First Comes...

LOVE...

Then comes MARRIAGE...

Then Comes a BABY in the baby carriage...

Little Boy Phillips: Expected Arrival September 25th

Pictures of the self to come in the near future...It took me long enough to post that we were expecting...

Cruise

For Christmas my boss gave my husband and I a cruise... He told us that is was a late wedding present and two Christmas presents... We were very happy. We decided to port out of Miami and head to Key West and Cozumel. This was my 4th cruise and my husbands 2nd... The Christmas before last we went as a family on a short 2 night cruise to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean and I had cruised on Norwegian and Carnival. This time around we decided on Celebrity and let me tell you what, it was AWESOME. The embark and disembark were so smooth and the service was WONDERFUL... My husband has told me that he does not want to travel any other cruise lines now that he has done this one... Maybe someday we will hit up the Disney Cruise but for now this was great. The first pictures are of the first day, leaving from my parents home, mom wanted to get a picture before we left. We had to drive to Miami and it was not that bad but we took my husbands car, that has no air and it was kinda miserable but we were excited o get down there. We wanted to get there in plenty of time to get on and we were so surprised at how fast we got through the security and onto the ship, the royal Caribbean took twice as long and we were very happy this time around. We got to our room and were met by our stateroom attendant who introduced himself, we could not stop smiling the whole entire cruise because his name was Shetty but in his accent he pronounced it as Shitty, sorry for anyone reading this but it was hilarious. He was absolutely wonderful and evertime we walked out of our room he would just be there to tell us what way to go... It was fun the first little while to just explore the ship... My husband was in heaven because the ship has Sports Center, something that we do not have in our home right now. He could have been content just being in the room relaxing... I guess you could sum up our trip in 3 L words...

Some Lazing, Some Loving and Some Laughter!

Our first stop and probably my favorite was Key West. Our second cruise as a family was here to Key West and it was fun... We decided to rent some bikes and just do some riding and exploring. We hit the southern most part of the continental US and made sure to stop and get some key lime pie, my FAVORITE... Overall we had a nice day. We only went out for a few hours and got back on the ship before most of the other people got back. My husband wanted to sleep, so I went up to the top deck and layed out and read. I brought the second Hunger Games book with me and just relaxed and ready. I ended up getting pretty sunburned which was so stupid but now it is a nice tan and I like it...

Our Second Stop was Cozumel, Mexico and we had an ok time. It was my husbands birthday and I wish it would have gone a little but more smooth... We decided to buy an excursion to the Mayan Ruins and had to take an hour boat/ferry ride to another island. The ride was unforgettable, we were sitting on the front row and the first 10 minutes were fine, but then it got so bumpy and crazy, I had to shut the window and close my eyes. I opened them a few minutes later to a missing husband. He spent the next 45 minutes in the bathroom puking. There were people throwing up all around and I about died with the sound and smell... By the time we got there I was so happy to be on land... my husband was wasted and lucky the next hour bus ride was air conditioned and he was able to sleep a little. We got to the ruins and had 10 minutes before the pouring rain hit. Lucky out guide had offered umbrellas to us, we almost did not take one but at the last minute did. They pass them out for those that want to keep in the shade for the sun but we used it to keep ourselves dry. There were many many people who did not have any protection and were huddled under trees and anywhere else there was shelter... Needless to say we paid alot of money and it really was not great... We then got on the bus for another 30 minute ride to a beach where at least there was a Mexican buffet meal waiting for us. We really were not starving and we knew we still had another hour ride on the ferry again but it was not that bad. We got to hang out on the beach for an hour and that was nice... The view was amazing and just nice to actually be in Mexico. The ferry ride home was better, I had to kinda coach my husband, we sat in the middle this time around and he closed his eyes the whole time. We were running late and they had to hold the boat for us but we made it. So Happy Birthday to Sam, I bet you will always remember this birthday...

The third was a day at sea and we had a nice time. It was actually Easter Sunday. We spent the day relaxing and eating.. Below are the pictures of the dining we had while cruising. We had booked a table for two but when we got there the first night, they seated us at a huge table for 10, that already had an older couple sitting there. They were drunk and very talkative and it was not exactly what we wanted. I asked my husband to go check on why they had changed our reservation. They ended up having some other people complain and they had given up our seats. We were lucky to get it back and the next three nights we were able to have our own table, with the best best waiter and assistant waiter... They made a special chocolae cake for my husbands birthday and they spelled his name Samuelle... It was so cute... The food was great, I really enjoyed the soups and most nights I had a pasta dish that was awesome. I also loved the breakfast... Most morning I would get a plate heaping full of fruit... They had the best tasting fruit and I wish I could have that every morning... it was super YUMMY!!!

Thank You Jose for such a wonderful wedding and christmas present. We also counted this as our 2nd Wedding aniversity becayse it is coming up next month...

Feb Harts Visit and Ashlee's Birthday Fun

What a fun time we had when the Harts came to visit back in March... The pictures here are from Ashlee's birthday in January but then the others are from the fun time we had celebrating her birthday in March...

We decided we wanted to go to Wicked but had a hard time finding good tickets within our price range. My mother ended up going to the box office one afternoon and getting 4 tickets but not all in the same area... We got there and ended up being able to sit by eachother and it was super awesome. I LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW...

We also had a fun time out on the lake a few days... I got to take the kiddos around on the tube for HOURS... it was such a blast...

Such a fun group of kids and families...

THIS WEEK!!!

I am stoked for this week... It is the beginning of the month which means I am going to start being super busy with work but my sister Lindsay and her boys will be here on Wedneday and on Thursday we have tickets to WICKED... Last year I went for the first time and I loved it... I have been singing the songs for the last month and I am looking forward to a fun evening with my mother and sisters... YAY

Since Then

January and February have flown by... It will be March this week... WOW... These past two months have been busy... In January I attended the Priest/Laurel retreat for the second year in a row, it was held out at the Youth Camp again and this year they brought a more spiritual aspect into the retreat of Missionary Work and Temple Marriage... The stake asked my husband and I to speak on Temple Covenants on Saturday Morning but he had to work so they got another couple to do it... but they did ask me to speak on Missionary Work and the blessings of missionary service. I was able to go through my mission stuff and it was fun to speak to them about my mission and the blessings that I have seen in my life since serving my Savior for a year and a hald in Texas... We had five wonderful girls come out including a non member friend. I think overall it was great... I was a little late getting there on Friday because Brother and Sister Leon were sealed in the Orlando Temple... I was able to go and be a part of it. Sister Leon is the secretary in our Young Womens Presidency and I absolutly love and adore her and her beautiful daughter, I am so happy for them... My Lovely Girls (Zoe, me, Jessica, Emma, Cortney and Brittany)
My sleeping bunk... between my father and I we had three air mattreses and only one of them was usable... I barrowed two from the stake and they went flat... so I got to sleep with a small foam mattress that the Jacobsens so willingly let me barrow. I was pretty sore the next morning...

This Year after breakfast and some workshops we hopped in the car and headed up to the Temple... The temple president and his wife spoke to the youth and it was pretty neat... I had never heard some of the things that he mentioned to them.... Very special, I really really love our Youth... Here is a picture of the Young Men and Young Women, dont they look sharp...

Birthday Pedicure with Renee...

Dinner at Azteca with the Pokipalas... They are so so amazing, they took us to dinner because we gave her a candy bar card and cake for her birthday... They inturn gave us a verbal candy bar card and you wont believe some of the things they had... they ordered online some candy from Hawaii, we felt so special and loved... THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EVEING...

My father got this amazing deal on a new jet ski and last saturday I was able to take it for a spin, the weather was so nice... The water is getting warmer as well... This summer is going to be really fun...

Christmas 2010

I somehow got my pictures from my phone to download onto the computer... I LOVE THE HTC EVO, I have contemplated getting a camera for a long time and I think in the next little while I will, but for now my phone is doing a great job... This year was the year to spend the holidays in Texas with the Phillips family. My husband and I decided to drive out instead of flying. Which turned out great in that we had a car for transportation while we were there. I was able to go and visit some mission friends and have a nice break... Since we drove I decided to bring my desktop so I could work the week following Christmas. I was able to get some work done and that was nice... Here are some pictures from the Vacation

Ashlee gave me the latest Tennis Shoes Amoung the Nephites Book for Christmas and I was able to dive into it on the drive out there... We ended up leaving Thursday the 23rd at 4 pm and drove through the night... The last time we drove out there my husband practically drove the whole way because he wanted to but this time around it was pretty even... We made it by 8 the next morning...

This is the only picture I have from Christmas... At least I have one...

For my Sister in Laws Birthday we were going to go putt putt golfing but ended up going bowling instead and I have to say I was a baller... My classes at BYU Idaho years ago paid off... I mean I still did not do that well but I scored in the 160 range... We had a nice time...

I got to have lunch with some friends from my mission and that was so nice to have some catch up time... I love you Eden, Dawna and Lori...

When I was serving in Colleyville I met the Johnson family. They had a daughter at school at BYU Idaho and she came home for a visit... I first met Brittany in the singles ward that I was serving in, she came in looking all cute and hip with these salmon colored high heals that I thought were too cute... I kept in touch with her and ran into her at BYU Idaho when I went up there after my mission. We became good friends and she got married this December while I was in Texas. It was so fun to be able to go to her wedding and see her marry the man of her dreams... I am so happy for Tom and Brittany Coplen!!! Sam so willingly accompianed me to the reception in Colleyville and I was able to see some wonderful families that I met while serving my mission. Tom and Brittney are both from the same home ward but are a few years apart, they met in the singles ward through his sister and they hit it off... I was so happy to be able to celebrate with them... BTW: does my husband look sharp? We went to the Van Hussen Outlet the day before and he went a little out of his comfort zone with some of his purchases and it paid off... SUPER SEXY!!!!

The holiday season was full of love and laughter and I was able to spend time with the family I love...

CHRISTMAS CARD

My Sister Lindsay of Hart to Hart Digital Design, took our pictures and created our christmas card this year... I saw this design on a website and I told her what I wanted and it turned out perfect... Since I was not able to send it to everyboday this year, I thought I would post it for all to see...

THANKS LINZ... you are so talented!!!

FINALLY

I finally sat down and updated the blog... I have been thinking about it for months and finally did it...I am missing pictures from Christmas... We headed to Texas for the holidays and I was not diligent in taking pictures, well sorta... I do have my phone... I will post some when I get the chance... Anyway, I am well pleased with myself... ENJOY!!!

Graduation

My husbands Graduation was December 17th... His parents flew into town and it was a beautiful weekend. The ceremony was nice. Sam was president of his class and got to speak for a few minutes, he did a fine job... We went the the Olive Garden afterwords to Celebrate... YUM

The Most Magical Place in the World & Universal

Where Dreams Come True... and yet again we were able to go for Free... My parents have the best connections...

My and my pal!!!

Ok, so this was one long day... We have always come home before dark and this time around my sisters wanted to stick it out... We hit up the Magical Kindgom earlier in the day and today was the first time we actally waited in line for Dumbo... I cant believe that that is one of the longest waits in the whole dang place... and its not even that cool, well maybe for the kids... Anyway, we headed to Animal Kingdom for a few and then made it back to Magic Kingdom in time to watch the lighting of Cinderella's castle... It was pretty neat...I have to say that I was pretty tired by nights end and so happy to make it home... I do not know how people come to Disney for 5-10 days and go strong...

My good friend Brittney and Her Husband Scott came to Florida for the holidays and we were able to go to Universal Studios with them one day. Sam has wanted to go to a theme park for a while and it was fun to be able to spend a day of fun... THANKS SCOTT and BRITT for wanting to play... It was pretty crowded but we had a good time...

We headed back to Harry Potter land right away and there was already a HUGE line of people waiting. Come to find out the ride was broken... GRRR, it would have been fun to go and see just because I do not know when the next time will be when I will be back, but what could we do...

I barrowed a fannie pack from Brittney's dad and wore it all day long... I do say I wore it well...

Old Town

One night we could not decide what to do, we went through so many different options... finally I remembered that I had purchased a buy one get one free ride on the sky coaster/human swing at Old Town... I called up Sam because I bought the tickets to do together and since he was at work and almost done I thought he could meet us there... Needless to say he told me that he would not do it that night because he needed to prepare mentally to drop 300 feet. I thought that once a person did it they could do it at anytime... I told everone that I would do it by myself and we all headed out there...

What if the really made truck tires this big....

Well, I am happy to say that my dear young mother stepped to the plate and did it with me. I really was fine going at it alone but she told me she would go... LOVE THAT WOMAN... It was a blast... I will try and post the video sometime...

Of course Sam did go on the go carts and I rode a few kiddy rides with B and G... SO fun...