG brown eyes w/ super long eye lashes:)

What is my favorite quality about him: James has very many wonderful qualities, but the one that I admire most is that he is VERY easy going and does not get angry or worked up very easily. Which works wonders for us cause I'm kinda high strung and have just a lil temper:) LOL

What is his nickname for you: BABE! and I love it cause now Kobe even calls me BABE:) so cute!

His favorite Color: BLUE

His favorite food: TACOS and not mine:) LOL his moms are so much better! he has even told me that WTH? who says that?

His favorite sport: FOOTBALL/REDSKINS all the way!

Who said the L word first: I honestly can't remember, but I'll say him:)

Favorite couple thing to do: Well that's kind of a crazy question:) j/k LOL We love going on little weekend get aways w/ our friends.

How many kids: 2 James would love more, but I told him they will have to come from someone else:) but I think for now we are both happy w/ the 2 little cuties we have!

His hidden talent: He's an "EXTREME" snowmobiler:) LOL James is an amazing man and has tons of talents.

His age: let me get my calculator for this one I never get it right, he will be 36 on November 22nd. WOW he is OLD:)

His favorite music: He loves music, he'd rather buy a CD than clothes! I think he's crazy, but he listen to just about everything I'd say his fav. is Nickleback.

What I admire most about him: His knowledge, James is very knowledgeable about alot of things and I love it. He is so good w/ the kids helping them learn and grow in alot of different areas.

His favorite past times: I don't think he wants everyone to know his true favorite past time:) J/K LOL But one thing that I do know is that James really enjoys being w/ his family.(that's HEAVY on HIS meaning not mine j/k) When he was younger he loved going to his gp. John's farm and his family loves going on SUPER long rides and camping and I know James loves being apart of those times.

Will he read this: YEP! he's a blog stocker too:)

Just a little more about James, he is very shy and VERY quite and comes off very cocky (just ask my sister Becki LOL). But he is very well rounded and I don't mean chubby:) He is my rock and I love him with all my heart, I wouldn't be where I am today with out him. I LOVE YOU HONEY!! He does a wonderful job in providing for us, and he does more for me than you can ever imagine:)

one more picture

This is me all decked out in my "gear" when I was with my hubby. For some reason I didn't see this pic. until today when James & I were looking at all the pics on our camera. So I just had to post it, since I think I look like a little hottie in my SKIDOO gear:) LOL

Just a little 411, this pic goes w/ a few posts down:)

It's official

Well as many of you know I have been full of anxiety the past month. My work as been really slow due to the economy. We had about a 3wk. break this year over Christmas, I loved every minute of it! Then when we returned to work after the first of the year we have only worked about 3 days a week. So they announced about 2wks. ago that they were going to have a layoff and also a furlough. At first I was so excited it was like my dream come true! I didn't actually love my boss and I had worked about 4 different shifts in the last 3 months. It was killing me, I wanted out so bad! But as things started coming to reality I was kinda getting worried. It would be one thing if there were tons of jobs out there or if I had a college degree. But as we all know jobs are few and far between these days, and I have no degree!
Let me just tell you I think I have prayed more this last month than I have in along time. And I can honestly say I think my prayers have been answered. Today I got the official word that I have been furloughed for 3 to 6 months. I'm not really all that upset, I feel like the Lord will help us through. I now have the opportunity to look for other options, and be the mom I've always wanted to be:)If work picks up they will call us back, but in the mean time I'm going to try and find a job that is a little more "mother friendly." With the hopes of NEVER returning, the key word is hopes:) My job is not a hard job, and I love the people I work with and I have made alot of good friends. But shift work is hard on a family. But on the other hand I'm thankful that I have had a job and the ability to work. I think that there are alot of people out there suffering, and all though I think my jobs SUCKS more times than not I have been blessed. And I know that the Lord will continue to bless us as we strive to live the way we should. And I thank him daily for the gifts and the many things that we have been blessed with.
For now I am going to enjoy my time off, I truly feel like this is what I am supposed to be doing. I think why would I get laid off? I just think the Lord has a better plan in store for me. So for now I will enjoy my journey:)

P.S. So if you know of any jobs that aren't as pressing please let me know! THANKS:)

me and my babe

Today James & I went on a little date, up Logan Canyon snowmobiling. James loves the snow and w/ his work schedule it makes it hard for him to be able to go when his friends go. I was kinda feeling bad cause he had today off and no one to go with. So last night I offered to go with him, I knew it wouldn't be as fun for him as if he were w/ the "guys". But it would be doing what he lives for:) He kept saying all morning your going to dog me huh? I said NO! But inside I was thinking I would rather stay home and snug, and keep warm. I had the worst headache and I felt like I was going to throw-up. But then there was another voice in my head telling me to just go and make the best of it. So I did, I slept all the way up the canyon and by the time we unloaded my headache was gone and I was ready to go embrace the cold:) James fixed me up w/ some of his gear to help me keep warm, cause in the past when we've gone I've froze. I stayed warm and I had a good time, I love spending time w/ my man.
We headed off up toward the sinks and were going to ride over to Garden City. It was blowing and snowing so hard I couldn't even see, James was driving like a mad man. He says he wasn't even half throttle, but it seemed pretty fast to me. Then all of the sudden the next thing I knew we came to a holt hitting into a huge snow drift, and we were so stuck. We both hopped off and James got his shovel and stated digging the sled out. I said should I help? He's like no but you might as well make yourself a seat. I was thinking no way am I sitting down I will get cold and never be able to warm up. I kept on moving around trying to keep my blood flowing. James felt like he had dug enough to get out so he hopped back on and I stood back and as he took off the whole sled sunk, it was SUPER deep! I was thinking we were going to be stuck forever:( It was way bad! (He is laughing the whole time I am typing this, cause he didn't think it was bad at ALL) James starts digging again. I started crying and I said a few prays I was really worried, but I didn't want him to know, good thing I had on his full face helmet to help hide my tears. Besides the fact that I was about to pee my pants and I thought that was the last thing I should tell him:) Well he felt like he had it again and pulled on the skis to get hem going the right way and now the sled tipped over. I was freaking out! But I helped him, and we were able to get it back up and he kept digging. Then I said so now what? he says I'm going to drive it down there and turn around. I said well do you think we should say a prayer? He looked at me with these BIG eyes and says I know what I'm freakin doing! I was like OK! Inside I was thinking I hope the prayers I said earlier work, and they did! So then that brought us under a bridge so I thought what a perfect place for me to pee. So James kinda dug a little hole for me to squat in the snow. Let me just tell you I don't pee in the wilderness! But hey I was quite the trooper today, I peed TWICE in the snow. The first time was OK, but this time I about fell and pee went running down my leg:) The JOYS! Well we got that all taken care of, the sled turned around and we were off to enjoy the rest of our day.

It turned out to be a pretty fun day and a memorable one at that!

F.H.E

Last night we got together with the Belew and Evan's families and went bowling for F.H.E. It was so fun, the kids had a blast. It has been along time since we had done something together and my kids were both so excited.

Thanks for such a fun night:)

just the girls....

Yesterday Maddi & I had a mom & me date. James was out playing in the snow, and Kobe went to tend Gp. & Gm. Hales:)LOL We started the day off by heading to Logan and looking @ new couches, and some new home decor. Then we met up w/ Darcie & Hayden @ one of our favs. Chilli's for lunch. Maddi & I shared a meal so we would have room for our fav. paradise pie:) Then we headed to the mall and a few other stores to do a little shopping. I love just being able to go and browse not looking for anything certain just hoping to find a deal! Maddi & Hayden went to Clarie's and bought a B.F.F necklace, it reminded me of my younger days I thought it was cute:) Here's few pictures of them @ the mall.



The older you get life seems to keep you busy. So it's hard to get in these much needed girl days, I love just hanging out and getting caught up on life.

Thanks for such a fun day girls!

CHOP STICKS

The things that amuse kids! Tonight Jerian & I took the kids to Saigon Towers, it is so delicious:) The kids all wanted to try using chops sticks, they were 25 cents each. I was thinking we are at a chinese restaurant I would think chops sticks would be FREE? But 25 cents is 25 cents, and I don't know how to say NO:) LOL Well lets just say it was a pretty entertaining meal! I don't know why but our kids always seem to behave really well when dads around. I felt like we were @ the zoo:) J/K burping, fighting, kicking, yelling, sticking chop sticks up the nose, hitting the fake tree w/ chop sticks as if it were a drum set and the mother flipping her son upside the head:) I was thinking do you guys NOT have ears and when I say cool it I mean it! It was so frustrating!! But needless to say Jerian & I still enjoyed EVERY ounce of our food YUM!

Here's a few picks of them "TRYING" to eat w/ their chop sticks!

A nEw LoOk!

Well for awhile now I have wanted to change things up a bit in our house. But since I'm not very mechanically inclined, and my hubby isn't to sure about my painting skills. I have to wait til he is willing to help. And it's been a great way to get started on my spring cleaning. I used to be a "clean freak" and spring clean my house about every 3 months. But over the last couple years I have kinda went into a slump, and let my house go to pot. I'll just say it has been FAR from a priority! It's not like we are living in scum or anything, it's just that I have found there are better things in life than cleaning my house. And also if I let it go long enough this really HOT guy will start taking action and get things whipped into shape around here:) LOL

Here's a few pics of the new look. I'm not done with all the decorations, curtains, and all that stuff but at least I've got a good start. And I'm really enjoying the feeling of having a clean house. Don't worry I don't think I will ever revert back to my old obsession, I like the easy life:)

the family room

the living room

With out this man none of this would be possible:) LOL I owe it all to him! He truly is amazing, he his my best friend and I love his GUTS!! Thanks Honey!

TAGGED

I've been tagged by Kalli Ann

5 things I am addicted to.......

1. THE COMPUTER! My hubby would more than agree:) I have fell in love w/ blogging and facebook. I love keeping up w/ family and friends and getting in contact w/ old friends on facebook. Besides the fact that I love to search the web for everything and anything!

2. MY FACE! I love picking my face and plucking my eye brows. I love to set on the couch w/ my mirror and tweezers and just go to town. (SORRY that's probably way more than you want know)

3. FLIP FLOPS! I love wearing flip flops, and if you ask my hubby he thinks I have every color that Old Navy sales:)

4. SWEETS! I have a way bad sweet tooth, hence the reason I have trouble ever sticking to a diet. No matter how full I am I aLwAyS have room for something sweet.

5. SNUGGIN! (aka snuggling) I hate being cold so I love to wrap up in a blanket and snug my kids and hubby. I especially love it in the evenings when we are all settled and me and kids kids are all squished on the couch Maddi on one side and Kobe on the other. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

I tag....

Jacki
Becki
Leslie
Janiece
Alison

and YOU if you want to do it:)

a MUST see!

Well as I posted earlier Maddi would be celebrating her birthday this weekend with Kami. So today James went sledding, and I took the kids to the cutest movie eVeR! Hotel for Dogs, it was so good! I got a few tears in my eyes and the girls said they did too...... oh,how sweet:) It was such a cute show, it made me stop and think about how grateful I am to raise my kids and watch them learn and grow. Kobe thought it was great too!


Here's a pic. of my 2 CrAzY girls!
Kobe said NO way he didn't want to get a picture:) LOL

Maddi and Kami were so excited to have a sleep over! Maddi even said she didn't want to go with us to SLC yesterday, because she wanted to be with Kami. I was like WHAT?? But her dad decided she better go cause she would miss out on Build-a-Bear. After it was all said and done she said she was so HAPPY that she got her new chocolate monkey! BUT it was the longest ride home, her anxiety was killing her waiting for the "BIG" sleepover. They had a ball playing the Wii, watching a few of their favorite shows, going to the movie, and playing out in the snow! Maddi loves Kami so much, she decided not to have a party this year and just have a sleep over with Kami! I'm glad they get along so well, and they were both so good to include Kobe:)

Bulid-a-Bear

We have kinda made it a tradition to go to Build-A-Bear every year when we take Kobe to his appointment. We have just bought clothes and accessories for there original ones over the last few years. But today they both got to make a new one! They both were all smiles:) I think it's kinda fun myself! I'm so amazed at all the things they have everything and anything from high heels to tents. SO CUTE!

When we first got to the Gateway we had lunch at Tacono's, the kids both thought it was awesome and the food was excellent! We had a good day spending time together as a family. I love days like this when everything seems to just run smooth and we aren't in a rush.

What a Trooper!

This morning we headed to S.L.C. to take our little man to Primary Children's for his annual check up. Here's a little history for those of you who don't know Kobe has a mole over the white of his right eye. So we have been taking him every 6 months to a year for check ups since he was about 2. We never noticed it until he was about a year old and the older he got the darker and more noticeable it became. So our pediatrician referred us to a specialist @ Primary's. When we took him the first time the doctor said that he had seen similar cases but nothing quite like Kobe's. So with a strong family history of cancer and melanoma being what Jane (James' sister who passed away from melanoma) had and moles becoming a forum of melanoma they wanted to do a small surgery. They went back behind the eye to see what the affects of the mole were. They found that the mole went all the away through the whole pigment of the eye thus leaving it unable to remove. So we just continue w/ check ups and keep an eye out for any changes. Then last year at his check up the doctor noticed that Kobe had 4 moles that are all right under his right eye so that made him concerned to think they were showing up so quickly and a few were really dark. So he had him have one removed to see if there were an abnormalities, everything came back fine:) So today was just another check up. It's not the quickest appointment. when you walk in there is a sign that says you can expect to wait 1 to 2 hrs. and then another one that says thanks for being patient we see 100 patients a day. It makes for a long day! The worst part of the whole appointment is the eye drops, Kobe was totally freaking out kicking and screaming:( poor kid! They only sting for about 20 seconds and then after is all said and done he gets to wear a groovy pair of dark glasses:) Kobe refers to his eye as his "purple eye" it seems to have a purple/grey tint. I think Kobe thinks it kinda fun, and different is good!

what a little stud!

His eye sight was perfect! So we will just continue with our annual routine:)

MY 2 CUTE KIDS:)

They are both so different, but yet they always bring a smile to my face! I just get to laughing when I think about these 2!

Maddi got an ipod for her birthday, and she just thinks it's the BeSt thing ever! Here's a little history on the ipod.....not that you really need to know BUT any how... I really wanted to get her the 4 or 8 GB cause I thought that in a few years she would want one any way so why not get the REAL deal now! Well her dad thought the shuffle would be just fine for a 9 year old! At first Maddi wanted the bigger one too, and James & I had gotten into a "BIG" discussion about what one to get. Well needless to say I lost the battle, it just so happened the day we had our discussion Maddi came home from school and James hit her up about what she wanted for her b-day. She told him she wanted a PiNk shuffle, total opposite of what her and I had talked about. Well she had changed her mind cause Kami got a shuffle for Christmas and she wanted one like hers:) so they could be twiners! So that was a bonus for James he won:( and a bonus for our budget a savings over a $100:) Well ever since her b-day she's been rockin none stop! Before the ipod she was using an old MP3 of James' so she passed that onto Kobe. It so dang funny, they both get their ears phones in and I think they have them pLeNtY loud cause I can hear it myself:) Besides the fact they both are practically yelling cause they have it so blasted loud!

maddi rockin to her tunes

kobe enjoying the cold, wet snow!

Well then for my little guy, he is always such a busy body and so into everything. James has always said that we would NeVeR get a Wii or any type of video games. Cause he didn't want us to sit around and play it, due to the fact that we all are on the "chubby" side. Well the Wii is great and all but the kids don't seem to play it like I thought they would. Kobe is so into Teagames, some web site Bubba showed him that races dirt bikes. When ever I get on the computer he says can I get on? I say in a minute and then he says it's been a minute can I now? and sits and begs. It gets real old! But then I guess it's kinda curbed me of blogging and facebook, I can't get in edge wise:) But it's the cutest thing ever he could play for hours, he says its so sweet! LOL And then he has a huge thing for playing outside even if its freezing, I guess he gets that from his dad cause I hate being cold. Its so cute he pretends like he's shooting and dives all over in the snow he plays for hours w/ friends or no friends and when he comes in he is soaked. He has the hugest imagination, what a kid:)

Well, I guess you have a little incite as to what we are doing this fine moment in time:)

EXPLANATION????

So if any of you are wondering what's up with the post down below. Well I must say it's James 1st attempt to BLOG:) I really don't know what he had in mind, but I was upstairs and he called me down to check out a few different blogs he had been looking at and then he rattled off the scripture. (the one posted below) So I'm like what does that mean? he says it's just one of my favorites so I thought "we" should post it on our blog.... So there ya have it! So I say OK go ahead and post it he's like I don't know how so I walked him through it and I tried getting him to title it James' 1st attempt to blog:) hee...hee.... BUT he wouldn't so I thought I should give you all an explanation:) I think he's worried that blogging might take his manliness away:) LOL I said you should say why it's your favorite so then he just types one of our favorite scriptures. MEN???

SO....... I guess you could say James is a blogger NOW instead of just a blog stocker:) LOL

Mosiah 4:30

But this much i can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

One of our favorite scriptures: )

hApPy BiRtHdAy MaDdI!!

I never thought or had the desire to become a mother when I was younger, it took a lot of heart to heart talks with James to make the decision. And it has been one of the BeSt decisions we have ever made! I can't believe how fast the last 9yrs have gone by, Maddi has brought so much love and joy into our home/family. She is an angel and I love her so much!

Here are a few facts that I/we love about our MadDi JaNe:

1. She has such a tender heart, and is so thoughtful:)

2. She is always seeing that we C.T.R and corrects our speech (I should say my speech I kinda have a bad mouth)

3. Her favorite food is CoRn!

4. She loves to spend time with her Grandpa & Grandma Hales:)

5. She LoVeS lOvEs to clog:) She is always tapping her toes!

6. Her favorite color is PiNk!

7. Kobe says she is his BeSt big sissy! She is always looking out for him:)

8. She loves her cousins especially Kami, they are 2 peas in a pod:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDI WE LOVE YOU!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to be a mother and to raise this sweet little girl! She truly is a blessing in my life, I love you Sister and hope you know that you hold a very special place in my heart:) luv Mom

hApPy BiRtHdAy MaDdI & CoNnOr!

Maddi & Uncle Beezer's share the same birthday, so tonight we had all the fam over to celebrate!

As you can tell Connor is filled with excitement:) LOL I think the older you get your birthday becomes just another day. But Maddi on the other hand has been dying all weekend to open her presents. She got a lot of nice gifts, but I think her favorite was her PiNk iPod. Tomorrow is really their birthday, but Connor had to get back to school.

Maddi will be celebrating her birthday all week long! Tomorrow she is getting her nails done and then this weekend we will be going to Build A Bear, and then Friday night Kami will be staying over and we will be going to the movies:) Kami had to go to her dad's this weekend so Maddi opted to celebrate next weekend with her!

We hope you 2 have a very HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

hApPy BiRtHdAy Mer:)

Today is my moms (aka MER) birthday! Becki and Jacki put together a little party for her last night. It was a lot of fun, and Becki always makes the BeSt cake!
I love my mom so much, she is a wonderful example to me and our family. She is a very hard worker and can do any "manly" job out there. She is very talented she has an amazing singing voice, she can sew anything from a bean bag to formal wear, she makes and quilts beautiful blankets, she can paint, hammer, screw driver, tile, and fix anything and everything:) She is amazing! unlike me I depend on my husband for so many little things:)
But I'd have to say the one thing I remember about my mom from growing up is her dedication to the gospel. She always woke up early and would be out reading her scriptures. She has always put her family and the importance of the gospel first. We had a lot of hard times growing up, our dad being self employed and having such a large family. But I don't think we ever went without, and things always seemed to turn up. I think we were able to pull through because of my moms faith and her many prayers. I admire my mom for all the hard work she has done and continues to do. I know that at times she feels like she didn't teach us right or as she would say "she has failed as a mother". She has done more than her share in teaching us to do what is right, some times we just have to live and learn things the hard way:) As I get older and face trials of my own, I'm so thankful to have been raised in the gospel and to have had such wonderful examples.

I LOVE YOU MOM and HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

MoRe SlEiGh RiDiNg

This morning the kids & I went to our Primary activity. We had a good time the kids got to meet their new teacher and I got to meet my new class.
When we got home my mom & Jacki came over to hang out for a bit, Maddi decide to go home with them. After awhile Kobe and I rode up to gp. & gm.'s. Kobe wasn't to hip on the idea so I told him to bring his snow clothes and he could play with Show-Bob (Lance). Well Uncle Newly took them sleigh riding behind his snowmobile, Kobe thought it was GREAT! Maddi on the other hand was a little nervous so she just hung out with Sissy & Syd (Trevyn & Sydnee).
I always enjoy going to my parents, and one of the main reasons why is I look forward to seeing Newly's kids they are so CUTE:) I love how they get so excited for us to come up, I think they watch my parents house like little hawks. Not just for us, but for anyone it's like right when you walk in & get settled you hear a little knock at the door, and there they are:) SO CUTE:)

my lil syd

isn't she the cutest?

aunt manny thinks so:)

the girls

and the boys

THANKS Uncy New!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

We had our get-together @ Angie's this year and lets just say.........we rang in the New Year like a bunch of ROCK STARS! Kody brought Rock Band and we all took turns ROCKIN IT! Landon was so cute, he was singing like a little pro! Then there was KC he didn't know playing video games made you work up such a sweat he had to take his shirt off, and thought he was going to need a little more deodorant. LOL Kobe and Maddi both took a turn on the drums, Kobe was taking it way serious and Maddi was glad for the help her daddy gave her. I must say the Anderson's were the most musically inclined:) And then it just wouldn't be News Year's without a game of Catch-Phrase, it's our all time fav. Then of course we had plenty of good food. Kobe thought it was the BEST party ever! He said this morning, mom that party was AWESOME! I'd have to agree he was hangin with the MOST awesome people out there:) LOL