Giulia...Robbins

While David was out in the mountains this weekend doing some scouting, I stayed home due to prior commitments ( I was the hairdresser for the ladies of a wedding party. It was super fun! I was working on heads of hair from 8-1 and it got me thinking about what if this was my full-time job? hmm...). Anyway...Saturday night I had dinner over at Rob and Liz's- a home I was at ALL THE TIME growing up. At one point, Liz told the story of how we went to the mall when the highly anticipated fancy sports store opened (Dick's now, I can't remember what it was called then). Back then they always had the indoor rock climbing wall staffed and open to climb (not anymore). Courtney and I had never rock climbed before and of course Liz said yes when we asked if we could climb it. But then we got slammed with paperwork. If you were under 18, you had to have a parent/guardian sign the permit. Uhh....so for that afternoon I was Giulia Robbins. I think we were 8 or 9 years old. Who would have I guessed that this would actually be my name one day??? And as Liz pointed out to Courtney at my Bridal Shower- my name is going to be Robbins for longer than hers has been. Funny how things work out...

Summer Lovin'. First Date.

After driving lessons, basketball games, many rounds of aggravation, foursquare, rock climbing, and lots of texting later, David finally asked me out on a date. Like a real, official date. As in "I will pick you up at a specific time and we will go do something that I planned and then I will drop you off at the end of the night" kind of date.  We hadn't done one of those yet, so this was kind of a big deal. I think up until this point we were both still coming to terms with the fact that our own individual plans for the future, where both of us were not going to date or get serious with someone until we had x,y,and z finished, started going up in smoke as soon as I said "hellooo". So once we each got over that...David picked me up and we headed to the Drive-In.
On the way out there, I still remember exactly where we were- we just got off the highway at Rancho and waiting for the light, the song "Falling For You" came on the radio. It was Colbie Caillat's brand new single, and I had only heard it a time or two before. But I recognized the beginning of the song right away, and excitedly turned the volume up while saying, "I love this song!!! Have you heard it yet??" David smiled the whole time, and when the song was over, he said that he had heard it a few times and that he really, really liked it. 
The movie Up! had just come out, and having already seen it once and loving it soo so much, I got to see it again! along with another movie... it was double feature night. David borrowed Grandpa's truck and had it padded down with a mattress and blankets and pillows. I brought water and snacks. We got the radio dialed in to the station, rolled down the windows, turned up the volume, and got comfy in the bed of the truck. Note- even when the sun sets, the temperatures still linger around 95-100, so it's hard to snuggle down in a blanket and get comfy cozy. So when I say we got comfy, I mean that the cooler was very close, and personal space is not breached. If it is, it makes for a sweaty situation.
So the movie starts, and David begins to realize that I'm not crazy and that it really is a great movie! I can't remember how far into the movie it was when David leaned over to me, looked me in the eyes, looked down at my hand, looked back at me and asked if he could hold my hand. I'm not a very tactful person sometimes, and I laughed right in his face. That sounds awful, let me clarify: I sweetly giggled and told him that he didn't need to ask while surrendering my hand to his.
whabam! It finally happened! David finally made a move!
And we sat there and enjoyed the rest of the movie, content to just be with each other and holding hands. This is probably when I fell in love with David's hands! Seriously. I have a thing for his hands. They're a man's hands. Tanned, strong and calloused with years of hard work. But so gentle and full of love. To this day I love how my hands feel when they're nestled in his. 
We loaded up and headed home when the movies were over, and David laughed while I rocked out to every song that came on the radio. He thinks I got some sweet dance moves.
I made it home safe and sound and fell asleep while texting my sweet gentleman.

Photo testing...

I'm finally getting around to exploring other options of putting photos on the blog without having to pay for storage space...I think it worked...

Picture taken Christmas 2009 in Panaca. 

We got into a bit of a snow fight on our way back to the house from a run to the spring. As evidenced by the white on my red beanie, David won. 

J. double E. to the P

What does that spell?

JEEP

 I don't feel like typing this all out again, so here is a copy and paste from an email that was going around in my family that explains things [an email asking who was going to be able to make it to which family reunions this summer]:

We're not sure yet if we'll be able to make it for any summer activinies. Depends on if we'll be in Alaska working or not. If we're in Alaska, then it's a no go for both reunions. But if we're in Reno then we can do both and whatever dates are chosen for the gas reunion we will make work.  :)
Isn't life so fun and exciting???
Speaking of fun and exciting: David just finished pulling in our latest purchase: a 2003 jeep grand Cherokee. He's been looking around on Craigslist lately because his car is doomed to go kaput any day.  The owner of the jeep didn't know what was wrong with it and they just wanted to sell it for what they thought it was worth. David and Lonney went to look at it, and a plugged Cadillac catalytic converter (? You'll have talk to David for the details) is the problem. This should be a relatively inexpensive fix. So the vehicle is actually worth much much more than what the owners thought. David was able to buy it for half of what its worth. I don't know to feel elated or guilty that we got a JEEP for Soo little. So we now have a stinkin nice jeep, that goes about 10mph. Yeehaw!!! This will be David's little side project after work and school this semester. We're crossing our fingers that the purple dodge will last a little bit longer (it has multiple problems and we're just shocked that it still runs) until David has the jeep ready to go.
There, now everyone is caught up with our latest news and excitement. :) call if you would like more details.

 "I don't know if you can tell, 'cause I'm trying really hard to contain myself...but I am so excited!!!!" David's words.
This is our first car bought together as Husband and Wife. So it was kinda exciting and a real big deal, thus needing much documentation.

And did you catch that little tease in the email that we have yet to release to blogland? Until now!

'Tis true: We will either be in Alaska or Reno come May. 

More info and details to come at a later time.

"God Gave Me You"

I heard this song recently and I've been thinking about the lyrics ever since.
it's been decided that I absolutely love them, the lyrics that is.
just thought I'd share:

"God Gave Me You"

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
He gave me you. 

Dave Barnes and now Blake Shelton sing it. I like both versions. I'd heard the Barnes one a while back and enjoyed it, but Blake's voice and style are more to my liking. 

{Tipful Tuesdays}

If you're in the Vegas area, you NEED to check out We Luv Locals.

They have some pretty sweet deals. Our favorites so far have been FREE STAYS at various hotels in the valley. We decided to try out a FREE room at Sunset Station a few weeks ago. Loved it! 

We hung out by the pool and finished homework.

Went to the movies [Captain America].

Went bowling. 

Guess whose high score that is???

yes, it'S is me!!! I'll probably never score that high ever again. And David will probably never score that low. ha!

The best part was having a freezing cold room! Seriously. 

handsome

Last Tuesday David scored another FREE room at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, the Terra Verde coupon mentioned yesterday, and 2 for 1 massages at the Spa.  Can you say STEAL of a DEAL? Since we don't want to put out the gas money and all the other expenses associated with vacationing out of town, we are loving these little one night "staycations".

Can we talk about GVR? 

When we were at the pool it really felt like we were in some high class resort in the mediterranean. Or something. It was so nice.

And the spa. OH THE SPA!!! Out of this world. We have never done something like that before. It had it's own secluded pool. Jacuzzi's. Saunas. Steam Rooms. Anything that you could need/want. Luxuriousness to the extreme. We will most definitely be going back again [if we can snag another awesome deal].

Also, we went to Harry Potter. Finally! The last few months we've had all the HP's lined up in our netflix cue. David needed to watch every single one before we saw the last, wife's orders. We finished 7 part 1 a few days after the final one came out, but our schedules hadn't allowed us time to go to the theater. It was driving me crazy that I had to wait 3 weeks to see the last installment.

We both loved it! However, I was fairly distraught through it all knowing that this was the last one. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that there will be no more new HP. The books started when I was in elementary school and the Deathly Hallows came out the summer before Senior Year. That's a lot of years of looking forward to a new book or movie! I'm getting kind of teary over the fact that it's done. [ok, not really. but I really am rather emotional about the whole thing] I keep telling David he has to read the books. There's so much more to the story that you just can't get from watching a movie.

Most of the casino/hotels in the valley have movie theaters in them, so it makes it way too easy to put out money to go to the "nice movie theater". We usually just go to the "ghettodome" for $4.25.

I'm getting distracted. 

What was the point of this post again?

right. Tuesday Tip: Check out We Luv Locals!

We're Awkward!

...and Awesome!!!

or is it only me that's the awkward one???

Eyes too big for the stomach; a double whammy!

 I didn't take any pictures of our camping weekend for the 4th. Well, that was a semi-lie. I did take pictures, with Felicia's camera. So I should say that I don't have pictures from the 4th fun, until I steal some from Feesh. 

Good thing though that Zach was on top of things and made sure to document this:

We caught the same fish!

We both felt a tug on our lines one right after each other. We each hooked the fish and started reeling in, excited to see who had the bigger catch. Soon enough we realized we were reeling in the same thing! No, we didn't cross lines. The fish took both our baits and hooks. Poor guy, as if getting hooked in the mouth isn't bad enough, he got one right after the other. I'm telling you, those trout were going crazy for the Pink Lemonade PowerBait. 

Other fishy info from that trip worth documenting: shortly after catching the above pictured fish, Giulia finally gutted and cleaned her other catches from that day. She usually just makes David do it, but she "manned-up" this time 'round. If you didn't know this already, let it be a service announcement for you: fish have sharp teeth! My thumb is just now recovered from the multiple bite marks left from breaking the jaw and pulling the gutsies down and out (if you've never seen a fish get gutted before, you probably don't know what I'm talking about, and I'm too tired to explain any better. hmmph). After that first teeth encounter, David informed me that putting my thumb farther down the throat would help prevent my thumb from being stabbed. And it did. Thanks for the heads up lovie. But in retrospect, I'm sure he did mention that when he was showing me what to do, I was probably just still shocked about how I was holding a slimey fish in one hand and a knife in the other and thinking that slimey fish feel real gross.

{Wordless Wednesday}

...D&G summer 2009...

awwww

A little adventure.

Two weeks ago we went on a little adventure (the 14th). Monday night we were trying to decide what we wanted to do Tuesday when David got home and Wednesday (his day off). Chris told us about this little desert oasis he found and we decided we wanted to check it out as well. So as soon as David got home we got everything packed up and headed out (thank you Grandpa for letting us take your truck and 4-wheeler!). 

I don't know if Chris wants me to share his secret spot with the worldwide web, so just know that we basically drove to the middle of nowhere southern Nevada,

 drove south on a dirt road for a bit, then headed toward the mountains. At a certain point we unloaded the 4-wheeler, tied down all of our gear, and then rode in for about another 5 miles.

Funny story 1: When we parked the truck, David was scanning the area, and then says to me- "Do you see that jack rabbit?" I'm trying to find a hippity hoppity rabbit bouncing through the sagebrush. "Negative" I say not seeing anything move. David then proceeds to give me directions of where to zone in to find said rabbit. "You see that bigger bush on the left? And that other bigger bush to the right of that one?" "Mmmhm" I reply. "Well between those two you can see the tips of its ears." 

What the what what??? I was reminded again of why I called him eagle eye when we were dating. Seriously, only an inch or inch and a half of those ears were poking up. And even then, I would have passed them off as some sort of plant. iuhknow.

David then turned to me and asked with youthful pleading, "Can I shoot 'im? Please?" "Sure!" 

David then quickly proceeded to take out his rifle, load, aim, and shoot. And then he nailed the poor little bugger. 

As I was taking this photo, he was grossed out by how many tics were all over it and urged me to "Hurry up and take the picutre!"

Funny story 2: At one point we needed to stop to tie something down that was on the verge of being lost (it was David's sleeping bag, and he didn't want to take any chances). Not having anywhere else to strap his rifle on the 4-wheeler, David just had it slung across his back. As he was turning to climb off, the barrel of the rifle swung back and whacked me right on the bridge of my nose. Owww! The look on David's face was so sad and he felt so bad about it that all we could do was laugh about it..after some blank blank words may or may not have escaped from my mouth. It's a good thing my nose isn't one for bleeding, because a nose bleed most definitely would have been a set back as were already pushed for time trying to find a camp site before the sun got away from us. (when we got home the next day after I washed my face I noticed a good-sized patch of red on my schnozz. Interested, I leaned in closer thinking it was an odd sunburn or zit. After touching it I realized it was bruised from my meeting with the end of D's gun. hahahha)

Anyway, we found a place to pitch our tent and make camp for the night and eat our hobo dinners. Yum!

The next morning we went exploring. We went as far as we could with the 4-wheeler and then hiked up between some mountains in search of the water source Chris told us about. We're not sure if we found what he was referring to, but we did find a few spots with water coming out of the rock. It was pretty cool! You can tell that this area must have some sort of water source, because the mountain looked lush and green (for desert standards)

The mountains around this area were extremely sparse and brown in comparison. On our way we saw lots of cow pies and tracks, and to David's giddish delight, deer tracks and deer rubs.

Before we headed back down, David tested out his scope. It met his approval.  After seeing some buck tracks and lots of rubs, David was really intent on finding a shed or two. Sadly, we came across none. But I have a feeling that we'll back in the fall in search of some then. 

And then he showed me his saweet hat hair.

Hot stuff!

And then we headed back down to the four-wheeler where we saw several cows (it was really weird) and back to our camp, packed everything up and headed out. It was getting hot!

I had to take a photo to prove that I was in fact present on this little journey.

I love having David all to myself and I'm so glad we went and explored this area.

We're "Makin' Memories!" (as Mama Nessie would say)

Just Fishin'

I thought I posted this yesterday, but I guess not! woops!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Have you heard this song on the radio? I think it's so cute! Especially because I know David will be doing this with our future little ones. 

Just Fishin’ Lyrics
by Trace Adkins

I’m lost in her there holding that pink rod and reel.
She’s doing almost everything but sitting still.
Talking about her ballet shoes and training wheels, and her kittens.
And she thinks we’re just fishin’.

I say daddy loves you baby one more time,
She says I know, I think I got a bite.
And all this laughing, crying, smiling, dying here inside
Is what I call living

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the river side,
Throwing back what we could fry,
Drowning worms an killing time,
Nothing too ambitious
She ain’t even thinking about what’s really going on right now
But I guarantee this memories a big one
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She’s already pretty, like her momma is
Gonna drive the boy’s all crazy
Giver her daddy fits
And I better do this every chance I get
’cause time is ticking

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the river side,
Throwing back what we could fry,
Drowning worms an killing time,
Nothing too ambitious
She ain’t even thinking about what’s really going on right now
But I guarantee this memories a big one
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinking about what’s really going on right now
But I guarantee this memories a big one
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Yeah, she thinks we’re just fishin’
We ain’t only fishin’
This ain’t about fishin’

Speaking of David and fishing, I got him a tackle box filled with fishing supplies for father's day. He needed to replace his old, destroyed, stuff and I thought it would be fun to surprise him. I had to wait for like 2.5 weeks to give it to him, and it was so hard for me to not tell him about it sooner! I had it hidden in a bass pro bag upstairs. Yesterday morning I sent him this text:  I know you're not a father yet, but I feel like I got such a great CATCH when I REELED you in, that I couldn't resist getting you a little something on this day. And then I gave him clues of where he would find his surprise. 

I wish I had a camera with me when he found it and opened everything up. He was so excited. He said it was better than christmas. :) And big kudos to me: he nodded his head, smiled, and was sayin', "good, good" to all the different lines, lures, hooks, etc I got. He only wants to take one thing back to get something a little different. Only ONE. UNO. Ok, so I can't take full credit for grabbing the stuff he would want/need. I took Preston with me and he helped me with everything. :) Thanks P!

anyway...Happy Father's Day (again)

now let's all go fishin'!

What Happened to the Month of May?

I had been looking forward to, preparing for, and anticipating the month of May for a long time. And then it finally came, and then it was gone before I had time to catch my breath. 

1st week of May: Finals. Veni. Vidi. Vici. Booyah!

1st weekend: Ashley's Wedding!!!!
LA getaway video coming (hopefully)
I was real busy running around doing this and that, so I don't really have any "Wedding Pictures" except these from the reception clean-up.

and oh! I just downloaded these! Thanks Ashley for being super awesome and making them available in digital format as well. :)

Because the next weekend was Erin's wedding, and the week in between was my week off from school before summer terms started up, and I wanted to spend some time with some special people that I don't get to see that often anymore, I didn't want to drive back down to Vegas just turn around and head north and back again 5 days later. So I stayed in Utah county for a few days hanging out with these guys.
...See below...
:D

His little snow boots were killing me.
The camera flash messed with coloring.
They look blue in the pic, but I swear to you they are purple!
Too funny.

Corrine and Gid after a fun bike ride to Andy and Jenelle's building property.

And then I journeyed to Idaho to see Paige!!! (and Geoff)

Paige (pictured above right) is more like another sister to me rather than just a cousin. We both got hitched when we were really young (not that we're old now), and now she's having a baby!!! I just can't get over it. People my age are having babies. 

Nothing too exciting was planned. We just hung out, got her baby stuff organized, and got our craft on making cute hair bows and shoes (yes, shoes!) for her little one.

Thanks for letting me stay and play you two. And Geoff, thank you for your delicious Pizza and Calzone. If you're ever in the Idaho Falls area or somehow manage to wander into Roberts, ID- you need to stop and eat at Lucy's!!!! 

P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Paige!

remember when your nick-name was Tacky?weird...haha.

Sharing the reclining chair. Watching something on Netflix. Eating cookie dough. Perfect girls night!
(excuse my awkward face) 

After Idaho I made my way down to SLC on Friday afternoon. I spent the night with Grandmama. :) I loved getting to talk with her. Thanks Grandmama, Bridgette, and boys, for making me feel so welcome! 

Grandmama found out that I had never been to Golden Corral, and was determined to fix that flaw in my dining history. I sent David this picture...

...and he was super jealous. Sorry honey! :)

Saturday morning I picked up David and my mom from the airport and then we headed down to the valley for Erin's Wedding.

2nd weekend: Erin's Wedding

Another cousin that's more like a sister than a cousin. 

So happy for you Erin and Matt!
video coming (hopefully)

While we were in Provo, we went over and grabbed the scoot from Joseph and Felicia.

 These are from our little test drive/ joy ride.

video coming

After Erin's Wedding festivities were done, we packed everything up- scooter and luggage in the bed, and Mama in the backseat,- and headed back to the heat. 

Then my summer classes started. I've stayed busy with those and piano lessons. 

For Memorial Day we went to Panaca for Miss Ch's graduation. David loves going home, so thank you Chelsie for giving us a good reason to spend the money on gas to get there! I managed to not get a picture of us with her. In fact, I managed to not take any pictures the majority of the weekend. Woops! Luckily David had some on his phone.
video coming (hopefully)

Saturday was filled with lots of basketball, sunshine, and watching Zach's softball games in Caliente. We also checked out J&J's Fast Food Joint and Kershaw-Ryan State Park. It was a fun day.

That night we went fishing at Echo Lake and I beat David in the number of fish caught. muahahaha.

The last one I got swallowed the hook, so we didn't want to throw him back out to just have him die. So we (and when I say we, I mean David) cleaned the fish and took it back to the house. Fried him up, and ate him. It was pretty tasty! :) 

Saturday night/Sunday morning it rained and rained. The temperature dropped about 35 degrees. It was interesting going from shorts and sunburns to hoodies and freezing noses. Sunday after church we all drove around exploring the fun spots around Panaca- white cave, cathedral gorge, and the spring. We went for a fun, COLD, four-wheeler ride and then rode around the sand dunes and back home.

we were freezing. :)

I should mention that we brought and pitched our tent in the front yard. And we loved it!!! We knew that lots of people would be in the house, so we decided to bring our own home away from home. It was perfect.

Monday morning David was super duper nice and took ALL the boys fishing. He showed them who was boss and caught the fattest fish of the day. It really was huge! But he didn't get a picture. :/ 

Monday before heading home, we took these two shooting.

After tearing up the targets we made, they started going for anything that moved. Birds, lizards, rabbits. They got lots of lizards.

Funniest story: David had an empty water bottle that he filled with sand and using that as "clay pigeon" for Prest to shoot at. Then they switched and David had the shotgun while Prest was throwing up the bottle. The shotgun kept misfiring. Except at one point Quinton points to the ground at David's right and shouts, "Lizard!!!" Without hesitating, David turned and shot and nailed the poor little guy dead on. The one other time D was able to get the shotgun to fire is when he spotted another lizard, shot at it, and ended up getting two lizards off the one shot spread. lol. After that, the two boys were all for driving further up wash and shooting the plethora of lizards. Oh geeze. It was pretty funny sitting in the cab and listening to the two boys outside. Good times.  

And then we went home with Preston and Quinton in tow. I think that was the fastest, most fun ride home from Panaca that I've ever had. Thanks boys!

 

And that's what happened in the Month of May.

:)

{Summer Lovin' Series}...Team D&G Beginnings...

{Summer Lovin' Series}

I'm not sure how much more writing I'll get out of David, because you have to admit, that was quite a bit before. So, you'll probably be hearing more about our story from my point of view here on out because it's hard for D to just sit at a computer for extended periods of time (more than 15 minutes).

Some thoughts that have been brewing for a while:

What I love about our love story is that we have a bit of everything in it, minus a dramatic break-up. Your cliche "love at first sight": as soon as we saw each other the first time we both knew something was there. The quickly "falling head over heels" speedy romance: once things finally got going, we never could get enough of each other- we just love(d) being with one another no matter what we we're doing. "Choose who you love; love your choice": this is one of my all-time favorite quotes from President Monson (I'm pretty sure it's him that said it) and I think that, although we had the love at first sight and whirlwind romance going on, we also had a choice to make. Both of us had other plans for the future, and it could have been easy to either stick to OUR OWN plans and avoid each other, or blow everything off as it just being a summer fling and go on our separate paths come August. Instead we each took our time and prayerfully came to the conclusion that we were choosing to love one another, even though love and marriage was something that both of us were wanting to hold off on for a few more years. We've been married, sealed to one another, for not just time and death do you part, but for time and ALL ETERNITY. This decision was a relatively easy one because we both chose to love each other, and we both promised to love our choice, forever. How simple and beautiful is that?

I hate hearing stories about couples falling out of love. Love has become so dramatized, Hollywoodized, that society doesn't know what love between husband and wife is anymore. Choose your love, love you choice. Committed. No excuses. Simple, perfect. 

Is there anyone else out there who, about 6 months after their sealing ceremony, realized what a big deal that ceremony and those covenants are??? Not that I thought a marriage covenant was an easy, breezy, nonchalant, item of business. The seriousness of what I committed myself to just hit me hard one day, and I was like "Whoazaaa!" But it also made my cup overflow with joy because I have David by my side. In my opinion, you can't find someone better than my David. I am one lucky, lucky girl to have caught his eye.