APriL fOoLs

With a little photo shop, Sam tricked everyone in his family. No one in mine believed it... I guess my family is just so much smarter than his... either that, or my family lies a whole lot more than his does, so we just don't believe each other anymore :)

Quick Trip to AZ

There is nothing quite like going home. This last trip was a blast. I enjoyed every minute of hanging out with my family in that warm Arizona sun! Trips like these make it awfully hard to live so far away from family. I was finally able to see Ethan in action at his baseball game. He gets so into the game and got out a bunch of kids on 1st base.

Kade entertained us by shaking his booty while balancing. He is the cutest dancer.

1 hour in the sun = sunburn. Sad.

This was my favorite part of the trip. We shopped all afternoon and ended it with the Cheesecake Factory.

Since Sam was in Utah, I had lots of sleepovers with my sisters. They included the traditional presents (contest to see who can find the weirdest thing to give away), what-if questions, and truth or dare. No, I am not still12. But I can still appreciate a good sleep over :)

It was so nice to be able to spend most of our time outside. We played beach volleyball, badmitton, tennis, and went on bike rides. I was in heaven.

We talked Brooke into seeing if she could still spin around the bar... she used to be able to do it faster than any of us. 3 kids later and she's still got it! he he. Brooke is the greatest big sister. She spoils us all almost as much as our mom and is the best mom to her little boys.

My Mom is amazing. She is so much fun to be around, spends all her time doing things for others, and spoils us like crazy every time we visit. Her and my father are such great parents.

twenty-six, yikes!

Inching closer and closer to 30.... it's starting to scare me! Because after 30, is 40. However, the day was wonderful. I woke up early to a TP'd house with all sorts of funny signs. Sam is a real trooper to carry on my family's traditions. We went to an early breakfast at Mimi's, I worked most of the day, and came home from work to flowers, dinner with Sam, and a late night movie at home. I think Sam was exhausted by the time the day was over :)

My wishes for year 26: 1. a BABY! 2. that our jobs work out 3. that if our jobs don't work out, one in Hawaii does 4. increased peace and balance in my life

(Don't be alarmed by the bloody neck, it's just Bella)

Newest nephew...Joziah Bronson

Matt and Jill welcomed little baby Joziah on Wednesday. We rushed down Friday and had lots of fun getting to hold him all weekend. He is such a sweet baby; I never even heard him cry. We loved being able to play with Raquel and Reichlin as well, and I know Sam loved the late night video games with his brother. I feel so blessed to only have been born into such a great family, but married into a wonderful family as well. Thank you for letting us come, Matt and Jill!

Miss these guys

This weekend Dave, Melissa, and their little baby, Olivia, paid us a visit. It has only been a few weeks but we miss such great friends! How lucky we are that we close enough to still visit. 

It isn't everyday that Sam can find a friend as mature as he is. 

Dave and Melissa handmade this house warming gift, "Santos Bates". A true treasure.

Lost without Lost

We are part of the 99% of America that is hooked on Lost. Up until or move to Provo, Sam and I have never had TV. We had a TV, just no channels. We spend our weekend nights with movies and seasons, particularly LOST. A few days before we moved I went to work and set everything out for Sam to make dinner. When I came home, there was no dinner, I only had a few minutes until I had to go to a meeting, and I was a little ticked off and said a few not-so-nice words. When I came home from my meeting, Sam had set up this whole treasure hunt around our house, which led to..... Lost, Seasons 4 and 5. Turns out he was trying hard to get the "hunt" done before I came home from work, and that = no dinner, and that = what a great wife I am for getting mad. Good thing it's my first mistake ever :) 

Our new place

It is nice and cozy, new, and I am really liking it. We live in the basement of a nice family in our ward, and are close to the mall, Costco, and restaurants galore. I think it will work out great :)

Grandma and Grandpa Bates

This last weekend we headed up to California to visit Sam's grandma one last time. About 3 weeks ago she was given 5 weeks left to live. What we that be like - to know you only had a few weeks left? Although she was incredibly weak, she was still as sweet as ever, and even sweeter was her husband taking care of her. When she got sick he bought the love seat they are sitting on just so he could sit next to her, holding her hand. Grandpa Bates is a patriarch and one of the most Christ-like people I know. Even with his wife about to pass away, he was so concerned about everyone else and making sure everyone else was comfortable. What an example.

Take me back

This last summer in Hawaii was magical. No work, no school, nothing to do but spend our days on the beach. Since we've returned, Sam has been painting pictures that remind us of our years in Hawaii. I can't help but smile when I look at them, because for just a second, they take me back.

Sorry to disapoint you, but...

The last picture was taken 3 years ago, in Maui, on our Honeymoon. Our new place looks nothing like that, it is a small one bedroom basement :( But wouldn't it be nice if that was our real house! It was just the only photo I had on hand of Sam, the birthday boy. Anywasy, here's what's going on since the move:

• Sam is loving his new job. Looks like it will work out quite nicely.
• I am jobless. And going crazy. I figured I would substitute teach while I looked for a real job, and guess what? They are not accepting application for subs, because they have too many CERTIFIED TEACHERS that want to sub for under 8 bucks an hour. I am a little bitter.
• We went to a family ward. In our married student ward, church was FUN. Fulfilling, but also FUN. Family ward- nice, but not quite so fun. I need to get used to old people again. It is hard for me to pretend like their jokes are funny.
• We live right next to the greatest mall ever but I feel to guilty shopping, seeing as I am not working.

I didn't think a move only an hour a half a way would be a big deal, but being friendless and jobless has got me discouraged... I'll update soon as things are sure to get better :)