Our new house

After the whole Fred Larry incident we got a call from a lady down the road who goes to our church. The have a little cottage (pictured above) that just became available. After a quick tour we knew it was the right place. It is cozy and cute and set back in the trees with beautiful views out the kitchen window. It has a front room, kitchen/dining area, laundry room, loft, bathroom and bedroom. AND a back patio. We will be moving in toward the end of May and I can't wait!

When we moved from Hawaii we sold everything we owned so it will be interesting getting stuff again.... dishes, pots, pans, sheets.... the whole nine yards. So I might need a little advice on whats good out there.

I so am excited for our new little cottage :)

Bucket of Balls

My first swing.... notice the ball hitting the wall. Ha!


After work Alden and I went and hit a bucket of balls yesterday, how could we resist on such a beautiful day? I've never golfed before, unless you count miniature golfing... which Alden informed me you don't. So there you have it. The documentation of my first swing.

Stay tuned tomorrow.....EXCITING NEWS!

A lesson in Hebrew

Alden and I made a sign in Hebrew for Addie!
Turns out you read Hebrew right to left.... so Home Welcome Addie!

ps. Did you notice Alden's hair cut? Lookin good huh?

Pitas

How was everyone's Easter? Alden and I had to speak yesterday, so that was a TAD bit stressful but we survived!

Guess what we also did?.... Remember #1? Yep. We totally tried it and Alden got the head full of glitter which meant that he also won the prize! A lion bar (candy from Jerusalem) that is like the best tasting thing on earth. Thank you Addie!

Today Addie and I are doing a little shopping and then we are going to cook up a storm. Cuz thats what we like to do. We have been on a pita kick ever since we found delicious pita's at the farmers market..... SOooooooo for dinner I bring you.............

Turkey Kebabs with creamy tomatillo sauce.

Me, my man, and a whole lot of hockey.

Here is a little unknown fact about my husband.... He use to play hockey, lots of hockey. I've never actually seen him play but just knowing he was a hockey player makes him a little bit more irresistible.

Right now we are wrapped up in the playoffs. I am not sure why hockey isn't a more popular sport to watch in the U.S. Its fast and aggressive. Like boxing on ice. I can't believe I use to pick watching figure skating over this. I might just be hooked. I'm half tempted to spend the money so we can go to the next game. Have I lost my mind? Go Sharks!

A thought for your Thursday

"Believe you can and you're halfway there"
-Theodore Roosevelt

Fred Larry

Alden and I have been searching the streets (and the web) for the perfect place we can rent (we are hoping to move out in the next few months). While perusing through craigslist the other day I found the perfect place. Three bedroom house for rent in Walnut creek (a nice neighboorhood). Was it too good to be true?!
Maybe. But I thought I would email just in case.

Last night at 11:00 pm I got a response from, Fred Larry. My first thought, "Fred Larry... really? Your name is FRED LARRY?" But I carried on. The email went on to explain about the house and how this "Fred" was currently over seas. He couldn't give us a tour of the house but he could send pictures and when it came time he would send us the key. He didn't ask for our credit card or anything he even gave us the option of paying either 1 or 2 months of rent up front. Nice guy eh?

Well we jumped in the car and drove to the house to take a look. It was a perfect little house (from what I could tell in the dark) right next to a little elementary school, cute little neighborhood. Things were looking good. BUT there was a car in the driveway. weird. We decided since he left a number that we would just call him to see if it was legit. We figured out what we were going to ask him and how we could "test" him to see if it was real or not. Right as Alden picked up the phone to dial, we decided to google the phone number.....

BAM. SCAM ARTIST. NICARAGUA.

poop. I hate you Fred Larry.

ps. this lovely home above is not Fred Larry's. It was found via here.

Easter DIY

We are back from Hawaii and excited because this week Alden's sister Addie gets home from Jerusalem! She has been in the holy land for the last 4 months and we can't wait to hear all about it.

I picked out a few of my favorite Easter DIY projects from around the web. Hoping that we can try some of them out with Addie this weekend.

1. This is my favorite find by far. I am hoping that this could become an Easter tradition! Go read about this fun confetti egg game here.

2. How adorable is this paint chip garland?

3. This reminds me of girls camp banana boats, anyone? Lemon cake in a lemon, brilliant!

4. Remember how when you were little you would get an Easter dress every year? sigh... those were the days. Well, why not make your own skirt? With a cute bow in the front to boot. yes please!

BTW.... we are in Hawaii.

Did I mention that we are in Hawaii???

Its Granny's 80th birthday so everyone is gathering on the big island where she lives to celebrate. Yesterday we got to go out to the beach with "Uncle Phill". He taught us how to fish. This man is full of the aloha spirit. Granny's first husband was Hawaiian so Alden has all sorts of family from the islands. It is so fun to be apart of such a different culture. To hear about traditions they have and learn about a different way of life.

So we will be here for the next week, enjoying the sun, good food, and lots of family time. Aloha to all our friends on Oahu. We miss you all!

For my brother

There was a young man who lived in a Chile
(The Chile was the size of Free Willie)
He pledged to rest his mustache for two years
The ladies were crying buckets of tears
Da Chile was spicy, and red, and hot!
But the boy did not give up. NO, HE DID NOT

He served the Lord all of his days while in this Chile
So he could come home and marry little Miss Millie
Work really hard Hayden and write a whole lot
Find tons of people, but avoid all robots.
Hayden, I will miss your humor the most
that, and late nights with cocoa and toast.



My brother Hayden has decided to serve a mission for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). He has been called to the Santiago West Chile mission (the country, not the pepper) and reports this week. I am so proud of my brother and his decision to serve. I KNOW he will be a great missionary and bring many people great joy and happiness by sharing the gospel with them. I love you Hayden. Good luck!
*To learn more about what our missionaries do, click here.

Annnnd I'm back

Sorry about my week of slacking..... But I'm back!
Alden and I started a new tradition this weekend.
Camping in the back yard the night before conference! Lucky for us, our party lights were still up from the wedding. Which made for an extra special sleepover. We watched a movie, ate sour candy (of course) and read our book (The Giver). Lovely right? Anyone else out there have any good conference traditions? Or family traditions?

Go here to read about what conference is or here to watch it if you missed it. I am so grateful that we have a prophet on the earth today. A prophet that is a mouth piece for the Lord. Who leads and guides us in coming closer to Christ. My testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and of the Savior was strengthened this weekend. I am grateful for the opportunity to evaluate my spirituality and work on coming closer to Christ as I heed the prophets council. Anyone have a favorite talk? I loved Elder Scott's....it tugged at my heart strings.