Cowboys & Cowgirls: The Eliasons

Checking on the progress...

2012-02-06T21:15:00.002-07:00

I have really wanted to commit myself to my goals this year so how 'bout I do a quick review (for lack of a better word) of what I have been doing to check off the goal list.

-Nursing stuff: I have to give credit to my mom for helping me with this one. I have been searching for the fastest/cheapest/closest means to do nursing school so that I could punch it out fast. And I said, "Mom, how do I do school and still have my family, because I don't feel like I should put either off?!" She promptly said that I don't. That was a bit of a blow but as she continued I began to understand that my school is NOT a sprint to just punch out but that it is going to be a marathon to take my time on. With that advice I was able to make out a plan for myself, different than I imagined... I am going to do an LPN program within the next few years and get some on the job experience while I focus on my family. Then the plan is to do an LPN to RN accelerated program, all of which will be at ISU. Woot! to making a decision about that (but at the same time, maybe I just do something crazy like PA school!)

- I started slow on my reading, but I am in the midst of reading Jane Eyre and LOVING it!

- I have been right on with my exercising except for the 1 week I was sick... In fact I have really been doing this goal since Halloween. The most exciting thing about all of that is that I have lost 15 lbs! Hooray for being healthy!

- My thankful journal is up to date

- I have done AWESOME recording our spending, not as hot but still ok on the budgeting...

So all in all I would say that I am ON TRACK! Hooray for chipping away at my goals!

Preparing for 2012

2011-12-30T21:25:00.003-07:00

When the New Year comes in I only kinda set goals. I think about things that would be good to do but never tell anyone/write them down. This year I have decided that if I write them down and tell them to all of you (all 2 or 3 that actually read this...) they are real and I will have to be accountable. So here it goes...

Exercise 5 times a week (something I am already doing but it will always be a goal...)

Budget and track spending better (any tips that work for you would be well accepted!)

Keep in better touch with my family

Make a plan for nursing school

Learn new things, for myself, home, and family (projects, new recipes, decorating, ect.)

Read at least one classic novel each month (suggestions anyone?)

I have one final goal but there is a bit of a story behind it. This week I was able to see my grandpa Mackay and we were talking about life. Really I was telling him how I was scared for the changes coming up in the near future. Some days I just feel tired and don't want to make it work... I mean who really doesn't want the world to revolve around them?! Grandpa reminded me that we made life what it is- we can dwell on the failures and disappointments or we can choose to be happy, find something to be thankful for. He told me how my Grandma Grace was an amazing, talented woman that had the potential to do so much... but because she loved my Grandpa she followed him to Rupert and started a farm. It was hard, they were poor and they had their share of problems but she made life happy.

My last goal for this next year is simple- find something new to be thankful for everyday.

Green thumb

2011-08-09T11:06:00.004-06:00

(I put the videos up in the wrong order. W the last one and then work up...)
Last summer Allen posted some videos of his garden to share. I thought it would be fun to do the same this summer. Our garden has done so well this year- in fact we have so much that I am giving it away. Every day we have an awesome green salad made completely from vegetables from our garden.

Summer Fun

2011-07-19T15:21:00.004-06:00

During the Eliason Reunion we took a trip up to have a closer look at the beautiful Tetons. There was so much snow left, which probably won't melt before more falls. While we were traveling, Angie helped Mason take a good long nap.

* For some reason I can't type above this picture, sorry...

We have been busy with a GREAT summer. It seems that each week has something for us to look forward to. I have gathered pictures of just a few of the things that we have been doing. In addition, we have been out camping nearly every weekend with Rick and Krystal, playing with the new swing set and Mason's kiddie pool, a 3 day cattle-drive, a visit to Drummond and Lemhi, playing out on the dunes, and fireworks. In between trips we have been busy trying to keep the house together, having some clean clothes and working the garden.
We were so busy at the Mackay reunion that it looks like I only snapped a few pictures. If you look close you can see Mackenzie sleeping with Mason. Aside from driving, we played at Steadman Waterslides, had the traditional family basketball, volleyball, talent show and dance. We had a great 4th of July watching the Rupert parade and a family BBQ.
At the beginning of the summer, we gave Mason his first haircut. We had done some small trims but this time we gave him a good buzz.
On a Saturday afternoon we headed up to see the Mesa Falls. There has been so much water this spring that the falls were really big and beautiful.
Mason loved running around checking everything out, but I was really paranoid- I could just imagine him tipping off the side... But at least there were stairs to keep him from the edges.
Chet and Stacy have been out a few times and we went to check out the new water park in Rexburg.
Even if we aren't busy playing or making trips, Mason keeps us on his toes. He is always getting into the cupboards, fridge, dishwasher, garbage, drawers, and shoes (I think each time he grabs them he is telling us it is time to go outside). He is also learning how to climb, on everything... Thus far he hasn't fallen... to hard... He loves helping me with the laundry, putting whatever he can find in the washer and then closing the door. I came out one afternoon to see that his dad had put HIM in the washer. Sometimes I think I have 2 children. = )

Brayden has had so much time this summer to play with us. We often take evening walks or 4 wheeler rides, have Taylor and Vanessa over for games, and working in the garden.

Such a cutie!

2011-05-10T10:54:00.002-06:00

This is the last of my blogging spree...

I quickly highlighted our fun halloween with the Lemhi Mackay's, but I never did show a picture of Mason- my cute bumble bee.

Graduation- Check!

2011-05-10T10:48:00.003-06:00

My best support- Brayden and Mason
My parents
My tired boy that lasted through commencement and convocation...
A birds-eye view of commencement... I'm somewhere in the middle of the black mass...

Other than picture comments I don't know what to say... I graduated! Thanks to all of you that helped me along the way. I don't think that I could have made it without your love, support, and the many pep talks.

Forever Winter...

2011-05-10T10:43:00.002-06:00

After getting our first 2 feet of snow in November we never saw the ground until April. Waking up to a fresh blanket of snow every morning gave us a perpetual winter. Mason thoroughly enjoyed his first winter...

Happy Birthday Mason!

2011-05-10T10:27:00.004-06:00

Mason in the midst of his loot!
Mason's birthday landed on the same day as my graduation. If you remember, he came in the middle of finals last year. Honestly, I can't think of a better gift I could give him than showing him that first dreams come true (mine of graduating) and that hard work pays off. It was also a bonus that birthday and graduation coincided because grandparents and cousins were here to celebrate both!
Mason blowing out the candle, or at least looking like it...
Some presents...
More presents...
His FAVORITE!
Thinking about the cake...
He didn't eat any as you can see his pacifier still in but he did have a good time playing in it!
A bath clean-up...

My very exciting whale birthday cake!

I can't believe that my baby is 1 year! I don't know how this has happened so fast. It has been quite a trip... I was always excited to be a mom, but I never knew how much I would LOVE to be a momma!

Documenting Valentines

2011-05-10T10:08:00.003-06:00

I haven't been writing in my journal or scrapbooking recently, so blogging is my means of documenting our family happenings.

We had a simple, but wonderful Valentines. We were good and didn't skip school and planned a nice night at home. Brayden loves Mexican food from his mission days (obviously) and we decided to make Carne esada topped with pico de gallo. I was a little nervous but it turned out GREAT! Following our fun dinner we snuggled on the floor to watch a movie while we ate our chocolate-chip-cookie-ice-cream-sandwich. A girl really couldn't ask for more!

Brayden gave me some new scrubs (WOOT!) and flowers. In his great wisdom, he bought potted tulips that will bloom every year for me (ahh...). Mason made me a cute valentine at his preschool and then went to bad SO FAST. The best gift ever!! I love my boys!

At the Eliason's

2011-05-10T08:57:00.005-06:00

Again it has been a very long time since I have blogged but I have some posts in mid- Mason's birthday, Valentines, graduation- but I also thought it would be fun to post some of the randomness at our house. Its mostly about Mason because Brayden and I spend all of our time chasing the baby...

Mason follows me through the house doing whatever I am doing. In this instance, we are in the kitchen playing with spatulas, his toy of choice more often than not. (Sorry this picture isn't tipped)
We keep the bathroom doors closed these days, not because of stink but to keep the little stinker out. Recently Mason has been getting into my make-up drawer and stealing my mascara. I now have 4 different mascara because he steals them, loses them, and I buy new ones just before I find the lost.
Mason has got quite the crawl, wiggling those hips so much he loses his pants.
Fun bath time!
Mason does really well at climbing into tight spots. Aside from under the car, I found him stuck under the stool, under a chair, under the bed... If you can imagine it he has done it.
Passing through the Library one day I ran into my good friend Chelsea Watt. We had classes last year while we were very pregnant. She had her cute daughter Makenli with her while she was trying to get some projects done. To make things easier, we brought her home with us for the afternoon.
One of the babies is blurry in almost all of the pictures... its just too hard to keep two babies still.
They terrorized the whole house together... and I loved it. It was so fun to watch them pal around together.
More bath time fun...
...with a spatula of course.
April= branding, providing Mason his first horse ride and round up. For the round up, we brought our 4-wheeler to be sure that we wouldn't be left behind. Mason loves the 4-wheeler now!
We took a little drive to the north shores of the Salt Lake, except it wasn't there...
...but Mason did get a good ride on Bud!
My cute boys!

With spring here (or trying to come) we are having some new adventures, but nothing beats just being the three of us at home. :)

Announcing:

2011-03-28T10:15:00.003-06:00

(Pretend one of these is me...)

Most of you that will read this already know that I am graduating, but I still feel the need to announce it. I'M GRADUATING!!! After so many years, classes, transfers, and sludging through some crud I will be the proud owner of a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology.

Anyone that knows me knows how important I think that education is and how important it is to have a degree. I have always be determined that I would graduate, regardless of what came our way.

When I found out that we were expecting Mason I was applying to the BYU-I nursing program but because of the difference in programs between BYU and BYU-I, I was deficient in several pre-reqs and would probably need to retake some classes to raise my GPA (just so you know, it was a 3.6). So with Mason on the way I decided that I needed to focus on graduating because at that point I had no idea whether I would be accepted into the nursing program. I chose to change majors so that we would have a clear end point in sight.

I am so happy and very proud of myself (not bragging) that I have made it. It certainly isn't the way that I had pictured 5 years ago when I started school, but I am still SO happy. There is one thing that I have realized and that is I still really want to be a nurse and so it remains on my life-time to do list, just down a few places. Now that I am graduating it is time to push to get Brayden through. Once he is done and we have figured out the next stage of life, nursing will be our priority.

Not that I am expecting it, but if anyone wants to come and party, Mason and I will be sharing a graduation/birthday party April 9. (yep my baby is turning a ONE YEAR OLD!) Let us know and we will save some cake and ice cream for ya!

September- December 2010 in Review

2011-02-07T12:12:00.002-07:00

I thought that I would at least give somewhat of an review of what we did during my blogging hiatus. Rather than bore you with all of the details, I'll just list the exciting things we did:

-A lot of fishing, with the highlight of the annual October fishing weekend with dad (and Wes this year!)...

-Rexburg Farmer's Market with fresh corn on the cob and kettle corn...

-Pumpkin carving and late game nights with Taylor and Vanessa (our new neighbors)... ask us about Killer Bunnies...

-Meeting up with Chet and Stacy in Idaho Falls for dinner, bowling, and flat tires...

-Preg checking cows and Halloween with the Wes Mackay family, consisting of Spiderman,
Taylor Swift, a Puppy, and a Bumblebee (that had to be cut out of his costume)...

-Driving Glenn to the MTC, I really did do the driving, but we brought mom and dad too...

-Eastern Idaho State Fair: a night of enjoying very tasting, but overpriced food while waiting for the hypnotist show...

-Harvesting our garden, which included tomatoes (so many I they were spoiling before I could find enough people to give them to), lettuce, peas, zinnias that were taller than me, and carrots... that are still in the garden under 2 feet of snow...

-Getting to know Dr. Hammer all too well with all of Mason's sick visits, but there were some upsides: we are now the proud owner's of a nebulizer and enough steroids to keep ya feeling happy for a long time, and I can clearly recognize the sounds of a little boy throwing up over the monitor...

-Tri-weekly training sessions with Brayden as I whipped him into shape for 2 of my exercise science classes...

-A research project that consisted of passing out Captain Crunch, Oatmeal and Tuna Fish for breakfast, well it was a little bit more than that but I don't want to explain it (ask me later if you want) and I do have leftover tuna if anyone wants some for their breakfast...

-Brayden taking an AI class and never having to study... should we be concerned? no, he ended up being the TA for the rest of the students...

-Thanksgiving with the Eliasons, which included pulling cars back on the road of our drive that took 2-3 extra hours (thanks to some CRAZY weather), time at Nanny and Papa's, getting our Christmas tree and cancelled church

-Christmas with the Mackays, (which also included some CRAZY weather that extended our stay an extra 3 days), including a great call with Elder Mackay, 20 people under one roof: 5 kids, 4 spouses, 9 grandchildren, 1 grandma, and 1 grandpa, sledding, framing and sheet rocking the basement, our own Nativity, reading "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree," and bowling

Did I miss anything?

Show and Tell

2011-02-01T22:33:00.005-07:00

There is so much that I haven't blogged about... sorry... Mom and Amber have been requesting some videos and pictures, so these are for them (but I bet more will enjoy than just them!)

Mason gets ready with me some mornings... playing in the sink. It is a great place to contain and distract him while I am in the bathroom.

He is pulling himself up and standing all by himself. (please ignore the crazy hair... its after naptime)
Helping me in the kitchen...

More in the sink...

Caught red handed pulling all of the toilet paper off of the roll in the bathroom.

I looked over at Mason and he had crawled right out of his pants!
This is what we call Mason's stink eye. He looks at you, then very seriously looks down while rolling his eyes up... He looks a little cranky...

This is Mason crawling. (I am going to admit that I am not a good videographer... I hope you don't get sea sick)

This is Mason's wave, new this week. It is just his little fingers that wave...

Mason doesn't really seem to like carrots, but he will still eat a few bites for us. He will take a bite, swallow and then do a full body shiver like it was the worst thing he has ever had.

A new bed

2010-09-06T14:57:00.003-06:00

Mason has been growing like crazy and his current crib isn't, which means he needs a new one. When he was first born, we used the same crib that my mom and grandma Mackay used, made by my grandpa Mackay and painted by his mother. I loved thinking how I got to lay my baby in the same crib that Grandma Grace did. Mason was first so little in it and now I am afraid that there isn't going to be hardly any more room for him to wiggle in. We found a new "big boy" bed that Brayden appropriately calls Mason's "throne" because it is fitting for a king.
Little crib...

New crib...

With so much room!

"Take you for a ride in my big green tractor"

2010-09-06T14:48:00.004-06:00

Since I haven't been in school, Mason and I have had a lot of free time to spend. Whenever we could, we would try to catch some time with Brayden. This gave Mason some good quality time in a nice, big GREEN tractor. Here are a few pictures:

I finally caught him!

2010-08-24T18:01:00.003-06:00

Mason has been rolling over from his tummy to his back for quite a while. He always knows when I pull out the camera and gets stage fright. During the reunion, Grandma Mackay sooo wanted to watch Mason roll over, but we were pretty busy and it just never happened. As soon as we got home and put him on the floor he was rolling all over, left and right. Apparently he felt bad for his grandma... I was finally able to get it on the camera! Here it is for everyone to enjoy!

Party with Amber!

2010-08-24T17:42:00.003-06:00

Being out of school means play time. My whole family wanted to make sure that I enjoyed my break so they all travelled from their various locations to come and play with me (ok, not really, but I can pretend). Amber did come out early so that we could have some good sister time before we started playing with the rest of the gang.

She flew in to the crazy Idaho Falls airport- crazy because it took her 15 to get off the plane, find her luggage and make it to the car. Thursday we got pedicures, which is a tradition for us whenever we get together. Friday was spent getting ready for the family reunion, but it also included a movie in pjs and some great food.

Here are some pictures:
At the airport...

Bad lighting, I know... but its Mason and Aunt Amber...

Reading stories...

Amber's visit just happened to be after the pediatrician told me I could start Mason on solids. She got to provide the very exciting "I heart NY" bib and witness the curious faces that Mason had.

Brayden's First Father's Day

2010-08-09T18:49:00.003-06:00

Since having Mason, I have been noticing how many 'firsts' we are experiencing. Some things aren't that big or exciting like the first blow out, but some things like the first night without waking up are really big things. I wanted to make Brayden's first father's day a big thing.
I woke up early that morning to make pancakes, eggs, and bacon, served to the man of the house in bed. After church we had dinner (one that my momma would be proud of). It consisted of steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, jello, corn and for dessert... CHEESECAKE! Then Mason kept his daddy busy while I brought out some little gifts that we had. Brayden needed a few things for work- a new lunch box, water bottles, ect. And then we also got him a new swim suit.
We had a nice lazy evening spending time as just our little family. I am so grateful to have Brayden be the man in my home. He is a great dad, even taking his share of the dirty diapers and minutes in the rocking chair. I have NO idea where I would be without him, and I don't ever want to know...

Memorial Weekend

2010-08-09T18:38:00.003-06:00

I know this is really late, but the pictures are fun and I know that you don't want to miss them. After the blessing, we are headed up to Wes and Julie's to play (aka shoot gopher's). We also took a minute to go do some fishing. We didn't catch anything so we were just practicing, at least that is what I told the kids...

This is Katie carrying her fishing pole in her bag... This girl LOVES bags. In fact, there is a funny story to go along with this bag. My mom gave it to her for her birthday. She put in it some really neat books with Cds and such- really cool stuff. But Katie quickly dumped the contents and said, "Look! A bag!"

Brayden and grandma watching Ethan fishing.

Katie fishing... Don't you just love those pigtails?

Wes, Katie, Kenzie and Brayden fishing...

Brayden and Spencer... something was exciting!

I just want to CHEER!

2010-08-01T17:28:00.002-06:00

Last Thursday (July 22) was my last day of school for the summer and as I walked out of my last final I let out a big "YAHOO". I just kept thinking "I did it! I survived the semester with a baby!" And not only did I survive but I did so good! I have always been a good student and gotten good grades-- I have a 3.5 gpa and I am darn proud of it. But this semester I finally reached a goal that I have had, to get an A (not an -A) in a 3 credit course and I DID IT! I know for some this isn't that big of an accomplishment, but as the queen of the -A's, I am so proud of myself!

Something was funny

2010-08-01T16:40:00.002-06:00

Mason laughed for the first time today! He and Brayden hang out during church, partly because I am busy, but mostly so Brayden can have some time with him. Today, instead of giving all of his undivided attention, Mason wanted to play with his daddy. All of the sudden we heard a little chuckle come out! Not what sure what finally brought it out of him, but something was funny. Later when we got home, we got playing and were lucky enough to catch Mason on the camera.

Pictures

2010-06-21T20:07:00.003-06:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I won't say anymore...

Blessing Day

2010-06-12T08:44:00.006-06:00

I know that I am slow in getting this up, but better late than never. Brayden blessed Mason May 30 in our ward here in Parker. We had lots of family make it up- Allen and Jenny get the award for the longest ride to church. Brayden's brother Eric and Anderson grandparents get the "there-in-spirit" award because Eric had the unyielding desire to play at the hospital. Grandma Mackay gets the award for the great blessing outfit she made for Mason. And Mason gets the cutest baby award (of course).

The boy of the hour...

Showing off Grandma's nice stitching

Our family picture, (I know it is tipped but... oh well)

Grandma and Grandpa Mackay

Mom and Grandmas- Kristy, Allison, Mason, Alaine

4 generations of Eliason boys- Ken, Brayden, Mason, and Don Eliason

Following church, we had a little BBQ and we were lucky enough to not have the rain clouds come out. But that didn't mean the other clouds weren't around to hide the sun or that Idaho stopped blowing the wind. Nevertheless, we had a great time!

Jenny and Spencer...

Julie and Katie...

Weston, Kenzie, and Katie...

Ethan...

Allen, Katie and Grandma Mackay...

Wes, master of the grill...

Fixin' and eating'...

How many men does it take to cook?

Ethan, Allen and Spencer on the 4-wheeler...

Telling a story

2010-06-10T10:40:00.003-06:00

Mason has really started talking the last couple of weeks. One afternoon when Brayden called me, Mason was talking like crazy so I put him on the phone and he had a good conversation with his daddy. I finally decided today that I should get a little video of it. If we could understand what he is saying, I bet he would tell you that his mom looks kinda crazy before her hair is done... When I did the video, I turned my camera so you might have to turn your head to watch. Sorry about that.

Wanting to let you know...

2010-05-12T18:27:00.002-06:00

I thought this would be a good way to start spreading the word- We have finally set a date for Mason's blessing. We have chosen to do it May 30, Memorial weekend, in hopes that doing it over a long weekend will make it easier for people to make it. It will be here in our ward in Parker at 9:30 am. After church we will be having a little dinner for those that want to come celebrate with us. If do plan on coming, please let us know so we can make sure we save a seat and a plate for you!

Mother's Day

2010-05-12T16:41:00.004-06:00

With out a doubt, I believe that I got the best Mother's Day gift- getting to celebrate my first Mother's Day with my month old baby! This year, I have a greater appreciation for mothers and a greater respect for motherhood. I didn't know that there was so much love a mom could have for her baby, but every day, I love my baby so much more. Moms do so much to shape their children into who they become. When you see a great person, they probably were taught by a great mom. My mom used to quote, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." My mom may not rock the cradle anymore, but she still rocks my world... thanks momma! Even more, thanks for teaching me how to rock the cradle.

holding hands...

just chillin...

notice the growing chubby cheeks...

our favorite- bath time...

a wiggly boy dipping in the bubbles...

Almost 3 Weeks

2010-04-29T11:08:00.003-06:00

It is hard to believe that Mason is almost 3 weeks old- these weeks are flying by! Adjusting back to the "normal" life has been exciting, mostly because we really don't know what normal is.

My mom made it down for the week after we got out of the hospital. She was SO much help! I had intended to deep clean the house Friday after my doctor's appointment, but didn't quite get to it... Going home I knew that it would be a while before I could get to it because of the c-section, and without hesitation mom did it all. A huge thanks to my momma!

That week my cousin Adam was kind enough to get married out here so that the family could come out and see our baby. ; ) Even Grandpa and Mamo made it out.

Brayden has been busy since going back to work after Mason was born. They seem to think that they can't get enough of him as he has been working 12 hour days. School has started for me again. I was lucky enough that I have classes 3 days a week and am done by 11:30. We were having a hard time finding a place for Mason because I'm not allowed to take him to class. Brayden talked to Shane (his boss) about getting that time off, but ended up with a better solution: having Mandy (Shane's wife) watch him. Thus far it has worked out great!

Last weekend (April 24 and 25) we took a trip to Holbrook because Brayden's brother, Clayton, returned home from his mission in England. Family from all over came, which was a fun opportunity for Mason to show off. The overall consensus is that he is a VERY cute baby, SO sweet... and we have to agree!

Heading home from the hospital...

The going home outfit... that was HUGE...

Mason with mom and grandma in his handsome church vest...

Mason with Grandpa Mackay... this picture does well to show just how little my baby is...

HE MADE IT!

2010-04-10T10:09:00.007-06:00

HE'S HERE!!!! 6lbs 11oz, 20 inches long and born at 11:32pm on april 9, 2010. We have choosen to name him Mason!! i can't believe that it finally came. it is such an awesome experience to have child of my own and to feel this new love that is so great. things went pretty good other than Allison had to have a C-section but other than that it all turned out good. Mason is as happy as can be and love to eat and sleep. so it has been a crazy long night for us here. We'll write more later and keep updates but here are some pictures also.

All my bags are packed... I'm ready to go!

2010-04-05T17:55:00.002-06:00

As much as I want to say my bags are packed and ready to go on a great vacation, but I'm not. In fact, I am not allowed to go on a vacation because my baby is all ready to come! Today at the doctor, we found out that I am beginning to dilate and thin out. This is EXCELLENT news- if the baby doesn't make his grand arrival before the weekend, we will be induced Monday! This really works for us because Brayden still gets to go to his branding, I have more time to recover before I start the next semester, Brayden's parents can come and see him before they leave to England, and I get to have my mom for almost a whole week. We are so excited, but also quite nervous (at least I am, I don't think that Brayden gets nervous). Probably the next you here from us will be to announce the arrival of our baby!

Pretty much 36 weeks pregnant...

2010-03-16T14:08:00.003-06:00

I say that I am pretty much 36 weeks pregnant because I will be on Thursday. That means that I pretty much have only 4 weeks until our baby arrives. Yahoo!! We are officially due April 15 but most likely we will be induced on the 12th, which was 4 weeks from yesterday.

Yesterday we registered at the hospital and walked through the maternity ward. Talking about weighing our baby and doing hearing test made it all the more REAL. We are having a baby!

I look really huge in this picture... I don't think that I am this big but maybe I am. I am pretty much 36 weeks pregnant.

Prepping Baby's Room

2010-03-09T14:24:00.001-07:00

I was looking over the latest of my posts and I realized that they all have to do with the baby, but that is my life right now... that and homework. The baby is much more exciting, so I am going to keep posting about the baby.

The last two Saturdays I have been working on the baby's room- adding curtains, painting a border, and getting rid of the pinkish color that doesn't belong in a little cowboy's room. The first Saturday, Chelsea was here to visit and we spent the day shopping and painting. It was so fun to spend the day with Chels and it was great to have a little help.

Here are some before and after pics:
The room before it was painted and you can see the red outlets (ya, weird... they decided to paint the outlets). Chels is taping for the border.

Before being painted and getting rid of the red outlets and red shelf...

The curtain and stars that I really REALLY like...

Little Cowboy

2010-02-23T21:01:00.003-07:00

Regardless of how little our cowboy is, he is will be a true cowboy. He has his cowboy jeans, boots (not one pair but TWO), even his own cow dog. Now after tonight, he has his own pair of chinks- small enough to come from the hospital in!

Our neighbor does leather work, making chaps, saddles, bridals, EVERYTHING. At the ward talent show, he brought along these little chinks, which we had assumed were for their expecting grandbaby. But no they were for our baby! A huge thanks to Randy! If there is ever something you need, this is the man you want to do it.

For My Lil Buckaroo

2010-02-20T10:34:00.004-07:00

We had the funnest baby shower while we were in Montana. I owe a huge thank you to Jessie and Jaime for such a great time! They chose to do a cowboy themed shower, because we are surely having a little cowboy. Brayden came to take pictures for me:

Alicia came!

And Shannon was here for the weekend too!

So many great ladies from Drummond! (and Holly came too!)

We had a cowboy race where we had to get all dressed up in cowboy gear and then walk bow legged back to the start (with a ball). I thought the bow legged walk was also like the waddle of a pregnant mommy!

And then there was a hat toss, trying to hit the bottles. I actually won that game... that's what happens when you are around so many cowboys!

There was so many fun gifts and CUTE things!

Weston, Kenzie, and Katie helped me with the gifts. I don't think that I have ever opened so many so fast. In fact, when I was going through the things later, I noticed that there were some things that I hadn't seen at the shower... someone else must have opened it!

Our little baby will be so handsome and everyone will know that he is the latest Eliason cowboy! I really need to say thanks to everyone that has given us so much love and support.

Happy Valentines!

2010-02-20T09:52:00.003-07:00

So we didn't do cards or chocolates for valentines, or exchange gifts or go out to dinner. Lame I know, but we did have such a great time spending the weekend with people that we love doing things that we love. For school we had a 3 day weekend, so we went up to Montana. There was also a baby shower for us and so Julie and kids decided to come and party with us!

We spent the morning making valentine cookies!
Grandma and Kenzie

Weston

Katie- She is wearing the apron that I used when I was that little and would help mom make cookies. Since we still had our pjs on, we decided we should put on the aprons to keep from getting frosting all over.

Brayden just wanted a taste...

Another page of the "Rancher's Wife" book

2010-02-09T14:38:00.002-07:00

For the first time since we have been married, Brayden sat down and said that he wanted to go through the next few months and do some planning. I can't even tell you how excited I was for that... but that isn't the point of this post. In our planning, it appears that our baby has chosen the busiest month EVER to come. This still isn't the point here, but certainly is setting the stage.... I was going through things that I knew were happening in April and I asked when branding would be. Brayden looked at the calendar and quickly told me that the weekend of finals, which is also the same weekend we could possibly be having our baby (if I am lucky and they induce me... which they said they would), was the weekend that he HAD to go branding. He said we would just have to plan the baby around branding.

I just had to laugh at that, because babies don't plan around your schedule, you get to work around their schedule. He further went on to say that April is a bad month to have a baby. But then again, the beginning of May is bad as well if you are AI-ing cows. The summer is bad because ranchers spend day and night out in the field haying and of course there is some big project. During the fall is weaning and shipping calves. Then comes winter when their full time job is even more full time as they are busy night and day calving.

We finally determined that there really is no 'good' time to have a baby in a rancher's life. So we just have them when they come... except in April when its branding time...

Baby Dash

2010-02-01T16:06:00.003-07:00

We are nearly to 30 weeks with our baby! With today being the first of February, I realized we have 2 and 1/2 months left. For so long it seemed that the time was dragging along, but now it is CRAZY that we will have a baby so soon. It is really seeming real as we start accumulating baby things. I bought wipes for the first time the other day! Kinda weird... The doctors say that things are really going well. We are measuring right on every month and the heart sounds are great. In fact, the last time we listened, the doctor said, "That is one HAPPY baby." Dash is getting big enough that we can see him kicking as much as we can feel it. Here is a picture of my belly that is DEFINITELY growing.

Our First Anniverary

2010-01-21T15:22:00.003-07:00

January 9th Brayden and I celebrated our first anniversary. It seems that time has flown by. We have had so many good times and I have learned so much. I love Brayden more now then ever and expect to year after year. Here are some things that I have learned:

1) Being part of the rancher's wife club means that to be a good wife I don't get to decide when my husband comes home from work, I just get to be happy that he is home.
2) If I want to keep playing games with my hubby, I have to be a good loser.
3) Brayden likes to fly by the seat of his pants, so I only plan in advance things that only involve me.
4) The only way to get a back or foot rub is to offer one first.
5) Brayden can fix anything, even if I don't know that it is broken!

We went out for a hot date and came home to eat the top of our wedding cake. It actually tasted pretty good!

Happy Birthday Brayden!

2010-01-21T15:01:00.003-07:00

While we were in Holbrook for Christmas, we celebrated Brayden's birthday. We spent most of the day in town Christmas shopping. We got home pretty late but still with enough time to bake a cake, get some candles and open presents. Brayden told me that he wanted a red tractor cake (red, not green). I was going to make the cake a little more fancy, but I didn't have the time. This is what we ended up with.

We couldn't find any non-number candles so we did 18+6=24. Pretty clever if I do say so myself. Brayden got some movies and games for his birthday. We didn't party too much that night because it was late and we partied it up the night before with the grandparents and fondue.

Happy birthday Brayden!

Christmas Fun

2010-01-21T14:20:00.004-07:00

Christmas was so fun this year! We started celebrating by decorating our little apartment. I loved our tree so much! We had it up just after the first of December, and to be quite honest, it is still up.
This picture isn't very good, but we had a fun cowboy Christmas tree- decorated with red and gold bulbs and cowboy ornaments.

Once we got done with finals, we went down to Holbrook to be with the Eliason's.

Momma Eliason took a day and decorated gingerbread houses.

Christmas morning came in a hurry. The brothers woke up early, earlier than I ever have. At the Mackay house we had a rule that you can't wake up before 7:00 so that dad could sleep in. I think that when it comes time for my children to wake up Christmas morning, I will have to make a rule. We almost missed the morning party because we were slow to wake up...

Here is Brayden opening a present... not sure what it is...

Here is a picture of the tree before the presents were all passed out. Momma Eliason has always had a flocked tree with gold bulbs. When I say always, I mean that there has only been ONE year in all of her life that she has had a green tree.

The brothers got muck boots... now they can go out and do the chores!

The rest of Christmas day was spent talking with Clayton (Elder Eliason) in England and out to Nanny and Papa's for Christmas dinner. Quinn and Nathan got shotguns for Christmas and we all went out to shoot. In all the shooting, there was one whole box that were shot at... and missed. We must need to practice... Brayden traded his snowmobile for a 4-wheeler. We had fun pulling the sled behind it out in the fields. It was so nice to have such a nice break as well as to spend time with family!

One semester down, four to go!

2009-12-31T22:51:00.003-07:00

Well the grades are in and we have survived another semester here. All we hoped for was to pass our classes and we did much more. I am proud to say that I rocked my pathophys class and even got a 90% on the final. Brayden did even better than that though... he got 102% on his animal health final. Now onto the next semester... yikes! (I am mostly afraid of the physics class I have everyday!) We start on the 5th, not sure that we get enough of a break... I have four semesters left and I am done! I am on fast track and so I will go every semester and have to have at least 15 credits. This may get a little crazy with a baby, but BRING IT ON!

My growing baby

2009-12-28T10:42:00.003-07:00

We have made it to 25 weeks! There is still a long way to go, but the baby is growing and doing well. In fact, I think that he knew it was Christmas time because he seems so wiggly and excited for something. Since we have decided not to divulge the name or names we are considering for the baby, we have decided to give him a nickname. It came to us this week: Dash (from The Indcredibles). He is such a wiggly baby, plus Brayden is Mr. Incredible, and if I could be any super hero, I would be Elastigirl. Brayden actually says that I am Elastigirl because my tummy is stretching.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-08T22:24:00.004-07:00

Brayden and I got to head up to Montana for Thanksgiving with Mom, Dad, and Glenn. It was so awesome to have the time with Mom and Dad. It was just me and mom in the kitchen and shopping. We took the annual hike up to Norma's to get out Christmas tree and Brayden had some good "man time" reloading Brayden's shells (an early Christmas present) and tieing flies.

I have pictures from dinner, the aftermath of dinner, getting trees, and our Thankful Turkey:

I had mom take a picture of me after dinner because this is the biggest my "bump" has gotten. Brayden wanted to compare... but I think that I won.

My growing baby!

Our beautiful tree!

The Thankful Turkey...

The things we are thankful for- SO MUCH!

The New House

2009-12-08T21:54:00.004-07:00

I don't know if anyone remembers, but we had quite the ordeal in finding a place to live when we moved up to Rexburg in Septmeber. We had three houses that we had said 'yes' to, and then the owner backed out. In the end, we thought we had a good deal... but we didn't. Before I had even all of the boxes unpacked, the landlord told us that she was being forclosed on and we had until the end of December to move out. I think this is really ironic, because I told Brayden that we needed to find something we could be in for a couple of years, because I didn't want to keep moving every eight months like I had been since high school. We were only there for three months...

But we found something that really makes me so happy! It is a little bit farther from Rexburg than before, but only a few minutes from Brayden's work. Here are some pictures of the house:

This is a shot from our room...

A CLOSET (we didn't have one in our other room, or a light, only lamps)...

This is the living room, with manure green carpet...

My AWESOME kitchen, I just want to bake now...

The entrance of our apartment...

The bathroom with a shower that I don't get claustrophobic in...

The sink and mirror, where I have working plug-ins in front of the mirror...

And the outside, not very exciting, but some very nice trees.

Chirstmas time!

2009-12-07T08:36:00.002-07:00

Dear Santa,

I know it has been a long time since I have written, but there is something that I really want for Christmas. I want my teachers to remember it is Christmas. We all get excited for Christmas as Thanksgiving ends and we return to school with that exciting Christmas buzz... until we go to class. Then our teachers load up the homework and remind you that school consumes your life and doesn't leave room for carols, sledding, the classic Christmas movies, or even shopping. Suddenly, the near month long Christmas season (beginning the day after Thanksgiving) is shorted to 6 days (beginning the day after finals). So if you could, please help my teachers remember Christmas and chill out, well you don't have to work on the second one... its already really cold in Rexburg. And if they don't get into the spirit of Christmas, give them lots of coal.

Thanks,
Allison

Baby Picture 2

2009-11-20T16:06:00.004-07:00

This week we had another ultrasound for our baby. We learned that we are having a BOY! We might have missed the mark when we were so sure that it was a girl. Since finding out, we have been imagining all of the things we will get to do with our little boy. It looks like everything is going really really well. I was surprised at how relieved I felt every time the technician would say something like "there are his two legs" and "I saw all four chambers of the heart." I think that I have taken for gratitude the miracle of having a healthy baby. Here is our most recent picture:

He was quite a character during the ultrasound. The tech was trying to take measurements, and it took a little extra long because he is so wiggly. I would agree that he seems to be a wiggly baby... I can feel it! He was making faces too. All of the sudden he just opened his mouth wide. The tech said she hasn't seen anything quite like it. The picture seems to be a little freaky looking, but you can his mouth open, and in one eye you can see the lens forming and then the black in the forehead is his brain.

I thought I better put this out there that everyone is welcome to know that it is a baby boy, but we are going to hold everyone in suspense for the name (partly because we don't have one yet).

Here Comes Halloween

2009-10-21T18:04:00.004-06:00

For FHE Monday, Brayden and I carved pumpkins. Mom had given us a really cool carving kit and we picked up some pumpkins from our neighbors. We decided to get three, one for Brayden, myself, and the baby. The pumpkin for the baby was Brayden's idea...

Brayden carving his pumpkin.
Carving my pumpkin.

Brayden carving the baby's pumpkin.

My pumpkin on the left, Brayden's on the right.

Happy Birthday Momma!

2009-10-21T17:50:00.005-06:00

Today is my momma's birthday but we were lucky enough to have already celebrated with her. Mom, dad, Wes, Julie and kids all came over for the weekend. We got some fishing in, a few sessions at the temple, and birthday dinner for mom. I got pictures of the birthday fun and mom got pictures of the fishing. Check them out at mackaymerrygoround.blogspot.com

I made a pumpkin cake, and it was probably the very best cake I have ever made.

Wes and his family got mom some Stephen's hot cocoa. For some reason, Katie didn't want to give it to mom. I thought it was because it wasn't wrapped, so I took her and we wrapped it... in a Victoria Secret box. Then she gave it to grandma.

Happy Birthday Momma! I love you. Thank you for all you do for me. I realize more and more how great you are. I don't know where I would be without you.

BYU vs. BYU-I

2009-10-09T17:41:00.002-06:00

Brayden is busy doing group projects and I have been sitting at the same computer doing homeowrk for the last 3 hours and I decided that I need a break, so I am going to blog. This is actually a post that I have been writing in my head for some time, and I am finally writing it. I am happy to be at BYU-I, mostly because that means that I am with my hubby, but I miss BYU terribly. I have made a list of pros of BYU and pros of BYUI:

BYU
- They have sports! WOOT!
- People in the library are actually quiet (I worked there, I KNOW)
- I can wear flip flops, even to work, and capris
- If you have a late fee for a test, they just charge it to your ID card
- Every class we end up dropping the 2 lowest scores of something
- They have a duck pond...
- I heart the MOA
- All classes start on the hour, so I don't get confused and forget when my next class starts
- There are TONS of student jobs
- Teachers would give like a whole WEEK, not a whole DAY to take a test
- Pharos stations were regular computers plus the printing stuff

BYU-I
- You can EAT in the library (I walk past the guards with food and hot cocoa and they SMILE)
- You can charge your books to your ID card and pay it later
- Campus is MUCH smaller and so I don't have to run to classes
- Tons more parking (which didn't matter when I was at BYU really, but it matters now)
- The food in the food court ROCKS and it has very nice vibes

There are more, but my brain is fried. But this is my conclusion: I am glad that I did go to BYU, even though I ended up here anyway because I love BYU and will forever bleed blue.

Ode To Lemhi

2009-10-03T15:31:00.003-06:00

Brayden and I are taking the weekend and heading to visit Wes and Julie and family. I didn't realize it, but I am SO EXCITED to go back there. Mostly because I am excited to see them, but also a little to return to the place that I learned so much. If I wrote a book about my life, it would have a very exciting chapter on Lemhi. Here is a little list of things I learned from Lemhi:

: If you are going out for a drive, always where real shoes, not flip flops because your truck might fall into a big hole and you will have to walk home. (ps- it was raining too...)

: While mowing the lawn, be on a constant watch for the gopher holes so you can avoid falling in them, or if they are big enough, to keep the mower from getting stuck.

: You can win against the gophers if you have enough ammo, have the gun always at hand, and fill in holes often enough. Finally, they realize you won't give up and leave (or you have just killed them all).

: Before you tell your husband to bring the cold calf into the tub to warm up, make sure that the water pipes don't need to be thawed first.

: Don't leave the guns in the truck after shooting gophers, because you won't have them to shoot the raccoons that come in the night.

: Enough candles, fabreeze, and plug in air fresheners can overpower the smell of something dying under your house.

: Always make sure the gates to a person's yard are closed, or else your cows might get in and sit on their car and you will have to pay to fix it. (ps- It was MY gates that didn't get closed)

: Be very sure the gender of a calf before you name it or else you may name it Molly and it ends up to be a boy.

: Never say, "I think I cut my finger off," unless you are sure. Your wife will immediately begin imaging the worst.

So there are many more I could probably tell, but I will stop here. There were hard times in Lemhi, but there were some good times too. We were lucky to have such good friends that we could take pie over, have a movie night, play games on Sundays, and to make dozens of cookies.

I should tell, I shouldn't tell...

2009-09-30T18:52:00.003-06:00

So I have been having this internal struggle about an issue. You know on Little Mermaid when Ariel has the flower and she is saying, "He loves me, he loves me not..."? I have been doing this in my head and I have decided I should tell, I mean everyone wants to hear a good secret right?

Well here is my secret, that will no longer be a secret. In approximately (I say that because knowing the exact number of days is quite hard to determine) 197 I am going to be a mommy. Yes friends, I am pregnant, and OH SO EXCITED! Brayden tells me constantly that is a girl, but we will find out in November. Right now we are happy that everything is just good and healthy. Last week we did get to do an ultrasound and see our baby. We saw her heart beating and she was wiggling her arms and legs like crazy. (We say she out our house because Brayden in 100% sure it is a girl) Here is the picture:

Quite a Lull...

2009-09-12T19:18:00.003-06:00

I know that all of my avid readers have missed me and I am terribly sorry. Life happens... I am sure that you are now thinking that I live in Lemhi and lead a rather boring life so that must be the reason I haven't written, but that isn't the case. We are no longer in Lemhi, we are now in Rexburg!

We moved here on the 2nd. We were so lucky to have such good friends and family that helped us. It has actually been a little interesting for us. When we first moved in we couldn't put anything in the living room because it was being cleaned and fixed up. We weren't able to put the washer in because the laundry room wasn't done. It made it a little difficult but still we are here!

The house that we are in is really a house that has been split up into different apartments, so there are people upstairs, downstairs, above the garage and then we have the main level. The last person that lived here kinda trashed the place- like stained the carpets, scratched up the entry way floor, ruined the trim... So this lovely person was then evicted and the house has only been slightly repaired. Since everything isn't as pretty and in place as it could be, we get to fix it up.

Brayden has started his work and has been busy hauling hay. He is working for Dalco Farms in Sugar City so he can still be a cowboy while he is out here. His first day of work was a little interesting. He went out at 8 and I was supposed to be a good wife and make him a lunch but I had no food to do anything with, which made it already a not so good day. He got going and everything was going great. After about 7 pm I was calling him every hour asking him when he would get home. The last call he told me that they got stopped at the port at Sage Jct. because the truck's lights weren't working. He told me it wouldn't be long, that someone was coming to get them. I finally just went to sleep and then he woke me when he got in... at 12! His boss didn't feel comfortable leaving the truck at the port over night so he had to fix the wiring in the dark. What a way to start!

We started school last week and things are going pretty well. We have about identical schedules which makes it nice for driving to school. Brayden has a Shakespeare class that he is a little excited about (truthfully, I'm not sure if he is really excited, but he says that his teacher is a real character...). I have a math class that I think I am the only married and probably the only non-freshman. Yikes!

We are doing really well out here and we are excited for what the semester holds. It will be a little crazy. Tomorrow we go to our new ward for the first time... Lots of firsts here... Wish us luck!

Unwritten Posts

2009-08-26T14:09:00.002-06:00

Amber and I were chatting one day and we each had some funny stories happen but they were a little embarrassing or they just shouldn't be put out for public. So I guess I am writing this post for all of those things that I can't write about. I know, kinda dumb, but it does make you wonder what those stories are, doesn't it...

Newly Wed Syndrome

2009-08-26T13:48:00.002-06:00

Kenny Chesney has a song (Good Sutff) where he talks about being married and one phrase that I have always laughed at was, "Eating burnt suppers the whole first year, and askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up." I laughed at this because I was like "this will never be me, I have won so many cooking competitions and awards. It will all be fabulous..." When people ask Brayden if I am a good cook, I just think, "duh... why would you even ask?" But then I actually got married, and it is a different story.

I'm not a bad cook and we haven't been eating burnt suppers, but occasionally things happen in the kitchen that I can't explain, well sometimes I can. And usually it is that I just get busy doing other things, like laundry, sweeping, setting the table, talking to mom, really important things. Then things like I cook the bread for 90 minutes... and it comes out as hard as a rock. Or I burn the hot dogs... (embarrassing I know). It happens and it almost amazes me because I am a pretty good cook, but maybe, all of those new wives that have created the myth of bad cooks are really good cooks too, they just have a life to go along with being a cook and they have yet to master all of the other stuff like our mothers have.

National Underwear Day

2009-08-14T17:27:00.002-06:00

I read that today is officially National Underwear Day. Very cool, but I just want to know whose idea that was and how did he/she get anyone to back them?

Lightning is... cool?

2009-08-14T16:54:00.002-06:00

In the movies the lightning and thunder is always so close and loud, but that's not what it is like in real life... at least I used to think so. When I was little, we would line the windows to watch the lightning and I loved the thunder, feeling it more than hearing it.

But that has changed. A few years ago I was driving home and there was a MASSIVE thunder storm. I have learned to drive in all sorts of weather, and usually I am pretty OK with it. This time I was terrified. I had on my wipers going as fast as they could and I was going SLOW, and I still couldn't see. I finally made it up to my parents drive way, start up and make it up only part way before my wheels just start spinning. Rather than keep trying to drive, I opt to run up the hill. Of course, me in the summer time, I am wearing flip flops, so before I run up the hill I take my shoes to run up the muddy hill. I opened up the door, put my feet out and then FLASH! CRACK! I swear I was nearly hit by lightning. I finally made it in the house, and if I had been a few years younger, I think I would have crawled in bed with my parents. At this point, lightning is no longer cool.

The reason I bring this story out of the archives is that last night my feeling of lightning-is-NOT-cool was very much intensified. After finally falling asleep after someone that will remain unnamed woke me up talking in their sleep and then snuggled me to the edge of the bed, I was awakened by a very big flash, followed too closely thereafter by a crack. And then again, and again and AGAIN. And each time the seconds between the FLASH and CRACK were diminishing until I swear our house was hit by lightning. I tried to think it was "cool" like Brayden did and watch it, but it wasn't long before I was hiding my head under my pillow and yelling at the lighting to go away. Eventually it did and my heart finally slowed down to nearly normal, only for the lightning and thunder to make a return loop. Not as bad as before, but it really was not... cool.

Kudos to those of you that can stand at the window, as for me, I will keep the bed warm and the pillows in use.

And just a slight PS to last night, today when we were pushing cows across the range, it came back... but just the thunder this time, and only for a minute. But in those slow ticking seconds, I was ready to turn tail and ride home...

Eliason Family Reunion

2009-08-03T09:04:00.005-06:00

Its cloudy outside and I already have some laundry going, so I think that I will blog rather than pick weeds outside (maybe I will do it when the sun is out and I can get some sun). And just a little side note about me blogging: I apologize that I don't do it very often. I have a hard time sitting in front of the computer- I always feeling like I am wasting time. Mom always says I am journaling in a sense, so I shouldn't feel guilty...

Last Monday- Wednesday we had the Eliason family reunion in Mantua, Utah (most grumbled that we were in Utah). I didn't take any pictures, a SIN, I know... but I did steal pictures from everyone else to put up!

This is our view from camp. There is the resivoire we played at.

F2709.JPG"> Eliason's love to play games, especially SMERKS (or NERTS if you have played with me). They just change the name and have a fancy board (but that only lets 4 people play).

ion+203.jpg"> Another thing Eliason's love to do is rope, even if there isn't real steers to rope. But they do bring a dummy. This year we had a whole team roping official timing, official flaggers, headers and heelers- the whole getup, minus the steers of course.

Shellie and I were the official timers and recorders.

Ken and Kristy were in charge of the reunion and therefore in charge of food. Here we are fixin' dinner. I think we were all caught off guard.

Here is the crew the second day at the lake. The first day was a little interesting. Brayden and Jasper unloaded the jet skis and before they had them at the dock they earned themselves a citation for speeding. There were NO signs! Between the two of them, they got a $90 ticket. It may seem like a lot, but it is much better than each of them getting a $210 ticket.

Chet and Stacie jumping in. There were tons of little fish swimming all over the docks. Kinda weird to swim with.

After the lake, some went to Brigham for the water park there. They had a sand volleyball court that you could play in for a while them jump back in the pool.

At the pool...

Here are all of the cousins, spouses and grandma and grandpa. Pretty good crowd!

WNIw0V4U91s/SncADK7AoXI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Kg10sJp71fE/s320/Eliason+Reunion+274.jpg">One last funny story. This is Cody and he LOVED to sneak up on people and spray their legs. The funny thing is that he would only get the girls because they were either wearing shorts or capris and the boys were all wearing pants and boots. Pretty clever!V> <DIV>

When we headed out Wednesday we went to Stone to continue the fun with Chet and Stacie. We took the jets skiis and got in a final run before we headed home. For the first time in I don't know how long, I got a sunburn on my legs- its already tan... I know, its bad for me, but it looks nice. We had such a good time! We were so sad to leave...

A trip to Jackson and the Bar J Wrangler

2009-07-17T08:39:00.004-06:00

July 8 Brayden and I had a fun treat to meet up with his partents, brother, Nanny & Papa, and Aunt Tammy and Whitney in Jackson Hole to see the Bar J Wranglers. If you haven't heard of them, you have to look them up on YouTube. There is a chuck wagon dinner, that feeds more people faster than I have ever seen and then old cowboy songs you would hear from the cow trail days. The group was so great! They had beautiful harmony and crazy good fiddilin'! After the show we had ourselves a little campout. Brayden and I went home the next morning, but then the crew came to us Saturday night so they could see Lemhi. A preety fun little treat for us! Here are the pictures:

Coming into Jackson, it really is a little hole.

Driving... beautiful scenery!

The Bar J Wranglers

Here is the banjo man- while he was playing this song, he took it out of tune and in again without stopping and without it sounding bad. His fingers moved so fast!

Brian is "crooning" all of the women. Part way through this, an old women came up and gave him a dollar.

It was such a good time. I could have listened to them sing for hours. The company made it even better!

Fun with Katie-bear

2009-07-17T08:13:00.004-06:00

Everytime the girls come over, they get into my closet and where my dress shoes. Katie always makes sure that I have a pair as well. So this is us with our shoes...

This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last, but I thought I should definitely put these up. Katie and Kenzie, sometimes even Weston, will come to my house to make cookies. I think that we do it so often that they think that is the only thing they can do at my house, that and watch Scoobey-Doo. Yesturday I decided that we needed to make more cookies so I went over to ask who wanted to help. Kenzie was playing in their little swimming pool, but Katie was willing, so it was just the two of us. Everytime we poured something into the bowl she would say "my turn" and then when we would turn on the mixer she would say "me do it."

Done...

2009-07-17T08:03:00.002-06:00

for a while. I took my final last night, and got a 92% I might add. So now I am done, for a least a month. And from now a lot of things are up in the air, but at least I can enjoy the next month or so! This "done" isn't as good as Amber's "done-forever-and-no-commitments-for-a-year" but as close as I can get for now. = )

4th of July Weekend

2009-07-06T08:09:00.004-06:00

Happy 4th! We had a great weekend here with Wes's family, Glenn, Mom and Dad. Its nice having half of the family here because we can easily pull mom and dad out here. We decided to have a little campout closeby, that way when forgot things we could just slip home. We had a dutch oven dinner with BBQ ribs, potatoes, corn on the cob!, and some apple cobbler. Then we roasted marshmallows... It was all so YUMMY!

When we first got there it was raining and I was sure that it was the end of it. But we managed to hold off the rain until we were packing up the next morning after breakfast.

Leadore had a fun little parade at noon. We went last year, but I must admit that it was more fun this year because I actually knew a lot of the people in it. A funny story, that actually was a compliment. Katie was sitting on Grandma's lap during the parade. One man that was passing out the candy put some in Katie's bucket and then said, "And here is one for mom." We all giggled because she is the grandma, but hooray for looking young!

We took the rest of the weekend pretty easy- a movie, a nap out under our tree, and we finished planting our lawn! Every seed was carefully placed and what has already been planted, is coming up quite green and fuzzy. Hooray! And I think that some of the flowers are making a come back!
Well, here are some pictures of the weekend. I do need to post other pictures from family reunion... one at a time.

The Buffalo Have Arrived...

2009-06-16T17:57:00.004-06:00

The owner of the ranch decided that he wanted to add buffalo to the mix here at Lemhi Ranches. Two trucks with about 160 buffalo showed up last Tuesday (June 9). We all went up to the correls on top and spent the next 3 hours unloading. It was nothing like working with cows. Usually you just open the door, get the cows facing the right way, and out the door they run, but in this case you poke and prod, and do it some more before the buffalo figure it out. When they get mad they would kick the trailer, HARD. It would send the sticks flying- even one got lost. Here are the pictures. Some of the trucks and the guys walking up and down the trailer and then the next morning I went out to get pictures of the actual buffalo. I had to wait for the next day because it was too dark by the time they were unloaded.

Why didn't we take this picture?!

2009-06-06T09:23:00.003-06:00

I had a friend forward me a link to this funny/awkward family pictures. Some of them were like back in the day that folks had the big poofy hair and nice matching sweaters. But I found one that could easily be a picture taken by my family.

Why didn't we take this picture at my wedding? Between my husband, dad, brothers, brothers-in-law, father-in-law... we could have had SO many guns there. I don't know how that would have gone over at the temple though.

Before The Painted House

2009-06-02T08:33:00.004-06:00

As I said before, here is the pictures of the house before we painted. I think that I am the first woman to live in the house, maybe even ever. There were dirty hand prints, splattered oil, and flies spots ALL over. We weren't really too hot about the wall paper either. Thankfully our landlord thought painting the house would do good for the house as well as our moral. It does feel much more homy.
This is our bedroom before the blue. And before I got everything put away.

This is the white wall, that had the brown handprints. I don't know if there are any to see here.

And finally the kitchen. There really isn't much to say. Thank goodness for paint.

The Painted House

2009-06-02T08:12:00.003-06:00

I know I said a LONG time ago that I would put up pictures of our house, before and after is was painted. Here are the AFTERS:

Here is the bathroom. It was first just the yellow, but that was super bright, so we put the white on the top and a blue stripe to tie it in with the bedroom.

Here is my blue bedroom. We need some wall decorations, but this will do for now...

And the kitchen. It is a really pale yellow. It is so much nicer than the fruity wall paper before.

This is our living room. I should take a more recent picture because I just got a new curtain. I got it at Bed Bath & Beyond for $24, original $70- all on a gift card. Any way, ignore the unmatching curtain, love seat and such. Just enjoy the color...

This is also in the living room against the accent wall with our very cool clock and my beautiful ceder chest that Brayden made for me. I have much MUCH more I want to do but my checkbook doesn't allow it. Someday... Check the next post for the before pictures.

Its June Already!

2009-06-02T08:02:00.003-06:00

I was helping mom the other day set up her blog and I realized that it has been quite a while since I blogged. So I thought I would take a minute this morning and do a post. A lot has been happening around our house. We were pretty busy in April going to Idaho Falls for my friend Jessie's wedding, Utah for Spencer's blessing, Drummond for the reception, and Holbrook to brand. It reminded me of when we were dating and were driving every weekend. Here are some pictures from the wedding:

On the homefront we are finally able to enjoy some spring. We have had weeks of beautiful weather, and it hasn't even been too windy, which is a record out here. Brayden has been working hard getting cows sorted (which of course I come and help because it’s a chance to ride), getting the range water going and shipping out the cows. Last week we got the heifers out and I was so happy. They were constantly getting out and into my yard, which is a little ironic because I am trying to grow grass because there isn't any. Why they would go to the yard that doesn't have grass, I don't know.

Last weekend Brayden, Wes, and I went to Drummond for Glenn's graduation. It is crazy how much things change. Wes said he recognized more people from their baby pictures in the slide show than their senior pictures. There were people that graduated that I didn't even know. We went back Sunday night and then mom, dad, and Glenn came over Monday for Memorial Day. They came again last Friday to drop Glenn off because he is living with us for the summer.

This leads me to my next bit of exciting news. We are getting buffalo Friday. Yikes! Wes and Brayden and their fence building crew have been working hard to get ready for the buffalo, building lots of fence, and there is LOTS more to build. Glenn is part of the crew, which is why he is living with us.

I have been keeping busy working on our yard. We are wanting to plant some grass seed and I have been trying to get out the rocks and to make it soft enough for the seeds to take. I have made a sidewalk out of flat rocks that we kind of pieced together. And we have also put in flowers, 40 pansies and petunias! We bought them in Montana and didn't get them planted for a few days, so they have had a rough start. I think Bud (our dog) has only sat on them once and the gophers haven't dug any wholes around them. Hooray! It is has been a fun little project for us. When my flowers are perky and actually have flowers, I will put up pictures, so stay posted!

We have a new addition to our family!

2009-04-30T08:59:00.003-06:00

Well folks, after being married for almost 4 months, we have finally decided to add to our family. It took us a long time to decide that it is right, but we did give in. Welcome the new little girl, Sage.

I know, probably not what you were expecting, but we did add to our family- now we have one dog and three horses. Brayden found this mare for a great deal. Now we (I should say Brayden) are training her. Maybe we'll keep her, maybe we will sell. Who knows, but fun for now!

I love my neighbors!

2009-04-30T08:15:00.004-06:00

Because Brayden is working with Wes, we have the rare but WONDERFUL privlege of living next door to the Mackays. Every week there is something fun going on. A few weeks ago we went to some hot pots and made a campfire with tinfoil dinners and marshmallow roasting. Last week we went bowling in Salmon. I think we had more fun helping and watching the kids. Everytime after someone bowled, Katie would point to herself and say "Me?"- is it my turn? Here are some pictures (Julie and I finally remembered our cameras!)

On Sunday, Brayden and I brought Katie home with us because Wes and Julie had meetings. I must say that there were two very big smiles, but I think Brayden's was the biggest. He loves this cute little girl, almost as much as me! Every time Katie's sees him, you hear "Brayn"- that the closest she gets to Brayden. They took a nap on our bed Sunday afternoon. Pretty cute!

Yesturday was Kenzie's birthday and we had one good party. Wes sent her to go and get the ice cream but hiding in the room was A NEW BIKE!! She looked in, saw the bike and closed the door. She loved it! When she was riding, Katie would come up from behind and push her. With every present Weston would say, "I can not believe it!" So much enthusiasm.

It is so great to live next to Wes and Julie. I can always borrow an egg or a cooler and keep it for weeks. There is always someone to walk with and talk to. For a girl that loved living in Provo, they make living in Lemhi a little, ok a LOT more bearable.

Spring, is that really you?!

2009-04-06T15:26:00.003-06:00

I think spring is finally upon us. After analyzing our most recent activities, I would say yes. This is what we have been up to lately:

2 weeks ago, we branded about 300 calves. Brayden's parents, brothers and a friend came to help out. I must say, it was a little different to cook for that many when I usually only have 2 mouths to feed. We were pretty lucky- the weather was taunting Brayden all week. I don't know if I have ever seen him pray so hard, but it worked. There were storms that would just skip right over us. It made so we didn't have to brand in the mud. Here are some pictures-

I just got back from helping take Brayden to his truck and there was a river on the road. All of the snow is melting and we are full of MUD! I thought that I would try to be good to the grass that is trying to grow and by staying on the road, but because of the river, the ruts are hidden. I think that earned the biggest bumps award while I was driving. So I decided to stick to the grass, hope it grows back... I am now more thankful for my new wood floor around the door than ever!

My dad came at the beginning of this week and just had to bring some guns because the gophers were out! We didn't get much, but they are coming. I know for some you may be skipping this paragraph, but gophers have become a part of our family life... I even saw some of the little ones scurry across the road.

Yesturday we had a beautiful Sunday, perfect for General Conference. When we were talking about it later, we thought it was interesting that even though we are experiencing difficult times, the prophet is still telling us to have faith and we will be ok. That doesn't mean that we won't have the challenges, but we will be able to withstand them. We are so thankful for the words we heard yesturday.

Wedding Pics 3

2009-03-15T21:04:00.002-06:00

I guess I should do some explaining of all these pictues. The first set was at the temple and our luncheon.

The next set is at the Hobrook reception. I don't remember what I have already written so sorry if you already know all of this. We had the local band play for us and they did a money dance for us. It was pretty fun for us. Brayden's uncles were all in a line to spell each other off quick because they said they couldn't dance, but they were all great. The picture of me being carried over Chet's shoulder is a little bit of a story. There is a tradition in the Eliason family to steal the bride from the reception. Most places there is a shopping list or something embarrassing for her to do. Lucky for me, we were in Holbrook where the closest store was 30 minutes awayl. They improvised by taking me to the neighbors and made me sing and dance. Almost embarrassing, but better than the alternatice. My brother-in-law nathan was so kind to help me sing at some of the homes.

The third bunch is in Drummond. We didn't do much, just really simple. We had so much help! Jessie's mom did the cake, margaret and crew took care of the kitchen, the scouts and others helped set up, Mickey helped decorate and did my hair. It was all so fabulous.

Wedding Pics 2

2009-03-15T20:44:00.002-06:00

Ok, since blogger doesn't let me do more than a few pictures (its probably me...) here are the reception ones.

Wedding Pics

2009-03-15T20:36:00.002-06:00

As promised, I thought I would put up some pics from the wedding and receptions. These are just from my mom and Brayden's cousin Josi. Enjoy!

Just too busy to blog

2009-03-15T20:28:00.002-06:00

I suffer from the just-too-busy-to-blog-itis. I just get going on something and I don't blog. Or I feel guilty sitting down to blog because it is a waste of time or that I should be doing something better. Like right now- I could be writing my roommate that is on her mission or could be catching up in my journal. But, it has been about a month and I need to update.

The most exciting thing that has happened in the last few weeks is that we painted our house. We did the kitchen, living room, hall, master bedroom and bath. It took about 3 weeks but it could have been done sooner if I hadn't of gotten sick (again- these kids!) and something like school. Julie, my sister-in-law, was awesome and would come over everyday in between taking car of her kids and help me. SHE IS AMAZING! I'm kinda sad that now we are done painting, she won't have an excuse to come over anymore. I wish that I had taken before and after shots, but I only have after, and I will have to put them up later.

With the new paint, we put some new floor in around our door so that when my cowboy comes home or people drop in during the muddy season, I can have an easy cleanup. My parents came over the weekend to visit and my Dad helped Brayden. It went in so slick. Maybe if cowboying doesn't work, Brayden can be a cowboy (ya right). With all of my improvements you ALL need to come and visit. And I even have a spare bedroom ready for you!

A post of a lot of random things

2009-02-18T13:30:00.003-07:00

It hit me, like it hasn't since high school. Either I loved on my nephews and nieces too much or there were too many sick primary kids, and now I am sick. I don't even hardly remember the last time that a cold has made me this sick. But on the bright side, I don't feel bad stopping for a minute to write a blog, which includes all of the random things I have been thinking about blogging about.

First I want to announce that I have finally beat the cold water. Yes, I finally had a shower and washed my face, hair, and shaved all before I ran out of hot water. Usually I get part way done with my first leg before the cold water comes, and then I feel like I just wasted my time because then I am freezing and my leg hairs are growing. That might be a little too graphic, but you know what I mean. It was such a glorious accomplishment.

Second random thing. I love to cook/bake. It doesn't matter what it is, and I must admit I do a pretty good job. You give a recipe and I can cook it, most of the time. Once I did mistake the baking soda for the baking powder in biscuits. Don't try that- its not good. So loving baking isn't the random thing. One of the things that I love most about baking is getting to wear an apron. There is something about it that makes me feel like I can cook like my mother. And aprons are so helpful. You can pull something hot out of the microwave using it rather than getting a hot pad. You can quick rinse of your fingers and dry them on the apron. If you have a crazy fast mixer like I do, it can keep the powdered sugar from making a mess of you clothes. An apron is just a beautiful thing...

This isn't a random thing, but do you ever wonder if you really no what you want? One day we think we want one thing and a day later we want to go back. Or you didn't really know what you thought you know about what you wanted. Or sometimes you do know, you just put it in the back of your mind because you don't want to think about it. Like I have always wanted to marry a cowboy, and I did. We are madly in love and having a great time, as long as Brayden isn't getting flung across the barn by a cranky cow. So here I am wanting a cowboy, yet knowing that they ALWAYS get hurt (maybe that is why I want to be a nurse). I send him out the door every morning with a kiss and I tell him to have fun cowboy, but don't get hurt. Somewhere in there is a contradiction that will never go away. I want my cowboy to cowboy, but I tell him not to get hurt. Ya right... I guess until the day we find a way for our cowboys to cowboy safely, I will keep the meds and band aids close at hand.

Every wife needs a good dose of creativity

2009-02-06T20:27:00.004-07:00

Since moving into our home, we have some good newly wed adventures that have taken some creative juices to make do. The first day I went to do dishes I opened up the dishwasher to find that there wasn't a silverware tray. We tried once just to lay our silverware across the washer rack (I don't know the technical term...) but they just fall through to the bottom. I decided to make my own silverware tray.

Our first Sunday at church we only lasted for Sacrament. For some reason, the heating in the building didn't work, so after 15 minutes of the firs our we all gathered into the Chapel and that was it. It was nice to be able to have some extra time before Brayden went to check calves.

Then that night I was in the tub and suddenly the power went out, way out. I had planned to make pizza for dinner but that plan went out with the power. We resulted to cold cereal and hot dogs, roasted over candles. Then we used the candles for light to play phase ten.

The power still didn't come back on before we went to bed so we just piled on the blankets to keep from freezing. The power came back on about 10:30 and we survived the night.

A few days later, Brayden called me from the barn, asking if he could bring in a calf to get warm in the tub. I said sure, but we don't have any water. During the night, the subzero weather froze my water pipes. Brayden and Wes came over in a hurry and fixed 'em up in a hurry. We are loving all of the fun things we get living up here. We just make our way with what we have!

Hooray!

2009-02-06T19:56:00.002-07:00

I am right now sitting on my love seat, typing away at this blog. This means two new exciting things. The first is that I have a computer, a laptop even. The second is that I have the internet, even wireless. So now I can do all of the blogs I have intended to do.

I guess the first thing that I should do is give a little update. Brayden and I are were blessed with a terrific wedding. We had so many friends and family come to support us. The day was great, except for the freezing cold. Actually, it wouldn't have been so bad but the wind was terrible. I must admit that wearing boots was the best decision ever. The following night we went to Holbrook for our reception. There was a constant line from 6 to 8. My mom and I were happily surprised to see my Uncle Pete and Aunt Joyce and Uncle Roger and Aunt Ruth and some of their girls. It was so great to see them! Sunday Brayden and I left for our honeymoon. We went to Las Vegas via the Grand Canyon. I know, it really isn't on the way, but neither of us had ever been so we thought we might as well. We got to our home in Lemhi and stayed there long enough to unload the horse and gifts before we headed over the mountain to Drummond for the other reception. It was great to see so many friends at the reception. After being out of a home for a month we were anxious to get home, so we headed back Sunday(really, I moved out of my apartment on the 19th of Dec. and by the time we moved home it was the 19th of January).

And since we have been here we are loving it. We are making progress with our house and I must say we are getting close. If you were to come visit it would at least look clean, because everything is carefully hidden.

In our moving in, I have realized some of the little things that make me feel really happy and at home. The first is a real garbage can in the kitchen. Who would think that a garbage can will help a kitchen be more happy? Another thing is having things to organize my spatulas and wooden spoons that actually fit. I am learning that I really, REALLY like having things organized. Julie and I went shopping in Idaho Falls, which means we stalked up on stuff. So when I came home, Brayden was so kind to help me put the cans away, but afterward I went back to organize it. What a nerd!

Brayden and I were really blessed by our friends and family and we were able to get some great things for our home. We got a great new mattress and dresser set. I feel like we have been so spoiled. You are all going to have to come and visit us. Maybe that will the insentive I need to finish up the unpacking.

PS- As soon as I get pictures from my mom I will post them, no worries. And I will take some of our little house!

Pictures From Past Adventures

2008-11-26T09:48:00.003-07:00

Here are the pictures that I promised A LONG time ago!

Time is moving on

2008-11-06T11:12:00.003-07:00

I haven't posted for a while and I kinda don't know what to say. I am alive and surviving. Life is still cruisin' along. I think this is the fastest a semester has ever seemed to go by. That definitely has its benefits and here is why I think so:

1. Since it goes so fast, I never think that I have any down time, so I jump right into the next project. Having a paper and test every week is nice that they aren't on top of each other, but I am continually spending my nights with Harold (the library, not another man- no worries!)

2. It makes the time until the wedding go fast. I was sure that this semester would just drag on because I was looking forward to January. I can't believe that I will be getting married in 9 weeks from tomorrow. That may seem like a long time, but when you start counting down from like 18, you are almost to the downhill side. And, if you think about that I have 9 weeks of single life left in comparison to the 20 years I have had, there isn't much left.

3. When I do start to think how crazy my life is, I just talk to the people I love and they tell me it will all be alright. So with constant craziness, I get to talk to them a lot.

But currently I am done with the craziness of this week. I finished my 8 page paper and turned it in (and might I add that it was due tomorrow, but since I won't be there I turned it in yesturday!). Brayden and I are going up to Wes's to help preg check cows this weekend. That means I get to be with Brayden, Wes, Julie and kids, and my parents!

I will try to have some pictures from the latest adventures... then everyone can have an opportunity to laugh at my chubby face from the wisdom teeth adventure and cringe at the preg checking adventure.

Mom's Birthday

2008-10-22T17:14:00.002-06:00

Since I have come to college, I have realized how much I need my mom, especially the last few months. Last weekend Brayden and I were watching some old home videos (scary, I know) and it just really hit me how much my parents loved us and how much they gave. There were tough times but we were always happy. Mom helped us to learn to find happiness in the small things.

Last week I got my wisdom teeth taken out (watch for pictures later...) and mom came down to help me. I don't think I said thank you enough for all of the things she helped me with- getting comfortable, icing my swelling cheeks, finding food... the list goes on. Then she patiently helped me work on wedding stuff- sort through pictures, trying on dresses, looking at invitations, flowers... another list that goes on. She even took time when I was sleeping to sweep the floors. I don't know if there was anytime spent on things for her. Now that I am getting married I know exactly what kind of wife and mother I want to be.

Thank you, mom, for everything you do for me. Thanks for teaching me, supporting me, cheering for me, being an example for me, and most of all loving me.

Never letting go of home

2008-10-09T19:55:00.002-06:00

While I was at work today, I realized that you can never let go of home. I don't mean that in a mushy way, but really... Home and the things I did there have influenced me in so many ways. Like when I go grocery shopping I really have to tell myself that I don't have to stock up for the next month because the grocery store isn't an hour away so I can go buy more milk later. Or I still call the end of the loaf of bread the lucky piece or the mismatched spoon the special spoon, so named because mom knew we wouldn't want them if they were the "leftovers". The reason that I thought of this is really weird and random. Here's the story: I was filing stuff at work in the too full filing cabinets. I was trying to just slide the papers in but that wasn't working because it was too full. Then I tried pulling out the whole file, putting the paper in, finding the place for the file, and jamming it back in its place. Then I had this brilliant idea. I remembered how when it was AI season, we would have to pull out all of the different bull semen from the tank. We had to make sure we pulled it up only enough to get the tube out, but not so much to expose the whole rack. So from this I decided that I would pull out the file far enough that I could slip the paper in without having to pull out the whole file. I know, a really weird, random way to come to such a simple solution. And it really confirms my point that you really can't let go of home.

What school has done to me...

2008-10-03T11:05:00.003-06:00

In my human development class, we have an autobiographic paper due on Monday. This isn't just a journal entry, but we take specific experiences we have had and we analyze the experiences to see how we developed through it. This has made me do a few things.

The first is that now I every time I look back on something that happened, even if it is just to tell a funny story, I analyze how I developed from it. But sometimes I have think, "oh man, did I develop?" My analyzing hasn't just stayed with my development. It has snowballed into analyzing everything I do or see other people do. Sometimes I get tired of analyzing things and I miss the ignorant bliss...

The second thing that has resulted from this paper, more so from the writing lab, is that I realize how casual my speech is. But I think that is a good thing because if we did talk how I write in my paper, it would seem too impersonal because of the formality. I find that I try to use the same forms that use to communicate verbally as I do in a paper. I even make facial expressions when I write and assume that everyone can see it and decipher what that means. Even now as I am writing a blog, which isn't as formal as my paper, I am struggling to communicate everything that is going through my head, but there might be other factors on that one. In essence, what I am trying to say is, good thing that we don't have to communicate the way that I have to write my papers because it is exhausting and not a little boring. (As I have been writing this I am trying to analyze why... oh man)

Maybe I will just stop thinking, and typing for that matter. I am excited for this weekend because my dad is here, Brayden is on his way, and I have aunts, uncles and cousins that I can spend the weekend with. Isn't family great! I am pretty sure Heavenly Father did the right thing when He said we can be eternal. It makes these times when we aren't together seem so small in comparison to what will get to have.

Its coming!

2008-10-02T10:15:00.002-06:00

Today is 99 days until the wedding! HOORAY for finally being in the double digits. For a fun little update, planning is actually going really well. Last Saturday I actually picked up my dress! I actually had it picked out and paid for even before we were officially engaged, mostly because we got a screamin' deal on it. I asked my Aunt Julie if I can leave it at her house, mostly because I don't have space in my house for this HUGE dress but also because if I did have it at my apartment I would put it on all the time. Yesturday my dad came into town and brought more things. I have some beautiful Montana Silversmith earrings and some hot pink cowboy boots. They are so fun! This weekend I am attempting to make some preliminary decisions on invitations, flowers, cakes... ya, right. I will probably just end up playing with Brayden and my dad.

2008-09-23T11:42:00.000-06:00

Sorry about the pictures before... I forget to tip them strait...dang

Cruisin through September

2008-09-22T18:01:00.006-06:00

September is almost over and its time I post a little update. Life if good, going fast- too fast sometimes but not fast enough at others. I think that this semester is going to be manageable. Good thing because at this point there is no getting out. I really do like my classes, just some of them are a little more demanding. But then again, I think of having to do Amber's analysis stuff and I am more than happy to go read Athletic Training.

I am so happy that Chelsea is back! It is like old times again! I even went in today to practice with her. How rough would it be to sit and watch the men's volleyball team practice all day?

Last Saturday I was up at Brayden's and we were weaning calves. We started off going great- sleeping in the truck while the men talked, looked for cows for a couple of hours and sang "I'm a little teapot." Then the wind started...and we were on the desert. Trailing behind a bunch of cows on the desert with huge gusts of wind doesn't make for the best time, but we made it. I have never had so much dirt in my ears before. In fact, I think there is still some in there.

Anyway... I'm still alive and doing well. Life's a party!
So a few weeks ago, Brayden's mom took some pictures of us, just for kicks. But I guess you could call it the practice round for engagements.

The Proposal

2008-09-05T11:15:00.003-06:00

Here is the story and pictures of the ring!

Sunday afternoon we were at Brayden's home in Holbrook. It had been rainy throughout the afternoon which meant we were cooped up inside. After a while, Brayden asked if I wanted to go for a drive. It wasn't a random, out of the blue sort of question because occasionally we do just go for a drive. So we jumped in the truck and headed up through the hills nearby.

Brayden would explain about the area and when the cows would be there, that sorta stuff. We drove to the end of their property and turned and headed back home. I must admit that going on a drive, while it is raining on muddy roads around sharp corners and hills isn't the best choice. After driving and talking for a while, Brayden started to slow down. I thought this might be it and I got a little nervous. So naturally I start talking, a lot. Brayden asked me if I wanted to get out and walk around- the area we were stopped at was their little camp site for family or young men camp outs and such. Since it was raining, I had planned on staying in the truck so it was a little chilly for me in my capris and short sleeves. Very chivalrously, Brayden put his arms around me as we talked, and of course, occasionally we might have...kissed. Without my knowing, he had put his foot up on a nearby picnic bench to get the ring (in the box) out of his boot. After talking for a minute more he asked if I wanted to go back to the truck. I said I was ok but Brayden decided that we should go back. As he took his step back, he said, "But first..." and in the same motion got down on one knee and asked, "Allison Mackay, will you marry me?" I don't know exactly what I said (other than yes). I do remember that I reached over the ring kissed him but he told me that first I should put the ring on so that he wouldn't lose it. It is a continual concern- Brayden is always checking to make sure the diamond is still in there, and it always is.

So that is our story- just how I want it. = ) Here is a picture of the ring.

The Long Awaited Announcement

2008-09-02T12:35:00.002-06:00

I only have a quick minute for this, but I want to announce that Brayden and I are engaged! I will put up another post of the story and a picture of the ring, but I just had to announce my happy news!

A Summary of the Summer

2008-08-26T16:19:00.005-06:00

I know that I have missed putting up about half of what happend for the summer so here is a calendar of the rest of the summer.

I feel like this summer was very family oriented, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was really great to get to meet and spend time with Brayden's family. If there was one word to describe his family it is COWBOY. They all really like to get together and have a good time. That always means good cooking and good company. I finally got to see Brayden rope at the rodeo and another roping. He and his cousin Brittany won the 'Ribbon Roping'. He had to rope a heifer and Brittany had to get the ribbon off of the tail. We ate out good that night!

Our WSM Family reunion was so fun but not long enough. Brayden's very nice boss gave him so time off so he could be with us. Allen and Jenny were especially thankful that he was there (they were feeling a little left out because they were the only ones to have not met Brayden yet). We played football and basketball, swam in the lake, and played games. In a couple of games, I noticed that I was significantly shorter than the rest of my siblings. It was illustrated by the body slam in keep away in the lake, getting tackled in touch football, and getting elbowed in the face in basketball. Good thing I love these guys! I did finally win when we pulled out the card games.

My office started to miss me so I finally spent some time at work (actually I missed the big pay checks). We have been implementing some changes and gearing up for the next semester. My supervisor and I tend to be in the office while the other is on vacation, so it has been interesting running HR without the whole team. But it has been a great experience.

Brayden has finally moved so that I don't have to drive the 387 miles to see anymore! About a week ago I figured out how far I have gone to see Brayden. Let's just say it is enough that Provo will be seeing a lot more of him. = ) It is definitely his turn. But I am sad that I won't get to spend as much time with Wes's family. I will just have to call more often to get all of my chats in with Julie. On one of the weekends, Wes and I got to help clip some steers for the local 4-h kids and it was so fun to work together like that.

Today is one week from school... I really have mixed feelings. I am excited for my classes and for what this semester will bring, but I really have enjoyed this summer. I think the semester would go over much better if there wasn't so much stress involved. But alas, I haven't been able to figure out how to disconnect school from stress. So here is to a new semester and more new beginnings!

What a slacker

2008-08-26T16:11:00.002-06:00

So I've determined that I am not the best blogger. I don't do well and the little random updates. Rather, I wait until I feel guilty that I haven't posted anything for a while and then I do something super long. I have come up with a list of reasons why I just haven't been feeling it: 1) I usually spend 8+ hours on a computer at work and spending more time just isn't appealing to go sit at a computer longer, 2) when I finally do feel like putting up a post, I don't have a computer at home to do it on so I can't, and 3) I would usually do this when I am wanting to waste time and procrastinate and since I haven't had homework to do... Anyway, here is a nice, pointless blog informing you why I haven't kept and that I am going to attempt to do better, as I always say that I will. In fact, to prove it, I will do another post of what is actually happening in my life. :-)

A Quick Catch Up

2008-07-19T13:53:00.006-06:00

It's been a while since I have put up a post. July has been so crazy and doesn't look to slow down any. This is the first weekend that I have even been home since Brayden was in Utah. During the week I am working hard to get some $$ to afford all of this playing. On the weekends I have been going up to Idaho TO PLAY (imagine that)!!

The first weekend I went up I had gotten a ride with some guys from the ride board. Initially we were supposed to leave at 2, then it got pushed to 3. I got a text about 3:15 that it would probably be about 4, which quickly turned into 5. We didn't hit the road until 6:00 PM! I was so grouchy, and they knew it. I drove to Idaho Falls with 4 other guys in a VERY small car. I'm not planning to do that again! Saturday Brayden had to go up in the mountains and push some cows up to the top, so I went out and helped him. It was about 5 hours ride of following a trail all around. One point it gets so steep that we have to get off of our horses and walk so we don't fall over the edge. I was plenty sore coming home.

The next weekend was 4th of July. HAPPY 4th OF JULY!! Wes and Julie were nice enough to let me come and stay again, especially since they were having an Astle family reunion. We all gathered for a small flag ceremony after breakfast. At noon there was a parade in Leadore, right on mainstreet, which also happens to be the highway. There is always an "after parade" because of all the traffic that gets backed up. We just chilled and played games for the afternoon. Dinner was the usual hot dog and hamburger BBQ for the 4th. When we were done eating, Brayden and I went and played horse shoes, and I am happy to report that I WON! I even got a ringer... so did Brayden. We gathered for some small fireworks, which ended up being a little more exciting than planned. The box that they were shooting from started rocking so they didn't go straight up in the air, but some flew right over the top of us. Saturday we went into Salmon and watched the annual Demolition Derby (out of habit, I almost wrote "pinewood derby" instead). I had never been to one so I was pretty excited. I didn't really understand all of what they entailed and was quite surprised when everyone started driving RIGHT INTO EACH OTHER! Weston loved watching the cars crash. I hope he didn't get any ideas. I did finally remember to get the camera out for that. Watching Brayden was almost as fun as watching the derby. He would get so into it, wiggling so much you would have thought he was out there driving.

Brayden had let me take his car so I could get back and forth with out spending so much on the shuttle. I was happy to take his car but there was one hitch in it and that was that the AC doesn't work, which I have learned is a MUST in Utah. So I decided I would wake up early Saturday and drive up. I got to Wes's about 11:00 and had plenty of time to help plan for Wes's brithday. After the kids and Julie made a card, we figured out what we would do for the cake. After many distractions, baseball, swings, lunch, naps, and creamies, the cake was finally made. Brayden and Wes came back from riding up in the mountains and hurried to finish some chores before Wes and Julie went out to dinner. I told them I would be happy to babysit if they wanted and they were quick to jump on the offer. Sunday was Brayden's Mission President's homecoming in Idaho Falls so we headed out early for that. It was really fun to hear all of the stories and meet some companions. Somewhere along the line I think I did hear that amongst all the fun, some work did get done.

After we left the Pres' house we met up with Brayden's family for the start of the Eliason reunion. We just relaxed for Sunday afternoon. Because we were so close to Rexburg, I stayed at Grace and Chase's that night. It was fun to catch up with them and play with little Bridger. I can't believe how fast he is growing! Monday we were up getting the jet skies out on the water. We figured we would be out for just a minute and then we would put some sunscreen on- our minute got a little long and we were fried. I guess it's only tradition that I get awarded the crispy critter award. At least I had someone to share it with this time. The reunion was on Timberline Golf course by Ashton. When I asked what we were going to do, Brayden warned me that it just roping. I was excited at first because I thought there was an arena close by but I was mistaken. All they had was a couple of dummies... Cowboys are so easily entertained. Tuesday we did head to Mack's Inn and floated down the river. While they were waiting, Brayden and I did some fishing the bridge and I am proud to announce that I caught the first fish! (I don't think Brayden even got one, but I won't say that out loud. In his defense we weren't out long...) We stayed up late playing games and listening to stories from grandma and grandpa. So FUN!

Coming back to reality was tough! At work it was just Quinn and I. Everyone else was at some other work or out sick, so I took care of HR. There was so much to do, my brain went on overload- maybe that was just because it was still cruisin' in vacation mode. And now I am here, sitting in the Library on a Saturday, so I can get rid of this guilt concious because I haven't written in so long. Tonight Allen, Amber, and Glenn will get here and we will head up to Montana for another fun week.

It's Summer time!

2008-06-20T17:20:00.004-06:00

I am happy to announce that I am now done with classes until September 2. Whoo hoo! As I left the testing center yesturday, I had such an urge to skip down the side walk and tell everyone that I WAS DONE! Ok, not really...my brain was fried and all I wanted to do was sleep. These last few weeks have been tough. The hardest thing was knowing that it was a beautiful day outside and I was sitting inside at work or class. Though I still have to work, I am going to get a chance to enjoy the sunshine.

Now that I am done with classes I feel like it really is time for summe and I am really looking forward to enjoying the remainder of it with a little less stress. I love my job and getting to help people. I am excited to get to spend so much time with my family this summer. Lately I have realised how important my family really is. I think I have taken for granted what blessings I have. I have never once doubted the support that I have in my family. I always know that they are there for. I don't know how many times I have called home to mom just have someone say, "You can do it today; that's all you need." On Father's Day I got to speak in my ward, which gave me an opportunity to see why I love my dad and why I appreciate him. As good as it was to take a minute to ponder about it, it did make me feel quite homesick. The reason I love my dad is for those big, strong hands that have so much power in them. They have never failed me. Thanks dad!

Brayden came down last weekend and we went to Summer Fest with Heather and Brian. I told Brayden that I had only seen one parade outside of Drummond's so this was a treat for me. It wasn't over it 15 minutes! I was having so much fun just watching the parade that I forgot to take pictures until part way through and then decided I really just wanted to enjoy the parade. When the parade was finshing up we headed over to the carnival. We wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel, actually we really just wanted to take a picture on it. We stood in line forever, ok only about an hour, before the fireworks started. We wanted to watch the fireworks more than ride the Ferris Wheel, so Brayden gave our tickets to the little girl behind us. The fireworks were the best I had ever seen, and I have seen some good ones! Again, I was taking in the show rather than taking pictures of it. When it was over, we went back to Heather and Brian's to hang out. We were so tired that we didn't even play the games we had gotten out or eat the ice cream we brought. We just had so much fun!

More pictures

2008-06-06T17:09:00.000-06:00

Brayden and I

Wes helping Weston shoot.

Weston

Kenzie

Katie and Kenzie

Weekly Report

2008-06-06T16:16:00.002-06:00

This has been a really good week for me. There were no tests, which means no stresses before the test and no added stresses when I see my score. I have one more full week of classes and I will be done until September. I am so excited! Since I came to college I have had a new experience of learning, by something called failure. That is such a nasty word, but really it is how we learn. If we didn't fail, we would never want to improve and progress. I guess learning is like cleaning your room- a bigger mess before it's really clean. Things have to blow up before you can fix it.

There are more fun things I should report on. Last weekend I went up to Idaho (are you surprised?) and got to spend the weekend with Brayden, my parents and Glenn, Wes, Julie, and kids, Brett, Jinni and girls, and some friends of Brett's. (I'm not sure if my commas are right; if their not, bear with me). We did what we do best up at Wes's- pest control. We spent the majority of our time up in the pastures shooting gophers. I wish I had taken a picture of all the guns we had because it illustrates how into it we are. Here are the pictures I did get, plus a few extra of Wes's kids that Brayden took before he sent my camera.

The kids in the back of Wes's truck. They were happy to spot out the gophers for us to shoot!

Brett and Brynlee

There was never enough ammo; we were constantly reloading.

Brett, Jinni, and Brynnlee

Brayden and I

I will post more pictures!

My Intended Update, Part 2

2008-05-29T14:13:00.004-06:00

Staying true to my word, I am going to really check in and add some pictures along with it. Right now I am doing a Spring block at BYU which will get over in the middle of June. I am still working Human Resources in the HBLL and an additional job. When I signed up for it all, I didn't really think it would be too busy, but I was wrong. Everyday I am in classes or at work from about 8 AM to 7 PM. Oh well... After winter semester I moved into a new apartment a couple of blocks south of campus. I can't tell you how exciting it is to not have bunk beds, a desk of my own, and a closet. What luxuries! It is funny that I am so excited because I am really hardly ever there. On the weekends I am usually going up to visit Brayden, which means I haven't attended my own ward very much. Of the six weeks that I have been in my new ward, I have been there once. I am wondering if people think that I'm inactive! Life is crazy but good. Here are some fun pictures to show it:

Brayden and I

Dropping Brayden's brother off at the airport. I was doing my best to stay arm's legnth away, and Brayden thought he would make it even farther.

Brayden's family goes out for ice cream after dropping off their missionaries.

Kayla and I at the door of our new apartment.

The scary things we can wake up to in the mornings!

My intended update

2008-05-27T11:10:00.002-06:00

I use blogging as an incentive when I have big things to do. I tell myself that I can write again after I have finished my paper or after I have taken my test but then there is always something else that comes along that should be done. But I decided I just need to do it, so I am.

It is crazy how time just passes by. This past year I have realized this so much more since January. When you are so focused on one thing, time just passes by and you don't even know it. It is crazy to believe that I am now a junior in college, but it seems like I just graduated from high school. The craziest thing was when I turned 20. How weired that all of the sudden I'm not a "teen". I definitely am ok with that, but how weird. I remember when my brothers and sister were in college and 20 seemed so old and mature. It's not...It is just interesting how our perspective changes over time as we grow and learn.

This has been a very different year (starting January 1) for me. Because I am a poor starving college student, I have decided (or forced) to not have a car. I just really can't afford it. Because of that, trips are few and far in between, until this year. Starting from President's weekend, I have travelled 6,114 miles. This is only highway miles, not miles in and around town. It's crazy how you have no idea really what your life is going to be. If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would spend nearly every other weekend, driving up to Idaho, I would have laughed and asked would keep me going up there that often. Even if you would have said it would be for a cute cowboy, I would have been a little sceptical. But now it is the norm and doesn't seem to be enough. My ideal dating situation was not to live 387 miles apart; that's just not normal. Really, who would pick that?

We carefully plan what would be the perfect life for ourselvs but our foresight is so limited. There is so much more out there, planned for us, than we really know. If we were to see what has been laid out for us by the one that REALLY knows, would embrace it or would we shrink back in fear? Would it look to daunting? Would we feel inadequate to what we should become? I am always saying that I don't know enough to keep going, a little undirected. But then, just as you need it, the path is laid before you to go on. You still don't see where you are going to end up, because you may want to turn back because the path is too hard. But little by little, you make it to where you are supposed to be. My favorite quote is, "When we come to the end of what we know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure...either God will provide something to stand on or we will be taught to fly." Every day I just keep praying that I can keep flying.

I really didn't have an intention of how I wanted this to go; I kinda feel like just gave a mini talk, but that is what is on my mind. I was really intending just to give a brief update, but I didn't even make it that far. That just means I will have to get on again. = ) And I finally have some fun pictures to post...so this is TO BE CONTINUED.

A Fresh Start

2008-04-29T14:58:00.000-06:00

I told myslef I couldn't really start this until I really had the time, which really meant until after finals. And I have stayed true to it! Now that finals are over and we are starting into spring I can finally treat myself.

I am excited for this fresh start that comes every spring. It seems if we can just make it through winter, then we can come out of hibernating and enjoy life again. Growing up winter was always tough because it was calving season. We spent long hours in the cold, helping make sure all the new babies were doing ok. As we got farther into the season it seemed like we were doing all that we could to keep up. But then spring always came along- sunny days and blue skies. What more could we need! I still feel like the father we get into winter, its all I can do to hang on. School, work, callings, and family individually seem to take all of my time- too bad there is only one of me instead of four. But happily, winter does come to an end. Ready or not we get to start over, and why not start over with the grass and flowers! Every new start is just a new adventure and looking down the path we are exactly sure where it will take us. It is the experiences along the way that make the adventure worth experiencing.

So, here's to hoping this is a great new beginning, a great fresh. The grass is growing, the tulips are blooming, the sun is shining, and I am ready for a new adventure!

2008-03-25T11:48:00.000-06:00

HOORAY for blogging! I have to go to class so ...Adios!