Don't make fun of me!

Guys I really love my dog. So what else could I do but throw him a birthday party on his 1st Birthday. It just made sense. Even though Ranger hated wearing his hat, he loved all the awesome treats he got that day.

We invited friends over to celebrate with us, and for his birthday they gave him a new chew rope and some milk bones, THANKS GUYS! (and Ranger made a new best friend Luke Mott).

It was so fun!

TEXAS RANGER TURNS 1. (7 in dog years)

This is how Range felt pretty much the whole time he had to wear his hat. The things I make my dog do. ha ha

We had an ice cream cake for everyone, and then we made Ranger a special peanut butter cake with cream cheese filling and crushed bone topping.

Yep me forcing ranger to wear his hat again!

I was trying to get a good picture with Ranger but he was being very uncooperative.

Dan and I got him this bed for his Birthday, and at the end of the night he disappeared and we found him curled up in it! He is so cute!

DISCLAIMER: OK People I do know that he is just a dog, and that half you are probably thinking I am weird, but we have so much fun with this little guy, and he keeps me company when Dan is gone. So make fun all you want, but I promise you there will be plenty more posts about TEXAS RANGER LANCASTER!

Its Christmas Time in the REXBURG!

This is a big post. So if you are not interested in reading the whole thing I bolded and * my favorite parts.

Christmas came and went so fast that it's hard to believe that it even happened. Luckily we had an amazing Christmas with my family this year, and that defiantly helps the realization that the whole experience really did happen.

Lets take it one step at a time....

MY BIRTHDAY 12/23/2010

It all started on a beautiful sunny day in Texas, when I woke up and thought "ITS MY BIRTHDAY AND I AM @$!!!" I love my birthdays.

Dan took Ranger out for his morning routine and come back with a birthday card from Ranger. IT WAS ADORABLE! We then finished packing and headed to the airport but first..

*I came out to the car and the whole inside was decorated with balloons, confetti, and streamers! I LOVED IT!!!! Then every time we hit a major city on our drive to Dallas Dan gave me a birthday gift. I admit it was the best drive to Dallas I ave ever had. I WAS SPOILED!

We flew from Dallas, and I thought it was going to be way stressful with a lot of people, but the airport was empty. We were checked in and through security within 20 minutes. It was awesome.

*We flew with Ranger.... Need I say more?

Poor little thing was put in a tiny little bag and had to stay at the bottom of my feet the whole time. It was a very stressful day for him.

We took him out at Denver and started walking around. We were both busy looking at the screens and trying to figure out our next connection when we looked down and Range left a nice little present for us. :) DAN WAS MORTIFIED, I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY!

It felt so good to see snow again flying into Idaho Falls. We walked off the plane and my sister (MEGS) and my parents were there with balloons and very happy faces. I love that feeling of seeing my family after being gone.

Ranger hated the snow. He tipped over again, and again trying to not get his little paws wet. It was very entertaining to watch him walk around like a prissy little girl.

When we got home we settled in and my other sister (MICH) and her family got to the house. We ordered Fongs (WHAT ELSE) and had a great birthday celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

CHRISTMAS EVER 12/24/2010

Christmas Eve was full of Christmas Eve festivities!

We shopped a little, cooked, and played out in the snow.

I have missed the snow so much and it felt good to be outside in such crisp air.

*We hooked a tube and sled to the snow machine, and rode around. We also took rides out in the field and just cruised around. It seriously felt like the old days! The kids had a blast and no one wanted to go in, but it was time for the festive Christmas Eve dinner.

I don't know what it is but Christmas Eve dinner is the best dinner out of thee entire year! The food is always perfect, people are just happy, and everything is amazing.

*MY MOM IS THE BEST COOK!!

Christmas Eve was full of food, games and the opening of Christmas Eve pajamas.

CHRISTMAS DAY 12/25/2010

All of Christmas Day gets to be bolded

*Christmas morning was hectic, and super fun with my nieces and nephews.

The day always goes by so fast, there is just no time to stop.

My dad got a Red Wii for Christmas, so we pretty much played that, played millions of games and ATE, ATE, ATE!!

We went snow machining some more, and just played all day.

If you are wondering what this is, we played a game where we had to do these random acts.

Dad had to wear a pickle mustache for one whole turn

I had to act like a cat, and drink out of a bowl

Megan had to switch socks with Michael.... NOT PRETTY!

BOXING DAY (CANADIAN) 12/26/2010

Pretty much the same thing as Christmas day.

* We did go out to a field and we attempted shooting some guns, my brother and brother in law who think they are invincible got stuck, and so we spent most of the time digging them out. When I say we I mean them (Dan, Mikey, and Cam) the girls just watched....and laughed

my oldest sister (Brooke) came down with her family, so everyone was home! it was so chaotic, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!!

GOING HOME DAY 12/27/2010

Flights were delayed everywhere.

Our flight from Idaho Falls was delayed 45 minutes. When we landed in Arizona, WE LITERALLY HAD 5 MINUTES TO RUN A MILE! Our connecting flight was clear across the airport. To this day we still can't believe that we made that flight.

When we get home, we headed to the car and Dan's unlock button wasn't working, we thought thats weird, then mine wouldn't work either. come to find out OUR CAR WAS DEAD!

I admit it was me who left the over head light on, but lucky for me I have a very patient husband who laughed and solved the problem! Thanks Dan!

WOW! I made it to the end. I told you there was a lot to read, but it was worth writing it all down!

Moving Upward

Literally we are moving up! To the big city of Dallas TX. We actually have known for a while, but I have been super busy, and then super sick so I forgot to blog about it! I know, I let myself down a little bit too!

Through the month of November Dan received Job offers, that could take us all over, but after much deliberation, prayer and more prayer we decided to take the offer in Dallas Tx. Texas really has become home for us, we have loved it here and we really wanted to stay in the state so our wish came true.

Dallas is only about 1 1/2 hours north of Waco (where we live now) so moving is going to be super easy! I am so excited to be closer to a LDS temple, an international airport, and of course MUCH better shopping. Dan is happy just to have a Hockey team that he can cheer for down in the states (SILLY CANADIANS AND THEIR HOCKEY!)

I do admit that I am a little intimidated by such a large city, but I know I will learn my way around and LOVE IT!!!

We're not moving until May, but we are already anxious to get going. I guess once you know that next step is available all you want is to go, but I am trying to enjoy my last months here in Waco and experiencing everything we can.

Anyways just thought I would share the update!

HERE'S DALLAS!

Oh How a Song Sticks in Your Heart!

There truly is something magical about Christmas, and all that comes with Christmas, Yes even the shopping, the gift wrapping, and the hustle and bustle, and I LOVE IT ALL!! I never get sick of the repetitive Christmas music that plays on all my stereo's all month long! Every time I hear the orchestrated song "Sleigh Ride" I can't help but to think of those years I played the violin in my high school Orchestra in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, SLC. This was a major tradition for my high school and every year was AWESOME! Our big finale was always the Sleigh Ride song. We had the whip sound and all along with Mr. Hansen our Director playing the trumpet as horses.

I think back to those times and how awesome we thought we all were in high school. Oh wait I still think I'm pretty awesome. How riding a massive bus for 4 hours would be the highlight of the trip. Walking around temple square and looking at the lights, eating at Olive Garden and always disobeying the chaperones by sneaking out of our hotel rooms. I now realize how awful that is, and how much those parents had to of hated my friends and I, but to be honest I am sure I would do the same thing all over again.

I know that these little memories I write about are pointless to some of you to read, but I don't think before I put things on my blog, and I know that many of you , who went to Madison High School and played in the Orchestra, will be laughing about this, as your own memories come flooding back.

This is something that just popped into my head as I'm sitting here listening to "Sleigh Ride" :)

REMEMBER GREAT MEMORIES THIS CHRISTMAS, AND REMEMBER TO MAKE AWESOME NEW ONES!!!

LOVES!

These are my friends from High school. We all were in Orchestra together for many many years!

Vanessa, Megs, Siri, Deidre, Katherine, Heather, Me, Danielle, and Nicole

I believe this was my Jr. Year in Highschool (Date is wrong on Camera)

I'm a Mormon

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and being here in Texas has given me many opportunities to share about my faith. I get asked the question a lot of why I am mormon, by those who may not know what the mormon church is, or because they have different beliefs, so I decided that I would set up a mormon profile on here. I have put a button on my blog and if you go to the right hand side and click on the "I am Mormon" button then you can read all about why I am a Mormon. It was really fun to set up and I hope that reading this inspires you to make one if you are LDS, and if you are not check it out because its a great!! Its awesome to bear your testimony and to have the opportunity to have people ask you about the gospel!

Anyways Check it out!

3 Years and Counting

Dan and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary on the 10th of November. I can't believe it's already been 3 years. I look back on just those 3 years and realize at how much life has changed, how much Dan and I have changed, and the affect that change has had on our marriage (FOR THE BETTER). It's been an amazing 3 years with definite challenges and lots of ups and downs, but there is no one I would rather go through life with than Dan. He definitely makes life all that much more adventurous.

Our anniversary was on Wednesday; Dan sent me a dozen roses for each year we have been married. I LOVED IT! They were beautiful and I have never received so many roses before.

Thursday we took off, and this year we decided to take a trip to the coast to Corpus Christi.

here's our trip in a nut shell.

Thursday was Veteran's Day; we both had work and school off, so we headed to the coast early to see my Uncle Tom, and Aunt Cindy. We checked out the area, because with Dan's Job offers there is a possibility we will be living in Houston. We were able to see my cousin and he husband, and then we went to dinner.

After, we headed over to Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Docks by our hotel

Our hotel was right on the beach, and the view from our balcony was beautiful. The picture on the right is the view from our room. Also Dan and Ranger (Yes we brought Ranger) enjoying the view. You could walk right out of our hotel and be on the beach. It was great taking Ranger for walks by the water, even though he hated it.

We went to a few art museums, and then to the U.S.S Lexington that was used in WWII. It was so amazing, and crazy to be on such a massive ship. We were able to walk through the whole ship. When we went down to the sleeping quarters, I became claustrophobic, and had a panic attack, and literally started running up those really narrow stairs just in like the movies. I now have dreamt about being in the army every night since. I wake up freaking out!

That night we celebrated our anniversary with a very nice dinner. 'The Republic of Texas' was on the top of the Omni Hotel, We had a great view of the ocean and it was really romantic. We ate like royalty! It was amazing!

Saturday we woke up and headed to the North Padre Island. It was a little bit colder, but we headed to the beach, and just walked the coastline, picking up shells and splashing our feet in the water.

We spent the rest of the day shopping and eating.

To end the evening we took a sunset boat ride out on the ocean. We watched the sun go down, listened to the music and enjoyed the view.

Of course entertaining ourselves.

Sunday morning we woke up and headed home. It was so much fun and I loved every minute of it.

Next year we will be somewhere different, a different city and a different life than we know here in Waco, Texas. Real Jobs and no longer be considered students. It's going to be weird and I can't wait!!

It has its own club and everything!

This week Dan is in Colorado at GSA. “What is that?” You ask? It stands for

“Geolological Society of America”

Now people, this is huge to the geology world. Everyone who is anyone in geology is apart of the GSA. Ya, they have little membership cards and everything. Since Dan has been traveling a lot lately I get asked the question of why, or what is it that your husband does? When I answer their question by responding that he’s a geologist, I have to prepare myself for an explanation of what that entails. It’s not just a simple one worded answer, people want to know what in the world he does as a geologist. You see, geologists are in high demand, and I also might add very good looking, but I am going to take this time to explain what it is that my husband does, or will be doing pretty much for the rest of his life.

Dan is a Geologist.

According to the English world dictionary, Geology is ‘The scientific study of the origin, history, structure, and composition of the Earth.’ And a Geologist studies all of it. There are many, many different types of Geologist.

What is it that Dan does specifically?

Dan is a Petroleum Geologist.

“A petroleum geologist is an occupation that involves all aspects of oil discovery and production. Petroleum geologists are usually linked to the actual discovery of oil and the identification of possible oil deposits or leads. It can be a very intensive task involving several different fields of science and elaborate machinery. Petroleum geologists look at the structural and sedimentary aspects of the stratum/strata to identify possible oil traps. Petroleum geologists make the decision on where the location of drilling will occur. This is done by locating prospects within a sedimentary basin.” –Sourced-

There you have it, that’s what Dan does.

I love that Dan is a geologist, I love that he’s doing something different and out of the ordinary, and that he loves it, and has such a passion for it.

I LOVE BEING A GEOLOGIST’S WIFE!