Joey and Ally

Mindy Gledhill - Anchor

2012-01-26T19:44:00.000-05:00

I have come to really like this singer. I wanted to post her video with her song. Keep Of the Faith, but there isn't one that I can find. So I urge everyone to look it up, on itunes or what have you, but that one is my favorite. This one is really good too, I hope you like it.

The End of an Era

2012-01-23T19:04:00.002-05:00

Okay so I really don't know how long its been, lets see...I think 5 years. I've had a Facebook account for 5 years. And... And... And... Well I get to see a little bit of peoples lives that I love. As you all know(because I don't shut up about it) I don't live near my family, so seeing what they are doing that day with a quick blurb on their Facebook, its been nice. I mean heck, a cousin of mine just had a baby and I didn't even know she was pregnant! See with facebook I get to see all that.

Its a great thing, a wonderful tool to help keep friends and family together even though they live apart. I also hate it. That 'like' button drives me bonkers! But what drives me even more bonkers is when no one comments.

I'll admit it, I will freely admit it, I post some comments because I want some responses, I crave the responses! Does that drive me to write outrageous comments. You bet!

As I've said before I don't live near friends or family, I'm alone. I feel alone on facebook too. I'm already invisible, how many more ways can I scream, DON'T LOOK AT ME, then to post a comment on facebook. Hell, 3 people read my blog on here! 4 every once and a while. My mom doesn't even read this.

I am keeping my blog, because one day I will have children, and I would Love to post about them. I'm better at it then scrap booking. At least this gets updated more then twice a year. Sadly my Alaska scrap book is waiting patiently to be finished, or started, I don't remember.

2 rants in a row, you must all think that I hate my life. You wouldn't be far off, but I've got big plans in the works to fix all that! Thats right, I've hit my rock bottom and I can't stand the way I feel anymore.

I live for my Husband, he's the most amazing man in the whole world, I sure hope he knows how much he means to me. I live for work, I live for the next book I read. Books are an escape. In a book I have friends, I'm involved in something! I am depressed when I finish a book because I've just lost a friend. Pathetic, you bet.

I live for checking my facebook to see if someone has commented on my latest post. I probably check my facebook 5-6 times through out the day. No comments, but 10 likes! You like it? Really? What did you like about it? Or do you just agree with me, or see where I'm coming from? Going through the same thing? Or just hit the 'like' button because it makes it look like your interested in what I'm saying? If you add up all the time I've spent checking my facebook, logging in twice because for some reason it can never get my password right the first time, its a lot of time I could have been doing something else, worth while and all!

I'm starting my change for a happier life. My goals are:

1. Get a new Job.

2. Exercise more.

3. Eat Healthier ( I haven't had a soda in a Week!!)

4. Read something that isn't a novel. That will be hard. But for all the books I read, I haven't read the Book Of Mormon once.

5.Reach out to people. No ones reaching in, but I've got to do something. Joey and I are starting Family nights on mondays. First it was just Joey,Me, and Joey's best friend Matt and his fiance. Tonight it's going to be the same four but with Matts little sister and her husband, along with 2 of Matts fiances (Amber) close friends. Its a start.

6. Remind myself that I'm awesome. Because I really am.

7. Read the Book of Mormon

8. Write in my journal every day

9. Get my Young Women Hood award! I never got it when I was younger, but I'm going to do it with my sweet little beehives.

Facebook has become a source of my depression. I like attention, who doesn't. But with these new goals I've set I need to take things out of my life that depress me, and facebook is one of them.

I will miss seeing how everyone else is doing. All the pictures and silly comments. But I'll get by. Those that I'm really close to, this will have no affect on our relationship, those that I'm not, well I won't miss it then will I and you won't miss me.

End of one Era and the start of another. What I think I'll miss the most, is when I do have a baby, I want to shout I'M PREGNANT as loud and as bold as I can. maybe I'll come back just for that.

"Drink up me 'earties. Yo Ho"

2011-12-18T13:39:00.004-05:00

Joey and I have been having a ball playing the Lego games. Most recently we've been playing the Pirates of the Caribbean on the X-box. We've been having so much fun. And the graphics are better on the X-box then then the Wii. They even have the voices down. Well Jack sounds just like Johnny Depp and walks like him too!

So far we've played Star Wars Lego, Batman Lego and Harry Potter yrs 1-4 Lego.

If you need a fun game that two people can play, I highly recommend these games.

2011-11-21T20:42:00.000-05:00

Try to keep that from making you smile!

One more person calls me a Newly Wed, I'll flick their ear!

2011-11-15T23:11:00.002-05:00

Its gonna be a ranting blog today!

I suppose having no children, both of us under 30 and I work at Bed Bath and Beyond, all add up to Newly Weds!

I'm not sure I know this new kind of math, because to me it doesn't add up, but then again I'm not good at math so I guess its true....ummm No.

And then my favorite reply to "No we've been married for 6 years" is " Oh how fun, you must love it."

Yeah well you know what, I do. I Love hanging out with my husband all the time. They house is usually free of crying, and the only hyper activity comes from Roxy when we let her in after being outside all day. Spontaneous trips to the mountains, or hiking to a hot spring at midnight and staying there until the sunrises is really fun. Playing Harry Potter Lego on the Wii together, then cooking dinner at 9 o'clock, sure who wouldn't love that life.

Everyone wants what they don't have, its human nature I suppose. I have dry skin that I hate and wish it were more oily, when someone else has really oily skin and wish it were dry. I could go on and on with this list; namely I have a really sporadic life full of adventure because we don't have kids. I LONG for children and yet we have none. Other side is that of a family of four and the parents wish for just a night alone together, just one night of adventure. We look at each others life and want it.

My mom would; and has told me to love what I have. Because, she says, kids will come all to soon and then I'll miss this. I'm sure she's right. And I do love my life, but I know some thing's missing.

Going to church doesn't help. You'd think it would, but when everyone is so focused on family and having more children, and when 1 out of every 5 women are pregnant, its hard to sit their, smile and listen; especially when none of the women know what you're going through. If I had a nickel for every time I heard the story "All my husband had to do was take off his pants and I was pregnant" Or variations of that anecdote, I would be able to buy myself a really nice sweater.

I'm going to give you all a little advice when it comes to infertility sympathy. DON'T say "It'll happen when its supposed to happen" or " When you least expect it, it'll happen" or "You're so lucky you don't have kids, don't you love the freedom" and anything to that effect. All you need to says is "That must be hard, I'm sorry" and leave it at that, anything else just drives the knife in deeper.

According to the church standards, Joey and I aren't full filling our duty, and in so doing, we are considered less then everyone else. I'm not invited to hang out with Mothers, play dates are for child bearing women only. Heaven forbid you have a non-child bearing women join you. I don't children, so I must not have Anything in common with you. I don't shop like you, or do my hair like you, or enjoy the same movies or television shows. We are just do different, sorry I can't be your friend.

You know what. Your loss. I'm a great person, I have a lot to offer. Sure I'm a little quite and I don't have the high energy I wish I did. But I'm a wonderful friend, loyal and kind and I will always be there for you. To bad you won't give me that chance. Go enjoy your children and mothers group, I hope you get spit up on!

This blog could be longer, but I have better things to do then whine and rage on an Internet site. I'm going to go make love to my husband and eat ice cream in bed. A good night to you all!

Playing Catch up

2011-09-13T20:48:00.006-04:00

So much has happened in the last month and I'm finally blogging about it. Well I finally have the time (and the patience to wait for the pictures to up load)

We moved to Idaho!! Into a house! I hate hate hate apartments. With a capital H!

And as most of you know, Joey is a huge (also with a capital H) Boise State Fan. So when we moved in and there was a free game to go to, just a scrimmage, offense vs defense, we were on our way. It just so happened that the game fell on our 6th anniversary! 6 years!! I can't believe it! We've just had a great time these many years.

We went to the game then to dinner. The night was great! The offense won; Barbacoa was amazing, the food was delicious. I couldn't decide if I like the mac and cheese or the steak better. Yeah, the mac and cheese was that good. And the decorations, oh my gosh, it was like walking into a crazy modern art show room. I loved it. Anyway, the pictures can speak for themselves.

Tunnel of Wine Bottles

Yes that Is a face on the ceiling. I didn't see it until Joey pointed it out to me. I was too fixated on the sculptor below it. Which I'm not sure you can see in this picture.

So I totally have more pictures, cooler pictures on my phone: like the awesome high heeled shoes in the ladies bathroom. But I can't figure out how to get them off my phone and on the computer. So those will have to wait. We're loving Boise so far, can't wait until the first BSU home game! Go Broncos!

Family Time at Lake Powell

2011-09-12T16:29:00.017-04:00

Lake Powell, how I love you. Red rock, beautiful warm water, fantastic canyons. And best of all, boat rides! I could go on and on.

So for the sake of your sanity and mine, I'm going to just post pictures and leave out the commentary. Unless of course it needs a comment. Then you get to hear from me. Lucky you!

The House boat is stored on blocks in a boat yard. When we got to Page AZ, we went shopping at walmart and then unloaded it on the boat. We slept on it that night then got off it real early in the morning until they put it in the water. (So much for no commentairy)

Top Deck

The house boat had 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and living room.

These two bedrooms were connected, Jake and Brooklyn were in that one and had to crawl over Kim and Brent

Left to right: Brooklyn, Jake, Kim, Moana (mom) Nick, Suzanne and Her husband Josh

We went on this great hike, up slot canyon. Its a hike with no end, but we first had to hike to the slot and then it starts. You have to swim through most of it though.

Welcome to Slot Canyon

Rainbow Bridge!

Brooklyn, Me and Kimmy

Brooklyn, Brent (Dad) Me, Kimmy and Brent

It rained only once, but it was windy every night. It was only bad once when the house boat anchors were pulled out of the sand. We fixed it, but we all didn't sleep that well the rest of the night.
It was Brooklyns 21st birthday while we were down there.

Jake out fishing. He didn't catch anything until he started to swim back to the boat.
Nick learning to ski!! It was so fun to watch him. He almost did it too!

Me skiing!! It was lots of fun

We went on a adventure through the canyons. We kept finding these really tight small canyons to go down. Each time we thought we were at a dead end, it kept going and we just squeeze through.

This is the end of one of those canyons. It really was a dead end and we couldn't keep going, but it was fun to swim around.

Tubing!!

I challenged Nick to make me a sand castle while we went out to Rainbow Bridge.

I made a wall around the castle and a church! Every castle needs a church. I was going to make a town too, but I got bored.

Moki Steps

It was So much fun! I can't wait to go on another family vacation. So that ends this blog. I have a lot of blog catching up to do, and I'll do it. But for now...Yeah, have a great day!

Songs I love!

2011-07-23T00:48:00.004-04:00

Okay so I'm sure you're wondering why I just posted 4 music videos of 2 songs on my blog. Well the answer my friends is simple. I'm bored beyond belief and I have lots and lots of time on my hands.

I LOVE the song, Just Like Heaven by Katie Melua. I stumbled on this song one day listening to Pandora. I've always liked the song by the Cure, but hers was so much sweeter. So I put the two up to compare.

Next, also while listening to Pandora I found Your Love by Emma Bugress. And for a long time I didn't put the two songs together. I knew I'd heard it before and I liked it a lot; but they were so different I couldn't place it. It wasn't until much later when I heard Outfields song on the radio that it clicked, there was an acoustic version on Pandora! So I searched and sure enough I found them both.

The Lyrics are the same, except Outfield likes their girls a little bit older, she likes her boys.

I like these two slower songs so much better and I'm hoping/wondering if there are any other 80's monster ballads out there that have acoustic versions done by women. If you know of any, please let me know.

Anyway, listen to them and see what you think. Compare and contrast. Don't mind the music videos, it was the 80's, enough said.

The Cure - Just Like Heaven

2011-07-23T00:48:00.000-04:00

Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven

2011-07-23T00:45:00.000-04:00

The Outfield - Your Love

2011-07-23T00:44:00.000-04:00

Emma Burgess - your love with lyrics

2011-07-23T00:43:00.000-04:00

"I'm going to Boise Idaho!"

2011-06-30T02:00:00.005-04:00

That's right sports fans, or should I say, BSU fans; we are moving back to the Bronco Nation.

(I really hope others got that reference to singles ward, because Joey didn't and it made me feel a little like a loser)

Boise State Football by ~othesandmano on deviant ART

We'll be moving there the first of August. Joey will be working as the branch manager for At Home Care's boise office. He's been working so hard, and I'm so proud of him. I will be transfering to the Bed Bath and Beyond in Meridian.

Joey is so excited! He's got all the BSU games planned and where he's going to go fly fishing (Joey fly fishes, who knew?) But the best part is, is that we're moving into a house! Yes, no more apartments for us. Its a good thing too, because now we don't have to kill our downstairs neighbors.

We'll have a yard for Roxy and a garage for the cars; so nice. And its so much closer to family. All the ways you look at it, its a good move. And whats funny is that this house is only a block away from the preschool we lived in when we were first married. 6 years and 6 states later, we've come full circle! Well technically 5 states, 1 state twice, oh well whose counting right?

Joey can't wait to leave, the house is mostly packed and we still have a month to go. Always good to be prepared right? Right. I'm just glad that I'm pretty sure this is our last stop. I was done moving when we got here, I'm okay doing it one more time, but that's it! Universe do you hear me! If we move again, technology will have to be very advanced so we do is hit a button and its already at the new place. Wouldn't that be awesome!

Anyway, there's lots a of fun and adventures to be had in the up coming weeks, I know you're all as excited as I am, so I'll let you know whats going on. Until then. Later!

Happy Birthday Joey BoBo!!

2011-05-10T20:05:00.007-04:00

April 22nd is a wonderful day! It is my handsome hubbies birthday, even though he repeatedly denies it. (Don't believe him)

For some reason Joey has this belief that April 22nd only exists to be a thorn in his side; so I've tired my hardest to make sure Joey has a spectacular birthday each year.

And this year we went to Boise! (to buy more BSU clothes of course what else :))

Our plans for the weekend were....relax...have fun...relax...play golf (Joey)...buy orange and blue apparel! And of course, spend lots of time with the family. We accomplished it all and then some.

This luv sac was...is so comfortable, we really need one at our house; maybe get rid of that recliner Joey brought from his single days. Its comfortable don't get me wrong, just ugly. I'm not the only one who likes the seat, Buddy seems to think its been put there especially for him, with loads of blankets to cuddle in.

Sherri Irish is amazing! She spent the better part of the week baking and making treats for Easter Baskets. From all of her cooking she ended up with trays and trays of cookies but no time to put the baskets together. So she gave us that job! We all gathered around the table and picked all the delicious treats we wanted and built our own Easter baskets! (I'm not sure why all of this is underlined, I can't figure that out, yikes!)

This one is mine! Enough cadbury robins eggs? I think not!

This ones Joeys little reeses rabbit! With a jelly bean tail.

Isn't he cute!

Shining happy...smiling...faces! After we finished our baskets, there was more then enough cookies and other treats to make baskets for all the neighbors. And midnight snacks for us later! Joey and Alex were nice enough to deliver them, though I think Joey just wanted to met the Irish neighbors.

Joey has wanted to watch one of Alex's lacrosse games for a long time, we finally got to see one! We were informed that it was lucky we came this week, their last few games have been cold and wet. This saturday was beautiful and sunny, if a bit chilly.

Our baby Roxy girl had so much fun with us. We finally found a toy that she likes. We knew she liked squeaky toys, but she'd rip the poor stuffed animals apart. She didn't like balls, or any other roundish throwing objects. So we didn't consider a squeaky ball. We should have, she loves them!
Friday was Joeys birthday, his dad took him golfing. I spent the day with my niece Ashley! We had a fun day of barbies, potatoe heads, movies, jumping on the tramp and side walk chalk! She is so sweet and talks better then I do!
Its was a great visit. Something we really need to do more often. Our next family trip will be to Utah, when I'm not sure but it will be some time this summer. Its so nice to live so close (closer). I love our families and miss them when we are away. Some day we'll move. Don't know when, I won't start packing. But it'll happen. Some day.

Adoption

2011-04-03T22:35:00.002-04:00

I keep going over and over in my head all the wonderful things I want to say. I want to sound smart, and insightful and of course, so grateful, but all I want to do is jump up and down and smile.

You all know how long we've been trying for a baby. And we are finally taking steps in the that direction! We've started the adoption process, and I feel hopeful that I'll be a mommy soon.

Joey's been amazing, he always is, but more so lately. Hes just as excited as I am, only he doesn't jump up and down like I can because he'll most likely bug the downstairs neighbors.

I know it can be a long process, but if there is one thing I can do well, its being patient. With joy in my heart and a smile on my lips, I can wait for a loving courageous women to chose us to give her baby to. I'll keep everyone up to date. Wish us luck!

New Baby in the House

2010-10-24T14:20:00.004-04:00

Before you ask; No, not a real baby. If it were a real baby I wouldn't just be blogging about it, I would be shouting it from everything rooftop, mountain top, hilltop, what have you. And then blog about it.

This is a different kind of baby. Its a brand spanking new computer! We've needed a new computer for some time now, and with Joey starting school, we had no other excuse for not getting one. So after a couple of months saving, we got our computer!

Its a lovely computer. a Mac, its backward and I'm trying to get used to it. I think its going well. Now our sad little laptop can get the much needed break its been begging for, for years. And it'll probably die happy now.

I do think its funny that the screen is a bit more then half the size of our TV we are using (Not the really big rear projection, that one is still not working. but our other 32 inch TV) But that makes watching Hulu SO much better!

We're still playing, and having a great time with it. Its nice to have nice things, and know that we paid for it ourselves and didn't go into debt for it.

Oh and by the way, I now have an amazing camera so I can skype and it'll look good! My old ones stucked. So now I can Skype with family and friends and you can see me.

One Wedding, Two Wedding...

2010-06-23T18:58:00.012-04:00

So this wonderful summer I gained two new relatives! My cute little brother Jake married his adorable love Brooklyn on May 14th. I now have 3 sisters! I love having sisters!! She's so sweet and we are excited to have her in the family. Kimberly also married her best friend Brent Pack on the 2nd of June. That makes 3 brothers! I like brothers too, they're so cute.

Sense Jake and Brooklyn's wedding was first we'll start with their pictures. My Brother in Law did the pictures, it was beautiful, but sense he was wandering around with a camera I didn't feel the need to bring mine along. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was having so much fun that I forgot. Jake and Brooklyn were married in the Salt Lake City Temple, and had their wedding reception in the ...Mansion; I don't know what its name was but its in Layton Utah and absolutely beautiful.

Jake's the only one looking at the camera, still way cute picture.

Love the flowers! She fought the Flower Lady to get Gerber Daisy's in her bouquet, the flower lady finally did it. Thank goodness its beautiful!

I took alot of pictures from the second floor. It was fun. The tables were awesome.

Cute cute girls.

Grant takes great pictures, they turned out great.

Daddy in a top hat! Love it!

Oh Miss Carrie you're so cute. You're little boy is just adorable, and so big!

Cute little Maid of Honor. See the ice cream cone in her hand, that's what they served at the wedding, it was an ice cream bar! Yummy!

Now this is the cutest couple ever! Right after this Joey went on the HCG diet and he is now 25 lbs. lighter.

Kimmy and Brent's Turn. The happy couple chose the lovely Manti Utah Temple for their destination wedding. It was two hours away, but I loved it. Family road trip. I didn't take pictures right after the wedding, I did while we were waiting for them to be done with their pictures.

The Manti Temple

Grant won. But Amber tried hard.

I'm not sure who won here, but Nick is a tough player, I lost to him earlier. Go Jake!

This pizza was yummy! I would drive back to Manti to eat at this place again. My shirt totally matches my camera case!

Happy family eating pizza waiting for Mom and the newly weds to return from pictures. Thanks Grant, Jake and Nick, you made the picture that much better.

Now for Kimberly and Brent's reception destination we went to the "This is the Place" Heritage Park in the Kimball Mansion. Most of the mansions are replicas but some of the buildings are original. Its a fun park to walk around normally, but it was gorgeous with the decorations of the weddings. There was another Wedding going on at the Hinkley mansion down from the Kimball house.

Crazy kids.

Oh my baby sister!

We got bouquets too! I liked having it but I kept setting it down all night and I don't remember where mine is now.

Inside of the Kimball Mansion

Lil'Brudder, man he's gotten big. Jake's married now too.

See, they are still smiling after two weddings! They didn't go insane after all. Now they just have to wait for Nick. At least 13 years, good long breather.

Nick was climbing all over EVERYTHING! He started the day off rolling down the hill that the temple was on and he kept on climbing through the day.

Yummy yummy cake. That's the Manti Temple up on top.

This is a dark shot, if you want a good picture of the cake go to Ambers blog. This cake was Amazing!! Chocolate cake, brownie, chocolate gnash(sp?) Rich and delicious. Brents mother made them, I think I'll ask her to make my birthday cake!

This is the first house built in Utah, its the original. They moved to to the park.

Outside of the house!

This is the Pack house, its from Brents relatives.

Sweet little Amber posing in front of the house.

Kimberlys dress was just gorgeous! I wish I got a picture of her with her veil down, its a birdcage veil goes in front of her face.

I designed this! I'm so good!

This is the back yard of the Mansion.

The trian we got to ride! It took you on a tour around the park. I rode it 3 times.

All the littles Loved the train. They jumped ran inside to get food and jumped back on the train. All night long.

Nick got to sit in the drivers seat for some of the rides. Ambers friend Matt drove the trian for us, it was so nice of him to do that.

I love my family and I'm so happy that I got to go to both weddings. I miss them so much and wish there was another wedding so I could go down and visit again. But hopefully we can visit over the holidays this year! So there you have it. Two new siblings in four weeks and I'm so happy for my Brother and Sister! Now things have gone back to normal, a little boring but nothings wrong with boring! Until next time.

Small Blurb from Ally

2010-05-12T01:26:00.003-04:00

I had to come write this down somewhere. I know I probably should have written it in a journal or a diary. But I really don't keep one. I have a journal but its in Washington, far from me, and this is practically a public journal so here we go!
I had the best day today! I miss my husband terribly, I know and I can't wait until he gets here. But I am having the most fun with my family. I love spending time with my Mom and Dad. My sisters can be a pain but I love them so much and I can't live without them. Nick is so excited I'm here. I've never seen anyone be so excited about seeing a sister! He wanted to stay up late so he could see me. He wanted me to wake him up for school. I feel so loved by that little boy its just amazing! Now my other brother is different, always has been, but he is getting married so I can understand why he's not as excited, or seems as happy to see me as everyone else.
I now know why I miss them so much when I'm away. All the love I'm leaving behind me. It practically breaks my heart each time I leave.
I couldn't ask for a better husband. And he makes up for being so far away from my family. And if it weren't for him it would be unbearable to live so far away.
But what I've figured out is that family loves you more when you come back from being away for so long. And before they have time to get sick of you, you're gone again. So there is something to be said for living far away.
Well the weddings on Friday! I'll post pictures when I get them.

There and Back Again.(Not a hobbits tale)

2010-04-24T18:09:00.006-04:00

Joey and I felt that itch again. It either meant move or go camping. Sense neither of us wanted to move we decided it was time to break out the camping gear. The weather has been turning very nice these past few weeks, and I had Friday,Saturday and Sunday morning off of work. So off we went. Joey picked up a camping guide book from REI, asked the sales person where was a good place to go. Next thing we knew we were off on a new adventure. We were going to Umatilla National Forest, the Tucannan camp site.
The place we were going wasn't on our GPS, so half way there we had to stop and buy another map. We stopped in this cute little town, where the gas station is also the bakery/movie rental and Pizza cafe. We picked up some cookies, they were very tasty.
Finally after a lot of driving(down hill, up hill and in between) we made it to our destination. It was dark by the time we go there so we didn't get the lay out of the camp ground. It scared Roxy, or made her nervous because she hide under the table, curled up in a tight little ball and she wouldn't come out.
Joey and I are pampered campers, we must have an air mattress. But we found out that the converter we brought with us to plug into the car so we could blow up the air mattress has a certain limit and then turns itself off. Apparently the blower was to much for it to handle. Joey and I took turns manually blowing up our queen size pillow top air mattress!!! Needless to say we went to bed light headed.
We also found out the our tent it smaller then we thought it was. The air mattress barely fit. Roxy had to sleep in the car for two reasons. One move and the air mattress would have popped and two, she kicks when she sleeps and the air mattress took up more then its fair share of the tent.

The oddest thing happened that night. It rained. Okay that's not the odd part. It rained ALOT!! for at least an hour if not two. It woke me up and I stayed awake listening to it. Okay still not odd enough for you. Here's where it gets twilight zoney. When we woke up the entire camp was Dry! Bone dry. the Tupperware we left open, the one I was so worried about all night because it had our paper goods and camp stove in it, I almost got out and put a lid on it twice fearing we would have a soggy paper lake situation when we woke up wasn't even wet. There were a few drops here and there on the tent, nothing a little dew wouldn't do. The paper towels looked like we had just taken them out of the package! What...how...huh.... no freaking way.

Ah breakfast time. We like camping food, Joey really becomes a chef when we camp. And Roxy, no matter where she is, is still a little beggar baby. And it really doesn't matter what food you have in your hand. Cheese, meat, chicken, dill pickle, raspberry, celery, olive. She wants it and she'll stare at you until she gets it. Lucky for her, her parents understand this and we ignore her. Poor thing.

With morning comes the sun,(duh allysen) and with the sun we got to see our camp for the first time. And did we ever! Some national forest. Apparently there was a forest fire here. We never had to go far to find wood. The view is...beautiful.

Joey is the best parent Ever! Yes Roxy climb onto the table with me, lets stand on the table. Oh but don't do this at home. Allysen's over there with a big ? over her head. Still taking pictures though

King and Pup of the camp!

Okay shes just too cute.

Hiking kids. Where are they hiking? to the other side of the road.

This is the first camp fire I've ever made by myself! It lite and stayed all firey. It was beautiful!

Fish Hatchery, fun stuff. Lots of fish. Do you know what they do with the fish?

They stock the "Lakes" around the national forest. Why do I say "Lakes" because the "Lakes" are about the size of large swimming pools. With people crowded around them fishing. You don't have to hike to the lakes, or walk far. You pull into a parking spot and walk on over. Its basically fishing at a trout farm! Joey kept saying "Thats not fishing"

Other then the "Lakes" and the staring at the beautiful view there was nothing else to do out there. No hikes, no trails, historical sites, scenic views. Nothing. So after we roasted marshmallows we broke camp and went home.

We still had alot of fun and plan on going camping again some time soon. stay tuned!

The Table

2010-03-21T01:19:00.003-04:00

Long ago when we were married (LOL like 4 1/2 years is long) My new husband and I found ourselves furniture less. Luckily for us we know some wonderful people who had some pieces of old or unused furniture that they were willing to give us.(To this day we've only purchased 5 pieces of furniture everything else was given to us or inherited)

Our lovely kitchen table was donated from my Aunt Kristen and Uncle Ethan. Their family had out grown their old one and had purchased a new one. (One of the chairs has my cousin Elle's name scratched into it).

Though it is mostly used for decoration, I love this table. (There are only two of us, we mostly eat in the living room). Thanks to Tai Pan Trading company (and shopping with Amber)I decorated it up quite nice and I love the compliments I receive. Someone once tried to eat the cookies in the jar. (You'd think the plastic smell that hits you as you take off the lid would make you stop and wonder if its safe to eat.)

Anyway, on with the story (About my kitchen table!) I was working one morning making price changes on table linens and came across this table cloth. It was being marked down WAY lower then you'd think (we're remodeling the story so we're getting rid of ALOT!) I had to buy this table cloth. But wait it wouldn't match what I already had on the table, and Joey would Freak if I re-did the whole thing. Plus there is no Tai Pan for miles.

Despite all the complications I purchased the table cloth and set out on finding a way to make it work with the rest of the decor. 7 dollars later I had a new kitchen table set up. I love it!

This is what it looked like before (you should recognize it from the pictures I took when I first moved in to the apartment, and the pictures I took of my Maryland home, same set up)

New Table Decorations (Isn't my life exciting! LOL no really I'm just really excited about it that's all)

Hawaii Baby!

2010-03-01T19:18:00.016-05:00

Aloha and Hello! We are back from our wonderful vacation to the B-E-A -Utiful Oahu Hawaii! This trip was relaxing and fun, I loved ever minute of it. The best part was the people we went with. Joeys parents, Wayne and Sherri Irish. Their best friends Eric and Gloria Garner,and their son Chet and his wife Megan. Chet is also Joey's good friend, they grew up together. Thanks to Chet, Joey had a buddy to run around with, which saved Megan and me from having to keep up with them. Believe me, those two turned into hyper little 13 yr olds.
We played hard and saw so much, which means Lots and Lots of pictures. So there are SO many to choose from, and of course I didn't upload them all, that would have taken much longer then I really want to spend in front of the computer. So I've picked the best and posted them. Have fun looking at them all, some will have comments with them, some won't (those you get to come up with by yourself)Enjoy!
I think its written somewhere that a husband has to take a picture of his wife while she's sleeping. This is taken from the plane ride to Hawaii.

I'm walking one of the beaches at Waikiki, warm warm water!

(Wow, the names of beaches may be easy to say but hard to spell) Beautiful view on the East side of the Island near Hanauma Bay, on our way to Kialua Beach.

It was really windy, I like that hat!

Swimming with five sea turtles in Paradise Cove. The only natural Lagoon in Ko Olina. There are four other man made Lagoons in Ko Olina, just as beautiful but not as cool.

Frisbee anyone? Only rule, don't land on a turtle.

These animals are amazing and apparently very friendly. It is against the law to touch them, so don't do it!

These signs became very familiar to us on this trip. The waves were so big no one was allowed to swim. Some places would let you if you had fins, or if you were a local with a surf board. Not main landers thinking that the waves are cool "Lets get closer"! (the boys were "talked to" move then once on this trip)

This whale was fun to watch, it kept slapping its tale on the surface of the water. It would go down and come back up and continue to slap the water. I'm not sure what that means but it was really cool.

Fun on the beach! Love it love it

(Wiamae Beach)

(Makaha Beach)

This was the Cutest picture ever! This little boy Loved being on his dads surfboard, he was clam and still while on the board, and he played in the water when the were just waiting. It was sooo cute. This is what they mean about locals growing up on a surf board.

We were making our own ocean life in the sand. A turtle, starfish,eel,dolphin,seashell,fish and stingray. (I really don't remember the name of this beach, it was up the way from Ko Olina, around the west side of the island)

The four of us at Makaha beach watching the 31st annual Big Buffalo long board surfing competition.

Father and Son swimming team!

Boys boogey boarding at Waikiki. I tried it, with horrible horrible success, it was fabulous!

Joey, imitating Joey from friends. "I dug me a Hole!" Joey being Joey "My Hole"

Snorkeling at Makaha beach! Its fun, a little...um...caulstrophobic, and scary, but fun. Most of everyone else loved it and had a great time.

We are all posing in front of the power plant, where the water is warmer. Its great for snorkeling, and many tour groups bring their clients here. Joey,Chet and Megan went snorkeling here, I did not, it was too far out in the water for me.

Wiamea Beach. The life guard said we could get our feet wet, but after we were playing a bit to much, we were called back from the water.

The gang after "climbing" our hike up the Wiamea Valley up to the water fall. (it was move a of an up hill walk for the boys, the girls got a ride on a golf cart)

Silly parents (Wayne and Sherri on the left, Gloria and Eric on the right)

We were looking at Joey and Chets camera, but Wayne camera caught the best shot (Yes we're jumping off rocks, so?)

La La Laaaa!

Silly Boys

Just two girls ready for a Hike! On a golf cart.

The boys being "talked to" by the life gaurd at the water fall. This time they weren't in trouble, this time...

Baby pineapple! Its soooooo cute! (this is for you Jill)

This was the best Pineapple ice cream Ever!!! I'm serious, I'll fly back tomorrow for another ice cream cone and come back!

Oh My!

I never thought I'd compliment a tree on its bark, but this tree was beautiful. I'll be a tree hugger for this one.

I can't believe its February!

We want the cocoa! We need the cocoa!

The Laie Temple. So beautiful, Jill you're so lucky to have been married in this one. The grounds were just gorgeous!

Pearl Harbor. The Boys and the guns, Joey wanted his picture taken with this so badly.

And that my friends is the end of the best pictures we took. Yes there are plenty more, and they will most likely be put in my scrap book. One more fun fact on this trip, we were on the set of a movie, Soul Surfer. Its about the surfer girl who got her arm bitten off by a shark. We saw her and the girl from Bridge to Terabithia, she's playing the girl. Hellen Hunt and Dennis Quaid were also there and we got pictures. I didn't post them because that wasn't the best part of the trip. Until next time. Which might be sooner then Jakes wedding, or might not, really I don't know when I'll post next. If something cool happens I'll post it. Later

Our Fourth Christmas

2009-12-24T21:40:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!! I can't believe its been four years! Actually if you want to get technical this is Joey's and my fifth Christmas together. We were dating the first year. Sense its only Christmas Eve I have nothing to report yet, so I'll blog/post more later!
This is our Christmas tree! Beautiful Beautiful! Start out with the pretty purple and silver and over the years we've added to it and I love it even more every year!

The unlit version, not as spectacular but just as wonderful.

Texas Anyone!

2009-12-22T13:59:00.007-05:00

For my birthday, my wonderful husband bought me a ticket to Texas to see my friend Jill!
She just had a baby in Sept, and it had been a couple years sense we've seen each other. The trip was long overdue. Texas is...big (Yes I'm captain obvious today) Jill and Eric live in College Station/Bryan, which is "small". Bigger then tri-cities though, and they are only an hour away from Houston. Any hour away from us is...farm land, empty space, in short, NOTHING. Needless to say I had a blast and I loved being with her and Lani all day. Oh my gosh I've never seen a baby smile so much. All she did was smile. "Good morning Lani" Big smile,

"You're so cute Lani" Big smile,

"I'm going to kidnap you and take you home with me" Big smile.

I took more pictures of her smiling then I did of anything else on the trip!

As per Joey's request I took a picture of myself in front of the Aggies Stadium, home of the 12th man. Jill and I drove around the stadium a couple times before we found a spot to take a picture from. We also discussed what the 12th man thing was, totally confusing. We decided it was the Male cheerleaders/Callers, because they don't have regular girl cheerleaders, until we asked Eric who told us that the Crowd was the 12th man. I get it, I just think its stupid. But then again Aggie fans aren't your normal college football team fans, they are insane! Gig'Em! (Now I don't know how this happened, but while I was editing I found out that I didn't update the picture of me in front of the stadium. but sense the date is now 1/10/10 and this all happened at the first of December, I'm done working on this post so lets all pretend its on here, Jill will vouch for me that I really did get a picture in front of the Aggies Stadium)

Sense this was a birthday/Christmas trip we had to make gingerbread houses. I mean its right there in small writing under 'Christmas visits to friends you haven't seen in a long time'. Jill and I made the gingerbread from scratch, not as hard as it looks...we did burn them a little. We also made gingerbread people, man and women. The gingerbread lady came out with a bubble that made her look pregnant. Even the stupid cookie people are getting knocked up, whats wrong with me!

While I was down there, Nate Mcphie came to visit us. We had a great time talking and hanging out. Its great catching up with old friends.

Over all the trip was a great success, I still wish Jill would have let me buy that sweater (I'm still thinking about it Jill). It was cold, my flight was delayed in Denver because of the Snow that Houston got, but by the time I got to Houston all traces of snow was gone, except some left on cars, only proof that there really was snow.

After a week of being away I was missing my husband, and he was missing me.(He thought he could play video games all week and not miss me, boy was he wrong!) I just hope it doesn't take another 2 years and a baby to see each other again.

I had an hour lay over in SLC so my parents, Kimmy and Nick came to see me. It was really nice to see them.

After that my flight home was relaxing. Joey picked me up, swung me around and kissed me when I landed safe at home.

Finished!!!

2009-11-05T01:16:00.004-05:00

Oh my freaking Goodness I'M DONE! I've finally finished the cross stitch that I've been working on for the past two years! I've only finished two cross stitches in my life and I've been doing it sense I was in high school! Yes I'm that slow. But now I'm done and I can't wait to start a third one. I have two to choose from and I think it will be....Hmmm well I'll cross that bridge when I get to it for now I'll just enjoy the feeling of having finished a project!

Fall, and Something Scary!

2009-10-07T13:31:00.008-04:00

I love fall! Everything about fall is wonderful and perfect! You get to wear cute sweaters and sweet boots. Scarfs, mittens and adorable hats. The leafs are on fire the weather is crisp and the air smells so good. I remember always wanting to be married in September, I still can't remember why I wasn't but August was perfect for us anyway. With Fall Halloween follows and that means pumpkins! Joey and I spent an enjoyable evening with friends carving pumpkins. After you get past the slippery slimy part of gutting the pumpkin, its actually really fun!
(Can you guess who did what pumpkin?)

On the opposite side of fall there are many things I don't like. For one my bookcase falling without being touched! Yes it had been threatening to fall for weeks but I thought I had fixed it for the time being. Apparently not. I was minding my own cute little business one morning, I walked into the second bedroom to let Roxy out for the day. We walked out, Roxy bounced out I followed less energetically and I leashed her to take her out for a walk. Then suddenly there was a huge crash, we both jumped. I closed my eyes really tight and wandered back to the bedroom. With a slight peek my eyes popped open and I wanted to cry. There strewn over the floor were my precious books and pieces of the bookcase that I trusted to keep my books safe! Traitor! I didn't cry, though I wanted to. Instead I went to get my camera and shot some pictures.

Learning About Computers!

2009-10-06T01:30:00.002-04:00

Okay Everyone I have finally figured out how to change my blog. Make it cute and festive AND change it as much as I want!!! I'm not what you would call computer savvy, I know a few basic things but that's about all. I don't know about coding or templates or what have you, but I have figured out how to change my blog. And if that's all I ever learn I'll be SO happy! Computers are here to make life "easier" But to those of us who don't know anything about them, it makes life a million times harder! Okay or maybe its just me, oh well. Enjoy the holiday backgrounds, I know I am.

Utah, Lagoon and Pictures

2009-09-08T19:52:00.025-04:00

Okay sports fans I have finally gotten around to posting my Utah pictures!! Finally, I've been working on it sense I got back; how long ago was that now...Hmmm anyway here we go Lots and Lots of pictures. I'm not going to narrate through the whole thing like I usually do. I will for some pictures. They're my pictures, I get to, so deal with it! Plus my narrations are a pleasure to read aren't they! like poetry or... something else.

Black and white pioneer pictures at Lagoon are a family tradition for the Hill's. We've got ones with all the kids at varying ages. these are just the most recent ones with the new(er) members of the family.

I believe this is the one Grant is pointing his gun at me. Can you feel the love, I know I can.

I love playing dress up!

(Left to Right, Me,Amber,Grant,Dad(in the back) Nick)
Oh the swings. My favorite ride of all time. I still get a little scared that the wire will snap and I'll be flung out into the icky green pond. Its not the breaking free that scares me, its the water! (seriously that waters nasty)

Oh sleepy Kimmy. Well you know what happens when you play with the big kids.

Doesn't that look strike fear down to your toes!

Jake and Brooklyn. Jake thinks he's all tough, good thing he's got such a cute little girlfriend or we might believe him...

One of the few rides that doesn't make Joey sick, poor Joey.

Sad little single rider

Another ride that doesn't make Joey sick. To bad you can't drop things, that would be the ultimate game!

What, You don't take your pet lion out for a daily walk? What a looser pet owner you are.

These pictures are out of order but oh well. Yes Kimmy and Amber were Purposefully holding on to the other side until just the right moment when they let go and SQUISHED me! Some loving sisters they turned out to be. Don't you love how relaxed Grant looks.

Okay now we're out of Lagoon and up the Farmington Canyon. The picture below is of Amber, she's nervous about Joey's driving. The canyon road is dirt and very very narrow with blind turns. I would have been scared if Joey hadn't already scared the snot out of me while we were dating, so I'm now used to his driving. The other two in the car, however, were not. Hey we're alive!

I Love my Sisters!

Okay so I'm not a huge fan of these rock pictures but I had to post the top one so I could explain the bottom one.

Kimmy posted this picture on her facebook page and made a comment. "This is a perfect example of how a married woman and a single woman get off a rock" It made me giggle, its so true.

Ha Ha Ha, I love this picture. Kimmy I love you to pieces. She shot a sequence of pictures of Amber at this beautiful waterfall. The scenery is just breath taking and lovely in all the photos, Amber is... slightly out of focus in them, all of them.

What a hunk!

I love the sister shots, I miss them with all my heart!

The next few are of Joey and I. And before Joey says anything, they are good pictures of him. He keeps saying that all the pictures we have up around the house aren't good ones of him, but I look great, so now here are some where we both look good.

Don't ask

Again, Don't ask

And to end things off with a happy smiley picture. We had a blast, even though the rides at Lagoon made Joey sick he managed to have fun with us anyway. He LOVED the water park so we spent a lot of time there. Over all it was a great trip. We saw my grandparents(Hill and Isaac) and were there for my Grandma Isaac's birthday. We also got to see his family on our way down and back so that was awesome too. It feels so good to live near family again. If Joey gets another job out on the East Coast he's going by himself. Sure I'll hug and kiss him good bye and send care packages but I'm not going with him. That's it until I get the urge to take more pictures and post them. We'll just have to see what happens. :)

Sunday Drivers

2009-08-19T19:18:00.008-04:00

Theres nothing more relaxing then driving around on Sundays and viewing the new sites in my new home state. Yes there is not much around here to see, unless you look really hard and you aim for the large green spots on the GPS.

This Sunday Joey and I went to Ice Harbor Dam and Lock. It was very interesting, I think. The drive was nice and...scenic. The Dam looked... like any other Dam I've ever seen. We didn't get to see the Lock because some stupid people like to blow up dams, so you are no longer allowed to drive over dams, and we would have to drive over this dam to see the Lock. Seriously one person always ruins it for the rest of us.

See now whats fun once your out driving, find signs that say "Historic Site" or "Scenic View". You could drive around for a while just following those signs and you get to see cool stuff.
We went to an Indian Burial Memorial, which was the oddest Indian Memorial I've ever seen.
Do you see this Castle? Its on the ground right outside of the Memorial. Are they royalty? do Indians have royalty? And if they do, do they live in Medieval castles? Who thought this would be a good place to place a castle? If I was a smart person, which I like to think I am, I would see this castle and think I was entering a King Arthur Memorial instead of an Indian Burial.
I don't know what to say about this Memorial plaque, other then it is very poorly written and it made me giggle because of how badly written it is.

Here lies a boulder with petroglyphs, and there stands Joey and Roxy. I'm the Queen of pointing out the obvious.

You'd think that with a river so close there would be more green. You'd think, but you'd be wrong.

Its always Boise State day in the Irish house!

This is what the Memorial looks like, quite artsy isn't it. I like the lava rock.

Next Sunday we'll go on another adventure, to where I don't know. Until then, later!

The Prisoner

2009-07-30T14:13:00.004-04:00

**Warning, If you get uncomfortable talking about A women's time of the month, do not read further, however it is about the dog, so its not to bad, just thought I should warn you first**

For those of you who don't have facebook, you probably don't know what I recently posted. My lovely little Roxy girl is in heat. Fun day in the Irish home I tell you what! This is only the fourth time she's been in heat, (she is now a little over 2 years old) Also, for those of you who don't know, dogs only go into heat about every 6 months and it lasts, if not a full month, 3 weeks, and sense her last heat was last March, its perfectly fitting that she starts now. (This may vary with other dogs, all I know is Roxy's cycle)

"Why don't you just get her a pad like a regular women's menstruation" You may ask. Don't think we haven't. Pets Mart does carry a line of doggie diapers for such an occasion. But as we've discovered, like everything else, when it says "Large Dog" it means any dog smaller then Roxy. Apparently Labs and dog breeds larger then our Baby girl are Ex-Large, and as far as I can tell they don't make Ex-Large diapers for dogs, or Ex-Large costumes/clothes for them either. (Which Joey is eternally grateful for, He'll only go so far as tying a bandanna around her neck, but at least its Pink!) Long story short, to small, doesn't fit. So that doesn't work.

We have also tried a pair of Joey's briefs (the ones he works out in that I want to cut up and throw away anyway) and cut a hole in the back for her tail and put one of my pads on it. That also didn't work and ended up falling off (or yanked off by an unhappy puppy)and leaving blood all over the carpet.

We are running out of ideas, hence the title of the this post. We have figured out that it we lock Roxy up in a tiled area it is easier to clean up, but the bathroom is to small so she is now imprisoned in the kitchen. Except in the mornings when she's put out on the back porch while it is still cool enough for her to be out there. When it gets hot we bring her in, and she's grateful for the cool tile! Win, Win, Win. It does mean mopping the floor about seven times a day, but its soooo much better then off the carpet.

Yes she's trying to get out, I just laughed at her and took a picture, oh the poor future I see for my children.

I don't know how many of you know this, but female dogs are just as moody as female humans when they're on the rag. She's sulky and whiny, well more whiny then usual; she's also extremely lethargic too, not that dogs don't sleep most of the day anyway. She looks so sad in this picture. Don't worry, along with laughing at her misery I give her a treat about every 15-30 minutes. She's a spoiled doggie and will remain so until she's dethroned by our first baby, who knows when that'll be. Until that day she's our princess and we'll keep her!

My New Apartment

2009-06-30T17:09:00.019-04:00

Okay okay okay, stop poking me, that hurts. Mommy dearest I have now cleaned, and organized (not that it did one bit of good, I just have to much junk) my apartment and now have taken pictures for you so you can see where I live. But you know what would have been easier, and wouldn't require me looking at the computer for hours at a time and fighting with the stupid picture up loader!! You could just drive up and see me. Or not, that's up to you.

Any Who, on ward with the tour!!

Okay So we are kinda starting off differently then my other tour. Last time we started from the front door and went around. This time we are starting from the kitchen (which is the back corner of the apartment) and traveling forward.

So here you see the gorgeous tiny kitchen that has been over run by bears and pillow. Not to worry if they fall and hit you it doesn't hurt (however the basket they are in probably could do some damage depending on where it hit you and how hard)

Next shot is our office/eating nook. To the Right is our "desk" with lap top, cork board and about One Thousand cords that I couldn't tell you belonged to what. And to the Left is our pretty little kitchen table that sadly hasn't seen any cups or dishes sense Maryland. It has become our catch all. I try to keep it clean, but that's harder to do then you'd think.

This is our guest bathroom! Again, like the last place, it is bigger then the master bath and rarely used. (You can't see this but the drum set to our Rock Band is in the bath tub, hey that was the only place it would fit(By the way this picture is completely out of order, its across from the front door, around the corner from the front room))

One of these days I will be able to know when to take pictures and how. This Perfect picture of our Maryland Town House neighborhood was taken before we moved by my mother in-law. I wouldn't have thought to take it, or at the angle which she did. It is now my favorite picture and will always be up. (If you don't know which one was ours, its the brown one on the far right)

Behold the ever cluttered and squished Front Room. I'm not sure if its always squished looking because we have too much furniture/decorations/junk but it always ends up looking like this. (I think its that we have to much junk, but I love it all!) Our couches may have something to do with it, they are very big and comfy, the perfect place for naps!

Okay so these pictures are wildly out of order, but I'm done fighting with the picture up loader. It wins and I'm okay with that. This is our master bathroom. We have two closets; to our right behind the mirrored sliding doors is Joey's closet, to the left is the walk in closet, its mine, very full and very messy. I love this set up, the mirror doesn't fog up while I'm in the shower; and Joey can shower while I'm getting ready!

This is shot from the bathroom area, its to my back. The lovely master bed room! Yep the sheepy and puppy dog are still on the TV, they just seem to belong there, I couldn't relocate them. I love love love our quilt! Thank you so much Sherri! (she made it for us!)

Just another angle of the bed room. I was going a bit camera happy, I love that quilt. The washer and dryer are behind me, I didn't feel like taking a picture of them, so just pretend that I did. There are doors that close them up, like the last place, except for this time the doors don't get in the way of the dryer door. Not that it helps, the dryer door is so tiny I don't think Roxy could squeeze through.

Roxy's room! And what a girly room it is too! I loved decorating this room. I got to put up all of my stuff and make it beautiful and 100% me! (ignore the golf clubs, they are homeless for the time being, I'm trying to fit them in the front closet) If you look closely you can see Roxy's blanket is still with us, to Joey's eternal torment. We keep it locked up in her bed, if we don't she drags it around the house like the two year old she is. I personally think its sweet and let her get away with it. Joey hates the stupid thing, and shoves it back in her bed and locks it up every time she gets it out.

Cupcakes!!! The prettiest, glitteriest cupcakes you ever did see(unlike the fake cookies I keep in a jar on my kitchen table, these are not mistaken as the real thing and no one has tried to eat them...yet) . Originally made to be Christmas ornaments, I bought them at Hershey Park where we spent our 3rd anniversary. I thought they were too pretty to only be shown off once a month (plus they don't match my Christmas tree at all, I decorate it with purple and silver every year) I decided to get them out and use them in Roxy's room.

The other half of Roxy's room. Did you know I drew those pictures on the wall? I did when I was in high school and was still dead set on going to FIDM. I never throw out things that I've created, so I dug out these old pictures and posted them up on the wall. They remind me of the days when I liked to draw and design. (not that I'm any good, I just doodled) Under the table is all of my cross stitching stuff, I didn't know I had that much, and I have no idea where it all came from.

The ever expanding Bookcase! Does any one know of a bookcase that could use a good home, I need another one. This one is already falling apart on me, I've lost one self as it is! (not that the move helped it at all) My collection keeps growing and the space in which I thought was really big (Joey and I almost bought a smaller bookcase because we thought this one was to big) just isn't cutting it, and sadly I only own less then half of the book I want. (Sadly isn't really the right word) Don't you love the Iron Gym and the golf clubs in this completely feminine room? They just go don't they. They don't make any trouble,they know they are out numbered. (except if you look in the closest, You'll find all the camping gear, plus joey's tools, so don't feel to bad for them)

And there you have it! My new Apartment, completely with more details then you ever wanted. To bad, my blog, my pictures, my narration!! I renew my invitation to come visit us. We live much closer now and still have two wonderfully comfortable couches and one room,(Roxy snores sorry) Again thank you for spending your time reading my rambling. Keep an eye out, I'll most likely post more soon. I love you all have a Wonderful Day!!

All Around the town...Bike Trail

2009-06-25T21:53:00.031-04:00

So My friends and Family I know you probably thought I had fallen off the edge of the world! Well I'm here to say that I haven't, I've just been occupied with other things. Like moving. Anyway, I haven't taken pictures of my house like the last time I moved, this time I've taken fun pictures of my favorite bike trail down by the Columbia River.

Allysen's Adventure on the Columbia River Side Trial.

Our Adventuress

(For those of you who notice, I had fun with my makeup, one eye is blue and one is pink, the blue eye is lined really dark the pink one isn't. I don't normally dress up like this when I work out, its for the blog and pictures only, I usually look like a mess, just ask Joey)

The Adventuress's Gallant Steed

AkA Allysen's Loveable Bike

To start us off, a picture of Washington State on the ground. You can't really see it, but the Columbia river is right there. Nope still can't see it; but its there.

Okay this is a Narrative of The Lewis and Clark expedition. I didn't get a good shot or you could read it, if you wanted to, I didn't.

This was my starting spot, You can see some land beyond it, that's actually an Island, Joey and I found a lot of Geo Caches over there, and a lot of ticks, Roxy wasn't happy.

Yes I'm taking a picture of myself as I ride my bike, talented no.

This is part of the River, the free way is behind me. Well not Right behind me, there's some cement barriers too; thank goodness.

Now which way to go, are you kidding, straight, who would want to ride up that freaking hill? Not me. And remember, Choose the Right!

House's across the River. One day I would love to have a house like that, with a dock for my boat in my back yard!

A pretty little part of the path. Its a fun part of the park.

Fancy Boats in their fancy slips, okay not fancy but they are all locked up tight.

There are these swings all along the river trail, I love it!

I love this part of the Trail because it reminds me of an ocean boardwalk.

A shot across the River, the park over there is huge and a lot of fun to play at. Roxy likes to fetch sticks out in the water, but try to get her to play fetch in the park, no way.

I tried to talk Joey into taking me to this diner, but he said we should finish our run first. He bet me that if I ran like Phoebe from Friends, when she was running in Central Park with Rachel (those who have seen it know what I'm talking about, those who haven't, Phoebe runs like a crazy person swinging her arms and legs) If I ran like that for the next stretch he said I could order anything I wanted right then. Yeah I didn't make it.

I like these condos, they have such a pretty view.

The first swim deck in the park, there are only two, this ones the nicest, the others kinda junky.

Oh to be young again.

Now this is a Kiddie Pool!

I think this Statue is so cute, such a sweet picture.

This picture is for all of you who keep asking me how Green it is in the "Ever Green State" Well sadly I don't live in that part of the State. I think it should be called "The Mostly Green State" or the "Almost Completely Green State Except For the Small Little Town's on the Idaho, Oregon Border"

So now I have updated you all on part of my new life in Washington, fun isn't it. Joey needs to get on and write his side of the story. Thanks for Taking my adventure with me.

Wanderlust, Or just Stupid

2009-02-03T21:22:00.004-05:00

So for those of you who think we are weird, I'm here to say we are more weird then you ever thought!!! We are moving again! Yes and no small move is it at all, we are moving to Washington State, yes the exact opposite side of the country. Now we will live on the West Coast instead of the East. Will we ever stop? Heaven only knows. But at least this time we will be moving closer to friends and family and not further. Thats a happy thought. Come February 11th, the Irish Family, complete with Roxy girl, will be headed West and will from then on be on the West coast! I will not be moving cross country again. I will however visit whenever I can. I have to say it was one of our Better moves, and I will never forget my time spent in Hagerstown MD!!
(for those of you who have read this already you can see that I finally edited my mess up. yes we live on the west coast not east, silly me)

Funny Funny, Weird Girl

2009-02-03T20:21:00.008-05:00

As any loving parent would, We gave our Baby Dog a blanket. First it was a baby's first blanket, small and tiny like she was. I slept with that blanket nights before we got her so that it would smell like me (us) so when she slept with it she would get used to our smell. Well obviously she's got bigger, so her blanket had to get bigger too. That's when we gave her this wonderful teddy bear blanket, don't you love it? I do, for those of you who don't know that I'm obsessed with bears.
We didn't think she liked it all that much, all it ever did was stay in her bed, until we moved, and for some odd reason she has started dragging it around with her. It reminds me of Amber's old baby blanket that was all tattered and ripped up, I think she still has it, do you Amber? Any way, this is our funny funny weird baby girl. We just love her.

Funny Funny!!

2008-10-23T20:12:00.010-04:00

So as everyone knows, Joey and I have been around the world!!! just kidding, not really the world but we did get to see all sorts of places. With those places we saw some really weird/funny sites as well. Things locals do when they are bored and feel like making everyone laugh. Or just coming up with somthing that everyone will remember and by so doing, creating somthing really entertaining for the people just passing through.

Wouldn't you love to eat at Peace of Pizza? Joey and I didn't get a chance to try it, but I don't know if we would if we had the time anyway, Just look at they're sign in the window

Sorry We're open, what the heck is that supposed to mean?

Okay you can't tell me that that building doesn't have a face!! I looks like a character off of gumby!

The good ol' Ho Hum Motel. Honestly, by the name alone, would you stay there? "How was your stay at the motel, Mrs. Blockenfepher?" "Oh just ho hum."

And to your left, The Urban Castle, only its not a castle, its just a tower, out standing in a field by storage sheds, alone, no other castle parts as far as the eye can see.

Now see here, this road did not exsit during the civil war. If you thought it was, you were wrong, the sign says so, and the signs are always right.

To be totally honest with you, I really didn't see anyone in this town, the streets were pretty empty, so for all I know, the people in town actually do look like this.

I know its not really funny or entertaining by anymeans, but I thought it was cool and not somthing you see everyday. And one day I would like to visit Witch Meadow.

And there you have it. Funny sites and signs that make driving in the car for hours on end bearable!

Our House

2008-09-08T18:14:00.043-04:00

By popular demand, I have cleaned, scrubbed,sweeped,mopped,dusted, re-arranged and have taken pictures of my house for all to see!! I have to admit I'm very proud of myself for what I've accomplished in such little time. I don't think my house has been this squeaky clean sense we moved in, not that you can really tell in the pictures. I took the pictures myself as well, so they're kinda screwy , not professional in anyway, but the best I could do! So I put the pictures on here in order from walking in the front door, so hopefully the captions will go with the pictures no problem, if not I'm sure it won't be hard to figure out what goes with what. So here we are, the front of the house, we are the third from the end, there are six in this town house complex thingy. Each on looks different on the outside, thank goodness; but from what I've seen all the floor plans are the same. As you walk in, your in the family room, directly across from the front door is a large coat closet, there's no picture, but its to the left of the armourer. The armourer contains extra blankets, Board games, and all of joeys old game cube games and the game cube. My mom decorated the top with my old fashion hat boxes, old fashion hat and my fun pictures, I love it so much!

Continuing in to the room you see our lovely family room, and window seat!!! I love the window seat, I absolutely love it! I've always wanted one, but I always thought it would be in my bed room and I would sit on it and read or day dream out the window! but I like this one better! When we first moved in my mom pretty much decorated my house, with my help of course, I've left most of it, if not all of it, the way she put it. Like the pillows on the ground in front of the window, I liked them there, but now we leave them there because Roxy likes to sleep on them. Its pleasing to the eye and useful, you can't ask for more then that. Yes that's Teddy from Vermont on the window seat with one of my other bears, I took this picture not only because its cute, but because (if you haven't read my other blog about Teddy you need to) he is part of the family and helping out by being a decoration! Roxy is no longer hell bent of destroying my teddy bears, so I can put them out, though sparingly. If I put them all out I'm afraid there will be a causality. There's quite a difference between two bears and twenty, one could go missing and I wouldn't catch it until it was too late!

Now on to our right you can see that it opens up into another cute little room. We didn't know what to do with this room, I wanted a sitting room to read in, but both couches wouldn't fit in the family room with the TV. So we did a lot of re-arranging and placing and trying it this way and that way and came down to what you see now. I love the pillars don't you. Yeah they were the whole reason we had all that trouble! But we like it this way and it works out really well. Behind the couch is a small bathroom. that's where I am taking the other picture. Amber can you tell what movie I'm watching? I'll give you a hint, this question is easier to answer then if I asked you what my birthday is! Mom you could probably guess this pretty easily too. And if Amber's as weird as I am Grant can guess too!

Still continuing to the right, here in the corner is another of my moms wonderful decorating ideas, which I love with all my heart! She was shocked at how much flatware we have that we don't use, and it all matches! So I turned my back and began to unload another box, when I was done, this master piece was all put together. If you don't like it to bad, I do. I add the painting my Sister in Law Lacey made for me, and my cute little dress statuette with the yellow ribbon that matches my centerpiece on the kitchen table. That's a picture of Joey and his siblings, there on the floor, as first I wasn't sure I liked it down there, but now I think it adds just a little something, and now i like it. And if you look carefully there are small bears hanging from the shelf's, look close and you can see three of them, the four has fallen and is being fixed up. Now if you turn around you are facing the kitchen.
Fridge, microwave, stove/oven, cabinets, sink, dishwasher; its all here! Lots of storage, more in the island, I really like the island. Even though I've tried to keep everything so clean for the pictures, I can never completely keep dishes out of the sink, there's always at least one! The next pictures are kinda random, though still important to my house. The picture of the tiny bathroom in the hall, its actually decorated really cute, but I couldn't get a good angle, so this one will have to do.

I know you can't see it very well, but those aren't floating ribbons, they're actually tied to a vase. I love the bear figurine next to it, the boy bear is giving the girl bear a flower and she's blushing! The pillow in the basket says Irish! there's also another bear next to the basket. Bears are seriously taking over my house, you should look in my closet!

Here's my beautiful kitchen table. You really can't see whats on it. Two glass cookie jars, ones bigger then the other. The biggest one has fake cookies in it and a yellow ribbon is tied around it, the smaller one has yellow pears (fake also) in it. There's also a willow tree figurine next to them, its a girl angel bending down holding a yellow chick, Angel of Miracles. If you've noticed willow trees are taking over my house as much as bears are. Not to worry though, they live quite happily together! The reason there are only two Charis at the table is because the other two are up stairs in joey's office . To the left of the kitchen table is a sliding glass door that leads out to the porch, we have a tiny bit of privacy, only two short fences on both sides (short length not height) Its raining so I didn't get a picture of out side sorry. I'll post one later. Now up the stairs we go!
This is our bedroom, again, my angle isn't so good so you don't see Joeys side of the bed at all, but really do you want to?Now what you don't see which is unusual is that there are no books on my bed side table, usually there are like three to five at once, currently they are all hiding so I don't look like a such a slob. behind me is our bathroom and on the other side, next to the second window that you can't really see is our closet. This next picture is of Joey and Roxy in Joeys office/Roxy's room, he's such a hard worker. The office is directly across to hall from our room. The laundry room/closet is in the middle.

See the cute little doors that close so you don't have to see the washer and dryer? yeah thanks to them the dryer door only opens half way, lucky huh! I'm not complaining really, I think its funny. So to the left of the office is another guest room. this room is where I keep all my girl stuff, books, crafts, puzzles, nail stuff etc. At the moment though it is completely trashed. This is the only room I didn't clean. I was looking for something the other day, and i was in a hurry, so I through everything that was in the closet onto the air mattress, the closet is now empty(except for a box full of bears). I wasn't going to take a picture of it, but I thought it was funny so I did anyway. Oh my little book shelf there to the left is always overflowing and cluttered so that's actually the way it always looks! I have to many books and nowhere to put them. The dresser in the corner has three more bears on it, is anyone keeping track? Last but not least is our guest bathroom upstairs. It is directly across from my craft room. Its bigger and nicer then the master bath. I'm kinda jealous, but I like to keep it clean so I don't ever use it.

And this concludes our tour of my new house, Its joeys too so i need to give him some credit, because of him all of this is possible. Thank you for taking time out of your day to look over my house. So if any of you want to come over and visit, we have room, I promise the guest room will be cleaned up! The couches are very very comfy as well, and if all else fails I know Roxy won't mind sharing!

I'd like to Introduce the newest member of our family

2008-09-08T17:53:00.007-04:00

As most of you know, Joey takes me on his travels, and we went to Vermont this last week. It was so fun and little did I know that we would leave on our trip with only two in our party and come home with three! May I introduce TEDDY!!! I found him, all sad and lonely on a shelf at the Vermont teddy bear company, and I had to have him. He lead a little bit of a wild life before I resuced him, hence his irish, kiss me tatoo on his arm, but I don't care, he's ours now and we love him(he even came in a way cute box ). He'll be in all our family picture s from now on!! Plus he was way expensive, so I'm teaching him how to clean to make up for it. He's pretty good at it too, except he can't reach the high places, so mostly he sweeps and mops. Anyway, just thought everyone should met him!

Continuing our ride

2008-09-01T21:48:00.004-04:00

Yes! Oh, AHA! Biking, joey and I are now bikers, little less leather jacket a little more training wheels, but you get the picture. Instead of riding around old battle fields, this time we rode down the C&O canal(Chesapeake and Ohio canal)along the Potomac river. It was heaven. Paved, flat, shady and beautiful! No random cannons, no corn fields, just lots and lots of trees, and water. If you'd like the history I have a pamphlet for you, I'm just not that patient or interested in writing it all down, so let me know if you want to know. The same group went with us this time as last time. Because I'm not that strong of a rider yet, I found my stride and stayed with it. singing and dancing along as best I could on a bike. (note: never go long distance bike riding with out your Ipod, or equivalent to an Ipod)Again the boys liked going fast and so did Brooke, I feel bad that I may have slowed them down, but I was having fun, being a dork and singing to myself. We rode for 25 miles, it took us a little over two hours. Sense the ride was so smooth and completely free of big hills(except for one we took on accident because we got lost for a little bit, but we found our way back to the trail not to worry), we didn't have to stop all that often, so we didn't take any pictures. But I have a feeling we'll be going back, so we'll get plenty of pictures then. Another weekend well spent, if anyone wants to join us next time let me know.

Our Beautiful baby girl

2008-08-29T12:16:00.015-04:00

Isn't she lovely, Isn't she wonderful! Our little miss Roxy girl is our life, I don't know what we're going to do when we finally have babies of our own, I wonder if they'd mind sharing a bed with Roxy? Sense we don't have any kids, we dote on her. She's as spoiled as we can make her. We got her when she was 8 weeks old, she was such a tiny thing. We got her from friends in Washington that Joey knows from his mission. Our friend Nate brought her down from washington as his carry on lugage stored under his seat. To be brought on plane she needed to be sedated. Sense she was drugged she didn't act like a normaly puppy. I thought somthing was wrong with her, She was very lethargic and she looked sick. I worried over her form the time she got off the plane until the next day. By afternoon of the next day she was back to normal and exploring everything. She didn't stand a chance for a normal life from the very begining. Sense she was so tiny we carried her everywhere! just picked her up into our arms like the baby she was. Her first unsedated night was awful. Thus our whinner was born. When night came and bed time rolled around, we stuck her in her bed(kennel) and went to bed ourselves. Thats when the crying started, and the whinning. She never barked, (she still doesn't bark alot, she only barks when she's spooked, which happens rarely.) We did everything we could think to make her sleep, she took turns cuddeling up to each of us. When we all finally fell asleep, joey was on one couch I was on the other, Roxy's back legs were on my chest and the rest of her body was streched over the sofas arm and the side table. After that we tried everything. We let her sleep in our room, she always ended up stuck under the bed, we let her sleep on our bed, she stilled ended up stuck under the bed. Finally we put her in her kennel shut the door and layed down next to it until she fell asleep. Some how that stuck and she finally started sleeping in her kennel with no problem. Joey and I are very active and we love hiking and camping. When we talked about getting a dog, we always agreed it had to be active like us and we'd take her everywhere with us. We started her off young. We took her to Bear lake three weeks after we got her. Joey through her in the water first chance he got. After that she was a swimmer! we've taken her to many body's of water sense. Joey's made sure that roxy was a hiking. We took her hiking very young as well. Our first hiking trip roxy found the ONLY cactus on the mountian side, but that didn't stop her, she just kept hiking along with us. Time moves on and she got bigger, she still tried to hide under the coffee table even though she didn't fit. Our family loves dogs and almost every family has a dog, My sister Amber has two. Roxy loves playing with her cousins, she's just so full of energy. She doesn't even get tired playing with Chelsea, my aunt and uncles boxer. Roxy is more then a dog to us, she's our baby and she has a personality all her own. She's a whinner, and she craves attention, I practically trip over her whenever I go anywhere in the house. She's very very cuddly, even though she doesn't fit on our laps, she does anyway, she's always snuggeling up to us and we love it! this is our baby in all her glory. We can't get enough of her and we're thinking of getting her a baby sister. Human or Dog, both will work for us. We love our baby!

Our Life

2008-08-28T22:06:00.004-04:00

Saturday Biking!

2008-08-26T11:21:00.008-04:00

As everyone knows, what good is a bike if you never use it? its not actually a saying or anything just common sense. " The More the Merrier" now that is a saying, and a great saying at that. So if the "more" has bikes that aren't any good unless they're used, its a recipe for a weekend of fun biking with friends!! Matt and Brooke Eldridge, Matt Sharder and Joey and I all went out to the Antietam Battle field and rode our bikes! What I didn't count on, which I should have because I have lived in Maryland for three months now, but it didn't cross my mind that there were be so many hills! Speeding down hills is not something I particularly like, and peddling like mad up hills isn't that much fun either. The brakes on my brand new pretty bike will have to be replaced much sooner then I ever thought. The boys had fun speeding down the hills though. The scenery was Breathtaking, all the corn fields, and cow fields, with random cannons placed here and there. Statues and markers indicating what brave and courageous men were here and what happened in the battle. It was a beautiful day, the sun was up but not so hot. We took some great pictures, joey went a little crazy with the scenery pictures, great pictures, but theres alot of them. We all had a great time and enjoyed the tasty haute cuisine from Red Robin afterwards. I think that if we keep up the Saturday bike rides, we'll be in the shape of our lives by the end of the year, especially if we keep going to places with all those Hills!!

its been 3 years!

2008-08-25T12:38:00.010-04:00

I pretty much consider myself the luckiest girl alive to have a Joey Irish as my husband. for our 3rd yr ann. he surprised me, the only way joey can. by trying to be secretive, and giving it all way in the process! first off he bought me a bike. we had been looking at this green girlie bike that was on sale at Dick's for a while. we kept telling ourselves how much fun it would be if we both had bikes; then we could go riding whenever we wanted! So the day before our anniversary he tells me , out of the blue, that we'll have to wait on getting the bike because it is no longer on sale. Sure huney, he's master of misdirection. When I asked him what we were doing for our anniversary, if I need to do anything; He told me to pack, but we were't spending the night, but I needed an outfit just in case i got wet, oh and bring a swim suit too, just in case. So I asked him if it was "joey only" swim wear or "out in public" swim wear. Of course his answer answered my question, we were going to a Water Park! and the only one we know of that is close to us is Hershey Park!!! He trys to hard to be sneaky, he's just not very good at it. So we opened our presents that night, I got my beautiful bike and he got Rock Band for the Wii. By the way he hasn't stopped playing that thing sense we got back.

So on we went to the wonderful world of Hershey! where every where you go it smells like chocolate. and the street lamps are shaped like chocolate kisses. its heaven! Thank goodness for us that it wasn't that hot or we wouldn't have had a good time. For that matter thank goodness joey gets sick on the twirly whirly rides or we would have spent most of our time in lines waiting in the hot sun for a ride that only lasts all of five minutes! So we rode the more sedate rides and played as hard as if we were still little kids; only taller so we could ride the rides. My favorite ride wasn't really a ride, it was more a scentic out look over the entire park. The kissing tower!

Our day was turning out to be the best anniversary ever! We took our time and got to see and do everything we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it. As the day went on it only got hotter, so we decided to play in the water. There were so many choices in slides! big ones little one, long ones, short ones. Buckets that tip and pour water on you. slides that swoosh and pools that splash! such fun! Joey got to wave surf and I got to tan, well burn more like it, but I got some sun either way. We spent all day in the park. We ate in the park, napped while standing in line, got our excersie from walking all over the place and entertained ourselves to our hearts content. But lets face it, we aren't 10 anymore, if it weren't for caffenine and the book on CD that we were listening to in the car, we wouldn't have made it home. I've never slept so hard in my life. Fun, Fun, Fun.