Its Christmastime!!

Here is our Christmas Card, I only send them to people who live far away so you get yours online :D

Is everybody ready?? We are SO close to ready here! Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Lots and lots to do. It is really getting down to the wire. And Bri will be here tomorrow too! Fun!

If you hadn't heard Cade broke his arm Saturday morning playing flag football with the Elders Quorum. Yep, him and the Elders. He can actually hang and make TD's so he was having some fun, but dove for a flag and somehow got a buckle fracture on his forearm. Bummer, dude! He'll get a cast on Tuesday, but it won't be too bad. Not nearly as bad as his other one. All the guys felt terrible so they brought over some ice cream for him and they signed one of the flags and gave it to him. They wrote cute little messages on it, he thought it was SO cool.

We are trying to get out and do lots of Christmas-y things. Tonight we went caroling with some families from our ward and watched the Luke 2 video on a bigscreen, it was really fun. Some people are really good singers and we harmonized and sounded really good. It is nice getting to know lots of people in the ward, I am really loving our ward. Tomorrow night we are supposed to go see the Temple lights with some ward people but Mark probably won't want to go so mabye we will go Christmas night instead.

We are looking forward to Bri getting here, Christmas eve and Day with Jason and Ava and then for Saturday to see all the family. Then we will be coming up to Thatcher for New Years. It all sounds fun but theres lots to do before then. Good luck getting ready this week everyone! See you soon, Love you!!

I'm just barely reading the family blog. It's been since Nov. 5th!! Can't believe how time flies. Didn't Emily do a wonderful job on the tree? Yes, everyone say, ooh, aah! I really do appreciate her doing it. I got all the other decorations up, but just didn't have time for the tree. I have a relief society luncheon here tomorrow, the 10th, so I want everything to look good. Of course.

Grandpa's funeral service was really nice. What a quaint little cemetery. So pretty and green. Surprising since it's Mesquite, NV. The military did the 21-gun salute, dad played "Nearer My God to Thee" and my uncle dedicated the grave. I got to see cousins I haven't seen in 20 years. My one cousin, Sandy, said some pretty wonderful things about my dad. Grandma is hanging in there, she has a terrible cold and is of course, so sad. At the viewing on Thursday, she said she wished she could just climb into the casket with grandpa. I told her I was not ready for her to leave us.

I'm so looking forward to Christmas. Getting together on Saturday will be fun. Do we have a time, Janel? Also, could you possibly get a phone number for the Fry's nearest you, or we can decide what we want to order and you could order it? They probably need at least 24 hours. I can pay for it when I pick it up??? They'll provide sandwiches, a fruit platter, veggie platter, so what do we want for dessert? Also, maybe chips?? Get back with me.

I got up this am with dad (5:00 a.m.) and have all my business work done. Now, I've got to get to some projects I'm still working on. Love to you all. Have a wonderful day! Mom

The countdown begins!

Wow, Katie and Em, you guys are putting together some awesome trees!! You must have an older sister who set a wonderful example.....LOL No seriously, good job decorating everybody (Mom included!) I can't post mine because I still have a section of lights out. :( I'll get it squared away tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to getting together too. 18 more days till Christmas! And then I'm planning to clean out the after Christmas sales and get set up for next year. Woo hoo!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The Second Christmas for Katie and Kameron Johnson!!

Us!

I have to say Thanks to The most wonderful Mom! Thanks for the decoration I LOVE THEM!!
Yay for after christmas sales the year before!
The Fire place. Notice the mug and plate. I got these last year and thought they were SO cute I had to use them some how. I just Love christmas

So this is our christmas tree and decorations. We went out christmas shopping and tree shopping today. Kameron had to go to walmart and get a christmas tree holder thing and he had to park in the boonies. And I mean like Way! out there. I can't imagine what it will be like when it gets closer to christmas. Speaking of I am so excited to see you all again in like three weeks I think? But I guess I don't have to work the day after christmas so as soon as Kameron gets off we should be heading to Mesa friday late afternoon. We are spending christmas eve and christmas day with the Johnson's and than heading back to work friday. But that's pretty much it for now. I hope everyone is having a happy holiday so far! I have a feeling this is going to be a Very Merry Christmas!! Love you all!!!

Christmas!!!

I know I know, our tree is gorgeous.  And time consuming!  I did this thing almost all by myself!  But anyways.  I can't wait for Christmas!  First of all we're having a surprise visitor!  And I cannot wait for you to come!!!  I know we did the tree together last year, but I don't think mom wanted to wait till the 21st to actually put it up...  Maybe you can help take it down!  I'm also so ready for the break from school! I've been so busy, ask mom and dad, and I am in need of the few weeks we get off.  Of course I'll be picking up extra hours at work...but just going to work is so much easier than work AND school.  I'm all ready to graduate in May.  That is after I take 20 credits next semester...I think I have 18 this semester and I'm not sure how I'm going to do it.  There are a few choir tours that I have to go on and planning for my next college adventure is getting stressful.  I'm still a little undecided about where I want to go.  Well, I hope everyone is doing good!  I can't wait to get together again!  I love you! 

Wet, Wild Fun!!

Well, I know its been a while since the last post so here is an update.  

   We are all moved in here in Itaewon-dong.  Itaewon strip is a little PSYCHO but I'm getting along.  Walking sucks but its only 25 minutes to work.  But we have a nice view of the Han river from the roof.   We have a Master bed and bath, a living room, kitchen with a full sized refrigerator and washing machine, and an american sized dryer on the back porch.  There is a small bathroom for the dogs and two other bedrooms, but one is my sound room and the other is just empty for now.  It also leads to a little sunporch out back.  So all in all, its a nice little place for Korea.  

   Along with the rooms come two little ankle-biting dogs.  For the record, they are not my dogs.  I did not choose to purchase these dogs.  They came with the wife.  So I do my best to love them.  Sometimes they get a spanking but I can't smack too hard.  I just spend most of my time cleaning up the poop and pee they leave behind.  Sangun, the little dog with no hair, is sick right now so he doesn't always get to the bathroom on time.  Wonee, the bigger dog with all the hair, is kinda jealous of me over Sang Mi.  But I always make sure they get plenty of food and water and lovins.  They are such cute little buggers that you cant not love 'em.  But it feels like having resentful teenagers at home.  I work my but off to afford the nice canned food but when I come home, I'm still a stranger for a few hours until they remember me.  Oh well, maybe they are just prepping me for the future when I really have kids.  We plan on bringing them home after Korea but you never know, I could forget to do the quarantine paperwork :)  

  Anyways, Thanksgiving was good.  It was better to just have a break from work but tomorrow its back to the awfulness.  Maybe I need some in-country leave soon.  More time to spend with my new MacBook Pro!  I am now a two Mac household.  The only reason we have a PC is so Sang Mi can run her korean programs.  Otherwise, I'd just sell it for parts.  But she sends her love to you guys and we cant wait to see you in July.  Peace out.

It's COMING..............

Is everybody ready for THANKSGIVING???????

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Okay so I still can't figure out how to make pictures go where I want them and in what order I want them. So here is my KITCHEN thing that I made last weekend. I had something else in mind but this is what my wallet could afford.

And these are pictures of the FIRST SNOW in Flagstaff!!! it only snowed for about an hour and man was it COOLD! It was so fun seeing it though. And I did ask myself, what have I gotten into?! haha but it was so pretty! Just a little preview of what is to come!

notcie the new porch and new windows. Hope that all gets fixed Soon!

Yeah and I need help updating my wardrobe for this kind of weather. I've been wearing a skirt to work every day. I have like two pairs of pants that arnt jeans that I can wear but other than that I'm in trouble.

We went to Cottonwood on saturday afternoon so Kameron could get some birthday sheet cake and go fishing. It was a short trip cause we had to get back for church and all that, but it's been a fun weekend! Hope all is well for everyone!

It's mom!

So, I'm using Em's laptop...my computer is back in the shop (time to buy a new one).  Not really liking the keyboard.  Excuse the typos.  Janel the kids looked grreat, be sure and send pics.  I felt bad I missed Dane and Paige, I was in Mesa.  The barn wood is going on the sauna as we speak.  Looks awesome!  I know dad is really pleased.  Well, did we all have a mourning party last night.  Hope I'm not stepping on any toes.  Who knows maybe he'll be great.  At least prop 102 passed.  I'm heading to Prescott this weekend to be with my foursome from high school.  Should be fun.  Looking so forward to Thanksgiving.  Oh, Janel, if you hear of any home rentals, let us know.  Have to be out of Sue's house by the end of November.  Looking for a 4 bdrm.  We're moving the office to Thatcher on Monday.  Know this is a jumble mess, but at least I'm writing.  Nate, be sure and send pics and do we use the apo address you gave us to mail the guitar for just regular mail?  Wish your bride congrats from us.  Sounds like you're happy and that's important.  Married life is great!  Love to you all and have a great week.  MOM

Lamb update

Hi Everybody!

We had a fun weekend. Judy came to visit and we spent some quality time. Halloween was fun, we went to our old neighborhood for a block party and trick or treating. It was nice to see everyone and I think they were glad to see us too. We still miss those guys! Cade decided to bail on the costume by the time we got there, I guess he's outgrowing the dressing up thing. I really thought he'd let this be his last year but apparently he's done already. Sadie was an 80's girl, Cooper was the character "Slappy" fron the goosebumps movies "Night of the living Dummy" 1,2,and 3. He looked really creepy. Wyatt was Anakin Skywalker and Dayton was Ironman. We just really trick or treated in the old neighborhood, not much around here. The best part is that I have only had about 8 pieces of candy TOTAL. YAY me!






On Saturday Nick and Hannah brought the kids down. We watched some home video and then went to BK and the park. Jason brought Ava over saturday evening so he could go to the Regional conference adult meeting and the kids all had a blast. We completely wore out Dane and Paige (and their parents too probably) so they headed back to Thatcher. It was fun and pretty low key.

Sadie had a blast at Science camp, she had fun cabin moms and girls. They were the "Spongebabes" LOL She even did the zipline. We just found out that her Sunshine Generation group will be performing on channel 3's morning show in November. I'll let you know when that gets closer.


If you haven't voted today, get your booty down there and get in line! We need EVERYbody! I took advantage of having Judy there to get the kids ready for school Friday morning so I could go get in line for the last day of early voting and Im so glad I did. Mark had to go to Florence to vote on Friday because he is in Tucson at a training thing for his new team at work this week. He only waited 45 minutes so that was good.

Bri, it was good to hear your update, I'm glad thigs are going good. Your friend spa day sounds fantastic! I'm super jealous!!

Nate, we are waiting for pictures from your big day and the new pad!! Tell our new sister in law we said Hi and welcome, we can't wait to meet you!

Happy Halloween (well two days ago)

So how was everyone's Halloween? I'd love to see pictures of ALL my nieces and nephews please. Nick and Hannah, Janel and Mark, Jason!!!! I miss all of your kids (and you) sooooo much. I was in Fabulous Waikiki!!! and China Town in Honolulu. It was so fun. I was a Dragon :) and some of my friends were pirates, witches, the smurfs, a devil, mini mouse, little red riding hood and Lady Luck, I think hers was the cutest. So we went out all night and stayed at the hilton Waikiki and it was a very memorable Halloween. I only at a few peices of candy the whole month!!! I'm trying to lose some weight. I got a little chubby due to stress and lack of exercise and poor diet. But I'm ready to whip it into shape!!!!! I'm hosting a healing party with one of my best friends for all my co-workers at the Spa. They are the most wonderful friends I have ever had. Everyone I work with has been amazing as friends and we are like a family. We all have pretty much everything in common and there is (almost) never any drama. I can actually name the ONLY two times that I know of. But yeah, we had a healing party a few months ago and basically what we do is get two or three ajoining hotel rooms at Turtle Bay where we work cause we get a killer discount, open all the doors set up a TON of massage table an esthetics area and wet treatment in one of the bathrooms and we trade massage, facials, bodywork and treat ourselves to what we do for strangers everyday. only its out best friends. So I am going to get at least four massages a scrub and wrap and facial and pedicure this weekend!!! pamper me! and it's all for $30 because there's over twenty of us that come over the course of three days and 20 times 30 is enough to cover the rooms and food. Well I am going to post some pictures very soon. so I will talk to yall Later!!!
Love Bri

Just a snippet!

Hey Fam!!

   I'm just putting up a short post today.  Married life is awesome.  I'm moving all of my things into our SWEET apartment today so I will be off-line for two or three days.  Its always nice coming home to a house that my awesome wife is at and the gov't pays $3000 a month for!  (Thats me bragging:) )  So I'll take some pictures and post it all later.  Peace!

Katie is blogging....again!

So I blog a lot on here I am noticing...I would like to hear about Nate's wedding..hello! haha Just Kidding but seriously Nate what is it like getting married in Korea?! And Janel I loved reading about the kids getting older and talking so much they have to take turns. So funny! So we went to Thatcher again this past weekend to listen to Emily sing. She did AMAZING! She had quite a few spot light moments of solos. Deffinatly made the DeRusha name proud. Good Job Em! And we used the new Sauna! oh man it is so cool! I feel like I'm in Minnesota. Dad is doing a really good job on all his projects. So I got a new job!! It's a receptionist/patient care at a chiropractic office. I am so excited I start out a little less pay than I'm getting but the lady said after 90 days I should get back up to 10 an hour. Yeah that's pretty much an amazing blessing. seriously. But I gave my old job a week to replace me so I'll be starting this monday, november 3rd. I don't get off till 4 as I was getting off at 1:30 but I think I'm okay with it as long as I don't have to be a lunch lady any more. Yeah one of those things I'm just going to put wayyyy back in my mind. Kameron's birthday is coming up! November 12th. Not July mom. haha. So that will be fun. Life should be getting better here, I hope! Kameron is kinda looking for a new job but with another semester of school to pay for we kinda just have to do what we have to right now. But anyways that's our little update for now. Hope all is well! Oh and Happy Halloween!!!

The Bestest Weekend!

We had so much fun in Thatcher! I would love to move back there. Really. Just let Kameron finnish school and than see what kind of jobs he can get and I would love to see something open up in Thatcher. We had so much fun! I'm still waiting on some pictures we took out at Klondike from mom. But we had a fun time out there. And we went to Gabby's cafe to hear nick play for Hannah's 10 year reunion. We hung out with Julie Ellerman and her boyfriend and Allison and her husband Brian. It was a lot of fun! And Hannah was so nice to do mine and Emily's hair somehow cause she was so busy with the reunion stuff. Paige is so cute. She is like this little teddy bear you just want to hold and hold and take home with you. But here are some pictures!

Out at Klondike

Dad kept showing off his muscles...oh dad.

Kameron and I
Me & Julie
Me, Julie, Allison

Cute little Paige!

Nick Played Drums most the time, but here he is jamm'n to the eagles on guitar and vocals!

Best weekend ever!

Well I just have to say that this past weekend was so wonderful.  I am so happy that so many of us were able to get together and I really appreciate you guys coming up to hear me sing...in the rain...with a broken microphone.  The fair was a blast...I didn't realize how much I missed everyone!  I'm so glad that we have such a fun awesome loving family.  Thanks again for coming up...hopefully I'll see you all soon!  I love you!

Hi Family!

We had a great weekend! Janel and the gang and Jason and Ava were here for the weekend. On Friday night we went to the County Fair and heard Emily sing with quartet. She did great, of course!! The kids had fun on the rides and the weather was great, a little stormy. But, earlier in the day the Sessions from Mesa surprised us. We visited with them for a couple of hours. It was so good to see them. The night of the carnival, they even showed up to hear Emily! We have such great friends.

So Saturday, dad was involved with the fiddle kids at the fair so we just basically hung out. Nick and Hannah were over with the kids and that was really fun. But then at 5:00 p.m. Lynn and Wick (don't know their last name, she's a Mullenaux) came over and took pics of the kids, Nick and Hannah, Emily, Jason and Ava, and oh, I think we got some good ones. So excited to get them back in about a week. That night, Janel, Jason and I stayed up all night (3:30, just as dad was getting up) and talked. I had such a good time, hope you did too, Janel & Jason.

Sunday, Janel left fairly early and so we just sat around until it was time for church. Now this coming weekend, Katie and Kameron are coming. You two have not been back to Thatcher since June, what's with that!!??? If I can, I'm going to try to get you guys to drive back the next weekend for fall sing. You wouldn't want to miss Emily would you?

Nate, it was good to talk to you tonight. Just so everyone knows, he thinks the marriage will be done by next Friday. Pretty exciting, huh?

Brianna, haven't talked to you for awhile for any length of time. So blog, so everyone can read it, or call your mom.

Well, it's late and I need to get to bed. Love you all. Mom

Decorating!

My white pumpkin that will get some polka-dots in a week or two

The Futon! Any pillow Ideas? I am at a loss. It's kinda the junk room but the couch still deserves some cute accents.

My festive fall flowers on the coffee table

So we moved the Piano to the other wall so we have a bigger family room

There is the piano, now in the kitchen area..OH! and I got two more piano students. That's THREE!! Oh notice the blank wall behind the pianon..I don't have anything else so what else could I do? A big J with some pictures? orr.....

Just another view

My cute fall fireplace (that we tried out this past weekend. Nice but the clean up kind sucks)

This is above the couch and I just think that little halloween sign is so cute.

I'm so excited for Christmas!

Metor Crater. Oh and did I mention the wind was blowing so hard I was scared it was going to push me in!!!

My space Buddy

Me! (This is really a picture of the crater so you can take really Coool pictures.

Kameron!

So confrence weekend was really good! I looved it! Kameron's family came down and stayed at our house. A little crowded...but that's okay. But they guys moved my piano for me so I was able to rearange the downstairs. The set up was good, but nonw there is a lot more room for reason? I was scared when they moved the piano but they did a good job. And we got a futon! It isn't the cutest thing you ever saw but it's a good couch/bed in one! Whoohoo! Anyone is welcome to come to Flagstaff and try it out! And saturday morning I got to drive with Kameron in his big Pepsi Semi to Winslow. Talk about a desolate place but it was fun seeing Kameron handle such a gigantic truck! What an amazing guy!! And than we got to drive out there the same day to go to Metor Crater with Kam's family. It was pretty cool. I keep trying to picture it falling from the sky and it kinda blows my mind. Man Emily we will try to come but it's just too expensive for poor struggling young couples. A good way to save money is to give yourself an allowance every week and when you get you allowance for the week put away whatever was left over (IF you have anything left over) and save it for something big or something you really want! I did that and I was able to go splurge on fall decorations! But not much else is going on here. We are just staying here this weekend so Kam can do some homework. Oh speaking of cute decorating ideas Janel. In better homes and garden they have these polka-dot pumpkins. SO cute. So I bought a white one that I'm going to polka-dot when halloween gets a little closer. I'm thinking about doing massage therapy school..I still need to do some research on it but I would like to work in like a Chirproactors office or something..but we'll see. I hope everyone has a wonderful Week!

Well as you all know from Mom's post, this weekend is my first performance with EA! It's kinda exciting? I hope whoever can can come...its the fair too which means entertainment for the kids! I miss seeing them. For a while it seemed like one of the kids was always up here, but its been a while. I hope I can make it down for Cade's priesthood thing. I've just been really super busy, ask mom. School is kicking my butt! I have 20 credits and I'll have the same amount next semester. But...I will be graduating in May and then heading up to NAU. Aren't Katie and Kameron so lucky? Then I'll get my secondary education degree in history. I'm pretty excited...I can't believe that I actually have to grow up? I'm trying to learn the art of saving money...any advice? Anyways, I hope that you all got to watch conference. If nothing else, watch the Sunday morning session...fast forward to the end and just watch President Monson's talk. It was amazing. Mom and I shed a couple tears while dad snored on the recliner haha. Well I hope everyone is doing good! I love you!

Love you guys!

Just finished reading Janel's family blog, so excited for Cade and of course we'll be there. This coming weekend is Graham County Fair and Emily will be singing on Friday night. If you can't make it then, the Fall Sing starts on October 23rd and goes until Saturday's matinee. Try to make it if you can. After all she is the baby...

I'm hoping most of you watched Conference. It was wonderful as usual, and I always feel such peace and hope after watching. Nothing miraculous or new is released, just a general sense of well being. I'm so thankful for the gospel in my life. So thankful we will be a family forever. What a wonderful blessing that is.

Just watched a Hallmark movie with dad and it made me kind of teary eyed. Just thinking of all you kids, your accomplishments and dreams makes me a little melancholy. I sure love each of you and I'm proud of you. Keep working hard, say your prayers, read your scriptures, attend your meetings, pay your tithing, do service, and keep focused on being the best person you can be. Sounds trite maybe, but the blessings will keep coming to you and to all of our family. Love you all. Mom

Good Times

We have been having so much fun having various members of the fam over lately. First, mom and I went out for the afternoon together in who knows how long for my birthday. One of the most fun things there is for a girl is sitting at lunch and gabbing with her mom! Then Katie and Kameron came over for dinner and we jammed out some DDR, Singstar, Rockband and Karaoke. We even got to hear Kameron SING! It was so very cool. Then last night Nick and Hannah and the kiddos came for an overnight and conference. Actually Hannah came to see Stephanie's baby, but it for us too, I'm sure :D. I know they got the worst sleep ever but it was fun to have them here. Dane was such a crack-up "I'm gonna spank you, dad!" and he loved my pumpkin pancakes "You gotta try these, dad!" He was hilarious. And hello, Paige is about the sweetest thing ever. She even rivals Sadie in the sweet baby category, and that is a tough act to follow! I'm so glad they are coming back down in 2 weeks for Cade's ordination and to see Grandma Judy. Speaking of ordination, Cade will be getting set apart as a deacon and recieving the Aaronic priesthood on Nov 1, before church (as far as I know)so anyone who can come is welcome. It is a really big deal, and can you believe I will have a kid passing the sacrament, going to the temple for baptisms, and going to mutual??? It has not sunk in yet at all. I'm in disbelief!! How OLD am I?? And guess what? That means you all have a grandson/nephew doing those things, and YOU are old TOO! HA!




How handsome is this kid?? And I am so proud of him today for sitting around and watching BOTH sessions of conference today wthout me saying anything..He's a good kid and he will take his priesthood seriously, even if he was out on the roof shooting Wyatt in the head with his airsoft rifle the other day.....

Nate, thanks for the pics! Love them. We're excited for you and happy that you've found someone who appreciates you and loves you for you. We all need that!! Visited with Nick and Hannah last night. Dane is so funny! What a boy!! And then there's sweet Paige. She seems totally different than Dane so far. You never know. Dad is still working on his music room with Austin. It's painted! Do wish we had some work going...Grandma is heading to Utah on Thursday for 3 weeks. Her sister Joyce isn't doing all that well. Her kidneys shut down (on dialysis 3x a week) and so she's quite limited in what she can do. I told grandma she should spend as much time with her as she can, so, a visit has been arranged. Nothing else is new here, class is going well, I have 100%. Jason is doing really well with his 2 classes. He's first in his chemistry and 3rd in his biology. Hopefully I'll get to see you, Janel, this week when I go down on Wed. Can't wait for Katie and Kameron to be here in October. It's been wayyyy too long. Well, that's about it. Have a great week everyone! Love ya...mom

   Well, here is a picture you have been waiting for.  We took some professional pictures the other day so I thought I'd put them up for you all to see.  Things are going good and we are working on getting all of the paperwork together.  It's a long process but we should be done by the end of October.  

   Work is still busy and we have some really good jobs coming up but I only get 3 days off in 3 weeks.  My side gigs are happening faster and faster and we start recording on wednesday.  The extra money will be good and my resume is getting better and better.  Other than that, nothing new is really going on.  I love you guys and miss you all and will see you soon!

So ya'll should check out our blog to read about the trip to Lake Powell. It was kinda a bummer cause out boat didn't work...:( But it was fun being out by the lake and soaking up some rays. And I didn't get burned!!! I've been having really bad bad bad luck with that so it was my goal to not let that happen. So I have this interview for a recpetionist job. It pays $11 an hour compared to my $9 so that is exciting. So when I told my boss I am looking for another job for better pay she offers me $10...hm so its like do I try to get 11 from her and keep the cafeteria job? (which i get off at 1:30) which is nice! and the receptionist job would end at 4 and start at 7. And the receptionist job is at a disabled peoples foundation...Yeah whats up with me and all these weird jobs? But anyways I wouldn't really be around the people cause I would be up front. But still...?? What should I do?! I have the interview tomorrow and I already passed the spelling and punctuation part of the interview. amazingly. So yeah that is the main delimma going on for me right now. Kameron is just going to school and working. Nothing too exciting really. I am usually the one with problems cause Kameron knows how to handle life problems wayyy better than me. But we are headed to Mesa this weekend so Janel we might be stopping by....
It seems if we arn't out of town on the weekend something isn't right. We rarely are home on the weekends. But if we are home we are watching college football on the cable we just got! whoohoo!

THANK YOU!!

Thanks you everyone for all of the awesome birthday wishes! If you want to read about my day you can go check it out on my blog. I love you guys and can't wait to get together soon! :D

Happy Birthday Janel I tried calling you this morning but I guess you're busy as always. Hope your day is splendid!

I got my hair cut yall! I'll try and put on a picture.

The waves are picking up over hear so surfs up. Bopper is loving the body surfing!

I'm working on getting a mini business started with all of my services. Facials, massage, waxing, make-up, scrups, wraps, the works. It's hard right now cause of school I have no money so I'm working to get ahead, save money for July and now possibly April in Korea? I hope I can make it. Well I have to go to work now! Have a great day everyone! call Janel!

Happpy Biirthday!

(that's a Gus Gus happy brithday from Cinderella) :)
I hope you have a great day!!!!! Make the kids do the dishes, watch a movie and get takeout!
Love ya,
Katie!

Happy Birthday Janel! Hope you have a great day!!

Spent this weekend with Kameron and Katie in Flagstaff. We had a good time, didn't do much, but it was so great to be with them. How's that job hunting, Katie? Did you hear back from your application? I was looking at the weather, it's cooling down there, huh? The weather is great here. Dad and Austin are just working up a storm! The sauna is terrific. Only have to wait for the stove to get here, finish the floor and build the benches. I can't believe how that one slab of concrete turned into a sauna, changing room and weight room! It's great!! The music room is really coming along too. I think the windows are supposed to be here today. Austin is still working on the sheet rock; dad built a handrail out of rebar yesterday (at my request) and he's quite proud of the job. He's really enjoying this venture.

Oh, I hope it's ok Nate, but got a call from Nate last night and he's officially engaged! Yea!!! Looks like they might get married in the next month or so and then have a ceremony in April. Anyone who wants to come, start saving your pennies/dollars!! So happy for you Nate, be sure and send pics.

Well, got to get busy. Hope you all have a great week, pray that we start getting work. Hopefully the audit will be complete soon and then we can get the WBE going. Right now, we have very little. But, you know your dad, he always pulls through. Love ya all!! Mom

Advice!

So I have this job at the cafeteria. Well I'm not happy. Like yeah jobs suck and espciall the first month or so, But I'm really not happy. I dream about it. It keeps me up at night. It interferes with my Happiness!! I'm too much of a stressball and this is wayy...stressful! So if you were in my shoes what would you do? So I keep trying to look for the positive. You know make myself okay with it. the hours are really good. The pay isn't bad. and I really need a job cause life is expensive. So I can't just quit. Oh and it works out good for me to get piano students. Which is still only at one :( any advice on that too???? Should I look for another job? And there are other things that i don't like about the job besides the stress but i don't want to bore everyone. So what do I do?!

Hey kids!

I LOVE reading your updates on here. Can we get Nick and Bri with the program?? I know Jas dosen't have a computer so I guess he's excused :D I see him every other weekend anyway haha YAY mom on your test, now you can teach me what the heck to do. Of course by the time I need to learn Vista they will have some other fancy-shmancy thing out there that makes it obselete.

So what else is going on here?? ( I am sure you all read my other blog so I have to think up new things for this one...;D)

Mark and I worked all day and got the floor in my hair salon finished. YAAAAAAY! I am so proud of us for not procrastinating this job. We stained the concrete "english Leather" and sealed it. My house REEKS and its giving me a headache. But I love it, its beautiful. I even got the mirror, and my friend Jill is going to sell me her shampoo bowl cheap. I am ridiculously excited about something that really boils down to WORK, but hey, I've been waiting a decade to have a REAL salon. Dreams do come true!! LOL Tomorrow I am going to paint. I picked a really pretty light butter yellow. I'm going for the shabby/cottage look. I love that look but don't really want a whole entire house of it. It will be the happiest room on earth.

The kids are just being themselves. Nothing too dramatic. Sadie is taking off in her singing career. She is singing a solo in church (primary program) and also in her little singing group the "Sunshine Generation". 2nd verse of "Under the Sea". I am SO proud of her for starting to do this. She will be a different kid by next year if she keeps this up.

Cade is pretty much driving me crazy. Between pining away for football and begging for an electric guitar, he needs to get a job!! LOL Seriously. Driving. Me. Crazy. All the girls still love him and he is creeped out by it. Ok. Lets keep it that way. :D

The other boys are just doing their thing. They really are such good kiddos.


My projects that will take me late into the night tonight are: making up the e-vite to our "old" neighborhood friends for a housewarming party. Its this coming weekend. AND putting together the invite to Marks work awards banquet. HOW did I get stuck with that??? We better win a really good door prize, thats what I'm sayin. Geez. And then putting together Coopers class volunteer schedule for the next couple months. I guess I'm his room mom. So much for laying low after the move, huh??

Love you guys!!

Hello!

Us at the Lake near Heber...check out our Blog for more!

So I updated on my blog. We went to a cabin outside of Heber with Kameron's family for Labor Day. We had a lot of fun! It stinks getting back into the swing of things. So you guys should check out our blog cause there are some pictures! Work is going good for the both of us. Our car, 1997 camry, had a break down not last weekend but the weekend before, still havn't gotten it back and it's pretty much going to cost an arm and a leg. I think i talked about this alredy but the update is just that it is going to cost more than we thought. So that sucks, but as long as kam and I keep working the money just grows back. Nate, I'm so happy thing are going good for you!!!! seriously! I didn't know Jason was teaching guitar lessons...sign me up! Oh and did ya'll see Janel's little race challenge in Tempe?? it's on her blog, sounds like a good challenge eh? Emily isn't singing at 7:00 in the morning just so much fun!? Oh just wait till you are tired and Bishop wants you to be energized. Some days I just wanted to walk out. haha but it was so fun!!!! Yay Mom! you told me you were so nervous for that test. did you get home in time to study? You guys seriously do need a computer update (flat screen, faster connection..) Oh so when we were driving to Heber the song from Tommy Boy comes on..don'tchya remember I told you I loved you Baby! yeah so i pretty much was the only one that tought it was funny. kameron's sister and brother and thier spouses were in the truck too. His brother was like what are we listening too? I was like Umm hello! Tommy Boy anyone??.....no response...I needed a derusha there. haha. So I talk to much...or type, whatever. Have a good one ya'll!

It's Mom

Just finished reading the blogs, lots of newsy info. OUch is right, Katie! Thanks for the pics Nate, glad you've found someone to be with. Makes life worthwhile, huh? We are so proud of Emily. She works hard and it pays off. Literally, she is at quartet by 7 and somedays doesn't get home till 8:30. She is working her 2 jobs with a vengenance (knew you'd love that paycheck, Em). Can't wait for the first concert. Jason will be putting his signs out for guitar lessons soon. With work as slow as it is, hopefully he'll be able to manage his bills. Janel, your house is really coming along. It's been a lot of work, I know, but it looks great! Can't wait to have Thanksgiving there. Took my first quiz in my Windows Vista class last night, think I got 100%. I worried so much because I didn't have a chance to study yesteray, (in Mesa again), so I was nervous. Thinking of getting a new computer for the house, so vista is what I'll be dealing with. Well, got to get my day going. Love to you all, mom.

Hey everybody!

  I'm just writing a little update about life here and thought I 'd share a few things that are going on.  Work is EXTREMELY hectic right now as we are slowly gearing up for the christmas season in just a few short months.  What christmas season prep means is that all of the individual organizations in the army are tying up the business loose ends of personnel comings and goings and the fiscal year closing at the end of this month.  Musically thing are going well as I have finally made the networkings happen and found a good Korean national drummer who's plugged into the jazz scene.  I should be heading into the studio next month to do a recording as well as some personal recordings with my 95% completed recording studio.  I'm just waiting on the speakers now!  As for army music, I'm heading to Wanju to perform in a Tatoo festival wich is just a fancy name for a marching band show where we pretend we are a High School band and make stupid formations on a field while playing songs like "Summer Lovin'," "Old Time Rock n' Roll," and "New York, New York."  As you can tell I'm not that thrilled by the situation.  But at least I recently played at the Ambassador to South Korea's residence and got to meet some really high profile people.  Almost makes me want to dabble in politics. :)  

  Things with the girlfriend are going well and I will be spending a couple days during a holiday call Chu-Sok with her and her family as they celebrate their ancestry and roots.  I feel quite privledged to be a part of both the ceremonies and fun stuff like going to an amusement park and having dinner and other various meals. I learn more about her every day and so far so good. She's a real blessing in my life and I'm just so lucky.

   I love all of you guys and miss you tons.  I also added a picture I'm using as my promo photo for our band press packet.  See you later!

   Nate

Woo! SInging!

Well I'd just like to throw in a little invitation to all of the members of the family that live on the Main Land (Nate and Bri....you're invited I'm just not sure if its going to happen...) to come watch me sing in the A Cappella choir and the quartet at EA!  Woo!  I'm so relieved to have made quartet!  The auditions were a little scary but once I realized that Mr. Bishop kept me in every single quartet that he tried out I was feeling pretty good.  I'm sure I have some new enemies in choir now but....oh well?  I hope everyone is doing good!  

why Why why

Okay so at work there is this guy that is "a suit" he is in the big wigs for the whole food company or whatever. So he has a way of making me want to punch him in the face. Kinda has a whimpy voice too. Like pubrty only went half way. Nice guy...but makes you feel small. So how do you deal with people like this?? Arr one more thing to hate about my job. Good thing I only have to endure his presence every once in a blue moon. But anywhoo...anyone else got crappy people they have to deal with??

my death sentence

So let me tell ya'll about my job. I work in an elementary cafeteria. Yes yes, so anyways there were 3 people: (we are all new) My manager, kinda weird but okay to be around, Myself, and this other lady who makes lunch ladies what they are. So I go into my second day of work, nervous and just..a little overwhelmed, and there is a note on the door that says my manager quit. So that's pretty bad. Not a good thing. I cried. Yes I am a whimp but it was horrible..so lon story short it's been me and the other lady and one of my bosses working at my school. So I start to get the idea that I'm not being paid enough for my job. My feet hurt, I'm worn out.ect.ect. So I decide I want more money and I don't want to be that "Lunch Lady" it hurts my ego. So what if I was the manager? more money, not so much a "lunch lady" I would do money and be the boss of the kitchen. So after only about 4 days of work I've been promoted to Manager. Dream come true? I think not. Stressful. Lots of..."wait what do I do" kind of crap. Lingo I just don't understand. AND it's only $9/hr with a hopeful raise at the end of the 90 day. But I guess usually my position would only get $8 But I am a hard worker :) So I have his new job that is stressfull. And hard to get used to and I don't have enough staff so I pretty much do enough work for 2 every day. And as the picture below shows, I burt myself getting an Extremly hot pan out of the oven. First thing in the morning. What a way to start the day...All in all, I am going to try to stick it out. :( It's really hard to get a job and I do like the schedual I have. So I'll update on how that goes. Today wasn't very fun so right about now I want to quit but...Walk it off right?? hm. BUT on the sunny side, I got my first Piano student!! And a hopeful second soon. So that was a motivator to go put up my flyers that have been sitting in my car for a week. So hopefully that goes good!!
Kameron is out hunting this weekend, bow hunting! He's so excited. He and his brother are staying out over night tonight and than going out all day saturday. I don't know if I want to start the deer head mounting thing though. haha. So anyways life is just going and pushing me along with it! Whoohoo what a ride!


ouch!

Ahn-Yong-Ha-Say-Oh!  It literally means "well doing".  Its just a little saying from here in the land of the morning calm.  Things here are quite awesome.  I just finished a week long drivers course for tactical military vehicles and can now get a Korean drivers license.   Yea for me!  Now I can rent a car in Korea for long distance trips to Busan beach or Daegu when I go to hang at the yo-jah chin-goo's family's house.  

Speaking of the yo-jah, I'm sure all of you would like some info, eh?  Her name is Lee Sang Mi, or Sang Mi (Lee is her family name) and she is from a smaller city in Korea called Dong-Daegu or just Daegu.  She is 24 years old and I met her in Uijongbu about 8 months ago.  We have been dating for 3 months and we hit our 100 days mark (a very important day in a Korean relationship) on Sept. 2nd.  I've met her mother and 2 aunts and a cousin and they all like me so far even though I'm a Mee-gook (American) and she is really self conscious of the fact she is Hang-gook (Korean) and thinks you guys won't like her.  But I told her Emily is still in the family so she has nothing to worry about!  Ha Ha, love ya Em!  But seriously, its kinda funny but more funny boo hoo than ha ha.  So help a brother out and please keep an open mind.  It's seriously the happiest I've ever been in my life and I know its because of her.  I'll fill you all in more as time goes by so stay tuned.  I love you guys and miss you!

  Nate

Hi!

How is everyone? Just got finished reading everyone's blogs. Thanks for the pics! Love the red in the kitchen. I'm thinking of a darker mossy green for the outside of the house. Since you watch so much HGTV, maybe you can tell me what's in???

Talked to Bri today. She's still busy with school, has made a plan to get out of debt, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed...will move home next summer. Bri, is that before or after the reunion?

Nate needs to update the blog and tell everyone about his girl, and attach pics. Sounds pretty serious Nate, we're happy for you.

Katie, is now the manager of the cafeteria. Be sure and tell everyone your experience in getting that position.

Emily is adjusting to school very well. She'll find out Thurs if she made acapella and then will tryout for quartet???

Well, guys, let's all starting adding to the family blog. It's so fun for me to read about you. Love to you all. MOM

College!

Well I survived my first day of college.  Not that EA is much bigger than Thatcher High School.  It was pretty fun getting to see all of the different people?  (Maybe not their no dress code outfits) I've been looking at the same faces everyday since 8th grade!  My schedule is pretty busy...I'm taking 19 credits this semester and then hopefully 21 next semester so I can graduate in May with my AA and then I'll go to NAU through EA and get my secondary education degree in English.  I'll have to finish up a few classes up at NAU so maybe Katie and Kameron will have a little visitor!  I'm very proud of mom, she didn't even cry this morning!  Well I'm sure once I walked out the door she let it out.....but I'm the baby!  It must be pretty traumatic for mom and dad...I bet they feel old.  I guess these next few years are the ones I'm supposed to enjoy the most?  But between working two jobs and school I'm just not sure if I'm going to have the time!!!  Yeah right haha.  Well I hope you're all doing well!  I love you!

Sickkies.......

Yeah, we are all sick. Not really bad, but Cooper came home last night and threw up, and Sadie's throat hurts. So does mine and Mark's. Cade says he feels like crap and Dayton had a pretty bad runny nose yesterday. Today I kept them all home from school and let them sleep in. Of course Wyatt is Mr. Chipper. I hope its just bad colds and dosen't turn into anything worse. We haven't been sick in a long time so I guess we were due. And I'd rather have it all at once than go person to person dragged out over weeks. Now its ust a loooong day at home with all the kids....hopefully they'll just lay around and watch movies. I guess its time to get the clorox wipes out.

Our visit to Utah

Natalie and Jacob


Kam and I in front of the St.George Temple


Us waiting for Traffic to clear up (Kameron has Jelapeno Sunflower seeds in his mouth)

So I posted on my Blog, but I'll give a little update on this one too! We went to Utah this weekend for Kameron's sister's wedding. Way fun! We had a great time. Just lots and lots of driving. A little too much, but all for a good cause. We had fun with family and had a fun time at the temple and taking family pics. I kinda like Utah..wouldn't be a bad place to live. But we'll see where life takes us. Annd, I start work this week! Whoohoo. Hair nets and mac and cheese here I come! Kam got a B in his pre calculus test! Amazing. And the day of the final just happen to be a super long day at work so he only got an hour to study and had to go in his work clothes. But he did really good. So we'll just be sitting around at home until Labor Day weekend. We are going up to a cabin near Heber with Kam's family. Do some fishing. So that's about it. Some of the pics are already on my Blog but what the heck..I'll re-post. How is everyone else doing?!!!!