You Know It's Bad When You're Dreaming About It

You know that something is bad when you start dreaming about it. Last night I dreamed that there was a gas station that was selling gas for $.30/gallon. I can't believe it, my annoyance about gas prices is coming up in my dreams.

When Madelyn gets here I won't have to drive to work anymore, so Spence and I decided that we are going to stop driving altogether. He can ride his bike to work, and I'll just have to go places that are within running or walking distance of our home. (I am not worried about this because i am a great runner... ha ha. So, don't be surprised if I show up with Madelyn, and our running stroller, to say hello. ) We also decided that we are going to stop eating because of the rising food prices.

Oh, but don't worry, I think I found something that is going to solve the gas problem. If you click here, you can learn how to convert your car to run on water, and they only charge you like $150 for this information. Since this is on the internet it must be true. (Please, don't fall for this. I would feel awful if someone actually thought that it was possible to convert their car to run on water, and they actually thought they could get this information for $150, and they actually gave their credit card information to these people. But then, if someone did fall for this, they probably deserve to be scammed. On another note, how do people not get in big trouble for posting websites like this anyway?)

Has anyone considered buying a car like this Honda Civic. It is only $24,000 and runs on natural gas. You just have to pay to have a refueling system installed in your garage, and the relatively expensive repair costs when that time comes. And, if you are on the road and run out of natural gas, don't worry, because this website tells me there are multiple refueling stations in California. (FYI, the cost of a new, gas powered Honda Civic is around $16,000.)

I did receive an e-mail recently that called for everyone to boycott ExxonMobil (the biggest gas distributing company in the US), causing them to lower their prices, and thus forcing a price war. Hmmmmm, Sounded good to me, but then I realized I don't get my gas at any ExxonMobil stations and i never have. Guess I can't help in that way. Dang!

How about everyone writes their local congressman to tell them to allow the US to drill for oil. I promise that in return I will clean up all the litter on the sides of the Utah freeways. (This really is something that I would be willing to do since I don't like seeing the trash on the sides of the freeways. I really should do it even if we don't drill for oil. Does anyone want to join me?)

Well, I wish you all luck managing your budget when half of it has to go to gas. I feel so bad for friends who are having to pay moving costs and traveling costs right now. And honestly, I do not claim to be an expert on why gas prices are rising, who is causing it or what we need to do to fix it (though I do have my opinions). All I know is that I am dreaming about gas prices, and you know it 's bad when you 're dreaming about it.

Who Doesn't Love Camping !?!

Alright, who doesn't love camping!?! There is just something incredibly relaxing about being outside in the great outdoors. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it is great!

We spent last weekend in Southern Utah and got to do some fishing, hiking and lounging at the camp site.

My little nephew, Jarin, is quite the little fisherman for a 3 year old. When he wasn't trying to jab the worm with his pole, he was able to almost cast that worm all the way into the river.


My brother, Matt, knew about a this hike through some narrows. It was perfect for pregnant people and kids. The scenery was really pretty, and I think that the kids thought that it was pretty cool to have rock walls going straight up on both sides of them.



By the end of the hike I, of course, had cankles. Too bad I didn't get a picture. It has made Spence and I laugh to see my ankles swell during this pregnancy; mostly because it has taken us by surprise. I didn't realize that I would swell so much (Do I need to worry about stretch marks on my ankles...he he?). I'm just glad that everything that gets larger and stretched out, during pregnancy, goes back to normal (or pretty close)... right?

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!! It is official! My husband has earned his bachelor's degree. We are all so proud of him (I say "we" because I know both of our families are proud of him even though not everyone could be there to show their support).

What an accomplishment. Those graduation speakers had an amazing ability to make it seem like my husband was one of the 60 people who would save the the world from all of their woes. You can imagine how proud I was.

If you asked me what we have done after work this past week, I would answer, "not homework."

Oh..... the Clyde Building, Spencer's OLD 2nd home
Spencer and one of his engineering buddies, Dane Huggard

Happy Belated Easter!!

I know, Easter was last month and this month is almost half over, but I had to post just a few Easter pictures. ( :

I have 14 nieces and nephews (on my side) and all but one are under the age of 6. You can imagine how excited they were to have a whole evening of Easter fun all planned out. After dinner, Grandpa taught an Easter lesson and then they got to make Easter baskets and have their Easter egg hunt. It was just so cute!!

Yes, my dad made his own scales of justice to teach about the Atonement.

Basket making time...

Cambry was excited about her first two eggs.

Whata smile!!!

Hallie....our little sweetheart.

Nice basket Jaydo...

and Maci in her new Easter dress.

Spence holding Kylan, the newest addition to our family.

Everyone was there with the exception of the East and West Coast lovelesses (Ty & Megs live in Boston and are going to school, and Cortney & Shannon are stationed in the San Diego area as part of Cort's navy duties. We missed you guys.) I thought I would just post a pic from their Easter weekend.

Cort, Darius and Peyton soakin up the sun in California.

Mckinlay on her own Easter egg hunt in Boston!

Spring Fever and Running Strollers

Can you believe how absolutely beautiful it is outside? I am having the hardest time sitting at my desk right now. I have been taking walks during lunch this past week just to get out and be in the sun. Maybe I will leave work early today and go to the park or something.
I am so anxious to go camping or hiking. Spence has been swamped with school work, work, and preparing for the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering Test, which he has to take to be a certified engineer or something). This means we have been spending a lot of time doing homework. It has been fun for me to be able to help him with some of his GE classes like history. I am no good at modern steel design, but I was able to get him 100% on his online history assignment that I did for him last night. As much fun as homework is, we would rather be camping.
Since it is warming up, I am getting so excited for one thing in particular. It's funny, I have looked forward to this one thing for a long time. My trainer on my mission always said that she was going to buy this thing for me when I had a baby because she knew how excited I was to have it (I think she will change her mind when she sees that it isn't $20, and yes, the beginning of my mission was like 5 years ago. I have been looking forward to this for a long time.) Here it is, the item that I have been looking forward to for years is a running stroller.
You may think this is a bit nuts, so how can I explain? Have you ever known anyone who gets excited to have really cool gear? For example, Spence and I bought a four season tent last year for Christmas and he told everyone, that he could get to listen, about how this tent could withstand intense wind and blah blah blah, and though he rarely mentions his excitement about his hiking boots (Mom, this really was the best present that he got this Christmas...thanks again!!!) to anyone other than me or Russ, he secretly is obsessed with the fact that no water can get through those babies (I actually think it is adorable that Spence gets so excited about things like hiking boots). Or maybe Katie would understand that it is the same feeling that she got when she bought that really cute pair of jeans that fit just perfectly.
I showed my co-worker Malina this stroller, and she didn't understand why I would want this particular stroller until I explained a few things. First, I hope to be able to run often with little Maddi. B.O.B. is a great brand that is known for being incredibly durable. It is very light weight, and though I have never actually gone running with a stroller I assume that every pound counts. Also, this thing has shocks, which would make a very comfortable ride for Maddi. There are a bunch of reasons why the thought of getting this stroller makes me happy, but I will spare you the time and just say that I think it is really cool.
Do I really want this stroller? Yes! But I am totally open to suggestions and would love to know if you guys know of any other good brands. I also would rather not spend a bunch of money if it can be avoided (Linds, you mentioned that I should check out your stroller. I'll call you next time I am in the neighborhood.)

Kiss me, I really am Irish!

Hey all! My family had our annual St.Patrick's day party. It is always pretty fun. I have a mom who really likes to throw parties and has a fun time doing it. If you want to see high lights, look here.

I thought these pictures of Spence and Jayden were really cute. All my nieces and nephews love Spencer. He is definitely the favorite.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish?

Who said that St. Patrick's Day isn't a holiday to be celebrated? Spence and I attended our first of two St. Patrick's day parties last weekend (the next will be at my mom's house this Friday, which I am sure you will hear all about). Thanks to Linds and Aleena we had a fantastic evening with green costumes, green food and green games. If you didn't know, Linds and Aleena are master minds when it comes to party planning. I have to say that the food was delicious. The mashed potatoes were green and delicious along with the green, homemade rolls. I think I already told Aleena, 3 times, that the rolls were some of the best I had ever had.
I can't get over how cute Lindsay and Aleena are when it comes to party planning. Just look at the below picture. You'll see what I mean. I wish I had more pictures of the festive table setting and the games. I am sure that Linds or Aleena will post them if they haven't already. Thanks girls for being great hosts and inviting us to the St.Patrick's Day shin dig.