Sam's Conference Weekend Suprise...

Last weekend was the 179th Semi-Annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I always look forward to Conference for the uplifting guidance from our church leaders, Apostles and our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. If you want to listen to or read the Conference, go here:

http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1117,00.html

Anyway, the fun begins here... I LOVED waking up and listening to Conference in my Pj's on our new sectional!

Sam loves it too- we're constantly fighting over the coveted end section, and during conference I won that battle! However, it didn't take Sam too long before he got really comfy and fell asleep. I kept trying to wake him up, but alas, the powerful low voices of our wonderful leaders were just the perfect lullabye...

I decided that if he was going to fall asleep during one of the most important times of the year- he'd have to suffer the consequences. I busted out one of my old tricks (for my old roomate Allie and my buddy Brett, this will bring back FOND memories)!

Yes, it's bright orange. Believe me- I could hardly contain my snickering laughter- and he almost woke up during his relaxing treatment!

You're probably thinking, "I can't believe she would risk getting wet nail polish on her new sectional!" Well, the sectional was fine- and it was WAY too much fun to worry about that! As for Sam's reaction? He woke up and took a nice long stretch... when he looked down- that relaxing stretch was abruptly ended as quick as a rubber band could snap! He demanded I take it off, but I kind of waited a while to bust out the nail polish remover. I think President Thomas S. Monson could use this in his next conference talk, what do you think?

The Purr of a Diesel Mercedes-Benz

I can hear the memories flooding back...Sam and I were at an intersection the other day and I heard one of my favorite sounds on earth... the diesel purr of a Mercedes-Benz. My Dad was always been (and I'm sure even from the clouds) a car lover. It's not like he would buy the newest model, but he loved to have a Benz to drive around in. I remember playing outside and hearing that lovely sound every time my Dad would roll up the driveway from work and I would run outside to get my big bear hug! In fact, my favorite thing to do with him as a kid was to go to the car wash on Marsh Street. He'd always treat me to an "Ocean Spray" Cran-grape juice. As I'd gulp to my hearts' content and look out the windows, we became engulfed in what seemed to me an underwater world of multi-colored soap suds and larger than life roller brushes. This is of course when I'd tap my feet and sing that song they used for the good old Ocean Spray commercial, "Don't worry, Be Happy" for I truly was.

Teenage Problem Solving Tactics

When I randomly saw this on the web, I HAD to post it. It reminds me of when I was in High School and I liked 2 guys at the same time. Why, you ask? Well I couldn't decide which one I liked more, so I had these 2 goldfish and I named them each after one of the two boys I liked. Well, since Goldfish don't last that long, I decided whichever goldfish died first, that guy would be off my "crush-list". So, I get home from school like a week later and they were both floating at the top of the bowl. I guess they both weren't worth my time- which looking back is definitely true!

Revenge of the Goldfish, Sandy Skoglund, 1981

Escalante Adventure

I want to re-cap what a splendid summer it's been! I'll start with our trip to Escalante, UT for a Checketts family reunion at my Aunt Sannette's house.

I Love Escalante's gorgeous red rock! Not to mention the picturesque western landscape! This rock is called Rattlesnake Point- It's in my Aunt's backyard, and buried at the base of it is an ancient Anasazi settlement! We hiked to the top- a quick little hike to a breathtaking view!

Sam and I basking in the glory of the view! I love the striations of the sedimentary layers... Wow- I think my geology teacher would be proud of my observations!

My big sister Hillary and I at the top of Rattlesnake point, heading down to explore the riverbed. I think we look pretty outdoorsy/adventurous! What do you think?!

Not sure what plant this is- but it was all along the dried up riverbed- made me think of the little rhyme: "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With Silverbells and Cockershells and Pretty Maids all in a row!" A little diddy I picked up in third grade, thank you very much... I think these could get away with being called Cocker Shells!

My aunt had these cute little fuzzy kittens- I really wish I could have taken this little fur-ball home!




Beautiful lake not too far out of Escalante. We did a special memorial service for my dear Uncle Dan. Sam and I want to come back and fish here sometime. It reminds me of a lake in some Nicholas Sparks novel!

The little road that lead to the Bed and Breakfast Sam and I stayed at.
The Slot Canyons Inn Bed and Breakfast in Escalante. We LOVED it! The owners are so nice and hospitible and it is such a cool, cozy place on a gorgeous property. Talk about getting away from it all!

Another awsome view of Rattlesnake Point. My aunt was taking us to the Anasazi ruins for a guided tour! She is so knowledgeable- she could upen a museum!

We're all getting the schpiel from Aunt Sannette- see the grey spots of dirt on the ground? That's layers and layers worth of the Anasazi fire-pits over the centuries!

Brigham Young University Archeology students came and dug up the settlement site and re-buried it when they left to preserve it. It doesn't look like much, but there's a whole lot of amazing history under there...

In fact, I found my own little piece of history nearby the site! It's an Anasazi button or bead. This little pebble just caught my eye- then I realized when I picked it up, it wasn't a pebble after all!

It's just a small little piece of the past.

On the way home, Sam and I couldn't stop pulling over to admire the gorgeous rock formations through Bryce Canyon. This part of the country is unbelievable!

I don't know- do they look like little castle towers to you?

Arches and ridges...

and Sam stealing kisses. That's what I call a good vacation!

There is Beauty all Around...

I have to admit- I was kind of annoyed that we ended up in Utah. However, the more I let go of my pre-conceived notions of what it was going to be like here, I've seemed to notice the more beautiful things about living in the Beehive state! I work right next to beautiful Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake and often venture there on my lunchbreak. I wanted to share with you how breathtaking Spring is at Temple Square. Take a look...

Tuilps "kissing" the Conference Center tower

Purple blossoms in front of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. My Grandparents on my Checketts side had their reception there back in the day.

The Salt Lake Temple. My ancestor John R. Moyle engraved on the golden tablet you can see set into the middle spire. An AMAZING feat- seeing as though he walked from Alpine Utah every week on a wooden leg to do it:

"John R. Moyle lived in Alpine, Utah, about 22 miles as the crow flies to the Salt Lake Temple, where he was the chief superintendent of masonry during its construction. To make certain he was always at work by 8 o’clock, Brother Moyle would start walking about 2 a.m. on Monday mornings. He would finish his work week at 5 p.m. on Friday and then start the walk home, arriving there shortly before midnight. Each week he would repeat that schedule for the entire time he served on the construction of the temple.

Once when he was home on the weekend, one of his cows bolted during milking and kicked Brother Moyle in the leg, shattering the bone just below the knee. With no better medical help than they had in such rural circumstances, his family and friends took a door off the hinges and strapped him onto that makeshift operating table. They then took the bucksaw they had been using to cut branches from a nearby tree and amputated his leg just a few inches below the knee. When against all medical likelihood the leg finally started to heal, Brother Moyle took a piece of wood and carved an artificial leg. First he walked in the house. Then he walked around the yard. Finally he ventured out about his property. When he felt he could stand the pain, he strapped on his leg, walked the 22 miles to the Salt Lake Temple, climbed the scaffolding, and with a chisel in his hand hammered out the declaration “Holiness to the Lord."

-Jeffrey R. Holland, “As Doves to Our Windows,” Ensign, May 2000, 75

The Lions at the base of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. My favorite place to eat on Temple Square is inside this building. It's called Nauvoo Cafe and I promise you they serve the tastiest toasted sandwiches! The Cranberry-Orange Relish Turkey Sandwich is my favorite!

http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/nauvoo.html

That's it for out tour folks! We end at the statue in front of the Church Office Building that celebrates Motherhood. How appropriate that there are beautiful purple floweres surrounding it- my Mom's favorite color! I love you MOM!

The 3-amigas and a little bambino...

I have so much catching up, that I'm just going to write some of the highlights of the last 2 months! So in April (yeah, I haven't updated in WAY too long) my friend Kadie and I went up to Idaho to suprise our friend Brooke for the Weekend. She was visiting from Idaho, and just recently had a baby boy, Jett! Kadie and I just couldn't resist any excuse (and he's a way cute excuse!) to see Brooke! Here's some pics from our weekend!

Look at those big blue eyes! He's such a doll!

Here we are- the Designing DIVAS! We met in the Interior Design Program up at BYU-Idaho. Kadie (baby "E"inside!!!), Me & Brooke! Kadie is due in August so she loved getting the baby low-down from new Mommenschpiel, Brooke!


Brooke's Grandpa, proudly embracing his newest Great-grandsons! I just love Jett's facial expressions!

Brooke with that new Mommy glow!

Me, with that "Auntie" glow!

Mini's Cupcakes... Photo Op!

Recently at work, we celebrated Annie's birthday and I knew exactly what I wanted to bring; these deluctable little devils from Mini's Cupcakes!

Feast with your eyes- but try not to drool on your keyboard...

Here I am with my new best friend... the PB Fix... Dark Belgium Chocolate Cupcake with Organic Peanut Butter Frosting sprinkled with salty peanuts. Don't I look happy? I was even happier when it was in my belly!
Here's Summer with her hot little cupcake... Breakfast at Tiffany's -Madagascar Vanilla Bean Cupcake with Tiffany Blue Crème Cheese Frosting topped with edible gems. Audrey Hepburn, eat your heart out!
And the birthday girl Annie inhaling The Diva - Dark Belgium Chocolate Cupcake with Pink Crème Cheese Frosting... you go girl- party like it's 1999!

Here's our office mascot- Londyn Marie! She's Annie's new angel! Do you see what she's doing? She's trying to lick my PB Fix! No Londyn- don't you dare!!!

Mouth watering? go to:

http://www.mini-cupcakes.com/cupcakehome.html

Gourmandies Bakery

SLC has so many great little places that I just want to share them with you! The other week, some of my Interior Design friends that I graduated with and I went to a yummy little place to catch up and hang out. We met at the cutest bakery/cafe called Gourmandise. I'd highly recommend you check this place out if your ever in the Salt Lake Area because they've got fantstic food for lunch and dinner and delicious pastries of all kinds!

Check out these cute little fruity tarts... mmmmmmmmm!

Check out these cute little ladies! We totally scarffed down our food- I wish I took a picture of our food before it was in our belly's! Check it all out for yourself at:
http://gourmandies.com/index.html

Our Ward is Cool.

We've really grown to love our ward (incase you don't know what a ward is- it's Mormon speak for a congregation). Sam is a Scout Leader and I'm a CTR teacher for the 7 year-olds. Infact, tomorrow my team teacher Amanda and I are throwing a party for our class because they've been so good and attentive in class! Anyway, besides loving our callings, we've also had some fun at different ward activities.

A lady in our ward is a retired drama Teacher. This darling lady decided to put together a Mystery Dinner Play for the adults in the ward. Sam was hesitant to attend because he was SUPPOSED to be in it and totally never showed up for rehearsals. Anyway, they made do and right before it started, Sam decided he'd like to go. I was glad because I really wanted to and I especially wanted that weekend to be all about ME because Sam had been sick with influenza B for like a whole WEEK (I think the "B" makes it sound much more professional- if a flu can be pofessional...)!

I didn't get a really good picture, but here's the back of someone's head and the stage! Honestly, I think Sam and I both expected the play to be really cheesy; however we were both pleasantly suprised when it turned out HILARIOUS! Seriously, it was so fun to see our friends in our ward in a totally different context. Especially Bonnie (the retired drama teacher) who I just thought was just a sweet lady that played the organ on Sunday... what an understatement! She's certainly sweet- but she's also hilarious and full of so much energy! She played a famous actress who had her precious ruby stolen on a movie set. I think my favorite part of her costume was her bright red feather boa. I don't think I'll ever look at her the same! Also, our friend Natalie proved to be quite the drama diva! She cracked us all up as she was playing the "woefull, wrongfully accused suspect" of the ruby thieving! All in all, it was a great night and it made us love and appreciate our ward even more!

Besides the mystery dinner play, the Primary Presidency held an "awards night" to share their appreciation with all of us Primary Teachers. The decorated the relief society room- yes, that's a red carpet (boy am I easy to please!) and presented us each with an award accompanied by our own "Golden Statue". Can't you tell I'm excited? The award just highlighted each of our strengths as a teacher:
As you can SEE- my award was for "Attention Getting" when I teach my class. Well, if you know me at all, you know I LOVE attention! I think the award was very fitting :)

Oh! And there's our ward Starlett- Natalie and her husband Mike recieving their awards! They're tons of fun and they have the cutest kids in the ward- hands DOWN! I have to admit though, the best part of the night was when the Primary Presidency showed us a tape they put together of the kids in our classes talking about why they liked their teachers. It was so cute to see the kids talk about all of us and made my little heart just MELT and want to give them all hugs when I saw them on Sunday! Man- they're so freakin' cute- it makes it all worth it!

Keep scrolling down for a post I added earlier today- I had to catch up and post a few!

Dance Dance Revolution with the Kinney's!

Our friends Kadie and Jacob invited Sam and I over for a little dining and dancing! Kadie is PREGGERS, but it doesn't stop this dancing diva from when it comes to DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). She is the reigning QUEEN, and as you'll see in the video below- Jacob is reigning KING! Sam, you ask? I think he's the Jester and I'm the laundry girl to them all...

Kadie's a ROCKSTAR and I LOVE her little baby bump! how CUTE! You GO girls (Kadie's having a girl... I'm sure she'll be just as "kickin" as Kadie is)!Can you see the concentration in my face? Yeah, it takes a lot of effort for me... AWKWARD!

This video speaks for itself... SHAKE it Sam!

Hangin' wit da boyz

So. last weekend was all about Sam! We had some of his buddies over on Friday night that he sold pest control with down in San Antonio; Daniel Woodall and Tyler White. We played Settlers of Zarahemla, the card game Golf, and a Ticket to Ride- some of our favorite board games! Anyways, I played the "perfect wife" and made everyone Orange Chicken and Rice for dinner, organic Apple slices and even splurged on Chocolate Covered Pretzles... I know, I'm kind of a big deal. There might have been too much excitement though because Woodall got it planted into Sam's head that he needed to buy "EPIC DUELS"- a Star Wars board game that is no longer made and you have to spend a million dollars to get it on ebay... well, not that much, but SHEESH! Anyway, I'll finish that story later.

Saturday morning we decided we'd head down to watch the BYU vs. UTAH Basketball game in Provo- Sam was stoked! BYU won the game (whoo hoo!) and it was neck to neck the whole time. Of course Sam and I had fun belting our lungs out to the Cougars victory song every 15 minutes- it was good times!

Just when you thought our weekend couldn't get any more FUN, Saturday night we met up with Sam's favorite mission companion, (Elder) Winslow Burton and his wife Heidi. We ate at this DELICIOUS little Chinese grill called Charlie Chow's Dragon Grill in Salt Lake City! We always love finding new spots and this one was definitely a winner! It's kind of like a Mongolian grill style- where you put all of the fresh ingredients you want in a bowl with sauce and have the grill-meister cook it up for you- soooo good- I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a yummy, casual and fun place to eat (nicely designed atmosphere too). http://www.charliechows.com/index.htm

So, it was all about Sam last weekend- but it turned out to be just as much of a blast for me- maybe because I love him soooooooo much!
P.S.- Sam suprised me on Monday with his "by the way... I kind of bought EPIC DUELS on ebay today on my lunch break..." It looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of Daniel Woodall at our place- good times! Well, it's all good I guess, because now I can buy something for myself for the same amount of money he spent- I love how things always work out!