Lately on Wreck This House and other misc happenings...

Exterior all painted and the shutters up!

 
Accent wall in the living room: Balsam Fir

 

Horrible picture due to strange lighting; Bedroom #2 with a Hazel accent wall

And Bedroom #1, just an "Accessible Beige" all the way around with a white trim. 

BO HNTR is no more! We got Idaho license plates. Living in Idaho is nice, our car insurance has been cut in half!

We got a fishing boat! Just a tin can with a motor, but it gets us to the middle of the lake.

Sprucing up the seats- covered the chipped wood with outdoor carpet. 

Had a cake bake-off. 

Giulia- butter pecan. David- Strawberry delight.

David's won. It was so so so moist. Mine was delish as well. It's just that David's had that, "I could eat this all day because it is so moist" factor in his cake. No big deal.  (cough, he used a super moist box cake, cough, mine was all from scratch, cough)

Our friend at work

This is what the lake looks like coming in from Montana

We went to the Young Reunion July 4-6 at the Little Bear River Resort in Northern, Utah. We got off work at 7 p.m. on the 4th, got home (to Jean and Colin's) and climbed up on the roof to try to watch fireworks, but couldn't see much cause the neighbor's trees are just so dang tall! We headed down to Logan, UT the next morning for lots of fun and games with family.

These are the only two pictures we have from that: we went to Porcupine Res. and did some cliff jumping.

 

Last week we slipped and slid at the best slip'n'slide evah! (at Uncle John and Aunt Julie's house). So soo so fun. 150 ft. of wet'n'wild goodness. It's all dammed up with inner tubes at the bottom so you always get a nice splash at the end to slow you down.

 

The next day we went to an Ice Cave with Chris and Shelly and kids

First, you hike down into a lava rock pit and then under this arch.

And then down into this cave mouth. The opening wasn't frozen over (it is summertime) so we had to tip toe from rock to rock so we didn't get our feet wet.

And eventually you find this! Ice thick by the foot

Complete with an ice slide

 

Awful photo for almost everybody, except David, of course. And Shelly too! This was at the beginning of the cave. The deeper you go, the more ice there is, top to bottom. 

I finally finished my first crochet blanket! I spent a couple of hours on it each day while at work waiting for boats to come in.


David:

I mean, David's twin. Chris sent this pic to us- an ad for Gillette from a Field and Stream magazine. laughing.out.loud. I've always told David that he could go into modeling. For Cabela's, or Bass Pro- he's got the rugged outdoorsy man look about him, and now apparently, I can add Gillette to the list.

Finally took the boat out for its maiden voyage with its new owners.

Fish on!!!


David protects Colin and Jean's strawberries from the birds...in style. Just warning shots (mostly), people. Don't go all gun crazy on me. (It's a pellet gun. )
 

And also, my parents got in yesterday with a trailer full of tools and flooring!!!! Hip hip hooray! Things have been slow on the house project the last week because there wasn't much left for us to do without Dad's tools, materials, and noggin' full of knowledge.
pretty wood floors

demolishing a kitchen: taking out cabinets and nasty pantry. And look at that darling original wallpaper circa '70.

Tiling bathroom (Jean and Colin had leftover tile from tiling their house years ago and said we could use some for our tiny bathrooms. woohoo!)


We're excited to see what the house will look like by the end of this week. We're hoping to have the kitchen, laundry...closet, and bathroom painted; new(old) kitchen cabinets installed; wood floors laid down; and then just waiting for carpet to come in. Woooza

{Wordless Wednesday}

Finally got our taxes done today.

I did it! And Mom checked it and said I did it correctly! 

Therefore, my head feels like this:

 But then I must admit that Turbo Tax did all the thinking. I just typed in all the numbers. But I did THAT part correctly. So, go me!!!

And really, this isn't a wordless post. But let's be honest, again. The point of a {Wordless Wednesday} is simply to have an excuse for a ridiculous picture. Mission accomplished.

{clumbsy thumbsy}

My oh my.

This one has me rolling...still!

On Valentines Day when I finished David's football display case, I sent a picture and mass text to David's fam.

It read: Still have a few more thongs to find and put in, but here it is!

....

kill me!

...

from Mama Nessie Robbins (that's what her name is in my phone): Lol What kinds of thongs?

...

from Felicia: he will really love the thongs. don't tell me about that though.

....

I quickly sent out a ***THINGS*** correction. But the damage was already done.

Dancin' Away With My Heart

Before we resume pictures from the best week evah! Just did some fb browsing and came across this picture. 

Did a bit of dancin' and movin' and groovin' this weekend. There is always fun to be had when Nessie is around. On the way to P-town on Thursday, the song "Dancin' Away With My Heart", came on the radio, and it was stuck in my head the entire time. Love that Lady Antebellum.

Now, let's not look at me gettin' down, but instead focus our attentions to David.

How did I marry such a handsome piece of man?

Thank you, Nicole, for the picture! ;)

And thank you Breezy for hosting such a great dance party! ;)

Also, wow, I need to get your birthday gift and hump day present to you. And I should probably delete that last sentence because it sounds very strange and awkward.

Wanna know what else I stumbled on while on the fb tonight?

 This old thing!

But more specifically, this:

we've loved each other all along.

I miss you, my bosom friend!

How things work 'round here

David works works works works all the day long. 

And I come to wherever he may be, these days it's the garage, and feed him. 

A man can't work if he's hungry! Oh wait, this one can. He gets so fixed on whatever project he has that he works it without taking a rest until its done. I used to have a love/hate relationship with this. LOVE love love that he is SUCH a HARD worker. When we were first married I would get so annoyed when he wouldn't stop for 10-15 minutes to come inside and sit and have breakfast/lunch/dinner with me.

Solution: bring the sustenance to the man. And spoon feed him when he has hands-elbows so covered in grease that you don't know what his real skin color is anymore. 

On a related note- I am so glad I married such a handy man. 

On another related note- the jeep is almost all the way done. Last weekend he finished putting the dashboard back together (successfully!) Yesterday it got new motors for the rear windows and a new power steering pump. All done by David. Oh, and Chris too. They fixed a window each. I went out to the garage to see what the status was, and it was fun to sit back and observe. As a young[er] girl I used to worry about how/if my husband would fit in with my brothers. David fits like a glove. However, I fear that some of the family's "humor" has taken too great a hold on David. And it all comes out whenever David is around his mother. Mother does not appreciate this new behavior. And that's all I have to say about that. 

But life is good. And God is great. And good friends are great to have.

Randomness

A few random things that I've been wanting to write down: 

A few weeks ago as I grabbed a quick bite to eat at home, the tv was on and "Ellen" happened to be playing. I guess she does a weekly "Clumsy Thumbsy" segment that showcases the best submissions for texting auto-correct failures. Watching this reminded me of some pretty good ones that we've experienced over here.

The latest:

Giulia- just finished my paper! yay!

David- wood wilt soot :)

David- Hehe that was supposed to be woot wooot woooot. 

 ...........

David- I LOVE YOU!!!!! So this morning I can't stop smiling. And I realized why is because all my farts are about you. [he then goes on with a texting version of a love letter. It was an extremely sweet little note to wake up to at 6:12 a.m.]

Giulia- Wow. That was a nice lone note to wake up to. I love you too! P.s. you forgot to mention that I'm your favorite cook. :) ...and I don't know if you meant to say this....but you should reread what you sent, especially the 3rd sentence. I guess the word you used makes sense [I did cook some dang good chili the night before]. haha

David- Ha ha ha. OOOOOppppsss. Farts was suppose to be thoughts. :)

...........

babysitting Sabey one night more than a few weeks ago

Giulia- We're going to the movies!

Megan- Sweet. Which one?

Giulia- Pissed in Boots! Don't know why but David's been wanting to watch it. 

Giulia- ah! PUSS. Puss in boots. 

Megan- hahahaha. auto-correct fail. 

.........

Those keep making me laugh so I figured I'd put 'em up on this here blog to continue my enjoyment in the future. 

Speaking of the blog, I finally ordered my "blog book" of my giu-sto blog. It came about a week and a half ago and I love it! It also reminded me why I actually do the whole blog thing: simply to chronicle our life. I don't take pictures just so I can blog. And I don't blog just to make myself take pictures. If we're out and about and I happen to think to snap a photo, I might blog about it just so David and I can better remember all the happenings and going ons about that photo. We could care less about how many followers and page hits/week our little domain of the web has. Although comments are super fun, we don't post hoping to get x amount of comments. This is not a place where we update the world about every.little.thing that is going on in our life. That's for our personal journals. I like to think of this as our photo album, but with more words. You've seen the photo albums with every pocket stuffed with a random picture and quick memo about where and when that photo was taken. Those family photo albums are what this blog is for us. [but with lots more words]

I imagine our children looking through our shelf of family blog books and being able to laugh and smile about how young Mom and Dad used to look (and oh my gosh look at mom's red hair!!!). But besides just getting a glimpse of what Mom and Dad's life looked like "way back when", they can read the stories that belong to the pictures as well; stories that will one day be all about them. 

This is also a place to jot down things that we don't want to forget, and that we feel is appropriate to be accessible to the world wide web. Like the above, random, Clumsy Thumbsy, or yesterday's thoughts on Sunday Services.

Because we are human, we {I} might sway in and out of this middle ground I've established, but I know that I'll always come back to this outline.
Remember that one time when I thought I would teach the world how to do their hair? Or I thought I was some sort of fashion blogger? I realized that there are plenty other blogs out there dedicated to things like that. And that truly, the only reason I blog is to have a place to write and safely store our memories. 

........

 now that I'm done with that shpeel that has been brewing for quite some time, here are some pictures of the jeep's dashboard strewn across the garage. 

The heater won't work. Not really a big deal what with the heated seats and living in a desert and all. The air flow itself is also a little sketchy. But D is determined to get to the bottom of it. Turns out, to fix the minor problem (something about doors in the vent system...what do I know? Oh, I know how to check the oil, change a tire, and drive stick. Basically, I know nothing.), the whole dash had to come out. With David's schedule, he's only able to work on his beloved Jeep every other day or so. Hopefully by the time he gets around to putting everything back, he remembers how all the wires are crossed and where all the screws go. Oy vey!

Oh and, Grandpa, we're real sorry that the steering wheel fell down right on your face. But I'll keep telling everyone that David punched you, just cause that version of the story is funnier. Love you!

November wrap up

the Mr.'s birthDAY

He said I couldn't do anything real crazy or expensive because he spent so much on his hunt in October.

So I kicked it high school style and made him a CD. tehehe! 

But really, it is a great mix. 

For months I kept a track of "Country Boy" songs; anything about hunting, small towns, fishing, etc. I threw in a few "love" (You and This Ole Boy) numbers just to switch things up.

This is what I came up with:

and I'm currently listening to "Dirt Road Anthem". ha

When he got home from work on Wednesday he opened up his gifts.

David had the biggest grin seeing what the first track on the CD was. He's wanted that song for foreverrrr. 

Oh yah, I threw in some under armour work-out spanx.

Basically, he gave me the wife of the year award because he loves his little CD so much. He was surprised that so many of the songs that he's been talking about were on there. I feel like this little mix is proof that I do indeed listen to you darling!!!

Mer's birthday is on the 18th, so on Thursday night we went to dinner and a movie with the Turners.

We went to a gourmet Mexican Restaurant on Horizon where you could see the entire valley from the wall to wall windows. Michocaun???or something. 

David got a burrito the size of a newborn.

 and he ate the whole thing.

Afterwards we went to the midnight premier of Twilight: Breaking Dawn. I'm still shocked that both David and Turner agreed to come. They were pretty funny all night pretending to swoon with all the women. Their best performances were during the blood drinking and the birthing scene. David has a history of not doing well with human blood and guts. "Come on!!!! This isn't some ER doctor's show!!!!" Those were David's words...as he cowered into his seat, behind his hands, and into Turner's arms. hahahaha.

Let's pause from this November wrap for a moment to talk about Giulia's thoughts on Twilight:

She read the books. Enjoyed them. 4th book was somewhat awkward to read. The movie was sometimes painful to watch.

She's seen the movies. Was really excited for the first. That excitement was quickly turned into horror. My sister put it best, "They're [the movies] like a train wreck; you can't help but watch".

One of the good things I've always had to say about the movies is Jessica. Holy MOly!!! I don't even know her name, but that actress nailed the part. Loved it. Too funny. 

Watching this movie just made me beyond stoked for the Hunger Games!!! seriously. cannot. contain. myself. Big news!!! David listened to [almost] the entire first book on our little road trip to Idaho last week (fell asleep for a bit during the first couple chapters; Mom and I filled him in when he woke up). And he really liked it!

Moving on....

Thanksgiving!

We journeyed to Ideehooo! 

It was fabulous to hang out with family that we hadn't seen for a while because we missed the summer reunion. Food, games, volleyball for hours, more games. My mom's family knows how to party right. D and I ducked out for a bit so I could show him around the thriving metropolis of Terreton/MudLake. He loved it. [naturally]

Friday we went to the Idaho Falls temple with a lots of family. It was fabulous!

Then it started snowing on our way back to Rexburg. When the little flurry was finished, I pulled David out to the trampoline cause I wanted pictures with the snow. 

If I felt like being tricky, I would take those two photos and turn them into one. One with both of us in the air at the same time...

Also on Friday, we went over to Aunt Dianne's house (Dad's sister) in IF. One subject leads to another and eventually Dad was telling stories of Grandpa and Grandma Stolworthy (Dean & Azalia). Loved it!!!! This is a rare occurrence, so when the stories come you have to listen up. I treasure this memory and the stories shared.

Saturday we hung out in Provo all day with my brothers and their families. Lovely!

Our journey North was just Mom as the chauffeur, and D&G. We added Dad to the caravan Thursday morning. Our journey South we also added Levi and Ashley. It was a packed car. But enjoyable. We got home Saturday night. And our duffel is still packed. Time for laundry! [oh wait, I've been waiting to do laundry all week, but whenever I'm home, that thing is goin, goin, goin. Only slightly irritating...)

Ta-Da! Halloween 2011

Not the best picture to show-case our costumes, but a picture nonetheless.

I think David turned out as a perfect Eric!!! I was so happy he was willing to go along with it. yay! :)

{Tipful Tuesday} Hair in Real-Time

Time is a funny ol' thing. 

I often marvel at how one's appearance can seem to change drastically to a beholder, but seem monotonous and same-ol same-ol to the individual (did I get that put into words in a sensible manner?).

For example, I looked something like this when the Mr. and I first met:

To this day I am shocked that David thought I was decent looking when we first met what with my chubbiness (the dreaded freshman 15) and bobbed brunetteness (totally a word...maybe) going on. Don't get me wrong. I loved my short, brown hair. I'm just surprised David recognized me as his soul companion because I really didn't feel quite like myself [chubby. short. brown hair. on a girl that has been relatively fit with long blonde locks her whole life]. (I guess that just goes to show that my spirit, and not my physical body, was really shining that night. I'm getting distracted...)

My hair is now it's original color (with the ends showing the remnants of the last time I did a box-dye 7 months ago).
And now, over 2 years since that star-aligned first meeting, I don't feel like I've changed that much. But while looking back on old pictures I've realized that my whole look is quite different.

I love having my long hair back. It's officially hit my mermaid status marker (you'll have to ask me in person about what in the world that is supposed to mean).

Boy, oh boy, does my hair grow like a weed. I can't imagine what it will be like when I'm 'with child' (one day, many many many days from now). I think at that point we can just start referring to me as Rapunzel.

There's a point to this, I promise, just stick with me. 

The thing is, I feel like I look like this most of the time:

And this week I'm just itching to change something about this mop. 

But I have a dilemma. 

Several, infact.

Dilemma 1: I've mentioned before that I struggle with having just anyone cut my hair. Andrea (the super awesome talented cousin) can do anything she pleases with my hair and I would trust her 100%. But alas, we live several hundred miles apart. I've slowly gotten over this and have finally become semi-comfortable with the idea of having someone else play my with hair. whew. 

Dilemma 2: I for reals want some fringe. But as mentioned above, my hair grows somewhat frighteningly fast. So my fringe would need some major upkeep- a.k.a. frequent salon visits a.k.a. more money than my cheapwadness is willing to dish in order to maintain fabulous looking fringe.

Dilemma 3: color. done with the blondie blonde right now. Which brings us back to dilemmas 1 and 2. While I've talked myself into letting a stranger cut my hair, I'm not so sure about the whole color processing thing. Seriously, Ann is amazing. I've been completely spoiled by her talent and her family discount. I'm aware that getting color is mucho expensivo. Especially on longer locks. 

Dilemma 4: I have never dished out money at a hair salon before. EVER.
Dilemma 5: the hair stylist is going to ask when I last had my hair cut. And I'll say, "November 2009". And they'll die of shock and disgust.

With all that being said, I'm going to be setting up some appointments tomorrow to drop dough for some hair care time this week before hubby gets back.

Not sure he'll recognize me by week's end. 

i love surprises, don't you?

If it turns out terrible I can just hide under a hat all day, right?

k, good.
or...I could just drive the several hundred miles just to have Ann fix my hair.
humunuh, decisions. decisions.
...and oh, right...it's Tuesday. Care for a tip?
I guess there are several to take away from this hairy post.
1) Make friends/family with an awesome hair stylist that you trust completely.
2) Don't ever move away from them.
or
3) Don't be a cheapwad, like yours truly, and be willing to put out some moonies for your tresses.
mmmmmk!
lastly, Ann makes cute babies: