Texas all the Way

For our spring vacation we decide to head over to Texas. We moved between Austen and Dallas. I would say it was one of our favorite vacations because we just did whatever we wanted no set time or place. We ended up visiting the state capital, a Maverick basketball game, to many amazing restaurants, and exotic animal store.
A few things that we miss in Texas are...


1. Traffic lights are horizontal
2. All officers wear cowboy hats
3. Star or the State or Texas flag plastered everywhere
4. Waffle Iron the shape of the TX State.
5. East side Pies
6. BBQ joints everywhere.
7. Meat is the main and sometime only course in the meal.
8. Hot weather
9. Friends in TX
10.The sloth at the pet store
Here are the things you love pictures....

Capital of TX

Wildlife Rescue Center in Dallas

This Rescue Center was awesome these Wild cats where left to die and the founder of the Center found away to save them.

This was Harley

This Lion was just rescued but he has a hard time eating. They tryed to feed him a chicken leg that was the face he pulled

AVA Basketball Stadium in Dallas

The Mav's did not win but we had fun watching them play LA Lakers

We went to a few exotic pet stores this one had a pop belly pig as an exotic pet.

We visited with Amber a Friend of the Ridds... her boys were so cute

Blacks Restrunt getting our meat on or in our bellies.

Baptized by Fire

Zach got baptized at the begin of this month... Then to celebrate we took the Ottely kids to Idaho and played on the snowmobiles for one last time. This was the 1st time AJ got a chance to play on them it was really fun. But with all Fun somethings have to come to a end. The big blue chair fell apart so to give the chair a final farewell. Steve gave this blue chair a fire salute good bye. It was funny Steve put fireworks in the fire so it had a 21 gun salute.

Snow BRING IT...

Andy and I decided to go visit my family this weekend. We really didn't think to watch the weather channel or prepare our selves as we went on a wild adventure through Sardine Canyon. As we got closer to Brigham City we started to think, "I didn't know it was suppose to snow tonight." But we kept on trucking forward. As we entered the Canyon it had a warning sign, "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE OR CHAINS REQUIRED." Did we worry at all, maybe, not enough to make us turn around and head back to Fruit Heights. We pushed our little Sliver CRV onward. Then as we were 1/4 the way through we thought this is going to be a long drive.

Have you ever been on the Star Trek ride in Disney Land. You know that part when you just board the ride and it shoots you through a warp speed tunnel. All the lights are zooming past you and everything is dark all you can see is the blur white lights whizzing by. Just imagine doing that but only going 20 MPH, all the snow being blast at your wind shield sticking to it like glue & only seeing about a few feet in front. That is how it was for us Friday night.

Thank goodness Andy was driving he is really amazing with driving in the snow. I swear it is a gift. Anyway as we sluggishly drove through we found some other daring people one of them became our Buddy, a small Toyota car, he was our personal plow man. We would follow right behind him tracing his tracks.

You know the saying, "The blind leading the blind". Well it got so bad our Buddy got a little confused and he took us on the wrong side of the barricade heading into on coming traffic. Thank goodness there wasn't a lot of people on the road and that everyone else were hugging the right side of the highway. As we hugged the left and searched for an opening in the barricade.

After 20 mins of share white knuckle, griping, panic we finally made it to the right side and broke free of the white out.

Lesson learned make sure you have a full tank of gas, chains and be more app to listen to the warning signs. We are so glad that everything turned out just fine and that we were protected.

Enough of the scary stuff on to the fun we had Saturday. With loads of snow that we received my sister Danielle and her hubby Steve invited us to go snowmobiling and sledding. Saturday morning we packed up our snow cloths, dolls and dishes hitched a ride up with my dad and the Ottley kids to Idaho. I think the best part was to see my dad hop on to one of those snowmobiles and drive like a bat out of Heck. He had a grin plastered on his face the whole day. It was nice to see him have some fun, he works so hard.

All in all even though it was nightmare trying to come up to Logan it was all worth it. Here are some pictures.

After a go in the fields we decide to go to an area to sled. To get there we made a path with the snowmobiles and drove the Chev out to a hilly part. While we were waiting for my dad and Steve to make the path we ended up at a cow farm. Maya and Zach found this huge pile of snow and Halie was all dressed in her snow cloths so Dani pulled her on a sled. Well Halie wasn't to fond of the sled but it was cute to see Dani try.

The snow was so fluffy that we couldn't get the sleds to go anywhere. Steve took the snowmobile up and down the hill until we had a nice sledding path.

Steve and my dad where trying to pack down the snow so they tied the sled to the snowmobile and tried to make a nice sledding path. But it didn't work that way the sled just broke. It was entertaining to watch.

Atonement

I've been thinking about this great subject the Atonement and the power of Christ. I been meaning to dig out a book in our packed boxes called, "Jesus the Christ". As we have been studying the Savor in the New Testament I have a burning desire to get to know Him, and all that He did. The Atonement is such a powerful act and bond that was created. It is what fuses us to true Love, the Love of our Heavenly Father.
Lately I have had some experiences that has made my heartache with the desire for those I love to be healed or touched by this great miracle that we have. But we the loving watchers of our brothers and sisters have to step aside and allow a choice to be made by those we love. This is the hardest thing for me I want to step in, pick up, dust off and gently guide them to our Savor.
I know I can't but I can bare a pure testimony that will hopefully plant a seed.
I know we have a Loving Heavenly Father. When I work on people I feel that love, the spirit whispers the truth of His love everyday. I know He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be slaughter like a perfect lamb so that we all may live again.
Jesus Christ is real He broke the chains of death, He bought us with His precious blood. He is among us if we only humble our self and kneel in prayer to ask Him to be with us. I know there isn't anything He can not do. I've seen hearts mended, lives saved, peace brought to those in great pain, and much more. I know these things are true I know there is Hope if we only have Faith and Endure. If you feel helpless you are not alone. We all go through hard times we all need help and that is okay, that is what makes us children. We need our Heavenly Father and Mother and most of all our Big Brother to teach us and bring us Home.
I love you al,l I know I'm not perfect but I know I have a perfect source to go to. May you have those blessings you need. Again I love you and if you need an ear I would love to listen. Please remember who you are and that many people pray for you and are waiting to serve you with tender love.

What's that... homemade fun.

This weekend we ended up in IDAHO, at my sister Danille's, house. We got up there late Friday night, of coarse we stayed up late. Then we woke up late Saturday morning had a wonderful breakfast. Then dressed up for a fun time in snow cloths.

Steve got some older snowmobiles for his Christmas gift this year. Then one of his buddies and Steve got a super cool idea. They built there own ski chair out of ply wood, nails, 2 x 2's, old pair of skies, blue fur, and lots of padding. What they did was strapped the homemade chair with a tow rope to the snowmobile and presto you have a homemade ski chair. I have to say I have not had so much fun on a low budget in a long time. Steve you are an inspiration, you don't need tons of $ to have fun.

Danille and Steve live by miles and miles of fields. It had just snowed enough that we were able to take the snowmobile for a spin. Steve let Andy drive the snowmobile while I was in the ski chair and I almost ended in the ditch once. Then Steve let me Drive while Andy was on the ski chair and I almost jackknifed Andy. I guess I'm a crazy driver when it comes to snowmobiles. I ended up breaking off one of the ski's. I didn't break the ski just a screw thank goodness. Any who Steve had to go back and get tools to fix the chair.

Mean while Andy and I were stranded with Reggie, my sisters dog,in the field so we got a little creative and dressed up the poor Reggie.

After the eventful afternoon we headed to the busy town Preston Idaho, where we went to a fabulous fabric store, and the DI and a movie. Then we played two new games that I fell in love with... Bang and Spot it.

In between the fun I grew more in love with my sweet Niece Halie, she is the funniest thing ever. She is super smart and she laughs at herself all the time. At church she would wall walk to Andy hit his shoe and Wall walk as fast as she could back to her mom and dad while laughing. What a goof.

Then Sunday night we went to my moms stayed until Tuesday. Monday I went to Old Navy and got 6 things for only 30 dollars, one of them being a green wool coat for only 7 dollars. We had fun and hope to do it again. Here are some pictures.

Back on the Plan

Our vacation for 2 weeks in September became a 3 month see food (& eat) vacation. With a few to many pounds gained we wanted to start the new year with the New Point Plus Plan with Weight Watchers. So far this year we are doing good. I've found out you can't just depend on eating right to lose weight. There are too many temptations. That is why I've made a goal to exercise everyday. This last week I made myself exercise and it worked so well, I felt guilty not exercising one day. I almost got up and at midnight to work out... That is a lot of dedication, because I'm not that into exercising.

Hair Fanasco

Andy one day decided to grow his hair out. He normally doesn't last long without a hair cut. When his hair hits his ears he is off to chop it off. I was surprise to hear him say he wasn't going to cut it for 6 months. It's been 3 months since he made the goal, so he has 3 more months to go. While his hair is growing like a chia pet, he added a growth of stubble on his chin and of coarse you have to have a mexi stache with that. It is quite hair-larious to see him twiddle his figures in his facial hair. I have to admit I can't stop running my figures through his thick fluffy head of hair too. I've become a Carson, my nephew, I'm addicted to his hair. Running my fingers in his hair helps me to fall asleep at night, I don't know what I'll do when he cuts it short again. Also the lack of haircuts is saving us 20 dollars month, equaling 120 dollars all together. This is one goal I hope he keeps for longer, I love his hair.

Then of coarse I had to get into the Hair Raising Fanasco. I have limited myself to only getting my hair done 2 times a year. I started the goal last year, it was so hard at first. I'm one of those people who can't stand to see the split ends. I would get my hair cut every month but with getting married money is a lot tighter. That is way I only do my hair 2 times a year. With that I got my hair cut and colored in December. I have to say I'm loving it, I'm going to stay this color for ever. I might add a few peek a boo colors here or there but I'm staying dark.

Any who that is what is up with us so for far this year. Hope you enjoy the pictures