D.R. here we come!!!

Our little family will be leaving for the Dominican Republic tomorrow evening to visit DJ's family! And boy are we excited!! It will be the first time that DJ and I will have taken a real vacation since being married. Lately we have been taking MJ swimming so that she can get used to it, and she loves it!! She loves to splash and doesn't mind getting her head and face wet. While we are down there DJ and I will have a chance to also go on a mini honenymoon. The Jackman's have booked a night at a resort for just DJ and I!! MJ will stay with Grandma and Grandpa for the night. I will be sure to post after we return!

A Meat Cutter's Valentines

For Valentines this year DJ brought home 2 king crab legs from the meat shop where he works. We also had some yummy pasta with some homemade tomato sauce and of course some Martinelli's. Later we enjoyed some chocolate covered strawberries with some friends. We like to celebrate occasions with food as you can tell!! I love the fact that DJ can get some great deals on meats/seafood!! We say we eat like Kings at our house!!

A visit from Nana & Grandaddy!!

My parents came to visit us this past week!! We had a great time with them going to my cousin's wedding, going to the Draper Temple Open House, and of course eating great food!

On the bus up to the Temple Open House. MJ's first bus ride!

Some after church fun!!

Thanks for the visit Nana and Grandaddy!! We miss you already!

Chillin in the Kitchen

One of our family's favorite things to do is to be in the kitchen cooking together. So DJ and I have come up with some creative ways of entertaining little MJ while in the kitchen. Here are just a few:

Yep, Cabbage!!

You guessed it, SNOW!! I wonder who had this idea!!

A few video updates

Here are a few videos for you viewing pleasure!!

An Old Talent Re-awakened

Recently I have started playing my flute again. I played flute not only in a band in middle school and in high school but I also played in a musical quartet and also solo. It was a hobby that I really enjoyed at the time. But as time continued after high school other things/hobbies filled my life. Recently I had been receiving much encouragement/push from those I love to pick up the hobby/talent again. DJ's Mom, Kathy, really wanted me to get into again, DJ was also a great support and continues to say he loves to hear me play in our home. My parents also showed much support as I mentioned starting again. Another individual who had given me a push was Holly M. in our ward. She did this mostly by volunteering me for musical numbers and such!! :) Well I had forgotten how much I really enjoy this hobby/talent!! In December I played in public for the first time in 10 years!! I played during our Ward Sunday Christmas program!! How nerve racking!! However, since then I have received a lot of positive feedback from ward members. Which has also served as great encouragement. I have a long way to go before I reach where I want to be as a flutist, but thanks to the great encouragement of others I have once again picked up this long lost hobby. It is amazing the confidence you gain as you do something you love. Well, in my pursuit of becomimg a better flutist, I am beginning to put together a list of songs that I could possibly play at wedding receptions. I am struggling a bit to think of possible song options. Thus far I have select songs from Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge to name a few. What song ideas do all of you have for me in my pursuit?? Thanks to all of those who have lent great support!!

Cache Valley Getaway!!

As a family we took a trip to Logan to spend some time with Sami, Amanda and Kade. We had such a great time going out to eat, shopping a bit, and going to the cheese factory. But we would say that the highlight of the trip was swimming at the motel that we stayed at. It was MJ's first time and we think that she handled it rather well!!! That makes DJ super happy being the swimmer that he is! Here are some pics of our swimming adventure:

This was a game of search and find on the bottom of the pool with coins, whoever found the most money won. (Look at Amanda's cute belly!!)


Thanks Sami, Amanda and Kade for the great time!!