Spring Break

For spring break the Merkets all got together for the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas.  It was a lot of fun! Even though I did not get a single picture of a basketball game, I DID get a picture of the jelly fish at Bally's.  At least I think it was Bally's.   

 I also got an awesome picture of some striped fish.  This was my favorite fish... second to jelly fish of course.  

Chris and I in front of the fountains at Bally's.  I have been to Vegas 4 times now and still don't know each big casino name. I have never been infatuated like some are.  I have even been called a prude for not gambling or getting drunk by a close friend.  I decided not to go back to Vegas with her again :)

After the Merkets left Chris and I had a few days to ourselves.  I got ambitious and took along my straightener to have a change.  This is the length of my hair before I chopped it off.  It was great to try a new hairstyle, but now I'm too lazy to straighten it :) I don't even have a picture to show you the new do.  I was the talk of the school the day after spring break.  The kids thought my hair was so cool.  Then they got to class and realized they hate my teaching!  The hair do was a small distraction for them.

Life Lesson

Chris learned an important life lesson this morning.  I don't want to sound  controlling, but when you have thins walls and a loud husband you tend to control the situation to save your sanity.  On top of that lesson, Chris also learned empathy.  He might think he's superman, but he isn't and no one else is.  We all struggle with our demons.  You are all probably wondering why I'm even posting if I write in vague terms... I've learned my life lesson that Blanding is a tiny town and I need to keep my mouth shut.

We might have more changes in the future, but for now our home is an alcohol-free home.  We'll see if that fixes the problem :)

Random Pictures

Ami (Chris' sister), Val, and Michelle stopped by on their way back to California.  It was fun to see them even if it was for a few hours.  Chris went back to California with them to get to Vegas.  I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was our best option.  I have been home alone for a few days.  I miss Chris because I love him, but also because he takes care of City for the majority of the day.  Since I don't have time during lunch or the afternoon to come home to check on City, I decided to leave him in the kitchen.  We have a baby gate that prevents him from getting out... or so we thought. 

The first day went really well!  The second day didn't go as smoothly as the first.  I came home during my morning prep period to find our postcards, birthday cards, schedule, and notes ripped to shreds in the kitchen.  To top it all off, City was on the wrong side of the gate!!!  It wasn't knocked over... nothing was amiss except for the darn puppy!

On the third day I decided to add boxes to extend the feel of the gate.  When I came home in the morning everything was perfect!  

When I got home tonight from tutoring, I found the one casualty.  A pad of sticky-notes had somehow been ripped apart.  There wasn't any paper on the floor in the kitchen or living room... somehow City got on top of the counter and sat there ripping up the sticky-notes.  It's laughable just imagining what he did.

This picture is cute and a little old.  Chris and City on a ledge at the Goosenecks.  

Grand Canyon, Goosenecks, and Monument Valley

We have had a fun few weekends.  This weekend I headed down to the Goosenecks and Monument Valley with some friends.  This is my favorite picture from Monument Valley.  You have to enter the Navajo Nation to really see the beauty.  Even though its the off season the entry fee was pricey!  $5 per person rather than per car.  I was surprised by that, but enjoyed the views anyways.

 These are probably the most pictured monuments in the area.  They are (left to right) the Left Mitten, Right Mitten, and Merrick Buttes.  They are gorgeous.

 This is a quick glimpse of the Goosenecks Park.  The formation is created by the San Juan River.  I want to go back with Chris to hike down to the river... they say its possible.  

 Two weekends ago we went down to Flagstaff, Arizona.  Our official motivation was my birthday, but we could resist visiting the Grand Canyon while we were there.  We used our timeshare to stay at a Wyndham Resort.  The suite was "deluxe" and very spacious.  Its hard to see how truly GIGANTIC this tub is.  I had Chris lay in the tub to show that it could easily fit two Chris' with extra room.  The funniest part of our trip was trying to enjoy a relaxing bath in it.  The hot water ran out before the jets were even covered.  We went old school and heated water on the stove top.

 I got a few great shots of Chris at the Grand Canyon.   I wanted to share this one with you because it makes me laugh whenever I see it.  He's a keeper for sure :)

 Us enjoying the sights.

It was a really fun  weekend away even though we missed City like crazy.  If anyone hasn't picked up on it yet, City truly is my first born ;) Call me crazy, but I'm a proud parent when it comes to our puppy.  Thankfully, we don't dress him up!

My birthday is starting out great!

Don't I just look fabulous reading from my brand new Kindle?  Alright, if you can't tell this picture is NOT me.  I wouldn't mind her toned arms though :)  Chris decided to surprise me with a birthday gift a few days early!  I always feel really guilty when I ask for things (especially expensive things), so I usually avoid talking about things that I want.  Chris was a sweetheart and listened to our conversations and got my opinion without me even knowing it.  I have never enjoyed a birthday present as much as I have enjoyed this beautiful contraption.  The funny this is I haven't even started reading with it yet :)  


I would like to discuss my emotional roller coaster when it comes to reading novels.  I love to read and I invest a lot of time and emotions in plots and characters.  When a book or series ends, I am LOST!  I don't know what to do with myself.  I honestly become socially withdrawn and don't want to risk getting hurt from a different book :) Cheesy isn't it?  I can't wait to start reading a new book on my Kindle.  Maybe I'll name it in honor of Chris... any suggestions?  Hairy or Hottie could work... or possibly "The Butler" in honor of the Merkets.


Chris, thank you again for the amazing birthday present.  You always prove that I am the luckiest woman alive.  My life would suck without you :) I can hardly wait for the Grand Canyon this weekend.  

Random Tidbits

 For some reason I wanted to share with the blogging world what I do with my spare time.  My phone is wonderful and I love all the "douchey" things that are available to me.  Here is an example of one time waster I enjoyed just the other evening.  These frames are generic, but when applied to pictures of my family I can't stop laughing!

Chris acts silly on so many different occasions that I figured someone might actually mistake him for a "Bandit Monkey."

 This picture now adorns my facebook profile because I find it to be HILARIOUS. City's personality is so adorable I'm sure he would actually wear glasses to make us laugh.

This image is from facebook.  I took this picture while packing in Houston because Chris was wrapping fragile items while laying on the floor.  After posting it on facebook, a LOT of individuals commented on it.  I still laugh because he actually has boxers on underneath the table... everyone who commented on facebook doubted that fact. :)

Christmas and such...

Christmas break was a lot of fun for both of us this year.  We were able to open our home to family.  It truly meant so much that they would drive all the way to Blanding and see our home.  We stayed up all night playing games and slept until past noon.  It was a lot of fun!  I hope each Christmas live up to 2010!

At the Edge of the Cedars museum, visiting an Anasazi Kiva.  It was pretty cool inside!

 Liz, Cathy, and Dan who spent Christmas with us in Blanding!

 My mom spent Christmas with us as well.  It was so great to have her spend Christmas in Blanding with us.

 My mom went ALL OUT on her gingerbread house.  

 Liz's two small home, my "toilet-papered" home, and my mom's designer home.

 We were also able to spend a few days in Logan with Larry and Roxy. The 7 of us snuggled up in their apartment.  I felt bad for turning their routine upside down, but I enjoyed the game playing too much :) 

 Liz blowing up her air mattress.  I almost lost it from giggling too much.  

 When we got back to Blanding, we came home to way too much snow!  Our driveway was blocked in by 3 feet of ice blocks :( We spent an hour of our New Year's Eve shoveling out.  We also took down Christmas in a non-traditional way.  We parked our tree in front of the back door so that we could simply push it out the door.  It worked pretty well.  Our Christmas tree is now enjoying the sun in our back yard.  I don't know when we will truly get rid of it.

 Chris announced that he had a treat for me when I got home from work one day.  He led me to the counter and pointed to this beauty.  Apparently the extremely old pool was home to this phone for years.  When Chris and his boss were cleaning out the office, Chris picked this up from the garbage can... apparently his boss has a little more home decor sense.  We plugged it in and, thank the lord above, its too loud from the static.

 City has taken to digging through our sofa cushions while we step out of the room.  I laugh a little too long before I step in and discipline him.  I love our puppy so much!