It's been a while!

We have had a lot of life changes in the last 10 months so I figured that maybe I should do some good updating of the blog. Jared has done a good job of adding a little comical humor every few months, but we have had a lot of big things going on lately that he has left out. (Not necessarily in order of date, but of importance :))

#1



To the right is one of the most recent pictures of our little guy, Ayden! He is due on Feb 3rd and we can’t wait till he gets here! I love this pic because he was getting mad that the ultrasound tech kept poking him. He just wanted to sleep. Jared and I were convinced we were having a girl, we found out in September that we were mistaken. The ultrasound tech asked what we thought we were having and I told him that we thought we were having a girl. We got a prefect shot and he asked again what we thought it was. I said “I don’t think that is a girl”. He said “You are 100% right”. My most recent ultrasound was at 30 weeks. We got some more awesome 3D pics and double checked that we were still having a boy. Good news nothing has fallen off!



We have been having lots of fun getting his room ready and buying lots of baby stuff. I still have a few things that I want to do to his room, but we are getting closer. I think Jared’s favorite purchase has been the Chicco stroller. He thinks that his baby should have the Cadillac model of everything :)

7 weeks to go! Wish us luck!


#2


We bought a new house in April. We absolutely love it! It has been a lot of work but well worth it to have a place to call our own. Multiple people told us as soon as we got a house we would have a baby. If we would have known that is what it would take we would have done it sooner! The next big project is putting in a yard. We started when we moved in and are nowhere near being finished.



#3

In September we went on a cruise with a big group of friends to the Western Caribbean. We had so much fun! First we stopped in Grand Cayman. We snorkeled and swam with the sting rays. The second stop was Roatan. Most of the guys went windsurfing. The rest of us went snorkeling. The third stop was Belize were we went to the Mayan ruins and boated down a river. The last stop was in Cozumel which was easily my favorite place. It was sooo beautiful. We took a tour on Harley’s all around the island. I wished we had more time in Cozumel. I would have loved to have gone snorkeling.










#4




Jared had to get in another Harley trip before we had the baby so for our anniversary this year that is what we decided to do. We decided to just stay close but it was fun because we had multiple friends go with us.

That is the quick update on us. I will try to be better about posting. Especially when the baby gets here!

Ode to Pooter

Meow, Meowdity, Meow was the subtle sound she made,
Chasing bugs in the weeds was the favorite game she played.
A bundle of joy, soft and ebony in tone,
A part of the family, even one of our own.
It happened so quickly on a warm summer day,
She was running and skipping in a well mannered way.
It came without warning, it came without sound,
It rushed with great speed even down to the ground.
What is such a creature that would disrupt her play?
A ruthless black falcon, a fiery bird of prey.
It’s razor sharp talons like vise grips they were,
Locked in tight and pierced through the fur.
Up, up and away was the flight of the cat,
The bird victorious in it’s quest for some edible fat.
Her fate was determined, her limp body lay,
The falcon is grinning and pecking away.
Decomposition is her role of which there is no escape,
The mind can only determine the obvious distorted shape.
The maggots will gravitate to the fresh rotting source,
Much like the advances of an un-stoppable rebel force.
Goodbye to Pooter and to the litter box that stank,
Goodbye to the constantly spilling food and water tank.
Thanks for the memories and for reminding cats galore,
That if you are woos enough to get taken out by a bird,
You will be with us no more.

I CAN'T WIN

What is wrong with today’s tangibles? I can confidently state that the products I acquire, of which I dedicate a heavy reliance on, can be adequately summed up with one word—dejection. Let me provide the definition for those you who might be unfamiliar: A solid excretory product evacuated from the bowels.

I don’t have to search the archives or excrete too much mental energy to provide examples to back up my claim. In fact, it’s grossly too easy to prove my point.

Dejection #1: OCZ Fatal1ty 2GB DDR2 Random Access Memory (RAM) Module

With the appreciative assistance of my personal BFF computer assistant, Horace and Cornelius (notional names to protect their identity), I constructed a computer for home use. There is an inside joke amongst us that if there is ever a computer problem—replace the RAM. Those of you that are computer savvy may laugh, but I’m not laughing. The positive news is that it only took OCZ 1 ½ weeks to replace my DOA (Dead On Arrival) RAM.

Dejection #2: General Electric Washing Machine

What is GE? Some say it is an acronym for General Electric, Galactic Empire, or General Education. I am convinced that it stands for Generally Eroding. What was known in the golden days as a symbol of quality has slowly evolved into a large white power flush clogging dejection in my house. I won’t go into the details. Suffice it to say that in 14 months it has had two motors. It’s sad when you mumble under your breath, “Please God, let this washing machine agitate the skid marks from my underwear ” before you start a load of laundry.

Dejection #3: Dish Network VIP 612 HD DVR Receiver

I could write a novel on my dealing with said product and service. It will save the blog stalkers a lot of reading time if I simply leave out the details. I will be the first one to admit my incessant need for good high definition. My heart goes out to those who continue to watch television programming in standard definition. I am adamantly unable to accept mediocre HD. I have now been a Dish Network HD subscriber for 2 weeks and have been through 2 receivers, 3 technicians, and multiple phone calls to technical support representatives in India. What does an HD snob have to do to get some quality HD and a functioning receiver these days? Am I asking too much? I guess so.

Dejection #4: Whirlpool flat top range/oven

In case you were wondering, error code F3-E0 on a Whirlpool oven indicates an open oven temperature sensor condition. The remedy—replace oven temperature sensor. It’s not that I wore out the oven. I just wanted to bake a cinnamon roll for the first time in my brand new Whirlpool Oven to consecrate it if you will. Why would I expect my brand new oven to bake a cinnamon roll? That is absolutely absurd and I’m not sure why I thought such a thing was possible. I’ll know to not expect the next new item I purchase to actually function as advertised.

Dejection #5: JBL Radial iPod Loudspeaker

This was an impulse bargain purchase that has proved at times to be my best sound producing friend. The first one was DOA (see above). The replacement appeared to function fine. However, it did not take long for the sound to short out or not play it all. I’ve since learned that if you hit it hard enough at just the right angle, it will function. After a hard day at work I can go home and slap the JBL Radial across the façade and my wife won’t even question my intentions.

The tone of the above examples might give indication to the fact that I am a bitter, selfish complainer. I hope all the stalkers of this blog might not consider me to be such. I am certainly grateful for all the un-dejections in my life. The examples portrayed may seem small and irrelevant. Well…one small floating turd is enough to ruin a very big bucket of water. I am still perplexed as to this condition I suffer from. Is it bad taste? Is it bad luck? Or is it cheap, cost cutting, oversea, outsourcing production?

He Must Really Love Me

So I pretty much have the best husband ever! Friday I had another appointment in Salt Lake. We heard that it might snow Thursday night and my appointment was really early so we decided it would be better to spend the night in SLC. We have heard awesome things about Famous Dave's and decided it would be fun to go somewhere new. If you have ever heard good things about that place they are all lies. The whole time we were wishing we had went somewhere else. As we are driving in to Salt Lake Jared kept telling me to cue up Rascal Flatts on my ipod. Jared is far from being a country fan so this stuck me as a little strange. As we are getting closer to the Energy Solution Arena there where large crowds of people walking to the Arena. Jared made the comment that something must be going on that night. My response was that there must be a Jazz game. As we were pulling up I realized that all of the country stations had their cars in front of the Arena. It was then that I looked up at the billboard and realized that the Rascal Flatts concert was that night. I knew that there was a girl from his work that was going to the concert. So I asked if Karen was going to the concert. Jared said "Yes, and guess who else is going." It was ME!!! It was amazing! Even Jared liked it.

Happy B-lated Valentine's Day

Well like always I am behind on my blogging. So I am a little late but HAPPY VALENTINE'S! As always I got spoiled. My "no spending money this year" went about like it always does. I figured it would help since Valentine's was on a weekend, meaning there would be no opportunity to send me the traditional flowers from Tony's Grove to work. He still brought a Cold Stone ice cream cake and a small vase of flowers to me at work on Friday. The cake was awesome and everyone enjoyed their Valentine treat. Jared always does so much for me so I decided for Valentine's this year I would do one of Jared's favorite things (knowing the people who read our blog I need to tell you to get your mind out of the gutter :)). We went snowmobiling up Hardware Ranch with my fam. Later that night we went to The Coppermill for their Valentine buffet. It was so awesome I was craving it for a week after. They have the same buffet the weekend before Mother's Day. So I know where I will be the Saturday before Mother's Day. So I have to give a shout out to Jare and tell him thanks again for an awesome V-day, you are the ultimate gift giver! I heart U, and you will always be my favorite.

Salt Lake

We lucked out and my doctor appointment ended up being the same day we had tickets to go to the Jazz game. The doctor went as well as any doctor appointment can go. I had to remind him of everything that we had payed to talk to him about in December. They showed me how to give myself a shot since it had to be done the next day. Now tell me why am I paying them again? Who wants to put a three inch needle in their own thigh? As I was sitting there pinching my fat with the needle in my hand I couldn't imagine wanting to inject myself with drugs. People are crazy!I poked myself once and had to stop. After a lot of coxing by onlookers I did it a second time. It wasn't as bad as I thought, that is until about 6 hours later when I couldn't walk. I had quite the limp for a couple of days. The Jazz game was fun. My whole fam was there. All of the good players were hurt, but I don't really go to watch the games anyway. It is all about watching people and pigging out on concession food.

I Hate Heights!!!

Ryan Davis has been trying to get Jared and I to go flying with him for the past couple of weeks. Jared decided that after weeks of me telling him no that he would just tell Ryan yes and beg for forgiveness later. I am very surprised to say that I am glad he did. I don't normally enjoy flying. I get very nervous almost to the point of hyperventilating, and give myself stomach aches. I was a little nervous on the way to the airport. I realized I hadn't told anyone that we were going flying. I decided to document every second by camera so that if we did crash someone would know what happened to us. As soon as we took off my nerves went away. Maybe it was the fact that I was only inches away from controlling the plane (even though I was in the backseat :)) if need be. Amber I don't know how much blog stalking Ryan does so please relay the message and tell him thanks again, it was sooo awesome!

P.S We flew over Buzzy's house you can see him in his driveway if you look carefully.

Landon's Homecoming

Landon's Homecoming was yesterday. He did an amazing job with his talk. The dinner after was good too. We got to see people that we haven't seen since he left. It is awesome to have him home. Now we need to find him some cute new friends of the female gender!

Our New Bumper Sticker

We went to Angie's and tried the kitchen sink. We were going to get one per couple. It was a good thing our waitress talked us out of it :)! We are now the proud new owners of an Angie's bumper sitcker.

Happy B-day Mama Char!

He's Back!!!

Landon came home on the 14th. I will admit I wasn't to excited to see him. I have gotten so used to him being away from home I thought that it would be weird to have him back. All I have known him as for the past two years is a pen pal. Besides I have yet to meet a normal RM. Landon has changed. I would definitely say for the better. He is the same old goofball, but more sincere and kind. I went with my family to pick him up from the airport. The second I got to hug him I didn't care if he was going to be a weirdo, it was just so good to actually see him.

He didn't know, but my parents bought him a new snowmobile for Christmas. It was sitting in the garage with a few of our aunts, uncles, and cousins when he got home. My dad had signed him up to race in Preston two days after he got home. So the night he got home the boys were up late putting together his snowmobile, so we could all go riding the next day. Don't worry my parents warned the neighbors he was coming home so they weren't surprised when someone was flying up and down the field on a snowmobile at 12:30 in the morning. Landon did really well, he qualified second. Not to bad for not riding a snowmobile for two years, at least that we know of!

Landon, my mom, and grandma flew to California on Saturday so he was unable to finish the hillclimb. Landon went back to baptize one of the kids he had been teaching. It is awesome to have him back. He must have missed us too, because he called everyday multiple times just to say hi, while he was back in Cali. Who would have though that one day my punching bag/scratching post/chew toy would be one of my best friends.

Our Holidays

During the holidays we get double the food, double the presents, double the relatives since we live close the both of our families. I have yet to decide if this is a blessing or a curse haha. This year for Thanksgiving we ate at both my Grandma P's and the Chatterton's houses. We ate way to much but it was fun to see everyone. Buzzy and Karina went with us to cut down trees this year. There wasn't much snow so we just walked to find our trees. My parents went the weekend after, and by that time it had snowed enough to take the snowmobiles. Jared got to ride his new snowmobile for the first time. He had a permagrin! We had million Christmas parties. Kenny and Michelle had a party and that was fun to see them and meet some of their other friends. Jared had his work party at Copper Mill. We then had the Archibald Christmas party. Santa came and we had dinner. Christmas Eve we went to the Chatterton's for dinner and had our traditional Christmas program. It is always fun. We then went to my Grandma P's for dinner (no wonder people gain so much weight over the holiday's). We did white elephant gifts, and the traditional candy bar game. We then went back to Chatterton's and spent the night and Christmas morning at their house. Later Christmas day we went and talked to Landon (he comes home on the 14th of January yeah!) and opened presents with them. As always we got way to much for Christmas, but it was fun, and good to spend time with friends and family. The day after Christmas we went to Salt Lake and went to the Cheesecake Factory with Buzzy, Karina, Adam, Steph, and the kids. It was a great way to spend a day away from work, and was awesome to see the Revelli's. To end the x-mas holiday Jared, Brennon, My Dad, Red, and I went pheasant hunting ( I watched and took pics). The boys all proved they could provide for the family. After watching I would rather go to Walmart any day!

Thanks Girls!

I have been taken a new medicine for my infertility. We got the exciting news on the 10th of November that I was pregnant. The good news didn't last long. A little over a week later I found out that I would probably be having another miscarriage. The girls at work are so awesome they got me the most beautiful flowers. Thanks again! As you can see they bloomed and were just amazing. My doctor's office called the U and made me an appointment to see a specialist as soon as they got the results that I was going to miscarry. We went for a consult the first week in December (they got me in way fast). The doctor thinks that we have a great chance of getting pregnant and carrying the baby to term. After 3 1/2 years and 2 miscarriages it is getting frustrating, so hopefully this specialist will have the answer.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

I just needed a good excuse to say that (title). Jared and Buzzy did the Ultimate Loser again. This time Jared finally pulled out the win. Jared had to lose over twenty pounds the last week to do it. Noone thought he could do it, but it is Jared we are talking about. After a lot of dehydrating he lost 24 lbs. Bringing him to the grand total of 64 lbs. and 27.5 in.

Jared's New Office

Jared's boss told him that he wanted him to decorate his new office. Jared decorate, yeah right. So naturally I got volunteered to do it. Hobby Lobby is so much more fun when you can buy anything you want with someone else's money. To bad it wasn't for my house. I have been promising everyone that I would post some pics. Everyone has probably seen it by now, but if not here you go. Don't you love the clock? It wouldn't be an office without the Dwight bobble head.

You Can't Beat 3rd Row (well, not by much)!

We got to go to most of the Aggie football games this year. I wanted to add just a few pics that I took over the season. THANKS JANA!!!